Damon approached the king slowly and bowed. "Your majesty."
The king grasped Damon by the shoulders and pulled him towards him and the two hugged as old friends. "Damon! I'm glad you came so quickly. I have very important matters to discuss with you."
"Of course. I have been thinking about our tactical strategies lately and wanted to show some of the plans to you." He lifted his hand to snap for a servant.
"No, no. That can wait. I want to talk about my daughter. You have been doing a superb job protecting her but I know that she is restless. What do you hear of this?" He met Damon's eyes with his own.
"She has grown tired of the castle and she misses horse back riding. She also misses the outdoors and having free range of the grounds. I am sure Caroline or Bonnie could tell you more specifically of her complaints." He hoped the king would end his questioning. Damon knew that he could keep his emotions hidden, yet he worried he would say something Elena did not want him to share.
"I am aware of my daughter's friends. However, I want their loyalty to rest entirely with her so I will not bother with them. If I interfere in their relationship, Elena will have no one to trust, a luxury I would rather her keep. I am thinking about sending her to a friendly Baron's estate. He would take over protecting her so that you could focus entirely on the war. His estate is well protected and it would allow Elena a certain amount of freedom that this castle does not." He searched Damon's face to judge his reaction.
"Do you have other plans for her involving this Baron?" Damon quickly shut off this switch to his emotions.
"No, not at all. I won't orchestrate a marriage for her. I want Elena to keep an eye on him for me. I am not entirely sure of his loyalty." The king sat and he motioned for Damon to join him.
"Which baron is it?" Damon slowly sank into the wooden chair beside the king's more regal plush chair.
The king paused slightly before responding. "Your brother."
"You're considering my brother as an ally? To guard Elena? Stefan has never shown any interest in our wars nor in our kingdom. Why now? What has changed?" His voice grew louder as he spoke.
"Stefan's estate is placed perfectly for an advantageous battle. His fortifications are strong and the valley beneath it would leave the enemy exposed and weak." A messenger approached the king slowly. The king grabbed the small scroll he held in his hands, and dismissed him with a wave of his hand. He broke the seal Damon recognized as his brother's and opened the letter. After scanning it quickly, he passed it to Damon.
Damon read it and handed it back to the king. "Stefan can be ready in a fortnight? That seems dangerously hasty. Sire, I do not understand Elena's role in all this. We try so hard to protect her and now we lead her right into the middle of the war. If Stefan's castle fell, or if he is really a traitor, then she'll die."
"I know the risk. And so does she." He took the letter and placed it on top of the other papers on his desk.
"You have already spoken with her about this?" He furrowed his brows in frustration.
"Yes. And she agreed to be moved from this castle to Stefan's. I believe what I told her is that she needs a change of scenery. She agrees." The two men stopped speaking and stared at one another.
Damon remained quiet as his anger rose. He became calm after a few minutes of silence and waited for the king to speak to him again.
"Now, Damon. We have known each other for far too long not to speak our minds to one another. You are my trusted advisor. Tell me what you think." He leaned towards him, willing him to speak honestly.
"I think it is," he paused before continuing, "unwise and frankly quite foolish to place Elena in danger."
The king smiled. "Is that because you are concerned for the kingdom, or worried about my daughter?"
"Sire, as her protector it is my duty to worry about your daughter and her safety. If something were to happen to her, it would be my fault, and that is guilt I do not want on my already damned soul." He gripped the chair until he feared he would snap the wood.
"It has nothing to do with the fact that you don't want her falling in love with your brother?" He searched his friend's face. Over the years the two could read each other easily in most situations. But he could never quite judge his motive towards Elena.
Damon frowned. "I had not thought of that, but I do not think she would be happy with my brother."
"Nor do I. In fact I would vehemently oppose such a union. The plan is this: You will accompany her to your brother's estate. Make sure it is safe for her to stay there. Then return to the castle so that we can stage the battle and prepare." He leaned back and relaxed in his throne-like chair.
"Will she be fighting?" Damon searched his mind for other dangerous situations in which Elena could possibly be placed.
The king sighed. "No. Although I know she is capable of confrontation on a battle field, it is too dangerous."
Damon scoffed at the ludicrousness of the statement. "But making her live with someone who could kill her and putting her in a place where she could be killed is perfectly acceptable?"
"Enough." The king's voice echoed through the room. "I am done listening to your objections. Do you accept this plan or not?"
"Of course I accept it. I am, above all, loyal to you." He stood. "I will get her there safely. The rest is up to her."
"Good. Go tell her to start preparing for the journey." He nodded curtly, excusing him.
Damon bowed and left the room. With vampiric speed, he ran to Elena's room and burst in without knocking. She screamed and jumped. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at him. He stared at her, penetrating her with his ice blue eyes. His glare frightened her and her accelerated heartbeat pounded in his ears. "Ladies, please excuse us." Her voice came out as a whisper. Caroline and Bonnie quickly left the room and slammed the door. They ran to Caroline's quarters down the hall and shut themselves in to muffle the sound of Damon's yelling.
"What the fuck, Elena? How could you agree to this ridiculous and stupid plan? My brother, for God's sakes? You might as well just walk to the gallows and hand the sword to the executioner!" He sped toward her and gripped her arms with his hands.
Elena shook in fear but stood her ground. Never had she seen him so angry, least of all with her. "Damon, stop it. Let go of me! If this is the only way I can get out of this castle, then so be it."
"Your death is worth a few moments outside?" He released her but continued yelling.
Elena backed away from him. "We both know I cannot be killed."
"And what if they figure that out? How am I supposed to know you're safe if I am not there to protect you." His voice dropped to a whisper and he strained to form the words.
Elena's eyes grew wide. "You're not coming with me?"
"No. I'm escorting you to the border, and then returning to prepare for battle." He crossed his arms over his chest.
"But who will protect me?" She sank onto her bed, the reality of her decision sinking in as she realized its consequences.
"I am sure Stefan will gladly accept the position." He smirked in annoyance.
"When will I see you again?" Elena looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Damon? How long will it be?"
Damon sat next to her. "A few months at the least. Maybe a year. It depends on how long his castle is sieged before the enemy gives up. Hopefully it won't come to that and we can just defeat them on the battlefield."
Tears began falling down her face. "A year?"
"It's possible." Still angry, Damon kept his response as short as possible.
Elena covered the panic racing through her mind with a stoic facial expression. "I will do what I must for my kingdom and my subjects. It's part of being Queen. People must know that I am worthy of the position and that I am to be taken seriously." She wiped the tears from her eyes and grimaced.
Damon stood and moved instantly across the room. He slammed his fist into the wall. "Your life is important, Elena! You cannot just throw it away on a whim."
Elena sighed and walked towards him. He flinched when she put her hands on his face, but she kept them there. "Damon, I have to do this. Just find ways to be with me. I'll be with your brother. You are my protector. You can think of a reason to bring us together. You are the second most powerful man in the kingdom. Use it." Her voice softened and she kissed him gently.
He sighed instead of returning her kiss. "Just promise me that you will be careful."
"Of course. I must start preparing my things. I also must inform Caroline and Bonnie that they are to accompany me. But Bonnie's identity must be kept secret. I do not want anyone knowing that I travel with a witch. Do you think that's possible?" She picked up his arms and wrapped them around herself.
"Yes. Few people know that Bonnie is the witch. She should be able to help guard you from both vampires and humans." He pulled her closer and she settled into his chest.
"You will escort me to Stefan's castle?" She looked up into his eyes.
"Yes, that is the plan. Along with a ten of my most trusted knights. A sword will be hidden in your carriage. Can you handle that?" He ran his fingers through her hair.
"Damon, you yourself taught me how to swordfight. You've been giving me lessons since I was four." She smirked at him.
Damon smiled. "Yes, you're quite frightening with a weapon. I need to return to my estates, love. I must begin gathering and training my men. Thankfully we have plenty of both men and vampires in the ranks. Strong fighters will be easy to find."
"Will we be together again before we leave for Stefan's castle?" Elena looked down to hide her face in preparation for disappointment.
"I am not sure. If not then I will see you in two weeks time." Damon kissed her forehead tenderly. "You are becoming the Queen I know you can be. I'm proud of you."
Elena brought her voice to a whisper. "I love you, Damon."
"And I you." He pulled on her chin and brought her lips to his. Damon broke it quickly and turned to walk out of her room.
Damon's voice bellowed through the main hall as he attempted to calm the men. "Listen up! All of you are outfitted with enough armor to repel any weapon thrown at you. You need not worry about vervain: the enemy does not have a supply. We move at daybreak. Ten vampiric lords, including myself, will accompany thirty human knights. Ten men will surround the carriage, with three lords on each side. Two lords will lead the way, followed by ten men. The last group of ten will follow the carriage, and I will bring up the rear with one other lord. Is that clear?"
The men murmured that they understood.
"Good!" Damon continued his speech. "This mission is of utmost importance. Princess Elena must be safely transported to the castle. If the mission fails, then everything you hold dear is at stake: your land, your homes, your wealth, your power. Your families will die. The enemy will kill you. No one will want a failed knight. So be sure to succeed and give this everything you've got. She is your future, men, never lose sight of that."
Damon led them, procession style, through the main gate where Elena's carriage waited for them. The men placed themselves in formation, and Damon entered the carriage. Elena sat with a calm expression, as did Bonnie, but fear dominated Caroline's face. He ignored her. "We will be on our way shortly. Do you have everything that you require for your journey?"
"Yes, thank you. How long will it take?" She folded her hands in her lap.
"If we hurry, we should be there by sundown. I do not want us to be left out in the open where his vampire army can swoop in and attack all of us. Few of them have daylight rings so we should be fine during the day. Thankfully we will many hours of sun. The hidden blade was forged with vervain, the first of its kind. Wield it well." He looked at Elena longingly before leaving the carriage.
"What was that?" Caroline looked from Elena's face to the small door through which Damon had just left.
"He is just worried about my safety, I'm assuming." Elena closed her eyes, willing the carriage to move with her thoughts. A few moments later, the carriage lurched forward, and the journey began.
Elena slept as the carriage rolled through the English countryside. In the late afternoon, the party began the trek through the forest on the border of Stefan's estate. Elena awoke as the men marched through the trees, their armor clanking as they stepped. The horses' hooves pounded against the earth as they pulled the carriage, which swayed at each step. Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and Elena heard Damon's voice calling orders to the men. "Alright, keep up your guard!"
Damon kept his horse reigned in tightly. Something felt off, as if he was being watched. He pulled off his helmet and looked into the forest intently. He saw a flicker of movement just as an arrow pierced his horse's neck. The animal crumpled to the ground and panic ensued. He wiped the animal's blood from his face in time to see a small band of men running towards him and his troops. "Protect the carriage!" He screamed through the madness, desperate for them to remember to protect Elena. He pulled his sword from its hilt and ran towards the enemy. Few wore armor: his first casualty came easily. He plunged the sword deep into the man's belly and pulled it out quickly. The man screamed, blood pouring from his abdomen as he sank to the ground, dying. Damon ran as fast as he could towards the carriage. Despite his armor, he reached the coach before the man on top of it could break it open. He drew his sword above his head and used all of his vampiric strength to sweep it across the ankles of the man. He severed the man's body from his feet completely, causing him to fall screaming, his feet left behind on the top of the carriage. "Elena!" He pulled open the door.
Elena, Caroline, and Bonnie were huddled in the middle. Bonnie was chanting something, obviously trying to protect them with a spell. Damon tried to enter the carriage, but couldn't get through the door. He yelled in frustration. "Elena, get the sword. Keep it ready. How long can Bonnie keep this place secure?"
"I'm not sure." She began pulling at the floorboards to retract the blade.
"I'll protect you, I promise. Use your ears. Listen for attackers!" He yelled the last sentence over his shoulder as he ran back into the mass of men. Elena screamed as a blade came dangerously close to Damon's neck. He crouched just in time and pointed his sword upwards. He stood swiftly, impaling the man as he rose. He pulled his weapon from the man's chest and kicked the body aside. Damon turned to look at the damage. Bodies lay everywhere around him and he could tell that his troops were dwindling. Damon waited for the inevitable: the enemy's vampire reinforcements. The diminishing sunlight made it easier for them to sneak between the trees unseen by both Damon's party and the sun's rays. His concentration drowned out the cries of his men until a scream from Elena snapped his attention back to her. He turned in time to see her swing the vervain dipped sword into the side of a vampire. The man dropped to the ground as blood squirted from his exposed ribcage.
"Elena, no!" Bonnie yelled as Elena jumped from the carriage. She landed with her legs on either side of her victim and she used the force of her fall to sink her blade into the heart of the vampire. Bonnie and Caroline each grabbed one of Elena's arms and pulled her back into the carriage before a second vampire could reach her.
Damon ran to her and pulled the head off the second man attempting to enter the carriage. He sprinted to the opposite side and stabbed a man in the neck before swinging his sword and decapitating the other. Finally the enemy began retreating back into the forest, leaving the wounded party to cope with their losses. Damon whistled for his horse and mounted the animal. He quickly glanced over the strewn bodies to count the death toll. Two of his vampires and twenty of the men.
"Alright, men. We are only five miles from Stefan's castle. I will take the princess on horseback to be sure of her safe arrival. The rest of you, guard the carriage and follow as quickly as you can. Take the valuables from the dead and leave the bodies where they lie. We will deal with them on our return." He stopped his horse in front of the carriage door and offered his hand to Elena. She took it and he pulled her swiftly onto his horse. She settled behind him and gripped him tightly around his waist. "Bonnie, be sure that the rest of us arrive safely." Bonnie nodded.
"Join us as swiftly as you can! We killed most of them and I doubt they will attack twice but be on your guard. I expect each of you at the castle. You fought bravely, men. Do not let these last five miles damper your spirits. We have the victory!" Damon raised his sword towards the sky and urged his horse onward.
"Damon, are you alright?" Elena asked quietly knowing he could hear her voice despite the roar of the galloping horse.
"Yes, of course. That was not the bloodiest battle I've seen, nor the narrowest victory I've earned." His voice softened. "How are you, love? I'm so proud of you."
"I am glad to have been useful. For once I wasn't helpless. I protected myself and helped defeat the enemy." She held onto him tightly as images of the dead vampire flickered through her mind.
"Yes, you did. You've proven yourself. I'll make sure the tale is told throughout court so that everyone knows their queen can fight for them, even as a human." Damon felt her smile.
"Thank you." She kissed his neck and he pushed the horse to run faster still.
Damon slowed the animal as they approached the hill on which the castle was located. The nearby river changed course as it flowed towards the man-made moat. The castle dominated the sky and Elena shivered as she examined the fortress. Damon stopped the horse as they reached the edge of the moat.
"Halt! What business do you have here?" A mysterious voice called from somewhere above them.
"It is Lord Damon on official business for the king. I bring an important package for your master. Now let me through!" Damon grumbled under his breath, frustrated with the interrogation of the gatekeeper.
"You may pass!" The man yelled and the gate began to descend, closing the distance between them and the castle.
"I am not a package. I am a person. Kindly remember that." Elena loudly voiced her dismay.
"Yes, dear. But I'm not going to tell just anyone that I have the princess on my horse." Damon crossed the bridge and a small boy of eleven came running up to them.
"I will take your horse to the stable, sir." He reached up for the reigns.
"Thank you." Damon dismounted then picked up Elena and placed her on the ground. "Here's a penny for your work." He tossed the coin at the child.
"Thank you, sir!" The child ran to the stable, horse in tow.
A handsome man appeared before the two lovers. He smiled and his green eyes focused on Elena.
"Hello, brother." Damon sighed as he greeted Stefan, resigning himself to a future of interactions with his distant brother.
Author's Note: This chapter was one of my favorites to write. I loved writing it and this was the scene I was waiting for. I hope you guys like this chapter. Be Good and Review! Reviews seriously keep me going. I know this update was really slow in coming, but I wanted it to be good. I don't have a Beta, so I own all of my mistakes! Let's see if we can get up to 100 reviews!