A/N: Here we are again, weary travelers - the sequel to New Begining. It's been a while since we last met, and for that, I am sorry. Life in general has been tough for a while, but things are looking up. I cannot promise constant updates, but I will be here whenever able. I hope to end this story at around 30 chapters, so it'll be shorter than NB. The Originals doesn't have as much of my heart as Vampire Diaries did and frankly, I merely want to give them a happy ending. So we will see what happens. As per usual, please leave me your thoughts on the chapter. See ya soon!

Golden Louisianian sun shimmered through the stained glass window in my newfound prison, a complete juxtaposition to the dour mood that seeped from me like a noxious gas. I scoffed under my breath as I walked around the bedroom glancing at the beige bedspread and antique furniture. Rebekah stood behind me, her foot tapping anxiously against the worn oak floor.

"I picked out the decorations as soon as we arrived. I was going for southern chic," she said, swallowing roughly. "Look, Elandra, I know that you are angry with us but try to look at things from our perspective. You just disappeared — it took us months to find you, and when we did, you were so different. We are just trying to protect you...and now the little one," she said, eyes lowering to my midsection with a soft smile pulling at the edges of her lips.

Spinning on my heel, I painted a well-practiced sneer onto my face, flipping silver hair over one shoulder. "And when did you decide to trap me? Before or after you discovered my whereabouts?" Rebekah winced at the accusation and I crossed my arms. "I expected someone like you — a woman who knows what it feels like to be caged, to make healthier decisions. Why would you do this to me? Out of all of your siblings, I never thought that you would betray me. You've been by my side off and on for many years. You know what I've been through."

Rebekah's pale blue eyes shimmered, and pain rolled off of her in waves. "We are doing what we think is best. We have spent centuries without you, and I'm sorry, but I can not deal with that agony again. A depleted sigh tumbled from deep in my chest; I was tired of them trying to guilt me into submission. Rebekah stepped closer, and the blue iris of her eyes suddenly hardened into ice by anger. "And I won't watch my brother fade away. I have seen him broken one too many times. If that means placing you in chains until you come around, then so be it."

I clenched my hands into fists, glaring at her with a furious snarl. "Get out. I have nothing left to say to you."

Rebekah flinched, her chest falling as she exhaled in defeat. "I'll be downstairs if you need anything. I know this is hard, but please remember how much we love you," she said, walking out of the room.

I watched her go, pushing away the tidal wave of remorse that tried to wash away my anger. That was the old me. Brushing my hair over one shoulder, I started to braid it, pacing around the room like a caged lion. Flipping the finished braid back over my shoulder, I pulled out my phone, annoyed that I couldn't cast a spell for privacy. Scrunching up my nose, I tapped my screen to life rather aggressively, huffing out a breath of irritated air. Pulling up the Mystic Falls group chat, I typed up an SOS message.

Calling all supernatural beings: they've found me, I need to activate plan b.

Damon: Told you plan A was stupid. You should've left the country.

Caroline: SHUT UP DAMON! OMG, Ellie, are you okay? What did they do; Klaus had to be pissed.

William: I hate to say this Mother, but Damon is right. We should have left for Spain.

Leaving the country would have only made things worse. Care, he was indeed angry; demanded to know whose bastard I was carrying.

Bonnie: No he didn't! What an asshole. My tongue feels dipped in acid while saying this — but Damon is right, you should have left the country. God, I feel gross now.

Tyler(badass extraordinaire): You should feel gross Bon — no one should ever agree with Damon. Maybe you should examine your life choices.

Bonnie: Bite me.

William: Young wolf, you should watch your tone. I have a hardy supply of Wolfsbane.

Tyler(badass extraordinaire): I'd take a bite outta you anytime, sweetheart. And I am always up for a challenge, baby boy.

Jeremy(the human sibling): Dammit, Tyler, please shut up. El, I called Jenna and she said we can be there if you need us.

Thanks, Jer, but I need you to stay in Mystic Falls. I can't be worried about both of you, along with Elena and the others.

Jeremy(the human sibling): Okay...but if you need us we will be there.

William: Listen to your sister, Jeremy. We can't guarantee your safety.

Elena: They're right, Jer; stay home. We love that you wanna help, but it's more important that you're both safe. Now for the rest of you, we've gotten off-topic. What are we gonna do about El? Where do they have you, Ellie - can you get away?

Stefan: Yes, please shut up and listen. I get a migraine every time this chat goes off.

Damon: Oh here comes Stefan to save the day. Pull out the red carpet everyone.

Why are you here again?

Damon: Because you love me, and also I paid for that delicious apartment you all live in.

Oh, here we go again. You offered — that's not on me. I owe you nothing.

Elena: Let's not start this argument again. We have bigger things to worry about.

Stefan: Elena is right; Let's figure this out. The bar is calling my name.

Damon: Jump off her tit, brother. She dumped you and left the state.

Bonnie: Dear God, this group gets more unhinged by the minute.

Caroline: Sorry, Bon Bon. I hate that we left you there to be a mediator.

Bonnie: Someone's gotta do it.

Mason: And we appreciate it, Bonnie.

William: You're an asset to this group, Miss Bennett.

Enzo: Most certainly, Bonnie. Ellie, I contacted Marcel, and he's on his way.

Good, maybe he can talk some sense into a least one of them.

Elena: Idk if that's a good idea, Ellie. Santa Klaus might not take that very well...

He is gonna have to deal with it. They took my magic, Elena. I am trapped, and I will not suffer that again.

Bonnie: Shit; I'm on my way. Let me talk to Grams and grab the Grimoires.

Caroline: Yay, sleepover! We can rescue our princess and then explore NO. I can't wait to show you around.

Damon: This isn't a get-together, Barbie. It's a rescue mission. We're all on our way. We won't abandon you this time, Elandra.

Mason: I will send Tyler. I can't come right now. The pack is still adjusting. Don't worry, we will fix this. Take care of yourself and the pup. That's what's important.

Thank you...all of you, I truly appreciate it.

Elena: We will always be there for you, Ellie. We're family...well most of us. Be prepared, I'm on my way. Will, Care, and Enzo are going to find out how they managed to trap you.

Damon: Fuck right off, Elena. Let's not forget that you've had your moments too.

Alright, I'm gonna step in. Let's not start another fight. Elena, please stay home. It's not safe for you here- I can't protect you.

Elena remained silent, and I ground my teeth in frustration. The rest of the group ignored the bickering and signed off with messages of love and support - even Damon. I shook my head and smiled down at my phone, a sense of hope washing over me. We would figure this out together. I continued to pace the length of the room, occasionally glancing out the window and praying that Elena had heeded my warning. The startling sound of groaning iron met my ears, and my shoulders dropped — damn it, Elena. Rushing to the door, I threw it open and wrenched my body toward the balcony. Looking out over the courtyard, I saw Elena enter — she was every inch the image of an exhausted vengeful angel. Her brown hair was swung up into a messy bun, tied in place with a scrunchie, and she wore purple satin pajamas — penguin slippers adorned her feet. I snorted under my breath but felt the heat of love and appreciation swell in my chest. Placing a hand atop my swollen abdomen, I trudged down the stairs, bare feet nearly silent against the cool metal steps.

"Elena!" I called.

Elena turned on her heel, the skin around her doe eyes wrinkled as she focused. The moment she realized there was no immediate danger, her body slumped in relief. "Elara! Thank God; are you okay?"

I pulled her into a hug and nodded, smiling as she pushed away, eyes trailing my body with concern. "And my niece?" she said, hands moving to caress my stomach.

Before I could respond, the Mikaelson siblings broke the silence, appearing out of nowhere, leaves rustling at their feet. Out of sheer habit, I stepped in front of Elena, hands raised. Glancing down at the useless pale tone of my skin, my chest heaved with irritation — right, no magic.

"Stay out of this, doppelganger. You're not needed here," Rebekah snarled.

Elijah stepped into the space between us with his hands raised in supplication — worry shone in his soft brown eyes. "My sister is right, Ms Gilbert — though I would have said it differently. This is not your business. It's a family matter."

Niklaus pushed between his siblings to stand directly in front of me, his jaw was set tight, nose twitching furiously as he fought back a snarl. "Already called in the calvary, have we? Who's next to show up? Your pretty blonde, perhaps the long lost son?"

I rolled my eyes at the jealousy pouring from him like acid. He was acting like our end wasn't his decision. Slowly, I took a step backward, hand pressed against Elena's stomach — she wiggled in protest. "You have your cohorts, I have mine. What did you expect me to do?"

Niklaus, pressed his tongue against his teeth, tisking in fury, and glared at Elena over my shoulder. I stepped into his line of sight, shaking my head. "My sister is not part of this. What do you think she can do?"

"Oh, I'm sure she'll think of something. She's quite the little pest," he said.

Elena beamed, nodding animatedly. "Thanks."

Kol snorted, elbowing Rebekah in the side. "This doppelganger is feisty. I like it."

Rebekah rolled her eyes, arms crossed over her chest. "She's simply a pretty face, just like all the others."

I lifted my hand, pointing at the sour female Original in disappointment. "Hey! Uncalled for; let's not start throwing stones."

Elena maneuvered around me and stomped forward, ignoring Rebekah. She stood in front of Elijah and glared up at him. It was a comical sight. He simply raised a brow, staring down at her as if she were an over-energized puppy. "You! I thought you were better than this," she shook her head, a puckered expression of disgust pulling down her pouty lips.

Elijah adjusted the sleeve of his suit, sniffing imperiously. "I will repeat myself only once, Miss Gilbert. This is family business, and as such, not your concern."

"E-len-a," she enunciated, and annoyance laced her tone."It's every bit my concern," she bit out, mocking his elegant tone, her shoulders rigid. "I'm the only real family in the room."

Elijah's polite expression evaporated, and for a moment, I was truly concerned for my human sister. Luckily, Kol was the one to make a move. My stomach rolled at the strange sense of relief flowing down my spine.

"No. You aren't, little one," Kol said. His face lifted toward a buttery ray of light pouring in from the emptiness above, and I was shocked at the pinched expression of fury that he wore. His voice was pitched dangerously low. "Elandra is not your sister. She was merely sent to you by a magic you'll never understand. She is ours alone."

Elena froze, anger rising from her stiff spine and into her shaking shoulders. Before she could explode, I placed a hand on her lower back, sighing with exhaustion. "Kol, please stand down. I am every bit her sister. This fight is ridiculous; you all need so much therapy." The idea rolled around in my head, and I felt its truth rattle my bones. The supernatural world needs a practiced therapist. An idea for another time.

Kol jerked back, hand placed against his heart, and eyes wide with genuine offense. He scoffed, blinking rapidly. "Okay, shots fired."

Rebekah giggled, but quickly turned it into a cough when Kol's head snapped toward her. Elena shook her head amusedly. "We all need therapy or maybe lobotomies," she said with a shrug of thought.

Niklaus chuckled eerily. "I could help with that, Elena. What fun it would be."

"Ew, you're weird, so incredibly weird," Elena said, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose.

I watched the strange group with surprised unease. They were all so odd and suited one another more than they'd care to admit. The gate creaked, drawing an end to our current conversation. Marcel ambled into the courtyard, fear hidden behind a tight smile. "I was told I would find you here, Elara."

Elena rushed toward him gratefully. "Thank God, someone with more sense than spite."

"I would rethink that, doppelganger. Marcellus can be particularly vicious," Rebekah said.

Marcel flinched but continued forward, stopping at my side. He unwisely wrapped his arm around me, placing a hand on my hip. Niklaus stiffened at the action, his eyes growing wild with fury. Unconsciously, I took a step to the side.

Marcel's brow twitched, and I knew it had been a stupidly calculated decision. He widened his arms and shared an easygoing smile. I was quick to notice its falsity. "So I hear you have quite the powerful witch on your payroll."

In the space of a second, Niklaus wore his own dangerously false smile — it was much more effective. "Ah, Marcellus, here to save the young damsel?"

Marcel immediately recognized the danger of his maker's sharp words and shook his head. "I am simply here to ask about your witch, and to check on Elara. She has been working as queen since her arrival, and some people wish to see her restored to full power. What good is a witch queen without magic?"

Niklaus chuckled darkly, and Elijah tilted his head curiously. "So you've come here to admit that not only did you fake your death, but aided Elara in disappearing? A woman carrying Niklaus' child," Elijah surmised, and my stomach tilted in fear.

Elena swallowed uneasily. "He only did what we asked."

"And that excuses what he did? There are rules amongst our kind, doppelganger, but of course, you wouldn't know that," Rebekah said

I placed a hand atop my temple and took a deep breath of patience. "He wasn't hiding, Bekah. He simply carried on after you left," I said. Her eyes snapped to my face, hope shimmering in their blue depths. Realizing that I made the mistake of familiarity, I looked away, swallowing down the lump of guilt.

"The more important matter at hand is not that he took over the kingdom we built, it's that he thought he could claim my child as his own," Niklaus snarled, sea-green eyes melting into warm gold.

He launched forward, and with an expression of pure fury, planted his hand wrist deep in Marcel's chest. Elena screamed, face paling and eyes round with surprise. I stood frozen, hands shaking against my stomach. There was nothing I could do to help — I'm useless.

"What a King you make, standing here at my mercy," Niklaus leaned in, taunting his chosen son with a smirk.

Marcel coughed, and scarlet blood dribbled down his chin. "She's yours Klaus, she's always been yours. I was only protecting her."

Trembling, I did the only thing that I could and approached the volatile hybrid. His back went rigid as my hand fell on his shoulder. "Please, Nik." It was all I could say. I couldn't lie; I refused to promise forgiveness.

Niklaus laughed under his breath and Marcle flinched. "Looks likemyqueen still has use for you. How unfortunate," he said with a dark smile. "Don't disappoint us. She won't be able to save you again. Now leave," he said, pupils dilating as he compelled the younger vampire.

Marcel's stiff posture loosened, and he moaned in pain as Niklaus removed his hand. Without a single word, he walked away, stumbling as he neared the door. I turned back to Niklaus and inhaled deeply, choosing my words wisely. "What the fuck was that?"

Okay, maybe not so wisely.

Niklaus merely grinned, licking the thick red blood from his fingers. I gagged, releasing a disgusted breath. Rebekah huffed and smacked her brother's shoulder. "Seriously? She's pregnant. Don't be so thoughtless."

Kol snorted but walked over to the small bar on the opposite side of the room. He grabbed a glass and filled it with cool water. I reached out as he approached, taking the offering gratefully. I sipped the water with my eyes closed, listening to the siblings bicker. I could hear Elena berating Niklaus, standing up for Marcel at every opportunity. He had left a mark on her. After watching the Salvatores act like assholes, I guessed that she appreciated real loyalty.

"Come on! Weren't you as close as family?" Elena questioned, and real confusion coated her words.

"He was family once but that protection only gets you so far after such a brutal betrayal," Rebekah bemoaned.

"Yet you will forgive each other at every opportunity?" Elena asked.

"There's not much that we wouldn't do for blood, Miss Gilbert," Elijah said.

"Or the people most dear to us," Niklaus added, turning around to venture to the bar.

Kol bounded toward the sitting area, chuckling darkly. "How poetic."

Rolling her eyes, Rebekah strutted over to join Niklaus, snatching his newly filled glass from the tips of his fingers. "We aren't all emotionally stunted."

Elijah laughed mirthlessly, unbuttoning his suit jacket with a flick of his wrist. "Let's not throw stones. None of us are without fault."

"Kol snorted, crossing his legs elegantly. "Besides, if anyone is emotionally stunted it would be you, dear sister."

Rebekah rolled her eyes, drinking deeply, and Niklaus scoffed. He grabbed a clean glass from the bar and filled it to the brim. "Even if that were true who's fault would it be? I was never allowed off of my leash."

Niklaus snorted into his Bourbon, bubbles forming around the edge of the glass, and coughed out a deep laugh. "Oh sister, leash or not, you learned plenty."

Rebekah's nose wrinkled, her blue eyes glowing with centuries worth of indignation. Elena glared at the smirking hybrid with disgust. "Oh great, now we're slut shaming. How childish."

He scanned her outraged form and with a smirk, dismissed her. Glaring at the room over the rim of his glass, he pointedly swallowed down the alcohol without so much as a wince. "Why are you still here? Are you unable to sense when you're not wanted?"

Kol giggled with mirth, propping his legs up on the glass table in front of him, arms rising to position comfortably under his head. "Who else did we know with the same unearned sense of self-importance?" He moved one hand out from under his safeguarded neck and snapped his fingers rapidly. "Ah, that annoying little strumpet, Tatia. I've forgotten, Elandra, what exactly did you think of her?"

I shook my head, masking the humor I felt at the way his eyes brightened with glee. "Elena is not her ancestor, Kol," I said, refusing to answer his loaded question.

"Don't forget Katerina, brother. She was so much like Tatia that Elijah was in a tizzy," Rebekah goaded. Elijah placed a hand on his hip, his jacket skimming his slowly flexing fingers. "Why must you all drag us into the past?"

I nodded in agreement, watching as Niklaus turned his back on the group, leaning over the bar with feigned indifference. Elena crossed her arms, her lips a thin line of dislike, and she turned her head to look at me. Her eyes searched my face for an answer to the question that haunted her. Walking toward my sister, I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, encasing her in the warmth of my faith. "You may share similarities with the doppelgangers who came before you, but you have since done something they never could," Elena stilled, her shoulders stiffening at the strength of my conviction. "You have become your own person, and chose self-love over the treachery of an all-consuming romance." In a flash, she lowered her head to my shoulder and wrapped her arms as far as she could around my waist. "That is something to be proud of."

I looked up at the Original family and saw Rebekah flinch with guilt at the abuse of my glare. "We are done picking at each other's emotional wounds. I refuse to be pulled down into the ever-expanding Mikaelson pit of self-loathing," I said, gaze finding Niklaus' reflection in the bar mirror. He could only hold my stare for a moment before his jaw ticked and he looked away.

Rebekah's lips twitched, and I held up a hand, shaking my head. I had no desire to go another round with any of them. Elena pulled away, and stepped closer to Elijah, staring up at his pale and exhausted face.

"I came here for one reason, and as usual, was sidetracked by your family's brutality — but it won't happen again. Remove the bracelet," she demanded, pointing at me with an expression of unyielding strength. Pride tore at the corner of my eyes, and I sniffed, refusing to let tears spill.

The bright ring of Rebekah's laughter rang in my ears and I turned my head in shock, heart hammering in my chest at the familiarity of it. Her beautiful face twisted with malice and she threw her head back with a sick sort of amusement. My eyes watered again, this time brought on by a much darker emotion, and her visage changed. Instead of the woman I've seen for centuries as a most beloved sister, Esther sat in her place. My wrist ached furiously under the cold silver bangle, and I took a heavy step backward.

"Our brutality, ours? Who was it that abandoned their kin repeatedly in favor of a nice ass and pretty words?" she spat, rising from her seat with the speed of her kind.

Elijah darted forward, placing the palm of his hand against Rebekah's chest before she could so much as take a single step. Her hand reached up to take hold of his wrist, and she snarled furiously. Kol clapped merrily, smiling encouragingly at his sister. "Get her, Bekah!"

I lowered my chin defeatedly, and reached out, grabbing Elena with a firm hold. "Would you please, shut up and go home! This is getting us nowhere."

"Listen to Elandra, little pest. What did you hope to accomplish; there is no way that you truly believed I would give her up?" Niklaus asked, turning around curiously. I watched his face progress through different emotions as quickly as the leaves were carried into the compound by the chilled fall air. Finally, he landed on a blank stare of impassivity. "Leave. There is nothing left for you here. Elandra is where she belongs."

Elena's shoulders stiffened, her spine straightening to an uncomfortable degree. My fingers twitched against her cool skin and I felt goosebumps rise to meet my panicked grip. Tilting her head in an attempt to appear threatening, her lips curled and perfect teeth bared into a snarl. "Not until you set my sister free."

Niklaus smiled and lowered his empty glass onto the bar. "Unless you want to join her, I'd leave — I doubt you'd make it long trapped in our presence." Glancing at Elijah, he waved his hand questioningly, lips turning down and chin wrinkling. "What do you say? Would you mind bothering the Devereaux sisters again?"

Rebekah sat down beside a gleaming Kol, and a menacing smile transformed her face. "I doubt they'd mind, brother. It's in their best interest to make the true rulers of New Orleans happy. What's one more spell among friends?" she asked, grin widening to show clenched teeth.

With an excessive huff, I tapped my foot against the stone floor, hiding the joy I felt with a scoff of disgust. The Deveraux sisters were about to have a truly terrible night. "You're all acting like spoiled children. I am not a toy to be fought over."

Kol sat forward on the plush sofa and rhythmically patted his knees. "I don't know about that, darling. You enjoyed it well enough when Niklaus played with you," he said, mischievous brown eyes darting to my midsection.

From the other side of the room, Niklaus launched his empty glass at Kol's head, and Rebekah sped away in an attempt to avoid the coming fight — appearing next to Elijah with a scowl. Kol burst from the sofa, dodging the glass, and it shattered on the wall behind him. His expression wrinkled with displeasure, and the visage he wore twisted into the vampiric. He whipped forward — colliding with Niklaus — and the crystalline bottles behind him exploded beneath them. The impact tore the bar to shreds, and wood flew through the air like shrapnel. Elijah sighed, rubbing the stress from his forehead. I took the opportunity to pull Elena toward the door. She tried to plant her feet against the stone, watching in wide-eyed wonder as air and wood spun around in a blur of color. Leaves scattered around her ankles as I tugged on her upper arm, yanking her away from the bickering Originals. Placing my hand on her chin, I turned her head, eyes searching her face to gauge her level of concentration. When we locked eyes, I stopped in front of the iron gate, tongue darting out to wet my dry lips. "Find Marcel and tell him about what was said here tonight. He will know what to do with the information."

Elena blinked, her cheeks pink with nerves. "What about you? I was supposed to help!" she said, lashes wet.

Smiling gently, I patted her warm cheek. "And you did. I will be fine. Just help Will control our growing circus. Marcel will help get this hunk of metal off me. I believe in you guys." I said, pulling her into a fierce hug.

Once her body loosened and she returned my sudden onslaught of affection, I squeezed her closer one last time before pushing her out of the compound — locking the gate behind her with a loud click of finality. Stepping backward, I watched her stumble into the French Quarter in search of my last hope of freedom. When she became one with the rapturous crowd around her, I followed warm candlelight back into the compound.