Anemoia • Mikaelsons mate

Chapter 13

• • • Mystic Falls, summer 1001 • • •

"Asta?"

Asta halts her movements. She and Esther had been silently working on the preparation of a spell. Both had been too concentrated for small talk. "Yes, Esti?"

"Can I ask you a rather personal question?"

"Of course, anything." Asta sends Esther a small smile, hiding her slight nervousness. She trusted the woman with her life, but would rather not have her discover her silly crush on her eldest son.

"Do you have plans for marriage?"

"Not yet. There have been a few suitors, but my father offers me freedom, which I appreciate highly, but it also makes it more difficult."

"How so, child?"

"I wish to marry for love, which is a selfish desire of mine, especially during these times." Asta grimaces. There have been multiple deaths these past few weeks. Disease had hit a few villagers and the wolf attacks have also seemed to increase. Asta counted herself lucky that the Mikaelsons and her father had taken measures against the wolves. Esther and Ayana had placed protection spells on her house and that of the Mikaelsons, ensuring her that neither disease nor wolves could enter their homes.

"I married for love, Asta. It is not selfish of you to desire a marriage out of love, but do not forget love needs time to grow. You could marry someone you do not yet feel strong for, but those feelings will develop over time, becoming stronger throughout the years." Esther places a calming hand on Asta's arm. "Is there anyone, in particular, you feel strongly for?"

"Yes." Asta nervously plucks at one of her braids. Rebekah had been insistent this morning to let her do Asta's hair. She had agreed, not able to deny her friend anything.

"Is it one of my children?"

"I'm- I-" Asta blinks, startled and ashamed at Esther's suggestion.

Esther lets out a small chuckle, finding Asta's reaction endearing. "No need to look so frightened, child. I already consider you one of my children, marrying into the family will only confirm that."

"I do." Asta nods before clarifying further. "I do feel strongly for one of your children."

"You do not need to tell me who the lucky person is, Asta." Esther smiles kindly, already well aware of what was going on between her eldest son and the girl before her. "I just want you to know that I am overjoyed to have you as my daughter-in-law. Also, you have my blessing, as well as Mikael's. "

"Thank you, Esti." Asta puts the bowl down and turns to hug the woman. She felt beyond grateful for Esther's kindness and acceptance. Of all the Mikaelsons, she spoke to Mikael the least, but apparently, she had visited often enough to leave a good impression with the man.

"Mother, Asta. Am I interrupting?" Finn enters the room, watching the two women break apart.

"Of course not, my son. What is it?"

"I was wondering if I could steal Asta away for a little. I wanted to show her something." Finn offers, nervously scratching the back of his neck, not meeting Asta's eyes.

Esther smiles and nods. Her son had informed her of his plans and had encouraged him.

"Oh." Asta looks down at the table. She would love to abandon her chores to join Finn, but her loyalty toward Esther held her back. "I would love to, but-"

"Wait a minute. I see I have picked the wrong leaves, I'm afraid this must be cleared away." Esther interjects, rubbing her forehead in faux confusion. "You better go, Asta. I have some cleaning to do."

"I can help you." Asta offers at once.

"No, my dear. I'm afraid this is a one woman's task." Esther decides before making a hand motion to get both Finn and Asta moving out of the home.

"Alright. I will see you for dinner." Asta waves one last time before exiting the room. Her father and she had been invited over tonight, something that happened more and more these past weeks.

"Thank you, mother." Finn mumbles before following Asta.

• • •

"What did you want to show me, Finn?"

"Your favorite flower has come to bloom." Finn replies, hand brushing against Asta's as they made their way to the edge of the forest, away from the prying eyes of other villagers.

"You remembered." Asta hums, pleased to know Finn indeed listened as intently as she had hoped.

Finn smiles down at her before kneeling to pluck one of the bright purple flowers and handing it to Asta.

"Thank you." Asta giggles, bringing the flower up to her nose. "Finn?" She freezes when she sees Finn looking up at her, still kneeling and holding up a delicate ring.

"Asta, you are the most wonderful and kindest creature I've ever met. I adore you with my entire being and can not imagine a life without you by my side." Finn grabs Asta's free hand, his other hand still presenting the ring. He had asked Niklaus to help choose the design and Kol for the type of stone.

"Finn-"

Finn shoots her a pleading look, wanting to finish his monologue before he loses his nerve. "I know I'm not good enough for you, and that there are better and stronger men, but I promise I will love and cherish you for eternity. I will take care of you, share in your happiness, and in your sorrows."

"You are good enough, Finn. And you are exactly who I want." Asta states as soon as Finn allows her to speak. She shakes her head a little at Finn's statement. He was everything she could want in a person; kind, brave, and chivalrous.

"I would want nothing more than to be wed to you. To start a family of our own." Asta allows a tear to fall, overcome with the relief that her feelings were reciprocated.

Finn's nervous expression is replaced with an elated one. He refrains himself from jumping up, and instead rises back to his full height, hand brushing over his fiancée's cheek to wipe away the stray tear.

"Did she say yes?!" Rebekah shouts, stumbling out of a nearby bush.

"If you had used those big ears of yours, you would have heard!" Kol snaps.

Rebekah scowls as her brother trips into her. "Don't push me, Kol!"

"Henrik pushed me first!"

"I didn't do anything!" Henrik protests, shoving Kol against the nearby tree.

"I only asked you for ten minutes of privacy. Was that really too much to ask?" Finn sighs, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. The intrusion of his younger siblings was unwelcome, but also expected.

"Don't frown, Finn." Asta giggles, reaching up to gently rub her thumb between Finn's furrowed brows. Now that their love had been declared to one another, she felt far more comfortable with small displays of affection. "I think it's sweet. Now we don't have to announce it to them."

Finn playfully rolls his eyes, and grabs Asta's hand, pressing a kiss to it.

"Here! Open my gift first!"

"Have some patience, Kol!" Niklaus admonishes, also appearing from the bushes. "She hasn't even had time to put the ring on!" He expected the bride-to-be to admire the ring, ask Finn where he came up with the design, have Finn refer to him, and gain some compliments from Asta.

"Stop shouting, Niklaus." Elijah complains, following Niklaus's example and making his presence known. He had strongly protested Henrik and Rebekah's idea to eavesdrop on the couple, but didn't want to be left behind either.

"And here I feared both Nik and Elijah would miss out on this joyous occasion." Asta giggles.

"Not to worry, Asta. We will always seize the opportunity to annoy our dear brother Finn." Niklaus grins.

"That's what family is for, I suppose." Finn sighs indulgently, arms wrapping around Asta from behind.

Whilst his siblings kept on bickering, he silently put the engagement ring on Asta's finger. Lips finding her temple.

"Thank you." Asta whispers, leaning back against her fiancé.