persephone's orchard : k.m.

no hiding - chapter 66

'What better life might have awaited you.. were another man your father?'

Klaus had Hope in his arms as he spoke and Astrid watched from the balcony, the rain had stopped overnight and her hair was semi dry and she watched the interaction from afar, Elijah having brought her down from the anxiety she felt before and not leaving her side until she seemed better.

Which made Astrid feel even guiltier.

Nik looked up at his wife and gave a smile before grabbing Hope's attention and pointing at Astrid, 'Look who it is!' He made her chuckle and it provoked a toothy grin on the father. Taking her wrist gently, he made Hope wave too and it was Astrid's turn to laugh before coming downstairs.

'Astrid's not feeling too good right now.' Klaus spoke to his daughter, 'I think she might need some attention.'

As Astrid stepped closer, he gestured for his wife to take his daughter and she gladly accepted, 'Well hello you.' She tried staying cheerful as she held the tribrid close to her chest, kissing her forehead.

'Klaus!' Freya called from the study in a panicked yell and everyone looked up, including Hope. Astrid ran through first to see her sister in law and Kol standing over the map they had cultivated before the husband and wife had to run. Klaus's blood ran cold as he saw countless drops of blood flocking to New Orleans.

'Nik.' Astrid was back on overdrive and Kol spoke up, 'I guess you're not being paranoid, when there is, in fact, a hoard of killers out to get you'

...

'Freya's tracking your sirelines now. So it won't be long which works for me. I could use a good fight.' Kol joined the brothers and Astrid in the ballroom as they were deciding what to do next and Elijah replied, 'Well, we do have an advantage. No vampire may enter this stronghold as long as the deed remains in Freya's name.'

'So what? We hide in here while the enemies mass at the front gate?' Kol hit back confused and Astrid agreed, 'There's no hiding from this. Not anymore.'

'Well, if they are so determined to die at our hands, let them come.' Klaus took Astrid's hand, 'No matter what.'

'Boys.' Astrid grabbed their attention as she heard a commotion upstairs, followed by a hoard of footsteps outside and all four walked out to see what was going on.

Keeping a protective stance in front of Nik, her stomach dropped to see Marcel still standing.

'Never thought it would come to this. But as always, The Mikaelsons made my choice for me.' He was followed in by a large crowd of faces none of the family recognised.

'Marcel, how?' Relief could be heard in Klaus's voice as he asked yet his son only chuckled, 'How are we in your home? I've friends who can nullify a deed, forclose on a property like that' he snapped his fingers, 'Or did you mean...how am I not a rotting corpse?'

'I thought my friend was dead, and yet here you are. So send these fools away, and let's talk. You and me.' Nik was still trying to play peacemaker.

'Is that relief I hear? Really? If I hadn't been one step ahead of you, I would be at the bottom of the river.'

'Marcel I'm the reason behind all of this, your anger is with me.' Astrid attempted to divert his attention away and it worked only momentarily, 'One thing I learned sticking around this family, Astrid, you take on one of you, you are taking on all of you. These guys, Klaus's sirelings, they're here to bear witness today.'

'Are you planning to put on a little show, Marcellus?' Kol and Marcel never did get on well.

'Damned sure I am. The Fall of The Mikaelsons. And guess what, the show has already started.'

Astrid's mind clicked instantly.

Freya.