AN: Hello all. Again I want to say thank you to everyone that has review, read, followed and favorited. It is very encouraging. This chapter is full of informational conversations and the section had to be split again. I had to break this chapter off where I did because of length...I hope it is not too jarring for you. Also this may be a bit difficult to read cause I think it is kind of sad, more so the next chapter. I do hope you enjoy it and please remember to review. Thank you
Be safe and be good people.
Chapter 5- Hell and High Water - Part 3
Bennett Residence
Bonnie finally decided that she would be the bigger person and go to Lucy(even though she was in the wrong) and extend an olive branch.
Lucy did a lot for her and this one time she could let it go, take the higher ground, be mature.
She felt the shift in the house as soon as she left her room. Walking to Lucy's room, she stopped at the door and listened. She heard nothing. Knocking once and then a second time without a response she turned the handle opening the door.
"Lucy," she called out.
Nothing
Heart pounding, frown etched on her face, she turned and walked into the kitchen. Of course she was in the kitchen, Bonnie thought to herself. Entering the kitchen she heard nothing. Quickly she made her way to the french doors to check out in the back.
"Lucy,"she shouted. Bonnie turned around swiftly walking through the house calling out.
"Lucy, stop hiding and come out," Bonnie commanded
"Stop playing!" Bonnie yelled. "You made your point."
"I give...uncle.." Bonnie yielded, yelling through the house.
Beginning to panic, heart racing she moved rapidly, hitting the wall and tripping over her feet in her haste, going back to Lucy's room. She bumped into the nightstand reaching out to touch her bed. It was made. Lucy never made her bed, she said what is the purpose, I'm only going to mess it up again?
"No...no...no she wouldn't…" Bonnie whispered talking to herself, not realizing tears were falling from her eyes. She made it to Lucy's closet, feeling around for the luggage set that she had gifted Lucy with years ago.
The luggage was gone.
"Lucy, Lucy, Lucy…" Bonnie screamed as if she would instantly appear.
"She wouldn't leave. Not over this," Bonnie said out loud as she tried to comfort herself. She walked out of the room shutting the door. Bonnie retraced her steps going through the whole house desperately searching for Lucy.
Nothing.
Bonnie went back into her room curled up on the in-wall bench, resting her head on the window. Lucy is just being a bitch trying to make a point. I'll just wait her out, Bonnie thought, defiantly wiping her eyes. Yes she will be home by lunchtime.
She hoped.
Outside the day turned gloomy and gray and the rain began to fall.
Bonnie woke with a start after falling asleep again.
"Gandalf, what time is it?"
Lucy spelled Alexa to sound like the great Gandalf, she said they were witches and Alexa wasn't the right fit. It was either Gandalf or Pennywise (Bonnie wasn't sure why the demonic clown, when Lucy hated clowns), Bonnie opted for Gandalf.
"My dear lady, a wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to. But for you, a mere witch, the time is 4:00p.m." Bonnie rolled her eyes, of course Lucy would make Gandalf a snob, Bonnie mused.
She moved as fast as her stiff body would allow and she made her way to Lucy's room expectantly. She rushed in..
"Where have you been? You…," stopped in mid sentence, silence halted her speech. Lucy wasn't there.
She was gone. Bonnie fell to the floor in tears. She knew she wasn't there.
She felt the emptiness, she was accustomed to it. Lucy's presence was gone and Bonnie's world was a fraction colder and darker.
Crumpled on the floor she heard a tapping…
She quieted and listened
Tapping…
Bonnie got up a bit unbalanced. She moved aimlessly in search of the noise, heart pounding, hands sweaty.
Tap
TAP
TAP...TAP...TAP…
Bonnie found herself back at the french doors leading out back. She carefully and slowly opened the doors. In a flash a black bird rushed in startling Bonnie with its flapping wings.
"Little bird what are you? And why are you here?" Bonnie inquired after she found her voice. The bird had startled her.
"A little raven for a stubborn witch, my mistress commands me." Replied the raven, who sounded like a little boy child, sweet and innocent.
"Of course...Lucy!"
Lucy and her on-the-nose references...A raven tapping at my door...really? Bonnie reflected, happy that she hadn't left without so much as a word.
Oh how she missed her already!
"O little raven what does your mistress say?" Bonnie inquired as she closed the doors leaning her back against the glass.
Now, in a voice sounding unsurprisingly like Lucy's, the raven spoke…
"Little cousin, my little grasshopper, you were always under foot, always wanting to follow, always hopping around wanting to be seen. Always ready to fight with the big dogs even when I would tell you that pups had to stay on the porch."
"I know that you always felt that you weren't good enough, that you lacked something, was less than, but that was never true."
"I know that you craved love and acceptance, always afraid that people would leave you. That fear tainted your choices causing you to be blinded by what you wanted to see and not seeing what should have been apparent."
"But I need you to know that you are more than your eyes! You are more than your magic! You are more than being the Bennett witch!"
"You are Bonnie. It is that simple, you are simply Bonnie. I hope that you will soon understand what that means."
"You are my baby sister/cousin, yeah I know you hate when I say that cause it reminds you of sister/wives, but it is true. From the day I saw you, a tiny little thing, wrapped tightly in a pink blanket in the nursery, behind the glass. Grams held me up pointing you out. You looked like a tiny baby doll. You opened your eyes and stared right at me, big round green eyes and the biggest smile a baby could ever have. In that moment our connection was created and you captured my heart and never let it go."
"I promised that day I would love you, teach you, guide you, protect you and never let anything happen to you."
"I have been remiss in that promise. I should have kicked your ass sooner. Bonnie I am so sorry, I should have told you this sooner, but it is time to get off your pitiful ass and take back what is yours. It is time to fight."
"Grasshopper, you aren't the Bennett witch because of your sight or lack of it and it wasn't because of your magic since there are powerful Bennett witches, d'uh. You were chosen because of your heart, your big beautiful, gracious heart. Don't forget that. You fight for those who aren't strong enough to fight for themselves, you speak for those whose voices have been silenced."
"I don't want to break out singing "The Wind Beneath My Wings" but the truth is you are. You have always made me strive to be better. .So that is what I have gone off to do. I am with the hybrid, I have taken up his cause. Samwise Gamgee wouldn't leave Mr. Frodo hanging, please don't leave me hanging."
"The shopping has been done as well as the laundry. My Lola is gassed up and has had her oil changed. When you are ready to join this fellowship, you know how to find me. Desi will bring you to me and if you need anything in the meantime, just call her."
"Love you, I hope to see you soon."
Bonnie cried as she listened, she had again found herself on the floor sobbing like a baby. She wanted to soak in all that Lucy said and let it nurture her wounded soul. She wanted to pack her things and go on this quest with her Lucy, her sister (she refused to say sister/cousin, but it was on the tip of her tongue).
But she couldn't.
She wanted to believe her.
But she didn't.
Instead she allowed the dark blanket of loneliness and despair to comfort her and harden her broken heart and she held onto resentment like an ardent lover.
She wiped her face, slowly getting up. She opened the doors to release the little messenger.
On swift wings the small raven flew out the door but instead of returning to its mistress, it perched on the highest branch of the oak tree and sat there hidden by the leaves and the hanging moss.
"So yeah, you know the part where Gandalf goes all ' don't forget I'm a wizard, son' on Bilbo, getting all large and imposing that wizard deep voice?" Klaus nodded, but Lucy continued recounting the events of the past few days without waiting, assuming he saw the movie and knew which part she was talking about.
" Well that is the shit she tried to pull on me. Mind you, I would have thought it totally badass had it not been on me, she was pulling it on."
Klaus listened attentively as he drove, fascinated by the tale the witch was weaving, expounding on the circumstances of her delayed contact.
They had been on the road for about an hour now. Finally making progress on their way to New Orleans after making sure Lucy was sufficiently fed while he drank blood from a Yeti travel cup, warmed up by the witch.
Thus far, he had learned two very important things about the captivating witch. Surprisingly, the first being she had a very healthy appetite. He wasn't sure how she accomplished such a feat. With her shapely, toned arms, trimmed waist, thick muscled thighs and an ass that was pleasant, she did not exactly look like she ate salads everyday, but Klaus was stunned by the amount of food she could eat. When they stopped for her to eat, Klaus excused himself to make a call to Elijah to inform him that they were on the way and to prepare a room for their guest.
At the WaffleHouse, her favorite place to eat, she put away a large pecan waffle smothered in syrup, a small bowl of grits, two eggs over easy with two pieces of toast, three strips of limp (her words) bacon and a glass of water and cup of coffee. He had been amazed that she finished it all and it was a glorious thing to watch.
This observation made him wonder about the tiny witch they left behind. She was never too far from his thoughts, even when he was engaged in conversation with Lucy, he always somehow traveled back to the almost Hobbit sized witch. Damn, he was doing it now, referencing LoTR, clearly already the charismatic witch was rubbing off on him, he bemoaned.
He wondered if she had an appetite such as her cousin's. And what of her body, he could not distinguish her womanly attributes, much less proportions under the loose fitted and obscuring clothes. He deduced that she was using her clothes to further draw into herself and withdraw from the world.
Back to the witch sitting beside him, the second thing he learned was that she was addicted to all things LoTR. Oftentimes referencing the books and/or movies or quoting from them.
She informed him that she had the books, the 1978 animated film on VHS, the original theatrical released trilogy DVD's, the extended trilogy version DVD's, the collector's extended trilogy DVD's box set, the blu ray extended version DVD's, The Hobbit trilogy DVD's and the limited edition LoTR monopoly collector's game.
He marveled at her complete abandon and submergence of the fantasy world thinking it was a wee bit obsessive and strange for a witch to be so overtaken with the fiction, although there were many truths to the story. And yet he did find it and her to be endearing.
He smirked as he wondered if he should tell her that he knew Tolkien and gave him some of his ideas for the books. No he mused, he would keep that to himself for now.
In his long life Klaus had only met a select handful of individuals he felt a kinship with, always preferring the affection and companionship of his siblings over all others. Lucy was quickly making her way on to that list with the likes of his adopted son, a once ripper vampire and another special witch.
The longer he spent with her the more he started regarding her as a sister much like Rebekah or Freya. Lucy didn't know it but she was slowly becoming a part of the Mikaelson clan.
"And yet you seem to have come out unscathed by your ordeal." Klaus commented, his mind back on the conversation.
"Let's just say we both gave as good as we got. And healing spells are totally awesome. I would have contacted you sooner if she hadn't nearly handed me my ass. You remember how that feels, right?" Lucy slyly reminded him with a chuckle and a wink.
Klaus arched a brow, "Come now Lucy, surely your recollection of how things went is by far different, and might I add skewed, from my own." He countered, knowing full well the truth.
Lucy nearly choked on the water she was drinking with laughter coming from her belly. "You have got to be kidding? Okaaayyy. Sure it will be our secret. I won't tell your siblings how a tiny five foot nothing Hobbit kicked your ass," She teased. To that Klaus laughed as well.
Yes, Lucinda, no correction, Lucy would definitely fit in with the Mikaelson clan, he contemplated with a smile.
Conversely, he was very curious, intrigued really, about Bonnie Bennett and the whole Bennett witch lore and why Lucy would go against her cousin to help him? These ruminations clouded his mind.
He sobered, "Lucy, how long has she been blind?"
Lucy marinated on the question; what to reveal and how much?
"Almost ten years, very close to it." Klaus felt the atmosphere change in the vehicle and he almost wished he hadn't questioned her. " It's Bonnie's story to tell." Lucy sighed heavily, " but I will tell you this, the one directly responsible died regretting it."
"You made sure of that." Klaus said as a matter of fact; an infallible statement and not a question.
Lucy's silence was confirmation, there was no need to say more. Of course Klaus respected and understood the response to give in kind the same measure, if not hundredfold, because he surely would mete a horrible punishment on anyone that dared to harm his family. This need to protect is what drove him to seek out the Bennett witch.
He had been and was still called a monster for it, a moniker that he proudly bore to have his enemies fear him and his vengeful wrath if that meant that his family would be safe. Klaus was also aware that he enjoyed killing, more pointedly, he enjoyed being the predator instead of the prey.
"I am curious as to why you are willing to help," Klaus pushed, he knew there had to be a deeper motivation for the witch.
Lucy answered the question with a question. "Riddle me this Batman, what is the connection you and your family have with the Bennett's, in particular, Ayanna?"
She was a sharp one, Klaus thought as he smiled.
"Let me tell you a story of two sisters…"
And this was how they spent the duration of their trip, getting to know each other and the shared history of the Bennetts and the Mikaelsons. Klaus had to admit that it had been a long time since he actually enjoyed engaging in any conversation, especially one dredging up his family's past, but Lucy was funny, and intelligent, and not only could she relate, but she didn't have the prejudices and closed mindedness as many witches had concerning vampires or any other supernatural species. That unbiased openness and viewpoint was refreshing to Klaus, he hoped that Bonnie would have the same views.
Bennett Residence
It was dusk outside …the in-between time, the time when the day is surrendering to the night's sweet kiss yet not fully embraced by the darkness. This is where Bonnie found herself, in a state of dusk. Always dancing in the in-between. In between the light and the dark….always in the shadows...
Since receiving her massage from Lucy, Bonnie had done nothing but mope around the house. Finally deciding that she needed to eat something she went to the kitchen, summoning her magic, she opened the refrigerator and let her magic search its contents.
Lucy left the last piece of lasagna with a note that whimsically sang out, "enjoy." Lucy was always looking out for Bonnie and leaving singing messages around the house, little post-it notes that she spelled to sing out a message if Bonnie came across it.
Again there was a pain in her heart.
Bonnie once more used her magic to warm up the food. After eating at the kitchen island she used her magic to clean her mess and she walked back to her room.
Bonnie found herself sitting at her Grams large wooden kitchen table in her country styled kitchen. She was back in Mystic Falls on a lovely day, with the sun shining bright and a crisp breeze spreading the scent of vanilla throughout the house, which was her Grams favorite scent. The windows were open and the sheer curtains billowed and swayed.
It was the first day of Autumn and Bonnie was excited to be going apple picking today. They would pick the best apples and then Grams would make the best apple pies. But there was something different about today, something that was a bit off to Bonnie, however she couldn't place what it was.
With a frown on her face Bonnie sat contemplating the situation when suddenly she noticed her Grams standing across the table watching her.
"What's wrong dear?"
"Something isn't right." Bonnie replied, still confused.
"Of course it is my dear." Grams insisted.
"No it's not!. Why are you here? I see you Grams."
"Dear, it's my house where else would I be? And well you should see me, you're looking right at me, sweetie." Grams grinned sweetly, but it didn't seem to reach her eyes.
"No," Bonnie exclaimed, getting more frustrated and letting her voice rise.
"Child, watch that tone with me." Sheila Bennett chided.
"Sorry Grams." Bonnie mumbled as she averted her eyes sincerely apologetic for being disrespectful.
"Why wouldn't you be able to see me? Open your eyes."
"Grams you shouldn't be here. You passed to the other side. And I lost my eyesight." Bonnie informed, deflated.
"Stop being silly girl, if you don't want to go apple picking just tell me, doll. It's okay with me. It will be chilly out there in the shade. And your eyes are just fine, just as beautiful as always." Grams patted Bonnie's chin smiling, but again the happiness of the smile didn't seem to reach her eyes.
The elder witch stood up from the table and began walking away, but stopped and turned around as if a thought came to her. Facing Bonnie, looking at her with a frown and sad eyes, she said, "You can't see, child, because you don't want to see."
"I went apple picking with you that day. Grams this is a dream and you are gone. My sight is gone and now Lucy is gone. I can't see because I am blind," Bonnie whispered as tears slowly glided down her face onto her lips.
Sheila Bennett had a great love for her granddaughters but she knew better than anyone that one had to be tough on the young or they would be ruined. She would not allow them to be ruined.
"Bonnie," Grams gently said, still standing watching her, " This isn't the dream. You are not alone. Lucy hasn't left you and I haven't left , you pushed me away. You have to wake up."
"What? Bonnie muttered dazed. "That's not true, Lucy left and you died."
"NO, Bonnie we are always with you, if you let us. You need to wake up! Your time is now and you must wake up," Grams urged.
"WAKE UP!"
Bonnie woke with a start, shooting straight up in her bed. It was a dream, just a dream. It had been a while since she dreamt of Grams and this only reaffirmed what she knew.
She stayed up a few more minutes, almost afraid to close her eyes again, but she was so tired, hence she fluffed her pillows, got comfortable again, closing her heavy eyelids, drifting back to sleep. Bonnie's slumber was fretful and filled with dreams.