Part 11

10th century

"Eli? Eli?"

Elijah opened his eyes and saw Livy's face hovering over him. The room was dark, there was only dim candlelight. He was immediately fully awake and quickly got into a sitting position. He had his own small living quarters, all ready for him and his future wife, if and when he would get married. Livy often spent time here, but she didn't usually come here in the middle of the night.

"What is wrong?" he asked.

She blinked few times before replying.

"I… May I sleep here?"

"Yes, of course. Have something happened?"

She didn't say anything, she just bowed her head.

"Livy? Tell me."

"I… I had a nightmare," she murmured.

"Oh. Do you want to talk about it?"

She shook her head; she still wasn't looking at him. He could tell that something was wrong, but he didn't want to pressure her.

"Alright. Let's get some sleep then."

She nodded gratefully and lied down beside him. They were both quiet for a moment before she spoke.

"Eli?"

"Yes?"

"I am afraid."

He rolled on his side and looked at her.

"What? Have someone hurt you?"

"No, but…"

He moved closer and touched her cheek.

"What? Please tell me."

She swallowed and blinked nervously.

"Father… He… He said… He has tried to find me a husband."

Elijah's eyes widened.

"What? Has he lost his mind, you are a child!"

She was 15, there was no chance Elijah would let his father do this. Just the thought of giving Livy to some worthless…

"No one wants me," she murmured. "No matter what kind of dowry I have."

"That is not true…"

"It is, father said so. I am too ugly."

Her eyes were watering up and she let out a heartbreaking sob. Her tears were always like a knife in Elijah's heart, he couldn't bear to see her sad.

"Hey…" He paused and cupped her face. "I want you to listen to me, Livy. You are not ugly, far from it. You are beautiful."

"No…"

"Yes, you are. My beautiful Livy. I do not want you to worry about anything; I will take care of you. You will always have a home with me."

"You will get married…"

"It does not matter. You will always come first."

Finally she looked at him and smiled.

"Always?"

He smiled too and nodded before kissing her forehead.

"Always."

He meant it; she was the most important person to him. He had been extremely protective of her ever since she had been born. Some of the boys in the village had learned that the hard way after making her cry. Elijah was usually quite calm, he didn't lose his temper easily, but when he did... He had taught those boys a lesson they would never forget. Anyone who hurt Livy would have to face the most unpleasant part of Elijah. He was going to keep her safe, no matter what.


Elijah smiled as he opened his eyes and saw Livy sleeping beside him. He had missed her calming presence more than he had realized. She had always been there for him; he knew that he could count on her. Mozart was sleeping between them, curled up into a ball. The cat had been with them for almost 10 years. Livy had found the poor thing starving and badly injured and brought him home.

They have always had pets, Livy loved animals. She also loved studying new things; Elijah had always admired her intelligence and enjoyed their conversations. Any man would have been lucky to have her, but Elijah didn't think that there was a man good enough for her. It was true that he hadn't liked men approaching her, but he had only thought what was best for her.

Besides, she hadn't really shown interest toward any man. If she would, Elijah would accept that. At least so he kept telling to himself. Of course the suitor needed to be suitable and worthy of Livy. So far Elijah hadn't met anyone who would be. She had couple of male friends, including Lucien Castle, for some incomprehensible reason, but as far as Elijah knew, she had never had romantic feelings toward anyone.

Elijah couldn't deny that he was secretly glad about that. Sharing Livy wasn't something he wanted to do. Of course her happiness was important to him and if she would someday find someone… Someone good enough. Then of course Elijah would accept that.

"Hey," he said when she opened her eyes.

"Hi," she replied smiling. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did, thank you. How about you?"

"Yes."

"Did you finish the movie?"

She shook her head.

"No, Mozart wanted to go outside. I ran into Nik."

Elijah's eyebrows furrowed.

"Did he…"

"We talked," Livy cut in. "I think we managed to settle some things. I don't approve the things he has done, but I don't want to fight with him. If you have forgiven him…"

Elijah sighed and nodded.

"Yes, I suppose I have. Niklaus is who he is, but I still have hope. I want to believe that this child could be his salvation."

"I believe so too. I think he already loves his child, like a father should. Despite of everything, he deserves this chance."

Elijah bit his bottom lip; he understood what Livy was trying to say.

"Yes, he does and he will have this chance."

Livy smiled gently and touched his face.

"Eli, I'm sorry…"

"Don't be. I… I don't know. My mind knew the whole time that what I was doing with Hayley was wrong, but… Perhaps in some way I was jealous. I can never have what Niklaus will have."

He would have never admitted that to anyone else, but as he said it out loud, he understood that it was the truth.

"I'm sorry," Livy said quietly and wrapped her arms around him. "I…"

A knock on the door cut off her sentence, the door opened before Elijah had time to say anything.

"Elijah?" Hayley's voice said as she entered his room. "Could you…"

She froze when she saw him and Livy, she looked stunned.

"Oh… I'm sorry; I didn't know you have…company."

"Good morning, Miss Marshall," Livy said politely as both her and Elijah got into a sitting position. Mozart opened his eyes and glanced at Hayley carelessly before closing them again.

"Good morning," Hayley replied after clearing her throat. "I didn't know you're staying in Elijah's room."

"I'm not, I have my own room."

"Right…"

"Did you need something, Hayley?" Elijah asked.

"Yeah, I was wondering if you could come with me back to the swamp. In case we can find any leads about the wolves."

"Sure." Elijah paused and looked at Livy. "Do you want to join us, sister?"

"Of course," Livy replied smiling. "Happy to help."

"Great," Hayley said. "That's… great."

"Perhaps Nik would also like to join us?" Livy suggested.

"Are you serious?" Hayley asked disbelievingly. "He just bit Elijah yesterday."

"Yes, I know, but he is our brother and you are the mother of his child. Surely he wants to help."

"I don't need his help," Hayley replied sharply and crossed her arms.

"I think Livy is right," Elijah stated calmly. "We should inform Niklaus what is going on."

"This isn't any of his business…"

"He is the child's father," Elijah cut in. "I have no doubt that he wants you both to be safe."

Hayley stared at Elijah disbelievingly before turning around and marching out. That had been harder than Elijah had thought, but he knew he had done the right thing. Of course he would look after Hayley and the child if that would be necessary, but he would be nothing more than an uncle. Niklaus was the child's father. He sighed as he felt Livy taking his hand. He had done the right thing.