AN: I do not own TVD or TO or The Princess Diaries.

Elena took a deep breath as she drew back the flaming arrow. From the corner of her eyes she could see Anna and April standing by with fire extinguishers. The hard hats on their heads did not helping her self-confidence. She breathed in and released the arrow.

Elena winced when she managed to start a small fire six feet away from the target, and nowhere near the ring.

"That's enough of the flaming ones for now," Elena shifted her feet before turning to Stefan. "Are you sure I didn't burn you?"

"Of course you did," Caroline lifted Stefan's arm. "Look at his coat."

Elena rubbed her neck when she saw the singed material.

"It's very minor," Stefan assured her with a polite smile.

Elena wished he would argue with her. She wished he would disagree with her. She wished he would tell her when she did something wrong. Rather than voice this she smiled and spun slowly to survey the field.

"Caroline, Rebekah," she called them over when she saw him walking through the trees, "Can I talk to you?"

Her friends were by her side in an instant.

"I hope you're not about to ask for archery advice," Rebekah grinned.

"Look over there," she motioned with her eyes to the tree line and bit her lip.

Caroline and Rebekah looked between Elena and the person who had gained her attention. Elijah had stopped on the edge of the field to watch them; his shoulders drooped slightly when he met her eyes.

"Should we shoo?" Rebekah met Elena's dark eyes. Caroline echoed the question.

"Just tell us who to shoo and we'll shoo," Rebekah glanced at Stefan to see him inspecting the singed material of his jacket.

"I want to talk to him," she whispered, "alone for a moment."

"Yeah, you do," Caroline wiggled her eyebrows.

Rebekah smirked when she saw Elena blush. Were my instincts right?

"Care," Elena admonished.

"Sorry," Caroline raised her hands defensively. She nodded when Elena glanced back at Stefan.

"Stefan," Elena spun around and approached her fiancé, "why don't you go introduce Caroline and Rebekah to your parents? You can tell them I'll be up in a minute."

"Yeah," Rebekah took one of his arms, "we'd love to meet Giuseppe and Lily."

"We can have those tasty little finger sandwiches together," Caroline took his other arm and steered him towards the palace.

Soon Elena was left alone with Elijah and her maids. She couldn't quite make out their whispers when he approached.

"He's not the one she's marrying, is he?"

"Would you please try to keep up, April? He's the one trying to steal the crown."

"Would you like some help?" Elijah pointed to the bow. He grinned when she nodded. "Take your stance."

"Okay," Elena nocked her arrow and drew back the bow string.

"Ready?"

"Mm-hm," Elena mumbled. Her hum came out higher than normal when she felt his hand brush her hip.

"Elbow down," Elijah chuckled, "just a bit."

She felt the warmth of his hand when he gently lowered her elbow into the correct position. She found it hard to concentrate when he didn't remove his hand.

"Use your mouth as an anchor," his breath fanned across her cheek.

"Excuse me?" Elena tilted her head to stare at his through the corner of her eyes.

"Touch your mouth," he explained softly. He smiled when she listened, "good. Now, relax this hand," he covered her hand that held the bow.

Elena felt warmth spread across her body. It started where he touched her. She took a deep breath in, at his instruction, and brushed back against his chest. Elena held the breath and her aim.

"Release," Elijah instructed.

Elena's hand let go of the string. She gasped when the arrow whipped through the air to collide with the target: dead center.

"Wow," she breathed. She was barely aware of Elijah's hands sliding from her skin.

"How did that feel?" He watched as pure joy filled her eyes.

"Wonderful," she laughed and met his deep brown eyes. She smiled when she saw the light in his eyes, "wonderful," she breathed.

Elijah cleared his throat when he saw her ladies maids turnaround from the corner of his eye.

"I have to go," he smiled sadly. "I really only came back to pack."

"You're leaving?" She frowned. Disappointment flooded her chest.

"I think it's time I bowed out gracefully," he took half a step back, and met her brown eyes. The emotion that flickered there had him second guessing, "Don't you?"

Elena blinked a few times at the ground before looking up to catch his eyes, "goodbye," she smiled sadly and shook his hand.

"Goodbye," Elijah let her go.

Elena had taken a few steps away from him when suddenly she found him standing in front of her again.

"Elena," he gazed into her upturned brown eyes, "could I see you one more time before I go?"

"Elijah," Elena sighed when the back of his hand caressed her cheek, "I'm watched like a hawk…"

"Princess," Tyler called as he ran onto the field.

"See?" Elena bit back her annoyed laugh.

"I'll find a way," Elijah's voice held a promise that sent a shiver down her spine.

Elena smiled and gave him a small nod before turning to Tyler.

"Yes?"

"Nothing," he shrugged, "I'm just supposed to watch you."

"With the wedding only two and a half days away I'm starting to feel rather frantic," Jenna sighed as she stepped into the ballroom after Charlotte. "Will you see to the seating charts Charlotte? I have to check the music."

"Of course your majesty," Charlotte nodded before heading to the stairs, "they also asked you to approve a place setting for the reception."

"Very well," Jenna sighed. She stepped towards the table and pressed the button on the tape recorder. A woman's tinny voice resounded through the room.

"Our selections for dancing at the royal reception," the opening strains of a waltz bounced off the walls.

Jenna closed her eyes and swayed to the music. She twirled around in a pantomime of the dance, and gasped when she felt hands slip around her in the proper form. She opened her eyes to see Alaric smiling down at her.

They danced together for several bars of the song. Jenna hummed contentedly and rested her head against his chest.

"Have you been thinking about us?" Alaric murmured against her hair.

"Yes," Jenna frowned sadly, "I have."

"I see," Alaric blinked once before stepping away, "if you'll excuse me."

"Alaric," she reached out and captured his arm, "you had to know what I was going to say. Elena… she needs me now… more than ever. It's the monarchy… as queen it's my responsibility. You know how it is." She pleaded with him hoping he would understand.

"You were never just my queen, Jenna," Ric smiled sadly, "You were the someone that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, but if you prefer that I see you first and foremost as my queen… I shall oblige."

"No, Alaric…"

"Your majesty," he nodded once before leaving her with the music.

Caroline answered the door to a persistent knocking. She knew who would be on the other side before she turned the knob, but it was still a shock to see him.

"Hi," she greeted quietly.

"May I come in?"

Caroline hesitated she ran her fingers along the wood of the door before nodding once. She stepped aside and motioned him in to the tasteful bedroom. Caroline took a seat on a small loveseat and waited.

"Are you alright?" Nik dropped into the seat beside her.

"As good as can be," she replied shortly. Caroline fought the urge to lean against him. She wasn't giving in that easily.

"I was worried," he whispered. His shoulders slumped when she cut in.

"A worried boyfriend doesn't take off when his girlfriend says she's pregnant," Caroline hissed.

"I came back," he spun to face her, "I came back thirty minutes later and you were gone."

"I couldn't stand being there."

"I figured as much," Nik rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry Caroline. I handled things badly. I didn't think we'd be having the baby conversation for a few more years."

"Say that again."

"A few more years?" Nik frowned.

Caroline shook her head. A tight grin spread across her cheeks. Nik groaned when he realized what she meant.

"Caroline," he reached for her hands, "I love you, and I'm sorry."

"What about the baby?" She cocked an eyebrow.

"Hopefully it doesn't get my temper," he smiled. "I think Elena should be the godmother, too."

He leaned forward to kiss her cheek. When Caroline didn't resist he brushed his lips against her mouth. Before he could deepen the kiss she laid a hand on his chest to push him back.

"I need to know you're not going to leave again." Blue eyes met green in an intense stare.

"I'm not going anywhere Caroline," he gently stroked her cheek, "not without you anyway." He reached into his back pocket. "I was planning on taking you out to dinner that night, and for a carriage ride around the city, but a beautiful suite in Bulgaria will work as well."

"What are you talking about?" Caroline tilted her head. She gasped when he opened his hand to reveal a ring. "Nik?"

"I was going to ask you then, but I panicked, and for that I'm sorry." He dropped onto his knees beside the couch. "Will you marry me?"

"How do I know you're not just proposing because of…" she motioned to her abdomen.

"I told you I was planning to ask you a few weeks ago." He met her sceptical eyes. "You can ask Rebekah if you like, she helped me pick out the ring."

"You asked Rebekah to help?" Caroline fought back a giggle at the thought of the two of them in a ring shop.

"Yes, I did," Nik smiled brightly, "I wanted to get the perfect ring, and I thought she could help. So, what do you say love?"

"Yes," Caroline cupped his face. She met his lips in a slow kiss. Her hands gripped his collar after he slid the ring on her finger, "but you should know, Elena has promised hired assassins if you ever run out on me again."

"I don't doubt it," he chuckled and captured her lips again. He pulled back a moment later to look towards her window. "Is someone throwing rocks?"

"Your bed is turned down, Your Highness." April smiled brightly at Elena where she sat on the couch with Rebekah.

"If you don't need anything else, Princess, we're going to supper," Anna grinned.

"Oh, well," she glanced at Rebekah, "enjoy yourselves, ladies." She held up her hand when she saw them starting to curtsy. "What did we talk about?"

"No more curtsy," Anna whispered to April. Both woman smiled and made finger guns at Elena before leaving the room. "We're going to supper."

"I think I'd like to have people curtsy at me all the time," Rebekah watched them go with a wistful look.

"It gets tiring after a while," Elena smiled. Her eyes sought the door as it opened.

She was surprised to see Caroline running in with a bright smile on her face. The fact that Nik was following on her heels came as a bit of a shock.

"Hey."

"Elena," Caroline skidded to a stop, "look out your window."

"Why?" She stood up and gave Rebekah a confused glance. "What's going on?"

"Just look out your window," Nik pointed her in the direction.

"Prince Charming is throwing pebbles," Caroline winked at Rebekah.

"What?" Elena asked and ran to her window. She threw open the shutters and laughed when she saw Elijah in jeans and a leather jacket. He was indeed throwing pebbles at her window. "Elijah."

"Elijah, what are you doing?" She leaned half out of the window to see him better. A playful grin spread across his face as he cleared his throat and dropped some pebbles.

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, with hair so fine." He motioned to her window, "come out your window, climb down the vine."

Elena pressed her lips in a tight smile as she regarded the vines in question. Her lips slowly drew into a smirk as she replied.

"The feat you ask, dear sir, isn't easy. And I won't respond to that line, it's far too cheesy." Elena ducked back into her room when she saw him shake with laughter.

"What does he want?" Rebekah leaned over to take a peek at Elijah standing below them.

"He wants me to climb down the vine," Elena crossed her arms and shrugged. She couldn't keep the smile from her face.

"Do you want to?" Caroline whispered. She could see the light dancing in Elena's eyes.

"Yes," Elena admitted sheepishly.

"So go," Nik urged.

"I can't," she looked at him as if he had grown a second head, "It's a recipe for disaster."

"Elena," Rebekah grabbed her arms and forced her to look into her blue eyes. "Do something impulsive for once in your life."

"You're getting married," Caroline stepped up beside Rebekah. "Do you want a regular bachelorette party with a dozen screaming girls, or do you want a stroll in the moonlight with your almost Prince Charming?"

Rebekah and Caroline watched her with bated breath.

"Go," they urged her. "We'll cover for you."

"Okay," Elena grabbed her jacket and tossed it out the window. She shook her head softly before climbing out the window. She smiled her thanks at Nik when he caught her hand to keep her from falling to the ground.

"This is a lot more romantic in books," she murmured against the stone walls. She cursed when her foot caught in the vine. "I'm stuck."

"Shall I climb up and get you?" Elijah called.

"No, I've got it…" she let out a little shriek when her foot came free and she lost her handholds. There was a brief moment of weightlessness as she fell through the air before she collided with him.

They fell against the ground in a tangle of limbs. Elena lifted her head from his chest with a guilty smile.

"I'm sorry. Did I hurt you again?"

"It's alright… I'm used to it."

Elena shivered in the moonlight. A cool breeze rose from the lake, but it did not make it through the thick blanket. She attempted to capture his thumb.

"Tell me your greatest desires." Elijah trapped her thumb under his.

"Tell me a secret," Elena broke free.

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"Almost," Elena peeked up at him through her lashes, "but anyone can see your desires." She managed to capture his thumb for a few seconds, "no one knows what's in your heart."

"Tell me something," Elijah met her smiling eyes and freed his thumb, "something no one else knows."

"Um…" Elena chewed her lip as she thought of something. "That might be hard: Caroline and Rebekah know everything."

"Something nobody else knows," he teased her gently.

"Alright," she watched their waring thumbs as she thought of something. "I love 'I love Lucy' and 'Bewitched' reruns, and sometimes I dream in black and white." Her glittering eyes met his, "your turn."

"I used to pretend I was sick when I had a test in school." He smirked.

"Not good enough," she made a swipe for his thumb, "we all did that."

"Okay," he nodded, "sometimes I put chocolate milk on my cereal."

"I am deathly afraid of jellyfish."

"I haven't danced with you since your birthday."

"That's a fact. It's not a secret." She lifted her eyes to his when he held down her thumb.

"The secret is that… I still want to."

Elena felt her breath catch in her throat. She gazed into his earnest brown eyes and allowed him to pull her to her feet and into the classic formation for a waltz.

"There's no music," she whispered and slid her hand into position against his shoulder.

"That's easy to fix."

Elijah pulled out his cell phone, he ignored an incoming call from Kol, and selected a song. He dropped his phone onto the blankets under the tree as Norah Jones soft voice filtered out from the speakers.

They danced for several songs before sitting back under the tree. At some point Elijah had wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Elena drifted off to the soft sound of his voice, the wind whistling over the water and the soft chuffing of the horses.

Elena breathed deeply as she woke up. Her hand flattened against the broad expanse of his chest. She hummed contentedly when his fingers trailed up and down her arm.

"Good morning," she whispered. Elena felt tingly warmth through her body in spite of the morning chill.

"Good morning," Elijah's greeted in a voice husky with sleep. He couldn't keep the grin from his face when he realized she had been using his chest as a pillow. "Hello."

"We stayed out all night," she breathed sleepily. A light illuminated her face.

"Yes, we did," Elijah confirmed her statement with a soft smile. His drifted down her back to hold her closer.

He saw when the horror filled her eyes. She bolted upright with a loud gasp before dissolving into giggles.

"We stayed out all night!"

She glanced at him with bleary eyes before taking in their surroundings. A soft morning light illuminated the field. Each droplet of dew sparkled giving the appearance that they were lounging in a sea of diamonds. Her eyes ghosted over the lake. She squinted to get a better view of something floating in the centre.

"Is that…" her tone was amused as she made the realization. "There's a man in that boat."

"What?" Elijah sat up. He laid his hand on the small of her back and followed her gaze.

"Do you see that?" Elena pointed. "There's someone over there."

Elijah blinked away the last remnants of sleep. "He's probably some fisherman," his hand rubbed small circles through the fabric of her sweater.

Elena nodded. The joking smile faded when the man lifted something black in their direction. The sun glinted off the edge. Elena felt the blood drain from her face as realization sent ice water down her spine. The feeling of betrayal consumed every inch of her body.

"With a video camera?" She seethed.

"What?" Elijah straightened and gazed out over the lake.

"You're really low," she jumped to her feet. She didn't think about throwing the blanket in his face, she just did it.

"Elena," Elijah scrambled up after her, "no. I have no idea who that man is."

"It's a shame you didn't get juicer stuff last night, you jerk," she stomped in the direction of the horses and ignored his protests.

"Elena, please," he tried to follow, "I had nothing to do with this. I swear it. Elena, please listen to me. That is not my boat."

Elena mounted the horse swiftly before spurring the animal to a gallop.

"Elena!"

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