Obviously, I forgot to make a note of this earlier but no copyright infringement intended, I do not own the show or the characters, they belong to their respective owners. Thank you. Of course, Elijah's speech is the one from the show. Please enjoy this chapter, if you don't, sorry I suck! If you do thank you very much for reading, and I hope you continue to enjoy it.
-Ace
Elijah's POV
The night had finally arrived. Mystic falls had been abuzz with gossipers and excitement after the invitations for his family ball had been sent out. He had been hoping Elena would attend when he was out one day and saw her through a window trying on dresses. He smiled at the thought, if tonight was a bust at least he would get to see the lovely Elena. He'd been trying so long to fight his attraction for the compassionate brunette as he swore he would never make the same mistake he had with Katerina. However, the more he knew Elena the easier it was to see she was nothing like her predecessors. The women who held that face before her were selfish and manipulative, but Elena was the exception as she was anything but. Always ready to sacrifice herself for those she loved. Elijah was hoping to use tonight as a shameful excuse to be around her. The big bad Original was nervous to talk to a girl.
Guests had been arriving for the past half hour and but the Mystic Falls crew had yet to show up. Invitations had been sent to Elena's friends Caroline and Bonnie as well as, reluctantly, the Salvatore's. But his mother insisted that they be invited to make a demonstration of what a united front they were, and not to be messed with. He stood at the top of his stairs with his siblings Niklaus, Rebekah, Kol and Finn. The room changed, as he looked up he saw the vision that was Elena Gilbert walk through the doors to the mansion. She was dressed in a black and gold strapless ball gown with a corset top that clung to her body. She glanced in his direction and their eyes locked.
Elena's POV
She was nervous when she entered the doors to the mansion, practically shaking with anticipation and excitement. She looked around carefully scanning the crowd when she spotted Elijah at the top of the stairs. Their eyes connected and it was just how Elijah had described, everyone in the room disappeared and electricity shot through her body as her heart beat began pounding against her chest. The moment was broken when she felt a hand on her arm. She looked away from Elijah to see Stefan and Damon standing next to her looking slightly pissed. She'd gone against their wishes and shows up to the ball anyway.
"What are you doing here, Elena?" Damon asked. "I thought we told you to stay at home."
"Contrary to your own beliefs I don't have to do everything you say, Damon. You don't have control over me." Elena huffed.
"We know what's best for you, Elena. What were you thinking coming into the house of the Original family unprotected?" Damon asked incredulously.
I was thinking about Elijah, that's who. Elena thought.
Elena's rebuttal was halted as the sound of a clinking glass was heard and attention turned to the Mikaelson family gathered on the stairs. That woman at the top must be Esther, Elijah's mother.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Elijah's voice rang out into the vast crowd. "You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance." Elijah's eyes found Elena's. "Tonight's pick is a centuries old waltz, so if all of you find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom."
Elijah climbed down the stairs as the crown began to flurry into the ballroom, making his way over to Elena who already had her eyes on him.
"Elena," Elijah said as he held his hand out. "it would be an honour."
Elena smiled as she reached for his hand "I would love to." Elijah escorted her into the ballroom as they left behind a sour faced Damon glaring at their backs.
Finally. Elena thought.
At last. Elijah thought.
As Elena placed her hand on Elijah's shoulder, his hand gripped her waist. The music began and the dance had begun. "You look incredible, Elena." Elijah complimented staring deep into her eyes.
Elena blushed at his honesty and penetrating stare. "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself, Elijah." The dance progressed and they never once broke eye contact. Elena was feeling slightly overwhelmed, knowing the outcome of the night. They chatted idly but of nothing complicated or distressing, not wanting to ruin the moment.
The song ended but neither Elijah or Elena moved away from each other.
"May I be so bold as to ask for another dance, lovely Elena?" Elijah asked slightly nervous as to whether Elena would accept.
Elena pretended to think for a moment, but seeing Elijah actually nervous she decided to put him out of his misery. "It would be my pleasure, Elijah." A brilliant smile spread over Elijah's face and Elena felt her knees wobble slightly.
"Elijah, there's something I should tell you." Elena began as their second dance of the night started.
"Yes?" Elijah asked concern peeking through his slightly hardened eyes.
"Your mother asked to see me tonight." Elena got out in one breath.
"I see. Pertaining to what matter?"
"I'm unsure, Elijah. She asked to see me privately."
Elijah glanced around the room, not spotting his mother anywhere. "Can I trust you, Elena?" His grip on her waist tightened, pulling her closer to him. "I do not believe my mother's intentions with this family. She forgave Klaus too easily. Will you share her plans with me?" Elijah asked hoping he hadn't misplaced his trust in Elena.
Elena knew her part to play in this. She would meet with Esther and tell Elijah of her plans, just as he had told her. She was still nervous though as she did not know what the Original witch had planned, but it was bad enough to warrant a less than stellar reaction from Elijah, who did not often let his emotions show. "Anything I can do to help, Elijah." Elena replied as she realised her pause may be misconstrued as unwillingness to help him.
They continued to dance but not for long as Elijah's brother Finn approached them. "Miss Gilbert, my mother was wondering if she could see you now?"
"Certainly." Elena took Finn's arm glancing back at Elijah with a reassuring smile and nod.
Finn led her up the stairs and down a long hall before stopping and opening a door that led to an office of sorts where Esther sat behind a desk. "Elena," Esther greeted, standing up as Finn left the room. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, thank you for coming tonight. Please, take a seat." Elena did as she instructed and sat on the edge of the sofa with a straight back, not feeling the least bit comfortable.
"First of all, I'd like to apologise for trying to have the Donovan girl kill you from the other side." Elena nodded in acceptance, because really, there had been so many attempts on her life recently this was just another to add to the list.
"The reason I asked you here tonight is because I need your help." Esther continued. "You see, Elena, 1000 years ago I made a mistake by turning my children into vampire's." Elena was beginning to get confused. "I would like your help to undo that mistake."
"What are you talking about?" Elena asked not understanding what Esther was alluding to.
"You want Niklaus out of your life, correct?" Elena nodded. "All I need is a bit of your blood to put in the champagne to bind all of my children together tonight, then I will be able to kill my hybrid son." Wait, what?
"You want to help kill Klaus?" Elena asked unbelievingly.
"My children have become monsters, Elena. When I turned them into vampires all those years ago I did not foresee what they would become. It is time to end it."
"End it? You mean kill all of your children?" Elena asked her pulse quickening. How could this woman possibly conceive killing her own children, even if Klaus is a monster?
"They will no longer be a nuisance in your life Elena, you would be free to live as you see fit without fearing them." Esther added trying to convince her this would be better for her after seeing Elena's hesitance to her plan.
"How could you possibly think killing your children would be the right thing to do? Klaus may be evil, but to drag the rest of you children down with him? What about Elijah? He's no monster." No way in hell would she help Esther kill Elijah, even if she hated Klaus she would not risk Elijah's life just to be rid of him.
"They are all monsters, Elena. You have not seen their actions over the past 1000 years. I was forced to see and watch them wreak havoc and terror. To feel the pain of every victim." Esther spoke passionately.
"I won't help participate in this hare-brained scheme you've cooked up, Esther." Elena spoke as she stood up and began to walk to the door.
"I was afraid you'd say that." Esther said and Elena found herself rooted to the spot. "I'm sorry but you have no choice." Esther walked to her desk and collected a knife and a goblet. She took Elena's palm and sliced a deep cut, Elena winced at the action. "I wouldn't speak of this Elena, wouldn't want you to get into any trouble." Esther threatened her as she released Elena from her spell.
"You're insane." Elena seethed.
"It's what's best for everyone, Elena."
Elena left the room quickly, clenching her bloody hand and turned back through the corridor trying to find Elijah. She spotted him talking to the mayor and quickly tried to grab his attention which took no time at all as Elijah could smell the blood and fear radiating off her. He excused himself from the mayor and took Elena into a secluded part of the mansion, closed to the other party goers.
"Elena, what happened?" Elijah asked quickly scanning her body for injuries, as he took her hand in his inspecting the wound. "What did my mother do to you?" He asked in an angry tone of voice.
"Elijah, we don't have much time, and I'm sorry to have to tell you this but the reason your mother brought me here tonight was to seek my help in killing Klaus. Only she doesn't want to kill only Klaus. She took my blood in hopes of binding you all together, only then will she be able to kill Klaus and you all with him." Elena had tears in her eyes as she relayed the story to Elijah, for the thought of his death, though she knew it wouldn't happen now, was too much to handle. And she also cried for the thought of Elijah's mother being so callous and cruel as to kill her children to remove an evil from the world. She was still his mother and it had to hurt. "I'm so sorry, Elijah."
"I knew her intentions were not pure. No doubt Finn plays a part in her plan, he never accepted what we are and those two have been close since my mother's arrival, as thick as thieves."
The air in the room grew thick. "Thank you for telling me Elena, I know Klaus has not endeared my family to you and as such you owe us no loyalty." Elijah said.
"You've always done your best to protect me, Elijah." Elena spoke softly. "How could I let her kill you and your entire family?"
They retained eye contact for what felt like hours in Elena's head but in reality, was probably less than a minute. Elijah once again took in the injury on her hand as Elena winced. "Please allow me to heal you, Elena. That is a deep cut and I would not want you to be in any pain." Elena was touched at his concern. She didn't think she had the ability to speak so only nodded her head. Elijah bit down on his wrist and offered it to her, she took it gratefully and slowly moved it towards her mouth, anxious as his eyes focused on her intensely. Softly, her lips touched his skin and the blood made its way down her throat. Elena was surprised at the taste, it was sweet and not metallic. A soft moan of appreciation rumbled within her as her eyes fluttered shut and she drank down more.
She broke contact with his skin and looked up to see Elijah's eyes turn a charcoal black. She felt no fear as she knew Elijah would never hurt her. Instantly, her back was against a wall and Elijah pressed into her body and she gasped at the quick movement. He brought his hand up and stroked her hair his hand trailing down the side of her face and gently grazing her lips with his thumb.
"Elijah." Elena sighed, as slowly his lips moved closer to hers and paused for a brief second to look back into her eyes making sure his advance was a welcome one. When he saw nothing but acceptance he finally joined their lips. Elena's whole body was on fire and if Elijah's body wasn't holding her up she surely would have collapsed by now.
Elijah felt incredible. Elena had taken his blood, willingly, and now she had allowed him to kiss her. This was all he had wanted for so long, but thought he would never get the chance due to the presence of the Salvatore's. But here he was, kissing the women of his dreams, literally, and he didn't think it could get any better than this. She had the softest lips and Elijah decided to be brave and deepen their kiss. As his tongue entered her mouth he felt no resistance from Elena and only heard her moan slightly, he couldn't believe her reaction to him. Their tongues danced for only a minute as he pulled away, albeit grudgingly, but he remembered where he was and that their absence would be noted by Esther and Finn.
Elena kept her eyes closed for a moment longer and tried to recapture her breath before she looked back at Elijah. "We should return before Esther suspects anything." Elijah breathed quietly, not wanting to leave the moment they had created.
"Yeah, ab-absolutely." Elena stuttered still recovering from the feel of Elijah's lips on hers.
Elijah placed one last long kiss on Elena's lips before she reminded him not to drink the champagne and took his arm as they returned to the party. A waiter came around and passed out glasses of champagne to the Original siblings. Elijah has discretely managed to send a text warning his siblings, sans Finn, not to drink the champagne. As everyone raised their glasses Elena looked to Elijah as he pretended to take a sip and she sighed in relief that this night was almost over.
Elijah obviously had to speak to his siblings after his cryptic warning. He saw his brother Klaus speaking to the blonde vampire, Miss Forbes, as he and Elena walked towards them. "Niklaus, may we speak?" Elijah asked as they approached.
Klaus nodded. "Caroline, love, this shan't take a moment."
"Actually, I was thinking it was time to head home." Caroline admitted. "Elena, are you ready to leave?"
"Yeah, it's been a long night, let's get going." She loathed to leave Elijah, but she didn't want to spend any more time in this house with his mother. "Elijah, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course," he said as he placed a kiss on her hand. "We have much to discuss." Elena blushed as she turned away and walked to the entrance where Bonnie and Caroline awaited her, one glance back at Elijah who had not taken his eye's away from her. She exited the house and got in her car with Bonnie and Caroline who were spending the night at Elena's. Of course, they are. Elena thought with a smile, obviously, her friends wanted details about her time with Elijah. She would humour them this once since she was in a great mood.
