A/N: I had something different planned for this chapter but I had a very bad evening, spent about an hour crying and really couldn't be asked to write the super long chapter I had planned. I apologize if characters don't survive this chapter, it's either them or me.

I didn't mention my spectral visit to anyone. I wasn't stupid enough to think of it as a bad dream but I didn't see how talking about it would solve anything. It would probably just make the siblings upset and possibly lead to an unpleasant situation involving an Ouija board.

My night-time wolf stayed extra close after the visit. He followed me around the house and would whine whenever I shut a door on him. I didn't mind so much but I was definitely going to have to teach him about boundaries. I was grateful the company most of the time, if I was honest. Even though I was surrounded by people, I felt more alone than ever. Since my return, both Elijah and Kol seemed to be acting different. It almost seemed like they were trying to avoid me, although I didn't know why. I didn't see much of Rebekah or Freya either. They'd been busy planning the party.

I'd tried to keep busy. I spent my time looking after the twins and trying to maintain the ever growing wolf population. It seemed to get bigger each day. While I knew that was technically a good thing, since it meant more wolves to protect the girls, I still didn't know if they're presence was supposed to mean something else that I just wasn't getting yet.

Despite my distractions, I still found myself with moments of empty time. I was sat on the bench in the courtyard during one such time, the day before the party, idly plaiting my wolf's fur while he let out disgruntled noises. I heard footsteps and looked up to see Finn watching me from a distance.

"I feel for that animal."

"Just wait till the twins grow up. I promise you and your brothers will have your hair plaited and your nails painted." Finn suppressed a laugh, which quickly turned into a chuckle before evolving into full on laughter. I blinked, surprised. I wasn't used to seeing Finn so emotive.

"Oh I cannot wait to see Elijah with plaits!" He laughed. I giggled at the mental image that appeared in my head. Finn's laughter slowed and he came over to sit beside me. "How are you Elena? I've not had much chance to talk to you lately."

"It's okay. You've been with Freya. I get it, you haven't seen her in a thousand years."

"That doesn't mean I should neglect you."

"Everyone else is ignoring me, I'm used to it."

"It's not intentional. They have a lot to get ready for tomorrow night." He looked over at me. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Okay?"

"I get the feeling no one has told you what is actually happening and I don't think that's right. You deserve to know what you're getting yourself into."

"I thought it was just a party… where we got everyone who agreed before to agree again."

"I thought that was what Kol had told you. In truth… there's a lot more that they have planned. I believe… I know… that Kol intends to have Freya perform an allegiance ceremony."

"I already don't like the sound of that…"

"There are many spells of ceremony and ritual in our world. Witches have their regents. Werewolves have unification. The allegiance ceremony is something older and greater. It was originally created during a period of great war, after our kind first began to flourish. A very fearsome vampire helped create it. Her name was Countess Elizabeth Bathory de Ecsed. In human culture she's known as a notorious serial killer but she was far more than that. With the help of a young witch, she created a powerful spell that allowed her to bind people to her in something akin to a sire bond, but far more potent and not limited to vampires she had made Witches, werewolves, vampires, even humans, all of them were forced to kneel before her."

"Right… and how do we have this spell?"

"You know Kol and his witches."

"So he wants to force the quarter into serving me?"

"No. As far as I know, everyone who has agreed to come is doing so of their own free will. After the Countess was executed, the spell disappeared for a while. It's only been used a few times during the centuries, usually to settle disputes over land. Powerful groups would elect a representative who could speak for them all and swear allegiance to that person, completely voluntarily. A queen so to speak."

"I'm literally going to become the queen of New Orleans?"

"Yes."

"And you got everyone to agree to this? I don't buy it."

"Shockingly yes. As Queen, you'll be able to call on them whenever you need them. Although I would recommend you save it for emergencies and not just when you need a cup of coffee." I looked at him, considering. This felt too good to be true.

"Does it involve me getting stabbed in the heart?"

"No."

"Are you sure? Because I am over being used as a ritual ingredient."

"I promise, you do not need to be stabbed… it does involve some of your blood however."

"There's a surprise."

"Everyone who is allying with you will come tomorrow night, or send a representative. They have to drink a tiny amount of your blood, a drop will do. They each offer up blood and an item to be burned. The blood and ash is mixed together and you have to... drink half of it and bathe in the rest."

"Fuck that's disgusting!"

"Please bear in mind Elena, this spell was invented by a lunatic."

"Yes. A lunatic. So why are we doing this? It's disgusting and sadistic and I don't want to force my friends into some insane ritual when I know that they will support me."

"Oh come now Finn," said Kol's voice. "You're making it sound far worse than it is."

"Would you rather I continue lying to her?"

"Yes Kol, when were you going to tell me what you had planned?"

"I… was… thinking about it…"

"Well you can stop thinking about it because it is not happening. I'm not doing it."

"Elena, I'm just trying to protect you." I stared at him.

"Say that again."

"I… I'm just trying to protect you?"

"There it is. When you say that, you sound exactly like Klaus. In fact, this whole plan reeks of him. You told me to shun him, yet you're beginning to act just like him." He recoiled like I'd slapped him. I got to my feet.

"Elena, I am doing this to help our daughter!" he said.

"No, you are trying to help yourself with this stupid power play! Believe it or not, I'm not super keen on having every mythical creature in the city bound to me so you can play king! Remember that last time I got bound to supernaturals, I ended up pregnant!"

"Well there's an easy way to prevent that Elena. Maybe just… I don't know… don't spread your legs for every vampire who smiles at you?"

"Kol! That's enough!" Finn snapped, on his feet.

"It's true though, isn't it Finn? She likes to play the innocent, but she's quite happy to jump from one of our beds to another when it suits her!" My wolf let out a snarl and lunged, fastening his teeth around Kol's hand. "Son of a bitch!"

Kol grabbed the wolf by the scruff and made as if to throw him across the room. I grabbed his wrist.

"Kol I swear to god if you hurt him I will kill you!" Kol glared at me and I glared back at him. Slowly he released the wolf. I stepped back.

"I am going out. I am in need of a very very strong drink and if anyone dares follow me, I'll set Cujo on them."

The wolf growled. I couldn't tell if it was in support or disapproving of my nickname. I stormed towards the door.

"Maybe, if you're lucky, I'll come back. And if not… well you'll have to explain to everyone exactly why their future queen has gone AWOL."

I stalked out of the house, the wolf at my side. I paused and looked down.

"I appreciate the help, but I don't want you to get taken away by animal control." He ignored me and continued padding along beside me. "I don't think they'll let you in the bar." I sighed and shrugged. On his own head be it.

I went to the only place that I felt comfortable. Rousseau's. I hoped to drown my sorrows and complain to either Sophie or Cami about Kol. Unfortunately when I got there, the door was locked firmly. I frowned and shook it slightly. I'd always imagined Rousseau's as a permanent safe place, somewhere I'd always be able to go to. I'd almost forgotten it was actually a business.

"Sorry Love," said a British voice from the shadows of the building. I looked over and saw the man who'd bumped into me on my last visit. The wolf growled softly "They had a bit of an incident here earlier. Whole place is shut down for the evening."

"And yet you're lurking here?"

"I was just wondering what to have for dinner," he smirked and brushed his thumb over the corner of his mouth, examining the digit with interest.

"Let me guess… vampire?"

"What gave me away?"

"Practically every attractive guy in this town is one. It'd be stranger if you weren't." He took a few steps closer.

"You think I'm attractive? How sweet." He ran his eyes over me. "And who are you? Girl who knows so much. You're not a vampire… you don't smell like a witch. I'd guess by your companion that you're a werewolf but again… you smell very human."

"I am. I'm just… a special human." A small smile spread across his face.

"You wouldn't happen to be the human who managed to conceive a mythical vampire pregnancy would you?"

"I have so many other qualities."

"I'm sure. Why don't you and I have a drink and you can tell me about them?"

"I'm not in the habit of drinking with unfamiliar vampires."

"But you did come here to get drunk, didn't you? You have that look in your eyes."

"I will admit that I did."

"And since I was the one who caused this lovely place to be closed this evening, I believe I owe you a drink." I considered and looked at the wolf. He gave me a look that seemed to say 'you are a moron if you go with this guy'. But then again, he was a wolf. I could have been misinterpreting.

"One drink." I had no desire to go home yet.

"Excellent." He smiled, reached over and gave the door handle a firm twist until there was a snapping noise. "Ladies first."

I went inside and perched on the bar top. He sat on a stool, reached over and grabbed two bottles.

"Are you more of a vodka or a tequila girl?"

"Vodka." He went to hand me the bottle but paused.

"I don't know if I should give you this… if I remember correctly you have to be 21 to drink over here, right?"

"Seriously? You kill people and you're worried about drinking laws?"

"Fair point." He handed me the bottle. "So what do I call you beautiful?"

"My name?"

"And what would that be?"

"Elena."

"A pleasure. My name is Lucien."

"And you don't have anything better to do with your immortality than drink with me?"

"I can think of nothing better to do right now than drink with you Elena." He smiled and grabbed a bottle of bourbon. "You live with the Mikaelsons don't you?"

"I do. You know them?"

"Everyone knows them. They're legendary after all."

"They're a legendary pain in the ass." He laughed softly.

"Are they the reason you're out here getting drunk?"

"One of them is."

"Well I owe that one a great deal of thanks then." I drank deeply. "I can appreciate it must be hard living on the fringes of our world. Have you not thought about…?"

"About turning?"

"Yes."

"I've considered it. I'd be safer that's for certain. But… the idea of immortality doesn't really appeal to me."

"Is that because you're afraid you'll be alone? Or that you'll be stuck with the Mikaelsons for eternity?"

"I'm honestly not sure." I drank again. "I don't know why I'm telling you all this."

"I am no psychologist. But I have spent a lot of time talking to that rather cute little blonde who works here. And I reckon it's because I am a stranger who can understand completely the problems you have to deal with. I mean, you can't tell a human. And the witches wouldn't fully understand. All of the vampires who live here are afraid of the Mikaelsons. I am in the perfect position to provide impartial advice."

"No one is impartial." The wolf whined and nudged my leg with his head. "Shh boy, it's alright."

"He doesn't like me."

"He doesn't like anyone."

"That's not true, he seems awfully fond of you."

"I'm a rare exception." I stroked him gently, letting out a soft sigh. I knew when I went back I'd have a mess to clear up.

"Can I ask exactly what has gotten you so down?"

"I… I don't know where I stand with them. The Mikaelsons. Half the time I think they love me, other times I'm sure they're using me."

"How do you feel about them?"

"It's complicated."

"Uncomplicate it then."

"I wish I could." I took a gulp of vodka and grimaced. "I'm supposed to do this crazy ritual tomorrow. An allegiance ceremony or something"

"Oh. Now that is some serious shit."

"Yeah. Except no one told me that for ages. And they say they're trying to protect me and my kids but I don't know if that's true or if it's just another way for them to take more power."

"Well I can't imagine they'd gain much from having you allied with everyone. They can't use that power."

"They could make me order the people allied to me to do things though."

"True. But you seem like a fairly stubborn girl. I'm guessing they wouldn't have much luck with it."

I laughed softly.

"Thank you Lucien. You're one of the few people to treat me like a person for a long time." He lifted his bottle.

"I'm here to serve my lady. A toast? To new friends?" I smiled slightly.

"I'll drink to that." I clinked my bottle against his. He grinned roguishly before drinking deeply.

A/N: Well, no one died.