#charlijah

... a glimmer of hope appears in Emil’s eyes.

“It is possible they would. It would have to feel as though it was of extreme importance.”

“Would helping you start a new vineyard be sufficient,” Elijah asks.

“Unfortunately, no. I have tried to get them to come here and help me set up to create new wines. They saw it as an offer of pity.”

After several more minutes of silence Elijah tries again. “Would they be willing to leave Italy to help set up a new vineyard? If you were to have a partner, say in America who was wanting to set up a vineyard with grapes from here?”

The first true smile Charlotte has seen from him slowly makes its way to Emil’s face and eyes.

“In such a situation, they just might. Would that be your way of asking me to be your partner?”

“I do believe such an arrangement could be mutually beneficial. I do enjoy a good wine,” comes Elijah’s reply.

Several days and much planning later a knock on the front door interrupts the trio’s mid-day meal. Emil soon escorts three men into the dinning area.

“Gentlemen, you must be hungry. Please join us and relax for a spell.”

“Apologies. We were told you wanted to see us Emil,” the oldest replies for the group.

“I did ask for you to come. Please join us for a meal.”

“We brought with us a bottle of your favorite wine,” Antony offers.

“Your wine is what we would like to discuss with you gentlemen. Please, join us,” Elijah encourages.

After everyone is sufficiently fed, Elijah turns to Antony. “Sir, it is my understanding that the wine I have enjoyed while staying with my friend is of your making.”

“It is so,” Antony replies. “our family has made wine for many generations.”

“Oh please, Elijah. Do ask them for me,” Charlotte pleads.

With a laugh Elijah replies, “As you gentlemen observe, my wife has developed quite the taste for your creation. I asked Emil of its origin resulting in you being asked here.”

It is plain to see the pleasure and pride in the eyes of all three men in response to the compliments offered.

“My wife and I are soon returning to America. We came to Italy to visit Emil and to learn what we could of the workings of a winery as we are wanting to invest in one ourselves. Emil is willing to join with me in this venture in America.”

“The proposal is this. I am asking for a favor in truth. We would like for this to be a successful business for all parties. However, I am unable to go to America at this time and I need someone to represent me within the company there. We also need a knowledgable voice to help establish vines from here. No one knows this better than the Valentino family. I was wondering if your family would be willing to be my partners in this and help Elijah and Charlotte set things up and get the company started?”

“Emil and I have agreed to be equal partners. Therefore, you would represent his half of the company. If we are successful, you would be in charge of his half of the assets.”

“Of course, I would ask that you keep in regular contact with me in regards to the company.”

All three men seem very uncomfortable with the proposal. Noticing this, Charlotte speaks up.

“I must apologize gentlemen. In my zeal I seem to have offended you. My husband is a good man and truthfully he spoils me. I had indicated months ago that as much as we enjoy a truly good wine we should find a company to join or begin a new one. It is for my benefit that they have approached you. I completely understand not wanting to leave your homeland.”

“No offense was taken, it simply is not a decision to be made lightly. I must speak with my wife regarding this offer.” Antony pauses for a moment and looks at his sons. “If we decide to do this it will take some time to make preparations before we could leave.”

“Certainly. Please do discuss the matter with your family. Charlotte and I will be here for another week. We would be honored if all or some of you could accompany us to America. By doing so you could look at the land in question and help us to make needed changes and improvements before the vines could be brought over.”

Author’s note: At Saint Mungo’s after the fight in the Department Of Mystery’s.

Dumbledore talking to Andromeda Tonks in her daughter’s hospital room while Remus is “asleep” by her side.

“Andromeda,” Dumbledore began, “the problem is you look at Remus and see the boy that bested you so in school and as a werewolf. When we look at Remus we see a good man who has led a hard life. A man that willingly puts himself in harms way to protect those he cares about. Nymphadora looks at Remus and sees not a werewolf, but rather a man that loves her and respects her. She sees the huge heart Remus has for others. Someone who wil stand by her no matter what. She sees the man.”

“I hear what you’re saying Professor...”

“But you feel that you’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Exactly.”

“Well let me ask this of you. Consider how he might be feeling. Yes, you lost your cousin tonight. I am not meaning to minimize your loss in anyway. However, Remus has now lost every friend he has ever had. His entire family has been taken from him. Both biological and adopted families. The only remaining connection to his past is Harry. The only other person in the world who he has let get close to him is Nymphadora and he almost lost both of them as well.

He is hurting Andromeda, in a way few people can comprehend. On top of that is the prejudice he has to deal with. The icing on the proverbial cake tonight has been you trying to separate him From Nymphadora and insulting Sirius.

The Kindness of Strangers - The Kindness Of Strangers: Part 1 (on Wattpad) https://my.w.tt/pd1QJyqCdQ 

 Time: 1415-1423 

Elijah and Charlotte spend the first few months of married life traveling through Europe. There are quite a few people he wants to check in with and introduce Charlotte to as well.

Eventually they make their way to Italy. It has been long since Elijah has been there. He wants to locate Emil and thus far has been unable to do so.

Midnight Mass in Rome. Since they began their married life with Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, it only seemed right that they start the celebration of their 1 year anniversary with it as well. As Mass concludes, Charlotte goes to light a candle for her lost loved ones. Elijah joins her kneeling in prayer. A strong hand on his shoulder interrupts but it is a presence which makes him smile.

“Emil. The very one I have been searching for. Do I know the ones you light a candle for?”

“Indeed. At least some of them. Those back in Spain.”

“I take it there have been recent losses to bring you here.”

“This is something that should be discussed elsewhere my friend.”

Twenty minutes later Emil leads them into a comfortable looking house outside of town. Once they are inside Elijah begins.

“Emil, first of all I would like to introduce my wife, Charlotte.”

“Elijah Mikaelson, my sire and my friend. Married. And to a human no less. It is a pleasure, my lady.” He gives her a courtly bow to accompany his smile as he kisses her hand.

“It’s a good thing I know you so well Emil, otherwise I might think you were flirting with my wife.”

“I may find myself in a difficult situation, Elijah, but I assure you I’m not suicidal.”

Charlotte laughs as she interrupts, “it’s a pleasure to meet you Emil. We’ve been trying to find you.”

Elijah smiles at her and kisses her cheek as they sit before the fire.

“Emil. What is this difficult situation you find yourself in?”

Emil sits quietly for several moments staring into the fire.

“Perhaps your timing is fortuitous.”

“How so?” Charlotte asks.

“Elijah, you know I take my promise to keep our ‘condition’ a secret seriously. I do not want the Destroyer to rain down upon us. However, there is a family in the Southern part of this country that knows of me.”

“I know you do Emil. What happened?”

“How they came to know is of little importance to the problem. They have known of me for a generation or two before Antony who is now the head of the family. I have known Antony all his life. Much like your example, we work together to help their village without the village knowing where the aid truly comes from.”

“What happened to Antony’s family,” Charlotte asks.

“I had not heard from them in a few months so I went to check on them. A new leader was sent to the church. A crooked leader that only cares for money and power. The Valentino family has crafted and cared for vineyards there for generations. The new leadership decided to claim the family’s land in the name of the church. When Antony sent an appeal to the arch bishop to allow them to keep part of the land his appeal was so ordered. However, men were sent to their home instead. These men were evil and beat the men that were present and raped and killed their only daughter.”

Charlotte could feel the rage seething out of Elijah as he listened to Emil. She turns herself against his chest in an effort to comfort both of them. He places an arm around her and kisses the top of her head.

“I have tried to offer assistance to the family but they refuse,” Emil continues. “They insist that if I come and seek revenge on these animals then the village will loose faith. They refuse to allow me to move them elsewhere to escape the continued taunts and cruelty heaped upon them. I prayed earlier for help in this matter.”

The three of them sit in silence for several minutes until Charlotte asks, “would they leave if they thought they were helping you in some way Emil?”

A glimmer of hope appears in Emil’s eyes.

Author’s Note: If you would like to be tagged in this story I would be happy to add you.

Part 3

Sofia Valentino has always been a woman strong in her faith. The tragedy their family has been dealt by corrupt church leaders shook her to her core but she didn’t lose faith. Some in the village question her but she maintains that God will protect her family.

When Emil asked for them to come visit she sent her husband and two of her sons. Emil, though he is a vampire, has been a good friend to their family. She just didn’t think she could take the sympathy she knew would be in the vampire’s eyes. He has already tried to get their family to move to his villa but she wouldn’t allow it. Of course she didn’t know what Emil wanted but she assumed it would be another attempt to bail them out. Still, she was anxious for her husband to get home and fill her in.

As the sky began to grow dark her family returned from the visit. She could tell they were anxious to talk to her if not perhaps a little nervous about it as well.

***********************

“No,” came Sophia’s emphatic response.

“Momma, please just listen for a moment.” Sal, her oldest son, was always respectful and as such deserved to be heard.

“Speak Sal,” she replies.

“There was a man and woman there with Emil. The couple are returning to America. All they are asking for at this point is someone to go with them and look at the land. Emil is partners with them to take grapes from this area to America and start growing them. If they can be transplanted successfully they intend to make wine.”

“And they want our recipe?”

Her husband Antony replies, “the wife has had our wines while staying with Emil and spoke very well of it. She apologized when she could tell we didn’t like where it was going. She says they already purchased land before coming here and plan on going into the business. It was her idea to ask to speak with us and ask for our help. Emil asks that our family do him a favor and be partners with him in this and represent him in America.”

Sophia sits quietly listening to all he says. Before she can speak her youngest son, Gabriele whispers to her, “Momma. You say you have faith that God will protect us. Could it not be possible that this is his way? Give our family a fresh start far from here. What could it hurt for someone to make the trip and see if the business is real and what the land looks like? Emil has never done anything but be kind to our family and Poppa has known him all his life.”

“Who should go,” is Sophia’s reply.

A week later Sal and his wife Anna and younger brother Emanuele are on a ship bound for America with Elijah and Charlotte.

Part 6

Rome- 1923

“I’m curious, do you know the word ‘retribution’?”

The group of church leaders looked around them to see who owned the voice that should never have been in this chamber. One older man recognized the man and felt a chill rush down his spine as he replied, “Of course. The punishment for a unjust act or crime. But why ask that of us?”

The man slowly walked toward the group. His leisurely gait caused panic to grip many of them. It was the walk of a predator stalking its prey.

“Answer me this Father. What should the punishment be for those that order the brutal rape and murder of a 16 year old girl?”

The priest who was singled out seemed appalled at the question. “You know that his has taken place?”

“I do Father.”

“Who is the guilty party?”

“Not before I hear what the punishment should be. What would be retribution for one who would do such a heinous injustice upon an innocent girl? That would take that girl from her family who adored her?”

“Revenge is not...”

“I’m not seeking revenge Father. In fact I have sworn to the girl’s mother that I would not avenge their family. I, however loved her as if she were my own child. I am a man of faith. I ask for retribution.”

“Their life would be forfeit and their soul in danger of eternal damnation.”

“And how would this punishment be handed out?”

“Emil, please understand. What you ask us? That SHOULD be the punishment but handing out such punishments is not of the church. If the guilty party sought forgiveness we could tell them what to do. But punishment for a crime is not the churches business.”

“Father Michael, I am a member of your parish. What do you know me to be?”

“Generous to those in need and the church. Fair in business. Loyal to those you love. Protective.”

“To you I go for confession. In all the years I have done so have I ever had to ask forgiveness for lying?”

“Never.”

“Then if I tell you something do you believe me?”

“Yes.”

“Much like Nathan the prophet I stand before you and tell you the guilty man is in this room. So what will the church do with one such as this?”

Cast: Story notes and Introduction along with FaceClaims for characters

Part 1:  Happiness Bubble

Part 2: The Nightmare Begins

Part 3: Broken together

Part 4: Monsters Inside

Part 5: Fist full of heart

Part 6: Searching for EJ

Part 7: Cody’s Eyes

Part 8: Unleashed

Epilogue:

Warnings: kidnap, death, hearts being ripped out, some language

Last updated 1/30/19

Part 1: Allow Me to Introduce...

Part 2: Niklaus & Bex

Part 3: Cami

Part 4: Why Now?

Part 5: Would the real Elijah Mikaelson...

Part 6: Josh

Part 7: Gia

Part 8: Turns

Part 9: And Crossroads

Part 10: Answers?

Part 11: EJ

Part 12: EJ: Klaus’ POV

Part 13: Uncle Niklaus

Tag list: @heythereelejah @adaptablecharm @taylordrunkonwhiskey @rissyrapp20