AN: I hope you are all staying safe and warm. Please read and review. Please enjoy this next chapter. Please remember this is rated M for a reason. Be good people and Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas
Chapter 11
The campaign against their enemies was brutal, swift and exact. The dispatch was comprised of the Mikaelson siblings and their men and any able bodied men from Argyll's clan, including his son, Liam and allying clans. The clansman numbers were small due to the high casualties from the previous attack, which would have prevented them from retaliating or possibly protecting themselves from another attack, if not for the Mikaelsons, whose casualties were much lower.
Many men were murdered in their sleep or as they were attempting to protect themselves after having been suddenly surprised by intruders. The ones not laid low by sword were burned to death(with their unsuspecting families) from the fires set to their homes.
Argyll succumbed to injuries sustained from the fighting, while two of his other sons died during combat. Liam blinded by grief and unhinged by blazing anger and hatred demanded blood for blood for his brothers and father. He left his youngest and only brother, Duncan, home, fearing for his safety.
The Mikaelsons were honor bound to avenge their kinsmen, but they would also get justice for the order to kill Rebekah and her babe. Klaus would make sure Sigurd suffered greatly for even daring to think of bringing harm to his sister.
The mission was to eradicate all enemy forces, foreign or otherwise. No warning, no negotiating and absolutely no mercy. Not only was this payback, this was a warning to those who thought to go against the Mikaelsons or their kinsmen.
The men, in wolf form, roamed and swept over the land like a pack of ravenous demon hounds from hell killing every enemy they came across. Using their olfactory senses and direction from the Mikaelsons the wolf soldiers laid waste to the small squads of English soldiers scattered about and near the coast, next they slaughtered any clansmen still loyal to the MacAskill-Lockwoods.
Most of the men transformed except for the Mikaelsons and Liam. They opted for the feel of steel in their hands to end their foes. The trail of blood and dismembered bodies followed them across the coast, and the lands that merged into Sigurd's territory and village.
"You piece of shit," Klaus spat as he punched Sigurd again this time causing him to fall to the ground.
"You would kill my sister you fucking coward," he hissed as he repeatedly kicked the bloodied man while on the ground emphasising each word as his foot contacted to flesh with the sound of crack...crack...thud resonated in the cold air as Klaus broke his ribs.
"Enough, Niklaus." Elijah warned as he pulled Klaus away from the battered man.
Klaus raked his hair back from his face with his left hand which was less bloodied and composed himself a bit more. "Yes brother you are correct. I wouldn't want him to die before he suffers from the knowledge of what his traitorous acts have wrought upon his family and kinsmen." Klaus sinisterly jeered.
Marcel and Kol picked up Sigurd, dragging him to an area where all the men of the village and his kinsmen were standing, along with all the members of his immediate family. His wife and daughters wailing as they stood by seeing the brutality meted out and fearing for their safety.
"You will suffer before you die," Marcel promised stoically, holding him by the arm as the beaten man's head hung down.
"Kol, hold his head up." Klaus ordered. Kol compiled by grabbing a fistful of hair and violently yanking up causing his neck to make a sickening cracking sound.
Klaus stood in front of their prisoner, taking up his personal space, leaning close to his ear. With cold heartless eyes and a somber tone to match, Klaus' words cut at the heart of Sigurd's soul.
"All your allies are dead. All those that came to your aid now litter the countryside with their lifeless bodies and cold blood. You are disgraced and your name is dishonored."
Klaus took pleasure in hearing the broken man whimper, but he required more from him. Klaus motioned to the remaining men that were now on their knees in a line. "Your kinsmen will die this day. Your name will be no more. Blood for blood."
Klaus looked at Liam and nobbed, "Do it!" Sigurd groaned, pleading as he heard the wails of the womenfolk grow louder. "Please no...no..it was me...my fault. I gave the order." Sigurd cried, his body shaking as Liam stood in front of each man, slicing their exposed throats, crying out, "Blood for blood!"
Klaus continued, "Your name ends today as you tried to end my sister's life." This information caused Sigurd to fight against Kol and Marcel. "No, no... not..not my daughters, please no...no. I will kill you," he spat, crying out, tears running down his face as snot and blood sprayed out from his busted lips. In fear he shouted threats without conviction as he still struggled and thrashed about causing Kol to release his hold, punching the already battered man in an attempt to settle him down or so he justified.
"Unlike you, we don't kill or order the deaths of women or babes, but your sons will pay for your transgressions and you will watch as they die." Elijah said in disgust and indignation. His noble sensibilities taking offense to the thought of such barbaric deeds being levied on their names. As if he or his family would degrade themselves thus.
The women of Sigurd's family pleaded for mercy, but when their entreaties fell on death ears they shouted out slurs and called them monsters and vile beasts, but when that too availed them nothing they wailed, renting their garments and pulling at their hair.
Klaus watched the display in disgust knowing that his sisters, mother and wife would never behave thus and bring shame to his family. He had no pity for the women. Their actions did not pierce his heart or make him want to show compassion. He was cold-hearted and removed.
He remembered how valiantly Bonnie fought against many foes, he recalled how proud he was of Rebekah after hearing how she defended others and stood brave against men wanting to harm her and her unborn child. No, he would not spare their sons, brothers or husbands.
He would give no quarter. He would not grant his enemies a means for revenge in the future. He looked at Elijah wordlessly communicating his message. There will be no mercy! Kill them all!
Sigurd was made to watch in horror and humiliation as his womenfolk wailed, as the villagers witnessed his reckoning and as Liam killed each of his sons without allowing them to say their goodbyes when the last one fell to the ground, again he cried out, "Blood for blood."
Sigurd was broken indeed, witnessing the death of his sons, but having nothing left, knowing he would die soon, a hatred and rage bowed up inside of him. He was on the ground, shakily he started picking himself up. Klaus watched, motioning to his men to allow him this last rally of strength and attempt at dignity.
If he had not gone against Argyll and his family, he would have almost respected him, but there was no respect, no honor given and after Klaus was done with him, there would be no afterthought given either.
Sigurd charged Klaus and in an instant it was over, but not before Klaus gave him his parting words. As he charged, Klaus stood ready, anticipating the move, he sidestepped the attack, moving to his left, grabbing a hold of the older man Klaus tossed him to the ground then pounced on him. With elongated hands and claws Klaus dug into his chest cavity pulling out his heart slowly. Leaning close, Klaus whispered, "There will be no Valhalla for you for you are unworthy."
Klaus got up, crushed the still beating heart in his hand then walked over to the weeping women and dropped the pathetic thing at their feet. Thus was the end of Sigurd MacAskill-Lockwood and his clan with the exception of women, children and the elderly.
XX
The journey back to the village was quiet and solemn for though they slayed their enemies they still grieved their lost kinsmen. There would be no singing or drinking tonight, the night was for reflection, mourning and brooding.
They made camp, several men set out to hunt meat to bring back while others prepared fires and roasting pits. Each small campsite was spaced out for everyone to have space to lay down, but close enough for safety. Guards were posted to keep watch with several men taking turns, including Marcel and Kol, who took the first watch.
Klaus and Elijah sat by their fire, both quiet, but the silence was heavy, Elijah wanted to discuss Bonnie but didn't know how to broach the subject and Klaus knew this and was not willing to make it easy for him.
"Brother, what of Aurora," Elijah questioned, easing into the topic of the conversation from the backend, as it were.
"What of her Brother," Klaus questioned in response, sarcastically using the title of familial ties.
Elijah rubbed his eyebrows in frustration. "Niklaus, please. I do not wish to argue or fight. I am simply troubled. She is back home waiting for you, expecting a proposal of marriage and yet you seem to have taken up with this witch. Are you not concerned for her?"
"Oh brother," Klaus smirked, "Do you really want to play this game of subterfuge? Speak plainly for we both know full well that you are not concerned for Aurora. You barely tolerate her presence, so please dispense with your weak veil of compassion."
Elijah raised his hand in defense of Klaus' rising anger, which was belied by his whimsical cadence of his voice and deceptive smirk. "Very well, brother, I understand that you are enamored with the woman, she is a fine woman indeed, if not, different, but we know nothing of her. She may have bewitched you for nefarious reasons."
"The guiles of women can be very effective and sinister, especially one that practices such crafts. This is strange to me that you have been with Aurora some time despite our reservations of her character and motivations, not willing to take any counsel. And now so quickly you have lost interest and have moved on to another."
"I know you are not fickle or prone to fanciful romantic follies, but this change in you and your intense emotions only lead me to dark assumptions. I beg you to elucidate."
Klaus listened to his brother, knowing that his speech came from a place of love and concern, yet it did not lessen his irritation at being questioned regarding matters of his heart, which were no one's business. But for respect and love for his brother, he would acquiesce in giving him an answer.
Klaus relaxed his facial features so that his countenance was as a man of wisdom and patience. "My dear Elijah, you have no need to worry or fret as an old hen about her chicks. You know me well. I am not and have never been given to romantic folly, nor have I ever been a man concerned with much else but the call to arms and the taste of victory on the battlefield. Certainly not the delicacies of of a woman's heart or her desires for such things as they do"
"But I will tell you this. I never distressed myself with the character of Aurora because I have always known who and what she is. She has always been just a warm body to extinguish my needs."
"She thinks to make a cuckold of me, that I am ignorant of her games and indiscretions. I am not. She plays the sweet maiden and thinks she lulls me with her body, but she is little more than an ambitious whore with dreams of being a chieftain's wife."
"Trust me brother, Aurora was never more than the occasional itch that needed to be scratched. And I am a grown man not easily baited by a pretty face, tits and a round ass. I will deal with her accordingly."
"In the short time that I had been with Bonnie, she has come to be everything to me. She is the beating of my heart, she is the blood in my veins." Klaus shook his head, stopping Elijah from interrupting.
"Yes, before you say it I will, she has bewitched me. She has taken hold of my heart with her kindness and strength and loyalty and fierceness. Yes, she is beautiful...ethereal even, but it is not the beauty of her countenance that has ensnared me, it is the beauty of her soul, her spirit which she has shared with me and it is the love I see in her eyes and feel in her touch."
"She is the wife of my heart and soul. I pledge my life and all that I am to her and I will suffer no harm to come to her, either by foe or friend." Klaus grabbed his brother's neck and touched his forehead with his, gently squeezing, he said, " I love you and thank you for your concern but it is fruitless. I wish for you to avail yourself to her and you will come to love her as you do Freya and Rebekah."
Klaus kissed his forehead and got up from his place. "I go to check on Kol and Marcel." He said, ending the conversation. Elijah sat there thinking over the things that Klaus had revealed to him.
Tonight he realized two things, the first, he had underestimated Klaus, they all had. They thought Klaus was swayed by Aurora's wiles and false demeanor, falling prey to her calculated schemes. Yet, he was not only aware of them, but he allowed her to continue to think she had him in her trap, not knowing that she was the one in for a rude awakening, for he had been just biding his time with her, using her as she thought she was doing to him.
The second thing Elijah realized was that to underestimate Klaus was akin to courting death for he was not one to be trifled with, he had seen clearly the evidence of his ruthlessness and cruelty to his enemies.
Elijah had to decide what course of action he would take. He was torn between wanting to protect his family and wanting to believe and trust in what his brother told him concerning the witch.
He did not trust the witch, but it was not lost on him, the implicit threat that was issued to him. He would have to tread lightly for he had no desire to have Klaus as an enemy. He reasoned that for now he would watch and wait.
XX
Anthus had recovered nicely since Bonnie had awakened and attended to him, but he was in a poor disposition. He was sullen and moped around the longhouse occasionally trying to spread his wings fully, only to stop in discomfort and frustration, making a sound that almost resembled a growl.
He only suffered Bonnie's presence when she brought him food, other than that he avoided her, making his irritation of her known vocally. He would sit still as if he was listening for Klaus' call. Bonnie knew the huge bird missed his master for she felt the same way, and although she had Rebekah to keep her company, her heart cried out for him.
Every night she would hold onto the wolf pendant Klaus gifted her and whisper a prayer to the Great Mother for his safe return as well as the others, in particular Marcel for she knew that Rebekah fretted over his return but dared not speak it.
Most often she would stay inside or walk to Rebekah's dwelling. She hated the prying eyes that seemed to bore into her very skin when she walked about the village. Many just stared at her then turned gossipping, others would look at her with fear and disgust thinking she was the cause of their misfortune, while a few others, generally the women that had visited her in the past, would shyly smile and hurry on their way not wanting anyone to see them acknowledging her.
She knew they feared what they did not know and the truth was she was something to be afraid of, she was a force of nature and of power. Even though she had lived in this land for so long she was still a stranger to most of the people here and this did hurt her. It was the feeling of being set apart and alone.
She missed the forest and longed to go back, but she would not venture off, she would not leave, not before Klaus returned. She would not take the chance of not being there to welcome him home. No. She would wait.
XX