Chapter Text
Niklaus was hiking through the woods with his bow when he heard it, it was a low murmur, a simple melody. His only concern was he was quite aways from the village so there should not be anyone out there, even if he had gone a bit further then he ever had before.
His bow still drawn, he slowly progressed through the woodd to the clearing he knew was near.
When he arrived, he peaked around the large tree and stopped in his tracks. There, in the center of the clearing, was a girl, with golden hair, decorated with flowers, flowing down her back. She wore a simple dress, much like the ones the other woman of his village wears, it was a white undershirt with long sleeves, with a mossy green sleeveless dress over top with a brown leather woven corset.
She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, the sun shining on her making her look ethereal. He unconsciously lowered his weapon, his eyes following her as she swayed. Niklaus was completely enthralled, no girl had ever drawn his attention like she had, the thing is, he knows for a fact, she is not from his village.
Due to his lack of attention, he had not noticed his arrow slip from his bow, until it hit the ground, and the girl's head snapped towards him. As he locked eyes with her, he noticed the bright sky blue of her eyes.
Her eyes were wide, and he took a step back, her eyes glancing towards his bow. He quickly held his hand up. “I am not here to hurt you!” he spoke, raising his voice slightly so she could hear him. “I was hunting when I came across your melody, and was intrigued”
She studied him, eyes catching his bow, which he had moved behind him, and had not made any attempts to reach for the arrow on the ground or any in his quiver. His shoulder length blonde wavy hair was lightly tied up in whatever style Rebekah produced that day, a simple white tunic with leather pants and tall well worn boots.
She was still stood straight, and he saw her cross her arms, tilting her head up defiantly, and his lips curled upwards, liking her fierce expression. “So you just stood there and watched a lady who was unaware of your presence” he could not help but smile, a grin taking over his features. “I was simply caught off guard by your beauty love” his eyes sparkled with amusement as he watched her ears glow red as the last word left his mouth.
He entered the clearing, putting his bow and sack down by the arrow. He hadn't a clue why, but he felt he absolutely needed to know her name. “If i may ask, what is your name love?”.
Her eyes glimmered as her smile returned, and his head felt light. “Only if you tell your name.” he smirked at her, as she smirked right back. He liked her attitude.
“Niklaus, but most call me klaus.” She tilted her head and tested his name. “Klaus..” he smiled as he reached her, and standing across from her, he could see her beauty much closer. “And yours?”
He met his eyes “caroline.” wonderful name he thought. “It is lovely to meet you Caroline,” he said as he bent and took her hand, kissing the air above her knuckles. She liked how he said her name. The others in her village always seemed to rush her name, skipping over the “O”.
Within a few seconds, they struck up a conversation and sat down. And before they knew it the sun had begun to set. He had been gone for a bit, and he knew if he took any longer his siblings would be worried. As he looked at Caroline, he found he had not yet wanted to leave. So he turned to her, as they had talked he had learned that her village was a ways away from his, but she had grown up running through the forest even though she should not as a “lady”, and she found this clearing a few nights ago.
“Caroline, I must admit I do not quite yet want to end our time together.” he said as he looked at her. She looked down though and seemed hesitant. Regardless of their easy connection, he was a stranger from another village. And she knew her parents and fellow villagers would simply have a fit if they found out that her as an unmarried lady had been alone with a man for a long time. But much as he, she did not yet want to leave. So she made a decision.
“Klaus, how about this?'' he sat up more as he turned his body toward her, listening in a way no one else ever had to her. “The night after this next, after the run rises, you meet me here?” As she watched his eyes brighten, she knew she made the right choice.