A/N: Okay here is part 2, I'm changing the rating of this story to M just for the violence in this chapter. I never intended that, but the chapter sort of wrote it self.
This hasn't been beta'd so I'm sorry if there are any mistakes.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, they all belong to the writers and creators of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals.
Forever and Always
Part 2 - Burn It To The Ground
Elena never expected for it to take this long. Over five years had passed and they were still no closer to finding out how to reverse the curse that had been put on her husband. Every avenue that they had taken had been a dead end. She was holding on by a thread, it wasn't much but it was enough to keep her from turning off her humanity.
The soul binding had been enough to keep her from causing chaos. She could still feel his presence and maybe she was just hopeful that she would bring him back so soon. Of course witches always had a plan A, B and C, but that didn't matter. She would find the answer and anyone who got in her way would pay dearly.
It had been stressful and even the support of her 'family' wasn't quite enough. She knew that they were doing all they could. They wanted Elijah back as much as she did, but he was still laying in the basement, while they roamed the streets.
Night time was the worst as she would just lay in bed and think of him. He wasn't there to comfort her, so she relied on the amber liquid to see her through the night. The whiskey sometimes helped to bring new ideas and other times it just sent her nowhere. But either way she was out for blood and nothing was stopping her from causing destruction.
~Burn It To The Ground~
Well it's midnight, damn right, we're wound up too tight
I've got a fist full of whiskey, the bottle just bit me
Oh
That shit makes me bat shit crazy
We've got no fear, no doubt, all in balls out
~Burn It To The Ground~
She had found one ingredient and that was a specific witch bloodline, but she had yet to determine whose. A coven of witches had participated in activating the curse, thus making one of them responsible for ending it. Although it was pinpointing who exactly Elijah was tied to. After the spell, the witches had fled and sought out refuge making there whereabouts unknown.
They never expected that the most compassionate vampire in New Orleans would act without hesitation and avenge her fallen lover. Although they were stupid to think otherwise.
The first witch had been an Elder. Any ritual of importance was performed by her and what better way to attack an enemy, than to take away an important leader. The witch held herself together while she stood toe to toe with Klaus Mikaelson, but the real fear hit when more family members came out of the shadows.
Klaus didn't wait to rip into her throat violently, taking a chunk of her jugular with him as he dropped her body to the ground. They didn't bother to hide the body. It was a message. A message that Elena had left for all the other witches that stole from her. Elijah's monogrammed handkerchief in the witches mouth had been a gift and a warning.
It wasn't over, not by a long shot.
~Burn It To The Ground~
We're going off tonight
To kick out every light
Take anything we want
Drink everything in sight
We're going till the world stops turning
While we burn it to the ground tonight
Oh
~Burn It To The Ground~
Another drunken night and another target in mind, the four witches chanted in desperation. The Mikaelson's attacked swiftly and smoothly, Rebekah had snapped the neck of the blonde, Kol biting a red-head and Klaus holding a heart of another.
It was Elena that stood out tonight. Taking a page out of Elijah's book, she pulled back her arm and swung it like a machete, the head of the witch rolled to the floor metres away from the body. But it was the gruesome act of placing the head of the witch at the spike of the metal fence around the cemetery, a blue handkerchief hanging nearby.
Anyone that dared to stand against them, would be declaring war. Although war was inevitable against the French quarter witches, but their main focus was on a certain group. A select group of witches that went against the treaty to defeat the vampires that roamed their streets.
Other witches had found that the terms of the treaty weren't unreasonable. They were allowed to do magic and have their festivals etc, but obviously this wasn't for everyone. Those that took part in the cursing of Elijah Mikaelson were going to suffer. One original was only the beginning, but the plan to enact the curse against Rebekah and Kol didn't come to pass. They didn't expect so much magic to be used, leaving them drained and vulnerable.
They all ran in fear. It wouldn't be long until they were all found.
~Burn It To The Ground~
We're screaming like demons, swinging from the ceiling
I got a fist full of fifties, tequila just hit me
Oh
We got no class, no taste, no shirt, and shit faced
We got it lined up, shot down, firing back straight crown
~Burn It To The Ground~
It was their lucky night. The remaining witches on their hit list had resurfaced. Being the psychotic and temper mad hybrid, Klaus decided that none of them would live to see the morning. He had a plan and even with her compassion, Elena couldn't see anything wrong with taking them out. Blood was already on her hands.
Taking a life was never easy, but for this Elena felt no remorse, no guilt. New Orleans was living in peace. The werewolves were out in the Bayou and were allowed in the city as long as they didn't attack any vampires. The witches were free to do as they please as long as no plots were made against the vampires and wolves. Lastly the vampires were not allowed to kill humans or any supernatural being. They could feed and heal them, as long as the secret remained just that, a secret.
No one had provoked the witches, so Elijah being attacked and hexed was simply declaring war. One thing Elena made sure of was that anyone who wasn't involved didn't get killed. Only those responsible would pay, she didn't want anyone to be collateral damage.
The last of the witches had planned a meeting in an abandoned warehouse. They hadn't seen the eyes in the shadows. Klaus and Kol made sure to have every inch of New Orleans to be covered. By nightfall the originals had gone knocking.
They were brave, but it was useless against four bloodthirsty vampires, and not just normal vampires but three originals.
Bones were broken and even though they tried to focus on brain aneurysms and snapping necks, the witches just weren't fast enough. Especially when Elena came in later for a surprise attack. Organs were left rotting on the floor, while hollow bodies were piled up. Too much destruction had been made in this particular place and although they wanted to display their achievement, they couldn't let their world be exposed.
Elena lit the match, while Rebekah spread bottles of spirit on to the bodies and on the sides of the walls of the warehouse. The fire burned bright until all evidence was turned to ash.
~Burn It To The Ground~
We're going off tonight
To kick out every light
Take anything we want
Drink everything in sight
We're going till the world stops turning
While we burn it to the ground tonight
Oh
~Burn It To The Ground~
One final witch had been targeted, she was their last hope. Elena had taken her time with this one. The house had tons of protection spells, which was a setback on a viable way of attack. That was until she saw a child exit the house with who she assumed was a babysitter. The child didn't deserve to inherit her parents enemies. It was lucky that Elena had come across this new piece of information. After much deliberation a plan was put into motion.
One afternoon she took the child from her school and brought her to a safe house on the outskirts of New Orleans. She didn't need to promise freedom, not when the little girl was going to hear a story that should only be in fairy tales.
"I'm not going to hurt you. I promise" Elena was on bended knee in an abandoned warehouse, while she faced the shaking child.
"I bet you like watching cartoons…Disney movies are my favourite" the child was slowly starting to relax as Elena tried to find common ground. She didn't want to resort to this, but this child could know something of value. Her heart ached when she saw the fear in the girls eyes, but she had a more prominent pain in her soul that pushed her reluctance away.
"Me too" the little girl replied back timidly.
"I have a Prince Charming too" Elena chose her words carefully. Children weren't stupid and although Elena wasn't lying to her, she didn't want to scare her for information.
"You do…" The child's voice grew with wonder and her eyes wide open. Every little princess' dream was to meet their prince. Some may think Elena was monster for essentially kidnapping a child, but the little girl was unharmed. Fed, clothed and entertained, she was safe. The vampires intention wasn't to harm her, only to get more leads.
"Yes I do, but I need your help. There was some wicked witches that spelled him to sleep forever. Can you help me?" The child in question tilted her head in consideration and finally nodded.
~Burn It To The Ground~
Ticking like a time bomb, drinking till the nights gone
Well get you hands off of this glass, last call my ass
Well no chain, no lock, and this train won't stop
We got no fear, no doubt, all in balls out
~Burn It To The Ground~
The little girl Eliza, had been very helpful. Though the answers that Elena received weren't what she expected. She was being tormented. The love she had for Elijah was eternal, they had lifetimes to be together, though at this moment in time she was suffering from the separation. She could have him back in an instant, but the consequence was too great.
Eliza had offered her assistance without actually knowing what was asked of her.
A child could absorb so much information, even when they weren't paying attention. This is why Elena had simply entered her mind. The information would be nonsense to the little girl, but it could be the key to Elena and it was.
Elena didn't know what to do at this point and she couldn't ask anyone at this point. She knew what they would say and she couldn't have that. Elena needed to think this through. The brunette tried to think of what Elijah would tell her right now, but she was too conflicted. Was she too compassionate for her own good? Could she be selfish about this?
~Burn It To The Ground~
We're going off tonight
To kick out every light
Take anything we want
Drink everything in sight
We're going till the world stops turning
While we burn it to the ground tonight
Oh
~Burn It To The Ground~
After she returned the child without a blemish on her skin, she sought out something for the pain. Whiskey had been her companion at night. It had burnt off all the anger and pain just for a little while, she could do this for a few decades longer.
When Elena had first turned, Elijah had always said that her compassion was a gift, and he didn't want to lose such a compassionate soul. That had stuck with her. His words meant everything to her and for once she knew what to do. She would suffer much more if she went through with plan B. Killing the child was not an option. The only way to live these next few decades with her humanity intact, she had to make sacrifices.
A life for a life. Elena had found through the mind of Eliza, that the girl had to die. Her blood was the key. Elijah had been linked to a baby, and now that baby was a child, She was just starting to explore the wonders of life. What kind of person would she be to remove that innocence from the world. She couldn't.
She didn't tell Klaus. She didn't tell anyone. It was her burden to bare. They would later find out, but for now she would watch over the child. One day...one day that life would be taken from her and her love would be returned, but it wouldn't be anytime soon. She had lifetimes to live with Elijah, they were eternal.
~Burn It To The Ground~
We're going off tonight
To kick out every light
Take anything we want
Drink everything in sight
We're going till the world stops turning
While we burn it to the ground tonight
~Burn It To The Ground~
Elena had one last visit before she left New Orleans. Everyone was out, doing God knows what. She was alone and that was perfect for what she need to do. The basement had been a place she visited often, the shell of her husband lay in a coffin but it gave her slight comfort that he hadn't left this world. She needed to say goodbye.
"I love you Elijah. I hope you understand why I'm doing this" her eyes began to blur as the silence grew. She knew a response wasn't going to happen, but she could just imagine the comfort she would receive.
"She deserves to live. I have been in her position and I'm going to protect her. She didn't choose to be tied to you, but I can't take her life, not when we have forever."
"Your siblings will keep searching. All the witches responsible are dead, they will figure it out. I'm keeping my word, I will release you from this curse just…not yet. I will always love you, this isn't goodbye." She quickly wiped her eyes as more tears fell.
"I will carry your heart with me as I will carry my regret. My compassion is kicking me in the ass, but I'm doing it for us. For our forever." She lowered herself to kiss his cheek and whispered 'Always and forever'. Closing the coffin moments later, she left the compound with her things.
Elena had taken the child. She only left a note with words that she would return, someday.