Only You

by 831Tea

Kol Mikaelson had his soul bounded to Caroline Forbes by a curse. He doesn't know when, where nor why, he only knew that now he was stuck with a beautiful human girl in the cursed city of Mystic Falls. And as he watched upon her adventures, both as human and vampire, Kol discovered that his undead heart could still beat for she is the one he chosed to love for all eternity.

57. IIIxXVII: All My Children

*flop on the ground* …so many words…

I don't own the Vampire Diaries and The Originals. They belong to the rightful owners.

Enjoy~ :)

---

Mystic Falls
Bennett's Residence
Later...

Bonnie and Elijah ascended up the steps and onto the front veranda. The petite witch spun around and beamed at him. "Thank you for tonight. It was surprisingly fun." Bonnie said. After all, she attended numerous events and parties for years and none of them were truly fun. However, the Mikaelson Ball was genuinely fun. Maybe it's because she gets to spend some time with Elijah, Kol, and Caroline. Not only that, she really liked dancing with a Dignified Original a lot.

The Bennett witch wouldn't mind doing more waltz dance with Elijah.

"I am glad to hear that." Elijah's lips twitched with a small yet soft smile which made Bonnie's heart beat fast.

Elijah silently noted that Bonnie was internally debating herself. He waits with patience for whatever she wants to say to him.

Much to his surprise when Bonnie stepped closer to him, stood up on her tiptoes, and pecked his jawline tenderly. She lowered down with blushing cheeks yet her smile was so sweet. "Goodnight, Elijah." she whispered.

"Sleep well, Bonnie." the Noble Original uttered with soft eyes. He watches her walk inside of her home and shut the door quietly behind her.

Elijah exhaled with a small twinge of sadness in his heart. He wishes he could spend more time with her. After all, they spend so most of the evening filled with laughing and dancing and making new memories. He couldn't believe how quickly the time had passed.

The Noble Original will cherish every moment he has to spend with a marvelous witch. And he couldn't help but feel grateful for Caroline and Kol. If it wasn't for them, he would have missed out on such an amazing and beautiful little witch.

He doesn't regret to have a bond with Bonnie. Elijah is certainly looking forward to having a growing relationship with her.
Hopefully, one day, she will reciprocate his feelings.

A warm smile appeared on his face while he turned around, and stepped down the stairs and to the path that led out of the front yard.

Bonnie Bennet will always hold a special place in his heart.

.

..

...

Only You

Chapter Fifty-Six

"All My Children"

...

..

.

Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Caroline's Bedroom
Meanwhile...

The aura in her bedroom is filled with pure joy and happiness as Kol and Caroline playfully interact with each other. Soft music is playing from the laptop that stands on the dresser, next to the vase of two roses. Caroline had driven with Kol back to her home from the Mikaelson Ball since Bonnie had to return home after her father wanted her home from the party.

Luckily, Elijah was happy to drive Bonnie home.

Currently, Caroline twirling around with a silly smile in the middle of the room with her bare feet. Her pretty gown flares around her while Kol watches her with amusement and fondness. He is watching her while sitting on the edge of her bed, his blazer is thrown over the cushioned stool along with an untied bow and a pair of his expensive leather dress shoes on the ground.

The blonde-haired beauty paused and gave him her impish grin with gleaming blue-green eyes. Kol smoothly slid away from the bed as he couldn't resist pulling her close and giving her a cheeky kiss near her lips. Caroline blushed cutely and playfully budged him.

"Come on, darlin'. You have been dancing for nearly half an hour." Kol uttered before he glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand. "You need to sleep. It is nearly midnight." he added, coolly. He is aware of how much Caroline loves to have her beauty sleep.

The blonde-haired beauty pouted and Kol smirked at her with amusement. "Fine, fine." Caroline jokingly rolled her eyes and sauntered her way to the floor-length mirror.

Kol watches her as she studies her appearance while she carefully touches the fabric of her beautiful gown. With her messy hair, barefoot, and little dry mascaras stuck on the corner of her eyes. Yet, she is still stunningly to him.

The blonde-haired beauty slowly lifted her gaze up into the mirror and stared at him through the reflection. The wild Original cocked his eyebrow at her with a charming half-smirk on his face. Caroline bit her bottom lip momentarily. "...could you help me unzip this?" she whispered, almost shyly. She gathered the rest of her hair and pulled it all over her right shoulder.

The Prince Original hummed as inquisitive glint from his onyx eyes. He stepped forward until he stood behind her, extended his fingers, and lightly touched the back of her neck. His fingertips danced downward to the edge of her faux-corset while staring at her eyes through the reflection.

Her fingers trembled as she dug it into her hair when she saw how intense his dark eyes were. When he lowered his fingers, he gently pushed the extra fabric that covered the zippers and grabbed a tiny blue zipper between his index finger and his thumb.

Caroline closed her eyes as Kol slowly unzipped down and she shifted her hands to hold the gown against her chest when it became loose from her slender figure.

Kol lifted his fingertips upward, gently brushing her bare back which she shivered. He shifted his dark eyes down and examined the back of her shoulder and her neck where that soon-to-be-dead vampire left the scars, and his undead heart swelled with relief and pleased that it was completely healed. She had used his ancient blood.

He noticed Caroline was taking a deep breath for a few seconds and released through her nose.

Suddenly, he recalled that this was the first time that she was willingly letting him, a young (barely) man, help her undress. That abuser areshole who took advantage of her, used her, abused her, and sexually assaulted her.

Kol knew that she was traumatized by what she remembered by every detail that happened to her after she became a vampire when the memories she had "lost" returned.

He respectfully steps back, knowing that this is a huge step for her.

Caroline slowly turned around, paused in front of him, and opened her eyes. She lowered her hands as the gown fell to the floor, puddling around her barefoot in her matching white undergarments.

Kol saw the vulnerability in her blue-green eyes. But there is also strength and resilience that shone through. "Darling..." he muttered, worried.

"Please..." the blonde-haired beauty weakly uttered. "...erase his touch for me?" her voice tinged with pleading.

His undead heart aches with sadness, furious, and proud. Sad that Caroline is still haunted by Damon Salvatore. Furious at that disgusting areshole. Proud that Caroline is willing to move forward.

"Are you sure?" he asked, just wanting Caroline to be clear about what she wanted.

The blonde-haired beauty steps over the gown as her eyes glint with stubbornness. "Kol. Please." she implored, earnestly.

Kol instantly wrapped his arm around her shoulder and the other around her waist. Caroline startled in surprise and softened into his embrace. He leaned his jawline on the side of her head.

After a moment of hugging with soft music playing in the background. Caroline tipped her head back and Kol stared down at her.

The mischievous Original feels a surge of emotions rush through him. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on, with her soft features and radiant shy smile. In the beginning, she was just a fun and interesting human.

However, that changed when he got to know her and saw her in a different light. The way her hair fell gracefully around her face, the way her eyes sparkled with excitement, the way she protected her friends, the way she stood up for herself, and the way she never let the world push her down. She thrived so brightly, so strong that it was all too much for him to handle. He wanted to make her feel loved and cherished, to show her that she was the only one who could make him feel this way.

Kol leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. Felt her return his kiss almost immediately. The kiss was gentle at first, but as their passion grew, it became more intense. His hands roamed over her slim and slender body, exploring every curve and dip, as she moaned softly into his mouth.

Suddenly, he effortlessly picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his hips with surprised squeaks from her lips as she detached her mouth from his. Kol pressed his kisses down her neck, causing her to shiver with pleasure. He knew he had to be careful, to go slow and make sure she was comfortable with everything.

As he continued to kiss her, he could feel her body responding to him, her hands gripping him tighter, her breathing becoming more erratic.

The Prince Original used a human pace to her bed, he gently guided her legs off his hips and laid her back on the bed. Caroline blinked owlishly at him as her curly blonde hair fanned around her.

Kol started to memorize every curve, every niche of her skin, every time she moaned, every twitch whenever he touched a certain part. He wanted to show her that he loved every part of her, imperfections and all.

He relishes the softness and warmth that radiates from her. As his hands wander, he feels a sense of awe and gratitude for the woman lying before him. She trusted him with her vulnerability, believing that he would never cause her harm.

Caroline had her eyes closed, moaned softly every time he touched her sensitive part, and shivered whenever he kissed randomly on her skin. He memorizes the way her hips sway, her back lurches slightly, and her strapless white bra that hugs her breasts as they rise and fall with each breath.

Kol's eyes darken with affection, love, and devotion. There was not a single hint of lust at all. This night is about her. For her to understand that no matter what, he loves all of her.

His fingers dance over her skin, he feels a sense of connection and intimacy that is beyond words. He is grateful for the privilege of being able to touch her so intimately.

Caroline released a shuddering sigh, opened her eyes halfway with tears, and weakly pulled him up which he silently followed her order. She moved forward and caught his lips with hers. Their tongues dance together in perfect harmony. They are both lost in the moment, he hopes that Caroline knows that he will never let her go, for as long as she wants him.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Gilbert's Residence
Elena's Bedroom
Moment Later...

The moon is the only illumination while she is sitting on the window seat, with her side leaning against the window and a troubled frown on her face. She pondered about what had occurred at the meeting with Esther during the Mikaelson Ball. About how the Original Witch wanted to annihilate all of her children. To erase the evil she created.

She did want Klaus to be gone from her life, from everyone she loved and cared for. The Original Hybrid deserved it, just as Stefan and Damon told her to. Stefan, who was so focused on getting revenge on Klaus, wanted him to die. Damon, who learned that Esther was planning to murder her children made him gleefully happy. He hates Klaus, but not as much as he really detests Kol.

Elena sighed heavily as she couldn't shake off the heavy weight of sadness, unsure, and guilt when she thought about Elijah. She doesn't want the Noble Original to die. He doesn't deserve that.

She runs her fingers through her hair uneasily and confused. All alone with heavy thoughts in the dark of her bedroom with the only moon as her company.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Morning...

The bright ray of morning light shines through the see-through curtains inside the study room. Elijah carefully searches the room while not disturbing anything. He knew this was the room where Elena had a private audience with his mother. Taking this opportunity that his mother has gone off to get involved with society and meet new friends. And Finn was long gone since early this morning.

The Noble Original observed the bookshelves, desks, antique divan, coffee table, and chairs. He soundlessly walked around while his fingers trailed feather-like touches. When he reached a small table near the back window, he slowly paused his steps when he noticed the candles that were unmistakably used.

He shifted his fingers ahead at the old-style vase and picked up a burnt sage. 'A privacy spell.' he acknowledged the item easily as he was aware of how much Esther loved to use it all the time.

Elijah frowned with distrust and suspicion. Just what kind of talk does Elena have with his mother that requires a private spell to set up?

He mulled over how he caught the doppelganger's lie by taking notice of the blip of her heart in the previous night. Not only that, Esther had been acting very strange for the last couple of days. Even Finn had kept his distance from everyone, including Mother too ever since late last night. Which was peculiar because Finn always stuck close to Mother no matter what.

Elijah lightly taps the burnt sage against the palm while he strides out of the study room thoughtfully. Maybe his siblings might have some ideas about this.

When the Noble Original reached the first floor and headed to a living room where he sensed his hybrid brother and little sister.

In the living-room, Klaus is sketching with a pencil as he is sitting on the leather stuffed chair with concentrated eyes. Rebekah is lying on the couch with her head propped on the throw pillow while lazily skimming through fashion magazines.

"Niklaus. Rebekah." he called out his siblings, calmly yet there was a hint of concern in his tone.

Klaus hummed while dancing his pencil against the sketching pad. Rebekah lifted her blue eyes from the magazine with casual boredom. "What is it?" she raised her questioning eyebrow.

"I'm worried about mother." Elijah stood in the doorway while still drumming the burnt sage against his palm. "Have neither of you noticed her strange behavior?" he questioned with a frown.

Rebekah huffed. "She's been dead for a thousand years. What's strange for her?" she remarked and Klaus snorted with wry amusement.

"Burnt sage." the Noble Original raised the burnt sage, showed it to his siblings. "She was doing a privacy spell."

The Princess Original sat up, plopped the magazine on the coffee table, and shoved herself up from the sofa with a sigh. She walked to Elijah who handed the burnt sage to her. Rebekah did a quick study of the item. "You know she fancies such things. Why don't you ask Finn? He's been doting on her."

Elijah frowned deeply. "I do not think Finn will answer if I start questioning him about our mother's strange behavior." he comments.

"I don't know why you must act so suspicious of every little thing, brother." Klaus uttered with apathy yet his eyes remained on the sketching. "Even if you ask Finn, I doubt that he will answer you. He hates what we are and never interacts with us." he said with bitterness. "Plus, like Bekah said, Mother had been dead for a thousand years. A lot has changed so she is probably adjusting in this timeline."

Rebekah nodded her head, agreed with her hybrid brother. "Plus, she returned for one reason—" she handed the burnt sage back to Elijah. "—to make our family whole. She loves us." she pats her noble brother on the shoulder and returns to her reading her fashion magazine on the couch.

Elijah scrutinized Klaus and Rebekah for a moment and conceded that they were not even the slightest suspicious at all. With a quiet sigh, he turned around and walked through the corridor of the mansion.

It seems that they are not thinking this deeply. However, his mind proceeded to his little troublemaker brother.

Maybe Kol might have a different reaction.

Elijah gracefully grasped his phone from the inner pocket of his blazer and dialed Kol's cell number while heading to the back door for a bit of private phone conversation.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Caroline's Bedroom
Meanwhile...

The bedroom was bathed in a warm, golden morning, casting a serene light over the sleeping Kol and Caroline. The soft sheets cling to Caroline's body, covered her undergarments while her head lay on Kol's chest. The Prince Original—still wearing his white suit shirt with few unbuttons and black trousers—had his arms around her and his head tilted back on the pillow. Their faces were relaxed and content under the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Suddenly, the peace was shattered by the loud ringing of a phone. With an exasperatedly tired groan heard from Kol. Caroline shifted and covered her face on Kol's chest. The mischief Original opens one eye, groggy and irritated.

Where did he put his phone?

The phone continued ringing. "Kol." Caroline whined with irritation before she raised her sleepy face at him with a cute angry pout.

Kol muttering under his breath, moved up while Caroline grumbled and rolled over to the open side. The wild Original reluctantly slid out of the warm bed, walked to the cushioned stool where his blazer was, and snatched it. Kol fumbled his cell phone out of the inner pocket of the blazer.

Without peeking at the caller ID, he answered. "Who the bloody hell call at this arse crack of dawn?" he grumbled while running his fingers through his hair, making it more disorganized.

"Kol... it's eight." Elijah deadpanned.

Kol huffed as he returned to the side of the bed and plopped his backside down gracelessly. "Fine, then why the bloody hell are you waking me up at the arse crack of eight?" he sassed while enjoying looking at his darling vampire who is covered her face against one of her pillows.

"I need your opinion." the Noble Original went straight to the point. "What do you think of Mother's strange behavior for the last couple of days?"

The wild Original frowns with perplexity. "I have not spent enough time with mother to analyze her behavior, 'Lijah." he has been spending his time with Caroline and when he has free time, he usually stays in his private bedroom and looks up some of the grimoires.

He could hear the disappointed sigh from Elijah which made him puzzled and suspicious. "What is going on?"

Caroline rolled to her side, and shoved her hands underneath her pillow while the side of her head rested on top of it. Her blue-green eyes are barely groggy but enough alert as she is shamelessly listening to the conversation.

Kol sent her his half-smirk with amusement. "I believe it would be best to show you instead of explaining."

"Which means you want me to return to the mansion." he stated with exasperated.

"It is urgent, Kol. Niklaus and Rebekah are not concerned about this but I do believe that you might have a different opinion about this." he stressed which made Kol narrow his eyes.

The wild Original knew that his noble brother would just explain to him through the phone instead of needing his presence. Which means there was something that Elijah wanted to show him enough that Kol might know the answers to whatever his concerns were.

Plus, it is very rare for Elijah to ask for his help. Normally, the Noble Original likes to figure out the answers on his own and solve the problems. And when he can't, he goes to Klaus for help—considering they are both very close. "Alright. I'll be there soon." he recluantly answered, mixed of bemused, and exasperated.

They both exchanged a quick farewell before hanging up. Kol sighed loudly with disgruntled that his time with Caroline was cut short. He was really looking forward to spending a moment with the blonde-haired beauty in the morning.

Alas, his noble brother needs him.

Kol's musing was interrupted when he felt her leaning close on his back. "Had to go now, huh?" Caroline mumbled with a tinge of disappointment.

"Unfortunately." Prince Original huffed, appreciating her warm body as she placed her chin on his shoulder. He turned his head and gently nibbled her pouty lips. "'Lijah normally likes to solve problems on his own. To ask for my judgment is very rare from him."

"So, it is something serious." Caroline noted.

Kol hummed and they both enjoyed their brief moment of quiet and calm together. Eventually, the wild Original reluctantly pulled away from her.

The blonde-haired beauty watched Kol slip on his expensive leather dress shoes, shove the bow in his pocket, and drape the blazer over his arms. "See you later?" Caroline voiced with hope.

"Of course, darlin'." Prince Original leaned forward and grazed his lips against hers a few times. A precious smile broke on her face with shining eyes and Kol playfully winked at her.

Caroline released an amused chuckle when he shamelessly clambered out of the window. Kol gave her his cheeky blow kiss at her and used his vampire speed out of her sight.

The blonde-haired beauty curled her legs up to her chest while wrapping her arms around it. She leaned her chin on top of her knees, recollecting how Kol had been so gentle with her when he touched and kissed her skin. He was not focused on lust or any hint of desire for sex. No, instead he made sure that she had felt so cherished, so beautiful and so beloved by anyone before. Kol was the first guy who treated her as if she was a priceless treasure. With such overwhelming emotions, she couldn't help but cry.

Kol did one thing that was truly a miracle for her.

He erased all the terrible, disgusting, and wrong that Damon left on her body. They were replaced with caring, gentle, tender, and most of all, love. Just by his actions, she knew for a fact, that Kol was in love with her. All of her.

Caroline was hoping to have a serious discussion with him this morning. To ask him what they are. Yes, Kol loves her. Yes, she has feelings for him—not love yet but it is slowly getting to that level soon.

The moments and the feelings they both share. She wanted to know what kind of official relationship they both had. She doubted that it was a boyfriend/girlfriend type.

Caroline had a feeling their bond was more than that.

Her thought was interrupted when she heard a chime from her phone. She leaned back, reached over to the nightstand, and picked up her phone with a puzzling frown.

It was a group chat for her, Bonnie, and Elena. She was surprised to see it since the group chat had been forgotten since last year. Her blue-green eyes studied the message that Elena wanted to have a talk with her and Bonnie at her place as soon as possible.

Caroline quickly replied that she'd be there just as Bonnie replied as well. "I wonder if it's about the old witch?" she mused out loud, wondering while dragging the sheet away.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Later...

Kol had returned, showered, and changed into fresh casual clothes. Once he stepped out of his bedroom, Elijah had been waiting as he leaned on the wall with his hands in his trousers' pockets. "Alright, what is it that you need my assistance, brother?" he questioned with a faux-merrily smirk.

"Last night, Miss Gilbert was requested by Mother to have a private audience." Elijah took out an item from his blazer's pocket and handed it to Kol. "This morning, I went to the study room and I found this."

The wild Original grabbed it not unkindly and observed it. "A burnt sage." he stated with a puzzled frown. He twists his wrist around to take a good look at the burnt sage. "Mother always used this for privacy spell."

"I found that from this morning at the study room." the Noble Original explained and he tilted his head in the direction down the corridor, silently motioning his young brother for a walk.

Kol narrowed his eyes at Elijah as he started sauntering with him. "From what I've observed this was used last night." he muttered, calculating. "Sometime in the evening. Which means that mother might have done a spell."

"You sure about that, Kol?" the Noble Original's tone went sharp while keeping his sharp ears out just in case of any unwanted eavesdroppers.

The mischief Original scoffed, offended. "I assured you, brother. Mother always uses the sage for purposes that involve magic and spells. She would never bother just to use it for a pointless conversation with the doppelganger...unless—" Kol's dark eyes sharpened as he glanced at his noble brother.

"—Unless mother needs something from her because Miss Gilbert is a doppelganger." Elijah interjected with an understanding glint in his dark gaze.

Kol lightly taps the burnt sage in the air. "Doppelgangers do have a very powerful blood." he cocked his eyebrow at Elijah while they turned the corner of the hallway and headed down the long corridor of polished marble ground. "Excellent to have an ingredient for a certain spell." he added, solemnly.

"I wonder if that is the reason why mother has been acting strange." Elijah offered, contemplative. "But the question was—"

Kol interjected smoothly as he tossed a burnt sage back and forth between his hands. "—What kind of spell did our beloved mother use."

The two brothers exchange solemn glances for a moment until Kol opens his mouth. "Tell me, where is this study room she used last night? Since Klaus has a wonderful idea to create ridiculously dozen study rooms in this bloody extravagant mansion."

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Gilbert's Residence
Elena's bedroom
Moment Later...

A silver tray with three white candles, a ceramic bowl in the middle, and an opened grimoire next to the tray. Sitting on the mattress as Bonnie sat in front of it with a burning sage while Elena elucidated how Stefan only cared about vengeance and killing Klaus for a couple of minutes as she paced back and forth in front of her bed.

The brunette trailed off when she noticed Bonnie attempt to use a spell. Elena paused at her pace and examined the petite witch with expectancy. "Is it working?"

The door opened inward with Caroline who looked unimpressed. "It's not working. I can hear every word you're saying about Stefan, the angry vampire." she commented.

Elena looked discontented and glanced at Bonnie who frowned while waving the smoke away from her face. "I don't know, Elena. It sounded like it's a tricky spell." Bonnie justified.

"When Esther did it, she kept the sage burning." the doppelganger pointed it out as she noticed the sage in Bonnie's hand was all burned out. "There was a lot more smoke."

The Bennett witch sighs. "Alright." she grabbed a new sage, lit it with a fire from the candle, and started waving as the smoke danced in the air. She turned to Caroline with a mix of apologist and pleading as she wordlessly requested Caroline to try again by eavesdropping on them. Elena raised her eyebrow, urging her to leave.

Caroline scoffed with exasperated, spun, seized the doorknob, and shut the door behind her.

Elena crossed her arms and started pacing once again. Bonnie muttered another spell. She knew the silence spell but a privacy spell with just a burning sage? That is unusual. She will have to ask her mentor about that kind of tool. "So, how was the meeting with Esther?" Bonnie asked, curious.

"...intense." the brunette answered, uncomfortable.

Bonnie narrowed her eyes at Elena for a moment. "Something is bothering you. What is it?" she carefully put the sage in the bowl, letting the ashes drop it instead of spreading on the bedding.

Elena wavered for a brief moment then sighed heavily. She glanced a the closed door. "Caroline? Can you hear us?"

Almost immediately, the door opened and Caroline stared at them flatly. "This privacy spell is totally not working."

Elena's shoulders slumped with dissatisfaction. "Fine... can you hear Damon or Stefan here? Are we alone?" she cautioned.

Bonnie frowned with bewilderment while Caroline raised her questioning eyebrow. "Umm, no. Just us." the blonde-haired beauty said. Elena looked relieved. "What is going on, Elena? Do you have something to tell us that you don't want the Salvatore brothers to be here?"

"When Esther requested to see me..." Elena took a moment how to explain in words while Caroline sat on the edge of the bed as she and Bonnie waited patiently. "...she was telling me this whole thing about her wanting to undo the evil she had done a thousand years ago. How she had upset the balance of nature by turning her children into vampires."

The Bennett witch stared at Elena thoughtfully. "And how is she going to do that?"

"A spell. A ritual of some kind. As long as she has spirits of nature and some witches by her side. Some kind of like channeling magic." the doppelganger said with an uneasy and unsure frown. "And from me, all she needed was a drop of my blood."

Caroline is not liking this at all. "What spell?" she warily asked.

Elena wipes her face weary. "To link all the Originals as one. From the champagne when she made a toast. So, I assumed they are linked now." she closed her eyes with a heavy sigh. "Esther wants to kill her whole family, not just Klaus. And that made Stefan and Damon very happy about it."

"What?!" Caroline barked while Bonnie's jaw dropped in disblieved shock. Elena's eyes opened wide in alarm by hearing a high-pitched squeak from the blonde-haired beauty. "You mean to tell me that you signed them to their deathsentences?!" she leaped off the bed with distraught and crossed.

Elena took a step back, astonished by Caroline's wrath. "C-caroline? Wh-why are you so angry?" she attempted to relax the upset vampire. She shifted her baffled and confused eyes to Bonnie who looked distressed and in disbelief. "Why are you both behaving like this?" Elena sputtered, completely lost.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Motel
Meanwhile...

The gentle knock heard outside of the door caught Abby and Lucy's attention. The Bennett witches paused their action and stared at the door for a few seconds.

They had not had a good night's sleep ever since Harper Rolfe visited them last night. Let's just say, they were surprised and scared to learn that he was not just a centuries-old vampire, but also a soldier vampire. And additionally, to that, he was an infamous monster from the tale that scares the warlock and witches. The Finder.

It was fortunate that Harper was not interested in spilling their magic blood. Instead, he warned them not to mess with the Mystic Falls town. And will be watching over them from the shadow.

Lucy was not happy about that at all. In fact, she is planning to return to her home and be with her mother. Away from the whole vampire dramas. Too bad, she was looking forward to visiting Bonnie...

Abby straightened up with confidence and strode to the door. Lucy eyeing with caution while grabbed one of her heels from the luggage, just in case she was going to use it as a magic throwing object.

When Abby answered the door, a blonde-haired woman stood in front of her with a polite smile.

Almost instantaneously, the witches sensed the magic clinging on the woman. "Hello, Bennett." she greeted Abby and Lucy. "I am Esther Mikaelson." Abby and Lucy recognized the names. "Ayana—your ancestor who was my mentor and my old friend from a thousand years ago." she informed them.

The Original Witch waved her hand at the room. "May I come in?"

Abby stepped aside, allowing the witch to walk inside the motel room and Lucy studied her with caution. "Why are you here?" Lucy questioned, suspicious.

"Lucy. Respect." the older Bennett warned the young Bennett who rolled her eyes.

Esther shakes her head with a smile. "It is fine. She is just being cautious. A good trait for a Bennett witch." she said, approval.

Lucy made a face. She doesn't need some kind of weird praise from this ancient witch. Plus, this witch stole her ancestor's immortality spell and changed it to her own to make a new species. So, Lucy feels a bit bitter on behalf of Ayana.

"I am here to introduce myself and thank you both for bringing me back." Esther said while examining the Bennett witches. "I also would like to inform you both that, since you have returned me from the Other Side. I have been channeling your entire ancestral bloodline for power. A power that I need to complete for tonight's ritual."

The young Bennett witch shakes her head. "Oh no. I'm not getting involved with this." she waggles her finger, declines. "You are obviously the mother of those Originals which means getting involved with the Originals. So, nope. Not happening."

"Wait—" Abby raised her hand in the air. "—what kind of ritual?"

Esther responded calmly. "To undo the evil I created. I linked all my children as one. All of them will die tonight."

Lucy gap at the witch. 'This crazy old witch say what?!'

"And that means Mystic Falls will be safe once they are gone?" Abby asked with hope. Lucy dragged her disblieved eyes to the older Bennett. "Bonnie would be safe?"

Esther nodded her head with an understanding smile. "Yes. No more violence and gore from my children after tonight. Innocents will be safe." she assured Abby who looked relieved.

"Our bloodline will help with the ritual?" Abby is interested.

The Original Witch smiles. "Yes. Especially since it is a full moon tonight. Along with the bloodline, I can also harness the energy of a celestial event." she added, a bit eager.

Lucy shakes her head. "Okay! Hold on!" she stopped the witches to talk further. "If you would just excuse me—" she gave a fake charming smile at Esther while grabbing Abby's hand. "—I would like to speak with Abby for a moment." Lucy dragged the older Bennett witch, uncaringly to wait for Esther's answer.

Once they were outside of the motel, down a few doors away just to be safe so Esther couldn't overhear them.

"What the hell are you doing? Working with Esther?" Lucy raised her eyebrow at Abby with judging eyes.

Abby lifted her chin with a bold face. "Working with her means Bonnie will be safe."

Lucy sneered as she crossed her arms. "Did you just forget that The Finder warned us not to mess with this town? Between the lines of his warning, Mystic Falls is practically under his protection!" she hisses at her idiotic relative.

"This is my daughter, Lucy! I had a witch vision of her death!" Abby snapped, refusing to leave the town until she was one hundred percent sure that Bonnie was completely safe.

The young Bennett witch waved her hand wildly over behind Abby where the few doors down were their motel room. "And it's perfectly okay to ally with her? She stole our ancestor's immortality spell! She betrayed and broke the trust of the Bennett witches. Bennett do not forgive those who betrayed us." Lucy reminded her, angrily.

Unfortunately, Abby was too stubborn to be reasoned with. Especially when she is too focused on protecting her only daughter. "I don't care, Lucy."

Lucy made the frustration from the back of her throat. "You are being so stupid." she sharply remarked.

"If you don't like that, then feel free to leave." Abby monotoned, flatly with serious eyes.

The young Bennett witch observed her for a moment then scoffed with a shaking head. "Unbelievable. No wonder mom can't stand you." a brief hurt flashed through Abby's eyes but concealed before Lucy noticed it. "You know what? Fine. You do whatever the hell you want. Don't say I didn't warn you." Lucy glared with disappointment and upset at Abby, hit her shoulder with hers, and walked back to the room.

Abby closed her eyes, took a breather, and exhaled. 'I'm doing this for Bonnie.' she reminded herself, ensuring that she is not making a mistake.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Gilbert's Residence
Elena's Bedroom
Momentarily...

Elena stared at Caroline and Bonnie with baffle and confusion, uncomprehended as to why they were behaving so upset. "What is going on?" she demanded.

"Oh no!" the blonde-haired beauty fumed as she harshly held up her index finger at Elena. "You don't get to be sound so demanding on us, Elena!" she took a step forward while glowering at the astonished brunette. Bonnie watches warily at her vampire best friend who is attempting to calm herself, but failing.

Elena straightened up with a wary with nervous flash in her chocolate-brown eyes.

"What the hell were you thinking?! I get that you wanted to get rid of Klaus since he has been terrorizing us for months, but that doesn't mean it's fair to kill all the Originals!" Caroline seethed.

The doppelganger scoffed with incredulity. "Did you already overlook that Original—Kol brutally ripped Damon's hand off?! Kol is unpredictable and dangerous! Who knows what he will do to Damon if he catches him again!"

"Then good! 'Cause Damon deserves it!" Caroline retorted.

Elena gasps loudly. "Caroline!" she scolded her.

"No Elena! Just—arrggg! God!" the blonde-haired beauty covered her face with her palms while groaning with furious, bitter, and tense. "Why are you constantly having to be so defensive over that bastard?! You always chose him—them! It's always the fucking Salvatore!" she snapped as she dropped her hand and glared at Elena.

The doppelganger gap at her, completely dumbfounded.

Caroline couldn't help but blurt out everything as she was overwhelmed by emotions. "You are always their first priority and the rest of us are just collateral damage! As long as you are secure and happy, they don't care about us! Ever since they arrived here, you have been nothing but a useless little shit!" Bonnie's eyebrows shot up while Elena choked in shock. "Where was the Elena I knew who would never let any man take control of her life? Where the hell is Elena who loves to be independent and refuses to back down? The Elena I knew, will always do the right thing no matter what. I missed the Elena who used to be so wild, so free-spirited even though she can be a bit of a bitch, at least she has a good heart!"

Silence descended on them for an intense moment.

Caroline gulped slowly as her eyes filled with tears. "…where was the Elena who chose her best friends over any cute guy? The one who chose me over Jefferson because he was such an asshole to me. That Elena—I miss her. Not you, you're someone else that I don't recognize anymore." she whispered, hurt and depleted.

"…I-I'm still her." Elena attempted to assure her while stepping forward but halted when Caroline stepped back with a heartbroken frown. "Caroline?"

The blonde-haired beauty shakes her head as a tear slips from her eye. "No best friend would develop a feeling for someone who had abused me."

Elena froze speechless with wide eyes at Caroline. Bonnie's heart broke for a sweet vampire and just as she was about to comfort her, Caroline vanished with her vampire speed out.

They heard the door open loudly and shut. Notified them that Caroline had run off.

Bonnie slid off the bed while lazily waving her hand over the candles as the fire was extinguished by her magic. "Please tell me that Caroline was just being overdramatic." Elena begged with apprehensive eyes.

The petite witch scoffed. "That's the first thing you want to know? That Care was lying?" she retorted with frustration and disappointment. "Is Damon really that important to you? For you to willingly lose Caroline?"

Elena flinched and lowered her gaze down with conflicting emotions glistening in her eyes.

"The three of us—we've been inseparable since childhood. Always there for each other through ups and downs in life. No matter what, we stayed best friends for years. Years." Bonnie stared at Elena with a stern face. "And you only knew Damon for like—what, a year or so?" She waited for the doppelganger to answer but only silence instead. "You know what? I don't want to stay here."

Bonnie whirled around, dismissing Elena's protest as she stormed out of the bedroom, and down the hall to the stairs. The Bennett witch continues to ignore the brunette while she reaches the first level and the front door.

She pulled the door open wide and marched forward without pausing. However, she bumped into a board chest and warm hands gently touched her arms.

"Bonnie." a familiar voice called out in surprise.

Bonnie snapped her head up and saw Elijah staring down at her with soft eyes. "Elijah." she was not expected to see the Noble Original here. Her heart beat rapidly against her chest which made Elijah's lips twitch when he unmistakably heard it.

The footstep was heard behind her. "Elijah?"

Elijah slowly dragged his gaze up, over the petite witch's shoulder, and saw Elena staring at him with perplexity. "What are you doing here?"

"I hope I am not intruding anything." The Noble Original reluctantly released his hands from Bonnie as he glanced at the doppelganger and the Bennett witch. "I was hoping you might accompany me. I want to show you something." he drawled to Elena calmly. Not even asking her, but rather demanding her. Elena knew just by hearing his tone.

"Umm, yeah. Let me get my jacket." Elena muttered, turned around, and quickly grabbed a jacket from the coat closet.

Then he shifted his gaze down at Bonnie. "It would be nice if you could join." he asked, gently.

Bonnie bit her inner cheek, thoughtfully. She wants to go after her vampire best friend and be there for her. However, she doesn't trust Elena to be alone with Elijah. Sure, the Noble Original is strong and powerful. However, she knew that Elena had daggered two Originals—Elijah and Rebekah—without hesitation.

The Bennett witch still remembered that she did hide Elijah's dagger somewhere safe. However, what about the other daggers? Who knew if someone (Salvatore brothers) might have got it? For all she knew, Elena and the Salvatore brothers had a secret plan to trap Elijah or something.

'I'm sorry, Care. I just need to make sure Elena or the Salvatore brothers are not going to hurt Elijah.' Bonnie mused. Although, she has a feeling that Caroline would understand why Bonnie chose to stick with Elijah. Plus, the Bennett witch will keep an eye on the talisman bracelet to ensure that Caroline is okay.

Bonnie will check on Caroline soon, after she tells Elijah what Elena did and Esther is planning to do. She lifted her gaze upward at Elijah who was waiting patiently for her. "Yeah. I'll come." Elijah's dark eyes gleam with delight.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Park
Later…

The sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. The swings sway back and forth, a reminder of the joyful laughter that once filled the air from the past when there used to be three little girls who were sworn to be best friends. Now, a blonde-haired beauty sitting on a bench under the gazebo. Her shoulders hunched as she kept wiping her tears with her fingers.

Caroline wanted to go to Kol for his warm comforting hugs. However, she doesn't want to interfere with whatever business going on that Elijah needs Kol's help with. Plus, she doesn't want to be too dependable on Kol. Caroline needs to sort her emotions through first before she goes to anyone for comfort. She is secretly grateful that Bonnie didn't chase after her.

She needed to be alone for a moment in the quiet emptiness of the park.

Out of nowhere, a deep voice broke the silence. "Excuse me miss, are you okay?" Caroline turned her head over her shoulder as she somewhat recognized the voice.

Much to her surprise, it was Finn who stood from a respectful distance. The Eldest Original looked surprised to see her as well. Caroline blinked, quickly wiped her tears, and tried to compose herself, but Finn could see right through her facade.

"Hey—Finn, if I'm right." Caroline said with a false smile, well aware that her eyes were red and puffy. Attempt to ignore that she was caught crying by the Original Loner.

Finn tilted his head with contemplative eyes then took out one of his hands from his trench coat's pockets, gesturing at the bench across from her. "Mind If I sit?"

"Ah, no. Not at all, go ahead." the blonde-haired beauty watched Finn gracefully walk to the marble bench across from her, and sat down as if he had been raised as a respectable noble. The way he sat reminded her of Elijah. "Umm, please don't take this wrong way but why are you here?" she questioned, inquisitive.

The Original Loner surveyed around the gazebo. There was a hint of nostalgia and longing in his grey-brown eyes. "A thousand years ago—there was a platform, an arbor not too far from the creek." Caroline briefly recalled there was a lake with rocks and tall grasses near the hill, about a few miles away from the park. "It was one of the significant areas that held good memories for me." Finn muttered, so softly with melancholy.

Luckily Caroline can perfectly hear him with her keen ears. She observed the immortal man for a few seconds until understanding and sympathy hit her. "What was her name?" Caroline hoped she wasn't crossing any boundaries.

"Solveig was her name." Finn said her name with such heavy devotion and fondness. "And like you—" he stared at Caroline with earnest eyes. "—she was a Sáõ."

The blonde-haired beauty's blue-green eyes widen at him bewildered as her fingers clutched around her pendant. "W-what?" she stammered. "Wait! Solveig?" she recognized one of her ancestor's names. "You knew her?" Caroline quickly stumbled to her feet from the bench with hopeful, curiosity, interest, and amazed.

Finn nodded his head while entwined his fingers together as he leaned forward. His elbows rested on his knees while his tangled fingers hung in the mid-air. "Yes. She was Ayana's ward and a mentee."

"She was a witch?" Caroline gasped with wonder.

A small twitch of his lip lift, a small ghost smile with forlorn eyes. "She was a brilliant witch."

"Will you please tell me more about her?" the blonde-haired beauty asked, wanting to know about her ancestor. Finn studied her for a few seconds and nodded his head which made Caroline beamed at him.

Finn leaned back in surprise when Caroline strode forward and sat next to him with an excited face, eager to hear the story about Solveig.

It didn't take her to wait long when Finn opened his mouth. "When I first saw her… she was magical." he recalled back then as his eyes dazed, lost himself in the memory. "I was hunting for the herbs and I stumbled across this field, the flowers were dying, lack of water and there was too much sun. When I saw her, she doing magic. To bring the withers flowers back to life. Solveig was so gentle with them. You could feel how much love she put into those flowers with her magic."

Caroline's eyes soften as she watches the awed linger in his gaze when he thinks about her ancestor. Finn continued. "Solveig saw me. So bold that she stood up, walked straight toward me without fear, and introduced herself to me. I was shocked and confused." a tiny amusement flickered through his eyes when he remembered how Solveig was so confident. "I was cautious of her because I had not seen her in the village before. She explained to me that she was Ayana's ward and mentee. She just…"

A disblieved small chuckle released from his lips with a weak grin. "…just blab everything to me. How Ayana was protecting her and hiding her from the people. How she was special. How she was found by Ayana when she was a young lass with amnesia. No one knew of her existence except Ayana. I was baffled and asked her why would she utter so many secrets to me. I was a stranger to her." Finn closed his eyes slowly, thinking of that piece of memory.

The blonde-haired beauty smiles with amusement at her ancestor's bold and blabbermouth. It seems that Solveig doesn't know how to conceal her secrets.

"She just stared at me and one word was, "Oops?" and asked me to pretend I have not heard a thing from her." Finn said with fondly and Caroline covered her mouth, trying not to burst out in laughter as mirth danced in her blue-green eyes.

The Original Loner opens his eyes and stares at the blue sky of the afternoon sun. "There was something about her that I cannot stop thinking. From that on, I started searching for her whenever I went out for a hunt—for berries, herbs, animals, anything. Just so I can catch a glimpse of her again…" Caroline continues paying attention to him of how he searches for her ancestor, finds her, learns things about her, and how their companionship begins to develop.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Study Room
Meanwhile…

The wild Original carefully searched the room with calculating eyes. He takes out a few books, skimmed over and returns them to the shelf. He ambled around the room, attempting to sense any magical aura in the air but nothing suspicious caught his attention.

The afternoon ray of sunlight shines through the windows of the quiet study room. He inspected under the tables, behind bookshelves, and even underneath the divan. Attempt to find any hidden items or clues. But there was nothing.

Kol feels frustrated, he had been hoping for a breakthrough in his investigation of what mother had used for a spell. Burnt sage and candles were signs that mother was doing magic. However, just what kind of spell was she doing?

He leaned his backside on the back of the divan while crossing his arms with a huff. As the minutes ticked by, he couldn't help but feel like he was wasting his time.

Kol hoped that his noble brother would have answers once he talked with Elena Gilbert.

His muse was interrupted when he heard the clicking heels and raised his head when the doors opened. Rebekah raised her eyebrow at him. "What are you doing here?"

The Prince Original just shrugs in response. Rebekah rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I am in a mood to leave and Klaus wanted a drink. So, we decided to head for the Grill. You want to join us?" she asked, offering the invitation.

"As much as I know that my presence is appealing since I am very fun to be around—" Rebekah snorted with skepticism and Kol ignored her rude tone. "—I have a plan to do." he smirked at her.

Rebekah narrowed her eyes at him with caution. "…I don't wanna know. But if it involves pranks, do not mess with my things. Or I will string you up from your intestines and leave you from the rooftop." she warned him with a glare.

"Ah, I can feel the love, Bex!" Kol shouted after Rebekah walked out with her hair flipped over her shoulder. The mischief Original waited for a few minutes until he was guaranteed that he was alone in the mansion.

With determination and persistence, he will find out one way or another what the Original Witch did. His mind was racing with all the possible scenarios. "Hopefully Elijah has the answers soon…" he muttered, deciding to head to his bedroom where his grimoires were.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Woods
Later…

The fancy sleek black car parked in the woods. Elijah climbed out from the driver's side, vamp-speed around, and opened the passenger's door. Bonnie thanked him with a smile while Elena opened the door from the backseat. The Noble Original lifted his arm at the Bennett witch who shyly accepted with her hand over his elbow.

The Noble Original scanned around the woods with nostalgic eyes. "Forgot how much I missed this land." he uttered, amazed that he still recognized the area after a thousand years.

"I can't even imagine what it must have been like a thousand years ago." Elena speaks up as she shoves her cold hands into her jacket's pockets. She observed with puzzled by Elijah who had been treated Bonnie very well. Since when did Bonnie and Elijah become friends?

Elijah hummed as they sauntered down the path of the woods. "You know, your school was built over an Indian village. Where I saw my first werewolf." Bonnie looked at him with surprise and interest. "The town square was where the natives would gather to worship. Matter of fact, near that—" Elijah pointed at the general field for Bonnie and Elena to glance at. "—there was a field where wild horses used to graze."

"Wow." Bonnie whispered, marveled and amazed which made Elijah smile at her while Elena quietly and awkwardly walked behind them.

After a moment of silent walking in the woods, Elijah pointed at the large rocks. "There…" he leads them toward it.

"Do you know this place too?" Elena asked, curious while glancing around the empty field.

The petite witch tilted her head with questioning eyes at Elijah who stared at the rocks with a soft face. He lightly touches the rock. "I do. Below us is a cavern I used to play in as a boy. Connects to a system of tunnels that stretch across the entire area. Perhaps it's nature's way of providing us with shelter against the savagery of the full moon. My mother said there must be a balance." he explained, reminiscing.

The Bennett witch raised her eyebrow at the doppelganger, silently hoping that Elena made amends right now. To right her wrong. Elena fidgeted her foot nervously. "Elijah, I should probably go home." Bonnie frowned at her with dissatisfaction.

"I admire you, Elena." The Noble Original turned his gaze at Elena. "You remind me of qualities I valued long before my mother turned us. It's not in your nature to be deceitful and yet when I asked about your meeting with my mother the other night, you lied to my face." Bonnie's lips pressed together, not surprised that Elijah knew the brunette was lying.

Elena shakes her head. "That's not true. I told you that all your mother wanted was a new start." once again, the blip of her beating heart alerted Elijah.

"I can hear your beartbeat." Elijah's eyes harden with frostiness. "It jumps when you're being dishonest with me. You lied to me at the ball—you are lying to me now. Tell me the truth." he demanded, coldly. Elena hesitated while glancing around nervously. Elijah scoffed and turned his gaze to Bonnie. The coldness in his eyes dimmed. "Bonnie?" he hoped the witch won't start lying to him.

The Bennett witch shifted her olive-green eyes upward at Elijah who wore a stoic face yet there was a faint of fragile pleading in his eyes. 'You had your chance to fix your mistake, Elena.' she mused, then opened her mouth. "I just learned this from Elena an hour ago or so. She told us—Caroline and I—" she quickly added when Elijah frowned at her with a curiosity of who else knows. "—that when she met Esther, your mother did a spell. In order to link all of you after you drank the champagne at the toast. Esther mentioned to her about having witches channeling and spirit of nature on her side. Elena wanted Klaus to be killed, but your mother doesn't plan only to have him killed."

"She wants to kill us all." Elijah stated with a frown. "She wants to undo the evil she created."

Elena stared at the Bennett witch with dismay and betrayed. The Noble Original's eyebrows furrowed deeply. "That was why she used the burnt sage. To discuss with you how she wanted to eliminate us—her children."

"I'm…" Elena sighed as her shoulders slumped. "…I am so sorry Elijah." she honestly doesn't know what else to say after that.

The Noble Original blankly stared at the doppelganger. "Are you truly?" Before Elena could respond, Elijah stomped his foot against the earth, and instantly, it shattered into a hole and Bonnie's eyes widen in stunned and bewilderment when Elena fell in.

Elijah wrapped his arms around Bonnie's waist. "Trust me?" Bonnie blinked at him but without hesitation, she nodded her head. The Noble Original jumped down the hole with Bonnie in his arms.

Elena coughed while waving the dirt from her face as she sat up. She winced a bit, knowing that there will be some bruises soon. The brunette lifted her head and stared at Elijah with bafflement and hurt. "W-why?"

"It is best that you stay here for now." Elijah carefully helps Bonnie not to trip over the rocks. "If you attempt to run, I will break your legs." he drawled, disinterested yet there was a flash of warning in his cold dark eyes.

Elena shivers with fear, realizing that she had pissed Elijah off.

"I'll stay with her." Bonnie volunteered. Elena gave her betrayed look at Bonnie while Elijah glanced at her with surprise. "You do what you need to do." she added, silently showing him that she was on his side—on Originals' side.

Elijah's eyes were tender with appreciation. 'What a remarkable witch.' he leaned forward and pecked her forehead much to her delightful surprise while Elena gaped in flabbergasted at them. "I will let you know when I stop the spell." Bonnie nodded her head and watched Elijah use his vampire speed out of the hole and leave.

The petite witch lowered her gaze down at Elena who stared at her in a new perspective. "Bonnie… w-why would you…since when you and Elijah got close? I-I don't understand?" she stuttered, not processing what she had just seen and heard.

"There is a lot you don't know, Elena." Bonnie crossed her arms with stiff shoulders. "The world does not revolve around you." she sassed.

Elena just slowly shakes her head while pushing herself up to her feet and brushes the strands of her hair back behind her ears. "Bonnie…what is going on? Not just you—but Caroline too?" she is completely lost.

Bonnie studied the doppelganger for a brief intense moment, closed her eyes, and took a breather before she exhaled. "Like I said before, a lot has happened."

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
The Grill
Moments Later…

The soft, casual music playing in the background in the Grill. Klaus and Rebekah are standing at the counter pub, waiting for their beverages. Klaus leaned his elbows on the counter while Rebekah silently drummed her fingers against the surface of the bar. There are no words traded between the siblings as the gentle clinking of glasses and quiet murmurs of conversation from the other diners.

Surprisingly, it is rather a pacific day. No drama. No violence. No threat. Nothing.

Klaus shifted his gaze to his little sister who looked bored with a pout. "I am surprised that you have not found yourself a new toy, Bekah." he said with casual curiosity. After all, no matter when, Rebekah always finds a young man that she will take a fancy to. At first, he thought it might be a certain young Lockwood but his sister was not interested.

"And have you to kill him?" Rebekah flatly said with a raised eyebrow at her brother. "No thanks." she flipped her hair over her shoulder.

The Original Hybrid's lips twitch with an amused smirk. "Not even—him?" he randomly pointed at one of the waiters, a rather decent-looking male with blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

Rebekah lazily glanced over and huffed when she recongized him from her class. "I am not a homewrecker no matter how handsome he was, Klaus." she sniffed snobbishly.

The bartender arrived with their orders. The siblings grabbed it before they politely thanked the bartender. "Plus, am I not allowed to actually spend a rare peaceful moment with my brother?" she uttered while holding her fancy alcohol drink.

Klaus studied his sister for a silent momentarily then tipped his head with acknowledgment that his sister was being genuine. She does seem to want to spend time with him. When was the last time they had brother/sister bonding time?

He held up his crystal glass of bourbon at her and she lightly tapped her glass against his. They both wordlessly cheered and sipped on their drinks, savoring the taste. Standing together underneath the dim lighting and warm colors of the restaurant created a sense of coziness and tranquility, making the siblings feel like they were in their own little bubble, away from the chaos of the outside world.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Salvatore Boarding House
Meanwhile…

Elijah is currently sitting on one of the stuffed leather chairs with his legs crossed, leaning back slightly as his chin propped by his fist while elbowed rested on the arm of the chair. His dark eyes scanned around the living room with a nonchalant attitude. He has been waiting for the Salvatore brothers to notice him for the last fifteen minutes.

He is silently judging them for their lack of senses. He would've torn their pathetic hearts out by now. Unfortunately, he has a plan and he needs the childish vampires since they are part of the strategy.

Elijah's eyes sharpen when he listens to the conversation between the Salvatore brothers as they are descending the stairs. Something about how they couldn't contact Elena's cell and that Stefan had already gone to the Gilbert house but found it empty.

"I am serious, Damon. I can't find her." Stefan insisted as they both turned to the doorway that led to the living room. However, they both halted when they saw Elijah.

Damon glared nastily at the Noble Original. "What the hell are you doing here?" he snarled with warily while Stefan frowned with caution.

"Hello, Damon. Stefan." Elijah calmly greeted them with a cold smirk. "You two are very awful vampires. Did not sense a dangerous presence in your home." he mockingly tutted at them.

The older Salvatore glowered. "Not our fault that Originals had a habit of showing up in our home." Stefan put his warning hand on his brother's shoulder, in an attempt to calm Damon. He doesn't want his older brother to lost another limb.

Elijah hummed. "Well, I can lecture you both how truly horrendous vampires you are for hours. Unfortunately, I do not have time considering if you want to save Elena's life." he smoothly fibbed. Elijah was not planning to kill the doppelganger but he won't let the Salvatore brothers know that.

The Salvatore brothers stiffed at that. Elijah calmly stood up from the chair while re-buttoning his blazer. "To save her life, in exchange for that I need you to help me stop my mother."

"I'm a little embarrassed to admit, but when it comes to killing thousand year old resurrected witches. I'm a little rusty." Damon quipped with a mocking smirk yet his ice-blue eyes filled with loathed.

Elijah walked around with an indifferent aura around him while idly surveying the living room. "Yes, unfortunately, even when killed my mother doesn't seem to want to stay dead. Not with the spirits of nature at her side."

"So, what are we supposed to do?" the young Salvatore questioned with a frown.

The Noble Original turned around while coolly shoving his hands in his suit pants' pockets. "The witches that released my mother, she is drawing her power from their bloodline, that line needs to be broken."

"Broken?" Stefan's brows furrowed with confusion.

Damon sneered with an understanding glint in his eyes. "Yeah, I think he means—" he makes a cutting motion with his forefinger over his neck.

Stefan's eyes were wide in surprise and turned his gaze to Elijah. "You want us to kill them." he stated.

"You know I'd do it myself, but I have absolutely no idea where they are, nor who they are. Besides, seeing me, they'd immediately know my intent. You have until six minutes after nine to find them." Elijah sauntered his way out of the living room.

The older Salvatore rolled his eyes. "How super specific of you." he sarcastically retorted.

"By nine-oh-seven, the moon will be full. My mother will have the power she needs to kill me and my family." he paused in the hallway and glanced over his shoulder with a pair of blank dark eyes that reminded them of dangerous black holes. "If you do not stop her before then, you both will never find Miss Gilbert for the rest of your miserable eternal life." his tone was filled with promises that made the Salvatore brothers exchange anxious and dreadful glances. "So we all have our timeline? I suggest you get started." then he used his vampire speed out of the Salvatore boarding house.

Once he was behind the wheels in his car, started the engine and drove out of the driveway. He grabbed his phone and dialed his young brother's cell number.

"You better have answers for me, 'Lijah." Kol immediately answered with an exasperated.

"Mother used a linking spell on the other night when she did the toast. All of us—five of us—are linked into one." Elijah said while turning the corner of the street with a grave tone.

He could hear Kol swears in his native tongue. "Which makes us rather vulnerable, harm one of us, and all of us are harmed."

Elijah's fingers tighten around his phone. "Is there a spell you can find? To unlink us? Before mother decides to kill us tonight."

"Not so surprised that mother wants to murder us. How lovely." the wild Original scathing yet with a hint of resignation in his tone. "There is a spell, but the unlinking spell takes time. Since tonight is a full moon, we need to find a way to interfere with mother's casting the spell. To stop her, even if it's only temporarily."

The Noble Original narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Kill the witches that mother had been channeling would temporarily stop her spell?" he asked, just in case.

"That is an option. A horrible option, but certainly would stop the spell. Fortunately, I happen to know a couple of spells that can break the channeling links. I just need to sort out through my collection of grimoires and find it."

Elijah slowly eased the pressure on gas when he reached the red light in the street. "Will you get it before the full moon?"

Kol scoffed as if Elijah challenging his ability to find the answer in a short limited time. "I am really excellent with speed, brother. I will find it." he said with confidence.

"Good. I am going to try to see if I can find Finn." he informed his young prankster brother. Elijah doesn't want to put too much hope since he knows that Finn loathed being an Original vampire. However, he cannot help but there is a part of him that Finn would never want to kill them. After all, Finn is still their brother.

"Good luck with that. Try not to waste too much time though. If you change your mind, Klaus and Bex are in the Grill."

"Alright. See you later, Kol." Elijah bit his farewell with his young brother and hung up. Now, where would Finn be?

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Park
Later…

"Wow… Solveig was amazing." Caroline said with awed after she learned that Solvieg used her magic while channeling from the storm to prevent the famine by bringing the gardens back to life. The blonde-haired beauty was amazed that her ancestor was a badass powerful yet kind-hearted witch.

Finn nodded his head with tenderness eyes, silently agreed with Caroline. Solveig was a truly radiant witch.

Caroline scrutinized the Eldest Original with inquisitive shines in her blue-green eyes. "Do you—" she paused, slightly hesitant but the need to know the answer was too much for her. "—did you love her?" she blurted out.

The Original Loner blinked and turned his startled grey-brown eyes at her with a slight open jaw. He did not anticipate that question from her.

"I mean—I just noticed the way you speak of her. How you kept smiling about Solveig's success with magic stuff and how your eyes just…fill with so much fondness and love when there was a moment between the two of you." Caroline blabbed nervously while twirling her hair between her fingers anxiously. "I mean, if you don't love her like that, then we can just forget about it and pretend I did not say that question. And this is rather awkward, it's awkward, isn't it? I'm so sorry. I shouldn't overstep any boundary so please don't think I'm weird or anything like that and oh my God please tell me to shut up." Caroline groaned as she dropped her embarrassing face to her palms.

Finn stared at her for a brief moment in shock then his eyes softened with sentimentality and fondly. "Miss Forbes, will you please look at me?" he shifted slightly so he could face her semi-properly.

Caroline shyly raised her face from her hands and glanced at him with an embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry, I just… I couldn't help but ask." she said, feeling foolish.

"I understand." the Original Loner calmly said, he is well-aware of how much emotion he has let out when he talks about Solveig. "To answer your question… yes, I do."

The blonde-haired beauty tilted her head with interest when she caught his keyword. "Do? As in, present tense?" Finn silently nod. "You mean, after all these years, you still love her?" she whispered, astonished.

"I never stop. She is my soul, my heart, and my everything. There was never a day I stopped thinking of Solveig. She is on my mind, be it night or day." Finn confessed, he lifted his hand and grabbed the string of leather, untucked from his shirt, and displayed a delicate ring.

A permanent-polished spell of silver ring with a simple sapphire gemstone attached in the middle. "I made this for her as a wedding gift." Finn couldn't bring himself to take off the necklace as he wore the ring around his neck every day. Never took it off except showered. It was a constant presence, a comforting weight around his neck. He would often find himself absentmindedly spinning the ring whenever he was alone, lost in his memories of her.

"Wedding? You mean—you and Solveig are…" Caroline's eyes widened in an astonished shock while couldn't take her eyes off the delicate ring that was lying close to his heart. "But I don't understand. Wouldn't Kol tell me? I mean, Solveig was my ancestor so… shouldn't he know her?" she questioned, confounded.

Finn closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. "As you know, Solveig's existence was a secret. No one knows except Ayana and I. Ayana was the only one who knew since she was the one who witnessed our marriage." he explained, ting of sad. He remembered how simple and small the wedding was with just two of them and Ayana. It was the perfect wedding for the warlock and the witch. Simple yet magical.

"Like… a secret wedding? An elope?" Caroline said with a soft smile of wonderment.

The Original opens his eyes and nods. "Correct. No one knew of my marriage with her. I do not regret it. It was the best glorious of my life with her for six months until…" he trailed off with a dry gulp.

"…until you and your siblings became vampires." the blonde-haired beauty whispered, sadly for the Eldest Original. "W-what happened after that? I mean, after learning a few things about my ancestor. She wouldn't leave you because you are different." Caroline said, firmly believing her ancestor would not leave Finn. She just knew that.

Finn shakes his head. "No. She did not leave me." a miserable tiny smile appeared on his face. "Solveig was too stubborn. She tried everything she could think of to help me with my situation. She stood by my side no matter what. Because she said that we are stuck with each other after I decided to court her." a wistful chuckle released from his lips and dropped his head to cover his eye with his palm as his elbow rested on his knee.

"Finn…" Caroline carefully placed her palm on Finn's back with silent consolation.

Finn took a breath for a moment then released a shuddering sigh. "…one night, I was hunting for animal blood." he said with repulsion. "That bloody one night when I was just gone for a bit was when everything went tragedy."

"What kind of tragedy?" she asked, apprehension while eyeing him anxiously.

The Eldest Original lifted his head and turned to her with grey-brown eyes that glistened with unshed tears. "…I found her beaten to death in our bed." he lamented.

"Oh my God." the blonde-haired beauty slapped her mouth with her free hand while horror flashed in her blue-green eyes as her heart sank with sympathy.

The grief and agony leak from his water eyes. "Ayana informed me…she told me that Solveig was the one who wanted to tell me…" Caroline could see the deep sense of sorrow from his gaze. "…she was one month pregnant old…my child died." he whispered brokenly. Caroline could feel her eyes start to teary while her heart broke.

Finn cleared his throat while controlling his tears as he thought about how he had mourned the loss of his wife and the unborn child. The pain of knowing he would never get to hold his baby in his arms was almost too much to bear. He would never get to see his wife's beautiful smile again, never get to hear her infectious laughter, and never get to experience the joy of becoming a father. It was a loss that would stay with him forever, a wound that would never fully heal.

That was when he realized how fate could be so cruel. Left him shattered, broken, emptiness, and grief-stricken. Ever since that tragic night, he attempted to find a way to kill himself with the hope of reuniting with his beloved on the Other Side. Unfortunately, being the Original was too powerful to be an almost unkillable.

All he wanted was to die to be with Solveig.

However, for the first time in forever, a hesitant appeared all because of Caroline Forbes.

"I am so sorry, Finn." Caroline's blue-green eyes filled with empathy and wrapped her arms around his waist which startled him. She leaned her head against his shoulder while squeezing his torso with her arms. "You don't deserve to have such a heartbreaking tragedy happen to you. You and your family." she muttered with a sad frown. Her ancestor was beaten to death, her pregnant ancestor.

How truly horrendous.

Finn slowly relaxes as he semi-awkwardly returns the hug. 'Your descendant is too kind, just like you, my beloved.' he mused, blinking his tears back.

"Which leads me to one thing that caused me so perplexed." Caroline broke her hug from Finn as she leaned back with a confused frown. "…how are you here? To exist?" Finn wondered, puzzled.

The blonde-haired beauty blinked at him then shrugged her shoulders, unsure. "I don't know… I mean, after Solveig, it was Emmanuella and then me. Every five hundred years, Sáõ was born. I learned that from my ancestors' journal." she explained from what she knew.

Finn hummed thoughtfully. "Solveig had told me about that. I've read a few pages of it." he admitted, recalling how his late wife showed off her treasure of a journal about her kind.

"…this might be a weird question to ask but…does this mean we're—relate or something?" Caroline grimaces, silently hoping that she isn't related to Mikaelson. Because wouldn't that mean she is having a romantic relationship with a blood relative? That's rather disturbing in her opinion.

Caroline was super relieved when the Eldest Original shook his head. "No. I would sense the familial magic within you if you share my blood." Finn elucidated with a puzzled frown. "Yet you remarkably reminded me of Solveig. You two could be sisters." he added.

The blonde-haired beauty wondered what Solveig looked like—in fact, she wanted to know what all her ancestors' appearance was like. Then she asked Finn if he could explain to her what her Viking ancestor looked like. To her inwardly satisfied that Finn's sorrowful eyes dimmed to affection when he thought about his late wife. She felt a lump form in her throat as she listened to him describe her ancestor's appearance with adoration.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
The Grill
Later…

The Salvatore brothers arrived in the Grill. Damon finds his drinking buddy, Alaric who is having a lunch date with Doctor Meredith Fell.

Alaric glanced at him and gave a subtly nod at Damon. He returns to chat with Meredith who is playing with the noodle on the plate with her fork.

Damon almost instantly found Klaus and Rebekah sitting on the stools at the bar. He sends a look at Stefan who nods his head, acknowledging that he also saw them.

The young Salvatore strode with determination in mind, straight toward a certain Original. The Princess Original turned sideway as she playfully punched Klaus' in the arm. A bright smile on her face lightened up. Until her smiling lips shifted to an indifferent frown when she saw Stefan approaching them.

Klaus turned his head with apathetic curiosity and saw Stefan. "Oh, how wonderful. What brings you come to us, Stefan?" he questioned with a chill smirk yet there was a hint of warily and distrustful glint in his blue eyes.

"I am here to talk—" Stefan stared at Rebekah with serious eyes yet a charming half-smile on his face. "—with you."

The Princess Original eyed him from top and down with contemplation. Klaus glares at Stefan, not liking that the Ripper vampire is attempting to charm his little sister. "Then talk." Klaus sassed.

"Alone." Stefan added, didn't bother to glance at the Original Hybrid.

Rebekah tilted her head for a brief thoughtful, grabbed her glass, drank it all down, and stood up. "Fine. You have five minutes." she said, deciding her time with her former lover who wanted to speak with her.

Klaus made a face, he did not like that. However, he knew he couldn't exactly control Rebekah's decision. Since she will cause a scene in public without a care. So, he wisely shut his mouth. At least his sister put a time limit on the broody vampire.

Honestly, five minutes is a bit too much. If it him, it would be one minute. If feeling a bit generous, then a minute and a half.

The Original Hybrid watches his little sister lead the young Salvatore to the back door where he assumes they will have a private talk outside. He huffed and examined around until his eyes landed on Damon who was glowered at him near the pool game area.

A cruel smirk displayed on Klaus' face as he lifted his bourbon glass at the older Salvatore. Damon hisses furiously while holding onto his fake hand with his left hand. Unaware, two humans sneakily slipped away as they followed the Princess Original and a young Salvatore.

Outside of the Grill, in the alleyway as the semi-warm sunlight shines on the vampires. Rebekah jerked the strands of her hair away from her face while crossing her arms and leaning on one of her legs. "Talk." she raised her eyebrow at him, silently reminding him of the limited time.

"You told me that we had a plan, that time in Chicago, ninety years ago—something about traveling. Is that true?" Stefan asked with a curious frown.

Rebekah narrowed her eyes at him with warily. "Why are you talking about that now, Stefan? I thought your feelings for me were over. What we had, is gone. You said so. Because you chose the backstabber doppelbitch—" she spat out the name spitefully. "—over me." she said with a hint of hurt. Deep down, she still has some feelings for the young Salvatore.

Stefan steps forward to her with an intense gleam in his green eyes. He lifted his hands to her face, lightly touched her cheeks and Rebekah froze with her breath sharply intake. "Rebekah..." the Princess Original stared straight into his gaze. "...just because we had history doesn't mean you should have trusted me so easily."

She frowned with bewilderment. "Wha-arg!" Rebekah gasped in agonizing when she felt the familiar sharp blade stabbed her in the back. Stefan quickly adjusted his arms around her as she fell forward with a silver dagger in her back in his arms. Alaric gives him a nod while Meredith keeps herself from a safe distance, keeping an eye out just in case for any bystanders.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Kol's Bedroom

The grimoire fell from his hands and smacked on the ground. Kol yelped in pain when he felt the familiar thousand dull knives stabbing into his heart, each one leaving a burning trail behind as he kneeled over. His skin started to turn grey and his eyes slowly closed. Fall onto the carpeted ground motionlessly.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
The Grill
Parking Lots

The Noble Original parked his car in the spot outside of the Grill. He turned off the engine and took out the key. Just as he was about to open the door, he felt the pain that his voice was caught in his throat, choked by the agony coursing through his body. He fell sideways and his tan skin changed to grey as he died.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Park

Caroline shrieked in worry when Finn suddenly collapsed onto the hard ground as his breaths coming in short gasps. "Finn!" she shouted in a mix of fear and concern as she slid off the bench. She bends down on her knees near him and touches his back. "Hey, Finn are you-oh my!" she gasped with wide eyes when she noticed he died as his skin dramatically changed to grey.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
The Grill
Indoor

Klaus nearly stumbled against the counter as he slammed the crystal glass of golden liquid on the counter. He hastily pressed his palm over his heart when the horrible agony invisible weapon stabbed him in his undead heart. Immediately, he knew something was wrong.

He jerked his head around and noticed Damon was missing from the Grill.

"Rebekah." Klaus mumble, worried about his little sister. He quickly used his hybrid speed out to the back entrance where he knew Rebekah left with Stefan.

Once he arrived outside, he saw Stefan hauling daggered Rebekah with Damon holding her legs. The furious gleam in his blue eyes as he darted toward them. He shoves Damon with his superior strength. Damon flew back against the brick walls and Klaus turned and punched Stefan in the face. Stefan fell back as he dropped Rebekah to the ground.

Klaus seized the silver dagger from his little sister's back while growling angrily at the Salvatore brothers.

The dagger didn't stay in Rebekah's body for too long since she returned to the living with a gasp. Klaus grabbed Stefan's by the throat and slammed him against the brick wall. He glares enraged at the ripper vampire. "I should have killed your brother months ago. Just so I can watch you suffer in your miserable pathetic eternal life." his blue eyes shifted to black and gold while fangs emerged.

"How dare you!" The Princess Original leaped onto her feet with betrayal and pain in her blue eyes. "You stabbed me in the back, no wonder you and that doppelbitch dated!" She instantly used her speed toward Damon who just stood up.

The Princess Original high-kicked Damon in the chest and stomped her boot onto his neck, trapping him on the ground. The older Salvatore grabbed her ankle with his left hand, attempting to pull her away but it was useless as she was much stronger than him. "I can kill you so easily just by using my foot to rip your head off." She hisses, infuriated.

"Niklaus! Rebekah!" Elijah called out his short-tempered siblings with a stern voice as he appeared at the top of the stairs. "Don't. We need them alive." He said, calmly yet his dark eyes filled with raw frostiness. He is, without a doubt, pissed.

"Why?" Klaus scowled at his noble brother while Rebekah frowned when she turned her questioning eyes at him.

Elijah opens his mouth. "We need to talk." With the most serious and solemn tone, Klaus and Rebekah knew Elijah needed them to listen to him.

"…fine." Klaus snapped Stefan's neck and uncaringly dropped the body to the ground.

Rebekah scoffed and lifted her foot away from Damon's neck. The older Salvatore coughed out a few times while rubbing his nearly broken neck.

Just as Damon was about to stand up, he was kicked back by an expensive black shoe. His ice-blue eyes snapped up at Elijah. The Noble Original's eyes had shifted to the ominous mixture of black and crimson-red. "I strongly suggest you and Stefan focus on the task I gave. Otherwise, you will never see Miss Gilbert again. You have about four hours. Do not waste any more time." He warned coldly.

Elijah whirled around, adjusted his trench coat, and strode out of the alleyway. Klaus and Rebekah quietly followed him before they sent their hatred glares at Damon.

Once they arrived at the Parking Lots, Klaus, who doesn't have patience, barked at Elijah. "What the bloody hell is going on, Elijah?!"

"It's about our mother." the Noble Original drawled, gravely while he opened the driver's door of his car.

Rebekah furrowed her eyebrows with concern. "What about her? Is everything okay?" she walks to the backseat's door, knowing that her hybrid brother will take the passenger's seat.

Elijah observed his young siblings with somber. He knew how much they both loved their mother. Especially, Rebekah who was so excited and so happy that mother forgave them and loved them. And, Klaus, all he ever wanted was to have his family whole in one place together.

However, it was all a lie. A very pretty lie.

And Elijah has to be the one to tell the ugliest truth and break his siblings' hearts.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Kol's Bedroom

Vexation consumed him after he snapped his eyes open. 'What the bloody hell?!' he shoved himself off the ground, grabbed his phone from the back pocket of his jeans, and quickly dialed the number.

Fortunately, Elijah answered the call at the first ring.

"Kol."

"What the bloody hell is going on, 'Lijah?!" the wild Original burst, while grabbing his grimoire that was dropped on the ground.

He could hear Elijah's sigh of irritation. "It was the Salvatore boys. Somehow, they were the ones who had the dagger—" a different voice interjected with a crossed tone.

"—It was my dagger."Klaus growled, fuming.

Another voice chimed in. "I was the one who had backstabbed with a bloody dagger. Again! What is it with people who do the backstabbing here?!" Rebekah snapped.

Kol huffed while quickly skimming over his grimoire to make sure there was no damage. "Well, that's just wonderful.Now I know which is the spells that were cast by mother who got us all linked." he muttered, recalling there are a few linking spells, however, he knew one spell that fit this. A Blood Linking spell.

"Wait. You knew that mother was conspiracy us?" Klaus questioned with suspicion.

The Prince Original rolled his eyes, knowing that his stupid paranoid brother thought that Kol might be involved with their mother's plan. "First, remove the idea of me being the cahoot with that bitch witch. Second, I just learned this information from Elijah a few hours ago. And lastly, I have been searching for information to figure out how to stop mother's plan from my grimoires when all I wanted was to spend my time with more pleasure but no! I had to find a way to stop our mother from murdering us, Niklaus! So, you're welcome!" he retorted with a sharp exasperatedly smirk.

Then his phone was blown up by Klaus and Rebekah aruging for a few seconds however, Elijah roared with a stern voice.

"ENOUGH!" silence appeared, not used to Elijah's shout as it was very rare for him to lose his cool and calm attitude. "We have less than four hours. I am taking all of us back to the mansion and we will help Kol to find the answers of how to stop the spell." Elijah uttered, strictly.

Kol silently whistled, glad not to be in the same room with his noble brother who is clearly pissed. "...and where is Finn? Is he on mother's side?" Klaus's question sounded more like a statement with resignation and a hint of betrayal.

"...I do not know." Elijah answered, blankly. "We are almost there, Kol."

"Right." the wild Original cleared his throat and started gathering grimoires from his shelves. "I'll be in the family room with some of the grimoires." he said then hung up. 'Finn... are you truly going to let mother murder us all?' he mused with a slight frown.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Park
Meanwhile...

Caroline gently places a hand on Finn's shoulder as she can see the discomfort etched on his face when he lowers himself onto the bench. "Are you alright? What happen?" she questioned with concern.

Finn stared down at his hands, curling his fingers inward and outward a few times. He lifted his head up at the blonde-haired beauty who was standing in front of him. Caroline had never seen such exhaustion and defeat on his face. "Finn?"

The Eldest Original's shoulders slumped with a heavy sigh. "Mother's spell. She linked all of us, my siblings and I. They didn't know but I knew. I knew mother's plan for centuries."

"Wait—" Caroline shakes her head, attempting to process what Finn just told her. "Centuries? But, how?"

Finn closed his eyes, weary. "Nine hundred years ago, a Hunter daggered my siblings and I, only Niklaus released everyone except me. He left me with a cursed dagger. The curse daggered forced an Original to lose consciousness. However, it lost its effects after a couple of centuries. I've been conscious for about at least, maybe, seven centuries. I was stuck with just my mind being awake."

Caroline watched him with horror as she covered her shocked mouth. Finn continued. "Sometimes I hear things outside of my coffin. I knew Niklaus went on and off daggering Rebekah and Kol most of the time. Rarely, Elijah get daggered. During my lost thought, my mother contacted me and she had been telling me about her plans. A plan to erase the evil and we can die peacefully." he opened his eyes and stared at her blankly. "Is it so wrong for me to want to die?"

The blonde-haired beauty scrutinized him thoughtfully as seeing him in such defeat broke her undead heart. She thought about how he lost his wife and unborn child, how he was forced to be trapped in a coffin for nine hundred years, and how tired and miserable he was. It's no wonder he wants to die.

Finn has been through nothing but tragedy after one and another. Without a single break. Without having a moment to sit and heal. He looked like he didn't get a chance to truly live after he lost so much.

But, he forgot one thing.

"What about your siblings?" Caroline inquired, softly. "You are their older brother. Don't they need someone who will always protect them, watch over them, and make sure they don't get themselves hurt? Or killed." she added the last time, almost forgetting that Finn is one of the Originals.

Finn scoffed with a broken half-smirk. "They have Elijah. They do not want me, Miss Forbes. To them, I am just a boring and dull brother who hates being near them because we're all bloodthirsty monsters." he said, bitterly.

Caroline bit her inner cheek for a brief moment. "...monsters or not, they do have a heart." she defended on Originals' behalf. She remembered how Elijah would do anything to get revenge for his siblings who he thought were forever gone but Klaus lied. How Klaus always has his siblings close by and protects them no matter what. How Rebekah wanted to have experiences like a normal high school girl and to earn friends. How Kol had fallen in love with her.

She won't deny that the Originals are terrifying monsters but they are capable of love. They are not lost cause in her opinion. As long as they can love, there is still a chance they can change into something good. Caroline believes in that.

Just like she believes there is still good in Finn. After all, her Viking ancestor did fall in love with this lonely man. "I believe that they still need you, Finn." she noticed a skeptical on his face. "No, really... you are their brother, the oldest.True that they have Elijah who has the role of protecting them, but then... who will protect Elijah?"

And that brought a spark inside of him as he snapped his surprised gaze at her. His mind went back—

—Solveig lays her head on Finn's chest as they both lie naked on the meadow, underneath the large shade of the tree. The witch lightly danced her fingers against Finn's toned stomach. "You should go visit your siblings. You have not seen them for two days." she whispered, softly.

"Why should I? They have Elijah. He is a warrior. He can protect them just fine." Finn muttered while tightening his arm around his beloved.

Solveig frowned, lifted her head, and narrowed her eyes at him. Finn yelped when he felt an electric magic that shocked him. "Solveig!" Finn looked at her with offense.

The witch huffed. "You are the oldest brother. Yes, Elijah is a warrior. Yes, I am aware that he can protect Niklaus, Kol, Rebekah, and Henrik. However, you forgot one thing, my dear warlock." Finn raised his questioning eyebrow. "Who will protect Elijah? Without the warrior, the rest of your siblings will get hurt... possibly killed." she whispered, gently reminding him that Elijah is a strong warrior but he is also his little brother.

She pushed herself up and leaned over at Finn. "They have a warrior brother. But Elijah needs someone to protect him. You are his protector, Finn."

Finn stared at her with wonderous for a moment then his grey-brown eyes softened with adoration. "Of course. I am their silent protector." Solveig beamed at him and pecked his lips lovely.—

The piece of memory faded. Finn couldn't believe he had forgotten about that moment. A moment when Solvieg gave him the purpose. A chance to be a brother.

And his beloved's descendant just reminded him of that small yet true fact. Finn grabbed Caroline's hand not unkindly, pulled it away from his shoulder, and pressed his forehead against her knuckles with gratitude. "Uuhh, Finn?" Caroline was taken aback by this sudden gesture.

"Thank you Miss Forbes." The Original Loner lifted his head up with a ghost smile on his face. "You have just reminded me something that I have long forgotten."

Finn stood up before he carefully released her hand from his. "There is something I need to do." he said with determination. His grey-brown eyes slowly filled with resolve. "I strongly suggest you return to your home, Miss Forbes." he insisted.

Caroline protested but Finn held his hand up with a look. "It would give me comfort to have the knowledge that you are safe in your home. Especially for my brother, Kol." he said with knowing eyes.

The blonde-haired beauty blushed. "You know about that?" she whispered, almost shyly.

"I promise I will send Kol to you once he is safe." Finn vowed, well aware of how much his brother truly loved this beautiful Sáõ creature.

The blonde-haired beauty frowned. "Not just him. Elijah, Rebekah, and even Klaus. And you too. Please be safe." she said, concerned.

Finn's eyes soften. "Of course, Miss Forbes."

"Caroline." she grants him her permission to use her personal name. "You can call me Caroline. None of the whole Miss Forbes formal stuff. Okay?"

The Eldest Original tipped his head with acknowledgment and when she blinked, he was already gone.

Standing alone in the gazebo for a few seconds and a familiar voice appeared behind her. "Lady Caroline?" Caroline whirled around with a recognized glint in her blue-green eyes.

"Harper!"

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Woods
Cave
Moment Later...

The Bennett witch sat in the dark, damp cave with her arms crossed. Across from her, Elena is sitting on the ground, leaning against the rocks while staring at her hands, as she fiddles with her dead phone.

Bonnie had told Elena a few things that had occurred over the last few months except she never told her about Caroline's special rare species, nor Kol who was bound to her when he was a ghost, or that he was Bonnie's mentor.

"...he—Kol... he likes Caroline?" Elena asked after she processed the information she just learned. Bonnie hummed in response. "Caroline likes him?" this is the part where she is confused, like how is that possible? They just met.

"Kol is an Original. A monster." Elena reminded Bonnie as she shifted her gaze to the petite witch.

Bonnie raised her eyebrow at her, feeling protective of her mentor. "Stefan is a ripper. Damon is a murder. Don't be a hypocrite, Elena." she harshly remarked which made Elena flinch.

The doppelganger lowered her gaze and thought back about that night—The Mikaelson Ball when she briefly saw Caroline and Kol dance together. However, she doesn't think further much about it because she is too focused on trying to get away from Damon with Stefan's help just so she can talk with Esther.

However, now she is her own thoughts without anyone bothering her. Elena would run off but the problem was that Bonnie swore she would use a paralyzing spell on her without hesitation. And Elena knew Bonnie was serious. So, instead of fighting against the powerful witch, Elena wisely sits and waits.

She thought back to what Elijah told her about Damon's punishment because he did unsavory to a girl. Someone who is special to an Original—to Kol. So, that means Caroline is special to Kol? (She still can't comprehend that piece of information because they both just met, right?)

Beside, the confusing piece of information, she focuses on Damon who manipulated Caroline, and used her as a blood bag. That is what she knew but she didn't know just how far Damon went with what he did to Caroline. Elena wants to deny but deep down in her heart, Caroline would never lie about such cruel things about herself.

If Caroline said that Damon abused her, then he did. He abused Caroline. And she never spoke a word about it for months. Not even to Bonnie until late May earlier this year.

When made her think further, why did Caroline never say a word to her? When did Caroline stop talking to her? Stop confiding her?

Has Bonnie been right?

Was Elena really that awful best friend to Caroline?

If that is true—no...

Elena's shoulders slumped with guilt and remorse. She can't keep fooling herself. It is true. Elena has not been around Caroline very often these days. Hell, it's been months since they both actually hung out. Caroline had attempted to make time for Elena but Elena ended up ditching her and spending time with the Salvatore brothers instead.

'No best friend would ever develop a feeling for her abuser.' Elena covered her exhausted face with her palms. What kind of person was she if she continued having feelings for the older Salvatore?

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Old Witch Plantation
Outdoor
Later...

As the sun slowly descended below the horizon, its warm rays faded into the cool hues of twilight. Esther stood in front of the large salt star-shaped pentagon in the large circle. Five torches were pinned into each point of a star that represented her children. She studied the circle to ensure everything was prepared for tonight's spell.

With Abby's willing help to allow Esther to harness the Bennett bloodline energy along with nature and soon, the full moon... the energies should be powerful enough for her to eliminate the Originals and the rest of the vampires in the world.

"I thought you said there was going to be the three of us here?" Abby asked while observing the surroundings with calculating eyes.

Esther glanced at the Bennett witch. "Do not worry. He will be here soon." she said, calmly. Esther had no idea where her eldest son had run off to but she was positive that he would arrive before the full moon rose.

Abby wrapped her arms around herself. "So, how will I help again?" she inquired, just to understand what is her role.

"Being a Bennett will help, especially when I draw from the entirety of the Bennett bloodline, living and dead. Excluded your daughter, of course." she assured when Abby looked worried but shifted to relief. "The connection affords me great power, although it is somewhat difficult to maintain, which is why I require you, the mother. The bloodline made manifest. Tonight, my sisters, we shall bring peace to the spirits of nature that we serve and for that I thank you."

The older Bennett hummed with understanding. Her eyes examined the torches and the design on the ground. "What are those? What do they do?"

"The pentagram represents our connection to magic. The salt is a symbol of the Earth." Esther explained as she recalled her former mentor who had taught her this ritual from the old grimoire just for a harmless theory magic lesson. "Five torches. One for each of my children." she sighed with remorse. "As the witch who cast the spell that made them vampires, I can also reverse it. When they become human again, they can be killed. As they are linked as one, my brave Finn will be the sacrifice. With his death, will come theirs." she clarified, indifferently as she admitted that she was going to murder her children.

Abby tilted her head with incredulity. "Your son, he is willing to die?"

"Yes. He wanted to be released from his Hell so he could be in peace." Esther said while walking to the center of the circle. "Now, I suggest you head inside the house and start meditating. It will help for tonight's spell." she ordered Abby, not unkindly.

The Bennett witch nods her head with determined eyes, turns around and marches to the old witch's plantation.

Esther closed her eyes and took a deep breathe, feeling the cool breeze caress her skin and the gentle rustling of leaves in the trees. The Original Witch could sense the energy building, the anticipation of the full moon's arrival palpable in the air. She opened her eyes and gazed up at the sky, the deep blue canvas now dotted with twinkling stars.

Esther focused on the horizon, where a silver of the full moon could be seen, slowly rising into view. 'Twenty minutes until it reaches its peak.' she mused with a semi-concern frown. Where is Finn?

Unexpectedly, four figures arrived from the woods and she easily recognized them. "My children." she observed Elijah, Klaus, Kol, and Rebekah approaching toward her. "Come forward." she said while wondering where is her eldest son.

Kol steps forward to the pentagram as the torches around it flare up brightly. He jerked back when he felt the invisible barrier. He scoffed and mockingly smirked at his siblings. "Well isn't this lovely? We're stuck out here, while mother used the magic to block us away from her."

"How strange that I do not see the favorite son with you, mother." Klaus retorted with an angry frown.

Esther lifted her chin with confidence and calm. "Finn will be here soon because he knows how important his role is."

"Whatever you think of us, killing your own children will be an atrocity." Elijah speaks up with a heavy frown.

The Original witch narrowed her eyes at her noble son. "My only regret is that I did not let you die a thousand years ago."

Rebekah shakes her head with watery eyes. "Why mother? I thought you loved us." she whispered, betrayed.

"For a thousand years, I've been forced to watch you. Felt the pain of every victim, suffered while you shed blood. Even you, Elijah, with your claim to nobility, you're no better. All of you. You're a curse on this Earth. Stretched out over generations. If you've come to plead for your life, I'm sorry. You've wasted your time." she explained, gravely.

Kol used his vamp-speed so close to the invisible barrier with a furious gleam in his crimson-red eyes. "You did this to us! It was your bloody idea to cast a dark spell on us! You made us into this way!" he growled.

Esther stared blankly at him while she inwardly got worried that her son, Finn was late. Only ten minutes left until the full moon reached its peak.

"Enough!" Klaus snapped while glaring hatefully at the Original Witch. "All this talk is boring me. End this now, mother. Or I'll send you back to Hell." he warned her.

However, Esther never shows her fear at all. Instead, she is calm, cool, and collected.

Kol slowly tilted his head while observing the Original Witch. "...you are waiting." he stated when he caught her subtly flicker of her gaze over their shoulders. "You waiting for Finn."

Elijah narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "And only seven minutes left until the moon is full." he pointed it out after he glanced at the silver moon in the dark sky.

"And you have no idea where Finn was." Klaus sneered with a dark amusement.

Rebekah crossed her arms with a tiny fragile hope in her blue eyes. "Does that mean Finn is not on mother's side?" she asked her brothers.

Before any of them answer, a deep voice speaks up. "Yes, Rebekah." all heads turned to the side where Finn gracefully strode toward them with his hands in his trench coat's pockets. "I am not on her side. No longer." he declared.

Elijah's dark eyes gleamed with relief while Klaus was surprised, and suspicious yet with a hint of hope. Rebekah beamed happily at Finn. Kol smirked widely with approval glinting in his dark eyes.

Esther watched her eldest son reach to his siblings and stand at their side, instead of her side. She frowns with perplexed and bemused. "Finn, my dear son... why? I do not understand... I thought this was what you wanted it. To be free from this curse."

"It is true that I want to be released from this life." Finn admitted with a nod. "But I have forgotten a very important promise. I cannot break it." His siblings looked at him with interest and curiosity about what kind of promise that was powerful enough for Finn to choose it over mother.

Esther's eyebrows furrowed, bemusement. "Promise?" she does not recall that her son made any important promise. Not in the last centuries when she learned everything about Finn.

"Solveig." Finn simply answered which caused others to react differently.

Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah stared at him with confusion as they had no idea who the bloody hell is Solveig.

Kol's eyes snapped at Finn in shock when he heard the familiar name.

A flash of horror and fright appeared through Esther's eyes but quickly concealed them.

Suddenly, Esther snapped her head up as she raised her hand. "No! Sisters! Do not abandon me!" The pentagram torches flare up so brightly that all Originals quickly avoid the roaring flames. Esther instantly muttered a spell that caused a bright light to flash making the Originals shut their eyes quickly, preventing themselves from going blind.

After a moment, the torches die out and the bright light vanished. The Originals quickly looked around to find their mother but she was already gone.

Two figures approached them as they shifted their attention to them. The Salvatore brothers step into the moonlight and Stefan is carrying a dead witch in his arms.

Kol's eyes widen in shock. "What the bloody hell?! I thought Elijah explained to you to use the herb!"

"She was using her magic on Stefan! I had no choice but to kill her!" Damon defended himself.

Stefan quickly interjected. "He shoved his blood into her before he killed her." he explained, calmly. He does not want to fight against six Originals. Six against two is a death sentence.

"Plus, I doubt the herb would work." the older Salvatore grumbled with hateful eyes at Kol.

The wild Original glares at Damon. "The herb I had was rare but powerful enough to knock a witch out and block her magic for at least three days." he hisses and steps forward to observe the unfortunate witch and pauses with astonished shock. "You killed the Bennett witch?!" he recognized this witch's face. She was Bonnie's mother. Oh, his mentee is going to be very upset. "You both are bloody idiots!"

Great, this is going to be a fucking disaster.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Woods
Cave
Meanwhile...

"What did Damon do to her?" Elena had to know. She turned her doe-shaped eyes filled with pleading. "I need to know, Bonnie." she whispered, as her fingers curled around the phone on her lap.

Bonnie exhaled with a sigh. "I don't know the details. Caroline only told me the basics of what he did to her. The only one who knew the details was Kol." she said, omitting that Kol knew it was because he was a ghost at that time when he was with Caroline.

Elena shakes her head, unable to understand. "But why would she tell him? She only knew him for a day." she muttered with furrowed eyebrows. The Bennett witch pressed her lips together. "Should I...should I tell Damon?"

"You think Damon will tell you the truth?" Bonnie scoffed with skepticism. No way he would tell Elena the entire truth. He'll probably fib and cover most of the truth and explain that it was a harmless little manipulation. He would make a fool out of Elena easily.

The brunette wanted to say yes but she hesitated. This is Damon Salvatore, the vampire who is impulsive and only thinks what is right. However, the way he did, and the way he spoke, and the way he acts... it hurts others around him. Even caused their death. She honestly doesn't know if Damon would tell her the entire truth. "I... I want to believe that he would not lie to me. Not when... not when he told me that he loves me." she said, weakly recalling how he dragged her out of the Originals' mansion and snapped at her about how he was protecting her because he loves her.

Bonnie cocked her eyebrow at Elena with disblieved. "Is he?"

"What?" the doppelganger blinked at her, puzzled.

The petite witch heaved a sigh as she crossed her arms across her chest. "Is he really in love with you? Or was it because he couldn't have Katherine so he set his eyes on you?" she blunted, straight to the point with harsh words.

"Bonnie!" Elena looked like she was slapped by Bonnie.

"Okay!" Bonnie surrendered her hands with a slight apologetic glint in her olive-green eyes. She silently reminded herself to be gentle with Elena. No matter how much she pissed her off, Elena is still her best friend. "You know what, I have one question for you, Elena."

Her phone started to vibrate from her jacket's pocket. She snatched it from it and glanced down at the notification from a Noble Original. "I want you to really think about this question. I don't need the answer right away."

The doppelganger bit her bottom lip as she was really overwhelmed with everything. Bonnie attempts to find words that won't emotionally hurt her best friend any further. "Forget about about now. Think about your future. Do you see yourself in a long term commitment relationship with either of the Salvatore brothers?" she honestly doesn't care which brother Elena ended up with, Stefan or Damon.

Although, she secretly hopes Elena will dump them both and move on to find someone else who actually treats her with respect and is actually in love with her, not just her face.

Elena wordlessly lowered her gaze while Bonnie checked the text message. Relief and satisfied swelled inside of her when she learned the Originals were safe for now. "You are free to go, by the way. The Originals are safe."

The petite witch whirled around and started to walk down the rocky path carefully but halted when she just remembered something. "Also, don't forget Elena... the Salvatores are vampires. You are not." it was her last words to Elena and hiked her way out of the cave.

It didn't take her long to finally out of the woods and she paused when her phone shakes in her hand. Bonnie answered. "Elijah? I need a ride." she reminded the Noble Original that she doesn't have transportation.

Her smile dropped when she heard Elijah say something to her that caused her heart to sink to her stomach. "Wait—what do you—what happened to my mom?"

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Living-Room
Later...

The blonde-haired beauty paced back and forth in the living room while gnawing her bottom lip and anxiously running her fingers through her messy hair. This entire day has been really stressing her out. A whole total emotional roller coaster going on for hours. Not only that, she has a feeling this night is not yet finished.

She thought about how Harper suddenly visited her out of nowhere—

—Caroline steps forward with surprised wide eyes. "What are you doing here, Harper? Wait, where have you been?" she questioned with puzzled furrowed eyebrows.

"I have been checking on Bennett witches throughout the states and countries. And watched over your ancestor's grave." Harper explained, politely with a respectful tone. "I just want to check on you and Bonnie Bennett but then..." he trailed off with a frown. "...I met the Bennett witches—Abigail Bennett and Lucy Bennett. I have gathered information. The Original Witch, Esther of the Mikaelson Clan, the Mother of the Originals."

The blonde-haired beauty looked at him with impressed at his gathering information. "That is correct." However, she noticed how troubled Harper appeared. "What's wrong?"

"Lady Caroline, Esther must not know that you are a Sáõ." Harper urged her with concern.

Caroline eyed him warily. "Why?"

"Emmaneulla always had dreams, some type of visions of past and future. The Original Witch caused Lady Solveig's death." the soldier vampire informed, gravely.

Caroline gap at him speechless. "No matter what, please do not go anywhere near her. Do not let Esther know of your true species. It is for your protection." Harper firmly said with a protective glint in his eyes.—

And now, currently staying in her house while Harper promised her to watch over her mother from a safe distance which made her semi-relax. At least her mother had the best secret bodyguard in this tiny curse.

Her head snapped to the direction when she heard Kol's voice, shouted her name out loud from outside of her house. She vamp-speed straight to the front entrance, unlocked it, and pulled it inward. Caroline stepped out on the porch and saw Kol power-walked toward her on the path with a body limp in his arms. "W-what the hell?!"

When Kol stepped into the light from the porchlight, she gasped when she recognized the dead witch. "Is that Bonnie's mom?!"

"She won't be dead any longer." Kol warned her.

Caroline looked at him in shock. "She had a vampire blood in her system?" Kol nods his head. "Oh God! Umm, okay... let's just put Miss Bennett in the guest room." she led the wild Original inside and to the first-level guest bedroom.

Kol carefully lays Abby on the top of the duvet of the bed and steps back. He quickly turned and wrapped his arms around his darling vampire. He had missed her presence so much. Her touch, her smile, her laugh, and most of all, her warmth.

Caroline immediately hugged back with her arms around his waist and her face tucked in his neck. "Kol... I've been so worried about you. Elena said that she got you and your siblings all linked up and that your mother—that witch bitch was planning to kill you!" she said, relief to have him alive and standing with her.

Before Kol knew it, his darling started to blab so fast that he couldn't wrap his mind around it. "I wanted to tell you but I was too upset and not thinking clearly and my mind was a mess. I should have called you but I just have this feeling that Bonnie will take care of it. I just don't know how but I just knew that she would tell you and probably already told Elijah about it as well. And I was planning on calling you but then I got distracted because Finn was there and he told me about Solveig and I just had to know about my ancestor because he knew her. I learned so much about her and she was a badass witch. We talked for hours and then all of a sudden he freaking died! He died! Turned all grey and just, flopped like a dead fish on the ground, and that freaked me out so badly that if I was still a human, I probably had a heart attack! I fretted over him like a freaking annoying headless mother hen. Although it hasn't been more than five minutes when Finn return to the living like an undead zombie except he's an Original vampire. And then Finn told me that he wanted to live and that he had something to do. But he also told me to stay here and be safe because it would not only make him feel relief but he believed that you wouldn't have to worry about me as long as you knew I am safe. So I have been here for a while. Oh and not to forget, Harper suddenly came by and told me that your mother must not know that I am a Sáõbecause then she might kill me too!" Caroline huffed after the long rant of explanation about her stressful day.

"Bloody hell, darling." Kol blunted, blinking. He was impressed with the amount of talking without a single breath. Not that vampires actually need to breathe much. Luckily for Caroline, she didn't need to repeat her words because Kol has an excellent memory as he easily caught up all the words in his mind until a few things stuck out. "Wait—" Kol gently adjusted his embrace with Caroline as he moved his hands onto her waist and leaned back to face her properly. "Finn actually knew Solveig? You two talked? Harper told you to not let her know that you are a Sáõ? You said she might kill you too? As in, had mother killed one of your ancestors?" he frowned, suspicious and concern.

The blonde-haired beauty half-shrugs her shoulder. "I...there is so much going on, Kol." she muttered, feeling drained as she barely had enough energy.

Before Kol opened his mouth, he and Caroline tilted their heads simultaneously when they heard the car parked outside of the house and the doors open and shut. "That must be 'Lijah and Bonnie." the Prince Original murmured then focused his dark gaze on his darling vampire. "We'll talk about this later. Okay?" Caroline nodded her head and Kol kissed her forehead.

The running footsteps headed toward the house, In less than a minute, Bonnie opened the front door wide and stared at Caroline with a worried look. Caroline pointed at the hallway and silently answered Bonnie's wordless question.

Bonnie hurried down the hall to the guest bedroom and paused when she saw her mother lying on the bed. She rushed to her side, tears gleaming in her eyes, and sat on the edge of the bed. The Bennett witch extends her hand, lightly touching her mother's hand with her fingertips.

Meanwhile, Elijah stood outside of the opened entrance door as he didn't have an invitation to Forbes' residence. Caroline made an apologetic face at Elijah, she wanted to invite him in but she couldn't since she was technically dead. The Noble Original just nodded with understanding at the blonde-haired beauty with a subtle softening in his dark gaze.

"What happened to Bonnie's mom?" Caroline whispered with confusion and concern.

Kol scowled angrily while Elijah's face went blank. "The Salvatore brothers act rashly. Decided to kill Bonnie's mother, Mrs. Wilson." Elijah monotoned.

"I had the herb ready. I told Elijah to deliver it to them. But those utter fools don't trust it." Kol snapped, still upset and angry while tightening his arm around Caroline's waist, pulling her closer to him. Caroline adjusted a bit as she rubbed his chest, attempting to calm him without thinking.

"What herb?" all heads turned to Bonnie who quietly walked toward them with a puzzled yet upset frown.

The wild Original sighed as his free hand ran through his hair, making it messy. "The herb I had was one of the rarest, ashwagandha. It is not easy to obtain since you have to get it when they touch by the light of a full moon. And especially not easy to use delicate spells to keep this herb fresh. It is a sedative tool to knock out the witch and block their magic for three days."

"...and they decided to go with an easy action—by killing my mom with vampire blood in her system." Bonnie stated with hurt, and distress. Caroline quickly released her hold on Kol and rushed to Bonnie by hugging her. Bonnie leaned forward into Caroline's warm and comforting hugs.

Elijah's undead heart twisted with dismay, not liking to see his little witch in pain. He wanted to comfort her, to hug her and destroy the agony that was hurting her. Instead, he goes for the best thing he can offer with comfort. "I am willing to help your mother how to be a proper vampire."

"I'll help." Kol offered with a slight warm glint in his eyes as he watched his girls hugging each other with comfort. Knowing that Bonnie needs Caroline to be her strength.

The Bennett witch turned her head and smiled at her mentor and the Noble Original whom she might secretly have a crush on. "Thank you." she whispered, grateful.

A loud gasp was heard from the guest room which informed them that Abby was awake in transition. Bonnie quickly returned to the guest room. Caroline followed close by, to watch over the mother and daughter.

Unaware that the Originals brothers exchange a grim look. They weren't honestly positive if the older Bennett witch wanted to complete the transition.

After all, no witches wanted to become vampires.

It goes against their nature.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Meanwhile...

Rebekah ambled around in her mother's bedroom while scanning around. She felt betrayed, hurt, and furious that Esther was planning to kill them. Her and her brothers. Why can't she just have a good and true family?

Was that too much to ask for?

The Princess Original's eyes are slightly red but she refused to shed a tear over that bitch. She stood near the desk, lazily going through the papers that were scattered all over the surface of the desk. She was silently perplexed about why Esther had photos of the cave with ancient drawings.

Rebekah grabbed a handful of them and sorted through them all with casual interest. One by one just tells a story of her family until she pauses when she notices something.

She dropped the rest of the photos on the ground uncaringly as it spalttered all over the floor while she is examining carefully at the photo.

"Oh my God..." she whispered in shock and apprehension.

Rebekah immediately vamp-speed out of the bedroom, down the long corridors, to the staircase while shouting. "FINN! GET IN THE FAMILY ROOM! NOW!" she reached the family room with tension.

Klaus glared at his little sister who just randomly shouted in the quiet mansion. "Bloody hell, Rebekah! No need to shout!" he snapped, upset that she had startled him and ruined his perfect sketching.

"We have a problem." Rebekah stated as Finn appeared next to her with confusion yet his grey-brown eyes flashed with concern. "I was going through some of these photos that was left on moth—Esther's desk. And I saw this." she displayed the photo at her brothers.

The Original Hybrid stood up while setting his sketchbook down on the leather couch. Finn shifted and leaned forward to study the photo. "It's an old drawing from a thousand years ago." Klaus said, disinterested with a frown.

"No, look at it closely. The Natives told the story of our family history. Look at the images on the far wall." Rebekah urged them, want her brothers to take her words seriously.

Finn's eyes glint with understanding. "Is that a Native worshipping at the Great White Oak tree?" he muttered. Rebekah nodded her head, confirmed that he was correct.

"Okay..." Klaus trailed off with cock eyebrow. "And? We burned that tree to the ground."

Finn grabbed the photo not unkindly. "True. But the markings that preceded it, a native's calendar."

"Wait, what?" Klaus jerked his head at his elder brother. "That can't be right." he almost ripped the photo right out of Finn's hand as Finn easily released his fingers from it. Klaus intensely studied the drawing.

"A White Oak tree, three hundred years after we fled back to the Old World. There must have been a sapling, a new tree to replace the old. That tree could kill us." Rebekah gravely said, examining her older brothers. "It's not over, brothers."

All Originals stared down at the photo that displayed the native calendar of a Great White Oak tree that could end them, permanently.

And worst of all—their mother knew the existence of a Great White Oak tree.

.

.

.

Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Later...

"You are going to be alright." Bonnie reassures her mother while squeezing her hand with a soft smile. "I have two Originals who can help you."

Abby weakly smiled as she leaned comfortably back against the puffed-up pillows behind, to support her head and neck. "All I ever wanted was to protect you, Bonnie." she whispered, sadly. "I have not stopped thinking about you for the last fifteen years. Always wondering what kind of person you are. I kept thinking—did she get her A's in all her subjects in school? Got a new best friend? A boyfriend? Or a girlfriend if she prefers? Did she join a cheer squad? Or maybe an artist? Is her Grams teaching her how to be a witch? Or did she decide not to be a witch?" Abby speaks up all the wonderings and 'what-ifs' while Bonnie feels the tears slip from her eyes.

The petite witch had no idea that her mother would still be thinking of her all these years. "...why didn't you ever come back? If you had not stopped thinking about me... why didn't you return?" she questioned, incomprehensible and confused.

"Oh honey...it was because I didn't want to take the crown." Abby confessed with pain and tiredness in her eyes.

Bonnie's eyebrows furrowed, bemused. "What crown?"

Abby studied her daughter for a moment. "The Bennett Coven is famous among in the supernatural world. Goes way back, two thousand years—the Main Bennett bloodline, that passed down from generation to generation... Your great-grandmother was the matriarch, she took the crown and passed it to my mother, and...she died and I refused to take the crown so, your Grams became matriarch, well, formerly known as a Queen Regent."

"...wait, wait hold a second." Bonnie shakes her head, processing the information while blinking her eyes. "Your mom died? Are you saying that Grams is not your mom?"

The older Bennett sighed with resignation. "Sheila was my adopted mother when I was six. She was my mother's half-sister, my aunt. My biological mother was Ernestine Bennett."

Bonnie narrowed her eyes when she was vaguely familiar with that name. "..I think I've heard of that name before?"

"It was at the small cemetery, the Bennett Graves." Abby helpfully reminded Bonnie whose olive-green eyes lit up with recollection. "I didn't want anything to do with her, nothing. I refused the crown."

The petite witch shakes her head. "But Grams never teach me anything about this. Why hasn't she told me all this?"

"Because of shame and humiliation." Abby closed her watery eyes. "It was my fault. I ran off, and left the Ancient Coven of Witches behind... Sheila had to deal with lots of backlash and humiliation because of me. That's probably why your Grams didn't want to tell you all this complicated stuff. She didn't want you to face the hostile attention. I mean, a dead Queen with a traitor daughter who refused to take the crown? It has an awful reputation among the witches, despite that we are powerful Bennett witches. I told her I didn't want you to take the crown. It was too much responsibility, too much burden to carry and I only want you to have a normal life. Even if you decide to become a witch, at least, you'll be a normal Bennett witch."

Bonnie slowly breathed in and then exhaled. "But I'm not a normal witch." she mumbled, and somehow Abby caught her words easily.

"No." Abby opened her sad eyes with a resigned smile. "You are not. Because you are the rightful Heir of Ancient Bennett Coven, the true Queen." then her eyes hardened with seriousness and firmness. "I was weak, selfish, and insecure. I couldn't let myself take the crown. But you...oh Bonnie, you have intelligence, kindness, and strength. You have very strong support and even allied yourself with dangerous Originals. Hell, one of the Originals, the infamous but genius Former Warlock Original took you under his wings? To become your mentor—you are going to be so insanely powerful and amazing witch. Just like a true Queen Witch in the supernatural world."

Bonnie is shocked to discover so much information as she glances over her shoulder at Caroline who looks speechless as she is leaning against the doorframe. "...why are you telling me all this now?" she turned her head back to her mother with trepidation.

"...because I won't accept the transition." Abby confessed, gravely.

The petite witch stared at her in shocked. "...why not?"

The older Bennett attempted to blink back her tears but it was useless as they escaped from her eyes. "Immorality isn't something I desire, Bonnie. I lived as a witch, and I rathered died as a witch despite how much I didn't want to be one. But deep down, once a witch, always a witch. You could never escape that." she lifted her and gently touched Bonnie's cheek. "My only regret was that I left you. And I am so sorry, Bonnie." she sobbed.

Bonnie's bottom lip trembles while staring at Abby with tears streaming down her face. She wanted to yell at her, to shout at her how Abby chose death over her own daughter. How this is not fair.

However, Bonnie gets it.

Not everyone wants to be a vampire. She can't really blame Abby, the blame was Salvatore.

They did this.

The Salvatore brothers caused the death of her Grams.

And they murdered her mom.

"Mom." Bonnie whimpered, realizing that she was going to lose a parent. She fell into her mother's arms who quickly wrapped her arms around her. Abby's eyes glowed with sorrow yet happy. Abby missed it so much. She missed hugging her daughter and missed hearing her calling her 'mom'.

Caroline closed her eyes and politely looked away from the mother and daughter's last moment with each other.

Meanwhile, the Originals brothers are outside on the porch with silence in the air. They have heard everything—Abby's confession.

Kol glanced at his noble brother with astonished amazement glint in his gaze. "Bloody hell, Bonnie is an Heir of the All Witches." he murmured, did not expect that his mentee was not only she is not just an heir of the Bennett Ancient Coven, but also a future Queen of All Witches.

"I thought the Queen of All Witches was extinct around the early nineteen century after the tragic death of Ernestine Bennett." Elijah mumbled, disblieved. The Originals recognized the well-known famous name of the late Queen of All Witches—Ernestine Bennett, who held the powerful magic blood from the main Bennett Bloodline.

The Prince Original wipes his mouth, still shocked. "...once the witches learn that Salvatore were the responsible ones who murdered the late Queen's daughter..." he made a comical wince but wasn't bothered about that at all. in fact, he is welcoming. Maybe he can tell it to the witches and let them handle the Salvatore aresholes out of their lives, finally? "This changes everything." Kol added, that not only his darling vampire is a special Sáõ but, his mentee is also a future Queen of All Witches. Oh dear Father Magic Earth and Goddesses, he really is going to be very overprotective of his girls, isn't he?

Kol glanced at his noble brother who looked rather conflicted. "What's wrong, Elijah? You looked rather...troubled." he frowned at his brother, and no, he was not concerned.

"I wonder if Esther was right." Elijah sighed while staring up at the night sky that is filled with stars and a full moon.

"Right about what?" the wild Original narrowed his eyes at him.

Elijah's hands curled into tight fists at his side. "My talk of virtue. When it suits my needs. I kill, maim, and torment. Even today, I terrorized an innocent and allowed to use Bonnie to make sure Elena won't escape from the cave." he turned his self-disgusted eyes at his brother. "I wielded her like I would a sword, brother."

"...are you seriously letting that bloody bitch's words get you?" Kol stared at him flabbergasted. "That bitch hated us, 'Lijah! She tries to kill all of us! Don't let her words get to you, brother."

The Noble Original shakes his head. "She didn't make us monsters. We did this to ourselves, Kol."

"Okay. I am not letting you do this whole woe-is-me because that is bloody bullshit, Elijah!" Kol snapped at his noble brother. Elijah jerked his head to him with surprised. "I mean, yeah. I can't deny that we did horrible things for centuries. Fuck! We killed, we maimed, and we torment. And yeah, that makes us monsters. Fine. But at least we don't go out murdering children, kill pregnant women and elders, and rape all genders. We don't do those. We're Originals—vampires. Not just that, we're fucking Vikings, 'Lijah! We were born and raised as Vikings for years. We had Mikael as our father, the man who used to be the Chief of Bloody Wars. His violence passed down to us—not just that, Esther was from a family of magic. Making us more intimidating. Everything within us is amplified, making us into insane powerful creatures. It was their fault for creating us, 'Lijah. They should have realized that. It was their blood that made us into this." he waved his hand between him and Elijah. "So, don't you dare to even think for a second that you are going to leave like a fucking pathetic little dog with a tail between his legs." he growled, fuming with a warning glint in his dark eyes at dumbfounded Elijah.

An intense silence descended on them.

It wasn't very long until a shaky voice spoke out. "You are going to leave?" Originals whirled their heads to Bonnie who stepped over the threshold with a soft perplexed frown as her eyes were red and puffy. "Tell me the truth, Elijah. Were you actually planning to leave this town?" her gaze focused on the Noble Original.

"I thought it would be best." Elijah uttered with a blank face.

Kol has a feeling that he should wisely not open his mouth.

The Bennett witch took a step forward while Kol moved out of her way. "Best? So what, you just gonna... just walk away and not come back?" Bonnie studied Elijah who silently shifted his dark eyes away.

Meanwhile, Kol slid back inside the house and stood next to his darling vampire. "I thought Bonnie was with her mother." he muttered close to her ear.

"Bonnie went to get a glass of water for her but then she heard you shouting and—" Caroline answered back in a low voice and waved her hand over where Bonnie is now.

Back out on the porch, Bonnie shakes her head. "No. No you do not get to do that." she gritted her teeth angrily and poked her forefinger at Elijah's chest. Sending out an electric shock which startled him but was not in pain. "You don't get to waltz your way into my life, make me care about you, and then decide to leave me behind. You don't get to do that Elijah Mikaelson!" Her olive-green eyes shimmer into infuriated emeralds.

Elijah grabbed her hand with his. "Bonnie—"

"No!" Bonnie glared at the Noble Original, lifted her chin up, and stared straight at his dark eyes. "Give me your word, Elijah. Give me your words that you will not leave me behind." she choked as her emerald eyes shone with tears. "...I can't have another important person in my life to leave me, Elijah." she whimpered.

His undead heart sank with sorrow, remorse, self-furious, and most of all, fragile hope. So small and fragile hope that this amazing witch doesn't want him to leave, despite knowing how much of a monster he was, she still wants him in her life. Slowly, carefully he wrapped his arms around the tiny witch. Bonnie cries into his chest. "...I give you my word, Bonnie Bennett. I will not leave you unless you say so."

Bonnie melts in his arms with relief. "...good. Because you're stuck with me, Elijah."

A small quirk of his lip lifted as his dark eyes softened with devotion, awe and love. "As you wish."

Inside the house, Kol and Caroline shamelessly watched them through the window and exchanged relief content and satisfied smiles.

Unaware, back in the guest room, Abby, while in her transition, has heard everything that happened outside of the room. A small heartbreaking yet understandingly smile appeared on her face. 'Oh Bonnie, my dear girl... you fell in love with him.' she mused, recalling the reputation she learned from growing up.

Elijah Mikaelson, the Warrior, the Noble Original, the Honorable Man, and many names and titles throughout the centuries and countries. One thing she recalled, was the very old title—The King Original.

Well, the King always needs a Queen.