Through The Ages…a companion piece to The Other Petrova Girl.
I've had requests from several readers asking for more Elly & Klaus fics. Ahahaha… So I thought of a companion piece, kind of chronicling the years, decades centuries spent together. Super ambitious for me to embark on this because I had to start doing research on history via the web and wikipedia but I'm a big history buff. Love historical dramas, historical fiction…blah blah blah. I only wish it could be richer and more detailed but Alas…I try with what I can. Again apologies to the purists and to all for any inevitable grammar & spelling errors & historical inaccuracies. I don't think it'd be too long though. I still have that Izzie/Damon fic.
September 1492 England.
Elly
The Plantagenet reign had been over seven years and we were in the early years of Henry the VII the first Tudor King who had wedded Elizabeth of York. He had promised an era of peace after the devastating turmoil during the long, infamous War of The Roses. Klaus had made friends in high places in the English court, including the powerful Dukes of Buckingham, Norfolk and Suffolk, several Earls and Viscounts. Even the King himself I supposed. We had moved into a large estate in north western England, near to the border with Wales.
A new pope had been sworn, the Borgia pope, Alexander VI and the renaissance age was well underway with Lorenzo the Magnificent of the Florentine Republic and his patronage of the arts from the greats like Botticelli, Michelangelo. Klaus had tried to track down his siblings. All of them were scattered all over the continent. He had caught Roxana and Amelia so far. Adrienne was believed to be hiding in a nunnery somewhere in the Pyrenees. Imagine Adrienne had been so afraid, running for her dear life that she'd worn the habit. The thought of it made me laugh for days.
Elijah was still in the dark. Having no idea that his dear brother had been hunting the rest of The Originals down. He was loyal to Klaus. Elijah would have done anything for his brother. At times I would tease the both of them, calling them Castor & Pollux. Which made me invariably think of Anthony. How I have missed him. Anthony had seek refuge in Florence. Being such a poet that he was, I wasn't surprised. He'd go to where the heart of the Renaissance was, great, beautiful Italy.
"Elijah wants to hold a banquet for my birthday…" Klaus informed me one evening when he came into the attic. It was where he had me imprisoned. I had tried to start a fire to Klaus' chamber when I found him in bed with one of the Duchesses. I didn't know which one. I only remembered that the bloody wench could not stop screaming when the sheets were aflame. Klaus had to compel her to forget the whole ordeal.
"Your birthday is weeks away…" I said and looked at him.
"Yes I know Elly." He frowned and sighed. "But preparations must be made. It will be a grand feast…" I kept quiet hearing that. Of course it would be. It was the birthday celebration of the great Lord Niklaus. Klaus would want no expense spared.
"Will you have a new gown made for me then?" I asked him. I looked down at the royal blue silk and damask gown I was wearing. I would want a beautiful pink and peach gown with gold threading. It would be a lovely dress to wear for my husband's birthday. Klaus only gave me an indifferent look.
"You will not be present at the banquet Elly."
"And why not?" I was surprised that he would not have me there.
"I do not want you to cause any trouble." Klaus said and gave a malicious smile. "Besides no one knows that I'm married here. I would like it to be that way."
I was angry hearing it. "So I am but a terrible secret that you keep locked up in the attic. Something that you are ashamed of!" I screamed.
"No Darling. You are my most precious possession that I have to keep under lock and key…" Klaus smiled and pulled me into his arms. I struggled and pulled myself out of his grasp.
"How long will you keep me locked here?" I asked Klaus and moved to the window.
"Until you learn not to disobey me and behave yourself…"
"Centuries then." I rolled my eyes and looked out the window. I felt him pulled me from behind and he just cradled me in his arms. Klaus kissed my neck gently and we stood there staring at the stars.
"It's a beautiful night…" He whispered and kissed the back of my ear, nibbling it.
"Do you still love me Niklaus?" I asked him softly.
"You know I do..." He said and I felt him kissing my neck, licking and nibbling and the sharp points of his fangs grazed my skin. Like a pin prick. The droplets of blood flowed and Klaus started licking and suckling it gently.
"Then why do you hurt me?" I asked. My eyes gazing at the stars and Klaus swayed with me in his arms, his arms wrapped around my waist.
"Love, pain...it's all the same isn't it?" He spoke. Klaus turned me around so that he could face me. He smiled and kissed my lips gently.
I stood in my room waiting for Klaus the night of his birthday. But he never came. I had never felt so hurt in all the years I was with him. I even had a gift for him. It was a small locket with miniature portraits of the both of us. Something he could carry with him always. I had found out from Trevor, one of Klaus' vampire henchmen that he was with another woman. Her name was Katerina Petrova and apparently, she was the exact replica of my sister. Her doppelganger. Klaus had found the key to break his curse. It had been almost five hundred years since he could transform into his wolf form.
Trevor was a kind, loyal vampire and Klaus would have either him or Rosemarie to tend to me while I was locked in my gilded prison. It was nice to have some company and I looked forward to their visits.
"I had Cook prepare your favorite beef stew," Trevor smiled as he walked in with the tray.
"I do not feel like eating…" I frowned and just sat on the settee that was by the window. I looked outside. It was already sunset and I hadn't seen Klaus in almost a week since the banquet.
"Where is my husband?" I turned and asked Trevor.
"He is busy showing Katerina around." Trevor said and gave a soft smile.
"Is she really beautiful?" I asked him. Trevor sighed. "Not as beautiful as you Milady," he gave a cheeky smile.
"You are lying." I said and frowned lightly. "Rosemarie told me that you're smitten with her."
Trevor only shook his head. "Why would a girl like Katerina ever want to be with a lowly, poor pageboy like me?"
"You are too harsh with yourself Trevor," I smiled at him. "We all know what a sweet, kind and loyal friend you are."
Trevor placed the tray of food on the table and I saw a small rolled up piece of letter underneath the plate.
"It's addressed to you Milady…" Trevor whispered. I looked up at Trevor and nodded. He was a loyal servant. But his loyalty lied staunchly to me. Not to Klaus or Elijah. I had Klaus turned him a few months ago. There was a small plague that ravaged his small village and he almost died. And Trevor turned Rosemarie who had been his childhood friend and almost like a sister to him. Both of them lost their families and had nowhere else to go. So they worked in the estate. They could only come out when it was dark
Trevor moved and sat on wooden chair that was next to the door as I took the letter and read it. It was from Kael, the Lycanthrope's Alpha. He was in Spain which was under the reign of Isabella of Castile. A religious nut who had expelled Jews from the country and decided to mount an Inquisition against witches and anyone not of the Christian faith. She was a devout Catholic but a little fanatical I feel.
"The Lycanthropes don't feel safe in Spain anymore…They are not Christians and if anyone knew of their pagan faith, they would be mistaken as witches. They'd be tried and burned. Kael is worried for the safety of his pack" I breathed after reading the note and looked at Trevor. "They want to go back to Romania…"
"Where the Turks want war?" Trevor asked. He didn't look so sure. I knew of the Sultan's ambitious campaign to expand the Ottoman Empire.
"I must write to Mikael. Surely there is someone in the Spanish court that they can bribe." I said and went to my desk. I dipped my quill in the pot of ink and began penning my letter. Dearest Beloved Mikael… as all my letters to Kael would begin.
"Maybe the Lord Niklaus can render help?" Trevor suggested as I penned my letter.
"I'm not sure." I shook my head and looked at Trevor. "Klaus hates the Alpha. He thinks we were lovers once."
Trevor laughed hearing that. "You would never betray Klaus for another man…."
"Maybe I should…" I said wistfully and looked ahead. "He has his women, I should be allowed to take a lover."
"Except it is too risky." Trevor sighed. "Klaus will hunt him down and kill him along with the rest of his family."
"Yes…innocent victims they'll all be." I said aloud. I had finished with my letter and burned the wax before stamping it with my seal. One I had designed myself and Trevor had the stamp made. It was simple. My initials in Cyrillic that was inside a shield and rosevines underneath. I walked to Trevor and handed the letter to him.
"Make sure it gets to Mikael safely. Bribe who you must and kill whoever you think you can't be trusted." I whispered.
Trevor gave a nod.
"Well I should go." Trevor said and stood up. "You have a good evening Milady." He smiled sweetly and bowed before heading to the door.
"What will you tell my husband if he asks for me?"
Trevor turned and looked at me. "I will tell him that you miss him and his company immensely."
"Does he even ask for me?" I asked Trevor. I saw the somber look on his face. "I'm sure he does miss you even if he doesn't ask for you." Trevor spoke.
I kept quiet hearing it and had decided to just let it be. I smiled at Trevor and then he left. I found myself staring out the window again. I missed Klaus. I truly do but a week without him was rather peaceful. Lonely it might be but at least I had some time to myself. I looked at the tray and although the stew smelled delicious, I didn't feel like eating at all. I went to bed and fell asleep, suddenly wishing that Klaus was there lying next to me. How I had missed his kisses and embraces.
Elijah came to visit me the next afternoon. He would come by once or twice a week, often bringing me a book. Something for me to read while I waste away in the attic. He was very intellectual Original with a love for the Classics. He brought Homer's Iliad as a gift.
"It is one of my favorites," Elijah said and smiled. "You know I would read it to Karina and the baby when she was with child…" He suddenly stopped.
I looked at Elijah and saw the pained look in his eyes. He was still affected by my sister's death and the loss of their son. Elijah didn't know that his son had survived. My parents raised him but Eli died young. Only twenty two years old. He was supposed to go to the great university in Wittenberg but the carriage he was in met with in an accident. It plunged into a ravine. My parents were devastated to learn of it. Papa died of a stroke later and then Mama soon afterwards. I had wanted to attend my parents' funeral but Klaus would not allow. It was too dangerous. People would wonder where I had never aged and he could not risk it.
"Does she really look like my sister?" I asked Elijah. I was curious of this Katerina.
He smiled and nodded. "They could be twins. Her hair is curly though. Karina had straight hair."
"Do you have feelings for her too?"
"I care about her." Elijah sighed. "But I know Katerina is not my wife. Karina is dead. She has been dead five centuries. Nothing can bring her or my son back."
"But what if you could love again?" I stared at him. He looked so forlorn. So alone and I didn't know why but I felt bad for Elijah
"It's too late Elly." He smiled sadly. "I do not believe in love anymore."
"That is such nonsense." I cried and shook my head. "Of course you do Elijah. You loved my sister once and you still do."
"But look what it made me." Elijah said. "Niklaus is right. Love is not for us vampires. We are not suited for such an emotion. When we love someone we want to possess them, as I did with Karina and what Klaus is doing with you. That is not the right way, for no one wants to be controlled but it is in a vampire's nature."
Elijah then looked at me closely. "So it is much better that vampires do not love."
"You are not jealous then that Klaus is spending time with Katerina? Bedding her maybe?"
"No. He did not bed her Elly." Elijah informed me.
"I do not believe you…" I was surprised that Klaus hadn't slept with the doppelganger.
"He does not want to harm her. She would be needed for the sacrifice." Elijah said. "Klaus would not risk it. He gets rough with his mistresses in bed. He is only tender with you."
I did not say anything, hearing that. Sometimes Klaus was rough with me too. I suddenly thought of the ritual and what we have learned from the witches so far.
"The sacrifice and ritual will not work without the moonstone." I told Elijah.
The moonstone had been in the Lycanthrope hands for centuries. Isabella, Klaus' mother took it with her when she tried to run away with Klaus' Lycanthrope father. Part of the reason why Lord Lucas had hunted him down and his entire clan. They had in their possession the prized moonstone. The moonstone which had Lord Lucas cursed to be a vampire. And when his children were of age he started to turn them as well. It was an important piece of relic to The Originals.
"That would not be a problem," Elijah smiled. "An emissary from the Lycanthropes came to visit us a few nights ago. The Alpha needs our help to secure the safety of all his clansmen in Spain. I will leave for Toledo and speak with the Queen herself."
"Compel her you mean?" I said.
"The King of England has an alliance with Spain and wishes to be assured that the betrothal between the Prince of Wales and Katherine of Aragon is strengthened. I will go there with a few of his trusted noblemen. At the same time, I'm sure other negotiations can be made."
"And for that…Kael would give you the moonstone?"
"Mikael wants to secure his precious empire of wolves and to practice his pagan ways freely." Elijah spoke. "As powerful as the Lycanthropes are, they can not compel and sway the human minds. We can offer to help but it comes at a price."
"An alliance between Vampires and Werewolves…" I shook my head and laughed. It was a silly thought. They were sworn enemies. "Your father would be rolling in his grave."
"Anthony wrote to me…" Elijah suddenly spoke.
"He did?" I enquired and looked at him.
"He has settled in Florence. Living with the De Medicis. Anthony does not like their consiglinieri though. This man, Machiavelli. Says he is such a dour person."
"Is he happy?" I asked Elijah.
"He's alright I suppose. He asked about you…" Elijah said. I only smiled. Ah Anthony, sweet dear Anthony.
"Tell him that I'm fine then. Then I'm happy."
"You know I do not lie Elly." Elijah said in a serious tone. "I cannot tell Anthony that. We both know that you're not happy."
"It is not a lie Elijah. Just an embellishment of the truth. I am fine…" I said and looked at him.
"Trevor tells me you've not been eating." Elijah spoke. He looked so concerned for me.
"Its not as if I'll starve to death. As you know, I can't die…" I said nonchalantly.
"You're doing this to get Klaus' attention." Elijah said and shook his head. "He has neglected you."
"He has so many things to occupy his mind. With breaking the curse, charming the doppelganger and bedding aristocrats…" I sighed deliberately.
"I will speak with him before I leave for Spain." Elijah said and rose.
"Do not bother Elijah. I will be fine." I told him. He gave a solemn look and sighed before he bent down to kiss my cheek in a brotherly way like he always did.
"Take care of yourself when I'm gone Elly," Elijah said and gave a small, sad smile.
I only let out a sigh and he left the room. I moved to the window when Elijah had left and started humming that haunting tune of my husband's long forgotten childhood. I turned around and she was there. My sister Karina, sitting on the chair dressed in the old white and gold gown she had worn on her wedding day. The wreath of flowers on her head. Karina looked at me and sighed.
"He looks so sad…" she commented softly.
"He misses you Sister." I told her.
Karina looked at me and smiled. "You should tell Elijah that I miss him too. Terribly."
"Elijah will think me mad. He already does. He caught me talking to you so many times…Klaus and the servants too." I muttered. The rest of them couldn't see my sister of course. Karina only appeared to me. I did try to explain to them but they only gave me an odd look and had decided that I had gone mad.
"But you're not mad dear Elly. You're just unhappy…" Karina said and walked towards me. She sat on the window settee, where I was and I just lied on her lap while she ran her fingers though my hair. It was comforting to have her there, close with me, especially when I was feeling so downcast.
"I want my husband back…" I told her sadly. "Klaus is too preoccupied with breaking the curse. He is obsessed…he forgets he has a wife."
"Hmmm…" Karina hummed and stroked my hair. "The doppelganger Elly. She's the key. You have to make sure she runs…"
"Make sure she runs?" I questioned and looked up at Karina who smiled beatifically down at me. "No doppelganger means no ritual and Klaus will not able to break the curse."
"He will be furious Karina." I told her and sat up. I knew of the rages Klaus would be in. He wasn't one to handle failures and disappointments well.
Karina only looked at me gently. "Yes but he will be vulnerable Sister. He will need you more than ever. Klaus will realize that you are the only thing that matters to him. Not the curse or the doppelganger just you Eleanna…always you…"
I smiled at my sister as I heard it. Karina was right of course. She was always right. I looked out the window seeing the lark on the pear tree that autumn day. "Karina look…" I called her and turned but my sister wasn't there. She had left, once again to wherever she came from. I was by myself in the attic and I had to figure out a way to make sure that the doppelganger escaped.