A/N: Howdie. Mentioning that I do not own The Vampire Diaries, and that all paragraphs and chapters written in italics are flashbacks didn't slip through my mind, did it? Well, anyway, you probably figured that out on your own, so enjoy!

[2]

England, 1492

Weeks passed, and Elijah kept conversing with the beautiful Katerina every time Klaus went out - which was in truth unquestionably often.

He shouldn't be doing it, though. He knew that. He knew that his contrite heart shouldn't throb like a hammer every time she laughed, every time she smiled and spoke, but she was so astonishing to him, so magnificently stunning. So bursting with life and spunk and spirit, it took his very breath away.

One day, he agreed with himself not to resist it anymore. If Klaus was so driven to sacrifice this girl in the ritual, Elijah wished and was determined to spend every minute she had left alive with her. He... God, he thought he might be in love with Katerina, and found himself feeling less concerned than he should about what Klaus would think, and what he always told him.

'We do not feel, and we do not care.'

Elijah felt. He cared, and deeply, too.

"Speaking of the party that'll be held in a few days," he said, throwing a look at his brother. "Will Katerina be attending it, by any means?"

It was Elijah's many centuries and something birthday soon. He'd lost count of his years, actually. It felt strange.

Klaus squinched and smiled a smile that was frightening, perhaps for others. But Elijah knew him. It was only a facade to make sure everyone knew who was in charge.

"Well, certainly. Why wouldn't she? I am her suitor, am I not?" He snickered, probably thinking of all the nights they'd spent...

Elijah grunted, an atypic action when it came to him - the patient, intelligent, less dangerous brother of the two.

"Yes, right," he said immovably. "Niklaus, there is something I've wanted to ask you for some time."

"There is," Klaus echoed. "You want to escort my Katerina to the party."

The sound of him calling Katerina 'his', had Elijah igniting in displeasure. He clenched his jaws and glared out in the air. "Yes."

Klaus scowled. "This is not the time to develop idiotic feelings, Elijah. The full moon is here in a week, and she is human. She's emotionally insignificant to us."

"I do not care for her," Elijah snapped, hating himself for the obvious lie in the tone of his voice. "I do not care. Or feel."

"Then why?" asked Klaus sharply, taking a stone hard step towards him.

Elijah combed through his mind for something to say. "I... I want to drink from her. Just a sip. It will be my birthday, after all. She looks... tasty."

"And for that to happen, you must spend all evening with her?"

"It sweetens the flavor."

Klaus let out a short laugh. "Then you may take her. But don't drain her. That is my job."

"I won't," Elijah answered, chuckling tensely along with him.

He found her in the garden, sitting in the high grass, wearing a violet dress, pearl earrings and no shoes.

"Katerina," Elijah said, trying not to startle her. "I have looked for you."

She turned around and smiled heartedly as she saw him, her shapely lips pulling back and revealing two rows of snow white teeth. "My Lord Elijah. I'm glad you found me."

Up from the grass she jumped and trotted over to him, her hair flowing like dark waves in the mild breeze. "We must speak."

"Yes, so we must," Elijah agreed and took her soft hand in his, caressing it lightly with his mouth, never jerking his eyes off her face. "My brother has given me the permission to escort you to my birthday celebration in a couple of days, which I would be delighted to do. If you do not mind, that is."

Katerina tilted her head to the side - a habit of hers, and pressed her eyebrows together, eyeing him in confusion. "But won't that be... inaproperiate?"

"No, not in the least. And I'd appreciate if you gave me an answer as directly as at all possible, because - "

"Yes," Katerina interfered, appearing nearly bewildered with herself. "Yes, I would love to go with you, My Lord."

Elijah grew warmer, and had to fight himself not to grin widely like a fool. He let her hand fall and swallowed strongly. "Wonderful."

"But this will end my courtship with Klaus, won't it?" asked Katerina.

"Absolutely not," Elijah hastily said.

"Oh." She hinted to be saddened by this, and stroke the skirt of her dress with her palms. Elijah squinted.

"Why do you seem disappointed?"

Katerina blinked frantically, her breath turning heavier. "I - I... My Lord, you must promise to not share this with Klaus, but I intend to break off my courtship with him."

"And you plan to do that because...?" Elijah put an effort in sounding upset from this.

"He's not for me," Katerina said. "As I told you; I wish for more. Much more. Tenderness. All consuming love. And Klaus cannot give me that."

"Then who can?" Elijah asked hoarsely, discovering that his hand was placed on Katerina's. "Who can give you more?"

Her circled eyelids fluttered, and her lips parted as she slid her hand out of his grasp. "Trevor has begged me for my hand for a long time now, I consider - "

"So now you return his love." Elijah's voice was harsh and cold.

"Elijah - My Lord, I - you must understand that... I cannot - We cannot..."

"I know." He knew. They could never build a life together, they could not be wedded, have children, a home... But there was still a slight happiness in imagining.

This was short, but longer chapters are to come. Be patient, friends...