Fixing Mistakes
Chapter 5 - Full Moon
"Have you seen Caroline?" Klaus asked Rebekah. It was the day of the full moon and the whole village had been preparing to hide in the caves as the neighbouring villagers turned into wolves at every full moon.
"The last I saw of her she was helping mother gather the children." Rebekah answered.
"Thank you." Klaus smiled at Rebekah, "Make sure you get to the caves soon."
"I will." Rebekah smiled at Klaus's protectiveness, he was a wonderful brother, always looking out for his family, which now included Caroline.
Klaus left Rebekah, making his way over to where he assumed his mother was and hopefully Caroline. He searched a couple of huts before finding Esther, "Mother?"
Esther looked up at Klaus's call, "Yes, son?"
"Have you seen Caroline?" Klaus asked, worry in his voice, "I want to be sure she makes it to the caves before night falls."
Esther smiled, "Caroline took some of the children to the caves." She frowned, becoming worried, "That was several hours ago now. If she is not back in time." Her heart clenched at the possibility of harm coming to Caroline, in the short time she'd been here she had seamlessly become one of them.
"I will not allow anything to happen to her." Klaus vowed, Caroline was precious to him, he would not lose her, now or ever. He spun on his heels and ran through the forest to the caves, calling out Caroline's name. He began to feel afraid.
Caroline counted the heads of the children she had helped walk to the caves, she seemed to be two short, Henrik and his friend Erik were missing. She addressed the children, "Make yourselves comfortable and I will be back soon." Caroline spotted a woman entering the caves, she had dark skin and black dreadlocked hair. She went over to her, "Excuse me?"
The woman turned around, "Yes, child?"
"I have been asked to look after the children but," Caroline had a sheepish look come over her face, "I seem to have misplaced two of them."
"That would be Henrik." She smiled fondly, "That child has wanderlust."
The woman seemed to know Henrik so Caroline asked, "Would you mind watching over the children while I search for them?"
"Of course, child." She held out her hand, shaking Caroline's as she introduced herself, "I am Ayana."
Caroline's grip faltered as she heard Ayana's name, this was Bonnie's ancestor, a very powerful witch by all accounts. A very powerful witch who had just touched her, Bonnie could sense things after touching a person, could Ayana? She swallowed as their gazes locked, Ayana's narrowed gaze suggested that she could. Snatching her hand back her heart raced, "I-I'll return soon." She bolted.
Ayana watched Caroline flee. She had felt something not right when she touched her, the spirits circled her whispering that she was not right, not supposed to be here, from another time. She would get the child alone and receive answers.
Caroline walked through the forest, her heart was still pounding from her encounter with Ayana, she knew something, had felt something when they touched. How much could she have got from one fleeting touch? She may be Bonnie's ancestor but that did not mean she wasn't a threat to her. She would deal with Ayana after she found Henrik and Erik, and had returned them to the caves to wait out the moon. Her eyes widened in horror.
The full moon!
Could this be it? Was Caroline's carelessness the cause of Henrik's demise in this new version of the past. No! She would not allow that. Henrik will not die. She picked up her pace and called out frantically, "Henrik! Erik! Where are you?"
Klaus had searched the whole forest, he was now at the entrance of the cave. He prayed that Caroline was here as the moon was nearing fullness. Going inside he called out, "Caroline?"
"Nik!" Henrik ran to Klaus, smiling at him in excitement, "Will you finally allow me to watch the men turn into wolves?"
Klaus smiled at his brother, ruffling Henrik's hair with affection, "Not this night, Henrik. You are still young and they are dangerous."
"That does not stop you." Henrik pouted.
Klaus grinned, "But I am brave."
"So am I." Henrik stood as tall as his legs would allow, still he only came up to Klaus's chest, "Miss Caroline tells me that I am the bravest boy she has ever met."
Klaus chuckled, "Then who am I to disagree with an angel such as her."
Henrik's pout disappeared to be replaced with a grin of happiness, "So we can go?"
"No." Klaus answered.
Henrik's pout returned.
Klaus couldn't help but laugh at his brothers petulant expression. Any other night and he might have took Henrik up on his suggestion but he was too worried about Caroline to properly look after his brother.
"Why?" Henrik whined, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I must find Caroline." Klaus cocked his head, asking with a serious look on his face, "You do not wish for anything to happen to her?"
Henrik's sour expression immediately cleared to be replaced with one of worry, "No, I do not." He clutched Klaus's hand, "You must find her, Nik. It is not safe for her out there."
"I will find her, Henrik." Klaus crouched down so that he was eye level with Henrik, "Do you wish to know a secret?"
Henrik nodded, "I will not tell anyone."
Klaus grinned and leant forward to whisper into Henrik's ear, "I love her."
A smile took over Henrik's face, "I love her too."
Klaus dipped his head chuckling, lifting his head he explained, "I love her in a different way as to how you do, little brother."
"How?" Henrik asked confused, how else can someone love a person.
"I love Caroline as a man loves a woman." Seeing that Henrik still did not understand Klaus added, "As a husband loves his wife." His heart skipped at the thought of Caroline as his wife.
"As father loves mother?" Henrik asked innocently, finally understanding.
Klaus did not believe that Mikael actually loved their mother but he wouldn't say this to Henrik, so however much it detested him to agree with that statement he did it for Henrik, "Yes."
Henrik smiled in joy, "Then I am happy for you, Nik."
"Thank you." Klaus smiled, kissing the top of Henrik's head, "You join the rest of your friends and I'll make sure that Caroline is safe."
Henrik waved goodbye to Klaus and ran to his friends. They would stay in the caves until the morning when the wolves had turned back into men.
Klaus searched throughout the caves, his worry turning into full on panic at the still missing Caroline. Where could she be? He happened upon Ayana and asked, "Have you seen Caroline?"
"Whom would that be, Niklaus?" Ayana asked, unsure as to whom Klaus was referring to.
"She has blonde hair, extremely beautiful and is wearing a green dress." Klaus replied.
"I have seen her. She brought the children earlier." Ayana found this encounter to be fortunate, she now had the blonde strangers name. When she returned to her home she would use her runes to ascertain why Caroline was here. And if she would need to change that.
"Do you know where she went?" Klaus asked, Ayana was one of the few people who had seen Caroline today and he hoped she knew where she was.
"She went to look for Henrik and another child as they were not with her when she arrived." Ayana answered.
"Henrik is here." Klaus gasped, Caroline was out in the woods searching for someone who was safely in the caves.
"Then you must hope she returned with him." Ayana hoped the girl had, otherwise she would be dead at the hands of the wolves.
"She didn't." Klaus was scared, Caroline was out in the forest alone and would soon be surrounded by wolves.
A howl sounded in the distance, soon followed by more howls. The men had turned.
"It is too late." Ayana knew Caroline would soon be dead, "She is lost."
"No." Klaus growled, anger rising at the careless way Ayana spoke of the one he loved, "She. Is. Not." He shot one last glare at her before running through the caves, he ignored the concerned shouts of his family as he flew past them and left the safety of the cave. His only thought was of Caroline, he had to get to her before the wolves did, he had to save her as he couldn't lose her, please be alright, Caroline.
Caroline froze as she heard the howls of the wolves. She had not noticed the full moon as she had been too focused on finding Henrik and Erik. She had scoured every inch of the forest and she could not find them, she hoped that meant they were safe back at the cave. Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for her.
"Great!" Caroline scowled into the darkness, "I am in a forest surrounded by werewolves who would love nothing more than tearing me apart. At least I'm human and not a vampire otherwise my scent would have been irresistible." She frowned as a thought occurred to her, "Granted I would have been actually able to defend myself or at least run away...and I'm talking to myself. Just great" She rolled her eyes at herself and began backtracking through the forest hoping she could make it back before something found her.
A growl sounded behind her.
"Too late." Caroline whispered, her heart pounding with fear. Slowly she turned around, her body shaking. Her eyes met the golden eyes of a wolf, his lips pulled back in a snarl, "Oh shit!" She took a hesitant step back, "Good doggy."
The wolf threw its head back and howled. The sound eerie and terrifying.
Caroline turned around and ran, the branches hitting her face as she kept moving. Her heart was racing, her breath coming in pants, her limbs felt shaky but she pushed through. She couldn't stop.
The wolf was on Caroline in an instant, his powerful jaws closing around her ankle bringing her down. She cried out as her head hit the ground, she felt dizzy as her world spun, get up! Fight! There is a werewolf chewing on your ankle, she blinked as she tried to regain her equilibrium, FIGHT! Her thoughts finally shook her from her stupor. Raising her other leg she kicked the wolf in its head as hard as she could.
The wolf yelped as it released Caroline's leg. Shaking its head its ears flattened and it began growling. Stalking forward it circled Caroline.
Caroline took a branch off the floor, holding it like a baseball bat she prepared to defend herself.
The wolf licked its lips as it continued growling, all of its razor sharp teeth on show. It bent its legs and launched itself at Caroline.
"Ah!" Caroline screamed as she swung her branch at the wolf as hard as she could.
Klaus was frantically searching the woods for any sign of Caroline when he heard a female scream in the distance followed by a growl.
"Caroline!" Klaus bolted in that direction, praying he wasn't too late.
Caroline's branch connected solidly with the wolf's head making a satisfying whack. The wolf fell at her feet. Not taking any chances she hit it again. And again. Blood covered the bottom of her dress but she didn't care. She was not satisfied that it was dead so she carried on hitting it.
The wolf whimpered and went limp.
Still holding the piece of wood as a weapon Caroline took a tentative step back her eyes never leaving the downed wolf in front of her. When she was a few steps away from the wolf she dared to turn around.
The wolf growled before attacking, leaping off the ground, its jaws poised to sink into her neck.
Caroline spun around and shoved the branch into the wolf's mouth. The force of its leap forced them to the ground, she kept her arms locked straight in front of her keeping the piece of wood lodged in its mouth.
The wolf kept snapping, its sharp teeth cutting through the branch, a few more bites and it would break.
Scared, Caroline took a chance. She wrapped her legs around its body, clenching her thighs tight. She spun them so that she was on top of the wolf, pushing on the wood with all the strength she had.
The wolf thrashed around on the ground, its hind legs scratched at Caroline's back desperately, its growls increasing as its anger grew.
Caroline cried out in pain as the wolf's claws ripped through her dress and cut up her back. She needed to do something soon as she wouldn't be able to hold it off for much longer. In the future she had killed werewolves by removing their hearts, she didn't think she'd be able to as her strength was diminished. She had a piece of wood, she could stab it in the heart, it wouldn't kill it but it would slow it down.
The wolf snapped its jaw and finally snapped the branch in half.
Thinking quickly Caroline raised her hand with the jagged piece of wood and on a yell thrust it into its chest.
The wolf howled as the wood pierced its heart. Whimpering in pain it thrashed its body one last time, throwing Caroline clear. It was not dead but it was down, for now.
Caroline screamed as she sailed through the air before slamming into a tree. Falling to the ground she hit her head on a rock. Her head became fuzzy and her limbs heavy. She tried with everything she had to keep her eyes open, frantically fluttering her eyelashes to stay awake but it was of no use. Her eyes slipped closed.
Caroline was unconscious.
The wolf was unconscious.
Klaus ran as fast he could, the screams and growls growing louder as he grew nearer. His heart was racing in terror. Then he heard a howl, a scream and then nothing.
Silence.
"CAROLINE!" Klaus yelled in desperation, hoping against all hope that she would reply. She didn't. Tears falling from his eyes he finally entered the clearing, the sight before him caused a sob to escape him.
There was blood everywhere.
A wolf was passed out on the ground, a piece of wood in its chest, covered in blood.
Caroline lay unconscious beside a tree. She had a cut on her forehead, blood trickling from the wound, covering the side of her face and turning some of her hair red. The bottom of her dress was soaked with blood and mud.
Klaus ran to Caroline falling to his knees beside her. Sobbing in despair he pushed the hair away from her face, "Caroline..." He placed his fingers at her throat and cried with relief as he felt a pulse. He gently cradled his arm under her neck, his other beneath her knees and he lifted her. Holding her tightly to him he ran back to the caves. Praying he wouldn't come across any more wolves.
Rebekah chewed her nail as she watched the entrance, hoping that Klaus and Caroline came through. She was so scared for them, they were out in the woods alone with blood thirsty wolves. She couldn't lose any of her family.
Finn was full of worry for his brother and the sweet girl who'd come to live with them. He couldn't lose another member of his family, he and Elijah were the only ones around to remember their fallen brother, Aaron, he had been taken by the plague. It had devastated their family. He prayed that his brother and Caroline would be spared.
Kol was scared for Caroline and Klaus. He had grown fond of Caroline over the weeks she had been with them, even though she picked his brother over him he considered her his friend. Her sense of fun and adventure were similar to his, let them be alright.
Elijah feared for the safety of his brother, it would destroy him if he lost Klaus while they were on bad terms. Tatia had all but destroyed their brotherly bond, her constant switching of affections caused them to fight on many occasions. Elijah swore that if Klaus survived he would make it right, he would apologize to his brother and beg his forgiveness. His family meant everything to him and he would do anything to make that so again.
Henrik was afraid, Klaus had left to look for Caroline ages ago and he was yet to return. The sounds of howls and growls were the only thing they could hear. Henrik clutched himself closer to his mother, not knowing what he'd do if his brother and Caroline never came back. It hurt to think about.
Esther looked down at Henrik as his hold tightened, she stroked his head to try and comfort him. She looked around at her family and saw the same worry on all their faces. Her heart broke at the thought of losing yet another child, Aaron's death had almost destroyed her. Their journey to the new world was supposed to be a new start, but on arriving here they discovered the men who turned in to wolves. They arranged a peace between them and as long as they hid during the full moon they would be safe.
"MOTHER!" Klaus yelled as soon as cleared the entrance, Caroline's limp form hanging from his arms.
Esther jumped up at her sons frantic yell. Her heart lurched as she saw Caroline's bloodied state. She turned to Henrik and ordered, "Go and find Ayana."
"Yes, mother." Henrik immediately ran to find Ayana, he was scared for Caroline, she looked as if she was hurt badly.
"What happened?" Esther asked as Klaus placed Caroline in front of her.
"I did not see what happened." Klaus replied, gently laying Caroline on the ground, "When I arrived there was a wolf on the ground with a piece of wood in its chest and Caroline was unconscious."
"She killed a wolf?" Esther asked shocked. No one had ever harmed a wolf before, she did not know what this meant for the treaty between their villages. Looking down at Caroline she found she did not care what the consequences were, the wolf had hurt a child in her care. She was just grateful that Caroline had won and was still alive.
"I do not think she did." Klaus recalled the scene he had come across, "The wolf still breathed."
"Good." Esther was relieved, she did not want to explain a broken treaty to Mikael on his return.
"I would not care if she had." Klaus hissed. He did not care if Caroline had killed one wolf or a hundred wolves, as long as she was alive that was all that mattered to him, "She lives," he tenderly stroked her hair back from her forehead, "that is what matters."
"I know." Esther smiled at the care her son showed Caroline, it warmed her heart to see Klaus in love at long last. Tatia was not love, she was an infatuation that he mistook for love.
Caroline began groaning.
"Ah, she nears waking." Esther knew this was a good sign, if Caroline woke she would be alright. She got her basket and removed some items that she would need, "Rebekah?" She first thought of asking Klaus for help but she knew he would not leave Caroline's side, "Fetch a bowl of water please."
"Of course." Rebekah hurried to complete her task, coming back to Esther within minutes, "Here you go, mother."
"Thank you." Esther took the bowl placing it on the ground. She took some herbs and began mixing them with the water to make a healing balm. As she finished Henrik returned with Ayana.
Ayana glanced at Caroline, her injuries were severe but not unsurviveable, given the right care she would heal. She looked at Esther's balm, "Have you done the incantation yet?"
"No." Esther replied, still mixing the herbs, "I have only made the balm." She looked up at Ayana, "Would you do the spell with me?"
"I will." Ayana kneeled down next to Caroline. She dipped her hand in Esther's healing balm and placed her palms on Caroline's temple.
Esther placed her wet hands on Caroline's chest. Making eye contact with Ayana she nodded and they began the incantation.
"Spiritus, audi et nostras voces. Sana hoc pupus. Spiritus, audi et nostras voces. Suna his vulnus. Spiritus, audi et nostras voces. Consua his secat. Spiritus, audi et nostras voces. Sanguinem sistit. Spiritus, sana sua." Esther and Ayana repeated the chant, their voices growing louder with each new repetition. Under their hands Caroline began to heal, until finally her wounds vanished and her breathing deepened. She was asleep.
"Pass me a blanket, Elijah." Esther asked Elijah.
Elijah picked up a blanket and gave it to Esther, "There you go, mother."
Esther smiled at Elijah in gratitude. She covered Caroline with the blanket before addressing Klaus, "She is healed, Niklaus. Let her sleep and she will be fine by the morn."
"I will not leave her." Klaus vowed. He will stay and watch over Caroline until the morning.
"As you wish." Esther smiled at her sons devotion, his obvious love for this girl bringing her joy. She kissed Klaus on the forehead, "Night, my son."
Klaus smiled at his mother, "Night, mother." Before Esther could leave he took her hand, "And thank you," he caught Ayana's gaze, "both of you, for saving her."
Esther squeezed Klaus's hand in reply before leaving him to his vigil. She was tired from the days events and was ready to lay down her head.
Ayana nodded her head, "I am a healer. It is my duty to heal those whom ask for it." She left Klaus to return to her spot to wait out the rest of the moon.
Henrik, Kol, Finn and Rebekah said their goodnights to Klaus before going to sleep. Their hearts were lighter now that Caroline would survive.
It did not escape Klaus's attention that Elijah had remained, moments later he sat beside him, "What do you want, Elijah?"
Elijah sighed at the greeting, it would take time to heal the rift with his brother. He kept his gaze forward as he answered Klaus, "I want my little brother back."
"It is not I whom forsook you." Klaus replied, his back stiffening.
"I know." Elijah admitted quietly, "I placed love before my own family and for that I am deeply ashamed."
Klaus pondered for a minute before responding, "Would you have come to this decision on your own? Or is it because I realized that I deserved better than Tatia and her unwinnable heart."
Klaus's words were harsh but nevertheless true. Elijah was ashamed to admit that once Klaus found someone new, he had began to see Tatia for what she really was. Selfish, childish and incapable of giving her heart to just one man. He looked at his brother as he answered, "Ashamed as I am to admit it, you are right."
"I should hold more resentment against you than I do." Klaus stroked his thumb against Caroline's cheek, "But I have Caroline, a wonderful beautiful girl I would not be fortunate enough to court if I and I alone held Tatia's interest."
"Does that mean that I am forgiven?" Elijah's gaze was hopeful. He loved all of his family but he was closest to Klaus, before Tatia's arrival and their estrangement.
"Yes." Klaus smiled at Elijah, his heart actually felt lighter now that he and Elijah had put the past behind them.
Elijah stood up, "I will leave you to watch over Caroline." He squeezed Klaus's shoulder, "I am happy that you have found someone whom sees you for who you are." With those words he left his brother and joined the rest of his siblings in slumber.
Klaus laid beside Caroline, his eyes taking in her beautiful features, even covered in dirt and blood she was still stunning. Klaus placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, "Sleep well, my love." He intertwined their hands together, allowing his eyes to close and sleep to claim him.
Caroline's eyes fluttered as she began to awaken. She felt a pair of hands cradle her head and a cup of water brought to her lips. She drank eagerly, her mouth parched.
"Drink up, sweetheart." Klaus encouraged Caroline.
Caroline's eyes shot to Klaus's at his use of sweetheart, long hair, still Niklaus. She smiled at him in thanks, sitting up she asked, "What happened?"
"You were attacked by a wolf," Klaus replied, "you managed to wound it. I found you and brought you to the caves where my mother and her friend Ayana healed you."
Caroline remembered her fight with the wolf, she was extremely lucky to survive the encounter. She knew the wolf was not dead as she'd only stabbed it in the heart and not removed it completely, "When I see them I will thank them."
Klaus could not resist any longer, he wrapped his arms around Caroline and clutched her, "I was so scared that I'd lost you."
Caroline curled her arms around Klaus and ran her fingers through his hair to comfort him, "I'm okay." She brushed a kiss across his cheek, "I'm not going anywhere."
Klaus pulled back to look in Caroline's eyes, "Promise?"
"I promise." Caroline replied softly, a tender smile on her lips.
Klaus cradled Caroline's face between his palms, covering her mouth with his and indulging himself in her taste to try and forget his fear.
Caroline returned Klaus's kiss, her hands running along his back as she shared his passion.
"She is even stronger than we thought." Ara was pleasantly surprised at the strength within Caroline.
Nera agreed, "She was able to fight off a werewolf as nothing more than a regular human."
Ara observed the couple, "Even Niklaus grows stronger with her influence."
"The bond is forming." Nera's voice echoed across the chamber, a sure sign she was seeing with her sight, "Soon enough, it can never be broken."
"When that happens she can return." Ara revealed.
"They will be complete." Nera responded, they had taken a risk sending Caroline to the past, one which seemed to be paying off.
Soon, their bond will be unbreakable.
TBC
AN - What did you guys think? A very action packed chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it. Thank you all for your great reviews, they mean the world to me. Until next time X X X
The healing spell latin translation.
Spiritus, audi et nostras voces.(Spirits, hear our voices.) Sana hoc pupus.(Heal this child.) Spiritus, audi et nostras voces.(Spirits, hear our voices.) Suna his vulnus.(Heal these wounds.) Spiritus, audi et nostras voces.(Spirits, hear our voices.) Consua his secat.(Stitch these cuts.) Spiritus, audi et nostras voces.(Spirits, hear our voices.) Sanguinem sistit.(Stop the bleeding.) Spiritus, sana sua.(Spirits, heal her.)
As ever if it is incorrect blame Google Translate!
To the guest reviewer Radvile, here is my reply:
Thank you so much! I am happy you are enjoying all my stories (even the old ones!)
Your idea is very good and extremely detailed and well thought out. I think it would make an excellent story.
I'm afraid that at this time I cannot write it, though I am honoured that you thought of me to write it. I am about to start writing the sequel to my other story; The Twilight Saga: Breaking Klaus, and I will not have the time.
Do not give up! I'm sure there is another writer on here whom would do it justice. There are a lot of talented writers on here.
Good luck!
Clairegleek X X X
And to guest Justine:
Thank you! You are very sweet, that means a lot to me. There will be no scenes of the present. I have a very specific idea for when the past and present collide, so to speak :-) It will not be for a while now.