The story starts from the 10th century before the Mikaelsons became vampires. Warning, there's going to be some violence in future chapters, assuming you think I should write more :)

Chapter 1

I looked at the clothes floating in the water. My fingers were already numb but I sank my hands into the water again and again. The clothes needed to be washed if I wished to have any supper. Papa had send Tatia to help me but she was sitting on the riverbank humming quietly. There was a dreamy look in her eyes and I wondered which one she was waiting for, Elijah or Niklaus. They were both courting her, just like almost all the men in the village were. Somehow it made no difference to them that she had just buried her first husband. Tatia had been 15 when she had married him but while I had just turned 16 there weren't many suitors running after me. Tatia had always been the beautiful one while I had been born under a bad sign. That was what mama always said. I wasn't sure what it meant.

"Aunt Sonja?"

I turned to look at my 4 years old niece, Danica. She was Tatia's only child with her late husband. They had hoped sons, but for some reason Tatia hadn't got pregnant again.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

She tilted her head and blinked her brown eyes. I couldn't help but smile. She must have learned that from Tatia.

"When will we go home? I'm hungry."

"I am almost finished", I said. "You can go and play with your mama."

Danica pouted her lips.

"Mama never wants to play with me."

"I am sure that's not true, sweetheart. You can stay here with me if you want but remember to be careful, the water is cold."

She nodded and sat next to my tub. Removing the laundry from the river I placed the items into the tub. They were heavy so I had to struggle in order to lift them all. My hands were red and the cold from the water made me shiver; I needed a moment to catch my breath.

"Do you need some help?" Tatia asked. She was standing next to me smiling sweetly.

"I just finished…"

"Alright, good. Oh, you poor thing, you must be freezing."

She took my other hand between her owns and started to rub it. There was still that dreamy look in her eyes.

"My little sister had grown up", she mumbled and smiled. "You know any man would be lucky to win your heart."

I shook my head.

"Papa said that no one had approached him…"

Tatia waved her hand.

"I am sure that someone will, even if you do not have any dowry."

That was true. Papa had said that he could only provide a dowry for one of his daughters. Tatia was older so of course it had been hers. Mama always said that she was grateful for not giving birth to any more daughters. She had three sons as well as Tatia and me. That was more than enough.

"Could you do something for me, my dear sister?" Tatia asked smiling.

I could guess what she wanted.

"Could you take a walk with Danica? Elijah will be here soon and I was hoping I could speak with him alone."

"I thought you were planning to accept Niklaus' proposal", I said.

Tatia smiled.

"I have not decided yet. Niklaus is very… charming and they could both offer me a good life but I must also think about Danica. Elijah assured me that he would treat her as his own. You know his wife died in childbirth."

I nodded.

"Yes. He has grieved her for a long time."

Much longer than Tatia had grieved for her husband. She smiled and took my other hand.

"Will you do that for me? And for Danica?"

"But the clothes…"

"Please Sonja, I need to speak with him", she interrupted me pleadingly.

I sighed and nodded.

"Alright, I will take a walk with Danica and get the clothes after that."

Tatia smiled and kissed my cheek.

"Thank you, Sonja. You know, Elijah has unmarried brothers. I can ask if he could put in a good word for you…"

"I do not think that would help."

Tatia looked at me curiously.

"Why not?"

I huffed.

"You know his brother Kol chases everything that moves. I do not think that he wants a wife. And Henrik is too young. Besides, their father would never allow that."

Tatia looked thoughtful.

"Perhaps you are right. They are one of the wealthiest families in the village. If you would only have dowry…"

Yes, if only, and if only I was as beautiful as Tatia. I doubted that anyone would want to marry me. I was afraid what that meant. Papa could cast me out, or worse, sell me to one of the traders that sometimes came into the village. He had threatened to do so if that was the only way to get rid of me. I tried not to think about that and took Danica's hand. We walked silently along the riverbank.

"Will I have a new papa?" she suddenly asked.

"I think so", I replied. "But remember, this is a secret, we cannot tell anyone about it. If anyone asks, we were with your mama the whole time."

She nodded seriously.

"Yes Aunt Sonja."

I touched her hair and lifted her up. She was a sweet little girl. No doubt she would be as beautiful as her mother. We were probably far enough so I sat onto the ground and let Danica rest on my lap. I looked at the running water and hummed for the yawning child. I dreamed of having children of my own. It wouldn't matter to me if they were sons or daughters. I dreamed of a husband who would be kind to me and to our children. I didn't know how I would survive if I would have to marry someone like papa. I had always been afraid of him. I stroked Danica's hair and noticed that she had fallen asleep. I wasn't sure how long Tatia wanted us to stay away.

"Sonja."

I startled when someone was suddenly standing next to me.

"Henrik, where did you come from?"

He grinned.

"I followed my brother. I could tell that he was doing something forbidden."

I bit my lip.

"Did you see him?"

Henrik sat down next to me.

"Yes. He was kissing your sister."

"Hmm. Are you going to tell someone?" I asked cautiously.

He shook his head.

"No. Is he going to marry your sister?"

"I do not know."

Danica moved a little but she didn't wake up. I continued stroking her hair. Henrik looked at me with his dark eyes.

"What is wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing, I…I am just a little worried."

"About what?"

I really didn't think that I should be talking to him about this. We were friends but he was two years younger than me. I doubted that he would understand these things.

"Sonja, what is it?"

I sighed.

"I am 16 now; I should be married but… I do not know who would want to marry me."

Henrik was quiet for a while and looked at me. I felt embarrassed. I shouldn't have said anything.

"I will marry you", he said determinedly.

My eyes widened.

"You are very kind but I do not think your father would approve…"

"Then we can run away together. My brothers had taught me how to fish, hunt and use the sword; I can take care of you, I would be honored to be your husband."

I couldn't help but smile.

"And I would be honored to be your wife, but I could not ask you to sacrifice everything for me. You deserve better."

I could see that he was about to argue but thankfully Danica opened her eyes.

"Can we go home now?" she asked sleepily.

I wiped some hair off her face.

"Yes, I think so. We just have to go back to your mama first."

Henrik stood up and held out his hand for me. I gladly accepted it. My legs felt numb. Danica was too tired to walk so I was about to carry her but Henrik lifted her up first. I didn't mind. I smiled at him when we walked side by side. I was sure that he would someday make some woman very happy. Unfortunately that woman wouldn't be me.