Summer 999– Vinland

It had been nearly five summers since the death of Astra's father and every year Elijah expected her to tell him she was leaving. After all, she had no desire to stay in this village. Something she had made abundantly clear to him.

Yet, every year she remained. She fixed up her parents' hut and lived out near the wolves by herself. This only served to fuel the gossip that she was an evil witch practicing dark magic. Many of the villagers even suggested that she had used dark magic to ensnare Elijah's attention.

He couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous accusations considering he was the one ready to marry Astra and she turned him down. However, the villagers couldn't fathom that he had made twenty-two winters and was still unmarried. Elijah always wanted to point out that his older brother was still unmarried, however, no one seemed surprised by that outcome. Elijah on the other hand was the best warrior in the village and had gained a lot of attention from the women. While he wasn't shy and had been intimate with several of the women in the village, he never made any move to settle down. Which led the villagers back to the idea that it must be witchcraft.

And Elijah supposed they were partly right. It was Astra that was preventing him from settling down. But not through witchcraft. It was his own stupidity. He assumed one day she would change her mind and decide marrying him was better than living the rest of her life as a spinster, always on the outskirts. Yet, every year it seemed less and less likely.

As he walked through the village, he tried to not let the rumors affect him. He had more important matters to concern himself with. Such as his father's imminent arrival. Mikael had taken a group to the ocean for supplies. It was about a ten-day trek each way and they were due back any moment.

Elijah and his family had been keeping busy. It was already his youngest brother's eighth summer and Elijah was preparing him to begin training with the rest of the village boys. Elijah had wanted to push it off another year but Mikael insisted he begin or else he would fall behind. Mikael was adamant he would not raise another weak boy.

So Elijah was spending most of his time with Henrik, making sure he was ready to join the others. In the meantime, he had sent Niklaus and Kol out on a hunting expedition so that they would not be present when Mikael arrived. Mikael was always in a foul mood after a long journey and it was best to keep Niklaus away until he had settled down. Or until his mother had cast whatever magic she often did to keep him asleep.

While he was walking through the village he saw Astra leaving Ayana's hut, the basket in her arms full of herbs. He began to head over to her and offer to walk with her back to her hut, but the sound of hooves stopped him in his track. Astra's eyes met his and he gestured for her to head back without him. Astra was another person he tried to keep away from Mikael when he was in a bad mood. So she gave him a little smile and headed back towards the edge of the village.

Elijah moved to the front of the crowd that had gathered to meet the returning warriors. But Elijah's attention was pulled to the center of the men to the unfamiliar face. A woman was among them, clutching a small bundle to her chest.

Without thinking Elijah moved forward toward the young woman. Her face was partially covered by her hood. But there was something about the way she held herself that captivated him. As he approached he could make out her pale features and dark eyes. She followed his movements as he got closer, clutching the bundle tighter to her chest.

"You're safe here," Elijah reassured her. "I just mean to help you down from your horse."

The bundle made a slight gurgling noise and Elijah realized it was a babe. The realization struck him that she feared letting the child go.

"You can hold onto him while I help you down." Elijah gave her a smile that he knew put people at ease, however, she still seemed uncertain. "May I?"

He moved to place his hands on the woman's waist but did not actually touch her until she gave him a slight nod. When she did, he deftly lifted her from the horse and set her down on her feet. His hands only lingered long enough to ensure she was steady on her feet.

From his position, he could look down and see the small face of the babe, snuggled up to his mother's chest.

"That wasn't so bad, now was it?" He smiled, looking back up at the woman's face.

"No, it wasn't." She returned his smile with one of her own and Elijah's breath caught. "I'm Tatia."

2013 – New Orleans, Louisiana

"But what do you mean he's gone?" Hayley asked for what felt like the millionth time. "Where'd he go?"

"France." Klaus shrugged, bouncing a crying Hope lightly on his knee. She apparently hadn't slept well the night before. Klaus couldn't help but think she had felt the fracture in their family as deeply as he had.

"What the hell is in France?" When Hayley arrived for Hope's visit with her father, Klaus had briefly explained the conversation between himself and his older brother. To his surprise, Hayley seemed completely unaware that Elijah was leaving town.

"Apparently a wine bar." Freya entered the room and went to her niece, lifting her from her father's arms. "Did he not tell you where he was going?"

The looks Freya and Klaus were giving her made her want to flee the room. She didn't need nor want their sympathy.

"No, he didn't tell me anything." She avoided their eye contact as she picked up the jacket she had tossed on the back of the couch. "Will you watch Hope? I have to take care of some pack business."

"Of course," Klaus replied but the response was lost on Hayley as she rushed out of the room.

Freya let out a deep sigh and turned back to her brother.

"He didn't say goodbye to her?"

"Apparently not." Klaus narrowed his eyes slightly as Hope seemed to have calmed down in Freya's arms. "How do you know where our brother has wandered off to?"

Klaus reached back out, taking his daughter back from her aunt. It upset him how every member of his family seemed to take to calming Hope down much more naturally than he did. However, Hope remained happy in her father's arms and cuddled into his chest, easing his anger.

"He came to see me after his talk with you," Freya confirmed his suspicions. Klaus didn't think his brother would leave without saying his goodbyes, yet he had with Hayley. "He was headed to see Rebekah when he left here."

"Yet he didn't run across the street to see Hayley." He understood why she was upset. He wasn't sure he would forgive his brother for leaving town without seeing him first.

"Of course he didn't." Freya gave her brother a small, almost condescending smile. Her siblings had lived over a thousand years longer than her, so it always surprised her how out of touch with their own emotions they seemed to be. "You know what he told me when he came to see me?"

Freya gestured for him to take a seat and he begrudgingly followed her instructions.

"He told me to look after this family," Klaus smiled at that. "But he also told me that if I felt that this thing with Keelin could lead to anything, then I should pursue it. He told me not to put this family above my own happiness."

The smile vanished from his face. When his brother had told him he was leaving, it had hurt, but he assumed Elijah would be gone for a month and then return. Elijah wasn't one to stay away from his family unless it was to protect them. But if he had truly given up on always and forever, on their family, Klaus began to fear that he wouldn't return to them.

"He blames me for why he lost Hayley." The realization settled over him like a ton of bricks.

"No," Freya reached for his hand, grasping it gently. "He blames himself. But it was too painful for him to watch Hayley married to someone else. He just needs time."

"Well, that's a load of bollocks." Rebekah stormed into the room, breaking up the moment between the siblings and startling Hope, her green eyes going wide at the sound of her aunt's sharp tone.

"I'm sorry love," she threw an apologetic look at her niece. "Elijah would not have left simply because he is heartbroken. He's been hurt worse than this and he remained. Elijah has only ever left our side to protect us."

"I know you've always counted on him, but–"

"No offense but you don't know him like we do." Rebekah cut off whatever justification she was going to throw out. "Something is going on here."

"Yes," Klaus agreed and Rebekah gave her sister a smug look. "Astra has used her feminine wiles to convince our brother to abandon us."

"That's not what I meant." She glowered at him. Sometimes her brother fell too deep into his own paranoia to see what was truly happening. "He's never left us for Astra before, he wouldn't now. Especially not with Hope."

"He's allowed to have his own life." Freya tried again. "And besides, he's not the oldest anymore. He left me in charge."

"I just don't buy it." Rebekah was still skeptical. Her brother had come to her last night and they had a heartfelt moment where he explained that he needed to get away for his own sanity. That he was happy she had Marcel and their brothers had love as well. But he couldn't stand to stay there while he was left behind. His words had brought her to tears. She hated how much pain he was in and she felt partly responsible for not seeing it before. He had never recovered from his mother's torture and they just expected him to continue to hold their family together.

However, in the morning, after the emotions had subsided slightly, she began to see the cracks in his excuses. Yes, he was in pain, but he had never abandoned them before. Not when they first turned, not when Nik had Celeste or Gia killed, not after the countless times a dagger was shoved into his chest. In a thousand years, he never left.

XXXX

"Here." Astra tried shoving a baseball cap on Elijah's head that she had bought for a tourist shop. She had run in for a coffee and couldn't resist the souvenir.

Elijah, however, was not amused and swatted her hands away, grabbing the hat. The bright letters and pink heart made him narrow his eyes at his friend.

"An 'I love New York' hat, really?" Elijah wasn't in the mood for her constant cheerful demeanor. Especially considering she had refused to depart any more wisdom on him on their long flight, claiming privacy issues. "Now what are we doing here?"

"Always on a mission," she rolled her eyes at his gloomy mood. She had been hoping he would have felt some relief being out of the shadow of the insanity of New Orleans, however, the looming prophecy darkened his mood considerably. "You know I can't tell you too much. Prophecies are self-fulfilling. If you know too much, you will try to stop it, but in reality, you'll just force it into fruition."

"And you somehow are above such repercussions?" He looked up to the sky, the light reflecting off the buildings which seemed to disappear into the gloomy skyline. He hadn't been back to this city since he had been here with Katerina. He honestly hadn't planned to ever return.

"Well, it's too late for me." She shrugged putting the hat on herself and grinning at him. "But I won't make crazy, rash decisions to save your family, unlike someone I know."

With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she turned on her heel and walked down the street, knowing he would follow after. She said it as a joke, but they both knew the truth in it. Elijah's fatal flaw would always be his love for his family. While it was a trait she greatly admired in him, the lengths he would go to for his family often scared her.

Which is why she was in charge of this mission. She would make sure they all made it out of this alive.

XXXX

Elijah's suits were still perfectly hung in his closet, which gave Rebekah some sense of relief. He hadn't taken everything with him. Although, she supposed he could just replace it all wherever he ended up.

She was digging through one of his drawers when she heard footsteps approaching her.

"What do you expect to find in his sock drawer?" Marcel approached her, placing his hand on her shoulder in comfort. He was more aware than most of how close Rebekah and Elijah had always been. They endured Klaus together for a thousand years. Something like that created an unbreakable bond. When Elijah showed up in New Orleans all of those years ago, he knew Rebekah wouldn't be far behind. Rarely in a thousand years could they stay away from each other.

And yet Elijah had decided to leave.

Marcel couldn't blame him, and he knew Rebekah didn't either. They had both been there to witness his breakdown after Gia's death and then finding out what had happened to Hayley had been too much. Elijah had asked for a private moment with his sister last night, but Marcel couldn't help but eavesdrop. Elijah had explained that it hurt him to leave but it hurt him more to remain. A sentiment Bex was seemingly ignoring.

"I don't bloody know. A note or something." She haphazardly threw a handkerchief on the floor. "Something which would explain why my brother, after a thousand years, has just given up on us."

"Bex," Marcel reached out his hand again but Rebekah shrugged it off. "He said he needed space, give him space."

"Why are you all acting like my brother is just some normal bloke?" She whirled around and he nearly stepped back from the fire in her eyes. "I am not in denial. Something is wrong. My brother took care of us when Esther was too busy to notice and Mikael was off fighting his battles, Elijah stepped up and was like a father to us all. He would not abandon us. Especially not with Hope and Hayley, whose lives are much more fragile than our own."

"Bex," He tried once again to reach out to her but she shoved him back this time.

"I am not one of your damsels in distress." She spat at him. "My brother is in trouble and I'm going to get to the bottom of this. You can either help or you can leave."

XXXX

They entered the familiar lobby, the floor glistening under each one of his leather-clad steps. He tried to suppress the memories of Katerina clinging to his arm as she laughed at one of his jokes. He had purchased this apartment for her after all. He had no desire to live in such a large city, however, she craved the protection it provided her from his brother. So how could he deny her that safety?

He still wasn't sure if any of it was even real for her. Or if it was just another rouse to gain protection.

"There's someone I want you to meet," Astra announced as they entered the elevator to go to the top floor, pulling him out of his memories.

"I assumed there was a reason we came to this city." Elijah's voice was carefully guarded as if he was trying to prevent his empathic friend from probing any deeper.

"You alright?" She reached out anyway with her hand to squeeze his own.

"Yes," he brushed off her concern and stepped out of the elevator and into the immaculately designed apartment that overlooked the city. "Let's get this over with."

"That's the spirit." Her voice returned to the light, cheerful one she often used, but she didn't release his hand. Leaving it there for comfort.

She led him to the living room where a small woman was curled up on his couch. He narrowed his eyes slightly at the stranger who had seemed to make herself at home amongst his cashmere blankets. When she saw them, her pale blue eyes went wide and she jumped from her spot on the couch. Her platinum hair fell in front of her face as if it was a veil protecting her from the outside world.

"Elijah," Astra gave the girl a reassuring smile. "I want you to meet my friend, Ariane."

"A pleasure." Elijah gave her a tight smile, trying to figure out why this powerful witch had taken residence in his penthouse. "Please, have a seat."

Ariane slowly sat back down on the couch, her eyes never leaving the Original standing before her. She was used to being surrounded by ancient beings, but she was also used to being mistreated by them.

"I know most of Astra's friends," he narrowed his eyes at the brunette who had plopped down on the couch next to the blonde witch. "But I've never heard of you."

"She's a new friend." Astra reached out her hand to the girl, gripping it tightly The girl relaxed into Astra's side, causing him to narrow his eyes even more.

"One you're sleeping with." He gave her his signature smirk, showing he was not amused by whatever plan she had concocted.

"That's irrelevant." To her credit, Astra did not look surprised by the accusation. But the witch next to her seemed to shrink further back, drawing Astra's attention. "He won't hurt you, love. Will you?"

When Astra's eyes met his, she gave him such a stern look it made him wonder what this girl had been through for Astra to be so protective of her.

"You are safe here." He replied, however the unsaid for now did little to quell the girl's anxiety. "Now tell me how you met and what this has to do with my family."

"So self-centered." Astra rolled her eyes but complied nonetheless. "I found Ariane when Aya called me to the Strix's headquarters in Germany."

Elijah's eyes widened at this. He hadn't heard that name in centuries. While Astra had made a passing joke about Aya recently, Elijah preferred to imagine that she had left the godforsaken cult and made her own way in the world. It seems he was mistaken.

"You had asked me to keep tabs on them like five hundred years ago, and I have been." He remembered that conversation. It was shortly after he discovered Tristan had taken over his precious community and Aya refused to leave with him. He couldn't bare to keep checking in on the group, but he did not like the idea of them operating completely out of his purview. So every life, Astra would check in on them and make sure they weren't completely out of control. It seems they finally failed her inspection.

"So when I went to check in this time, Aya asked to speak with me." Astra smiled at the memory, but it didn't quite meet her eyes. "She brought me to their coven and one of the witches showed me a prophecy that spelled the end of your family."

"Why would she show you this?" Elijah knew Aya had been seeking a way to kill him since he abandoned them all those years ago. He thought she would be happy about this news. But then the realization dawned on him. "Because if I die, then she and the rest of their motley crew dies as well. She knew you would help protect me."

Astra nodded her head slowly. "The prophecy essentially states that only three will die."

"So she asked you to help her bring down my siblings to ensure my sireline." Elijah's eyes turned to stone as he analyzed his friend. He wanted to believe she hadn't lured him out of New Orleans just to open them up to an attack by the Strix, but he also knew she was just as ruthless as he was when it came to protecting her loved ones.

"I don't appreciate the implication." She met his cold stare with one made of fire, her eyes flashing in anger. "I would never do anything to put your family at risk, especially not Hope."

"Forgive me for questioning your motives when you show up at my door, demand I leave my family behind, and then tell me they are all at risk of dying." Elijah stood up and began to pace the room with his long strides. "All the while refusing to enlighten me on the exact parameters of this prophecy."

"You cannot know." The quiet voice sent chills down his spine and stopped him in his tracks. The pale blue eyes had been tracking his every movement since he entered the room, and he wasn't too proud to admit it unnerved him. "You will be the destruction of your family."

"I would never do anything to hurt my family." He growled at the young girl, his eyes darkening and the veins protruding beneath.

"Elijah, calm down." Astra quickly stood up, blocking his view of the girl. "She's not implying that you would purposefully harm them."

She moved towards him slowly, holding her hands in front of her. "But you know you're not in the best head space right now. We are trying to prevent you from doing anything rash that could cause harm to your family. Unwittingly, but still."

Elijah took a deep breath, turning his back on the room. He had gone almost a thousand years without accidentally triggering the monster within, and yet after his mother's trip down memory lane, he seemed to be losing control more often than not.

Maybe Astra was right. His family was better off without him.

"This is just temporary." She held up her hand to press lightly against his back. "You will be back with your insane, dysfunctional family in no time."

He let out a slight chuckle and felt his face return to normal. He turned around slowly, making sure he had control over himself again. He nearly cringed at the blonde on the couch, who had huddled into the corner, seemingly trying to get as far away from him as possible.

"I apologize," his eyes reflected the sympathy he felt. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Ariane hasn't had the easiest time being surrounded by vampires." Astra filled in, moving back to her spot on the couch.

"I meant what I said." Elijah tried to put his mask back on, the one that seemed to ease those around him and convince them that he was not truly the monster that he was. "You are safe here."

She nodded slightly in return but still seemed to want to flee the room.

"Now please tell me what you mean when you say I will be the destruction of my family."

Instead of answering she looked to Astra. They seemed to have a prior agreement that he could only know so much, which frustrated him to no end. Astra gave a slight nod of her head, encouraging Ariane to continue.

"When you were turned, your nobility was heightened," Ariane seemed to collect herself slightly and sat up a little straighter. Her words were practiced. "But so was your loyalty and your love for family. For a thousand years, these traits have been in conflict. You have had to sell your honor in order to protect your family."

"By trying to save your family, I fear you'll go too far and be the very thing that brings about their destruction." Astra finished for Ariane. She knew the woman wasn't keen on the idea of confronting the Original, and besides this news was best coming from a friend.

"And what exactly does this prophecy predict?" Elijah tried to pry again but Astra just shook her head.

"I can't tell you that." She said sadly. "I fear I've already told you too much. You just have to trust that I will protect your family."

Elijah met her gaze and held it for a moment. He had known Astra longer than anyone, if he couldn't trust her, he couldn't trust anyone.

"And did you see this vision?" He looked at Ariane, inspecting her reaction carefully.

"No," She looked at his face, just as carefully. As if she was waiting for him to morph into the monster within again. "A member of my coven did. She shared it with Aya and Tristan."

Elijah could have nearly cursed. Of course, they were involved in bringing about the destruction of his family.

"So Aya and Tristan hear about this prophecy and contact you to help it come to fruition." Elijah recapped. "However, you intend to ensure it does not and kidnapped one of their witches?"

"I did not kidnap Ariane. She came willingly." Astra threw the woman a small smile. "But yes, that's essentially correct. They are working on a way to break the sireline and Ariane was instrumental in that. I'm hoping I set them back a few months at least."

"I'm surprised Aya hasn't come after you." Elijah glanced around the apartment as if the Strix would suddenly appear, ready for a fight.

"She knows I chose my side." Astra didn't seem to share his concern and lounged back further into the couch. "They are down a powerful witch and know I'm under your protection. Plus, between Ariane and I, it's impossible for them to find her."

"And now we simply wait out the prophecy?" He didn't like the idea of sitting back and doing nothing when his family was in danger.

"Of course not." Astra gave him a devilish smile, leaning forward. "Now we bring down the Strix."

XXXX

Rousseau's fortunately wasn't busy when Hayley stopped in on her way out to the bayou. She hadn't lied when she told Klaus she had pack business to attend to. But since Aiden had risen from the dead, he had resumed his place as Jackson's number two, pushing Hayley further out of the inner circle. She knew Jackson didn't mean to, but he was so focused on getting the bayou restored that he didn't seem to notice the disrespect Hayley was facing from her own pack.

Cami noticed Hayley as soon as she entered the bar and gestured for the she-wolf to join her at the private end, away from prying tourist ears.

"Hey, what brings you in today?" She gave her friend a concerned look. Hayley seemed to be stopping into the bar frequently when she didn't have Hope. Almost as if she wasn't sure what to do with herself.

"Hey," the brunette's eyes were slightly glassy as if she was holding back tears. "Elijah's gone."

"Yeah, I know." Cami rested her hand on top of her friend's. "He stopped by last night and told me."

Cami knew Hayley well enough to know she would struggle with the news. Not only would she be sad to see him leave, but she would feel guilty about feeling that way.

"He came to see you?" Hayley's jaw dropped slightly at the knowledge.

"Yeah, he asked me to keep an eye on Klaus." the bartender still seemed oblivious to the pain that flashed in Hayley's eyes.

"That's a lot to ask." Hayley attempted to joke. She may have done a good job masking her face but Cami heard the slight waiver of her voice.

"What did he say to you?" her friend pried gently.

"Nothing." Hayley looked down at the bar, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill over.

"Oh." Cami gasped, quickly trying to think of something to say to comfort Hayley. "I'm sure it was just too hard for him."

"I don't know," Hayley muttered. "It's just not like him. What if something is wrong?"

"Like what?" Cami asked while she wiped down the bar. "He seemed fine last night."

"Elijah wouldn't just leave his family like this?" She didn't need to say it for both of them to know she included herself and Hope in that category. "Things have just begun to settle down. Why would he leave?"

"Maybe it had something to do with the two of you out in the alley?" Cami raised an eyebrow at her friend. She wasn't going to bring it up, after all, it wasn't her business. But she couldn't help but be curious about what exactly happened. She had noticed Elijah disappear first and then Hayley shortly after. And then Astra stormed out there and Elijah came back in looking out of sorts.

"What?" Hayley's eyes widened, she hadn't thought anyone had noticed when they both disappeared. "Nothing happened, I swear."

"I believe you." And Cami did believe her. She didn't think either of them had it in them to physically cheat, but something had clearly happened.

"Did Jackson notice?" Hayley's voice was quiet, as if out of shame.

"No." She quickly reassured her friend. "I was much more sober than anyone that night."

"Good." Hayley didn't need Jack to have another reason to be upset with her. "But I still think something else is going on with Elijah."

XXXX

Hope let out a small giggle as her father tickled her. She was sitting on his lap as she colored terribly outside of the lines in a coloring book Hayley had brought over for her. Klaus had rolled his eyes at the cartoon Disney princesses on each page but his daughter seemed to love it.

His daughter was coloring a tree a bright shade of red when he heard a disruption from the courtyard. He quickly slipped Hope into her pack-n-play and sped over to see what the noise was.

"We didn't order anything." Freya was telling a man who was standing next to a large truck. "So I'm not inviting you in."

The deed had been put into Freya's name and she was taking the job of inviting people in very seriously.

"Freya, what's going on?" Klaus approached giving the delivery man a wicked smile that had his hands shaking. Klaus noticed he was carrying a clipboard for someone to sign. "What is this?"

He plucked the clipboard from the man's hands to inspect the document. Klaus recognized the name at the top of the form and strode towards the truck, throwing the back door open. Inside was a large, glossy black grand piano. He vaguely remembered Astra mentioning ordering a piano for Elijah but in all of the chaos he had forgotten about it. A small piece of paper was tied to the leg of the piano and Klaus plucked it off. It had a simple message, but it was enough to give Klaus the peace of mind he had been trying to find all day.

He'll be back.

XXXX

The bayou was coming together after over two months of the residents returning full time. Many of the homes had fallen into disrepair from their six months' absence. Jackson had opted to stay out in the bayou again, claiming he had a few houses yet to check on. Hayley, for her part, had to get back to the Quarter. She and Klaus were on a good schedule and she didn't want to mess it up for her daughter's sake.

So she picked up Hope and they played together until dinner time. Hayley could hear the Mikaelsons eating dinner across the way and tried not to feel the familiar pang of envy as she and her daughter ate alone in their small apartment. She knew she could have joined them, but she had to learn to be on her own. If she wanted to be a good alpha and a good mother, she had to stop trying to define herself by others and learn who she actually was now that she had time to stop running.

After Hope's bath, she got her daughter ready for bed and noticed a plush animal sitting in the crib that she didn't recognize. At first, she thought it was from Klaus, but he would have just stuck it in Hope's bag if he had given it to her. No, she knew where it was from.

Elijah had snuck in and said goodbye to Hope, but not to her.

Hayley bit back the anger as she finished Hope's bedtime routine. She was no longer sad, but furious that he seemed to say goodbye to everyone in this town besides her. She deserved at least that much.

In a huff, she got herself ready for bed. For another night of sleeping alone, listening to the creeks of the old building in her apartment was in.

The creaks , Hayley thought. She had heard a creak the night before but thought it had been her upstairs neighbors moving around. It must have been Elijah sneaking in while she and Jackson finished their dinner. But the sound hadn't come from the direction of Hope's room. That would have sent warning signs to her. It had come from her own bedroom.

She looked around her room as if she would notice something. He must have been in there for a reason. It would have been too risky to sneak into her room without a good reason. She couldn't imagine there was anything he would have taken, so he must have left something. The small bookshelf in the corner of her room caught her eye. A book was sticking out slightly. It was almost unnoticeable, except she was looking for a sign.

It was the A Song of Ice and Fire book that Elijah had gifted her when she was still pregnant with Hope. Elijah had been playing house sitter for her while Klaus was out in the Quarter doing god knows what. She had been getting restless and nearly begged him to take her anywhere but that house. He had caved in on numerous occasions, sneaking her out to settle her cravings. However, something had been going on in the Quarter so he refused. She had nearly thrown a fit she was so frustrated and she knew Elijah felt awful. She had gone up to her room to pout but was brought back down by the scent of popcorn.

Elijah had set up a spread on the living room coffee table. It was everything you could possibly buy from the movie theater. He had told her that if he couldn't bring her anywhere, he would at least try to make the house more enjoyable. He had let her pick the film. But instead, she pulled out the season one Game of Thrones DVDs that she had yet to watch. It had just come out that year and something about it pulled her attention.

They started out with just one episode, Elijah pretending to be disinterested but she caught him a couple of times shifting slightly in his seat during tense moments. Before they knew it they had binged the entirety of season one. Throughout the evening, she had shifted so she was laying down on the couch, her head resting on his lap. His hand was placed carefully on her side.

He had claimed the show was alright, but the next day when she entered the living room, she caught him reading this very book. She had smirked at him and he had blushed lightly, claiming he was just curious about what differences existed between the show and the books.

Hayley clutched the book closer to herself, smiling at the memory it elicited. As she did, she noticed a piece of paper wedged in between the pages of the book. Quickly, she snatched the paper out of the book and tossed the book aside. Her name was scrawled on an envelope in Elijah's familiar cursive. She couldn't help the slight relief she felt knowing he hadn't just forgotten her.

She nearly laughed when she saw the wax seal on the back with the Mikaelson crest stamped into it. She carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a handwritten letter.

Hayley,

I should start by begging your forgiveness for not doing this in person. You are likely angry at me and you have a right to be. However, I hope you understand I didn't want to cause any tension between you and your husband. I know things have been difficult for you and a large part of that is due to my family and I. I only hope that this will be the solution that helps you be happy.

Because there is nothing that I want more than for you to be happy Hayley.

You and Hope deserve all of the happiness in the world and I do hope your pack gives that to you. Packs can be territorial and stubborn but they can also be loyal and compassionate. With you as their alpha, I can only imagine what a wondrous pack the Crescents will become. It has been an honor watching you grow as both a mother and an alpha over these years. I hope you continue to grow and create the life you've always wanted.

I apologize that I will not be there to see it. For a thousand years, I have watched my siblings lose themselves in the monsters we've become and somewhere along the way, I didn't notice how much of myself I had lost. That is until I met you. You reminded me what it was like to be human. To want to be a good person, not as a way to create allies or to gain favor for yourself, but because when good people exist in the world, the world becomes that much better.

You have done more good for my family in the short while that we have known you than I have managed to do in a millennium. I am forever grateful that my niece will have such an example to learn from.

I write this letter, not only to express my gratitude but to remind you of the oath I made to you when we first met. I promised to always protect you and no matter how far away I travel, I will keep that promise. However, as a replacement for my presence, I have left another gift. The first Christmas we spent together, I gave you a bracelet with my family's crest on it to show you are a part of this family and that you are protected by this family. Being a Mikaelson may have many downsides, but one positive is that we look out for one another. Astra has also cast a protection spell on the bracelet. I ask that you wear it while I am gone so that if you are ever in danger, I know you will still have my family's protection.

With the highest regards,

Elijah

Hayley felt the tears falling down her cheeks as she finished the letter. She felt the weight of the envelope and knew the bracelet was in there. She slowly pulled it out and the gold shimmered in the soft moonlight. It had small etchings on the outside, but it wasn't from a language she had recognized. Elijah had given it to her when they were at the safehouse all those months ago. It was the first piece of jewelry anyone had ever given her, but it was the way he looked at her as she snuggled into his chest and put it on her wrist that made her feel special. She fastened the delicate metal around her wrist. She knew it was in her head, but she could have sworn she felt Elijah's presence as the metal touched her skin.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. It's a little shorter than a lot of mine as it is kind of a transition chapter to set up a lot of what is coming.

Also, I'm going to start publishing the prequel to this story based on the human years of the Mikaelsons since I am already writing large parts of it in order to write the flashbacks. I'm focusing on the children as they grow, but also on the parents and how their lives impact the children. Let me know what you think!