Summary:
It has been over a thousand years since Juliet Ambrosia had last seen her one true love; then again if it weren't for him, she wouldn't be the monster she was made to be. Nevertheless, once news reached her ears that vampires were at war – fighting to kill one of the Original Vampires so their sire line could rule, Juliet decided it was time to reveal her existence to protect her sire line; Klaus. Secrets come to light and a love reignites but will it last long?
Disclaimer:
I do not own any character from CW's The Original, nor the story line of vampires fighting for 'strongest sire line'. I do however own Juliet Ambrosia and any plot that involves her. Please have respect and do not, under any circumstance, take or plagiarize my work for I have worked hard to write this fanfiction.
The Bloody Crown, pt. 2
The army of Klaus's sire-line vampires gathered around in the courtyard, looking up to where Marcel had placed a throne like chair a level above everyone else. Next to him stood Juliet, her arm resting on the headrest of the chair, the other placed lazily on her hip as she waited for Klaus to show up. Her expression radiated power; royalty as she stood confidently next to the King of New Orleans taking his crown back, but her mind and soul ached. She hated the Mikaelson family for what they had done; Davina, Camille and many others were lost due to the infinite wars they had battled in the course of their existence. Whether it was collateral damage, lives taken to save their family or merely for pure entertainment and personal gain, it was too much for an everlasting lifetime.
But was death truly the punishment for their actions?
As Klaus finally walked into the courtyard, Juliet's attention was pulled to the Hybrid sending a glare her way. Raising a brow at him, Juliet mimicked his expression in hopes to keep up her façade. He had killed for less; hell, if another vampire had looked at him the wrong way Klaus was the first to rip hearts out and tear limps. With what she had done and continued to do, she knew Klaus would take his revenge and she would be begging for death; or would she? In the recent months, she had been watching and in his presence, Juliet noticed the man's temperament had softened. Whether it was due to having a child or other instances, Juliet was unsure of, but she had hope he would spare her … if he were to fight to stay alive.
"The great Klaus Mikaelson …" Marcel began silencing the crowd. "… has decided to grace us with his presence."
"I have nothing to hide, Marcel. You wish to put me on trial for my many grievous sins; well, go on … have at it," Klaus responded carelessly with a shrug. The crowd roared once again as the chosen stepped out, holding a large box, lifting Klaus on it. It was at that time when Juliet's façade was erased for a moment; long enough for Klaus to catch it.
"Klaus Mikaelson," Marcel began. "Sire to a thousand years' worth of angry faces. How does it feel to be this hated? Go on, look at them." Instead, Klaus kept his gaze on Juliet whose mask quickly returned. But it was too late; he saw the flash of worry wash over her face; he witnessed the second of fright she had for his life, and seeing this made Klaus wonder; was this all part of her diabolical plan? Marcel noticed Klaus's stare and immediately became enraged. "I said LOOK AT THEM!" Marcel rose to his feet, his voice echoing through the courtyard. "They're all yours, after all." Dropping down to the ground, Marcel walked over to a male vampire who looked pissed off enough to rip through an entire city. "Do you remember him? His wife accused Rebekah of witchcraft so you turned him and then compelled him to drain his wife dry." Walking over to another, Marcel put an arm around him. "Or this man? He was a simple farmer. In 1745, he made the mistake of owning land that you wanted. You could've easily taken it but instead you turned him and then made him burn his entire village to the ground."
"Or this woman." Marcel pointed to the vampire next to him. "1891; her mother had pneumonia - coughed all through the night. You got annoyed so you turned them both, and made her watch as you burned her mother alive."
"Yes yes," Klaus spoke, finally taking his eyes off Juliet. "My sins were terrible indeed. But they taught the world to fear me, and that fear protected my family," he explained.
"Don't preach to me about family," Marcel barked. "I was your family once; or so you said. And where did that get me?"
"I could've left you nameless and alone, but I didn't. I took you and I made you; all that you are. And you." Klaus's attention was then pulled to Juliet who had taken at seat at the thrown, her elbows on her knees. "We could have allowed your father to beat you further, possibly killing you; we took you in instead and made sure he knew if a hair on your head was missing, he'd answer for it." Juliet didn't react but kept a blank face at his words but internally she knew he was right; he always was. No matter what he and his family did, it was always for family; a family she was always and forever part of.
"I guess you made everyone here," Marcel responded, pulling Klaus's gaze. "All in your image – angry, paranoid … merciless." He paused. "Why? Why even bother siring us? Were you afraid to be alone?" It was obvious Marcel had touched a nerve as Klaus desperately did his best to keep his composure. "Did you want to make something so vile and disgusting like you? In the end, the reason doesn't matter. You made us, you abandoned us and anyone who dared stand up for themselves; you took away everything that we loved – because that's what you do. And for that … you must pay." The crowd roared, their fists triumphantly pounding in the air. Juliet looked over to Rebekah, her face still composed while the blonde woman looked worried. Silently and through their stare the two women agreed it was time for her to get involved.
"Enough!" Rebekah yelled; walking toward Marcel with a scowl as the crowd quieted. "You will not condemn my brother before I have had the chance to speak on his behalf."
"You want to speak?" Marcel inquired with a chuckle. "Go ahead."
"You accuse my brother of unjust retaliation," Rebekah began, her voice raised. "Of killing your loved ones; but how is he different from any of you? The strong fight to determine who is strongest, and my brother is strong! Yes, he fights for power – as do all of you. But his first instinct is to defend his blood as you act to avenge yours." Juliet scanned the crowd and their expressions, hoping to find even a handful whose mind were persuaded. "You say he is guilty, but I ask you, would anyone here do any less?"
"That's your argument?" Marcel questioned, amused. "All's fair in defense of the family?" He nodded, unconvinced. "I seem to recall he punished you – his own sister – for no other reason than fear that you might love someone more than him."
"We have been together for a millennium; we were bound to have a few tiffs."
"Was it a 'tiff' when he daggered you for loving me?" he asked, his mood swiftly changing. "Was that justice? Or when her exiled you from the Quarter? From your family? From me?"
"Marcel, stop," Rebekah begged, looking down to her arm; the hex began burning and she became dizzy. Noticing this, Juliet's eyes slightly widened; it was time. Slowly she crept away from the commotion; once she was out of eye view, Juliet swiftly ran to Rebekah's old room where she had hidden a tool she knew would be useful in the future. Lifting the California King sized mattress, Juliet pushed it against the wall, digging her hand into the sown rip in the fabric. Searching around for the object, Juliet found it with a thankful smile. Pulling the object out, the woman couldn't help but feel guilty for the events which had taken place; it was her fault.
"If he gets out of this alive, I'm screwed," the woman said to herself, allowing the mattress to fall back onto the box spring.
Walking back to the balcony, Juliet watched as the hex placed upon Rebekah had taken over her mind. "You see, my brother … he cannot handle the brutal truth that he destroys everything he touches." The blonde turned to her brother with a look of disgust. "You murdered our mother and both of your fathers. You dagger your siblings and leave us in coffins for decades. You break our hearts, you forbid us from finding love all because you can't find any love of your own." Rebekah took a breath, shaking her head. "I am envious of all of you." Her attention was pulled to the crowd. "You have broken free from him but I have had no such relief; chained to him not because of a sire link but because of a foolish pact that we made to each other when we were nothing more than children. What if he could suffer the way I have; the way that we all have?!"
"Well … I think we've heard enough," Marcel interrupted, his arms confidently folded across his chest. "Have you come to a decision?" The crowd of Klaus's sirelings began chanting 'kill him'; showing their verdict.
"Enough!" Klaus yelled as Juliet descended to the courtyard. "I'm disappointed in you, Marcellus; using my poor, impaired sister to propagate your vitriol. It's hardly the mark of a true leader, wouldn't you say?"
"Oh please, you want the last word? Take it; then maybe we can finish this," Marcel mumbled, annoyed.
"Look at you," Klaus began. "Outraged over the loss of Davina; she who routinely betrayed my family." Klaus jumped down from the box and calmly walked to Marcel. "And in the end, she defied even you. Perhaps … you should have warned what befalls those who cross me. Maybe…"
"Enough Klaus!" Juliet loudly spoke, ending his rant. All eyes were on her as she slowly approached the Hybrid. Marcel stared at her, puzzled by her sudden outspokenness. But he stood quiet; knowing the woman still harbored some unspoken words for her sire. "This has nothing to do with Davina and everything to do with the fact that you and your family are a disease to this world. Kol and Elijah will get what they deserve soon enough, but you? Your sins constitute something far behind death. I mean, why allow the devil to do the tormenting, when we can watch your pain as payment for all the wrong you've casted." With her words, the crowd cheered in agreement. From behind her, Juliet pulled out the hidden tool; Papa Tundae's dagger. A familiar tool infused with dark magic retrieved from the Stryx; Klaus was very familiar with its powers. His eyes widened at the sight of the blade as it was held high in the air. "This blade is imbued with dark magic; it will cause unending agony. All the pain that we have felt at the hands of this man will pale in comparison to what he will soon feel for as long as King Marcel decides to let him live."
Marcel walked over to Juliet, placing a gentle kiss against her lips, his hand grasping onto the blade. "I don't know what you're up to, but if this is what you want, it's what you'll get," he whispered to the woman before he turned to face Klaus. "For Davina, Diego, Thierry, Gina, Cami … and the boy I used to be. The one you once called your son." Three of Klaus's sirelings stepped out from the crowd, holding onto the Hybrid, keeping him in place for Marcel; he plunged the blade within Klaus. His yell of pain echoed through the courtyard; Juliet and Rebekah cringed as if they felt his pain. As the crowd continued their victorious roar, Rebekah snuck away from the mob and raced to Hayley's apartment next door to the Compound. Juliet followed Marcel looked up to her, a vicious grin spread across his lips.
In Hayley's apartment, Rebekah quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Hayley's number. Almost immediately the call was answered and the blonde placed the phone on speaker phone. "Rebekah, is it over?" Hayley's voice rang, desperate and frightened.
"Juliet found a way for Nik to stay alive; her plan worked."
"Juliet?" Hayley repeated.
"Yes, my plan," the woman confessed. "I'll explain later; is Freya ready for the spell?" On the other line, Juliet could hear Freya faintly and weakly calling out for her. Hayley, in turn, placed her phone on speaker phone so Juliet could inform Freya of the right spell and what she needed to create her own Chamber de Chataeu for the family.
"And Hayley," Rebekah harped, before the mother hung up the phone. "Make his sacrifice count."
"I will; hang tight – I'll come for you soon." Rebekah hung up the phone, her gaze finding Juliet's softened glance. "I don't blame you," the blonde spoke softly, her arms wrapping around Juliet's body. "Why is it when I get you back, I always have to leave?" Juliet let out a soft sob, her arms wrapping around her best friend. "No matter what happens, little bird, promise me you'll find a way to help Hayley save us."
"I promise," Juliet spoke hoarsely, pulling away to look at Rebekah. "And next time I see you, it will be forever." The girls exchanged smiles for a brief moment before Rebekah's eyes fluttered shut, her body falling in Juliet's arms. Lightly she placed Rebekah on the couch, smoothing out her blonde hair. She lingered a minute longer before she rose to her feet, rushing over to the Mikaelson Compound to find the mob dispersing, Marcel waiting for her by the incapacitated Hybrid. "Now what?" she asked him, taking him by surprise.
"I thought for sure you would have had a plan for this one as this was your idea, right?" Hearing the suspicion in his voice, Juliet couldn't help but smirk. She knew he wasn't stupid; in fact, Marcel was one of the most intelligent vampires she had ever met.
"If I had a plan, I wouldn't be asking … my King." Juliet continued walking towards him, her hips swinging in a way to distract him from his thoughts. Klaus lay motionless next to the new King of New Orleans, his eyes wide and lips quivering. She watched him, wishing there was a way to penetrate his chest to fish the blade out and leave New Orleans permanently with him by her side as they searched for the cure. As much as she wanted the Mikaelsons gone, she realized they really were her family – and families do not leave family behind. "How about I give you a congratulatory dinner and a show and afterward we take care of this mess?" With her arms wrapping around his neck, the woman began to seductively nibble on his ear, hoping he would take the bait.
"I like that idea," Marcel agreed, giving into Juliet's suggestion. As the two made their way up to Elijah's room – another way for Marcel to feel he's won against the family – Hayley appeared in her apartment, slowly walking to the unconscious Rebekah. Her glossed and puffy eyes showed how much she had been crying on the way to her old residents, mourning the loss of her family.
Despite her attempts in reeling Marcel in with her charm and curvy body, the man still instructed for Juliet to leave as he hid Niklaus's body. Stating 'nothing personal', Juliet knew it was; Marcel didn't trust her with the knowledge of where Klaus was. She understood knowing she would have done the same if the tables were turned. Nevertheless, it gave Juliet the opportunity to search around the home, riffling through Klaus's room in any attempts to find something she could use for the future. Instead, she found an envelope with his daughter's name written on it with a letter inside. This hit her hard, knowing Klaus would have done anything to keep his little girl safe from harm. Leaning herself against the wall, Juliet placed the letter against her chest debating if she should read it.
She decided against it, knowing whatever it was he wrote to his daughter was a private matter and only for Hope's eyes. Instead, Juliet grabbed her phone and dialed the only number she had memorized in a very long time.
Hayley Marshall-Jenner.
Hearing the mother's voice on the other line was a bit of a shock; never had she envisioned being civil with the Hybrid. But the letter was too important; Klaus was too important. Giving a location to meet her, Juliet raced out from the Mikaelson Compound to meet with the mother.
Walking toward the large moving truck with Hayley's wolfish glare, arms folded, seemed as if Juliet was walking with a tail in between her legs. She had to pay for her sins, that she understood; she also understood if Hayley were to attack her right then and there. But instead, Hayley stood her ground, tall with her shoulders back as Juliet approached her with the envelope extended toward her.
"What is this?" Hayley asked; her glare still on Juliet.
"A letter Klaus wrote to Hope; I found it in his room. I thought it best in her hands than lying in between mattresses." Hesitantly the mother took the envelope from Juliet, her defensive posture subsiding for a moment. "…I couldn't do it," Juliet finally confessed, her eyes finding Hayley's softened stare.
"Marcel, would you give Rebekah and I a few minutes please?" Hesitant, the man nodded as he walked out of the room, taking one last look at the women as Juliet made a move to push Rebekah against the wall once again. The blonde retaliated, holding Juliet at arm's length in hopes to hinder the inevitable fight. But she was wrong in thinking Juliet wanted to fight; instead, Juliet held up her hands at the sound of the door closing, Marcel's heavy footsteps leading away from the room.
"What the bloody hell Juliet? Rebekah barked, taking steps away from her best friend.
"It needs to happen Rebekah." Juliet's arms fell to her side lazily, swinging.
"What are you talking about?"
"I've gone over it in my head a million times even before Freya figured a way to take away the powers from Lucien. The prophecy needs to happen. The longer we fought against it, the deadlier the forces were going to be."
"So, you decided to coincide with the enemy to save yourself?" Rebekah's brows tugged together defensively as she approached Juliet.
"No," the woman defended, moving away from her. "I found a way to keep the lot of you alive while I found a way to stop Marcel."
"He bit Elijah; Kol. Freya is dying of poison you infected her with…"
"And they all will live. The cure to the bite must be linked to the werewolf packs as they were used to make the serum. But we don't have enough time to investigate as they have until tonight before they take their last breath. I have a solution to that."
"And that is?"
"When Tristan was dropped deep into the Earth's depths under water, the Sisters casted a spell to keep him from suffering using something called the Chamber de Chataeu. If I can talk Freya through the spell, she can create the same astral realm to put the family in giving Hayley time to find a cure for Elijah and Kol, a cure for Freya and a cure for you." Rebekah eyed Juliet for a moment, wondering if the words she spoke were truthful or part of another master plan. "Rebekah please; the promise that we made all those years ago are still words I live by – always and forever. I'm not blood, but someone once told me family doesn't end in blood."
"I could never follow through with killing my family; I love them. And I love him." Juliet knew there would always be that question lingering in the air from Hayley of whether she would interfere with her and Elijah, but Juliet was tired of riding on that train; tired of being the thought in the back of his mind. "I will always love him and all I've ever wanted was for him to be happy. Which is why when I saw the way he looked at you," the woman paused as she gave out a slight snort. "Hell, he never looked at me the way he does with you. His love for you goes beyond anything him and I had ever shared. So, cherish the moments you've had with him and look forward to the moments you will have." Juliet offered Hayley a small smile before allowing her arms to fall to her side.
"How did you do it?" Hayley asked, wanting to know how Juliet managed to be undetectable for so long; how the woman managed to stay one step ahead of the family and create a monster.
"With time comes wisdom, love. Besides, hatred and vengeance are two very powerful emotions which I'm sure you're aware of." The women stood silent, letting everything sink in. "Your journey to find the cure is going to be a long one but remember, the Chamber is not permanent, nor does it halt the venom Marcel injected them with; hinders, yes … but you will run out of time if you do not hurry."
"I don't even know where to start."
"The Ancestors made Lucien from the venom of all the werewolf packs; maybe the cure is with them as well."
"It would be nice to have the help," Hayley spoke, a hidden suggestion of Juliet joining the fight to save them. She smiled, thankful for the offer.
"I must look after Marcel … make sure he doesn't kill Klaus after all."
"Do you think he will?"
"I'm not sure what he's capable of anymore but I can say sooner or later it will be time to end the torment; Marcel is the only one who can make that call."
"So, what are you going to do?"
"Stay by his side, continue this façade of wanting to be Queen until I hear word from you. Keep them safe, Hayley; and yourself." The Hybrid nodded, offering Juliet a small smile before she turned to enter the moving truck with - what Juliet assumed were - the bodies of the Mikaelson siblings. Giving her a wave, Juliet watched as Hayley drove off into the night, leaving New Orleans.
ONE YEAR LATER
"And you're sure you want to do this?" Vincent stood hesitantly within the small mausoleum in the middle of the New Orleans Cemetery with his hands clasped together in front of him. Juliet stood by the concrete island, a white and polished coffin residing on top of it. He watched her closely as she raised her hand, showing her graying fingertips from the lack of blood in her system.
"I haven't fed in centuries for this moment, Vincent. I need a break. Why do you think the rest of the family isn't as ruthless as Niklaus and I?"
"Because they aren't hybrids?"
"Because they slept," Juliet corrected. "They had decades, centuries of sleep to recuperate – allowing their humanity to stay intact. This is exactly what I need to ensure I don't go mad."
"Marcel isn't gonna like this…"
"Marcel believes I am across the mid-Atlantic going through a vampire mid-life crisis," she informed him, lying in the coffin. "But if he does find out where I am, you'll do best to make sure he understands the repercussions of waking me?"
"Yeah … yeah something about you draining an innocent life or something …"
"Exactly; something he won't sacrifice." Vincent gave her a look; one Juliet knew very well. "Ease up on him, Vin. He's gained his status back with an exponential amount of power with it. It'll take some getting used to for him before he's back to the Marcel we know." Though her words were meant to bring a sort of comfort, Vincent still worried for the future of New Orleans. It had been a year since the Mikaelson family had been defeated but Marcel still held himself higher than he ever had. With more restrictions in the city, Vincent worried Marcel might officially take over New Orleans without any regard for innocent lives.
"I worry if you're not around; he'll be deadlier than Klaus ever was."
"If he is, you have the spell to wake me … but regardless, I will need blood." Again, the woman held up her hand, showing the gray traveling up her arm. "I don't have much time, but know that you have the power to hinder him if necessary. You have my grimoire." Vincent nodded, approaching the coffin as Juliet laid her hands on her torso. "Blessed be." The man watched as the gray overtook her body; almost as if she was dead. It was then when he began the incantation ensuring Juliet would not be awaken without a substantial amount of blood.
"Blessed be," Vincent repeated, closing the coffin.