The New World - Middle Ages - ca. 1018

The light from the Mikaelson cabin shun brightly that evening for the Mikaelson family were sitting down to dinner. The pot of water over the fire began to boil as the Mikaelson's all took their places at the dinner table.

"Dare I ask what you have cooked up for us today, woman." Mikael says as stone-faced as ever.

Mikael had grown cold and harsh in the last few months. It was winter and that meant hardship for there wasn't always lots to go around in terms of food and supplies. The markets had closed up shop and the animals had deserted them, preferring to gallop south for the warmer weather. This left them hungry and cold most days, meaning they had to make do with what they had.

"Soup, dear." Esther replies.

The whole Mikaelson family groans. Soup, again. That was all they had been having for as their stomach's could remember.

"Now, stop your complaining and eat up or would you rather all go hungry?"

Everyone fell quiet. Esther always did know how to keep her family silent.
As soon as the large pot of soup was placed on the solid oak table, they all scrambled to fill up their bowls and despite the previous complaints they were all hungry.

Elijah was the first to look up from his bowl for he had a very pressing issue he had wished to ask his father.

"Father." Elijah asks

"Yes, boy. For what reason do you want to disturb me at this meal-time?" Mikael replies.

"Father." Elijah searches for the words to say.

"Yes? Spit it out." Mikael says impatiently.

"I have found a girl. Her name is Tatia and I wish to court her." Elijah quickly looks back down at his bowl in embarrassment.

All eyes were now focused on Elijah. Elijah had found himself a lady, had he?

"But I thought Niklaus wanted to court her? Didn't you Nik? I saw you kis-" Niklaus covers Rebekah's mouth with his hand.

"What I believe Rebekah is trying to say is that she saw me conversing with my brother's desired. I was simply trying to get to know her."

"Enough. You have my permission, Elijah. Niklaus will not interfere or he will have me to deal with. Do you understand?"

"Yes father." Elijah and Niklaus say simultaneously.

"Good. Now Elijah. I shall have to speak with her father for we shall have to come to some arrangement for she will be taking up most of your time, will she not?"

"Yes father."

"So her father will need to pay us for taking you away from your duties here. You are my oldest son, without you I have your brothers and a half-wit." Mikael says throwing a disgusted look at Niklaus.

"I do not believe Niklaus to be a half-wit." Elijah spits out.

"Elijah." Esther warns him.

Mikael got up from his seat and stands infront of Elijah, staring him in the face.

"Remember your place, son." Mikael whispers to Elijah and then walks off angrily into another room.

Elijah exhales and sits back down. All eyes remain on Elijah but quickly divert elsewhere.

"Father, stop! Please, stop! He didn't mean it!" Rebekah screams at Mikael.

They are in one of the bedrooms in the Mikaelson's cabin. Mikael is beating his son, Niklaus while Paget and Rebekah stand, attempting to get him to stop.

"Get off him! Get off." Rebekah shouts, hitting Mikael's back.

Mikael continues to beat Niklaus within an inch of his life.

Paget has enough. She runs out of the bedroom and then out of the cabin.

"Paget? Where are you going!?" Rebekah calls out to her and then realises her mistake.

"Stupid. Stupid. She can't bloody hear." Rebekah mumbles to herself.

Paget searches the grasslands ahead of her, looking in all directions before spotting Kol and Elijah.

"Kol!" Paget screams at the top of her lungs as long as they would let her.

Kol stares at her shocked. She has never spoken a word. Not a word in any year, day or month of her life. He didn't even know that she had a voice nor what it sounded like.

"Paget? Paget!" He shouts back.

Paget is darting towards him, he quickly catches her and she signs ferociously.

"Wait, wait. Slow down." he signs

Paget takes a deep breath and then signs

"Mikael. He has Niklaus. He's beating him. Come. Come quickly."

"Elijah! Come quickly. It's Niklaus." Kol calls over to Elijah who is holding a conversation with the woman whom is presumed to be Tatia, the woman he has for the last few weeks been courting.

"Whatever is the matter?" Elijah calls.

"Niklaus is in trouble again. Father has taken a like to beating him again." Kol replies

"Quick! Quick!" Paget signs.

Paget starts to run back the way she came with her brother's in toll.

They reach the cabin and Paget shows them the way.

"Kol! Elijah! Stop him!" Rebekah cries

"Father. I think he's had enough, don't you think?" Elijah reasons

"He's learned his lesson." Kol chips in

"Father!" Elijah yells and attemps to get him off Niklaus. Elijah grapples with Mikael's back before he turns around and throws a punch to Elijah's jaw.

"Do not tell me what I can and cannot do to my children." Mikael states and continues "Mistake me not. Get in my way and I will not hesitate, my son." Mikael holds his hand up as if to strike him again but he puts it back down and leaves the bedroom.

"Nik!" Rebekah goes to attend to Niklaus who is lying on the floor in a bloody mess.

"You know it won't be the last time, Elijah." Kol remarks.

"I know. That's what scares me."

So what do you all think then? The story is getting juicy huh? The tatia storyline unfolding and Mikael's hatred for Niklaus shining through. Whatever will happen next!? Well you'll just have to read the next chapter then! :)

Please review if you don't mind? I'd appreciate it. Would love to know your thoughts!

-SnowBurden