This chapter is now betaed too. Thank you to Senema for taking the time and help me with my story.

At the moment I'm busy with real life, so you will have to wait a little for the next update.

Chapter 9

Elijah took a deep breath before looking at his family. Kol and Hayley looked the most rested between them; Freya was visibly exhausted but still seemed awake enough. Niklaus, on the other hand, appeared almost fragile and he looked as if he hadn't slept in ages. Revenge was needed but not as important as his family's well-being. It was time to take care of them.

"Niklaus, why don't you take a shower? You look like you could use one. Then find a place to sleep." Elijah nodded at the helpless vampires. "They'll last a few days, and I think you'll enjoy your revenge much more when you're rested."

Niklaus looked indecisive. "Do they stay up here?"

"No, I'll take them down to the basement." Elijah looked at Kol. "Will you help me?"

"Sure, Elijah", Kol agreed immediately. "Stay they tied up like this?"

"We will see, what changes Marcellus made down there and what we will find to restrain them." Elijah grinned. "After the vervain is out of their bodies, I'll compel them so that they can't move until one of us commands it. Marcellus on the other hand will be chained up in Niklaus' cell, I think that's only appropriate."

"I agree." Kol's eyes were hard as he studied Marcel. "And we have to figure out a way to make his stay as uncomfortable as possible."

"There will be enough time for that later. Marcellus will remain our prisoner for quite some time", Elijah reassured him. "Niklaus, rest, I'll take care of everything."

Niklaus nodded and went upstairs. A shower sounded heavenly and he would find a bed somewhere. And if not, well, for the past four years he'd slept on cold and hard ground, surely there were still enough blankets in the compound to make the ground a little cosier.

Elijah was relieved that he could persuade Niklaus so easily and that, for once, Niklaus was accessible to reason. Okay, that was one down, now onto the next of his stubborn siblings.

Freya felt Elijah put his hand on her shoulder and she felt new strength flood into her. "Thank you Elijah."

"Once we get our prisoners downstairs, you should go to sleep too." Elijah eyed his sister with concern. "You look like you could use it."

Freya shook her head, amused. "All right, you worrywart, you'll get your way. As soon as everyone is in the basement, I can drop the last spell." She looked around dejectedly. "We'll be pretty busy getting everything back up and running around here."

Kol looked hopefully at Elijah at these words. "We're gonna stay in New Orleans, aren't we?"

Elijah and Hayley exchanged amused looks.

"Oh yes, you can say our family just claimed New Orleans for good", Elijah replied, smiling.

"I will call Hope to let her know that Klaus is free and we are all unharmed", Hayley said calmly. "You two can do this without me?"

"Of course Hayley." Elijah hesitated. "I think it would be better if Hope and the others stay in your hideout for another week. That gives us a little time until the situation here has calmed down a bit. What do you think?"

"I'm not sure." Hayley considered. "Especially Hope wants to see her father."

"How about they stay three days more", Kol suggested. "Even if they hurry, it will take them almost two days to get here. And we can tell Rebekah and Camille to take their time getting to New Orleans. That gives us almost a week."

Elijah nodded in agreement. "That's a good compromise."

"Yes, this is better", Hayley said thoughtfully. "Hope will understand that after such a long time there are a few snags to be solved before she can come to us." She pulled out her cell phone and went upstairs as well.

Elijah grinned at Kol. "Very good, Kol. Come on, let's get started."

Each of the brothers brought down one of the normal vampires at a time, which were relatively easy to contain and didn't stand a chance against one of the Originals. It turned out there were enough cells and chains and after a short time only Marcel remained upstairs.

Elijah prepared his cell while Kol watched him with interest. Elijah reactivated the spells that had previously lost their power. He also grew plants that would bind Marcel just as well as chains.

Then the two brothers went back upstairs and stopped in front of Marcel, he glared at them angrily.

"You will pay for this!" Marcel threatened vindictively.

Kol chuckled spitefully. Now with Davina gone, he wasn't holding back his glee anymore. "I think you're the one who's gonna pay for the last four years."

Elijah gestured and the plants released Marcel. "Are you coming with us voluntary or do you need another spanking?" He smiled. "Both options are perfectly acceptable to me."

Grumpily but unwilling to be beaten up again, Marcel let Elijah and Kol grab his upper arms, for the moment he would be docile. Elijah nodded to Freya and she dropped her last spell with a sigh.

"I'll search for a place to sleep now, too", she said and with a last contemptuous look at Marcel she went upstairs.

Elijah and Kol took Marcel to the basement. Elijah took away most of his clothes and his shoes, so that he had now the same attire as Niklaus in all this time. Then he tied up Marcel in the same cell he had kept Klaus in for so long.

Elijah used the time while he was in physical contact with Marcel to determine if he was able to turn Marcel back into a normal vampire. He realized it was possible but Marcel would pay a heavy price for drinking the potion that made him the Beast. Elijah needed to speak to Freya if there was a way to mitigate the consequences, otherwise he wouldn't be able to keep his promise to Rebekah and Davina.

"I think I'll find a comfortable bed now too", Kol announced. "I wish you a pleasant night on the cold stone floor, Marcel." He left the dungeon whistling.

"Well, I join Kol's wishes, Marcellus. Good night!" Elijah bowed mockingly and followed his brother.

When Elijah entered the courtyard, he was alone. With a wave of his hand, he caused the plants that had taking over everything to regress until they were gone.

Tomorrow Elijah would hire craftsmen who would make the compound presentable again. Marcellus had let everything run down on purpose. Well, this pettiness came not very surprising; he was like Niklaus in this way.

Tired, Elijah went to his old room. He wasn't surprised that Hayley was already waiting for him, the room perfectly tidy. "You've been busy I see?"

Hayley chuckled. "I didn't have to do as much as you think." She eyed him seriously. "How are you?"

"Exhausted", Elijah admitted. "I may be stronger than before but this body is still human enough that it needs breaks in-between."

"I think that's a good thing, so we won't forget who we once were." Hayley sprawled on the bed and held out her hand. "Come."

Elijah took her hand, sat on the edge of the bed and kissed her cheek. "Give me a few more minutes. I just want to check on Niklaus one last time."

"Always your brother's protector." Hayley smiled understandingly. "Go, see him."

"Thank you." Elijah got up and left the room. He went to Niklaus's room, knocked and waited, where in the past he would have simply walked in without invitation. However, after the last four years where Niklaus hadn't possessed any control at all, it was more important than ever to give him his control back, even in small ways.

"Come in, Elijah", came the prompt reply.

Elijah smiled slightly and entered the room. "Were you expecting me?"

Niklaus had been standing at the window and looking outside but now he turned around. "I know you, brother. I know you won't be able to rest until you've looked after me one last time."

Elijah eyed Klaus concerned. Now that he'd showered, he looked a little better but still way too battered. "Did you drink blood?"

"Yes, Freya brought me some blood bags while Kol and you were bringing all the vampires down." Niklaus shrugged his shoulders. "She gave me the fresh clothes you brought with you too. As always, you have thought of everything."

"Good, I wasn't sure under which circumstances I would find you, so I wanted to be prepared for everything." Elijah looked at his brother again. He saw with displeasure that the clothes were much too big for Niklaus, although they had fitted perfectly previously. "Marcellus starved you."

Niklaus nodded but didn't answer.

Elijah sighed and sat on the bed. "Come, sit with me, brother, please."

With slight hesitation, Niklaus followed Elijah's request and sat down next to him. "I laid down on the bed but it is too soft."

"I know", Elijah answered softly. When he came in, he had seen that Niklaus had made a nest out of blankets on the floor. "I once read a report about prisoners of war who reported the same thing. It took a while before they could sleep normally in a bed again but they did it. You will too."

"I still can't quite believe it's over. I feel like I'm in a dream and when I wake up I'm still down in the basement, freezing and hungry." Niklaus looked down when he admitted that.

"I know a little how you feel." Elijah swallowed. "Back when Esther caught me, she made me go through illusion after illusion until I didn't know anymore what was real or what a dream." He put his arm around Niklaus and gave him a hug. "You are safe and you are awake, Niklaus." He laughed softly. "And now go to sleep. When you wake up tomorrow, you will still be safe."

"Thank you Elijah, for everything." Niklaus took a deep breath. It was time to go to sleep and face his nightmares.

"Good night, Niklaus."

"Good night, Elijah."

Elijah left the room. He would have a restless night, always listening with one ear to see if Niklaus needed his help.

Hayley was still waiting for him and for at least a few hours Elijah forgot about the world around him.

xxxxx

The next morning, Elijah was up early and walking around town. With the help of compulsion and, of course, a lot of money, he managed to have the compound teeming with craftsmen within a few hours, who were renovating the building.

When Elijah returned a second time from some other errands, Freya and Hayley were gone. When asked, Kol replied that the two had gone shopping to replace some of the old and dirty items such as blankets, bed linen, mattresses, etc.

Elijah nodded in agreement. "Do you know where Niklaus is?"

"He's gone too; he wanted to go for a walk." Kol looked uncertain. "I asked him if he wanted company but he said no."

Elijah hummed thoughtfully. "Understandable. I'm sure he missed the sky and wanted some fresh air too."

"Do you think he will go searching for trouble?" Kol was concerned. He had noticed how weak Nik still was and wasn't sure, how good Nik could defend himself if that was the case.

"No I don't think so." Elijah sighed. "He will vent his anger on our guests in the basement. And I can't bring myself to begrudge him this desire."

Kol smirked. "Well, as long as he lets me help him."

Elijah shook his head. "I don't mind if you help him but please wait for his approval or offer."

"Don't worry Elijah." Kol was serious now; he knew what Elijah was getting at with that request. "I have no intention of depriving Nik of his well-deserved revenge. What about Marcel? Can you turn him back into a normal vampire?"

"Yes, this is relatively easy but there are consequences." Elijah sighed. "If I undo the ancestors magic Marcellus will be a normal vampire again but the werewolf venom is still in his body. The problem is, without the magic to protect him from the effects it will kill him."

"How dreadful", said Kol wryly.

Elijah chuckled softly. "But I promised our sister and Davina that he would live."

"You with your promises. Well, I think you should break this one", Kol said, wrinkling his nose.

"I want to make at least one sincere attempt at keeping my promise." Elijah shrugged.

Kol considered. "What about the cure that was originally meant for us? If we adjust it, it can eventually render the venom harmless."

"That's a good idea." Elijah grinned mischievously. "We could put Davina and Freya on it, you could help them too."

"You want me to save Marcel's life?" Kol looked quite disgruntled.

"Rather think about how much it will rub him the wrong way if he owes you his life", Elijah suggested with amusement. "And Davina will appreciate you helping her too."

Kol thought about Elijah's words and slowly started to grin. "You are very devious, brother."

"So I have been told", Elijah replied smirking. "I once said that there is sometimes honour in revenge. But, Kol, revenge can take on many forms and not always is death the cruellest and most deserved punishment."

"A good and true point. By the way, when did you say this and to whom?" Kol asked curiously.

"To Stefan Salvatore. Back then when I wanted to kill Niklaus because he told me that he dumped you all with your coffins in the ocean", Elijah replied distractedly.

"He told you what?" asked Kol, shocked.

"Didn't I tell you that?" Elijah was startled and thought about it. "No, I never told any of you." So Elijah described what had happened between him and Niklaus back then.

"You held our brother's heart in your hand and would have ripped it out if he hadn't said we were alive." Kol was surprised.

"Without hesitation", Elijah answered firmly. "And it would have killed him permanently; he was weak from the lifting of the curse."

"Huh." Kol was thoughtful. He had always thought that Elijah could forgive Niklaus everything but it felt good to know that even Elijah had his limits. And that this limit was the life of his other siblings.

Elijah eyed him curiously. "You look surprised. I love you, Kol, even if you never wanted to see or accept it."

"But you were always on Niklaus's side when you daggered me." Kol pouted.

"Just like you were always on Niklaus's side when it went against me", Elijah replied with a sigh. "I was always the spoilsport for you and Niklaus, just because I didn't want you to give in to every violent impulse. You two loved to goad each other and then you went out to wreak chaos and mayhem. And you always used me to get one over each other. None of you ever thought about my feelings." At the last words, Elijah's voice was bitter.

Kol flinched. He knew very well that Elijah was not wrong with his allegations.

"And as for the dagger, I had to do that because you were a danger to all of us with your uncontrolled bloodlust", Elijah continued. "How many times have I tried to talk to you, offered you my help but you only ever made fun of me. I don't want to speculate about Niklaus' motives for daggering you but I did it to protect our family."

"I'm family too", Kol objected.

"I've never disputed that but every time I've tried to involve you, to reach out to you, you've rejected me." Elijah sighed now. "Sometimes I felt like you looked at me more as a parent and not as a brother, you automatically did the opposite of what I said or wanted."

That too was true. Kol thought back to all the many small gestures of kindness Elijah had made towards him over the centuries. He knew Elijah had trouble being open and honest about his thoughts and feelings. Elijah usually only did this when he was at the end of his tether and even his legendary self-control failed.

Kol frowned at the thought and surreptitiously eyed Elijah, who looked sad but not angry. "Since when do you talk so openly about your feelings?"

Elijah hesitated. Kol was right, he wasn't usually that frank. "It looks like Persephone is more in touch with her feelings than I am and willing to talk about them."

Kol chuckled. "How is that actually, with you and her?"

"Very confusing at times", Elijah admitted with a sigh. "Most of the time I'm simply the Elijah you know but then suddenly Persephone comes to the forefront, especially when we are dealing with witches."

"What do you mean?" Kol was intrigued.

"She's really angry about how witches have evolved in the last thousand years", Elijah replied, amused. "Most of my behaviour towards the witches yesterday wasn't Elijah, it was all Persephone."

"You mean bowing etc.? It was her and not you?" Kol was grinning openly now.

"Yes, that was Persephone", Elijah replied. "Apparently we both have this pet peeve with someone treating us disrespectful."

"How surprising." Kol laughed and Elijah laughed with him.

"Come, let us inspect the compound. We have five more days before Hope comes home and I want most of it fixed by then." Elijah ruffled Kol's hair full of affection and hugged him. And for the first time in a long time, Kol didn't pull back from this display of affection.