Klaus

The men and I gathered for a quick meeting. Some were quiet and looked at me to speak, others were not afraid to speak freely of what they thought of the situation.

Kol slammed his hand on the table. "There is nothing to discuss here, Klaus! That witch showed us enough. She is dangerous and must be slathered with no further explanation."

I nodded. "I agree. We should finish this matter quickly as possible."

Kol draw his sword from its sheath, hung on the right side of his belt. "I say we kill her now. I hate to give precious time for a dangerous creature waiting for its death."

The men let out a loud "yeah". I also want this mysterious girl to be finished off quickly, but there's something about her. According to her clothing, she could be involved in an important class. If I allow my men to kill her, then there might be a bit of a situation that involves the court. My work here is not finished yet. If that damn Salvatores find out about the arrangements I have been trying to hide here, then its all over for us and I would have to runaway again.

"Wait! Quiet down!"

The men silenced and turned their attention to me. Elijah placed a hand on my shoulder. "What is the matter, brother? Do you have an objection to our decision?"

"Yes. We must think about this a little more thoroughly?"

Kol pierced the blade straight on the table. "What is there to think about, brother? If we let that thing live, every one of us will be dead by its bloody magic."

"Kol, you don't seem to realize the possibility of what could happen to us if we kill this girl? The way I see her, she is no commoner nor wealthy, but she seems to be involved with the nobles. If we just finish her, there will be an investigation of her disappearance and it will lead straight to us. I'm sure Damon is aware of our rebellion by now. But killing a girl that his nobles might be involved with gives him the easiest advantage to shut us down. Do you want to runaway again? Did you enjoy hiding in France; not being able to go out to public without in disguise; stealing stranger's pocket pouches; eating leftovers from a nearby innkeeper's motel? Those days may be over right now, brother, but they will return if we don't take precautions."

Kol did not speak, but I can still see the sign of determination and anger remained in his eyes. I continued. "I say, we give this trial a rest for just one day. One of you go and gather any information about this girl; her occupation, family, name and age. Until tomorrow at dawn, we will have this meeting again and make an official agreement. Agreed?"

All the men nodded. Matt raised his arm. "I'll go and start the search, sir."

I nodded. "Alright."

The men began to leave except for Elijah and Kol. As expected, Kol attacked me with all his endless thinking.

"Klaus, I understand you are giving this matter a rest to be careful with the Salvatores, but can't we not postpone the meeting to midnight?"

Elijah grabbed his shoulders. "Kol, you just can't stop yourself, can you? The decision has already been made, now go and return to your training."

"But Elijah, you agree with me. Don't –"

Elijah pushed him out of the room before he could speak another word. When silence returned to the room, he faced his attention back to me.

"I usually don't agree with Kol, but I agree with him on this one. Let's settle this matter tonight. I don't like the idea of having any more prisoners in camp."

"I already told you the reasons why we can't do that, brother. I know what I am doing on this. In fact, I am going to see this girl in person and try to find out how she got here in the first place. One of the gypsies must have made a deal with her for a piece of jewelry. Three girls were almost raped a week ago in that bloody saloon from the same reason. I am trying to take control of those gypsies, and look what has resulted of their stubborness; an unwelcome witch was led here. For now, leave this case to me."

"Just be careful. For a minute I thought there was going to be another problem with you?"

I frowned. "A problem? What do you mean by that?"

Elijah curved a smile. "Oh, Klaus you're a man. Whether she's a witch or not, she is quite a beauty, is she not?"

"I haven't noticed."

He turned to leave, hiding a quiet chuckle. "Sure you were. A gesture to be the one to carry such a distressed young peach like her certainly does not show an interest that grown in your diminutive ass."

~ Everyone watched me enter the tent that my men guarded. Rumors about the witch just fled madly fast. Many of the gypsies encouraged me to end her already. Of course, I ignored them and informed them to be patient, but it is not an easy task when some choose to spit or curse at my face of my refusal.

The girl is bounded in shackles to head to toe. Her arms embraced her folded legs to her chest; her hair fell down freely as she pressed her forehead on top of her arms.

I turned to the guards. "This won't take long. Make sure nobody is near this tent. Understood?"

The four of them nodded. I went back inside. It is strange how still she is. I wonder if she's even alive. I walked closer to her and bend down to my knees.

"Hey, hey wake up. Can you hear me?"

"I could hear you clearly, Klaus MIchaelson? I'm not dead."

"Are you a mind reader too?"

She finally lifted her head. "Do I look like one?"

"You sit like a statue. Just making sure you're alive."

She unfolded her arms and placed her hand on her chin. "You know I got a question for you. Are you a criminal, a traitor or an invisible outsider with a diminutive ass?"

I smiled. She is a feisty one. While she's alive, I think it will be a little amusing from the remaining hours she has left. "Can you hear things that well?"

"Clear enough to hear Kol strike the ridiculous sword of his. Let me guess? Tomorrow at dawn, my head will be spiked on that thing?"

"Perhaps. If you're existence turn out to have some importance."

"Ah. So Mystic Falls will be safe from the king? Instead of you going on with your useless questions, let me start with some of my own that I thought of while your gypsies dragged me here. What are you doing really? What is your intention to do all this?"

"So you were telling the truth, you are not a mind reader."

"Do you hate the king so much that caused you to build this rebellion? Why not just live somewhere else, and start a business to live well off?"

"Because if I do live such a life, I will end up living with the regret of not ever trying to avenge the king of my father's death."

Her face fell and she started to turn around, the shackles jiggling along as her body moved. I crawled back to her. "What is the matter? Why are you now ignoring me?"

"I didn't expect you to answer my pointless questions...I'm this witch you all think I am. Why are you answering my questions?"

I lifted an eyebrow. "Because you asked, and since you are going to die sooner or later, I might as well grant your simple request. And right now, I am beginning to be convinced you are something else other than a witch."

Her eyes fell low to the ground. There is no sign of fear or a single flinch, but I could still see concern after hearing me say these words. What is she then? I can't seem to think of any creature that could result to a remarkable blood less human.

I grabbed her chin and lifted it up until her eyes met mine. "What are you then? Tell me."

"Your men didn't believe me when I told them I'm not a witch. So why should I bother to do the same to you?"

"You told them you are not a witch, you never told them what you really are."

"Like that could make a difference."

"Go on. Or I won't leave."

Her hands touched my waist, rubbing my ribs slightly with her fingertips. "Well, what gave you the idea that I wanted you to leave? I am more like dying for company other than being released with these irritating chains. "

"Are you a prostitute from the saloon near here?...No wait, you can't be. The extravagance on your dress proves a higher place...Hmm...A court woman."

The girl instantly dropped her hands. "Lucky guess. Now are you going to bring back that blonde farm boy back now. Matt is it?"

"Matthew. Yes. But I still need to know more about you other than your – "

"My name is Elena Gilbert. I have been chosen as a court woman in my early teens. I have no family, all murdered and some half eaten alive. My home is a mystery and its existence is perished. My age is three to twenty. Now is there anything else that you would like to know?" She practically spoke in one breath.

"A court woman. Interesting occupation you chose and fortunate to live such a well rich life, other than the fact you entertain drunken men."

Her straight thin line lips curved to a smile, showing those slight plump red lips. "You be surprised of the title my clients named me. Gracious! The middle class seem to be more fun that the nobles in court."

"Let me guess? Fresh but not new, Evening Paradise, or perhaps The Unforgettable Star?"

She shook her head, her dark brown curls shaking playfully. "Not even close. The name they gave me was the Virgin Whore."

My throat coughed out a long line of laughter. I bend my neck and bit on my fist to silence myself. She nudged my shoulder. "Um, thank you so much for laughing in front of me. I really appreciate it. Its not like my day could ever get worse, a few minutes ago I was carried away by some strange gypsy boys and now you're laughing at my face when tomorrow is my last day to live."

It took a minute – no a long, long moment to regain myself. I let out a quick cough before finally speaking. "I apologize for laughing. But what an absurd title they named you."

"It is not absurd at all. The name is actually true. I have never shared my bed with a man before."

"You can't be serious, Elena."

She smirked. "Oh you now the formal manner begins. I guess you wouldn't mind if I call you Klaus."

"Not at all. Now explain to me of the explanation that you are a virgin. Usually, most girls like you who start their lives as court women are innocent till clients arrive. But if you are so determined of this, then how do you prevent to get yourself out of it when the client wants more than entertainment."

"Easy. I sprinkle a tasteless powder into their wine. The girls back at the harem follow the same rules if they must. I use it every time, the wine gives them the excuse of their odd behavior of falling asleep so suddenly."

"Quite a good idea."

Suddenly her hands gripped on my waist, and her face went closer to mine. "Klaus, I know this isn't possible, but I must at least go back. There is an unsolved business that I must solve or else the king's suspicion will start by my disappearance."

Suspicion from the king? How is an ordinary court woman like her could possibly concern the king?...Unless there is some kind of relationship between them she is not telling me.

"Why would the king grow suspicious of your disappearance? Are you just making this up so you could be free? Or do you have some kind of relationship with the king?"

"Do I look like a fool to be close to the king? It isn't what you're thinking. I was chosen for a feast to entertain the king's guests who arrived from England. I sort of upset a guest, and the king seemed to be amused so he invited me in to his private tent, along with these two awkward men."

I chuckled. "Damon would never do that. That is unlike him...But then again, I guess a man could change pretty fast. What did you do exactly that amused the king so much?"

She gave me a look with no sign of any emotion, but I can detect irritation from the way she crossed her eyebrows slightly. "Are you going to laugh till your lungs collapse again? I think not."

"I promise I won't laugh."

She shook her head. "No. Anyway, later the king asked me to attend court. I refused, I already had an unpleasant evening last night, and I don't want that pattern to continue even longer...By the way, you should train your men a little harder. Every one of them was arrested after the prince was shot, except one. Who was the man that escaped?"

I thought so she knew how the ambush was caused. It's a shame I didn't get Damon, getting him at least on the shoulder could had made me happy. I was so angry when Jeremy returned back to camp alone. I nearly drew my sword and almost sliced his head off right in the spot.

"There is just nothing those fox ears of yours cannot hear."

"Shouldn't you go by now?"

I shook my head. "No. Not yet...In fact, you just gave me an idea to hold your death sentence. Did you say someone is coming to inform you the invitation again, right?"

She nodded her head. But she fell silent to listen to what I have to say next.

"Before I introduce you to this deal, I want you to hear me out first. I will let you go so you could return to wherever you came from. When Alaric comes to you, accept the invitation and tell him you will go to court at that very moment. This is all I want you to do, get close to the king – I'm sure that won't be easy since you done it thousands of times with other men – and if you ever get a chance to be alone with him this is where the deal takes place."

Suddenly she started to shake her head madly. "No. No. NO! I am not going to kill the king!"

I took hold of her arms but she clawed them off her. "Think it through again, Elena. Whose life do you think is worth losing? Yours or the king's? Tell me the truth. Don't start off with ridiculous, so called loyal pleading that you rather lose your life other than the king's."

"I am not going to agree to your deal. I rather die than getting myself foolishly convicted of killing one of the most powerful man that ever lived."

"I can protect you from that. My men can attack by then. I guarantee we will defeat the soldiers and take control of the castle. But I need the king dead."

"He still has a brother. Stefan will rise."

I placed a hand on her cheek. "Elena, he cannot rise if there is no security. It doesn't matter if Stefan dies this very minute in his bed, or survive till my men and I attack. He will never rise to the throne."

"What do you intend to do next when everything happens the way you and your brothers planned? Rule the world?"

"Yes. But when we take over, there will be no kings but just a leader who are equal with others and care for his people. My brothers will be part of that control too, as we promised."

"What reward do I get out of all this?"

"Freedom. Any life that you planned to do when you were a child. Anything. Just think about it, Elena."

"No. I already told you I am not agreeing to this."

I pulled myself up. "Damn shame. I was hoping for the two of us to be friends. I guess not. I'll see you again tomorrow at dawn. Prepare yourself for the worst, or if you ever change your mind just scream, I'll know it's you."