Riley Meets Motherhood [2] (ON HOLD)

Chapter 11: Trusting Freya... Or Not

Flashback: Kingdom Of Norway, 977 A.D.
Five year old Freya is sitting in the middle of the floor of Dahlia's cottage as she makes them some grains. Dahlia hums as she makes up a plate of food for Freya. She brings it over to where Freya is seated with a smile and says "eat, Freya, or you'll waste away!" 

      Freya just looks up at her fearfully and doesn't move. Dahlia kneels in front of her, frustrated and grabs her arms to force her to pick up her plate. She says, aggressively "stubborn child! You need your strength so that I may teach you to use the power that runs strong in our bloodline! That will keep us warm in the cold, give us good health when others fall ill..." Freya whimpers and Dahlia shakes her roughly in frustration "with that power, we will defeat our enemies." 

      Dahlia's demeanor becomes kinder again, and she smiles as she gently caresses Freya's face with her hands. She says "we can stay young and beautiful" Freya jerks away from her touch, but Dahlia takes her hands in her own and squeezes them gently, saying "you don't need to be afraid. Together, we will be the strongest witches this world has ever seen." 

Freya says, scared "I want my mama!" Dahlia looks at her sympathetically and says "your mother didn't want you. She gave you away. This is your home now. I am your only family..." she cups Freya's chin with her hand "and there is no greater strength than family." Young Freya looks at her with wide eyes and remains silent as a tear runs down her cheek.

End of Flashback

In the present day, Freya picks up a fancy card with the Mikaelson "M" stamped on the front. It is on the table in the bell tower of St. Louis Cathedral. Inside the card, it says "Join us for a family brunch. 11am. Your brother, Klaus." As she re-reads the card, she smiles in excitement.

Riley's POV
I raise my voice in frustration "you invited her over for brunch?!" And Nik says, calmly "yes! We need to know what she knows" he walks out of the room and downstairs. I follow him and I see Elijah has arrived to the Compound. He walks into the dining room with Nik and I go with him. 

      Nik says "there you are, Elijah. Finally" Nik wouldn't just invite her over. He doesn't trust her or know her. He's up to something, I know it. Elijah takes his coat off and hangs it up. Elijah says "I was delayed" I look at him curiously and Nik says "our guest of honor will be here momentarily." 

      Elijah says, suspicious "strange, our house is conspicuously absent of our lupine guests. I do hope it wasn't on my account" Nik laughs and says "I sent Hayley and her poorly groomed husband off to spend the day with their werewolf brethren to test the limits of their new abilities. Plus, she said some pretty rude things to Riley and needs to be away for a while. Leaving me to deal with family business as I see fit." 

I'm glad Nik sent her away. After what she said to me, I don't want her near me or Hope. Elijah says "Niklaus, Rebekah's situation has taken a turn. We may need Freya's assistance. So, whatever you are planning here, don't do it" and I say, worried "what?!" 

      Nik looks worried too, but he still rolls his eyes and says "all I'm planning is a simple chat with a long-lost relative. You yourself said to hear her out." Elijah says "and the two of you said yourselves that would be idiocy" I hum in agreement and Nik says, amused "did we? Well, it does sound like us. 

      Regardless, on the off-chance Freya has some information that could protect our daughter, I'd prefer if she shared it on me and Riley's terms... I think I hear her now!" He turns to the door just as Freya walks into the room, smiling at her brothers and me. 

Nik says "sister! Come on in! Make yourself comfortable" I can tell Freya looks slightly nervous, but smiles warmly at us anyway. I show a fake smile. I don't trust this woman, especially if she is actually putting her faith in Mikael.