November 5, 2010
Dear Diary,
Today is the day I at least get to see and hopefully hold the two sweetest angels that have ever graced this world. Okay, okay, I might be pontificating just a bit with regard to Elijah and I's children, but I am a mother that hasn't seen or even touched my children for ten centuries. So I should be granted some leeway on this, right?
Other than going down for dinner with the family Elijah and I have spent much of the time over the last three days alone in our apartment suite. Not going into specific details, but our bed and the sinfully exquisite shower we have made use of thus quite enjoying ourselves very thoroughly. But that is not to say that every flat surface or even the walls hasn't been christened in our one unique way. Which reminds me I need to remind Elijah when we leave for the Boarding House that we might want stronger locks on the master door to at least our bedroom. Bekah barging in to show us some baby clothes she just purchased when we were otherwise indisposed was just enough embarrassment for the three of us.
I was right about my housemaid, or I should say ladies' maid. Vera's sister's blood was just as exquisite as her older twin was. Just as Abby's blood was and I find myself wondering if Vera and Lily were potential witches that haven't touched their powers, which is odd given their age. If I can help them with their magic, it will prevent them from being compelled ever again regardless if a Original tries or not; and maybe I could find a way to renegotiate their service contract to our family. If they instead joined the retinue of witches we have in our employ would make me feel better about the whole arrangement. I would still have to deal with all the other compelled servants, but one battle at a time.
I pray that I don't grow used to or expect that I deserve these honorifics I have to contend with from the human staff. Both Nik and Bekah seem to enjoy it and my brother-in-law, during one dinner occasion, suggested that maybe the old ways should come back regarding our family. I can see the glint of power and megalomania in his eyes, so can Elijah, but other than keeping our own private counsel with Nik we don't really know what Niklaus Mikaelson is really intent on accomplishing.
Speaking of the Mikaelson estate, I didn't realize until exploring the grounds after dinner on a previous night that the mansion isn't the only structure on the property. There is a garage with a rather impressive collection of vintage and modern vehicles for the family usage. Kol is desperate to drive one of them and I find comical the excuse that he knows how to drive thanks to the racing games his impressive gaming systems have is not a respectable means of judging the driving competency of anyone- especially an eager ancient vampire. Thankfully both Elijah and Klaus are in agreement with each other that he needs to take the DMV drivers exam like anyone else and to prevent him from compelling anyone there to just give him a driver's license someone had compelled the entire office not to unless he successfully passes all the requirements.
Where was I? Oh… Yes, then there are two other buildings, one for the servant quarters, which is where Vera and Lily have their own bedrooms. The estate has a freaking Butler and Housekeeper who I still haven't learned their names but thanks to Elijah they are the owners of the servants residency and have been compelled not to give any vampire permission to enter without Elijah's prior approval. I asked him why and I must not have been watching them in astral form for the reasons, but Kol ate the entire staff once in the past, so at least for a few hours a day they have the safety of the residency to retreat to. If I counted right we have roughly forty human servants, including the four I've already mentioned.
Elijah has reassured me that each one of them is compelled and has a contract with financial compensation packages for each of them. The Butler and Housekeeper are a married couple and after completing their ten year contract the only stipulation they have is that they both will be turned into vampires at the end of the contract. I'm half tempted to personally ask them why but haven't had the time yet.
The last building is more like a dormitory slash training center for Nik's recently returned hybrids. I need to have a serious talk with him about them and knowing my brother-in-law, he probably won't want to listen to me at first, but I need to try. Yesterday he was really upset. Apparently a few of his sire bound minions are missing and he doesn't know what has happened to them. I did find out that he has them watching the town and especially the Salvatore Boarding House. He told me that prior to my little jaunt as he called it into the distant past he initially had forty eight hybrids, including Tyler Lockwood. Of those, including my friend Tyler, fourteen of them are dead or missing. Leaving only thirty four of Klaus's hybrids accounted for and he only has enough of my human blood to make twenty four more. I seriously need to talk to him before he sets off on another werewolf round up.
The few times I've seen Katherine she looks like she wants to kill me but also wants to talk to me about my reasons for keeping her in our home. Everyone, especially Klaus, is more than likely wondering very similar things and so far I have rebuffed every attempt to broach the subject. Our first dinner turned out to be a disaster. I really should not have insisted that Katherine dine with us. I'm lucky that my magic kept things calm enough for tempers to ease. For now, my guest takes her meals alone.
Okay, I need to get ready, I already have a vial of my blood I need to give to Bonnie for my access to be added. Maybe while she is adding me, I can see if there is any way of bringing the barrier down myself. If I really have to, I know doing so will reveal to my friends other than Caroline that I can do magic. Before dropping Caroline off at her house, she promised not to tell them about it and I believe her. Her heart hadn't skipped when she swore and when I asked her if she might have already told someone.
Okay, I'm serious as a heart attack I need to head downstairs so Elijah can take me to the Boarding House. Grant me strength I suspect that I will need it when facing off alone with Damon or Stefan.
Mikaelson Mansion
November 5, 2010
Other than the immediate family, everyone, including Katherine and the house staff, were thankfully absent for the rather emotional send off that was sure to come.
Elena was conservatively dressed in black business slim trousers and a matching jacket with a white button up blouse. Why they called them pant suits Elijah really had no idea, but when his wife had finally come down the stairs carrying the overnight bag she packed as well, he found he could hardly breathe at the mere sight of her descending the stairs to join them in the foyer.
She was simply magnificent, nor did he miss the high heels she wore that only enhanced her stature in his eyes. He was so caught up watching her taking the steps one at a time as if knowing how torturous it was to watch her as she was. He only heard pieces of his siblings' comments about his wife's appearance.
"Oww… Bekah! What the hell was that for?" Kol asked indignantly, rubbing his bruised shoulder.
"You called Ella a female version of our brother Elijah, you ass! Why else do you think I hit you?" Rebekah snapped.
"I don't know. You do have our father's temper so… Owww, will you stop hitting me?"
"Wanker!"
"Harlot!"
"If you two don't stop ruining the moment, I might have to go find where you lot stashed my silver daggers," Klaus chided them both. That last comment snapped Elijah out of his semi trance back to his bickering siblings.
"Alright enough! All three of you are indeed ruining the moment."
Both Finn and Sage had already left for a day back to the cave where they found out the existence of another White Oak tree after their family had burnt the previous one to the ground. As much as he wanted to take Elena into his arms and rush her back up to their rooms for another session, they had things to do today. So he instead watched as his sister was the first to her sister-in-law.
Rebekah would have crushed Elena's ribcage if she hadn't been like them. Elijah observed as each of his siblings took their turn wishing Elena and finally then himself good luck. He was content just to see them give Elena a proper sendoff.
Elijah wasn't letting on how he felt about the prospect that besides his wife he wouldn't be allowed to see his own children. If the Bennett witch hadn't been a close friend of Elena's, his reaction wouldn't have been pleasant for anyone keeping him from his family. No one hurts his family and lives Elijah sighed audibly when his little sister went in for another hug after pushing Kol aside.
"Hey! She is my sister too, and you already had your turn Bekah!" Kol huffed, brushing his clothing as if she had somehow mused up his clothing. Their brother had always liked clothing; it really didn't matter which century they were in. He was always trying to look his best no matter when it was.
"Girl prerogative, you little jerk. Now go back to looking at yourself in the mirror," Rebekah hissed, giving Elena another tight embrace before backing away herself.
"Okay guys I will be back tomorrow at the earliest. Thanks Bekah for all the baby items. I'm sure that Eirik and Astrid as well as I will greatly appreciate each of them," Elena said to everyone. Elena did give him a thoughtful look, and he knew what she meant just by her lovely brown eyes. Why someone, most likely Rebekah, had purchased a baby monitor didn't make entirely much sense considering their vampire nature, but stranger things happened. After all, his wife did fall back in time. What else could happen? They stepped outside into the brisk November air, but none of the Originals showed any sign it bothered them. Elijah suspected that if his wife had been human, the clothing she and Rebekah were currently wearing wouldn't be adequate to ward off the chill.
After putting her overnight bag in the trunk, along with the bag of items Rebekah had thoughtfully gotten for her twins. There was also a small cooler with half dozen blood bags for her consumption she didn't want to oppose on her friends and hopefully they could come to an arrangement of allowing Tatia and their kids to come back to their new home.
Elena almost cried what she called happy tears when she found two stuffed wolf animals in the backseat courtesy of Klaus himself. Elijah granted himself a, however brief, smile for his brother's gesture towards his niece and nephew.
30 minutes later:
Elena watched as Elijah re-closed the front door and put the hidden key back in the spot she had told him about on the drive over to her parent's, now Jeremy's, house. Well that wasn't entirely accurate. They still needed to fill out the proper paperwork but as much as she hated to admit it, this place wasn't her home any longer. Elena forced the melancholy feelings deep inside for now. She knew eventually she would have to deal with it but now wasn't the time. It did feel strange to be thinking about such things considering her unusual circumstances; her separation and marriage had to be some sort of record hadn't it ought to be, Elena wondered as Elijah re-entered the car after putting the paper bag in the trunk. They had already made another stop and at least for Elena the experience had been surreal, although she could have probably astral projected herself into, of all things, a convenience store. It was an entirely different experience to confidently walk into a store she had done on numerous other occasions but feel like an utter stranger. But Tatia and she might need some of the items the others had forgotten to pick up for them.
"I think I found everything you specified on your list and thank you for omitting those items I didn't feel comfortable digging through your unmentionables and whatnot." Elijah sighed, retaking the driver's seat.
"Elijah, word for the wise: girls don't wear other girls' underwear. It's unsanitary and just gross," Elena said looking at her husband and not bothering to hide her dismay that even her centuries old husband didn't really get what he was suggested. His next sentence only confirmed it.
"But why would you put unsanitary undergarments on? And I could tell that they'd been laundered by their scent." Elijah's eyes snapped to his wife when she gasped in shock, but eventually settled down when he shook his head in denial.
"Vampire senses remember? I didn't open the drawer, but I could still smell the faint traces of them having been laundered as I stated earlier," he elaborated, and Elena relaxed.
"Sorry… So if there isn't anything else you can think of, I think we should head over to the boarding house. On the way I will call Caroline and let her know we are coming."
"Do you have your blood vial?" Elijah asked, starting the car back up.
"Right here," Elena said, taking care to pat the spot of her jacket just above her inner pocket where it was safe and sound.
Turning back on the road, they made small talk on their way. Elena wrongly pointed out a spot she believed Ayana's dwelling had been.
"Well, how do you even know and I don't? I was there to remember."
Elijah sighed and took her hand in his and kissed it before returning it back to her. "Do you recall what my cover story was when I first arrived in the town?"
Elena had to wrack her brain and blew out an exasperated sigh, She realized she already knew why just hadn't made the connection. "You came pretending to be a historian, but still wouldn't you need to conduct a land survey? You seem rather sure of yourself; how do you know that you might be off? The environment has changed, has it not?"
"It has, but with the beauty of compulsion and a certified survey team plus the natural landmarks that haven't changed, with a little work you'd be surprised what you can find out given enough patience," Elijah smiled knowingly back at her and she felt like kissing him again, but not before telling him that being cheeky can only swallowed in small quantiles before the body outright rejects them.
Choosing instead to ride the remaining time lost in thought, Elena wondered how Eirik and Astrid would react to having her back. Granted, they were probably not aware of much of anything other than when was the last time they had been feed or changed, but still it did concern her. Her friend Tatia must be terrified. If Bonnie hadn't found the right spell to translate for her she would have to do it, but that would reveal the simple fact that she can perform magic.
"Do you have your phone and its charger?" A deceptively calm voice intruded into her space, bringing her back to reality.
"Yes Lijah. And although I don't think I need it, I have my back up phone just in case they confiscate the other, or worse," Elena sighed. They had talked about contingency plans through dinner the previous night and she had to admit both Klaus and Elijah had brought up some compelling points; but she didn't want to think that her friends could be so stupid to attempt any of the scenarios her family had come up with.
"Don't let either Stefan, or more accurately Damon, treat you like they have before, my Kærasta. If you have to and I already know how you feel about doing this in regard to their place and yours. You are an Original and they need to show the proper amount of respect," Elijah's voice soothed her nerves. Although they would see each other again the following day, it still bothered them both to be separated so soon again.
"I won't, and thank you for everything you've done for me and our family as a whole."
"Always and Forever, my lovely Elena."
"Always and forever," Elena agreed. It was a promise that transcended both time and space. For Elena, it meant that she had a family and people that loved and cared for her.
Pulling into the familiar driveway Elena sighed as she caught sight of Bonnie, both Salvatore brother's and her brother waiting on their side of the salt line. From what she could see and her heightened senses agreed with her the other vampire named Lorenzo wasn't outside with them.
"Are you ready for this?" Elena found herself asking.
"Not especially, but we do what we must for family right Elena?"
"Yes we do, Lijah."
Salvatore Boarding House
November 5, 2010
Damon's voice grated on Elena's ears, nor did she appreciate his snide comment about how she was dressed. If the barrier hadn't been in place Elijah or she would have made an example out of him. It did bother her that she wasn't entirely sure who between them wanted to punish him more her or Elijah.
"My god now you're dressing like him now? For fuck's sake Elena, can't you see what they've done to you?" Damon said, and she didn't yet make eye contact with him or his younger brother. She was busy pulling the two stuffed animals Klaus had gotten for the twins from the backseat. Although she didn't think either of them were old enough to play with them quite yet, nor would they for some time yet, she did appreciate the gesture, and they were rather adorable in her honest opinion.
Elijah pointedly ignored Damon and instead continued to unload the trunk. Other than the small cooler, her overnight bag, the bag of clothes and otherwise for Tatia, Rebekah's bag of baby goodies, and the box of diapers. She felt ready to tackle the world.
"Elena, what the hell is all this crap!?" Damon demanded, looking at everything that she had moved to the very edge of the invisible barrier. "Its only for one day!" he snarked, eying her belongings as if she were trying to sneak something inside their little blanket and pillow fortress.
"Oh, you know? Just things I might need and some of it is for my children and for Tatia, Damon? Or is the box of disposable diapers not obvious enough for you?" Elena snarked back at him.
"Don't be such an ass Damon!" Caroline said. "Thanks Lena I think we might have underestimated how many diapers a pair of twins can go through in a day," she said, sounding rather embarrassed for even admitting it.
"Just be happy you didn't have to deal with washing cloth diapers like I had to," Elena said dryly and couldn't resist chuckling at the aghast look of disgust of her two friends. Passing her baggage and other belongings her husband had stacked neatly by the barrier threshold. The only item left was the awkwardly large box of diapers.
"Uh… TMI, so Judgy are we ready here?" Damon groaned, then just as quickly shifted his ire on Bonnie.
Elena cursed herself mentally for not paying better attention to Bonnie's spell preparation. If she had seen all everything she would have a better idea how the barrier had been crafted and what was ultimately drawing its strength from she might have figured out a way to bring it down herself.
"Okay, Elena, I need that vial of your blood for the final stage of temporary bindings into my barrier," Bonnie explained holding up her hands as if she intended for her to throw it and when it finally dawned to her, she felt a little foolish that she hadn't really considered how she was going to hand the seal vial to her friend with a barrier in the way. But there was something that Bonnie said she focused on which brought a crested frown to her own brow. Elijah must have been paying closer attention because he thankfully asked the question.
"Miss Bennett what do you mean temporary?" Elijah asked, moving to stand next to her. His proximity helped settle the butterflies in her stomach.
"I can't lower the barrier, but I can weaken part of the bindings that allow others to be added to the wards. If you enter the barrier, if you leave again, your access will be revoked. There is no limit to how long you stay just if you want to regain access you will have to go through this again. Sorry Lena, this is the only way I could do it. It's a really complicated spell. It took a good deal out of me," Bonnie said by way of apology.
"I understand," Elena carefully extracted the vial and as gently as she could tossed it underhanded to her friend, thankfully she easily caught it, before she opened it Elena realized she needed to do one more thing before seeing her children. "Bonnie, can I have a second to say goodbye?"
Bonnie seemed confused, but after a furtive glance towards her stoic husband she nodded in sudden understanding. "Yeah go ahead I will let you know when I've added your blood."
Elena sighed and turned to Elijah; he didn't hesitate to pull her into him. "I will be here to pick you up when you're ready to leave, give Eirik and Astrid my love," Elijah said, touching his forehead to hers.
"I will tell them and I will also tell them that their uncles and aunt miss them as well, Lijah" Elena didn't mean to lift her chin up but her lips found his and the kiss was more special because of the longing and knowing they will be physically separate but they are together in more ways than one.
"I'm ready now. When I tell you to cross over the salt line do not hesitate," Bonnie said, breaking Elena and Elijah's kiss. Elena backed away, giving Elijah a sad smile.
"Come on Elena, we are waiting," Damon smirked. Growling under her breath, Elena waited for Bonnie to pour the vial of her blood into a copper pan. There was no fire or heat, but the second the blood touched the metal surface it started to sizzle.
"Okay, Lena, it's time!" Bonnie shouted, urging her to come forth. Elena didn't hesitate. She stepped over the salt line and she felt a faint repulsive resistance but the moment her foot touched on the other side the resistance dropped away.
"It's done!" Bonnie breathed.
Elena couldn't help herself as she enveloped first Caroline then Bonnie in a hug or at least she tried to with her witch friend. The moment she pulled her in Bonnie backed away with a stunned expression on her face.
"I'm sorry Bonnie, did I squeeze you too tight? I… I didn't mean-" Elena started but whatever it was Bonnie confirmed herself faster than she expected anyone who didn't have fast healing like she did.
"No… No… It wasn't that I just felt… But that couldn't be possible! I didn't believe Care, but it's true you are a vampire… I mean an Original," Bonnie said by way of explanation. As if Elena hadn't realized that she had died and been changed into a Original, she wanted to laugh but for the fact her act might be misinterpreted somehow.
"Bon, I understand that this is going to be a hard adjustment, but I'm still your friend," Elena tried to reassure her friend but something in her sad eyes made Elena depressed. She didn't outwardly show it, but that feeling was there, nonetheless.
As her friends and herself gathered up the items she'd brought with her, she felt like an idiot for forgetting the diapers, considering they'd however briefly been talking about them it still had slipped her mind. Well, at least not her husband. Elena watched with curiosity as her Elijah regarded them then the still unclaimed box of diapers. It was only then that it finally registered that of everyone Damon hadn't picked anything up to carry inside.
Elijah must have been thinking the very same thing when he picked up the box and held it part way through the barrier for Damon to take. His stoic demeanor belied his intentions until it was too late even for Elena to react. As soon as Damon reluctantly had taken hold of the offered box from their side of the barrier, Elijah yanked the box and Damon across the salt line faster than most beings could visually track. Elena might not have reacted initially, but she hid a, however brief, smile when she saw the twinkle of amusement in her husband's brown eyes.
"DAMON!"
"NO!"
However, their entreaty of alarm was already far too late for anyone to do anything regardless of their desires otherwise. She didn't fully understand their reaction to the latest turn of events. Damon had all but goaded her husband into acting and if the situation had been less strained, she might have applauded his forbearance. Elijah could have easily killed Damon instead. Damon now found himself held bodily up like a rag doll only by Elijah's single raised hand. The same hand which had its digits wrapped around Damon Salvatore's heart.
"Mister Salvatore, you seem to be operating under the impression that I would be forgiving of your behavior towards my Elena. As I told you once before, I'm an Original and you'd be well advised to show the proper amount of respect in that regard. With that in mind, I also strongly suggest you do the same for my wife as well," Elijah said levelly without any hint of emotion before he ever so casually tossed the struggling vampire back onto his side of the invisible barrier. Before bending down and retrieving the box of diapers and tossing it to land beside the now prone vampire.
His eyes were still locked on Damon as he slowly climbed back onto his feet, but his words were meant for her when he spoke again.
"Call me if there is anything you or our children need," Elijah said calmly, but Elena could hear the emotion in his voice and felt the same. He was going back to the home Klaus had built for them, and he was going back alone.
"I will and thank you, Lijah." Elena said sincerely.
Less than five minutes later he and the SUV she had ridden with him to the Boarding House were gone.
"What the hell are you thanking him for, Elena? He could've killed me!" Damon demanded, rounding on her, blocking her from her intended path towards the waiting entrance.
"No he didn't Damon, and I was thanking him for not killing you." Elena sighed, already feeling tired from the whole ordeal. She really just wanted to be reunited with her children. But she would need a blood bag beforehand as she didn't feed directly from either of her ladies maids, choosing instead to give a blood bag a try. While it had satisfied her hunger pangs, it hadn't fully revitalized her magical reserves. There had to be a correlation to her consuming fresh blood versus blood that was harvested sometime in the past to how her magic reacted.
"Come on guys, let's get inside before anything else happens," Caroline suggested and Elena as well as the others couldn't find a reason to disagree as they turned for the waiting entrance and beyond that her two precious children. It had been far too long because of their separation as necessary as it had been, but soon they would finally be together and if Elena could convince Bonnie to lower her spell the rest of her family as well.
It felt strange entering this place, Elena thought, being there reminded her of the last deal she made on behalf of her brother's life in the exchange for Klaus getting his sister back and regular access to her human Doppelgänger blood for his hybrids. Neither was the sheer irony lost on her, but this time she was the Original. Although she still cared for her friends and her only surviving family member of her old life they, in turn, don't really know her anymore. The human girl Elena Gilbert had died in the past over ten centuries ago and Elena Mikaelson is the person who re-emerged into the modern world. That knowledge saddened her more than she cared to think about. Damon dropped the box of diapers just inside the threshold and disappeared. The sound of liquid being decanted into a glass was a probably a good indication that Damon was already getting a head start on his probable daily routine.
"Lena, are you alright?" Caroline asked. Hearing her name forced Elena to mentally shake herself back to the present.
"I'm fine Care, it's been a while for me and being back here brought back some memories," Elena sighed, looking about the sitting room. She frowned when she didn't see Tatia or her children and if she hadn't refocused her senses for the telltale heartbeat of all three of them somewhere upstairs, she honestly didn't know how she would have reacted. Putting her overnight bag down, the three friends went in search of Damon and Stefan.
"Enough already! Elena, they can't get to you now. Just what did those bastards do to you?" Damon demanded. Elena flinched at his harsh rebuke of her family. Intellectually, she'd tried to prepare herself for this inevitable encounter, but the well reasoned response she intended to give evaporated.
"Damon, they have done nothing to me!" Elena retorted. But even she found herself asking the question. Albeit not in the same context Damon and by the looks of her former boyfriend probably believed. Stefan had dated Rebekah for a time before Klaus had taken his memories, so he might have some notion of what they might have done. But it wasn't like that, Elena wanted to tell them, but they didn't seem too receptive to her argument against their misguided beliefs.
"Bullshit!" Damon yelled before tossing back his drink, draining his glass. Elena rolled her eyes and Caroline did the same. Bonnie was watching Elena with an unreadable expression.
"I can't make you believe me, Damon, but they haven't done anything to me. Where's Jer?" she asked in a feeble attempt to change the subject, based on the cluster of heartbeats upstairs she already guessed he was sitting with Tatia and Elena's children.
"Upstairs. I believe that he has been spending time with his niece and nephew," Caroline offered and Elena was thankful for her friend's understanding.
"Look I know all of you have questions for me, but I need to check on Tatia and my children. I promise that I will come back down after spending time with them." Elena said. The narrowed eye look she gave each of them almost seemed to have pinned them in their seats. Feeling rather satisfied, Elena picked up her overnight bag and the items Rebekah had gotten as well.
Caroline looked between Stefan and Damon who were by all appearances doing their best to busy themselves with whatever was currently in front of them. "Here Lena, let me get some of that for you."
The two friends ignored the two brooding vampires and headed upstairs to the guest room they had put the others in.
"Thanks Care."
After they made their way up the stairs Elena slowed down when she was confident that they were out of relative earshot. In a bare whisper low enough on for Caroline, Elena asked her what had she told them about her after returning from their little shopping trip. It took Caroline a minute to understand what she was really asking.
"Don't worry. I didn't tell them about the other things you can do. I just said you were an Original, but Damon has somehow convinced himself into believing they compelled you to think that," Caroline answered the same way back. Elena halted and looked incredulously at her old friend.
"Seriously?"
"Yep," Caroline said, popping her p. Elena didn't know if she should laugh or cry after learning this. What would be the point of them turning her into a vampire and doing all that when Klaus needed her blood to make more hybrids. That was the question she asked in the same hushed voice as before.
"I seriously don't get it either, both Damon and Stefan have been acting odd lately. If you ask me I think they are still in denial," Caroline said, then stopped in front of a closed door. "They are in here."
The door swung open before either of them could rearrange their precariously balanced burdens, revealing a tired looking Jeremy with carefully swaddled Astrid held cradled in his arms.
"Shh… We just got one of them back to sleep again," Jeremy said softly.
Salvatore Boarding House
November 5, 2010
As it turned out two of the three vampires and the witch were too engrossed in their planning to even consider listening in on Elena and Caroline. Enzo was busy translating the Sanskrit portion of the spell book for Bonnie. It annoyed him that his best friend was acting like this. He knew that Enzo was still upset with him abandoning him like he had but he had no other choice at the time.
"I'm telling you that they must have- I don't know- compelled her and had some witch of theirs cast some sort of spell on her to make her think she traveled back in time. There is no way that Elena would ever fall in love with Elijah. Never!" Damon said, refusing to listen.
"Okay, Damon, say that you're right, but why would they go through this? It makes little sense," Stefan asked. Damon refilled his glass and promptly downed half of it. It frustrated him that Elijah and his family had their fangs in Elena Gilbert. It didn't help that his little brother seemed preoccupied ever since he had come back from his little hybrid hunting expedition a few days ago.
"They're Originals. Why should anything they do make sense?" Bonnie said, opening her grimoire.
"Exactly! Look I don't know, but I don't believe that Elena traveled back in time. And I don't care what Caroline said. As far as we know they compelled her too," Damon answered.
"Is Caroline is still taking her vervain?" Bonnie asked thoughtfully, looking up from her book.
"If she isn't, would there be a way for you to figure out if she was compelled?" Damon asked Bonnie. At first, he thought she was going to blow off his question when she surprised him with a slow nod.
"There is a spell I remember finding in one of my Grams' books. Previously I've asked Abby about it and she said it was a complex spell and she never had reason to try it but it should be doable for someone my age."
"So what's stopping you?" Damon pressed. By her upset expression he already knew the answer, but if this meant that Caroline had been compelled shouldn't it be better for them to know that? Why wasn't anyone else understanding the potential risk of them not knowing for sure?
"Well, probably because, Damon, it will cause her a great amount of pain. I don't know about you, but I don't go around hurting my friends because of the off chance they might have been compelled. So before we get too ahead of ourselves. Are we talking about doing this to Caroline on the off chance she was compelled, or Elena?" Bonnie sighed, closing her book. Damon's mouth snapped shut, cutting off what he was going to say and exchanged a meaningful look with his younger brother. Stefan seemed to understand and slowly nodded his head in silent agreement.
"Bonnie, how long would it take to get everything ready for this spell of yours?" Damon asked. At first she didn't respond other than reaching for a different grimoire and, after a bit of searching, stopped on a yellowed page.
"At least two days, maybe three, if we don't have all the ingredients on hand. One of you will have to get whatever I don't have. I can't really substitute with this spell. But we have a problem. Elena, if that is the intended recipient of this spell, will be leaving tomorrow. Either she comes back or we keep her here until we are ready."
"Why can't we wait?" Stefan asked.
"Once some of the ingredients are mixed, they quickly lose their potency and if we wait too long-"
"Then it won't work. Bonnie, do you recall what we did to Elena to keep her from martyring herself?" Damon smirked.
"Damon, she was pissed at us the last time we trapped her like this. Are we going to do the whole boarding house or just the guest room? It will be easier with the second option. I can place a silencing ward on it so once inside she can't hear us unless we want her to."
They continued to plan. One way or another their friend Elena Gilbert was going to be returned to them. And Damon didn't care if he had to drag her back by her kicking and screaming to do it. Having her back would be worth it.
Salvatore Boarding House
November 5, 2010
Elena could barely breathe. She was absolutely terrified that she would accidentally hurt her own daughter with her enhanced strength. So when Jeremy wordlessly passed Astrid to her, she honestly felt like she was going to faint from anxiety. Holding her daughter was something she had dreamed about for so long it almost felt like she was in one of those dreams once more. She was sitting on the edge of the bed with Tatia, feeding Eirik some baby formula close by. Elena had to wave her ancestor's attempts to pass her son to her as well, and Elena immediately felt guilty for doing so. But Tatia seemed to have understood, so she continued to feed him.
She was lost in admiration of her child, trying to memorize everything about her sleepy child's cherub features as she peered down at her sleeping little girl. She might have heard Jeremy and Caroline discussing the fact that there were still more things Elena had brought with her waiting to be brought up. But she just might have imagined it.
"Lena?"
"Hmmm…"
"Lena, I think Tatia asked you a question, but I'm not entirely sure, since I can't understand her," Caroline's voice drew her back to reality. Thankfully, Astrid was still asleep.
"Hold on, give me a sec," Elena sighed and carefully stood up, cradling her daughter as if she was the most precious thing in the world and strode over to one of the cribs her friends had dug out of the attic of this place. The fact they found not one but two had been a surprise. The fact that they even had such items somewhat baffled Elena. Part of her didn't want to know what had precipitated the need for them in the past.
"Can you take over feeding Eirik? I have to do something for Tatia first," Elena asked once she finished with her daughter.
"Okay," Caroline said slowly, and Elena waited until her friend had taken over. Telling Tatia to sit up, Elena knelt beside her on the bed before reaching both of her hands out with two extending fingers, resting her fingertips on either side of Tatia's temples. Pulling her magic Elena immediately regretted not feeding before this especially from either Lily or her sister. Forming the spell in her mind, she concentrated on pushing into her friend and shaped the magic as it slowly took root within her mind. Only once the last mental branch had successfully formed did she pull herself free and sagged back on the bed, the feeling of weariness all but overwhelmingly her.
"What did you do Elena?" Caroline asked rather dumbfounded. She had kept Elena's secret that she could do magic from the others not really understanding why, but Elena had promised to tell her about it later. So it came as a shock for her when it wasn't Elena that answered.
"I believe that she gave me the ability to understand your language. English, I believe?" Tatia answered.
"How!? Did you do that Lena?"
"Something very similar to what Bonnie's ancestors did for me in the past. I'm sorry Tatia. I was somewhat delayed reaching Ayana's Spellchamber by another Petrova Doppelgänger. I believe you might have already met her."
"I did. I'm not sure how I feel about her," Tatia answered and Elena couldn't help but smile in response.
"Between the three of us, let's for now keep it a secret that Tatia can now understand what people are saying. And don't look at me like that. Care, I don't like keeping things from my people I know, but if they find out too soon it will lead to some rather awkward questions. Which I'm not ready to go into detail about. So please for me and Tatia," Elena pleaded. Tatia looked confused and Caroline was annoyed but still looked resigned to abide by the terms Elena had set. She hated keeping her magic a secret with her oldest friends, but something deep inside was telling her that revealing that to the wrong people at the wrong time would lead to disaster.
Three hours later:
Elena didn't want to leave her children, but the persistent ache in her gums had only started to get worse with each passing minute. She had mastered her blood lust a very long time ago, but the longer she stayed in the same room with three humans- two of them being her own children- didn't help ease the cravings.
Grabbing a random blood bag from the cooler she brought with her, which Jeremy on one of his trips of shuttling her belongings upstairs had deposited in the guest room without any comment about its contents. Felling self consciousness with consuming blood in front of Tatia and her own children, she decided to spend time downstairs with everyone else. Now was probably the best time to go visit with her friends.
Sucking on the built in straw in the blood bag, Elena strolled into what she faintly recalled was Damon's favorite room in the entire boarding house.
"Well, I guess that answers one of my questions," Damon huffed having caught sight of Elena in the entryway.
"What was the question, Damon?" Elena asked innocently, already feeling she knew what the question had been. Glancing over at Caroline, she only shrugged her shoulders in a typical 'what can I do?' manner. She had already told Elena that she had tried to tell them but Damon was obviously being himself. She could smell the faint traces of vervain wafting from her friends' direction so compelling at least the two Salvatores was not an option. That could change with a certain spell, but she hadn't rebuilt her magical reserves yet and although the blood in her bag was helping, it wasn't as good as fresh blood as she discovered recently.
"That they turned you into a vampire for reasons I can't fathom. Unless-" Damon answered, but cut himself off rather abruptly, giving her a measured look before glancing back at his brother. Elena could have sworn she actually could hear the gears turning inside the older Salvatore's head. Oh this is going to be good, Elena mused as she picked a seat next to Caroline. Bonnie was sitting with the vampire who'd introduced himself as Enzo at least to his friends. She didn't know why, but he looked familiar.
"Listen guys please don't kill each other or anything I'm going to go check on my parents." Caroline cut in before their argument really started to escalate.
Caroline had departed to go check on her mom and dad. Elena told Caroline to call her or Elijah if she encountered any issue leaving the Salvatore property. Elijah had promised to call Klaus on the ride over and tell him that of the three vampires staying in this place her friend Caroline would be allowed to come and go without being intercepted by his hybrids keeping an eye on the property. As they had expected, Klaus hadn't been very receptive until Elijah had pointed out that they didn't exactly know if there was enough baby formula or other necessities for Tatia and the Mikaelson's next generation. Besides, having Caroline being able to leave meant they could also keep current with the general mood in the boarding house.
"Unless what?" Elena prompted, settling back into the couch and enjoying the blood as it mingled in her enhanced taste buds. It didn't surprise her to find out that her family had invested into several worldwide blood banks. It gave their kind access to blood without the need to kill or harm people. And they could control the quality of the blood too. Sadly the amount of unwitting donors wasn't enough, but she had an idea that might help with that regard. She just needed to talk to Elijah about her proposal. Not surprisingly, her husband, for all intents and purposes, was responsible for their family's financial control of various businesses around the world.
"Unless our favorite Hybrid found a means of using Petrova Doppelgänger blood regardless if it comes from a vampire or not to make his hybrid army," Damon finished. Elena was about to tell him not to be stupid when her phone chimed, indicating a new message was waiting for her. Ignoring the annoyed look Damon was sending her Elena unlocked her phone and read the waiting message. She couldn't stop the slow smile which formed as a result.
ELIJAH: My apologies, but you did want me to ping you during your visit. How are Tatia and our children?
ELENA: I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't mean it Lijah. They are all doing well. Here give me a second. There are some pictures and a short video I made that I can send you.
Elena quickly attached the pictures and the video she made just for him. She smiled already picturing how the video would be received. Taking it had been a spur of the moment opportunity and she simply couldn't resist. She almost missed it too, but thankfully Eirik was more than happy to start babbling for his ecstatic mother again.
ELIJAH: Thank you. I am truly envious of you for being there now, but I'm also relieved that someone from our family is there with them. How are the Salvatores behaving?
ELENA: I'll let you know I'm sitting down with them right now. Sorry, but I need to get back to them.
ELIJAH: I understand. Take care, love. Give Eirik and Astrid my love.
ELENA: I will… I love you Elijah.
ELIJAH: I love you too.
Re locking her phone, she tucked it back into her purse before returning her attention back to waiting friends. Enzo looked amused but everyone else looked upset for some reason.
"What? Sorry, Elijah sent me a text and I needed to respond," Elena said sheepishly. But her expression changed into a frown when she caught Damon rolling his eyes.
"What's your problem, Damon?" Elena asked, feeling her irritation grow. Trying to calm herself she tried mentally counting down from a hundred but Damon had other ideas. He finished his drink and climbed back to his feet and flashed over to stand in front of Elena, looking down on her. If he wanted to get a rise out of her, his behavior so far hadn't elicited a physical reaction yet.
"My problem is what they've done to you Elena! Why the hell are you dressed like that, you look like him for Christ's sake!" Damon yelled. Elena sighed, finishing her blood and crumpled the empty bag in a tight fist.
"I guess I'll take that as a compliment then… What exactly do you think they did to me, Damon? I'm just dying to know," Elena deadpanned, looking up at the very vampire who obviously didn't believe her.
"There is no way you traveled into the past back when they were still human. Are you stupid? They turned you into a vampire and then compelled you to believe that you're an Original like they are!"
Elena would have been worried about waking her children, but Bonnie had stopped by when she was still upstairs and placed a silencing charm on the guest room. Unlike the missed opportunity to witness how the barrier spell was constructed, this time Elena could see the magic take shape, and she had to admire Bonnie's spellcraft. Not being able to tell her was killing her, but she would once she finally revealed that she too can perform magic as well.
"Don't call me stupid Damon. For your information I did travel back in time and I wasn't turned into a vampire Damon. I was changed into one and that is a fundamental difference," Elena sighed. Rolling her shoulders, her outfit was comfortable, but wearing a jacket as part of the ensemble was something she wasn't accustomed to.
"How can you be so naïve, Elena?" Damon said but Elena ignored him. If she didn't she'd probably snap his neck or worse.
"Now love, I'm not trying to join their argument here but I'm just wondering. If you did travel back in time, why didn't you try changing the past?" Enzo asked. Elena had to look around a smirking Damon at the British accented vampire.
"I honestly tried, when Bonnie's ancestor Ayana finally told me just shy of three months being there that there was no possible way to send me back to my own time. That very day I vowed to change time. I might have been stranded in the past but I was determined to change the future," Elena said, her voice catching more than once recalling how devastated she felt when Ayana had finally broken the news to her.
"As if-" Damon started but before he could utter another word Elena had finally had enough of his snide remarks. In a blink, Damon found himself being pinned to a far wall with Elena's right forearm holding him in place by the neck. Her other hand was holding his free hand in a vice-like grip.
"Damon… I would seriously rethink what you're going to say. I honestly don't care if you believe me or not," Elena snarled. She could feel the blood veins writhing around her eyes threatening to erupt to the surface. Breathing heavy Elena backed away almost as quickly as she had so easily overpowered him.
"Damn Elena…" Elena glared at Stefan who held up his hands in surrender. After a moment of hesitation he instead picked up a tumbler of amber liquid and held it out to her as if it were a peace offering. "Care for a drink? It's on him."
Elena was tempted to decline but his green pleading eyes helped to change her mind and although reluctant she acquiesced to his would be peace offering. Still angry with Damon she tossed the tumbler back, downing it in one swallow before returning the empty glass to her former boyfriend for another refill.
"Thanks, I think I needed that," Elena said and smiled when Stefan chuckled.
"I have to live with him." Stefan smiled as he refilled her glass. She didn't plan on drinking very much anymore. Besides the drink she just downed was just starting to hit her. The pleasant burn of the alcohol on the back of her throat helped to calm her irritation. Besides it had been ages since her last drink, she was well overdue for one.
"Thanks."
Returning to her former place on the couch, she nursed the drink, waiting for someone to say something. They sat in relative silence only making small talk. Both Stefan and Damon refilled their own glasses at least twice over the next ten minutes or so. Elena wasn't really watching the time. The Bourbon or whatever it was really hitting her now, which was odd considering that she was now a Original, but it was also true that it has been several centuries since she last indulged. As far as she knew her alcohol tolerance might have lessened. Yet, as she pondered her own reasoning, something about it didn't feel quite right. Almost as if she was missing something. Feeling tired she decided to check on her children.
Standing up, she swayed on her feet and peered down at her still unfinished glass. Why did she feel so blitzed from one drink? She only had one tumbler full. She glanced up from the glass and the world seemed to move about her. Stefan looked concerned but there was something else in his eyes. Anticipation? Growing agitated she shifted her gaze to where Damon was just sitting in his favorite chair but the chair was empty? Something wasn't right Elena knew that now, but what was it? As if someone had heard her pleas for answers the fog around her brain briefly faded and something finally triggered in the back of her mind. When realization hit it was like a lightning bolt. No! They would've had tried something so stupid.
"Did… Did you guys. Just drug me?" Elena's words were harsh and even though it was getting hard to think let alone form coherent sentences, even she could hear how her own voice was slurred. She had to get out of there and let her body metabolism flush the drug from her system.
"Elena, we just want to help you," Stefan said, now standing, which confused her because wasn't he just sitting down? Nearing panic, Elena took off to head back upstairs, but her path was blocked by Jeremy. Was he involved?
"Let me go Jer, you're making a terrible mistake!" Elena pleaded her voice sounded as if someone else was speaking. She tried to get past her brother who was still blocking her path. No way was she going to use her enhanced strength to move him out of her way; doing so could injure him. She suddenly felt uncoordinated and she didn't like that feeling. Why were they doing this to her- even her own brother?
"Why isn't she going down? You said that it would knock her out!" She heard someone say behind her. Elena turned to face whoever had spoken, but was only met with blank, yet concerned expressions.
"Guys this-" Elena started as she turned back to leave. When she felt a sharp piercing pain in the side of her neck, the accompanying burn and something else sent her spiraling downward into the abyss. Falling back, she stared up into Damon's blue determined eyes. At the same time, in her periphery vision, she thought she saw one of Ric's vervain auto injectors in his hand. Near panicking Elena tried to free herself, but her arms felt like lead weights. Collapsing to her knees she found Damon supporting her as he helped ease her onto her back staring up into the vaulted rafters. She didn't know how long she laid there; everything seemed so disconnected.
"Don't worry, Elena. We are just doing this to bring you back to us," Damon said gently as the world around her finally faded to black. Absently she felt Damon picking her up, cradling her to his chest. Maybe it was a dream, but she could have sworn she heard her friend Bonnie telling them to take her upstairs to the guest bedroom. Whatever they are planning on doing to her, didn't sound very well thought out. Were they trying to get themselves killed?
Mikaelson Mansion
November 5, 2010
Elijah settled back into the leather chair in his study. He couldn't resist watching it again, so replayed the video clip Elena had sent him for perhaps the hundredth time. If he hadn't sent his sister a copy of the clip to her own phone Rebekah would have borrowed his own, and he might never find his phone again. It didn't help that he was already anticipating her next set of pictures.
Once the video reached its end, he considered replaying it once again, but after a moment of hesitation he decided to call her instead. Dialing her number, he waited for his call to connect, but frowned when it went directly to voicemail.
"Elena, sorry for the interruption, but I wanted to check on you before retiring for the evening. Is everything going well? I'm concerned that one of the Salvatores might become difficult during your stay with our children and Tatia. Please give them my love," Elijah spoke into his phone before hanging up. Sensing his sister, he looked up from his phone.
"Brother, is everything alright?" Rebekah asked, her expression changed to one of concern when she noticed his own.
"Yes. Rebekah, is there something you need?" Elijah asked, trying to deflect her probing.
"Nice try, Elijah. You're not as bad as Ella mind you, but don't forget I know you. So what's bothering you?" Rebekah said before moving to sit opposite of her older brother. Elijah briefly wondered if he could rebuff his sister, but eventually thought otherwise.
"I just called Elena and left a voicemail, but the last time I called or texted she almost immediately picked up," he paused, looking at the time on his phone before carefully placing it back on the armrest. He didn't know why, but something felt off and he couldn't put a figure on the cause.
His sister regarded him for a minute before pulling out her own phone.
"What are you going to do, Rebekah?"
"You have to ask?"
Not waiting for a response, not that she expected one, she started rapidly typing out a message to her absent sister.
REBEKAH: Just checking in with you. Sister, your husband is rather concerned that you didn't respond to your voice message. Is everything okay?
"There, let's see how long it takes. If it's too long, I say we pay the Salvatores a little visit," Rebekah said pleasantly, but for anyone familiar with his sister she could be pleasant one second and tear the heart out of anyone that wrongs her in another.
"Thank you… Maybe it's just me, but I don't trust the Salvatores."
"Oh? What have they done to give you that impression? Not that I won't believe you," Rebekah said, settling back into her chair.
Elijah sighed and considered his options. Then he started to describe how the Salvatores tried to dagger him the first time and subsequently what Elena had done afterwards. He managed to hide his smile at her shocked expression.
"Seriously? I almost would have paid to see Damon's reaction if he hadn't been warned by Elena about vampires stabbing us with those daggers, but the fact that afterwards she stabbed herself with a kitchen knife to renegotiate her terms with you is well… Ella, I guess." Rebekah laughed.
Elijah grimaced at the memory which was now colored differently now in his mind with his restored memories. He wondered absently if he had known then what he knew now, it would have been virtually unbearable to watch his wife stab herself like that. He was about to point out that she then stabbed him with a dagger anyway, but Rebekah's phone chimed.
Rebekah looked at the text and after sending a reply before locking the screen once more.
"She will send you a text in a minute. Astrid and Eirik were both demanding her attention," Rebekah informed him. Standing up, she held out a hand.
"Come on. Let's go and see if Finn or Sage found anything regarding the location of the White Oak."
