Chapter two- Into the woods

Kol stalked through the woods recalling the details of the stories his mother used to tell them about the enchanting witch who lived in the woods by the stream. It was the part of the stream that the villagers feared to go to, it was the section of the woods that none of new generation knew their way around. And the older generations like Kol's parents knew better than to wonder around it. Elijah had asked "Is she ugly with warts and wrinkles mother?"

And their mother had shaken her head gravely and said "No she is beautiful, but that is her weapon to use against you. Like the way your father wields a sword she wields her beauty. If you are ever lost and you see a strange beautiful maiden do not stare for too long, or you shall become intoxicated by simply looking at her."

Kol sighed. He'd spent his entire childhood worried if he'd ever by mistake go to the "forbidden" part of the woods and meet the frighteningly beautiful lady who seemed to have so much fear imprinted into their village.

All his mother had told them to look out for was raven hair, soon after he'd seen a raven haired woman and ran so fast he could barely breathe once he'd finally found his way out of the woods. It had scared him so deeply he had given thanks to the gods every night for a month.

Only to be informed that it was just a villager. Now here he was looking for the woman he'd spent so long fearing. Ironic. It felt foolish now, hurling him-self through the woods at such an hour, just to search for someone who didn't wish to be found. Or if they, did then that couldn't be good.

Kol scanned his surroundings; he wasn't familiar with this area of the woods. That must mean he was getting closer. He felt the weariness and terror blaze in his heart. He should go back; this was a foolish quest to embark on. He had no idea what she would do to him. However it was cold he could either turn back now, or find this witch and hope she would provide him with shelter.

But still the thought of going into her territory where she could do whatever she'd like to him terrified him. He'd come this far, he was not going to give up, or become too afraid to follow through. He wanted to win the witch trials and learn to use his powers, if she could help him then so be the consequences. After what he'd heard his mother say he was going to prove her wrong and best her precious Finn in the trials.

He walked a little further down his legs shaking in the cold winds as he did so. Kol's eye caught sight of a cottage made from stone with a smoking chimney and windows. He ran to the house not caring what might happen after, he would freeze to death out here- the extra tunic he'd worn wasn't enough. Besides he needed to find her. Once he reached the house he pounded on the door. No one answered. Damn.

"Hello. Kol Mikaelson. I've been expecting you." Kol jumped out of his skin as he heard the voice and turned around.

The woman standing behind him was unworldly beautiful; her long thigh length hair fell in thick midnight black mermaid waves; her skin was tanned a strange colour for the people in this village who'd migrated from cold places in Europe, it seemed to glow a beautiful golden colour; her face was well sculptured as were her lips; full at the bottom and shaped expressively at the top; those eyes where the strangest colour he'd ever seen, a sort of amber-gold. Kol realised he'd been gawking for enough time for the silence to be considered uncomfortable. Damn. Honestly she could be no older than him; the thought sent shivers through his spine and slightly unnerved him with its creepiness. She had been here six years.

The woman raised an eyebrow at him. "Please come in, you must be freezing."

Kol nodded as his teeth chattered rather loudly. He stepped aside so she could come and open the door, and with the flick of her wrist and tap on the handle it opened. Kol marvelled in appreciation at the sight of her using magic. She walked inside and gestured for him to follow, which he did.

"Sit down by the fire. Before you freeze to your death." She told him the first part and muttered the last. "You need tea." She said indicating to a boiling cauldron of water and two mugs. Kol nodded as she poured out tea into two mugs and brought it over. He sunk into all the comforting cushions and blankets on the love seat by the fire which instead of being in the centre of the room it was built into the back wall. The beautiful girl sat next to him with the tea and handed his to him. She placed her tea on the wooden side table that had a plant glowing rather greenly on it.

"I understand you need to ask me something." It was a statement not a question. Whatever it was Kol had no idea how to answer it. He never actually thought of how he was going to talk to her. Damn. He could say 'Hello you are absolutely stunning but I shouldn't admire you too long or I'll end up under your spell.

But instead he opted for whatever he could manage to say before his silence became even stranger. She was supposed to be the strange one not him. Damn it.

"I-I-I want you t-to teach me magic." Kol stuttered out. Women did not render him so terrified that he was speechless just by their presence. But gods she was something else. His heart rate quickened when she quirked an eyebrow, clearly that it had peeked her interest. Kol felt warmer, but never more on edge.

He took a sip of his hot drink as she contemplated it with a smirk. It was a delicious flowery flavour. Lavender. Rich and sweet, he'd never had lavender tea before. Her contemplation did not last long when she answered with a grin. "Of course, I'd be delighted."

His eyes widened in shock, and fear. This might not be a good thing. Given the smirk on her face, it really might not be good. "R-really?" He said, half hoping she was lying.

"I meant what I said. Of course. Provided you can collect something of mine." She said her grin was gone, and her voice revealed no waves of emotion. She was a blank canvas. Kol felt his paranoia kick up a notch. What kind of person could switch off so easily? "Collect what?" He inquired trying to sound professional not scared.

She gave him a pointed look. "All in good time." The way she said it sounded like it wasn't arguable. "We begin tomorrow before sunrise." She went on in a 'matter of fact' tone.

Kol opened his mouth about to question or comment but then closed it. The fear of this woman still coursed through his veins. She rose and Kol finished his tea and she guided him to the threshold. When she opened the door the harsh breeze sent chills down his spine, but she appeared unaffected. With no further conversation from her, Kol walked out into the cold November air as he stepped down the path he suddenly brought himself to a halt and whirled around to face her. "My lady what is your name?" He called over the wind projecting his voice in her direction.

"My name is Natasya. And I am not a lady." Natasya said through the wind her hair flying around her like a wild sheet of darkness. With that Kol nodded as he quivered in fear at her powerful tone.

He fled the woods with all his speed once she'd closed the door. Hoping to arrive at his home before someone noticed his departure.

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