Chapter 3:

"It was the Autumn of 1001 when we were turned into Vampires, but before all of that happened, my wife Caroline and I eventually had a child, a daughter named Aphrodite.

Named after the Greek goddess of beauty, she was truly a visage of her namesake, adored by her uncles and her aunt Rebekah, we all promised to stay together, always, and forever… that was the vow we swore.

But during that autumn, our brother Henrik was taken from us by werewolves… but in reality, Caroline rescued him and had to fake his death, only telling me this, she wasn't too sure about our siblings and whether we'd believe her.

When we were turned into vampires, Caroline had discovered she had the werewolf power and her witch powers, she was elevated into a tribrid, a powerful and strong creature, and she has always been so strong in my eyes.

We evaded after the death of our mother and our father began hunting for myself, Caroline and our daughter.

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Southern France, 1002

Feeding on the cart of travellers that were moving, only snatch and feed had become easier during the daytime, at night it was only difficult.

Finn and Caroline looked upon their family with distaste as Finn only said, "You're all filthy gluttons."

"You remain the dullard, brother." Kol said with a smile. Niklaus didn't reveal a smile from his face, but only concern for his daughter Aphrodite who smiled back at him as he said, "It'll be alright, little one… we'll find somewhere safe."

Picking her up off the ground, he then said, "What is the plan, we need shelter… not to mention Rodi must rest, she hasn't slept for days."

Finn nodded as Rebekah gazed upon the corpse of a beautiful woman wearing a blue and gold trimmed dress as she said, "Such pretty clothes, a shame they'll go to waste."

A sigh erupted from Elijah who had said, "Rebekah, no… we have discussed this."

"No, you discussed this, none of us had any say in the matter. Their cart is filled with the finest silk and finery… 6 of them and 7 of us. That castle we saw was a gala, that's where they were headed." Rebekah argued. Caroline then said, "It's a bad idea, if we even take these clothes… they'll discover we're aren't who we say we are."

Elijah nods and says, "Caroline is right… it's ridiculous, masquerading as nobles from a land whose customs we don't understand, it's a horrible plan, one at which will surely discover us and lead Father to our door."

Niklaus nods and says, "Agreed, but maybe let's consider this, the castle down the road was a gala, we could easily sneak inside and live among them… at least for a time. Hiding in plain sight."

Elijah's thoughts on the matter were interrupted as he said, "Silence…"

Using his supernatural hearing, he then heard the sounds of a fast heartbeat which happened to be very close by.

He then lifted off the cover of silks as he saw a frightened young man who survived the massacre as he tried to run, but didn't get far with Klaus and Rebekah stopping him as well as Finn who then said, "Don't move."

"Aren't you a handsome one?" Rebekah said.

Kol moved in with a teasing smile as the man shouted, "Wait, wait, wait!" he then breathed out as he said, "I… I… I can help you."

Everyone looked on in puzzlement as he said, "I am the personal servant to the Count De Martel… of the very estate that you mentioned… I was sent to escort these guests to his home for a lengthy stay… I know their customs as well as the count's habits. I can help you if you mean to masquerade as the family you have slaughtered."

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Everyone looked on at one another as Rebekah said, "Can we keep him?"

"Rebekah, no! What is our most important rule?" Elijah asked.

Everyone collectively rolled their eyes as Rebekah said, "Never leave anyone alive…"

"Who has seen what we are!" everyone finished off as Elijah continued, "Thank you very much. A practice that has served us very well indeed."

Finn then said, "Hold on, she may be right… he can be useful, it's a good idea."

"A proper family argument!" Kol said in enjoyment.

Niklaus stepped forward carrying his daughter as he said, "Perhaps a vote, let's decide… all those in favour of letting him live."

Rebekah and Finn raised their hands in favour of letting the servant boy live.

"All those in favour of gutting him?" Kol asked and raised his hand instantly along with Elijah and Caroline. Everyone looked on in surprise of this happening but Niklaus nodded in support of his wife.

But Finn asked, "Nik, what is the choice?"

Looking back at the boy who stared fearfully as he walked towards the boy as he looked over at his daughter who stared at him. Niklaus decided, "We'll need his help, but if something goes wrong, I will let Kol kill you."

The boy nods and says, "I assure you, please. I only give you my word."

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Moving towards the castle, they entered into the compound as they looked around them with concern as they saw not much security but only a safe place.

Walking inside the castle, they saw that the place was large and quite tall, it had been quite some time for the Mikaelson Family not to have a roof for their heads but noticing how tall it was, they couldn't help but look around in awe.

The servant boy then said, "Alright, you see the Count De Martel, you'll address him as your Grace, and all other nobles as my Lord. When you speak to the Count, you should mention hunting, he also loves his hounds and, I should mention that both Lady Caroline and Rebekah must bow deep, the Count also relishes a healthy cleavage."

When he turned back, he could still see everyone looking up at the ceiling as he hurriedly whispered, "And for god sake's all of you, stop looking up."

Caroline looked next to Rebekah as she said, "This isn't going to work."

"Glad we're on the same line of thinking, sister." Rebekah said.

Finn then said, "Don't panic, just relax, sisters."

Niklaus then said, "Are you worried, brother?" "We're placing our lives in the hands of a stranger, Niklaus, of course I'm worried."

When the servant boy got to the Count, he then bowed as the Count then spoke, "Lucien, you were sent to fetch the Count De'Guise."

"Indisposed, your Grace, a bout of gout came upon him, may I present his distant nephews and niece, the Lords Finn, Elijah, Niklaus and Kol, her ladyship the lovely Lady Rebekah, and also the Lady Caroline, Lord Niklaus's Wife." Lucien had spoken.

The Count looked upon them all as he said, "Your Uncle never mentioned you."

The Mikaelsons looked at each other knowing something was about to go wrong and it was soon about to unravel, but then Elijah spoke up saying, "Yes, yes your Grace, do forgive us, but the Count was forever distant with his travels and we were largely raised by our servants."

Finn then spoke up, "Your Grace, the Count considers it to be a glorious honor that we be introduced to society by your noble hands, your Grace."

Niklaus then took the opportunity to speak up as he said, "Your Grace, I look forward to hearing the tales of your hunting escapades. But may I also present our Lovely sister."

Rebekah then took the lead and introduced herself with the Count looking largely intrigued by her and soon enough, the Mikaelson family are welcomed into the home of the De Martel's.

Taking to their rooms, Caroline and Niklaus get themselves situated as Caroline says, "That was too close."

"Luck was with us, my love. How is our daughter?" Niklaus asked as Caroline unravelled her from the cloth used to disguise her, Niklaus smiled taking her into his arms and gently rocked her whispering to her, "Rest easy my darling, rest easy for every day is a new adventure."

"Do you trust this Lucien gentleman, Love?" Niklaus asked. Caroline wasn't sure how to respond as she replied, "Unsure, but he got us this far, only time will tell."

Niklaus nodded replying, "I will trust your judgement, you're a voice amongst our family." "Thank you, my handsome husband." Caroline smiled.

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Niklaus exited the room leaving his wife and daughter to rest as he walked around the compound, he then saw Lucien looking around the castle as he noticed the rest of the nobles in gathering, he then said, "My Family and I thank you for your assistance in this escapade."

"It was something, I must admit… but I can be frank, Count De Guise, is a very cruel man, his children are also no better too, his son Tristan is wicked and his daughter Aurora is a spoilt child who loves to torture." Lucien replies.

"What of my family, do you believe us to be monsters?" Niklaus asked. Lucien looked at him and only said, "I believe only that you are walking amongst greater monsters than yourselves and that you're all innocent in this including your wife and daughter as well."

Niklaus looked on in dismay as he believed himself to be a monster then said, "I believe that you're entitled to your opinion, but I don't share the same sentiments as yourself however."

In Caroline's room, she looked out the window whilst her beloved daughter fed from her.

Once she turned around, she then laid her daughter on the ground as she herself sat down next to her daughter and closed her eyes, she then whispered in Latin in a trance as she found herself in a dark place, it was quiet and felt very cold as she looked around, she could only see traces of white, shaped like stars in and around her, including the very ground she walked on as well.

She then called out and said, "Hello?"

"Hello, where am I?"

She then walked for a little bit as she asked herself, "Where am I, what is this place?"

"Hello there."

Looking around trying to find the person who spoke, she then said, "Hello, who are you?"

"Hello there, Caroline Forbes."

She went pale as she said, "Show yourself, who are you, how do you know who I am?"

"It's quite simple, Caroline Forbes."

"But simply, we're unique, you and I."

"What makes us unique, what is this?" Caroline asks.

Behind her, there were footsteps, she twirled round and saw a man and woman. The man was quite tall, he had Raven black hair, electric blue eyes, he was heavily built and he wore clothing unfamiliar to her.

The woman herself was very beautiful, long luscious waves of black hair, razor sharp blue eyes and wore a blue dress unfamiliar to her, but the woman herself carried several daggers around her body that looked like they could do damage.

Caroline herself looked at the couple in wonder as she asked again, "Who are you, please, tell me?"

"You may simply call us the Ones."

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Whilst Caroline was peaceful, her daughter wasn't and Rebekah came running quickly as she said, "Caroline, Aphrodite's been crying, haven't you heard her?"

Not a sound came from Caroline, Caroline simply stayed still and even Rebekah was horrified by this, gently picking up Aphrodite from the floor, she went to find Niklaus and eventually found him as she said, "Niklaus, it's Caroline, she's… something's not right."

The Mikaelson siblings looked on in horror as they raced to her room, they noticed that Caroline was in a state of peace and quiet, but unmoving, even Elijah feared the worst, "Caroline…"

"Sister, please, sister, come back to us." Kol said worried for his sister-in-law.

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Niklaus took over and placed his hands on his wife's as he waited for a sign from her, it came soon however as she opened her blue eyes and the family breathed a sigh of relief for their loved one.

Even Niklaus smiled and asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm okay, what happened, did Mikael find us?" Caroline asked in fear. Kol shook his head replying, "No sister, but you were very quiet, Rebekah heard our beloved Niece and went to find that you were silent and unmoving, we thought something happened."

Caroline nodded and replied, "Yes, something did happen. But I don't know what did happen."

Everyone was confused as Niklaus whispered, "What was it, my love?"

"I don't… I don't know, but it seemed real, I think, I don't know. But I saw someone."

"Who was it? Who were they?" Elijah asked.

Caroline could only shake her head in reply, "I don't know, but it was a man and a woman, they knew who I was."

"Did they tell you anything, sister, please, what did they tell you?" Finn asked.

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Caroline looked upon everyone's expectant eyes as Niklaus silently pleaded to her for information.

It was a brief while, then she spoke, "We're in danger, the De Martel's aren't to be trusted and Lucien will betray us all."

Everyone looked on in surprise and horror as Niklaus even wondered such a thing to be true.