Chapter 12
Ottilie awoke the next morning feeling drained. She looked around the room, wondering where she was. The events of that night flooded back to her and she huddled into the bed covers, frightened. She was sure she'd seen a wolf. Just then, her door opened and Rebekkah walked in. 'Morning, sleepy head!' she chirped. 'How are you feeling today?' Ottilie smiled up at her. 'I'm fine thank you,' she replied. 'I'm very sorry for waking everyone up last night,' she added. Rebekkah smiled at her kindly.
'Don't worry about that. We are just glad that you're okay. You get dressed then come for breakfast. Elijah and I are taking you for a walk today, remember?' Ottilie nodded eagerly and sprung out of bed.
As she walked down the stairs a few minutes later, she heard Elijah and Klaus talking in low voices. 'Could we have just given her blood? She heard Klaus ask.
'No brother, unfortunately we cannot heal illnesses like that, only injuries...' She walked into the room where they were sat. 'Good morning, Miss Ottilie. I am pleased to see you back on your feet,' Elijah spoke hurriedly. Ottilie smiled at him, confused by the conversation she'd just heard. 'Thank you for looking after me, Mr Klaus and Mr Elijah. I'm sorry to have caused so much trouble. I really don't know why I was outside' Klaus picked her up and placed her on a chair, putting a large bowl of cereal in front of her. 'Don't worry about it, Otti, no harm done' he said, kindly.
'What were you talking about before?' she asked, 'about giving me blood?' The brothers looked at her, sharply.
'It's nothing, love,' said Klaus, quickly, 'just a remedy I came across for a different affliction that I thought might help with yours. Alas, our resident heart expert here doesn't think it will work', he looked over at Elijah, who shrugged and gave Ottilie a little smile. She tucked into her cereal, seemingly buying their explanation. 'It's okay,' she said. 'I guess I'll just have to avoid wolves in the future,' she joked. Klaus looked at her with raised eyebrows and decided not to comment.
Ottilie finished her breakfast and enjoyed the walk with Elijah and Rebekkah, listening to them tell stories about their travels. She spent the rest of the day at the mansion, painting with Klaus and playing games with Kol. By early evening, she was falling asleep after her exciting day and disturbed night. Rebekkah took her to sleep. 'Don't worry, Otti,' she said as she tucked her in. 'We won't let anything happen to you tonight.' Ottilie nodded, trusting her completely. 'Thank you Miss Rebekkah,' she said, sleepily. Rebekkah left her to sleep, and took a seat outside of her room. 'I'm on Otter watch.' She texted Damon, jokingly. His reply was simple. 'Thank you.'
Stefan picked Ottilie up the next day. 'Hello Otti!' he said happily, sweeping her into his arms for a hug. 'Have you had a nice time?' She nodded excitedly.
'Yes, I've had the best time. Thank you everyone,' she said, almost shyly. Stefan picked up her small bag and waited for her to say goodbye to everyone. 'Thanks for having her,' he said. 'And for the other night!' They smiled and waved goodbye.
Damon stood up as they entered the house. 'How's my little otter then?' he said. She skipped over to him and threw herself into his arms. 'I had the best time, Damon! Mr Klaus showed me how to paint, Kol played with me all weekend, and I went on such a muddy walk!' She was so excited that Damon couldn't help but laugh at her, and pick her up for a hug. She was just so precious. 'Well, Otti. We are going out for lunch with Elena and Stefan today. How does that sound?' Ottilie looked a little unsure but smiled at Damon, trying to be brave at the thought of seeing Elena, who frightened her. Damon saw through the façade and looked into her eyes. 'It's okay, Otti. Stefan has spoken to Elena about you two, and she really wants to get to know you better.' Ottilie nodded, still not quite convinced.
They made their way to the grill with Stefan, and Elena joined them shortly after they arrived. 'Hi boys, Ottilie,' she greeted. Ottilie waved shyly and smiled at her. She was determined to not to give Elena any reason to dislike her. They ordered lunch and got stuck into their food. The adults were talking about school and Damon was laughing at how his best friend, Alaric, was both Elena and Stefan's teacher. Elena then turned to Ottilie, 'so you spent the weekend with the Mikaelsons?' Ottilie nodded. 'Did you have fun?' Elena asked, pleasantly. Ottilie smiled at her, enjoying her friendly conversation. 'Yes thank you, Elena. I played with Kol and Klaus showed me how he paints. He's very good at it!' Elena nodded, smiling at her. 'He is, isn't he! I heard you didn't sleep very well though?' Ottilie shrugged.
'It was okay, I saw a wolf!' Elena's eyes went wide.
'You did? Wow! Are you sure it wasn't Klaus? It was a full moon after all!' Damon and Stefan looked sharply at her, their eyes laden with meaning that Ottilie didn't understand. 'What?' Elena said, rolling her eyes at them. 'I'm only teasing,' she said defensively. Ottilie shook her head. 'It can't have been Mr Klaus. He came to help me' she said, seriously. Stefan ruffled her hair gently. 'Elena is just joking. Of course it wasn't Klaus.' She smiled up at him, reassured, and carried on eating her food. The rest of the meal passed without incident and they all left together. 'She doesn't know anything about you, does she Stefan?' whispered Elena.
'No,' answered Stefan, 'and I'd like to keep it that way. She doesn't need that to worry about, what with everything else going on in her life.' Elena didn't reply, slipped her hand into Stefan's, smiling. Now there was a sure-fire way to get the Salvatore brothers back for herself.