A/N: Sorry for not updating last week, I do plan to update twice a week but I was an idiot last week and left my uni assignment to the last minute so was working my ass of on that! Hope you all enjoy this chapter!
….
It had taken a two weeks to arrive at the Salvatore kingdom and Elena was exhausted, she had had little sleep since being attacked as she constantly had the images replaying her in head, wearing her down. At night it had been worse, her dreams were plagued by the man but every night Damon had come into her tent and held her which seemed to keep the nightmares at bay. She could tell he was uncomfortable with it as it looked suspicious to his camp but in truth it was completely innocent, Damon had not made an advancement towards her since that day and she was grateful. She looked up at the giant wooden gates that were on levers to open and gasped, her kingdoms walls were like picket fencings compared to the Salvador's kingdoms 20 foot high stone masonry that completely hid the inner city from view; cannons lined the top of it, each manned with two men and two archers each side and Elena couldn't help but feel small and tried to shrink back against Damon's chest.
"Do not be afraid Elena, My defences are high because I only wish to protect all those under my rule" his voice was soft a reassuring yet she still felt overwhelmed with the sheer dominance of the walls. She watched the gates wide eyed as they opened and revealed the inner city and took in the joyous city. Within the cold walls was a bright, joyous and clearly thriving city that she had not been expecting, throughout the land there were tales of oppression and poverty and the city in front of her clearly was the opposite
"The rumours are false, everyone here seems to be prospering" Damon chuckled behind her, amused at her thoughts that she had meant for only her mind. He leant down to whisper in her ear and she shivered at how close he was to her
"Rumours I started Elena, I want the world to see me as a cruel warlord with a dying region, this way I have the upper hand as my forces are greatly underestimated" she nodded, he was right; Lockwood would be in for a rude awakening if he was expecting a rundown settlement that was assumed to be easily conquered. The smell of freshly baked goods wafted to her nose and she looked to her left spotting a small but busy bakery, happy children lined the window staring at the neatly decorated cakes and deciding which one they would buy with the money they had pooled together. She turned to Damon and asked him to stop which he looked at her quizzically but allowed her to dismount, she walked over to the children and knelt down to get their attention
"They all look lovely don't they?" a little boy to the left of her nodded, his brown hair shaggy and large brown eyes filled with excitement
"We can't decide miss! We all want different things but we only have enough money to buy one to share" a little girl tugged on her arm, drawing her attention to her, these children were clearly lower class yet not in poverty.
"I want the pretty pink one miss but they all say it's to girly" the other children nodded, clearly disapproving at her choice.
"Well, how about you all pick one each and I will get them for you?" all four children jumped up in excitement, throwing themselves into her arms for a hug
"Would you really do that for us miss!" a second boy spoke up, clearly not believing in her kindness. She felt Damon come up behind her and they kneeled down, bowing their heads
"My lord, we meant to disrespect…" Elena stood to her feet, her arms crossed at him disrupting her
"Do you have any money Elena?" she had expected him to tell her to stop being foolish like her father would have. He's offering me money?
"Yes Damon, I keep an emergency pouch in my petticoat, just because I'm a princess doesn't mean I like taking things for free" he smiled at her snappy tone, Elena hated people thinking she relied on her status.
"Are you really a princess!" it was the little girl, excitement clearly evident in her voice. Elena nodded and offered her hand to her so they could walk into the shop together.
"Yes, I am. Come one, let's get you all a treat each and some bread for you to take home for you families" the four boys rushed into the shop, Elena and the little girl following. The baker looked at them distastefully which Elena brushed off, he probably though they would just dirty his shop rather than paying customers. He bowed quickly though when Damon entered, clearly intrigued by Elena's actions "I'll have five loaves of your freshest baked bread please, the little pink cake in the window and whatever these four boys want" The baker quickly went around grabbing the order, not wanting to displease his lord who nodded at him in a make it quick way. Elena took the food and handed a loaf to each child then their treats which they all took happily giving her another hug "Now when your parent's ask about the bread tell them they are a gift from your king alright, don't mention me and don't mention the sweet's I don't think they would be too happy with you eating before dinner time" they all nodded and quickly rushed out of the store and she put two gold coins with her family seal on the counter, the baker raised an eyebrow but said nothing, he knew better than to question it.
"Was it really necessary to bring me into that Elena, I don't want my people to start thinking I give out charity like that" Elena shrugged, she couldn't care less about his image. For the first time since the incident she had felt like herself and started to feel less fragile
"It was either that or people find out I'm here and could get back to Mason" Damon nodded, clearly impressed with her thinking, she was right; Lockwood had spies everywhere and he didn't want him to know where they were until he was sure his army was up to the task he had in his mind.
"Come on, the sooner we get to the castle the sooner you can rest, it's been a long trip and I'm sure you would like a proper bed to sleep in for once" He held out his arm for her and she took it happily, her exhaustion was getting the better of her and she was happy for the support her offered.
…..
Damon watched her carefully as she had interacted with the children at the bakery, his heart felt that familiar tug on it that he had been experiencing since he had first laid his eyes on her. He knew that she was different from other noble women he had meet but he never thought that she would be kind enough to interact with lower class, especially the children that many people turned their noses up at and referred to them as riffraff. Yes his kingdom was prosperous but they still had a class system that was thoroughly stuck to much to his dislike maybe, just maybe she can change that. He shook his head brushing his thoughts aside, he couldn't start thinking like that, yes his feelings had been growing for her and for once in his life he had been content with just holding a woman in bed rather than other nightly activities but he had to remember she was just a pawn in the game called war, weakness would be punished as he had seen many times. He helped her on the horse, his heart once again grown warm as she leant back into him and he couldn't help but nuzzle into her hair sighing. It feels so right having her in my arms.
"Damon…do you think it would be okay if I could do some archery when we reach your castle…" he furrowed his brows together, if he let her get a hold of a weapon she could try to escape and hurt his men, which he could not spare a single one.
"I don't think that is wise Elena…" he stared straight ahead to the castle gates, feeling remorse seep into him, he didn't want to say no to her and wished he could grant her every request.
"I promise I won't try to escape, you can even be there I just…ever since that man I've felt so weak, I feel like I have no control of anything, even my own dreams" he went stiff, this was the first time she had mentioned that night and his guilt stung him full force "At home archer was the only thing that made me feel like I had any control over anything, I just…if I could practice again I feel I could stop being so afraid, I could have control back of myself. Please Damon, I can't feel this weak anymore" he couldn't help but relate to what she was saying, as a young boy he felt completely controlled by his father, he had no choice in his life and he had felt like he had been drowning in his father expectations. Like Elena he had found solace in something but for him it was picking up a sword and fighting and his dedication eventually helped him climb the ranks and get him to where he was today
"If it will help you then I guess it will be alright, only for half an hour though Elena, I don't know if I trust you not to try escape" he felt Elena's sunken shoulders regain posture and happiness radiated off her and he didn't doubt that if they weren't on his horse she would be hugging him right now.
"Thank you Damon, you have no idea how much that mean's to me" he nodded, not saying a word If only you knew Elena, we are more alike than you realise.
…..
Elena woke up the next day hurriedly and searched through the wardrobe in the room Damon had given her, he had been very prepared for her arrival and had filled the closet with numerous dressing attire and much to her excitement he had given her one plain dress that wouldn't affect her archer. He hadn't slept with her last night, he had business to attend to he said and she tossed and turned all night, the man hadn't appeared in her dreams this time which she hoped after today would continue. She pulled her hair into a simple ponytail, not caring if she looked messy, the thought of a bow in her hands again as what was important. There was a knock on the door and Damon poked his head in, smiling at her as he took in her appearance, obviously he was pleased with her simple look.
"Ready to go?" she nodded enthusiastically and followed him out of the castle to an empty archery area with a bounce in her step. "I've made sure no one will enter here for half an hour so you have the place to yourself" she felt a part of her become disappointed, Jeremy always practiced with her and it always gave her a sense of accomplishment when she beat him.
"Will you practice with me?" he nodded slowly and her smile spread, she knew that he assumed she wasn't very good and he was in for a surprise "We could make a game out of it, every time I win a round I get to ask a question and you have to answer honestly, if you win you get a question"
"You really think you can beat me?" she put a hand on her hip, her lips pursed and nodded, clearly his obnoxious side had come out
"Of course I can Damon, just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't be good with a bow" he chuckled and handed her a set of arrows and she put it on so the strap was sideways again her front and he did the same. He handed her a bow a cheeky smile on his face, he was clearly amused
"Alright princess let's see what you've got" She nodded and walked over to the white line and grabbed an arrow from her back and rested the tip just in front of her two fore fingers, balancing it as she pulled the bow string back so it was pressed into her check. Her arm was perfectly straight, inline to the direction she wanted the arrow to go and took a deep breath in. She slowly let her breath out a released the arrow with a plucking sound and frowned when it hit the inner circle, an inch away from the bulls eye "Not bad, but I'm afraid I win this round" Elena went to object but before she could open his mouth he had realised his arrow which hit the bulls eye but was slightly off centred
"Alright, what do you want to know?" she could see him thinking and she couldn't help but think it was cute when he looked like he was concentrating
"Who taught you archery?" Elena was taken aback, she swore he would take this chance to ask her something inappropriate
"My brother Jeremy, he would take out to the forest whenever we had time off from our studies since I was a little girl. I had always seen him practice and ad asked father to teach me but he said it wasn't for girls, Jeremy saw how sad I was and taught me in secret" Damon nodded, she could see he was impressed with her, after all it wasn't every day a woman asked to be taught how to wield a weapon. She raised her bow again, this time taking her time as she was determined to hit the bull's eye like she had done many times in the past. She clapped her hands when she won and Damon frowned
"Lucky shot" Elena's musical laugh filled the air men and their ego's
"Don't be a sore loser Damon, alright my turn" many thought's passed through her head, one more prominent then the others but she didn't want to ruin the fun they were having so decided to ask that one later
"Will I get to see Caroline sometime this week?" she hoped she would, she and Caroline were childhood friends but she hadn't seen her for years and she missed her.
"I can ask her if she wants to be your lady in waiting if you like?" she nodded enthusiastically, it would be nice to have someone she knew around, she had a feeling Damon wouldn't have a lot of time to spend with her. The two continued their contest, each winning an even amount of times which Elena couldn't help but laugh about as Damon's pride seemed to be getting the better of him. But each time she won the main question she wanted to know nagged at her and she knew it was now or never as she had just won again
"Damon…" she turned to him and sat down on the grass which he copied, she picked up a piece of grass and began to pull it apart in hopes to avoid his gaze.
"What is it Elena?" he sounded concerned and she bit her lip, she couldn't figure out a way to ask without being blatant
"Why did you say you wanted to marry me? And remember you have to answer me honestly" she looked into his eyes, uncertainty crossed across them and he was hesitant
"I need your father's alliance and safe passage through mystic falls to win this war and the only way I can do that is by giving him a reason to side with me" she lay down in the grass, feeling slightly deflated, her brown hair splayed out behind her. Of course it was about war and she was just another pawn in the brutal game
"I see…And do I have a choice in this?" he lay down beside her, his head next to hers and she felt him nod
"Of course you do Elena, I would never force you into something you didn't want to do" She sat up, and leant over him. Anger rose up in her and all she wanted to do was slap him
"How can you say that when you took me from my home against my will!" she felt his arms wrap around her and she let out a small squeak as he flipped her over so he was hovering over her, his eyes piercing into hers
"That's different Elena, with you here I have the upper hand but I would never force you into anything that you didn't want to do, you have a choice in this. If you don't agree then I will figure out another way" she was shocked, for the first time someone had given her a choice. Someone was giving her control of her life and she felt a strong appreciation towards Damon who was still staring at her with his intense blue sapphire eyes.
"Then Damon, I'm going to have to decline-"he growled at her, clearly frustrated but Elena put her finger up to his lips to hush him "Damon, for the first time you have given me a choice and I thank you. For now I am saying no because if I'm going to be honest with myself I do not want to marry for someone's political gain, my whole life I have seen people choose who they want to marry out of love and yet I had that choice taken away from me. I want love Damon, I want to marry someone who I love and who loves me back and until that day then I will continue to say no. If you want to marry me Damon then we are going to do this the right way and IF you tell me you love me in the future and mean it then and only then will I say yes" he looked at her, his answer ticking over in his head and he pushed himself up offering her his hand, she took it and was pulled into him where he tipped her head up so their eyes met again
"I accept your terms Elena, but I promise you that by the end of this you will be my wife" he placed a soft kiss on her head and she wrapped her arms around him, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Thank you Damon, thank you for giving me a choice"
…..
