A/N : HI I am back with a new chapter. I hope you guys enjoy.
Caroline had never ridden into battle as a warrior but she was no stranger to war itself. Much like this a war a few years ago had led her to the path she now walked. An eventful one that had led her to her true family, Niklaus and Sigurd. Niklaus, her warrior Danish now King husband mounted on a horse by her side and her son Sigurd safely hidden with her trusted Lady's Maid Tilda.
By marriage she was a Queen to Niklaus's people.
They still didn't respect her, some mayhaps because she was a Saxon by blood but others because they had never seen her fight for them.
Hence when she had vehemently argued to ride in battle against Niklaus's brother Kol. Some had praised her and others were still skeptical of the weak Saxon woman.
Her own husband wasn't much in favor of her going into battle with him because he was apprehensive she might come to harm. It wasn't that Caroline was absolutely fearless it would be foolhardy to not be afraid but she did not lack courage either. Fear in her book was good because it kept her cautious.
Klaus jumped off of his horse. Banged his metal chest plate with the pommel of his sword twice and shouted. "Today we fight for glory, we fight for Odin and we fight for Valhallaaaa!!!!"
A string of yells and manly grunts erupted in its wake.
"We fight for our children. We fight for our women and we fight to behead the traitors who dared to stand and challenge us. We fight to finish every last one of them!!!! Yaaaahhh!!!!" With that he put on his metal helmet and led his army.
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Although she had seen war and its consequences before, nothing had prepared her for the gore, violence and bloodshed of the field. Bodies strewn apart and blood spilled like water. Angry grunts, pained cries and swords clashing made for an unsettling din. The first sight of flesh ripping and blood pouring had nausea rear up but she persevered. Courage and grit had her advance forward despite her instincts screaming the contrary. Caroline fought with valor and strength. Blocking and attacking the enemy.
She saw Klaus killing and cutting through men as if they were nothing but meat. His sheer strength and bravery was awe inspiring. He grunted when someone kicked him from behind falling on his hands. Klaus rolled and instantly pierced his sword through the attacker's gut, splashes of blood tainting his face.
Caroline thwarted an attack and lunged with her own sword slicing the enemy warrior's arm. Splatters of blood marring her face. Nausea rumbled again, but she pushed it down. Adrenaline and fear kept her going.
Sweat beading her forehead she kept fighting until someone hit the back of her head.The world around her swirled once, she heard Klaus yelling her name and then a hand clamped her mouth and pointed a knife around her neck from behind. The man began dragging her by her hair. She kicked his shin and elbowed his gut, he doubled over. But when she would have run away he caught up with her and grabbed her.
"Aren't you a feisty bitch. No wonder my brother has such a hard on for you." Kol bit out and dragged her into the throne room of his fortress.
Klaus then saw Kol yanking Caroline away. He slashed his opponent and ran after them.
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Klaus rushed into the main hall and saw Kol holding Caroline with a dagger at her neck. Kol's men surrounded the hall on all sides.
"Hello, brother. It is so fucking great to see you." Caroline kept resisting.
"Kol. Let her go. You challenged me. Then why not fight me man to man. She has nothing to do with it." Klaus felt desperate. He knew his younger brother's volatility well enough to know that he wasn't above harming Caroline.
"Oh no but she does." Caroline was resisting so he yanked her hair harder. She let out a hiss in pain and then he laughed maniacally and sniffed her hair sensually just to rile up Klaus.
"If you hurt her…"
"You'll what? Don't threaten me. I'll gladly kill this bitch in front of you or better yet why not I hump her in front of you.." he cackled again.
Rage intense and fiery burned and Klaus charged with his sword. Kol's men ran to defend him and attacked Klaus.
Klaus easily fought and killed three of Kol's men. Apprehensive, Kol pulled back, dragging Caroline with him.
"Get him you fools." Kol shouted.
Klaus kept fighting but then five men attacked him at once. One of them stabbed Klaus in his side and had him subdued.
"No! Nik!" Caroline screamed when she saw the enemies stab Klaus. Kol's men at once held Klaus captive.
Caroline kept fighting to free herself but Kol's grip was strong. He slapped her once then tightened his hold on her arms.
"Kol I swear to Odin if you touch her once more I will tear out your liver and feed it to my wolves." Klaus hollered, as he fought to free himself. "I gave you everything. When father shunned you I took you in and this is how you betray me." Klaus added, fury reverberating through his body.
"You gave me nothing but scraps. Even after all I did they kept praising you, men blindly followed you and women threw themselves at you. I was nothing. Just the brother of the Mightiest Danish Warrior. NO ONE KNEW MY NAME. NO ONE WANTED ME AS KING!!! But I shall take it all from you because I did not betray you. You betrayed our Gods and our purpose to live with and hump this cunt." He slapped Caroline once more.
Klaus struggled to free himself yet again unable to bear the way his wife was being maltreated at the hands of his own brother.
Kol shoved Caroline onto the stone table, she kicked out, hurting his nose. Kol cried in pain but crudely began tearing her clothes. Klaus kept yelling, wrenching away from the grip of one of Kol's soldiers; he lept at Kol but was stabbed in the shoulder this time. He fell, blood dripping down his clothes, he cried out for Caroline. Devastation and misery cloaked his heart upon realising how weak and useless he suddenly had been rendered. Ironic how the Mightiest Danish warrior had been reduced to a powerless and feeble man.
Caroline saw her beloved's pain and felt knives driving through her heart. Men kicking and stabbing him. For those few heart-rending moments she was unaware and numb to Kol's filthy hands grabbing her roughly. And then in the next instant the strength reflected from Klaus's pained wrathful eyes somehow imparted a new vigor. A loud piercing scream distracted Kol for mere seconds but enough to be her saving grace. She pulled out her dagger and stabbed him in the eye when he lunged at her. Growling in pain Kol fell back and an arrow shot above Caroline's head landing in one of Kol's soldiers.
Another arrow pierced another man restraining Klaus and then another arrow taking another man out. Arrows falling from everywhere until none of Kol's men remained standing.
Klaus stood and staggered towards Caroline wanting to shield her and she in turn ran to protect him. Klaus crushed her in his embrace and Caroline hugged him back as if her next breath depended on it. "Nik."
"Min skat. I am…" he wanted to apologise but saw Kol had removed the dagger from his eye and was charging towards them. Instantly Klaus shoved Caroline behind his back and kicked Kol causing him to fall on his back, ultimately subduing Kol with a sword at his neck.
And then the archer and their savior jumped down from the balcony above the throne.
"Your welcome, Nik." The familiar feminine blonde with hair tied in multiple braids and the Danish ink on her arms, sighed. She was dressed in men's breeches with a long skirt around it which was slashed upto her right hip and a shirt as always. "Or should I call you the brave and the mighty now?" She completed glancing at Klaus and then aiming her bow at Kol.
"You betrayed me?" Kol asked, lying on the floor, Klaus's blade mere inches away from his carotid.
"Yes and so did you. When you lied about Niklaus forsaking our religion. I saw Odin's seal on his flag and his warriors bear fire markings upon them." She crouched down and punched Kol causing him to lose consciousness. "There, that should shut his stupid ass of a mouth."
"Nik is fine. I shall always be Nik for you." Klaus was smiling ear to ear. Caroline hadn't seen him so blithe in a while. It should have made her happy to see her husband rapturous but the sheer fact that another woman had been the reason for his mirth was not sitting well with her. And then to her utter surprise the blonde woman who could most easily be described as ravishing leaned forward and punched her husband in his gut.
Klaus laughed through the pain an inside joke Caroline could see. She took a step towards the unknown woman in an unconscious attempt to defend her husband but Klaus pulled Caroline back by grasping her wrist.
The woman laughed at that. "You sure she is a Saxon? Her temper says otherwise." She accosted Klaus and Caroline was certainly not enjoying being the bystander between their conversation. And didn't like being talked about.
"A Saxon through and through." Klaus pulled Caroline by his side and kissed her head silently reassuring her. "She used to pray for my sinful soul. Still does when she thinks I am being obnoxiously Danish."
"Oh that has more to do with his own pigheadedness. Trust me." The woman now smiled at Caroline. "And before you gouge my eyes out for talking to your man I shall have you know that I am his sister…."
"Rebekah?" Caroline asked.
"Yes, one and only."
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Later that night he had returned home safe and sound with her beloved wife by his side. Klaus was more than a tad jarred by the events that had surpassed. Never before in a battle he had been petrified. He had always fought for his own selfish reasons but this time he had fought for preservation of his family and to protect his love. The thought of anything happening to Caroline had downright terrified him. So when they had come home and she fussed over him he let her, wanting and needing her close.
Caroline could not have wanted for anything more than to have him safe and by her side. She prayed to her God for her husband's good health and safety and that the Lord always keep them together.
Klaus's wound was a deep incision in his side. She had cleaned it and patched him up. With Tilda's aid she had made a concoction for him to relieve the pain and help him sleep. She knew Niklaus was more hurt than her but he kept insisting for her to get her own injuries checked, his unconditional love and fierce affection always left her touched and shaken to her core.
To shut him up she asked Tilda to examine her and to Klaus's relief she had only sustained a few small abrasions. And then she had stayed by his side because she had needed him as much as he did.
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Sigurd had started taking his first steps. Toddling joyously on tiny legs in the garden while making gurgling noises he was about to fall when Caroline caught him. Caroline had not just saved his son from falling but him as well. She had saved Klaus in more ways than one. She had saved him from a meaningless fate centred around war and revenge and given her the two things he never knew he was incomplete without, herself and their son. Even in battle with Kol she had fought with unmatched valor and passion but he was aware she was beating herself up over his injuries unknowingly blaming herself. Love and fierce protectiveness encompassed him.
She began tickling Sigurd and his melodic laughter echoed. Klaus then sat by her side putting a steadying hand over the wound in his side.
Concerned Caroline glanced at him. He looked immensely gorgeous with his blonde shoulder length hair slightly disheveled. Each time she gazed upon him she realized her life would be an empty shell without him when she reminisced that, that brief moment during their encounter with Kol could have snatched her world from her. Overpowered by emotion she leaned forward and kissed him.
"You should have rested awhile."
Sigurd wormed out of her lap wanting to explore his environs.
Klaus wasn't one to be easily astonished but he was this time at her overt display of affection. He wiped the tear at the corner of her eye and kissed her.
"I wanted some air. And not that I am not delighted by your affections My Lady but why the tears? You know I detest them in your eyes."
"Yesterday I could have lost you." Her voice trembled with sentiment. He wiped away her tears and kissed her hands. She relished the way he showered his adoration.
"I should have not gone into the battle. I was a fool."
"Was?" He interrupted jocosely wanting to alleviate her anguish.
Caroline rolled her eyes and he laughed. Sigurd waddled back upon hearing his father laugh. He jumped upon his mother's lap and began playing with his wooden horse shaped rattle.
"You can jest even now?" She asked. When Kol and his men had captured Niklaus she had been terrified to the bone. He was her whole world and the mere thought of losing him had been unbearable. Her eyes landed on his dressing and a lump clogged her throat. "I should have stayed here. I should not have insisted upon going into the battlefield."
"Do not blame yourself. You were right. My people needed to see you fight for them. Dagfinn tells me they respect your bravery and loyalty…."
"But I inadvertently endangered us both. I put your life at risk. If Kol…" she caressed his face and could see he was still in pain. His resilience and bravado frightened her sometimes. "You're in pain." Sigurd felt trapped between both parents as Caroline inched closer to Klaus so he squirmed out of her lap and crawled to his father.
"A little. The tonic seems to have worn off." He smoothed the worry lines over Caroline's forehead with his thumb then kissed it. "And Kol shall be tried in our court soon. He shall get what he deserves." A muscle ticking in his jaw told her he was getting irate. "You should have let me kill him."
"And have you regret it for the rest of your life? You were furious and actions stemming from rage often beget remorse." She caressed his cheek.
"I don't doubt your intentions Min Skat but I am uneasy about him being here alive." Klaus kissed his son's head when Sigurd waved the rattle excitedly wanting acknowledgement from his father.
"He is in the dungeons in chains. He can not hurt us."
"Perhaps. But nothing about this situation is reassuring." Klaus remarked bundling both Caroline and Sigurd close unconsciously trying to shield them from harm.
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The men in the courtroom sat at their respective seats with Klaus heading the session. They were all gathered for Kol's trial. Klaus sat on the throne chair oozing the air of a Mighty King and a brave warrior with his Queen by his side. Caroline looked every bit the regal and revered Queen she had become earning the respect of the masses.
Rebekah sat with the Lords in her brother's court. Inwardly she was wincing at the way he conducted his affairs all Saxon like. It was rather peculiar the way his men, well known Danish warriors, sat by his side and discussed matters in an orderly way so unlike the manner she had witnessed Danes do all her life.
They were gathered for Kol's trial, his offense being attacking and betraying Dane Blood. Being a shrewd woman who knew what to utter and when to utter she stayed mute.
Two armed warriors brought Kol into the hall. Both his arms and legs chained in a metal contraption. He thrashed against them and began spouting off nonsense and curses as usual, amusing her very much. Her other brother Klaus however was not amused if the muscle ticking in his jaw was any indication.
Then Kol lept wanting to attack Rebekah. "You bitch. How could you betray your own brother to side with this Saxon pansy and his Saxon whore?" It was Rebekah's turn to become less than amused. She thumped her hands on the table and then took out her dagger.
Before she could attack Kol Klaus intervened, "Sister, no. He is not even worth your ire." Then twisted his head and his guards pulled harder on the chains leading them to bite into Kol's flesh on his ankles and wrists.
Kol screamed in pain.
"Who's the bitch now?" Rebekah snarled. Kol could not react owing to the tight noose around his arms and legs.
Klaus then took his place at the head of the room. Caroline squeezed his arm in a silent show of support.
"Today we shall decide upon Kol Mikaelson's sentence for his offenses. For the blood of our brothers on his hands and for the provocation and rebellion against the Danish warrior's." Klaus's gravelly voice echoed through the soundless hall.
Then his men yelled their assent, "Aye. Aye."
"Death by poison." One man called out.
"Hang him without his sword." Another suggested.
"Burn the motherfucker alive." Another warrior hollered.
"No! Death is too merciful for one who was disloyal to his own kin." Klaus announced and a few of his men astonished glanced at each other. Confused whispers and perplexed murmurs resounded in the courtroom.
"Silence. I am sentencing Kol Mikaelson to a lifetime of shame and dishonor with a life behind bars. He shall never see the light of the day."
"But My Lord…" Dagfinn leaned forward with the intention to question Klaus's decision. Klaus lifted a hand to halt him from speaking further. "I know some of you have concerns regarding this punishment but his sentence shall be reviewed two months from now." Then he signaled to the guards holding Kol captive, "Take him away."
When he left the courtroom in another flurry of enraged grunts and filthy curses Klaus addressed his men. "I have decided to keep him alive to root out the rebels and miscreants hiding in the shadows and supporting Kol's nefarious plans. This is our land and our home and we shall not allow any traitor to steal our land, money and peace."
The cheering voices and grunts told her that Klaus's reasoning had fruitfully persuaded the Lords. Some even seem pleased with the sentence given to Kol.
Rebekah smiled that her brother's cunning explanation had effectively convinced the men at his court. But she was far from convinced and had an inkling that it had less to do with political reasons and more to do with the influence of his Saxon wife.
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Caroline was putting the little one in the cot. He had inherited his looks from his father Rebekah observed as she gazed at the sleeping child. His mother kissed his forehead.
"Niklaus must be really proud." Rebekah's quiet comment had Caroline turn and glance at her. Caroline smiled, "Immensely so."
Caroline had decorated the room with tapestries and Saxon scriptures. Many small sculptures and figurines, a few which Rebekah recognized as belonging to the Saxon God rested on the shelves in Sigurds nursery. It displeased her how Caroline was infiltrating her own faith and beliefs into her brother's life. For what Kol had done Klaus would have uninhibitedly killed him before but now he was tooting the horn of mercy and forgiveness.
For a moment Rebekah stared at Caroline with a half smirk as if deciding whether to say something or not but then she forsook caution, "Do not try to change him. He shall end up resenting you."
Caroline was more than a little perplexed as to Rebekah's meaning behind such a statement but soon it all became clear when she continued, "Kol deserved to die for what he did."
"So you are not an advocate for mercy and penance it seems?" Caroline rhetorically asked. "He is Niklaus's brother. And I know Niklaus, he would have hated himself for taking his own brother's life."
"Mercy and forgiveness deny justice and reformation in people, Princess of Seofric." Rebekah then walked over to Caroline directly facing her.
"But don't people deserve second chances? He is as much your brother as Niklaus's. Would it bring you peace?" Caroline turned to pat Sigurd to sleep as he stirred in his crib.
"Second chances? Perhaps people deserve a better chance but Kol doesn't. But then again perhaps Kol was right Klaus really did denounce his Dane beliefs." Rebekah palmed a Saxon relic then threw it in the air and caught it. "I'd advise you to convince Klaus to either kill or exile him." With that she walked away then halted at the threshold and added. "And second chances are sometimes easy to say and difficult to give. "
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TWO WEEKS LATER
Days, five long dreary days had gone by and she felt as if with each passing minute her heart was dying piece by piece. She had been crying yet again unable to bear the torment that was constantly bombarding her innards. She needed him back, yearned to hold him in his arms, see his beautiful smile but alas she could not.
Agonized and heartbroken she walked towards her husband's courtroom.
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"I know none of this must be bearable. We shall find him soon." Rebekah placed a hand over his shoulder wanting to soothe his brother.
He merely nodded, unable to voice his assent because he was too choked up.
"Does she know?"
He glanced back at her, "Know what?"
"The real reason why you married her. " Rebekah retorted.
Frustration and impotence thrashed inside him he ran a hand through his hair, "What are you talking about?"
"I am talking about the prophecy. The Oracle who read your stones and told you your future. The future you were so hellbent on achieving."
"Have you lost all sense? Why would I tell her that? Why would I talk about a long lost fantasy with her especially now when my child is missing? If you know anything about Kol then please tell me otherwise do not waste my time." Klaus almost yelled. She was rambling about some oracles words and he was worried sick about his son's well being. He paced away, walking over to glance out of his window.
"Because this is the second part of that prophecy." She walked over to him.
"You, losing your son. I still remember. The first part being killing a Saxon King and marrying his daughter. The price for the ultimate legacy as a Warrior King." Rebekah's words hit that long lost memory of him paying the Oracle. But before he could react Caroline barged in, tears running down her angelic face.
"You lied to me?" The accusation and the pain in her voice could have killed him. He stepped towards her but she flinched away, "Don't touch me. This is your fault. You lied about everything. I hate you." She pushed him, "I hate you." Another shove, " I hate you." Then she ran out of the courtroom and he followed her as the realization of losing his entire world in a matter of days struck him.
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