A/N Staying in 'my' world/canon described in He Is A Patient Man and The Joy of the Hunt (as well as the prequel Yesteryear) it is about time we start in on Elijah and his one true mate, or 'Her' as she is simply referred to in TJOTH, don't you think?
We start off with a prologue, completely played out inside Elijah's mind. To understand what is going on, the situations described, it is important that you are familiar with the show, there is a list in the Authors Note at the end with links to the scenes where his thoughts in this chapter occurs.
On some occasions it is also helpful if you have read the two first stories of mine mentioned above. It is not absolutely necessary, but if you haven't read them and are confused by a reference in this chapter, rest assured that he is referring to something mentioned in one of those.
The story stays canon until the final events of the season 3 finale, after which we go AU. I really hope you like this! R&R please.
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Y:E17
He saw her.
He saw her and he couldn't believe his eyes. His carefully controlled facial features slipped, slipped like they hadn't in centuries. From an outsiders point of view he may only have remained frozen for a second, maybe two, but for someone able to move like the wind and think many times as fast, it was an eternity.
All the things that went through his mind, it would take a book, no a library, to describe them all. And yet, so easily summarized. He saw her. He saw her and his world stopped spinning. He saw her, and he was complete.
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Unique. She was completely unique. There was no need for him to approach her to know who she was, or to know who she was not. They had been pretty, those who wore her face in the past. But the true amazing beauty had not been theirs, much as he had fooled himself to briefly believe so. How he could have thought so, now when he was faced with his undeniable soul mate, he did not know. She, she was undeniably unique, and really did not look like them at all. Maybe it was they who had looked like her, on the surface.
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Too young. She was too young. An eternity of disapproving looks might not be enough to deter him, but he knew it would bother her. He could not let her know, yet. Once she knew there would be no turning back. The possibility of being rejected never crossed his mind, was never a viable outcome. She was, is, will be his mate, and once he awakens her to this there will only be one direction still open for them. But she was too young.
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Keeping her alive. Keeping her alive to grow older, to not be too young, this was going to be a chore. Watching her infatuation with immature men, maybe even boyfriends, this would be difficult. But she needed to mature, in her own pace. No one can learn from others mistakes. Not even him.
Not for many years, just enough for there not to be a questionable age difference. Just enough for her human body to finish the development of the brain that the final burst of growth hormones induce, the one that his sister never went through. And just look at her… No, a few more years, he can keep her alive a few years. He is sure of it. Just to be on the safe side he will make sure she always has his blood in her system, which will alleviate the possible fears of a freak accident. To turn or not to turn, that really is not the question, she will forgive him. Yes, just a few years, a few years of other men? Anger, where did that come from?
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His. She was HIS! What was the use of his near-godlike powers if they could not be used to enforce such a simple truth? Time to grow up and mature did not mean time for other men, no. Fangs lengthening, dark veins flickering under chocolate eyes, the imagined taste of hot blood running down his throat as a male heart beat frantically with terror, slowed down and finally stopped. Discard them like the trash they were, he would, those who would presume to covet what was his. Yes, she was his, whether she knew it yet or not. They would know though, those who tried. Anger turns to hunger at the thought. Much better. She was his, and he was hers. Completely hers.
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Too close. He could NOT get too close. He wanted to protect her so badly, he wanted to connect with her even more, but the role of best friend and confident was not his, had never been his, would never be his until the truth was known to her. She was his mate, and he was hers. He could stay in her life, must stay in her life, but only if he did not show her the truth until the time was right. How can he stay close enough yet keep himself from sharing the truth?
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Scare her. Yes, he can scare her. That would be an answer to many of the problems. Then he can stay close to her, be in her life, but not lose the allure. Yes, he can scare her, and then he could even to some degree indulge in his need to be physically close to her without divulging too much. He could use his proximity to intimidate her. Yes, he can scare her. That would work. Let's try that, what is the harm?
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Delicious! She smells delicious. She wears the face of others he has known, but that were not his mate. Her scent however is intoxicating. It calls him. He ran to her. He almost kissed her, what is he, a hormone filled human? He must try harder to scare her, this will not do! Tear her jewelry, yes. Compel her and let her remember being compelled, yes. Good, but not enough. Ah – He wanted to kill that traitor anyway, he'll do it in front of her with his bare hands. That should do it.
Yes it did. Almost too well. But, at least now she is scared. That is what he wanted, wasn't it? But this frightened? She shouldn't be quite this frightened. He never wants to hurt her. Well, what is done is done.
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Her heartbeat. Her heart beats so fast under his palm on her arm. Her eyes are so wide. Maybe not just frightened? No, her scent tells him she is not just frightened. She feels it perhaps, on a subconscious level. She shivers when he looks at her, at least part in response to the vibration between their souls. Good, she feels it too.
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Her saviors. Her saviors arrive when she needs no saviors, she has him! Asks him not to hurt them, 'I will go with you'? She states this calmly as if offering her life, when his soul is filled with offering anything for her, so confusing. She is willing to save her saviors, willing to offer herself for them. He seethes at the thought. She is willing to go with him to save them? She does not see how she is everything and they are nothing? He will change her perception, in time. He is a patient man. It confuses him, his concentration is lost. She is already his weakness, one he gladly succumbs to. The coat rack piercing his heart is fitting. She pierced his heart. Stole it. Made it stop beating, made it start beating. Just like the piece of furniture turned into a makeshift stake. No matter, he will wake. The 'savior' will pay. Maybe it is for the best, it is not time to take her yet. She is too young…
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A ring. He must have a daylight right, her savior, her Salvatore. The satisfaction of watching the glass shatter is diminished by the impudent young vampire being the only one not affected by the sun. How annoying. Well, at least they are scared, now. Silly Rose, did he not just pardon her? And now here she is again, opposing him.
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Anger. Seething anger slightly released by the ripping of hearts. Never has it felt more right to take a life, or three, than in this moment. They thought to threaten her? To threaten her? There is no need to correct and teach about the error of their ways, it is enough to make sure they will never threaten her again. He cannot get too close. Perhaps her saviors have a purpose after all. Yes, he will let them live, even the staker. They can help keep her safe while he cannot reveal the truth to her. Removing them after that will be easy, simple, gratifying.
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Negotiating. She is negotiating with him? His heart swells at her courage. She is unique, truly unique, and his. His brave warrior queen, his Valkyrie. If he had needed any more proof, which he didn't, he has it now. Of course she again wants to save her savior, the other one, the one who gets to touch her. His fangs almost pierce his tongue as they extend without his control. What happened to his control? Oh yes, it is in her hand. That's alright then.
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His heart. She pierces his heart. As if she had not already. He saw what she did, manipulating him into agreeing, again. He allowed himself to agree, again. His fascination with her courage was never ending. The smell of her blood as the knife pierces her abdomen intoxicating. Not yet, she is too young. Still too young. Better to let the dagger pierce the heart that is already hers and incapacitate him, than to lose his control and take her too soon. His pride in her perseverance to follow through on a plan so painful to herself swelled his heart and he let her still it, his Valkyrie. He let himself be overcome. He surrenders. As if he hadn't already, the moment he laid eyes on her.
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Of course. Of course she was the one to wake him. Walking along the lake her presence filled his whole mind, his whole heart, his whole soul. For as moment he allowed himself to be near her, beginning to tell her the truth. The first few shreds, the shreds that would prepare her for the whole package once the time comes. But not yet, no, not yet. Her scent, so intoxicating. He could almost wish she had another dagger, but he holds it now. He holds the dagger that can still his heart, while unbeknownst to her she owns it anyway. His heart. Her heart. No difference. She left for a moment, but she came back. He watched her tremble at the slightest touch of his fingers on her elbow. Yes, she felt it too.
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Alive! Thank the dísir*, she was still alive! He had let his blood exit her system before the ritual with his brother so that the elixir would work, for she was still too young, only to have the older of her saviors ruin the plan, forcing his own blood down her throat. He will make the insolent boy pay for this! She told the younger savior with tears in her eyes that she does not wish to turn and he had expected nothing less, once he gained a more in depth knowledge of her soul. However, the option of losing her is not a viable one. When the time comes, it will not be a lesser vampire's blood that turns her. When the time comes, she will turn with the full strength that comes from the blood of the eldest original sibling. He will give her that at least.
For now, placing the thought of an alternative means of salvation into the mind of her father, already guilt ridden, was enough to revive her humanity intact. When the time comes, she will ask him to change her. They will be blood bound, forever.
Now, to keep control of his younger brother. He must leave. But the 'savior' will pay. Yes indeed, he will pay.
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Y:E18
Back. He is back. Months of desiccation just so the ruse of her death will live. Yes, little brother, you will pay too. The time to remind you of just who you are playing with draws ever nearer. Perhaps he has been too lenient. Perhaps Niklaus has actually started believing, in his megalomania, that his hybrid powers makes him the stronger man, he has allowed his baby brother to live his illusion for some time after all. He always did have a tendency to fool himself, little Nik. He is not disillusional enough to fight it once Elijahh puts his foot down though. And now, with Mikael gone, he is truly the head of the family. The family, yes. Together again.
Some thanks to Niklaus may be in order. The younger savior is firmly under his thrall. She is becoming free of her teenage infatuation of him. It had to be done, but he did not wish to force it. Now Niklaus did it for him. She is free. Soon, it is time to speak to her.
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Trust. She trusts him. That is a good start. Still, betrayal is around every corner. For him, and for her. If it was time the choice would be simple, as it is it is better for the ruse if he chooses family over her. Yes better. He thinks.
Her skin grew goosebumps as he speaks to her. Her gratitude for him saving her from his sister did not cloud her judgment or impact her reactions. No. She wanted him. She did not know it yet, but she wanted him. Not claiming her mouth, her body, her soul, took more self-control than he has had to use for over one thousand years. His.
HIS!
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Too close. No matter how he tried he was getting too close. He must do something. He will write her, yes that could help.
'…. Always and Forever, Elijah' Yes, now he can go, create a distance, leaving it on her desk.
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A necessary distraction. His Little One is a necessary and good distraction. For a moment he was worried what to do with the growing emotions he inflicted on her fragile soul, but thankfully his youngest brother stepped in and felt nearly the same vibrations he himself did when he met Her. What a beautiful coincidence, and how fitting. Of course a potential mate for Kol would be one such as Little One, or Kitten as his brother named her. For now she was still his distraction, but he knows the time will come to let her go.
Still, allowing his dominant side some release was welcome. Very welcome.
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Too young. She is still far too young. Thank god he managed to get her out of the water in time, compelling that young vampire, (Stefan?) to forget he was ever here. He would have words with his sister, she knows how he feels and that his mate is too young. Only a few more years. His sister will never touch her again, she knows better now. He has made sure she will never forget.
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Alive. Yes, she is still alive. The hours spent at her bedside in the hospital, feeding her his blood to help her brain heal the effects of oxygen depravation felt endless. But she is alive, still alive. That female doctor had tried to inject her with blood. Again that older savior, will the threat of it being his blood that turns her never cease? But she stilled, stopped and stilled when he offered his arm for her to fill the syringe. First an injection, and then he could start feeding her. Every hour more color returned to her cheeks. Every moment his fear of this being her last as a human faded. The way his heart started beating hard enough to almost feel human as her gentle lips latched to his arm to take more, ever more, of his essence felt surreal. Wonderful. He can't wait to watch her do it consciously. For now this is enough. Alive, she is still alive.
The doctor had to forget he was there, of course. There is no trusting her not to tell. But she has a supply of his blood now, and will never give anything else to Her if it is needed. She will not know why, but she will use her special stash on Her, only for Her.
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Yours? No, I don't think so. Mine. MINE! It is really quite enough now Niklaus. You will back down or I will make you. Can't be killed? Oh, you just keep telling yourself that, little brother. Do you want to test that theory?
Those daggers, I will take them now, thank you. I said NOW! You are really becoming too tiresome, this charade of your supremacy has gone on long enough. You know as well as I do who the head of our family is. I have indulged your wishes long enough. It is time for you to bend your knee and submit your fate to me. I don't care what you do to your little toys but you will show me proper respect. NOW!
Are you challenging me?
No? Good. Wise choice.
Enough little brother. Enough with your plotting and scheming. I love you, but now is the time for you to back down. Here is a sample of her blood. There is the contact at the genetics lab. Mass manufacture as much of it as you need, but she is my mate and you will never touch her again, do we understand each other? Good, I'm glad. Family above all, Always and Forever. She is family, you understand? Good. Yes yes, you are welcome. Why not earlier? Well, you never asked, little brother. Remember, I love you.
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Called off. He has been called off. The younger one still in thrall to his brother, no longer compelled but never meant to be more than a foot soldier. A killer, a good killer, but not a thinking killer. The break was clean, and none of his doing, the younger one managed to destroy what had been there all on his own. He watched her affections for him turn from youthful infatuation to care for a friend. He watched her own friends affections for him turn from friendship to infatuation. he watched her first accept it, then support it. Good. The younger one is called off.
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Y:E20
Time for another bouquet, four times per year. On midsummers eve and midwinter night, turn of the spring and turn of the fall he contacts her. Sending her the flowers that grow wild in three of the seasons and a bouquet of winter greens for the fourth. Always a card, always the same message. 'Always and Forever, E'.
He is keeping his distance, but he will not have her forget him, or think him gone, no. Every delivery her smile is wider when she receives them. She keeps the cards. When the immature young men at her college tries to invite her out, he has seen her through her window, look at the cards before turning them down. Only a few more years.
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Again, again they try. Her blood sings to every vampire in reach. Again he has caught one lurking outside her window. Again he has to wipe his hand after dropping a heart. When will they learn? She is his. She is untouchable.
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Called off. He has been called off. The older one, a skilled tactical mind that one, once his impulsive tendencies are broken. He finally decided to let him live, at least for now, despite the staking and the infuriating obsession with Her. That he didn't die after kissing her, after trying to claim her once the younger one was out of te picture was noting but a testament to Elijahhs restraint. Never had he so wanted to tear out a heart as when he realized Damon was seriously trying to bed Her. His saving grace was not elijah's restraint, but hers. That she had turned him down, reluctantly but still.
Finally, Elija had not been able to stand it any more, he had called the older one away. He had found the one that used to look like Her, the one who had turned the saviors, and made her believe the only thing she had ever wanted was the older one. Once she truly made him believe this, the older one had not been able to prevent himself from claiming her, for old times sake. When She walked in on them, finding him in bed with the one who wore her face and that had made her life a living hell, she had cried for days. He hated seeing her so sad, but now the older one was out of the picture also.
He had broken his own rule and visited her that night, calm enough to just hold her after sating his burning need with his Little One before going to see Her. He held her while she cried in his arms over another man, a man he himself had caused to betray her. That was the older ones second saving grace – had he made her cry like this from his own devices he would not have lived the night.
At the end of the night She had stopped crying and simply rested against his chest, her hand entangled in the hair at the back of his neck. He had felt her heart beat and she had snuggled just a little closer than necessary. Sated or not, not claiming her then had taken almost more out of him than he possessed.
She was sad after losing both her teenage loves, his mate, but just for a moment. She knew in her heart they were not the ones for her. In her heart she knew who was, her body knew who was, it was just her mind that was still in the dark.
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Y:E22
Almost there. He is almost there. He has managed to keep her alive, hard work though it has been. He has managed to cleanly sever her ties to her vampire love triangle. He has managed to watch over her and keep himself alive in her memory. He is almost there. He has begun disentangling himself from Little One, giving his baby brother more and more time with her on his own although he still joined them on occasion, even claimed her alone, mainly before going watch over Her. The incredible need in him for Her needed to be dulled before he dared get too close. He sated himself with Little One, in ways he would never do to Her, until it was safe for Her to have him close by.
He had begun visiting her dreams from time to time, just to watch. Sometimes he found himself in them and his heart soared. At these times he could not help but touch her face, stroke her back, embrace her gently. He knew she would not remember much when she awoke, but he remembered. He remembered everything.
Maybe it is time to re-introduce himself into her life? Can he hold off much longer? Does he want to?
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Footnotes:
* - 'Dísir' is plural of Dis, the word for female deities of fate in Norse mythology. Freya is the main Dis, the queen of Dísir, but Eijah is not thanking her specifically, he is thanking them all.
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A/N Yes, I know, this is the third 'in progress' story I am writing. However, they are all different and stimulate my writing itc in different ways. We have the smutty TJOTH, the flashback Yesteryear and the emotionally in-depth Valkyrie. All will be continued, never fear ;)
You cannot write full links on this site, they get censored. If you want to refresh your memory here is a list of links to the scenes referenced, named for the first words of the paragraph. All links below start with that tube place. I'm sure you know the one? Type the domain in your browser and paste the rest after that.
From "He saw her" to "Delicious"
/watch?v=Ew0ypEfhzXA – starting at 2:55
"Her heartbeat" and "Her saviors"
/watch?annotation_id=annotation_70592&feature=iv&src_vid=Ew0ypEfhzXA&v=06lpTJPVAKM
"A ring"
/watch?v=lg9b0MqceRA- starting at 1:05
"Anger"
watch?v=rQyVUmCDDGs
"Negotiating"
watch?v=XCZYhNX1vNY
"His heart"
/watch?v=5ZThRzBK7Mc
"Of course"
/watch?v=EFrW6EW7kqk