Hello lovely readers! You can thank the fact that I am still on winter break for the quick updates-I am trying to write and update as much as I can before my classes start in a couple weeks. (Also, I have difficulty writing really long chapters for some reason.) This chapter is sort of a filler, but I hope you enjoy in nonetheless. Happy reading!
Chapter Four
"Where on earth have you been, Care?" Katherine hissed as Caroline joined the rest of the girls on the patio outside the castle. "You were out there forever!"
"Calm down, Kat, she looks fine," Elena scolded her twin.
Caroline instantly felt guilty that she had inadvertently caused her friends distress over her whereabouts.
"I'm sorry, it was so peaceful out there by the water and I was lost in thought and lost track of the time," she lied, choosing not to inform her friends of the stranger at the river. That would go over well!
"Well, thank goodness you're back. Bonnie is just about to show us to our rooms, and I don't want you to lose your way and die and have Stefan burn me alive as a result," Katherine replied dramatically, only half-joking, as Bonnie began ushering the girls back inside the castle.
They walked back to the entrance hall, climbing up the marble staircase and turning to the left, entering the east wing of the castle. Ascending another staircase, they arrived at a long, red-carpeted corridor. Numerous wooden doors lined each wall. Bonnie halted.
"Here is where you will be lodging for your stay at the castle. You are free to pick your own room. The servants will be around to give you your belongings and help you unpack if you wish. I have arranged for dinner to be brought up to your rooms in an hour, as I imagine you would all like some time alone and to rest from today's proceedings. Are there any final questions?" Bonnie asked, glancing around. "No? Well then, I shall leave you to it. Breakfast is at eight o'clock sharp tomorrow morning. Goodnight," she concluded, nodding to the girls as she took her leave.
"Quick, let's find some rooms that are all together!" Elena said, squeezing her way through the group and already half-sprinting down the hall toward the opposite end. Caroline, Katherine, and Lexi followed close behind, managing to claim the last rooms at the far end, with Caroline and Katherine's rooms on one side and Lexi and Elena's rooms on the other.
"Alright, let's unpack and eat, then after dinner we can meet in my room to discuss the day's events," Katherine addressed the others, taking charge.
"Are you sure that is allowed, Kat? What if it's against the rules and they catch us?" Elena replied, her eyes nervously searching the corridor for eavesdroppers.
Katherine scoffed. "I doubt that they will punish us for simply talking, 'Lena. They must know we're all on edge about being here. Why shouldn't we be free to relax in each other's rooms?" she responded, confident in her words.
"Katherine's right. I don't think they will bother us here," Caroline chimed in. "So we'll meet in a couple of hours then, yes?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Lexi replied with a mock-salute. After a pause, Elena sighed and reluctantly nodded her head in agreement.
Caroline turned and opened the door to her room, pushing the heavy wooden door open. She gasped in surprise. The room was small and decorated in a color scheme of deep blue and white. It was furnished only with a four-poster bed with deep blue coverings, an ornate vanity with a mirror and washbasin, and a dresser, all made of black walnut. A large window allowed Caroline a breathtaking view of the gardens behind the castle.
And to think this is only a tiny guestroom! I cannot fathom what the king's chambers must look like, Caroline thought.
A knock at the door announced the arrival of a servant bearing her small satchel, which he placed on the dresser for her. Thanking him for his trouble, Caroline once more shut the door and proceeded to unpack her clothing and other items, arranging them neatly in the dresser with her work, she flopped down unceremoniously onto the soft, comfortable bed, sighing deeply. It all seemed so surreal: her staying at the palace to compete for the king's hand.
How did it come to this? Just yesterday I was ripping pillows and levitating feathers, without a care in the world. I miss magic already.
She scoffed bitterly, cursing her misfortune. I just want to go home. If I can survive this week, I can return to Stefan and live my life again.
Rolling off of the bed, she stood by the window, stroking her mother's necklace. I am Caroline Forbes. I can do this.
I have no choice.
Klaus lounged in his chair at the head of the table in the royal dining room, ripping into the throat of a young brunette serving girl currently sitting on his lap. For some reason, draining brunettes had become an immensely appealing pastime to him as of late. He suspected it had something to do with the fact that Tatia had been one. 'Projecting my anger onto others' and all that nonsense Elijah goes on about, he internally snickered.
Feeling the girl's heartbeat drastically slow, he retracted his double fangs, licking the blood still dripping from his mouth, and compelled the girl to run along. The girl obeyed, her eyes clouded, tripping out the door and back to the servants' quarters.
Settling back in his plush chair and wiping his mouth daintily with a linen napkin, Klaus focused his attention on the rest of table, watching the other vampires finishing their meals and compelling the servants they had fed on to leave. The rest of the party consisted of Mystic Falls' Council, which was essentially a more democratic and official term for the rest of the Original family: his brothers Elijah and Kol, their other siblings Rebekah and Finn, and two of Klaus' most trusted advisors and friends, Damon and Marcel. They served as part of the Council, despite their lack of relation to the Originals.
Wanting to wash down the blood he had just ingested, Klaus clapped his hands, ordering a nearby servant to bring out a bottle of scotch, as Elijah raised his voice to address the table.
"I would like to inform you all that the maidens eligible for the queenship have arrived this afternoon and are settled into their chambers," he spoke, his attention fixed on Klaus, who let out an irritated huff, grabbing the bottle of scotch and pouring himself a generous drink.
"And my, are they a delicious-looking bunch," Kol chimed in gleefully, downing his drink and wiggling his eyebrows.
Elijah shot him a glare.
"Oh, don't look at me with that disapproving frown, 'Lijah! Your face might be stuck with it permanently if you're not careful."
Amused at the image Kol's retort conjured, Klaus burst out laughing, earning himself his own frown from Elijah.
"Yes, lighten up, Elijah! Kol and I were just having a good joke at your expense. You're still not furious about that, are you?" Damon laughed, pouring himself a tumbler of scotch. "I must admit, embarrassing you in front of the ladies was priceless," he added, exchanging a smirk with Klaus.
Elijah grunted in annoyance, clearly not amused at their mockery.
"Please tell me you didn't already spirit away some of those girls to your rooms already, Kol," Rebekah said, placing her head in her hands in mock despair. As the only sister and the youngest of the Mikaelsons, she was rather spoiled and vindictive, with a temper to rival Klaus' when she was displeased.
"Not yet, sister, but don't worry your pretty head about it. After all, I'm sure Nik will share the wealth with the rest of us," Kol replied smartly. Damon laughed at the innuendo.
"He will allow no such thing, Kol," Elijah cut in sharply. "They are here for a purpose other than warming your beds."
"Are they indeed, brother?" Klaus drawled lazily, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "I was under the impression that the entire point of this ridiculous plan was to find someone to warm my bed," he chuckled sarcastically, throwing his arms behind his head and peering up at Elijah with a smug face.
"Enough, all of you. I've reached my tolerance level for your petty complaining," Finn spoke with a groan. Finn came second in the line of siblings. He often avoided family dinners due to his more subdued personality and general loathing of familial squabbling, a near constant occurrence in the Mikaelson family. "Now, if you don't mind, I am off to bed, if that's all there is to discuss, Elijah," he asked the oldest Mikaelson.
Elijah nodded. "Yes, that will be all for this evening. Goodnight, brother."
"Give our regards to Sage, brother! Don't keep her waiting!" Kol sang out in farewell.
"Shut it, Kol, or I'll rip out your tongue," Finn threatened with a scowl, striding out of the room. Sage was Finn's pretty red-headed wife, who had been with Finn for centuries after he had turned her into a vampire. Although she was technically part of the Original family by marriage, she had no interest in the politics of the Council, preferring to do as she pleased in the castle.
"And the death threats have at last begun. I was almost ready to bet Damon that we were finally capable of surviving one dinner without them. Luckily, I decided not to at the last minute," Marcel remarked jovially, much to the general amusement of the remaining party. One of Klaus' oldest friends, Marcel had been a vampire for about two centuries. Klaus himself turned him after finding Marcel bleeding from a chest wound that he had acquired from a duel. He had an easy-going manner and was often found running about causing trouble with Kol and Damon, but he was also intelligent and charismatic.
Damon chortled. "It wouldn't be a Mikaelson family dinner without at least five death threats, Marcel. You underestimate the power of sibling rivalry," he added.
"I'll drink to that!" Kol sniggered, raising his glass to Damon and drinking deeply.
"Have you all quite finished? Because if so, I would like to speak to Niklaus in private, if you don't mind," Elijah said icily, sipping his scotch and looking around the table with cool indifference.
"I think we've successfully ruffled your feathers enough for the night, big brother, so I suppose we shall let you off easy, just this once," Kol grinned, pushing his chair back and standing. "But tomorrow morning is fair game," he laughed, beckoning to Damon and Marcel, who had also risen from the table.
"Thank you, Kol. You are too kind," Elijah replied with a straight face. Klaus snickered.
"You are pathetic. All of you," Rebekah yawned, shaking her blonde hair as she stood. "Good night and good riddance, brothers," she said in feigned annoyance as she left the room behind the three men.
"Nighty-night, little sister," Klaus drawled after her. Rebekah just waved her hand in response.
The room now emptied save for the two of them, Klaus leaned back in his chair, waiting for Elijah to speak his piece. They sat in silence for a few moments, a part of their brotherly dynamic. Finally, Elijah lifted his head and glanced at Klaus.
"There will be a welcoming ball in two days in honor of the candidates' arrival. You will need to make an appearance, at least, and perhaps take advantage of the evening to get to know some of the girls. You shall have to choose one of them eventually," Elijah spoke mildly, regarding his younger brother whose face had contorted into a frown.
Klaus's eyes narrowed. "Who says I have to choose anyone? I believe I can rule quite well on my own."
"That may be, Niklaus, but for the sake of appearances, you must choose a queen. We agreed on this," Elijah replied steadily.
"No, brother, I did not agree to this. You forced this on me, and I have half a mind to drain these girls dry and rip their hearts out for all the trouble they are causing me," Klaus hissed, his jaw clenched. As quickly as his temper flared, it dissipated, as he relaxed back in his seat, sending Elijah a sneer. "But because the noble Elijah has asked this of me, who am I to refuse?" he mocked, gulping down his scotch and allowing the bitter taste to course through his veins.
Elijah sighed in resignation. The brothers remained silent for a while, the only sound the swirling of liquid as they continued to nurse their alcohol. Klaus stared into his drink, feeling the urge to sink his fangs deep into someone's throat and drain them of life. Elijah's voice pulled him from his murderous musings.
"You cannot kill her, you know."
Confused, Klaus snapped his gaze back to Elijah, noticing his elder brother's serious look.
"Kill who? What are you going on about, Elijah?" he growled, slamming his glass onto the table.
"You cannot kill the woman you choose to be queen at the first sign of difficulty, Niklaus," Elijah responded calmly, his eyes boring into Klaus'.
Suddenly angry, Klaus leaned forward in his seat, eyes flashing. "Do not presume to speak to me about my relationships, brother," he snarled. "Tatia deserved a cruel death for her insolence. I do not take betrayal lightly, as you well know. And do not think that I had not noticed your little infatuation with her from the beginning, either."
Elijah stared back stoically, but Klaus caught the flash of hurt that made a brief appearance in his brown eyes. It was enough to send him over the edge.
"You are a sentimental fool, Elijah. Remember what I told you? We are vampires. We do not feel and we do not care. Do not expect me to do either," he spoke in a dangerously soft voice.
Furious, he stood quickly, shoving his chair to the floor with a loud crash, facing Elijah once more.
"I shall do what I see fit with my queen, your concern be damned. Sweet dreams, brother," he jeered and stalked out of the room.
Klaus retreated to his chambers in the west wing, cursing the whole bloody queen business under his breath.
Damn Elijah and his ridiculous plans and foolish ideals. How dare he attempt to manipulate me, as if I can be controlled!
Still seething with ill humor, he marched straight to his bedroom, divesting himself of his leather boots and shirt. Throwing himself onto the bed, he attempted to rein in his exasperation. He began to relax after a few minutes, deciding that another drink would help ease his anger. Pouring a glass of wine from his desk, he strode through the glass doors that led to his private balcony. From his vantage point, the glittering lights of Mystic Falls could be seen, stretching on into the night. He stood at the grey stone railing, resting his elbows on it and gazing out into the night, the evening breeze ruffling his hair.
Closing his eyes at the sensation, he sighed. Unbidden, an image appeared in his mind—a figure of a woman, with flaxen hair that glinted in the sunlight and eyes as blue as the open sky.
Caroline.
He opened his eyes, a slow smile spreading over his features. The girl who so brazenly stood up to him without fear.
Klaus would be the first to admit that he was startled by her appearance at the river. Not many ventured to the river's banks anymore, except himself and occasionally one of his siblings. At first glance, he had assumed she was a servant of some sort, but upon closer inspection, he noticed her clothing was too elaborate for a simple serving girl. Recalling that Elijah had mentioned that the girls would be arriving that day, he had realized this girl must be one of them.
And quite an alluring one, at that, he thought, thinking of the girl's shapely figure and flawless, fair skin.
He smiled at the memory, but his face faded rapidly into a puzzled frown. There was something…off about the girl. When he had held her in his arms, he couldn't help but breathe in the scent of her skin, a pleasing hint of lavender lingering around her. She smelled like a vampire, but he couldn't help but think that there was much more to her than what she appeared to be.
Deep in thought, Klaus stroked his stubble and returned to his room. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he was determined to discover Caroline's secret, whatever it might be.
So we've finally met more fun characters! I have to admit, writing the Originals is hard work, they're all so awesome and crazy, and it's extremely difficult to do them justice. As always, please review and let me know what you think! And if you are so inclined, you can follow me on Tumblr! My URL is klarolinessecondbreakfast