AN: I do not own TVD or TO.

This story will take place in the past. It features an established Klaroline... a new project for me. :) I've planned out twelve chapters, but I think it's going to be more.

A little information. There are no vampires in this story, but that doesn't mean I've ruled out the supernatural all together.

I don't have an official title for this story yet so it will likely change.

Cold.

Cold was all she knew.

It hung heavy in the air. It penetrated the heavy fur cloak. It seeped down into her bones. She imagined that this must be how her grandmother had felt whenever a cool breeze would blow through their seaside home. She had been very young at the time, but she could remember Gran bent over with arthritis; she would often complain of the cold.

She had once thought her native Bulgaria was cold, but after the month long journey to the kingdom in Norway she realized she was wrong. She would have gladly taken a Bulgarian winter over the Norwegian tundra she found herself in. Perhaps tundra was not the correct term, but it was the one she was going with.

She had never been pre-disposed to think the worst of her sister. Kat could truly be a handful, but they had always gotten along despite the polarity of their personalities. After spending two months in the castle of King Mikael she found her ire only growing, and often it was directed towards her twin.

She had understood when her father wanted them to leave, but she missed her home. Kat had accepted the advances of the wrong man, and made an enemy of his wife. While nothing had happened between them the sisters had been left with little choice but to leave their home until the scandal had died down; it might be another month, or it might be a year.

Truth be told she didn't know when her father would send for them, or if he ever would.

It was official she was never going home.

She would have understood it better if it was only Kat who would be forced to remain. Over the months the sisters had grown apart. Kat, who had been sent to learn a lesson and to show contrition, had flourished in Norway, but it was clear by Queen Esther's reports that she had not learned anything. Kat continued to flirt with any man who gave her so much as a smile.

She had never been one to whine and complain. Even as children Kat was always the one who would stomp her foot and cross her arms while exclaiming that it wasn't fair. Now Elena was the one who wanted to stomp her foot.

A letter had arrived that morning. A letter which the Queen had read to the sister's in her salon. Elena had felt tears threatening to fall from her eyes when she heard the news.

A match had been made, but it was not for Kat.

After weeks of negotiating her father had secured Elena's engagement. She was betrothed to the son of the second most powerful man in Norway.

Norway.

She was never going home again.

She was going to marry a stranger.

It wasn't fair. Elena hadn't done anything to earn this trip.

She had done nothing to deserve her banishment. She had only gone because Kat needed someone to keep an eye on her.

Perhaps she was being punished for Kat's failure to learn. Had her father seen the reports and decided she wasn't doing a good enough job? Why was she always her sister's keeper? Why was Kat allowed to be the irresponsible one, while she was left in charge?

She somehow managed to keep it together until she was back in the room she shared with Kat. Then the tears had fallen. She shook off her sister's hand and laid face down on the bed until her throat constricted and her eyes dried out.

Over the next few days she walked around in a trance. A formal introduction was made. She found Damon Salvatore pleasant enough. She might have overlooked his reputation with woman and drinking and eventually grown to care for him, but somewhere in the back of her addled brain she realized that she didn't like the way he looked at her.

She saw it in his eyes on their second outing. During the chaperoned walk through the snow covered grounds she had started to return to herself. He had taken her hand when they had reached the garden and lifted it to his lips. His smile was charming, but his eyes revealed the truth; they had flickered over her shoulder to where her sister walked several paces behind.

She was second best, she was the lesser sister, she was the consolation prize.

Elena supposed it made sense. Wasn't she always second choice to Kat? Still the knowledge stung. What could she do about it? She didn't want to marry him anymore than he wanted to marry her, but engagements were not so easily broken.

Elena would marry Damon Salvatore because it was what was expected of her. She would marry him because she had been entered into a contract. Her father's word was her word, and she was a woman of her word.

No matter how much it pained her.

"Have you seen them?"

He looked up from where he was sharpening his sword. The whetstone slid down the edge of the blade with a sharp 'shink'. The steel had grown dull during the months of training that had kept them away from their home.

The gleam in his younger brother's eyes told him the 'them' in question were most assuredly female. The smirk on his face told him they were clearly attractive.

"Have I seen who Kol?" He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His younger brother was always getting himself into trouble with the fairer sex.

"The women, Elijah," Kol shook his head fondly and dropped to sit beside his brother on the stone steps.

"Which women are you referring to?" He returned his attention to the cold steel.

"They arrived while we were away," Kol explained in a rush. "Two sisters from Bulgaria." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Need I remind you that you are engaged?" Elijah was fairly certain Kol's womanizing ways were the very reason their mother had moved up Kol's engagement; the foreign princess was set to arrive sometime in the next few days.

"Engaged is not married," Kol leaned forward. He deftly caught the whetstone and tossed it out of his big brother's reach. "Besides are you not the one who refuses to marry without affection?"

"Perhaps I just refuse to marry," Elijah sheathed his weapon. In his mind he had to admit that Kol was correct; Elijah suspected the reason his mother had not arranged a marriage for him was because she knew he would never go through with it.

"I refuse to marry without affection," Kol rolled his eyes; "I don't know this woman mother has chosen from Eve, but the new girls in the court are beautiful."

"Somehow I don't think affection is what you're looking for Kol," Nik crossed his arms and leaned against the cold stone wall at the foot of the stairs.

"You're wrong Nik," Kol pointed an accusing finger, "just because you only have eyes for your wife does not mean I will. I would hardly be the first royal in history to take a mistress."

"You'd be the first in this family," Elijah sighed.

For as far back as they could remember no mistresses had even been known. If their father or grandfather had taken one it had been a well-kept secret. They were loyal to their wives once they married, although that did not stop them from having lovers before their marriages.

"I refuse to be trapped in a loveless marriage," Kol crossed his arms.

"I doubt that will happen," Elijah sighed, "mother may have her faults but she has proven to be quite the matchmaker."

"Nik and Caroline couldn't stand each other," Kol waved to the golden haired brother before them.

"We grew on each other," Nik smirked. "Speaking of my wife… she had much to say about the Petrova sisters in her letters. Apparently one has proven to be quite the little socialite, and the other just had her engagement finalized to Damon Salvatore."

"I pity the woman already," Elijah rose from the stairs and adjusted his coat, "she'll spend her life bound to a man who flits from one romantic tryst to another."

"Evidently she never smiles," Nik followed Elijah down the corridor; he glanced over his shoulder to find Kol not far behind. "They have been here several months and Caroline has never seen her happy; all she offers anyone is a courtly smile when it's required."

"I bet I can make her smile," Kol grinned from ear to ear. He did love a challenge.

"I gather from what Caroline has said you'll have better luck with her sister," Nik shook his head.

"It's not as fun when it's easy," Kol shivered when the cold air blew through an open window.

"Leave the poor girl be Kol," Elijah warned. "She must be upset."

"How do you figure that?" Kol tilted his head.

"She had to leave her home," Elijah sighed, "and was engaged to a stranger. Wouldn't you be upset? You're already devastated with your engagement. She could probably do without more heart-wrenching news; she doesn't need you soiling her reputation."

"I'm not going to soil her reputation," Kol's smirk fell slightly; "I just want to make her smile."

"As long as that's all you do," Elijah nodded. He spun on his heel when they reached the grand hall. "What are their names?"

"Katerina and Elena," Nik answered. He stepped into the room and bid his brothers farewell when he spotted his wife disappearing around a far corner. "If you'll excuse me, I have a few things to attend to."

"I'm pretty sure Caroline only counts as one," Kol called after him. He turned to Elijah when his brother was out of earshot. "Is it just me or did he used to be more fun?"

Nik sprinted down the hall silently. His hand snaked out quickly to close around her slim wrist before tugging gently. She spun into his arms and gasped when her back hit the cold stone wall.

"Nik!"

"Hello love," his blue eyes sparked. He bent slightly and caught her lips in a kiss that warmed her from the inside out. He nipped at her lower lip before pulling back and resting his brow on hers. "I've missed you."

"You saw me less than an hour ago," Caroline chuckled.

He absolutely loved her laugh. Most women resorted to soft giggles that they thought made them seem demure. After marrying Caroline he found them insipid and quite dull. Her laugh was deep. The rich warmth filled him up; it was even better when her green eyes sparkled as they did now.

"We were surrounded by the court," Nik reasoned. His hands slid around her waist to explore the rich blue brocade covering her back. "I couldn't greet you the way I wanted," his full lips formed a false pout.

"Hidden in an alcove was how you wanted to greet me?" Caroline's fingers grasped the back of his neck. Her voice came out in a soft whisper. "You know we are married, right? We do not have to hide."

"I know," he brushed his lips over her cheek. "I just wanted to kiss you, but I thought it best not to in front of my mother."

"Oh?" Caroline tilted her head as his lips made a trail to her ear.

"Mmhmm," Nik traced the shell of her ear with his tongue before nipping at her throat.

"She probably wouldn't approve of this sort of kissing," Caroline sighed. She turned her head and recaptured his lips with hers. She was just opening her mouth to accept his tongue when they heard a throat being cleared daintily behind them.

Caroline smoothed down her hair and drew in a few deep breaths before turning to meet the eyes of her mother-in-law.

"There is to be a celebration tomorrow in honor of your brother's engagement," Esther pointedly ignored the flush staining her son's cheeks. "I'll expect you both to be there… presentable."

"I thought she was not set to arrive for a few days," Nik frowned.

"Her carriage will be here within a few hours," Esther explained. "The ship must have been blessed with good weather."

"That's unusual for this time of year," Caroline remarked when Esther had left them be.

"Very," Nik agreed, "but the celebration is not tonight. I had no intention of spending this evening in my mother's company."

"And how did you plan to spend this evening?" Caroline turned on her heel and started back down the corridor.

"I had intended to spend it with my wife in our bed chamber," Nik caught her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm, "unless of course you have other plans."

"That depends…" Caroline peeked at him through the corner of her eye, "… were you planning on taking a bath first?"

"Are you insinuating that I smell, love?" Nik turned to her with a small smirk.

"You did just spend three days riding," Caroline pointed out. "If you plan on spending any time with me tonight you need to clean yourself up first."

"Very well," Nik caught her waist when they stepped into their bedchamber, "but only if you join me."

Caroline's hands splayed over his chest when he pressed her against the closed door. "How do you know I wasn't planning on that already?" Her eyes twinkled as she motioned behind him to the steaming bath.

"That's her," Nik nodded towards a brunette standing near the fire place.

Elijah sighed before following his brother's gaze. Her dark curls had been swept into a long braid that hung over her shoulder. The dark green velvet gown covered every inch of her from head to toe and a gold chain glittered around her waist; the dress was rather simple compared to the other gowns in the room.

It was clear from the way she angled her body towards the fire that she was more interested in remaining warm than returning the flirtatious smile Kol was flashing her. She crossed her arms over her chest and rubbed hands up and down.

"Which one is this?" Elijah lifted his glass and swallowed a mouthful of the spiced wine.

"Elena Petrova," Nik flashed him a grin, "the sister that never smiles. And that," he nodded in the direction of a small crowd of male courtiers, "is Katerina: the socialite."

Elijah turned to see the other sister. He sputtered slightly on his wine. Katerina was the spitting image of her somber sister. Kol did not mention that they were twins. He swallowed and cleared his throat before taking the time to allow his eyes to roam over the woman who had quickly made herself the center of attention.

Where her sister was dressed warmly in a sensible and functional dress Katerina had chosen brighter colours. The scarlet skirt was decorated in golden thread and small jewels that appeared to be pearls; the gold chain defined her waist and separated the smooth silk from the embroidered skirt. When she twisted to flutter her eyelashes at a raven haired man Elijah saw that her neckline plunged; any lower and it would have been considered indecent. She must be freezing.

By comparison Elena Petrova was prepared for a hike through the thick snow.

Elijah blinked when he saw the man Katerina was flirting with.

"Isn't that Damon Salvatore?" He murmured to his brother.

Nik followed his brother's eye to Katerina's many admirers before nodding.

"The man who was just betrothed to her sister?" Elijah frowned.

"Yes," Nik confirmed the man's identity. His expression mirrored Elijah's. "And now I'm starting to feel sorry for her."

"Betrothed to a man who shows more interest in her sister," Elijah sighed. He finished his drink as Nik nodded his agreement.

"No wonder she doesn't smile," Nik chuckled. "Most women would smile, or at the very least flirt, with a prince." He nodded towards where Elena was listening to Kol with an almost bored expression.

"She's not most women," Elijah chuckled. "I would very much love to see Kol knocked down a peg, but she appears too polite to…"

"Tell him to shove off?" Nik finished.

"Precisely," Elijah nodded. He noted the way Elena took a step backwards when Kol advanced. He set his cup on a low table. "I think it's time to intervene."

"Mother has beaten you to it," Nik said. He motioned to where their mother had strode across the room and taken Kol's arm.

"Why is mother intervening?" Elijah's eyes narrowed. He tilted his head down when a soft voice sounded at his other side.

"Mother does not wish for Kol to be seen flirting," Rebekah straightened the thin belt around her waist. "His fiancée is being led through the halls as we speak." She rolled her eyes. "The official introduction is tomorrow, but she's going to be passing by the hall and you know the servants will point him out to her."

"I don't know what mother is trying to achieve," Nik shook his head. "Kol has a reputation that she will soon hear about."

"That doesn't mean she needs to see him flirting with another woman," Elijah explained. He glanced to where his younger brother was now speaking with their mother in the center of the room. He saw Lady Elena's shoulders drop slightly in relief; he could almost hear her sigh and watched as she slipped out through the main doors. "If you'll excuse me…" He didn't wait for a reply. He slid through the crowds and out the open doors.

Elijah paused and looked around. His head turned from side to side but she had disappeared into the dark corridor. He sighed and turned back around only to collide with one of the servants.

"I'm so sorry your highness," the woman backed away quickly.

"It's perfectly fine… Adelaide," Elijah smiled when he remembered her name, "it was entirely my fault I got in your way. I'll let you get on your way."

He looked over her shoulder to see a small gathering of servants escorting a young woman. She had been peeking into the hall, but had turned her head when she heard the collision. He blinked when he realized that he was the first to see Kol's future wife. He knew Kol would ask immediately when he re-entered the room, but there wasn't much to see. Elijah wasn't sure if she had covered her face with the veil to ward off the chill, or if it was a regular part of her wardrobe.

"Madame," Elijah nodded politely. He caught the flash of her green eyes as she dipped into a short curtsey. Definitely a princess, he thought knowing that anyone else would have sunk into a deeper curtsey in the presence of royalty. He saw her head tilt back slightly when she was halfway down the corridor; he assumed she was being told who he was.

Elena leaned against the smooth wood of the door and exhaled. She allowed her eyes to drift shut as she reflected on the events of the evening.

Her fiancé had barely said a word to her beyond the usual exchange of pleasantries. Elena suspected that was partially her fault. She knew he wanted her sister and tolerated her. Somewhere in the back of her mind Elena hoped that if she was reserved enough, that if she distanced herself enough, that Damon would insist on calling off the wedding.

It was a false hope and she knew it. She came with a dowry that would more than make up for her 'shortcomings'. She should have been trying to make the best of the situation and find something she could grow to care about. She couldn't do it though. It was impossible for her now. Not only did he have a reputation among the woman of the court he also wanted her sister… everyone always wanted her sister.

Perhaps he thought she had been unable to see him. Maybe he had seen the prince making advances. Whatever the reason, Damon had spent the later part of the evening flirting with her sister.

She needed to get out of the castle. She needed a minute to breathe. She needed to exercise her muscles.

Elena pressed her lips together and lifted the lid of her trunk. She pulled out piles of fabric and ran her fingers over the soft leather. Her eyes traced the smooth lines and took in the harsh glitter of the blue stones. She inhaled and lifted her hands to the back of her neck. Before she could second guess the absurdity of her decision she pulled at the laces of her dress.

She changed quickly into the black trousers and dark green shirt. The fabric fell to her knees. Elena lifted the belt from her dress and tied it around her waist. She pulled on her warmest boots and secured her cloak.

She was unable to feel the smooth leather through her thick gloves, but it was a relief to have back in her hands.

Elena forced herself not to think about what would happen if she got caught. She lowered her hood over her head and hurried through the halls of the castle.

Let me know what you think so far.