A/N: Nightlark does not condone drinking while breastfeeding.

I drank with Lucien until I could no longer feel most of my body and everything felt pleasantly warm. He was good company and easy to talk to. The alcohol definitely helped a lot.

"I should go home…" I said, my words slurred.

"Do you think that's a good idea in your condition? I mean, I've heard how protective they are of you."

"Everyone knows how protective they are of me." I rested my head on the bar. "They're gonna be really mad at me."

"You know what might help?"

"What?"

"More alcohol. Drink up. You'll care less what they think."

"Solid advice!" I smiled and downed some more vodka. "I really should go home though. Before they tear apart the French quarter trying to find me."

"At least let me walk you home love?" I nodded and slipped off the bar, wobbling slightly. The wolf barked and nudged me lightly. Lucien got up and offered me his hand. I took it and he lightly placed his other hand on my waist, steadying me.

"My vodka!" I cried out. Lucien laughed and snagged the bottle for me, along with his bourbon. We staggered out of the bar and down the street, my wolf trailing us. Music from some of the bars drifted over to us. I bobbed up and down to the beat, swaying in Lucien's arms. He grinned and spun me. I laughed.

"I am not sober enough for dancing!"

"Drunk dancing is far more fun Elena!" I giggled.

"Thank you for tonight. I've not had fun like that in such a long time."

"I think you're entitled to a little bit of fun now and then. If you feel like a repeat performance, I will be in the quarter for another few weeks." We stopped a little way from the Mikaelson house. I slumped against the nearest wall. He fished a business card from his pocket and slipped it in my hand. "That is, if your hangover tomorrow doesn't put you off."

"I'll see you around Lucien." I gave him an awkward hug and pulled away, wobbling on the uneven steps. I paused at the gate and waved in Lucien's direction but he was already gone. I staggered inside, hoping that no one would be up. Unfortunately, all of them were in the courtyard, Elijah, Kol and Rebekah playing cards while Freya and Finn were sat a little way away talking.

"Elena. Where have you –" Elijah began.

"Where have I been? Is that what you're going to say? Of course it is cause that's what you always say." My words ran together sloppily, my tongue felt heavy.

"Well it appears the future queen is drunk off her ass," Kol said.

"Y'know what Kol? I am… very… very drunk. And it is awesome. So you can just shuddup. I have had a greeeeat evening. I hung out with a very nice friendly vampire and drunk so much vodka!"

"Oh wonderful. When's his baby due?" Kol snarked.

"Oh fuck you Kol! Fuck you so hard! You are not my dad. You're not my boyfriend. You are not anything! I can and I will sleep with whoever I want to and… you… you have no say. I could sleep with Rebekah and it would be… be… beautiful and… none of your business."

"Thanks Elena but you're not my type," Rebekah said without looking up. "Although I applaud you taking control of your body and telling Kol where to stick it."

"He can stick it where he wants to Bekah. I don't care." The room was spinning a bit. "I am the queen of New Orleans and I decree… Kol Mikaelson… you are a dick."

"Okay I think it's time for her majesty to go to bed." Elijah said, getting up.

"Nooo! I'm not tired!" I made to run, tripped and fell on my ass. "Save me Rebekah! The buzzkill monster is coming!"

"Sorry Elena, you're on your own," Rebekah said, trying to stifle her laughter. Elijah came over and picked me up. I squirmed in his arms. He moved me so I was over his shoulder, dangling down. The wolf snarled.

"Get him Cujo! Get him!" Elijah rolled his eyes and headed for the stairs, me dangling down.

"Come on princess, time for bed." He carried me upstairs and into my room, dropping me onto bed. "Get some rest Elena."

"Why didn't you tell me what was going to happen?" I said, looking up at her. "Why do you keep making decisions for me without talking to me?"

He sighed softly and wrapped the blankets around me before leaving silently. I scowled and curled up. The wolf was sitting on the floor watching me.

"You judging me too?" I asked. He cocked his head to the side and whined. "Alright, you can sleep on the floor that Mr Grumpy Fangs." He whined and came over, putting his front paws on the edge of the bed. "You have it so easy. I wish I could just be an animal and then I wouldn't have to worry about anything except eating and sleeping." He stared at me. "Stop it." More staring. "Fine. Come on up!"

He jumped up and snuggled under the covers beside me. I sighed and fished the business card Lucien had given me from my pocket. I turned it over in my fingers slowly. The wolf whined and tried to pull it from my fingers with his teeth.

"Quit it. I know you don't like vampires but I do. And he was nice to me which is getting rarer and rarer." The wolf huffed. "You're nice to me but you don't count. I can't get drunk with you, it would probably make you very sick. Sicker than I'm probably going to be in the morning." He licked my hand. I put the card on the bedside table and closed my eyes. My warm buzz had worn off a bit. I kissed the wolf's head and let myself doze off.

I was woken by loud noises coming from downstairs. I groaned. My head was throbbing and my mouth tasted like something had thrown up in it. I stumbled to my feet and headed down the stairs, rubbing my head.

"What is with all the noise? I know we've got stuff happening today but does that really require you to remodel the courtyard?"

The siblings were in the middle of moving various things around, clattering around in the process. Kol looked over and grinned.

"Feeling a little worse for wear are you Elena?"

"I am not talking to you. Because I have a memory of you implying that I am a slut so I don't feel very friendly towards you right now." I sat down and covered my ears, trying to block out the noise.

"I take it her majesty is regretting last night's escapades?" Elijah asked.

"I regret ever meeting all of you."

"I bet you regret that bottle of vodka a whole lot more." I groaned again.

"Please just keep the noise down." I got up and stalked upstairs to my room. My eyes landed on the business card Lucien had given me. I picked it up and grabbed my phone, dialling the number.

"Kingmaker Land Development, Lucien Castle speaking."

"How is it possible that you sound so good right now? That's so unfair."

"Hello Elena. Feeling a little rough are we?"

"Well I am. It sounds like you're feeling fine."

"Perks of being a vampire love. It takes a lot to get me hungover. And, in addition, I have several extra centuries of practice at dealing with them."

"I hate you."

"No you don't. You find me witty, charming and devilishly handsome

"Please tell me I didn't call you any of those things last night."

"Even if you hadn't, I'm good at reading between the lines." There was a pause. "So are you calling to plan another night of debauchery and drinking?"

"Sadly tonight I have this stupid party thing."

"Oh your allegiance ceremony, right? Have you decided if you're going to go through with it?"

"I'm still thinking. The headache isn't helping matters." I sighed. "Are you coming to this thing tonight?"

"I don't swear fealty to anyone. Least of all a girl who cannot hold her vodka."

"You don't have to swear fealty. You could just come and laugh at me having to bathe in blood and ashes."

"As tempting as that sounds, I will have to pass. I have work to do unfortunately. I've arranged for a gift to be delivered in my place."

"You barely know me, you didn't have to do that."

"After everything you said last night, I know you intimately. And it's a special occasion for the city."

"Well I hope your gift is a towel, because I'm going to need it." He laughed softly.

"I'll see you soon Elena, I promise."

"Sounds good. Don't let me drink as much next time though."

"Now that I won't promise. You are an entertaining drunk."

"Have a good day Lucien."

"I hope your hangover improves Elena." He hung up. The wolf huffed. I stuck my tongue out at him. I wasn't going to decide who to be friends with based on the opinion of a wolf with stalker tendencies.

I lay back and stared up at the ceiling. I had no idea if I was going to go through with this. I liked the idea of the girls being protected, particularly since I couldn't do it anymore and since the Mikaelson ghost mama had said that Dahlia was still a threat. But I didn't want people to be forced into it. Surely if they were made to ally, they'd spend their time just trying to kill me so they would be free.

And becoming the unofficial queen of the New Orleans supernatural community? That was honestly terrifying. I had no idea how to do… anything like that really. I needed answers to these questions I had and I didn't think anyone was likely to give them to me.

There was a knock at the door and Finn came in.

"How you feeling?"

"Terrible."

"I brought water and paracetamol. Might help." He handed me a glass of water and two white pills. "Kol was out of line last night."

"It was true though. I did sleep with all of you."

"Yes… but we all knew that you were doing it. And it does take two people to make love Elena. Kol was just being cruel last night. He was trying to hurt you. After all, he and Klaus were actively trying to compete to seduce you, he has no grounds to be upset."

"Can we please stop talking about my sex life?"

"Of course."

"I have some questions about tonight."

"Go ahead."

"Are you absolutely certain that everyone is okay with this?"

"Everyone participating tonight is there of their free will. I promise."

"And… if I go through with it… do I need to like… rule things? Because I can barely take care of two small children, let alone a whole city."

"Well, the leaders of the various factions will run their own sections. Obviously, if you want you can run things but I suggest just leaving them to it. You'll only be needed if there is an issue between factions."

"That doesn't sound so bad…" I bit my lip. "Does this loyalty extend to my children?"

"That was an issue we were discussing. Because of their age, they count as an extension of you. When they get older, we might need to do the ritual again. But everyone who participates should have some level of allegiance to all of your bloodline."

"Does that include Jeremy? I mean he's not my brother by blood but he is my cousin."

"Probably. It won't be particularly strong but if he's in danger they'll aid him and they won't harm him."

"How long does it last?"

"If Freya does it right, it'll last until your bloodline dies."

"What's stopping one of my allies from changing their mind and killing me to free themselves?"

"They won't be able to. They won't even be able to think about hurting you." I considered. It didn't sound as bad anymore. Most of my concerns had been addressed by Finn at least.

"Your family… I wouldn't count you as vampires, I mean, you're more than vampires. You're like a faction all of your own."

"What are you getting at?"

"Are you guys swearing to me as well?"

"Would you want us to?"

"Well it'd certainly get rid of my fear that Kol is trying to be the new Klaus…"

"It would make sense for us to declare our allegiance publicly. Make a good example for our new allies. Just means you have to drink a lot more blood."

"Wouldn't be the first time…" Finn reached over and kissed my forehead.

"I know my brothers can be boorish brutes but they have your best interests at heart. They're just not always particularly great at showing it."

"I know Finn."

"Rest. And think about the ceremony. It's scheduled to start at nine. You'll have to do the nasty stuff at midnight, but the attendees will probably bring a gift to honour you and your children so you'll need to be there. And beforehand you need to be purified… and we'll need some of your blood."

"So I need to make my decision by… three?"

"That's probably the best idea." He smiled and got up, reaching over and ruffling the wolf's ears. It growled under its breath but didn't lift its head. I guess Finn was on his list of people to tolerate.

I lay in bed, trying to work out what to do. I could hear the babies making noise and Rebekah dealing with them. I felt guilty. I'd not thought about them when I'd been drinking. They wouldn't starve, because we'd put some of my milk aside, but I really should have considered them…

If I did the ceremony, they'd be safer… I couldn't just think of myself, I had to consider them. As much as I hated the thought of being linked to every supernatural creature but really there was only one question I needed to think ask myself. Would this help the twins to be safer? Yes. Then I had to do it. Nothing else really mattered.

I considered this for a while, trying to see if there were any negatives that outweighed this one overriding positive. I couldn't think of anything. I got up and headed downstairs to find Freya. I hesitated in the hallway, hearing the voices from below. They were talking about me, discussing whether I was going to show up. I felt the urge to run back to my room and hide. No, I had to do this. For the girls.

"I'm here. What do I need to do?" I asked, coming into view. I noted the look of surprise on some of their faces.

"Well… Freya?" Elijah asked.

"We need to take some blood from you first, and then you'll need to be purified for the ceremony," she said. "Talk a saltwater bath, wave some sage around. Not a big deal."

"How much blood do you need?"

"About a pint. Everyone needs to drink some but it doesn't have to be much."

"Okay then. Who wants to open up my veins?"

"You really have a lovely way with words Elena," said Elijah.

"Well that's why you love me."

"Are you sure it's not because you're good in bed?" Kol chimed in, scowling at Elijah. I walked over calmly, picked up a glass off the table and chucked it at his head. He grabbed it out of the air before it hit him and looked over at me. I glared at him.

"I swear, if you make one more comment about my sex life Kol, I will make sure that you never have one again." I turned and headed back to the stairs. "Finn, will you do the honours?"

"Sure, I'm happy to help."

Finn followed me up the stairs. I went to my room while he retrieved the equipment to take my blood before joining me. He sat beside me as he carefully attached the tubing and needle.

"I wasn't entirely sure you were going to go through with it."

"There's still time for me to bail…" I watched the blood drip into the bag. "Kol isn't helping matters… what's with him? He's acting more insufferable than normal."

"He has a lot on his mind at the moment… I can't go into details."

"Well it's driving me nuts…" I settled into silence, just staring at the tubes with my blood running through them. I had a lot on my mind too but I wasn't setting out to be mean to him.

There was a knock at the door and Rebekah came in.

"Elena, you got a delivery." She held out a slim black box tied with red ribbon. "Secret admirer?"

"Just a… friend." I took the box and put it down. "Are we almost done?"

"Almost. Just a tiny bit more."

I closed my eyes and waited patiently as Finn continued to drain my blood. After a little while he finished and carefully removed the equipment, bandaging my wrist. He escorted me to the bathroom where Freya had filled the bath with saltwater. Candles were burning in a ring around the tub and a stick of sage was burning nearby. I undressed and climbed in, letting the water rise up over me. My headache had faded quite a bit and as I rested in the warm water it seemed to disappear entirely. I could do this. I could do this. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, trying to think pure thoughts. This was a good thing, this would ensure my children didn't have to run. They'd have people fighting for them. This could be our home.

I could do this. I had to.