Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries TV show or The Originals. That honor goes to Julie Plec Kevin Williamson and Michael Naducci.
Hello, my lovely readers. How are you all today? It's almost Christmas and it is the season to be naughty. ;) I really hope you enjoy this tale because it's my first attempt at a fic for the Originals and my first crossover event. Therefore I would LOVE to know what you think of the story. Please, read the short note at the bottom for further details.
Chapter 1: Welcome to New Orleans
"It is that time of year again," Marcel proclaimed to his family. "So everyone, put on your best and let's go a-caroling." There was something about Christmas that made Marcel cheerful. Maybe it was that there was still a strong tourist presence because there were plenty of people who wanted to escape the cold. Or maybe it was all of those lovely people who came down because they were alone with nowhere to go. And in Marcel's town you were never truly alone. He loved to welcome newcomers.
Speaking of, "Marcel." One of his vampire informants called.
"Yes, Andre, what information have you brought us on this lovely day?" Marcel called with a wide grin.
Andre shifted uncomfortably as he stood before his king. "There has been word that there are new day walkers who have entered the city."
Shaking his head, Marcel sighed and went back to business as usual. "Why don't you and the others collect these guests to our city so I can give them a proper New Orleans greeting?" Andre nodded, quickly turning and disappearing into the city. He needed a drink. Maybe he could see his favorite bartender. Heading out, he nearly collided with Klaus Mikaelson.
"Marcel," Klaus greeted his protege with a wide grin. "Headed out? May I accompany you? Or are you off on official business?" Raising his eyebrows, Klaus' look of amusement had Marcel grinning wider.
There was something about the crazed hybrid which made Marcel unable to truly hate him in spite of the fact that he had come back to try to take the city back from him. "Not at all. I was headed out for a drink, actually, would you like to join me?"
"Of course," Klaus replied, folding his hands behind his back and taking up a position at Marcel's side which is where Marcel would prefer him to be but he knew that would never be enough for his creator. "Are we going to visit the lovely Camille?" Klaus teased, peering at his friend.
"Yes," Marcel replied with a warm smile. "Will Rebekah be joining us today? Or did she find some other guy to pester?" Turning to look at Klaus, Marcel did not miss the darkening of Klaus' expression.
"No, my sister has been occupied with Christmas shopping. Why she bothers with a silly, sentimental holiday such as Christmas is beyond me… But you know Rebekah, she is all about the silly, sentimental things." Smirking, Klaus watched as Marcel's smile became strained.
When they walked into the bar, Marcel was surprised to see Andre there with his other day walkers, and that he had sent them out five minutes ago to round up their guests. By the looks of things he had rounded one of them up at the bar. It wasn't really Marcel's style to have a public confrontation like the one he was about to have but when life gives you lemons. . .
Grinning, Marcel stepped forward to interrupt what looked like an argument between Andre and a pretty, little blonde vampire. He was surprised when he saw Andre grab the female by the arm and begin to pull her forward when two seconds later Andre was lying on the floor, howling in pain.
"Touch her again, mate, and that will be the least I do to you." Klaus growled down at the vampire whose arm had been pulled out of its socket and his left leg was bent at an unnatural angle. This wasn't a big deal for a vampire. He would heal quickly enough. It was the risk of exposure that had Marcel groaning inwardly. 'Why would Klaus get so upset about some day walker chick? It wasn't like it was Rebekah that Andre had been touching.'
Momentarily, ignoring the blonde and Klaus, Marcel took in the astonished looks of the human patrons. "Nothing to see here, folks, it's just a bit of joke between old friends. He's not hurt." Marcel jerked Andre off the floor, who grunted when he forced him to stand on his mending leg. "Right, Andre?"
Andre smiled numbly. "I'm great. Good as new." He began to limp away as Klaus smirked at Marcel's other day walkers in a challenging manner. Stepping in between the two, Marcel dismissed his crew. Spinning around on his heel he took in Klaus, who was preoccupied with the girl vamp. Standing this close to her, Marcel was becoming aware of why Klaus seemed so interested in her. There was something about the girl that seemed almost human. And the way that she was trying to avoid eye contact with Klaus but didn't move farther away from him told Marcel there was an interesting story there.
"So, Klaus, would you like to introduce me to your friend or am I the only one with manners today?" Marcel questioned his friend who seemed to be uninterested in anyone else at the moment.
Ignoring Klaus, the blonde held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Caroline Forbes." The blonde informed Marcel with a radiant smile which caused Marcel's own smile to widen. This girl was something else. He liked her already.
"It's lovely to make your acquaintance, Miss Caroline Forbes." Marcel took her hand and bent down to kiss the back of it, gently. Hearing Klaus snarl quietly Marcel felt a delicious thrill skid through his veins. "I am, Marcel Gerard, the king of this fair land of New Orleans. If you need assistance or a guide, I would love to offer my services."
Klaus' eyes were narrowed as he watched Caroline's cheeks flush slightly. "Thank you, Marcel but I came to visit some friends." Caroline replied, politely.
"You have friends in New Orleans?" Klaus inquired, looking confused. His expression had darkened. The disappointment was obvious in his stance as his shoulders slumped and his face slackened.
"Yes, I do." Caroline replied with a smirk while her eyes lit up with amusement. "I brought three and I have at least one here. Although I was told not that long ago that I had more than one. I think it was around the time that someone was having some delusions about a shard of white oak stake being stuck in him… but maybe I was wrong." With that the blonde turned around and began to saunter toward the door.
Marcel watched as Klaus' expression suddenly lightened at some sort of knowledge which Marcel was unaware of spread over Klaus' face. He went striding after the blonde. Marcel's curiosity was peaked and he decided to accompany his friend and the entertaining newcomer. "Who else have you brought with you?" Klaus inquired as he fell into step beside Caroline while Marcel appeared at her other side.
Smiling, Caroline shook her head. "It's a surprise," she told him with a slight shrug. Her curly hair bounced as she walked down the road and then she began to bite her lower lip. "How do we get to your house?"
Smirking, Klaus looked at Marcel. "Race?" he challenged. Before Marcel could respond Klaus had disappeared. Laughing, Marcel took off after him.
"That's not fair," Caroline called because she had no idea where she was headed. No sooner did she utter the statement then a hand on either side of her appeared and she was swept forward by the speed of the other two, much older, vampires.
Stepping inside the Mikaelson home, Marcel realized that this was the first time he had been inside his friend's home. "Nice place you have here, Klaus."
Klaus smiled, "It will do for the time being." He turned around when the others appeared in the foyer. "Katerina." He said dully. Losing interest quickly, Klaus turned to the others in the group. "I see Caroline brought the quarterback. Good to see you again, Matt." The human nodded, looking at little uncomfortable as Rebekah sneered at her brother. Klaus eyes landed on the only other vampire in the room who was not related to him. "Stefan." he said, stepping forward to hug the vampire who stepped backwards.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Stefan asked, looking perplexed. He turned to look at Caroline for help.
"That's Klaus, Stefan, it's okay. He just compelled you to turn your humanity off, you went on a killing spree with him and he killed Elena once." Caroline informed her confused friend.
"Oh," Stefan said and then shrugged. "Elena kind of sucks." He held out his hand to Klaus. "Nice to meet you again."
"Wait a minute." Marcel called. "Let me get this straight. The Stefan Salvatore and Katherine Pierce are here? In my city and no one cared to tell me." Shaking his head, Marcel was shocked that these two infamous vampires were in his town and this was the first time that he had any knowledge of it. Then something else stuck him. "Who are you?" His eyes narrowed to slits as the veins under his eyes popped up. If he didn't know better he would swear there was a very pregnant, werewolf standing next to Elijah Mikaelson.
"Hayley?" Caroline gasped, looking as surprised as Marcel was. Well, that answered the question that Marcel was curious about. If the wolf girl didn't come with Caroline or her friends, then that meant Klaus and his family had been harboring a fugitive wolf. That was not good. Not at all. That was a clear violation of the rules. And Marcel hated it when others challenged his rules, even his sire.
The wolf named Hayley opened her mouth but before she could say anything Katherine began to speak. "This is a cousin of a friend who had nowhere to go for the holidays and we decided to bring her with us."
"Wait just a minute," Marcel gave Katherine a hard look. "Here in New Orleans we do not bring strays home, let alone into the homes in which we are guests. Not to mention the whole 'no wolves' rule."
"And who are you to tell us who we are allowed to bring with us?" Katherine demanded, glaring at Marcel. "This is the Mikaelsons' home and you do not want to tell them who they can and cannot have here."
"I'm Marcel Gerard, Miss Pierce, and I would watch that pretty little tongue of yours if I were you, or you might lose it." Cocking his head to the side, Marcel examined Katherine. "Given the smell of blood and the sound of your pumping heart I would say you have enough problems to deal with."
"All right," Rebekah called, walking over to Marcel. "Marcel, it is nearly Christmas. I would think you could at the very least allow our guests to stay for the holiday unharmed. They will leave at daybreak the day after." Staring into his eyes Rebekah's lips moved upward in a flirty grin.
Knowing that he should say no, this was going to backfire and then people would think they could invite whoever for any old holiday Marcel shook his head. "Fine, for you, Rebekah, this one favor. You owe me." Pointing at Hayley, he added an amendment to the agreement. "She does not leave this house until after the holiday. And after that, she leaves or she dies."
"Of course," Elijah replied on behalf of the group. "You have my word." Hayley's gaze snapped up to Elijah, her features twisting in anger and fear. The rest of the group remained silent.
"Good, now who wants to make some eggnog?" Marcel looked around himself with a gleeful expression.
Are you still there? Well, that was the first chapter. This story will be twelve chapter long unless you really want more. Then I will see what I can do. The next chapter is Rebekah's and if you have questions go ahead and ask me in a review or pm me.
Love,
LL