Chapter 10: (Niklaus)

Life couldn't possibly get any more worse than it already had. The past year had been dreadful enough for him. Tatia had left him, Mikael was always finding faults in him , Elijah had become even more suspicious and to be honest he didnt think that they were close anymore. Everything was miserable.

However the only person that he seemed to trust at a time like this was Rebekah. She was the one giving him hope. She was his ray of light , illuminant through the endless darkness that seemed to engulf him. He was thankful to have her with him.
But that's what little sisters were for anyway, weren't they!

So when Rebekah had asked him to accompany her to the feast he had to oblige.
"How do I look,Nik?", she asked.
She looked beautiful .She was wearing a long dark purple gown. Her hair was braided down her back ,with orchids and petunias adorning the circlet on her head.
"You look lovely 'Bekah!"
"Shall we proceed to the feast then?"
He nodded and they went hand in hand to the feast together.

While the others were having a good time ,Niklaus just sat by the hearth ,gazing at flickering flames in the fireplace. They seemed to be dancing to a tune of their own and he quite enjoyed observing them. They would make a good painting , perhaps.. later on...

That's when he heard a familiar sound over the din.

He turned around to see Tatia making her way through the crowd. She looked different .She was wearing a crimson red gown with her wavy hair let loose like always, red ribbons braiding the free strands of hair that fell in her face. She gave the illusion of pure perfection but her eyes deceived her. They were sad and worried and hurt and made her seem all the more broken . He didn't know why but looking at her had completely broken him too.

After that incident he had sworn never to look at her again , not even speak of her or respond when someone mentioned her. But by simply watching her talk to someone , standing a few feet away from him, his resolve had been shattered completely. He wished to talk to her now. To speak to her once. Just once.

He didn't know how long he had stared at her, till she suddenly made her way towards him.

"Good evening Niklaus", she said politely. "How have you been ?"she asked looking genuinely concerned.
"A lot better I suppose, since I've finally come to terms with you leaving me."
"I'm sorry. But I had to..."
"Let us not speak of it now. Please ,join me. For old time's sake I suppose ."
He gently took her hand in his own and both of them slowly began waltzing to the melody of the music .

"So, what brings you back to Mystic falls then? I thought you had left and vowed never to return?" he asked , sarcasm dripping in his voice.

She suddenly appeared somewhat perplexed .

"Dont you know Niklaus? Has nobody told you?" she said innocently.
"Told me what?"
"That night, when you visited me….. you gave me something to remember you by ,Nik."

Niklaus couldnt believe what she had just said. This was possibly the biggest surprise he had ever received from someone. It was a straight blow on the head ,to be precise.

"I..I don't understand..."
"I came to visit Qetsiyah, your daughter." "
Before leaving, I had handed her over to Ayana but then.. Esther intervened and she has been taking care of her since."
" Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought you knew. I thought Esther had told you."
"And you STILL left?"
She frowned.
" Despite everything!... Why? Isn't Qetsiyah your daughter. Doesn't she need to be cared for by her mother? Don't you love her? She's our daughter Tatia!"
She was quiet and unable to answer him after what he had said. Probably because she knew he was right. He was right.
" Are you happy Tatia? Are you really happy with your life? Are you satisfied ? Because in my opinion you dont appear so. You want this .I know you do. Stop fighting it. You know you're happy with me. You want to stay ...here with me and our daughter..."
"You deserve this!" he continued. "You deserve to be happy! Stop trying to live your life on his terms! Let go! And you'll realize what I say is true..."
"Its not that easy Niklaus..."
"It is Tatia .You have to believe it is . Life..is truly very simple..we just tend to make it more complicated."
"I don't know...I cant …"
"I'll be waiting for you Tatia."he smiled. "By the woods... with Qetsiyah... and I know you'll come. You wont leave this time because deep down you know that this is right..for US."

And with that , he kissed her and left her wanting more...