Chapter 58

"They did what now?" Davina asked, blinking at the two older women as she held Conall, at least that's whom Caroline said she was holding. Davina looked down at the infant and smiled as the baby giggled at her, eyes flashing amber.

It was a quiet day on the plantation, the sole vampire still within its walls being Rebekah. New Orleans has been on edge ever since the travelers came and lost. With Davina and Kol help, Freya has pressed her ears to the ground for dealings regarding the New Orleans witches. Because of the help from Freya and Bonnie, Davina has managed to retain a developed control over her powers, despite still being a part of her witch family.

Davina wished she could provide some kind of knowledge for this family that had opened up themselves to her. Yet Caroline and Bonnie both insisted she had done enough, that Freya and Bonnie's reputations had been enough to reopen the doors to the witches of New Orleans. It was her being under the tutelage of Bonnie and Freya, that they had the idea of combining the witches' differing magics into a stronger foundational shield around Mikaelson's property.

This was why Kol and Katherine were gone, as they were most often in contact with magic and witches. Mostly for their own personal interests Katherine's, for always needing to have a network to lean on, and Kol always up to gain more magical knowledge and reap its full benefits. They were in charge of searching for ingredients. Elijah had talked Finn and Sage into a tour of one of the family's many businesses, an attempt to tie Finn more to the modern world by allowing him and Sage to run one of the Mikaelson investments.

If it also gave Klaus and Finn space away from each other, not a single Mikaelson would mention that fact. Enzo left to meet with Marcel and his minions and also visit the wolves to ensure certain promises started taking effect. Klaus, Elijah, and Freya ultimately went for another attempt at information gathering with their mother.

"Woah…" Davina gasped, causing Bonnie and Caroline to look up at her, each with a baby in their arms. Elise was happily in the arms of Rebekah, who was sitting on the couch beside her. While the rest were on the floor.

"Yes, little Conall takes after my beast of a brother" Rebekah shrugged as she turned back towards Elise, tickling her stomach gently.

Caroline picked up a bottle filled with blood and tossed it to Rebekah, who quickly caught it, "Feed her, will you?"

"Yes, Boss Bitch" Rebekah smirked at her, over the head of Elise as the younger blonde took a normal bottle of formula and fed it to Ingrid. Bonnie was rocking young Henrik against her legs as the baby slept.

"I don't understand why you insist on calling me that!" Caroline complained as she cooed at her child, maneuvering her so she could burp on the blanket placed on her shoulder.

"You're the only person who has sway over every single bloody member of my family. Also with your natural tendency for control, you earned the title of Boss Bitch" The original sister explained, earning not-so-hidden smiles from the two witches in the room.

"Bonnie!You too, Davina! I thought we're friends," Caroline pouted, her hand coming to rest on her baby's back soothingly.

"Care, you managed to be in charge of almost all of the Mystic Falls committees by the time you were sixteen. I say Boss Bitch fits you very well," Bonnie admitted with a laugh, raising her hands in the air and with it Henrik as she got off the floor, to sit on the couch slowly lowering him back into her lap so as not to jostle him awake.

"Caroline, you're the ringleader," Davina smiled shyly. "It's a good thing though,You've even managed to get Marcel and Klaus to mend their relationship."

Rebekah snorts, "She's gotten my brother to mend many relationships."

Davina looked up from the baby werewolf in training, "Where is everyone?"

Caroline sighed, "Elijah and Freya went with Nik to keep him in line as they talked with Esther. Things are still…."

"Rough?" Bonnie supplied.

"Seconds away from a massacre," Rebekah's voice rang as if following a melody, practically singing the words.

Davina hesitantly looked up from the child in her arms, and asked "Isn't Esther…uhmmm dead?"

Rebekah rolled her eyes, "Mikaelsons, don't stay dead."

Davina's lips twitched, "Apparently."

"Kol is spying on your former coven along with Katherine," Bonnie also informed her. Davina gasped, nearly dropping Conall, only for Caroline to reach over and gently catch him before laying him next to his sleeping sibling. Davina winced, but Caroline waved her off.

"It's okay, Davina. Bonnie, don't shock her when she's holding my child!" Caroline scolded. Davina smiled at the blonde, gently apologizing to the infant, much to the amusement of its mother. Reassured by the child giggling, the young witch turned to the elder two with a grin.

Bonnie held back a smirk when Davina asked, "Soooo, when's the wedding?"

Caroline blushed, "Not until this whole thing with Dahlia is finished. I want to ensure my children's safety first. No enemies are crashing this wedding."

Bonnie hummed, "At least with Elena staying away from the supernatural; we have hope for a regular, boring,but stunning beautiful wedding of your dreams."

"Shush you," Caroline stuck her tongue out. "I have a vision."

"You're a bridezilla," Rebekah announced, giving her future sister-in-law a look. The original vampire turned to Davina, "has she shown you her wedding binder yet?"

"Binders," Bonnie corrected, much to Caroline's dismay. "She's been making and remaking them since she saw Cinderella."

"I've only ever planned on getting married once, as such this one-time event should be perfect," Caroline insisted.

"You changed the flowers in the binders after seeing the youngest Fell girl wore the same crown of flowers you chose, to the 7th-grade decades dance" Bonnie shook her head.

"She ruined them!"

Davina and Rebekah shared a look as the latter snickered into her hands. "What is the theme now?" Davina asked, regretting it immediately, after she saw how Caroline's eyes lit up, and Bonnie groaned.

"I'm so glad you asked," Caroline said with a pleased smile, while Bonnie whimpered, muttering about the entire afternoon being gone now.

XXX

"She's different than I remember," Niklaus turned to see Freya taking a step beside him as Elijah took his right-hand side.

Elijah's place at his side was so regular that it occurred between them without thought. Rebekah most often held Freya's place. It was strange having Freya at his side. The newfound Mikaelson had far more in common with Elijah and Finn than the rest of their siblings. Despite being swept away by Dahlia before Elijah could even take his first breath, the two siblings shared a profoundly ingrained need to watch over their family.

"I can't imagine our parents being anything more than what they were," Niklaus gazed at the house that held his mother prisoner.

A luxurious prison, to be sure, but still a prison. The hybrid understood this to be the best compromise. His family's relations with their mother were complicated. The fact that she was still alive grated on his nerves. Various memories fought for dominance, from how his mother gave him his sparrow necklace with love shining in her eyes, to how she would also look away when her husband's hands hit her his face. Despite it all, Niklaus didn't fancy having to kill his mother again.

"I understand, you know. You had a very different relationship with them than I" Freya placed her hand on his. "Just like how Rebekah jumps from wanting to rip her throat out in one moment and in the next wishing she could wrap her up in a hug."

Elijah chortled, "Rebekah and Kol have always shared Niklaus's emotional range."

Niklaus's blue eyes narrowed, "Brother, please, do continue. I dare you."

Elijah's shoulders straightened, standing his ground, "I'm simply pointing out that the youngest of Esther's children has always shown several similar characteristics. Such as a thorough show of their disappointment."

Freya's light laugh was the sole reason Klaus did not threaten to dagger his brother. Since they've reunited, Freya had taken over as the most severe Mikaelson, not that Finn was far behind. Elijah at least managed to find amusement now and then. Niklaus looked towards the manor with dread. The first year after their change had been difficult; He had not intended to kill his mother. The way she admitted her crimes angered him to the point Niklaus couldn't see anything but red.

"Come now," Freya insisted. "We're here for answers."

Looking back, Niklaus knew that while his fears held some truth, Esther Mikaelson had always been the preferred parent of the lot. With that in mind he knew, his siblings would be angered at his actions. Elijah would've come to understand his reasonings even if he disagreed. Rebekah and Kol would be disgusted at her actions but still angry over the fact Niklaus killed the only reasonable parent they had. Finn would have been disappointed, but Niklaus doubted he would have acted against him.

"Our mother isn't exactly known for giving them," Niklaus turned towards his brother, "Isn't that right, Elijah?"

At least not back then. Finn had been with their parents the longest; the most indoctrinated to their roles. In his fear, Niklaus had the intelligence to go to the only other witch in the village. He had an inkling that his mother had made herself immortal in a way. Esther Mikaelson was never a simply kind woman. Niklaus didn't know what his mother's thought process was, but the result of her trying to keep her children safe turned them into something she could not abide by as a witch.

What Esther thought she was creating when it required killing her children to get it, Niklaus would never know. But as her children turned into creatures, she didn't recognize beyond their faces and temperaments. Their parents finally decided it was up to them to fix what they broke. But there was no way Esther would trust her husband to handle their children, no, not alone. If she could change Mikael, why not herself as well? Niklaus had just known that she must have made a fail-safe for herself.

Partly to alleviate his guilt of killing his mother, he had Ayana spell her casket closed to preserve her body. He knows she only agreed out of guilt over what became of the family because of Esther's increased skills in magic under her tutelage. With Esther's estrangement from her sister, her friendship with Ayana was the only way she could develop her skills.

Skills that she knew were steeped in dark magic despite Ayana's warnings about the very nature she was trying to create a loophole against. Now she was back and seemingly willing to stop her quest to annihilate her blood. Elijah turned to his brother and frowned, "Brother, are you sure you want to do this?"

Niklaus curled his hands on his sides, "There's a danger to our family. Our mother herself has said so, and Caroline also verified what she knew from her other life. Freya has assured us our Aunt is a formidable opponent as well."

"You haven't had a pleasant conversation with our mother since our human days."

"It's my children at risk," Niklaus's eyes glowed. "I will not sit on the sidelines, Elijah."

"Of course," Freya and Elijah murmured.

The trio walked up the well-maintained pathway, Elijah knocking firmly on the door as a maid answered. The servant took one look at the group and quickly ushered them inside. Freya watched with some amusement as the maid called for the head butler, explaining that her mistress had just taken her tea out in the yard.

"We would be happy to join our mother," Elijah politely responded to the maid, ignoring the look on his brother's face as he said this . It took only a moment for the butler to appear with a slight bow towards them.

"Follow me; Mrs. Mikaelson is just over here" The butler turned on his heel, not looking back to see if they followed. Elijah and Niklaus waited a moment before following, Elijah remembering to offer his arm towards his elder sister.

Freya's mouth twisted into a smirk. "At least one of my younger brothers is a gentleman."

"Don't let Elijah fool you. He's as savage as the rest of us."

XXX

The streets were quiet, despite being not far from the large city's bustling atmosphere. No one was around to notice as a black limousine pulled up towards the plantation. Dahlia looked out the tinted windows to stare at the home of her sister's children. Even her patience had its limits. After all, there was only so much Dahlia could condone before she had to act. She let out a predatory smile as her nose flared slightly, and she could smell the magic in the air.

Unlike most witches, Dahlia had been alive for centuries, just as long as her sister had walked the earth. It rankled her that Esther even took a page out of her book to also ensure the safety of the child she birthed from that wolf. All this just because she couldn't keep her side of their promise to one another. Now, centuries later her extended life has allowed her skills few witches had time to develop, such as the ease of being able to sense and identify magic around her. It was a skill most witches couldn't hone, so few even bothered to try as it involved much practice and needing to surround yourself with various types of magic.

It was a skill she taught her niece, Freya, once upon a time, before the little brat turned traitor. Dahlia stepped out of the limousine, a knock on the window alerting the driver to wait. Her footsteps barely made a sound as she pressed a hand to the wards around the place. Dahlia laughed joyously; the dears were prepared for her. How sweet. Perhaps her sister's children had learned a few things from their extended time on this earth.

Unfortunately, the wards ruined her chance for a surprise visit. Dahlia had hoped her return for the eldest Mikaelson child would come unexpectedly. She'd kept tabs on her sister. After all, how else would Dahlia see how taking Freya had changed Esther? It made her stronger,colder,hell her once obedient sister had used her magic past the limits Mikael had set upon her. Esther befriended a witch in their new land and grew strong enough to protect her remaining children. Her younger sister even had the gall to engage in an affair while her husband was away.

It was a pity she chose to remain with Mikael. Truthfully, Freya had been lucky. Although getting the younger witch to do what she must to survive was a hassle. Dahlia could only imagine how difficult her youngest niece was as an original. She pressed her hand against the air to feel power pressing against her, a warning.

Dahlia was delighted. It was Freya's work. Perhaps her plans needed a bit of rearranging. After all, her original plan for a quiet entrance was ruined by Freya's wards. They felt different; perhaps she used her sibling's blood? No….it felt like another powerful witch line or two. How wonderful, she was always curious about who the most powerful modern witches were.

The local witches had informed her how her nephew and nieces had been on the prowl in the city. Obliviously hunting for answers on the aunt, their ridiculous mother had kept from them. Yet they were not so uninformed as to leave their property unattended. It was time for Dahlia to see who the next generation of Mikaelsons were. Esther had tried so hard to ensure that she would never again take a member of her family; it took her longer than she'd expected it to, but even she understood nature always had a loophole.

And Esther had made a deal.

It took some time to find a way through the wards, especially as she didn't want to alert them of her presence right away. Dahlia stepped through them, her skin tingling as the magic pressed against her skin. She was careful with the wards; not tearing them down entirely, but carefully making her way through them took time. If she wants to see the child, then she must hurry. The powerful dark witch quickly made her way towards the property, seeing the large mansion within her sights.

If Dahlia had been less eager, more careful, she'd have noticed that aside from the wards. No other safeguards were triggered. From a distance, a dark-haired man with a British accent held a phone to his ear, "She's inside."

"Thank you, Enzo. Follow for backup but do not engage," A voice came from the other end of the phone before the line went dead.

The vampire followed at a distance making sure not to allow the witch to sense she was being followed. Enzo watched as Dahlia stopped at the front of the house. The witch pressed her hands against the door, and he could hear her saying phrases in Latin. Enzo crouched down in the tree lines. He watched as the witch carefully moved her hands while continuously muttering a spell in Latin.

Enzo's eyes wandered up to a window, where he saw a flash from within, and he allowed himself a slight smirk. It amused him greatly whenever 0the enemy underestimated their opponent. He slowly walked up as Dahlia stepped inside the house, knowing that the witches inside had blocked the vampires from being able to be sensed magically, at least temporarily. Freya had warned that with so many vampires needing to be hidden, the time would be far shorter than what the grimoire indicated.

He stepped into the threshold, nodding slightly to Bonnie, who had started to trail after Dahlia from the top of the stairs. They watched as she found the nursery with ease. If it hadn't been a part of the plan, Enzo would've been demanding the parents change the nursery location and increase security he mused to himself. His enhanced eyesight allowed him to take in the scene from the crack of the door.

Dahlia stood in the room, surprised to see four cribs where only one should be. The witch's eyes widened as she leaned over to gaze at each child. Four… they had four children at once: how remarkable. Dahlia looked at each child; her deal had been for the first born… Honestly speaking, they'd never tell her who that was. Their first instinct would be to protect them.

"Dahlia."

XXX

Esther stepped into the nursery, watching the woman before her and she froze. For a moment, she had hoped that the witch after her family was not her elder sister. The original witch felt her heart drop as she came into clear view. The person turned around, and Esther gasped as she repeated, "Dahlia. It really is you."

Dahlia laughed as her dark hair fell from her face, "Of course, it's me, sister. We made a bargain, remember?"

Esther shook her head, "I can't let you take my grandchildren; Freya's tragedy will not be repeated."

Dahlia scowled, "I took care of that ungrateful girl. I fed and clothed her. I gave her the greatest gift that not even you were truly capable of. "Immortality!" without needing to feed off blood like a parasite."

Esther paused as she looked at her sister, who managed to outlive them all, without being a vampire. The caveat, Freya said, was that to do so was to sleep for a hundred years of every single year you lived. Freya mentioned that this only occurred once she'd reached adulthood and their magic was linked together. On one hand, it meant her daughter stayed human, on the other, she only got to truly live out her life for ten years before reaching maturity. It was a hollow life.

"You're right."

Dahlia paused, staring at her sister, "So the rumors are true? You really tried to kill them."

"I believed I betrayed nature in trying to ensure their survival. What I didn't realize was that nature accepted them by creating loopholes in which for them to die," Esther admitted.

"Then let me take the eldest. Better yet, give me them all," Dahlia said greedily. "You've seen Freya. I've taken good care of your child, and you're my sister. I'll take good care of your descendants."

Esther shook her head, "I've never said that I was a good mother, but there is something I can do for them. I won't let Niklaus suffer the same pain I have."

Dahlia laughed, "Your bastard child. The loophole to ensure our deal stayed true. Pity you didn't protect him when he was young."

Esther's eyes narrowed, "I did everything I could to protect him. You and I both know that the world is not what it once was."

Dahlia laughed, "You abandoned your family; Freya survived being separated. Your grandchildren will do the same."

Esther's lips tightened; the only sign of her anger was in her eyes. Dahlia's lips quirked up, delighted to see her sister rise to the bait. "You choose your male donor poorly, Esther."

"Enough, Dahlia. I'll not see you take my grandchildren like you took Freya. You won't be taking any one of them."

"Our deal demands to be paid," Dahlia retorted. "You know very well the price,after all you've paid it before, your precious children are proof of that."

Esther raised her hand, quietly chanting low, aiming it towards her elder sister. Dahlia was prepared for this and moved as the rush of magic tried to push her into the wall. Out of the corner of her eye, a blue shield formed around the children.

"You cannot defeat me, Esther. I'm more powerful than you" Dahlia taunted as she blocked a second attack with little more than a muttering of Latin.

Esther looked at her sister with pity; having spent several weeks with her children once again, she noticed her failures. Her children, who by all accounts should be at each other's throats half the time, had more comradery than they've had in a thousand years. Finn no longer looked at his younger siblings with a mixture of grief and protectiveness, willing with a probe from his fiery lover to entire the fray. Her noble Elijah, always caught between his heart and his duty, seemed more at ease.

Kol and Rebekah were as boisterous as there when they were young. Only Kol burns with an intensity that seems no longer likely to kill all who step too close. Rebekah's biting wit has stayed true, but her daughter's eyes no longer seemed to be wistful as she gazed at the young men around her. Niklaus no longer seemed to burst with resentment so large he didn't know where it started and he ended. The most important thing of all was how each of her children seemed more content and truer to themselves than they ever were in their human life. And each of them stood at the ready behind her, ready to protect those four precious young souls.

They were a family.

That's when it clicked…where it all went wrong. It had always been just the two of them, sisters, against the world. Dahlia had always protected them whenever the Vikings came to their village, murdering any of the men who got too close. They kept the children and women safe, while most of the men were unlucky. It had been Dahlia who took the brunt of the abuse, keeping Esther out of view. With Esther's blonde hair and honeyed eyes, the invaders seemed to see value in her.

Dahlia was older and could truly remember what it was like before the Vikings came. Esther had been a touch shy of being able to remember with the same clarity. It was her older sister who ensured they survived, even encouraging her to be polite to the Vikings but hold onto their anger in their hearts. While Dahlia could not push them from their lands, she worked to ensure Esther didn't bear the brunt of her resistance.

Then Esther received Mikael's proposal, a promise of a future with a protector. Someone who would protect her and give her a family, and she barely spared a thought of Dahlia. She had been so happy, a future with a young Viking that she thought hung the moon. She didn't see the pain in her sister's eyes. Had mistaken the look in it for jealousy. She ignored her and married Mikael anyway. Then a year had passed, and she barely spoke with her sister , hearing the other villagers whisper of how Dahlia refused to let go of the arts.

Esther's eyes softened, "I understand what must be done now, Dahlia."

XXX

Caroline watched from her hiding place amongst the trees as Dahlia performed an impressive jump from the nursery window. The blonde quickly flashed back towards her children's room. Reaching down she picked up her loudest babe, Ingrid. The young mother watched as the babe's accidental magic caused items in the room to float. Enzo leaned down and picked up a young Henrik, the second loudest screamer.

Gazing out the window, Caroline watched as Esther climbed onto Finn's back as the Mikaelson brood chased after their wayward Aunt. With her enhanced senses, the blonde saw her future mother-in-law whisper something in her son's ear. She tightened grip on Ingrid's small form, her blue eyes following the disappearing forms of her newfound family.

"Penny for your thoughts, love?" Enzo's smooth voice broke through her crowded thoughts. Caroline turned to look between her four children, knowing the other occupants of the compound had left or were standing guard around the plantation.

"Here I am with my children, my mother has just entered remission, and I've condoned a plan that most likely will lead to the death of my future mother-in-law. I should feel more guilty. Why don't I feel guilty?" Caroline ranted as she started to pace.

Enzo sighed, gazing down at the young Henrik in his arms, "Let's hope you got more of your Daddy in you than your mommy. Caroline, calm down, sweetheart."

"Esther Mikaelson is about to make the biggest sacrifice of her life. Why don't I feel more sympathy?" Caroline continued to babble. The child in her arms giggling the extra bounce as Caroline unconsciously rocked her.

Enzo immediately placed Henrik next to his brother Conall, who immediately placed Henrik's little hand into his mouth. Enzo shook his head as he gently pulled Ingrid out of her mother's grip. Once he was assured the children were well occupied, the vampire turned towards their pacing mother.

"Caroline, darling, what's going on?"

The British vampire watched as the blonde stood in front of the cribs, "I'm a horrible person. I should feel more guilty for knowing Esther is probably going to her death."

Enzo's eyes softened, "Sweetheart, isn't this the same woman who killed her own children?"

Caroline shrugged, "She's not the only witch who decided nature needed a helping hand in evolution."

Enzo snorted, "Most witches tend to avoid such grisly methods though."

"She's still their mother. Shouldn't I feel bad that I can't tell them of a better way?"

"Sweetheart, did any of the Mikaelsons ever tell you they had found another way?" Enzo questioned. Caroline scowled at her comrade.

"I know what you're trying to do."

Enzo's eyes widened, holding his hands up, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Love."

Caroline crossed her arms and looked down at Henrik who was staring up at the two of them. "Henrik, you know what Mommy's talking about right?"

The baby giggled, clapping his fists together and Caroline looked up in triumph. Enzo snorted, "He laughs at everything."

"You're trying to manage me!"

Enzo grinned, "You stopped pacing didn't you?"

"Asshole."

"I think it's okay, for you not to be sympathetic towards a woman who tried to murder both your fiancée and his family just because she regrets her own decisions, both personal and parenting."

Caroline sighed, "A part of me hoped I could change more."

Enzo raised a brow in question. Caroline continued, "The Mikaelsons went through after returning to New Orleans. Most, I only heard about after the fact. Things have changed. Finn, Sage, Katherine, and Kol are all alive. Finn and Kol didn't need to be revived by Esther. I've made a difference, but this is their mother we're talking about. Why do I get to keep mine and they don't?"

Enzo wrapped his arm around her, squeezing her shoulder. "The Mikaelson's have lived without Esther for a long time. If this is how she redeems herself, then I think it's only right if you give them this choice."

Caroline groaned, leaning into Enzo's shoulder, "There is something I need to tell you." She watched as her friend's face shifted to curiosity.

"Your Sire, Lily, I know where she and her Heretic family are trapped."

Enzo's eyes looked pained, "How?"

"She's Damon and Stefan's mother. Bonnie and Damon had ended up trapped in a prison world, it led to a huge clash between the Gemini coven and us. Lily and her vampires used it as a chance to escape," Caroline explained. "She cares for you in her own way but Lily…She'll never choose you, Enzo. That woman barely chose to save her sons."

Enzo pulled away, muttering to himself, before turning to ask "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Kai, a member of the Gemini, is trapped in a 1994 Prison World, Lily and her family are trapped in the 1903 version. By getting pregnant, and Bonnie being here with me we've never met Kai and how we found her has not happened. "

"I loved her" Enzo said softly despite the unruly emotions he was feeling. His eyes glanced over the young babes, Henrik and Conall sharing a crib as they babbled together. The two Mikaelson daughters each in their own crib staring at the two adults and their siblings in wonder.

He felt Caroline's hand grip his shoulder, "Her heart already belonged to another at that point. She didn't get the chance to raise you as a vampire, but Enzo, you should know that Lily is a Ripper. It's a gene that occurs in some vampires, it's a gene she and Stefan share. The Gemini Coven trapped her because she was out of control and her so-called family weren't any better."

"We have to help her escape," Enzo demanded, "I can help her."

"The Gemini coven is too strong. The world suffered because of their fall," Caroline stepped in front of Enzo and grabbed his arms, "When she escaped, she never chose you, Enzo. Even if you help her escape and you don't fit into her heretic family, you'll be left behind."

"She's my sire, Caroline," Enzo whispered. "You are telling me she's trapped but I can't help her?"

"They are hardly the big bad of my previous life," Caroline admitted, "but Lily's lover is worth more trouble than that entire group is worth. Lily will not see reason and will seek out to resurrect him."

Enzo sighed, "There's something you are not saying."

Caroline smiled wryly, "There is a lot I haven't shared. Just trust me, okay?"

"You did help me escape that damn prison when you could have left me to rot," Enzo nudged her, earning a smile.

"You're my friend," Caroline snapped playfully. "I needed you free, you idiot."

"Now you stuck with me!"

XXX

Klaus was behind his family, his son Marcellus at his heels. They were following Dahlia, using Freya as a guide, the one who was most familiar with the witch to track her. The hybrid glanced over at his prodigal son. Marcel looked over and sighed, "If you have something to say, just say it."

"You don't have to be here, and yet you are," Niklaus commented, watching the younger vampire for a reaction.

"As I've said, we don't hurt children. Dahlia is doing the very thing I'm against in my own city," Marcel growled lowly.

"Not to mention,those said children are your siblings" Niklaus smirked over at Marcel, who rolled his eyes. The two vampires sped across the city. They could hear Freya from Elijah's back as she called out another turn.

"That would hardly be truthful," Marcel acknowledged. " Especially since I haven't had a father for a very long time."

"You chose not to come looking, and we had no cause to return, as we were sure Mikael had killed you. I could have taken the city back, but I haven't." Klaus told him. "Caroline reminded me that the city as it is now has my family to thank. But it was you who did the hard work to rebuild."

Marcel's frown deepened as they reached a sharp turn, "I looked up to you, I spent my entire life in this city and saw how the Mikaelsons loved and ruled this city. A part of me didn't want to leave my home. Another, wanted to prove to you that I was your son, that I could do what you did."

Freya called them to a halt, and they ended up just outside of the city. The group stood in front of what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse. The hybrid turned to his son, grasping his forearms, "Marcellus, look at me."

As his son looked at him he said, "I'm proud of you. You're every inch a Mikaelson."