***Hello ya'all, I wasn't planning on updating again until Monday, but when I went to write the next chapter this came out. Its a filler with a small view of one of Ellie's past lives. So please make sure you tell me what you think of it, if ya like it, I may add more scenes from her past. You will still get another update Monday, so no fear. I know this is chapter is a lot smaller than what I usually post but as I said, it's a bit of a filler. Review, review, review. Thanks, guys, enjoy! This chapter has been edited by my Beta Casey***
The sun shone brightly as I laid in the soft grass. I shielded my eyes with my hands and looked up at the blue sky. The only clouds in sight were thin wisps of fluff, proof that it would remain a beautiful day. The heaviness of my thick purple dress the only thing stopping me from climbing the plush trees surrounding me. I've always thought it so unfair that women were limited by such outrageous attire, especially in the stifling heat that accompanied this time of year. I removed my hand from my face when a rustling met my ears. I sat up slowly, once again hating the ridiculous corsets I was required to wear and looked past the trees. I prayed the intruder was just an animal, and not one of my prankster little brothers.
"Joseph, Gerald?" I called.
When I wasn't met with an answer, I used the nearest tree to gain an aerial view. I brushed the grass and dirt from my gown and climbed into the trees and casually glanced around me. I was still unsure of what, or who, had made the noise, and I was starting to worry. It was only last year that I turned 16 and remembered the many lives I lived before this one. It had been a wake-up call to finally know what dangers lie in the shadows. From that point on, I made sure to stay aware of my surroundings. I stopped in my tracks when a stick broke behind me. My heart sped up, and I placed my shaking hands at my side.
"Hello?" I called out.
I turned in a circle, my newfound magic crackling quietly in my palm. I was untrained in the art of magic and tried to keep myself under control. I was afraid someone would find out and hunt me down, so I pulled my hands against my chest and took a deep breath. I struggled to control my emotions, it wouldn't be smart to lash out and reveal myself.
I turned around and stared into the empty woods. I couldn't see anyone or anything, but that didn't mean I wasn't being followed. I started to back up until I hit something hard and warm. I let out a startled scream and spun around, causing myself to trip and fall back. I threw my hands out in an attempt to catch myself, and a warm, sweaty hand grabbed mine. I was pulled back against the chest of whomever I had run into. I pushed away and stomped my heeled shoe against their foot. I grasped the bottom of my dress and started to run towards the manor, hoping I would find a servant near the entrance of our property. I could hear the person I hit, a male by the sound of their voice, crying out in pain.
"Elandra, wait! Please, I'm sorry!"
I slowed my retreat and turned towards the familiar voice. Damon was leaning against a tree, his dark suit splattered with mud and dirt. He had one leg lifted from the ground and a pained expression on his face. I dropped my gown with a small nervous giggle.
"Damon?" I asked.
I ran towards him, grabbing my fan from the pocket of my gown. I smacked his arm with it repeatedly,
"You- nearly- scared- me- to- death," I growled, enunciating each word with a hard smack to his upper arm.
He attempted to shield himself with his hands and step backward away from me but failed miserably.
"Ah, Elandra! I apologize — I didn't mean to frighten you,"
I huffed in a mixture of annoyance and exhaustion, my restrictive gown making the physical exertion of lashing out at Damon extremely difficult. I placed my hands on my hips and stared him down. His raven black hair was wet with perspiration and sticking to his forehead. His eyes were as blue as the sky as he stared at me pleadingly. This silly man was impossible to stay angry with. I bit my lip, trying to keep an annoyed expression on my face instead of the smile that threatened to escape. I obviously wasn't fairing very well, because his pleading appearance lifted into a bright and cheerful smile. He knew all too well that he was my greatest weakness, and he could get away with almost anything.
I stomped my foot in a very unladylike manner and sighed, "You're forgiven, Mr. Salvatore," I said.
He pushed himself from the tree and took my hands in his.
"Well, that is an excellent thing, Ms. Miller, because I don't think my poor heart could handle knowing you were angry with me,"
The smirk on his lips was all too enticing. This man would surely be the death of me.
He kissed my cheek gently and with great care. I ran my hands through his hair and nuzzled against his broad chest. He felt safe.
Being with him was something I would never tire of. He kissed my head and slowly pulled away from me. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss against my lips — he tasted like heaven. I moved my lips with his in well-practiced unison. After what felt like only seconds, he pulled away and took in a few deep breaths. I smirked at his disheveled appearance. His face was red, his eyes dilated and dark. I gave him a moment to collect himself and adjusted my gown. I loved these stolen moments with Damon, but for some reason, I was feeling a bit strange all of a sudden. A frown marred my features when a peculiar image crossed my mind. Where Damon had once stood, another appeared in his place. The man was of similar height and build as Damon, but his shoulder-length hair was a dirty blonde instead of Damon's black. I looked up into his eyes which were a beautiful blue-green that left me with a strange feeling of awe. The handsome, dimpled smile that graced his lips made his entire face light up. His eyes looked down at me warmly, and I couldn't help the feeling of adoration that gripped my heart tightly. I've seen this man many times in dreams and memories, but why had he crossed my mind now? It felt like I was betraying Damon and I hated it, yet even so, when I shook the thought from my head, and Damon was once again the man in front of me, I felt a sharp stab of pain in my chest. Niklaus, his name had been Niklaus. I felt fingers on my chin, and my face was pulled up to meet the worried eyes of my future husband.
"Are you feeling well?" he asked in concern.
I pushed the memories of Niklaus back into the recesses of my mind and smiled.
"Yes, I am well. Just tired and a bit overheated," I said softly.
He removed his hand from my face and guided me from the woods, towards my father's property.
"Let's get you indoors. Stefan is waiting with Joseph and Gerald. I'm sure they will want to go riding later,"
In the distance, I could finally see the manor and was relieved. The strange memory that plagued me left me exhausted and ashamed. I held Damon's hand tightly within my own and looked up to him. His eyes were bright as he spoke of going riding with Stefan and my brothers. It was their favorite past time, and I loved to see them so carefree. I nodded at the appropriate moments so that he would think I was listening to him — which I was, just not as aptly as I usually did. I just couldn't shake off the memory of Niklaus.
"Elandra, Damon!" Stefan called from the garden.
I looked up and waved. To my amusement, Stefan was carrying a large bundle of red roses. My mother would be angry with him. She hated it when he messed with her roses, which I'm sure is why he continued to do so. He, like my brothers, loved working my mother into a frenzy. Damon guided me up the stone steps and into the brilliantly colorful garden.
"Hello, Stefan. My mother will be very put out with you. You know her roses are off-limits," I said, taking the proffered roses.
His face lit up in a dazzling smile as he leaned in to kiss my cheek in greeting. His bronze hair was ruffled and windswept. I brushed it from his forehead with a light chuckle.
"I see you have already been roughhousing with my darling brothers," I said.
He patted Damon on the shoulder and smirked at me, "You have to watch out for this one brother. You can't get anything past her," he jokingly said.
Damon leaned down and kissed my hand, his eyes full of love, "Oh, I know, brother. I quite enjoy the way she keeps me on my toes,"
I grinned at their banter and shook my head. Lifting my skirt as I continued past them, "I best put these into some water. Please, don't wait for me, enjoy yourselves. I'm sure Jo has already prepared the horses,"
I looked back at them, using the roses to point towards the stables. Stefan took Damon's elbow and made a scene of guiding him away from me.
"You will see her again! I know the separation is painful, but you must go on! I'm sure the beautiful Elandra could use some peace and quiet for a change," he hollered in a mocking tone.
Damon pulled Stefan under his arm and ground his knuckles into his head. I could still hear Stefan's protests as I closed the door. I watched them from the kitchen window wrestling with one another all the way down the hill that led to the stables. Once they were out of sight, I put the roses in a vase on the table next to me. I sat down on the wooden stool near the window and looked up at the sky, which no longer reminded me of Damon's eyes, but that of another.
I woke up with a start. The dream, or memory, was one I hadn't thought of in some time. What had brought that on? Was it my recent time with Damon, or the fact that for the first time in centuries, I would soon be seeing Niklaus again?
I pulled my red hair from my face and rubbed my eyes with the heel of my palm. Ugh, this was not what I needed right now. It was as if the past was trying to come back and bite me in the ass. I rolled over and screeched lightly when I noticed someone in bed with me. I started swatting at whoever it was and moved away. I had not seen how close I was to the edge of my bed until it was too late. I fell onto the floor with a loud thud, my blanket tangled around my ankles. On the bed above me, I could hear someone gasping.
"What the hell, Ellie?" Elena hollered.
Her head appeared over the edge of the bed, a disgruntled look on her face. Her brown hair was wild and matted. "Why did you attack me like that?" she snapped.
I pulled my feet from the confines of my blanket and snorted in laughter. I should have known it was Elena. Sneaking into my bed used to be one of her favorite past times.
"I'm so sorry, Lena! I had a crazy dream, and I think I was still half asleep," I explained through my laughter.
She reached over the bed and helped me back up. Grabbing the cover from the floor, I laid back down and tossed it over our legs. She snuggled close to me and put her head on my shoulder. I turned my head and looked at the clock on my bedside table. 3:25 AM; why the hell was I awake so early?
"You ok, Lena? It's been a while since I found you in bed with me," I whispered.
She sighed and burrowed her face deeper into my shoulder. "Yeah, just a weird dream. I came in here around one," she mumbled.
I rested my chin on her head and played with her hair.
"What was the dream about Lena?"
I found it odd that we both had been woken up by bizarre dreams. Something wet hit my skin, and I knew she was crying.
"It was about you," she sniffed.
My brows furrowed and I continued to play with her hair. I knew she needed a minute to collect herself.
"It was your birthday, and we were driving along Wickery Bridge, and suddenly I lost control of the car. It was like it deliberately steered us over the edge. I could hear you screaming for me to get out, but I couldn't find you. I swam out and caught my breath, but when I went back down no matter what I did, I couldn't find you," she sobbed.
I was shocked into silence. It was like she knew about my curse — but that was impossible.
"I couldn't find you, Ellie," she gasped.
I held her close and rocked her in my arms, just the way our mother used to anytime we cried.
"Shh, it's ok, Lena. I'm right here. You don't have to find me because I'll always find you, always, I promise."
I hated that this promise was one I would have to break. Someday soon a version of her dream would come true. That night, I rocked her until we both fell asleep.