AUTHOR'S NOTE: So, it's been ages since I updated this. I've been re-reading it and lol I'm actually stunned at my writing. Don't worry I'm not redoing the story. I love the story really. That last chapter post was during a rather difficult experience I was dealing with getting through and in a way, it quite literally fried my creative thinking for well... A whole year it seems. The show in general... I've partly given up on it. What it turned into at the beginning of the fifth season onwards...I don't even know what to think. I watched the hundredth episode and then watched the fifth season finale. Haven't watched much since.
Don't even get me started on The Originals. I can't BELIEVE they altered the series premiere pilot from what they had for the pilot of it included in the Vampire Diaries season. I tried watching it again a few episodes later... And promptly shut off the television. Tried watching even further after that. Stopped again. I want the real original characters back, the personalities, the mannerisms, the PEOPLE. Not these shows that are simply obsessed with as much blood and gore and violence as possible. TVD used to be more than that, it used to have elegance and grace to it. Violence was obviously going to happen but it was never THAT disgustingly violent. To me... The third and fourth season was the peak of the show. When that ended... The show went insane. One day I may try watching the later episodes, but for now, this story is my consolation. My own little version of how I wished things had gone.
Sorry for the long note, now on with the story.
DISCLAIMER: No I don't own Elijah, Elena, or anything to do with that which is The Vampire Diaries series. This is just my version of it. ;-)
Bound By Blood
~Previously in Bound By Blood~
Elijah had left her... Right when she needed him the most.
Chapter 15 - Someone Has To Do It
Opening her eyes, Elena stared up at the ceiling before letting her head fall to the side looking out the window. It was dark outside... Again. Time seemed to consist of sleeping through the day and waking at night ever since... Frowning at where her thoughts were going she sighed and stretched as she shifted off the bed, pattering across the floor to the balcony doors. Leaning her forehead on the cool glass, she closed her eyes briefly as she tiredly unlocked the door and slipped outside.
Sinking onto the chaise lounge that had been placed against the wall to the left of the doors, she leaned back and wrapped her arms around herself, fighting the chill as well as the images rising up in her mind. Hands caressing her face, holding her close, the moment they thought they were going to die and he- Clenching her jaw, she shakily exhaled and glared up at the stars. It doesn't matter, Elena. Stop thinking about it.
"Stop thinking about what?"
Jumping slightly, Elena glanced to the right to see Rebekah step out on the balcony with a blanket folded over her arms. "Nothing," she muttered quietly, returning her gaze to the sky.
Frowning at how despondent Elena had become of late, Rebekah mentally cursed Elijah again for what he'd done to this poor girl. Stepping closer she held the blanket out for Elena to take. "I came to check if you wanted some tea. I know there's no talking you into coming inside, but please at least try to stay warm."
Huffing in irritation, Elena snatched the blanket and quickly wrapped it around herself before curling up again. "I should've known one of you would be up here again. Stupid bond. It's not like it matters anymore. We all know I clearly don't."
"Elena, we just-"
"Don't, Rebekah. We both know it's true. My life was good for one thing and one thing only. Keeping your family alive. That was made perfectly clear to me. Everything else," eyes burning, Elena frowned and looked at her hands. "Everything else was just a means to achieving that end."
Mouth dropping at what she just heard, Rebekah was stunned. "Surely you don't believe that, do you? Elena, my brother may be many things and may have done terrible things in the past, but he does care about you!"
Snorting in disbelief, Elena smirked. "Oh really? He cares about me? Elijah Mikaelson, the eldest son of your family, your oldest brother, cares about me? Then where is he now, Rebekah? Do you know? Does Klaus, Kol, or even Finn know where he is? Because he's not here!" Leaping off the chair, she gripped the balcony railing in her hands until her knuckles turned white and her whole body was shaking.
Trying to lighten things a little bit, Rebekah cleared her throat and said, "Dont let Finn hear you say that. In truth as far as age goes, he's our oldest sibling, despite Elijah being the one who's acted as brother and parent." Seeing the glare Elena gave her, she sighed and stepped next to the girl trying to give her support.
Feeling Rebekah's hand wrapping around her shoulders, Elena saw a drop of water fall on the rail only to realize she was crying. Again. "It's been six weeks, Rebekah. Six. Weeks. Esther's vanished, Finn's returned home, and yet Elijah still hasn't told anyone where he is. If he cared so much, then why isn't he here? Why... Why did he leave me?"
Stroking Elena's hair, the only thing Rebekah knew to do was simply be there for her. Even having the bond wouldn't take her pain away. "I wish I knew. Klaus and Kol have been searching for him, Elena. Every day. He's their brother, our family. He can't evade them forever."
"What if he doesn't want to be found?" Biting her lip, Elena lifted her eyes to face Rebekah. "What then, Rebekah? We both know how well your brother can become untraceable. If he doesn't want anyone to find him... They won't."
Mouth opening and closing, Rebekah wasn't sure how to respond. Elena wasn't wrong about him. After a thousand years of running they had all become very good at hiding from prying eyes.
Luckily, Klaus chose that moment to make his presence known after hearing the conversation from the hall. "Unfortunately for Elijah, what my brother wants doesn't rightly matter at the moment, Miss Gilbert. For the time being, we are all bonded. Him being out and about God knows where sulking is putting us all at risk, yourself included." Stepping forward he held her gaze, eyes softening slightly when he saw the pain she was experiencing. "I may be half animal, but I am not heartless, Elena. You saved my family at the risk of your own life. After everything that we've done to you, you went above it all and gave my family a second chance. That is an act I will not forget for many years to come. If bringing my brother back will even slightly begin to return your kindness, then I will see it done." Watching her nod in stunned silence, he smirked. "What you choose to do with him at that point, well, that's entirely up to you."
Cringing in disgust at her misinterpreted implications, Rebekah shook her head. "Nik! Really I don't need the details of my brother's love life!" When Elena stiffened next to her, she realized that was the wrong thing to say. "Sorry, Elena."
Feeling the anger simmering just under the surface again, Elena took a deep breath. Looking at the two people standing before her, she forced herself to cool it down a bit. "It's alright, Rebekah. At least you're honest with what you say and do. Unlike someone else." Betrayal running through her was evident in the bond. Klaus and Rebekah could only share a knowing look. They still didn't understand it entirely, but they were slowly getting the hang of filtering things out with Kol's help to avoid overwhelming her.
Clearing his throat, Klaus took it upon himself to ask what they'd all been wondering about since their brother's abrupt departure. "I take it that you still haven't read the letter yet?" When her face went blank and she remained silent, he got all the answer he needed. "I see."
The letter. After finding out through Kol and Rebekah what had happened and that Elijah had left, Elena had wandered around like a robot. She'd barely left the room for days, sleeping as much as possible to avoid the daylight. It only made the emptiness all the clearer just by looking around the room she'd been settled in. Elijah's room with everything being a reminder that he wasn't in it.
When Kol had first placed her there it had been to make her feel safer, knowing she was in the room of someone she trusted. He hadn't known what would happen in the following hours. None of them had known that Elijah would go home with his siblings only to then disappear after having a brief fight with Kol about said departure. Klaus had stepped in knowing they would both only regret it later and Elijah had handed him an envelope before nodding to them as he walked out the door. Klaus had known who the envelope was for even before looking at the back of it. Elena hadn't wanted to see any of them for the first few days. She'd said she wanted to be alone, but they all knew the one she wanted to be with her was the one who had caused her the most suffering by leaving. Klaus had given her another week to recover slightly before approaching her with surprising gentleness. When he'd wordlessly placed the envelope in her hands, she'd known just from the sadness on his face who the letter was from. After squeezing her shoulder in comfort, he'd bowed his head at her before giving her some privacy.
That was four weeks ago. The letter still sat unopened in her journal by the bed. She didn't know why they all kept nagging her about it.
"What's the point in reading it? I already know all it will do is reinstate the fact that Elijah. Is. Not. Here. He chose to leave, no one forced him to. No one wanted him to. He left and I'm sorry, but a note saying as much won't make the situation any better." Crossing her arms, Elena stood her ground against the two vampire siblings standing before her. "I'm not going to read it."
"Fine, then I will." Rebekah announced, darting over to the bed before Elena could stop her.
"Rebekah, don't! That's private!" Elena lunged at her, but the blonde easily jumped out of the way.
"So? You said yourself that you're not going to read it. If it tells me even one hint where my brother is than I'm going to read it." Arching an eyebrow, Rebekah waited to see what Elena would do. The reaction she got wasn't the one she was hoping for.
"Give. It. Back!" Elena snapped, grabbing for it again only for Rebekah to step out of reach.
"What is all the racket?" Kol asked exasperated, stepping into the room. Another failed search had set him on edge and he hadn't expected to come home to fighting. Quickly looking around the room, he glanced questioningly at Klaus, only for him to shake his head and gesture at the two girls. Sighing, Kol turned to Elena as he started to shrug off his jacket. "Elena, darling, would you please tell me why you and Rebekah look like you want to throw each other through a couple dozen walls?"
Growling, Elena kept glaring at Rebekah. "Rebekah and your brother want me to read the letter. Since I refused, Rebekah's decided she's going to read it herself!"
"Well someone has to do it!" Rebekah griped back, frustration agitating her through the bond.
"It's not yours to read!" Elena tried to snatch the letter again, but Kol stepped in after feeling the tension from both of them.
"Enough!" They both jumped at his tone, finally stopping long enough for him to say anything. Walking over to his sister, he calmly held out his hand. "Give it to me."
"But, Kol-"
"Now, sister." When she reluctantly gave it to him, he squeezed her hand reassuringly. It will be alright. Seeing her quick concerned look to Elena, he nodded his head. Don't worry.
Turning to face the girl in question, he looked down at the letter he held in his hands as he stepped towards her. Sighing again, he offered it to Elena, who looked at him perplexed when he didn't immediately let go. Laying his other hand on top of hers, he saw her comprehension. I won't force you to read this now or any other day, Elena. It's not my business nor my siblings. What Elijah wrote, whatever it may be, he meant it to be for you. When her hand froze beneath his, he squeezed it gently. I know you're angry at my brother. You have every right to be. All I ask is that you also think about the good. Even with the bad things that happened, I believe with every fiber of my being that Elijah truly does care about you, Elena. Please don't just cast his words aside out of anger. Watching her eyes, he knew she understood when he saw part of the wall she'd built come down. "Think about it."
"Okay," she whispered quietly, wrapping her arms back around herself, the letter clenched tightly in her hand. Looking over at Klaus and Rebekah, she saw the concern on their faces. Concern for her. When the feelings in the room started to overwhelm her, she grew dizzy.
Seeing her go pale, Kol put his arm around her waist and led her to the bed. "We should let you rest." Nodding at his siblings, they quickly took the hint and said their farewells before leaving the room. Helping Elena get settled, he secured the balcony door again, before bringing an extra quilt over to the bed. Setting it over her shoulders, he held her stare. "Real sleep, Elena." When she glanced sideways nervously at the envelope she'd set on the nightstand, he patted her hand. "Don't worry. We'll fix things. I don't give up so easily. Now rest, we'll all still be here when you wake up." When her shoulders relaxed at his words, he knew he'd found what she was afraid of. "Goodnight, Elena."
Curling up in the blanket, Elena grasped his hand. Thank you. At the tip of his head, she smiled briefly and closed her eyes as he stood up. "Goodnight, Kol."
Quietly closing the door behind him, he met Klaus and Rebekah out in the hall. Motioning for them to stay quiet, he led the way down the hall to his room. Walking over to the decanter, he immediately grabbed three glasses, and after pouring each of them a drink, he flopped down in the chair in the corner. Eyes staring unfocused at the liquid swirling in his glass, he felt defeated. "I couldn't find him. Again."
"Where can he possibly be?" Rebekah wondered. The question they were all struggling with.
Sipping the whiskey, barely registering the burn as it went down, Klaus leaned against the bedpost. "We've checked all the normal places. I went to his lofts in London and Paris. Finn even checked the home in Saint Petersburg. All of which were deserted." Letting his arm fall to his side, he frowned as the previous conversation came to his mind. "Seems Elena knows our brother as well as we do. Elijah really has vanished."
Snarling, Rebekah slammed her glass on the table. "What is wrong with you two?!" Whirling on Klaus, she pointed her finger at him. "You of all people, Nik, you don't go back on your word. Is that always a good thing? No, not particularly, but the value holds true. We all made a promise once. Before Mikael and Esther turned us on each other. We promised we would do anything for one another if it meant they would be happy." Crossing her arms, she glared at both of them. "Do either of you really believe that Elijah is happy out there? Alone? We're his family and we have failed him abysmally if this is all we have done to try and grant him happiness." Hanging his head with guilt, Klaus looked away until Rebekah touched his face. "You gave Elena your word that you would bring Elijah back to her, Nik. That you would bring him back to all of us. Don't let such a thing mean nothing after all this time." Determination filling his expression once more, Klaus swore to himself he wouldn't let his family down again.
Kol snorted from his spot in the corner. "Nik can make any number of promises he wants, Rebekah, but it won't change facts. Our brother is missing and we haven't a clue where he's gone."
Frowning at the tone of her favorite brother's voice, she strode over and knelt down in front of Kol. "Where's my brother who, for a thousand years, would risk it all for his family, consequences be damned? The brother who gave a girl he barely knows his blood to ensure she would live so she wouldn't be forced into turning into one of us." Smiling sadly, she held his hand. "Where's my brother who did everything he could for the one he loved?"
Eyes jerking to Rebekah's face, Kol inhaled sharply at the mention of her. "You walk a fine line, sister." Downing his drink in one swallow he stood up and turned away from both of them as he placed his glass next to the decanter. Leaning against it, his shoulders went rigid as he forced his mind to keep it locked away. He couldn't think of her right now.
"Someone has to do it, Kol. I'm worried about you, we're all worried about you. Ever since this whole bonding incident, you've become a shell. You let us in only when it's necessary. You speak to Elena more than you do your own family! It doesn't take much to figure out why. Four hundred years doesn't erase the memories." When the mental wall started wavering, she sighed and looked at the fire. "Or the pain. She wouldn't want this for you, Kol. She wouldn't want you grieving over her for eternity."
Growling, Kol felt the marble crack beneath his hands. "You knew nothing about her! Don't pretend to act like you did," he whispered, squeezing his eyes shut.
"I didn't have to know her to know how much she loved you. Meghan adored you, Kol. Even at the very end, she loved you more than anything. What happened wasn't your fault. She didn't blame you for it. She didn't blame anyone. None of us could have known things would turn out like that and she understood it. Why can't you?" Touching Kol's shoulder, he whirled around causing her to jump back. The wall had come down and the anger coming through wasn't what she'd been expecting. Anger directed at himself. Kol...
"It was my fault, Rebekah! Don't you understand?! I was the reason she ended up that way. It wasn't you, or Finn, or Nik, or even Elijah. It. Was. Me. I loved her and all I did was cause her more suffering than I would wish on anyone. Understand that!" He snapped, storming out of the room. Grabbing his jacket, he jerked the door open when someone grabbed his arm. "Let me go, Finn."
Pursing his lips, Finn stood his ground. "Only if you swear to me you're not going to do anything rash. You're not thinking clearly, brother." When Kol merely laughed and shook his head, Finn loosened his hold slightly. Let us help you.
Going still, Kol took a deep breath and sighed. "You can't, Finn. No one can. Just leave me be."
Confusion covering his face, Finn withdrew his hand as he narrowed his eyes at his youngest brother. "Then where are you going?"
"To ask someone to help find Elijah." Pushing his arms through the sleeves, he stepped outside before pausing and glancing over his shoulder. "I won't watch Elena fade away, Finn. Not while I'm still around to do something about it. I won't let it happen again."
Resigned in knowing there was nothing he could do but let him leave, Finn nodded. "Be careful."
Smirking, Kol bowed his head and walked down the front steps before bursting into a jog. Please let this work.
Clearing his mind, he scanned his surroundings as he went into a sprint. The houses around him were quiet, the neighborhood still not quite awake yet. Slowing down as he reached the front lawn, he quickly crossed the grass and hopped onto the porch. Hearing movement inside, he was grateful for not having to do the other approach. Taking a steadying breath, he lightly tapped on the door. When it opened, the person on the other side of the door was stunned.
"Kol?"
Biting his lip, he tilted his head in greeting. "Hello, Bonnie."