1492

When Klaus first saw her she had been on the arm of another man. The dimly lit throne room brightened the moment she walked in, and a radiance exuded from her – yet there was no smile on her face, and her shining eyes sad.

"My Lord, allow me to introduce my, uh, mistress, the Lady Eleanor," the man, Alexandre, announced as he bowed before him. He was a vulgar man who seemed to believe he was one of Niklaus' close acquaintances, little did he know that Niklaus was itching to tear into his throat with his teeth. Niklaus did not miss Alexandre's hesitation.

Lady Eleanor curtsied, lifting her skirts and smiling as a proper Lady would do. "My Lord, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"No, it is my pleasure, my Lady," Klaus grinned at her, completely ignoring Alexandre as he had eyes only for this woman. "You are most beautiful."

She was so wonderful and so innocent that Klaus wondered if she truly was Alexandre's mistress.

A warm smile spread across Eleanor's face at his words, a genuine smile. What an unorthodox man, complementing another man's lady. Yet she couldn't help but admire him as she raised her eyes to properly examine him. He was handsome, she could not deny that fact, yet there was more to him than mere beauty. He had an alluring charm about him that Eleanor couldn't quite place.

Alexandre cleared his throat, tightening his grip on Eleanor's arm, subsequently pulling her closer towards him. Lord Klaus looked amused as he watched the events before him, noticing the smile on Eleanor's face drop. It was unfair, someone so beautiful and radiant living in the shadow of a man who did not deserve her.

Klaus signalled to one of the servants for him to show Alexandre his chambers for the duration of his stay. Thanking him graciously, Alexandre took his leave, taking Eleanor with him. Klaus watched as they left, watching how the room dimmed once again as she left.

"Quite peculiar, is she not?" Elijah said from beside Klaus. "In all our five hundred years of living, I believe this to be the first time I have encountered someone who quite literally glows."

"It makes her all the more beautiful," Klaus replied, his mind occupied on the girl he had set his eyes on.

"Niklaus, I implore you not to pursue her. She can't be very old, sixteen years at the most," Elijah stared at his brother, awaiting an answer.

"I'd say seventeen, perhaps," Klaus countered.

"Regardless, brother. You will not go after this one."

"Now my dear," Alexandre wandered around the chambers they had been given, "I advise you against straying far from my side tonight, the Lord Klaus and his brother Elijah are dangerous men. Men who I fear would want you only for your impeccable beauty." He tucked a strand behind her ear as he admired her. "Do you understand, Eleanor?"

"Yes," she replied, looking up at him through her lashes as he stood before her sitting form. Oh, how she hated this man.

"That's my girl," he cupped her cheek, staring intently at her for a moment, "Now, what are you to wear tonight?" he asked, a question primarily directed at himself as he rifled through the wardrobe that had been filled by the maids hours earlier. At long last he pulled a modest yet magnificent gown from the wardrobe, calling for the maids to help her wear it.

Eleanor did not doubt that the Lords Klaus and Elijah were dangerous men, but she was unable to find herself fearing them. Klaus had a gentle smile and Elijah such kind eyes, and though Eleanor was almost able to see the monsters behind the men, she found herself intrigued by them. After all, in Eleanor's experience, all men were monsters.

Alexandre had warned her not to stray from his side for the duration of the evening, but she would not once have had a chance to leave him if it were not for the Lord Klaus. For hours Alexandre dragged her around on his arm, showing her off as if she were his trophy of war. Which, in fact, wasn't too far from the truth. Eleanor was showered in compliments, as she had ever since she had been let into the public eye all those years ago. Still, she often forgot that she was quite special indeed and what it was that made her so peculiar.

It wasn't until Klaus could no longer resist the temptation to approach her that she finally left Alexandre's firm grasp.

"Lord Alexandre, what a fine evening it is," Klaus greeted, hands behind his back as he spoke to the man he considered to be an ignorant fool. "I hope you don't mind if I steal the lovely Lady Eleanor for a dance, she does appear to be quite bored."

Eleanor winced at his words, despite the warmth filling her at the thought of him wanting to spend time with her, even if she knew exactly why.

"She is merely tired, my Lord," Alexandre lied, his finger nails digging into Eleanor's skin ever so slightly. "We have travelled for so long and she is only young."

Only young yet he still refers to her as his mistress, Klaus thought to himself, watching as Eleanor seethed at his words but maintained the pleasant smile on her face. Only her eyes gave away her true emotions.

"At least allow me to welcome the Lady into my humble abode," Klaus was determined, as one could tell by the way his eyes darkened and his voice lowered.

Begrudgingly, Alexandre released Eleanor from his grip. "Of course, my Lord," he smiled, before hissing into Eleanor's ear, "Remember what I told you. Now run along and be a good girl."

Eleanor's smile faltered at his words as she was nudged forwards, her sad eyes looking up at Niklaus woefully. Still, her light never dimmed. Unbeknown to Alexandre, Klaus had heard every word that he had spoken and was now so eager to learn what had been said. Grinning at the girl, he offered her his hand which she gracefully and gratefully took, eager to get away from the greedy Alexandre.

Little did she realise that Niklaus was as much of a beast as Alexandre, if not more.

"In her beauty rests (both) my death and my life." - Maurice Sceve

This is my first Vampire Diaries story that I have posted and I would love to hear what you think so far. I'm planning on revealing more on how Eleanor ended up with Alexandre in later chapters.

This is currently a Vampire Diaries fic but it's also really an Originals story. Tell me what characters you'd like to see in this story. I'm very open to characters from either TVD or the Originals, especially Aurora and Tristan de Martel and Lucien Castle, since their storylines are some of the best in my opinion.

Please review! Your comments mean everything!