Elijah pulled up the car outside of the compound and switched it off, shifting in his seat to face Elena, "there's going to be a lot of enemies inside the compound, there's 5 packs in total and a hoard of vampires that only take orders from Marcel, please just be careful."
"I will," she smiled kindly towards him, before exiting the car and closing the door behind her; Elijah flashed around the car and stood beside her.
Upon entering, Elena glanced around the area and was surprised by the turn out; each alpha of the pack, Marcel and a few of his most loyal daywalkers and the Mikaelson siblings were all sat around a large round table, whilst the remaining werewolves, hybrids and vampires scattered around the courtyard.
"Ah, finally," Klaus announced as he lay eyes on his brother and the doppelgänger, a slight look of impatience and rage etched into his features; they joined him at the table and Elena sat beside Rebekah, "come brother, I would like you to meet the alphas of New Orleans, this is Gregory, Axel, Hunter, Brendan and Alexander, they have kindly joined us tonight to hear our proposition for peace."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintances, gentlemen," Elijah spoke like a true businessman as he sat down on the chair beside Elena, ensuring her safety and Kol sat on the other side of him; Klaus hovered behind each sibling and Elena, watching every vampire or werewolf in the compound for an attempt at an attack on them.
"Gentlemen, this is my brother, Elijah and this," he leaned on the back of her chair and smiled, "this is Elena, she is under the protection of my family, you could say she is one of us."
"Nice to meet you all," Elena spoke without emotion, ever since receiving her magic, she had felt stronger, more confident and she had to let them see that, even if it meant hardening herself up.
"Let's get to the point, hybrid, why have you summoned us here?" Gregory spoke impatiently, he was the burliest of the alphas, he was unshaven, shoulder length hair dressed in a plaid shirt with a pair of heavy boots to match, typical werewolf, "my family were exiled from the quarter a long time ago, a betrayal I don't take too kindly."
"What if I was to tell you that there is a way for us all to live together harmoniously and without being bound to the endless length of the bayou?" Klaus proposed, every werewolf in the room instantly focusing on him further.
"What's the catch?" Alexander chimed in, full of doubt; he was the most normal looking of the alphas, he was young, clean-looking and dressed in a black t-shirt and blue jeans, "we can all live in peace as long as we answer to the heartless hybrid and follow every command he forces upon us."
"Or we have to bow down and become hybrids," Axel intercepted, he was the oldest of the alphas and lived by the traditions of the wolf, "I will not allow it."
"Nothing to weigh in, Hunter?" Elijah smirked, curious as to why he wasn't as opinionated as his fellow alphas.
Elena watched carefully as he sat forward, stretching his arms out on the table and interlocking his fingers; he was calculating, contemplating his words carefully and he was smarter that the others, she knew he was different, there was a cloud of darkness that surrounded him and she didn't trust him.
"You brought us here to talk and I haven't heard enough, I'll offer my opinion when I have all the facts," his voice was deep and rugged, he had short hair, a thin moustache and a nicely shaped beard that covered his neck and jawline.
"Fair enough," Elijah spoke with a hint of amusement, his line of sight shifting to Klaus who seemed cautious about Hunter.
"My terms, open to negotiation of course, are simple, we agree to unify our factions, I allow you to move back into the city across the river and enter The French Quarter at will providing you don't become involved in the affairs of vampires and vice versa, we shouldn't have a problem," Klaus was diplomatic and demanding, he paced behind the chairs that held his family and continued to speak, "of course, you will have to retreat to the bayou during the full moon and stand by us when the city comes under threat."
"The breaking of these rules will be punishable by death and a cause for reconsideration of the treaty laws," Elijah weighed in, tapping his fingers lightly at the table and watching them carefully.
"I won't answer to a hybrid," Gregory landed his fists onto the table and kicked his chair back, the werewolf temper overcoming him.
"I'm inclined to agree with him," Marcel spoke, before standing from his chair and standing in front of his group of vampires behind them, "I spent 100 years rebuilding and making The French Quarter what it is today, a safe haven for locals, a never ending party for the vampires and witch free, I exiled every werewolf into the bayou and I'll be damned if I give up my city to the very beasts I managed to get rid off."
The Alphas all stood to their feet, growling and ready to attack; the vampires responded by standing behind Marcel ready to defend and the werewolves standing against them.
"We don't have to listen to this," growled Hunter before he leapt towards Marcel, teeth bared and ready for a fight, the other Alphas held back the vampires that went to attack Hunter and Marcel was a sitting duck; Elena instinctively pushed her chair back and held out her hand flat as she took a hold of Hunter, she twisted her wrist and pulled her hand back, forcing him back into the table.
"Enough," she spoke, her patience thinning; she focused her mind once more and flicked her hand, separating the werewolves and vampires before turning to look at Klaus, whom looked quite surprised, "I think we could use a break."
The factions separated for a short intermission, Elena had slipped outside for a breath of fresh air, she hoped to be alone but she knew that was never going to happen; the Mikaelson siblings had not been far behind her and the interrogation was likely to start.
"Elena, how did you do that?" Rebekah emerged from the gates first, her confusion apparent.
"I don't know, I just did."
"That kind of magic is impossible to master after a day of practicing," she responded with real concern.
"My sister is right, little warrior, you know I'm never one to turn down a good show of force but not if it's going to endanger your life," Klaus chimed in, standing beside Rebekah as if he was telling her off.
"He would have attacked Marcel and started a battle between us all, I saw an opportunity and I took it, I won't see any of you hurt," her voice was kind but firm, she didn't know what to expect when she first joined the meeting but a war was not it.
"You must be careful, if they gather even an inkling of your power, you'll put a target on your back and they'll come for you, Elena," Elijah was genuinely concerned, he detested the thought of harm coming to her.
"I know, I'll be careful," she placed her hand on his arm and squeezed it gently, "none of you have to worry about me, I can handle it."
"Will you leave the poor girl alone?" Kol interjected, an amused grin spread on his lips at the image of his siblings smothering her, "she has just saved our asses, this meeting is still somewhat civilised because she stopped an all out attack, now stop fretting siblings, we know that no harm will come to her, so get off her back."
"Thank you, Kol," she was genuinely taken aback by him coming to her defence and she had a whole new level of appreciation for him.
"I do love to save the damsel in distress and cause chaos between my family, this was a win-win situation for me," she chuckled slightly at his words before she watched him re-enter the compound; Rebekah and Klaus had followed him in protesting his outburst and she stayed behind with Elijah.
"Please Elijah, don't worry so much about me, I know what I'm doing," she took a couple steps closer to him but left a short distance between them, she had too, they couldn't raise suspicion.
"There isn't a single person in there that I trust to be anywhere near you, Elena, they're vicious and unpredictable, I'm within my rights to be concerned about you," she couldn't help but smile at his outburst, she very rarely got to see this side of him and she found it alluring.
She took another step closer to him, placing her hands on his tie and pretending to adjust it, anything to be close to him and feel his warmth on her, "you have to trust me, Elijah."
"I trust you completely," he watched her closely, fighting the urge to grab her and take her away from the mess that was vampire politics, "but can you guarantee that you won't lose control of your magic in there? Endangering yourself and everyone around you?"
"Yes, I can," she inhaled a small breath before tightening his tie and smoothing her hand over it, her fingers delicately grazing along his chest, "you know why? You're my rock, you keep me grounded, so don't lose it on me now, I need you."
She took a step back and lingered her gaze on his for a long moment, she had became nervous when she revealed that she needed him and allowed herself to be vulnerable with him.
"I'm always here," he replied, simple but powerful.
She smiled, bringing her hand to her lips and blowing a kiss towards him, of course, it was magical and he felt it on his cheek; a smile curled up on his lips at her gesture and it was in that moment, he knew that she had a hold of him so great, he may as well be wrapped around her little finger.
The summit went on for hours, the negotiations and bickering never ceased and Elena was beyond bored; she had to listen as they argued territories, laws, permissions and what is meant by defending the city during an attack.
She leaned in her chair slightly towards Rebekah, her line of sight still on the bickering vampires and werewolves as there yelling became louder, "have you had to face this for a thousand years?"
"You have no bloody idea," she exclaimed, slumping her head into her hand and continuing to pretend like she was listening to her brothers.
"You have my deepest sympathies," Elena mused, before turning her attention to the cabinet in the corner; she nudged at Rebekah's arm, causing her head to fall before she watched as Elena pointed her eyebrows the corner, "Marcel keeps a bottle of bourbon in that cabinet."
"Say no more," she sounded far too happy about the revelation and in the blink of an eye, she had grabbed the bottle, 2 glasses and set them down in front of them, pouring out a shot each and she held her glass out towards her, "cheers, luv."
Elena grinned as she clinked her glass against hers, both of them knocking back the shot and slamming it on the table; without realising, they had caught the attention of Klaus with there antics and he appeared behind them, knelt down and he rested his elbows on the back of their chairs, whispering, "I don't think this quite the right time for a party, girls."
"We've been sat here for hours, Nik, forgive us if we grow tired of the disagreements," Rebekah whispered, as she poured out a couple more shots in there glasses.
"Don't look at me," Elena smirked as he turned to face her, hoping she would see sense, "I'm actually convinced I'm going to die from boredom."
A low growl rumbled on his throat before he sped away from them, rejoining the others in the bickering; the two girls just quietly laughed and sipped at their drinks, watching in wait as the meeting was about to unfold.
One of the night walkers had threw a werewolf across the room, causing a stir within the factions; they all grew tired of the werewolves acting superior and it only took one to start a battle.
Everyone was standing in defence, the three Mikaelson brothers and Marcel stood in front of the hybrids and vampires and the Alphas lead the wolves, the room was literally divided and the two army's where ready to attack.
"Rebekah, we have to do something," Elena spoke with concern as she watched the civility between them unravel.
"Like, what? If we intervene then we'll just get in the way, trust me, I've been to a thousand of these and they always end up this way, they'll fight, spill blood and whoever remains will either continue to find the answer to the treaty or declare an official war between the species, I've come to find it rather entertaining actually," Rebekah explained and knocked back another shot.
"Yeah but this is important, if we can't come to an understanding then we jeopardise everything, the balance, the fight against the Soul Eaters and we can't afford to go to war, we need this unification ritual," Elena watched nervously as they growled and screamed at each other.
"Stand your beasts down, gentlemen or you'll be picking wolf from the walls for weeks," Klaus antagonised, he was out for blood and Elena could see that lust for power in his eyes; the wolves where exactly the same, they had something to prove, they wouldn't stand down.
"Last chance, do as my brother says and we can continue this summit in peace," Elijah spoke meticulously, fixing his cuffs and brushing of his blazer, "or we will destroy you all."
"We will never take orders from an abomination or vampires," Gregory roared across the room and that would do it, the vampires all extended there fangs and began to race towards them; the werewolves bared there teeth and leapt into the air and there was about to be an all out collision of blood.
Elena's lips parted at the sudden sight and stood from her chair, she concentrated on her magic and began picturing a wall in her mind; she raised her hand and held it straight out in front of her, she lifted it slowly into the air and she put up a barrier in the centre of the room, the wolves and the vampires bouncing back of it. All eyes fixated on her, she was uncomfortable, to say the least but she couldn't stay silent now, she had to be brave and confident.
She walked through the barrier and into the centre of the room, Rebekah followed her and kept close, some of the wolves had attempted to get to her but they bounced of the barrier and Elijah had snapped the neck of a young vampire who couldn't control his fight.
"Why are we fighting?" She started, looking around the room at the 100 supernatural beings in fight mode and landed her gaze on the side of the wolves, "it will just end in blood, you'll leave here with loved ones dead and waging a war against vampires and hybrids and you will not win, they'll destroy your legacy and for what?"
The wolves all looked amongst each other and some of them stood down, others were not so easily swayed; she turned to the vampires, ready to say her peace, "and don't forget the real reason we are here, to protect the French Quarter and everyone in it, there are far greater enemies out there who wish to destroy everything and everyone we know, vampire and wolves will be the least of our problems soon."
"so put your differences aside, come to an agreement and everyone can go home whole tonight," she turned to face the wolves for the last time, "once you leave here, if the treaty is signed, you can head into the bayou, pack up your things and call this city your home again or you can continue to live like animals in exile, it's up to you."
The wolves were chatting quietly amongst themselves for a long moment whilst Elena paced up and down the barrier; she watched as they all stood down, the alphas each nodding their heads at her.
"Klaus?" Elena spoke, turning her attention to the hybrid, "are you going to behave?"
"you do enjoy spoiling my fun, little warrior," a smirk appeared on his lips as he neared the barrier, leaving only inches between them but she stood strong, "I agree to keep my homicidal tendencies to myself providing the dogs remain on a leash."
She took a deep breath, looking at him with such disapproval and annoyance that she almost agreed with the wolves growling in the background, "don't push me, Nik."
"Or what? You'll throw up more barriers and come between two natural enemies in battle?" He hated it when his power was tested but instead of working with her, he chose to side against her and she wasn't going to let him ruin this.
"I'm sorry, Nik but the only way this is going to work is if we all play fair," she held out her hand and sent him hurling back to the other end of the room, he had quickly sprung to his feet but Elijah stopped him in his tracks, grabbing his shoulder and holding him back, "now, can we carry on?"
Marcel stood beside Elijah, watching as Elena just controlled a room full of predatory beasts without breaking a sweat; she was unbiased, proven by her attack on Klaus and fair to the wolves in hearing there side to it, all he could say was, "I think we just found our leader of the unification."
Elijah and Klaus slowly turned to look at him, staring at him whilst they processed what he said and deep down, they knew he was right but they couldn't put Elena at the heart of it.
When everyone had calmed down, she lowered the barrier and this time, instead of sitting on the sidelines, she wanted to be involved; her and Klaus walked around the table, discussing each matter that was brought to it and it wasn't settled until every leader at the table agreed.
It took a while but they got there, everyone seemed somewhat pleased by the terms and no-one was fighting it; Elena finished writing the last law on the parchment that would be the official treaty between wolves and vampires.
"So, in summary, the wolves can return to the city but they must return to the bayou during a full moon and live over the river but may enter the French Quarter without intent of attack, in return for the unification ritual and promise of protection towards the city, they can request the help of the other leaders in assistance in any quarrels they may have in their future endeavours," she continued to list the terms and laws set by each leader of the factions, ensuring everyone was in a state of understanding and peace, "any attack on vampires or werewolves will be punishable by death and issues with the treaty will be presented to the unification leader for resolve."
"Hybrids will only be created at the wish of the werewolf in question and will not come to harm by the hand of another wolf for said decision," Klaus continued.
"And vampires will not cross the river, we will be left to live in peace, no more hunting in the bayou or surrounding woods," Gregory reiterated.
"There is one more matter that needs discussing," Marcel spoke, standing from his chair and placing his hands behind his back, "we need a unification leader, someone who will work with each faction and the leaders within it, whether it be the alphas, the original family or me, King of the Quarter."
"Marcel," Klaus shot warning daggers at him, his lips pursed in rage but he continued.
"We need a fearless leader who is unbiased, fair and has our best interests at heart."
Elijah stood from his chair and blurred towards the vampire, grasping at his arm and turning him away from the table, "Marcellus, don't do this, you have no idea what you're doing, I beg of you to reconsider."
"I'm sorry, Elijah but we won't stand with Klaus in this," he pulled his arm from his grip and returned to the table; Elena watched there interaction carefully and when she saw the worry etched on Elijah's face, she knew what Marcel was going to say next.
"As king of the Quarter, I nominate Elena," he pointed his hand out towards her, a wide grin on his face as he looked across the faces in the room, "the only fair and compassionate soul in this room."
Elena's lips partly slightly and she locked her gaze onto Marcel, shaking her head slightly at his nomination.
"We agree," the alphas spoke before she even had a chance to argue against Marcel.
"Mikaelson's?" Marcel asked, turning his attention to the original family; Rebekah and Kol instantly stood by her, even if it was to her dismay.
"Only if Elena agrees to it," Elijah spoke neutrally, hiding his own personal feelings about the matter behind his facade; Klaus became mad with rage and at his brother, the only one who agreed her safety would be compromised in this matter.
"Elena?" Klaus spoke, his gaze locked onto hers.
"I don't know," she looked around the room, looking at every single werewolf, vampire and hybrid within it; she knew if she didn't do it then it would lead to another argument, everyone was in agreement and peace was afoot, she took a deep breath and reluctantly she spoke, "I'll do it."
She was in way over her head but she knew she could handle it and thrive with the factions, it just meant her life was going to completely flip upside down; she picked up the pen from the table and signed the treaty, the first signature on it as leader of the factions, she smiled and held up the pen, "who's next?"
One by one, the alphas, the original family and Marcel signed it, solidifying peace amongst them.