C13

Rebekah paced in her room and wringed her hands together nervously. She did not want to face her brother especially after what Caroline had confessed her. She loved Nik the most out of her brothers but she couldn't possibly want to reveal such heartbreaking information to him. But as her brother constantly kept banging her door, she had no choice but to let him in.

So there he was standing by the window gazing outside, waiting for his sister's explanation of what Caroline had told her.

"Milady Rebekah!" A maid called and ran hurried after Rebekah.

"Yes?" she inquired.

"You need to come with me right now. I'm afraid Princess Caroline has been stabbed by a sword. She is not allowing any treatment until you are there." She explained and watched as the blonde princess' expression turned from confusion to horror. They both quickly dashed off to the treatment room to find Caroline on the bed shaking as the doctors treated her.

"Caroline" Rebekah called out, with tears in her eyes and went sit next to her future sister-in-law. "Shh! everything will be alright. Don't worry. Nik will fix everything" she promised and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Although looking at the blood and the wound, she wasn't so sure.

Caroline passed her a weak smile and motioned for her to come closer. "I need you to deliver a message… for me. I'm not sure if… I'll survive to tell them…" she whispered choking as more tears escaped her eyes.

"You will survive Caroline." Rebekah reassured her even though the tears in her own eyes betrayed her. "You can tell everyone yourself when you get better" she said with smile.

Caroline ignored her comment. "Tell my parents I love them more than anything in the world. Tell Elena and Bonnie, they've been the sisters I never had. Tell Stefan to take care of Elena. Not because she's my sister but because he's always been my brother. Tell Katherine, even after everything she has done, I still care for her deeply and I forgive her" she whispered and paused to take a sharp breath as she fought to keep her eyelids open.

"I wish I would've gotten to know you before all this started Rebekah. You're a wonderful person and one day you will get married to the man of your dreams." She announced and watched as the Mikaelson princess started sobbing and crying hysterically.

"Tell… Damon that everyday I've spent away from him when he's been angry with me has been killing me. But I know I broke his trust. Tell him I love him more than life itself and maybe in another lifetime we would've been together but not here" she said and took a deep breath. "Tell him I said thank you for saving me, for looking for me, for never giving up on me and for fighting for me and with me" she whispered with a weak laugh. "Tell him to find someone and move on" she closed her eyes only for a second and then jolted them back open.

"Tell your brother that he is infuriating. He is so stubborn and I wish he could show people that side of him which cares. Tell him to open up to people. Let them see that he has a good side. A soft heart instead of the hard picture he paints of himself. He truly is a very nice person and I'm sure he'll be a great …" she mumbled but her voice stopped suddenly and that caused Rebekah to look over at her curiously. But Caroline's eyes were closed. She wasn't sure if the blonde princess was unconscious, asleep or dead but she knew that she hadn't completed yet.

"Bekah?" Klaus' voice came softly and she looked up to see her brother looking at her softly as she sniffed and tried to blink away the tears forming in her eyes. He brought her closer and hugged her as he saw the tears and distress on his sister's face.

Rebekah held onto him tightly and wept for what seemed like hours, but were in fact only minutes. She pulled away from him to look into his eyes. "Nik I know you fancy Caroline but perhaps she is not the one for you. Perchance you could find another way to secure the Forbes kingdom." She rambled on trying to convince his brother to leave Caroline. She knew Caroline would fall in love with her brother. In time. But the adoration she had seen in the blonde's eyes for Damon was something else and it would be just cruel to take that away from them.

Klaus' warmness left her and he backed away from her with a cold look in his eyes. "What is this about?" he asked angrily. A few days ago, her sister was so excited over the fact that he was marrying Caroline. She had even gone as far as to call Caroline her new sister.

Rebekah groaned, "As much as I would love to include her in our family as my sister, she does not love you. She still- she stopped and her eyes widened as she realized that she had almost given away personal information that Caroline had only exposed to her.

Klaus' expressions hardened and his eyes were even colder when he realized what his sister was about to say. He would be a fool not to understand it. "Is that what she said to you? That she still loved Salvatore?" he asked angrily. Jealousy spiking through him.

Rebekah averted her gaze from him. "No- no. Nik it wasn't like that…" she started but he held his hand up having enough of it and started to walk out of the room. He only turned his head around once he was at the door. "My marriage with Caroline will take place. I advise that you and mother get on with planning everything quickly because I want it done sooner rather than later. Goodbye dear sister" he said and with that said he turned around and stalked off to the place where his heart was all this time. Caroline.

Three guards followed him and he kept walking. "Inform my parents that the wedding will take place in two days. I would not like to waste any further time" Klaus ordered one of his guards and watched as he bowed and ran off.

"Stay here" he told the other two as he entered Caroline's room. Much to his surprise, his little fiancé was awake. But she didn't greet him with her usual forced smile but an actual small smile graced her lips as she glanced in his direction.

He slowly made his way towards her and dismissed the nurses in the room. "Good morning sweetheart" he greeted and sat at the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly smiling.

"It pains a lot and I feel quite light-headed but apart from that I'm alright I suppose" she said, not wanting to jump into details.

Klaus nodded understanding her hesitance but he needed to ask her something. "Who attacked you Caroline? And please be honest sweetheart" he told her watching her with curious eyes.

She quickly averted her gaze and smile left her face. "I'm not sure I understand. I did not know the assassin if that is what you mean to ask me" she clarified, not looking at him while she lied.

Klaus sighed before softly putting two fingers under her chin and bringing her gaze to his own. "Be honest love. If you did not recognize him then why were you even conversing with him?" he asked softly convincing her to tell him the truth.

"I- I thought I knew him but I did not and I was not conversing with him. I just happened to be there by the fountain when he attacked me…" she countered crossing her arms over her chest but apparently that gesture began to hurt her now. She winced and clutched her stomach.

Klaus' eyes widened when he saw her wince and instinctively his hands went over to her stomach. As soon as their hands met, she pulled hers back and his hand fell straight onto her stomach. He traced his fingers lightly and slowly over the thin cloth of her gown covering the wound. Caroline's breath hitched and her eyes closed.

"This is not appropriate Klaus. I think you should leave" she told him biting her lip.

But Klaus only inched closer to her ignoring her statement, "I think what's not appropriate is you hiding information from your husband" he said. His breath touching her neck, leaving goose bumps in its trail.

Caroline looked up to him, "You're not my husband." She stated confidently. "Not yet anyway" she added seriously.

Klaus chuckled and pulled back to look into her eyes, "Only for two more days sweetheart" he promised smiling.

"What?" she asked confused.

"The wedding will take place in two fortnights" he told her truthfully.

Caroline shifted a bit and glared him, "And you did not deem it necessary to ask my opinion?" she accused.

Klaus shrugged casually. "We had to get married eventually. I couldn't wait for another attack to take place" he replied sternly.

Caroline opened her mouth to say something but their moment was disturbed once his mother, sister and Katherine entered through the door along with a few ladies in waiting.

"Caroline dear how are you?" Ester asked softly and then turned to her son. "Niklaus. What are you doing here?" she asked in her sweet yet commanding voice. "You know you aren't allowed to see the bride for at least a week before the wedding" she reminded him.

"That's our tradition. The bride and groom cannot see each other before the wedding so that when they see each other at the altar, they both have only adoration in their eyes" Rebekah explained watching Caroline's confused face.

"But since the wedding is very short noticed, we're going to have to make do with the four days we have" The current Queen spoke.

"Four days?" Klaus questioned angrily.

Ester nodded strongly. "We have sent out invitations as fast as possible Niklaus but the guests need at least a day to arrive. I believe Caroline's family has to make the journey too" she said giving Caroline a look which she couldn't exactly decipher.

Klaus nodded begrudgingly and kissed the back of Caroline's hand. "See you in four days love" he said and smirked before taking his leave.

"How are you feeling?" Rebekah asked smiling at her softly.

Caroline gave her a polite nod. "I feel better. Thank you" she said.

"That certainly is good news. You scared us last night dear" Ester said sitting next to Caroline on the bed, while Katherine looked towards Caroline worriedly trying to figure out if she should ask her about her health or stay quiet.

As if sensing her thoughts, Caroline nodded in her direction with a soft smile. Soon the ladies began talking about the wedding preparations but Caroline was rarely being asked about her opinion as Ester decided everything. This annoyed Caroline to no limit but she had figured it would be unwise for her to speak up now. She'd show them that her opinion was important. But not now.

Damon swiped everything on his desk onto the floor and screamed angrily before stalking off to where Tyler was standing.

"Are you a fool?!" he yelled at him and grabbed him by his collar. "You tried to kill Caroline! I am going to kill you myself!" he threatened him. Tyler had gotten back only a few hours ago and told them of the error he had made. Tyler had considered hiding it but he couldn't. Damon would've found out eventually and if he did, Tyler would be dead but now that he had confessed there was less chance of him dying.

"Damon calm down" Stefan reasoned with him but before they could both do or say anything else the doors flew open and an angry Bonnie came stalking in with two parchments in her hands.

"Bonnie" Stefan said acknowledging her presence.

"What are you doing here judgy? I don't have time for this" Damon mocked sarcastically not moving his gaze from Tyler who was trying to get out of the elder Salvatore's grip unsuccessfully.

Bonnie scoffed. "Oh so you don't have time for Caroline's wedding invitation" she said earning his full attention.

Damon dropped Tyler to the ground and his eyes widened as he turned to the dark skinned girl. "What?" he hissed in shock and anger.

Bonnie handed him one parchment and Stefan the other. "We all just received invitations. They are trying to cover up the attack on Caroline by moving the wedding forward. Our plan backfired" she stated not impressed.

Stefan looked at the card in his hand and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "They are mocking us" he said shaking his head.

Damon crumpled the parchment in his hand and threw it into the lighted up fireplace. "Why would Caroline even agree to this?" he yelled on the verge of crying, dropping to his knees in front of the fireplace. His plan had actually helped move things further along for Klaus instead of working in favor of him.

Tyler chose the exact moment to speak up. "If I may" he asked and continued when Stefan nodded. "When I talked to her, she seemed really defeated. She has accepted this as her fate. When I told her that you sent me, she didn't even try to come with me and I actually swung the sword at the younger Mikaelson but she blocked the attack and got herself…" he mumbled off noticing the glare from everyone in the room.

"Get the carriages ready" Damon told Tyler who nodded and ran off.

Stefan and Bonnie both looked at him with surprise. "What are you planning?" they asked in unison.

Damon smirked and his eyes turned cold. "It seems we have a wedding to attend" he said with a mysterious glint in his eyes. "And I have just the perfect gift for Klaus Mikaelson" he added and locked eyes with Bonnie who smiled with him while Stefan looked at both of them with worry. Weren't they going too far?

Henrik knocked lightly on the door, contemplating whether he should go in or not. A soft melodic voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Come in"

He breathed in before opening the door and peeking his head through, watching his future sister's reaction to him being there before he would completely enter the room.

Caroline thought being stabbed would've excused her from wearing those horribly tight corsets but she was mistaken. Ester had ordered the maids to clean out Caroline's whole wardrobe and replace them with the finest gowns from all over the kingdom, regarding her own as something a Forbes would wear. Not a Mikaelson.

Those words stung more than they normally did. Ever since she had been informed of her wedding date, long gone was the woman who was kind and sympathetic but Ester had turned into a full mother-in-law. Maybe she was bitter that she would have to retire earlier from her position as the Queen. That would be the only logical reason why Ester was being so rude towards the blonde.

Her frown, however, turned into a smile when she saw the head that peeked through the door of her chambers. "Henrik. Come on in" she greeted with a bright smile.

The youngest Mikaelson and nodded before moving in and taking slow steps towards her and then stood by her side looking at his feet. "I came here to apologize" he mumbled guiltily.

Caroline's eyebrows furrowed at that. "Apologize for what?" she asked. "Did you switch mine and Rebekah's clothing articles again?" she accused playfully.

He shook his head innocently but tears welled into his chocolate brown eyes. "I am sorry you got hit because of me. If I hadn't jumped in, you wouldn't have to have taken the hit of the sword" he revealed, a small tear streaming down his cheek. He looked heartbroken.

Caroline placed her fingers under his chin and lifted it slowly to bring him to look at her. "Henrik. You didn't do anything wrong. You saved me from him. He was going to take me away. Never blame yourself for it" she said wiping any trace of the tear that left his eyes.

"Why did you save me?" he asked sniffing softly.

Caroline smiled at him. "Why did you save me?" she asked him using his own words.

The kid only smiled at that. "I had to. You're my sister" he announced with a small shake of his head as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"And you're my little brother. I would do it all over again if I could" she told him and watched as he smiled and wrapped his arms around her neck. She smiled and wrapped her arms around the little boy herself, avoiding a very tight embrace to spare her any more pain.

"Will you promise me something?" she asked tentatively as Henrik hopped up on the bed from the other side and lay his head on her lap. He nodded as he closed his eyes. "You won't tell anyone that I took the hit for you. Just let everyone believe that he attacked me himself and you weren't involved in any of this" she made him promise as she stroked his hair softly while he rested in her lap.

Henrik looked confused for a little while before he nodded and snuggled closer to her. Even though it wasn't appropriate but he did not care as long as he got to fell asleep in his future sister's arms. No one in his own family ever gave him enough time. The person who pampered him most was usually Niklaus but he, too, had stopped giving him time ever since he left for war. But he did not care, as long as he continued to get the same affection and attention from Caroline, everything was good for him.

"Henrik is such a charmer" Rebekah commented with smile on her face as she came to sit in her brother's study. Kol and Klaus looked up to her confused.

The blonde sat herself down on the chair next to Kol and nudged his side. "I just came back from Caroline's chambers. He is sleeping peacefully in her arms after hours of staying awake" she told them with a slight smirk watching her older brother's reaction.

"So Henrik could get into Caroline's bed before Nik could. This is hilarious" Kol said chuckling with his sister.

Klaus scowled at the both of them, trying to hide his jealousy. He didn't necessarily mind Henrik staying with her but he definitely would like a little more attention from his wife for himself though.

Their playful banter was interrupted by a knock on the door. A guard entered and bowed. "Apologies for the intrusion your highness but King Mikael wanted me to inform you about the guests who will be arriving on the morrow" he said in a respectful voice keeping his eyes down.

"Go ahead" Klaus said and took a sip of the amber liquid in his glass.

"The Donovans, Fells, the people from the East and North, the Bennett, the Forbes and the…" the guard's eyes widened as he read the parchment and rubbed his eyes again to see if they were playing a trick on him.

"Who is it?" Kol asked. His interest peaked at the guard's wide eyed form.

"The Salvatores milord" he stammered nervously. Everyone with even the slightest knowledge knew that the Salvatores and Mikaelsons never got along but the news of the Damon Salvatore's arrival at the wedding of Niklaus Mikaelson was even bigger. Damon and Klaus had hated each other since the day they were born. Both had always competed for the same thing hence they were always in each other's way.

To top it off, Klaus had now stolen his fiancé as his own bride and Damon was attending their wedding.

"This is going to be one interesting wedding" Kol said smirking and rubbing his hands together excitedly.

Rebekah stood up and tried to slip out discreetly. Suffice it to say, her effort was not fruitful. "Where are you going Rebekah?" Klaus asked her with narrowed eyes.

"To tell Caroline of course. She'll be delighted to hear about her friends' arrival" she said with a false innocent face and left without any further explanation.

The guard stood there uneasily, waiting to be dismissed. Klaus, however, stroked his chin thoughtfully and paced the room slowly. Suddenly he stopped and glared the trembling guard. "I need four guards with my wife at all times. She is allowed to be with less than four guards only if she is in my presence." He ordered and the guard nodded obediently. "If she requests otherwise, tell her to come with me and in no condition should her security be compromised. Whenever she is in the presence of a Salvatore, I am to be informed immediately. Whenever she is in the presence of a Salvatore, I am to be informed immediately. You will watch her personally at all times and if anything happens to her, I will have your head on a spike" he threatened and dismissed the guard.

Kol sat there amused by his brother's behavior and his brother's insecurity. His smile obviously unnerved Klaus in such a time. "What is it?" he growled at him angrily.

"The girl left her home, her friends, her family and her lover for you. What more do you need from her to make you believe she is here to stay?" Kol asked chuckling.

Klaus thought about that only for a second before he glowered at his brother. "Why don't you find use for your ample talents elsewhere? I am busy." He said busying himself with reviewing the guest list for his wedding.

Kol stood up and walked to the door. "Alright. I'm sure Caroline would want company right now" he announced smirking when he heard a low growl from his brother and ran out the door.

Klaus kept barking orders around the castle, making sure everything was ready while constantly nursing a tumbler of scotch in his hand that was being refilled every now and then by one of the servants. He was passing by the main balcony when his feet stopped at the melodic sound of someone's laughter. He turned around and walked further onto the balcony and looked down into the gardens to see Henrik, Kol and Rebekah running around while Caroline sat at a chair with Elijah. There were also a few maids standing by and one of them was helping put more pillows on the chair for Caroline.

Everyone had genuine smiles on their faces and they all looked so carefree and happy. The last time they were all together like this was before they had been given their respective roles in the politics in their kingdom. Maybe Caroline was not only his redemption but also the key to his family's happiness. Maybe she was the light to his darkness. If so, Klaus was not letting her go. Ever.