Pairing: Hayley/Matthew-George-Logan (F/mmm) paddle, hand
*Special thanks to Jazmine F.( ) who created the character of Hank.
"And I chiefly use my charm
On creatures that do people harm,
The mole, and toad, and newt, and viper;
And people call me the Pied Piper."
-from "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" by Robert Browning (1812–1889)
Mikaelson Estate
Mystic Falls, Virginia
September 1855
Rebekah and Elena's Room
Rebekah did the rest of her school work while sitting at her desk. She had fed heavily from three of the servants that the family had designated. They created a rotation so as not to take too much blood from any one person. Elijah also made sure they were compensated and properly compelled. He oft reminded his siblings to make sure they healed all of the wounds, though they knew that created the risk of perhaps having new vampires should an accidental death occur.
"Thank you, Judith," Rebekah had said to the last woman she fed from.
"Of course," Judith replied. "May I get you anything, Miss? Some tea? Warm milk? Are you feeling ill?"
"I am better now," Rebekah said, as she wiped her mouth with a cloth. "But some wine would be nice."
Judith's pleasant, though plain face, looked troubled.
"Oh, what tis it?" Rebekah inquired, tossing the soiled cloth into the laundry bin.
"Mr. Klaus locked the wine cellar. He said he twas fearing that the children may go down there...But I can fetch you some of Cook's sherry, if ya like?" Judith offered, looking uncomfortable.
"Nay, tis fine. Do not trouble yourself," Rebekah said, smiling sweetly.
Judith bowed slightly and left.
Rebekah changed for bed and got in here bed. She did not know where Elena was...Probably still on the walk with the children. Rebekah shut her eyes and stared at the ceiling.
"Sister, may I have a word?" Elijah said softly.
"Of course," Rebekah said drolly. "I must have dozed off..."
Elijah smiled, "Judith was concerned. She said you looked troubled."
Rebekah shrugged, "Tis nothing. I supposed you aim to whip me also? Go on, I care not anymore."
Elijah sat on Rebekah's bed, on the edge.
"Sister, we are not the tyrants you sometimes make us out to be. Niklaus' discipline was enough," Elijah started. "Sadly, I have darker matters to discuss with you, ones regarding life and death. I am sorry that we have not filled you in sooner. We have perhaps not be in this much danger since Niklaus begun that war with the French quarter coven or Father almost caught us in Spain. Have you spoken to Freya today?"
"Not about our aunt," Rebekah admitted. "Dahlia, is it? Do you really think she will come for us?"
Elijah nodded, "I do. I trust Freya's judgment. She was brought up by this woman. Please take care to be more aware. If you see anything odd, like birds behaving strangely or flowers in odd places, it could be her dark magic seeping into our lives. Witches may not be able to kill us, but as we have seen from New Orleans, we are still vulnerable to their hexes and vile intentions. Emily was able to restore some of my memories, but my mind is still muddled. They have the ability to manipulate the nature they claim to serve. That is keeping me up at night. We have so many humans depending on us now."
Rebekah sat up and took Elijah's hands.
"Thank you for sharing this with me. I will be keeping the highest vigil. If anything were to happen to Stefan, Damon, or the others...," Rebekah worried. "Should we consider fleeing?"
Elijah now frowned, "Nay, Freya does not even believe it would help. Using blood magic, Dahlia can track us anywhere. There may be a way that Freya could create a barrier to strip Dahlia of her power, yet it would render her own magic null and void. And for that to happen, she need a sacrifice, a human one."
"Who?" Rebekah asked. "We have taken many lives, but the thought of someone we know perishing for our family again sickens me."
"Freya is troubled by this also and does not wish to go in that direction. But Ilayda is not sure it can be avoided. There may be another way, but it would also require putting someone in a deep sleep," Elijah explained. "I had hoped we were safe here and could help build a town where everyone had a fair chance at liberty," Elijah scoffed. "Mayhaps I was naive."
"Those new students at school? The Lockwood boy and the Fell, they are involved in this, are they not?" Rebekah noted.
"Yes, I believe so," Elijah said. "The timing is curious that their parents would suddenly enroll them. I am hearing talk that there was a secret council run by Mr. Salvatore. Now, the other families are taking over. Their aims seem to be that they have total power. We have seen those power plays before but the timing is poor for us."
"Nik spent all of our money on this place, did he not?" Rebekah asked hotly.
Elijah stood, "Not all, but this cost a great deal. We have resources in New Orleans that are frozen, in a sense, until we have a more solid truce with the witches."
"I thought we had a peace treaty?" Rebekah blustered.
"We do, but until we know what they have on us, it tis not safe to go back there," Elijah confessed. "Emily thinks they must have had our blood or hair in order to cast the memory spells on us."
"What if they have our aunt?" Rebekah asked in horror.
Elijah grunted, "That would explain why Freya cannot locate her. Maybe they are cloaking her with their powerful magic. They wish us and our kind wiped from the earth. I would not put any such mischief past them. Freya is doing everything she can. Ilayda, also. But until we know more, we must operate with upmost caution."
Rebekah agreed and felt ashamed at her she had berated Marcel and behaved at school.
Elijah parted by saying he would leave her to get some rest.
"I love you, Elijah," Rebekah said. "Always and forever."
"And I you. Now go to sleep," Elijah said.
Tillerman Home on Pace Street
September 1855
Next Week
Henrietta Alice Tillerman did not want to wear this dress, but Papa had insisted.
"But I will not be able to climb any trees!" the fourteen year old protested.
Papa laughed indulgently, "Oh, my darling, you cannot run around in those dungarees anymore. You are much too old. Mrs. Smith is correct about that. Tis time you start to behave like a young lady!"
Henrietta sneered at the stiff older woman who had been her nurse forever, but just whispered, "I do not wish to be a lady."
Mrs. Smith cut in, "Henrietta, this is not up for debate. Now, go fetch your lunch sack and be off with you. Unless you would rather stay here and do the wash with me..."
Henrietta huffed and stomped over to gather her school things.
"At least I do not have to clean at school. Good day," Henrietta said stiffly.
Papa gasped, "What? You are now too grown to kiss your papa. Tsk, tsk."
Henrietta backtracked and kissed her father's stubbled cheek.
"Papa, do make sure you get a shave before you go to work. Tis not proper, I should think!" Henrietta chided.
Papa laughed and Mrs. Smith frowned at the girls cheekiness. Henrietta heard Mrs. Smith comment that she was spoiled and maybe formal schooling would be good for her.
"Old bat," Henrietta hissed as she sneaked another apple from the bowl. She would as least treat her horse to the apple if she was to be penned up inside all day.
School House
After the morning ceremonies, Hayley introduced her two new students.
"Class, please greet Miss Henrietta Tillerman. She is new here from Boston," Hayley started. "Henrietta, welcome."
Henrietta raised her hand, Hayley addressed her.
"I go by Hank, ma'am. Thank you for the kind greeting," Hank said politely.
"Why does she talk funny?" one of the boys asked.
Hayley's eyes sharpened. "Anymore talking on and I will start writing names on the board. People in Boston have an accent. Some would say it is a dialect. Everyone has one though we may not realize it. Now, our next student is Sammy. Sammy hails from Europe and has lived in several places. He lives on the Mikaelson Estate and is Croiá's brother," Hayley said, indicating Sammy should stand.
"Why ain't he been here before?" Matthew Maxwell wondered.
Hayley exhaled and wrote Matthew's name on the blackboard.
Sammy turned to the blond teen. "That tis none of your affair. I am here now. Thank you, Miss."
Hayley nodded and started the reading lessons for the day. She was pleased that Rebekah had her homework and Elena was back at school. The school house was filling up and there were only a few spots on the benches left. That was good for business and the town. The board of trustees would be pleased.
Hayley noticed Matthew scowling and whispering to George Lockwood. She set the younger students to their lessons and walked over.
"Matthew, you spoke out once and I let it go. Then, you continued to talk out. You know the rules, they are on the wall. We will deal with this at recess and I do not wish to have any more issues. Do you understand?" Hayley said slowly.
"Yes," Matthew said. "I am sorry, Miss. But cannot I not have another chance?"
"No, I explained it. Anymore fuss and I will give you a mark. Do you want that?" Hayley questioned. She had been listing the students names on the board and then increasing their punishment with each further violation. George seemed to be trying not to laugh.
"You too, George. You behave yourself and focus on the lessons. Please show me your homework," Hayley went on.
Matthew was looking over at the girls' side. She assumed Matthew was making eyes at Elena, who was kind to him, but clearly not interested. Yet it was the new girl whom seemed to capture his interest now.
Hank was struggling to hold the pen properly and giggling. Rose and Rebekah were trying to assist her.
"Back to your homework, Matthew," Hayley prodded. Matthew colored and produced his essay. It was poorly done, but completed.
"Perhaps we shall clean this up at recess after your punishment? What do you say?" Hayley asked gently.
Matthew was disappointed, but responded carefully, "Yes, thank you, ma'am. I had a bit of a hard time with this one."
"Tis fine," Hayley said. To George, "I am waiting, young man."
George grunted and made a show of digging through his empty bag.
"It must have slipped my mind," George scoffed.
"Well, then you shall do it as recess. Go write your name under Mathhew's," Hayley said, going to see to the other students.
George mouthed, "Old hag" behind Hayley's back. Logan Fell grinned and then cast his eyes down quickly when Hayley looked.
"Give yourself a mark, George," Hayley said sternly. "You will be writing on a smarting behind. Now, class, please get on with your lessons. I would hate for recess to be cut short because we are behind."
That settled the class down instantly. For a short time.
Later
Kol went out to fetch some buckets of water. Solomon had spilled his ink bottle all over himself and the floor. In truth, Kol thought either Stefan or Jeremy had pushed his arm, but he was not quite sure. Solomon started to cry and Hayley reassured him that it was an accident and that he need not fret. Rebekah came out with the young boy and several ink covered rags and some soap.
"Hush, you heard Miss Hayley, accidents happen," Rebekah soothed him.
Kol leaned over and helped Solomon scrub his hands with a brush while Rebekah tried to wring the ink out of his shirt.
"Sister, I am thinking that shirt will soon be a dust rag," Kol noted. "Tis not coming out."
Rebekah shrugged and continued to try to get the worse of it out.
"It twas not even my shirt! It was Stefan's," Solomon sniffed. Rebekah crouched down.
"Shhh," Rebekah smiled. "We are having new clothes made for you. Remember when we measured you. I am sure some of them will be ready when we get home. And Stefan has plenty of shirts. Now, tell me, did one of the boys cause the ink to spill?"
Solomon sniffed, "I cannot say. Mama said not to lie, but..."
Kol cast a wry look at Rebekah and said, "My gold is on Jeremy. He is a bit of an imp."
"He reminds me of you," Rebekah replied. "If Hayley was not distracted by George and Logan, she would notice how naughty Stefan and Jeremy are being. You ought to have a talk with them."
Kol dumped out the soapy water and watched as Rebekah laid the wet shirt on a nearby bench to dry.
"I will. Solomon, come. I will take you to the outhouse. You should not wait so long before you have to go," Kol advised. Yesterday, Solomon almost had an accident before Kol directed him to use the facilities.
"I will," Solomon said in a small voice. Rebekah leaned over and wiped his dark tear covered face with one of the clean cloths. She helped him back into his jacket sans the shirt as he was afraid the other boys would laugh it him. It was almost recess so they hoped the shirt would soon be dry.
"You are a good boy, Solomon. I bet you will win the spelling bee this week. Do you not agree, Kol?" Rebekah asked.
"Oh indeed, I hear there is a prize to be had. A book, I should think," Kol said, looking up. A coach had pulled up on the street.
"Oh hell," Rebekah cursed. "What is Elijah doing here?"
Solomon giggled at the language as Kol shrugged and led him away.
***
Elijah came in quietly as Hayley was dismissing the class for recess. He noticed the boys in the corner and motioned Hayley over. From behind his back, he produced a bouquet of flowers.
"Elijah, you will spoil me," Hayley gushed. "They are lovely. Are you in town for business?"
"I am," Elijah said. "I did not mean to intrude. I can see you are busy."
Hayley nodded, "The Lockwood boy and the Fell boy, if you can believe it. The other one is Peter Maxwell's son."
"Aside from the Maxwell boy, the apples do not fall far from the trees. How is Sammy doing?"
"Wonderful. I was planning to help him after lunch to assess where his skill level is," Hayley shared. "Oh, Solomon had a mishap with the ink bottle. Would you be able to take him home? He is quite ahead in his lessons and I am afraid his clothes are ruined."
"Of course. I am heading straight home," Elijah said. "Point me towards Solomon..." He longed to kiss her but knew they were not alone.
Hayley went out the side down and pointed towards the outhouse. "I believe Kol must have taken him to the privy. I do not see him, but there is his shirt."
Elijah nodded, "I will most likely not see you tonight, but may I call on you tomorrow night?"
"Of course. Mrs. Whitmore is doing poorly though. Her gout is acting up. She had to let all the staff go since the saloon is getting all the boarding business, of late. Thank you for coming though. And I love the flowers," Hayley grinned. Her green eyes sparkled and Elijah took his leave.
Recess
Kol waited for Solomon outside the privy. He leaned against it staring at the sky and then watched the girls play. Rebekah was playing cat's cradle now with Rose and some of the other girls. Two younger ones, Caroline and Bonnie hung over Rebekah's every word like she was the Pied Piper of Hamelin. That was dangerous, Kol thought.
"Is this the line?" the red haired girl asked, almost startling Kol out of his thoughts.
"Ah, yes, M-Miss...?" Kol stammered. He was lost for a moment in her dark emerald green eyes and rosy cheeks.
When the girl smiled, her whole face lit up. She said, "Call me Hank. I think you were reading a big, thick book when I was introducing myself."
Kol felt a little embarrassed, "It was As You Like It. Do you like to read?"
"Yes, I used to get top grades at my old school, but I have not been to school in a few months. It ends in Boston in May," Hank replied. "Who is in the outhouse?"
Kol had forgotten about Solomon. He pounded on the door.
Solomon opened it and was grinning from ear to ear.
"Look, Kol! I found a little toad!" Solomon announced.
Kol groaned, "That was probably a prank meant to scare the girls. The other outhouse burned down so we have to share for a time."
Peter Maxwell had almost finished repairing the other one, but it was not quite open for "business."
Hank laughed, "May I see? Oh, that is a common frog. Rana temporaria. These amphibians belong to the class Amphibia."
Solomon let Hank hold the frog.
"It is hot. We ought to take it near some water," Hank said, looking around. The small green creature was probably half-dead in this heat.
"There's a creek nearby. I could take it," Kol offered.
Elijah came and called for Solomon. He explained to Kol that he was going to take the younger boy home.
Kol held out his hands for the frog, but Hank said she would go with him. She told him how she always loved frogs and always wished to keep one as a pet.
Croiá watched the two go off and looked sad. Kol had promised to help her write an ending for one of her new stories. She took the pages and shredded them, tossing the scraps on the ground.
School House
Recess
Hayley stepped back into the school room to find Logan holding Matthew's arms behind his back and George ready to punch him.
"Stop!" Hayley shouted. She rushed over and pulled back George's arm. Letting Elijah's bouquet fall to the ground.
"What are you doing?"
George tried to shake her off, but was unable to. She was awfully strong for a woman, he would later realize. But in the heat of the moment, he was only focused on punching out the Maxwell boy.
"Release him," Hayley said to Logan, letting go of George.
Logan did and Matthew rubbed his sore arm.
"They were calling you names, Miss," Matthew said, embarrassed.
Hayley looked over at Logan and then George without speaking, aside from saying, "Oh?"
"It twas a jest," George defended.
"Twas not amusing!" Matthew said, very upset. "My father says it is in poor taste to speak ill of others."
"Your father is a common laborer," Logan sneered.
Hayley snapped, "Mr. Maxwell is a hard working gentlemen who helped build this school. I will have no insults thrown at him or his character. Now enough of this claptrap!"
Matthew grumbled, "But they were calling you a strumpet!"
Hayley wanted to laugh for a moment. She picked up the fallen bouquet and placed it to the side on her bookshelf, in order to compose herself and figure out what to do.
"Matthew, thank you but I do not need you to defend me or my honor. Now, I am going to give you your punishments and then you will shake hands," Hayley said firmly. "All three of you bend over the desk."
Hayley's instinct was to let Matthew off easy, but this was the second time she had to chastise him for speaking out. Also, she did not want to sow more issues between the three boys.
She went on hastily, saying, "And take down your trousers."
George and Logan exchanged a glance.
"But-," Logan began.
"Any protests and I will have someone fetch your fathers from town. They assured me that they would speak you about your behavior from the prior incident. Yet, perhaps they did not make an impression on you? So I must," Hayley said, getting the larger paddle off the wall.
George gulped, "I got a strapping. Please, Miss, do not paddle us. Ah, Matthew, I am sorry. Miss-."
Hayley said louder, "Save it for after, Mr. Lockwood! Drop your trousers now."
George stared at her a moment and Hayley could almost smell his sudden burst of fear. She growled, "Now."
George huffed out a breath and then slid off his suspenders slowly. The other two boys had already taken down their pants and grabbed the opposite side of the big desk.
Hayley waited until all three were situated before starting.
"I think ten licks will cover all the misbehavior today," Hayley said calmly.
"But it says four lashes for scuffling on the wall!" George growled.
"Yes, it does, but that is not the only rules you boys broke. Correct?" Hayley asked.
George relented, "No, ma'am..."
"Then, let us get on with it. I would hate for the other children to see you three with your trousers down getting paddled. However, if you fight again, that is exactly what shall happened. Understand?" Hayley pressed.
She waited for the boys to say yes and then tapped the paddle on Matthew's quivering behind. He was right to be nervous.
Hayley put a hand on Matthew's back as she gave him two solid licks on his cotton drawers.
Whap! Whap!
He sucked in his breath, but remained still.
Whap! Whap!
George took the two licks silently but lifted up his right foot.
"Feet on the ground," Hayley said. "Do not let go of the desk."
Whap! Whap!
Logan yelped at the first and second licks and stamped both of his feet. He was clearly not used to be disciplined firmly.
Hayley went back to Matthew and gave him his two swats a bit lower than the first two. She held onto his back so he would not be tempted to rise.
Whap! Whap!
George wiggled his beside after the second set and stomped as Logan had done.
Whap! Whap!
Logan sniffled and let out a cry as he felt the sharp blows of the paddle on his slender backside.
Whap! Whap!
Hayley next gave Matthew, George, and then Logan four firm swats.
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Now, all three boys were crying. The oak paddle was not heavy, but it was wide enough to cover their whole behind at once.
For the last two, Hayley decided she needed to check that they could take more.
"Drawers down," Hayley ordered.
George popped up and clutched his covered seat.
"No, Miss, please!" George protested.
"Back over. Anymore fuss, George and I will put you right over my lap," Hayley warned.
George stomped and bent back over, reluctantly sliding down his cotton underpants.
Matthew and Logan let their drawers slip to their ankles with their trousers.
Hayley's acute werewolf eyes detected that all three could take at least two more cracks, if not a few more, without bruising. She was careful to make sure the paddle swatted their backsides evenly.
Crack! Crack!
Matthew howled as the last two whacks hit his bare cheeks. He was prevented from getting up by Hayley's left arm.
Crack! Crack!
George also loudly wailed as he got the first pop.
Crack! But he was strong enough to jump up and clutch his behind.
"That tis it. I shall deal with you in a moment," Hayley threatened.
"Noooo," George fussed, hopping around, rubbing his sore rear.
Hayley held down Logan and gave him his last two paddle swats. He just lay dejected over the desk and sobbed.
George's eyes widened in horror as Hayley's free hand clamped around his bicep.
"No!" George bit out. Hayley dragged him a few feet to her stood and leaned him over her left knee. She locked his legs with hers and whacked George's red bottom hard with the paddle. George bellowed out a teary protest as Hayley put down the paddle to her right side.
To the astonishment of all three boys, Hayley began to spank George's buttocks from side to side with the flat of her hand.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"OWWWWWW," George cried, unable to squirm away.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"I will not tolerate this defiance, George," Hayley lectured as she spanked the teen. "I know you can behave and be a good example to the others. When I let you up, I better hear a sincere apology or you be back over my lap for another paddling!"
"I-I w-will!" George shrieked, as he stared at the floor and watched his tears drip onto it. His bottom felt like he sat on a hot stove.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Hayley was flicking her wrist and using very little force as the boy's bottom was already tender from the paddle. But she kept him over her knee another moment as she laid some swats on his upper thighs.
Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap.
When George sobbed, "I a-am sorry..." Haley stopped the spanking. Her hand was aching a bit and his bottom was now shiny and red. "You may get up."
The other boys had been staring at the spanking in shock and rubbing their seats frantically.
"Pull up your drawers and your trousers, please," Hayley said,
The boys obeyed, even George after a moment of stomping, hastily yanking up their pants.
"I did not enjoy that, but we need to conduct ourselves with decorum here. In a few short years, you will be grown men. Now, make your amends and shake hands," Hayley demanded.
George held out his hand to Matthew, "Forgive me."
To Hayley's surprise, George did the same to her.
He bit his lip, saying, "I misjudged you, Miss. Please forgive my folly. I have a new found respect for you."
Hayley looked him in the eye and replied, "Thank you, George. You are a clever boy and come from a fine family. However, that comes with responsibilities. You are a leader and I expect you to behave like one. A good one. Now, wipe your faces and you may join the others for a time."
Logan and Matthew made up and then all three shuffled out together. "And boys I will not send home a note, but I expect you all to get along. If not, your fathers will need come in and discuss this matter."
Logan was still rubbing his backside wondering if the sting would ever abate. He had never had such a thrashing!
George blew his nose in his handkerchief and nodded in thanks. He would never disrespect her or anyone in this school again, he vowed to himself. George put a friendly hand on Matthew as they filled out. He turned and smiled at his teacher. She gave him a quick wink before slumping down at her desk.
Hayley smelled Elijah's bouquet and then put her head down a moment in relief that it was over.