1044 A.D.

With one hand still covering his chest wound, Klaus gave a hard shove against where his sword crossed with Luka's and finally gained the upper hand as the hunter stumbled back and Klaus was able to get quickly to his feet, just before Luka surged forward again.

They danced around each other for the next few moments, lunging and blocking, their swords clanging.

Finally, when Luka took a step back on his weaker foot, Klaus saw the opportunity and took it.

With a sudden burst of energy, remembering a move Elijah pulled on him once when they were boys, the original ran forward in a blur of vampire speed, surprising Luka and knocking the hunter's sword out of his hand with his forearm. He then jumped up and wrapped his legs around Luka's neck in a choke hold, bringing him and the hunter swiftly to the ground.

Luka now lay defenseless, struggling under the original as Klaus brought his sword up to finish the job.

But, quickly sensing a presence behind him, the vampire looked back over his shoulder and, seeing Dominic now coming swiftly toward him through the crowd of archers that had just fallen to his wrath, rolled forward and somersaulted off of Luka, just as Dominic's sword came down hard on the dirt in the space between his brother's head and left shoulder.

As Klaus struggled to his feet, yards away, he saw Dominic offer a quick hand to his brother, bringing Luka to his own feet, and toss him a sword.

They were making their way toward the original to continue the fight, when an arrow suddenly buzzed past Klaus' ear from behind him and landed at Luka's feet, momentarily stopping and confusing the hunters.

Soon, with the aide of vampire speed, Finn was at Klaus' side, firing off arrows at the hunters, who were, with inhuman agility, now dodging them as they continued to move forward again.

"Klaus, go!" Finn cried, casting a sideways glance at his bleeding brother as he bend down on one knee, in the archer's stance, pulling more arrows from the quiver on his back and firing them off, "You're injured. I'll hold them off!"

"I'm fine…" Klaus assured him unconvincingly, grimacing as he brought his hand back to his sternum and wishing that he had some blood to heal himself, "Besides, you can't take them both on alone!"

"And who said I was alone?" Finn scoffed, just as a figure blurred past them and appeared behind the hunters, kicking Luka's legs out from under him and catching his sword when it flew out of his hands.

It was Hammer Lochvud, a village werewolf.

Dominic immediately turned back when he heard his brother go down.

Finn saw the distraction and took the opportunity to shoot a set of three arrows into Dominic's back.

The hunter growled predatorily, turning swiftly back toward Finn as he reached behind himself and pulled the arrows out, tossing them harshly on the ground.

Finn immediately got to his feet beside his brother and armed his bow again.

"That's right...keep coming…" he said in a soft, confident tone as he brought his bow to his cheek and fired another round of arrows as Dominic continued to move angrily toward them, his pace quickening as he dodged arrow after arrow and Finn kept firing.

"Uh…Finn…" Klaus said in a worried tone, bringing his sword to the ready as the hunter closed in on them

"Just wait…" Finn reassured him, firing an arrow at the Dominic's head, which the hunter caught in mid-air, just inches from his face and broke in half with one hand as he kept walking.

"For what?" Klaus asked, raising an eyebrow as he stepped forward anxiously to meet their enemy, but Finn immediately lowered his bow and grabbed his brother's shoulder, steadying him with his free hand as another figure now appeared swiftly in the path between Dominic and the original brothers.

It was Elijah.

Dominic immediately raised his sword and engaged the oldest original and they quickly started fighting, circling each other as their swords clashed.

Finn's eyes suddenly moved past his brother to Hammer, who was now fighting with Luka a few yards away.

"You really should go…" Finn said, turning toward Klaus, "Find the others. We'll handle this—"

Suddenly, Hammer cried out as Luka grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground and tossing him at least a hundred yards away, with the aide of super human strength.

"Like Hell…" Klaus scoffed as he took off with vampire speed toward Luka

"Nik!" Finn chided, then immediately shot off a few more arrows to distract Luka until Klaus could get there

"Finn…DOWN!" Elijah suddenly cried and Finn immeidately ducked as he saw his older brother fly through the air over him, aided by Dominic who had disarmed the original before tossing him toward the archer, and landing in the dirt.

"You alright?!" Finn shouted to his brother over his shoulder as he came back to his feet and pulled his bow to the ready

Elijah nodded as he sprang up, dusted himself off and arrived with vampire speed at Finn's side, removing the sword from the hilt around his younger brother's waist.

"May I?" he quipped with a smile, tossing his long dark locks out of his face before charging back toward Dominic.

Finn watched as the two circled each other for a few moments, sizing each other up with their weapons at the ready, then engaged once more.

"Elijah!" Klaus suddenly cried in warning and Finn's eyes moved to his other brother, yards away, lying on the ground, bleeding from his chest wound-his left arm now torn from it's socket.

Luka had disarmed Klaus, wounded him further and took his weapon, and now with two swinging swords, was b-lining straight for Elijah.

The older original, his back turned and now fighting the other hunter, didn't see him coming.

Finn quickly brought his bow to his cheek and shot a series of arrows, trying to bring down Luka before he could reach Elijah, but Luka successfully dodged each one as he approached closer.

Finn shook his head angrily, trying to focus as he re-armed his bow swiftly.

It was pointless to fire unless Luka was standing still or distracted….

Suddenly, with vampire speed, Klaus appeared behind Luka, his face ashen with the pain he was trying desperately to ignore as he wrapped his good arm swiftly around Luka's neck, using what strength he had left to still the hunter so Finn could take aim.

Finn reacted quickly, firing a succession of ten arrows into Luka's chest. Klaus held him captive until his arm weakened against the hunter's struggle and Luka broke free.

Riddled with arrows, he stubbled away and Klaus collapsed.

"Nik!" Finn cried as he raced toward his brother

Elijah turned briefly toward the commotion behind him, taking his eyes off of his opponent for a few seconds to take in the sight of his severely injured brother on the ground.

It was long enough for Dominic to make his move, stabbing Elijah deeply through the stomach.

Elijah turned back to the hunter, crying out in pain as he slumped forward, looking down at the blade protruding from his stomach.

Finn, who was now at Klaus' side, noticed something on the ground next to his brother…

A white oak stake.

it turned out the hunters weren't just armed with swords.

Finn's eyes widened and he quickly turned back to Elijah, only to see his brother impaled on Dominic's sword and the hunter pull a white oak stake of his own from the inside of his shirt vest.

"No…" Finn whispered, struggling to his feet, wanting desperately to get to his brother

But, Elijah never lost a fight and he didn't disappoint this time.

Un-phased by the threat of the stake, straightening his posture and flaring his nostrils, the oldest original took hold of the middle of the blade and grimaced as he pulled it further into his stomach until he brought the shocked hunter within inches of his face. He then head butted him hard and knocked the stake out of his hand.

When Dominic stumbled back, his sword pulled out of Elijah and he lost hold of it.

It flew in the air for a moment before Elijah caught it, and with one swift stroke, beheaded the hunter.

Finn watched in shock as Dominic's head rolled away and Elijah fell to his knees, dropping the sword, breathless and bleeding as he brought his hand to his stomach wound.

"Go to Elijah…I'll take care of him," Hammer said suddenly, appearing at Finn's side to care for the severely injured Klaus.

Moments later, Finn placed a hand on Elijah's shoulder as lay his bow on the ground and came to his own knees next to his brother.

"Luka ran off," Finn said in a low voice, studying Elijah's face

"Just let him go," Elijah winced then looked around them, "He's done enough for now…"

Finn slowly stood and followed Elijah's gaze around the center of the torch lit village, his face falling as he took in the sight of the seventy dead villagers—archers, swordsman—most of them known werewolves—in fallen lines on the ground from where the brothers stood to the outside wall surrounding the village.

# # # # #

"I—I..oh, my God…" Caroline whispered as she walked through the threshold, her eyes fixed on Stefan's body as she brought her hand to her mouth in shock, "It's true…"

Klaus' heart dropped when he saw her reaction and unable to stop the tears from coming to his own eyes, moved to her with vampire speed and took her into his arms as she sobbed.

# # # # #

"Does Elena know?" Kaspar asked softly, looking down at his hands folded on the kitchen table in front of him, then looked up to Misha sitting in the chair next to him, then to Kol leaning on the kitchen island.

"No," Misha replied with a sigh, "I've been hoping that we can keep it from her and Elijah for as long as possible. Just like I'm foolishly hoping we can deal with this Dominic situation without them as well…"

"Long story short..." Kol interjected, raising an eyebrow as he took a sip from the glass of wine in his hand, "Misha wants Elijah to get a happy ending and doesn't want to ruin it just yet."

"Misha," Kaspar said, turning to his brother, "I understand your feelings, but I think it would be a good idea if we called Elijah and got him back here—"

"I've already called him," Rebekah said, appearing suddenly in the kitchen doorway and taking in the three shocked expressions that now came her way, "I didn't tell him about Stefan, but I told him not to come home."

"Bekah…" Kol whispered in a bewildered voice, putting down his wine glass

"I—I don't understand…" Misha said, narrowing his eyes

" Remember what Damon said when we got here? That Dominic had a message for us? I don't think Stefan's death was a random result of a vampire hunter on the lose."

"You think he planned it?" Kaspar asked, now leaning forward, intrigued

Rebekah nodded

"Think about it…we've been here for hours. He hasn't broken down that door or burned the house. He knows we are in here-he knows right where we are-"

"What?" Misha said, stunned

"I saw him," Rebekah confirmed, "When I tried to open an upstairs window just now…He's outside."

"Whoa…" Kol said, straightening immediately as Misha pushed back his chair and quickly stood, moving to the french doors that looked out into the side yard.

"So he doesn't want in…" Kaspar said, locking eyes with Rebekah

"He's here to make sure we don't get out," Misha said softly, turning back from the doors, rubbing his hand nervously over his face before pointing over his shoulder, "She's right…he's out there on top of the garage."

"Oh, my God…" Kol said in disbelief, looking from the warlocks to his sister, then moved quickly to the french doors to look out himself, but Misha put a hand on his chest to stop him, shaking his head.

"It's best if we don't all look out there. He might think something is up."

"So Stefan was bait to get us here and what? We are the trap?" Kol asked, turning back

"Yes." Rebekah affirmed

"For what?" Kol asked, "What does he want?"

"It's not what, it's who..." Misha answered closing his eyes in realization, "It's for Elijah."

"Elijah?" Kaspar asked, genuinely taken aback

"A thousand years ago, Elijah killed a servant of nature. He's a marked man now that Dominic has been raised," Misha replied opening his eyes and focusing them on Rebekah, "That's why he can't come home."

Rebekah nodded as she watched Misha move toward the door and pass her as he crossed the threshold.

"Wait. Where are you going?" Kaspar called

"I'm going upstairs to do something I should have done along time ago…" Misha said, turning back to them, "I need to talk to Damon and find out what my brother told him to tell me."

# # # # #

"So what are you going to do?" Katherine asked, leaning forward on the island as she watched Elijah busy himself, putting random ingredients in the blender between them, making the 'Miracle Concoction'.

"Honestly, I don't know," he sighed, as he placed the lid on the blender, "I'll have to give it more thought…talk to Elena. But, I have to admit that my heart is telling me to get in my car right now and drive back to Mystic Falls. However, at the same time, my head is telling me that I shouldn't—that they are safe for now and that perhaps it's best that I just stay away."

"Well, I'm definitely on Team 'Don't Stake Klaus', you know, in the interest of self-preservation and all…" Katherine replied, "But I don't think staying away is the right solution. That certainly doesn't sound like the Elijah I know. He doesn't run from a fight."

Elijah smirked as he turned on the blender and they stared at each other silently as the machine's loud noise filled the room.

When it stopped, Elijah pulled the pitcher out of the stand

"You're right. I've never run from a fight, ever since I first picked up a sword as a young boy," Elijah sighed, taking a glass and pouring the contents of the pitcher into it, "There was actually a time when I welcomed a good fight… but now…"

"Oh, don't tell me you're getting old," Katherine smirked, straightening as she watched Elijah leaned over and unplug the blender, "Besides, you said you fought this hunter before and won…am I right?"

"It's not that simple, Katerina. The last time I faced Dominic, my brother nearly died, I nearly died and half the male population of our village was decimated. It was a heavy price to pay and I'm guessing that the price will probably be even heavier this time around…it always is with magic."

"Well, while you figure out your next move, is there anything you want me to do?" Katherine asked, eying him as she folded her arms across her chest.

"If you are willing, I would appreciate you returning to Mystic Falls and keeping an eye on what is going on there," Elijah said, "Call me and keep me posted. Rebekah will be my eyes and ears inside the house, but I would appreciate eyes and ears outside the house."

Katherine gave a thoughtful nod as she unfolded her arms and stepped back from the island as she watched Elijah step around and start to make his way toward the kitchen doorway.

"You got it," she replied

"Thanks," Elijah smirked sadly over his shoulder at her

They stared at each other for a few moments before Elijah spoke, twirling the glass in his hands

"I would say that it's been a pleasure seeing you Katerina, but given the circumstances and how you made your entrance…"

"Oh, come on…" Katherine smiled cheekily, "Admit it…it was pretty good. "

Elijah scoffed and rolled his eyes, relenting with a small smile of his own, "Very well."

Katherine suddenly put her hand up on Elijah's face, studying it for a moment, and surprisingly, the original saw a glimpse of the young peasant girl he knew five centuries before.

"Like I said before…" she whispered as if it was a secret between the two of them, "I know you, Elijah and I know that this is your brave face—that deep down you are worried—terrified for your siblings…But, it's going to be okay. It will work out…I know that because I know you. You'll figure it out…you'll find a way. You always do."

Elijah closed his eyes and sighed.

Unable to speak, he just nodded and felt Katherine pull back, releasing his face.

But, when Elijah opened his eyes, she was gone.

# # # #

Elijah knocked softly on Elena's bedroom door and waited, looking down to the drink in his hand.

"Come in," Elena said in a groggy voice and Elijah opened the door.

The bed was unmade and empty and Elijah narrowed his eyes as he quickly scanned the room for Elena

Soon, the bathroom door opened and Elena walked out in one of the white guest bathrobes, smoothing her hair behind her ears.

She stopped and blushed slightly at the sight of the original in the center of her bedroom.

"Hi," she whispered in a low voice, adverting her gaze and putting her hand to her forehead

"How are we feeling this morning?" he asked, eying her with concern

"My head is pounding…" Elena replied with an embarrassed smile, "And I don't really remember a lot from last night."

"I hate to break it to you, but that tends to happen when you get a little carried away with the Bourbon," Elijah smirked, stepping forward and handing her the glass in his hand, "Here. I have something that will help take the edge off—it's a little 'miracle concoction' I whipped up for you."

Elena took the glass and eyed it's odd color suspiciously for a moment. She then leaned forward and smelled the top of the glass, immediately pulling back.

"Oh! What is in this?" she chuckled, looking up to the original

"Don't ask…" Elijah replied, shaking his head, "All I know is that it works wonders. Just close your eyes, plug your nose and drink up."

"Okay…" Elena said, making a squeamish face before taking a drink

Elijah watched as her face contorted when the mixture hit her tongue, but she obediently swallowed, then stuck her tongue out and coughed

"It's delicious," she lied, looking down at the glass with disdain and Elijah laughed under his breath

"I'm sorry," he lamented, "If I could make it taste like cotton candy, I would."

Elena gave a shy smile, then made her way past him and back toward her bed, drink in hand.

Elijah watched her as she took a seat on the comforter and studied him with curious and anxious eyes.

Something was up.

He could tell.

"Is something wrong, Elena?" he asked in a worried tone, walking toward her

"Uh…no…" Elena said quickly, smoothing the bathrobe over the top of her legs with her free hand, "It's just—well…"

She closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath to steady herself, then opened them, continuing.

"I told you before that I can't remember much from last night…"

"Yes…" Elijah encouraged

"Well, I sort of woke up naked in my bed this morning and… well, I saw your clothes from last night on the chair nearby and..." Elena said, shooting him a knowing look as she trailed off

"Oh…" Elijah said in sudden realization, "Oh! No…we didn't—I mean I stayed with you and slept next to you last night, but —"

"Not that it would be bad if we did…" Elena immediately interjected, " Actually, I would imagine that that would be quite good…" she then stopped for a moment and met Elijah's gaze with another shy smile, before looking down as she continued with furrowed eyebrows, "But things are just so complicated right now—"

"Elena…we didn't have sex last night." Elijah confirmed with a reassuring smile, but his heart swelled involuntarily that she would even have such thoughts about him—about them, "We slept together...in the literal sense, I mean."

"Okay…" Elena sighed in nervous relief, looking down into her glass again.

There was a moment of silence as Elijah studied her, then moved closer, taking a seat on the bed next to her.

"But, something did happen this morning…" Elijah said and Elena turned to face him, "And it does have something to do with you waking up naked in your bed."

Elena eyed the original curiously as he took in a deep breath, then said the next four words.

"We had a visitor."