Part 2

"Elijah," Niklaus said. "I think you are clean."

Elijah startled, he hadn't noticed his brother. He wasn't sure how long he had scrubbed his hands and face in the river, just like he always did before returning to Alina after he had fed. The last thing he wanted was his little girl to see what he had become. A murderer. A beast. A monster. He had killed the only woman he had ever truly loved. Because of him, his little girl didn't have a mother anymore. How could he ever forgive himself for that? Maybe he hadn't meant to do it, but that was hardly an explanation. He was nothing more than a monster.

"I thought I asked you to go to Alina," he murmured. "It is not safe for Finn to be alone with her for too long when he has not fed."

"I sent Kol," Niklaus replied. "And I doubt that you have to worry about Finn, he has better self-control than any of us."

That was true; Elijah couldn't deny that he truly envied his brother. Finn was the only one of them who hadn't taken a human life.

"Where is Bekah?"

"I think she went to see if those people have anything in their carriage we could use," Niklaus responded.

Those people. Three men they had just killed. Elijah tried not to think about that. It took a moment before he realized that his brother was looking at him.

"What?"

Niklaus bit his bottom lip.

"I just want to ask… is everything alright with you?"

"Yes, of course," Elijah replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Well… I have noticed how distressed you have seemed and I was wondering…"

"Everything is fine," Elijah cut in firmly. "As fine as it can be under these circumstances."

"Right. I just want you to know that if there is anything I can help you with, all you have to do is ask."

Elijah smiled.

"Thank you, brother, I appreciate that."

None of Elijah's siblings knew what had really happened to Alina's mother and Elijah had no intention to tell them. This was his burden to bear.

"It would be a lie to say that I would not be worried about my daughter," Elijah continued after a moment of silence. "She deserves better than this."

"She is with her family, where she belongs," Niklaus replied. "I have no doubt that we shall find a place where we can settle. A home."

"I hope so," Elijah sighed. "I am her father; I should at least be able to offer her a roof over her head."

Niklaus stepped in front of Elijah and put his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"You are a good father, Elijah, you always has been. That little girl loves you more than anything in this world and she knows you are doing the best you can."

Unfortunately his best wasn't nearly enough. He loved his daughter with all his heart, but she deserved so much more than this.

"We should return to the camp," Elijah murmured after a moment of silence.

Niklaus nodded.

"Yes, we should."

Rebekah hadn't returned yet and there was no sight of Finn, he was probably catching himself a mouse or something. Kol was sitting by the campfire, holding sleeping Alina. He looked up as he heard his brothers coming.

"Is everything alright?" Elijah asked, keeping his eyes on his daughter. She looked so tiny and fragile, snuggling against Kol's chest.

"Yes, everything is fine. She wanted to wait for you, but she was too tired."

Silently Elijah sat down beside Kol and opened his arms. Kol tried to lift Alina up in order to give her to Elijah, but she grabbed his tunic with both hands.

"Sleepy," she protested.

"I know, little darling, but your papa is here."

She opened her eyes immediately.

"Papa!"

Elijah smiled warmly as he picked her up and placed her on his lap.

"There's my little pixie. Have you been good?"

"No," she replied proudly.

Elijah raised an eyebrow.

"No? Have you been naughty?"

She grinned.

"Uh huh."

"Well… What should I do about that?"

"Be the bear!" she cheered.

She laughed as Elijah growled and tickled her, pretending to bite her.

"Have we learned our lesson?"

"No."

Elijah looked at Kol.

"She has spent too much time with you."

Kol smirked.

"Well, I am her favorite uncle."

"Sure you are," Niklaus huffed.

Alina yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"Alright, time to go to sleep, little pixie," Elijah said.

Finn had already placed a blanket on the ground; Elijah laid Alina down and lied down beside her. She had another blanket wrapped around her little body and she used Elijah's arm as a pillow. It made no difference if he was uncomfortable; he only wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. He would have given anything if he could have offered her a home. Hopefully they would find a place to stay, at least for a little while.