Chapter 18

Bonnie started teaching Ottilie the following week, when the young girl had recovered sufficiently from the fire, aided by some 'magic orange juice'. The older witch arrived at the Salvatore mansion early one Saturday morning, promising the worried brothers that she'd take good care of her.

"Please, just be careful," said Damon, in a low voice so as not to alarm Ottilie. "We don't know how much stress she can take before she has an attack, and we don't know how much stress this magic is going to place on her."

Bonnie nodded, understanding his concern, and placed a comforting hand on his arm. Smiling warmly at the man she could never have thought would have been one of her best friends, she replied, "I've asked Kol to come with us. I know he can't practice magic any more, but he had his powers relatively young, and he might be able to help. If anything happens, he can vamp speed her out of there."

Damon agreed, slightly relieved that the protective Mikaelson would be with Bonnie and Ottlile, seeing as Bonnie wouldn't let him accompany them in case he proved to be a distraction.

Just then, they heard a car pull up into the long drive, and stop just outside the house. Kol bounded out of the deep red sports car, and greeted Bonnie and Damon. "So," he said, "where's our newest little witch?"

"Here I am!" came the excited cry, and a tiny human appeared, jumping up into Kol's arms.

"Hello there, darling!" said Kol, warmly. "Are you ready to go and set some stuff on fire? You're going to love it!"

Damon's eyebrows shot up and he sent Bonnie a warning glance. She smirked and rolled her eyes. "She'll be fine!" she insisted.

The three set off in Kol's car to the forest, where Bonnie knew of a clearing with good energy that would be perfect to start Ottilie's training. They arrived and Bonnie and Kol started setting out numerous candles in a circle in the middle of a clearing in the trees. Ottilie found a tree stump to sit on, and sat, watching them quietly as they set up the candles. She could feel a quiet, potent energy about the place, and enjoyed the tingles it was sending up her arms. Breathing in the power, she relished its electric feeling and when she released the breath, all the candles were lit.

Kol looked from the candles to the small child perched on the tree stump, his eyes open wide in surprise. "Wow," he said. "You've certainly got some power in you, darling!"

The little girl smiled at him, and shrugged. Bonnie beckoned for Ottilie to come to stand in the middle of the circle of candles, and she stood up, somewhat tentatively. Encouraged by the comforting smile and nod Kol gave her, she walked slowly into the circle, gasping at the sudden influx of sensations, all vying for her attention. She shivered and looked to Bonnie for some guidance, and the older witch joined her in the candle-lit circle, taking the little girls hands in her own. Ottilie's eyes widened as she felt the sudden flow of energy going through her body, and knew that Bonnie and her were sharing their magic.

"Close your eyes," urged Bonnie gently, as she fought to control the wave of magic running through her from Ottilie. She was astonished at the sheer amount of power the little girl was channelling, and focused it into creating a strong breeze that caused the canopies around them to sway, and their leaves to rustle. Ottilie felt the wind and smiled, understanding somehow that she had a part in creating it.

They continued like this for some time, Bonnie channelling Ottilie's power into magical energy whilst showing the little girl how to control it.

Half an hour later, Kol, who had taken ownership of Ottilie's tree stump seat, called lowly to Bonnie. "Bon, it's time to stop…"

The older witch opened her eyes, and looking down at the little girl, noticed the blood beginning to pour from her nose and her face paling. She quickly brought the energy transfer to a gentle stop, so as not to shock Ottilie's body, and watched as Ottilie began to open her eyes. She began swaying on the spot and Kol sped over to her, catching her gently as she crumbled limply to the floor. Cradling her head, Kol softly patted her cheek, calling to her quietly. "Otti, darling? Can you hear me? You're okay,"

Moments later, the child's eyes fluttered open and she gazed up at Bonnie and Kol who were starting down at her, concern written all over their features. She smiled at them, and said, "That was so, so cool!"

Kol chuckled and gently helped her back to her feet, remembering how he himself had once enjoyed the majesty of the power that had manifested in him. Ottilie dug into her pocket and brought out a little packet of tissues, wiping the blood from her nose with one of them.

"Damon gave them to me," she explained, seeing Bonnie's quizzical expression. "He said that sometimes, when he's seen you do magic, your nose has bled so he thought it might be the same for me."

Bonnie smiled, surprised and happy to think that Damon had noticed that detail about magic that she'd never made a big deal about, and thankful that he'd remembered. She took the little girls hand. "Have you had enough for today?" she asked, gently.

The child nodded. "It was really fun, Bonnie. Thank you so much for teaching me, but I'm pretty tired now."

Kol smiled down at her. "How about I text Damon and get him to meet us at the grill for some lunch?" he asked, laughing at her excited little face turning up to look at him, nodding eagerly. "I don't know how you're so tiny," he teased. "I swear, all I ever see you do is eat!" She stuck her tongue out at him and challenged him to a race to the car.

He let her win, of course.