Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to The Vampire Diaries, TV show or books. However, I decided to have a little play around with the characters (I would definitely like to play with Damon).
Not my best chapter but essential to the build up to the marriage.
Elena sat there for a moment, trying to digest what Damon had just told her. Simply put, he was from the future, in a fashion.
"I wanted to tell you." Damon said sadly. "But I thought you already knew, especially when I said I'd been around for five hundred years." he said.
"So, when do I die?" Elena folded her arms. "I'm clearly not in the future, or am I?" she asked.
Damon tried to speak, but suddenly found he couldn't. His mind went blank and suddenly he didn't know what would happen to her. Either he had forgotten, he couldn't tell her or something had changed about her future. Whatever it was, he no longer knew what it was. "I can't tell you." he whispered. "I can't remember." he shook his head.
"What do you mean?" Elena looked at him curiously.
"Whatever it was, it may have changed, or you asking me may have wiped my memory of it. It appears I'm magically blocked from telling you about the future." he frowned. "Or maybe just your future."
"Tell me something insignificant about the future." Elena raised an eyebrow.
Damon thought about it for a moment, telling her something which would sound ridiculous to her, but true. "There will be machines which fly all over the world." Damon smiled. "They are called aeroplanes. Some can fly faster than the speed of sound. They carry people like boats, except they are far more comfortable. One person can fly to the other side of the world in one day." he told her, to which Elena laughed.
"I do not believe you." she shook her head.
"Leonardo di Vinci designed what is known as the Aerial Screw. Of course it would not have flown, but a machine called a helicopter isn't too different in appearance, although it is made from different materials." he laughed.
"Tell me something a little more believable, something which will happen in my lifetime." Elena said.
"I do not know how long your lifetime will be." Damon shrugged. "You may see the aeroplane in all of its glory. You may die before Henry and Anne marry."
"They will marry for certain?" Elena asked.
"Henry will break with Rome, dissolve the monasteries and plunder their gold. Henry and Anne will marry in 1533 having only one surviving child, a daughter called Elizabeth. As a result Anne will lose her head for not providing a son. Out of those who sat at our table tonight tonight, Sir Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, George Boleyn and Sir Henry Norris will all lose their heads on Tower Hill in the next five years or so. I doubt warning them will change their minds." Damon said with a tinge of sadness in his voice.
"Why would Henry do such a thing?" Elena asked. "I know he can have a temper, but I wouldn't expect him to be so cruel."
"Henry will have a jousting accident in 1536. it is believed it may have made him a little more predisposed to violence as he will suffer a lot afterwards. Believe it or not but one of the most famous known fact about Henry is that he was fat." Damon smirked.
"Henry is anything but fat." Elena looked at Damon in shock.
"Things change very quickly." he shrugged. I'm sure if you'd have been told before Christmas that you would be wed to an Earl who happened to be a vampire from the future, you wouldn't have believed them."
Elena looked at Damon and shook her head. "No." she agreed. "But here I am." she then frowned. "I suppose we will never have children." she said sadly.
Although Damon couldn't remember their future, he did remember Bonnie mentioning the fertility potion. "I have contacts who have said they will give us something to help with that." he smiled. "I know a witch who can help. She is my best friend who I have known for years. Her name is Bonnie, she is like a little sister to me." he added.
"If we did have a baby, what would it be?" Elena asked. "A vampire or human?"
Damon frowned. "I have no idea." he shook his head. "Hopefully not a bit of both otherwise we will be going through a lot of wet nurses." he laughed. "Anyway, I think it is time to retire. We have many plans to make as surely the news will have made its way around court by morning."
Damon was right, by the following morning, the talk of court was Damon and Elena's upcoming wedding. The Archbishop of Canterbury had been coerced into conducting the marriage in the palace chapel, which would be limited to family, close friends, the King, Lady Anne and the Privy Council. Lord John had been escorted back to Swarby Manor to collect the pearl by four of the King's guards, which meant he should be back in time for the wedding. Lady Jenny remained at court and Damon had noticed a difference in her when she wasn't with Lord John, Katherine or Alice. He wanted to know what the situation was and had decided to meet with her and do some digging. He also wanted to know why Alice seemed important as she was always close by. To do this, Damon invited Jenny to meet with him in his chambers. He knew she would be followed and there would be someone outside listening to their every word, thus he had asked Maud to put a silencing spell on the room, meaning nobody would hear their conversation.
Damon guided Jenny to the chair by the fireplace where Elena usually sat, who was currently occupied by an excited Anne Boleyn who wanted Elena to have the wedding she wished she could have but would never be allowed to have. Jenny sat, looking shy and almost youthful. It had never occurred to Damon to asked her how old she was. First of all he needed to make sure she answered his questions.
"I want you to answer every question truthfully, even if you don't want to tell me." Damon compelled.
"I will answer every question truthfully." Jenny agreed numbly.
"Jenny, how old is Jeremiah?" he asked.
"He is sixteen, going on seventeen My Lord. The King says Lord John is to bring him to court so he can attend Elena's wedding." she smiled.
"He seems like a good lad." Damon nodded.
"He is. He's like me, not anything like his father." she shook her head and looked down.
"Jenny, may I call you that?" Damon asked as Jenny nodded. "For this meeting I would prefer you to call me Edmund. Look Jenny, I know it is a rude question, but how old were you when you had Jeremiah?"
"I was thirteen My Lord." Jenny cast her eyes away from Damon whose throat closed up in disgust. Although people married young and had children young, Henry's own grandmother gave birth to his father also at the age of thirteen; this didn't make it right, in fact it made him feel sick.
"And Alice?" Damon asked. "He had noticed some visual similarities between Lord John and the maid.
"She was the daughter of one of the servants." Jenny told him. "After I had Jeremiah, the doctors said I would not likely bear children again. Since then Lord John has not touched me and he takes a mistress, one of the serving girls who are raised up to wait for Lady Elena or Lady Katherine, he takes them to his bed every night." she said.
"And you, do you have a lover?" Damon asked to which Jenny looked shocked.
"Why would I do that?" Jenny asked. "I doubt Lord John would be very pleased."
"I doubt he'd care." Damon shook his head. "Is Alice his mistress now?" he asked.
"For the time being." Jenny nodded. "Once she gets to eighteen, he will discard her, he always does." she said. "He likes his women young. With the exception of Lady Hilda." Jenny frowned. "I find it truly strange why she was different."
Damon didn't. He knew Hilda had given Lord John a potion to make him fall in love with her, although John still had affairs while they were married, notably with Isobel, to whom he already knew had just turned eighteen when she became a vampire. When he made his calculations, Damon realised Isobel must have been fourteen when she fell pregnant with Katherine.
"Does Lord John tell you who he is having an affair with?" Damon asked.
Jenny shook her head. "He usually waits for a few months. If they are a good fuck he will tell me." she said.
"Do you love Lord John?" Damon asked.
"No." Jenny shook her head.
"What would happen if Lord John died?" Damon wanted to know.
"Jeremiah would inherit everything and Katherine would look after his affairs until he becomes eighteen. I am to be thrown from the house. He hates me but lets me live at the house for the sake of appearances." she told him, clasping her hand over her mouth once she'd finished, looking at Damon in terror.
"Did you plot with Katherine to drug me and for her to have sex with me while I was incapacitated?" Damon asked.
Jenny shook her head. "Katherine, John and Alice planned it. Now Alice thinks she will be Lady Gilbert and wants me out of the way. I overheard Alice and Katherine discussing the matter after the meeting with the King. They want to blame me for witchcraft and say I made a potion, which I put in yours and her drinks so I could watch you both have sex for a perverted pleasure and that I was going to fuck you afterwards." she blushed, completely incapable of not being able to lie to Damon. "They want me arrested and sent to the Tower for plotting against a person of your standing." she began to tremble. "I wouldn't have done anything to hurt you. They threatened me, saying Lord John would get rid of me and marry Alice if I didn't help them." she started to sob.
Damon felt sorry for her. He needed to get her away from Lord John as he feared for her life. Ever since he met her he had worried about her wellbeing. The only time he was angry with her was when she seemed to be siding with Lord John or Katherine, but now he knew it was fake, he could help her escape.
"Who were you before you were married to Lord John?" Damon asked.
"I was also a serving girl." Jenny said. "Lord John was with another girl before me called Isobel. He had promised her she could become Lady Gilbert. She was Katherine and Elena's real mother, although they don't know and Lord John doesn't know I know either. Isobel was my cousin." she explained. "She got me the job at Swarby Manor. When Isobel fell pregnant with Elena, he was already watching me, but he was careful as Isobel could be very...possessive of him. Back then he was a handsome man. All of the girls wanted him to pay them special attention."
"Did Lady Hilda know about Isobel?" Damon frowned.
"She did, although I don't think she knew how young Isobel was. Lady Hilda couldn't have babes so Isobel carried Katherine and Elena for her. But Hilda couldn't love Katherine as her own." Jenny explained.
"What happened to Lady Hilda?" Damon asked. "Lord John said she died in childbirth."
"She never had children. Well none that Lord John knew of. She was already a widow when they met, which is why she said she knew she couldn't have children." Jenny said. "I was there the night Lady Hilda died. "There is a secret passage to Lady Hilda's room from Lord John's room, so that he could visit her at night. I was in Lord John's room when I heard a scream from Lady Hilda's room. I ran down the passage and peeped though the little hole in the door. My cousin Isobel was there, but she looked like a demon." Jenny shuddered. "Isobel wanted the pearl, but Lady Hilda said she couldn't have it as the Demon Saviour was to take it. Isobel screamed and Lord John said it would either be Katherine or Elena who would have the pearl. Hilda said the pearl would go to Lord John's youngest daughter who would have a child with the demon saviour. Isobel called the child a half-breed, but Lady Hilda just laughed. Then like a flash of lightening, Isobel rushed over to Lady Hilda and killed her by ripping her stomach open. After she told Lord John that Lady Hilda had died after giving birth to Elena. She told him only Katherine could have the pearl, not Elena as the baby would be a half-breed. He was to forget she gave birth to Elena and Katherine and to only remember Hilda being with child."
"And you've never told anyone?" Damon frowned.
"My mother." Jenny replied. "She said her brother married a nasty witch and Isobel was no better. I was to keep this to myself as Isobel might come back and kill me too." she sighed.
Damon shook his head. "Isobel has been dead a long time."
Jenny frowned. "How do you know?" she asked.
"I saw it happen." Damon told her.
Jenny's eyes widened. "Are you the Demon Saviour?" she asked.
"Apparently so." Damon nodded. "I keep getting told this." he shrugged. "Have you been scared of Isobel all of this time?" he asked, as Jenny nodded.
Damon stared her in the eyes. "You will forget this conversation we have just had, only the one going forward. When Lord John dies, you will come to Norton Hall with Jeremiah so that I can train him how to be a Lord. You will forget Isobel killing Lady Hilda. You will be content when you find a lover. Do you understand?" he asked.
"I understand." Jenny replied.
"Lady Jenny, it is good to speak to you." Damon smiled. "I am wanting to know some information about Elena, but I don't want her to know I've been asking. Can you keep secrets?" he asked.
"Of course." Jenny blushed as Damon proceeded to find out Elena's favourite animal so he could give her one as a wedding gift.
Finding out Elena's favourite animals hadn't been the only secret Damon had been keeping from Elena. Although they'd been having their late night trysts, blood sharing had stopped as they decided to wait until they were married as any spilt blood might be perceived as Elena losing her virginity. That was Damon's excuse as he didn't want Elena to find out what he was up to. He did tell her he had a special wedding gift for her and blood sharing was too big a risk, but she could always have a piece of chocolate if she really wanted to taste something similar for the time being. Despite her pouting, Elena, much to Damon's relief, agreed. Damon's issue was that Elena was marrying Edmund Spicer, not Damon Salvatore. After checking with Maud, Elena's marriage would not be valid amongst the spirit community, however a witch marriage would be. Only a witchbinder could perform such a ceremony, which was why Matthew had been to visit Maggie. Damon had decided Maggie would be the one to marry them.
Instead of going straight to Norton Hall, they would stop off at Swarby Manor. Maud, Matthew, Jenny and Jeremiah would be in attendance, although the latter two would be compelled to forget the event. Matthew would be compelled to believe it was a party. Maggie was after all, Elena's step-sister of sorts. Jenny's information would form part of the ceremony as she had let it be known that Elena was fond of horses, white or grey ones in particular. In the meantime Damon had also ordered another dress for Elena, this time a simply white one with the best velvets, satin, silks and lace. He had loved the wedding dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge when she had married Prince William, and he wanted something similar but more appropriate for the period. The dress was more medieval in style, but there was the tight waist. Fortunately Lady Anne's dressmaker was making both dresses and could get Elena's measurements perfect. She knew a special gown was being ordered for her, therefore she had to wear a blindfold whenever she tried any of it on.
Damon had also decided to order some pretty underwear. This time he wasn't taking any chances with those at the palace, he preferred the idea of something a little more 21st century, which involved help from his best friend as he felt he could trust a letter on this matter as his letters had become less frequent of late and he knew it wouldn't be going down well at the office.
Dear BonBon,
Sorry about my lack of recent correspondence, I've been busy planning a wedding, however I need some 21st century items as anyone would look at me like crazy if they saw the pattern pieces of what I want. I need to ask you a huge favour and pop into Victoria's Secrets to get me some pretty underwear for Elena. I have enclosed a list of her measurements which were taken by the dressmaker, hopefully that should be sufficient. Black would be nice, so would white and red, deep red, possibly burgundy. Tell Esther to forward the money on to you out of my salary or expenses. Don't send the bag or in a box as the material hasn't been invented yet. Can you imagine someone digging up a Victoria's Secrets box or bag and finding out it is five hundred years old after radiocarbon dating?
The wedding is 1st March as Lent starts on the 2nd March. We will then be heading off back home with some new additions to our entourage. I am not sure if someone is monitoring what is being said, either at my end or yours. Now I know why Esther wanted me on that developed vetting security IT course and to write up the report for her. I hope she has implemented some of the changes and resolved any prior discrepancies. I will talk with her when I return. As a result the information I can give you is limited to standard requests and general day to day stuff about the goings on at court. Some of the content of my conversations has been downloaded onto the separate stone you gave me which I can only give back when I return to the office as I am not prepared to risk anything right now. All future communications will be basic. I can already source vervain and I am hoping to source some of the fertility potion from elsewhere. It is not you I distrust, it is whether anyone else can access the bargueño.
There is one thing I am concerned about which I do feel free to discuss. Elena discovered what I am. She is able to read my blood. But she can't see events into the future. I can tell her of world events, but she cannot see the. I am not able to tell her our future as when I tried, I suddenly forgot it myself. I do not know how our story will end, only that I am to return to 2021 on 8th November. I don't know whether Elena will live or die. I don't know if I will return with her or not. I do not know if she will become a vampire, although I am fairly certain my knowledge of a fertility potion suggests she will have a child. I wonder what it will be, vampire or human. Elena has asked the same question. I'm suspecting you can't tell me though.
I'll leave it to you to sort out the sexy stuff. I'd like something really naughty, but I think she might prefer something a little more demure, at this point, preferable either silk, lace or satin and see-through. But if you think you can handle getting something kinky I won't be upset. Maybe leather? Just go as far as your embarrassment will let you.
How are the kids getting along?
Lots of love
Damon
Damon placed the letter, along with Elena's measurements in the bargueño and sent it. Clearly there wasn't anything which could be taken from the letter other than Elena's size. Damon had also decided he wasn't going to allow any food substances to be given to Elena as he didn't know if a letter had been intercepted and poison would be in whatever was sent. Whoever didn't want Elena to have the pearl might still be trying to stop her from the future by getting rid of her through other means. Damon wondered if this was why he had forgotten her future, whatever it was meant to be, maybe the future had changed. All he could do was hope it was for the best, for him, for Elena and for any family they may have.
The day before the wedding, Henry took Damon to one side and asked if he would attend a meeting with him that evening. When Damon arrived, it was just the King, Damon, Harry Norris, Charles Brandon, George and Thomas Boleyn. Matthew had also been invited to take part in the evening as he had returned from his mission with Maggie.
"Don't worry. Sir Thomas bore won't be joining us." George whispered to Damon, who couldn't stop himself from laughing at the comment.
"I think we ought to have a drink to say goodbye to the Earl's freedom." Henry raised his cup of wine which had just been handed around to everyone. "Tonight is a night of alcohol and I'm allowing cards to be played. Just no excess gambling, I'm not paying out any debts. I expect everyone to have very sore heads tomorrow."
"Thank you Your Majesty." Damon bowed his head.
"Rule number one." Henry stated. "No titles to be used tonight, first names only." he turned to Matthew. "Even you can refer to me as Henry. Tonight we are equals." he smiled.
"What about Lady Elena and Lady Anne?" Damon asked.
"Lady Anne has brought in musicians so she and her ladies can have a suitable evening with Lady Elena." Henry shrugged. "They'll probably be either sewing or talking dirty. Or both." he laughed, turning to Charles. "Speaking of dirty. Is it true that you paid much attention to Lady Katherine?" he asked.
"She had to suck someone's pillicock." Charles shrugged. "I rarely see my wife these days and well a man has needs." he turned to Damon. "I hope Lady Elena is an improvement on her sister." he shook his head. "Mine own hand has greater appeal. She plays the part but when in bed she has less personality than a dead wet fish." he raised an eyebrow.
"Does this mean I need to contact Lord Stockbridge?" Henry asked.
Charles nodded. "I think so." he said. "There is a chance she may be with child." he shrugged as Damon's eyes widened.
"You fucked her?" Damon asked.
"She wanted me to." Charles nodded. "How could I refuse such an offer from such a beautiful girl. With hindsight I wouldn't have bothered." he turned to Henry. "You really must hate Lord Stockbridge. It isn't his fault that filly got spooked by the snake." he sighed.
"Lord Stockbridge will thank me." Henry smiled. "I fine filly for a fine dowry. He's been after another wife since his passed without issue. Get them married after Lent and pin any babe on Walter. He won't care as long as he's got an heir. Not as if he could get a woman pregnant." he laughed. "Any woman would run a mile if she saw him naked." to which everyone laughed.
Damon smiled, this was the closest he was going to get to a Stag Do, and what better company to spend his last night of being with than Henry VIII and his merry men.
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