His Protector | TVD & TO

Chapter 3

Chaos runs in our blood.

In the blanket of night, you could see Niklaus slowly squirm inside his swaddle; he began to whimper in discomfort. The man carrying him heard the soft whimpering and hummed a soft melody from his childhood. As he shushed the babe, he leaped up in an old willow tree to a large branch sturdy enough to hold them, where he laid the basket down and picked up Niklaus.

Once he had Niklaus supported in his arms, he lowered himself into a sitting position. His legs stretched out while he leaned against the willow as he gently rocked Niklaus and began to sing softly,

"Ter i lóme, nai lye omanya rahtuva,
Or i súre, nai lyenna orenya wilyuva...

Nai loruvalye,
Hendu hotline...
Nai loruvalye,
Éli calime...

Á sasta ingalya or tecunyat, nannie naval lye olorilyar

Á pata ter fend' ex' Ardanna,
Á papátu mina tyelepta cala.

Nai loruvalye,
Hendu hotline...
Nai loruvalye,
Éli calime...

Á sasta ingalya or tecunyat, nannie naval lye olorilyar."

Niklaus slowly stopped whimpering as he opened his eyes to see a male with long platinum hair and gentle eyes gaze at him with a soft smile. He slowly reached his hand out of his swaddle to grasp the pretty strand of hair he could see. He tugged on the strand gently when he had a fist full, causing the unknown male to laugh.

The male lifted his hand and rubbed the back of his knuckle to Niklaus's cheek, "Hello, little one, you do not know who I am, but I know who you are and who you will be. My name is Jhaeros. However, you may call me Ada. It means father in my language; your name is Niklaus, yet that name doesn't suit you." Jhaeros tilted his head in thought as he remembered the vision he saw and the possibilities of what could happen. His eyes twinkled with joy, seeing Niklaus play with his hand. "You see, I have known about you for a long time, and the moment I gazed upon you, I knew you had become my pride and joy." Jhaeros let his mind wander before it clicked in his head, "How about Solas, hm?" Jhaeros questioned softly to see the babe's reaction to the name.

When he heard the babe gurgle at the name, he knew it was perfect for him, "As I thought, Solas is a beautiful name for you. It means 'pride' in my language. It's fitting, isn't it, my Solas? Soon, you and I will share the same blood that will run through your veins so you can be like me, although you may be hybrid. I can see it; you are not fully mortal, are you, my Solas? No, no, you are a child of the moon. What a powerful gift you have, my son. Do not worry, for when the time comes, I will help eliminate that nasty curse those beastly people placed upon you."

Solas tilted his head slightly like a pup would to understand its parent. Jhaeros chuckled, seeing his son's adorable face, "The path being carved ahead of you would have been a terrible fate. I couldn't stand by and let an innocent soul like yours fall victim to greed. So I took you from those wretched beasts; they had begged me to save you just to have you killed. That is why I have always hated mortals; they always damn the purest souls for their deeds. But there are no worries now, my Solas, for I will raise you, love you, and protect you from the treacherous world."

Solas wiggled and gave a gummy smile to his new father. Once his other hand was free, he made a grabbing motion for Jhaeros, who complied with the request of his new son. Solas let his hands wander over his father's face to understand and memorize this person.

"Yes, it is me, Ada, my Solas. Careful now, I do not take kindly to my little pulling my ears or hair." Jhaeros teased before he leaned even further to nuzzle his son. "My beautiful Solas, life is cruel; I worry for you already. I can see your heart and how pure your soul is, yet I fear that wicked people will take advantage of you like your birth mother took advantage of how young you were and bounded half you, just like how your birth mother's husband wanted to have you killed, and how your half-siblings did not care for you."

Jhaeros pressed his lips to Solas's temple and closed his eyes, remembering as he watched over Mikael's family. He remembered seeing how they ignored his Solas, mistreated, yelled, and so many other things. He remembered seeing the pure soul in pain, calling for a savior to help him. Jhaeros remembered as he stormed away to control his temper, knowing if he went any closer, he would have slaughtered them. He breathed in the musky wood mixed with ambrosia scent wafting off his son that comforted him, knowing he was now safe with him.

Jhaeros pulled back a bit to look Solas in the eyes, "You see, my Solas, they took advantage of you already; nonetheless, do not worry, for I will teach you how not to be taken advantage of. I will show you how to be a brave warrior, win a war with just your mind, control your emotions, and so on. Even if you continue to wear your heart on your sleeve for the world to see, I will protect you along with it. I cannot wait to see you grow into the man I know you can be, for you will be magnificent."

He placed Solas in his lap and wiggled his fingers so Solas could grab them; he softly gazed upon his son, feeling his once cold heart warm with love for this being in his lap. Jhaeros lowered his head and pretended to nip at Solas's fingers, causing him to giggle. "We barely know each other, but I know I love you, my Solas, more than you could ever know, nor could you comprehend the lengths I would go to keep you safe. I have had you only for a few hours, yet you have become my whole world, my magnificent little manya. I will tell you what manya means when you get older, my Solas."

Solas yawned as his eyes began drooping, causing Jhaeros to rearrange the swaddle and lay Solas on his chest, tucked underneath his chin. "Sleep, my little manya; I will protect you." Solas snuggled closed as soft snores began to escape his mouth. Jhaeros closed his eyes, listening to his child's heartbeat to settle his mind for him to fall asleep.

Jhaeros didn't know that this would be Solas's first and most treasured memory that he kept close to his heart as he grew. It was because this moment in time had snapped the universal threads that were once placed for the life of Niklaus Mikaelson to become nonexistent, and new threads took place for Solas Jhaerosson. But for now, Jhaeros and Solas would enjoy the night's warmth and the soothing hum of the winds.

Song: Elven Lullaby by Forest Elves

Translation:

"Through the night, may my voice reach you,
Over the wind, may my heart fly to you...

May you sleep,
Eyes closed...
May you sleep,
Stars luminous...

Rest your head over my lap, all your dreams will be reality.

Step through a door to another Realm,
Slowly walk into the silver light.

May you sleep,
Eyes closed...
May you sleep,
Stars luminous...

Rest your head over my lap, all your dreams will be reality."