Southern Belle's and Civil Wars
Chapter 1: Welcome to Mystic Falls.
Summary: Mystic Falls was founded in 1859, and a year later Elena finds herself travelling from Charleston to the beautiful town to join her family. On the road she encounters difficulties that sees her meeting the charming Damon Salvatore.
Note: I feel that it is important to say that although this is set in the south, where slavery is a common thing amongst men, I certainly do not believe with it. There will be mentioning's of it, since it's relevant to the time, but it will not be at the forefront of the story since this revolves around Damon and Elena.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or any of the characters mentioned. But the story and the original characters belong to me.
July, 1860
The summer had rolled in, much like it did every year. Yet the roads that normally had a flurry of people was silent, except for the single carriage whilst rode rapidly down the roads. There was a serenity that filled the air, the air hot and full of blissfully tweeting birds. Inside the carriage were two ladies, one appearing to be the very essence of wealth and sophistication, whilst the other was dressed cleanly but poorly.
"I suppose we have an hour's journey left" Elena guesses, her lace gloved hand coming up to rest against her forehead for the briefest of moment. She didn't like carriage rides much, they provided her with very little solitude and if I were not a necessity then she might have simply sat upon a horse. But her father had sent for his only daughter, and as a founder he would expect her to look every bit the darling southern belle he knew her to be. "The journey will soon end, Miss Elena. I doubt that they would want Mystic Falls to be too far away from a cone of activity." Her travelling companion added. The girl was two years old than herself, and had been a constant figure in her life.
Her mother always offered unwavering kindness to slaves, knowing that her father would never agree to not have them. Elena thought it was outdated, that they should not have them at all. But such talk would not be heard upon the ears of proud southern men. And so Bonnie had become a permanent fixture in Elena's life, never leaving her side unless she was sent on an errand. As children they had a closeness since Elena would pull Bonnie into the fields to play with her. With age came a barrier, although Elena hated to admit it. "I declare, I am too hot."
Elena fanned herself rapidly, letting out a screech as her body collided with Bonnie's. Both girls were thrown to the side of the carriage, water suddenly rushing in through the gaps. They were however fortunate enough to not have encountered a deep river, otherwise their trouble might have been more severe. Elena could not reach the door, which was now above her head – taunting her. Her skirts had become heavy as she threw a hopeless expression at Bonnie.
They begin to call for help, hoping that someone might hear – or that the driver would be alerted to their peril. Of course, the chance was likely that the rider had been thrown from the carriage. After a moment Elena stops shouting, instead searching for something to wedge her foot on the side.
A pair of hands appeared upon the top of the carriage, strong and manly. As the man came into view Elena's breath hitched in her throat. The dazzling eyes that pierced her were wholly beautiful, memorizing and she felt the excitement of meeting his acquaintance. "Praise the lord!" Bonnie exclaims, breaking the trance that Elena had fell under. The gentlemen wedged open the door, extending an arm to Elena. She shook her head and looked over at her travelling companion. "Please help Bonnie first, I fear she may feel the cold of the water in her bones sooner than I." The explanation allowed Elena to catch her thoughts, since she could barely believe the events.
When the arm of the gentleman was offered to her, Elena took it carefully, rising from the river water with as much elegance as she could muster. "Thank you, Sir. How can I ever repay you?" Elena questioned, brushing down her wet gown with a soft sigh. The bottom of it had been ruined by the filth of the lake, and swished at her feet.
"Saving a young damsel, and a beautiful one at that needs no repayment." The young gentleman offered, kinking an eyebrow at her. She raised a hand to her mouth, tilting her head slightly at his remark.
"You are bold, sir. And I do not even known your name." Elena responded, offering her hand to him, which he kisses gently. She did perhaps wonder about giving him a token, to thank him properly for his help. But she doubted that she had anything to offer.
"Damon Salvatore." The name is like liquid chocolate, and she finds that knowing his name fills her with a strange excitement. In all her years she'd never felt anything like it, the odd stirring of potential.
"Elena Gilbert." The offering of her name seems to stir his interest, he's heard of it before…somehow. "Then you must be Grayson's daughter, we had heard that you were supposed to arrive. Our land neighbours your own."
Perhaps there was some good in what her father had done, minute as it may be. After her mother's untimely death, in which she'd fallen to consumption, her father had buried himself in activities…forgoing fatherly love for strong business ventures. He had met with several other gentlemen and together than had found Mystic Falls. They worked fast to build up the town, a year was all it took – although it was a year of Elena being in Charleston on her own.
"—Miss Gilbert, I'd be happy to take you there. I'm certain your father would prefer you to get home before dark. It is not far." Damon suggested, but what she caught was the alarm on Bonnie's face. It was only natural, a young girl such as herself meeting a stranger who promises to take her home could prove disastrous.
"Can I trust you?" She questions, looking at Damon and the over at Bonnie.
"I would never lie to a lady." Damon offers, causing Elena to roll her eyes softly as she takes his hand once again. No other words were needed as he lifted her onto the horse and she looked down at Bonnie, and the now awakened driver.
For a while they remained in silence, the gentle trot of the horse the only thing that filled her ears. She was of course aware of the man's arms which extended round her waist to hold the reigns. It was the closest that she'd ever been to a man, but it did not scare her.
"Mr Salvatore…"
"…Damon." He responds before she can utter another word.
"I hardly think we know each other well enough to call one another by first names." Elena responds, holding onto a sense of propriety…regardless of whether or not she wanted to say his name, to hear it roll of her tongue.
"Well, we wouldn't want to forget our manners."
She fans herself rapidly, a sheen of sweat resting upon her breasts, the warm sun betraying her. If Damon notices, he doesn't say anything. Perhaps he is disappointed in her refusal, but perhaps that's only hopeful in her own mind. She questions whether or not it's right, why she finds herself so captivated with him.
The house comes into view, a grand white building, an image of wealth and beauty. She notices that her father is sat outside under the deck, a large jug of liquid upon the table. At the sound of horse hooves he looks up, clearly surprised to see her with another man.
"Elena?" He questions, eying Damon cautiously as she drops down from the horse with his assistance. Quickly she rushes over to her father, eager to tell him the news. "There was an accident, papa, the carriage was thrown into the river." She exclaims dramatically. "Bonnie and the driver are still with the carriage, but we lost the horses."
"Thank you for bringing my daughter home, Damon." Grayson thanks, shaking his hand. From what she could tell, her father appeared to like her saviour.
A discussion begins between the two men, as Elena picks up a crystal tumbler and pours herself a glass of the cooling lemonade…thankful for the relief from the warmth.
"Goodbye, Miss Gilbert." Damon nods his head before ascending his horse once again. Politely she nods her head, before turning her attention to the man that she has barely seen over the past year. It had provided much difficulty and she could not help but feel resentment.
"Where is Jeremy?" Elena questions, hoping to fill the divide between them with a common cause. Although she knew that her brother was a trouble maker, likely drinking in the local tavern and flirting endlessly with the ladies. But she couldn't blame him, the death of their mother had affected everyone in the Gilbert family. "He will be home soon." Grayson offers, although nothing more is said beyond that.
Her father had previously called the place, but Elena couldn't help but wonder if it would ever feel that way.
Note: If you're reading this chapter for the second time, then you'll know that it has been revamped and I must say that I am much happier with the way the story is going now.
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