I've worked really hard on this chapter, and I hope you will enjoy it! :)
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Caroline hugged Klaus once more with all the strength she could muster, and pulled back only to kiss him with all the passion she felt.
She pulled back, and placed her forehead on his for a moment. "I still hate to leave you." She whispered, rubbing her forehead against his.
He sighed, and held her hips against his for a moment. "I hate it too." He whispered back, breathing in her soft scent once more.
Pulling back, they gazed into each other's eyes, and saw the pain, sorrow, and love showing in the depths.
"I'll be back soon." She stated, lifting her head. Softly she touched his face, with her right hand, shivering when he tilted his head to kiss the palm of her hand.
"Look after our son." He replied, reaching up to hold her right hand with his left.
She nodded, and smiled a watery smile. She turned her head to Esther, who was holding little David. Stepping away from Klaus, she reached for her son, and smiled when he was safe in her arms. Turning back to her husband, she smiled.
Klaus leaned forward, and kissed his son's head. "You be a good boy, David, and mind your grandparents, and your mother." He replied, sternly.
David gurgled, and he reached for his father. Klaus bit back his tears, and gathered his son up in his arms one last time.
They were standing outside, in the cold dark morning, for the sun hadn't even begun to rise yet. They were saying their goodbyes, and trying to fight back the tears, though they weren't succeeding.
A small carriage was waiting at the gate with Kol, Bonnie, and Stefan. Vaughn was hugging his wife, and gently kissed her on the forehead, before attempting to back away.
Jean grasped his hand, and pulled him to her. "You were right." She whispered, in a choked voice. "When you return, I'll tell you everything." She added, lowering her eyes.
Vaughn touched her chin, softly, and lifted her face to his. "I look forward to it, Bonnie Jean." He whispered, with a smile.
Jean rolled her eyes, and grasped his chest shirt with her right hand. "You be careful out there." She stated, strongly. "I don't want to lose you, and this child needs his father." She added, trying to keep the tears back.
Vaughn smiled, and caressed her cheek softly. "I will, lass." He whispered, leaning forward to softly kiss her lips. "I love you, Bonnie Jean." He whispered, his Scottish accent drawling.
Jean smiled. "I love you, Galen." She returned, watching him back away towards the carriage. She felt an arm around her, and she turned her head to see Esther giving her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, my dear, he'll come back." She whispered, giving the young brunette's shoulders a squeeze.
Jean nodded, and turned her head to see her husband, climb up on the carriage in the driver's seat. She had so much she had to tell him, and she would, when he made it back to her.
Klaus held David close, and lifted his gaze to his wife. Opening his left arm, he invited her join them. Caroline wrapped her arms around her boys, and held them tight, as the tears began to fall.
"I love you, Nik." She whispered, finally pulling back to look him in the eyes.
Klaus smiled, and touched her face with his free hand. "And I love you, Caroline." He whispered, stroking her face.
She smiled and leaned into his hand. "I'll return as soon as I get David settled." She whispered, taking David gently from his father's arms.
Klaus nodded, and swallowed down the lump forming in his throat. "I'll be waiting." He whispered, touching David's small back. He leaned down, and softly kissed his son's head. "I love you, David." He whispered, brokenly.
Caroline smiled through her tears, and tilted her head. Turning to Bonnie, she handed David to his aunt. David squirmed in the air, trying to reach his father, and pouted, when Bonnie sat firmly in the carriage with him in her lap.
Caroline glanced at her husband, and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful, and don't do anything stupid." She replied, firmly in his ear.
Klaus chuckled through his tears, and pulled back to gaze into her eyes. "You better go, or else I will never let you leave." He stated, with emotion.
Caroline nodded, and bowed her head. "I have one more thing to do." She whispered, lifting her head to look at him.
He tilted his head, but he knew exactly what she was talking about. Gathering her up in his arms, he crushed his lips on hers, causing her to moan lightly at the contact. They kissed with passion and fire and love as their lips moved forcibly over each other. Caroline's fingers wove through his hair, and pushed her body close to his for a brief moment, until they needed air.
They panted as they pulled back, and their lips were red and slightly swollen from the force of their passion.
She stepped back, and moved her hands down his body to his hands. "I love you." She whispered, stepping back towards the carriage.
He nodded, and helped her into the carriage. "I love you…both" He added, glancing at his son one last time.
Caroline nodded, watching him close the carriage door firmly. Tears trailed down her face as the lock latched and the carriage began to roll. She knew she wouldn't be able to see him much due to the darkness of the night, but she leaned her head out of the window, and saw him, standing in the middle of the road. She shook her head as the pain in her chest intensified with each roll of the carriage.
"You'll see him again, Caroline." Bonnie replied, tenderly.
Caroline nodded, and sat back in her seat, reaching for her son, who came willingly. "I know. I just hate leaving him." She replied, sadly.
David turned in his mother's lap, and moaned a small cry, nuzzling into her chest. She bent her head, and gently kissed his curly head.
"This is for the best, Caroline." Bonnie remarked, with a soft smile.
Caroline nodded, and dipped her head. "I know." She repeated with the same sadness. "It's just hard being away from him." She added, glancing at David. "Right, David." She whispered, gazing at David's sleeping face.
Bonnie smiled tenderly. "He has a long trip to his grandparents, and I have a feeling he will sleep through most of it." She replied with a light laugh.
Caroline nodded, and smiled. "I have no doubt." She agreed, holding her son close. "No doubt." She whispered, gazing out the carriage window.
Bonnie sighed as she watched her friend close off. She knew it was dangerous taking David to Caroline's parents, but it was even more dangerous leaving him in the castle. It was even worse separating Caroline from Klaus. Bonnie had noticed the changes with the both of them when they were together. Without Caroline, Klaus would spiral, and without Klaus, Caroline would. They needed each other, and they especially needed David. Bonnie feared the moment when someone would try to take their precious son from them. That was a disaster waiting to happen, and Bonnie just hoped and prayed for the person who would try anything like that.
She hoped and prayed for their death.
~X~
Marcel smiled in the darkness, as he motioned to his men. His messenger had informed him of the carriage leaving before dawn, and he was ready.
He huddled behind the bushes next to the road, and waited. He could taste the sweet victory, and it was close. He couldn't wait to see Klaus' face, when he tells him how he killed his beloved wife, and took his son, to raise as his own.
Yes, he was going to take Klaus' son, and he was going to train him to hate his father. David was his secret weapon. What greater vengeance than getting his enemy's son to kill his own father. Oh, yes, vengeance was sweet, and he couldn't wait.
~X~
Klaus entered his study, and stood in front of the window. It had only been a few hours, since his family had left, and he missed them. There was a hole in his heart, and he hated it. He kept telling himself that it was for the best, but his heart wouldn't hear it.
Tears filled his eyes at the thought of his son and wife gone from the palace. It would be even worse if they were gone permanently.
He turned from the window, and glanced down at his left hand. It was rare for men of the age to wear rings, except to symbol their lineage, but he wore a wedding band, and he was proud of it.
He belonged to somebody. It was more than he ever wanted in his life, and he didn't even know it until he met her. She was more than he ever wanted, and now he had a son, who loved him, whose face lit up when he entered the room.
He lifted his head, when the door to the study opened abruptly. His eyes narrowed when he caught sight of his brother looking very disturbed.
"What is it, Elijah?" He asked, walking towards him.
Elijah shook his head. "We have a problem." He answered, stepping towards his brother. "Caroline's parents have just arrived." He replied, stiffly.
Klaus' eyes widened, and then narrowed dangerously. "I thought they were at their palace." He began, only to stop when he saw Elijah's head shake.
"They said they received a message from you, telling them to come quickly, something about Caroline fallen ill." He replied, shaking his head.
Klaus shook his head, and headed towards the door. "Marcel." He growled, storming out.
"Niklaus, where are you going?!" Elijah shouted, as Klaus began to run.
Klaus paused for only a second, and turned his head over his shoulder. "To get my wife and son." He growled with a dangerous spark in his eyes.
Elijah shook his head and took off after his brother. Whatever was going to happen, he needed to be there with Klaus. He just prayed that nothing happened to the only light in Klaus' life.
~X~
Caroline smiled as David played with her necklace around her neck. "It was your dad's." She whispered, bouncing him on her knee. She lifted her gaze to Bonnie, who tilted her head in curiosity.
"You never told me it was Klaus'." Bonnie replied, with a slight smile.
Caroline smiled, and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. "He gave it to me the day Tyler attacked our camp. The day he proposed." She added with a glance at her son.
Bonnie smiled, and turned her head to look out the window. She frowned, when she saw movement in the bushes, and a glint of something in the bushes. Her eyes widened, and she quickly turned to Caroline.
"Caroline, when the time comes, promise me that you will run, as fast and hard as you can." She whispered, urgently, grasping her friend's hand.
Caroline tilted her head, and gave a curious gaze. "Bonnie, what is it?" She asked, in a low tone.
"It's probably nothing, but I think I just saw some men in the bushes." She whispered, casting her eyes towards the window.
Caroline straightened in her seat, and held David close to her. "Marcel." She whispered, glancing down at her son worriedly.
Bonnie nodded, and lifted her skirts. Sheathed carefully, against her leg were two daggers. Taking both of them out, she handed one to Caroline. "You might need this." She whispered, with a firm nod.
Caroline nodded, and held the dagger tight in her hand. "Will you be okay?" She asked her friend.
Bonnie smiled. "I'll be fine. Kol has been teaching me how to defend myself, even though I already knew how to handle a sword." She explained, with a soft smile.
Caroline smiled at her friend. "Klaus did the same." She remarked, kissing her son's head tenderly.
The carriage came to a halt, and Bonnie and Caroline exchanged worried glances.
"Remember what I told you." Bonnie remarked, firmly. "I'll be right behind you, but you have to get your son out of here."
Caroline nodded and gazed down into her son's cerulean blue eyes. "Okay." She whispered, lifting her gaze to her friend.
~X~
Klaus quickly saddled his horse with a speed he didn't think he had. He was fueled by anger, frustration, and love that weight and speed were nothing to him.
"I'm going with you."
Klaus shook his head, glancing over his shoulder at Jean. "Not in your condition." He stated, quickly moving his gaze to her stomach.
Jean scowled. "My husband is out there, and so is Caroline." She stated, coming closer.
Klaus shook his head. "You're still not going." He said, tightening the girth on his horse.
Jean scoffed. "I'm going with or without you, Klaus. You can't stop me." She stated, walking towards a gelding.
Klaus shook his head, and climbed up on his horse, and wheeled him around. "You're staying here, Jean. I'm not going to worry about you out there." He stated, glaring down at her.
She glared back up at him. "You don't get to boss me around, Klaus. I'm not your wife, and I'm certainly not your damned servant." She stated, reaching for the saddle.
"No, but you are pregnant, and you can't go." He stated, harshly. "I won't let you lose this one." He added, clicking his heels in his horse's side.
Jean glared after him, but her features softened. She placed her right hand over her swollen stomach, and sighed. "Damn him."
~X~
Men hollered and screamed, and metal scraping, reached Caroline's ears as she ran through the woods. The attack had come quickly and fiercely, and she had little time to waste. She had gathered David up in her arms, and the second she had a chance, she took it.
Now she was clutching David in her arms, running for their lives. She knew these woods. She was close to her father's kingdom, but how long before they caught up to her.
Bonnie had been behind her a few minutes ago, but she had been delayed when two men attacked them, and Bonnie had to fight.
Caroline didn't know about the others. She just hoped they were alright. Her only thought was getting her son to safety.
David clung to her with each rushed step she took, and she was grateful he didn't fuss.
"We're almost there, little one." She whispered in a panted breathe.
She heard footsteps behind her, and she froze. Someone was after her.
~X~
Klaus rode his horse as fast as it would go. He only glanced beside him when he heard other riders. He gave only a slight nod to his brother as they rode on with an entourage of his guards.
He had to reach them. He felt fear enter his heart, and it wasn't coming from him.
Caroline and his son were in danger.
~X~
Bonnie grunted as the two men fell to the ground in a huddled heap, and she whirled around, trying to find any trace of her friend.
Shaking her head, she turned in the direction, she suspected Caroline would go, and ran.
~X~
Kol and Stefan slashed their way through the men, and both smiled in satisfaction when the men fell to the ground, lifeless.
Vaughn was a few feet away, and his right arm had a large scratch. It didn't stop him, though for killing three men with a quick thrust, a slash, and a swift beheading.
They heard horses in the distance, and they knew either that was help for them or for their opponents.
They just had to hold out long enough. Kol turned his head, and quickly searched for his wife. He swallowed the lump in his throat at the thought of something happening to her. No, he needed to stay focused.
Focused…
~X~
Caroline ducked underneath some bushes, and held David close to her bosom. He buried his face in her chest, and she closed her eyes in fear. She felt a presence coming closer, and she smiled.
Klaus was coming.
~X~
Klaus pushed his horse faster, and felt the fear turn to complete terror. He had to hurry.
He and Elijah came over the hill, and the sight that greeted him made him furious. Kol, Stefan, and Vaughn were fighting more than twenty men, and they were losing ground. Everywhere he looked he didn't see his wife or son.
He motioned to the men, to charge while he turned his gaze to the woods. He knew his wife was probably running to her father's kingdom. She knew these woods. He just had to reach her in time.
A pain entered his chest, and he nearly doubled over. Something was wrong.
~X~
Caroline held back a gasp when booted feet came into view and a scuffling sound followed it. Her eyes widened as she saw Bonnie being pushed to the ground. Her face was bloodied from a few beatings, and she had a long cut in her side.
"Queen Caroline!" Marcel called out with satisfaction. "I know you're out here. Come out so we can officially meet." He added, searching the woods surrounding them.
Caroline clutched her son close to her, and bowed her head.
"I should warn you, if you don't come out, I won't be responsible for the death of this woman." He replied, walking behind Bonnie's crouched form. He pulled out a dagger, and held it to Bonnie neck. Bonnie struggled against his grasp, until he pushed the dagger against her skin, causing it to stick into her skin, though not completely breaking it.
Caroline shook her head, and shifted lightly in the bushes. She couldn't let Bonnie die. She was her sister, and she had a daughter, but her son…
She felt tears burn her eyes at the thought.
"Very well, then." Marcel replied, pulling Bonnie's head back and pressed the dagger against her skin, harder.
"WAIT!"
Marcel smirked in satisfaction, when he heard her voice. His eyes moved towards the voice, and smiled when she stepped out of the bushes. His eyes widened considerably when he took in her beauty. Her hair was sunshine blonde, though it looked windblown. Her face had dirt and grim, but he imagined underneath all of that she was a vision. Her figure was petite, even with only months after having a child. He imagined she was breathtaking.
"Well, your majesty, we finally meet." He replied, stepping around Bonnie.
Caroline held her head up high, and held up her hands. "I came out, now let her go." She replied with tear filled eyes.
Marcel glanced behind him, and clicked his tongue. "I'm afraid; I can't do that, your majesty. Not until I get what I came for." He replied, turning back to Caroline.
"And what is that? You wanted to meet me. Well, you've met me. Now let her go." She demanded, and he realized why Klaus had taken to her. She had spirit.
He chuckled, and shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not all I want, Your Majesty." He replied, stepping closer, his expression turning dangerous. "Where is your son?" He asked, in a dark tone.
Caroline's expression never changed. "With his father." She stated, firmly.
Marcel chuckled and shook his head. "I don't think so." He whispered, rearing his hand back, and bringing it across her face, hard.
She gasped, and touched her face, gingerly, but didn't give him the satisfaction of falling to her knees from the force.
"Now, I'm going to ask you again, where is your son?" He asked, closing the distance between them.
Caroline scowled, and dropped her hand from her face. "You'll have to kill me before I will tell you anything." She stated in a strong tone.
Marcel chuckled. "Well, I'm going to do that anyway." He replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "Though, seeing you now, it's giving me some pause." He added, lifting his right hand to touch her left cheek.
She jerked away from his touch, and scowled at him.
"Tell me where you've hidden your son, and I'll give you a swift death." He whispered, leaning forward. His breathe hitting her face. She pulled her head back, and resisted the urge to puke.
"I'll never let you take him." She stated, fire flashing in her eyes.
Marcel shrugged. "I thought not." He whispered, with a shrug of his shoulders.
A loud cry came from the bushes, and Caroline whirled around, her mouth hanging open. "No!" She screamed about to head over to her son, who was struggling to reach her in the arms of a stranger.
Marcel smirked. "Well, done Connor." He replied, reaching for Caroline before she could take a step. He leaned over her ear, and sneered. "Now, because I know that Klaus is coming, I won't kill you immediately, but I will give him the satisfaction of watching you die." He replied, wrapping his right arm over her chest, and raised his left hand with a dagger in the palm.
Caroline struggled against his hold, and lifted her left leg, and pulled out the dagger Bonnie had given her minutes before. With a loud grunt, she stabbed Marcel in the side.
He let out a loud scream, and released his hold on her, long enough for her to rush to her son.
"You bitch!" Marcel screamed, holding his side. He motioned to his other men, and they rant to grab her before she made it within a foot of her son. "You shouldn't have done that." He replied, lifting his dagger in his right palm.
Caroline struggled between the two men who were holding her tightly. She glanced to her son, and to Bonnie, who was struggling in the grasp of the man holding her.
She closed her eyes, before opening them to look at her son.
She was going to die.
~X~
Klaus pulled on the reins of his horse, and searched the woods. He wanted to call her name, but he suspected Marcel was nearby.
He turned his head and saw Elijah beside him.
"We should spilt up, Niklaus." He replied, motioning to his right.
Klaus nodded, and wheeled his horse to the left. The pain in his chest was intensifying. He had to reach her. He couldn't lose her. He couldn't lose either of them.
He heard a scream in the distance, and his heart clenched in his chest as he recognized the voice.
"Yah!" He hollered, pushing his horse forward. He had to reach her.
~X~
Caroline kept her eyes on her son, when she heard a horse in the distance, and someone hollering. No, not just someone, Klaus.
She smiled, and turned her face to Marcel. "I'm sorry about your family." She whispered, watching him falter.
He scowled. "You don't know about my family." He stated, lowering his hand slowly.
She nodded. "Klaus told me what happened, and that he was following orders. He regrets killing them, Marcel. Believe me." She replied, firmly.
Marcel scoffed. "Klaus only cares about himself, and maybe you and your son, but he doesn't care. He has no feelings. I should know. He trained me." He replied, with a sneer.
Caroline bit her tongue, and knew she was running out of time. "He cares now." She returned, trying to break through.
Marcel shook his head. "He never will." He paused with a sneer on his face. "He'll never care anymore, because I'm taking what he took from me." He replied, slamming the dagger into Caroline's side, just underneath her ribcage in her left side.
"I just barely missed your lung, and your heart. You should be grateful. I'm giving you, your final moments with your husband." He replied, pulling the dagger out of her side.
She gasped as the pain of her skin tearing and the object punctured her insides. It was searing and tears filled her eyes as the pain spread down her body.
"NO!" Bonnie screamed, struggling to get to her friend.
Marcel turned to Bonnie, and nodded to the man holding her. "Leave her. We got what we came for." He replied, walking deeper into the woods, taking crying David from his man's arms, while placing his free hand on the side Caroline stabbed.
Caroline sagged to her knees, trying desperately to hold her side tight. Bonnie reached her friend, and tears fell down her eyes.
"Just hold still, I've got to stop this bleeding." She whispered, tearing a bit of her dress to wrap around Caroline's side.
Caroline coughed, and gasped. "Klaus." She whispered, her eyes becoming heavy.
Bonnie shook her head. "No, you have to hold on, Caroline." She stated, but Caroline was beginning to falter. "Listen to me!" She shouted, grasping her friend's face between her hands. "You have to stay awake, and say strong. Your son needs you. Klaus needs you. I need you." She stated, trying to get Caroline to focus.
Caroline inhaled deeply, and the pain stabbed through her. "I failed my son." She whispered, tears falling down her cheeks.
Bonnie shook her head. "No, you didn't. You didn't. There were too many of them." She replied, desperately.
Caroline began to sag to the ground, and Bonnie fought desperately to hold her friend up. "Hold on, Caroline. Please hold on." She cried.
She lifted her head, and sighed, when she saw Klaus riding up on his black horse. "Klaus, hurry, I need to get her back to the palace!" She shouted.
Klaus didn't even hear her. All he saw was his swan on the ground, bleeding from a wound in her side. He jumped off his horse, and didn't stop. He slid on his knees beside her.
"Caroline." He whispered his heart breaking. He glared up at Bonnie and noticed she had taken a few beatings. "What happened?" He demanded, but his voice was broken.
"Marcel found us. He lured Caroline out by threatening me. She had hid David, but he found him. He stabbed Caroline, saying he wanted you to watch her die. He took David, Klaus." She cried, biting her bottom lip.
Klaus swallowed hard, and closed his eyes at the pain. He bent over his wife, and touched her face. "Swan, please open your eyes." He whispered, moving his eyes over her face.
"We need to get her to the palace, where I can take care of her." Bonnie stated, in a broken tone.
Klaus nodded numbly, but his eyes held a dangerous glint. Another horse neighed, and Bonnie sighed when she saw Elijah.
Elijah didn't say a word, as he jumped off his horse. He walked over to Caroline, and knelt beside Bonnie.
Caroline moaned lightly, and slowly opened her eyes. "Nik." She whispered, brokenly.
Klaus smiled sadly, and touched her face. "I'm here." He whispered, tears breaking through his eyes.
"He took David." She whispered, tears falling down her eyes. "I tried to prot…tect…hi…." She trailed off.
Klaus shook his head. "Caroline!" He shouted, grasping her face in his hands.
Elijah touched her neck, and sighed. "She's alive, Niklaus. She's just passed out." He replied, softly.
Bonnie grunted, as she tried to stand up. "We need to get her home." She replied, holding her ribs.
Klaus gingerly lifted his wife in his arms, and carried her to his horse in quick movements, with his mind working on a plan. First, he needed to tend to his wife, and then he was going after his son, and last, he was going to kill Marcel.
Slowly…
What did you think? PLEASE NO HARSH COMMENTS!
I know this was an emotion filled chapter, shoot I even cried writing it, but don't worry, Caroline will not die. I would not do that to you or to me! :)
Next Chapter will be up in a few days.
Until Next Time...