Chapter 77: The Esther Question - Part 1
POV: Sam Barton
The debate about Esther happens at Klaus's warehouse with all five Mikaelson siblings present, and the family dysfunction is so thick I could cut it with one of Damon's wooden stakes.
Klaus stands with his back to Esther's coffin, arms crossed defensively. "Mother stays daggered. She tried to kill us all—turn us mortal then murder us for the 'abomination' she created. I'm not giving her a second chance to finish what she started."
Finn's response carries quiet conviction. "She was our mother. She deserves a chance to see we've changed, that immortality hasn't made us complete monsters."
"Hasn't it?" Klaus challenges. "Look at what we've become—predators who've terrorized humanity for a thousand years. Mother was right to want us dead."
"Then you should volunteer for execution," Rebekah snaps, her temper flaring. "Since you think we're all irredeemable monsters. I'm tired of your self-hatred poisoning every family decision, Nik."
Elijah raises his hands in diplomatic placation. "Perhaps we should consider options beyond the binary of eternal imprisonment or unrestricted freedom."
Kol, lounging against the wall with his typical disregard for serious moments, adds his perspective: "I vote wake her. Mother was brilliant—taught me everything about magic before the transformation. Plus, watching Klaus squirm through maternal judgment sounds entertaining."
"This isn't a joke," Klaus growls.
"Everything's a joke if you're immortal enough," Kol counters cheerfully.
I'm observing this family dysfunction with the kind of fascination usually reserved for car crashes—horrifying but impossible to look away from.
"Sam," Elijah says, pulling me into the debate. "As alliance leader and someone who's proven capable of mediating impossible conflicts, what's your assessment?"
Five pairs of Original vampire eyes focus on me with varying levels of expectation and suspicion.
I take a breath and dive in. "Wake her in controlled environment with Bonnie's magical binding, similar to what we did with Kol. Let Esther see the modern world, see her children united and finding purpose instead of just destroying each other. If she still wants vampire genocide after that, we have leverage to prevent it."
Klaus turns his full attention on me with expression that could incinerate steel. "You want to negotiate with the woman who cursed me for a thousand years? Who condemned me to hunt my werewolf side while being vampire?"
"I negotiated with you," I point out. "That worked. Maybe your mother deserves the same chance at redemption you're currently enjoying."
The comparison hits Klaus hard—I can see it in the way his jaw clenches, the fractional widening of his eyes.
"It's different," Klaus insists.
"How?" Rebekah challenges. "You've killed thousands, Nik. Mother created vampirism but you perfected cruelty. If Sam can give you second chance, why not her?"
Finn adds his support. "I've spent this week learning that life can have meaning beyond suffering. Let Mother have the same opportunity. She might surprise us."
Elijah proposes formal structure. "I suggest a vote. All five siblings plus Sam as alliance representative. Democratic process for once instead of Klaus's unilateral decisions."
Klaus looks like he wants to argue, but centuries of family dynamics apparently include some unspoken rules about votes because he nods tersely. "Fine. Vote. But when Mother tries killing us all, remember I opposed this."
Elijah counts the positions: "Finn votes to wake her. Rebekah votes to wake her. Kol votes to wake her for entertainment value—"
"And magical education," Kol adds. "Don't forget the learning opportunities."
"Elijah votes that controlled awakening is acceptable," Elijah continues. "Klaus votes to keep her sealed. Sam?"
I meet Klaus's gaze directly. "I vote to wake her. Controlled, supervised, with every precaution in place. But avoidance isn't solution—it's just delayed problem."
"Four to one," Elijah announces. "The family has decided."
Klaus's fury erupts physically—he blurs across the warehouse, smashing a support beam with his fist hard enough to crack stone. The building shudders.
Then he storms out without another word.
Rebekah moves to follow, but I stop her. "I'll talk to him. You prepare with Bonnie."
I find Klaus at the Mystic Grill two hours later, sitting alone at the bar with bourbon and expression that could curdle milk.
"You sided against me," Klaus says without looking up as I sit beside him.
"I sided with resolution over avoidance," I correct. "Your mother wakes eventually—Katherine confirmed the protection spells are degrading. Better under our terms than hers."
"You don't understand," Klaus mutters into his glass. "Mother didn't just create vampirism. She cursed me specifically—bound my werewolf side because I wasn't really my father's son. Everything I am, everything I've suffered, traces back to her magic."
It's the most vulnerable I've ever heard Klaus sound.
"She's also the person who raised you," I point out quietly. "Who loved you before the transformation, who tried protecting her children from supernatural threats even if the method backfired catastrophically. People are complicated, Klaus. Even Original witches."
Klaus finally looks at me directly. "You're either the wisest human alive or the most foolish. Time will tell which."
I raise his bourbon glass in toast. "To foolish wisdom, then."
Klaus actually laughs—bitter but genuine—and clinks his glass against mine. "You're remarkably stubborn, Sam Barton. Most people would've let me sulk."
"Most people aren't trying to maintain alliance with temperamental Original Hybrid," I reply. "Besides, Caroline would kill me if I let you destroy the Grill in rage-fueled property damage."
"Your girlfriend's organizational tyranny is truly impressive," Klaus observes. "How does she tolerate your tactical martyrdom?"
"Purple schedule enforcement," I explain. "Mandatory rest breaks and forced relaxation protocols."
Klaus actually grins. "She's good for you. Don't let supernatural politics destroy that relationship."
It's advice from someone who's lost everything to eternal conflict, and I take it seriously.
[KLAUS RELATIONSHIP: ANGRY BUT RESPECTFUL]
[FINN RELATIONSHIP: DEEPLY GRATEFUL]
[REBEKAH RELATIONSHIP: DEEPLY GRATEFUL]
[EXPERIENCE GAINED: +500]
[LEVEL 34: 500/4,800 TO LEVEL 35]
After Klaus leaves—still upset but no longer destructively furious—I text Caroline about the vote outcome.
Her response is immediate: "Waking the Original witch who wants vampire genocide. What could go wrong? Purple schedule tonight. Non-negotiable."
I smile despite the stress, because Caroline's ability to enforce rest through sheer organizational will is exactly the grounding I need.
To supporting Me in Pateron .
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