The large ball room was filled with many people from high classes, the men all dressed in fine formal attire and the ladies dressed in elegant ball gowns of all colours. Champagne was being served in slim flutes and small nibbles were being past around by hansom butlers. Many people were dancing to fine elegant music and large elegantly packed presents were neatly stacked in a corner
"So Lady Caroline, how fair you these days. Spring was much enjoyable this year, was it not" a middle aged man with greying brown hair said to Caroline
"I fair well Lord Peter, Spring was far to enjoyable i saw a wild rabbit run though the rose gardens, it was a site to see i must say" Caroline said with a smile, she was wearing a beautiful golden ball gown with a ruffled off the shoulder neckline, her long blond hair was brushed to one side as it feel in beautiful waves that caught the light when she moved. "How Fairs Margaret, is she with child yet"
"No unfortunately not but me and Abigail hope so soon" Peter says with a sad smile, Margaret got married eight months ago usually married couples show signs of pregnancy by the third or forth month of marriage, I hope Margaret shows signs soon or she could be disowned by the husband. Caroline felt a presence beside her and looked up to see the hansom Lord Elijah, he looked dapper in his formal suit.
"Lord Elijah" Peter said with a bow "I assure you that Lady Caroline has been a wonderful delight". True Peter and Elijah were both Lords, but Elijah was a very High class of Lordship, he has much money and land and has had many audiences with King Henry VIII and also being close friends with him. Elijah was truly in power and probably the most powerful Lord in England
"I thank you Lord Peter, May you excuse us, I would like to have a word with Lady Caroline" Elijah said gracefully
"Of corse" Peter said making another bow before leaving the two alone, Elijah lead Caroline to a small open room off to the side of the ball
"Yes Lord Elijah" Caroline said giving a little curtsy
"You said Lord and bowed Caroline, is something wrong? you have been very distant towards me these last few days. Have I done something to offend you" Elijah said with worry in his eyes
"I was just being formal and polite like you taught me Lord Elijah" Caroline said avoiding his eyes
"You're lying Caroline, I can hear your heart skip a beat like when you avoided me on the question of your thoughts" Elijah said
"I just-" Caroline said but was lost for words
"What troubles you Caroline? We barely talk like we used to" Elijah said
"I heard you wanted to wed me off and I-" Caroline stumbled looking down at the floor, "I was scared that you didn't want to take care of me anymore, you do so much for me and yet i can do nothing in return" Elijah brought his hand to lift her chin up so she was looking at him he could see tears forming in her eyes
"The thought had crossed my mind" Elijah said honestly "But of corse i knew you would be upset because i know you are a free spirit, but Caroline you must know that you can't be unmarried your whole life, at one stage you must choose one of your suitors" Elijah said as he looked down at her
"Unless i become a vampire" Caroline said quietly but Elijah heard it clearly with his vampire senses
"Caroline, how long have you been having these thoughts" Elijah asked bringing his hand down from her chin to rest at his side
"How long do you think, I grew up knowing of vampires existence and their capabilities and you didn't think the thought ever crossed my mind. I don't want to grow old while you stay forever youthful, I want to continue to learn about so many things and go on adventures and explore the world and the new one, and i don't want to continuously not be good enough for you" Caroline said to Elijah fire in her eyes
"When have you ever not been good enough Caroline, you can be friends with anyone and have many men beg for you to even glance at them" Elijah said
"But will i ever be good enough for you Elijah" Caroline said tears falling down her cheeks "All I have ever wanted was for you to look at me like those men do, to see me as a women and not a little girl"
"Caroline-" Elijah said as he looked away, Caroline saw this and her heart instantly broke. Tears began to flow harder as she ran away from the room into the hallway though to the backdoor into the garden, The cool air chilled her to the bone as she ran across the path, her heels clicking on the pavement under her. She ran until she was in front of a fountain with lanterns around it for lighting, it made the scene a little romantic so she went to sit on the bench next to it that viewed the forest. She sat there for a long while wiping her weak tears away before she noticed a presence near the side of the bench
"Why hello fair Maiden, what has you out here all alone" A english voice said from behind her, she turned to see a man about the age of seventeen to eighteen, he had medium length brown hair and brown eyes and he was dressed in casual wear. She didn't recognise him from the ball and she knew everybody from the guest list, she made sure of it even the plus ones. She then realised her mistake of coming out alone, she had no bodyguard with her and Elijah was not accompanying her, she was to far for screaming for help, Elijah may hear her but over the noise of the party it was unlikely
"I just needed some air, I get clostutrphopic" She lied quickly
"Does being clostutrphopic make you cry darling?" the man said smirking
"Who are you?" Caroline said putting on a brave face
"Oh sorry forgot to introduce myself, I'm Kol Mikelson" Kol said a grin on his face
"Mikelson? Like Elijah Mikelson?" Caroline asked confused, Elijah never talked about family and if this Kol was Elijah's brother then he must be a vampire
"Ahh so you have meet my noble older brother" Kol said curious "How did you two meet fair Caroline?"
Caroline widened her eyes in shock "I never gave you my name and if you already had the knowledge of my name then you should have known i'm Elijah's Ward"
"Elijah's Ward? So he has been meddling with humans. Why would he give a second thought about you?" Kol said his eyes dilating and his voice low
"Maybe you should talk to Elijah about that considering he is you're brother" Caroline said fire in her eyes
"Vervain" Kol said angrily, he looked down at her neck seeing a small heart necklace, he quickly ripped the necklace off and threw it across the yard before it could sting him severely, Caroline gasp in shock and Kol quickly put a hand on the back of her head and forcefully looked into Caroline's blue eyes as she struggled and his eyes dilated "How did you meet Elijah?" Kol asked in a low voice
"Nine years ago, a monstrous beast with yellow eyes massacred my entire village including my parents, I was the only survivor and i watched my mother bleed to death in front of my very own eyes, i would have stayed by my mothers side if it wasn't for Elijah who saved me" Caroline said still struggling but couldn't escape his right grip
"Interesting, what has happened since you have meet?" Kol asked compelling her again
"Elijah has given me a home, warmth and sustenance, he has taught me many things about life and knowledge, if it wasn't for Elijah i would be dead" Caroline said
"Ahh, I see now. Your blood belongs to Elijah" Caroline gasped "If you wanna repay him, letting him drain every drop of blood in your body would make a great sacrifice" Kol smirked as he tracked his fingertips along her bare neck "Why don't I bring you to him right now" Kol said as he gripped her roughly by her upper arm forcing her to stand, Caroline whimpered at his tight grip but as soon as it was there it was gone and Kol flew across the yard and grunted as he landed on his back but was quickly standing, she looked to see Elijah standing next to her and his arm quickly wrapped around her waist pulling her towards his chest as he glared at his brother, cool and collective.
"Kol, what are you doing here?" Elijah said hatred in his voice, something unfamiliar to Caroline
"No warm welcome for your dear brother" Kol teased "Well i was in Africa with a few entertaining witches but wanted to see how my dear brother was doing, so i tracked you down, which wasn't easy, to find you playing Lord with pathetic humans and I find lovely Caroline here and i compelled her to tell me your lovely story"
"What do you want from me Kol, you never visit without needing something" Elijah said, still holding Caroline tight to his chest
"I just needed a place to stay" Kol said innocently
"Fine take any of the guest rooms but stay away from Caroline understand" Elijah said glaring
"Understood" Kol said before flashing away towards the mansion, Elijah released his tight hold on Caroline but kept her close to his chest as he looked down at her
"I'm glad you are safe" Elijah said before pulling her into an embrace, he but his head at the crook of her neck, softly smelling her hair. Caroline slowly pulled her arms around his lower back as she softly cried into his shirt. Caroline had to relieve the memory of her mothers death it was very hard on her. after a while Elijah pulled out of the embrace and looked down at her "The ball has finished, you should return to your bedchambers it is getting late, I will cheek up on you soon. I'm going to increase your guards, with Kol here i don't trust him not to try anything" Elijah said brushing her tears away
Caroline nodded as she turned around and slowly made her walk back towards the Mansion clutching her bruised arm, her guard that she didn't even notice was there following close behind her
"Helen, I said I was fine" Caroline moaned
"You were attacked and I am payed to make sure you are clean and healthy i'm not leaving till i know you are alright" Helen nagged
"The bruise will heal and I can easily cover it until it does" Caroline said as she looked herself in the mirror she was in her nightgown covered in a red silk robe that Elijah got her from Italy for christmas last year
"I also mean healthy emotionally as well, little lady" Helen said "Reliving your mothers murder brought that scar back to the surface and it will take time to heal again, I want to make sure you are not suicidal"
"I could never do that Helen, i couldn't possibly bring the people around me to disappear like that. I would be leaving you, my friends and Elijah behind and i could never hurt them that way" Caroline said sadly
"Lady Caroline, you have the most compassionate soul that i have ever seen. You are the image of kindness, I only hope that will last" Helen said before a knock at the door disturbed them
"Who is it?" Helen said
"Lord Elijah, I wish to have a word with Caroline" the voice of Elijah sounded on the other side of the door
"The Lady is indecent" Helen said. "It's fine Helen" Caroline pleaded with her eyes. "You may come in my Lord" Helen said as he opened the door slowly, revealing his impassive face. He still wore his attire for the Ball held in her honour and he still looked breathtaking with his elegant suit
"May we have the room Helen" Caroline said politely towards Helen who gave her a glare but obediently bowed towards her
"Lady Caroline, Lord Elijah" Helen said before exiting the room closing the door behind her. Silence filled the room for a long while as they stared at each other in waiting before Caroline spoke up
"You never told me you had a brother" Caroline said as she bravely stood her ground
"I didn't think it was necessary information" Elijah said still impassive
"It's your family Elijah, I would at least like to know how many siblings you have or what they are like, it's not like i was going to meet them" Caroline said looking at Elijah with defiance
"I have an older brother, two younger brothers and a younger sister" Elijah said plainly
"Gosh, I feel sorry for the sister having all those brothers" Caroline said jokingly, Elijah smirked at this "Do i get to know why Kol is here?"
"I have no idea i have not been to speak with him, I will leave that till the morning this hour is to late" Elijah said formally
"Yet not to late to visit me" Caroline said with a sparkle in her gaze before it turned to confusion "Then what have you been doing these past two hours?"
"Looking for this" Elijah said as he pulled her heart necklace out of his suit jacket pocket, Caroline gasp in shock
"My neckless you found it" Caroline said before running to Elijah enveloping him into a hug before she quickly panicked "Don't touch the pendant or it will burn you"
"I'll be careful Caroline" Elijah said as he looked into her frantic eyes that sparked fire "May I?" Elijah said as he gestured to the necklace and her neck
"Of corse" Caroline said skittish. She turned around and moved her long blond hair to the side so Elijah could easily but the necklace on. Elijah slowly placed the necklace around her, softly brushing his fingers across the back of her neck, Caroline felt a sensational spark go though that area making her shiver. Once Elijah had locked the necklace in place he let his fingers linger longer than necessary before pulling away. Caroline turned around to face him one hand gently placed over the place where the necklace was placed as she looked to the necklace and then up to Elijah, into his eyes.
"Thank you, I would be devastated if i had lost this" Caroline said
"I could have easily gotten you a new one, vervain is quite easily to come by" Elijah said
"Its not that it's vervain Elijah, its because you gave it to me is why i treasure it so" Caroline said as she looked into Elijah's eyes before going to sit upon her bed, Elijah slowly sat next to her
"Elijah, about Kol-" Caroline started but was cut of by Elijah
"Kol is an arrogant Vampire, what he said to you is not true, you aren't owned by me in anyway" Elijah said
"so you heard our conversation" Caroline said looking down
"Your blood doesn't belong to me or anyone" Elijah said as he put his head in his hands "I'm so tired" he muttered under his breath, if Caroline hadn't been listening she wouldn't have heard it. Suddenly Elijah pulled Caroline into a warm embrace, as he rested his head in the crook of her neck he slowly lowered them so they were lying on the bed. "Dealing with my brother has made me so tired Caroline, lets just stay like this for a while" Elijah said in a tired tone
Caroline smiled at Elijah as he slowly closed his eyes and rested his forehead on hers, she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist embracing him back. "Of course Elijah", and she closed her eyes slowly drifting to sleep.
Once Caroline's heartbeat and breathing slowed to a steady pace, Elijah opened his eyes to look upon her sleeping features. She looked beautiful as always, with her blond hair framing her angelic face, her skin was soft under his touch. He gently lifted himself to stood, careful not to wake her. He slowly bent down to lift her off the bed and into his arms, bridal style. He walked over to the side of her large bed fit for a queen, and slowly placed her under the covers. He looked down at the sleeping beauty and smiled sadly. He bent down to place a small kiss upon her forehead
"Oh Caroline, this world is too small for a girl like you" He muttered, he blowed the small candle out and slowly exiting the room, softly closing the door behind him before hearing a voice behind him
"The lady loves you, you know" Helen said leaning against the wall across from the bedroom door where Elijah stood
"I know" Elijah said in a muttered voice as he looked at her
"Lady Caroline would die for you, so you better make sure it doesn't come down to that" Helen threatened softly
"I have kept her safe for nine years, I won't let that go to waste" He said annoyed
"He is after her and you, don't forget that" Helen said before walking away down the hallway
Another chapter up, and another will be up soon. Please review if you like it
-GT
I do not own The Vampire Diaries or The Originals if i did Hayley would not be pregnant