My soul's a furnace happy with the fire
That burns within - its nature is desire
For Love. My friend, if you don't wish to burn
In that same fire - you have a lot to learn.
- Rumi, The Furnace
Klaus entered his penthouse suite as the elevator closed behind him. He looked around, made his way to the bar and poured himself a drink as his gaze drifted towards the pile of envelopes covering the table.
With a sigh, he sat down as his fingers skimmed through the senders until it stopped at a familiar script, recognizing it immediately. Hurriedly keeping down the glass, he tore off the end and opened the letter inside.
Attended your exhibition in Vienna last week. It was insightful to know your present state of mind, and I was not amused.
No. 5, it was beautiful. I bought it.
Sincerely hope this reaches you.
M. L.
It was a simple note, but it still brought a smile to his face. Even if he hadn't seen her for nine decades, her small gestures every now and then never failed to uplift his spirits. Gulping down the rest of his drink, he got up with the note in hand and went to his room.
Stopping in front of a small chest, Klaus carefully lifted the lid and kept the paper inside. It was almost overflowing with its contents.
All of them sent by her; the letters, Christmas presents every year. Shrugging off any hint of emotion gripping his dead heart, he shut the lid and walked away from the room.
1914
The Compound
New Orleans, Louisiana
She looked up at him as he entered her bedroom in haste making her brows furrow in confusion. The reason must be dwindling his mind for him to barge in like that.
"I want to kill him, I want to kill Elijah," Klaus stated, pacing angrily. He stopped abruptly and looked at her when he got no response, "Do share your opinion, Maeve."
She turned around and stared at him, "What has he done now to warrant such blatant murder threat?"
"He has defied me. Again!" He answered and continued pacing.
"I reckon it is a new development? Him defying you because he is ardently devoted to your cause?" She rolled her eyes.
"You are taking his side?" Klaus growled and then the realisation hit him, "Of course he has told you."
The Original was immediately rewarded with a disbelieving look.
"What has gotten into you?"
"I have nothing to do. I am bored, Maeve," he grumbled before laying over her bed.
"Hence, you are terrorising Elijah. Spare him the vexation, he is doing what is required," she said looking at him.
"You always want to see me as the King, don't you love? Sharing the same affliction as my dear ol' brother," he smirked.
"He searches your redemption in everything you come across but anything that keeps you happy and sane, I want it for you. I believe you will choose your own happiness," she replied.
"My sanity has long been compromised. Elijah never fails to remind me every day."
"Then trust him like you have always done. While you may not fear things, he fears the retributions against you. Unfair if I have any say," she patted Klaus' cheek.
"How about you take me for a walk along the Mississippi? You need to simmer down and... I am bored," she requested with a smile, getting up, and the Original's grin widened.
The phone that sat on the coffee table rang loudly getting the owner's attention from where she sat cross-legged on the floor, a grimoire on her lap.
Adelia glanced at Elijah who sat on the couch opposite her, going through another grimoire. She got up and saw an unknown number before taking the call.
"Adelia here," she spoke over the phone.
"I am Elena Gilbert, the girl you met last night," the voice said and Elijah looked up at his wife.
"I remember, Miss Gilbert. How may I help you?" She said as her husband held out his hand and she took it to sit beside him on the couch.
Tucking her legs underneath her, the Original continued reading as his fingers caressed her bare knees absent-mindedly.
"I just wanted to see if you'd really help us," the doppelganger meekly asked.
"I wouldn't have offered otherwise," Adelia chuckled.
"Do you know where Klaus is?" She asked and besides her, Elijah huffed.
"No, I don't. He has a habit of evading people. You cannot find him when he doesn't want to be found," the witch said when the Original shared a glance with her.
"Oh... thank you," they clearly heard the doppelganger sigh in disappointment.
"I advise you to not go looking for him again. You have already warranted various people's attention last night; don't make them approach you next time."
"I won't," Elena said.
"Very well. Is that all?" The witch questioned and Elijah kept the book over the table before taking her idle hand in his.
"Yes."
"You are welcome to call me anytime. Goodbye," she ended the call and turned towards her husband who was tracing her knuckles intently, "Find anything interesting?"
"Delicate and very aesthetically pleasing," he looked at her with a slight smirk.
"And I am supposed to be a Viking's wife. I take offense, Elijah."
He kissed her knuckles gently and caressed her pulse. "You my love, are my faith. These delicate hands encompass so much ferocity. Perfect to be held within my own."
She smiled and kissed his cheek, "I am immune to your ways of flattery, dear." Elijah raised his eyebrows and sighed. "Another plot I presume?" She asked and did not get an answer, "I trust you. Just be safe."
"I happen to forget you know me quite well," he said.
"Perks of having an impossible husband," her lips twitched when he smiled.
Elijah handed Adelia her previously unfinished grimoire and kissed her forehead. "I have a little plot to initiate. I will see you later."
"Do not get too cozy with the ladies! Remember we will be celebrating your millennia-something birthday this year," Adelia called out, making the Original chuckle. "Every lady there is too young for you!"
"Fortunately for a certain Adelia Laurentis, I am too enamored with my old wife to work my charms on someone too young," he put on his jacket and started walking away.
"170 is not old!" She exclaimed, throwing a cushion at his retreating figure only for it to hit the closing door.
Integrating himself into society was not as difficult as people made it out to be. Elijah after all, had thousand years of experience backing him up in situations like these.
He smoothed his suit to brush off the nonexistent crease as he waited for Miss Sommers, Elena's aunt to give him the required documents and presenting him with the perfect opportunity to talk to the doppelganger.
He already had gotten an invitation to the house—ignorance was much more a dangerous weapon when it came to the supernatural world and he hoped the doppelganger would rectify the situation soon with her aunt. The Original heard her coming towards them and smiled inwardly.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Elena asked her aunt when she saw her rifling through various boxes in the cupboard.
"Perfect timing," Jenna chirped in and handed her the box.
"What is this stuff?" She questioned picking up one such document from the pile.
"Your mom's files from the Historical Society. I got roped into helping Mrs. Lockwood and by roped, I mean very excited to participate," her aunt replied, shutting the closet door and Elena was immediately rewarded with the sight of Elijah on the other side and paled considerably.
"Hey, I'm Elijah," he grinned.
"Elijah's in town doing research on Mystic Falls," Jenna explained as he walked closer to Elena and held out his hand.
"It's a pleasure," Elijah greeted her as they shook hands.
"So you're welcome to stay here and rummage through this stuff or Elena and I could help you load it into your car," Jenna told him.
"Or I can get someone to pick it up tomorrow," he said. He needed Adelia to go through it too as she always had an eye for pointing out the imprecision in official documents that would certainly be there in case the supernatural was involved. Moreover, he already had access to the house now.
"Also a good plan," the aunt accepted the answer with a smile.
"Thank you so much for inviting me into your home, Jenna," Elijah said, his smile almost gleeful as he followed the woman out of the house, "and Elena, I hope to see you again sometime soon," he couldn't help but add before exiting the house.
As soon as he left Elena rushed upstairs to Jeremy's bedroom and knocked on the door furiously, but Elijah appeared next to her and grabbed her wrist.
Jeremy opened the door tugging his headphones off when the vampire hid next to the door and motioned for Elena to not inform her brother about his presence.
"What is it?" The youngest Gilbert asked.
"Jenna was just asking me to get you to help her with the boxes," she answered, glancing at Elijah.
"Okay," her brother nodded and headed downstairs.
"A wise choice," Elijah commented.
"What do you want?"
"I think it's time you and I had a little chat," he replied as she led him into her room.
"Forgive the intrusion. I mean your family no harm," he told her honestly.
"Why are you here? Are you here to take me away?" She asked immediately.
"You misunderstand my intentions when I just want you safe. Klaus is the most feared and hated of the Originals, but those that fear him are desperate for his approval. If word gets out that the doppelganger exists, there'll be a line of vampires eager to take you to him and I can't have that," he remarked from where he sat at the window seat.
"Isn't that exactly what you're trying to do?"
"Let's just say that my goal is to save you from Klaus' actions," said Elijah. "Klaus' obsession has made him paranoid. He's a recluse. He trusts only those in his immediate circle."
"Like you?"
"Not anymore," he answered truthfully.
"You don't know where he is, do you? So you're trying to use me to draw him out," Elena guessed.
"Yes, I am attempting to use you to draw him out, but someone I know is working on his location as we speak. How about we help each other? I have the information you will need and you stay put and stop trying to get yourself killed."
"You know Adelia. Did you send her last night?" She questioned hesitantly.
"I do know her in person but no, I did not send her," he replied.
"Does she work for Klaus?"
"She works for neither one of us."
"Then why did you save me last night?" Elena asked.
"Because I don't want you to be taken away."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"If I wasn't being truthful, all your family would be dead and I'd be taking you to Klaus right now. Instead, I am here and I'm preparing to offer you a deal," Elijah told her.
"What kind of a deal?"
"Do nothing. Do nothing, live your life, stop fighting and then, when the time is right, you and I shall draw out Klaus together and I shall make sure your friends remain unharmed," he said getting up.
"And then what?" Elena demanded.
"Then I will ensure your survival when my business with him is done," he answered.
"Just like that?"
"Just like that," he assured her.
"And what if I refuse?" The doppelganger asked.
"You are under the impression that you have a choice. You don't, my dear. Klaus is coming either way. It is up to you whether you benefit from the help I offer you or I leave your bunch to fend for themselves," Elijah smirked. "I'm a man of my word, Elena. I make a deal, I keep a deal."
"How are you gonna be able to keep everybody safe?" She questioned.
"I notice you have a friend Bonnie, is it? She seems to possess the gift of magic. I have friends with similar gifts," he said.
"You know witches," she instantly concluded.
"Together, we can protect everybody that matters to you," he said and walked closer to her. "So, do we have a deal?"
"I need you to do one more thing for me," Elena said.
"We're negotiating now?" He replied with an amused smile.
"I want you to get someone out from under the tomb. Stefan Salvatore, he is stuck in there with Katherine," she said.
"The brother that was an accomplice to my murder. As you wish Ms. Gilbert. My witches are indisposed as of now, you might have to wait until tomorrow," Elijah replied.
The Martins were busy with the moonstone. The Salvatore could wait another day, getting the curse bound stone was more important.
"No, I want him out of there. Bonnie is busy, but I know another witch who said I could ask for her assistance anytime I need," Elena interrupted him, making the Original purse his mouth.
"I assume you are speaking of Adelia?" He asked to which Elena nodded, "then go ahead, do not let me stop you. It's time she and I get together if we are going to be allies."
She retrieved her phone from the nightstand before she dialled the number after sparing a glance towards the Original who was looking at her impassively. The phone rang, but there was no answer. She tried again and it rang twice before it was received.
"Adelia," the voice spoke from the other end and Elena was once again intimidated by the woman
"Adelia, it's me, Elena Gilbert. I need your help," she answered, recomposing herself.
"Miss Gilbert, are you alright?" She heard her speak.
"I am fine. I just require some assistance. Can you come to my house at the earliest? I will text you the address."
"Certainly," Elena heard her answer before the line went dead. She sent her address to the woman and looked at Elijah who had made himself comfortable in a chair.
"Hello Luka," Adelia smiled at him, putting down her pen when he arrived home to see his father reading a book in an armchair and the witch writing notes.
"You were successful?" Jonas asked his son.
"Do not overexert yourself when your well-being is important after what happened," she looked at him and continued humourously, "and here's your homework. Refer to the notes and make the appropriate corrections."
"Of course, I was successful. She fell for the whole show and didn't suspect a thing," Luka replied to his father as he placed the moonstone in front of Adelia who glanced down at it. "Thanks for the notes, Miss Laurentis," he grinned at her.
"Thank you, Luka," his father said.
"I cannot express my gratitude. This means a lot," Adelia stated softly when her phone rang.
"Yeah, whatever. I'm going to sleep," he blushed at getting attention from such a pretty woman.
"If you ever need any help then please do not hesitate. Your work is done therefore you can allow yourself to enjoy the thralls of teenage infatuation. Bonnie, was it?" She gave him a genuine smile and winked.
Adelia nodded before excusing herself to get the call. She returned a little later in her serious demeanor, "I am needed elsewhere. We will continue the research tomorrow, Dr. Martin, and get some sleep young Luka. Thank you once again," she told them while gathering her things and the moonstone.
"It was a pleasure, Adelia," Jonas replied before she threw them a glance and exited the house.
Elena continued staring outside for any signs of Adelia when she heard a car pulling up across the road after almost an hour and saw her walking towards the house. The doppelganger rushed downstairs and opened her door to invite her inside and hurriedly led her upstairs in case her aunt found out.
"Nice boundary spell you have there," Adelia said as she followed the doppelganger upstairs. "Probably not invite everyone in passing inside, unless you wish to be abducted in your sleep," she humoured when Elena opened the door to her room. She stopped in her tracks seeing Elijah inside, "I was presumably correct about the invite."
"Adelia," her husband got up and walked towards them and placed a kiss on her knuckles.
"Elijah. Pleasure seeing you," she said with a raised eyebrow and then turned to look at Elena, "Tell me, Miss Gilbert. Why am I here?"
"You have to get someone out of the tomb. Stefan Salvatore. Damon's younger brother, the guy you met last night. I cannot leave him there with Katherine. Elijah and I have made a deal that he'd protect my family and friends, but his witches are unavailable, so I could only think of you," Elena answered.
Adelia glanced at Elijah, who nodded. "This is an Original business. Do you guarantee my safety, Elijah?" She asked coyly.
"I promise to protect you against all odds, Adelia," the Original vampire smiled devilishly.
"So you agree?" The doppelganger hesitated.
"If the gentleman stuck in a tomb is willing to protect you then I see no harm in getting him out of there," she replied.
"And what do you want in exchange?" Elena hesitantly asked.
"I just wish to help you, Miss Gilbert. It was you who called me if I were to remind you and good for you I was already in town," Adelia told her and pointed towards the Original, "and his protection is enough and maybe even a... favour from him." She finished making Elijah smirk.
"Alright. Are you sure you can get him out? My friend Bonnie tried once and she was unsuccessful," Elena questioned changing the subject.
"I wouldn't doubt Adelia's abilities, Miss Gilbert," Elijah chimed in.
"Send me the coordinates, dear. I would like to get this over with and hopefully catch some sleep. It has been a long day," Adelia said, walking towards the door to get out.
"I will accompany you, and I keep my word, Elena," he stated and took off after his wife.
"Thank you. Both of you," Elena replied, to which they nodded and left.
"Are we seriously not going to talk at all?" Katherine asked Stefan.
"We could talk about how you regret all you've done to make my life miserable," he looked at her.
"What do you want me to say, Stefan? That I'm sorry for everything that I've done? Well, I'm not, okay? It's called self-preservation. I've been looking out for myself for 500 years," she said and walked towards him.
"Look where it has gotten you."
"Yes, I've done terrible things. I know that, but I do love you, Stefan. Even if you don't believe it," the female vampire confessed, coming to stand in front of him.
"You want me to believe you? Show me. Do something. Prove to me that there's something inside of you that's actually worth trusting," said Stefan.
"And then what? You're still gonna hate me," she replied taking a seat.
"Maybe and maybe I'll see that there's still hope for you after all."
"You're playing me," the doppelganger realised.
"Am I?" He questioned.
"You want to find Klaus? Kill him so that you can protect your precious Elena?"
"Let me guess, you know where he is."
"No, I don't but I could help you find him," she admitted to him.
"For a price I'm sure."
"Start with Isobel, Elena's mother. She was a research expert. She found me," Katherine told him.
"Anything else I should know?" Stefan asked.
"I was looking for leverage against the big bad Original. Heard whispers of a Maeve. Klaus' Maeve. Didn't find her, unfortunately."
"Klaus' Maeve?"
"Trusted confidante, friend, lover, whatever. You want to find Klaus then you should find her," she explained while the Salvatore's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Where do I find her?" Stefan questioned.
"There's the conundrum. Klaus protects her identity with his life. You cannot look for her without encountering Klaus himself. So you see the irony? Search for Maeve and he will arrive soon after. If not, then she probably might be the only person who knows where the Original is," elaborated Katherine, "you're welcome."
Stefan was about to reply when they heard the entrance being opened and looked at each other before hurrying towards it. They reached the place and were shocked to find Elijah standing there.
"Elijah," Katherine said, frightened.
"Good evening Katerina. Thank you for having the good sense to be frightened," he commented dryly before looking at Stefan, "your release has been requested."
"What? By who?" Stefan asked, having no idea how the dead vampire could be here when they killed him and left his desiccated body staked to the wall.
"Elena Gilbert drives a hard bargain. However, we reached a peaceful agreement, she and I. Please," he gestured while stepping aside for Stefan to walk out of the tomb, "come."
"I can't," Stefan replied.
"Yes, you can. I've lifted the spell," an unfamiliar voice spoke, appearing to stand beside Elijah as both Katherine and Stefan turned to look at her.
The Salvatore walked towards the entrance cautiously and got out slowly with hesitation. The female vampire after seeing Stefan rushed to get out too, but Elijah flashed in front of her, inevitably preventing her escape.
"As for you, however, you should not exit until I say so. When Klaus comes, he'll want to know exactly where you are," the Original compelled her before glancing at the man standing beside him. "You're free to go. Elena will explain the arrangement to you. If she keeps her word, I'll keep mine," he finished.
"Stefan, no. Please don't let him leave me in here," Katherine pleaded.
"Goodbye Katherine," he replied and left the tomb.
"Dear, please respell this tomb again," Elijah told his wife who got to it instantly.
"Well, isn't it the elusive Adelia Mikaelson née Laurentis? The sweet, compassionate wife of the noble Original. Quite entrancing I must say," Katherine spoke glancing at her former lover's wife and took in her appearance at how she carried herself with that air of nobility and power.
It made the vampire itch to get her hands on the woman in front of him who was busy chanting. Even in a rose pink shirtdress, she looked elegant as ever just as she had heard.
"Your taste in women hasn't changed even after centuries, Elijah," the doppelganger winked at him. She knew he wouldn't dare harm her by interrupting the spell, though that didn't stop her heart from pounding in fear but she wouldn't let it show and most definitely not in front of his wife.
"Katerina, it seems you haven't changed too," he drawled, taking note of the quiver in her voice she couldn't conceal and smirked.
"Elijah," Adelia turned to look at him and he took out a pocket knife and slit both their palms.
"Though I appreciated the silent gesture, but that would be a lie," the doppelganger retorted with a smirk, suddenly wary of the woman in front of her.
"Had it been any other time, I would have been glad to get to know you, but my darling husband says I shouldn't lie either, Miss Pierce," Adelia sarcastically replied with a smirk and Katherine returned it with one of her own.
"Is the spell done, dear?" Elijah interrupted their conversation.
"Impatient one, isn't he?" Katherine asked the vampire-witch as an amused look came over the wife's face at the question. "Do not worry Elijah. I can see why you like her. She can handle your proclivity to darkness by indulging into some of her own," remarked the Petrova seeing how uncomfortable her former lover was getting.
"Katerina, do not forget your place," the Original walked forward with anger clear in his stance and the doppelganger stepped back, afraid.
"The spell is done," Adelia touched his arm gently to break him out of the stupor, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Katherine," she said before a flick of a wrist closed the tomb entrance. Within seconds, Elijah flashed them towards their car to get home.
They walked into their apartment and Adelia headed in the direction of the living room with him trailing behind her. She pulled up a box to open it and showed him the moonstone.
The witch left to change in for the night as Elijah took the moonstone to observe it and knew Klaus would be happy about it. Maybe his salvation resided within the stone and the curse it held.
Adelia stared at her reflection in the vanity and tugged up the strap of the nightgown when she felt a presence behind her and smiled at her husband through the mirror.
She stopped fidgeting with the ends of her hair when her eyes fluttered shut as Elijah started kissing her neck. His hands went to her waist caressing her sides while he continued to descend his lips down her shoulder.
The witch tilted her head to allow him access and she moved to palm his face in her hand as he kept on with his delectable assault. He pulled down the spaghetti strap and went to nibble on her shoulder blades when her phone beeped with a text bringing them back from the daze.
Elijah sighed at the interruption and composed himself for a moment before he walked towards the bed to get the phone, and fleeted over to his wife.
She opened the message, a smile appearing on her face, and then looked at him to see him observing her with curious eyes.
"The Beauchêne documents of the witch trial arrived earlier. I might get started on it," Adelia told him and pecked his lips. She placed her phone in his hands and left the bedroom.
He glanced down to read the message and it brought a smile to his face when he realised that their efforts were finally getting paid.
From: Elena Gilbert
We should talk. Salvatore Boarding House 10 a.m. tomorrow. Bring Elijah with you. Thnx again for getting Stefan out.
Elijah put the phone down over the vanity and removed his jacket. He folded his shirt sleeves before following the route his wife had taken and sincerely wished everything turned out well the next day.
Winter, 1859
Cloverville, Louisiana
Adelia hurried down the steps of the manor as she told a server to inform her grandmother about her departure when the witch saw William Harvey, the gentleman her grandmother had urged her to talk to, strutting towards her.
"You are going alone. Let me escort you back," he said.
"No need Mr. Harvey. Thank you for taking the time for meeting with me, it was my pleasure."
"I suppose I could be persuaded to send a betrothal contract to your father if you decide to be my wife and wife only. I have discretions for your business with the people. You are a lady of status and I would like it to remain so and I consider it unnecessary to mingle with men outside of an influential sphere," he told Adelia haughtily and her eyes narrowed at his implication.
"No man shall command my status for it is mine. I will not be subdued to be a meek wife of your desires by pertaining to your wishes limited to bearing heirs to the Harvey name. I am my father's daughter and I shall live by his code of honor as long I live. The business is my legacy and I will honor my position until my father sees fit. I have no interest to be your supposed betrothed for my husband shall respect my choices in the company I prefer," she commanded him angrily, holding her stance.
"You are thinking ahead of yourself, Adelia. You might be the most beautiful in town but you are still a woman and you have no choice. I shall wait until your father's return to send forth the proposal," he informed her, brushing his fingers against her cheek.
She grabbed his fingers and threw it away from her face, "Touch me again and you will regret the day you were born. I am a woman and that is why I have a choice not to mingle with men like you. I refuse to be an empty shell for you to control as you wish," her eyes blazed with anger as she spewed her words with precision.
"Your beauty is the only thing tethering you to the thralls of merriment, Adelia. Do not condemn me for desiring the same for I shall attain you as my most prized possession," he pointed his finger at her.
"I am not an object to be possessed. I will not bow down to the likes of you," she climbed into her carriage as the driver shut the door and drove it away from the venue of her nightmares, a certain Original watching the scene from the balcony.