A/N:

Hey guys! I'm sorry for the lack of updates, but writing has been on the back burner for the past month and a half. But recently, after an obnoxious bout with a case of acute bronchitis, I got some down time to write. My plans for this story are to hopefully finish it by the end of May. Hope you enjoy!

~Erin

Disclaimer) I don't anything besides my own OC's and storylines.

Chapter 41

It had been two and a half weeks. Nothing had come from Marcel and his dysfunctional family. Not a threat or even a simple attempt of communication was made. Klaus was getting anxious, even though I knew he was trying to hide it. My mother and I were spending a lot of time together, ever since the "bite of terror", which is what I had been calling it. I knew that my mom needed to be heading back to Mystic Falls soon, so I was soaking up the mother-daughter time as much as I could. Under the circumstances, it was probably best that my mom was heading home.

"I can't believe that it's nearly the end of August. College starts at Whitmore in two weeks. Are you going to start this semester?" My mom asked me. I sorta shrugged my shoulders, trying to brush off the looming question.

"Honey, you need to start thinking about your life. College is an essential tool to a successful future, and I wish you would take that into account when making decisions."

"Mom, I'm undead. I have literally forever to go to college, to get a degree. Right now, I just want to live. I want to explore the world, try new things. So, no. I don't plan on going to Whitmore in the fall. I'm staying here, and helping Klaus. You always taught me to keep my promises. I promised Klaus." I nursed my cup of tea in my hands, trying to calm myself. My mom was looking at me in sincere surprise.

"Caroline, I'm just trying to look out for you. Even if you won't ever age another day, you are my daughter. And I am your mother, so I will do everything in my power to try and help you. I love you, Care, and whatever you want to do I will try and support." My mom replied, placing her hand on my own. It was comforting, as always.

"So, what is Klaus thinking name wise for the twins?"

"I don't know. It's more of his and Haley's choice than my opinion. But I can guarantee that they will be regal and long, and traditional. That's the way the Mikaelsons work. They are traditional, elegant. Haley might disagree with some of Klaus's ideas, but he'll get his way in the end."

My mother laughed, looking down at her plate that was piled high with assorted desserts and tiny sandwiches. We were having tea in the greenhouse, awaiting news from a meeting Klaus had called for the alliance. He had insisted that I not attend, saying that it was best for my safety that I not know their plans of attack. I thought that was just plain ridiculous.

But because Klaus was so adamant, I gave up my argument and went on my way. Spending time with my mom had been refreshing, but we were getting sick of one another. I had still yet to see the downtown area of New Orleans, and oh how I wished to explore.

My mom and I chatted for awhile, about mediocre things. She suggested we watch another movie, but I shook my head. I was sure we had watched every chick flick available on Netflix. Klaus hadn't been around much, so I was feeling isolated.

"I think I'm going to take a walk through the orchards. Maybe take a ride." I got up from the glass patio table we'd been sitting at, and my mother just nodded. Making my way out of the greenhouse, I headed towards the back door of the plantation house.

I vamp sped up to my bedroom, and began to change out of the linen sundress I was currently wearing. Dresses were certainly not suitable for walking through an orchard, nevertheless riding a horse. I opened the door to my closet, looking for a pair of riding boots and some jeans. A pair of ebony colored Hermés riding boots caught my eye. Unfortunately, I still couldn't find a pair of jeans that would even qualify for riding. I did, however, find a pair of jodhpurs that I didn't even know I owned.

I took my phone, and logged into Pinterest trying to find any idea on how to wear the jodhpurs and the boots. Searching 'equestrian fashion' actually pulled some helpful results. After finding an outfit that I could easily recreate, I changed into the jodhpurs and my boots, a sports bra, then a white Ralph Lauren Polo button down. My hair was in a loose bun, so I undid did it and refashioned it into a tight french braid. I snatched a pair of Kate Spade sunglasses on my way out the door.

Once I was changed, I vamp sped back downstairs and out the back patio door. I could see through the clear panes of the smaller greenhouse that my mother had long gone inside, and that one of the many staff members that worked at the plantation had cleared away any residue of our earlier tea. Shaking my head at their precise awareness, I headed towards the stables. They were located about half a mile from the house, so I started down the paved sidewalk.

The day was stunning, with clear skies. My walk to the barnes was uninterrupted; I enjoyed the brief time of reflection. I could sense that I was nearing the barn from the overwhelming smell of manure and the sound of neighing. I smiled, and headed towards the entrance of the barn. When I was completely inside, I looked around in amazement at the architecture of the barn. It was beautifully done, with clean maple stalls and hunter green accents. I ran my hand along one of the stall doors, immersing myself in it's detail.

"They are beautiful, aren't they?" A voice asked me, and I was startled for a moment before I laid eyes on the voice's owner. He was a young male, with auburn hair and gray eyes. He was staring at me in expectation. Still a bit awkward, I nodded.

"I'm sorry. I have neglected to introduce myself. I am Slayden, and I tend to the plantation's twelve horses. Their caretaker, to be formal." He extended his hand, and I shook it gently.

"I'm Caroline Forbes." I introduced myself.

"I know who you are, Miss Forbes. Mr. Mikaelson has informed all staff members of your importance to him. He had a horse designated for you." Slayden informed me, and I gave him a look of awe. Klaus was always full of surprises.

"Which one did he designate for me?"

Slayden motioned for me to follow him down the barn's center aisle. We passed six stalls before Slayden stopped at one. Inside stood a beautiful white mare, with a black leather bridle.

"This is Heartland Belle. That's her formal name, but around here we call her Belle. She's a thoroughbred, a descendant of a premier show horse, Paint the Sky. Belle is a jumper and dressage horse, and probably the most gentle one you'll ever ride." Slayden opened the stall door, lead rope in hand. I waited patiently as he led Belle out of the stall and into the center aisle.

"Let me get her tacked up for you, Miss Forbes." Slayden headed towards what I assumed to be the tack room after he tied Belle to a hitching ring outside her stall.

"Alright. And please, call me Caroline."

Slayden gave me a polite nod before heading towards the tack room. After he was out of earshot, I approached Belle with a gentle stride.

"Hi, pretty girl." I whispered to the mare. She nuzzled my hand as I stroked her face, her nose soft as velvet.

"She's quite the charmer, isn't she?" Slayden had returned, Belle's saddle and blanket situated in his arms.

"She's beautiful. And friendly. I can't believe Klaus picked her out for me. It sometimes shocks me how accurate he is about things."

"Niklaus Mikaelson is infatuated with you, Miss Forbes. He wouldn't normally be so kind and generous. When Mr. Mikaelson speaks about you, he seems elated. His gifts to you aren't a bribe or encouragement. It's his alpha instincts trying to remind you that he loves you."

I gave Slayden a cross look, surprised that he knew so much about the inner workings of Klaus's mind. Not even I understood what Klaus meant by spoiling me. Of course, I did know that my mother hated when he did.

"Thank you, for telling me that." I smiled.

"My pleasure, Miss Forbes."

"Caroline, please." I corrected him. Miss Forbes was what my mother was called, besides Sheriff Forbes.

"Of course. Caroline." Slayden nodded, and began to tack up Belle for my ride. I waited patiently for him to finish.

Once Slayden had tightened the last strap on Belle's saddle, he gave me her reigns. He also told me to wait a moment for him, because he had to fetch me a helmet. I watched as he headed for the tack room once more. He returned a few seconds later, clutching a black traditional riding helmet. He also held a red box in his hand, about the size of a greeting card. It was wrapped with a white ribbon.

"What's that?" I asked Slayden, motioning to the gift box.

"An essential for riding. Just customized for you by Mr. Mikaelson. Here. Have a safe ride, Caroline." Slayden handed me both the helmet and the gift box. He waved, and with a turn of his heel he was gone.

"Thanks." I spoke to myself. With that, I looked down at the box in my hands with curiosity.

I undid the ribbon, and cracked the lid of the box. Inside was a small layer of tissue paper, and nestled the paper was a pair of black leather riding gloves, with my initials embossed with gold foil. I smiled, and took them out. When I slid them on, they fit snugly. I placed the gift box away in the drawer next to Belle's stall.

I easily threw myself up into the saddle, thanks to my lovely vampire agility. With a click of my tongue, I pulled the reigns of Belle's bridle so that she went the direction of left. We headed out of the barn with a slow walk, until I nudged Belle into a trot. Taking to the labyrinth of trails that was the estate, I decided to explore the orchards a bit more.

I rode along a tree lined path, obviously a main trail. The wear and tear of the ground was evident, showing that the path was used often by the staff and caretakers of the estate. I followed it until I got to a fork in the road, and I took another left to reach the orchards.

Numerous people were working in the production building, I remembered Klaus telling me that the apple orchard was a producing company. The owner of the plantation ran it while we rented the house. Observing the workers, I strolled down the endless rows of apple trees. In the late August sun, I basked in the serenity that the orchard offered me.

"Good afternoon, Miss Forbes." Was the usual greeting I received from the orchard workers as I rode past them, and I smiled in reply.

Continuing through the orchard, I varied off the path a bit. Exploring a small wooded area, I spotted a shaded structure hiding in a small clearing of trees. I motioned for Belle to veer right, approaching the building with curiosity. When I finally reached it, I realized it was a huge barn. I guess they had built a new stable and left this one to rot away.

As I looked around the barn, I tried to find the door. Realizing it was on the opposite end, I made my way around to the right side. Dismounting Belle, I hitched her to a sturdy branch and wandered towards the barn's opening. But the sound of hoofs behind me changed the direction of my attention.

"I suppose you have found a bit of serenity in these woods." Klaus spoke, and I turned to greet him.

"How did you find me?" I asked, and Klaus gave me a guilty grin, but didn't answer my question.

"You have met Heartland Belle, I see. Do you like her?" Klaus motioned to my horse, who was still hitched to the tree branch I had tied her to.

"Yeah, she's wonderful. And who is this beautiful animal?" I petted the soft nose of the midnight black stallion Klaus was currently saddled on.

"This is Stark Noble. A purebred, and a champion jumper. He's one of a kind. Everyone calls him Stark." Klaus introduced me to the horse he was riding.

"We should probably be heading back to the stables, shouldn't we?" I asked, and Klaus pondered for a moment. And then he shook his head.

"I believe that we can make one more round about the orchard without being missed."

I smiled, and nodded. With that, Klaus watched as I untied my horse and swung my leg over Belle's back. Adjusting myself in the saddle, I gathered the reins and clucked my tongue to signal Belle to move.

"Come on."

Klaus and I rode side by side out of the forest clearing, and back onto the path around the orchard. We followed around the fields, observing the workers as they loaded new apple seedlings into a flatbed trucks. With the stable in sight, we slowed our pace a bit to enjoy the peacefulness. I was about to speak to Klaus about something before my head began to pound in pain.

My hand went to the side of my helmet, trying to keep my vision straight as it attempted to sway. It was like my eyes had turned into two kaleidoscopes, with the sights before me tumbling in circles. Klaus looked at me in concern when I groaned in agony.

"Love, are you alright?" Klaus asked me, but my headache made it almost impossible to answer his question. Instead, I attempted to shake my head in dismay. Klaus took that for warning and immediately gathered the reins of Belle's bridal, seeing as my hands were slacking.

"Come on, let's get you to the stables."

Klaus pulled Belle so that she was side by side with Stark, and hugged me so that I could sit behind him on his saddle. Belle was now bare saddles, and Klaus led her as we trotted towards the barn.

My head burned with intensity as we neared the barn. As soon as we entered, Klaus threw Belle's reins to Slayden, who took them in concern. Klaus dismounted himself, and then attempted to help me. Removing my helmet, he tried to look into my eyes. But I was squinting against the light as I dismounted Stark.

It wasn't until I was on the ground that my knees gave out. Klaus's reflexes weren't quick enough, and my head hit the pavement of the barn with a sickening thud. The world went dark. But then there was light.