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I'm too excited for you guys to read so go go go!

Enjoy!

I sat looking at the withered sheet of parchment in my hand. Caroline's angelic features were brought to life by smooth charcoal lines- the curve of her lips, the shine in her eyes.

I put it down on the pile of drawings, picking up the glass bottle filled with amber liquid and taking a swing.

There were sketches of her on Spade, sitting on the couch in the parlor, sitting on the rock by the lake. My favorites ones were the ones where she was smiling, her light practically radiated off the page.

But no matter how accurate the sketch, nothing was better than having the real thing here.

I wanted to hear the sound of her voice, the echo of her laugh through the room. I longed for her touch, the feel of her bare skin against mine, her plump lips and soft hair.

The morning I had woken up without her there had been one of the worst. I could almost feel her tucked into my side, her fingers laced through mine, her long blonde locks spread out over my chest.

By I was teased by the cold sheets.

She hadn't said goodbye, but she treated that night like a goodbye.

Her kisses were more passionate, her fiery touch transmitted all her emotions and we spent the night wrapped up in each other, worshipping each other.

I made her mine, marked her as my mate and she seemed to be doing the same- ruining me for every other woman who would cross my path.

There would be no one after Caroline.

Another swing. I rested my head on the back of the armchair I was sitting in. The curtains were drawn, keeping the library dark and secluded.

I had been sitting like that since the moment I found out she was gone, looking at sketches of her, drinking my way through my supply of alcohol.

Suddenly I felt a shift in the air.

I listened for any activity around the cabin, but everything was silent.

I walked around the room, furrowing my brow as I got an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of my stomach- something was wrong.

I put my bottle down and walked out of the cabin, following the familiar route to the werewolf camp.

I ran as fast as I could but remained stealth, staying quiet and making sure I had a clear view of every angle around me.

I slowed down as I got closer to the edge of the camp, walking at human pace.

I watched first- everything looked about the same. Some of the werewolves walked around carrying firewood and supplies. Some of the women were tending to their homes while others were at the fire pit, cooking what seemed to be the camp's lunch.

There was no panic and everything seemed to be normal.

I stepped into the camp's boundaries, my hands clasped behind my back.

As I passed each werewolf they bowed their heads in respect and I acknowledged them, looking around carefully.

Suddenly, something flew past my head, whizzing through the air and lending on the tree behind me- an arrow.

I turned in the direction from which it had come and watched as figures began to appear between the trees. They were dark at first, their forms protected by the shadows. But as they stepped forward, the red cloaks came into view.

The Council.

They surrounded the camp, a myriad of red cloaks and burly men creating a sort of human fence around the area.

The werewolves seemed to pick up on the eminent danger and began forming their ranks. They stood shoulder to shoulder behind me, their eyes darting everywhere.

I did the same, but kept a calm and cool exterior.

"Who here is known as Niklaus?" A female voice echoed through the air, the sound bouncing off the trees. I couldn't find the source- she must have been hiding.

"It depends on who would like to know" I replied with a smirk, watching the particularly large group of Council members in front of me. The stance of the soldiers in front suggested that they were protecting something- or somebody.

I immediately thought of Caroline- was she responsible for this? Was this why she left? She hadn't told me why she was leaving and I assumed that we had been on the same page. Maybe it was all just a ruse to get me to let her go...

The crowd parted and a particularly unkempt William Forbes landed on the ground. He coughed a couple of times before pushing himself up and onto his feet, swaying back and forth before he was able to regain his balance.

A figure in a red cloak stepped forward and stood next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

The man let out a muffled yelp and fell to his knees, the figure in the red cloak kept her hand on his shoulder.

"Is that him?" The woman said and his eyes landed on me. He nodded frantically and the woman let go of his shoulder. He fell to the ground and rolled onto his side, clutching his shoulder and gasping for breath.

"You are Niklaus" The woman stated.

"The one and only" I said, taunting the woman. She reached up and removed her cap, her blonde hair falling out over her shoulders.

I tried not to look surprised, but the resemblance to Caroline was undeniable. I smirked, figuring out a way to faze her momentarily.

"And you must be Elizabeth Forbes" I quipped and watched as her eyes grew wider. "Aren't you supposed to be dead?" I question cocking my head to the side.

"That is not of importance" She said, waving the detail aside and acting like as if it hadn't fazed her. "So you are Niklaus, the leader of this werewolf camp?"

"Alpha" I corrected with a smirk. The Council soldiers around the camp seemed to huf or growl in annoyance.

"You are the alpha, correct?" Elizabeth asked again, much more annoyed than before. I nodded and she continued "Very well. I have a proposition for you, Niklaus"

"Proceed" I said and waited for her to continue. There was no way I was going to accept what the Council would propose, but listening would buy me some time to think of a strategy.

"We are here for the sole purpose of maintaining the balance between your supernatural world and the mortal world. Years ago we believed we had restored that balance when we attacked this camp, but it seems you have been able to replenish and grow once more" She said the last part with what sounded like a low growl and I chuckled.

"Yes, we do seem to be quite a nuisance" I quipped and some of the wolves laughed.

"The only reason you and your camp are a threat to the balance-" She continued her speech as though I had not interrupted "is because you are much too large"

"And much too strong" I added, knowing that that was the main reason. It wasn't because we were too large- there was at least one other werewolf pack that was about as large as mine. But they weren't attempting what I was attempting.

She remained stoic, once again ignoring my comment, but the annoyance and slight worry was evident in her features.

"Our proposition is that you disband your camp permanently, and we will let you all live" She threatened.

I looked at her pensively, eyeing the small army that surrounded us and the crowd that was gathered behind her.

"Alright, now let's say that I accept this proposition-" I paced around a bit before stopping "What would I get?" I asked.

"What do you mean? Isn't keeping your life enough for you?" She asked bewildered and I chuckled again.

"No, no, no. See- your proposition lacks meat" I continued and began getting closer to her. "If I disband this camp permanently," I turned and gestured to the wolves behind me "We all leave this place unscathed, and I get to keep Caroline" I said seriously.

"Why would you want Caroline?" She asked, taken aback.

"Oh, I was having quite a lot of fun with her before she managed to run away. I'd like her back" I added possessively. It wasn't a lie, and I thought for a second that if they did agree to my terms, I would agree to theirs. If it meant having Caroline back, I would do anything.

"She's not yours!" I heard someone yell and I saw some shuffling along the edge of the camp. One of the Council soldiers was trying to get closer while two others held him back "Leave her alone!" He yelled again and continued to fight against the other soldiers. I threw him a smirk, catching on.

"You must be Tyler Lockwood" I said, disgusted. The only thing keeping me from ripping his head off right then was the fact that it would immediately wage a war, and I needed more time to think.

"How do you know who I am?" He asked, freezing momentarily.

"Caroline might have mentioned you- once" I taunted and he began thrashing again.

"That is enough" Elizabeth said and I turned my attention back to her.

"Those are my conditions" I said seriously and made my way back to my place in front of the pack, watching as Elizabeth Forbes weighed her options.

The fact that she was even considering handing her daughter off someone as dangerous as me proved that she didn't care in the least about her daughter.

She probably did at some point, but that is what happens when you join the Council- you are stripped of your emotions so that you do not have a weakness. Especially their leaders.

I had once lived based on that doctrine, but that was before I met Caroline. Her light and kindness was something that not even the darkest beings could deny.

"No," Elizabeth finally said "I do not agree to your conditions" She said with finality.

"Very well" I said with a curt nod.

Then all hell broke loose.

"We're never going to make it!" I shouted to the blonde running ahead of me. The air whooshing past me and the sound of Spade's hoof beats pounding against the earth drowned out my voice but I knew Rebekah had heard me.

She began to slow down a while later.

"How did they even get there so fast?" I asked and watched as she began looking around. She walked around trees and examined the ground.

"They used a portal potion, and a rather large one at that" She started as she continued to examine our surroundings "Your witch friend Bonnie must have prepared it for them" She said more to herself than to me.

"Alright, but why have we stopped?" I asked frantically. If they had used the portal potion that she spoke of, they could be there already, and we were still here.

"Portal potions tend to stay open for a while after they have been used. It has to be around here..." She trailed off as she stopped in front of a tree "Here"

"There?" I asked skeptically. The tree looked normal to me.

She reached forward to touch the tree's trunk, but her hand disappeared.

"Yes, here" She said before stepping in.

I watched in wonder as she completely disappeared into the tree's trunk. When she didn't come back, I hopped off of Spade and grabbed my bow and arrows, slinging the quiver over my shoulder and holding on tightly to the bow. I patted Spade's side and tied him to a nearby tree before turning back to the tree.

I took a deep breath and got closer to the trunk before stepping in.

I walked a little bit further before stopping.

I slowly opened my eyes and found that I was still in the woods, but when I looked back, Spade was gone.

It worked.

I looked around until some movement caught my attention. Through the foliage, I saw figures running back and forth. As I got closer, there was shouting and screaming.

I pushed through a bush and found myself at the edge of the clearing where Klaus's cabin was located.

But now there were bodies on the floor, Council soldiers fighting what I assumed were werewolves (but they had not transformed).

I looked around frantically and caught a glimpse of Rebekah, standing on the outskirts of the fight like I was.

She looked over at me and I nodded, understanding that she couldn't join the fight because it would blow her cover.

I looked back at the tumult of people, searching for anyone I knew.

I stepped in, fighting off anyone that would get in my way.

I dodged a punch and swung my bow around to hit my attacker in the in the ribs. He doubled over and I kicked him to the ground. As soon as he was down another attacker came at me.

I didn't care who I was hitting, I was just trying to find Klaus or my mom or anyone that I could get to to stop this.

As I got rid of another attacker someone hit me square in the jaw, the momentum of the hit sending me back.

I turned back to my new attacker, holding my hands up in defense. My eyes widened as soon as I saw the long brown hair and olive skin.

"Caroline?" Elena said, just as shocked as I was. I looked her over, noticing the red cloak as well as the blood and cuts that were all over her. She was breathing heavy, just like me. But there was something different about her- something I had seen the day I had gone down to the Council headquarters.

"Elena" I stated, taking in a deep breath. She would remember why she was here and why I was here soon, and I didn't know how she would react.

"How- why?" She stuttered a couple of times but I couldn't answer either question. I didn't really know why I was there. All I knew was that as soon as I heard that Klaus was possibly in danger, I wanted to be here with him.

The moment of hesitation seemed to be enough for her and something shifted in her eyes. Her Council training kicked in and she lunged forward, her fist almost connecting with my jaw again.

"Elena-" I tried to get her to listen but as soon as I dodged one blow, she dropped to the floor and tried to kick my legs out from under me. I jumped before she could, anticipating her move.

She got to her feet and attacked again, going for a punch, and then another. I blocked each advance and ducked away from each blow.

"Elena I don't want to-" I started, but before I could finish, instinct kicked in and I swung my arm, hitting her cheekbone. I froze, not knowing what to do.

She looked at me appalled. I took a step back and she attacked again.

She would hit, I would hit. She would block, I would block. She would kick, I would kick.

We weren't evenly matched but we were both holding back. Well, at least I was. She was still the Elena I had grown up with, the one I had gotten along with better than Katherine. She was my best friend who I went to when I was feeling hurt or needed to talk.

I took one step back and my foot caught on something, sending me to the ground. As soon as I hit the ground I felt something pressing down on my windpipe and I opened my eyes to see Elena with her forearm on my neck.

"El-" I started, but talking hurt too much. I gasp for breath but it only made it worse.

"Why Caroline? Why would you lie?" She started "You could have told the truth and now you could be fighting side by side with your family and friends" She said, sounding sad.

"I-" I tried again, but it was impossible. My vision started to get splotchy and I started to see black dots everywhere.

Then the pressure went away and I coughed, catching my breath.

I looked back up, tears gather in my eyes. Through the blur I saw Elena standing over me. She looked down, a sad look in her eyes before she turned away.
I coughed again and pushed myself up. After taking a few breaths I made my way through the crowd, this time dodging all the attackers, trying not to waste any energy.

I finally reached what seemed to be the center of the entire fight and caught a glimpse of Tyler pulling back an arrow, aiming for something in front of him.

Time slowed down as I turned my head and saw Klaus on his knees, bloody and beat, held down by three Council soldiers.

I was only a few meters away from him.

I took off, sprinting the short distance to place myself in front of him as the arrow flew through the air.

I closed my eyes and waited for the arrow to hit me. I hoped the Lockwood boy wouldn't have good aim, but that was wishful thinking.

But the arrow never hit.

Instead, something heavy fell on my lap.

I opened my eyes and saw the body that had fallen on me. The porcelain skin, the long golden locks, the small frame.

I felt the grip around my arms loosen as the Council soldiers let me go. I kept staring at the body.

I looked up momentarily to catch a glimpse of Tyler's horrified expression. I saw Elizabeth as well, her face as shocked as Tyler's.

I looked down at the body again, the arrow that was meant for my heart pierced through her chest.

With cold hands I grabbed her shoulder, pulling her gently so that I could get a better look at her face.

It couldn't be her. Please don't let it be her.

Her eyes were wide, her emerald orbs empty. Her pink lips were parted, her once glowing skin was now pale.

It was her.

I snapped the end of the arrow and pulled out the remaining piece, throwing it aside.

"Come on, Caroline" I whispered, cradling her in my arms. I bit into my wrist and placed it in her mouth, letting a good amount of blood into her system. "Come on, sweetheart. Wake up" I brushed aside some stray strands of hair from her face.

"Nik," I heard Rebekah whisper from behind me but didn't acknowledge her.

"What did you do?" I said in a low and dangerous voice to the Lockwood boy who was still frozen in his spot. "What did you do!" I roared and everything silenced.

The fighting stopped. All talking and shouting stopped. Nature even seemed to stop.

I turned back to Caroline, not daring to waste another breath on the idiot boy. He would get what he deserved later.

I bit into my wrist again, reopening the wound and pressing it to her lips again.

"It will not work" A raspy voice came from behind me and I turned to see William Forbes staggering forward. He was more beat up than when I had seen him earlier, but he managed to walk.

"Her body will not accept it" He said before looking down at his daughter sadly, a single tear escaping and running down the side of his face. "It is part of carrying the warrior gene. She was blessed with speed, agility, the ability to resist compulsion. But once her time came, there is nothing that can reverse it" He explained

The breeze swept through the clearing then and I looked around at all the bloody faces- some of my werewolves and some of the Council soldiers. They all watched as my Caroline slipped away from me, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Just like with Henrik, this was all my fault.

I turned back to Caroline and carefully closed her eyes.

I felt the moisture on my cheeks before I realized I was crying. I leaned down and placed my forehead on hers.

Everything was silent.

Suddenly, Caroline started to get lighter. I opened my eyes in time to see her body disappear, the wind taking away any traces of her.

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked bewildered. I felt Rebekah coming closer and she placed a hand on my shoulder

"Allow me to shed some light on the matter" She said with a wry smile.

I banged my fist in the wooden door and it creaked against the pounds. Silence.

I looked around the village. The streets were empty and hardly any windows had candles lit.

Rebekah stood next to me as we waited. A set of footsteps came toward the door before it swung open to reveal the Bennett witch.

"Hello, Bonnie" Rebekah said with a small smile. The witch gave her a curt nod.

"You must be Klaus" She said staring right at me.

"My reputation must precede me" I said rather uninterested. The only reason I was here was because Rebekah said that she would be able to give me some answers as to why Caroline's body vanished after she died.

"Yes, well I hope you don't feel offended but I will not be inviting you in this evening" She spat back- witches had never been fans of vampires.

"I just need you to answer some questions" I said.

"Tell me something first," She started, her tone of voice shifting from defensive to a more serious tone "Did Caroline...die?" She swallowed as she finished.

"Yes" Rebekah said without missing a beat. The witch nodded.

"She came to me before you left. I'm sure you were listening to our conversation?" She said, looking at Rebekah.

"Of course" Rebekah replied. The witch nodded again and then turned to me.

"Caroline came to me before she left and asked me to perform a spell. She knew that she would be facing death today by going after the Council to try and save you, so she asked me to perform a soul mate's spell" The witch said and then shifted her weight to lean against the threshold of the door.

"It was simple since your souls were already linked" She added and looked down. I assumed Caroline had told her about our...marking.

"So why did she disappear?" I asked.

"I didn't know exactly what would happen, but I assumed since you are immortal, something of this nature would occur" She said.

"What do you mean you didn't know what would happen?" I asked. She didn't know Caroline would disappear?

"You have to understand that this situation had never been faced before" She huffed "But my assumptions seem to be correct. It seems that Caroline's soul has passed on to the other side, where she will be waiting for her own body to be reborn"

"So...she's alive?" I asked, not sure if I should be relieved.

"In theory, yes" The witch nodded.

"So, when do I get to see her again?" I asked, remembering the feeling of her body disappearing in my arms.

"That, I am not certain" She said, looking at the ground "Nature favors balance, and she will come into the world of the living once again when nature sees it fit" She said cryptically. "But, I am not certain her memories will be in tact. She may suppress any memory of her former life until the time is right"

"And when will that be?" I asked impatiently. I had dealt with witches before and they were always very spiritually oriented. They believed that nature would always restore balance, but she had to know at least something.

She shook her head and I saw the tears building up in her eyes.

I had lost my lover, but I would see her again. Bonnie had lost her long time friend, but she would never see her again.

"Only time will tell."

Plot twist and cliff hanger? I am a terrible, terrible person.

Anyways, I finish my summer classes this Friday so I am hoping to get something up this weekend.

I am just way to excited for the next chapter! I think it's probably one of my favorites.

Bye for now!

~M

P.S.: Thank you to everyone who's been reviewing, favoriting and following this story! (If I get to 100 reviews by the end of today I might be persuaded into surprising y'all this weekend *wink wink*)