Elena sat in the middle of the candle lit circle as Bonnie sat on the outside of it, eyeing her carefully. Elena wasn't talking; and Bonnie was still regretting agreeing to this. Not only would Elena be in a different time, but if she needed help, no one would know. And Damon in this time wouldn't remember her either. That was how the spell worked. Time would reset itself after Elena died, or came back. And only Elena would remember going and doing what she did there. And if anything happened to her there, it would be like if it happened to her here. While she was there though, the memories she would be creating with Damon would become his dreams. They would be tied together in a way that they wouldn't think possible.
But Elena was set on doing this. To keep everyone she loved here safe. Only Bonnie would know where she was; and only Bonnie had the power to pull her back. Which Elena had made her promise she wouldn't do; unless someone here was in trouble.
So here Elena was. Silently waiting while Bonnie was thinking of some was to alter the spell to make it last only for a few months. But there was no way of altering it. Bonnie could bring her back only after a year. The only other person who could make her come back was herself. But Bonnie knew better than to think Elena would send herself back. But still, she told her how to do it.
"
So, if at any point you need to come back, you just need to…" Bonnie started, reading from her spell book.
"Click my heels together three times and wish to come home. Bonnie, I get it." Elena cut her off. She was ready to go. To start a new life with Damon.
"Elena. Take this seriously. Only you can choose to come back before a full year is up. No one else can. You need to remember what I am telling you." Bonnie was staring down Elena. She wasn't making this a game. They were dealing with life.
Elena let out a soft sigh and began, "I need mugwork. And some other stuff." Elena stopped to think.
"Tell me, right now Elena, or I will not do the spell."
"I need mugwork. And mandrake root. And a clove of garlic, for some odd reason. And I have to combine once I crush them, and soak them in water, and then I need to set it on fire and gather the ashes. I need to put them in this locket," Elena's hand grabbed the old locket that hung around her neck. Bonnie had given it to her. "And I need to sleep with it around my neck, and when I wake up, I will be back here. Bonnie, really I get it. Can we please do this. I know how to come back. I know whatever happens, happens. But at least I will be doing something with my life. I won't be running anymore."
"Elena, are you sure you even want to be with…. Damon…. I mean, of all people, Damon?" Bonnie was still trying to gather what had caused Elena to turn this direction.
"Bonnie. Deep down, I think it was always Damon. I know I hated him, but I got to see a side of him that he doesn't let anyone else see. And I fell in love with it. I know that I have been denying it to myself, but I'm tired of living a lie. I do love Damon. Truly. And these past few months without him with me have been hard, because I finally see how much I really do need him. I know you don't like him, and I know you will always want me with Stefan, or neither of them, but I choose Damon. And I would really like for you to accept it. Because I know I have."
Bonnie was speechless, so she simply nodded and began the spell. The candles flamed up around Elena as Bonnie read the spell. After saying it a few times, Bonnie closed her eyes to gather more power and repeated the process. Bonnie felt a rush of wind, and when she opened her eyes, she found the room dark.
"Elena!" Bonnie called out. But Elena didn't answer; she was gone. And Bonnie was alone.