Waging Wars: A Klaroline Fanfiction

11.

Elijah paced one of the smaller libraries in the castle that he had considered his only solace since he was a young boy. Things were much simpler then, he thought. The only problems he had run away from had been his annoying siblings. Now his troubles were so much more complicated than Rebekah screaming over a stolen toy or one of his brother's playing in mud minutes before they were expected for dinner.

Now he had to cope with the information that Hayley had bestowed upon him so many weeks ago. At first he hadn't been sure he was hearing her correctly. She all but showed him the knife she would use to kill his brother. He had always known that Hayley was power hungry, but he never thought she'd be capable of murdering her own husband.

When they'd first met, which seemed like a millennia ago, she was timid and soft spoken. She was caring and optimistic even though she had to enter into a false marriage. He had loved her from the time he had first seen her. Now when he looked at her he could barely see the woman he had fallen madly in love with.

It was true Elijah hadn't been a saint. He slept with his brother's wife and he had ordered many people's deaths, but he never believed his heart and humanity were tarnished. What had happened over the years to make his love the woman she was that day? When had the sweet jovial young woman become so hardened and calculating?

The heavy oak door into the library slowly opened letting in the barest sliver of light from the hall.

"I don't think I've been summoned since I was a boy," his brother commented, crossing his leather clad arms as he sunk into one of the many dust covered chairs.

"I needed to speak with you in private. This concerns us all."

oooOooo

"Lord Tanum came to see me," Hayley announced in the dim light of her chamber as one of her ladies braided her dark hair and she played with the hem of her sleeping robe.

Caroline sat off to the side by the large fireplace, trying to pay attention to the Queen's musings. She found it tedious and dull when in the Queen's presence. She had no time to fawn all over the woman who loved to remind her that she was nothing. Caroline didn't understand her hatred. Sure, Klaus and she were married, but Caroline also knew that Queen Hayley was supposedly in love with the King's brother.

Hayley repeated herself, her burning eyes sliding to Caroline.

"Who is Lord Tanum?" she asked so the queen would think she was truly interested and not day dreaming.

"He's one of the most wealthy of Lords," Hayley informed her with a roll of her eyes, as if Caroline was being thick on purpose. "And he's asked for your hand in marriage, Caroline."

Her head instantly perked up and dread slowly curled its way through her stomach as she watched Hayley's smirk grow with every passing moment.

She had always wanted to get married, she told herself. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

She forced herself to show the queen her disinterest. "I would like to meet him," she whispered and watched in satisfaction as Hayley's smile dropped away. She wouldn't cower to any queen anymore. She wouldn't be controlled or have her hand forced. She tilted her chin up and met Hayley's glare with her own. "Perhaps I should pick out a new dress so I can impress him?"

Hayley turned away, seemingly disgruntled at not getting the rise she had expected and motioned to the door.

Caroline rushed to her room and slammed the door behind her, finally allowing a few tears to escape.

How could she marry someone who didn't hold her heart? Ever since Klaus, she knew if she were bound to someone she'd never wholeheartedly love them. She'd be pretending every time she was with them, but she'd always dreamed of being married and being free. She dreamed she'd love her husband and it wouldn't matter to her where they lived, whether it be a manor home or a cottage that's roof leaked. She'd be happy with children running around her skirts and her heart would warm with every kiss and embrace from her husband. Caroline wiped away a tear and straightened her spine. This was her future now. Her plans weren't being erased just re-written. She'd marry someone and maybe one day forget.