*creeps up slowly* *hands over the update* *whispers a sincere apology for the over 2 month wait* *vanishes into the mist*

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or The Originals.

Chapter 12

"Are you absolutely certain about this, Niklaus? There is a rather large contingent of candidates left for you to interrogate, I believe you should take the time to review all of them before you make any rash decisions—"

"Of course I'm certain, Elijah, otherwise I would not have summoned you here!" Klaus barked out, raising his eyes to the ceiling in annoyance. It had been an hour since he had deposited Caroline back into her room, an hour in which he had escaped down to the dungeons beneath the castle to release the pent-up wrath that threatened to overwhelm him at his fight with Caroline, an hour which he spent still processing the undeniable fact that she was a witch—a witch with considerable power, for that matter. He had reveled in the high-pitched screams of his victims as they hung from the ceiling by their wrists, giving himself over to the heady rush that inflicting pain and agony brought him.

Witches…the most self-righteous beings on this earth. And Caroline was one of them. He cursed himself for his folly, allowing his attraction to her to distract him from the obvious. He should have known better. The spelled necklace, her blonde friend's little clue as to where she lived…the signs were there. But he had let his guard down with her.

For all his fury at the revelation, however, his intentions towards her never varied for an instant. He meant what he said to her—that in spite of his lack of compassion towards her kind, she was the exception. Witch or not, he would make Caroline his queen, even if it meant she despised him for it. He was nothing if not selfish, a trait that he was unabashedly proud of.

But one thing was certain—Caroline's magic would be kept a secret, even from his siblings. There was no telling how they would react to her powers, and he knew that Rebekah for one would make life a living hell if she knew that a simple witch held the crown over her. But there were other reasons to keep it quiet. He had no shortage of enemies, even with the threat of Mikael eradicated. Werewolves, rival vampires, even other witches would have no qualms about ripping Caroline from his side in cold-hearted revenge. Making her heritage public knowledge would both endanger her and could quite possibly start riots in the streets—witches trying to sway her to their side, enlisting her help to spy on the dealings within the castle, vampires who would sooner stake themselves than bow to a witch.

No, only he would know of Caroline's little secret…although perhaps Bonnie should be informed as well to keep an eye on her and ensure she was safe. No doubt the Bennett witch would be pleased to have another of her kind inside the castle to talk to.

"Well…if you're sure then, brother," Elijah replied hesitantly. He cleared his throat. "We must begin preparations for the wedding and coronation at once." Suddenly, he smiled at Klaus. "Rebekah will be thrilled to help with the planning."

Klaus chuckled, nodding his head in agreement. "Our sister does enjoy throwing a good party."

"Perhaps I should appoint Bonnie to help keep her in check, otherwise we'll find our entire fortune spent overnight," Elijah shook his head as he rose to take his leave.

"An excellent idea, brother."

"Well then, if this is what you wish, then I shall make the announcement to the Council tomorrow. Goodnight, Niklaus." Klaus inclined his head, already turning back to the wineglass in his hand. Before he could lift it to his lips, however, Elijah's quiet voice stopped him.

"I believe you have made a wonderful choice in Miss Forbes, Niklaus. From what I have seen of her, she seems to exude an inner beauty and compassion that could melt even your heart of stone. Well done." Klaus's head snapped up, noting the warmth and approval radiating in the older Original's brown eyes. Elijah merely smiled once more and flashed away, leaving Klaus to ponder his words.

Caroline woke with a start just before dawn, utterly alone, the grey light from the window slowly penetrating the darkness surrounding her. She noticed that the blankets had been drawn up around her up to her chin—the work of her friends, she presumed.

What a night.

To be offered not only the crown, but the hand of the Original hybrid in marriage…the thought was still too overwhelming for her to completely process just yet.

She sat up slowly, her head still aching from her restless sleep. Her throat felt dry and rather tight from the amount of tears that she had shed earlier. A glass of water sounded wonderful right now.

Yawning, she rolled out of bed, her muscles groaning in protest. As she reached the vanity where the water pitcher stood, however, something caught her eye. A long, rectangular velvet box tied with a white silk ribbon sat on the vanity, a scrap of parchment tucked in with it. Frowning, she picked it up, turning it over in her hands. Her curiosity finally getting the better of her, she swiftly untied the ribbon and opened the case. She gasped. Nestled inside was the most beautiful bracelet she had ever laid eyes on, fashioned of sparkling silver and magnificent diamonds. She stared at it, then silently picked up the parchment.

Fondly, Klaus.

Her heart trembled, and she drew in a sharp breath. Slowly, her fingers touched the sparkling jewels, feeling equal parts amazed and irritated. The latter soon took over her mind.

Of course this was his doing. The arrogant scoundrel actually thought he could just drop off an extravagant piece of jewelry and think that everything between them would be smoothed over without a fuss. The thought made her clench her fists in renewed anger.

Well, she was not about to be taken in by his little mind games.

And without a second thought, she slammed the bracelet back onto the vanity and turned away. Now fully awake, she felt an irresistible urge to go outside and watch the sun rise. Heaven knew she needed to escape the suffocating silence of her room. Quietly, she threw on her dressing gown and a warm shawl and stole quickly through the long corridors and staircases of the castle. The cool early morning breeze ruffled her mussed hair as she crept outside, her footsteps leading her to the very same bench that she had sat down with Bonnie only days earlier, the scent of the gardenias permeating the air. She sighed. If there was ever a time she was in need of wise counsel, it would be now.

"Isn't it a little early for you to be wandering about?"

Startled, Caroline looked up. Speak of the devil.

She almost rolled her eyes at the coincidence. "Seriously? How did you know I was here? Is this some magical mind-reading thing?"

Bonnie chuckled, her green eyes twinkling. "Possibly."

Caroline huffed, making room for the older witch to join her on the bench. "Well, since you're here, I suppose you can keep me company."

Bonnie merely smiled as she sat down. Her face quickly turned serious, however. "I heard about what happened to you with the king."

"I suppose the entire court knows by now," Caroline bit out, furious. "I'm sure he left out the part where I refused him." She glanced at her companion. "Why are you here, anyways?"

"First of all, the entire court does not know, at least not yet. And actually, I come bearing a gift. No, not from Klaus," she hastened to add at Caroline's glare. "He knows nothing of this. I figured you might need a reminder of home." With that, she pointedly looked back down the path. A figure was making its way towards them.

Caroline's eyes widened in recognition.

"Stefan?"

"Stefan!" Caroline threw herself into her cousin's arms, relief crashing over her. How she had missed him!

"Easy, Care, I'm not as young as I used to be," Stefan replied fondly, ruffling her hair.

"How…?"

"How am I here? Bonnie sent for me," he explained, glancing at the other witch who nodded to him and began making her way back towards the castle, no doubt giving them some privacy.

Caroline swallowed harshly. "Did…did she tell you?"

With a sympathetic look, he nodded. "I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner, but I was on the night-watch at the gate, and I couldn't slip away fast enough."

"But you're here now. And that's all that matters," she whispered, pulling him back into another embrace.

"Of course I'm here, dear one," Stefan said soothingly. He pulled back from her then, concern knitting his eyebrows together. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Caroline sighed, collapsing back onto the bench and drawing her shawl tighter about her shoulders. "It's all so overwhelming, Stef. Never in a thousand years did I think this would happen. To be the queen!—I just…I don't want to throw my life away. I want to come back with you and go on living as we did before." She paused, looking out over the beautiful scenery before them, dawn just beginning to break over the top of the trees. "But another part of me believes that accepting is the right decision. And Klaus is—" Here she stopped, not wanting to talk to Stefan about the whirlwind of feelings she harbored in regards to Klaus just yet. She turned back to him, a desperate edge in her voice. "What should I do?"

Stefan wrapped his arm around her, snuggling her deeper into his chest. "Remember my first visit here a few days ago, Caroline?" he finally asked softly. "I stand by everything I said then." He hesitated. "But there is something else I think I should tell you."

Something in Stefan's tone unsettled her. "What is it?" she breathed.

Stefan exhaled slowly. "I had a…vision, a few days before Queen Tatia's execution. It was about you."

Caroline stiffened. Visions were no trifling matters. Stefan had explained to her once that they were few and far between among the witches, but that they usually depicted something that could have a major impact on the supernatural community. He had later added that visions were not always completely accurate, but to ignore one would also be unwise.

"You had a vision about me?"

"Yes. But lately it's been coming back to me every night that you've been away at the castle." He paused, then continued on. "You must understand that I only catch glimpses. But it's always the same—I see the dark streets of home, vampires running rampant and abusing the witches houses catching fire and blood running through on the ground…then I see your face, smiling, radiant with happiness, light blazing forth." Caroline couldn't move, although she could almost hear the smile in Stefan's voice. "At first I think you are looking at me, but then I notice that there is a crown on your head…and you are looking at the darkness… at him."

Caroline's heart stopped. "Is that all?"

"No. The final glimpse is that of the city, bathed in light, and a voice cries out 'She will bring peace.'"

Caroline's hands shook as she absorbed his words. "And by 'she'…does that mean me?"

"Judging by the rest of the vision, yes, I believe it speaks of you," Stefan said softly, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "That is why I made you come here in the first place. I could have hidden you at home and not answered the summons, but this vision…it has given me something that I thought I had lost long ago."

"And what is that?" Caroline whispered.

"Hope." Stefan's dark eyes caught hers. "Hope for this city, hope for our people…and hope for you. Hope that you will rise above your humble beginnings and make your mark on this world. Remember what I always told you?"

Caroline's lips quirked up into a half-smile, reminded of her childhood and the words her cousin used to calm her down every time something hadn't gone her way, and she had cried herself to sleep in his arms. "That everything happens for a reason."

Stefan nodded. "Yes, and that is true now more than ever. You were chosen here, by the king, for a reason. And if my vision is true…then you are meant to accept the king's offer and rule at his side, to bring peace to the city."

Caroline exhaled quietly. "But Stefan—I am just so terribly afraid—can I really do this?" she searched his face for answer, something to settle her troubled mind.

Stefan clasped her hands in his, squeezing them playfully. "You're Caroline Forbes. Is there anything you can't do when you set your mind to it?"

A sudden warmth spread through her then. Her cousin always knew exactly how to raise her spirits and bolster her courage. And because Stefan believed in her, she found that she had little strength of will left to refuse.

Looking back up at him, she leaned in and gave him a hug. Closing her eyes tightly, she made her decision.

"It's settled then. I will remain here."

Stefan pulled back to look at her, grinning. "That's my girl."

A sense of resigned relief flooded through her at the words.

A decision finally made, a course set, a future planned.

She would have to make the most of wherever this path would lead her.

"QUEEN? As in, queen of Mystic Falls? Oh my goodness, I can hardly believe it!" Katherine shouted loud enough for the entire castle to hear.

"Could you shout a little louder, Kat?" Caroline reprimanded sharply. "I'd rather not have the whole world find out about this just yet."

It was morning, and Caroline had finally dried her tears and dredged up the courage to sit up in bed and explain her dealings with Klaus to her friends. She would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous about their reaction; although Katherine's was admittedly exactly what she imagined it to be.

"I still can't believe that you're a witch and that you managed to take out Klaus himself," Lexi said in hushed awe.

Caroline could see the slight hurt in her eyes that she had kept her identity from her. She reached out and took Lexi's hand. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about me sooner. The fewer people who knew, the better. It was nothing personal," she apologized sincerely.

Lexi squeezed her hand. "I know. There's nothing to be sorry for."

"The only thing I'm sorry for is that I didn't get to witness Caroline bringing the Original hybrid king to his knees," Katherine interjected with a grin. "It must have been quite a show."

Caroline snorted in spite of herself. She couldn't deny there had been a certain thrill to seeing Klaus subject to her powers. If she was going to live here forever, it was good to know that she could hold her own against him.

"But Care, are you sure that accepting is a good idea?" Elena asked anxiously.

She nodded resolutely. "I've made my choice, Elena."

"But why?" Katherine questioned. "You'll be leaving everything and everyone you love behind. We know you, Care. You would never want to be queen purely for selfish gain. Why are you accepting?"

Caroline drew in a deep breath. "Because…I believe I was put into this position for a purpose." She laughed lightly. "Stefan used to tell me that there are no accidents, and that everything happens for a reason. Maybe this is what I was meant for. I mean, think about it! I have the opportunity to try and make changes in this city for the good of the citizens—especially the witches. Doesn't everyone dream about having that kind of influence?"

She finished rambling, noticing the impressed smiles on the girls' faces. "What?"

"This is exactly why you're perfect for the throne. You care more about helping the ordinary people than your own comfort." Katherine sounded positively gleeful. Then she sobered a bit. "But here's the issue: I'm all for you becoming queen and fixing the problems of society, but the sting is you'll have to marry Klaus. Could you live with someone like him for the rest of your life?"

Caroline sighed. She had purposefully left out Klaus's little threat against her friends because she didn't want them to worry. But Katherine brought up the one subject she was hoping to avoid talking about with them. Marriage to Klaus...it was something she was struggling with. She knew it was a necessary step in the coronation process, but that didn't mean she wanted to go through with it. But that small, infuriatingly stubborn part of herself that desired Klaus and all of his tempting promises of passion and adventure kept persistently resurfacing in her mind.

"To be honest, I don't know. Klaus is just so…complicated." She ran her finger through her hair, heaving a sigh. "Stefan always tells me that I am forgiving to a fault, that I always see the good in people." She lifted her eyes up to the three friends, each of them hanging onto her every word. She swallowed thickly. "And I think…I know that there is some good buried deeply in Klaus. It's almost impossible to discern, but it's there. Do I want to get married to him? No, of course not, but I will. And who knows? Maybe someday, I might be able to forgive him for all of the horrible things he has done."

Elena smiled at her. "Well, if you're sure this is what you want, then we are here for you, Care."

"Thank you. I am so glad that you are here with me." Caroline replied sincerely. "Now, I just have one last thing to do."

"What's that?" Lexi asked curiously.

Caroline ran her hands through her hair with a sigh. "Inform the king of my decision."

Klaus had never been a patient man. He left that particular virtue to Elijah, with his self-righteous airs and noble manners. He got what he wanted when he wanted, and damn the consequences.

And right now, he wanted Caroline by his side.

The balmy breeze rustled the trees by the stream, where Klaus had found himself after a long morning of Council business—the worst of it being the announcement of his choosing Caroline for his bride. The thought made him smirk a bit. He could still picture Kol's smug face as he congratulated him on landing the blonde spitfire, and hear Rebekah's shrill objections to the "impudent peasant wench." The rest of the Council, however, were quite happy to have settled the matter, as Damon pointed out that he could now prey on the rest of the ladies without fear of dismemberment.

Now, if only the lady in question had been as content with his choice as the rest of them.

Sighing, he picked up a smooth stone from the bank, and, flicking his wrist with expert precision, watched the stone skip across the surface of the water a few times before it sank, creating small ripples as it disappeared.

We do not feel and we do not care.

Had he not warned Elijah of this many times before? And yet here he was, the King Niklaus of Mystic Falls, the Original Hybrid, harbinger of destruction, reduced to a mere boy pining away for the sake of a woman.

Tricky little things, emotions.

No matter how much one buries them, they always find a way to spring up again, more potent than before.

The real question was exactly what his feelings were towards the lovely blonde witch. He desired her, certainly. Any man with eyes and half a brain would. But something else drew him in to her besides her beauty. Was it her fiery temper? Or her sweet laughter as she experienced something new? Perhaps her generous heart towards those close to her?

He did not know precisely what he was getting into, but he did know that he was fairly itching to unravel the mystery that is Caroline Forbes.

Lost in thought, he mechanically picked up another stone to skip across the stream when he heard the telltale crunch of leaves behind him.

"Elijah, if you've come to fetch me back to yet another bloody kingly duty, there might be a dagger in your heart for the next month," he bit out, not bothering to turn around.

He heard a sharp intake of breath, followed by the faintest of scoffs.

"Your brother isn't here."

Eyes widening in surprise, he shot to his feet, startled at the melodious voice that had haunted his every moment since he first heard it all those days ago.

There she stood, arms crossed over her chest, head tilted to the side, eyes shining vivaciously, cheeks flushed from exercise—an absolute vision.

His undead heart fluttered.

"Caroline." He acknowledged her presence, finding himself for once speechless. He quickly cast about for something to say. "Why are you here?" he blurted out, immediately cursing himself for his blunt question. What is it about this woman that rendered him incapable of producing a single ounce of his usual wit?

Expecting a biting reply, he was surprised when her eyes lowered shyly. She fidgeted with her hands for a second before she met his gaze once more.

"I needed to see you. I…I had a feeling you would be out here." A blush painted her cheeks as she spoke.

Klaus's face split into a dimpled smirk, recalling their first meeting all too well.

"Ah, yes. We've got to stop meeting like this sweetheart—although I do seem to be wearing more clothing than necessary at present if we are to compare this to our first meeting here." His smirk widened. "What a shame."

He was not disappointed in his attempt to rile her up, as her rosy blush deepened, if that were possible. Rolling her eyes at him, she stepped forward. He grinned at her, enjoying the way her eyes flashed at him. Such a fiery little witch. Queen material indeed. He couldn't help but wonder if her temper would come out to play during more...pleasurable activities. Something he was quite keen on discovering when the time came.

"Be that as it may, I'm not here for a swim. I have something to tell you." She straightened up, looking him square in the eye. "I accept your proposal, your highness. I will be your queen."

Klaus stiffened in shock. He had certainly not expected her to cave to his demands so quickly—although admittedly he had not given her much choice in the matter. However, the fact that she had purposefully sought him out to give him her acceptance caused a pleasant clenching in his chest.

Caroline was to be his—of her own volition. T

he thought was immensely gratifying.

He cleared his throat, watching her intently.

"I see." He moved closer to her, invading her personal space. "Well I must admit I am more than pleased that you are cooperating, love. But why the sudden change of heart?"

"Does it matter? You've gotten what you wanted." Klaus frowned at her cool tone. She looked away from him, sinking into a curtsy. "Now if you will excuse me, my lord, I must return to the castle."

His hand was on her arm before she could even move. He would be damned if he allowed her to simply walk away from him, with that infuriating mask of indifference plastered on her face.

"Wait." He pulled her gently towards him.

"Yes, your grace?"

Klaus leaned in, feeling a twinge of satisfaction when her breath hitched ever so slightly at his touch. He put his lips at the shell of her ear. "Thank you." He murmured quietly, running his hands up her arms and softly settling them on her shoulders. "You do me great honor in accepting my proposal."

He pulled back slowly, resting his stubbled cheek next to hers, feeling her soft skin.

Before he even realized what he was doing, he turned his head and kissed her cheek tenderly.

Caroline let out a soft gasp. "Klaus…"

He paused at that, not missing that it was the first time she let his true name slip from her lips since last night, the need to keep her in his arms and never let her go threatening to overwhelm him, lost in her spell.

Squashing that instinct, he released her abruptly as a whirlwind of thoughts erupted within him.

It was too much-the emotions just bubbling underneath the surface of his blackened soul, her warm body pressed up against him, his mind screaming at him to run and never look back while his heart begged him to remain in her embrace—he needed space.

"Forgive me," he muttered, sparing her one last glance, taking in her flushed and bewildered face, lips parted, golden curls ruffled in the breeze—and with a gust of air, he was gone.

I hope you don't hate me for taking forever! This chapter took me forever to write, and it also took me a while to figure out how to go about the next chunk of the story, and then finals happened and I also won't pretend that the negativity in the TVD/TO fandom didn't have an effect on my muse. But I am hopefully getting back into the writing groove and I am fairly certain it won't take me 2 months to update! I hope you enjoyed and as always thank you so much for every follow, favorite, and review you leave me! Y'all are amazing!