Immortal Dragon ON HOLD

Chapter IV

Two more years passed in the Mikaelson household.

Rhaella was now eleven years old, and the once small girl who had first picked up a wooden sword had grown taller and stronger from years of daily training with her father. On a cool morning near the end of summer, Rhaella stood beside her father inside the family hut. Her mother was once again giving birth.

Rhaella waited anxiously as the midwives finished their work. Finally, the newborn was cleaned and wrapped in a blanket before being placed carefully into Mikael's arms. He looked down at the child and then nodded toward Esther. "It's a boy."

Rhaella's face lit up immediately. "Can I name him, Father?"

Mikael glanced toward his wife. Esther smiled tiredly but nodded her approval. Mikael turned back to his eldest daughter. "Of course," he said warmly. "Come here, little dragon."

Rhaella hurried over as Mikael gently placed the baby into her arms. She gazed down at the tiny infant, smiling softly. "Hello there, little brother," she said quietly. "I'm your big sister Rhaella." She paused thoughtfully before continuing. "And your name is Kol."

Mikael chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "A fine name, little dragon."

The newborn wrapped his tiny fingers around Rhaella's finger, gripping it tightly. Rhaella laughed softly. "Well," she said gently, "just like I promised your big brothers... I'm going to be the best big sister ever. I'll always protect you and I will always love you."

Kol blinked up at her with wide, innocent brown eyes. Rhaella smiled even wider and kissed his forehead. Then she carefully handed the baby back to her father. "I'm going to get Finn, Eli, and Nik so they can meet their new brother," she said excitedly.

Before anyone could stop her, she rushed outside. It didn't take long to find her three younger brothers playing nearby.

Elijah looked up first. "Ella," he asked curiously, "do we have a little sister... or another brother?"

Rhaella laughed and ruffled his hair. "We have another baby brother, Eli." "His name is Kol." She waved toward the hut. "Come meet him." Finn immediately headed toward the door, Elijah following closely behind. Rhaella walked in last, carrying young Niklaus in her arms as they entered the hut together.

Niklaus leaned forward curiously from Rhaella's arms, studying the baby with serious eyes.
"He's small," Nik said thoughtfully.

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Later that afternoon, Rhaella stood across from Finn in the training clearing with a mischievous grin on her face. "Father said I could handle your fighting lessons today," she said as she tossed him a wooden sword.

Finn caught it easily, though he looked uncertain. "Are you sure Father is alright with that, Ella?"

Rhaella nodded confidently. "Of course I'm sure," she replied. "I asked him if I could teach you today, and he said I could." She stepped back and lifted her own wooden sword. "Now," she said, "what was the last thing Father taught you?"

Finn sighed slightly. "We were practicing defensive moves and blocks."

Rhaella nodded approvingly. "Good. Then that's where we'll start."

She gave him a playful smile. "In no time at all, you'll be just as good as I am, little brother." Finn rolled his eyes slightly but still raised his sword. The two of them began practicing.

Rhaella moved carefully through the defensive techniques their father had taught her years earlier, correcting Finn's stance when he leaned too far forward or forgot to keep his footing steady. Several hours passed as they trained together beneath the open sky. At some point during their practice, Elijah wandered over.