(1/2)

Chapter 61

Flashback:

Marcel stood on his balcony waiting with a spring in his every paced step for the carriage to appear over the horizon. Elijah needed to secure a new alliance with a witch coven some hundred miles away and took Kol to help since his brother since no vampire in history could charm a witch like Kol Mikaelson. They'd been gone for weeks but Marcel lept for joy after receiving a letter from Elijah the day before saying that they would be arriving Monday morning. Monday morning couldn't have gotten there soon enough.

Marcel was dressed and waiting before sunrise.

Klaus opened Marcel's bedroom door, assuming he would wake the boy like always and they'd go down to breakfast together.

"Marcellus-" Klaus stood shocked by Marcel's empty bed. In seven years, his heart always dropped whenever Marcel wasn't where he expected him to be.

Marcel peeped his head through the balcony doors and said, "I'm out here, poppa."

Taking a relieved breath, Klaus sauntered over to the balcony. "What are you doing out there, my son? It's a frigid morning. You could catch cold."

"Kol and Uncle Elijah are arriving this morning. I want to greet them."

Klaus nodded, knowing it was Kol Marcel eagerly waited for more than Elijah. In the year since he awakened his brother on Marcel's behest, Marcel took a deeper liking to Kol than Klaus would have liked but Klaus allowed it because he knew Kol liked Marcel as well. He protected Marcel when Klaus wasn't around to and, although they always seemed to find trouble together, Kol was rarely the bloodthirsty maniac he'd been for the past eight centuries with Marcel by his side.

"Come down for breakfast," said Klaus, placing his hand gently on Marcel's shoulder and guiding him off the balcony. "They will be here soon enough."

"Kol said he's bringing me a gift," Marcel said, smiling broadly as his father lead him to the kitchen. "What do you think it is?"

"Knowing my little brother," Klaus sighed. "Could be anything."

-M-

Kol peered out of the carriage window as he and Elijah arrived at the Mikaelson Estate, Marcel's gift wrapped in a neat box on his lap.

Seeing the excitement in his brother's eyes only brought heartache to Elijah as he knew Kol's excitement would be short-lived.

"You shouldn't have bought that thing," said Elijah. "You know Niklaus will not let him keep it."

Kol rolled his eyes. "Klaus doesn't have to know."

"He will know because I will tell him."

Kol groaned, tossing his hands in the air in anger. "Why are you taking the bastard's side?"

"Because Marcellus is his son. Klaus decides what's best for him."

"That's not fair. Marcel is a man now, he can decide what's best for him."

"Maybe if he were a part of a human family that would be true. But he is a Mikaelson. We decide what is best for him just as we decide what is best for you. So when Klaus inevitably forbids Marcel from accepting your gift, I want you to immediately get rid of it and never speak of it again. Do I make myself clear, brother?"

Kol folded his arms over his chest and threw himself back against the carriage seat, glaring away from Elijah and refusing to answer him.

Elijah cut his eyes at Kol. The sound of reins smacking against the horses' backsides causing the iron clop of their hoves to hasten and grow louder reminded him that things outside the carriage were a bit louder than the inside. He was sure the driver couldn't hear a thing they said or did.

Kol's eyes widened as Elijah vamped over to him, removing the gift box from his lap before he vamped back over to his seat, pulling Kol's stiff body over his lap as he sat back down.

"What are you doing," Kol exclaimed as Elijah's hand shifted into the waist of his pants.

Elijah jerked Kol's pants down to his knees followed by his underwear, revealing his cold, pale cheeks in stark contrast to the warm, dark colors of the carriage.

"I'm taking care of this attitude before we get home," said Elijah.

Kol tried to jump to his feet but Elijah pinned him down with a hand in the middle of his back.

"No, no, no, 'Lijah, please!" Kol whined attempting to wiggle his behind off of Elijah's knee before the spanking began. "I'm sorry."

As the first smack landed, Kol howled at the unexpectedness of it but then he immediately bit his lip, silencing his protests as Elijah landed smack after cruel smack.

Elijah alternated between cheeks, smacking with a steady heavy rhythm until he heard the soft break of Kol's walls as his brother let out a small sob.

"When I ask you a question, I expect a verbal answer denoting your respect and acceptance!" Elijah landed a heavy-handed swat across both of Kol's cheeks and his brother fought to suppress a soft yelp. "And tantrums at your age, brother, will not be tolerated. You are Marcel's best friend, I expect you to set a proper example for him and responding like a spoiled child when you are given unpleasant news is not the example he needs to see."

Kol's sobs ravaged his body and he pressed his face into the seat of the carriage to keep himself from being too embarrassingly loud. His body went limp over Elijah's lap. With every heavy smack, Kol broke out another sob.

Once Kol's behind was as red as the mahogany wood on the floor of the carriage, Elijah brought his spanking to an end.

He held Kol over his lap, rubbing soft circles against his brother's back until his crying quieted.

"I know that it is hard for you sometimes, little brother, but believe me when I say everything we do is for the good of this family. I made a promise, centuries ago, to do whatever necessary to keep this family together and happy. Klaus has found his happiness in Marcellus. Being the protector our father failed to be for us is what drives Klaus to be better."

Kol dreaded the thought of sitting on his sore backside but he also didn't want to be lectured while lying over Elijah's lap like a child. With a grunt, he forced himself to get up and sit down beside Elijah, glaring at the gift box across from them as he sniffled back tears.

"Do you understand me, Kol?" Elijah asked once again.

Kol forced himself not to pout as he mumbled, "Yes, Elijah."

He groaned as Elijah pulled his head down to softly kiss his temple. "Good."

-M-

The sound of horse hoves clotting across the stone pavement outside drew Marcel's attention away from the jam slathered biscuit in front of him.

"They're here," he shouted, jumping from his seat at the dining table with his father.

Klaus simply sighed as he stood and followed Kol out of the compound to greet his brothers outside.

Marcel stood on the porch, attempting to remain calm to hide his excitement at his friend's return since Kol insisted that men didn't show their feelings with such childish glee, and Marcel wanted Kol to see him as a man almost as much as he wanted Rebekah to.

Stepping out of the carriage first, Elijah ordered the driver to grab their belongings tied to the roof and take them inside, the servants would handle the rest.

"Well, Marcellus," Niklaus gave his son a slight nudge forward. "Go greet your uncle."

Realizing it would be rude to greet Kol and not Elijah, even though Kol was the one he was most excited to see, Marcel hurried down to the carriage to greet his uncle.

"Uncle Elijah," he shouted with a broad smile. "Did you bring me anything?"

Elijah chuckled at Marcel's bluntness. "I did. It's in my suitcase."

Marcel bounced on the tips of his toes. "Well...what did you bring?"

"Romeo and Juliet."

Marcel's excitement dwindled. "But...I already have that one. In English and in Spanish."

"Yes, but not in German. I know you've been wanting to challenge yourself more intellectually and I was lucky enough to find a traveling salesman who had a copy. I know it's one of your favorites, so I thought-"

Marcel couldn't contain his excitement, wrapping his arms around Elijah's waist as he squeezed him tight. "Thank you, Uncle Elijah. I will cherish it always."

As Elijah hugged Marcel back, Kol eased his way out of the carriage, his cheeks still pink with the shame of getting spanked in the carriage.

He groaned at the sappy sight of his big brother hugging Marcel.

Marcel immediately pulled away from Elijah, shame brightening his own face at being seen behaving so childishly by Kol.

"K-Kol," he voice broke as he spoke. Patting his chest and clearing his throat, he forced his voice deeper and repeated, "Kol. How was the trip?"

"Interesting as promised. The witches had a plethora of dark objects. You should come with us next time."

Before Marcel could speak, Klaus's hand came down over his shoulder. "Marcel is still much too young to deal with witch business. It wouldn't be safe for him, even in the presence of our allies. He is still just one human."

Marcel's eyes lowered at being reminded that he was just a human after all the times he's begged Klaus to turn him.

"Well, even humans can defend themselves," Kol asserted, reaching into the carriage.

Excitement renewed in Marcel's eyes as he watched Kol pull out a long white gift box.

"Is that for me," Marcel asked.

Kol's eyes shifted worriedly to Klaus. "Uh, yeah. But...how bout we wait til later to open it. It's been a long ride. I want to be completely rested when I see your face as you open it."

"Why wait," Elijah placed his hand on Kol's chest as he tried to slip past Klaus with the box. "I'm sure Niklaus would love to see Marcellus' face too as he receives his first dark object."

Klaus's eyes turned cold as ice as he stared down at Kol but Marcel's eyes were bright with joy. He took the box from Kol and pulled at the blue ribbon until it fell to the ground. Then he threw the top into the carriage to reveal a black-handled dagger wrapped in blue satin.

Klaus's heart nearly pounded out of his chest as he watched Marcel lifted the dagger up between them all, wielding it with the ease and grace is father taught him.

"It's beautiful, Kol," Marcel exclaimed. "I love it.

Marcel's smile brought a smile to Kol's face in spite of his brother's obvious anger.

"What's the curse?" Marcel asked, thrusting the dagger forward into the open air like he did with his fencing epee.

Nervous to speak the curse in front of Klaus, Kol muttered, "Uh...in the heat of battle...it gives the wielder supernatural strength and...bloodlust."

Kol nearly whispered the last word but both father and son heard it clearly.

Marcel's heart fluttered at the thought. If there was one thing his father always told him, it was that vampires have an almost insatiable bloodlust and that was why, except for his family, he should always stay away from them. His father always said it as a warning but Marcel was never afraid. His father was the most powerful man he knew, everyone feared and respected him and Marcel was sure it was the Mikaelson bloodlust that made his father so fearsome.

The thought of feeling even just a bit like his father was tempting enough to make Marcel shake.

Klaus immediately mistook Marcel's shivering for fear.

"Marcellus, give Kol his dagger back. Thank him, but tell him you will not be accepting his gift today."

Marcel spun around to his father with wide, pleading eyes. "But poppa, it's just a dagger. I already own an entire case of swords and daggers."

"It's a dark object, Marcellus. It's not a plaything."

"Then I won't play with it, poppa. I'll use it responsibly, just as you've taught me."

"No son of mine will have a dark object, Marcellus." Holding his hand out, Klaus demanded it. "Give it."

"But poppa," Marcel continued to whine, clutching the dagger close to his chest. "Lots of young witches have dark objects."

"Marcellus!" Elijah's no-nonsense bark sent a shiver down Marcel's spine. "How many times have I told you, when your father gives you an order, you obey it."

Marcel's lip trembled with frustration as he continued to hug his dagger, not yet ready to give it up.

Shaking his head in disappointment, Elijah said, "I will give you three courtesy seconds to reconsider your current behavior before this little reunion is promptly spoiled."

Attempting to save his son from a smarting behind, Niklaus wrapped his arm around Marcel's shoulder and turned him away from his irritable Uncle.

"Witches are exposed to magic when they're young because it's a part of their culture, Marcellus. It keeps them safe." Klaus said calmly placing his hand on the hilt of Marcel's dagger. "You, my son, have me to keep you safe. Now give it here. I will not ask again."

Marcel turned his saddened eyes to Kol, a pout on his face as he handed his gift to his father.

Kissing Marcel's forehead, Klaus nudged him towards the door. "Go inside and finish your breakfast while it's still hot. We will be in shortly."

Marcel dragged his feet into the house, heartbroken at having his gift taken. Klaus made a mental note to surprise Marcel soon with something else to hopefully make up for his perceived cruelty.

Then, thumping Kol's chest as he shoved the butt of the dagger back at him, Klaus said, "How dare you get my son a cursed dagger without first asking me?"

"The lad plays with swords all the time with you and Rebekah," Kol barked, snatching the dagger from Klaus's hands.

"His lessons are not a game. I am teaching him discipline and control, both qualities he will need as a leader. I have been trying to steer him away from the curse of our bloodlust for seven years and yet, here you are handing it to him in a blue satin box."

"A sword is a sword. You knock it out of his hand, the bloodlust fades. I'm just trying to give the lad a taste of what it's like to be one of us. He's always begging for it. Besides, I assumed you'd be overjoyed your precious Marcel likes to play with cursed daggers like his dear ol' poppa."

"Marcellus is my son! I decide what happens to him and how to protect him. If you ever try to give him a dark object again-" Klaus's anger soared but as he took a step towards Kol, Elijah stepped between them.

"No fighting, Niklaus," Elijah calmly interjected. "Not with your son so near."

Klaus thought back to Marcel just a few dozen feet away in the dining room and how he would surely hear if a fight broke out in the courtyard.

"Bloody bastard," Kol taunted, stepping further into Elijah's protective shadow. "Probably has a dagger on him."

Kol flinched as Elijah disappeared from in front of him and suddenly reappeared beside him. He dropped the dagger to the ground as Elijah seized his upper arm in a vice grip. Elijah brought his hand down in a series of heavy blows causing his younger brother to skip and dance behind each one.

"Apologize," Elijah ordered sternly, refusing to release his grip.

Still attempting to turn his behind out of Elijah's reach, Kol stammered out, "I-I'm sorry."

With a slight tug, Elijah pulled Kol back in reach for another few smacks, this time eliciting strained yelps from his struggling brother.

"And what are you sorry for?"

Kol's eyebrows shot up, unsure of what he was apologizing for exactly. He only apologized in the hope that it would end his suffering.

"F-for...getting the dagger?"

A sharp smack to his bottom answered his question.

"I-I'm sorry for..."

Kol looked to Klaus hoping for a hint to answering Elijah's question.

Klaus's face was hard with anger but as Kol looked into his eyes, instead of more anger as he was expecting, he saw only hurt.

Kol's eyes fell to the floor as he mumbled, "I'm sorry for...disrespecting Klaus."

Elijah shook Kol's arm to get his attention. "Look him in the eyes and apologize to him, not to the ground."

With a reluctant sigh, Kol looked into Klaus's eyes and said, "I'm sorry for disrespecting you. Marcellus is your son...you get to decide what gifts he gets to keep."

Releasing Kol's arm, Elijah said, "You seem to be in quite the mood this morning, little brother. I believe our long trip has done a lot to exhaust you. Perhaps you should go to your room and rest until supper. I will send a servant to feed you momentarily."

Kol grumbled as he picked up the cursed dagger and marched slowly towards the Compound. He paused as Klaus moved in front of him, blocking his way to the door.

Kol looked up to his brother with wide, uncertain eyes, hoping Klaus viewed Elijah's punishment of him as penance for his disrespect and he wasn't still going to dagger him.

"Destroy that dagger," Niklaus demanded lowly. "Marcellus has a lot of innocent years ahead of him. I don't want him to know what bloodlust fills like just yet."

Kol wanted to argue. He had to make a lot of promises to get the witches to give him that sword. He didn't want to destroy it just because his big brother was a little too overprotective.

"Whatever you say, Niklaus," Kol scoffed, brushing past Niklaus on his way into the Compound.

As Kol's back disappeared through the courtyard, Niklaus turned to Elijah and said, "He's becoming a handful again."

Elijah straightened the cuffs of his shirt. "He is merely begging for attention. I will ensure that he gets it."

"Perhaps...we should go on a hunting trip."

Elijah's eyebrows lifted. "Interesting. It's been almost a century since our last. What brings this up all of a sudden?"

"Marcellus is smitten with him so if I dagger him again, my son may never forgive me. But Kol's attitude and sullen behavior might soon rub off on my little warrior, and I can't let that happen. The quickest and most effective way...is a hunting trip."

"We have duties here, Niklaus. We can't just disappear for a week-long excursion."

"Then just for a day. We will leave first thing in the morning and come back at daybreak the next day. You should be able to handle running this city and taking care of Marcellus while we're gone."

Elijah's eye's hardened. "I don't think the best course of action would be for you to go on a trip with Kol alone."

"Why not?"

"Because you two are always at each other's throats. I will go with you. And since we are all going, Marcellus might as well tag along."

Niklaus immediately shook his head no. "Marcellus is much too you for this sort of hunting trip."

"He most certainly is not. And he is arrogant and persistently disobedient. If you intend to take Kol hunting, then Marcellus comes as well."

Klaus gritted his teeth in anger but Elijah remained stoic, unintimidated by the 'Monster, Niklaus Mikaelson' of legend.

"Fine," Niklaus finally relented. "But only because I am confident in my Marcellus being the picture of perfection he always is."

-M-

Marcel came barreling into Kol's bedroom with a wide smile on his face. Kol sat on his bed attempting to put a new string in his antique bow. He hadn't used it in centuries since the last time his brothers wanted to go on a hunting trip. It was the only thing he had left of their old life. And he hated it almost as much as he hated hunting trips. But Marcel was going and he begged Kol to join.

"Let's go, Kol." Marcel hurried into the room and grabbed Kol's arm, pulling him to his feet. "They're waiting for us."

"Wait," Kol fell back down to the bed, placing the bow between his knees as he continued struggling to string it. "I've almost got it."

"Just let Uncle Elijah do it. He loves doing stuff like that."

"Of course," Kol bit. "Just let Elijah do it. Because bloody Kol can never do anything right."

Marcel pulled the bow from between Kol's knees, finally drawing Kol's attention away from it. Staring down into his friend's wild eyes, Marcel asked, "Are you alright?"

Kol finally understood how mad he must've seemed at that moment. "Uh...yeah, mate."

He stood, taking the bow from Marcel and walking back over to the big leather chest by his wardrobe.

"I'm just a bit nervous these days. My big brothers have been on a bit of a tear. I've been getting into too much trouble lately. Think the bastard is starting to get tired of me. Might be a dagger in my near future."

"He's not going to dagger you," Marcel insisted.

Kol cut his eyes at Marcel. "Is this your first hunting trip?"

"No. Poppa took me hunting once when I was little. He taught me how to use a bow and arrow. But...then I got sick and we've never gone back since."

"Then trust me, you're lucky," Kol opened the chest and slid the bow inside. "The two of them arranging this trip means that I've pushed one of them to the edge and this trip is my last chance to prove myself or end up back in a box."

"I told you I won't let them dagger you. I'll pull it out myself if they tried. Besides, poppa said that he decided to go on the trip because he was stricken with nostalgia in a dream and wants to go on the hunt with his brothers again and he wants to teach me too."

"Really," Kol rolled his eyes. "You are so gullible. You truly believe anything the bastard says."

Peering into Kol's open chest, Marcel noticed a glint of something shiny hiding in the back. Moving closer, he saw a broadsword with a black handle tucked away in a corner.

"My dagger," Marcel exclaimed grabbing the dagger and lifting it into the sky. "I thought poppa got rid of it."

Kol picked the dagger from Marcel's hand and said, "He told me to get rid of it but there was no way I was going to destroy such beautiful dark object."

"Well, can I have it then?"

Kol eyed Marcel with scrutiny. "I don't know, mate. Your dear ol' poppa doesn't think you're mature enough for a weapon like this."

"Poppa doesn't see the mature me. He still sees me as a child but I can handle it. I swear."

As Marcel reached for the blade again, Kol pulled it further out of his reach. "Give it a few more years," Kol turned around to the chest, sliding the dagger back in it's place. "Maybe when you're 20 or so the 'grand, all-knowing' Klaus will deem you ready for dark objects."

Marcel watched with a tense glare as Kol closed the chest before placing a hand on Marcel's shoulder and guiding him out of the room.

"C'mon," Kol groaned as he started down the hallway. "I'll just tell them that I couldn't find my bow and use one of theirs. Of course, that's sure to get me an earful as well."

Once at the stairway, Marcel said, "Oh, wait. I...forgot...to put on underwear. If we go swimming, Uncle Elijah will be furious to find out I didn't wear any."

Focused only on making a good impression with his big brothers during the trip, Kol halfheartedly said, "Well hurry it up. Don't leave me alone with those two too long."

"I won't," Marcel called as he ran back towards his bedroom. He paused at his door, watching as Kol's head disappeared past the banister before hurrying back to Kol's bedroom.

End Flashback


Don't worry guys, I know that our devilish little Kol is being mistreated by his siblings...but the climax to his mistreatment is coming.