AN: Please enjoy. I hope everyone had a great weekend. Thank you for reading and reviewing. Stay safe and continue to be good people and stay away from gorilla glue...haha...sorry I had to!

Chapter 17

The great hall was loud and full of people as they celebrated the return of the men and the Mikaelsons. The food was plentiful and the ale was flowing. A large square fire pit in the center of the hall warmed the crowd.

A large rectangle table sat near the wall facing out into the room, this is where the Mikaelsons sat. Other smaller tables with benches were spaced within the room allowing plenty of walking and standing space around the tables.

Celebration and merriment was all around the room as people laughed and heartily ate roasted duck and pig, with smoked fish and flatbread with cheese and assorted vegetables, and of course ale.

Mikael and Esther sat side by side at the center of the table, Esther being on his right side. Klaus was on Mikael's left, while next to Esther was Bonnie and then Henrik, who made it his duty to be near her whenever possible. Next to Klaus Finn,Marcellus and Elijah sat, wanting to discuss the raids for next year. Rebekah sat next to Henrik and to her, Kol.

...

As the Mikaelsons sat talking, enjoying the festivities, at a faraway table sat Aurora watching in silence as she fumed at seeing a stranger, some foreigner sitting at the table with the Mikaelsons as if she was meant to be there and them allowing it. She doubted if the dark skinned girl even knew what was being said, having never heard her speak, not knowing that Bonnie knew the language.

By now talk had spread of the dark skinned, green eyed beauty with raven curls that Klaus had taken as his mate. How she was fierce and loyal and a healer of some kind.

Only the family knew that she was a witch, Klaus insisted on this matter, at least until the people had time to get to know her, accept her and love her, for he was sure they would.

But for now, he preferred to be cautious since some people were very wary of witches. The extraordinary tales of witches mating with dragons and other creatures, eating children and babes, enthralling men to become their sex slaves, creating hexes and performing necromancy had cast a dark and sinister light on their kind.

The tales had been passed down for centuries and they all veer to the evil crone or seductress and less of a healer or protector of nature. Klaus knew that some of the stories were true, but not all of them and he didn't want Bonnie to suffer from bias and bigotry, it was bad enough that he had to deal with Elijah's suspicions. Fear and ignorance could cause people to do stupid things. He wanted them to get to know Bonne.

…

Aurora saw the stares, heard the giggles and whispers by some of the women in the village mocking her. But she rationalized that they were just jealous cows; none of them were as beautiful as she was and many of their men lusted after her.

Of course Aurora didn't own up to the fact that she flirted with and tried to seduce many of the men and she treated the women with disdain coupled with an air of superiority that came from knowing she was beautiful. But Aurora swore that she would have the last laugh when she was named Klaus' true and lawful wife and mate.

Throughout the day word spread like wildfire of the strange dark skinned woman with eyes as green as spring leaves that returned with the Mikaelsons and of Klaus' claim of her being his wife. The gossip grapevine grew fast with thick far reaching tentacles which carried the extraordinary news filling the village with wonder, curiosity and for some, spiteful glee. For those who had to endure the constant boastings of status and privilege from Aurora, it was a very interesting and fitting comeuppance for her. Truly Odin had a sense of humor.

Aurora sat looking at him, he looked so handsome and powerful and she wanted him and of course he had to want her. She couldn't imagine what he saw in the girl. Yes, she was pretty in some strange and different way, if one could call it that, but compared to her blue eyes, fair skin and red hair, a rare combination, there was no competition, of that Aurora was sure.

It made her sick to see how the Mikaelsons seemed to welcome her into their fold while they had been cold and offputting with her. She watched as she laughed with Rebekah and played with Henrik, and even Kol, who didn't trust anyone outside their family, seemed smittened by the diminutive girl.

It was Elijah who caught Aurora's eye as she noticed he just sat brooding, quietly observing the tiny interloper and her interaction with his family, his face a mask, but one could perceive his ill ease. This very important distinction, this seemingly internal fracture within the family intrigued Aurora as she thought to how she might exploit it to her advantage.

Using her feminine wiles wasn't something that was beneath her to use however she was sure that trying it on Elijah could be counterproductive. She needed him on her side as an ally. Maybe she could garner sympathy from him as the lovesick jilted lover causing him to intercede on her behalf or she could align herself with his sensibilities becoming his confidante and gathering helpful information to get rid of the girl.

She smiled to herself at the thought of making this girl suffer. She thought she could come from out of nowhere and still her man, her rightful place of status and her power and nothing would happen? No! She would see what happened to little girls that thought too highly of themselves and thought to achieve what was out of their reach, Aurora thought.

…

Getting her attention, Esther leaned over to talk to Bonnie, "My dear do you ride?" She asked.

"Yes I do," Bonnie smiled sweetly.

"Good, early on the morrow you and I will ride out. I wish to show you your new home properly. I know today was rather chaotic for you among new people and surroundings."

"Thank you, I would very much like that my Queen." Bonnie answered excitedly although she was a bit nervous. She was sure that Esther would want to talk with her, asking questions and studying her.

"Nonsense, love, call me mother, you are my daughter now, although we will have to have a formal ceremony soon." Esther said, smiling as she patted Bonnie on her hand.

"My son hasn't had the opportunity to tell me much about you, but he has told me that you are clever and proficient in botany and medicinal tonics among other things. It is a topic that intrigues me. I desire to learn more, to gather a better understanding and to add upon that which I already know. We have only one healer and she is very old. I assist her when I can, but there is even much she is not aware of. It is prudent for me to avail myself for such a time when I will be needed. And besides, in this day and age a woman should be multifaceted in all manner of crafts," Esther winked.

Smiling, Esther continued, "We will discuss these things, yes? You will instruct me in this matter"

"Yes, of course. It would be a privilege to instruct one as honored as you. If you permit, I would like to put my skills to use helping your healer as well as performing those duties when the time comes."

As Bonnie spoke Esther was very impressed with her mastery of their language, she spoke as if she was born to it, but what greatly pleased Esther was her sincerity and gracefulness. Esther watched her interact with her family apart from Klaus, which was part of the reason she wanted the young witch to sit next to her.

She noticed that she spoke and carried herself as one who knew who she was and therefore had no need to state it. She was genuine in her laughter, which at times rose from her belly as Henrik regaled her with some foolish story. She was genuine in her thoughtfulness as she would, from time to time, check with Rebekah to make sure she was eating enough or not too tired. Her kindness also seemed genuine and although she was pleasant and soft spoken, Esther knew there was a fire in her as evidenced earlier.

Esther was very intrigued with her and she liked her very much but she had to make sure that she was indeed the one the gods meant for Niklaus. Their ride would give her the opportunity to get more acquainted with her unencumbered by her family and more importantly, her son.

"Klaus says you are a very famous shieldmaiden, perhaps you could instruct me in ways of shield fighting." Bonnie suggested as she was very interested in learning from one as mighty and skilled in warfare as Esther.

"My son likes to boast. We have been fortunate to have had peace in our lands for a long time. I have not had to take up arms in quite some time. I hear you are proficient at fighting as well." Esther countered.

"I remember some of the old ways of combat that I was taught, but it never hurts to learn more and to be ready for war."

Esther contemplated what Bonnie said, thinking it was so very true and it was a sentiment that was befitting a wife of Niklaus. She continued lost in her thoughts not realizing that music was playing and there were some that were dancing and making merry.

…

Klaus was eating while laughing and talking to his father and brothers enjoying being home and with his family and his people, thanking the gods for their favor. Occasional he would look down the table to see Bonnie engaging with his family as if she was born to them.

She looked beautiful, her wild curls were tamed in her signature single braid that curved from one side of her head to the other leaving the tail to fall over her shoulder reaching down to her waist. She wore her brown woolen dress with blue, yellow and purple flowers embroidered on it.

Klaus loved the dress on her because it was deceptively simple. On any other woman it would look like an unattractive sack but on her it was pure perfection. It was modest but the fit accentuated her curves and small waist.

The hall was loud with gaiety and everyone was enjoying themselves, even Elijah loosened up. Music was playing as a few men started playing the goat's horn and lyre, which caused some to dance. He laughed as he saw Henrik pulling a laughing Bonnie from her seat to dance with him.

"She is a beautiful young girl. In some ways she reminds me of your mother," Mikael commented leaning over towards his son.

Klaus smiled reflecting on the matter, "Yes she does. She has a strength about her."

Mikael chuckled, "And a fire as well."

"Yes, that too," Klaus agreed as he chuckled nodding his head.

"For one so young she has an old soul. I fear there is much more to the young girl then you have told me thus far." Mikael stated shrewdly.

"Yes there is, father," was Klaus' answer to Mikael. Mikael studied his face and knew they would have a discussion at depth and in private later, so he did not persist in the matter. "Very well."

Klaus noticed that among the few that were dancing Aurora was dancing with Bjorn. They were close to Bonnie and Henrik and he could see that Aurora had her eyes on his wife as she danced. He and Bonnie hadn't gone to talk to her as they had planned and now he was regretting this decision, calling it a mistake.

Rebekah and Kol also watched the scene wondering if Aurora was stupid enough to make another scene, Kol was more than ready to step in to defend Bonnie. The atmosphere in the room seemed to change subtly and only those truly observant noticed and watched. They wondered if the young girl would be able to handle herself if confronted by Aurora or if Klaus would intervene. They all knew that Aurora could be cruel and her words could cut.

Bonnie twirled and moved as she allowed Henrik to take the lead as it were. The young boy had them seemingly all over the place but Bonnie was having fun and he was adorable. Her senses were a bit dull by drinking some much ale, more than she was certainly used to, but her magic was aware and alert.

Bjorn leaned in close, "Don't do anything you'll regret," he warned Aurora, hoping that she would listen. She smiled and continued to sway and although she was dancing with Bjorn she was seductively moving for Klaus, glaring at him trying to infer her feelings.

"It would seem that that show is for you brother," Marcellus said to Klaus with a smirk.

"She needs to keep it for Bjorn since she is fucking him." Klaus retorted without humor.

Finn chuckled while shaking his head, " You heard? That doesn't surprise me."

Klaus replied, "I knew before I left, but said nothing. Brother, I am not as oblivious to certain things as it may appear."

"And yet you play the part quite convincingly." Finn quipped , knowing his brother all too well. Although they weren't the closest, Finn knew Klaus better than all the other siblings, save Rebekah. Most people thought that distinction went to Elijah, but not so.

Finn knew Klaus was always a step ahead of everyone else, he had always been that way. As the eldest child, Finn for the longest time envied Klaus, thinking he should have been the elder, in many ways he was. When he was young, at a certain age, Klaus looked up to him, followed him and asked all manner of questions of him, but as time passed the lines of seniority merged, divided and sometimes disappeared leaving Finn feeling less than and jealous.

He, himself, had trouble distinguishing that line at times, because Klaus' presence was such of a wise and ancient soul created to be the eldest of them, yet the gods saw fit to make Finn the eldest, not Niklaus.

When he came to terms with his own feelings of his place in his family, letting go of his ego, he found that he was happier and his relationship with Klaus moved to a different level. They could share, exchange and embrace their differences, experiences and knowledge while giving each their own space, but they had an understanding.

Finn trusted Klaus and knew him to be constant in everything he did. Klaus always had a reason for doing what he did whether they understood it or not, and another thing about Klaus was he was content and confident in his status and abilities, whether on the battlefield or in the family he didn't scheme or use subterfuge to advance himself.

Truth be told Finn looked up to Klaus and was very proud of him. Finn would follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked, willingly, blindly, and he would have Klaus' back. And he could tell that Bonnie was good for Klaus because there was a calmness about him, a peace which he had never had.

…

Bonnie had to catch her breath as she danced around with Henrik, she had to stop, she mentioned to him that she needed to get something to drink. He frowned with a little pout, but stopped and took her hand and they began walking back to the table.

Suddenly Aurora was standing in front of them blocking their way. Klaus, Rebekah and Kol were about to move but Mikael put a hand on Klaus' shoulder while Esther cautioned Kol and Rebekah to stay seated. "She can handle herself," she said wisely.

Klaus looked to his father with a questioning expression, his countenance darkening. "Any wife the gods have gifted you with can handle herself. Allow her to do so. And let the people know that she is not a frail thing but a Mikaelson." Klaus didn't like it, but he knew his father was right so he relaxed just a little. Finn squeezed his shoulder giving his support while Elijah looked on, interested in seeing what Aurora was about to do.

"Move Aurora." Henrik demanded, standing tall next to Bonnie.

"Can she not speak for herself? She needs a child to speak for her?" She hissed to the boy, wanting to show her inferiority by displaying her lack of knowledge of their language.

Henrik squared his shoulders, insulted by her calling him a child, "I am a Mikaelson and she is my sister and if I choose to speak for her then I will. And I am telling you to move out of our way."

"How can she be a Mikaelson? A slave, a foreigner, a slip of a girl who doesn't even know our language. I dare say that she is nothing more than a plaything that soon Niklaus will tire of." Aurora said, raising her voice, looking at Bonnie as she smirked, knowing that Klaus was watching, they all were and did nothing.

"You dare…" Henrik was interrupted by Bonnie moving him behind her as she stood close to Aurora looking her in the eyes.

Bjorn watched shaking his head, he tried to stop her but she refused to be halted or music had been playing but as more and more people stopped to notice the scene, the players ceased playing. Now all eyes were on the two women facing off.

Bonnie's magic was churning just under her skin wanting to defend its mistress, but Bonnie was surprisingly under control and calm. She knew this was a test and it was important. Aurora may have seen it as an opportunity to humiliate her, but she would not succeed.

"I have a voice and I am no one's slave." Bonnie said. Aurora's expression showed shock, but she quickly masked with a look of indifference.

She scoffed,"It doesn't matter if you speak our language, you will never be one of us. You are no wolf. You will never be accepted." Aurora looked down at Bonnie with disdain and scoffed, "Do you really think you could ever handle a wolf like Klaus? That he would stay interested in you for long? That he would marry someone not of his own kind? Ha...you are a fool if you do." Aurora laughed as she held her head high about to walk away after having said what she wanted, hoping to have humiliated the dark skinned girl.

As Aurora was turning she heard the words spoken, which stopped her. "What ails you the most I wonder," Bonnie said in a whimsical manner, her head tilted with a smirk on her face that resembled Klaus', "Is it the fact that Klaus didn't choose a wolf to mate with or is it that with all your beauty you couldn't keep him?"

The sound of gasps and snickers could be heard around the room and then quickly quieted down so more could be heard. Klaus sat smugly. He was proud of Henrik and his little wife.

Aurora turned to look at the young girl, fuming. "Or perhaps," Bonnie continued, "It is the fact that he will never bed you again. I must confess, I do not blame you. I would be upset about that as well. He is a vigorous and talented lover, but at least you have your memories and let's not forget your other lovers to keep you warm at night."

Aurora's face had been red with anger but now all the blood drained from her face as she looked at Bonnie befuddled, not knowing what to say. She heard the snickers and outright laughter. She darted her eyes to chance a look at Klaus who was looking at her with cold knowing eyes.

She looked back at Bonnie, "You bitch." She hissed.

Bonnie smiled sweetly, "I rather be a bitch than a whore who thinks she could ever be a mate to a man like Klaus. You do well to listen and listen well. I am Niklaus' wife, I am a Mikaelson and you will damn sure respect my status even if you do not like it."

XX