Well this is my new story. I know I have been incommunicado for a long time. Sorry about. I've updated Don't Take Me For Granted after editing to be posted tomorrow. It's long but I think you'll enjoy it. Happy New Year Y'all.

I do not own Degrassi. I do own Elfried and De Thorpe.

Prologue

People often tragically misunderstand me. They call me names. In the tenth century they called me Harbinger...a bit dramatic for my tastes but so charming eh? Most recently I have heard Dr. Doom...I prefer to go by the name I've been calling myself for the last forty years…Eli.

I've been alive for a little more than two millennia. That's right. I was alive at the same time as Christ. I never met him, but I heard lots of good things about him. You get bored being alive for this long. People, times and places tend to run together in a considerate blur. Convenient for me since they don't tend to live long enough to be worth the memory. I haven't always been this jaded, but after you watch your boyhood friend grow old, have children and die…well caring kind of seems like too much work. Yet there have been people that have managed to get under my skin and get into my heart in a lasting permanent way. Okay to tell the truth, one person, a girl. The only problem is she keeps dying on me. Makes it hard to form any permanent lasting bonds or anything…and a man does need something to do in between the centuries it takes for her to get herself born again.

Yeah I said born again. I have a girlfriend, okay a technical girlfriend who keeps dying and being reborn. I'm not sure why she keeps coming back and why the same person keeps killing her. All I do know is that I love her and no matter what she looks like, no matter what time she's born in, and no matter what she calls herself, she will always be mine, and I will always find her.

Chapter 1

The first time we met was in the winter of the year 1240. It had been a fairly prosperous year for me. My land was safe. The king was pleased. My serfs were happy. The crops had been bountiful. It was time for an old accustomed feast. I summoned my gamekeeper to the castle and went to call my man Elfried to the great hall.

Having entered this life, this undead undying life in my seventeenth year I could not live by myself. No one would accept a young unshaven boy as the lord I of a bustling manor, or the head of a nomadic Sephardic tribe, a traveling bard, a knight, a noble, things I had been since time immemorial. I needed a beard, a foil, and that's where Elfried and others like him came into play. I used them to fool the general populace into believing that Ejaan/ Elijaan / Elsha/ Elisha/ Elijah/ Eli was nothing more than the dutiful son of very powerful men.

I was pacing in the anteroom, waiting to give Elfried instructions as how to speak with our man De Thorpe when she walked in. I had seen Clarjhone in the village and sometimes in the wood. The hair that curled beneath her wimple was the color of redwood and her eyes were the surface of a lake on a cloudless day. I had never spoken to her. It wouldn't have been proper according to the standards of the day to approach her unless we had been introduced formally.

Whenever I looked at her she reminded me of the sun, and life. Being alive. She made me think of fresh air and a future. I could feel a fresh wind on my face, sunlight warming my cold cheeks. I could feel the itch of green grass springing up from the ground and poking through the back of my tunic to scratch my back. I could feel, and that was the very problem. In my many lifetimes I had never yet been resentful, truly resentful of those around me who had married and produced offspring. She however made me ache for cold winter's nights and warm fires. Her skin was like the finest porcelain and her smile made me imagine that my still cold heart that no longer beat, had somehow managed to skip at the sight. For those very reasons I hated the sight of her. I had no time for sentimentality or longing. I had to make the best of the eternity that I had been handed.

"Lord Elfried, Sir Elisha," she curtsied and a blush spread across her cheek. Her ladies maid was right on her heels. She too curtsied.

I bowed, "Clarjhone."

"My father was not able to make it sire. I am here in his stead. He is still in the wood with the falconers. He did not mean to directly disobey my lord, however the hunting is quite fine as is the day. He chose to gather as much game as he could my lord."

I gave her my back and stared directly into Elfried's eyes. My green ones began to glow with a preternatural light. He looked directly into my eyes and repeated the thoughts I fed him. "I do understand the constraint of a gamekeeper Clarjhone. Be at ease for your father."

She nodded and curtsied again as did her lady. "Now, I have decided to have an old accustomed feast for the people. Those in the keep as well as without these manor walls."

She curtsied again. Her deep blue bliaut swirled around her. "I understand my lord. You will need a plentiful supply of game to feed the people. How fortuitous that my father is even now increasing your stores as we speak."

"Fortuitous in deed. Are you able to take a proper reckoning of the supplies necessary for the feast to return it to your father?"

"Yes my lord."

"Very well. Meet with the keeper of the purse. You will be informed as to w hat is necessary."

She curtsied again and turned to go, and then paused. She looked in my direction. I realized that I had been far from courteous, but I had work to do and it was necessary for me to disregard her. I dimmed the light in my eyes before turning to look at her. She blushed at my direct stare. The modesty of the British was stunning when compared to the openness of my people in what is now considered the Middle East.

"Sir Elisha."

"Clarjhone."

She curtsied, turned on her heel and left. I smirked at her retreating back. This is how she lured me into her trap and how our doomed love cycle began.

The night of the feast had arrived. Clarjhone had been consistently in my sights. She scurried back and forth across my keep as if she belonged there. I heard her directing my servants as if they were her own. She spoke with the priest as if she were the most learned of men. She filled the role of the lady of the keep as if she were born to it. It made me want her. Desperately. I couldn't have her. Couldn't touch. If I wanted to keep her I'd have to doom her to the eternity that I was trapped in.

We stood in the courtyard deeply wrapped in furs watching the guests trek upwards from their cottages. Watching the people struggle to make it in I began to seriously the wisdom of having this feast. Perhaps a side of meat for each home would have been preferable. As I saw the flushed but happy faces of the incoming children however, my fears diminished.

She turned to me and smiled. Unthinkingly I smiled back and watched a blush stain her cheeks. She was lovely. Her skin was like the finest porcelain, a perfect foil to her reddened cheeks. She wore an ermine mantle over a bliaut of pure white edged in pearls. Her wimple was silver chain net with tiny diamonds and pearls studded throughout. My keep was more prosperous than I thought. She wore a golden chain around her neck with an emerald hanging from it. Her skirts dragged along in the snow but not without revealing her pearl and gold slippers. She had rings upon her finger, but looked as if she needed only the one that would make her my wife. At that thought I turned to walk away from her.

At that moment a carriage pulled into the yard and I winced. If I had been alive a long time, this one had been alive longer. He looked to be the same age as myself but I knew his real name. He was known in the land as Sir Fitz, the man who had the ear of the king. I had no illusions as to how that was achieved. He stepped down into the snow and came towards me.

I bowed, "Master."

He smiled coldly. "Ejaan."

As always I was transported to a time when I was only Ejaan, a simple shepherd wandering the hills of Samaria. I could smell the stench of unwashed sheep, taste the sweetness of grass, feel the warmth of the sun heating my skin. The innocent laughter of a lighthearted carefree beloved oldest child rang in my ears. I could almost picture my father looking at me with pride. A gust of wind brought me back from my beloved homeland to the cold North Cumberland weather.

I looked over at Clarjhone who was staring in open curiosity at the two of us. He followed my glance and smiled chillingly. I turned away from her but not before he saw a flash of light in my eyes. I could practically hear his teeth unsheathe themselves.

"Oh Ejaan. You amuse me." He brushed past me and entered the great hall. Clarjhone came over towards me a question on her lips, but she thought better of it and continued to walk towards the hall. As she entered under the eave with her ladies maid I walked alongside her. Her maid began to laugh.

"What is it Graciela?"

"Why my lady you and Sir Elisha are beneath the mistletoe."

She surprised me by turning the palest white. Where was my blush? Swallowing she turned and proffered her cheek towards me.

"You may kiss me if you wish," she said as her pink tongue darted forward to lick her lips.

"Oh I might?"

A wicked light shone in my eyes. Fitz always brought out the worst in me. I touched her cheek and she leaned into my hand, gasping at the chill. She turned to look me in the eye and I took advantage of it and kissed her.

I pulled her towards me to deepen the kiss and was rewarded by hearing a soft moan. The shocked gasp of Graciela standing behind us brought me back to reality. I slowly released her and then had to catch her as she swooned against me.

Glaring at me she clasped her charge by the shoulder and hustled her inside the hall. I heard them arguing and then the even clip of Clarjhone's slippers as she raced away from Graciela. I smiled and followed them in.

Fitz had assumed the head of the table, and Elfried showed no signs of chagrin. I probed his mind to find out why as the head of the keep he had not shown more outrage. To my surprise it was veiled. I raised an eyebrow at Fitz who raised a goblet at me. My neurons started firing and I turned to go towards my chamber. I needed to think. The air smelled of betrayal and I needed to figure a suitable punishment for Elfried, but not before Fitz's all too knowing eyes. I passed Randall de Thorpe my gamekeeper as I raced up the stairs.

He bowed deeply. "Sir Elisha."

"De Thorpe."

"Sir have you seen Clarjhone?"

"She's not in the great hall?"

"No. Only Graciela."

"They had an earlier disagreement. She's probably trying to collect herself."

"Thank you I will continue to search for her. Perhaps she is in the crush."

"As you will."

I continued apace to my chambers deep in thought. What was Fitz doing at the keep? Why was Elfried unconcerned and compliant? Why had Fitz blocked me from Elfried's thoughts? What could this mean to my position at the keep?

I opened the door and flopped unto my bed and unto an unmoving form. Clarjhone shot up in my bed.

"Sir Elisha!"

"Clarjhone!"

"I'm sorry. I slipped into a room to recover myself. I just needed a moment I wasn't trying to be…I didn't mean to be…Oh help."

It was dark and I couldn't see her face but I was sure she was blushing. It made me smirk in the darkness. I couldn't help myself, didn't want to help myself. My enemy was in my inner sanctum. I didn't know if I'd be able to enjoy this time, these people, and my life as I had made it while he was in the vicinity. I pulled her towards me and crushed my lips to hers.

She sighed into my mouth and I felt her fingers in my hair. Her mouth was soft and her lips trembled beneath mine. Her skin was soft and warm and oh so pliant beneath my cold hands. I had a desire to see her in my bed, in light. My eyes flashed and the candles that I kept in my room were suddenly aflame. A hundred years of practice and for once that little parlor trick was finally handy. I pulled the wimple of her head and searched for the pins that held it up. The curls spilled down around her shoulders.

One thing I appreciated about the age was the fact that women's legs were bare under the skirts they wore. I slipped my hands under them and pulled her leg around my hips. I adjusted my changing body against her. She gasped into my mouth. I felt her hands pushing against my shoulders and I pulled back.

"Sir Elisha!"

Her breath came in short gasps and her entire face was red from exertion. Her forehead wrinkled as she took in the lit candles trying to make sense of it all.

"We cannot."

"We cannot?"

"We are not joined. You are not my husband. We are committing a sin."

"In whose eyes?"

"God, the church, my father…"

"But not in your's or mine?"

She hesitated before asking, "Not in your eyes?"

I shook my head. "Never in mine."

She pulled me towards her and kissed me lightly before leaning back. "Good. Then you'll marry me."

With that she hopped out of my bed, but in a flash I was at the door.

"Don't"

I pulled her towards me.

"Stop."

I kissed her neck.

"No."

My lips crept downwards to her collarbone.

"Mmmm…"

I began pulling the laces on her bliaut. She leaned into my kisses. I smiled. I could feel my teeth pushing against my gums. I fought to keep them from sliding forward. My ears filled with the sound of her blood rushing through her veins. I licked a spot near her neck and felt her shudder.

At that moment I felt the door move behind me and Elfried walked in. Or more like sauntered in. Behind him were De Thorpe and Fritz. De Thorpe was shocked. Fritz was amused.

"Oh Ejaan. You were always a selfish boy. What a jewel and you won't even share."

I must admit Clarjhone did look a treat by the candlelight. Her skin was porcelain white; her lips were swollen, shiny rubies. Her eyes were brilliant sapphires lit with an inner fire. Her hair was a brilliant river unleashed with hints of auburn treasure beneath the waves. She was a spoken word visible.

It was then I felt a drop of blood on my chin and I realized that my teeth and had burst through my gums and past my lips. Their razor sharpness had nicked the skin.

"Why does he keep calling you that?"

"What are your intentions with my daughter?"

The two questions came at me simultaneously.

"Because it's my real name. To marry her. I love her."

De Thorpe relaxed. Clarjhone colored.

"Bold words, for one who can't marry."

I growled. These words had come from Elfried and not Fitz.

"I told you he dallies with the girl. We are in his chamber. Look at her hair, it's not even covered."

I looked at him in shock and dismay.

"Yes waif, he's making a power play. I'll just snack while you make up your mind."

With that Fitz pounced on De Thorpe and ripped his head partially off his neck and let the blood spray hit the back of his throat. Clarjhone began to scream. I quickly muffled her before she brought the keep upon us.

Her eyes were wild beneath my hand as she struggled in my arms. I understood her fear and revulsion. I tried to calm her spirit by touching it with mine. Beneath the fear a look of wonder began to bloom. I had succeeded in distracting her. Fitz had always been a messy eater. How he didn't manage to kill me when he was changing me was always a mystery to me.

I held her close and tried to protect her from the carnage of watching her father being eaten by the king's closest advisor. Elfried stood smirking at me. If only he knew what was going to happen to him. The surprise came to me. I was holding Clarjhone when I felt a strong hand against my chest and I felt Clarjhone sag and fall against me. Blood burst from her lips. There was no lingering goodbye. No chance to say goodbye. There was no light in her eyes. Just the biggest look of shock and regret I have only ever seen again in my life three more times and all from her. At that moment our bond was forged. She was mine and I took her into myself swearing that I would love none but her.

Behind me Fitz stood holding Clarjhone's heart in his hand. His velvet tunic was stained with blood. I looked down at the hole in her gown. All the beautiful white she had worn was stained irrevocably with red. My eyes were blazing green and slowing turning red as the rage sank in.

Fitz looked at me. "You know the rules. You chose to defy them. By your own words in front of your very Maker you chose to defy them."

"You had no right."

"I had every right. As your Maker I had to act. I couldn't be put under manners because of the acts of a fledgling."

"I am fourteen hundred years old. Not a newborn!"

"Then act like it!"

"You murdered my lover."

"You broke the rules. And you were betrayed. Given up by your own servant. If I needed further proof that you have fallen lax there it is."

"I will be avenged."

"Of which I have no doubt."

He looked at Elfried who looked green now and not as cocky as before.

Fitz looked at Elfried and then at me. "You know where to find me. However I must be off. You're not the only Original that's giving me troubles. Whelp. For now, handle your business."

He threw her heart into my waiting raised arm and left the room. I looked at Elfried. My eyes were glowing fully red. I penetrated him fully with my gaze. I heard his thoughts full blast. They were filled with fear. I consumed Clarjhone's heart as is the manner of my sect. To honor her. To be one with her. Laying her gently on the bed I turned to face Elfried who had realized that I had rendered him incapable of motion.

"You have taken from me what I love. I will divest you of yours. Your life is now forfeit. You will know pain the like of which has never been visited on a human being before."

When they found his body his face was a perfect ricctus of horror, his spine hanging from his hand, his tongue gone.