Mystic Falls was a little darker these days.
The Salvatore mausoleum now housed one more member of it's family. Stefan had kept the service for Damon simple. Just himself, Caroline, Bonnie, and Matt came. They told him to wait until she got here, but Stefan felt it might be easier for everyone if the service was over as quickly as possible.
Elena had grieved enough people, and so had he.
Damon Salvatore wouldn't want Elena Gilbert to mourn him. Death eventually came for everyone. At least that is what he felt Damon would think about it. Why grief for it?
Stefan knew she was coming to Mystic Falls again to say goodbye. Also to help resolve some problems she'd been having while in New Orleans. He never answered the door to let her inside. He couldn't stop staring into the fireplace inside the boarding house. Stefan sensed that it was Elena. He never paid much attention, or he would have noticed that she wasn't alone. Elijah was with her.
He turned to face the doorway to the boarding house once he sensed Elijah's presence along with Elena's.
There she was. Quiet, not smiling, and her eyes seemed darker in this lighting. "Elijah...Elena." said Stefan, his voice dry sounding. He stood up when he noticed how different Elena seemed to be. All trace of emotion was gone from her beautiful face. It reminded Stefan of the time when she turned her emotions off. He sensed that wasn't the case though. "What's wrong with her?" Stefan then asked.
"Elena..." Started Elijah. "She has been through an ordeal. My brother Kol...has been playing with her mind...the damage has been done, I'm afraid. We are hoping that perhaps Bonnie might find a spell that will help her heal..."
"Elena?" Stefan asked again. He approached her this time and touched her face. Stefan drew back his hand when Elena seemed to focus and stare at him. "Stefan..." She whispered. Elena then allowed Stefan to embrace her. He held onto her a few seconds before letting her go.
Elijah was beyond relieved that Elena had started speaking again normally.
"Where's Damon?" Elena then said after being met by silence by the other two in the living room.
"You both could spend the night and we could wait until morning..." offered Stefan kindly.
Elena shook her head no. "Please, Stefan...I want to say goodbye..."
Stefan nodded in agreement after looking at Elena in the eyes. "We can go out into the woods now." He then offered. Elena began to follow him outside, along with Elijah.
It was completely dark outside by the time they reached the mausoleum. Stefan lead them to the door and then opened it up. He stared at the coffin that was in the center of the room. Elena reached out and touched it with her fingers. Tears filled up her brown eyes. "I'm so sorry, Damon," Elena whispered tearfully. "I'm so sorry."
