Chapter 6

Silence is golden

"Good morning Annabelle", Klaus said smiling.

She smiled too and nodded. She was wearing a simple blue dress. Elijah was with her. He seemed worried.

"Now Annabelle, remember to stay close to Niklaus, do not go anywhere by yourself…"

"We will be fine", Klaus interrupted him and hold out his hand for Annabelle. "Shall we?"

She hugged Elijah tightly before taking his hand. Klaus helped her in the carriage.

"We shall see you in supper time, brother."

"Yes, safe journey."

Klaus got in the carriage and sat opposite to Annabelle. There were only two of them. Two servants were riding behind the carriage.

"Have you ever been in this kind of carriage sweetheart?" Klaus asked.

She shook her head.

"Hmm, this shall be an interesting journey for you then."

She pointed at him and her own throat. Klaus smirked.

"You mean am I going to hurt you? Of course not, I gave my brother my word that no harm would come to you."

She didn't seem convinced.

"No need to worry little girl, you are perfectly safe with me. And I thought this would be a nice opportunity to have a conversation with you. Well, one sided conversation perhaps but no matter."

She looked at him curiously.

"First of all, I must say that I am impressed. It is truly amazing how you have managed to fool everyone. Bravo, well done little girl."

She blinked those big blue eyes of hers looking perfectly innocent. Klaus smiled and touched her cheek.

"You really are quite something. The question is, what might that something be."

She looked at him closely.

"Do you know what I am, little girl?"

She nodded.

"Then you should also know that it is not wise to play games with me. Is that what you are doing?"

She shook her head.

"Hmm we shall see about that."

Klaus wasn't really sure why he was so determined to find out the truth about this girl. She seemed harmless and obviously she was important to Elijah. But he had always valued knowledge and a riddle like her was just too attempting. She looked very calm, like she wasn't afraid of him at all. Somehow that amused Klaus. He grinned when the carriage stopped.

"We shall visit a friend before going to town", he said and opened the carriage door.

Annabelle stood up and allowed him to lift her out. A servant brought a horse for them. Klaus got on the horse and the servant lifted Annabelle in front of him.

"Wait here", Klaus said.

"Yes my lord."

"In case you are wondering, her cottage is in the woods so we cannot take the carriage", Klaus said when he led the horse to a small path. Annabelle leaned her back to his chest. She didn't seem scared. That might change soon. After a short ride they reached Abigail's cottage. She came out and bowed.

"My lord."

She was in her late thirties; she had a dark hair and dark eyes. And she was a witch.

"Abigail, how wonderful to see you", Klaus said smiling when he lifted Annabelle down. "I trust you received my message?"

"Yes, my lord, everything is ready."

Klaus took Annabelle's hand. She was looking at him and Abigail cautiously.

"Oh, no need to worry sweetheart, if you do not have anything to hide."

For the first time Klaus thought that he saw fear in her eyes. He smiled and led her inside the cottage.

"I must ask you to leave us, my lord", Abigail said calmly.

Klaus looked at her.

"Why?"

"It would help me to concentrate. Could you be so kind, my lord?"

"Hmm, fine, I shall wait outside."

"Thank you my lord."

Klaus walked out and Abigail closed the door behind him. He could hear her quiet chanting. Soon he would know what that girl really was. Klaus waited impatiently until Abigail finally opened the door. Annabelle ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. She was crying.

"What happened?" Klaus asked.

"I am afraid that I scared the poor thing", Abigail said with her typical calm tone. "But as far as I can tell, there is nothing special about her. She is just a girl."

"What? That is not possible!"

"Forgive me my lord but that is all I can tell you."

Klaus looked at Annabelle who still hadn't let go of him. He kneeled and wiped away her tears.

"No need to cry little girl", he murmured and stood up. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes my lord", Abigail replied.

"Hmm I see."

Klaus got on the horse and lifted Annabelle in front of him. This was really interesting.

...

She didn't tell him. I had never been so relieved. She knew. I could saw it in her eyes. But for some reason she didn't tell him. If she would have told him, my tears would have been useless. Still I had to do something. Being all scared and helpless was the first thing that came to my mind. I didn't even have to pretend, I really was scared. I was sure that he would want to use me like they did.

But why had she helped me? I remembered hearing that witches were the servants of nature. Perhaps she was afraid what he would do if he would realize what I really was. No man or woman should have that kind of power. Eventually it would corrupt them, make them monsters. And if this person would already be a monster…That certainly wouldn't be a good thing. I didn't know if Lucian had ever been a good man but he certainly wasn't one when I knew him. And the others just followed him blindly.

Klaus hadn't said a word to me when we arrived to the town. He seemed annoyed and thoughtful. I took his hand when he lifted me down from the carriage. He smiled.

"Alright then little girl, I promised to spoil you so we shall get you the most expensive dress that money can buy."

I smiled at him sweetly and hugged him. Maybe he didn't care about this kind of gestures but it wouldn't do any harm to at least try to make him like me. I had a feeling that might someday be very important.