A/N: Another TVD story. There isn't going to be any particular pairing in this. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't, nor will I ever, own the Vampire Diaires

Prologue

The little girl was scraggly and as good as dead. Hr clothes were little more than dirty rags. Her shawl was far too thin to keep out even some of the winter chill. So, lips and fingertips blue, she trudged onwards with the little strength she had. Then she saw it. A castle. Straight in front of her. Maybe the people there would take the smallest bit of pity on her and let her in.

It took her a full hour to reach the castle. When she did, she was barely able to stand upright. Frozen fingers reached for the chain linked to the doorbell. Slowly, she pulled her. The sound of the bells ringing inside reached her ears.

It took a few minutes, but to her they felt like hours, but someone answered the door. It was a woman. She looked flawless and truly beautiful. Her blonde hair was curled slightly and her brown eyes stared at the girl with shock. The girl only had the time to utter one single word is a raspy voice before she passed out. " Help"