Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Once upon a time, there was a wolf king. Who fought a war for the most precious treasures in the entire kingdom. His three beautiful children.”

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Up until the birth, everything remains canon. No one expected there to be more than one child. The whole thing with Deliah, Esther, Mikael, The de Martels, Lucian, and Marcel all still happened, but a little different obviously, with there being more children now. Canon for the most part stops there though. The hollow is not happening. I hated the ending. 

I love Hayley, but I also love making her a bitch. And I love clichés (though, this is totally me just projecting) She’ll love two out of three of her kids. I’m a sucker for dad!Klaus though. And no matter what people think of him, I can never picture him as a child abuser.

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All the characters from the show are themselves, other than Hope.

Oldest to youngest:

Hope Andrea: Dirty blonde hair, bright blue eyes, kinda a mini Klaus in looks, 

Miracle “Mira” Hayley: Brown hair, green eyes, Hayleys clone

Chance Niklaus: Light brown hair, brown eyes, Think Henrik\Elijah\Kol with a bit of Hayley

The triplets are five years old as of the beginning of this story (after the summary)

Chapter Text

May 4th, 2012

Hayley Marshall screamed as she gave birth on the alter in Saint Annes Church. 

Klaus was pinned to the wall, yelling threats. Helpless in watching the witches coach the mother of his child through birth. 

Suddenly, the cry of a baby broke through the air. And Genevieve smiled slightly as she wrapped the child in a white sheet and held her up for both Klaus and Hayley to see. 

“You have a beautiful baby daughter.”

Just as she went to say more, Hayley let out a gasp falling back on the alter. Genevieve quickly handed the child to another witch before lifting the sheet that was given Hayley a symbol of modesty. 

”I see another head!” 

Monique let out a growl.

”We do not have time! We must do as The Ancestors-“ But Genevieve interrupted.

”And we will, but one child is already dying tonight. We do not need to up that count.”

And so the process was repeated not once, but twice more. Making for a total of three. Two girls and a boy. 

Monique had stood impatiently by, and as soon as another witch confirmed the boy the last. She slit the new mother’s throat. Causing Klaus, who had been in shocked and astonished silence since the birth of his first daughter, to yell.

Another witch snapped Klaus's neck, as Monique turned to Genevieve.

”What do we do with the extra abominations?”

Genevieve hesitated before saying, “She only asked for the first born,” She looked down at the child she was holding, and then back up, “So leave the other two for Klaus to find when he wakes, we have no need for them.” 

The babies were placed by their mothers still cooling body. 

Sometime later, when Elijah storms into the church. He’ll find the scene of Hayleys body in Klaus’s lap, while he holds his second born daughter and youngest son close to his chest, soothing them in the long dead language of their past.

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Hours Later, same day; The Compound

Hayley, Klaus, and Elijah all stood in the combined rooms of Hayley and the babies (though it had only been created for one child) in the compound. Hayley holding Miracle, Klaus holding Hope, and Elijah holding Chance. Elijah broke the silence, “They can not stay here.”

”Hope can’t stay here. But Mira and Chance are safe. The witches were going to let them live.” Hayley argued back quietly, causing Elijah to sigh.

”Every witch who knew of there being more than one child, is dead. They are all in danger as any that stay, will be assumed as the first born.”

Klaus cut in before Hayley could reply or Elijah could say more. Gazing down at his oldest daughter and stroking the side of her face with a gentle finger, “Not if no one knows that even one survived.” He looked up to stare of his other two children, before turning to again address Hayley and Elijah. “We send them away. We send them away until it is safe for them to come home.”

Elijah let out a breath as he adjusted his grip on his nephew, “There is one flaw to this plan, there is no one to care for them.”

A small smile graced Klaus’s face, “I can think of one person.”

Klaus and Elijah’s eyes met, as understanding flashed on the older man’s face.

Neither brother noticed the resentment flashing across Hayleys face. As she stared at her oldest child in her fathers arms.

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A few more hours later; outside NOLA

Klaus and Elijah got out of the car, as their baby sister pulled up. It was decided that Hayley stay behind.

An exchange and promises were made, as Klaus said goodbye to his children.

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A/N: I am unsure had to describe it in a way that makes sense for the story. So I shall do so here; 

Everything after Rebekah took the Hope in the show, still happened in this story.

The babies eventually returned to New Orleans. Hayley still married Jackson. Still tried to take the kids away from their family. Blah, blah, blah.

As the months drew on, and everything with Deliah and Esther happened, Hayleys hate for her eldest child grew. In her mind, none of this would have happened if Hope hadn’t been born. Completely disregarding that this would have happened no matter how many babies there were or who was born first.

Klaus, Elijah, and Freya had both noticed that the mother treated one of her children differently. Especially after Klaus had her stuck in wolf form. When she had told Elijah to not bring her eldest daughter. That she did not want to see her. On those nights, Hope was cradled against her fathers chest, as he held himself up in his art room so she they weren’t alone. 

When Klaus chose to sacrifice himself for his family’s safety, he had fears of leaving his little wolf without a buffer with her mother. But he hoped that his fears were unfounded, as he walked to his inevitable fate.

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3 months since The Mikaelsons fell; location unknown

Hayley sat at a bar, talking to a dark haired, light eyed man, who introduced himself as Ryan. 

They talked for awhile, before one thing led to another and Hayley ended up in his hotel room.

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7 months since The Mikaelsons fell; Location safe house in Connecticut

It was a stormy night and the triplets were being taken care of by Mary, when Hayley finally spilled the beans on her whole situation. Ryan gave up that he was witch and knew all about The Mikaelsons. Instead of tearing them apart, this brought them together. 

Ryan offered to do a spell for Hayley, to discover what supernatural creatures her children were. She agreed. And next day, he did the spell. 

And this was the day that changed the course of the eldest Mikaelson triplets life forever. 

Hope was the only Tribrid.

Chance was a werewolf and Miracle was a witch. Ryan explained that magic skipping generations was normal. And that, while rare, the wolf gene could skip a child. Even one with two wolf parents. It was improbable, but not impossible.

Hope was the only “abomination”. The only one who “shouldn’t exist” in Hayley’s eyes.

Hayley had always shown favoritism towards her youngest daughter and only son. But it was finding out this information, that caused the resentment, that had been growing for years, to overflow. And that resentment blossomed into hate. Hate for her oldest daughter. The abomination, the freak… just like her father.

Hayley never noticed the satisfaction on Ryan’s face when she voiced these thoughts. 
Nor did she notice that she had played right into his hand.

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2 years after The Mikaelsons fell

Ryan and Hayley had gotten married, and Hayley changed her name to Marshall-Malum. Along with the names of her two youngest children. Hopes was kept as “Mikaelson” though. Ryan had not wanted the girl to have any association with his name, and Hayley had agreed. 

Hope, at the age of four years old, didn’t understand why her mother treated her differently. Or why she was punished more often and more harshly then her brother and sister. Why she wasn’t allowed to play with them like she used too. 

She also didn’t understand why Miracle and Chance called Ryan “Papa” and “Daddy”, when he was neither. They had a father, and he looked and acted nothing like Ryan. Ryan was mean (only to her, but still). He had a dark head of hair and his eyes were grey. The flashes of the man Hope remembered in her dreams was blonde, like her. With blue eyes, also like her. He was kind, and told her and her siblings stories. They were nothing alike. But when Hope brought the man in her memories up, she only got a smack for her troubles. And scolded for “planting ideas” in her siblings minds.

Hope quickly learned that staying quiet and out of the way was the best way to survive in this new household.

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3 years after The Mikaelsons fell; leaving NOLA

Hayley had done it. Rescued The Mikaelsons from their various forms of imprisonment. Ryan had tried to get her to let it go, but she had reasoned that they could take the “freak” and they could be free from her. 

Hayley drove with Freya, Elijah, Klaus, Kol, and Rebekah all asking her questions. She gushed about Ryan, Mira, and Chance (ignoring the crestfallen look Elijah has gained after she had said she remarried when Klaus had questioned her on the unknown name. Also ignoring Rebekah’s glare for making her oldest brother upset.) She also carefully side stepped any questions about Hope. Not wanting to have to deal with that conversation yet. She missed the suspicions looks Freya, Klaus, and Elijah exchanged at each avoided question.

The closer to the house they got, the more nervous and excited Klaus became. It had been 3 years, but he would finally be seeing his children again and he was terrified. More so now that he knew Hayley had remarried. The triplets had only been two when Klaus had, had to leave. And for the passed few years had someone else to call “father”. Someone else to take his place. 

Just as his mind started taking this information and mixing it with the insecurities he would forever feel. Hayley pulled up to the house, and everyone piled out. All showing various forms of excitement to meet their nieces and nephew. 

And that brings us to the beginning of our story.

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Little challenge for you, find the hidden meaning of Ryan’s name.

Chapter Text

The Mikaelson all sat or stood in tense silence, just staring in disbelief at Hayley and Ryan. Rebekah was the first to break the silence.

”What do you mean they don’t know?!” 

Hayley hesitated for a second, before straightening her shoulders and holding her head high, firm in her decision. “They’re five. What would you have liked me to do? Tell them the whole situation? No. I wasn’t going to do that. It was easier to pass Ryan off as their father, than explain Klaus’s absence.” 

Kol scoffed, crossing his arms, “So instead, you just replaced Nik?”

Ryan interrupted before Hayley could reply, “She doesn’t have to explain herself to you people. She’s their mother!”

”And Niklaus is their father!”

Hayley held her hand up before Ryan could reply, and took a deep breath. “I was the one raising them, it was my decision. Besides, it’s only Chance and Miracle. Hope knows who you are or at least has some idea that Ryan isn’t their bio dad.”

“She does?” Klaus, who had gone quiet and withdrawn since Hayley broke the news, asked. Staring intensely at the mother of his children.

”Yes,” Hayley admitted, “We think it’s because she’s the first born. And even with the limited time she spent with you, her wolf seems to have decided that you are ‘Alpha’ of her pack.”

“Babe,” Ryan interjected, “We should go get the kids.”

Hayley agreed and they both disappeared into the house, Leaving the Mikaelsons on the porch. 

Elijah turned towards his little brother, who was back to staring at the ground. “Niklaus? Are you all right?” He questioned in the language of their childhood. One that was long forgotten by history.

Klaus didn’t respond for a second, before eventually, “They don’t know who I am, ‘lijah” 

The rest of the siblings looked on in silence, as a heartbreak that they hadn’t seen since they believed Marcel hot be dead, flashed across their brothers face.

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They had tried.

Hayley and her husband had brought out Miracle and Chance a little while later. When Klaus questioned about Hope, they replied “She’s still sleeping.” 

The two siblings were introduced to Klaus and the rest of the Mikaelsons. They had tried to explain who they were, but the only response they had gotten was a giggle and a “But daddy’s right here.” From Mira, snuggling into Ryan’s arms. Causing a smug smirk to spread across his face. And pain to spread through Klaus’s chest.

Now the Mikaelsons were just watching Hayley and Ryan chase the two kids around the yard. Each of the siblings doing their own thing, trying to ignore the fact that their niece and nephew had no idea who they were.

(Elijah made a silent note of the look of discomfort his nephew seemed to gain, everytime either of his parents grabbed him.)

Kol had been pacing the deck, when he noticed a small head of blonde hair peaking around the corner that went along to the side of the house. When the girl noticed him looking, she squeaked and quickly backed around the corner. Kol glanced back at his siblings, noticed none of them were paying attention, and followed after the girl.

Rounding the corner himself, he found a small slip of a girl. With dirty blond hair, which was the most of her he could see, as she was ducking her head to avoid his eyes and wringing her hands behind her back. 

Kol took careful steps to the girl, kneeling in front of her, and saying in his softest voice, “Hello there, Darling. My name is Kol, and who might you be?” Though he had a pretty good idea.

She bite her lip, slowly looking up to meet his eyes, and replying just as soft, “I’m Hope.” 

Kol extended his hand towards the girl. Hope hesitated, before slowing unclasping her hands, and putting one in his. Kol bent down, laid a soft kiss on the back of her hand, and said “It is very nice to meet you, Ms. Hope. May I ask why you seem to be sneaking around?”

Hope giggled at the kiss, before her smile dropped at his next statement. “No! No! Not sneakin’ ‘round! Just wanna see!” She replied, panicked.

Kol quickly hushed her and said, “You’re not in trouble, darling. I was just wondering if there’s anything I could help with.” 

Hope glanced around quickly, before leaning close, and saying “I’m lookin’ for papa.”

Kol made an “ah” sound, before saying, “Well he’s in the yard, playing with your brother and sister.”

Hope giggled, “No, no! That’s Ryan, silly! Papas the one that looks like me! I wanna see him! I heard Mama and Ryan tell Mira and C that we have guests. I wanna see if my daddy is here.”

Kol hummed, mischief sparking in his eyes at the drama that was about to unfold. He stood up and offered the skittish girl his hand, “Then come along, Princess Hope! Your chariot awaits to take you to your papa!”

Hope took his hand and together, they rounded the corner of the deck. Getting the attention of Kol’s siblings.

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Chapter Text

“My dearest siblings, I seemed to have found myself a princess.” Kol declared into the silence that had descended upon the porch. Hope giggled, her eyes making note of each person in front of her, her hand still tightly around Kol’s. 

Before stopping at the man she immediately recognized to be the one from her memories (and they were memories, no matter how much her mama or Ryan tried to get her to think otherwise.)

He seemed frozen, before the dark haired man next to him pushed him forward slightly, with a hand on his lower back. The man let out a sigh, before walking forward to kneel in front of the little girl. He made a few false starts before finally pushing out “Hello.” Studying her. The girl studying him right back.

Their matching blue eyes seemed to clash for a few seconds, as the rest of the siblings held their breath.

Before Hope gave a soft smile, and said, “Hello Papa.” And tugged her hand out of Kol’s, to throw herself into her fathers arms. Klaus, on instinct, brought his arms up to wrap around her. His body relaxing in relief as he shut his eyes for a moment,  pressing his face into the little girls hair. As she did the same into the side of his neck. 

He eventually let her go, standing up. And was shocked when she immediately grabbed his hand instead of Kol’s. Before he could say anything though, Elijah cleared his throat “Perhaps we should introduce ourselves, yes?”

Klaus nodded and turning to address Hope, “These, love, are my siblings, your aunts and uncles. You’re already familiar with your Uncle Kol.” He said gesturing to her other side, to which she turned to wave with her unoccupied hand. Causing the trickster to give a finger wave back. “These,” Klaus waved his hand, “are your aunts. That one on the left is your Aunt Freya and the one of the right is your Aunt Rebekah.” Hope gave them each a wave. Getting a wave and smile back. “And this,” Klaus said gesturing again, “is my older brother, your Uncle Elijah.” The dark haired man gave his niece a small smile. Before the girl could greet them with words however, they were interrupted by a small, timid voice;

”Hope?” 

Said girl turned around, before giving a soft smile. “Hi C!” She said, waving him over. And he made small but quick steps towards the group. Side stepping Kol, to get to his slightly older sister. Burying himself in her side, her arm immediately coming down around his shoulders to press him close. Hope leaned her head down to speak quietly to her little brother. “Has mama told you who everyone is?” To which she got a small nod in response. Hope looked up to stare at her family, “He’s shy.” She gave in response to their questioning looks. Hope gave a squeeze to her fathers hand before letting go. Leading her little brother to one of the seats, and sitting down. Pulling Chance down with her. Klaus made his way back to Elijah’s side to be across from his two children. And Kol took a seat next to Freya.

”Have you gotten to say Hi to papa yet, C?” Hope questioned quietly, and got a just as quiet “No.” in response. “Would you like too?” The small boy seemed to hesitate, before looking up. His brown eyes meeting his fathers sea blue. He bit his lip, squeezing his sister waist before giving a quiet “Hi.”

Klaus gave another sigh in relief and a response of, “Hello, little one.” Getting a nose scrunch and a protest of. “I’m not small!” And a giggle from Hope. Klaus just chuckled and Freya said, “You’re small to us.” softly. And Chance pouted, pushing himself into his sisters side.

It was quiet as everyone tried to think of something to say to fill the silence. Before the sound of three pairs of footsteps and voices met their ears.  

Chapter Text

As soon as Hayley, Ryan, and Mira’s feet hit the porch. Mira ran over to Hope and Chance, grabbing the slightly younger boy by the arm and whining “Why did you leave? You’re supposed to play with me?”

Chance flinched into Hopes side, and the older girl glared at her younger sister. Lightly pushing her hands away. But Miracle gasped like she had been burned, turning to her parents tears in her eyes. “Hope hurt me!” To which the Mikaelsons all raised an eyebrow at. Having seen what happened. They figured Hayley would chide Mira for lying. But instead watching in disbelief as Hayley cradled her daughter. And Ryan turned towards Hope with a glare. Stalking forward, raising his hand.

Klaus saw his daughter flinch away, before he just reacted. Speeding towards Ryan, grabbing his throat and slamming him against the railing of the stairs. And everything went to chaos. 

Faith started to actually cry. And Hayley yelled out. About the pounce on the hybrid, to get him off her husband. And all at once, the other Mikaelson siblings reacted. Kol and Rebekah placed themselves between Hayley and Klaus’s back. Freya went towards the silent Hope and Chance. While Elijah headed for his younger brother. Placing a hand between his shoulder blades. And speaking to him in a language long dead.

“You can let him go now, Niklaus. The danger has passed.”

To which all he got was a growl in response. 

Knowing he would have to challenge his brother in order for him to listen. Elijah gave a soft growl back, grabbing his brothers jaw, urging Klaus to look at him. Ignoring the sounds of struggle as Kol and Rebekah kept Hayley back.

”He is not father. You protected them. Us. They’re safe. Let go.”

Klaus looked Elijah in the eyes. Before nodding and dropping Ryan, who had started gasping, and making a beeline for Hope and Chance. Hesitating slightly behind Freya, incase of having scared them. But Hope just held out her free hand, the other occupied covering her brothers eyes, and Klaus immediately took it. Freya ushered them down the stairs and towards a small clearing. Elijah, Kol, and Rebekah following behind. Klaus turned back to look at his other daughter. Only to see her and Hayley rushing towards Ryan. And quickly looked away. Hurt clawing at his heart.

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A little while later, the seven of them sat in the quiet clearing. Klaus, Elijah, and Kol having a quiet conversation. While Rebekah and Freya distracted Chance and Hope with magic and flower crowns. 

Elijah cleared his throat, as the three men walked towards them. Causing the small group to look at them. Though Chance quickly ripped the flower crown off his dark head, when he noticed his father gaze on him. And looked down as his lap.

Noticing he had their attention, Elijah stated “Perhaps, we should discuss what just occurred?” As the three men took seats around them. And Kol pipped up.

”Yes, starting with Niks episode.” He stated, causing Klaus to clench his jaw.

“I saw a threat. I was going to take it out. End of story.”

Elijah interrupted before Kol could reply, “Which brings us to my next question.” He turned to his oldest niece, “A conversation needs to be had about how exactly your stepfather… disciplines you.” 

Chapter Text

The clearing was quiet. Uncle and niece just staring at each other. The rest of their family members scattered around. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

The five year old was jostled out of her staring match by her slightly younger brother. Who had moved himself close enough to whisper in her ear. Both children forgetting that almost all of their family members had advanced hearing. 

“You should tell them.” Chance urged. Causing his sister to glare at him.

”No, I shouldn’t.”

Chance leaned away to speak at a more normal, if sorta loud, tone. “Why not?!”

”Because I can handle it!” The girl shouted shooting up out of her spot. Silence rang through the air again.

The older Mikaelson siblings all exchanged grave looks, watching as the new generation of Mikaelsons argued.

Chance slowly stood up, his eyes glistening slightly. Ryan always said he needed to be stronger. That he needed to stop being such a girl and get a grip on his emotions. But Hope always told him that crying doesn’t mean he isn’t a boy- a man.

”But you don’t have too.” He replied.

Hope stared at him for a few seconds, her own eyes filling with frustrated tears. She looked around at her aunts, uncles, and father. Not making eye contact with any of them. Before turning on her heel and running farther into the woods. Chance watching her in sadness. Stopping his family from going after her, he sighed.

”She’s not gonna wanna talk…” He trailed off, turning to look at them all. “And she’s probably gonna get mad, but- but someone hasta help.” He took a deep breath in, before continuing, “I’ll tell you.” 

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Freya, Rebekah, Kol, and Chance all sat together. The three siblings side by side, their nephew in front of them. Their brothers had went slowly after Hope. Heeding Chances advice to give her space, but also not wanting to risk her getting hurt all alone in the woods. (And if both brothers had flashbacks back to their youngest brothers death… well, no one mentioned it.)

Chance sat and told them everything he could think of. All the instances he had seen of his stepfathers “discipline” of his sister. All the bruises and scars and how they came to be. And even the ones she had gained that he noticed but hadn’t witnessed. Every comment Ryan had made about his sister that came to mind. He rambled and ranted about the treatment of his older sister. And about how Miracle was the golden child. The one that could do no wrong. And how their mother just stood by and watched. 

When he finally stopped, he was slightly out of breath. But feeling lighter than he had in his entire life. 

It was quiet for a few seconds as the siblings processed and got their tempers in check. Before Rebekah spoke up, her voice soft, “And you?” Chance looked visibly startled, before tilting his head to the side questioningly. And Rebekah clarified, “You told us about Hope. And we thank you, because she certainly seems to be very much like your father.” This caused the boy to giggle slightly. “And you told us about Miracle and your mother… how are you treated, little one?”

Chance was looked down at his lap, biting his lip. He gave a quick glance up, quietly stating. “Not bad.” And he rushed to continue at the raised eyes brows he received. “Really, It’s not! It-it useta be better. Bu-but he doesn’t hurt me, like he does Hopey.” At this he looked down, tears filling his eyes again. “If-if I do somethin’ that makes him mad… Hope does somethin’ worse so he leaves me alone.” His head shoot up again to look at them, eyes frantic, “I don’t want her too! I-I try to protect her!” He cried.

He was quickly pulled into his aunt Freya’s lap and rocked back and forth. When his tears started to slow, Freya quietly said to him “You are a little boy, dove, a child. And while we know you tried to help, you never should have had too. You are not to blame for the travesties done to your sister. And just from what I’ve seen, she would say the same.” 

All she got in response was her nephews head pushing deeper into her shoulder. And the three siblings all shared a look ove his head. 

Chapter Text

Hope sat with her back against a tree, tears streaming down her face, knees pulled to her chest. 

Stupid Chance. She thought, Why did he have to say anything? This wouldn't have happened if he had kept his mouth shut. Guilt instantly filled her chest at her thoughts, causing her eyes to weld up again. He's not stupid. He's just trying to help. He just... doesn't understand. 

Her ears perked up as she heard the crunching of leaves and sticks making its way towards her.

Hope took a deep breath through a stuffy nose, before exhaling with a shutter. Bringing her hands up to wipe her cheeks. Making her way to her feet as Eliah and Klaus became visible through the trees. 

She eyed both men. Her papa looked... scared wasn't the right word. Hesitant, maybe? While her uncle just looked concerned. 

Hope was the first to break the tense silence, "I'm sorry." She said softly, silently cursing herself as her eyes burned with tears that she was failing to hold back.

Her papa was the first to respond, "You have nothing to be sorry for, little wolf. We just want to understand." He hesitated before asking, "May I hold you, sweetheart?"

Hope lost her battle against the tears as they ran hot down her flushed cheeks. She frantically nodded her head, and was immediately swept into her papa's arms. 

She buried her head in Klaus's shoulder, as he carried her towards the tree and sat with his back against it. One hand in her hair, and other stroking down her back. 

She soaked his shirt with tears, but he didn't seem to mind. 

At some point, a third hand joined her father's on her back. When the tears stopped, she turned her head to her Uncle Elijah. Who was now kneeling next to the pair. 

When he noticed her looking, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. Handing it to his niece, getting a hoarse sounding "Thank you" In response. 

It was quiet for a few moments, as her Uncle Elijah settled more next to them. It was eventually broken by her father.

"You must tell us, my little one. Allow us to help you. We can not do so if we do not understand." Klaus spoke softly, but firmly. Not wanting to scare his little girl, but refusing to allow this to continue. 

Hope whined, buring her head back in the place between her fathers head and shoulder. The first act the two men had seen her do that showed her true age of five year old. 

"I don't wanna, papa. Please, don't make me." She pleaded, breaking the brothers heart. 

Elijah cut in before his niece could become more distressed. "You are aware we are vampires, yes?" He waited for her to nodded before continuing. "We have a... I suppose we shall call it a gift. You can show us what you can not say. All you must do is think, and allow us to do the rest. Would that be alright."

Hope hesitated before nodding again, she trusted them. 

She felt her father's hand continue stroking her hair, and he uncles touched her temple. 

"Just relax, sweetheart. This shouldn't hurt." She heard her papa say, before memories started to flash across her eyes.

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FLASHBACKS START HERE

First, all the brothers could see were the first three years or so years of her life. The life she had with her family, with thr Mikaelsons.

Being held by Elijah, dressed up by Rebekah, dotted on by Freya and Kol. The nights Klaus had spent holding her, when her mother had wanted nothing to do with her. 

It was around four years old, where the memories took a dark turn.

The brothers watched as the test to determine what each child was, was done. The disgust that showed on Hayleys face when Hope's was revealed. And the relief when Chance and Miracle were different, but "normal".

They skipped pasted the wedding and the changing of middle and last names. Klaus swearing to himself to look into that at a later time.

The two men made their way to the memories they were truly here for. And, while prepared, that did nothing to stop the anger that came pouring out of them. 

Klaus and Elijah watched as memories of their daughter/nieces suffering flashed before their eyes. 

Feelings of pain, fear, and sadness echoing around them.

Images of a belt coming down and muffled screams. 

Everytime Hope had done something to get negative attention off of her little brother. Echoed feelings of the protectivness she felt echoed around the brothers.

FLASHBACKS OVER

Having seen enough, the brothers backed out of Hope's mind. 

Becoming aware of the sobbing now coming from the girl. Klaus immediate pulled her tighter against him, shushing her in his native tongue. Elijah stroked her back, but allowed Klaus to do the comforting. 

When she seemed to have fallen asleep, the two shared a look. One filled with the promise of death.

Chapter Text

All of the Mikaelsons were back in the clearing, discussing what they had learned and what they would do with the information.

Hope was soundly asleep on Klaus's right shoulder, while a dozing Chance had been transferred from Freya to Klaus. The young boy immediately snuggling into his papa's warm embrace.

Klaus was leaning back against a tree, his children occupying each arm. Kol and Rebekah looked murderous, stalking around. Muttering about what they would do to the piece of scum that laid a hand on their innocent niece and nephew. Elijah and Freya were a few steps away, seemingly keeping an eye on the rest of their family. 

"I thought she would protect her- them." Klaus broke through each siblings musings. At the questioning looks, he clarified, "Hayley. She fought so hard to keep my children away from me. So worried that our family would ruin them. Yet, when she got her wish, she allowed for them to be.. abused. He softly growled the word, sounding every bit the protective wolf. 

"She will not get away with this, Nik. They will both suffer for their part in our nieces torment, I promise you." Rebekah swore.

"And what of Miracle?" Freya questioned, "From what we have seen, she's quite close with Hayley and her husband. I do not think she will understand being taken away from them."

"Then she'll learn!" Kol interjected, "She'll have too! That little wench dared to call herself a Mikaelson, she betrayed us. She betrayed this family and revenge must be served!"

"I agree with Kol." Klaus stated plainly, "Miracle will learn to live without her mother, retribution must be found. Is that not how we have handled betrayal for a thousand years?"

Kol pointed at him, "He gets it! The girls young, she'll be fine!"

Elijah sighed, "But at what price? Yes, the girl is young. But that also means she in impressionable. What do you believe will happen ten years from now, when the only thing she remembers of her mother and the man she considers a father, is that we slaughtered them?" He looked directly at Klaus, "She will grow up resentful, Niklaus. She will grow to hate you. Hate us all." Elijah looked around at his siblings again, "Not to speak of our other niece and nephew, and how they may feel. This is not something that can be rushed. It must be handled with care, less we make all of the children grow hatful."

Klaus's eye's turned down to his little ones, while Kol clenched his jaw.

"Well," Rebekah stated, "With care it shall be handled then. Retribution will happen, one way or another. With minimal damage, I suppose."

"Yes, it will." Freya agreed, "We will figure it out, as we always do. Standing by each others side." A slightly hesitant look appeared on her face, not ever truly being able to say the phrase that untied her family for a thousand years, "Always and Forever."

And, for once, every single Mikaelson repeated the phrase. Meaning it with their whole heart.