A/N: Since it's update kind of night, I figured I should update this story as well cause it's currently the one I'm most excited about. Anyway, thank you all for the follows, favorites and reviews. I was not expecting the attention this story got and am really happy about that. Now enough talk, on with the show!
Summary: Klaus was not the only one affected by the hybrid curse, denying him his werewolf side. The curse had a second victim, his wife Caroline, who for a 1000 years he thought was dead. Only days before he is meant to break his hybrid curse, he learns she is alive and closer than he ever imagined. Klaroline!Time travel story.
Chapter Three
Caroline had been with this family for three days before being taken into the village. The day had started like the others, Caroline and Rebekah woke early in the morning so that they could help Esther prepare breakfast. It was simple food and incredibly plain, but Caroline enjoyed making it with Esther and Rebekah.
At first Caroline was insecure about her abilities, but the two women were patient and assured her that she was fine which made her feel better. Niklaus helped them or his younger brothers while Elijah and Finn joined Mikael in the forest or the village.
As the morning continued on, Caroline was helping Esther to organize her herbs. Though Esther was neat, Caroline's input had improved the area tremendously. The last of the herbs were being put away, Rebekah joined them with a look Esther recognized as her daughter wanting something.
"No Rebekah," Esther said as she handed Caroline a bag of leaves.
Rebekah pouted, "You have no idea what I intended to ask."
"Whatever it is, I am sure it will not be something I like," Esther said knowingly.
"Well this mother you will enjoy," Rebekah said with an air of confidence, "Caroline has spent the past three days trapped in this hut with nothing more than chores to keep her busy. Please allow us to go into the village. Besides Caroline will need a pair of shoes of her own."
Esther considered her daughter's words for a moment, she agreed, "Very well. You girls may go to the village so that Caroline can get some shoes made for her. I'll fetch Finn to accompany you."
Rebekah groaned in a completely undignified way, earning a sharp look from Esther and Caroline struggling to hide a smile. Seeing Rebekah with her mother reminded Caroline of her mom. It sent a pang through her chest, she missed her mom more than anything. However she couldn't let that eat away at her, if she considered the idea that she may never see her mom again… it hurt too much to even think about.
Caroline pushed the thoughts away as she put these tea leaves on of the hanging bowls that Esther had.
"It would be inappropriate to leave you two alone, one of your brothers must be with the pair of you," Esther explained patiently.
"We would not be alone, we would have each other," Rebekah argued with a huff, "If you must send someone with us, then let it be Elijah or Niklaus."
"Perhaps our chaperone could follow us from a distance as well," Caroline suggested standing beside Rebekah, "This way they could still watch us, but not so much so that they are hovering."
"Excellent idea Caroline, what do you say mother," Rebekah asked with a pleading smile.
Esther released a soft sigh, but smiled, "I'll give you girls a head start. Be on your way."
Rebekah hugged her mother as she cheered, "Thank you! Come on Caroline before she changes her mind."
Rebekah grabbed Caroline's arm and pulled her through the house until they made it into the front yard. Not too long after the door closed and the two girls were running away from the house laughing at the thrill. The girls were a vision, each with wide smiles and twinkling eyes with their similar shades of blonde locks whipping behind them.
Their run turned to a walk so that they could catch their breath and not attract too much attention to themselves. As they entered the village, they could see people wandering about to and from the various little shops. Caroline grinned at the sight, though it was nothing like the town she was from, she enjoyed the familiar feeling of seeing people going about their lives.
It made her feel as though her reality didn't come crashing down a few days ago. Then as she looked closer at the clothes, the unfamiliar faces and the old shops, that smile disappeared.
Rebekah turned to smile at Caroline, but it faded when she noticed the somber look on her friend's face.
"Caroline, what is the matter," Rebekah asked, she touched Caroline's arm.
Caroline turned to look at Rebekah, she put on her best pageant smile as she said, "Nothing. I promise I'm okay."
Rebekah didn't look convinced, "You can tell me if something is wrong. I assure you I am a good listener. Maybe I can help."
Caroline bit her lip, she glanced back at the townspeople, "Just a bit homesick is all. I miss my family and friends."
Guilt surged through Rebekah. Too easily she would forget why her newfound friend was staying in their home. It had only been a few days since she suffered the greatest loss of her life, had come to a strange place not knowing anyone.
"I apologize for prying, I understand that this is a difficult time for you," Rebekah said softly.
Caroline put her hand on Rebekah's, "No, you don't need to apologize. Come on, tell me about the people here. I want to know everything."
Rebekah smiled, "Alright, let's begin then. Follow me."
As the pair walked beside each other, Rebekah would gesture to all the people and give their names along with some of their background or the latest gossip. It was the most normal Caroline had felt since her arrival here, talking to another teenage girl about the drama of the town.
Rebekah seemed to know everything about everyone which reminded Caroline of when she knew everything in high school. Some would have called it nosy, but Caroline preferred to think of herself as well informed. Once the girls arrived to the shoemaker, Caroline was able to get her measurements and the shoemaker went to work.
In the meantime, the pair sat on the side and watched as more people passed. When Caroline spotted one woman in particular, she did a double take. Unless her mind was playing tricks on her, that looked exactly like her best friend Elena and the vampire Katherine Pierce.
"Rebekah," Caroline asked, "Who is that woman there? In the blue dress."
Rebekah looked, she scowled, "That is Tatia. She is one of the most desired women in the village, but she is hardly a good woman. Her entertainment comes from stringing along several of the men, making them believe she would choose them when in fact she does not care for them."
Caroline watched the woman Tatia for a moment. Even though Caroline didn't need anymore proof that she was no longer in her time, but seeing one of the Petrova doppelgangers threw her off. Katherine was the one before Elena, Caroline hadn't thought much about who must have come before Katherine. This must have been her. She couldn't dwell too long on the matter, tonight when she had a moment to herself, she would consider it more and what this meant. Her eyes burned.
"She sounds like a bitch," Caroline remarked, her eyes widened as she backtracked, "I am so sorry. That was inappropriate."
Rebekah laughed heartily which eased the tension in Caroline, "Well you are not incorrect in saying so."
"Indeed not," added a third voice belonging to Niklaus who appeared by them, he grinned at Caroline, "Though do not say such things around our parents or elder brothers. Elijah especially would not take too kindly to the words."
Caroline nodded, but her grin was mischievous, "I shall be sure to hold my tongue around them."
Rebekah huffed with her arms crossed over her chest, "Well if you ask me, Elijah should have better taste in women."
"Perhaps," Niklaus said with a nod, he glanced at Caroline, "Have you enjoyed your trip in the village so far?"
Caroline's grin was blinding as she spoke of all she had learned and seen. The sight of seeing her expression so bright made Niklaus' heart skip a few beats. He never wanted to see this smile leave her face, he made a silent promise to do everything in his power to bring about the smile he saw now.
After she had seen him in such a weakened state that night, he feared that she would think him weak and worthless, just a boy with no strength. That next morning, he tried to ignore her and avoid her as much as possible and for the most part, it worked well in his favor until she cornered him outside when he was gathering more tools to help repair the rooms.
Caroline walked up to him, "You're avoiding me and I don't appreciate the silent treatment. So fess up and tell me what's wrong."
Niklaus frowned at her, he was unfamiliar with the phrase, "Fess up? I, I do not understand."
"You know, like confess. Admit what's wrong," Caroline explained to him, "We're not leaving til you tell me."
Niklaus blinked in surprise, but he could not help, but to admire her even more as he stood there.
He smiled at the memory, her blue eyes alight with irritation and her tone was stern, she would not allow him to get away. As they spoke, or really she spoke angrily to him and he listened to her, he noticed that her voice changed to a slightly different dialect which he figured was how her people spoke wherever she was from.
Niklaus noticed how his parents when angered would show more of their accents, he supposed Caroline was the same. Though as she talked happily now, he noticed her accent shifted to what he heard from the previous nights. He still couldn't decipher where she was from though. He imagined it must be further away than he initially believed.
"And the baker couldn't have been sweeter, and seeing Asmund and Einar fighting earlier had been really exciting," Caroline continued on, her grin wide.
Niklaus stomped down the twinge of jealousy as she spoke a little more about the training battle the two men had been in. Though his father would disagree, Niklaus was a brilliant swordsman. Though he lacked brawns, he was great at determining an opponent's weakness and using it to his advantage. He wished she would see him fight against his brothers and praise his talent.
"... oh and the well you have at the edge of town? Rebekah says the water is the freshest and I cannot wait to try some of it."
"As soon as the shoemaker is done, we will take you there," Niklaus said with a nod.
Caroline clapped her hands together, thrilled, but not for the reasons the siblings believed, "I am certainly looking forward to it. Oh Niklaus, what have you been up to?"
Niklaus shrugged his shoulders, "Not much, I'm afraid I would bore you with the little I have done. I made some new arrows, managed to get in some sword practice with Elijah which went well and we did a little more work on the rooms. Now I am here with the pair of you."
Rebekah released a wistful sigh, "I wish our parents would allow me to learn to fight with a sword."
"Why can't you," Caroline asked looking between the pair, "Don't tell me, women aren't meant to fight or wield weapons?"
"We've been raised to believe a woman should not fight, it is the job of the fathers, brothers and husbands to protect the women so that they have nothing to worry about," Niklaus said, he sounded like he believed in those words.
"It's not fair," Rebekah argued.
Caroline nodded, "I have to agree. Though the idea seems sweet in theory, it just makes it seem like because we have a vagina and boobs that we can't do anything. We are not as fragile as some would think."
Niklaus sputtered at her word choice, his face took on a slight pink shade, though he managed to recover quickly enough. However he found Caroline's sharp tongue refreshing and adding to the already intoxicating allure she possessed.
Caroline was unlike any woman Niklaus had ever met. All the village girls were soft spoken, remained on the timid side and would not go against anyone of the male gender. He liked the fire she held within her that she let loose in words, it made him want to talk to her more and see what else existed in her mind.
Rebekah could only snicker, "Caroline, you are by far my new favorite person. I'm glad you see sense."
Caroline flashed her a charming smile, "I'm honored to be held in such high regard. I think you should be able to learn how to use a weapon." Caroline's expression shifted to something neither siblings could read. "What would happen if you were alone in your home and attacked? Your male relatives are gone and you are defenseless, you should be allowed to learn how to defend yourself."
"Well Elijah did teach her how to use a dagger in secret when we were children," Niklaus pointed out.
"Hardly, the only thing he managed to teach me was how to properly swing it," Rebekah protested with a pout.
Caroline leaned back in her seat, a thoughtful look on her face as she thought of something, memories from her past actually. Even though she didn't get along well with her mother until recently, the sheriff refused to let her daughter go out into the world without knowing how to defend herself.
Liz Forbes would not stand for her daughter to be some damsel in distress and her ex husband Bill agreed wholeheartedly. Karate had been the answer for when Caroline was younger, but she didn't want anything to do with the sport. So Liz taught her defense moves throughout her life and at least once a month, the two would spar.
At first Caroline had hated it and thought it was a waste of time, but looking back she was glad her mom forced into it. Especially when she became a vampire, she was able to use what her mom taught her way more effectively than ever before.
This was the second time Caroline had thought of her mom today, the first time for her dad. She missed them, she would never see them again and the Petrova doppelganger proved it more. She was trapped in the past with no way to contact her friends or family and no way to get back.
"Caroline," said Niklaus, based on his tone Caroline realized it wasn't the first time he had said her name.
"I'm sorry, what did you say," Caroline asked as she struggled to keep herself calm.
She glanced to the side to see Rebekah was no longer sitting across from her and had gone to speak with the shoemaker. Thoughts of all the shoes she had at home, all the shopping she had done for each pair that was her own, though none were specifically made for her. It didn't sit well with her at the moment. The pressure was building behind her eyes and she knew if she didn't concentrate, the tears would fall and if they fell, she feared they would never stop.
Niklaus watched a war wage over her face. For one moment she looked fine, smiling brightly and appeared almost happy, but now she looked lost and in pain. He feared something he or Rebekah had said put her in this state causing guilt to enter his stomach.
"You appeared deep in thought love, is something the matter," Niklaus asked, his tone soft.
Caroline visibly swallowed, "Nothing, I'm okay."
Niklaus knew that was a lie and studied her. The hoarseness that had crept into her voice, how with each passing moment her eyes seemed to shimmer more from unshed tears, or how her breathing was growing quicker. Torn was how Niklaus felt, he wanted to know so that he might be able to help her and offer her comfort, but he did not want to push her. The words she said to him came to his mind.
I know you and I do not know each other well, but should you ever need anything, I promise to help.
"I do not believe your words, but I will not push you," Niklaus told her, she relaxed slightly, "Just know that if you need anything, I promise to help in whatever way I can."
Caroline offered him a weak smile, "I appreciate that. Thank you Niklaus."
The pair waited for Rebekah to return in comfortable silence. It allowed Caroline to get better control of her raging emotions and allowed Niklaus to think about what he could do to make Caroline feel better. He knew Rebekah liked his carvings, but he wasn't sure if Caroline would like them as well or think they were childish. When he had a moment alone with his sister, he would ask her to see if she could discover what Caroline liked.
Caroline received her new shoes and her mood seemed to brighten, but both Rebekah and Niklaus could see she was not alright. Even as Caroline showed off her new shoes with a huge smile, her eyes still held the pain from whatever had caused her harm before. It reminded Rebekah about what Elijah had said, that Caroline would break at any moment.
Rebekah was starting to think that moment would come sooner instead of later.
The walk home was on the quiet side, but Caroline didn't seem to mind. The trio arrived to the well with Caroline running ahead, her excitement growing. Though she had seen a well in Mystic Falls before, a really old one in fact, she was excited to see an older one. Not to mention she had a theory that since she was back in time, she wondered if this well would be the same one as the one she knew.
Everyone knew the story behind the well in Mystic Falls, how it had been there when the Founders arrived and that meant some group who lived in the area before them had placed the well. Hope was building in her that this well would be the same one, because if it was then that meant she was geographically home at least which was better than nothing. Of course she recognized that a thousand years can really cause a well to change, but it was the only hope she had to grab onto.
Rebekah and Niklaus remained a little further behind, which gave Niklaus an opportunity.
"I want to do something nice for Caroline, to make her feel better," Niklaus said, "Do you think she would like a carving? Or perhaps some flowers?"
Rebekah grinned at her brother, "A carving. It is more personal, she will love it."
Niklaus nodded, "Very well. Will you ask her what sort of creatures or items she likes so that I may carve it for her?"
"You like her don't you," Rebekah said ignoring his question.
Niklaus stared at her, he tipped his head, "I fail to see how that is any of your business sister."
Rebekah's eyes flashed, smiling from ear to ear, she said, "Brother, you are quite taken with her. Do not deny it, I think it is sweet. Perhaps she could even be your wife which means she would become my sister. I have always wanted a sister."
"Slow down, Rebekah," Niklaus said, his tone a bit sharp, "We've only just met."
Rebekah rolled her eyes, "Ever heard of love at first sight?"
Niklaus shook his head, "She's just lost everything. Now would hardly be an appropriate time to begin anything."
Rebekah sombered, "Perhaps you have a point. However, I think the carving is a brilliant place to start. I'll find out what I can."
"Thank you," Niklaus said as the pair joined Caroline.