Waging Wars: A Klaroline Fanfiction

22.

When Klaus was younger he and his brothers had made the castle orchard their playground. They'd have sword fights, imagine they were kings or great warriors, but one day they decided they were going to be captains of ships and sail the uncharted seas. He climbed to the very top of an apple tree, seeing the ocean miles, he imagined. He remembered Elijah yelling for him to get down because he'd climbed too high, but only decided he'd had enough after he saw their nursemaid making her way towards them. He jumped from branch to branch like a wild animal until he leapt on the wrong limb.

One bee, than two bees, flew from the nest to investigate the disturbance and then all at once the rest of the hive joined. That's what it was like to see the East soldiers. They were like the bees from that day in his childhood. A person would only see a couple, but then seemingly out of nowhere the hive burst and soldiers spilled over the hills and past the castle gates.

Klaus cut down as many as he could, yelling for servants and villagers who'd taken refuge with them to run. They didn't have a chance, he thought. His luck had finally run out as he'd underestimated Phillip, but he kept going. His own soldiers pleaded for him to flee, but he resisted. This was his land, but he did need to make sure Caroline and his children we safe. He would tell them to let the tunnel lead them to the sea where he hoped a ship was still waiting. He'd say goodbye and send them somewhere Phillip couldn't hurt them because all the Prince really wanted was him. He didn't want any of them to be his collateral damage.

Klaus ran into his study to gather some important documents and money for his family to take on their journey. As he was shoving the last of the documents into a small trunk, a journal that he'd kept since he'd met Caroline, he felt rather than heard someone slip up behind him. He smiled at the person's cowardice and turned, his sword ready and clacking against the one that had been aimed at his back.

Sweat poured down his back as he and a soldier fought and he idly wondered if Phillip's men were somehow immortal. The muscles in his arms burned deliciously as they danced and clashed together, but never wavered. He hadn't had an opponent like that man in years. It was exciting, but Klaus was also getting impatient. He had to get to Caroline. He knew she'd make him waste time by begging for him to follow, but her protests would be futile. He wouldn't run from the fight.

Klaus saw the glinting dagger fly through the air a second before it embedded itself in his opponent's neck. The man fell, his battle worn armor colliding with stone as he hacked blood. Klaus turned, still in a fighting stance to see Elijah standing in the doorway, his clothing not showing the slightest wrinkle.

"Better late than never," he quipped, but Elijah ignored him.

"I've locked your wife in a wardrobe."

Klaus chuckled. "I'm guessing she won't be too happy." He drove his sword back into its scabbard and picked up the small chest, tucking it under his arm.

"She wouldn't believe I was here to help."

"I'm guessing I should have let her know the plan then," he suggested, walking closer to his brother.

"It would have been easier I agree. You've been training her?"

Klaus smiled with pride as he clapped his brother on his shoulder in welcome. "Was it obvious?"

Elijah fingered the bruise that was starting to form on his jaw. "We should go."

"I'll explain everything to Caroline and then you take her, the children, Rebekah, and Kol to the ship. Take them anywhere as long as it's far from here."

Elijah followed his brother out the door, motioning toward the way to the bedroom. "You must go with them, Klaus."

"I have to stay," he stated determinately. "I will not run."