Daughter, Mother, Sister

His sister’s soft words brought a smile to his face and in response he slowly nodded - one of gratitude and understanding. Though their family went back and forth with their snide remarks, their love for one another was something never to be brought into question.

As she took his blood and offered assurance it would be protected, he hummed lightly. “See that you do. Barring my daughter and her blood, I would wager the blood of an Original - let alone the Original hybrid - is one of the more powerful artifacts we’ve brought into this realm; unintentionally though it may be.”

.

Her brother’s smile had been a rarity for too much of the time she’d known him, and it did Freya’s heart good to see it on his face once more.  Their rocky start as family had turned into a powerful bond, and when he was happy she was happy to know it.  It was the least he deserved, after everything.

“I don’t like to think about what these beings could accomplish with your blood, or hers.  Their magic is already different enough than ours that I worry how we would fare in a fight, and I’m certainly not about to let them have an essence to cast from on top of that.”  Freya sighed.  “I worry about how safe Nik can be kept against magic I don’t understand.”

“They shall be blessed to have our family in close to its entirety. I swear this to you, Freya, that despite what may come to pass on these Isles; I will not let anything harm our young ones. On that, you have my word.“ Klaus stated. Holding up a finger for just a moment, he dug around the table and then on his person for a few seconds before producing a small glass bottle from his pocket.

Biting into the palm of his hand, he trickled the sticky red liquid into the bottle and sealed it shut once he deemed it sufficiently full. Allowing the wound to heal itself, he offered the bottle to the woman. “I do not claim to know what kind of magics these Faye and the Isles possess - but should you require a focus to channel from, my blood should do just as well as my flesh proper.” He theorized.

.

“Whatever jokes and teasing I make, brother, I know how much you care for family.  I always have.  And believe me when I say, there’s no one I trust more to do what’s necessary to keep them safe.  Even when what’s necessary might be unpleasant.”  He’d already given his own life once to save his daughter’s, and Freya knew that he’d never hesitate when it came to the children’s safety.  There was a reason, after all, that her own son had been named after her late brother.

The offer of his blood was not one made lightly, and she intended to cloak the vial the moment she was out of his presence.  “Thank you, Klaus - truly.  I’m sure this will be more help than you know.  And I will keep it as safe as I know how, because the last thing we need is for a substance as powerful as your blood to escape our grasp.”

Underneath all of the threats and the violence, Klaus truly wanted nothing more than moments like this with all of his family. Moments where there wasn’t some pressing danger to them all looming over their heads. Even if the laughing and joking had been brief before reality sank back in, it had been worth the momentary illusion of peace.

“Well, Sister, spoiling my nephew shall be an easy task. He shall always have his Uncle Nik to lean on for fun and he shall never want for anything.” He mused. “He and little Henry and young Juliette…” He almost hummed as he spoke their names and smiled fondly to himself. “I… missed out on years of showing Hope the world. I don’t plan on missing out on my nephews and niece’s lives as well.”

.

“And fortunately the rest of the family to teach him what parts of his Uncle’s advice to ignore,” Freya’s smile belied the teasing.  When he mentioned missing out on Hope’s life, though, the smile slipped a little.  Between herself and Hayley they’d been able to be there for far more of her days, and Freya wished for nothing more than to be able to give that time back to Klaus as he deserved.  “They’ll all be lucky to have you, brother.  Just like Hope is, and just like I am.”

The hybrid merely smirked and let out a scoffing laughter as Freya jested about rewarding him in such a childish manner for his good behavior. He did, however, give her a nod as she emphasized her feelings about Keelin’s current absence. “Keelin chose to marry you, love. I’d say she’s a resilient sort to cast her lot in with the Mikaelsons so permanently.” He offered with a small smile.

His smile twisted into a darker smirk as Freya expressed her desire to extract much more vengeance against their aunt. “Our lists are extensive, I’m certain. Family members included or not.” He stated; purposefully not mentioning names directly - knowing how troubling the situation had been when Klaus had killed Mikael for his ashes and the strained sort of relationship Freya also shared with their mother.

.

It felt good to laugh with her brother; losing him so soon after finding her family had been a huge blow, and even the short time they’d spent getting to know each other had been filled with one tragedy after another.  Laughing with him felt familial and warm, and she wouldn’t have passed the chance up for the world.  “Resilient,” Freya repeated, “or just insane.”  She laughed at her own words, knowing Keelin was far from that.

“I’m sure we could fill volumes with those lists.”  It was a wise decision on his part not to mention any specific family members - time had healed old wounds, but the last thing Freya wanted was to be reminded of Mikael’s death.  “But enough about old enemies and on to more pleasant things.  You should start planning how you’re going to spoil Nik rotten.”

“Yeah, something tells me that the Faye in charge aren’t as friendly as the fairy tales made them seem.” Wyatt gave a soft nod of understanding, inhaling a subtle breath at the mention of Freya’s son, before musing “its hard enough getting through those woods alone, let alone with a kid, that must have been rough. Do you have other family here?” 

.

“No, I’m getting that sense myself actually.  The sanitized Disney crap must have come along after they all relocated here and we could convince ourselves that they weren’t so bad.”  Freya nodded.  “It wasn’t the best trip for either of us, but at least we made it here before he got too grumpy with me.  And I do, yeah - almost all of my brothers, and my sister and sister-in-law as well.  I’m lucky that way.  How about you?”

“Remarkable, really. I should be rewarded.” He mused as he continued their little exchange of jests. As the humor left her face, his followed suit and a quiet breath left him. “It is possible, dear sister, to feel both terrified and relieved that she has yet to be seen. It is a state of existence that I seem to have lived in since arriving as our family members slowly began popping up one by one.” He offered.

As Freya detailed the difficulties and unique troubles that plagued his daughter, he frowned and placed a hand on his chin in thought. “Such is the curse of Mikaelson firstborns..” He hummed. “At least Little Nik will have his mothers around - and one with a particular knowledge about being a Mikaelson firstborn.” He smiled some, but only slightly. “That is, if our family’s magical lineage is a non-generational trait and rather something that applies to each branch along our family tree - to every firstborn birthed to a would-be Mikaelson parent.” He added in thought.

It was something interesting to think about. Until Hope and Freya came along, the concept of firstborn Mikaelson witches had not been a cornerstone in their households. Now with Freya having a son of her own - who by all rights was not only a firstborn child, but the firstborn of a firstborn - it would be intriguing to see what kind of power he grew to wield as well.

“Indeed. Several of our foes deserved the anguish of a thousand deaths. If they made their return, we can at least offer them a second.” He mused.

.

“Would you like a cookie?” Freya grinned, offering him the same sort of reward she’d offer his namesake for good behavior.  “I suppose you do understand then.  I’d like nothing more than to hear her voice and feel her arms around me, but I also hope she’s at home safe and sound.  I’ve been responsible for putting that woman through enough, she deserves the break.”

Klaus’ point was a curious one, and one she’d often wondered about herself.  “Unfortunately the only way we’re likely to find that out is time and experience.  Until my lovely niece was born we’d gone a thousand years without worrying overly much about another firstborn in the family.  And now that’s all changed.  You’re not wrong, though, at least if he has to come to terms with that power I’m around as some measure of counsel - and his cousin will be equally vital in learning.”  If Nik’s status as firstborn of a firstborn did result in him carrying the burden of power he couldn’t have asked for a better family to surround him.

“I would be eager.  Dahlia didn’t have the chance to suffer nearly as much as she deserved.  And she’s only the top of my list.”

“Its nice to meet you, Freya – as weird as the circumstances are” a soft smile accompanied Wyatt’s words. He pondered the other’s inquisition, almost awkwardly turning his head as he thought of his time in Avalon. Despite having picked a fight with the original hybrid, ended a lifelong relationship and found out that his dead brother, apparently hadn’t been dead at all, he guessed that the answer to her question was yes? “Uh, yeah .. managing to keep out of trouble, I guess. How about you? You get caught up in the whole, ‘whale on the beach’ thing?”

.

“It’s good to meet you too,” Freya smiled.  “As weird as the circumstances are.”  She was no stranger to an odd life, although Avalon was a bit much even for her.  “That’s about all a person can ask right now, I think.  Last thing you need is to get yourself in trouble here.”  She shook her head.  “I missed out on that - I was still traipsing through the woods with my son and trying to figure out whether there was anyone else around or not.  I’ve heard it was quite the adventure, though.”

Wyatt offered the other a soft smile, despite the seeming awkwardness of the situation he had found himself in. “My names Wyatt, by the way. Also, not a local.” He paused for a moment, tugging his digits through his locks before musing with a light chuckle, “despite my midnight rendezvous to the watering holes telling you otherwise.” 

.

“Freya,” she introduced herself in return, smiling back.  “It does make it all the more impressive that you made it here while unconscious, then.  How are you adjusting, besides the sleepwalking?  Getting by alright in this place?”

As her sister entered, Bex quickly shut the door behind them moving to set Henry down with his sister to play before her attention returned the witch. “A spell for certain,” she grinned. “I believe the same one was put on Henry. It’s hard to imagine he was ever as small as a newborn at one point now.” Busying herself in the kitchen as she fixed them both a mug of a tea, Rebekah’s grin soon faded, a sigh easing from her lips as she returned to the living room and passed Freya one of the mugs before seating herself down on the couch, feet tucked beneath her as she cupped her own mug of warm tea. “I’m- adjusting I suppose,” she admitted. “I admit it’s a lot easier having Dex and the kids here with me but I still worry about what it is exactly that brought us all here. Nobody seems to have an inkling and it’s rather unsettling. How about you? How are you doing with this whole situation? Still no sign of Keelin?”

.

“Perhaps we should look into that, because I’m really not comfortable with how quickly they’re both growing up,” she joked, setting Nik down as well.  “Go say hello to your cousins, and behave, please.”  The odds of that were low, but she’d at least be able to say she’d made the effort.  Tea was a civilized distraction from their predicament, and Freya leaned against the counter as Rebekah worked on it.  With a warm mug in hand and the couch under her, she felt immediately better.  “I’m glad you have them with you,” Freya assured her.  “I do have the same concern, though; with no idea what caused this, there’s no way to know whether it can be reversed or not.  I don’t like that kind of uncertainty.”  Looking down into the steaming tea, she shook her head.  “No sign at all.  And there’s only so long I can distract Nik from missing her.  Or myself, for that matter.  Other than that, I suppose I’m doing as well as I can be - just trying to keep some kind of a routine for my son, mainly.”

Freya’s comment about the woodland immediately piqued Wyatt’s interest and he looked to her with an enthusiasm, “you’re new here too? I’m sorry, I just .. assumed you were a local.”

.

“No, it’s fine,” Freya shook her head.  “A hundred percent not a local, though.  Took me a little longer to find my way than some people, but I got here eventually.”

Klaus’ smirking turned into soft grinning as he laughed over his sister’s jesting retorts to his own remarks. When she offered visitation with her son whenever he desired, he smiled wider. “I will keep that in mind then.” He added and let her process the information he unloaded upon her for a moment. As she began speaking, he felt a sense of relief wash over him, admittedly. “Oh, thank God, Elijah is back.” He let out a sarcastic sigh of exaggerated relief. “It was getting utterly exhausting trying to keep myself in line without my keeper.” Another smirk graced his lips. He did pause, however. “And Keelin?”

He nodded as she shared his sentiments about Finn, but when she began speaking about Hope his expression hardened slightly against his will. “She is incredibly powerful. Stronger than any witch I have ever laid eyes upon - just as the witches of New Orleans said she would be.” He agreed. Honestly, while he respected Hope’s power and felt an immense pride in being the father of someone so capable; there was an undeniable level of unease that came with just how truly powerful Hope was becoming - even without being a fully activated tribrid.

“On that, our family shall forever be cursed, I am afraid. We will, however, deal with whatever threats come our way in typical Mikaelson family fashion. Of that I can assure you.” He declared quietly.

.

Freya chuckled softly in answer to his sarcasm, sinking into a chair opposite to continue the conversation on a more level playing field.  “Truly, it’s hard to imagine you’ve lasted as long as you have here without him.”  The question of Keelin’s whereabouts drained the humor from her face.  “No sign of Keelin.  Which either terrifies me or is something of a relief, depending what moment you ask me.  As much as I’m sure she’d rather Nik be with her, I’m selfishly glad he was along for the ride when we came to this place.”

“I won’t lie and say that I’m not worried.  Not worried by her, but worried for her.  I can relate to carrying the power of a first born witch in this family, but beyond that her life and her experience is something far beyond my own.  It’ll be all the more difficult because no one can really commiserate with her.”  Her beautiful niece had far more on her shoulders than anyone liked to admit.

Freya nodded.  “Of course we will.  And quite frankly, there are a few who I would dearly love the chance to kill again.”

“Stupid law.” He commented bluntly with a purse of his lips that faded soon afterwards. Felix chuckled softly at her words. “No, it wasn’t just you. Promise. Usually the plants will just leave people be, but they can be a little testy if they feel threatened… or, if we Faye mess with them a little bit for a few good kicks.” He smirked. “Not that I did that to you! I haven’t even been out in the woods for a while.” He quickly added. There was this… buzz that he felt in the air around the woman - something ancient and powerful, but mostly intimidating.

.

“Most laws are, in my experience.  Murphy’s law.  Poe’s law.  Rule 34.  They’re all fairly stupid when it comes right down to it.”  Freya did feel a little bit better knowing that it hadn’t been just her own failure that had made the trip through the woods such a chore.  “I believe you,” she promised with a laugh.  “I’m not looking for suspects or anything, I’m sure I just trampled a plant that wanted its revenge.”

Wyatt offered a nod, tugging his digits backwards through his unkempt locks as he did so, “yeah –  that and I guess I should really start wearing more layers to bed, if this is gonna be a thing.”

.

Despite herself and her concern, Freya snorted.  “That’s probably not the worst idea I’ve heard, honestly.  If you’re going to wander in the middle of the night then it can’t hurt to have something else on.  If my little romp through the woods taught me anything about this place, it’s that it does get a bit cold at night.”

“You know me so well.” Klaus joked with the lightest of laughter. “I will be sure to allot you plenty of time for your motherly excursions.” He added, but shook his head some. “I would very much like to spend some time with my namesake, when our situation permits us. In the meantime, welcome to the ever-infuriating realm of fairytale creatures.” He gestured vaguely around them and folded his hands in front of him.

“In case you have not had time to explore, aside from ourselves, we have our darling brother Kol as well as Rebekah – and her family – accounted for. Of course, Hope and Hayley are here as well. With any luck, Elijah could be stumbling around in the woods somewhere, though I have not seen him thus far. I would even venture so far as to be hopeful that perhaps Finn has rejoined the living as well.” He explained for the woman. “My daughter is anything if but effective in her craft, just like her aunt.. so we must always be prepared for the possibility that others may have also come back to haunt our family.”

.

“As well as anyone can claim to, I think,” Freya’s smile was bright and genuine.  “It’s too kind of you, really, I’ll be sure Nik knows that you were gracious enough to allow us that time.”  Her smile softened as he mentioned her son, and her nod was eager.  “Whenever you’d like, brother - he could definitely use some time with his uncle.”  She nodded at his welcome, knowing she’d likely be just as infuriated as he was with the place.  Already was, to some extent, after her jaunt through the woods.

Taking mental notes as he spoke, a smile touched her face again with the knowledge of just how many of their family were there with them.  “Elijah is here,” Freya confirmed.  “Nik and I met him at the tail end of our journey.  If Finn has joined us it’s without my knowledge, but I can hope so.  Hope is...far more powerful than I could be.  But you’re right in thinking that if we’re back our adversaries might return as well.  The Mikaelsons don’t tend to exist for long without some foe trying to end us.”

Felix sighed and shook his head some. “So, the mortal realm is full of just as many ignorant idiots as this place? I guess it’s good to know that it’s not so different as it seems.” He remarked and looked at the woman for a moment. “Sorry about that,” He offered when she explained she had taken some time to escape the woods. “The plants around here literally have a mind of their own. Honestly, if it wasn’t for our connection to nature, I think even we Faye would have trouble wandering aorund.”

.

“Yes, unfortunately I’m sure that however many realms exist there are an equal number of idiots to fill all of them.  I’d go so far as to say it’s probably some sort of universal law.”  Freya tilted her head curiously as she listened, lips curling into a smile as he explained.  “I have to say I’m glad to know it wasn’t just me, at least.  I’ll be more careful about heading into the woods in the future if the plant life is going to try and keep me there.”

Wyatt began to pull himself up from the floor, unwillingly glancing down towards his attire, but being thankful that he had worn shorts to bed. “Huh, I guess that’s new.” Despite the ordeal, his voice was still laced with slumber as he glanced around and his eyes fell half lidded as he attempted to determine whether or not he’d even been to this place before, “I guess my subconscious mind was telling me I needed a night out.” 

His attempt to make a joke was half hearted at best, but he wasn’t sure how else to mask his embarrassment. “Uh, yes and no. I guess I’ve normally woken up way before this part. Thanks, though… for uh, not letting me get stepped on…”

.

It might not have been much of a joke, but it did seem to Freya that it was a good thing he was even trying to make them.  It meant he was conscious and aware, and less of a concern than he’d been a moment earlier.  “Of course,” she brushed off the thanks.  “I wasn’t about to let that happen.  I will say, though, you might want to get that checked out.  Or at least put a good lock on your door, something you can’t open in your sleep.  Or else who knows where you’ll end up next time.”

Wyatt sat himself upright, his chest heaving with each breath as he attempted to comprehend Freya’s explanation, “a bar?” He questioned it out loud at first, before whispering to himself “a bar?” His jaw tightened, instinctively looking towards his hands and clothing, before back towards Freya, “uh, bed … actually.”

.

“A bar,” Freya repeated, now curious at just how out of it the young man seemed to be.  “I don’t know if the place has a name, but it’s very definitely a bar.”

She raised an eyebrow as he went on.  “Do you sleepwalk?  Is this the sort of thing that’s happened to you before?”