Summary: The year is 1662, a prosperous time for the New World. After nearly 200 years, in the growing town of Ipswich, England, Klaus and Elijah believe to have finally found the hiding place of their elusive Petrova. Upon arriving, Elijah meets a human who requests an usual favor from him. By accepting, unwanted feelings start to develop between the two.

Genre: Romance; Supernatural

Pairing: Elijah/OFC - Marian

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries.

Authors Note: Here is the next chapter for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

CHAPTER THREE

Day one in the search for Katerina was not successful. However, the Originals were able to locate a very powerful witch in the small town. Vera. She was fifteen years a widow, having no children. She was the last of Kipling line. Elijah was good friends with her mother. And that was the only reason Vera offered her assistance to them.

"You've been looking at that for hours," shrieked Klaus.

"Very impatient," Vera remarked. "One would believe after hundreds of years you would be accustom to waiting." Elijah laughed lightly.

"Calm down, Niklaus," said Elijah. "Vera will find her."

"I will admit," she began, "it is very difficult, this one." She placed the talisman onto the map. "I can guarantee to both of you that Katerina Petrova is in Ipswich, but her exact location I cannot."

"And why is that," asked Klaus, his impatience showing once more.

"I believe she is being protected, hidden by another." Elijah and Klaus shared a glance. "Many witches call this town home, Klaus. And many witches do not like you. The complication is discovering who is working against you."

"Well, I shall leave that up to you," he said. "Figure it out," he snarled, leaving the room, taking to the market streets.

Elijah stood from his seat. "Thank you, Vera. If it means anything, your efforts are much appreciated. At least by myself."

"As always, I will do what I can for you." She smiled at him. "Good day, Elijah."

The inn was was seldomly filled with noisy crowds and today was no exception. Joanna remained at the front entrance, questioning the inn keeper, asking if a new resident named Elijah had checked into his establishment. The old, balding man simply laughed in her face, for certain she was mad.

"No Lords have ever stayed in my inn." He waved his chubby hand in annoyance at her. "No leave me be, Miss Parrish. There is work to be done."

"But-" Joanna followed him as he walked around the counter. "But you must get new guests everyday," she continued. "Perhaps you can't remember-"

"I said away with you," he repeated, slightly more irritated with her questioning. Joanna moved aside and let the man pass, saying no more on the matter. She crossed her arms and huffed angrily, as he retreated up the stairs, slamming the door behind him.

Joanna began to pace back and forth, trying to think of a new course of action. Her eyes suddenly caught sight of a notebook that was sitting on the reception desk. She walked over and causally leaned onto the desk, checking it's contents. She smiled, reaching to grasp the pages.

"Joanna, what are you doing," came Marian's voice suddenly.

Picking up the brown leather booklet, Joanna rushed towards her. "Why are you sneaking up on me, Marian!"

"Be glad that it was me and not a constable," replied Marian, moving them out of the aisle. "You were suppose to wait for me this morning. Why did you not?"

"You were taking too long with your hair," replied Joanna.

"I was not," Marian scoffed.

"Really? It seems more shiny than normal. One would think you were trying to impress someone."

"Enough," snapped Marian. "What is that," she asked, looking at the booklet in Joanna's hand. "What are you stealing?"

"This," began Joanna, "is the inn's ledger. This is what that nasty, old coot uses to record all check ins and departures," she explained. "And I'm not stealing it, I'm borrowing. If your Lord Elijah is staying here, he will surely be in this book."

"Well, do hurry up sister," said Marian glancing around the room, watching for the inn keeper. "I have no intentions of getting arrested as your accomplice."

Joanna flipped to the center of the book, locating the last page which was used. She found four lines that were dated for yesterday, one of which had been scratched out. "Nothing…"

"What?"

"I see a Mister and Misses Foster, a Mister Robert Barkley, and a Mister Godric something. But no Elijah, Lord of Norwich." She looked at Marian. "Are you sure he arrived yesterday?"

"Yes," replied Marian. She glanced down at the book, her eyes falling on the last line and pointed. "What about that one?"

Joanna shook her head. "I don't know. Someone marked through it." Joanna brought the ledger closer to her face, attempting to make out the name. "Looks like a 'R'…or perhaps its a 'K'…? Clarence maybe? No, that would be a 'C', sorry…"

Marina snatched the notebook from Joanna suddenly when the inn keeper appear at the top of the staircase. "Wait outside, Joanna." She opened her mouth to protest, but Marian was having none of it. "Go," she said. Her younger sister did as she was told and exited the inn. The portly man turned to lock the door behind him before descending the steps. The inn keeper took one step at a time, gripping the railing as he did so. Today, he wore brown trousers and the shirt he wore, unfortunately no longer white. Marian moved quickly to the desk, returning the booklet to it's proper location.

"Hello, Mister Harring," she said kindly, offering him a warm smile.

"The other Miss Parrish," he snarled, waddling past her and behind his counter.

"Yes, sir," began Marian, "I am aware of my sister's visit not but a few moments ago. Allow me to apologize on her behalf for pestering you." Harring said nothing to her and turned his attention to some scattered papers. "If I may-"

"Miss Parrish," he began, dipping a quill in the ink well to his left, "I'm a very busy man."

"Yes sir, but-"

"So, I will tell you what I told your sister." He scribbled onto the parchment before continuing. "There are no Lords in my establishment. Even if such citizens took residents here, I still would not be able to inform you."

"But if I were to describe him to, could you then tell me if such a citizen stopped in," she asked hopefully.

Mister Harring looked up at her. "If I attempt to recall, will you get out of my inn?" Marian nodded quickly. "Alright. What does your Lordship look like," he asked.

"Well, he is tall," began Marian. "His eyes and hair are both brown. And he was very neatly dressed-"

"Hmm," mused Harring. "We did have a well dressed fellow stop in. He was very high and mighty, demanded this and that."

Marian shook her head. "No, the person I'm trying to find is not-"

The old man began laugh. "Then its obvious we're not talking about the same person." His laughter subsided and he continued. "I would have got two rooms out of him, but the bastard cancelled after checking in."

Marian frowned at his sudden change in the language, then proceeded to take her leave. "Thank you for your help, Mister Harring."

"I think we are wasting time, Elijah."

"I have complete faith in Vera's abilities," said Elijah firmly. "She is right, you know. You are very impatient."

Klaus shook his head at Elijah's confidence in the witch. "Still grasping onto those last pieces of humanity. Faith, trust, honor." Elijah said nothing. "These pathetic creatures are nothing compared to you. Nothing compared to us."

"Niklaus, there is no shame in respecting humans. They are essential to our survival, after all," finished Elijah as they rounded the corner into the busy street.

"Precisely! A food source," replied Klaus, grinning from ear to ear. Moving through the crowds, Klaus caught a glimpse of a pairs of women walking together, arm and arm, conversing to each other. "Now she smells familiar," commented Klaus curiously.

Elijah caught the scent as well, recognizing it immediately. The young Miss Parrish he had met just yesterday was winding through the daily mob of market shoppers.

"Isn't that your new toy? We should say hello," said Klaus wickedly.

Elijah grasped his arm. "I don't think so, Niklaus."

"The least you could do is introduce me to my future sister-in-law," he jested.

"You know that will never happen."

"Come now brother, don't be rude."

Klaus removed Elijah's hand and began to follow the intoxicating smell. The hybrid reached the Parrish girls without difficulty. He tapped both of their shoulders, causing them to cease their movements. They looked behind themselves, but no one was there. Exchanging confused looks, they laughed it off carelessly. Turning around to continue on their way, they became surprised by the unexpected appearance of a man in their path.

"Hello ladies," Klaus said politely.

"Oh, well hello there," came the voice of the small blonde on the right. It was easy for Klaus to sense that she was slightly startled by his presence, but still, she was all smiles as she gazed at him.

"May we help you, sir," asked the other. Klaus eyed the black haired beauty curiously. He sensed a genuine heart within her.

"Niklaus, you should not bother these lovely ladies." Elijah appeared causally behind his brother and greeted Marian. "Hello again, Miss Parrish."

"Lord Elijah!" Marian could hardly believe her eyes.

"Allow me to introduce the Lord Niklaus, my brother."

Marian found Niklaus just as pleasing to the eye as she found Elijah. Though Niklaus, possessed a rawer, more rougher appearance. His hair was not neatly bound as his brothers. The dirty blonde locks were unbound, flowing freely.

"Well, it is lovely to make your acquaintance, Milord," said Marian, rendering him a small curtsy.

"How wonderful to meet you," he replied kindly. "Now, who might you be," he asked, grasping the younger woman's hand.

"This is my sister, Joanna." Marian watched her sister melt into Klaus' hands, blushing brightly when his lips grazed her knuckles. She seemed to be entranced by him.

Marian suddenly turned toward Elijah and said, "I must confess, I was looking for you all morning."

"Actually, you were styling your hair well after sun rise," teased Joanna. Marian glared at her sister, silently daring her to speak again. "Would you care to accompany me to my horse, sir?" Joanna looked up to Klaus, smiling sweetly.

"Certainly," he replied. "And please, do call me Klaus." Together they walked off, leaving their older siblings to their discussion.

"Why were you looking for me?"

Marian took a deep breath before answering. "Well, you see, upon my arrival home yesterday…" She paused, taking another breath and reworded her reasoning differently. "It appears that Ellsworth has informed my father of our arrangement." Elijah raised his brow in disbelief. "He is convinced we are courting. And," she continued, "he has extended an invitation to my mother's birthday gala, with the intent on meeting you tomorrow evening."

"Telling your father the truth never occurred to you?"

"I swear to you I tried," she said, "but he would not here me. You see my father is very stubborn."

Elijah smiled at her. "That is something we both have in common."

"I do not expect for you to help me again," she said. "I could barely bring myself to ask you."

"But you did," he said matter-of-factly. "And because the invitation was extended, being the gentleman that I am," he continued kindly, "I must accept it."