So here is chapter own of my newest story! I held a poll last year to decide which plot this story would follow and it was pretty clear that nearly all of you voted for option 3: this story :D I've worked long and hard since the choice was clear to write this story and I hope you all like it. As usual, in my first chapter a lot of it is explaining about life and about the characters but I hope you like it all the same. Set in the 1500s.

Disclaimer: The Vampire Diaries is not mine, I do this for entertainment purposes only :P

Enjoy :)

Through Thoughts Of My Own

Chapter 1 - Serving a Salvatore

Elena Gilbert awoke very early on the morning of the 14th. Today was her 16 birthday which meant she would soon be leaving her family to serve the Salvatore's at the Veritas Estate. That was how it worked for the poorer families of Mystic Falls; they were put into the work of slavery when they reached 16 and would serve the richer families. The Gilbert's just happened to be the family in which all of the Salvatore's slaves came from. This meant that Elena was certainly not an only child.

Her younger brother Jeremy, who was 15 and who would soon join her as a slave at Veritas, was a very loud and honest boy. He voiced his opinions and didn't care about what others thought of him. He was a tall, lanky boy, about two feet bigger than Elena. He had long, straight autumn brown hair with lighter, almost blonde, streaks. He had muddy brown eyes and a kind smile. Elena was closest to her brother.

Her older sister Caroline was already working for the Salvatore's; Stefan Salvatore to be exact. She had the privilege of sending letter, but only once every two months. Her letters were normally short and straight to the point; she was okay. She had said many a time that Stefan was certainly the nicest of the three Salvatore men. She hoped she had him. Caroline was the oldest of the Gilbert children. She was 19, which meant she had been in service for the past 3 years, which meant she had 12 years left in service. She was a short, kind, bubbly blonde who could make anyone laugh at any given point in time. Elena really did miss her.

Her other sister, Bonnie was 17, but she still had not left the family to serve the Salvatore's. She had been asked by Giuseppe to stay back for one year as she has grow ill. After her recovery, Giuseppe demanded she wait until her 17th year before joining, in case the illness still lingered around her. Bonnie was not Elena's real sister; when Bonnie parents and family had died, Elena's mother Miranda had taken her in. For the past 13 years, Bonnie had been in their care and Elena had grown up by her side. She had dark, smooth skin and long black hair that flowed around her in waves. She was a beautiful, kind girl with a sweet personality. She too would be leaving today, as she had chosen to accompany her sister instead of wait another 6 days for her 17th birthday. Elena didn't complain.

The small house in which the Gilbert's lived had only three bedrooms. Elena's parents, Miranda and George, lived in one room, keeping mostly to themselves, Jeremy lived in the other and the three sisters lived in the other. Although Caroline was momentarily living in the Salvatore estate, she still had a bed and a home with her sisters. Some of her dresses were still slung over her small make-shift bed from the day she left.

"Sister" Bonnie smiled, shaking Elena's shoulders gently. Elena stirred in her bed, the thin, brown sheet around her slipping down her side and onto the floor. Bonnie stood above her, her hands on her shoulders. She shook her repeatedly. "Elena" Bonnie sighed, her shakes becoming rougher. Elena shook her head in protest with a moan. She grumbled but slowly sat up, Bonnie's hands slipping from her shoulders.

"Bon Bon!" Elena groaned as she sat up, her hand on her hand in a self-comforting motion. Bonnie grinned, "Come sister, we must awaken. You know what today is" she smiled, walking slowly towards her dresser. She pulled the drawer open slowly and and withdrew a floor-length mud brown robe and a thin, leather belt. Bonnie smiled at her and pointed to Elena's drawers. Elena groaned.

Standing slowly, Elena stumbled over to her dresser and pulled out a similar dress and belt. She tugged her nightgown slowly over her head, her already untidy hair knotting as she did. She looked over at her sister who was wrapping the belt around waist tightly. Elena frowned and did the same, throwing her dress over her head and tightening the belt around her slim figure. She sat down on her bed and slipped into her old leather shoes, Bonnie doing the same. They stood together and laughed at their similarity.

Bonnie held up a small comb. "Come Elena. Let me brush your hair?" she asked sweetly. Elena nodded, walking to stand in front of Bonnie.

"Are you scared, Bonnie?" Elena asked quietly as Bonnie guided the comb gently through her chocolate brown locks. Bonnie sighed. "Not as much as you. I already know that I am to serve Giuseppe Salvatore, the man of the house. Yes, I am slightly nervous of him; people say he is a strict and rude man although they say worse of his son."

Elena winced as Bonnie combed out a tight knot. "Which son? Stefan?" she asked worried. Caroline had always described Stefan as the calmest and most level-headed Salvatore.

Bonnie giggled, her palm coming up to gently stroke Elena's hair. "No, sister, Damon, the eldest" she explained, lifting the comb back to Elena's hair for one last go through. She patted Elena's shoulder as a sign for 'I'm done'. Elena stepped away from her and sat down on the edge of her bed, watching as Bonnie combed her own hair.

"What if I am to serve Damon?" Elena asked worried, her jaw shaking with nervousness. Bonnie chuckled. "Worry not, sister. I am sure that the most demanding of Salvatore's already has many servants who tend to his every need", she said.

Elena was well aware of Bonnie's dislike. Bonnie had never been one to like of even appreciate any of the richer founding families. She thought they were rude and inconsiderate, low enough to insist on the labor of the poor for nothing but their own benefit. Elena, in most ways, agreed with her older sister; the families were rude and cruel, all because they had money. The Gilbert's were also a founding family, only they did not have a stable home and lots of money. There were many founding families, most poor. The Donovan's were sent as slaves to the Mikaelson Estate and the Forbes went to the Pierces. Mathew Donovan and his sister Victoria were the only children of the Donovan family, so their parents were taken as slaves too. The Forbes had no children, so had to serve the Pierces permanently. Luckily for Elena she was only in for 15 years of servitude.

Elena nodded as she watched her sister put the comb down. Bonnie knelt in front of the youngest daughter with a small smile. "Sister, you will be fine. I promise to make sure of it" she said, a passionate look in her eyes. Elena smiled, tear welling in her brown eyes, and gave her sister a nod. Bonnie stood up and outstretched her hand to her sibling.

"Time for breakfast?" Bonnie giggled. Elena smirked, wiping her tears away and grabbing hold of Bonnie's hand. Together, they walked down the stairs to the only other room in the house.

"Good morning, mother!" both sisters cheered when they walked in on their mother preparing a small meal. "Good morning, ladies" their mother replied, setting down a small milk pitcher and bowl of small pies filled with spiced mince and 'off' meat. Elena hated the pies but if it was all she had, she would take it with a smile.

Herself and Bonnie sat down beside their father, who was busy pouring the fresh milk into a small, wooden 'cup'. He chugged it down and smiled at his daughters, the milk still clinging to his upper lip. Elena giggled. "Father" she laughed, gesturing to her own top lip. George understood and wiped away the milk with his arm. Bonnie smirked, her mouth firmly shut to hold in her laughter.

Miranda joined them at the table with a small wooden plate with one small loaf of bread on top. The bread was made of flour from the mills, which tended to have many rats, which also meant that Elena tended to stay away from the bread. Bonnie grinned at her but reached across the table for the loaf. Miranda batted her hand away, "Bonnie! Wait!" she chided.

In preparation of their departure, Miranda Gilbert had taken it upon herself to teach her daughters how to behave and how to serve; having been a servant to the Salvatore's once too. She had served Giuseppe when he was younger. Elena and Bonnie found it hard to remember the rules and remember how to behave since they were taught so differently throughout their lives. Their father had always taught them to fend for themselves and stand up for what they believed in, but the rules had changed.

Bonnie apologized and withdrew her hand, chewing slowly on the pie she had cut. Elena nudged and and smiled, causing Bonnie to do the same. "May I, mother?" Elena asked, gesturing to the milk pitcher. Miranda nodded slowly, waiting as her daughter poured both herself and Bonnie a drink. She looked to Miranda, who nodded. Elena stood up and poured her mother a drink before setting the pitcher down and sitting beside her sister again.

"Where might Jeremy be, mother?" Bonnie asked. Miranda scoffed. "I am sure you are well aware he sleeps until the early evening. I have been trying to convince your father to take him to work with him, but he refuses"

George chuckled. "Should he not be allowed to simply enjoy his last year before he begins his 15 year servitude, as the girls did?"

Elena and Bonnie nodded to their father in understanding, both either chewing on their pie or sipping at their milk. Miranda smirked and reached for a small knife beside her. "It will be a miracle is he comes down for breakfast, he eats so much in the evening, George, we are beginning to have too much breakfast and not enough dinner" Miranda sighed, bringing the knife down to saw at the bread. Bonnie watched the bread with hungry eyes. Miranda tutted but handed Bonnie a small slice. Bonnie smiled and began chewing eagerly.

Elena looked to her father. "So, father, have the Salvatore's informed you of who I am to serve?" Elena's father nodded, biting into his slice of bread with a grim looking expression. Elena smiled and took the slice her mother handed her, placing it down on her plate. "Father?" she asked impatiently.

George sighed and looked to his youngest daughter. Bonnie stared at him with interest whilst Miranda watched her daughter with sad eyes. "We know you didn't want this" Miranda sighed, a sad tone in her voice. George nodded in agreement and watched Elena as she realized what they meant. He took hold of a small cup filled with small beer - watered ale - and chugged it down, knowing what was coming.

"Pardon? What?" she asked quickly, begging it was not who she thought it was. Her parents grimaced. "Daughter, I am sorry" George sighed.

"Please, simply tell me, straight" Elena begged, scared tears welling in her eyes. Bonnie clutched her hand tightly.

"You are to serve Damon Salvatore" Miranda said, obviously gutted. Elena's breath caught in her throat. She was speechless.

She had thought over ever possible... possibility. She had imagined what would happen if she was to work for Giuseppe, even though she knew he already had Bonnie. She had thought over the possibility of serving Stefan, and she obviously hadn't minded. She had also thought over the chance she be stuck with Damon but she never thought it would happen. It was probably the most obvious option as both Stefan and Giuseppe had already got a Gilbert servant but she hadn't wanted to think about serving him. He was known as the most demanding, most dangerous and the most... good looking. She was sure he would use his charms to get what he wanted and the thought made her slightly sick in the stomach. She didn't want to be a slave, certainly not one who would be forced to run around every second of every day for a spoiled young man. Damon was 22, so he was more mature but also more aware of life. Elena thought of maturity as a long winding road you had to reach the end of. She was still far away towards the start, whilst she was sure Damon was fully mature and had most definitively reached the end of the road. She would have preferred to serve Stefan as he was only one year older than her and probably knew how she felt.

"Sister" Bonnie shook her, much like she had earlier that morning. Elena couldn't find it in her to reply. She looked up to her sister, her eyes wide with fear. Bonnie sighed and wrapped her arms around the brunette, pulling her into and listening as Elena sighed into her. Bonnie smiled and patted her sisters back, withdrawing.

"Everything will be fine" she assured Elena, reaching across the table for the pitcher and refilling Elena's cup. "Drink" she almost demanded.

Miranda and George watched their daughters interaction, they hadn't realized they were that close. Miranda smiled sadly, whilst George just watched with a proud grin.

"Morning family" Jeremy cheered, jumping down the old wooden stairs, the floorboards creaking as his weight stomped into the main room. He sat next to his mother. He was wearing a long white shirt, the color slightly browning but still clean enough, long, brown trousers made of an itchy material. He sifted uncomfortably as he watched Elena drink her milk, sniffing back her tears. He looked to his mother who only frowned with a shake of her head. Jeremy kept quiet.

"When do we le-leave?" Elena stuttered. Everyone's heads turned to her. George looked upset.

"Early afternoon, princess" George smiled. Princess was his nickname for Elena and bunny was his nickname for Bonnie. The sisters sighed. Bonnie combed her hair with her hand.

"That's fine", Elena smiled, although it didn't reach her eyes. "What time is it?" she asked curiously.

Miranda answered this time. "Around noon, daughter. I am sure the carriage will arrive within the hour. The Salvatore's are leaving their estate up in Scotland to come down to Veritas. I believe they are staying there until all of your services are complete. That shall be nice, will it not? We will be within 3 hours of each other!" Miranda smiled, causing the rest of the family to smile too.

"Come sister, let us prepare for the carriages arrival", Bonnie grinned, standing and dragging Elena up to their room.

After packing the remains of their dresses, boots, belts, undergarments, blankets and personal items. They headed back downstairs leaving their bags upstairs.

"What do you mean?" The girls stopped outside the door, listening in on the father. "Bonnie is to serve Giuseppe!" Miranda joined in. There was a loud sigh. "Well, now both of your daughters will be serving Damon, deal with it" someone growled. The girls head loud footsteps coming towards them and ran back up the staircase. Bonnie knelt down and watched from the top step while Elena lent over the banister.

"Thank you for your time, we will be out with our things momentarily" Miranda sighed. The door closed. "What do we tell them?" Miranda panicked.

"How about the truth?" Bonnie spat, coming down the stairs. Elena followed. Miranda and George looked up to them.

"We are sorry girls" George said, rubbing Miranda's back. Bonnie frowned. "Both of us working for Damon?" Elena asked. George nodded.

"My, how demanding can one man be?" Bonnie demanded, storming back up the stairs to retrieve her bag. Elena raced after her.

"Is it really such a bad thing?" Elena asked quietly when she entered their room. Bonnie was lent over her old, brown, leather bag. She opened it up and added in a small picture. Elena squinted to see it. It was a sketch she had drawn a few years ago of the entire family; Miranda, George, Jeremy, Elena, Bonnie and Caroline. Elena had praised her when she had seen it. Bonnie turned to her, closing her bag and flinging it over her shoulder. She looked at Elena, obviously thinking over what she had said.

Suddenly she dropped her bag and launched herself at Elena, pulling her into a hug. "Of course it is!" Bonnie cheeered, then pulled back. "Poor Caroline, you do not think she will be jealous will she?"

"Caroline was never the jealous type, Bon" Elena grinned, grabbing her own bag.

"Girls!" George yelled. The sisters raced down the stairs, bags in hand. Miranda was at the bottom of the stairs, a small sack in hand, her other holding open the door. "What's that?" Elena asked, pointing to the sack. Miranda grinned but said nothing.

The sisters walked out the door together, walking side by side. Miranda closed the door and followed them. Across the grass, Elena could just make out several figures and a carriage. She swallowed the lump in her throat. As they neared, Elena could begin to make out the figures. She handed her bag to Bonnie and grabbed the bottoms of her dress and ran. She ran across the land until she was in her fathers arms. She cried quietly into his shoulder whilst he rubbed her back.

Bonnie and Miranda arrived at the carriage and Bonnie instantly when to Jeremy for a hug. He kissed her cheek and sighed, a single tear rolling down his cheek. Elena cried harder into her fathers neck.

"I do not want to leave, daddy" Elena cried. George sighed. He pulled her away from him gently, and held her hands.

"I love you princess. You are strong, you will survive this" he whispered, his voice strained and his eyes wet. Elena sobbed, throwing her arms around him one last time for a short. George smiled.

When Elena moved away from him, Bonnie was waiting. She threw herself at father and cried too. Elena turned to her brother and smiled. "Come here sister" Jeremy grinned. Elena hugged her brother, the tears continuing to fall, only slowly. She stepped back and smiled at her family. "I love you" Miranda laugh/cried. Elena stepped to her mother then, Bonnie joining her. All the girls hugged each other, Elena burying her head in her mothers chest. Miranda sighed in contentment but pulled away. She handed the sack to Bonnie.

"Take care of it and do not waste it. Chances are there will be times when you will need these things so, please, save them" she pleaded, her eyes welling with tears. Bonnie and Elena nodded, stepping back. They both turned to the door of the carriage and watched as a tall, dark haired man opened the door wide for them. Elena grabbed her sisters hand and stepped up into the carriage. Bonnie joined her and together they took their seats. The door closed as the sisters looked out on their family. They were all standing in a line, facing the carriage, everyone, even Jeremy, crying quietly. Elena waved to them as the carriage jolted and started to go.

Bonnie lent over and took Elena's hand and squeezed it. "We will do this. Together" she promised. Elena nodded, although she wasn't too sure.#

[...]

The carriage drove down the road towards the front door of the Veritas estate. Elena's eyes fluttered open as she looked out at the large estate. She gasped.

Everything was so prefect and beautiful, she was sure even the King wasn't this wealthy. The trees and bushes were all perfectly cut and the large estate was beautiful. The outside walls were a titanium white, the front door a light beige. She smiled as she took in the place she would soon be living in. She watched as several servants hurried across the lawn, some carrying things, one even guiding a horse. The carriage slowed as they neared the front of the estate. They didn't look they needed any more.

Then she looked over to Bonnie who was still fast asleep; the journey had been a long one. She reached over and tapped her sisters leg. Bonnie was a light sleeper, and instantly started to stir. Her eyes opened slowly, then widened.

"Are we here?" she asked. Elena nodded eagerly. Bonnie sat up and looked out of the carriage window. She gasped as well. The estate really was beautiful.

Bonnie turned back to her sister and grinned. "Ready for this?" she asked.

Elena nodded with a smile. "Yes, more than I ever will be."

Bonnie grinned and brushed her hair behind her ear, looking out the window with a smiled. Suddenly the carriage came to a halt, causing the girls to rock in their seats. Elena yelped but regained herself. Bonnie jolted but stayed calm. They looked to the carriage door as it opened slowly. The same man who had opened it helped them out. Elena held the end of her brown 'dress', gazing up with wide eyes. Bonnie stepped beside her, nudging her in the side. Elena shook her head and turned to her sister.

"Come this way, Miss Gilbert", one man said emotionless. Elena and Bonnie were not sure which Gilbert he meant so they both followed. Only then did Elena notice the three men standing outside the front door, all the hand crossed in front of them.

One was a short, older man, definitively the eldest of the three, so Elena assumed it was Giuseppe. He wore a long, dark brown coat with rather large sleeves. His under trousers were a light yellowy color, and his top was a light blue. He had wise look about him. He was obviously smart and very strict.

The man beside him, much younger, most likely Stefan wore a long, light pair of brown hoses. His long brown jacket much like his fathers reached just below his waist. His top and rather 'puffy' shorts were again brown, the shorts being striped with different shades. He had a young, kind look about him. His hair was flat against his head. His emerald green eyes were filled with care and love, so Elena could instantly tell he was the nicest of the three.

Then she looked to the man next to him. He was beautiful. He was obviously older than Stefan, but not by much. His eyes looked wiser and more mature. He had precise, chiseled features. His eyes were a bright blue, cobalt blue, and they were magnificent. They looked hypnotizing. His surprisingly short, straight raven locks were in an untidy mess on his head, but they made him look so much better. The flirty smirk that was plastered to his lips was so obvious and yet so sweet. She would never forget the small twinge of happiness she felt when his eyes landed on her and they glowed for a short second. He was wearing a long coat like his brothers only it was a dark navy color. His top underneath was much the same as his fathers, a crisp white top. His shorts were like his brothers, again, only navy. They were decorated with stripes too. His shoes were simple and black. He looked fabulous. When his eyes fell upon her again, he straightened out his white shirt with a nervous looking smile. He was definitively Damon. Elena sighed.

All three of the Salvatore's stepped down to reach them. Giuseppe stepped forward and nodded to the girlS. "Welcome" he grinned.

Bonnie stepped forward first and curtsied. Elena did the same, a small smile gracing her lips. Damon's eyes never left her, she noticed.

Stefan then stepped forward and nodded to girls. "I am Stefan, welcome to my families estate" he smiled. Elena chuckled under her breath when she saw Damon roll his eyes. Damon then looked to them and Elena felt her breath leave her. His smile was so beautiful it made her heart ache.

What? No, she told herself. You are serve him, don't think like that.

"Welcome ladies", Damon said. Elena was stunned; his voice was deep and husky, it made her shiver. Damon smirked and took Bonnie's hand first, kissing it lightly. He then took Elena's and for some reason, his lips lingered longer than need be. He looked her directly in the eyes. Elena felt her cheeks redden. He pulled back just in time and smiled. "Elena", he looked to her instantly, just guessing her name, but guessing right. Elena nodded, looking interested. "You are mine, I believe?"

Elena frowned. She didn't like how he said that, like he owned her. Damon looked at her and noticed her displeasure. He quickly corrected himself. "You are in my service, yes?" Elena nodded, a small smile when she heard him correct himself.

Damon looked to Bonnie. "I apologize for the confusion but you will still be serving my father, here", Damon smiled, gesturing to his father. Giuseppe nodded. Bonnie looked slightly upset by that. She turned to Elena quickly, but then turned back with a grin. "Of course".

"Come, child, I must talk you through some things" Giuseppe said, gesturing for Bonnie to follow. Bonnie quickly turned to Elena and hugged her. "Look after yourself" Bonnie whispered into her ear, then stepped back and followed her new master. Stefan smiled at Elena then nodded to his brother, turning and taking his leave. He walked up the steps to the front door where he began talking to a blonde woman. Elena instantly recognized her. She gasped. Caroline!

Suddenly, just as if she had heard her, Caroline turned to her sister and smiled. She waved then looked to Stefan who nodded. Caroline quickly hurried down the steps and hugged her sister. "Elena!" she screamed. Elena giggled, almost crying at seeing her sister. "I assume I missed Bonnie?" Caroline sighed. Elena nodded.

"Oh well, good luck sister, but I must leave. I missed you so much. We must all meet for lunch and talk later, tell Bonnie if you see her" Caroline laughed then ran back to her master without waiting for Elena's answer. She was obviously in a rush, Elena assumed.

Elena heard a chuckle and turned to Damon. "Sisters, huh?" he asked. Elena nodded. "I would have never guessed", he laughed, guiding Elena into the building. As Elena followed Damon into the building, she found she couldn't wipe the smirk from her face. She felt insanely happy even though she had cried earlier at the thought of being here.

I am going to enjoy this, Elena thought with a smile.

Hope you all enjoyed my first chapter. I wont be posting chapter 2 until around Saturday-Sunday. So, tell me if you enjoyed with a review. I'm trying to make the story really really good and informative so I am taking my time with it. This chapter took around 3 days to write check and recheck. I may only be posting once a week :( *sigh*

Links to some of the things like clothes and houses throughout the chapter are on my profile if you are interested.

Reviews are love xox :P

CookieDoughDEr

P.S- For those of you who are wondering, I have changed my pen name, hope it doesn't cause confusion :)