Chapter Twelve:
The next morning Elena, Stefan, Damon, and I were in the kitchen because Elena wanted to tell us her encounter with Elijah and Rebekah last night.
"It was their mother Esther who was sealed in that coffin." Elena said to us.
"As in the Original Witch?" Stefan asked Elena.
"What? How is she even alive? I thought her hybrid freak of a son ripped her heart out 1000 years ago." Damon said to us.
"I don't know. I'm guessing she has a couple of connections in the witching community. Elijah said she wants to live in peace with her family. Including Klaus." Elena said to us.
"She was supposed to be the weapon… to help us kill Klaus." Stefan said to us.
"Well, not anymore. At least, according to Elijah." Elena said to us.
"That coffin was the only thing stopping Klaus from tearing us to shreds." Stefan said to us.
"Anyone else feeling a little used right now?" Damon asked us.
"Look, Elijah promised me that his family wouldn't hurt any of us. I believe him." Elena said to us.
"And so do I." I said to them.
Then the doorbell rang and Elena walked towards the front door and we followed after her.
Elena then opened the door and saw that there was an envelope with her name written on it lying on the floor and she picked it up and then closed the door.
"What is it?" Damon asked Elena.
Elena then opened the envelope and saw that an invitation was inside it.
"It's an invitation." Elena said to us.
"What does it say?" I asked Elena.
Elena then read what was written on the invitation.
"Please join the Mikaelson family this evening at 7:00… for dancing, cocktails and celebration." Elena read out loud.
"Who the hell are the Mikaelsons?" Stefan asked us confusedly.
"The Original family." I said to them.
"Not bad enough they're moving in, now they want a housewarming gift?" Damon asked us.
Elena then noticed that there was writing on the back of the invitation.
"Wait, there's a note on the back." Elena said to us.
"Read it." I said to Elena.
Elena then read what was written on the back of the invitation.
"Elena, I think it's time we finally meet. Esther." Elena read out loud.
Elena then put the invitation back in its envelope.
"If Esther wants to talk to me, maybe I should find out why." Elena said to us.
"That's a dumb idea. She already tried to kill you once." Damon said to Elena.
"No, Elena's right. Bonnie was led to open that coffin for a reason. I think there's more to this than just some family reunion." Stefan said to us.
"Can we go back in time to the old Stefan who cared if Elena lived or died?" Damon asked Stefan.
"What for? That's your job now." Stefan said to Damon.
"Stefan has a point, Damon. I should find out what she wants." Elena said to Damon.
"You can't protect yourself." Damon said to Elena.
"Okay, fine, then I'll go." Stefan said to us.
"You've pissed off enough Originals to last a lifetime. I'll go." Damon said to Stefan.
Damon then took the envelope with the invitation inside out of Elena's hands.
"Hey." Elena said to Damon.
"End of story." Damon said to Elena.
I then finally had enough of this and spoke my mind.
"Why don't you guys stop picking fights with them and instead try to make peace with them, huh? Because you're gonna get us all killed if you don't." I said to them.
I then ran up to my room after that and from my room I could here Elena, Damon, and Stefan leave the house.
A half an hour later I heard the doorbell ring again so I walked downstairs to see who it was.
When I opened the door I saw that there was a black box with a white ribbon on it and an envelope with my name written on it lying on the floor.
I then picked up the box and envelope and went back upstairs to my room.
I then sat the box down on my bed and opened the envelope and saw that it was the same invitation Elena had gotten.
I then notice writing on the back of the invitation so I turned it around and read what it said.
Save Me A Dance.
Fondly,
Klaus
I then opened up the box and I was surprised to see what was inside it. Lying neatly folded was a strapless red metallic embroidered peacock ball gown and lying on top of that was a vintage ruby decor angel wings heart shaped necklace and the necklace Klaus gave me as a birthday present.
I then stared in awe at them for what seemed like an eternity until I finally brought myself to close the box.
I was now more confused than I ever was when Klaus kissed me and I knew if I wanted to get answers I would have to go to the ball.
That night after putting on the strapless red metallic embroidered peacock ball gown, the vintage ruby décor angel wings heart shaped necklace, a pair red high heeled shoes, makeup to cover my birth mark, and putting my hair up in a ponytail I left to go to the ball at Klaus' mansion.
When I arrived at Klaus' mansion I saw that all of the Mikaelsons were standing on the double staircase about to address their guests.
Elijah then cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"If everyone could gather please." Elijah said to everyone.
Everyone then gathered around the Mikaelsons.
"Welcome. Thank you for joining us. You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this… it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance. Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz. So if all of you could find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom." Elijah said to everyone.
Everyone then grabbed a partner and walked towards the ballroom.
I then walked up to the double staircase as the Mikaelsons walked down it and Klaus saw me and walked up to me.
"Good evening." Klaus said to me smiling.
"Hi." I said to Klaus.
"Would you care to join me in this dance?" Klaus asked me.
"Well, I don't see anyone else coming up to ask me, do you? Besides, I'd rather dance with you than anyone else." I said to Klaus.
Klaus and I then linked arms and we walked towards the ballroom.
When we walked into the ballroom we began dancing with everyone else as the music began playing.
"I'm glad you came." Klaus said to me.
"Well, I wanted to get some answers." I said to Klaus.
"How is your brother doing?" Klaus asked me.
"I don't want to talk about him with you." I said to Klaus.
"Very well. Onto more mannered subjects then, like how ravishing you look in that dress." Klaus said to me.
I then blushed at the compliment.
"Well, I do have to admit that you have a great taste in dresses and jewelry. I couldn't help but wear them even if I had something else to wear tonight." I said to Klaus.
"I'm glad you like them." Klaus said to me.
"Did you know that red is my favorite color?" I asked Klaus.
"Yes. That's why I bought them for you." Klaus said to me.
I then looked Klaus in the eyes and I couldn't help but be mesmerized by them. It was like we were the only ones in the ballroom as we continued dancing and nothing else mattered. I was so entranced by his eyes that I leaned in to kiss him but then I stopped myself before I could.
The music then stopped playing and I cleared my throat.
"Excuse me. I need some fresh air." I said to Klaus.
I then quickly walked out of the ballroom and then made my way outside Klaus' mansion.
Once I was outside I saw a horse and carriage and then I walked over to them and started petting the horse smiling.
Klaus then walked up next to me.
"You like horses?" Klaus asked me.
"I'm not talking to you until I get some answers. Why did you invite me? And why are you giving me these gifts?" I asked Klaus.
"I fancy you. Is that so hard to believe?" Klaus asked me.
"Yes." I said to Klaus.
"Why? You're beautiful. You're strong. You're full of light. I enjoy you." Klaus said to me.
"Then why would you try to kill my brother?" I asked Klaus.
Klaus didn't say anything.
"You don't know, do you? And that is why I don't know if I can trust you." I said to Klaus.
Then it was silent for a while until Klaus broke it.
"You know, horses are the opposite of people. They're loyal. My father hunted me for a thousand years… and the closest he ever came was the day he killed my favorite horse. He severed its neck with a sword as a warning." Klaus said to me.
"That's horrible. And to answer your question, yes, I like horses. I've always wanted to ride one since I was a little girl, but my parents wouldn't let me. They said it was too dangerous." I said to Klaus.
"It's not really. Maybe I could take you sometime?" Klaus asked me.
"Maybe." I said to Klaus.
Then it was silent again between us for a while until I broke it.
"I forgive you. I'll never forget what you did, but I forgive you. After all, everyone deserves a second chance, right?" I asked Klaus.
Klaus and I then walked back into his mansion just in time to watch Esther address her guests from the double staircase.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Waiters are coming around with champagne. I invite you all to join me in raising a glass." Esther said to everyone.
Waiters then came walking around with trays of glasses filled with champagne in them and handed one to everyone.
"It provides me with no greater joy… than to see my family back together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being a part of this spectacular evening. Cheers." Esther said to everyone raising her glass in the air.
"Cheers." Everyone said raising their glasses in the air.
Everyone then took a sip out of their champagne and afterwards Klaus wanted to show me something in his study so we began to walk towards it.
"So, what did you want to show me?" I asked Klaus.
"One of my passions. Something that we have in common." Klaus said to me.
"Oh." I said to Klaus.
Klaus and I then walked into his study and I could see paintings of landscapes from all over the world hanging on the walls and on his desks were sketches of statues and monuments from all over.
"Wow. You put my artwork to shame. You are really talented, you know that?" I asked Klaus.
"Yeah, um… Actually one of my landscapes is hanging up at the Hermitage… not that anyone would notice. Have you been?" Klaus asked me.
"I've never left the state of Virginia, let alone the country." I said to Klaus.
"I'll take you. Wherever you want. Rome, Paris… Tokyo?" Klaus asked me grinning.
Klaus and I then laughed.
"Oh, wow. You are really trying to impress me, aren't you?" I asked Klaus.
"Maybe a little." Klaus said to me.
"You don't have to impress me, Klaus. Just be yourself." I said to Klaus.
I then looked at the clock that was hanging on the wall and saw how late it was getting.
"I should probably go home. It's getting late." I said to Klaus.
"I'll walk you out." Klaus said to me.
"Thanks. That'll be great." I said to Klaus.
Klaus and I then linked arms and we walked out of his study and then made our way towards the front door.
As we were standing by the front door we heard a commotion outside and Klaus and his siblings minus Kol, Elena, Stefan, and I ran outside in time to see Damon snap Kol's neck.
"Damon! What are you, crazy?" Stefan asked Damon.
"Maybe a little. Far be it from me to cause a problem." Damon said to Stefan.
Damon then walked away from Klaus' mansion and then Elena and Stefan left.
I then looked at all of the Mikaelsons.
"Thank you for tonight. I really enjoyed myself. And I'm sorry for Damon's behavior. It was uncalled for." I said to them.
"No need to apologize, love. Have a good night." Klaus said to me.
"You too." I said to Klaus.
After that I went home and when walked onto the porch I saw a small black rectangular box with a white bow on it lying on the floor.
I then picked up the box and opened and saw that inside was a paper rolled up and tied with a ribbon.
I then untied the ribbon to see what was on the paper and what was on it took my breath away. It was a sketch of me standing next to the horse smiling.