The glowing rays of the afternoon sun beamed onto the wooded land. Bonnie walked on the gravel path with Klaus leading them. Stefan strolled beside her while Kol followed behind at his own pace. The path had been captivating. The trees rustled as the wind hit. Birds flew around and chirped at one another as other animals went about their business. Not a single animal cared about their presence.
The lack of cars and people noises made her feel one with nature. She was part of nature like the hummingbird that flew past her. Her eyes saw swaths of small ponds among tall rich green grass untouched by humans. Animals from deer to frogs to owls gathered at the numerous water sources to bathe or drink.
Besides the animals, all she could hear was the rocks compressing against the ground under their feet with each step. All she could smell was the fresh water, musk trees, and wild lavender in the air. Her magic felt at peace in this serene place.
She peeked behind her to glance at Kol. His eyes were also set on the woods. Yet, his eyes did not evoke peace. Yearning. She bit her lip before turning her attention back in front of her. Bonnie wanted to say something to Kol, but she felt as though she had seen a moment she shouldn't have.
Yearning... He had told her at dinner with the Mikaelsons how he and the other men had been forbidden from practicing witchcraft. While she may be in the dark about Klaus's reasoning for wanting to be close to witchcraft, she had gotten a glimpse of Kol's connection to witchcraft. He had been magically inclined at a young age but could not practice. Before he had a chance to be out of his father's control and on his own, he had been turned into a vampire. The connection was severed.
Grams' grimoire had a few pages dedicated to witches that had become vampires. It had piqued Grams' interest in the 80s. She had read that the witches found it hard to adjust to their new life. Their connection to nature was not simply lost. They likened it to losing a limb or a sense. This feeling of craving that connection again never completely fades away.
She wanted to comfort Kol as she too would feel the same way if she was in his shoes, but she kept walking and kept her mouth shut. She didn't want to intrude on his feelings and didn't want to poke at a sensitive spot for him. Yet, she couldn't help but take another look at him. This time he noticed her. His eyes flickered between emotions before becoming blank. He smiled at her, but she knew it was fake. Her eyes went back to the front.
It had been a ten-minute walk to the property. Klaus had said it was necessary as the witch wanted her property as pollutant-free as possible and after what Bonnie had just experienced, she couldn't agree more. Any visitors had to park on the outskirts of her land and walk.
"How do you know her?"
"We used to be lovers back in the day. Lydia was a great healer, and she wanted to learn all about medicine and healing practices. She traveled all over the world to learn."
Bonnie nodded. The house came into view. It was an older burgundy farmhouse covered in ivy. It was also only one story but had an extended wood porch painted the color of blue-grey. The gravel path led to the front porch. Surrounding the area was a garden with a variety of flowers and herbs that scents invaded her senses.
Lots of magic had been done in the area. Her magic could sense it. She felt close to nature and her magic was humming to be used. No wonder Lydia lived here. It was a witch's paradise.
Klaus then said, "we'll go in first."
She watched as Kol and Klaus knocked on the door before going into the house. She turned to Stefan. His emerald eyes went to her, and he smiled.
"You like it here?"
"It's quaint. I feel close to nature like this."
After a moment, Klaus and Kol came back out with a petite, elder witch with wild gray hair and tan skin. Yet, she looked healthy and glowing for her age. Her smile put Bonnie at ease.
"I was told a Bennett witch would be gracing my presence. It is an honor." She bowed.
"Thank you, but there is no need to do that..."
"Modest, are we?" She chuckled. "Now, come in. The boys can wait out here."
Lydia escorted her into the house. It was a cozy place with oversized velvet couches and big soft, fuzzy rugs. Décor lines the walls from taxidermies to fake skeletons to pictures of random naked people. An array of colors greeted every wall. No corner in that house was empty. Eccentric was a word, but Bonnie couldn't stop grinning like mad seeing every inch of the house cluttered with something out of ordinary. Trays, books, and cups were scattered on every table. The bookshelves were lined with books and other trinkets as well as plants. In the center of the living room's back wall was a crackling fireplace. It was warm and inviting.
Her father's home was a far cry from this. It was sterile with minimal décor. He loved modern design where there was only needed furniture and everything was in the color white, grey, and black with the occasional beige.
Lydia sat down on a violet couch and Bonnie sat beside her. She offered her a crocheted navy blanket, but Bonnie kindly refused. Her eyes searched the living room again before straining to see the large kitchen nearby that was equally chaotic and had an assortment of chopped flowers and herbs in bottles. Her attention was brought back when she saw a grimoire come from the kitchen and float its way to them. All the candles in the room lit suddenly and the intense scent of dark cherries and mahogany swept through the room.
"Klaus has informed me of your situation. Has there been anything you can add?"
"It just has been constant headaches and feeling ill from being nauseous and having no energy. I did get dizzy on Friday and ended up falling. The symptoms seem to be getting more intense."
"I see. This may take a few minutes but keep a steady breath and be calm."
Lydia spoke an incantation and a sphere of green materialized before throwing itself into Bonnie's body. She was shocked but tried to keep her breath even. Thankfully, she didn't feel anything.
To distract herself, she looked out the front window to see Klaus, Stefan, and Kol looking away in the distance, but they appeared to be talking.
"How did you meet Klaus if you don't mind me asking?"
Lydia cracked a soft smile. "It was in 1951. I had just turned 20 and wanted to go out with some friends. I went to a club in downtown Atlanta to dance."
"I can't imagine him dancing."
"He can dance, but he chooses not to. We hit it off pretty quickly despite our differences. At best, he was charming. At worst, he was insufferable. He is equal parts scary monster as arrogant man, but he has those sweet moments where one believes he may have a heart."
Bonnie couldn't help but smile. Yep, that phrase may be the perfect of who Klaus Mikaelson was. It encapsulated his complexities to a T.
"He said you were lovers."
"I'm surprised he even remembers that. It was such a short fling." For a moment, Lydia's soft eyes went somber.
"Did you... love him?"
She busted out laughing before trying to cover her mouth with her hand. "The only man I loved was my late husband."
"Oh, I am sorry to bring—"
"Nonsense. We're getting to know each other. You can't know my history if you don't ask." She touched her cheek. "If I had an odd expression, it wasn't me contemplating about a love lost. I was just reveling in the nostalgia. Seeing and talking about Klaus brings up old memories especially when he hasn't aged at all."
"The blessing of being a vampire."
"And their curse." Lydia paused. "How did you meet Klaus?"
"We tried to kill each other."
"Ah, a tale as old as time. First you're fighting and then you're fucking."
Her cheeks heated up. "We're just friends."
"Just friends?"
"Ugh, you sound like my Grams whenever I talked about a boy at school."
Lydia smirked. "What else is there to do at this old age than be nosy?"
A tray with cups and a kettle floated over to them. The scent of Earl Grey tea invited itself into her nose as well as an array of sweets.
"Tea?"
She nodded. The kettle poured the steamy tea into an oversized pumpkin-shaped mug and floated its way to her. The tray lowered itself and she could better see the food on it.
"Pick any treat you like."
"Thank you."
She grabbed a hot biscuit and nibbled between sips of her tea. If she didn't need to go back to Mystic Falls for school and solving her current Other Side issue, she would have asked Lydia if she wanted an apprentice. The atmosphere of the woods and even the house put her into this serene state.
"How is your Grams?"
"Oh, she passed away a while ago. I'm the last Bennett witch alive."
Lydia's eyes widened. Disbelief riddled her face. Bonnie chewed on her biscuit as Lydia remained silent for a moment. Was it that hard to believe? A lot of family lines ended abruptly. However, Lydia's expression made her question that train of thought.
"To think a dynasty of yours would ever have only one remaining."
"The end of an empire," Bonnie joked.
"Who is to say that this is the twilight of your bloodline and not its dawn?"
She hadn't considered that, but what would it mean for her bloodline to yet be at dawn? After what she had been through and endured, she hadn't craved a child to carry on the magic that passed through her Bennett lineage. Her legacy would be being the destroyer of the Other Side.
Lydia's brows furrowed. "There's nothing I can detect."
Bonnie's heart halted as she was brought back to the reality of her current circumstance. Nothing? The anxiety shot up from her stomach. How could it be nothing? She had thought of this possibility before, but to be actually stuck in that possibility made her mind spin. This couldn't be happening. To come this far, yet still gain nothing.
"So, you're saying nothing is wrong with me?"
"Sometimes the pain we have is stress-induced which would not be detected by the spell or it is a magical ailment which is beyond most practiced witches' means." She then turned to her book. "Also, how much sex have you been having?"
"None."
"You haven't...? Have you killed?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"It is possible that could aggravate your symptoms. If your body is in pain and your magic is restless, that is a literal spell for disaster." She flipped a page in her book before looking up. "How long have you been practicing dark magic?"
"It's been quite a few weeks."
"Not more than five months?"
"No."
"Have you been doing any serious spells or ones that cause strain or any sacrifices?"
"No."
"Well, that would explain why you may not feel a huge urge to choose yet, but I would advise you to come to a decision as this may be a factor in your pain. How witches experience the effects of dark magic use is varied, but emotional distress is soon followed which makes magic work difficult if not dangerous. I do understand that new witches to the dark arts have about a five-month window to decide unless they completely give it up which I know your circumstances are unique from what Klaus has spoken."
"Once the decision is made, do I have to choose this every 5 months?"
"No, the five-month window is only for when new ones start practicing and it is a rough estimate. Why do new ones have more time to decide than old ones? Only speculation or theories from dark witches. After you've decided, it must be repeated about once a month. It really depends on how much magic you are using, though." She flipped another page. "However, there are some options to try and determine what may be the root cause of your symptoms because I only think the dark magic is an aggravator, not the origin."
"Anything," she pleaded.
"It'll be intense. You may feel sick during it, but it will be quick."
When she agreed, she was ushered to a separate room which was mostly bare except for some chairs and a table. She was instructed to sit on the chair furthest away. Bonnie's heart hammered against her chest as the witch tied her arms tightly against the chair before doing her feet.
Lydia went away for a moment and came back with an armful of supplies as well as Klaus, Kol, and Stefan trailing behind her. She put the supplies on the table. Their eyes held a mixture of concern and alertness.
"Is this necessary?" Stefan questioned.
"It's so she won't hurt herself."
She dumped some ingredients into a cup and mixed them together. Bonnie winced as she could smell the concoction from her spot. Once done, Lydia came over with a glass jar filled with a dark blue liquid. The odor was a mix of soap and smoke. Lydia closed her eyes to do a spell on the drink causing the smell to morph into a pine scent.
"Drink," Lydia ordered. "This will see if there are anything possibly magical issues going on."
She nearly gagged as she gulped the liquid. The new pine scent was deceptive as it tasted nothing like it. It had the consistency of watery mud and tasted akin to sage, salt, and tobacco. Lydia took the glass from her once done.
She grimaced as her stomach protested the foul drink and she tried her best to keep it down. The aftertaste was bitter in her mouth. However, she did not have to wait long for it to fade. Within a few moments, her stomach settled, and she took a few breaths.
The spell hit her like a freight train. She clutched her head as pain drilled itself into her skull. Her eyes gazed up when she heard groans, but to her horror and disbelief— Stefan, Klaus, and Kol were kneeling on the ground clutching their heads as well.
-X-
Caroline had kept erasing the paragraphs she would type into her phone. She was frustrated with the world and herself. She wanted to talk to Bonnie, but the words hadn't come out the day she went over to hand her the drink. Now, she was typing, re-typing, and erasing her words on her phone. She couldn't bring herself to send a single message.
Maybe they needed time apart. Let each other live separately.
Caroline's attention was pulled away from her phone when she heard a loud groan. She saw Rebekah leaning against a locker near hers and slouched over with a pained expression. One hand was messaging her temple while the other clutched onto a stack of papers. Caroline didn't know why she went over to her, but she did.
"Are you alright?"
"Obviously not," Rebekah snapped.
She wanted to smash her phone into the blonde's face, but that may end in her demise. She then saw the name written on the papers Rebekah had clutched in her hands. They were homework for Bonnie. Caroline sighed and went against her better judgment to leave the bitch in agony. She took the papers and put them in Rebekah's open locker before closing it. She offered out a hand.
"I can take you to the clinic."
Why was she helping Rebekah Mikaelson? She was a bitch. No doubt in that statement. However, she was helping Bonnie and that counted for something.
Rebekah hesitated but accepted her help. It became apparent how much pain she was in when Caroline had to loop an arm around her waist and drag her to the clinic. She was nearly dead weight and could only move slowly.
When they entered the clinic, she hadn't expected Elena to be laying in one of the office cots. She looked weak.
"Pick any bed," the nurse at the desk said.
She helped Rebekah onto a cot. Behind the irritation and exhaustion in her eyes were terror. It made her uneasy seeing such an emotion on an Original.
The nurse announced she would be back in a couple of minutes so she could grab lunch. Caroline had agreed to watch the two of them.
Within a minute, both girls limp on their beds. She rushed over to Elena's side but could only hear a faint pulse. Elena's eyes then flew open before she jolted and moaned in agony. She touched the temple of her head and groaned again. Caroline looked over to Rebekah who had jerked awake and straightened up. Her alert eyes scanned the room.
Her attention went back to Elena who had gone silent. Elena's eyes went from pain to relief, and she let out a sigh.
"Uh, what just happened?" Elena asked.
"I don't know," was all Caroline could say.
When she looked back up to ask Rebekah if she knew anything, she was gone.
-X-
Bonnie awoke on the same chair, but her legs and arms were no longer bound. She was drenched in sweat and badly needed to drink. Her scratchy, dry throat produced a few hoarse coughs.
"Are you uncomfortable?"
Lydia quickly came to her side and offered her a glass of water. She drank as soon as the glass was in her shaky hand. The cool water soothed her aching throat. While she consumed the last drops of liquid, Lydia patted her exposed skin with a soft cotton towel to rid her flesh of sweat. Bonnie allowed herself a few deep breaths as she grounded herself back to reality.
"I'm fine now. Where are the others?"
"They are outside. They woke up a few minutes before you."
"What happened?"
"I have a theory but again, I am a witch who only practices medicine." She paused as she swiped her hands on her blouse. "While I can't tell what bond you will be forming with those three, it is forming and strengthening."
A bond? Bonnie balked. Magical bonds were a major deal for witches. It was more than magical promises or vows. It went much deeper. Bonds were rare for that reason. How could she be bonded to them? It wasn't something that typically just happened. A ritual or a spell was often involved. She had never craved a bond which meant her magic couldn't have accidentally triggered one. Was there something she was missing? Grams never said much on bonds and there wasn't much in the grimoires she read.
"Forming?"
"Something must have triggered a bond to form. It is still forming but it looks like it may be fully formed within a few days to a week. It is strong whatever it is."
"Is there a way to tell what kind of bond it is?"
"Unfortunately, only a bond specialist could tell you and that would have to be after it is completed. Bonds are a tricky business. They can change and alter during its creation."
"I thought they were instant?"
"Some are. There are lots of bond types and again, I and the average witch would know so little. All I can suggest for now is bed rest. The creation of bonds can cause feelings of sickness."
"But I never did a spell or anything..."
"Bonds don't have to be by the witch in the bond. It can be bound by bloodline. However, that is rarer than rare. For all of you not to know is peculiar at best. Bloodlines can carry bonds but... seeing as it has only been triggered as of recent is another oddity. If it was not through your witch bloodline, then someone or people have meddled with witchcraft to bond you to them." Lydia helped her out of her seat. "It's possible that something is off about the bond to cause all of you such a negative reaction. For now, I suggest you rest, and I have given Klaus a bottle to help with symptoms. I will see you again Sunday morning."
"Sunday?"
"Today I was prepared to cure you of your possible sickness, but it appears the bond is causing it. I cannot cure you of a bond, but I can make you drinks to help. Being the best medical witch in America makes one busy and I won't have time to make those drinks until Sunday. Regardless, it was an honor serving you today."
"Thank you."
She held back the tears. She hadn't been cured of anything and was only left with more questions than answers. She wanted to break down right there and let her legs cave in as she wailed to the heavens, but she kept herself together.
Stefan came inside to get her, and he ushered her outside. The woods gave her no comfort. The sun didn't brighten her mood. She felt dreadful.
"The other two went ahead. They wanted to make sure you had something to eat when you got there."
She nodded.
"Can I carry you?"
She nodded again. Stefan collected her into his arms and her vision became a blur as he ran on the gravel path. The house became a blip after a second. As she buried her face in his chest, she closed her eyes.
Not even the darkness could bring her comfort.
She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. No tears came. No screech lunged itself from her throat. She was just floating mentally in empty darkness. The desire to leave spiked. She wanted to be alone. She didn't want to talk to them about what had just happened. Why none of them knew about this. Why she of all people did not know. She needed a moment away. To collect herself and her thoughts.
"Stop!"
Stefan halted. Her eyes snapped open, and she saw Stefan staring at her with confusion and concern.
"Are you dizzy?"
She got out of Stefan's arms and fumbled onto the ground. She held up a hand when Stefan tried to reach out for her.
"I need to be alone."
"You may feel sick again and you need to take your medicine. We are only three minutes away from the house."
"Please," she mumbled. "Let me be."
Stefan's eyes begged her to let him close. His arms extended again, but she backed off. She needed time to think. She had to be alone.
"Food is ready whenever you come in."
She watched as he zoomed down the trail. She grimaced. The hurt in his eyes had been evident, but she needed this and he had to respect that.
She trudged over to a nearby clearing off the gravel path. She laid down on a soft patch of grass before curling into a ball. The air brushed past her.
She was caught in a spider web of questions.
Bonds changed people. She knew that much from the grimoires. She could never escape someone's grasp or influence, could she?
She wanted to think about it. Theorize and plan. She was good about planning. Yet, her earlier yearning to think had vanished. Her mind slipped away. There was no more thinking. It was as if for the first time her body did not want to go into that mode. It needed something other than being tense and on the defensive. Her mind drifted further into the darkness as her eyes closed. The constant supernatural problems had finally caught up with her. Her body became comatose. Her mind drifted between wake and sleep. She was in limbo of nothingness.
It was not resting. It was a pause. Yet, that's all she needed. A moment to catch her breath. Let her body not be inflicted by worries strung from her head. Her limp body laid against the soft grass for hours she suspected. Thoughts came and went, but she did not dwell on them. She let herself drift or only notice her surroundings when her lips would occasionally lift.
No arguing with herself. No planning. She just laid there. She just existed.
When dusk approached, she was able to gain her bearings once again. She then clutched her body closer to her as the frigid wind went through her. She groaned as the headache returned with a vengeance.
Bonnie psyched herself up even if the attempt was weak. It was time to go. Her moment of pause was over. She steadied herself onto her feet. She inhaled before gazing at the quiet, somber forest. Despite her reluctance, she stumbled onto the gravel path and headed back to the cabin.