Once In A Blue Moon

-X-

Love. The word was tossed around so many times I was surprised anyone even knew what its true meaning was anymore. I'd only felt love once. Oh so many years ago in a little place called Mystic Falls.

The year was 1864, the flowers softly blooming in the hedgerows, the air light and clouds fluffy. The sound of the horses cantering along the road was almost rhythmic as we went along in our carriage. Now I sighed and heard my sister say in concern. "You seem upset Elizabeth."

I chuckled now and sighed delicately again. "I am fine Katherine. Just..."

She frowned at me now, then put a hand on mine. "We'll be ok?" she smiled, making my own face crack into one. "So, Mystic Falls hmm?" I asked, changing the conversation.

Katherine nodded and said with a smile, moving the curtain a little so she could glance at the trees and fields going past. "Yes, I think you will just love it there."

I chuckled and nodded to my big sister. "I hope so. All this running... it tires me immensely."

Katherines eyes were sad now, her hands soft on mine. "I tire of it too... but you can leave Liz. He isn't after you."

Now I shook my head, making my hands take hers properly. "Katerina please. You know I would never leave you. You're my sister."

Her ringletted dark brown hair was pushed back as she hugged me now and chuckled. "I think I knocked your hat askew."

I laughed and moved it back into place, rearranging my honey blonde hair as there was a tap from the roof announcing we were here at the Salvatore place where we had been put up.

"Come on Lizzy." Katherine giggled as the carriage rolled to a stop and the door was opened by our escort. Katherine went first, then I took the hand of the gentleman at the door and he helped me down. Now I saw Katherine smiling and looked over at the doorway where a young man was stood. I took Katherines arm now and we walked up to the door where he was stood.

He smiled and took our hands, placing his lips on them in turn. "Stefan Salvatore." he introduced, and Katherines smile widened. "Katherine." then he looked at me and I smiled. "Elizabeth."

Stefan smiled again and I saw Katherines expression- she liked this guy. I almost giggled as I said. "We must retire to our chambers. The ride was long and arduous."

The young man nodded again and said. "If you need help on anything, don't hesitate to ask."

As we walked up the stairs, Katherine glanced back and giggled. "Yes I like this place."

I sighed and finally got my own giggle out. "He is rather dashing."

Katherine sighed. "Stefan Salvatore..."

Now I rolled my eyes. "You're not going to compel the guy are you? You know I disapprove of playing with their affections."

"You are so boring Elizabeth!"

"No, just true. We mustn't draw attention to ourselves. Why are we here anyway? I presumed we were going to Charlottesville?"

Katherine stopped us on the landing and took my hands, looking seriously. "Little sister please. Trust me." she told me, deep brown eyes sad on my own. I knew from that day that her child had been taken away. 1490... she was banished from Bulgaria and me, her faithful little sister, just a year younger accompanied her.

We fled to England and assimilated into English society. Then there was Elijah, Rose and Trevor... we'd ran nearly all our lives. And then the Petrova curse that my sister had?

I truly thought she was dead when I found her hanging there when Rose busted in.

Klaus... it was all his fault. Killed our parents in retaliation for running away. Then I made that choice. That I wanted to be with my sister for good. So, after many, many arguments, she changed me.

And here we were. Hundreds of years later and still on the run.

I sat down on the magnificent four poster bed with deep crimson velvet hangings, then looked up as Katherine came in, wearing that deep sea green dress that she loved so much, her lapis necklace around her neck. I reached up and felt my own now, identical but with a darker shade of blue.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and Katherine grinned in such a way I didn't need to guess who it was. She opened the door and went. "Stefan!"

He smiled now and said. "My Father wanted me to announce that dinner is served, if, of course, you are not too tired to dine with us."

Katherine extended her hand and Stefan took it as she said. "Would you care to escort me downstairs Mr. Salvatore?" He smiled and nodded, then looked at me. "Will you be joining us, Elizabeth?" I saw his smile widen at me and I chuckled. "I shall be downstairs in a moment. Please go on ahead."

Stefan smiled, then Katherine sneaked a wink at me and led him forwards out the door.

I didn't know why I hesitated, but now I walked to the opulent mirror by the bed and stood before it, smoothing the creases in my light pink dress, then my deep emerald eyes met the reflections and I sighed.

All this running... it was taking its toll. Well over a hundred and I hadn't changed a bit.

I twirled a finger around a honey curl and turned.

-BLUEMOON-

Downstairs, everyone was perfectly polite and conversational. But I just smiled and nodded, not feeling like conversation.

Stefan now asked me. "Elizabeth you look pale? Are you well?"

I laughed now and finally spoke. "I am of perfect health.,but thank you for your concern Mr. Salvatore."

He chuckled. "Call me Stefan."

My smiled widened. "Stefan it is then."

Katherine was a little quiet now, and I knew she had her eye on him, but she had no reason to worry- I wasn't like her in regards to men. I'd never felt real love for any of them. I wasn't a Christian or anything of the religious sort, but I believed in waiting for the right man to give myself and my love to.

Whether that was in a week or another hundred years, I'd wait.

But, to my immense surprise and amusement, it was only a few days until he came.

I was sat outside on a beautiful marble bench, a book in my hand- Jayne Eyre. My dear friend Charlotte Bronte had published the book with a little help from me and Katherine, us giving her ideas about Edward Rochester, how he could be romantic like the very many men we had met and courted. I was genuinely upset when she died of problems with her latest pregnancy. I could have maybe saved both her and the child.

Katherine was laughing now as Stefan chased her around. She was so young and foolish when she came around him. Then I heard a new voice and looked up to see Stefan hugging a young man in an army uniform.

He looked over at me now and I saw the deepest and darkest, but also the brightest sapphire eyes I'd ever seen. The young man with the midnight hair walked over to me now and took my hand, pulling me up.

"And who do we have here?" he smiled, taking me by surprise how... intriguing he was.

"Elizabeth." I introduced, smiling as he kissed my hand and said. "It's a pleasure to meet you Elizabeth, I'm Damon."

My smiled seemed fixed now as he offered me his arm and to escort him inside where he was finally home. I took it, feeling something in my chest I'd never felt before.

Maybe Mystic Falls wouldn't be so bad after all.

Dedicated to my goooooood friend Lover-Fighter-Writer(: so! A little idea in my notebook that's finally come to life with a few pokes and bites from plot bunnies(: kinda AUish, but the outcome will be the same(: Thanks and reviews much loved! x