Summary: The year is 1662, a prosperous time for the New World. After nearly 200 years, in the growing town of Ipswich, England, Klaus and Elijah believe to have finally found the hiding place of their elusive Petrova. Upon arriving, Elijah meets a human who requests an usual favor from him. By accepting, unwanted feelings start to develop between the two.

Genre: Romance; Supernatural

Pairing: Elijah/OFC - Marian

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries.

CHAPTER ONE

Ipswich, England, 1662.

Marian protested instantly. She crinkled her nose and shielded her eyes at the offending garment. "My dear sister," she began, "is it your intention blind me?" The younger of the two ladies giggled softly. "That is not a proper shade for the winter, Joanna."

"It is all the rage in London-"

"But we are not in London," Marian interrupted, "and hence it is not appropriate."

The young blonde woman placed the pink garment back upon racks and walked further into the shop, attempting to discover a dress that her sister might approve of. Joanna stopped and pointed to the navy blue dress on display in the side window. "What about that one," Joanna asked. "Mother would like that one, I think."

The dress was very beautiful. The sleeves were scrunched a bit, making them just above three-quarters length. A creamed colored scarf outlined the top portion of the bodice, which was held in place by small sapphire stones. And the skirt flowed liked water, the top layer draped neatly and pinned at the waste.

"I agree. Mother will love it," said Marian smiling. "Come. We must find the shop keep before someone tries to buy-" Marian stopped speaking upon the view outside the window. "Oh, no," she whaled.

"What is wrong," inquired Joanna quickly, fearing her sister had become suddenly ill. Joanna followed Marian's gaze and soon fell upon the offending sight. A tall and very thin man wearing brown trousers and a white shirt stood just beyond the store window, conversing with a few passer-by citizens. Joanna sighed in annoyance. "Ellsworth."

"You must help me, Joanna!"

"Why? Why must I always help you?" Joanna crossed her arms in protest.

"Because you are the absolute best at it," answered Marion. She rushed over to the front counter and tapped the desk bell lightly. An older woman, with salt and pepper hair appear from one of the rear rooms. "Hello," greeted Marian. "My sister and I would like to purchase the dark navy blue dress in the display window."

"Oh, that's a lovely dress! Anything else my dear," the old woman inquired sweetly.

"Yes, actually. Could I trouble you, possibly, for the use of your back door exit?"

Just past noon. Elijah closed his gold pocket watch and returned it to the near invisible compartment on the front of his button up vest. He guarded himself carefully as he waited outside the inn for his brother to return.

Klaus had taken him to Ipswich, a town that Elijah greatly disliked. There were just too many witches that took residence in this particular town. Klaus, on the other hand, desired the company. For the young hybrid knew that only with the aid of their magical talents would he be able to break the curse upon himself.

Klaus suddenly emerged from the inn, slightly more disturbed than before he entered.

"Problem, Niklaus?"

"I had pay for the rooms! Bloody witch," he hissed.

Elijah smiled brightly. "You know what inhabitants this town. I'm sure they drink vervain each day."

"No matter," replied Klaus, a bit more up beat, "as soon the whereabouts of our Bulgarian beauty are discovered, we can be rid of it all." Klaus brought his arm about his brother's shoulder, beginning a leisure walk down the town centre. "Providing she doesn't slip away this time," he whispered to himself.

Elijah heard his brother's words and ignored them. The 'unexplainable' disappearance of Katerina was regrettable but necessary. And the search to discover her location only took them 200 years. Though, Elijah didn't know why his brother still pursued Katerina. She was a vampire now and the curse could no longer be broken with her death.

"I can always call upon my acquaintance in Colchester, if you wish," started Elijah.

"You still keep relations with Norfolk?"

"Yes, James and I are still friends," he replied. "He has an estate. It's barely used, I'm told." Klaus looked at his brother, together they stopped. "You could save hundreds of shillings and compel everyone you meet," Elijah offered, amusement in his voice and his brother's laughter soon filled his ears.

Klaus slapped Elijah's back playfully. He nodded in agreement. "Very well, Elijah," he said. "Call upon your friend."

As Klaus turned to leave, Elijah called after him. "Where are you going?"

"I'm getting my money back," came Klaus' reply, continuing on his way to the inn. Elijah watched his brother's retreating back until it was no longer in sight.

The moment he turned, however, a young woman suddenly collided with him. Upon impact, the woman began to fall backwards. Elijah swiftly grasped her wrist, pulling her upright, her black tresses bouncing with the motion. She was a short little thing, noticed Elijah. The top of her head reached just below his shoulders. Her skin was slightly tanned and ebony hair placed neatly in an up-do with several curls cascading downward. She wore a simple dress. The garment was yellow and trimmed in white lace around the hem of the gown, the bodice and handcuffs.

Rubbing her temple with her free hand, the woman feared she had run into a brick wall. When she lifted her eyes, she found a man standing before her. He heart fluttered a moment at his handsome features. He was neatly groomed, donning black trousers with a matching button up vest, the red sleeves of his shirt flowing down his arms. His hair, a bit below should length she guessed, was secured efficiently behind his head. When she found the dark depth of his eyes upon her, she realized that he had caught her staring. Embarrassment quickly followed.

"Oh sir," she began, "I apologize for my clumsiness!"

Elijah shook his head, releasing her wrist, observing that she was stable enough. "No apology is necessary."

"No sir, forgive me but it is," she explained. "I was in a rush and should have been more aware of my surroundings."

Elijah quieted the woman once more. He shook his head gently while speaking, "Again Lady, such is not necessary. What could have possibly put you in such a hurry," Elijah inquired curiously.

The woman frowned. Her desire was not to converse with him, but Elijah found he enjoyed the sound of her voice. "It is a long story," she said politely. "I would bore you, sir."

Elijah smiled kindly at her comment. The dark haired woman returned the gesture, a small blush creeping upon her cheeks. "Nonsense, Miss…"

"Marian," she answered respectfully. "Marian Parrish."

"Well, Miss Marian Parrish," he began, "My name is Elijah and I am all ears for your tale. I have the time."

"Well, you see," Marian began, cautiously avoiding his eyes, "I was shopping with my sister and I caught a glimpse of a man from the store window." She straighten the right cuff of her sleeve before she continued. "A man I have been avoiding for quite sometime. I relied upon my sister to distract him so that I might make my escape."

"And here you are."

"Yes, here I am," she repeated. "Though it will do little good to remain here I regret." Marian looked over her shoulder, eyes widened, falling upon a tall lanky man. "I must depart before I am discovered." She turned back around to face him. "Again, I am truly sorry for smashing into you, sir."

When the she attempted to take her leave, Elijah's voice quickly stopped her. "Why do you flee from this man? How has he harm you?" Laughter suddenly filled his ears, another sound that he found most pleasing.

"Harm me," she said. "Oh, no sir! Ellsworth wouldn't hurt a fly!" She approached him again and continued. "You see," she began, "there are certain feelings he possesses that I simply cannot reciprocate."

Elijah understood instantly, his eye scanning the crowds wondering which love struck man was the one in question. The answer then presented itself as a tall, very thin man came nearly rushing in their direction.

"I believe you have been found," said Elijah. Turning quickly, Marian saw Ellsworth, the Persistent approaching. "Not a very graceful man," commented Elijah, watching the thin man's arms flailing wildly as his pace accelerated.

When she saw him suddenly stumble over his own feet, Marian cringed. "No, not at all." She sighed heavily. "I wish I did not have to do this. He will ask me once more, and once more I shall break his heart. If only there was a way I could make him understand…"

Elijah suddenly noticed a spark in her eyes he had not seen before. She turned to face him fully. "Sir," she began, "might you grant me a favor?" Elijah inclined his head to the right, indicating he was listening. "The only way Ellsworth will cease this behavior is if he knows I am…unavailable to regard his advances."

"What are you requesting of me, Miss Parrish?"

"Would you be opposed to a five minute courtship," she asked him. Elijah did not respond, he only stared at her with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. "If he believes I am already spoken for, this misery will end," Marian explained. "I know this must be, by far, the strangest thing anyone has ever asked of you. Clearly this is most inappropriate, I know, having only just learned your name, but I am desperate," she said. "Will you not help me? Please? "

Along with her pleas and those green eyes, Elijah surprised himself and relented. "Very well," he said. "But only on the condition that you grant me a favor in return." At his words, Marian began eying him strangely. "Worry not," Elijah said quickly when he saw her expression. "My intentions are honorable. I do not wish to steal your virtue, Miss Parrish."

Marian found herself trapped between two hard places. Did she go up against Ellsworth for the umpteenth time alone and force herself to break him again, or…did she seek the aide of a complete stranger with the obligation to repay him for his kindness, trusting that the stranger in question was indeed as honorable as he claims?

"Shall I do the talking," inquired Elijah, looking at her optimistically, knowing she couldn't refuse. Her mouth opened to respond, but she was swiftly interrupted.

"Marian! Marian," Ellsworth chanted upon reaching her side, attempting to catch his breath.

The fair lady forced a smile. "Hello, Ellsworth," she said. "How are you?"

"Miraculous, now that I am by your side," he declared, grasping both her hands and bringing them to his lips, proceeding to kiss her knuckles.

"No," protested Marian quickly, withdrawing from his grip, "Ellsworth, you may not shower me with such affections."

"Why ever not," he asked, confused by her rejection.

"Because I am not yours to do so," she said with frustration. Marian then looked over at Elijah. He seemed to be waiting patiently for his queue. Ellsworth followed her gaze and his eyes too landed his figure.

"And what friend is this," Ellsworth asked, annoyed with her present company. "He is not familiar to these streets."

"He is a new friend of mine," Marian clarified, gesturing towards her new acquaintance, planning to introduce the pair. "Ellsworth this is…"

"Lord Elijah. A pleasure," came his voice, while extending a hand forward. Marian, along with Ellsworth, could not believe her ears. Lord Elijah?

Tentatively, Ellsworth shook his offered hand. "Lord," he said, more than astounded. Elijah nodded. "The Lord Elijah of…Norwich?"

"The very same," he confirmed.

"M-my Lord," stuttered Ellsworth suddenly. "F-f-forgive my earlier rudeness-"

"Miss Parrish often remarks on the friendship you have together," began Elijah. "Thank you for keeping company with her whilst I was away. For I would be lost without her." Elijah then grasped her left arm and fed it through his right, making his intention visible for all to see.

Ellsworth inclined his head politely at Elijah, and then turned his attention towards Marian. "I must ask your forgiveness as well," he said. "Had I known…" Before she could respond, Ellsworth, the Suddenly Very Timid, took his leave without another word.

Marian brought all her attention to Elijah in that moment. "Lord Elijah," she questioned him while forcing herself from his gentle hold. "You are a Lord! Why did you not tell me?"

"You did not ask."

"I feel absolutely ridiculous now," she confessed. "To ask someone like you, a Lord, to do such an impolite service."

"I've done much worse things, trust me," he commented in truth. For if this lady new his true face, she would not say such.

Marian sighed heavily as she continued. "But what is done is done and payment must rendered. You asked for a favor in return, did you not? What is it that you wish?"

"At this time," Elijah pondered for a moment, then continued, "I require nothing."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I have no favor for you to fulfill at this time."

"I don't understand," she said. "Normally, when a deal of such is produced, the chosen act of kindness is completed at that time."

"And when that time comes," Elijah began, "I shall seek you out. Until then," he lightly grasped her hand and brushed her knuckles with a feathery kiss. "It was delightful, Miss Parrish."