Severed Heaven (Niklaus and Elijah Mikaelson)

Chapter One: The Birthplace of Jazz

1312, France

     The crescent moon loomed at all hours of the night. An owl, the sound of my brother's window shutters squeaking against the wind, the murmurs from a distance, the scuffling of cats very late at night, or the creak of the wooden lintel of the door to my family's home; nothing could keep me distracted from my mother's chanting. I'd heard these kind of spells since childhood, and, like a sleeping fawn flicking its tail at an intrusive insect, knew how to brush them away and fall instantly asleep. However, I chose to be here with my mother, because as the eldest of my many siblings, I felt the need to be involved in what was taking place.

We weren't the only ones in the room. I could feel their eyes haunting us. Five pairs of prying eyes, to be exact, all of them waiting for my mother to finish her spell. "Disparaît avec mon sang. Disparaît avec mon sang."

There was only one of them that I'd grown fond of since their abrupt arrival to our village yesterday, and that was the blonde sister, named Rebekah. She, in fact, was the only sister to four brothers, and in that we were alike. However, in many ways we were not at all resembling. I'd long discovered her unnatural ways of survival, and it wasn't just her that grew fangs at night. Her brothers were of the same nature.

As the five siblings stood waiting for my mother to finish her spell, I watched and studied them through the darkness lit by candles. In hushed secrecy, I wished to detect their darkness. Sometimes, though, one of them would dare to gaze back at me which caught me by surprise multiple times. It was the brother with the dirty blonde hair down to his shoulders, and I'd be lying to myself if I said he didn't intrigue me. I believed he'd introduced himself as Niklaus.

A sense of dread or shame would slip its way out of my exhales right then and there, and it would hover over me in an undefined way.

My mother ceased her chanting, taking me away from my intricate thoughts. Her eyes remained closed until she was sure her cloaking spell had succeeded. "It appears my spell was successful. You are now free from the danger you say you run from."

Relief crossed their faces, and for a short moment I perceived a hint of regret linger in my chest as they suddenly appeared so humane. It'd be rather unfair of me to dismiss them before they could even prove their restraint and existence of humanity. I wondered whether they could provide me with the same faith they had given my mother. I certainly was aware of what our coven stood for; hope, candour, acceptance— hence our promise to help the five Mikaelsons standing before us now.

Elijah, the only one I'd actually spoken to, dared to step forward. "We could not be any more indebted to the Marigold coven, Justina. My siblings and I will keep ourselves inconspicuous as promised." He gave my mother a noble nod.

"Very well." My mother brought her hands together as she received his gesture. "Though, despite our bright unity, I must give you a timely warning." Even I was taken aback by the sudden change in her voice and expression on her face. "Given what you are, it will only take one mistake to motivate me to obtain the one that is haunting you— one mistake." She stepped forward just as Elijah had done. "And I will not hesitate to bring them upon you if I must."

Her words restored my trust in this agreement. I was frightened of their ability to bring darkness to our coven, however I did want to do right by what we stood for, and that was helping those in need with the power earth had gifted us.

Elijah was the one to speak again. "We will not fail you, Justina. Your people won't be the victim of the curse that we bear." He paused briefly. "I give you my word."

Mother was pleased with his promise, but she did not speak again. It was time for the Mikaelsons to go and it seemed that they knew, because the siblings exited my home silently, one for one, returning to the darkness of the night. I waited to speak until I was certain they could not hear my voice through the silence of the village. "How can we afford this?" I let my frustration get the best of me. "Mother, I do not wish to end up burning on a stake. You know what they'll do to us if they find out—"

"Elizabeth." She snapped. "Hold your temper, please, will you?"

There was a dreadful silence between us for much longer than I would've liked. I didn't dare speak until she did. "I'm aware of the monstrous nature that they bare, and I imagine as do you. I wish to protect what is ours ceaselessly, darling. Have a little faith." She exhaled rather deeply, clearly understanding my views, but she dismissed them as I expected she would. "Now, off to bed you go."

❀

Present day, New Orleans

Here I was, in the heart of the city I'd missed with my whole mind and body. I could feel the connection, the intense relation to my French roots. One might even say I was feeling the most alive since a very long time. It stirred up memories I thought had been long lost, but I welcomed them with an open mind as I watched the city of paradise from my brand new balcony.

The very much appreciated peace was brutally disrupted when I heard a rather loud knock on my apartment door. It took me a moment to retrieve myself, suspecting it must be the neighbours and I mentally prepared myself to face anything other than the beautiful sight of the city along with the scotch in my hand. I placed it down on the side-table and stormed off towards the door, being more displeased than curious.

I dramatically unlocked the door with the deepest sigh. Who could it even be? I barely knew anyone in this city.

And then, I faced them. One face long lost, and the other unknown.

It was the one and only Elijah Mikaelson.

His features had not changed. I remembered him being quite the charmer hundreds of years ago, yet he gave me more of a restless look about him now. It caught me off guard in such a way in which I remained rather speechless in front of him. I noticed the young blonde woman that stood by his side, but I failed to recognise her. As my eyes strayed back over to Elijah's, I returned to my senses. "No." I shook my head, and instantly avoided his gaze as he tried to interrupt me. "No, Elijah."

"Elizabeth." He said my name to attract my attention, and I was surprised that it worked. Memories of the haunting past came flooding back. "Would you, please, hear what we have to say? We need your help."

I bit down on the inside of my cheek, and closed the door only halfway, slightly, for my protection and utter safety. "I haven't seen you in over 700 years, Elijah."

I noticed how assured he was to collect every ounce of my attention, yet the horrors of the past stood their ground. I ceaselessly avoided his vigorous stare. The very presence of him that stood before me would eventually be the set-back that I'd feared for so many years of my life. Never would I have thought that it would be the Mikaelsons, yet again, to be invading my space and time. I knew how this was going to go.

Elijah spoke before I could attempt to drive him away again. "I'm well aware. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't necessary, however."

My anger boiled, nearly overheated. My effort to slam the door in his face was disrupted by the blonde woman herself, forcefully pushing the door back open to reveal the determined expression on her face. "It's about Rebekah."

I stopped in my tracks when I heard that name. It vividly stood out in the back of my mind, and I dared to remember a friendship. It was a friendship that once became the victim of darkness that was never even supposed to exist. It was a friendship that I'd loved, adored, and worshipped; one that I never thought I'd lose, but did. I considered to listen to the noble Mikaelson, hesitatingly letting the door fall open to face him again. His eyes watched me with nothing more or less than pure hope, and I wondered what would eventually come of me if I declined once again.

I placed my eyes back on the blonde girl. "Before I let you in, who might you be?"

"My sister, actually." Elijah answered my question with automatic ease, looking back at me with such pride on his face. He stepped forward, silently asking me to let them both in. "Freya."

I suppressed my surprise, and looked at her with the slightest of curiosity. "There's more of you." I said with a sigh. "How marvellous."