AN: I do not own TVD or TO or the Princess Diaries. I saw a rant about how Princess Diaries was one of the most underated movies around, and why it was the best. I thought to myself that this would be a perfect AU for ELEJAH. I'm planning on writing in KLAROLINE as well.
There are 12 scenes in the movie. I plan on devoting a chapter to a scene, and adding in a few chapters in between because I feel like there was not enough Mia and Lilly in the movie, so I am adding in Elena and Caroline, plus the KLAROLINE scenes. So this story will be between 15 and 24 chapters depending on how many in between chapters I write.
Dear Diary,
Well, it's me; brand-new college graduate/princess. I can't believe it's been five years since Grandma told me I was a princess. I can still remember the look on her face when I told her to 'shut up'.
Caroline's remained the same, as she continues to cause turmoil on her way to world domination, but now as a graduate student at Berkeley; which she calls 'Berserkeley'.
'How's Matt?' you may ask. Well, we're just friends now, as he went off to tour the country with his band.
I'm on the plane right now, and I can see my beautiful Bulgaria threw the window. Of course, I'm completely excited to be going back, but I'm also nervous. Grandma Jenna will step down by the end of the year as queen, and I will be taking over, since I'm now 21.
I know I studied diplomacy and political science at school, but… there is no course in 'Queen,' or 'How to run A Country 101'. But Grandma's going to help me, and I'll take over when she thinks I'm ready.
Of course, I wonder… will I ever be ready?
In the meantime, I'm going to live in a beautiful palace like in a fairy-tale, and eventually sit on a throne and rule the people of Bulgaria.
Is that scary or what?
The one downer in my fairy-tale is I've been in love. However, this evening is my 21st birthday party, and our tradition says that I have to dance with all the eligible bachelors in Bulgaria.
So maybe I'll meet my Prince Charming tonight.
Elena repressed the sigh that threatened to escape her lips. There had been some sort of problem with her suite, so the maids had settled her in her grandmother's rooms for the time being. She couldn't quite shake the feeling that she was not ready for tonight.
Elena adjusted the curls that tumbled over her shoulder. Her fingers traced the line of the tiara in her hair.
Every little girl dreamed of being a long lost relative would come along and tell her she was a princess; for Elena, this was the reality. Five years ago she had been a typical American teenager, attending a typical American High School, but everything changed when her father – the crown prince of Bulgaria – had passed suddenly in a tragic accident.
Now, here she stood about to attend the ball to celebrate her 21st birthday. She could remember being 15 years old, and planning her 21st birthday with Caroline. Elena loved her life, she really did, but this day wasn't quite the same without her best friend. Maybe she could get Caroline to come for a visit, and they could celebrate her birthday then – with a small security detail in tow.
She laughed at the thought, and made a mental note to call her friend in the morning.
Charlotte paced down the wide halls swiftly. She clapped her hands as she approached the closed doors. Ric stood beside the doors dressed in black.
"The queen is coming," Charlotte shook her hair back from her face. "Places everyone," she turned to the men guarding the doors to the ballroom, "She'll have a double door entrance." She lifted the microphone from her dress and spoke. "The eagle is flying. Repeat, the eagle is flying." She turned back to the assembled crowd, "she's in the foyer."
All eyes were drawn to the Jenna as she rounded the corner in a soft pink gown. The tiara sparkled in her hair as she executed a playful twirl for her security team.
"How do I look?"
"Beautiful," Ric stepped forward and bent his head to offer her a small smile that lit up his eyes, "but you're late, your Majesty."
"A queen is never late," Jenna leaned forward and whispered dramatically; as if this were the biggest secret in the world. "Everyone else is simply early."
"Of course," Ric nodded and stepped aside when the doors opened.
"Presenting, Her Majesty Genevieve Petrova, Queen of Bulgaria." A raucous applause drifted through the open doors as Jenna stepped forward onto the small balcony and greeted her subjects.
"Greetings, good friends," Jenna smiled at her subjects when she was on the ground floor, "I am delighted to welcome you here this evening." She accepted a glass of champagne from one of the waiters, "Many of you will remember King John's and my granddaughter, Princess Elena."
Jenna was interrupted by the crowd.
"King John. May he rest in peace," voices echoed from every corner of the room.
"Thank you," Jenna nodded. She lifted her glass with a dazzling smile, "Will you please raise your glasses in celebration of Princess Elena's 21st birthday."
The crowd of assembled courtiers lifted their champagne flutes in unison as the valet announced the arrival of the princess.
"Presenting Her Royal Highness Elena Isabella Petrova, Princess of Bulgaria," the announcement was followed by a drumroll while the doors drew open and the orchestra struck up a sweet and lively tune.
"Are you ready princess?" Charlotte looked up from her clipboard when Elena approached.
"I think so," Elena glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her dark hair had been swept back and a tiara placed on her head. The black and gold gown perfectly complimented her skin tone. The only thing out of place was the charm bracelet that she always wore. "How many men am I going to have to dance with tonight?"
"There are many eligible bachelors from across Europe here this evening," Charlotte laughed. "Don't worry most of them are fantastic dancers."
"Most of them?" Elena's head snapped around from the mirror.
"You'll be fine, Elena," Ric smiled and took her arm to lead her to the door. He released her arm when she was announced and the doors were thrown open.
Elijah leaned against one of the pillars with crossed arms. He peered towards the balcony eagerly awaiting his first look at the princess who had quickly become the talk of the country.
He straightened up and clapped politely as a young woman emerged and took her place on the balcony. She smiled brightly at the assembled group of glittering courtiers. Her hand came up in a wave. He stifled a laugh when he saw a bracelet fly off of her wrist, her hand came up to her mouth in embarrassment. She smiled gratefully at the attendant who returned the sparkling trinket to her wrist. He could hear her thanking the man when he wished her a happy birthday.
He frowned when he lost sight of her. The princess disappeared into the crowd when she made it to the bottom of the stairs.
Elena smiled politely at the young man who had swept her into a dance. He was chattering away in a language that she recognized vaguely.
"I'm sorry," she offered an apologetic smile, "I don't speak Greek." He spun her around the dancefloor gently as he continued to chatter. "And you obviously don't speak English."
Aside from the language barrier the dance was very pleasant. He was a good looking young nobleman, but Elena didn't see any true future for them.
Several men came and went leaving very little impression on Elena. The last one barely met her eyes, he was too busy focusing on his feet and counting out the steps. The one time he did look up he stepped on her toes. That was when Elena decided to sneak away for a few minutes alone.
Elijah surveyed the crowd of dancers from behind the wives of several foreign diplomats.
"Have you met the princess yet?" A woman in a red dress leaned towards the others and whispered.
"Briefly," the blond in the blue monstrosity replied, "but she wasn't very friendly."
"I got a hello and a goodbye," the third woman gestured with her hands, "is this an American custom?"
Elena looked quickly from side to side. Once she had determined that no one was watching she lifted a silver knife and cut a tiny piece of cake. She was popping the tiny bite in her mouth when someone whispered in a gleeful voice.
"I saw that."
Elena started to stammer an excuse. She turned around with explanations ready to fly when she spotted Bonnie dressed in the traditional clothes of her country.
"Bonnie," she wrapped her royal friend in a tight hug, "I've missed you." She stepped back to take in the black and red ensemble. "What have you been up to?"
"Oh," Bonnie grinned and followed Elena as she started backing up towards the dance floor, "just partying. You know, being me." She saw the man too late to warn her friend.
Elena's heel fell on top of something that was definitely not the dance floor. She spun around to find a young man with dark hair. He was bent over, and his face contorted in pain.
"Oh," Elena's hand flew over her mouth, "your foot." She met his eyes as he stood back up. "I am so sorry. Are…" she trailed off for a second.
Her brain sputtered momentarily as she took in the handsome features of the young man. His dark hair was combed back neatly. His brown eyes were warm, and she saw a playful smile starting to play on his full lips.
"Are you alright?"
"I'll survive, Your Highness," he assured her with a slightly pained smile. As any gentlemen would, he decided to take the blame. "The fault was entirely my own," he smiled brightly as the pain subsided, "I apologize."
"Are you sure you don't want to exchange licenses," Elena's head shook slightly as she talked, and a small smile danced over her lips, "and proof of insurance?"
"No, no," he shook his head. "These shoes were a little big anyway," he smiled brightly. "The swelling should help them fit better."
Elena apologized again before she was drawn away by Charlotte to be introduced to another eligible bachelor.
"Get a load of this guy," Bonnie whispered to a couple of the younger ladies by the wall. She motioned to Elena and her latest escort. "It looks like he's trying to land a plane."
Elena was sure she was going to get whiplash. This man had to be the worst dancer she had ever had the displeasure of working with. He jerked her arm up and down violently with each jolting step.
"You are a beautiful dancer." He lifted her arm up and down violently while turning her with a smile.
"Thank you."
"Like a deer," he lowered her arm and turned her around before dropping her in a dip, "or a chipmunk in the forest."
"Woodland animals are a lovely thing to be compared to," Elena gasped for breath. She found herself wishing desperately for an international crisis to get her away from this man.
Luckily, rescue came in a more enjoyable form.
"May I?" The man whose foot she had stepped on tapped her partner on the shoulder. Elena sighed when her hand was offered over with a smile.
"Your timing is impeccable," she rested her right hand on his shoulder, "thank you."
"Your welcome," he took her waist and steered her gently in a dance, "your Highness."
"Elena," she smiled and met his dark eyes, "I like to be called Elena." She waited for him to offer his own name patiently, except she had never been a very patient person. "And you are?"
"Elijah," he smiled gently as they swayed to the music, "just Elijah."
"Well," she teased, "I'm very glad to see that my clumsiness has not affected your dancing." She leaned closer with an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry I stepped on your foot."
"You can step on my foot anytime," Elijah squeezed her hand gently. He stopped when he felt someone tapping his elbow.
Elena stifled a smile when she saw a boy standing behind Elijah. The child preened with the confidence that only came with being a born royal.
"It is Prince Henrik's turn."
"Your Highness," Elijah nodded before stepping aside for the next bachelor.
Elena offered her hand to the boy. If she was remembering correctly he was 12 years old. Bonnie had once told her that he wore aftershave to make people think that he was older.
"If this were my party," the precocious prince sighed, "we'd be kissing by now." He tilted his head to look into Elena's eyes. "May I blow in your ear?"
"Can you reach it?" Elena asked politely. She smiled sadly when he stretched but was unable to reach his intended target.
"Princess, there's someone from parliament that you should meet."
Elena sighed before leaning towards Charlotte.
"How many more members of parliament are there?" She sighed sadly. Her feet were killing her, and she couldn't wait for the party to be over so she could go to bed.
"Only two left, Your Highness." Charlotte smiled before directing Elena in the correct direction.
"Cake, ladies?" A passing waiter stopped to offer them a dessert.
Elena turned and smiled politely. She heard Charlotte's whispered expletive as she felt her tiara fall from her head.
Elena spun expecting to hear the crown hit the floor. She relaxed when she saw the man who had caught it.
"I'm so sorry your Highness," the waiter bent forward. Elena could see the slight fear in his eyes.
"It's alright," she waved off his apology. "No harm was done," she smiled as if to console the poor man, "no bruise."
Elena turned to the distinguished man behind her. He was middle aged with graying blond hair. "Thank you."
The man offered her a tight-lipped smile and replaced the tiara on her head.
"You should be more careful, your Royal Highness." He straightened the crown in her hair, "somebody might try to take that from you."
"I hope not," Elena's eyes widened and she gave him a bright smile. "Thank you so much for your help." She turned to follow Charlotte to the members of parliament. She didn't hear his whispered response.
"Someone like me," the man watched her leave with narrowed eyes.
Please read and review. This is a fun story that I'm writing in between chapters for Dealing with the Hybrids.