A/N: This is my first story. Please review, even if you hate it - it will help me with my writing if I know what people like/dislike. But please don't be abusive. Thank you!

Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries; if I did then Elijah (Daniel Gillies) would be ever-present onscreen. However, I do own this concept.

Their voices sounded hollow in the empty crypt. There was nothing there, after all their searching, nothing but a large stone tomb that wouldn't open. They had tried Bonnie's magic. Caroline and Stefan had tried to heave the lid off together. All their efforts were in vain – the stone did not want to come off.

"Whatever is in there obviously doesn't want to come out." They all nodded in agreement with Elena. Klaus had screwed them over. Again.

"Well you shouldn't have been so blindly optimistic when you made that deal with him." Damon sauntered into the mausoleum with a wry grin on his face. He was enjoying the fact that Elena now had to accept his help. Help he'd been offering to the Scoobies since they began this hopeless quest.

Elena glared at him. God, how had he ever found her attractive? He smirked and continued, "It was sealed by Mikael. An Original. Who knew a lot of witches and forced them to seal this. Probably." He gestured vaguely at the crypt which held so much importance, not wanting to reveal what little information had been entrusted to him. He perched on top of the lid, drawing eye-rolls from everyone as he did so.

"Yes Damon, we know that. Klaus told us. So unless you have something of use to contribute to this…" Elena's cynicism was a real buzz-kill. Damon closed his eyes and quickly counted to ten. Ten ways to kill her and get out before anyone could even react.

"I am assuming that my brother did not tell you that only a member of our family can open the tomb."

Elijah stepped out of the shadows and, with a stealth obtained only through centuries of practice, moved next to the tomb. He knelt and began examining the tomb's exterior, completely aware of the teenagers' reactions to his arrival. He was by far the most reliable of the Originals, but he knew that they would never fully trust him. And rightly so, after all, they did dagger me twice and there was that unfortunate accident with Rose-Marie and Trevor, in which I ended up staked to the door. I, in their minds, am far more likely to lead them astray in an attempt for vengeance than to aid them.

"Elijah… Why are you here?" Elena was always blunt with her questions, always so trusting of the wrong people. Elijah threw a sideways glance at Damon, neither of them about to give up their information willingly. Unless there was a suitable offer made for it.

He continued examining the carvings on the walls of the tomb, intrigued by his recognition of them. Norse runes, how very strange… His train of thought was cut off by a sudden stabbing in his heart, as if a silver dagger with white oak ash was being driven through it. It cannot be…

He was pulled from his reverie by the children. He hadn't even realised that he'd been blocking them out. They really did make a fuss over the tiniest of things. He was about to return to the runes when he registered what they and Damon were arguing about. Or, to be exact, what Elena and Damon were arguing about; whether or not to open the tomb. He felt a centuries old anger reignite and almost by instinct quelled the argument.

"You will not open this tomb," his voice shook with fury as he stared into Elena's eyes, letting her feel the full might of an Original's power. Everyone fell silent, fearful of what might happen next. Stefan edged ever so closer to Elena, despite knowing he that he would be no match for Elijah. Elijah mentally checked himself and reined in his rage. When he was once more in control he continued.

"This tomb is sealed for a reason, you must respect that fact. You must also understand that no one knows what my father hid in here; it could be a weapon to deal with the latest Mystic Falls Ley lines struggle, or," he paused to ensure they were all taking this in, including Damon. "Or it could be an even bigger threat. So until I have worked out what those runes say no one is to even consider attempting to open this tomb. Am I clear?"

A quick glance at their faces told him he was more than transparent, yet he felt compelled to search their auras to ascertain if they truly accepted his condition for aiding them. No one seemed to be considering anything but going along with his plan. They all knew that in spite of all the backstabbing and double-crossing that Elijah would keep his word. Something flickered in Elena's aura, something so brief he almost missed it. Almost. He would be keeping an eye on her, she was not herself. And he was certain that there had been something in her eyes earlier on. Something dark and otherworldly.

Something that was not Elena.

What do you think? Love it? Hate it?
Sorry if I'm harsh with Elena's character, but am I the only one who's sick and tired of her supposed 'love' for both Salvatores? At least Bella made her mind up!
Please review and/or suggest possible directions. I have an idea of where this is going but not how it's gonna get there.