Caroline feels the gentle touch of fingers weaving through her hair, a small smile gracing her lips as she listens to her soon-to-be sister-in-law hum a gentle tune. "Are you feeling nervous?" Rebekah asks softly, allowing the braid to cascade down Caroline's back.
Caroline shakes her head, a reassuring smile on her face. "I consider myself very fortunate," she replies quietly, reflecting on Rebekah's question. "I'm not being forced into a marriage with someone I don't love; instead, I have the opportunity to build a life with a man I truly care for and who truly cares for me. Plus, with this marriage, I gain a whole set of siblings — I'm no longer someone without a family."
Rebekah beams with delight. "We're so glad you're joining our family, Caroline." She leans in, placing a kiss on the other woman's cheek. Just then, a heavy set of footsteps echoes in the small room. "Father…"
Mikael Mikaelson enters, his presence commanding. "Rebekah, Caroline," he greets.
Caroline shakes her head, trying to shake off the memory as the man steps further into the room. She struggles to place his identity, but the impression he leaves lingers unsettlingly within her. She knew he was a person to be afraid of.
Caroline found herself deep in the woods just outside of town, a place that inexplicably brought her a sense of calm when she needed it most. The rustle of leaves and the gentle whisper of the wind created a soothing backdrop, embracing her like a familiar friend in a time of turmoil.
"Caroline." Stefan whispers, bringing her back to reality and out of her head. Caroline wondered for a moment, how did he find her. Concern etches his features; he can see that she still seems a bit off, with a certain paleness to her skin and a slight tremor. It's been almost a day, and she should have fully recovered by now. "How…how are you feeling?" he asks, remembering the last time he saw her—when she rushed out of his house in a panic as Elena was walking in.
"I need to come clean..." She begins, as Stefan steps closer to her. "When I left town, I sought out a witch to help recover my memory. I had no idea that my departure would put everyone in danger." A tremor runs through her body, and she lets out a weary sigh, feeling a pang of guilt for leaving Mystic Falls, even if it was just for a short while. The people closest to her best friend were at risk, but it was the only time the witch had been available. "She was only able to meet for a few days..."
"Surely there were witches nearby..." Stefan interjects.
"I know," she replies, her voice quivering slightly. "But I thought... I just wanted to feel whole again, Stefan. This witch is one of the most powerful witches in Salem, and she did it. The memories are coming slowly to me, they seem to be tied here, which I don't really understand."
NiKlaus stood tall, a broad smile illuminating his features as he beheld his bride, a vision of grace in a flowing dark blue dress with long sleeves. This exquisite gown had been a cherished gift from NiKlaus parents, symbolizing the significance of this moment, as NiKlaus was the first of the Mikaelson siblings to marry. The dress billowed softly around Caroline, its rich hue reminiscent of twilight skies, capturing the light with a subtle shimmer as it danced softly with the breeze.
The weather was perfect for their autumn wedding.
Caroline's hair was styled elegantly, a single braid cascading down her back that Rebekah did earlier, adorned with delicate, glimmering accents of beads Rebekah gifted her that caught the light. As she reached for his hand, her smile mirrored his—radiant and filled with love and excitement. Mikael stood between the couple, his presence grounding yet celebratory, ready to unite them in this beautiful ritual.
The rest of the Mikaelson family formed a half-circle around the couple, their expressions a mixture of pride and joy. As Mikael began the ceremony, the air was thick with anticipation, each heart echoing the love that had led NiKlaus and Caroline to this sacred moment. It was a celebration not just of their union, but of family, legacy, and the future that lay ahead.
A hand settled on Caroline's shoulder, drawing her back to the present. "Caroline!" Stefan said softly. When she opened her eyes, he was right there next to her. "What the he—"
"Just another memory," she interrupted.
"You zoned out," he remarked gently. "I've been calling for you for five minutes. Your eyes were closed, and you didn't respond."
Caroline walked quietly, her gaze fixed on the ground as memories of the man she'd encountered at the bar flooded her mind. He was the same man who had sat beside her at her child's grave, the one who smiled gently at her while she wore her wedding dress. "What's Elijah's brother's name?"
Stefan frowned at her question, confused by her sudden shift in focus away from herself to the Originals. "What?"
"I need to know. What is Elijah's brother's name?" Caroline pressed. She needed to know if she was right.
"Klaus," he replied, then added, "Niklaus."
In that instant, everything fell into place. The man she had encountered at the bar, the one whose vampire nature she had sensed when he sat beside her, was Niklaus Mikaelson. He had sought her out, approaching her when she was alone, and for reasons she couldn't comprehend, the fact that he hadn't revealed her identity left her feeling painfully unsettled.
"Is my family really this close? Why didn't they tell me who they were? Do they not want me?" she questioned silently, the weight of those thoughts pressing heavily on her.
Turning to Stefan, she said urgently, "I have to go," before vanishing in a flash.