Ok another chapter please do enjoy. Just to address a few things within the plot line. Klaus is a Hybrid, however Rebekah (his twin) is not, she did not inherit the wolf gene.

Preface from previous chapter…

Elijah entered the parlour and saw his sister seated and his brother standing with a drink in hand. "Niklaus, you so gracefully had me summoned. What is it brother?" Elijah asked taking a seat next to Rebekah. "Ah, yes remember those investors we met with the other day. Well they are interested in investing. We just have to show them that we are a somewhat normal family." Klaus stated and his siblings looked at him with utter shock. "And just how do you propose we come across as a 'normal' family?" Rebekah asked sceptically. "I was thinking…we host a ball!"

Chapter 15

The Mikaelson Estate…1745

Elijah and Rebekah looked at each with a dumbfounded expression, then turned to their brother and looked at him as if he were crazy. "Nik, do you realise what you are saying?" "I agree with Rebekah, Niklaus, you have lost your mind." Elijah and Rebekah said as they tried to contemplate why their brother would suggest such an idea. "Well this is what we have to do if we are to survive, money won't just appear out of thin air!" Klaus said in frustration. "Brother, do you realise how risky this idea of yours is. We could be exposed! Worse it could lead Mikael right to us!" Elijah stated. "And what about the children and Nana! Did you even stop to think how this would affect them? You know that Father is after Nana as well." Rebekah added. "Yes, dear siblings, I am well aware of the repercussions of this decision. Only the elite of New Orleans will be in attendance. The wolves will be on patrol during the entire event and I will have Nana place the necessary protection spells. We have nothing to worry about." Klaus argued confidently. "And what of spies Niklaus? We know father has hundreds of them hiding all around the world. What if they were to infiltrate our little gathering?" Elijah asked as he poured himself a drink. "We will be fine Elijah, please both of you trust me…" Klaus implored. Once again Rebekah and Elijah exchanged glances, both of them were unsure but deep down they trusted their brother wholeheartedly. "Well alright Nik, if you feel this is what is best…then you have our support."

Over the next few days party planning was in full swing. Decorators, caterers and tailors visited the estate and this left the children confused as to what was going on. They were seated in the parlour watching the servants and hired help run around. "Miss Rebekah…who are all of these people?" Caroline asked in a hushed tone. Rebekah smiled, "These people are here to help get ready for the cotillion. Caroline nodded her head. A few seconds later she tugged on Rebekah's sleeve. "Miss Rebekah…What is a cotillion?" Rebekah chuckled and answered the little girl, "A cotillion is a dance sweetie, it is a grand affair with dancing, music, fancy dresses and good food." "Fancy dresses! Wow!" Bonnie exclaimed. "That must be so nice!" "Sounds a bit boring to me…" Stefan added. "Well they aren't that bad Stefan, they can actually be quite fun." Rebekah said to the boy. "But Miss Rebekah…I have never been to a cotillion before…how would I now if it is boring or not?" "You are going to attend a cotillion soon, you will have to be at the one we are throwing." "Do we really get to come?" Bonnie asked. "Of course, you must come, you live here after all, you little ones are a part of this family now." Rebekah said and the children smiled in response. "Alright children I think it's time for your lessons now."

Hayley arrived and found the children eagerly waiting for her at the table in the parlour. All except Katherine who didn't look happy at all to see the young tutor. Katherine remained quiet and withdrawn throughout the lesson. She was distracted and distant. Hayley had to call her name a few times to make sure she was paying attention. Katherine's behaviour was seriously beginning to worry Hayley, she wondered if Elijah had the answer, he had mention that he would speak to the girl before.

After the lesson, Hayley spotted Elijah as he exited the office. "Mr Elijah!" Hayley called. "Miss Marshal, how were today's lessons?" Elijah asked to which Hayley responded, "The lessons were wonderful; those children are really remarkable. They have made such progress in such a short space of time…but that is not what I wanted to speak to you about. I have been meaning to ask if you have managed to speak with Katherine and find the cause of her sudden behaviour?" "Yes, I have spoken to her…she assures me that there is no problem, however I am doubtful. Is this strange behaviour persisting during your teaching?" Hayley nodded her head. "I will try to speak to her again this afternoon, I hope this time I will be able to help the poor thing…" Elijah said. Hayley nodded and was about to leave when Elijah stopped her. "Miss Marshal… I was meaning to ask if you would be able to attend a small gathering we are having here at the estate. My brother is hosting a ball of some sorts and we would much appreciate it if you were there." Hayley was taken aback by this. Was Elijah Mikaelson; the man of her dreams asking to court her? Hayley's mind was in a jumble, her mouth suddenly felt like cotton and she couldn't manage a suitable response. She just stared at Elijah before quickly regaining her composure and nodding vigorously. "Of course, it would be my pleasure to attend." She said before saying her goodbyes and rushing out the door.

Later that evening, the Mikaelsons and their household had just finished their dinner. Rebekah and Stefan retreated to the parlour for their nightly game of chess and Bonnie was busy learning new spells from her grandmother. Klaus decided to handle some last-minute work before the ball which was three days away and little Caroline trailed after him chatting away. Klaus had realised the four-year old loved to ask questions and wouldn't stop even if she had gotten her answer. She kept Klaus going and seemed to make his long and tedious work go a lot faster. Before Katherine could run off Elijah stopped her and had meet him in the library. This was the first-time Katherine had been in the library and she was taken by the room's enormous size. Katherine found Elijah seated in a chair near the fire and he called her over and offered her a seat. She nervously took the seat opposite him. She had feared this day would come. She was sure her teacher had yet again complained and this time it was serious.

"Katherine…do you know why I have called you here?" Elijah asked calmly but Katherine did not feel any better. She just shook her head slowly. "Your teacher tells me that you have been having a little trouble concentrating during lessons…now Katherine we had spoken before and you told me you were fine. By the looks of things, you are far from fine love, you just aren't yourself, you haven't been speaking or laughing like you would before. Even your piano playing is suffering and I had hopes of you being an esteemed pianist one day." When Katherine heard this, she felt the tears prick her eyes and hung head to prevent Elijah from seeing her crying. She knew that she was acting differently, she didn't want to communicate with her teacher in any way because of her dislike toward her, but Katherine had no intention of disappointing Elijah. Hearing that Elijah actually had high hopes for her made her start to cry. She was overwhelmed with the thought that he had actually cared about her. Elijah saw Katherine's tears and went to hug the child. "Katherine love, please tell me what is bothering you…I don't like seeing you this way…" Elijah noticed the look in the child's eyes she somehow seemed happy in that moment, her tears had stopped and she had a hint of a smile. 'Maybe she just needed to know that someone is here for her.' Elijah thought.

That night while in bed Katherine smiled for the first time in a long time. 'He cares about me…he really cares…he thinks I'd make a great piano player one day…' Katherine was over the moon but her mood quickly turned sour. 'What about that stupid teacher? I don't like her one bit! I have to keep her away from Mr Elijah!' Katherine began to think of ideas to get rid of Hayley once and for all.

Over the next two days Katherine put on a show of happiness in front of her crush as not to get him worried but with Hayley she gave the poor girl hell and she knew exactly how to do it. She had to make sure Hayley was gone for good and to do this the tutor would have to be dismissed. Katherine devised a plan that included her oblivious siblings and friend. She was going to rile them up during the lessons, get them to behave terribly and then when Hayley reprimanded them she would encourage them to tell on her. Katherine thought her plan was fool proof and it seemed to be working as well. First, she turned the twins against each other by poking and instigating little fights between them which soon had them going at each other and ended with Stefan throwing a book and Caroline crying. Hayley scolded them both for their behaviour and Katherine watched with a smile as things began to go her way. She also had a plan to end the love-struck teacher's afternoon chats with Elijah.

Hayley immediately sort Elijah out after the lessons, she had a horrible day and she needed to see him to put a smile on her face. She did not account for Katherine showing up however. Just as she was about to speak to Elijah, Katherine came running in and snatched him away saying she had tons of piano lessons to catch up on. Hayley left the mansion defeated and Katherine wore a smile of pleasure.

The day of the ball…

Rebekah Mikaelson wanted to pull out her hair in frustration. She was on edge and her maid servants Josie and Levern knew to steer clear of their mistress when she was in one of her moods. "This dress is terrible!" Rebekah screamed as she paced her bedroom, mountains of clothes and shoes lay strewn across the bed and floor. "These shoes don't match this dress! I have no jewellery for this one!" Josie and Levern stood in the corner silently, both not daring to say a word. They watched as their madam rummaged through trunk after trunk of expensive dresses. Rebekah was cursing at every dress she pulled and was unaware of the audience she had attracted outside. Outside Rebekah's bedroom door a small crowd had gathered. The three little girls were getting ready for the day when they heard the commotion from their room. "Katty, what's going on? Is Miss Rebekah ok?" Caroline asked her sister who just shook her head. Soon enough Stefan had joined the girls, he too had heard the shouting from the kitchen where he was helping Ashton with orders for the ball. "Is that Miss Rebekah? Why is she screaming?" "We don't know but she seems very angry…" Bonnie whispered.

Klaus was on the first floor, he had heard the ruckus from above and tuned his hearing in. He knew exactly what was happening, his twin was throwing another one of her famous tantrums. Klaus rolled his eyes, this was typical behaviour from Rebekah before any grand function they attended. He walked slowly up the stairs, knowing full well he would have to pacify his sister before she wrecked everything in the mansion. As he moved he met Elijah who gave him a knowing look. "How bad do you think it is? Klaus asked his older brother. "She is already throwing things so I'm guessing she is very upset…" "Nothing we can't handle though right." Klaus said laughing causing his brother to chuckle as they both remembered the famous Taj Mahal incident. They had been travelling through India and were invited by Emperor Shah Jahan to the inauguration of his newly built marble moment to his late wife. Rebekah had screamed for four days and even killed one of the servants in anger. "Whatever it is this time, it could never be as bad as 1631." Elijah laughed as both brothers headed up the stairs to calm their sister down.

To their surprise they found the children standing outside Rebekah's door with shocked and worried looks on their faces. "Mr Klaus I think something is wrong with Miss Rebekah…" Bonnie whispered and Klaus couldn't help laughing. "I assure you everything is fine little ones…Miss Rebekah is just having one of her moments." Klaus said as something hit the bedroom door with a loud bang causing the party outside to be stunned to silence. Klaus and Elijah ushered the children into their room and left to check on their sister. "Rebekah love, what is it this time? What has you so upset?" Elijah asked as he entered with Klaus behind him. "I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WEAR!" she screamed in response. Klaus exchanged glances with Elijah. They knew better than to argue with their sister at this delicate moment. "Alright dear sister not to worry at all. I will have Ashton fetch the best tailor in town, I'm sure the tailor will have a new dress for you by this evening." Klaus relied calmly and Elijah added "I'll even compel him to work faster."

Within the span of a few hours, the tailor was called an Rebekah had a beautiful royal blue ball gown with silver details. Klaus, Elijah and the children had the clothes sewn long before, but the now satisfied Rebekah was always a procrastinator and waited till the last minute. Everything was set for tonight's affairs, and guests had started to arrive around six in the evening. "I trust everything is well, and your pack is on full alert…" "Not to worry Klaus, the entire pack is here, we have wolves at every entrance and exit point. The Crescents are here as well. Everything will run smoothly." "Wonderful, and if any harm were to come to any one of my family members or staff, I will slaughter your entire lineage…understood…" Klaus said to Jackson who nodded in agreement, Klaus had held up his end of the bargain, the Midnights now had moonlight rings which was a huge blessing.

As more of the guests filed in, the children stood in awe in the ball room. The ball room was truly magnificent, decorated from top to bottom, the theme was white and gold. Waiters served drinks to exquisitely dressed guests, the room was filled with the elite of society. A band played classical music in the corner and the guest chatted away happily. At seven sharp Klaus addressed his guests. He tapped the side of his champagne flute to draw their attention. Clearing his throat his spoke. "Ladies and Gentlemen, honoured guests, the Mikaelson family take great pleasure in welcoming you to this evening's ball. We are grateful for your presence and do hope you enjoy this rest of your time with us. Please eat, drink and dance the night away!" The audience erupted into an applause after Klaus' welcome speech and the children huddled together. "What are we supposed to do now?" Bonnie asked. "You heard Mr Klaus, I think we are supposed to dance." Katherine answered. "But I don't know how to dance!" Bonnie said as she shrugged. Just then the music picked up and guest began to pair off, taking to the dance floor. The dancing was beautiful and the children were amazed by the movements. "Wow, what kind of dancing is that?" Caroline asked. Stefan just shook his head, "They look funny." He giggled. Katherine however found the movement beautiful, she wondered how the ladies moved without tripping on their gowns, to her the music, the lights and the dances were truly breath taking. Her awe suddenly turned to shock when she spotted a certain someone across the room.

'What is she doing here!' Katherine thought. 'She's not supposed to be here!' Katherine felt her blood boil. "Hey Miss Marshal is here." Bonnie stated. "I know…" Katherine growled in response. "Kat…is something wrong?" Bonnie asked. "Everything is just fine!" Katherine huffed and walked away in a fit of anger. She headed straight for Hayley. "Miss Marshal!" she said with a fake cheeriness and smile. "I didn't know you were going to be here…" "Hello Katherine, yes Elijah was kind enough to invite me to this ball." Hayley replied and Katherine wanted to punch something out of anger. 'How could he have invited her! Doesn't he know what a witch she is!' Katherine thought as Elijah walked up to them. "Miss Marshal, I am so glad you managed to make it." Elijah said to Hayley. "I wouldn't have missed this ball for anything in the world Mr Mikaelson." Hayley teased causing Elijah to smile and Katherine to scowl. A few minutes went by before Elijah said. "Miss Marshal would you care to dance?" Hayley felt her insides do a flip, she replied with an eager yes and the two walked to the dance floor. The whole time Hayley couldn't keep her eyes off Elijah. He was something completely out of this world, with his tailored black suit and bewitching smile. Hayley was taken with his demeanour and mannerisms and while they danced she felt like a princess. Although someone was not enjoying their dance at all.

Katherine felt her heart drop when Elijah asked Hayley to dance, seeing them together on the dance floor even the other guests admiring them, she felt the tears flowing down her cheeks. She looked at them with a heartbroken expression and realised Elijah would probably never like her the way he liked Hayley. She was just a child and Elijah would always see her as the poor girl he rescued from the forest. It was too much for the little girl to handle and she ran out of the ball room, tears clouding her vision, she meant to run into her bedroom when she ran into something hard and solid. Looking up she saw she had run into one of the guests. "Oh I apologise sir, I wasn't looking where I was going." She said. "It is quite alright dear, now tell me are you one of the children that lives with Klaus Mikaelson?" Katherine backed away slowly, there was something creepy about this man. He did not seem right and as she was about to turn and run the man snatched her.

Katherine was now limp and laying in a circle of salt inside an old church. "Do you think they'll come?" "Oh, they'll come, we have one of their own, it might take a while before they notice she's missing, but one thing about those Mikaelsons is that they stick together. And we can use that to our advantage."

Back at the party Klaus was seeing one of his guests off. "Mr Porter, I extend my sincere appreciation to you and your wife for attending my little function. Do see that you and your lovely wife get home safe." Klaus said as the Porters entered their carriage and left. Klaus walked back toward the mansion when he spotted something unusual. Klaus walked over to the south entrance where he saw two unconscious members of the Midnight pack and a salt line near the door. Klaus' anger grew and he rushed off to find his siblings. He pulled Elijah and Rebekah to the corner of the room. "We have been infiltrated, I have just found two of the wolves knocked out near the entrance. A witch is at work here, there was a barrier put up only a witch can get in and out of that entrance." Klaus hissed in anger. "Niklaus there has been no disturbances at the ball yet." Elijah said. "No suspicious activity either.." Rebekah added. "Why would a witch enter our house though, something must be array. Let's search the property perhaps they have taken something…" said Elijah. "I will have to have a word with those good for nothing wolves! Ill check the outside, Rebekah check the house, Elijah search through the remaining guests for anything remotely witch related. I have a feeling something is terribly wrong."

Rebekah moved through the house quickly checking every corner, she met Ayana and Josie in the kitchen telling them to be on high alert for any mysterious behaviour. She continued her search while her brother sifted through the guests in ball room. Elijah watched everybody like a hawk there were only a few guests remaining most had already left. Elijah spotted the children, the twins were asleep on chairs and Bonnie sat watching the band play. He decided to question the kids , ask them if they had seen anything. "Bonnie love, did you enjoy today's party?" Elijah asked. "Yes, I did Mr Elijah, but I'm tired now…" Bonnie replied with a yawn. Elijah smiled and asked. "Bonnie, have you seen anything out of the ordinary at the ball tonight, anything at all?" "No Mr Elijah, everything was normal to me." Elijah thanked the girl and as he walked away Bonnie ran after him. "Mr Elijah, where is Katherine?" Bonnie asked. "Is she not with you? I thought all of you children had been together the entire time…" Elijah questioned as he started to panic. The last time he had seen Katherine was when he had asked Hayley to dance. "We were together before but then Katherine got upset at something and she started crying, then she ran away. I tried going after her but there were too many people. I thought she was with you…she really likes you a lot..." Bonnie told Elijah. "She wasn't with me at all, tell me Bonnie did you see her at all after that?" "No Mr Elijah, like I said I thought she was with you…" Bonnies answered and Elijah realised he might have a huge problem on his hands.

He sped through the hallway shouting for his siblings, he met with them in the kitchen with the staff. "Have any of you seen Katherine tonight?" he questioned to which the staff replied they hadn't. "What is the matter with Katherine brother?" Klaus asked. "I think she's missing…Rebekah you checked the house right, did you see her anywhere?" Elijah asked his sister and Rebekah just shook her head. "We have to look for her and now search everywhere…" Elijah said in a panicked voice, he wasn't thinking straight, he could believe he had let the child wander off. 'She was upset for a while…why didn't I pay more attention to her…' he thought. "Nana, can't you do a locator spell? It would be a lot easier and save us crucial time." Rebekah suggested and Ayana replied, "Of course I can, these bones may be old but they still have some magic left in them!"

Within minutes Klaus had rounded up the remaining guests and compelled them to leave. He didn't need any unnecessary people around at this time. Ashton and Levern brought the children into the parlour where everyone was currently huddled around Ayana. The old witch began to chant in Latin and the candles she had set up suddenly burst to life. The room suddenly grew cold and the candles burnt out. "She is being blocked…" Ayana whispered. "They are cloaking her…" "Damnit!" Elijah muttered under his breath. "So, there is no trace of her at all?" Rebekah asked. Ayana shook her head. "Whoever has taken her is very powerful, with very powerful magic…" "Now how do we find her…" Klaus spoke. Ayana thought carefully before saying "There is another way but it requires a lot of magic, and I am afraid I am too weak to perform such a spell…alone that is…" "Wait so if you had another witch you could do this spell?" Elijah asked. "No not me, I need a powerful witch…" "Where do we find one now." Ashton said. "Can't you use Bonnie?" Levern suggested. "Yes! Bonnie! Yes!" Ayana cried. "Bonnie is very powerful…Bonnie! Bonnie! Quickly come child!" Ayana pulled Bonnie to the front of the makeshift altar. "Bonnie my child, we need to help Katherine darling, we need your help. I need you to channel my magic."

Bonnie stood shocked by what she was being told. "Gramps but I'm not strong enough…I'm only a kid…" "Yes! You are strong Bonnie! Very strong! You can do this Bonnie! You have been practising!" Ayana reassured the fearful seven-year-old who looked around the room scared. Elijah got down on one knee and grabbed Bonnie's shoulders. "Bonnie sweetheart… Katherine needs your help love, you want to help Katherine don't you…" Elijah asked and Bonnie nodded slowly. Bonnie stood in front of the altar. "Hold my hand sweetie, now just like we practiced…" Ayana said and Bonnie took her grandmother's hand and started to chant. This time the candle flames shot high and the magical force in the room could be felt by everyone. Bonnie started chanting vigorously now and she was beginning to have a vision. She saw Katherine laying in a circle and what looked like gravestones. Bonnie's nose started to leak blood which made everyone concerned. The little girl took a deep breath and broke out of her trance. She's in the graveyard….and she's tied up…" Bonnie coughed, she was drained from the spell. Elijah immediately took off for the graveyard and Klaus followed close behind. Rebekah decided to stay and protect the staff and children.

Elijah was at the location he sought within minutes. "Ah Elijah Mikaelson, what an honour it is to finally meet you." The stranger said as he stood face to face with Elijah. "Oh, how rude, please let me introduce myself my name is Vincent Griffith." Vincent said with a smile and Elijah moved toward Katherine only to hit a barrier. "Ah, ah, ah…. not so fast Elijah." Vincent laughed. "Let the girl go!" Elijah shouted and Vincent replied, "Oh Elijah, I wouldn't dare harm the girl, I'm am not a monster. However, your father is…" 'MIKAEL!' Elijah thought. "So, you are one of my father's minions…" Elijah asked sarcastically and Vincent's smile faded immediately. "Your father hired me to lure you out. You alone! My coven is currently torturing that pathetic bastard of a brother of yours!" Vincent spat. 'NIKLAUS!'

Elijah was angry now he moved swiftly and manged to grab Vincent by the throat lifting him into the air. Vincent panicked and gave Elijah a splitting aneurism. Elijah dropped Vincent who tried crawling away before Elijah grabbed him again and threw him into one of the gravestones with such force that the stone crumbled. Vincent lay bloody and badly hurt. Elijah gripped his collar and brought him to eye level. "Break the barrier!" Elijah hissed. Vincent laughed and Elijah vamped out. His eyes turned black and his fangs extended, the veins appearing beneath his eyes. "Break the barrier!" he said again and Vincent closed his eyes and muttered a spell. Elijah flung him aside and went to tend to an unconscious Katherine. He picked the girl up and as he was about to walk away when he heard Vincent. "You think you run! You can only run for so long Mikaelson! He will find you! He knows where you are! He's gonna kill you all!" "He has a weapon!" Vincent coughed, "A weapon that can kill you all, including your brother!" Vincent laughed hysterically before coughing up blood and eventually passing out. Elijah continued walking until he reached home.

Elijah entered the mansion and everyone rushed to toward him. Ayana took Katherine and rushed her upstairs. "Not to worry son, we will take good care of her…" Ayana spoke when she saw the worried look on Elijah face. "She'll be fine Elijah…" Rebekah said soothingly. Just then Klaus entered the mansion. "Damn witches! Thought they could take me on!" Klaus huffed in annoyance. "Niklaus! You are okay!" Elijah said in relief. "Nothing can bring me down brother!" Klaus smiled. Elijah thought of what Vincent had said. He ushered his brother and sister into the parlour and told them of the witch's last words. "Mikael has a weapon…" Klaus said, "And he knows where we are…" "Do we have to flee again…" Rebekah asked and her brothers heard the pain in her voice. "No! No more running! If he comes this time we fight him, weapon or no weapon. I'm sick of living in fear!" Klaus said sternly and his siblings looked at him in disbelief. "This is our home! We won't run anymore!" Klaus grabbed his siblings' hands. "Not anymore…" he whispered and Elijah and Rebekah nodded in agreement. As long as they remained together they would fine. Their father could hunt them, torture them and even kill them but one thing he could never do was separate them.

Later that night Elijah went to check on Katherine. He slipped into the guest bedroom which served as a recovery room for the girl. She was asleep alone tucked under the warm sheets. Elijah approached the bed slowly and gazed at the child. He smiled softly thinking about Bonnie's words "…she really likes you a lot." He let out a heavy breath. 'I have to do more to protect her…to protect them all. I promised her she would be safe, but her safety is threatened with me…' Elijah thought. Elijah immediately felt terrible and began to walk away when he heard a tiny, sleepy voice call his name. "Mr Elijah…" he turned to see Katherine sitting up and looking at him. She rubbed her eyes with a yawn and smiled at him. Elijah smiled back and returned to her side. "How are feeling little one?" "I'm ok now…Mr Elijah what happened, all I remember was some guy taking me…" Katherine said fearfully and Elijah bent down to stroke her hair. "It was just a bad dream love, you fell ill at the ball and we brought you here to rest." Elijah told her and Katherine seemed satisfied with the answer. "Alright love, I think you should get some rest hmm, you will feel better in the morning." Elijah said leaning down to drop a kiss on her forehead. Raising to his feet Katherine grabbed his hand. "Mr Elijah…don't go…please stay…" Katherine pleaded and Elijah looked into the little girl's hazel coloured eyes. She had been through so much. "Okay love, you win…I'll stay." Katherine grinned widely and shifted to make space for Elijah and Elijah stayed with Katherine until she fell asleep.

That does it for another chapter! Please do not forget to review. The next few chapters are going to take a while, I begin exams next week so its studying 24/7. Hope you are enjoying the story and I have big plans for the next chapter so stay tuned. Thanks for reading! Peace and Love…xoxo…Delena Revengero…