Over the course of the next few days, the Originals and the witches from New Orleans helped the pack with their training and assisted them with further utilising their strengths and improving upon their weaknesses.
During this, Elexis spent a lot of time alternating between her father and brother, and her new family from New Orleans. Klaus had been able to charm Noah with his words and his extensive knowledge of the world.
At the next pack barbeque, which fell on the no-moon night, Derek's loft had been lit up. The Originals and the witches had also been invited and were currently enjoying themselves very much.
Kol, Freya and Keelin were dancing with Malia, Allison, Isaac, Ethan and Danny. Jackson, Lydia, Scott, Melissa, Cora and Aiden were in the middle of an extremely animated conversation with Hope and Davina. Vincent and Elijah were speaking in hushed tones with Noah, Stiles and Chris, perhaps about his hunting business. Meanwhile, Klaus was exchanging notes with Peter and Derek over their particular brands of lycanthropy and related subjects, as Elexis sat next to him with their hands entwined.
A few hours into the barbeque, Freya and Elexis heard an alarm go off in their heads. They had just changed the wards 2 days ago, and bound them with their blood, so that only the adult witches of their bloodlines could hear the wards go off, thereby protecting Hope.
They exchanged quick glances, and Elexis nodded, faintly so that only Freya could pick it up. They had both felt that Esther had returned within the boundaries of the city. They quickly moved to pick up their coats, excusing themselves, as inconspicuous as possible. Stealth, however, in the midst of supernaturals is a far fetched idea.
"And where might you two young ladies be going?", Peter asked snarkily, as he turned down the music.
All eyes were on them.
Freya scratched the back of her neck before exclaiming sheepishly, "We're getting ice-cream!"
"Oh my god, you're an awful liar. I don't even need to be a werewolf to know that.", said Lydia.
"Ok look, there is something we have to do. But it has to be only the two of us. You all need to stay here.", Elexis proclaimed, as she was met with instant protests.
She sighed, "Ad sonnum", and with a swish of her wrist, the room fell down, in a magical sleep.
"We work better in silence anyways", grinned Freya.
Knowing that Esther would not be able to touch the Nemeton owing to the insane amount of spells flowing through it, the two women walked in companionable silence at a leisurely pace.
When Elexis felt that they were now close enough to the Nemeton, she gestured to Freya and asked the elder witch to let her take the lead. Freya agreed, remembering Esther and her volatile relationship.
As the Nemeton came into sight, so did Esther, who looked rather agitated.
"Condolences on your husband's long overdue and permanent demise,''said Elexis, announcing them.
Esther turned to look at her and snarled, "You foolish girl! You know nothing! You defend this infestation as if they are your own! How can you be so stupid? They have been repeating a cycle of torture and violence over the last millenium, and you are just their newest plaything."
Without flinching, Elexis continued, "That may be so, but my allegiance is to the Nemeton, the protector of this land. You wish to steal the power flowing through it, and through this land, which I cannot allow."
"What you will or won't allow is of no consequence, girl. You cannot stop me", hollered Esther.
"Lets see", Elexis said, before focusing her energies and blasting Esther off her feet, who was back on them within a second. Both Freya and Elexis fired off spell after spell, which Esther was able to block with comparative ease. They continued fighting for a long time. When Freya was thrown across the opening and into a tree, Elexis realised that she would have to revert to the last resort.
She sighed and looked at Freya, who was groaning and trying to sit up with her back slumped against the tree.
Elexis clicked her fingers, and a paper appeared in Freya's pocket, whose eyes were fixed on Elexis. Elexis smiled at Freya before turning to Esther.
"Goodbye, witch bitch.", she said.
