Only one day left till the new episode! Thank God! Here is the much anticipated Elijah chapter. I made it a little longer to make up for my very short last chapter, and because I had a lot to cover. I added a little cliffhanger at the end, just because I am evil. I hope to have the next chapter up by the end of the week, so I won't let you suffer for too long. Thanks again to all my faithful reviewers, and here is chapter 19.
Future Elena's POV
After sending my past self off for her non-date with Damon, I resume my own preparation for the evening. I do some light cleaning, prepare some chamomile tea, and I let out a tiny smile when I hear the light courteous knock on the door. Only Elijah could make knocking sound proper and polite.
When I open the door, Elijah stands calmly looking just the way that I remember him. He is dressed in an impeccable suit with the same commanding presence he had the first time we met. His voice still sounds smooth like silk to my ears as he speaks. "Good evening Miss Gilbert. I believe you requested a meeting," Elijah delivers the line with all the grace of a proper gentleman.
"Yes, please come in. I have been looking forward to this meeting," I state with a huge smile on my face.
Elijah just stares perplexed, probably since this is not the greeting a 1000 year old vampire is accustomed to. His leg moves cautiously through the invisible barrier with ease, and I direct him to the kitchen where I laid out my mother's good tea set. I thought Elijah would appreciate the gesture and the civilized nature of our meeting. Before he has time to take a seat at the table, I reach over and give him a big hug that clearly makes him uncomfortable. Elijah awkwardly pats my back mumbling something ridiculous like there, there, as if I am upset. I happily peer up at his face, and he can tell instantly that my emotional outburst was not due to sadness or grief, and he once again resumes his puzzled staring, still trying to figure me out. I speak trying to clear up his confusion. "In case I didn't say it before, it is really good to see you again."
"You are a most curious creature Miss Gilbert," Elijah states somewhat amused at my behavior.
"Please call me Elena," I request sweetly. It feels too weird having Elijah speak to me so formally after all that we have shared.
Luckily, Elijah seems pleased to drop the formalities and continue. "Alright, Elena it is then. So tell me Elena, I don't keep current on the present trends of teenage youth, so is it customary for today's youth to hug strangers in greeting?"
I let out an unavoidable laugh at Elijah's confusion. Its times like this I am reminded of how old Elijah truly is. Within five minutes, anyone could tell that he belongs to another time, a simpler time with codes of honor and loyalty. I almost wish that I could have known him then, lived in his simpler world. After my laughing subsides, I finally answer his question. "No, but it is customary to hug old friends."
Elijah appears to digest my words, and I think he gets stuck on the word friend. I don't know if Elijah has had a friend in over 1000 years, and he clearly doesn't remember the concept. "Forgive me for my lack of trust, but what proof can you offer of our supposed friendship. Can I trust you?"
Once again I erupt in a fit of laughter. Clearly, Elijah is growing weary of being laughed at, and his cool exterior breaks a little when he demands and explanation. "What might I ask is so funny?"
I regain control of my bodily impulses once more, and I nostalgically speak of times long since passed. "You asked me that very same question a long time ago. You won't remember any of this, but we both share a trusting bond with each other in my future." I want Elijah to believe me, but I was the one who once said that trust was earned, and within five minutes, I was demanding that Elijah hand it over.
Elijah thinks for a few moments until he devises a solution for our trust problem. "Ah, yes the mysterious future. Katerina did fill in a few details about that. So if we were such close friends in your time, tell me something, anything personal that I wouldn't confide in a stranger." There are so many stories that come to my mind, but I needed one that is deeply personal. I hesitate before retelling the most heartbreaking story Elijah ever shared with me.
With a heavy heart, I tell Elijah, "You told me the story of the girl you loved, the one that died." For a second, I detect unbearable pain reaching the features on his face, but he recovers quickly. He tries to imitate an air of skepticism, but I see right through it. Memories from a millennia ago flood his troubled mind.
He still manages to find a reasonable rationalization not to believe me. "I'm a thousand year old vampire. It would be a lucky guess to say that I loved someone once who died. If you know me so well, I must have told you more about her," Elijah challenges, though I'm not sure he wants me to answer.
As I recount the story, Elijah's gaze appears further and further away, as if he is reliving it as the words come out. "The first day you laid eyes on Tatia you were gathering water for your family. You said when your eyes connected for the first time, you forgot how to breathe, and she gave you the tiniest wave before running back to the village. After that, you told me about your ever growing feud with Klaus over her affections, and how it tore all three of you apart. Then you told me about your mother using Tatia's blood to turn your family into vampires. You said you never really forgave her for taking Tatia away from you, but you feigned indifference so you could mend fences with your brother. Centuries later when you saw Katherine, the living embodiment of everything that Tatia was, you fell for her too, and you were reminded of the cruel sting of heartbreak when she ran out of your life."
Elijah just sits in his seat speechless at my rendition of the most painful moments of his eternal life. His next words are plagued with sadness, regret, and grief. "That was a very long time ago," Elijah utters. "But for what it's worth, I believe you." Elijah rapidly suppresses his emotions until they are but a distant memory. He politely questions, "Since you are the one who called this meeting, what is it that I can help you with my dear?"
"I want Klaus dead, and I want your help to do it," I strongly plead.
Elijah still has a million questions, and I can't blame him. This is anything but a typical situation, even for vampires. Elijah struggles to make sense of it all, while still fishing for information. "I know why I want my brother dead, but the question is why you do? Judging by your strong reaction, I suppose this is about more than just self-preservation." He's right, of course he's right. Ever since this all started, it was never about my survival. It was always about theirs.
There is only one thing that Elijah will understand above all else. It is our shared weakness. "You and I have always shared a connection, because we have so much in common. We both care about our families above all else. I want him dead for the same reason you do. He hunted down your family, and he hunted down mine. Klaus brings misery and pain to all those who surround him, and everything he touches turns to ashes. Please, help me put an end to him." A tiny tear leaves me cheek before I sweep it away.
Elijah doesn't hesitate for a fraction of a second before agreeing. I let out a heavy sigh of relief. Something is finally going according to plan. Elijah interrupts my thoughts with his opinions about the plan. "It may take me a few days, but I should be able to acquire the necessary tools to kill my brother. You just stay put and wait to receive word." Elijah stands up to leave, when I grab his arm to stop him.
"Wait, I can help. Future knowledge remember. I know where the site of the witch massacre is." Elijah's interest is peaked, since this is the integral part of his plan. I scribble down an address and hand it to him. "I trust you are still friends with Dr. Martin and his son." Elijah nods and I continue with my plan. "Dr. Martin can take on all the power of the dead witches and when Klaus comes he can use it to kill him," I advise.
Elijah looks at me impressed at my knowledge of the intricacies of his plan. "I assume you know the price of using all that power at once," he questions warningly?
"Dr. Martin will die," I state grimly. A pang of guilt runs through me, but I try to remember that his death might save thousands of lives. It will save my family's life. I also remember when he tried to murder me and most of the guilt fades away. Dr. Martin knows the price of his actions, and if he is prepared to accept those consequences then so be it. My guilt is gone, and I continue with my advice for how best to kill Klaus. "Have a vampire reach out to Klaus. One who is preferably on vervain. We will lure Klaus here, and you will stay out of sight until he shows his face, and then Dr. Martin will kill him. Any questions," I ask cheerfully, feeling a sense of pride for having thought of every contingency.
"Just one," Elijah states softly. "In the midst of planning to kill Klaus, when did we find time to become close or share these stories that you seem to know about me?"
I was hoping we wouldn't have to talk about this. Every time I'm forced to relive this point in my life, I feel vulnerable and exposed, but I have lied to Elijah too many times. I owe him the truth. "It was after Klaus was dead. You visited me in the hospital," I tell him before he cuts me off.
"The hospital," he asks concerned? "Were you badly hurt?" I let out a humorless laugh before correcting his assumption.
"It wasn't exactly that kind of hospital. Back in the day, I guess they would have called them asylums." Understanding flashes across his face, and then shame at bringing it up. I tell the more comforting part of the story in hopes of making Elijah feel better.
"You visited me every week. Some days you read to me, but others you just told me stories about what it was like growing up a thousand years ago, and your life as a vampire. It seems silly, but those stories were the only thing left in my life that felt real, when everything else was stripped away. You never asked stupid questions like how I was doing or how I was feeling. You just let me be, and that meant more than you will ever know," I say while grabbing his hand in gratitude.
"Before I forget there is one more thing I should mention." Elijah braces for the worst thinking it is some new cataclysmic catastrophe that is about to occur, but all I want to offer him is a deal that I know he will take. "Assuming you help me kill Klaus, I will tell you where you can find your family." Shock registers across Elijah's face. For so long, he thought his family was lost to him forever, and now I was offering him hope. I could relate to that feeling better than anyone else. I quickly elaborate after seeing the eager look on Elijah's face for more details. "If you promise not to undagger them within Mystic Falls and to force their continued exile, I will reunite you with your siblings. You have my word," I swear as I look him squarely in the eyes.
"And you have mine," Elijah echoes right back. "Thank you for a lovely evening Elena, but I really must be going," he says while taking my hand and giving it the briefest kiss. I smile back at him as I watch him see himself out.
This is almost over I think blissfully to myself. In a few weeks, Klaus could be dead, and my family will be safe. I don't think that I could be filled with more joy until I get a text from Caroline. There are only a few words, (You need to see this!), along with a picture that tells a lot more. I check my phone three times to make sure I am not hallucinating. I even enhance the detail, just to be sure this is real. Damon and Elena are in the picture locked in a very intense lip lock in the middle of the carnival. I am rendered speechless and thoughts start flying through my head. I have had real dates with less action than this. Wasn't she still heartbroken over Stefan? After my frenzied confusion dies down, I am left with only one question. What in the Hell happened on that date?
I know I'm evil, but please review and tell me how evil you think I am :)