(3/30/21) A/N: I claim no ownership of the Vampire Diaries.

Prepare yourselves for unrealistic dialogue.

I've had this chapter written for weeks, but changes and tweaks kept me from posting it.

Sorry for grammar/ spelling issues.

Thank you for reading!

*Trigger Warnings: Canon typical violence/ mild graphic violence (if I've rated this wrong, please tell me), sexual assault warning, *underage relationship (typical- ish during middle ages), stillbirth.

Season 3: Black Dawn (Part 3)

The New World, 10th Century

At first blush, Rebekah Mikaelson had been mistrustful of the girl, only a bit younger than her, who was always eager to greet Rebekah's older brother whenever she saw him.

While she would never say so with words, Rebekah's actions clearly expressed that Niklaus was her favorite brother. While her other brothers doted on her (Kol never did), Nik seemed to understand her in a way the others could not.

What was unanticipated about this overnight friendship was how Niklaus humored the strange girl and seemed to be genuinely fond of her. For the life of her, Rebekah didn't understand why her brother indulged such a one-note "friendship".

She remembered when she first met this Sofija.

"Yes, Kol, that is the correct herb. Rebekah, you're not paying attention," scolded Esther as she briefly smoothed back Kol's hair. When their mother turned away, Rebekah's 7-year-old brother stuck his tongue out at her as she debated whether or not she could kick him without receiving trouble for it.

With their oldest children, Mikael had insisted that they be taught to be proper hunters, and Esther indulged his wishes in an attempt to appease him and his wayward temper. When she had been pregnant with her daughter, the mother witch felt the sudden call to pass down her knowledge to her children. Esther started small, and she primarily taught her youngest children how to make tonics and healing salves. Her oldest sons forgoed her lessons in an attempt to emulate their father. To her surprise, Esther's youngest son, Kol, gravitated to her lessons and was fascinated with her spells. Given Esther's pride in Kol's natural talent, Mikael allowed Kol's magic lessons to take precedence.

Esther sighed as Bekah's gaze wandered outside to where her brothers were training with makeshift swords. The potential was there, but Rebekah's mind had taken to wandering off throughout Esther's instruction. Her daughter reminded Esther of herself, for she had forsaken her heritage for much of her youth and it wasn't until she married Mikael that she finally put in the time to utilize her gifts.

Before she could capture Rebekah's attention once again, Esther caught sight of a neighbor walking towards Esther's home, with a young girl who was presumably her daughter. The mother's hair was a lovely shade of deep auburn, while her daughter's hair was a shade of deep dark brown that looked deceptively black. Esther raised an eyebrow as she took in the girl's mud smeared dress and disheveled hair. Were there twigs caught in there?

"Nik!" the young girl grinned enthusiastically as she spotted Esther's son, one of her front teeth missing.

"Who is she?" questioned Rebekah, seemingly unimpressed. Rebekah took great pride in her appearance, and it was rare a sun rised without Rebekah insisting on Esther brushing and fixing her hair.

"Be nice, Rebekah," Esther warned as she made her way outside, her daughter trailing after her.

"Good morrow, Esther," smiled Sigrid, "I came to thank your son properly for finding and returning Sofija to me. I and Haldor do not have much to offer, and we would like to offer these stones as a token of our thanks."

Esther was taken aback at the handful of deep blue stones Sigrid had wrapped in a white cloth.

"My husband's pack occasionally makes trades with packs quite a distance away. That's how he came across these, and he insisted you have them," Sigrid went on.

Esther had not known of Niklaus's good deed until Sigrid had spoken of it. A flash of anxiousness seized her at the thought of Niklaus making a connection with their werewolf neighbors, and her first thought was to not accept Sigrid's gift. Yet, she sensed these stones had magical properties that could be utilized.

Sigrid gave the stones to Niklaus, and she and her daughter bid the Mikaelson's a good day.

"For you, mother," Niklaus said once the pair had left.

"You did a good thing, my son," said Esther, placing a kiss on his forehead after accepting the stones and returned with Rebekah to continue their lessons.

While the majority of the village was respectful of the Mikaelson's due to their friendship with the greatly respected healer Ayana, and for the healing salves Esther bartered for extremely reasonable trades, they never quite accepted the Viking family as one of their own.

Mikael Mikaelson was a prideful man who secretly begrudged his lycanthrope neighbors their strength, their speed, and their good health. This desire for power manifested in an altogether cold and haughty disposition that led to his families amiable, but indifferent and unforthcoming relations with their neighbors.

"Good morrow, Rebekah," smiled Sofija toothily when she spotted Niklaus's sister the next day as she helped her mother to complete her chores.

"Good morrow, Sofija," said Rebekah with reserve. She had been gathering flowers for one of her mother's tonics.

From that day on, Sofija seemed to have made it a point to go out of her way to greet Rebekah Mikaelson. Rebekah resented the gesture at first, for she suspected that Sofija's friendliness towards her was ingenuine. Where Sofija kindly and consistently greeted Rebekah, the other village girls would hesitantly smile or nod cooley if she met their eyes.

She resented how Sofija's parents endeared her to most of the village, for the reason Sofija was not without some sort of speck of dirt on her was that she often played with many of the village children.

"Come join us, Bekah," Sofija invited one day, her face open and well-meaning. Rebekah had been taken aback at the invitation, and she did not correct the girl for the use of an over-familiar moniker as she might have otherwise. Rebekah thought of her brothers. The few times they included her with them on their outings, their father had a fit and fumed in the aftermath. Her brothers ceased to take her along with them now that her father had cut back on his hunting trips.

Her father would not be entirely pleased with her choice of companion, given who Sofija's parents were. Yet, Rebekah knew that her father's treatment of her had a softer touch than he did with her brothers. He would not outright forbid her from spending time with Sofija.

Deprived of friendship, Rebekah agreed to Sofija's invitation despite herself and left with Sofija after gathering her mother's permission. As they say, one thing led to another, and the rest was history.

With Sofija's favor, many of her companions readily accepted Rebekah. Sofija showed the blonde how to climb trees, where the clearest body of water was to swim in, and invited her to the evening campfires where the elder's shared treasured legends. For her part, Rebekah introduced Sofija to herbs that were not native to her land and how to braid her hair in a way that would keep it out of her face and mostly tangle-free (Sofija was astonished by Rebekah's technique and insisted the Viking girl teach her everything she knew).

Rebekah soon learned of the rumors of how the mortal village children were fearful of her mother, the witch. They told stories of her mother and her family, of how they thought that so much as a wayward glance and Rebekah would hex or curse them something revolting.

The rambunctious and ungovernable group that they were, the wolf's children held no such ideations, including Sofija.

For Rebekah's two and tenth name day, her mother had gifted her a beautiful sky blue dress and had brushed her daughter's hair until it gleamed. Rebekah made her way to Sofija's home, for her brothers would not appreciate their mother's efforts.

As the village children grew older, the bolder they became against the apparent superior seeming Mikaelsons.

Rebekah gasped as something collided with her, of which the aftermath included cold, dirty green lake water seeping into the front of my dress.

"My apologies Rebekah, it was but an accident," said a village girl, Mira, who was merely two years older than Rebekah. The cruel gleam in her eyes suggested otherwise, as well as her companion's barely concealed snort.

"Gahh," gasped Mira and her partner, Brenna, not a minute later.

Standing some feet away was Sofija and a friend of hers, Jai. Both children's hands were caked in mud

"Twas but an accident, Mira," said Sofija, playing the innocent as Jai ever so slightly hid behind her. A year younger than Sofija, he was the kindest of the wolf girls' friends, and all too susceptible to Sofija's whims.

As Mira and Brenna turned towards each other, Rebekah caught sight of the mud that stained their hair.

The blonde could not help the smile her face made and raised an eyebrow as the girls turned towards her.

"An improvement, I would say," she commented.

"You and your family think you're so-" Mira began.

"Be careful, Mira. Do you really want to offend the daughter of the most powerful being in the village? When my father's pack is not blessed by the full moon, of course," threatened Sofija.

The girls glared daggers at Sofija, turned their noses up at Rebekah, and parted ways.

Once they were gone, Sofija beamed at Rebekah and wished her a happy name-day, and Jai shyly repeated her sentiments.

"You did not have to do that, Sofija. It was-" began Rebekah.

Sofija rolled her eyes.

"Don't be foolish. They were halfwits to attempt to mock my friend on her name day. Or any other day. Unfortunately for them, you look absurdly comely even with the mess they made of your dress," sniffed Sofija proudly.

Rebekah felt herself smile again, for the unquestionably loyal friend she found in Sofija.

Rebekah grew to humor Sofija's affection for her brother. How she peppered poor Nik with questions about his outings as a child and how she blushed and stammered in his presence in her adolescence. Frankly, Rebekah had yet to meet anyone in her village that inspired that much feeling from her, and her abrasive father and offputting brothers did little to help her case.

Haldor traversed from being amused towards his young daughter's infatuation with the Mikaelson boy, to being unsettled by it. How much of the Mikaelson's presence in his daughter's life was of her own free will and how much was due to the supposed law of surprise?

His daughter was nearly of age to marry, and he himself had married Sigrid when she was six and ten years of age.

Haldor observed how the young Niklaus had come into his own as a warrior, and as well as how the young man, while fond and even indulgent of Sofija, still clearly saw her as the young girl he once rescued from the forest.

How long would that last once it could no longer be ignored that Sofija was a capable woman in her own right and a willful one at that.

Young Sofija had appeared to cease her fixation on Niklaus for the time being, and Haldor thanked the gods that she had at least an ounce of her mother's resolute temperament. But Haldor also took notice of his daughter's whimsical ideals, of her contrary and uninhibited nature.

That was the wolf blood that coursed through her.

Was it of his daughter's own free will how she frequently brightened in Niklaus's presence, how her eyes followed him as he made his way through the village, how even in the midst of her fleeting protestation that she did not especially favor Niklaus, her actions said otherwise.

And so, after Sofija's fifth and tenth name day, Haldor resolved to seek the counsel of an elder to put these worries to rest.

"There is no need for this doublespeak, Haldor. You've come to inquire on the vow you made, of the law of surprise and your daughter. Sofija, is it?" inquired Davian, an elder whose faced was creased in wrinkles. He had never triggered his werewolf curse, and his head carried a wealth of knowledge concerning their tribe's customs. Davian had outlived many alphas in his lifetime, and it was not known quite how old he was.

Haldor had been unsure of how to broach the topic of his predicament and stared at Davian in shock.

"The connection between her and the Mikaelson boy is apparent to those of us with the sight for such things."

"How can this be? The law of surprise is nothing but a foolish notion-" argued Haldor.

"Do not act the fool, Haldor. Do not pretend that the law of surprise is a wives tale, as all the other's believe, when you have seen for yourself that it is not," the elder chided.

Haldor took a deep breath. "What does this mean for my daughter?"

"Her and the Mikaelson boy are unquestionably connected. He feels responsible for her well-being, that cannot be in doubt. And she is clearly drawn to him as well. This would not be the first time the law of surprise has resulted in a love match," shared Davian.

"Does she have any choice in the matter?" questioned Haldor, alarmed.

"The law of surprise does not specify what type of relationship those affected will have, it merely ensures a bond. Count your blessings Niklaus does not take after the head of the Mikaelson family and is not the sort to force his authority over Sofija. What the children make of their attachment, it is of their own volition."

Haldor pondered Davian's words on his deathbed. After he accepted the law of surprise as a reality, he struggled with telling Sofija of what he had done. Indeed, it was lucky that it was Niklaus he had promised his daughter to and not one of his more unsavory neighbors.

"Papa," Sofija sobbed at his side, clutching his hand with both of hers. His abdomen was compressed with a previously clean cloth, though now, much of his blood had seeped through.

Renegade wolves had been in his pack's territory during the night of the full moon, and Haldor received his devastating wounds due to his instinct to defend his home. Evidently, he had been the dominant wolf, for he woke up next to his deceased competitor. It would not be long before Haldor joined him in the next world.

Haldor's pain was lessening, and his mind, for the moment, felt gloriously clear-headed.

"Promise me, Sofija. Promise me you will not tell your mother what I did," beseeched Haldor. He couldn't bear the thought of Sigrid learning of how he compromised their daughter's future, no matter how caring his savior had grown up to be.

"You've done nothing wrong, papa. Mother will be back any moment," said Sofija as she moved her hand to use a damp cloth to cool her father's head.

"Listen to me Sofija," said Haldor urgently as he used his last bit of strength to grasp his daughter's hand and gain her attention, "Before you were born, I was nearly victim to the most foolish death…"

Haldor told Sofija his story, and even in her anxious state, he managed to catch her by surprise when he revealed that her Niklaus had saved him.

"Not thinking much of it, I offered the boy the law of surprise. I never would have done so had I known I was to have bartered away my only daughter," shared Haldor.

Sofija's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Papa, you have always told me you believe the law of surprise to be a fool's law, that it does not exist," said Sofija.

"I was wrong Sofija. I wanted to deny it, because of what it would mean for you, but that time has long passed. I have seen the law come to fruition before my own eyes. Yours and Niklaus's destiny together is undeniable. He has grown to be a good man. I see what he means to you and you to him. The law of surprise does not dictate who you are to one another, that is of your own making," said Haldor.

"He does not care for me as I do- as I did for him. This is your fever, papa" Sofija denied.

"Sofija, I do not have much time left. I am your elder, heed your father," Haldor demanded, wanting his daughter to truly take in his words. Sofija nodded and sat up straighter.

Haldor's eyes softened.

"You have the wolf's blood in you, Sofija Dahlgaard. It runs in you as it ran in me. It may not be today, nor tomorrow, but Niklaus will one day see his equal in you. If the notion weren't absolutely witless, I would say the wolf's blood courses through him as well."

Haldor was racked with spasms of coughs. Sofija stared on in horror as her father coughed up blood.

"Your spiritedness and good humor are virtues, my daughter. Ask your mother how I won her favor, for it was not within a moon," said Haldor softly as his eyes closed.

"Papa, mother will be here soon," begged Sofija.

"I love you both, and we will see each other again in the next world," said Haldor as his eyes closed for the last time.

Ever since she was a young girl, Sofija longed to run with the wolves.

You have the wolf's blood in you, her parents often dotted. Her father with pride, her mother with a touch of exasperation. They were frustratingly tight-lipped on how one became a wolf.

And so, at 8 years of age, Sofija fixed to find out how. She recruited her friend, Jai, with her endeavor.

Jai was a year younger than her, and his dark hair and eyes were reminiscent of hers. Despite also being a descendant of the wolves, Jai was incredibly even-tempered, even as a child. To the observant eye, his only fault was giving in to Sofija Dahlgaards impulsivity.

Sofija told him of her plan to see the wolves run under the full moon. Jai often talked about how his parents paid less notice towards him in favor of his younger, louder brothers.

The concept of not having her parent's absolute attention was bewildering to Sofija, but she figured out how Jai's family could be used to her benefit.

During the preparation for the moon, Sofija pleaded to her mother to spend it with Jai and his family in the caves near their home.

Sigrid, for her part, had vowed to help her friend with her newly born babe and knew her daughter would not appreciate the babe crying throughout the night. She rather wished Sofija would be with Rebekah Mikaelson, who her daughter had taken a shining to, but Jai was the next best choice.

As promised, Jai's mother's attention was fixed on her younger, wild sons, and Jai and Sofija were afterthoughts who were trusted to keep themselves amused.

Jai had tried to talk her out of her plan at the last minute, but he could see that his friend was going to continue on with or without him. With a sigh, he followed her lead out of the safety of the caves and into the dark night.

"Jai, look," gasped Sofija as she grabbed Jai's hand. Both children caught sight of a tawny brown wolf with luminescent yellow eyes. Jai's breath caught in his throat as the wolf stalked closer to them, stopping only half a foot away as it studied and sniffed at them.

Another minute passed before the wolf turned away, as if the children were not deemed worthy of its attention.

"Surely he was not the only one, there must be more nearby," said Sofija, wanting to see more.

Jai turned to his friend with wide eyes. She would want them to stay out the whole night.

"It is time to return to the caves, Sofija. You've gotten poor Jai and yourself into enough trouble for the night," said the lilting voice of Astrid.

Both children turned with wide eyes to face her. Astrid, the eldest child of Ansel, the pack's alpha. She took after her father, for she was one of the tallest women in the tribe. Her smooth, bright hair fell to her waist, and her eyes went back and forth from blue to green. She had inherited her father's commanding presence and had yet to trigger her werewolf curse or to marry.

"Please, Astrid," begged Sofija, hoping to talk the teenage girl into letting them stay a moment longer.

"I think you'll find me much less accommodating than your friend here. Come along," said Astrid in a neutral tone, turning to make her way back to the caves. Both children followed her with no further arguments.

Haldor left the scolding to his wife for his daughter's most idiotic venture, not wanting to unleash his temper on his daughter. A day's worth of back-breaking work had done away with most of it, and he found himself left with exhaustion and disappointment.

He returned to find his wife sitting outside their home with her head in her hands.

She looked up before he had the chance to make his presence known, and looked at him with tired eyes.

"I had wanted to wait another season or so before we told her. But she is too curious for her own good. I know your pack protects their own, but she was so close to-" Sigrid broke her gaze away, her hands closing to fists in her frustration.

"You are right, beloved. We must tell her," agreed Haldor.

The Dahlgaards did not tell their daughter precisely how one triggered the werewolf curse, but they let it be known to her that for a potential wolf to be activated, a life had to be taken. To make the concept of sacrifice more feasible to their daughter, they told her a sacrifice would entail the death of a creature, such as the rabbit that often spent its mornings on the patch grass in front of their house. Sofija was awfully fond of that rabbit, and she had a notion of the point her parents wanted to make.

It would not be until her tenth name day that Sofija joined the similarly aged children on a significant, habitual bonfire meant only for the children of the pack. During this bonfire, the elders told the legend of how the wolves came to be, of how their pack was descended from one of the original seven werewolf bloodlines. Of their packs rivalry with the Crescent wolves. Of how one triggered their werewolf curse, in which those with the wolf's blood had to take a human life.

When the time came to pass, it was often the sons of the tribe who were led on hunting expeditions to take a life and trigger their curse. It was not that the daughters of the tribe were never considered, but they were much more infrequently chosen.

"My brother was the kindest man I ever knew, and thanks to the goddamned Crescent wolves, he was taken before he could meet you, youngling," said Haldor as he sat down by his daughter the next morning as she refused to break her fast.

"The alpha from then instituted a law that a child from every family must be chosen to awaken their wolf. My brother was a good-natured man, and when he was seven and ten years of age, he resolved to be the one from our family to activate the curse. I could not let him. At three and ten years of age, I was one of the younger additions to the pack that moon," said Haldor with a pained look in his eye.

"Papa," Sofija spoke up, looking at her father with wide eyes.

"Now, listen here, things changed when Ansel overthrew the previous alpha. We are no longer expected to sacrifice our children for the sake of the pack," said Haldor. He chose not to inform his daughter of what was unspoken of, but of what was known among their kind. To ensure their survival, choices had to be made and lives had to be taken.

"If the price is too high, you will not be forced to pay it, sweetling." Haldor finished.

"I will never be a true wolf, papa," Sofija vowed, a mournful look in her eyes.

Haldor Dahlgaard passed away soon after his wife returned. Sofija was the one to hold her mother back as her father's friends prepared him for his final goodbye.

Sofija laid tucked into her furs, unable to fall asleep. She turned her head and felt some relief at the sight of her mother finally surrendering to rest.

After fitfully turning in her makeshift bed, Sofija finally got up. Perhaps a walk would help her sleep.

She wandered aimlessly through the village, taking solace in her isolation. It would soon be sunrise, and many would begin to start their day. She stilled as she caught sight of the great white oak tree. She had unintentionally ended up at the far end of the village

She felt a sudden urgency to return home, fearful her mother would wake up to find her absent. She had barely started her trek when he called out to her.

"Sofija," called out Niklaus, his voice low.

"Nik," she returned blandly, "You're awake early." The sight of him did not have its usual effect on her.

"You shouldn't be wandering on your own," said Niklaus as he looked at her worriedly. He himself had not fared much better than her as he had fallen into a fitful sleep that night. The sight of Sofija, uncharacteristically morose and a shell of herself deeply disturbed him.

It was apparent to him that Sofija was not entirely present with him, and so he refrained from further reprimanding her.

"I'll walk you home," he stated, not bothering to humor her protest.

It was when she caught sight of her home that emotion overcame Sofija. She had not noticed the tears falling down her face until Niklaus gently said her name.

Her father's words returned to her. The law of surprise. She opened her mouth with the intention of informing Niklaus. Instead, she began to sob. Niklaus wrapped his arms around her and let her cry.

"I miss him," she cried into Niklaus's shoulder.

He stayed with her until well after sunrise, forbearing all the while until her tears subsided.

Not long after Sofija's sixth and tenth nameday, new family revealed itself.

"Polina," gasped Sigrid as she caught sight of an absolutely beautiful brunette outside their cottage. A babe was balanced on the hip of the oddly familiar girl as she looked at Sofija and her mother fretfully.

"Polina was my mother, and Soren my father. I am their daughter, Tatia," corrected the girl not much older than Sofija.

At the beginning of their acquaintance, Sofija's newfound cousin was a source of hope for her. According to Sigrid, Tatia was made in the image of her mother, Polina. Her quick wit and natural charisma were a reflection of both her parents, Sigrid told Sofija with a reminiscent look in her eyes.

The amount of tragedy Tatia had endured struck Sofija. Her cousin's parents died over a settlement dispute when the nomadic couple had finally wanted to put down roots for a permanent home. Tatia fell in love with the warrior who helped to defend her parent's home. She married him, and their union led to an adorable babe, Kara. Before Kara could be born, Tatia's husband soon passed as well, battling insurgents wanting to take the land for themselves.

Tatia's father, Soren, told his daughter of his sister and the village he called home, until he fell in love with her mother.

With her home under the constant threat of attack, and wanting to be near family as she continued to raise her newborn babe, Tatia resolved to find her father's old home and to find Sigrid, her father's beloved sister.

Tatia, and a small band of others from her previous tribe, navigated back to the village, based on memory, or in Tatia's case, her father's instruction.

Despite all her hardships, Tatia radiated optimism for a fruitful life for both her and her daughter. Her presence was intoxicating, and soon, Sofija's cousin helped her to see through the worst of her grief.

Since she was a widow, Tatia was expected to be housebound and remain in mourning for the first few moons after her husband's passing, and walk around with her face cloaked in a thin shaw. Tatia shared with Sofija that this was preferable to throwing herself on a pire after her beloved had passed, which is what would have been expected of her had she stayed with her clan.

One fateful evening, Niklaus escorted Sofija back to her home once again after she had finished completing her chores with Rebekah.

Time seemed to slow down for Sofija as she caught sight of an uncloaked Tatia lifting her babe in the air, her laugh the sound of bells as she cooed over the young Kara. The sunset reflected on the mother and daughter pair in the most vivid way.

Sofija's stomach knotted as she returned her gaze to Niklaus as he looked at Tatia in a way he never thought to look at her. He was undeniably mesmerized. He was not the only one.

After her respectful mourning period, Tatia made quick work of effortlessly captivating the village. The young, beautiful widow enchanted every other man in the village and struck envy in the girls coming of age and in need of a first husband.

Sofija and Tatia walked silently back to their homes after the Samhain festivities had been concluded. Sofija thought of her dance with Niklaus, of how tightly he had held her, of how close they were. For a moment, he had looked at her as if she were Tatia.

Then Sofija remembered catching Elijah and Tatia locked in an intimate embrace after she had broken her dance with Niklaus.

"Forgive me, if I'm being intrusive, but I thought- I thought it was Niklaus who had your favor," Sofija finally said,"And forgive me again, Tatia, but I also have seen how intimate you are with Elijah. The village is alight with unkind rumors of how you toy with both brothers."

It had been unthinkable to her that anyone could divert Tatia's attention from Niklaus, let alone his brother. Sofija had worked hard that first month to be happy for Tatia and Niklaus, pushing aside her affection for him with the best of her efforts.

"With you, there's nothing to forgive" murmured Tatia, who was gazing up at the stars admiringly, "I am well aware of the rumors."

Tatia trailed off, guilt and confusion plain on her face. She sat on a nearby log and Sofija took a seat beside her. The brunette played with the sleeve of her dress as she sought the words to describe her predicament.

"I know that Niklaus is dear to you, to me as well. I did not think it was possible to find love after my husband had passed, to find the same passion. Niklaus proved me wrong at every turn, he is very… His affection consumed me. Yet Elijah… his devotion and love crept on me. The dutiful brother. It is he who I find myself thinking of more often than not," Tatia shared, her eyes ashamed.

The brunette went on to say that she was torn on which brother she wanted to build the rest of her life with. The bold brother, who taught her it was possible to love again... Or the patient brother, who she could not in good conscience turn away.

Sofija offered no words of advice to her cousin, merely commiserated with her. As envious and as cross she found herself with Tatia for not seeing that the obvious choice was Niklaus, she found some compassion for her.

Sofija woke up quite early in the morning. It was a habit she picked up after her father's death, rising before the sun did so. She typically busied herself with grabbing herbs for breakfast. That morning, she left with her satchel and a dagger to cut the stem of the most stubborn plant that made for a flavorful meal.

The woods that surrounded the village were a second home to Sofija. Her father had taught her how to navigate them after the scare she put him through when she was 5, and when she was older, Niklaus had fine-tuned her instincts.

Sofija felt eyes on her. While she was not the only villager to begin an early day, she was the only one who wandered through this particular expanse of woods by her home. She quickly turned around and met surprised brown eyes.

"Ned?" Sofija asked, still not quite at ease even though she was familiar with Ned. More so than she wanted to be.

Ned was another former member of Tatia's clan, and he had taken an acute interest in Sofija, often finding her alone. He was leanly built, not unlike Niklaus. And yet, Sofija could not find it within herself to entertain his affections, his awkward flattery. Sofija found him to be a mild man. That was not the impression he gave her this morning.

Sophia slowly stepped away from him as he stalked closer to her, and found herself backing into a tree.

"What are you- " Ned backhanded her, staring at her cruelly as she clutched a tree branch to keep from falling.

He grasped her neck, squeezing it with the promise of threat, before loosening his grip.

"The customs of this village are an atrocity. The insult of having to bargain with your mother for you as wife, only to have her send me away without entertaining my offer. Of watching you throw yourself at that wretched man. Niklaus, correct?" His lips were viciously twisted as he stared down at her, amused.

Sofija looked at him in anger, but fear seized her once again as he tightened his grip, and she found herself stunned at the amount of strength he possessed in one hand. Her left hand snuck into her satchel and gripped her dagger. She took a deep breath, hoping to talk him down.

"I- " Sofija tried again.

"Did I say you could talk?" He crashed her head against the tree, and Sophia felt the slow burn of indignation seep and settle into every bone of her body. "As disappointing as I find the endeavor of building a home here, at least I will have a pretty wife to ease my burden. You will have no choice once you are with my babe. Even the barbarians that make up this village will respect that much," he taunted as he began to pull up the skirt of her dress.

A flash of terror overcame Sofija, and it was just as swiftly replaced by scorching rage.

She bared her teeth as she readily plunged her dagger into the side of his neck, leaving it planted there.

His speech was garbled as he attempted to talk, blood filling his mouth as well as leaking out from his neck.

Sofija stared at him dispassionately as he fell to the ground. It was only when his feeble attempts to reach out to her ceased that she began to feel a trickling of dismay. And yet, she watched with flat eyes as his body stilled, remembering what he had been all too willing to take from her.

Before she had the opportunity to process her actions, she fell to her knees, clutching her head in agony.

She moaned in frustration and anguish as a whisper of the bone-breaking pain her future promised seized her body. The worst of the ache eventually left her, and she was able to stand on her feet again. She was promptly flooded with shock over her actions and the regret of taking a human life.

It was Jai who she sought for help that awful morning. They were not as close as they once were, for they had become distant after he purposefully activated his curse. And yet, he checked in with her and her mother often enough after her father's passing.

Sofija hugged herself as she waited for her friend to begin his day.

"Jai," Sofija greeted numbly as he exited his house

He was calm as she showed him the body. Sofija stared at it regretfully, for she still had not told Jai why she did what she did.

She tried, but she could not say the words.

Jai simply held her as she sobbed in his arms.

Things seemed to move quickly after that. Jai found Astrid and left Sofija with her while he went with Ansel and other pack members to take care of the body.

They protected their own, and Sofija had been Haldor's dearest daughter.

"While I had hoped for more wolfs of the fairer sex, I had not wanted it to happen this way," said Astrid, her face somber.

It had been the fair-haired alpha's daughter that Sofija had finally confessed her sins to.

Astrid did not entertain Sofija's notions of guilt.

"It was you or him, Sofija. He was more a beast than you could ever hope to be, even as a wolf," said Astrid, her tone soothing.

Sofija grew withdrawn and had taken to completing her chores by herself. Her moods became progressively capricious and she felt unfit for company.

The emotions the people in her life inspired within her were… unpleasant to say the least.

As much as she adored Tatia, she found her hands balling into fists as the brunette talked about her day. She resented the woman only two years older than her for her beauty, her charm, and the men that loved her. Or rather, one man in particular.

Niklaus. What she felt for him now was not comparable to what she felt merely a few years ago. Her gaze darkened at the sight of him. Her sight wandered his person, from the slope of his shoulders to the muscles and sinew that made up his forearms as he occasionally helped Sofija complete her chores. She wasn't subtle, and years worth of confusion finally came to a head.

After Kol Mikaelson so crudely made his observations of Sofija's fixation on Klaus, Sofija resolved to temper them as best she could… By never meeting his eyes, and never quite looking at his person. Niklaus did not entertain this for long.

"I can perform my own chores, Nik. I did not ask for your aid," said Sofija, somewhat petulantly, as Niklaus insisted on helping her.

"Why would you want to, when I am offering my assistance," he said, his grin charming as he eased the water basin from Sofija's grip. His brows furrowed once he got a hold of it.

"Good thing too. Surely this is more than you could comfortably carry, Sofija," he said, looking at her in concern.

Sofija coughed and looked away from him as they continued walking to the village. Thanks to her newly acquired strength, she felt that she could comfortably carry more than thrice the amount, but she had yet to tell anyone other than her mother how she triggered the werewolf curse, and she did not want to raise Niklaus's suspicions.

They delivered the water basin in no time.

"I am always at your disposal, Sofija Dahlguaard," said Niklaus as grabbed Sofija's hand a placed a chaste kiss on the back of it. His grin was teasing. The promise and resoluteness in his eyes took her breath away. Sofija felt her breathing quicken as she stared into his eyes, and all traces of playfulness faded from his face as he stared back. He still had not returned her hand.

"Niklaus, mother requested you," called out the familiar voice of Finn Mikaelson.

Niklaus and Sofija abruptly stepped away from each other. Niklaus did not look to her as he bid her farewell. Sofija drew in a deep breath, unsure of how to read Niklaus's intentions.

"What is going on between you and Niklaus," Rebekah asked bluntly.

Sofija took the time to mull over her friend's question, knowing better than to play the fool with the blonde.

"I no longer know what to make of him. I tried to step away when he made his intentions with Tatia clear, and since then I could not get rid of him. He is everywhere. And the way he looks at me and talks to me is decidedly…" Intimate.

"His intention towards you, dear Sofija, is decidedly that of a suitor," said Kol as he wandered into the clearing where she and Rebekah sat.

Bekah sighed in exasperation, but Sofija gave her a warning look before she could order her brother to go away.

Sofija met Kol's mischievous eyes. Damn Mikaelsons. The younger two were the only wholly pleasant ones on the lot. Gods willing that young Henrik did not take after his older brothers.

"He never humored my… affections towards him until recently. It was sudden, after my-" After my father passed. "After Tatia arrived."

Kol winced as he took a seat next to Sofija.

"Yes, I believe Niklaus initially changed how he treated you after rather questionable advice. My advice." Kol's eyes and tone were bright.

Sofija and Rebekah stared at him in bewilderment.

"In my defense, one would think that he would know better than to listen to me," said Kol, playfully self-deprecating.

"Enough of this, what did you tell him," demanded Rebekah impatiently, taking the words out of Sofija's mouth.

"Well, he was going on and on about a young, bewitching widow whose affection suddenly became… redirected. Poor, defenseless Nik was telling me what ails him, of all people. Elijah, his tried and true brother, was not an option for obvious reasons. In an effort to make him go away, I offered Niklaus a solution. Make Tatia as jealous as he was." Kol was staring at Sofija pointedly.

Sofija was thoroughly vexed.

"Why would he choose me? To make Tatia jealous." Sophia pondered.

"Yes, I asked myself the same thing. It seemed a thoughtless choice. However, Niklaus has since shared with me that no other woman in the village was arresting enough to raise Tatia's ire." said Kol, looking at Sofija meaningfully.

Rebekah leaned over Sofija to smack Kol's forearm.

"You insensitive rat, how could yo- " Kol cut Rebekah off.

"Why are you hitting me? I didn't tell Niklaus to pick Sofija, of all the village girls. I did not make him follow my words," said Kol bitingly as he massaged his arm.

Sofija was on edge as she helped her mother prep for the full moon. Unlike her friend, she could not find it in her to be angry at Kol. While he planted the idea into his brother's head, he did not force Niklaus's hand. On one hand, Niklaus no longer viewed her as a child he had to protect, but as someone who could potentially make her cousin jealous. On the other hand, he knew how she felt about him. Was she so good at pushing her feeling's away that he felt he could toy with her and it would cause her no harm?

Sofija felt the urge to punch a wall and acted on it. In her whirlpool of feelings, she barely registered the pain. She looked at her bruised fist in distaste. There was no need to bandage it. Soon enough, every bone in her body would break and she would take a different shape. This would be her second full moon.

The male wolves outnumbered the women, fifteen to nine. All of them were comfortable enough to disrobe their clothing in front of the men, but Sofija was not there yet. Astrid was kind enough to find Sofija a secluded spot and talk her through the transition as she changed and experienced the same pain herself.

Sofija had woken up naked, out of breath, and caked in fresh mud. She had no memory of her first night as a wolf. Astrid said with time, flashes would come back to her. Only Ansel, and one or two others, were able to maintain some cognizance while they were wolves.

Sofija felt dread at the thought of turning once again. According to Astrid, the pain she went through that first full moon would be relived in each and every full moon after, but the pain would eventually become bearable if nothing else.

Her confusion about Niklaus, combined with the anticipation of transforming, left her with a rather stormy disposition. Her mother gave her a wide berth. Prior to her curse, Sofija had taken to weathering the full moons with Tatia in the caves on her side of the village, while Bekah and her family stayed in the caves on the other end.

It was thanks to that arrangement that the entire village had yet to know she was a wolf. She had told Rebekah soon after she found how one became a wolf, and she couldn't bear the thought of her friend and her family knowing she had taken a life. With Mikael's attitude towards the wolves, there was a good chance he just might lock up his daughter in an effort to keep her away from Sofija.

Sofija violently pulled away when she felt a hand encase her upper arm. She soon learned it as Niklaus who was trying to gain her attention.

"Tatia has taken her babe for a nap. She'll be back at her cottage if you want to find her," Sofija shared through gritted teeth, wanting him away from her.

"You are quick to assume I am here for Tatia," said Niklaus, his bright smile fading as noticed how Sofija did not replicate his niceties.

"Please just… Go away, Niklaus," Sofija sadi defeatedly, turning her head away from him.

"Have I done something to upset you?" His confusion seemed genuine.

Sophia threw her basket, still yet to be filled with water, to the ground, and faced Niklaus.

"What to do you want of me?" she demanded. "Kind to my face you were, but I know how you laughed of my affections for you with your brothers. And now you- you taunt me, all in the name of making Tatia jealous!"

Sofija edged near him.

She thought she saw his breathing hitch.

There they stood, nearly chest to chest, onyx eyes not straying from the wild blue.

Despite herself, Sofija felt something in her soften at the exposed, tormented look on his face.

Aggrieved as she was, she wanted Niklaus to know he deserved better than Tatia's half-hearted devotion.

And for that matter, so did Sofija.

"You would be my first choice," Sofija smiled contritely, "You are my first choice. Truthfully, I have a difficult time imagining the rest of my days with any other. We live a hard life, and if Tatia was to be worthy of your devotion, she would simply be with you, and not lose precious time engaging both yours and Elijah's affections."

Sofija could see and hear Niklaus audibly gulp, and he was devoid of his wit.

She reached out and grabbed his hands, and raised her lips to press a swift kiss upon his cheek.

When she pulled her head away, she found herself taken aback at the scarcely contained, feverish look in his eyes.

A peculiar and untested intuition ignited Sofija.

Her eyes looked down as she brought her face impossibly close to his, shutting them only when her lips met his in a kiss.

Sophia felt suspended in time, her heart beating heavily in her chest, and she wondered if Niklaus could hear it too.

When time started again, he reacted instantly, dropping her hands to wrap his arms around her waist. Sophia placed her hands on his chest. On her life, she swore the wolf in her rumbled approvingly.

Sophia silently thanked the gods for Nik's initiative, tentatively mimicking the way his lips danced with hers, her hands sliding up to his shoulders.

He wove one of his hands through her hair as the other stayed on the small of her back.

Caught up in the moment, Sofija did not register the crack of twigs to her right.

"Nik! You promised to teach me to wood carve!" said a boy's voice.

Sophia jumped out of Niklaus's arms as he looked at her, dumbfounded.

Sofija looked to where the voice was coming from.

"Good morrow,Henrik," she greeted as friendly as she could manage, her voice erring on the side of breathless.

"Good morrow, Sofija," Henrik greeted brightly as he bypassed a thicket of tall, bright verdant grass that must have obscured their embrace.

When Sofija woke up the next day, covered in wet mud and stray leaves, she could have sworn she remembered howling with her fellow pack members under the moon.

That same day, unsure of what to say to Niklaus should they have another moment alone, Sofija made sure to remain at Rebekah's side as they completed their chores.

"Are you ready to go again boy?" Growled Mikael as he circled his son.

Sofija and Rebekah were returning from the chores, and Rebekah had wanted to check in with her mother. Right in front of the blonde's home, her father and brother appeared to be preparing for another duel.

Niklaus stared at his father with a wary look in his eye, his sword in hand.

Rebekah had shared with Sofija how just days ago, Mikael and Niklaus had dueled, and it ended with Mikael impaling his sword into Niklaus's shoulder after Niklaus had long last gotten the upper hand on his father.

"Father don't, he's still healing," called out Rebekah, anger and fear at war in her voice.

"Do not fight his battles," snapped Mikael.

Sofija noticed how Niklaus was holding the sword in his weak arm, for his dominant arm was attached to the shoulder that Mikael had injured.

Mikael made quick work of unarming Niklaus.

"I ought to cut off your arm and put you out of your misery," threatened Mikael as he held his sword against his son's neck, drawing blood.

Sofija heard her blood rushing in her ears. She felt a wave of hot, white anger settle in her stomach.

"Step away from him, you've already hurt him enough," demanded Sofija, her voice firm. She shrugged off Rebekah's attempt to hold her back.

"Stay out of this girl," sneered Mikael, digging his sword further into his son's neck.

Sofija made use of her newfound agility. She deftly reached down to grab Niklaus's sword.

Likely years of battles and warriors instinct came back to Mikael, for he finally removed his sword from Niklaus's neck to fend off Sofija's attack.

The force he used as he fought back should have knocked the sword right out of Sofija's hand, had she been an average girl.

The wolf in her howled in rage.

Sofija bared her teeth as she felt the wolf rush to the surface, and by the look of surprise in Mikael's eyes, she knew her eyes had flashed that tattle tale gold.

Her technique was atrocious, but with minimal exertion, she managed to overpower Mikael, slicing the skin of his hand as she fended off his attack, causing him to drop his sword.

Mikael's eyes were wild as he stared her down.

"You've finally done it. You're the same beast your father was, an abomination," Observed Mikael viscously.

Sofija felt Niklaus and Rebekah's eyes on her, but she couldn't bring herself to look back at them. Her face felt hot, her breathing shallow. What must they think of her?

"I want you no where near my children. My home. I ought to skin you for your deceitful tricks," the eldest Mikaelson went on as Sofija backed away from him.

"Mikael, leave the girl alone," she heard Esther call out in a placating tone.

Sofija did not bother to find where matriarch Mikaelson's voice was coming from, and the sound of it spurned Sofija into action. She took her leave and ran through the woods, no care in the direction she was going.

"Niklaus," Sofija breathed as she exited her home. She feigned being ill in an effort to avoid the various Mikaelsons. Just a bit after sunset, she finally walked outside to meet her mother for dinner, when she saw Niklaus mere feet from the door.

The events of the day had constantly turned in her mind. She felt faint as she stared at Niklaus, unable to interpret the look on his face as she closed the door behind her.

"I'm sorry for intervening, for drawing your father's blood," Sofija paused, and then met Niklaus's eyes.

"No, I must apologize again, that was a lie. I am not sorry for stepping in. The nerve of your father to challenge you again after he had stabbed you in a fit of rage. I feared he would hurt you even worse, for his threats do not appear to be idle. The way he treats you, Niklaus, is reprehensible," said Sofija as she looked pleadingly into Niklaus's eyes, wanting him to understand.

"It's okay, Sofija," said Niklaus soothingly as he stepped closer to her. It was only then that Sofija realized she was crying. Sofija lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him and hiding her face in the crook of his neck. She felt Niklaus's arms encircle her as soon as she was within his grasp. The thrumming of his heart calmed her.

"I forgot you're hurt," gasped Sofija as she stepped back, inspecting Niklaus's shoulder in concern.

"My mother made a tonic that relieves me of the pain," he said, shrugging off her worries.

Sofija sucked in her lower lip as he continued to stare at her.

"Are you here to tell me I am no longer welcome at your home," Sofija guessed, her heart heavy.

Niklaus furrowed his eyebrows.

"Why would I- Oh." Recognition lit his eyes as Sofija looked at him incredulously.

"Your father is more a beast than any of the men and women in my pack, although he would be the last person to realize that," Sofija sneered as she looked towards the trees.

"Well, your own father has proven that numerous times over. Speaking of your pack and your own lycanthrope father," Niklaus looked at her questioningly.

Sofija audibly swallowed. She challenged herself not to look away from his eyes.

"I activated my curse two months ago. A man- he...His words drove me to madness, and I..." Sofija paused and looked at Niklaus helplessly. She had killed that man.

Nik grabbed her hands and stared imploringly at her.

"You are no abomination, Sofija. Quite the opposite. I remember how you despaired at the notion of never becoming a wolf. It is not something I would ever believe you would have chosen lightly," Niklaus told her solemnly.

Sofija's mouth parted open just the slightest bit as she took in the steadfastness in his gaze. She felt her wolf rise again and knew he could see how the animal was just beneath the surface. His gaze did not falter as he continued to meet her eyes straight on. Sofija inched closer to him so that their noses were nearly touching.

The dark in his eyes overwhelmed the blue as Sofija looked to him for any condemnation on what she planned to do next. Not finding any, she brought her lips to his once again.

Nik responded at once. He was reverent as he kissed her back, placing one hand in her hair and the other around her waist as he guided her lips with his.

Sofija's mind was in a pleasant fog as he pulled away.

"I have to meet my mother for supper," she murmured against his lips. Her own lips twitched upwards as she attempted to fight her pleased smile.

"You shouldn't keep her waiting," he said in return, his eyes soft as the hint of a smile graced his face.

"What of you and Tatia?" Sofija questioned as Niklaus placed rough kisses down her neck. He exhaled in frustration as he rested his head on her shoulder.

This was the fifth time they dallied in secret, and every time Sofija intended on asking him where he stood in relation to her cousin. However, every time she saw him, her baser instincts took over, and not much talking was ever done.

She had grown bold enough to lead their couplings, no longer content with following his lead. Niklaus took this as a sign to advance their dalliances.

Sofija's back was pressed against a tree as she embraced Niklaus, her legs wrapped around his waist. Her hands were tangled in his hair as he teased and taunted her with his lips and teeth.

She had other reasons for taking so long to finally ask this question, if she was being forthright with herself. Such as fear of how he might answer.

Sofija disentangled her legs from his waist so she could stand, her face flushed as her dress skirt fell around her legs to the ground.

"What of Tatia?" Niklaus asked as he stood up straight, planting his hands on the tree behind Sofija, trapping her between his arms.

"Are you still pursuing her?" Sofija asked.

Niklaus huffed a laugh of surprise.

"I no longer care for Tatia as I once did. I haven't in some time. It was plain for anyone to see that she favored 'Lijah, and it took me longer than I care to admit to accept that." Niklaus paused, his eyes shamefully downcast.

Sofija steeled her nerves in preparation for her next question. A disquieting sentiment that plagued her.

"Am I… am I merely a crude substitution for her?"

He removed his hands from the tree to grasp her waist and held her against him.

"What I feel for you is not comparable to what I felt for Tatia. I was trying to hold onto something fleeting and wayward. You and I-" Sofija's breath hitched as he touched his forehead to hers.

"For as long as I've known you, you've been an unprecedented presence in my life. You're relentless, ensnaring… you're utterly bewitching."

Bewitching, Sofija echoed in her head, dazed. He thought she was bewitching.

He also thought her akin to ivy, evergreen and entrapping, but he didn't sound displeased by the thought, so she accepted that as a triumph.

Sofija breathed deeply, and despite her best efforts, could not keep away the gratified smile that made its way to her face.

"When did you begin to view me as a feasible … companion?" she asked curiously, lifting her head up. For so long, it seemed, Nik thought her a perpetual child.

Niklaus cleared his throat.

"The ways you've proven you're a warrior at heart. As well as… Ah- it was actually Tatia who asserted you were no longer a child I had to shelter, but a woman grown. And a spring of constant astonishment at that."

Sofija nodded thoughtfully. She knew their coupling was initially odd for Klaus, but it sounded as if he had made peace with the origins of their relationship. As for her, Sofija no longer considered herself the child she once was. The death of her father saw to that. Her killing a man who wanted to take her as an unwilling wife saw to that. They were now both of marrying age, and she was capable of making her own decisions.

"Do you remember him?" said Sofija with a teasing smile as she pulled the mushroom knight out of her dress pocket.

Niklaus chuckled in embarrassment as he plucked the knight from her fingers to study.

"I thought you would have long ago lost this by now," he said as he studied it, then pressed a kiss on the top of her head. They were in a small, run-down, empty cottage at the corner of the village. It was poorly made and not well suited for the cold, thus no one inhabited it.

Nik had piled the center of the room with blankets and managed to make use of the fireplace. Sofija was atop of Nik, whose back was to the floor, her head propped on his chest.

"I never want to leave this room," Sofija said softly as Nik ran his fingers through her hair. I never want to leave you.

He hummed in agreement.

Sofija bit her lower lip as she pondered asking her next question.

"What are your thoughts on the law of surprise?" she finally asked.

Niklaus's hand stilled in her hair.

"I can honestly say I have not thought of it some time, although I was fascinated with the idea when I was a child. I actually claimed the law of surprise from your father," he shared.

Sofija nodded. "He told me how you saved his life." And in doing so, you claimed me.

"The majority of the wolves consider the law of the surprise as a fool's law, and my father did as well. But towards the end, he truly believed in it. When he returned home after you saved his life, the first thing he learned was that my mother was pregnant with me. Some of his last words to me were how I- how I belong to you," Sofija said hesitantly.

Niklaus slowly sat up, and in doing so, causing Sofija to as well. She righted herself so that they were facing each other.

"The law of surprise is a fable, Sofija. I much prefer the green stone your father gifted me with for my efforts. Kol alone was troublesome, and Bekah came along soon after. Gods be good, the last thing I needed back then was another babe to care for" Nik's lips twitched in amusement.

Sofija felt her face flush in embarrassment and she scrunched her face in distaste towards him.

"As much as I want to laugh off his words, I have to admit, I felt a pull to you when I was a child. I was in complete darkness when I was lost in the woods when we first met. I heard your voice first, and then I saw you. Suddenly the moonlight broke the trees, and it wasn't so dark anymore…" Sofija trailed off, lost in thought.

Niklaus thought back to when he tracked down Sofija through the woods. He could have sworn he saw a silver cord that connected them. He shook his head. That was a long time ago, and his memories were confused by Sofija's words.

"Let's consider the notion that the law of surprise is real. What would that mean?" Niklaus humored her.

"It would mean... that I am yours."

Sofija crushed the basin of water she was carrying, causing it to splinter, the water it held soaking into the dirt as a consequence. The bruise on Niklaus's eye and how he had obviously not had much rest made her see red.

"What's he done this time?" she nearly growled as she tried to walk around him.

Niklaus quickly stepped in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders to keep her in place.

"It is nothing. My father was displeased that I offered to take Henrik hunting…" Niklaus grimaced, ending his story there.

The wolf in her growled. The full moon was the night before, and her patience was short.

"I ought to have cut his arm off when I had the chance," she muttered.

"You truly despise him," he said cautiously, looking at her appreciatively.

"I loathe how he treats you. I want to put an end to it, one way another." Sofija declared.

Sofija paced back and forth inside the secluded cottage anxiously as she waited for Niklaus to meet her there. It was just after dinner, so she knew he needed to excuse himself away from his family.

"Careful, you'll wear down a new entrance to the tunnels," commented Niklaus as he entered the dwelling.

"Nik!" Sofija exclaimed, startled.

His face had broken out into a blinding smile at the sight of her, and Sofija smiled shyly back in response.

"Were you expecting another?" he teased as he pulled her in for a hug, resting his head on hers. Sofija wrapped her arms around his neck, breathing him in, closing her eyes as they simply held each other for the moment.

"I find myself rather averse to leaving you late in the night to sneak back home. I never receive a more restful sleep than when I am at your side," he said in a tired voice.

Sofija nodded against him, knowing what he meant. She had become addicted to sleeping in his arms. His presence soothed her and she woke up feeling infinitely more reposeful.

"Perhaps we shall remedy that," she said nervously.

"Pray tell?" he asked as he pulled away to look her in the eye. Sofija disentangled from him entirely and began to pace from the door to the fireplace as she made her proposal.

"Would you contemplate leaving this village for another? With me?" Sofija eyed Niklaus tensely.

He stared at her, his expression cryptic.

"Sofija, sit with me. What are you speaking of?" he asked as he grabbed her hands in his and gently pulled her down with him to the furs on the floor. Sofija crossed her legs as she sat, her dress skirts flared out before her. Niklaus sat across from her.

"Astrid, the daughter of my alpha, is betrothed to an alpha of another pack to reconcile past differences. Their village is roughly a seven days trip from here. This pack has suffered much at the hands of the Crescents, and so a handful of wolves from here will be making the trip with her to help rebuild and recuperate. I think you and I should join them," Sofija explained.

Niklaus looked at her, the expression on his face something akin to astonishment.

Sofija went on, his silence unnerving her. "I know it is sudden, mayhaps too sudden. But I think this is the most favorable solution to get away from Mikael, while staying near your family. They can visit you, and you them... I understand if you find the distance to great from your siblings-"

"Marry me," Niklaus asked. Or rather, he stated. His eyes were bright and intense. For a second, Sofija found herself forgetting to breathe.

"Don't you think it too soon? Our official courtship has merely been four moons, and a moon before that it was Tatia who you thought to take as a wife..." Sofija trailed off in disbelief, tentative hope blooming in her chest.

"As much as I want to dispel my infatuation with Tatia, I've come to believe that if she had not impacted my life the way she had, it would have taken me all the much longer to realize what you meant to me, and how much I love you. I find myself endlessly in awe of you, and am bewildered that a more worthy man has not captured your favor while I was making a fool of myself for another."

Niklaus stood up and took Sofija's hand, wanting her to rise with him.

"When I think of my future, who I want to grow old with, who I want to have children with… It is you I see. I can not imagine any other who I would want to build my life with."

A tear trickled down Sofija's face. There was no one she would rather be with either. It had always been him. She saw them in a cottage, preferably larger than the one they were in now. She wanted a family nearly as big as Niklaus's, for she did not want any child of theirs to be as lonely growing up as she had been.

Sofija stilled as another thought came to mind, and she distanced herself from him.

"My curse, Nikaus. Any child I have would be pre-dispositioned to become a..." A Beast. "A wolf. I myself would leave you once a month to transform. Are considering this when you picture our life together?'

Niklaus pulled her back to him.

"I am not proposing as a blind man, Sofija. I love all of you, the woman and the wolf. Will you marry me?" He asked once again, this time with an edge of uncertainty as he awaited her answer.

"Of course I will marry you, Nik."

"I don't know if it is brilliant or sad that you and my brother decided to get married in secret," snapped Rebekah as wove various flowers into a crown, "We should make a huge occasion of it. Food and dancing."

"One word, Bekah," Sofija reminded her friend as she looked over her mother's old dress.

"Mikael," sighed the blonde despondently.

"I do believe it's custom to kiss your intended's brother before the ceremony," proposed Kol as he peaked inside her home.

"Bekah, you invited Kol?" questioned Sofija as she played nervously with her hair.

"He followed me," she responded flatly, "But unlike my other brother's, he is unlikely to run off and tell our parents."

"For a price," said Kol, waggling his eyebrows as Sofija made her way to the door.

She laughed loudly and placed a sound kiss on his cheek.

Ideally, all of Niklaus's siblings should be at their wedding. But due to their noble and diligent nature, Bekah and Niklaus had deemed Elijah and Fin to likely to tell Mikael of the whole affair. As for young Henrik, there was every chance he would let the information slip without meaning to. Kol was not initially supposed to be invited due to wildly ways, but here he was.

"Step away," demanded Bekah as she shoved Kol aside to get a better look at Sofija.

She inspected Sofija head to toe. Sofija had donned her mother's wedding dress. It was off white and fit Sofija a tad loosely since her mother's figure was a bit more buxom. Rebekah had embroidered shimmering gold thread into the skirt so that it glimmered under the moonlight, along with tying a lacy, delicate thin sash the same color as the thread around Sofija's waist to make the dress more form-fitting. To finish the look, Bekah wove a crown of bright white flowers to compliment the dress. Sofija's hair fell to her waist in wild curls.

"I suppose this is the best that can be managed under the circumstances," Rebekah muttered to herself.

"You look lovely as well, Bekah," Sofija jested.

Rebekah's shoulders relaxed the slightest bit as she returned Sofija's smile.

"One more thing," the blonde said as she reached out to pinch Sofija's cheeks, "and bite your lips to give them some color."

Sofija let out a surprised exhale as they made their way to the clearing. It was chosen due to how the trees opened up, and for how they would be provided by moonlight in all the darkness.

The tall trees that circled the plain land of grass were glowing with bright flowers that appeared to refract light. The flowers' natural colors were magnified as they glowed in the darkness. While nowhere near as bright the flame of fire light could provide, the effect was dazzling.

"My wedding gift to you," said Kol smugly. He then let out a pained huff as Rebekah elbowed his gut.

"He merely made the potion that I dipped hundreds of flowers into before nearly single-handedly placing them on all the trees," Rebekah corrected.

"Nearly single-handedly," said Sofija as she continued to study the various flowers.

"Niklaus did help. A bit. He was not entirely useless in the preparations for his wedding ceremony."

Nik had donned a white shirt and dark brown pants, his messy fair hair pulled back. He and Sofija faced each other as Astrid read their vows.

Astrid was nearly as reputable as her father, as far as Sofija was concerned, and was chosen to perform the ceremony for her knowledge of the vows, and for how she promised Sofija she would keep the whole affair a secret.

The limited individuals Sofija invited were trusted to not share with others what they would be witness to.

Sofija had insisted on the sort of handfasting ceremony the wolves favored, and Niklaus agreed without a fight. The only people in attendance were Sofija's mother, Jai, Kol, and Rebekah. With careful thought, Niklaus and Sofija agreed not to invite Tatia due to her allegiance to Elijah.

Three ribbons were chosen to intertwine Niklaus and Sofija's fates. A red ribbon to signify the couple's promise to remain passionate, evergreen to signify eternal love, and blue to commemorate their loyalty to one another.

"I call forth the gods to witness this union. I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words…" Astrid said evenly and soundly.

Niklaus and Sofija recited their vows simultaneously.

"I am his and he is mine. From this day, until the end of my days."

"I am hers and she is mine. From this day, until the end of my days."

"It's much warmer in here," breathed Sofija as Niklaus carried her into their run-down cottage. They would only have a night together as husband and wife, for tomorrow they would have to keep up the charade for his parents that Niklaus was still unattached.

"Another 'gift' of Kol's, a heating spell. More for your benefit than mine, but appreciated all the same," said Niklaus wryly as he lightly set her down. She stumbled the slightest bit as she found her balance. Not the one to heavily drink wine, she felt dizzy from the few cups she had after the ceremony.

"Mmm, it is a shame that you've never embraced your magical heritage. Perhaps I married the wrong Mikaelson," Sofija teased as she bumped her nose to Niklaus's.

"Did you now?" Niklaus challenged, his eyes dark as he bent down and claimed Sofija's lips with his own.

Despite how she was minutes from changing shape and re-living the agony that is bone-breaking pain, Sofija felt relatively jovial. A moon had passed after their wedding and they would be leaving within the week towards the other village with Astrid and a few other members from her pack, as well as their partners and children. It would be a decent-sized group.

Sofija was taken out of her thoughts when she heard the tell tale sound of her pack member's bodies shifting shape, and heard Astrid steel herself against the pain.

Sofija looked down at her bare body, confused. Why wasn't she changing?

"Astrid, why aren't I shifting?" Sofija questioned anxiously.

Astrid moaned in pain before answering.

"There's only one possibility-" Astrid paused as her bones continued to bend and re-shape, "you are with child." And with that, she was no longer able to speak.

Moments later, a hazel brown wolf was in her place.

Astrid raised her snout and sniffed in Sofija's direction, before running away in the opposite way.

Sofija put on her recently discarded dress, now stained with wet grass. Despite not shifting, the wolf's presence was strong within her.

Her pack paid her no mind as she walked to her family's cottage in a haze.

She was with child.

Sofija woke to the sound of loud knocking on her door. She expected to hear her mother's voice, belatedly realizing her mother would still be in the caves.

She rubbed sleep out of her eye with one hand while the other answered the door.

"Jai?" she questioned.

He had only donned pants and his face was the picture of devastation.

This was how Sofija learned of Henrik's death.

Sofija paced back and forth in the cottage that she now wished she and Niklaus could turn into a home, had circumstances been different. It was filled with so many light memories. Now this happened.

It had been Kol who reached out to Sofija. Mikael knew how to hold a grudge, and with her thought of being a potential wolf who killed one of his children… Going near the Mikaelson's home, reaching out to comfort her husband… It wasn't an option. Culpable by association.

Grief deflated Kol, made him smaller. He was wary while conversing with Sofija but ultimately agreed to help her set up a time for her to meet with Niklaus.

As much as Sofija wanted to be proud of her heritage, her history, she kept it close to herself. She rarely spoke to Niklaus of what it was like to turn, the hints of memory that came to her of running wild under the full moon, the freedom. Ultimately, she was ashamed that someone had to be killed to gain her newfound strength, and she was worried that despite his pretty words, Niklaus thought her a beast.

She didn't share with him the exact circumstances around her father's death. She did not prepare him for how vicious wolves could be. Her pack was not themselves when running under the full moon. Jai was flooded with remorse over how young Henrik died.

Her stomach churned at how Niklaus may be thinking the same thoughts that were surely running through Kol's head. Through his entire family's heads.

What if she was one of the wolves who attacked his brother?

"Sofija." His voice was raspy.

Sofija turned around to see Niklaus, who stood in the doorway. Kol had warned her that his father had beat Niklaus something bloody in the wake of his youngest child's death.

It was the night after the full moon. His shirt was heavily stained with dry blood, faced bruised.

"Nik, I'm so sorry," said Sofija without thinking.

And with that, Niklaus's face crumpled, a sob filling his throat as his knees crashed to the floor. Sofija ran to him, landing on her knees before him as she grasped him. She held him as his grief and sadness wracked his body.

"Nik, there is something you need to know," said Sofija, her voice muffled against his chest. It was the next morning, and she had yet to share with Niklaus that she was with child. That she was not one of the wolves who mortally wounded his brother, for all the difference that would make.

"You do not have to tell me anything, Sofija. You are my wife, my family. I will love you always," he said, his devotion for her apparent even in the throes of his grief.

Sofija shut her eyes. He thought her a murderer twice over.

Sofija felt weighted by the thought of their new family growing and felt burdened by her pregnancy. This was not how it was all supposed to happen. Now was not the time to tell him.

In the end, Astrid and the others went on without Sofija and Niklaus. He had to stand by his family now, and Sofija wanted to stay near for him. They could take the journey at a later time, if at all.

The Mikaelson's isolated from the rest of the village. Sofija had yet to see Rebekah, for her parent's watched her closely.

"Sofija," her friend called out as Sofija bent down to fill her basin with water from a secluded stream.

Sofija dropped the basin to hug her friend. "I am so sorry for your loss."

Rebekah kept her arms around herself as she stared at Sofija accusingly, her eyes tinged red.

"There is a reason we go down to caves for the full moon. The wolves are dangerous, you are dangerous after you shift. I wish I could forgive you as easily as Nik, but…" Rebekah fell into tears.

"This won't change anything, but I can say with certainty that I did not have a hand in Henrik's death," Sofija said, desperate to tell someone she was pregnant, as well as wanting to be able to assure her friend of this much.

She had yet to tell her own mother, wanting Niklaus to be the first to know. Impulsiveness overcame her as she spoke to Rebekah.

"How can that be?" questioned Rebekah.

"When a woman is with child, she will not shift into a wolf for the duration of her pregnancy," said Sofija, looking at her friend meaningfully.

"You are with- You and Nik…" Rebekah laughed suddenly, her smile bright as she hugged Sofija.

Sofija smiled slowly as she let herself experience happiness in the wake of tragedy.

"Niklaus does not yet know."

"Fin stay away from her!" growled Rebekah, her eyes black and face monstrous as she pushed her eldest brother away from Sofija.

"Of course, you would protect your so-called friend despite how she may have killed our brother!" Finn growled back, his face mirroring Rebekah's.

"She couldn't have, she's with child. Nik's child! Don't you dare touch her again!" Rebekah yelled as she stood protectively in front of Sofija.

Fin gapped at the pair of girls as Sofija stared at both of them in shock. Other than the obvious physical changes, her werewolf nature sensed something was inherently different about the siblings, and she felt on edge.

A moon had passed since Henrik's death, and Sofija had chosen to venture out under the full moon. She had felt sluggish and tired throughout the month. Keeping the food she ate within her was its own battle. Rebekah had urged Sofija to go to Ayana for her health, but Sofija feared the wise women would tell Esther.

Under the full moon, her body felt strong again, and she couldn't resist wandering the forest, confident her pack would not hunt her.

What she was not prepared for was Esther calling on dark magic to protect her remaining children from the wolves by transforming into entirely different creatures, as she would learn the next day. Finn had suddenly appeared before her eyes out of nowhere, snarling at her, and Rebekah appeared soon after him in a blur.

"Sofija, go away. Go to the caves," ordered Rebekah.

"I have to find Elijah," Tatia stated stubbornly as she walked briskly out of the caves soon after sun rise.

"Give him time, Tatia. Let him find you," urged Sofija. She was sure that what she witnessed last night was not what Tatia had in mind when Esther asked for her blood. She worried all night about Niklaus, and what his mother's actions meant for him. What had the matriarch turned her children into?

What let her keep a semblance of calmness was how, despite her changes, Rebekah was still the same. Had fended off her own brother from hurting Sofija.

"Tatia, please," called out Sofija as Tatia walked ahead of her.

All of a sudden, Tatia came to halt and Sofija nearly crashed into her. Sofija saw where Tatia's eyes were drawn, towards a shredded human body absent of arms and legs. Near the body was Niklaus and Elijah, their faces grave as Elijah appeared to be comforting a bloody Niklaus.

Immediately, Tatia turned to run away.

She attempted to pull Sofija with her, but Sofija easily escaped Tatia's grip, her eyes still locked on her husband.

Her cousin looked at her, her face filled with fear before she turned to continue running.

"Tatia!" Elijah called out as he ran past Sofija, leaving behind a lost Niklaus

"I did not- I did not mean to Sofija," he begged as Sofija walked softly towards him.

His hair was a mess, and dried blood stained his jaw and bare torso.

No matter which way she looked at it, there was only one explanation for what she was seeing. Niklaus was a wolf.

He fell to his knees and hugged her, his face pressed to her lower stomach.

"I killed them, I killed them, please forgive me," he continued to repeat as he held her to him.

"I love you, Nik. Always. We will get through this," Sofija murmured as she smoothed his hair.

She would forgive him the world, but she ultimately knew, she would not be able to absolve him of his guilt. As she well knew, he would have to do that himself, if ever.

She had so many questions, but there would be time for that later.

Sofija sat against the cottage wall as Niklaus rested his head on her lap. Despite how his eyes were closed, she knew he wasn't asleep. She had told him to go to the abandoned cottage and that she would meet him there soon. She returned with a basin of water, fresh clothe, and bread.

He stood catatonically as Sofija cleaned the blood off of him. She hadn't forced him to eat the food after he denied it, but she did insist he drink water. She would later learn he did it for her benefit, for Esther's curse had given him a gruesome appetite.

After, Sofija insisted he rest.

His voice was void of emotion as he shared what his parents did. He and siblings no longer had to defer to the wolves, for they now matched her pack in speed and strength, without the hindrance of a full moon.

Pure sunlight was now a daily impediment for them, but Esther had foreseen to relieve that with the blue gemstones Sofija's own mother had gifted the Mikaelson's so long ago.

No entirely unsimilar to how one activated the werewolf curse, the price for this power was mortal life. Their own, and others. The price of blood.

He shared Elijah's revelations. Mikael was not his father, and Niklaus had resulted from his mother being unfaithful. His true father was a wolf.

Sofija thought to who it could be. For some reason, Astrid came to mind and her likeness to Niklaus.

The shape of their eyes, the angle of their nose.

Sofija quickly turned the idea away. It would not do to speculate.

"Your smell, Sofija. There is something different about you, I do not…" Niklaus trailed off as he stared imploringly at her, "All I could think about after I transformed, was blood. It overwhelmed me. I resolved to not go near you. But now, all I want to do is protect you, to…"

Niklaus's eyebrows were knitted as he looked at her, confused.

That was the wolf in him. Wolves were overly protective and territorial of their children.

Sofija took a deep breath. Niklaus did not deserve any more secrets.

"Please forgive me, I should have told you a month ago. Or any time after that. But I learned of this the night of Henrik's death, and then there was not an ideal time to tell you," Sofija laughed harshly, "I suppose there won't ever be."

"Sofija," said Niklaus apprehensively as he sat up. Now he sat against the wall as well.

Sofija grabbed his hands and turned her head to meet his gaze.

"I am with child, Nik," Sofija said, looking at him fearfully.

His eyes widened and his grip on her hands tightened.

"I found out the night- the night Henrik died. I didn't shift that full moon. Women don't for the duration of their pregnancy."

Before she knew it, he was on his feet, cradling her in his arms. Sofija wrapped her arms around his neck to secure her balance.

He touched his forehead to hers as he marveled at her.

"Forgive me for making you feel that you had to keep it a secret."

The next month was filled with many trials and very few tribulations.

The village outright shunned the Mikaelson's, and Rebekah shared how her father was now urging her mother to give him the same strengths as their children. In all likelihood, this would occur during the next full moon, for their mother had drawn power from a celestial event to turn her children.

The wolves were agitated over what Esther's magic was capable of.

Nik and Sofija now permanently lived in the corner cottage, away from his family.

According to Rebekah, Finn had told their parents that Sofija carried Nik's child, causing Rebekah to feel the need to share that Sofija and Niklaus had married in secret.

The only members of Niklaus's family that visited them were Kol and Rebekah, usually in the dead of night, due to the wolves' weariness.

Elijah was hurt that he was among the last to know of Niklaus's marriage and impending child, and had taken to grieving over Tatia on his own.

Tatia.

In all the frenzy that was acclimating Niklaus to his new cravings and helping him to process his heightened emotions, Sofija had not had the chance to check in with Tatia about what she had seen.

It turned out that the opportunity was taken away from her.

It was not until a week after Esther's initial spell that Elijah was at their doorstep. Niklaus did not let her invite him inside. The Mikaelson's had discovered rather quickly that they now had to request permission to be invited into mortals' dwellings.

As much as he loved his siblings, Niklaus had first-hand knowledge of the dark cravings they now experienced. He wanted to exercise precaution with his wife and unborn child, and his family respected his wishes.

Sofija fell into a chilling shock as Elijah told her of Tatia's death.

It was when she learned of Esther's involvement she nearly collapsed to the floor, had Niklaus not caught her.

Niklaus grew angry as he learned that Elijah had waited a week to tell them of Tatia's death and their mother's actions.

Seeing the grief etched on Elijah's face, and how apparent his love Tatia had been, led Sofija to quickly forgiving his actions. She wanted to encourage Niklaus to do the same.

Yet…

Wolves were quick to anger in their own right, and their curse had a tendency to heighten their human urges and emotions. Sofija abruptly learned that the spell Esther cast on her children heightened their emotions all the more.

Rebekah, whose compassion was as great as her temper, now dealt with substantial melancholy over what her mother had done to her and only great anger could alleviate it.

Kol, who had just begun to truly nurture his magical capabilities and was habitually mischievous, if an ultimately well-meaning young man, now vented the loss of his magic with heavy vitriol and spiteful antics.

Then there was Niklaus. For so long, Sofija had known him as a well-intentioned, protective friend. It was not until they courted that she realized how starved he was for affection, for love and how much he wanted to shower another with it in return. For someone who would put him first, above all others.

The wolf in him already amplified the wrath that stewed in him, as well as his proprietorial ways. Perhaps it was not to the extent that Niklaus did, but Sofija understood these feelings well.

But Niklaus was no mere wolf. While he made sure to not display his anger to Sofija, he was not so careful about his heightened possessive nature.

All too aware of how well-intentioned Niklaus was, and how he himself was not truly aware of his actions, Sofija was patient with him as she taught him the exercises Astrid had shared with her to soothe the wolf's blood.

Esther killing Tatia, who had been Elijah's beloved, and at one point, Niklaus's did not help matters.

With his mother not present to relay his anger, Niklaus took it out on Elijah and refused to see or speak to him for waiting to tell him of Tatia's death.

Esther had attempted to reach out to Niklaus, but he did not give her the chance to explain herself.

Sofija refused to see her as well, enraged at matriarch Mikaelson not only for her cousin's death but for the agony she had brought on her own children.

And somehow, despite the tension that overfilled the village, Sofija and Niklaus managed to find a pocket of bliss.

They found small joys in sleeping in each other's arms every night, in the meals they shared with each other during the day and dreaming of the life they wanted for their growing babe.

Niklaus and his siblings had taken to satisfying their cravings with the village livestock, although Niklaus still found comfort eating the mead and bread Sofija prepared for him. They fretted over how they would parent their growing babe, and Sofija assured Niklaus that he was not capable of treating their child as Mikael had treated him.

The sight of her increasingly swollen stomach finally prompted Sofija to visit Ayana.

"You child will be a girl, Sofija Dalhguaard. Or, I hear it is Mikaelson now." The wise woman looked at Sofija with a shrewd look in her eyes.

"A girl," Sofija breathed, ignoring the rest.

The Dahlgaard girls' future was as obscure as ever. Ayana wondered what it would mean for her to be linked to the atrocity of Esther's making.

Ayana had come to learn that in this particular instance, the silver cord that binded Sofija and Esther's boy was a symbol of the law of surprise. Ancient magic. Ayana had not witnessed anything like it prior to her home in the New World.

The witch pondered precisely how durable this connection was, and if it would connect the young husband to his wife's future lives.

Then there was the doppelganger to consider.

The same distasteful aura that surrounded Sofija was also present around Tatia. The magic that connected them was every bit as infernal as what Esther had done to her children.

Ayana saw that Sofija was destined to be a mother, and Niklaus to be her child's father. Their daughter would be capable of tremendous magic.

What gave Ayanna pause was that Sofija's babe was not destined to be born, and she had foreseen Sofija's life would come to an end soon after.

Esther had all but begged Ayana to know what would become of Niklaus's child, immensely fearful of a being she would not share with Ayanna.

Ayana also knew Esther's death would be of her own making.

The wise woman agreed with the spirits, that Esther did not deserve to know what the future had in store for her and her family.

Sofija planned to stay at Niklaus's side during his next transformation, despite his protest. She was confident he would not hurt her, although he urged her until the day of the full moon to go to the caves.

An hour before the moon was to be at its apex, Elijah was once again at their door. He said he wanted to make amends with Niklaus, and urged his brother to hear what their mother had to say.

In hindsight, his timing was curious, to say the least. But Niklaus so wanted to make amends with the brother who had always been at his side. To make up for all that he had hidden from Elijah.

Sofija told Niklaus that she would be in the cottage waiting for him and that she would be at his side when he shifted.

Not long after he left, Sofija succumbed to sleep, for her increasing drowsiness was a new symptom of her pregnancy.

Sofija awoke to a loud knocking on her door. She opened it to find Rebekah half carrying a weakened Niklaus.

According to Rebekah, who had learned from Elijah, one of the stipulations Mikael demanded of Esther for betraying their marriage was binding Niklaus's lycanthrope nature, forever shutting away that aspect of himself.

Esther had recruited Elijah to lure Niklaus back home for the ritual to take place, convincing him that it would help Niklaus better adjust to his life as an immortal.

Niklaus spent the rest of the night moaning in pain as Sofija attempted to comfort him. In the morning, Sofija left to gather water and food.

Esther had followed through on giving Mikael the same capabilities as their children and used them to murder the majority of her pack. He started with Ansel, who Sofija and Niklaus would learn was Niklaus's father.

Rebekah overheard her father killing the wolves and their families, and had been too scared to attempt to stop him.

Sigrid had retreated with a handful of the women and children to the caves where Ayana placed a protection spell over the entrance.

There was no one to warn Sofija of the onslaught that had occurred.

Kol informed Niklaus of Mikael's actions soon after Sofija left that morning, and told his brother the direction he had seen his wife run in.

Sofija howled in despair over Jai's battered body. He was surrounded by his slaughtered brothers.

"He's gone, Sofija," Niklaus gently told her as he tried to pry her away from Jai. Sofija sobbed helplessly and hugged Jai's body tighter.

"We must go, my love. Mikael could return at any moment. Think of Mai."

Mai was the name Sofija wanted to title their daughter. Niklaus had favored Hyacinth.

The thought of protecting her daughter now on the forefront of her mind, Sofija heeded Niklaus's words and let him carry her to their home.

"Niklaus isn't home."

A few days later, Sofija answered a knock at her door, which she opened only to find Esther on the other side.

"I'm here to see you," stated Esther mildly as her sight focused on Sofija's stomach, its roundness apparent in Sofija's old dress. The witch's hand reached out to stop the door from closing as Sofija stepped back and clutched her stomach protectively.

Sofija steeled her nerves.

"Your presence isn't welcome in my home," said Sofija as she pushed away the other woman's hand to grab a hold of the door once again.

Sofija hissed in pain as she felt the pin prick of a needle pierce her palm. She raised her hand to her face to see that whatever had poked her drew blood. When she glanced at the door, there was nothing there that could have caused the injury.

"I'm sorry if my presence has upset you. I simply wished to make amends, as we are family. I'll take my leave now," said Esther as stepped away.

Before Sofija could shut the door, Esther shared, "You were always a sweet girl. I'm glad you have been here for my son during these trying times."

Not long after Esther's visit, and after Niklaus had returned home, Sofija began to feel faint, her body overheated.

At first, they were under the impression that Sofija had acquired. light fever. As the sun continued to go down, Sofija felt her body temperature rise to impossible levels.

"Nik," said Sofija weakly as she attempted to rise from her bed, "I don't feel well. I worry for our babe."

Niklaus's first instinct was to insist she return to bed, but he paused at the terror in her eyes.

"We shall go to Ayana," he said as he picked her up, cradling his faint wife in his arms.

The moon was now in the sky as Ayana had Niklaus set Sofija down on another bed.

Shock flashed in the witch's eyes when her palm felt Sofija's forehead for her temperature.

"Send your mother to me, then leave to grab feverfew. They are typically a day's journey from here, but you should be able to make the journey much more quickly," ordered Ayana.

Niklaus protested leaving Sofija's side.

"If you do not do as I say, you risk losing your babe," warned Ayana.

Sofija began to go in and out of consciousness as her temperature became unbearable.

She had passed out when Esther initially arrived and was only able to hear bits and pieces of her conversation with Ayana.

Sofija's eyes stayed shut, for she was unable to open them as Esther and Ayana appeared to quarrel, which Sofija gathered from the bite behind Ayana's words.

"Where does it end, Esther. First your children, now your grandchild."

"I do not know what you act of against nature you think I have committed, Ayana-"

"The dark magic you called upon your son's wife will kill their child."

Silence.

"But you knew that already, didn't you?" Ayana speculated, her voice cold.

Sofija's eyes flew open as she grasped her stomach in pain.

"Please help me, my babe," gasped Sofija.

Her hair clung to her damp face as she stared at Esther accusingly.

"It is not enough that you turned your own son away. What have you done to me? To my babe? Your own blood-" Sofija broke off into a moan as her fever spiked even further.

"Sleep now, sweetling. It'll be over soon."

Esther's was the last face Sofija saw as she felt sleep overcome her.

When Sofija awoke again, she was gathered Niklaus's arms. She looked up, surprised to see tears falling from his eyes

"What-what happened?" she asked groggily, her memory nebulous.

"Sofija- our babe. She- you..."

Sofija looked at Niklaus, not quite understanding why he was so distraught She still had ways to go in her pregnancy before their child could be born, not even halfway through yet. Her hands immediately clutched her stomach.

"It is no one's fault and an unfortunately common occurrence. Your babe was stillborn," said Ayana compassionately, if matter of factly.

Sofija's ears were ringing in the aftermath of Ayana's words.

"No no- No! You lie! It's too soon, she can't have been born yet," Sofija protested, staring up at Niklaus for support. His shoulders shook as he swallowed his sobs.

"She was stillborn, Sofija. You did not want to see her in such a state, and so Esther and your friend, Rebekah, buried her and set her to rest on your behalf." Ayana's eyes were filled with sympathy as Sofija stared at her in horror.

"Please, please let me hold her. Stop! Where are you taking her?!" Sofija was in hysterics as Ayana pressed her down into the bed. Sofija's face was twisted in sorrow as she reached out for the too-small bundle that Esther cradled in her arms, her face filled with pity.

"Trust me, child. I'm sparing you further pain. No mother should have to see their babe like this," said Esther as she turned away

"She lied Nik, she lied," Sofija cried into her husband's ready arms when she woke up from her nightmare the next morning.

She had no memory of delivering her daughter. Niklaus had insisted she rest after Ayana had informed them of what had happened, and assured him of Sofija's health. Rebekah had promised to show them where they could visit their daughter when they were ready.

"Why wouldn't she let me hold her? Just once?" Sofija asked sadly as her eyelids grew heavy. Too heavy.

Say your goodbyes, another voice seemed to warn.

Sofija grabbed Niklaus's hand with surprising strength.

"I love you Nik, always," Sofija vowed, her breathing increasingly labored. Then she shut her eyes, taking solace in how she was in his arms as she welcomed death too soon.

Niklaus raced his wife once again to Ayana's cottage. He couldn't lose her too. He truly didn't believe he could survive it.

Sofija's skirts were stained once again in dark blood. She was deathly pale and no longer responded to his words. Her pulse was fading.

Niklaus burst into Ayana's cottage and placed Sofija in the bed.

If he had not been in the midst of hysteria, he would have seen her knowing, resolved expression.

Ayana held one of Sofija's hands with both of her own only for mere seconds before she turned back to Niklaus.

"She's gone, Niklaus," Ayana said softly.

"No no no no," Niklaus muttered softly as he sat on the bed and gathered Sofija in his arms.

"She was just here, she was fine! You said she would be fine! Bring her back, please bring her back." he begged, his eyes staying on his wife's face.

"The trauma your wife's body took on when she lost her babe, as well her grief, took a toll, Niklaus. She is no longer with us. What you ask for is not possible."

Ayana's face stayed impassive as Niklaus snarled her, his other face making an appearance.

"I am sorry for your loss, Niklaus," Ayana told him, letting empathy color her voice as he once again devolved into tears.

The wedding vows in italics were from Game of Thrones.

Some dialogue was inspired by Taylor Swift's song, Ivy.