Revelations by the River

The Mikaelson siblings sat in a somber silence beside the calm river, their minds racing with the weight of recent events and Rebekah's impending revelation. Rebekah, after a moment's pause to gather her thoughts, began to speak, her voice carrying a mixture of determination and apprehension.

"That day when Henrik died," Rebekah started, her gaze drifting momentarily to Klaus, "I overheard our parents discussing with Ayana about the immortality spell." She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she knew would be difficult truths to share. "I've known about this spell for some time, but I never imagined they would use it on us."

Her siblings listened intently, sensing the gravity of her words.

"That night," Rebekah continued, "I knew we would die and be reborn as immortals." She paused, her eyes locking onto Klaus's with a mixture of compassion and sorrow. "But there's something more that I need to tell you all, something about Klaus and his origin."

Klaus's brow furrowed in confusion and anticipation as Rebekah's words hung in the air. She took a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing.

"You, Klaus," Rebekah began, her voice steady yet filled with emotion, "are not Mikael's son. You were born from an affair our mother had with a werewolf alpha." She watched Klaus closely, gauging his reaction carefully.

Klaus sat in stunned silence, processing the revelation. The news of his true parentage shook him to his core, but Rebekah pressed on.

"Our mother," Rebekah continued, "has been trying to weaken you from a young age. She gave you a necklace that drained your power." She looked pointedly at Elijah and Kol, silently urging them to corroborate her words.

Elijah's expression darkened with realization, while Kol's eyes flashed with anger. Rebekah knew the implications of her next words were dire.

"If our father were to discover the truth," Rebekah explained, "he would not only be enraged at the betrayal but would likely seek to eliminate Klaus. Mikael's hatred for werewolves runs deep, and if he learns that one of his own children is a hybrid..."

Rebekah's voice trailed off briefly as she considered the implications. She glanced at Finn, knowing his loyalty to their mother was unwavering despite everything.

"But there are darker secrets in our family," Rebekah continued, her gaze shifting to Finn, acknowledging his presence and his conflicted loyalties. "Secrets that our mother has kept hidden."

Rebekah took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to reveal about their mother, Esther.

"Esther," Rebekah began solemnly, "was born into a powerful witch family in the Kingdom of Norway. She had an older sister named Dahlia." Rebekah paused, the weight of centuries-old family history settling over them.

"They were once close," Rebekah continued, "but their differing views and aspirations drove them apart." She glanced at Elijah, knowing his respect for magic and its traditions.

"Despite being born into a powerful bloodline," Rebekah elaborated, "Esther was not interested in practicing magic. She met Mikael, who swore to protect her." She looked at Kol, aware of his keen intellect and curiosity.

"Dahlia, on the other hand," Rebekah went on, "devoted herself to the Black Arts." She paused, letting the implications sink in.

"Esther favored being a wife and mother," Rebekah continued, "and she lived happily with Mikael. But tragedy struck when her village was slaughtered by Vikings, leaving only Esther and Dahlia as survivors due to their witch powers."

Rebekah's voice grew more somber as she recounted the events that shaped their mother's fate.

"During her captivity," Rebekah explained, "Esther fell in love with a Viking warrior named Mikael. They married, but Esther struggled to conceive. She turned to Dahlia for help, who cast a fertility spell that allowed Esther to have her first child, Freya."

Rebekah paused, allowing the complexity of their mother's past to sink in.

"Esther later had Finn," Rebekah continued, "but during her third pregnancy, Mikael left on a voyage, and Dahlia took Freya away, claiming it was fate's decision that Esther should not have children."

Rebekah's voice faltered slightly as she recounted the heartache their mother endured.

"Dahlia's actions," Rebekah continued, "drove Esther to seek power and vengeance. She swore to regain her magic and make Dahlia pay for her cruelty."

Rebekah paused again, her eyes scanning her siblings' faces, each reflecting a mix of shock and curiosity.

"But there are more secrets," Rebekah said finally, her voice tinged with sadness. "Secrets about our mother that are darker still."

Rebekah looked at Finn, knowing he cherished their mother despite everything.

"Esther," Rebekah continued, "was deeply affected by Freya's loss and Mikael's emotional distance. During this time, she met Ansel, a young werewolf leader, and fell in love with him."

Rebekah's voice lowered, recounting the tumultuous events that followed.

"She began crafting a Moonlight Ring for Ansel," Rebekah explained, "and became pregnant with his child." She paused, the weight of her next words heavy with meaning.

"However," Rebekah continued, "Esther returned to Mikael, forbidding Ansel from being near his unborn child. She later gave birth to a son named Niklaus."

Rebekah watched her siblings carefully, knowing the implications of her revelation would ripple through their family forever.

"And that," Rebekah concluded, "is just the beginning of what we need to uncover about our mother."

She fell silent, allowing her words to settle over them, knowing that the darkness lurking in their family's history would continue to unravel, revealing truths that would challenge them all.

The Mikaelson siblings sat in stunned silence, each grappling with the weight of Rebekah's revelations. The river flowed calmly beside them, its surface reflecting the moonlight as they processed the secrets that had been unveiled.