A/N: I...I...I love you all *hugs* So I wrote this...please accept this short chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters used in this story.
Hanged low on the chain was a bewitching green ruby pendant that shimmered in the light. Elena was breathless as she took the ruby in her hands, admiring it. The fineness of its cut made it absorb light from the window and dispersed it so beautifully…casting dancing sparkles on her skin.
She ran her fingers on the smooth surface before looking up at Damon, his eyes fixed on her.
"My Lord I…It's truly stunning" her face showed overwhelmed surprise.
"It suits you perfectly…much like what I had envisioned" a charming smirk played at the corner of his lips. He gazed down upon the pendant, resting in between her collarbones and ran his fingers over it. She welcomed his closeness.
But she could not understand the purpose behind this lavish gift. She was already given so much since she arrived, welcomed so graciously as if she was the mistress of the castle, treated to the best food and fine dresses and her every whim tended to. What more could he give her?
Damon ran his fingers along her small chin, his smile never quite reaching his eyes. "Is something the matter?"
"Nothing, I'm glad you are pleased with this necklace…." He walked off to a study table at the corner of the room.
"… It was my mother's" he stated so casually as if giving away his late mother's belongings were irrelevant.
"oh…" Elena breathed out, looking at him in confusion.
Damon was like the wind, at times warm and comforting. And other times cold and harsh. He remained a puzzle, impossible to solve. Yet, Elena slowly learnt his moods and ways to adjust to them.
Time they've spent together in the past few days had been no less than blissful. His company, love and attention towards her gave nothing but a sense of completeness. Her nights are warmed by their passionate lovemaking and despite the dire circumstances; she dared to admit that she felt….happy.
Perhaps an issue regarding his men had risen, she told herself a possible excuse for Damon's distance. Elena walked closely to where he stood. "I am so grateful but…I'm not certain I should accept this…gift"
Damon turned to face her, his eyebrows raised. "Do you need a larger ruby? I'm sure my servants could dig something up from the old treasury. But by my memory…my mother did not own one any larger…"
"No…No…" She quickly grabbed his hand in alarm.
Damon chuckled at her panicked expression, the way her brown eyes widened. "What I meant was that….I could never accept your mother's necklace. It's too lavish, I don't deserve such a gift especially one that belonged to her." She gripped his arms tighter, biting down her lower lips. Airiana was an exquisite woman based on all the stories she heard of her, her kindness almost comparable to an angel. Her beauty was striking even in portraits, remained memorable to whoever that laid eyes on her. And most importantly, her love for Damon…
No doubt this necklace held all stories and memories of her; Elena thought to herself.
"Elena…that necklace was kept for years because I never thought I could find a woman deserving of it, after my mother…" his words tender as he stepped closer to her. Their eyes met and they stood gazing at each other.
"I was wrong…"
The words struck her deeply and Elena felt tears gathered at the corner of her eyes. "My mother wore this until her final days. And now I'd like you to wear it until yours" He tilted her chin up and drew her face closer to his, playfully teasing her.
"Is that an order, my Lord?" she fought back. His charms were magnetizing. "Perhaps it's more fitting that you address me as 'Damon'. Only those who I dominate over use my title…"
"Oh?" Elena raised an eyebrow, deciding if she could get use to using his first name.
"…and Lady Elena, I have not the slightest power over you."
Damon simply smiled and kissed her forehead before making his way to the door, leaving Elena alone to ponder her thoughts and his haunting words.
It was a beautiful sunny day, one that will not go to waste, according to Wanda. Elena followed her into a small patch of dirt where she called 'garden'. A few shy buds of blooming roses dotted the garden and it was lacking in greenery but Wanda was excited nonetheless. "My babies are blooming at last…"
"See those hills…used to be acres and acres of green lush garden. And look at what I'm left with now?" Wanda bent over to pick up fallen twigs on the ground while mumbling her complaints; her large derriere bumped Elena and almost knocked her off balance.
"Ooh…so sorry dear" and they broke into laughter along with several maids that tagged along. She was a dear company and Elena found her to be very amusing. Wanda had tended to her during her every leisure moment, enticing her with activities like sewing, gardening, and reading. She was determined to keep Elena occupied whilst Damon was busy.
While from the above window, Damon watched on…only partly listening to what his brother was saying. They were discussing about Mystic Falls, a matter that became less and less pressing to Damon with each passing day. Many have gathered to plan their next move into Mystic Falls, eager to hear what their leader had decided. Marcus, an elderly but strong man, stood among them; one of Damon's most loyal companions on the battlefield.
"Klaus had expected our attack earlier. But our delay had him under the impression that we are still at the borders against Gilbert's army and that we have lost. I heard news that he goes as far as celebrating it as his own victory…"
"What a fool…"other echoed behind him. The room was alive with anticipation and hunger revenge.
"He is not expecting us...Still dazed by his wedding and drunken celebrations; he'll crumble when we attack…" the others roared in agreement as Damon sat quietly in contemplation.
"I think we have enough soldiers and the spirit to crush Klaus into the dirt…we are ready!" Mason's confident declaration to commence attack was useless without Damon's authority. At that instant, all eyes turned to Damon for his approval.
There was not much he had to reconsider, claiming back Mystic Falls was his soul purpose ever since it was taken from his family 28 years ago and Damon had made a promise to Giuseppe that it will rightly be theirs once again. His years of battle had led up to this defining war against a tyrant, fraud king called Klaus, and Damon's army could not be as prepared as they are now.
The Salvatores were once rulers of vast lands. Mystic Falls was once their home. Isaac was Giuseppe's older brother and 28 years ago was the Salvatore on the throne. At the time his wife died, he remarried and brought in corrupted bloodline into the family. Isaac was murdered when his sons were away causing the throne snatched out of their grips and into Klaus's hands. He was a self-proclaimed king, enforced by his mother and her greed for power. Soon enough all that carried the name Salvatore were expelled and even executed.
In the dark night and hidden under piles of hays, Damon was still a small child when his family had to flee quietly out of Mystic Falls. They had to rebuild their life far away. And even then, many of the Salvatore bloodline perished once separated. Damon and Stefan are the few left to defend their family's honour.
The bitter memories strengthened his determination.
"Aye, we attack as planned…" ;simple words that lifted the spirits of all men present, inflaming their drive for victory. They shook hands and raised mugs of ale in the air. Not long after they had dispersed, only Damon and Stefan were left in the room.
"It seems that you have decided, brother" Stefan watched on as his older brother chucked down his drink and setting the mug aside. He still remembered that Damon swore he will not proceed to Mystic Falls until Elena was safe. Judging by the results of the meeting, Stefan assumed the matter of her safety was somehow resolved.
"Should I announce your marriage to the lovely Elena?" Stefan teased, hoping to lighten Damon's brooding mood.
"There is no need for that…"
Stefan did not expect Damon's solemn reply and saw that he was handed a letter. He read through it as quickly as the content started to fill his head. "They are coming for her?"
Damon simply nodded. "I received that yesterday…tell Marcus to prepare no less than 100 men to stay on alert until they arrive and 100 more at the gates and around these brick walls when Gilbert is here. I'm not taking any chances…" he busied himself with some papers on a table nearby. Stefan could tell he was avoiding this subject, wanting to speak less of it if possible.
"Surely you know his intentions are well, else you would not have been so certain of proceeding to Mystic Falls"
"I'm just keeping good faith Stefan, for Elena's sake…" Although his tone of voice was neutral, Stefan knew the news had affected Damon greatly. He just preferred it to be hidden.
"Have you told her?" Stefan asked before Damon could leave the room with his bow, to practice his archering skills that need not polishing.
"No…" he paused. "…perhaps later tonight"
I still have hope for this story