A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks for choosing this story to read. I hope that you will enjoy it.

SUMMARY: "Love me now. Think of me tomorrow. Remember me forever." Based off the song 'A Thousand Years' by talented singer-songwriter, Christina Perri. 'A young medium learns more than she bargained for when she moves to Mystic Falls, Virginia for a fresh start.' Klaus/OC (pairing) Damon/OC (friendship). Takes place TVD 2x1 onwards. Possibly entering TO later on.

Please note that this chapter is an introduction to the rest of the story, and will be referenced to a lot. Please let me know of any inconsistencies so I can go back and correct them. Cheers xx

I have borrowed actress Jenna Coleman as a live model for how I envisioned my OC. Please review with your thoughts, and please no flaming.

I don't own The Vampire Diaries or any of the characters. They belong to J.L. Smith.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER

"I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone."
~Arwen to Aragorn (LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring)

'THE 'NEW' WORLD'
Late 900s.
GRÁINNE'S P.O.V.

My family came to the new world to avoid the plague wiping out those we loved and cared about. My parents had told me, when I was old enough to understand, that the Mikaelson Family – headed by the proud and aggressive Mikael – were among the wealthiest and respected Viking families from the Kingdom of Norway, all those years before setting sail for the new world.

When the plague first struck, it was the Mikaelson's firstborn who was among the few that first succumbed to the plague. So when stories about a faraway land were told that accommodated beings that were healthy, prosperous and blessed with the gifts of speed and strength, the Mikaelsons and my family were one of the few who didn't hesitate a chance at a new life in strange land. My parents immigrated to the new world with them. They were travelling with their own families, and hadn't met each other yet. And the Mikaelsons - Mikael and his wife, Esther; a hardworking housewife and a powerful witch - had Finnik, who was just a toddler, and a newborn Elijah.

The beings turned out to be a pack of werewolves, and to us, we saw them as our neighbours. The Mikaelsons, my parents and others lived together with them quite harmoniously for the next 20 years. During those years; Niklaus, Kol, Rebekah, Henrik and I were born.

It was little things at first: but I think my suspicions regarding Mikael truly began after Henrik was tragically and horrifically killed by a werewolf during a full moon. We were forbidden to venture out of those caves during those hours when we were supposed to be taking refuge away from the danger. The rage and grief Mikael displayed with Esther, was not likely to be forgotten for a long time by any of us; but none so much as Niklaus, who felt the guilt and remorse strongly.

On the morning of that terrible tragedy I was visiting Rebekah, my best friend and soon to be sister-in-law. She and I were childhood friends and inseparable, despite our two year age gap between us. I was nineteen; the same age as Kol, whom I was friends with also, but not as close as Rebekah and I were because of her status as the only daughter in the Mikaelson family. We spent most of our time together, helping each other with our chores, or spending our time helping Ayana; our families' friend who was a gifted witch.

Although, not as powerful as Esther.

Rebekah had been examining some necklaces and talismans dangling from ropes in Ayana's window, while I hovered in the background dusting and straightening up Ayana's wares.

"Ahh!" I jumped when Rebekah yelped in pain, and turned to see her rubbing her fingers. She glanced over at Ayana.

"Ayana, you burned me!" Rebekah scowled petulantly, and I rolled my eyes and took a hold of her hand, examining her slightly red fingers.

"It is not too bad. I think that you will live." I teased her, and Rebekah stuck her tongue out at me. Ayana chuckled at us indulgently.

"That is not yours to touch." She scolded Rebekah, gently. I stepped outside to wait for Rebekah, so we could resume our walk together when I heard the sound of running feet.

"Mother!" I glanced towards the scared voice, and felt my smile drop when I saw him: Niklaus; running as fast as his feet could carry him into the village with the limp and bloodied body of Henrik in his arms. My eyes widened in horror and Rebekah glanced up from the necklace she had been examining, and saw my horrified face.

"Gráinne? What's wrong, you look like you've seen a ghost." She stated, frowning with concern. I didn't respond and immediately tore out of the house. Rebekah followed me, and stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed Henrik, all bloodied and lifeless in their brother's arms. "Henrik!" She screamed, and followed.

"Niklaus! What happened!" I demanded urgently as Rebekah and I helped him lower Henrik to the ground. Niklaus was focused entirely on his baby brother.

"I tried to stop him, to tell him that it was dangerous, but he wanted to see the werewolves. I knew that father would be so furious if he found out, so I followed him to bring him back..." Niklaus cut himself off and I already knew what had happened next. Horrified, anguished tears were streaming down his face, and I glanced around desperately for something to help stop the bleeding. Finding nothing, I seized the hem of my dress, and using my teeth tore off lengths of material to use as a makeshift bandage, while both Niklaus and Rebekah watched, both too horrified by their baby brother's condition to help me.

Esther came running up to us, summoned by Niklaus' frantic screaming.

"No, no!" She exclaimed in anguish. Esther turned to the three of us, her eyes wild and desperate. "What happened?" She demanded. Niklaus seemed to wake up from his traumatised state, and gently pulled me away from Henrik. I threw him an incredulous look, before realising that I was trying to give aid to a corpse.

"Oh, please no. Henrik… he's just a child." I whispered, tears starting to form in my eyes. Rebekah pulled me into her arms, and we comforted each other as Niklaus struggled to explain what happened to Esther through his tears.

"The wolves! I am sorry, I'm so sorry!" He pleaded forgiveness from his mother, who immediately turned to Ayana, who had followed both Rebekah and I from her hut. She was staring at Henrik's body with sad, grave eyes.

"We must save him. Please, there must be a way!" She begged, with hopeful eyes. But Ayana shook her head.

"The spirits will not give us a way, Esther. Your boy is gone." She replied, regretfully. Esther's face crumbled into deep despair.

"No! NO!" She sobbed, and clutches Henrik's body, and we could nothing but just mourn Henrik. I couldn't believe it. Henrik was dead? This wasn't real, this couldn't possibly be real. It was just some cruel dream my brain had concocted for me due to a bad night's sleep. I was going to close my eyes, wake up, and find myself lying in my bedroom and be ready to face the day where Henrik would be alive and I wouldn't have to see the grief-stricken expressions on the faces of my fiancé and my best friend. So that's what I did; I closed my eyes and counted to ten before opening them again.

But nothing had changed.

I remember getting to my feet, turning on the spot and walking away from the scene. My hands were covered in Henrik's blood from when I was trying in vain to stop the bleeding. I was going to leave the family to grieve and make their burial plans in private, when suddenly, a hand unexpectedly grabbed mine. I glanced back expecting to see Rebekah, but saw Niklaus instead. His blue-green eyes were wide and vulnerable, and also looking quite hurt and confused as they questioned where I was going. Both he and Rebekah got to their feet and pulled me aside away from the commotion.

"Where are you going?" Rebekah demanded, tearfully.

I avoided looking into their eyes and instead focused on Henrik's blood on my hand trapped securely in Niklaus' grip, and smeared horribly on his dark tunic and white shirt. Technically, I was a part of their family the second I had agreed to marry Niklaus. But the engagement between us was still very recent, and I didn't feel it was right for me to be there.

"Giving your family the privacy to grieve." I replied quietly, wiping my eyes. Both of them frowned at me in confusion.

"What are you talking about, you are family." Niklaus stated. "You're going to be my wife, why wouldn't you be considered family?" I didn't reply, realising how foolish I had just sounded. Perhaps it was just my grief talking. I turned my gaze back to Esther still clutching her son to her and sobbing, while Ayana attempted to comfort her, and I couldn't help it. I could feel myself losing it and I immediately succumbed to tears as Niklaus and Rebekah both embraced me, struggling to hold back their own tears as well.

"No, Henrik, no…" I sobbed, clutching to Niklaus and burying my face into his neck. He was my friend; someone I really cared about and was looking forward to becoming his older sister … and he was just gone. A life snuffed out in a moment of carelessness. Little did I know that Henrik's death was just the beginning of a series of unfortunate events.

Since that terrible day; Niklaus, Rebekah and I attempted to stick with each other, whenever we could and whenever our parents gave us our freedom. The only time we parted was when we needed to return to our homes. We wanted to spend as much time as we could with each other, since life was short and once it was done it was done. We would soon realise in the very immediate future, how wrong we really were. Rebekah and I noticed that her parents had been acting very strangely and secretive. Rebekah later relayed a conversation she had eavesdropped on between her parents and Ayana to me. She was scared and worried about something, and was fidgeting with a flower she had plucked from the grass we were reclining on. Niklaus was unable to join us that spring afternoon. Mikael had 'volunteered' him to help out with some chores that apparently needed to be done then and there.

"I didn't mean to overhear, Gráinne, I swear. But it wasn't as though they were talking silently." Rebekah told me, slightly defensive, as though she expected me to dispute it. The feel of the springtime wind gently disturbed my hair and cooled my flushed skin. I could feel the warmth of the sunlight bronzing my porcelain skin a healthy gold. I opened my eyes and sat up frowning at Rebekah and her unusual paranoia.

"Rebekah, hush. You need to relax. Nobody is accusing you of anything." I told her. I could tell that she wanted desperately to tell someone what she had seen and heard. I placed a hand over hers and smiled. "What did you discover, sister?" Rebekah hesitated. "It is alright, your secret is safe with me." I promised. She seemed to relax a little before drawing in a breath to calm herself.

"I was preparing for bed, and I looked in and saw Mother, Father and Ayana standing in the main room talking by the fire. They looked like they were in a heated discussion about something." Rebekah replied, chewing her bottom lip.

"What was discussed exactly?" I asked, both wanting to know the answer and fearing what was about to be revealed.

"Calling upon spirits. Before the next full moon." She looked confused, and I did not blame her.

"What spirits?" I questioned. Rebekah shrugged.

"I am not sure, but whatever they were Ayana was refusing to summon them, saying that it was a crime against nature." My eyes widened.

Rebekah clutched my hand tightly.

"It will be alright, Bekah. Do not fret." I reassured her, weakly.

But our fears had been justified. The next full moon came and went, and for several days afterwards; I did not see neither Rebekah nor Niklaus, or even Elijah, Kol or Finn. Which brings me to the present: I am getting worried. I finally saw them today, but they maintained an arm's length away from me wearing expressions of deep frustration and anxiety. Especially, Niklaus and Rebekah, who looked like they were in constant pain and stopping themselves from doing something dreadful.

What on earth was going on? What had Mikael and Esther done to their children?

To my beloved Niklaus?

~:NIKLAUS P.O.V:~

I never thought I'd say this, but our father's pride will eventually kill him one day … or us.

How could he do this to us? His children?

I'm just glad that my Gráinne had not been there that night. I knew that wine tasted foul. And it changed us into vampires after we were felled by Father's sword through our hearts! Mikael just had to do it, didn't he? But then again, I suppose it is my fault that they resorted to this. If only I had been more firm with Henrik, and made every attempt to stop him; then we wouldn't be put into a position where I had to stop myself from feasting upon an innocent bystander every time I left the house (which we were unable to leave until Mother could find us a permanent solution).

Pride; it is the one sin we cannot beat. And all because Father had to be better than our werewolf neighbours. Where they could bite, we were required to bite harder. They had agility, we were faster. Speed, strength, heightened senses… would it really be worth it in the end? I cannot erase the memory of Rebekah's look of complete horror when our father used his sword to slit the wrist of the human we were forced to feed upon to complete our transition, or when I winced when the smell of the blood invaded my senses.

"DRINK!" I remembered father snarling at Rebekah who whimpered before he pushed her face down upon the girl's bleeding wrist. I was horrified when it became clear she was savouring every drop she lapped up like a cat enjoying cream. I admit, to my shame, that I felt much the same when it was my turn. Eventually, we were strong enough to be able to stand being around the humans were long periods of time, and I was relieved, as was Rebekah. Because it meant that we could resume our time with Gráinne without fear of killing her accidentally, equipped with special daylight rings with precious lapis lazuli stones mother had enchanted to protect us from the sun's lethal rays. Of course, we were not stupid. It did mean that we had to be cautious when it came to feeding, and not over indulge to the point of killing our prey.

I found our newly found bloodlust almost impossible to quench, but I was yet to realise that I was in fact much more dangerous than everybody first realised. What was supposed to be a routine hunt between Elijah, father and I turned into a night of discovery that my mother had been unfaithful, and that I was the result of their indiscretion; a most painful discovery that I shall never forget. Nor the look of absolute hatred that my father bestowed upon me that night, or the look of horror on Elijah's.

I attacked a human in a fit of anger and frustration because once again, father and I had exchanged harsh words with each other, and I killed my prey; dumping his corpse upon the leaf-strewn ground and his blood coating my hands, and smeared gruesomely around my mouth and dripping down my chin. That was when everything came tumbling down around me: I was a werewolf.

I screamed when my bones started cracking, alerting my brother and father to my side.

"Niklaus!" I heard Elijah's urgent voice in the distance, but all I could think about was the excruciating pain I was experiencing.

"What is happening to me!?" I pleaded to Elijah, desperately. I was utterly terrified and paralysed with fear. I heard Elijah running towards me, but then father spoke out.

"Don't!" I heard him shout to Elijah, sounding alarmed. I fell to my knees and looked up at them, seeing the horrified and helpless expressions on their faces, as I curled into myself whimpering from the pain.

"Father! It hurts!" But my father did nothing. That was the first time that I truly felt betrayed by my father; the man who was supposed to support and help me no matter what our differences were. My bones continued breaking and snapping like twigs, and I let out a passionate agonised scream that quickly shifted into an inhuman growl as I transformed into a werewolf for the first time. I shivered like a leaf and panted through the pain.

"He's a beast! An abomination!" And with that one utterance, my attempts at reconciling with my father was abolished. Because it was obvious that he wasn't my father … and for the very first time, I was relieved that he wasn't. My real father was out there, somewhere. And I hoped that one day I could meet him, and hopefully get an explanation from him about why things have come about this way. About why I was being treated poorly for being the product of my mother's infidelity.

Did I ask to be born?

Do I not deserve to be loved and wanted by a father who would be proud to call me his son? I do not think that is asking much. I remembered sitting up, and glaring at Mikael whilst still fighting off the pain I was feeling.

Elijah told me later on, that my eyes had flashed gold and remained that way for the duration my shift. Things are not the same right now. Elijah is extremely wary of me, and Mikael … well, actually I could care less what Mikael was doing; but whenever I see him, it seems like he has a near permanent murderous, vengeful glare on his face directed not only to me, but also my mother who has been giving me concerned, and unless my eyes have been mistaking me, guilty looks when she believes I am not looking. I wish I could laugh – but it would be bitter and venom filled – as it seems doubtful that Mikael hasn't confronted her about my true father.

To be honest, I don't think I could truly forgive her either.

The others thankfully, are in blissful ignorance about this entire ordeal. Although, I am almost positive that Gráinne suspects something is amiss whenever we are alone together, and I try to shield her from Mikael as much as I can. I do not trust that the happiness that I feel whenever I am around her will not be shattered into a million pieces.

I am not that lucky.

Sometimes, I feel like I just want to pack my things, take Gráinne and run; as fast and as far as we can and never return. But I love my brothers and Rebekah, and I could never do that to them … and I never will.

~:GRÁINNE'S P.O.V:~

Something is not right, I can feel it.

Niklaus is acting very strange, and very possessive nowadays. So much so that he scares me a little. We're supposed to be meeting up tonight to have dinner with my parents. It was my idea; it looked like he needed to be away from his family for a few hours. He had hesitated, which caused me to frown. He used to jump at the chance to spend some time with them; trying to make a good impression with them presumably, to try and convince them that he wasn't at all like his aggressive, unapproachable brute of a father. Mother has always made it clear that Niklaus was a 'lovely boy', always polite and considerate of his elders, regardless of what Mikael said or how he treated him.

He is always welcome at my home.

"How about you come dine with us?" He suggested instead.

Of course, I agreed and for the rest of the morning and a bit of the afternoon we went for yet another stroll through the village, the woods and even the meadow where Rebekah and I sometimes came to sit and talk for hours in while we talked about what was bothering us or what we had been getting up to lately while we made daisy chains and flower crowns.

Niklaus remained quiet for most of the walk, only giving monosyllabic answers to the questions I put before him to pass the time. But at the same time, he didn't let go of my hand for one second, or held me close to his chest when we lay in the meadow; watching the clouds go by and enjoying the sunshine together. It was strange … he was acting strange. Like he was anticipating something was about to go wrong and he was making every moment count while he still could. Like he was saying goodbye. Hopefully not to me… I thought worriedly.

Something silver caught my eye and I noticed a ring on Niklaus' index finger. It was a new addition that I hadn't noticed before and I reached over and I picked up his hand.

"This is a beautiful ring, Niklaus. Did you make it?" I asked curiously examining the bright blue stone.

"No, mother did. She made us some heirloom rings so that we can pass them down to our children in the future." He explained and then started absently fiddling with my fingers. Just weaving them in and out of mine, playfully. I noted the dull tone he had used to answer my question, and I frowned and sat up, looking down at him.

"Are you alright, Nik? You do not seem like yourself lately." I was concerned, and Niklaus sat up avoiding my eyes for several moments before he responded by pulling me into a tight hug and kissing my temple.

"It's nothing you need to worry about, love. Our family have just recently learned something … unsettling, and we're just coming to terms with it." He reassured me, reluctantly. I nodded, but still felt he was not telling me the whole truth.

"Does it have anything to do with how the villagers have been treating you, Rebekah and the others?" I questioned, searching his eyes for a hint of deception. He smiled softly, and shook his head.

"Not entirely. But it is related." Niklaus replied vaguely.

I had noticed how different my parents and our neighbours have been treating him and my future brothers and sisters lately. Always cautious and wary if they ever spoke with them on the street. Making excuses to be somewhere else or that the house was in need of cleaning and it wasn't possible to provide them with entry into our home whenever Rebekah, Niklaus or even on a rare occasion, Kol came by to visit me.

Niklaus glanced at the late afternoon sunlight and sighed before getting to his feet and offering his hand. "We better go back. Pretty soon we need to retire to the caves for the night." He reminded me. I frowned as I took his hand and got to my feet with his assistance. I had almost forgotten that tonight was a full moon. So why did he sound so sad when he said that? Then I remembered Henrik and berated myself for being so tactless.

"Yes, of course. I almost forgot." I replied, smiling. He chuckled a little and tenderly kissed my hand when he got to the heart of the village.

"I will see you soon, my love." He promised before turning and walking in the direction of his house.

I watched him go before turning and heading towards home to gather what I would need in the caves tonight. But something was still nagging at me. I could not understand it. You could cut the tension at the Mikaelson home with a knife it was so thick whenever I came over to visit, and I could tell that Rebekah is getting worried as well.

I think I'm gonna go for another walk before I meet up with Niklaus in the caves for our dinner. I needed to clear my head. Although, I think I might be going crazy. Or at least getting a little paranoid, but I could've sworn that Mikael was glaring at me when I walked passed him just now. I haven't forgotten my suspicions about him for one second, but I didn't think he would be that bloody rude.

~:NIGHT:~

All the villagers were in the caves, along with the Mikaelsons; who were the topic of muted conversation. I could not help but feel disgusted with them at present. Haven't they got anything else to do other than gawk and gossip about them? I returned to my meal with Rebekah, who looked a bit troubled.

"Something troubling you, Bekah?" I asked her, kindly. She immediately shook her head, glancing at the entrance to the cave.

"Not really. I'm getting worried for mother, father, Niklaus and Elijah. They have not arrived yet." Rebekah replied. My head snapped up at this and I glanced about, trying to pinpoint our wayward family members. But I could not find Niklaus anywhere. I frowned.

"How odd." I got to my feet, and Rebekah grabbed my wrist.

"Where are you going?" She asked, suddenly looking fearful. I gently shook her off.

"Relax, sister. I'm just going to look for them. I'll be careful, I promise." I reassured her, before making my way towards the entrance and beginning my search.

My anxiety was starting to steadily climb as I continued walking, searching for a sign or a whisper of Niklaus, Elijah and their parents. I was starting to worry that they were in trouble when I walked right out of the safety of the caves, exposing myself to a possible werewolf attack like poor Henrik. And there would be no Niklaus around to save me.

"Niklaus?" I whisper-shouted loud enough to be heard in the still night air, but not loud enough to draw attention to myself unnecessarily. "Elijah?" I stepped over a fallen log, and glanced around for something familiar. "Esther?" I started to turn back the way I came from, and walked backwards. "Mikael?" I gasped in shock when I tripped over something and I twisted my body instinctively to break my fall. I skidded forward, cutting up my hands and skinning the flesh of my knees. I shuddered from the pain, and sat up. Fresh blood beaded from the cuts in my hands and knees and started dribbling. Grimacing, I stood up and absently wiped my hands on my dress, smearing the blood; already hearing my mother's angry voice scolding me for the stains. I was about ready to give up and turn back for the cave when fire burst alight in the distance. I jumped back in surprise before I walked curiously towards the light.

I was not at all prepared for what I saw:

Esther was standing before a bonfire waving her hands and tossing objects into the flames whilst muttering something underneath her breath in a strange tongue. I believed that she was creating something to ward off any possible werewolf attack. And I thought my theory was proven correct when I heard low animal-like groaning and growling … until I glanced beyond the fire, and reacted in horror. Niklaus was being chained up to a wooden cross by Mikael, who by the looks of it was not having any luck at all because Niklaus was putting up a fierce battle against him. But then Mikael moved at an inhuman speed to pin him against the cross and I gasped inaudibly as Niklaus glared at him.

"Elijah!" Mikael yelled out, and I glanced over and saw Elijah standing off to the side, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. "Elijah, hold him down!" Mikael ordered him, fiercely. I glanced at him, shaking my head and silently pleading for Elijah to ignore his father and instead save Niklaus, who appeared to agree with me.

"Brother, please!" He pleaded, desperately. Elijah was barely making eye contact with Niklaus. "Don't let them do this to me!" Mikael shoved him violently against the cross, and turned his head towards Elijah.

"Do it now, boy! Now!" He roared. This time Elijah didn't hesitate and immediately came over and helped Mikael shackle Niklaus to the cross. No… Elijah! I despaired, then felt anger rising in my throat like bile. I noticed the desperate look in Niklaus' eyes as he tried one more time to appeal to Elijah.

"Help me…!" Niklaus begged, causing Elijah to pause. But Mikael bodily shoved his second eldest son out of the way, as both parents began what looked like a sacrifice. I couldn't stand by and watch the man I love suffer.

I ran out into the clearing without thinking.

"NO! STOP!" I yelled. All four heads swivelled in my direction: one startled, one guilty, one outraged and one, the one I was trying to protect looked horrified and then fearful.

"Gráinne, get out of here! GO!" Niklaus struggled against the chains. Esther shuddered and the fire burned a little brighter before she walked towards her husband with a sober expression on her face.

"It is done." She confirmed, and Niklaus' face fell in anguish. I was confused, what madness did I just stumble upon? But I did not have time to ponder the possibilities as Mikael turned his attention away from his wife and onto me. I did not like the livid expression on his face. I glanced at Elijah who looked horrified as well, and we both watched as Mikael unsheathed his sword. My eyes widened in realisation.

"RUN! GRÁINNE!" Niklaus screamed.

I did not hesitate and immediately turned to flee for my life, but unexpectedly ran straight into the oncoming path of Mikael who had a menacing sneer on his face. I screamed with fright and Mikael raised his sword for a killing blow. But at the last second, Mikael was restrained by Elijah who turned to me.

"What are you waiting for, Gráinne, run! I cannot hold him off for long!" Elijah shouted, as he struggled with his father. I took off, listening to Niklaus screaming at me to run.

I ran as fast as my feet could carry me.

How could I be so foolish?

I knew that I had been marked and that the Mikaelsons had obviously done some sort of twisted ritual to Niklaus, or quite possibly themselves. And I knew that Mikael was definitely about to kill me … and it was all my fault for sticking my nose where it shouldn't have been. My long hair obscured my vision, and my heart pounded frantically in my chest as the adrenaline fuelled my every step.

"Father, stop! She doesn't understand!" I could hear Elijah's voice echoing behind me.

I ran faster.

Mikael had obviously broken free and Elijah was clearly pleading for Mikael to see reason.

"Mikael, she is innocent!" Esther chimed in.

I did not dare look back. I knew that the cave was my sanctuary. Surely Mikael would not dare attempt murder in front of innocent people? Suddenly, Niklaus appeared from out of nowhere, having clearly broken free from his restraints. I immediately started fighting against him, scared out of my mind. But he pulled me down into some nearby bushes and clamped a hand over my mouth.

"Hush, love. I'm trying to save you." He reassured me, and I immediately started panicking. "Gráinne, please. Trust me." Niklaus begged, looking hurt that I was frightened of him. I looked into his eyes and realised he was telling me the truth. I instantly calmed down and nodded, and he pulled away his hand and glanced around for any sign of Mikael, Elijah and Esther. "Okay, I think we're safe." It was clear he no longer trusted his family, and I didn't blame him. I saw anger, fear and betrayal reflected his blue-green eyes, and I never wanted to see those emotions in them ever again. They would be his undoing if he wasn't careful. He grabbed my hand and immediately took off in a randomly chosen direction. However, we didn't get far as something inhumanly fast slammed into him, holding him up against the tree trunk. I was thrown to the side, knocking the wind out of me. "NO!" Niklaus yelled, and I forced myself to my knees. "Father, please!" He begged from where Elijah had pinned him against the tree, and was trying to pry his brother's hand from his neck.

"Be silent, you stupid boy!" I paled when I realised how close Mikael was. I attempted to quickly get to my feet, but a large hand grabbed my shoulder and pulled me roughly to my feet before shoving me against another tree in full view of Niklaus. Mikael glared at me, and I glanced behind him at Niklaus, who was staring back at me with wild eyes. "Look at me, you stupid girl!" I obeyed him immediately, shaking with tears streaming down my cheeks. Mikael leaned in to whisper into my ear. "Let this be a lesson to you, girl. Never trust a Mikaelson."

Then he stabbed me with his sword.

The last thing I was fully conscious of was Niklaus' screams before everything went black…

~:NIKLAUS P.O.V:~

"NO!" I shoved Elijah off me, and immediately scrambled to Gráinne's side, as Mikael pulled his sword free from her side. It was a mortal wound, something that was going to take a lot more than my blood to save her. "No, please! Gráinne, please! Stay with me. Please don't leave me!" I begged her tearfully. Gráinne merely gave me a lazy smile, cupping my cheek and using her thumb to wipe away my tears as I pressed down hard on her wound to stop the bleeding. But Mikael grabbed a hold of my shirt and started to pull me away from her.

"Leave her, boy!" He snarled. I turned and shoved him away.

"Get off me!" I roared, and shoved him back and turned to return to my beloved's side. But Mikael was persistent.

"Insolent boy!" He snarled, and I fought violently. Elijah came over to stop us, but Mikael was stronger. Suddenly, mother came running up.

"Mikael, stop this right now!" She demanded, sternly. Then her eyes widened when she saw me crouched over Gráinne who was slowly dying in front of me. Tears clouded my vision, but I could clearly hear my mother's words behind me. "Mikael, what have you done!?" She exclaimed and came to my side.

"I did what needed to be done. To teach him a lesson." Mikael replied, arrogantly, and I could feel a corrosive rage bubbling inside.

"This is not and never will be an acceptable punishment, Mikael. She was an innocent girl!" Mother argued. Was?! I turned towards her.

"Mother, please! Save her, please!" I begged her, brokenly. This was Henrik all over again, except this time it wasn't a werewolf that had killed somebody l loved; it was Mikael.

Mother gave me an anguished look.

"I'm sorry, son. I cannot. She's almost gone." She told me, gently.

I would look back on this moment in the days to come, and truly wonder if she realised that those were the same words Ayana had told her when Henrik died. I swore my already sluggishly beating heart stopped. I turned to look down at Gráinne, and I listened to her heartbeat slowly beating out its last. Then a thought crossed my mind, and with that single thought I knew that I had seconds to act.

I leant down to whisper in her ear:

"I love you, Gráinne, so much. And I want you to know, that no matter how long it takes or how long I search; I will find you, and I will never let you go. I love you, always and forever." I promised her, before leaning down and kissing her brow and then her lips. I could taste the flavour of her blood, which coated her lips, bursting on my taste buds, and I shuddered with disgust. Then suddenly and violently, Gráinne jerked before going still. I let out an anguished cry and cradled her dead body to me, sobbing. I could feel my mother attempt to comfort me, and I let her; before I remembered why we were here in the first place, and I violently jerked away from her comfort.

I gathered Gráinne's body into my arms and stood up.

"Son…" Mother began, but I glared at her furiously.

"Don't talk to me." I warned her in a low, dangerous voice. Mother realised that she wasn't going to reach me, and immediately turned and walked away. Mikael had already left minutes before, having succeeded in ruining my life. Elijah came forward to assist me, but I growled underneath my breath. Nobody would stop me, carrying the evidence of their guilt back to the caves.

"Don't be foolish, Niklaus." Elijah warned. I immediately turned on him.

"Or you'll what?" I challenged him. "You have already betrayed me, and helped our parents curse me. Not to mention, you helped father kill the one good thing in my life. What more could you possibly take away from me?!" I snarled.

Elijah immediately got on the defensive.

"If I had known what father was going to do, I would've stopped him, Niklaus. I swear!" He pleaded. I scoffed and walked away from him. "Brother, please!" I ignored him.

There was much that I needed to do...

A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2019 be better the last!

So here's the prologue. I hope that you enjoyed reading it. This was an idea that would not go away after listening to 'A Thousand Years' a lot. Updates to come soon in the new year.