#tvdfanfic

Caroline put the plates of the dinner away and went to the living room, where Klaus had just finished talking to his adoptive parents.

"How are they?"- Caroline asked.

"Fine. They have already booked the tickets and will be arriving on the 18th."- Klaus said.

"That's great."- Caroline said.

"They are also excited to meet my biological mother- well if she is ok with it. And I hope she is."- Klaus said.

"It's so amazing that you are not holding any grudge. I don't know how I would feel if I was given away."

"I just want to know where I am from. Maybe I have a half-brother or a half-sister? I would like to know, wouldn't you?"

"I guess. I never thought about it. It was always just me, and then I met Bonnie and Elena in pre-school - and they are like sisters to me."- Caroline said.

"Yeah, you three are like sisters."- Klaus smiled.

"And can you believe that Elena and Bonnie are dating brothers!"

"Elena is dating Elijah?"- Klaus was surprised to hear it-"is that allowed? I mean aren't there some rules about dating your co-worker?"

"She is not really dating him."- Before she could continue Klaus cut in-

"So, she's sleeping with him?! This is not going to fare well."

"No. They haven't even kissed. But they went to that LaRue Charity Ball together. And it is a social event, it was not really work and he could have invited anybody. From everything Elena had told me, I think he is into her too."

"Talking about people being into one another"- Klaus now came up to her fiance taking the glass off of her, and putting it on the table, he smirked charmingly-"I know I am into you."

"You are?"- Caroline said looking at him chuckling.

"Oh, yes"- he said brushing his fingers over her neck gently. Feeling tingles rise up in her, Caroline now moved into a kiss, that just ignited the heat that was burning there already.       

             ❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️

At the same time in Algiers, in front of Elena's apartment building

Breaking away from the kiss, they now stood speechless for a second, as emotions flared up could not be denied, and yet, both knew that it could not be.

Elijah looked up into her eyes and brushing her cheek now said-

"I am so sorry, I should have- I lost my control. Please, don't take this wrong. It's not that-"

Elena now cut in the middle of his sentence-

"You are right. This is wrong. We work together and- can we just - forget it?"

"Forget it?"- Elijah slipped.

"Yes. It's just a kiss. Not a big deal."- Elena said and stepped away from him-"We had too much champagne. Don't worry. Ok- ahm- I am going to-"- Elena gestured to the door and then turned around unlocking it-and before she got in she said-"Good night."

"Good night."- Elijah slipped, and took a deep breath.

A minute later in the car on the way back to his house, he called Kol, who had this to say-

"Are you mad? Now turn around and get back to her and tell her that you didn't mean it."

"She is absolutely right. We have to work together. And-

"And, you ruined it."- Kol said-"OMG-what happened?"

"I don't know what happened. This has never happened to me. Ever." - Elijah said huffing a little-"and she said that it was just a kiss and that it is not a big deal anyway."

"Oh, Elijah, this is like the obvious reaction you would get since you took the kiss back"- Kol said.

"I didn't meant to take it back- I just wanted to be reasonable, because of our position in the office."

"And - so- you have majorly messed up."

"I think it was- the champagne. We had a few. And - still it is-"- Elijah didn't know how to justify his blunder.

Meanwhile

Elena got into her apartment and steadying herself a bit, now dialed Bonnie's number. As her friend answered she said this-

"We kissed."

"YOU DID WHAT? REALLY?"- Bonnie exclaimed.

"Really. But then - it - well, he said that it was wrong and- he actually is right. We work together, and - this is a responsible position we both have."

"I know, but- I don't see why you could not date? It's not like any of you have - somebody?"

"It's not that easy to date someone you need to work with in such a environment, where all eyes are set on you and every move is monitored and - there is the conflict of interest- and other things. Huh-"- Elena put her hand on her stomach as she felt a heartbreaking pain run through.

"Well, can I ask- how it- was?"

"Huh- it was heaven!"- Elena said-"It doesn't matter. It is wrong and he said so."

Elena now teared up and her friend knew her all to well and now said-

"Oh, Lena-"- Bonnie said-"shall I come over?"

"No, thanks. I will- hit the shower and- get some sleep. Talk to you later."

"Ok. See you tomorrow. Night."

"Yeah, night."- Elena said and put the phone down and now got out of her gown and hung it on the rack. Then walked into the bathroom. A long hot shower was tried to get Elijah out of her head.

I'd tell myself you don't mean a thing

what we got, got no hold on me

But when you're not there

I just crumble

I tell myself that I don't care that much

But I feel like I'm dying till I feel your touch

Only love can hurt like this

Must have been a deadly kiss

It felt like the kiss was burning through her skin, right to her soul, cutting into her heart. She crawled into the bed, curling up, tears welling up in her eyes.

💔

In the morning, Camille had met Elijah will all the mail ready and sorted for him.

"Thank you, Camille."- Elijah took everything and as he got in his office, he opened the first one and there it was- Elena's letter of resignation. He now walked with the letter to the window, swallowing hard, remembering the kiss. Feeling guilty that he had cost her the job.

                       to be continued

Had this just happen? Was it yet another dream, one of so many she had over the years. Elena could not believe that he was right there, in front of her, and had just kissed, and his eyes were gazing at her lovingly.

Snapping now out of her momentary dream like moment, she now kissed him back.

And it felt like flying. To Elijah as well. And her kiss spelled that all of her wanted all of him.

Forehead to forehead, nose to nose now enchanted in the moment of the sweet realization that immense feelings exploded.

"I had these feelings... always had them-"- Elijah then said.

"You did?"- Elena whispered smiling a little trying to catch her breath.

"Yes, Elena. But I never thought that you might feel anything for me"-he now looked at her dreamily.

"Oh- if only you knew!"- she then said and kissed him again.

*********

In New Orleans

"They are killing me"- Caroline said to Klaus-"Can any of them just send me a message and tell me how it went!"

"And how do you think it went? I don't think she kicked him out of the apartment?!"- Klaus replied.

In Toronto

Elena didn't kick him out of her apartment, of course not- they made it to the sofa eventually-

Elena caressed his face.

"You are here- I can't believe this"-

"Believe it"- he replied and he cupped her chin placing a butterfly of a kiss on her lips.

This is a dream- this is a dream- Elena's head bounced with the thought still not comprehending that all was very real and not make believe.

Moving out of the kiss, Elijah removed a streak of her fringe aside saying-"I love you"

"Say it again"- Elena said.

He smiled now and said -" I love you"-

She now gazed at him as if wanted to capture this moment for all eternity.

"Elena?"- Elijah now uttered-

"Ha?"- she muttered.

"You floated away- just checking if you're still here?!"

He flashed back to the first time she had met her in the conference room, coming to him with a hand held out to shake his introducing herself with an amazing positive, friendly and yet fierce look on her face. There was this immediate magnetism, which translated in their work at first, denying and suppressing anything else. And he had not seen her overtaken by her emotions completely- looking somewhat lost in space.

"I am processing- huh"- she then said-"I tried to stop loving you- huh-"- she inhaled and exhaled-"and then I saw you at Caroline's wedding- and you melted my frozen heart"

"What? It didn’t look like you were happy to see me. It was more like- OMG- he is here.”

"I - was just startled to see you. I didn’t think you would be there.”

“You would have ran a mile, I guess.- Elijah joked a little.

“Come on, I was not - awful to you”

“No. But you have been quite dismissive.”- Elijah reminded her.

“Well -oh, please- don’t remind me. But - you also - stepped back - but -Ok- enough of talking anyway- just one more thing- how strange was it that the thing with the book??"

"Coincidence"- Elena uttered.

"I don't know. Coincidence, serendipity- call it what you want- it kicked me into gear - though- you know that Caroline and pretty much all my siblings were plotting to bring us together? "

"Oh, I can imagine Caroline doing something like this, but - your siblings- seriously? Nah"

"Yes. All of them were involved in the plot to bring us together"- Elijah nodded confirming it was so.

They chatted some more about the plot and that he, himself, wanted to surprise her in the ski resort. And in between more kisses, they talked about life, about why they held back, touching the heavy subject of Hayley.

"I was so reckless - and- oh, God- I only married her because she was pregnant. Sometimes I think that deserved to be punished. Don't really deserve all this - you loving me- I am not such a great guy"-Elijah sighed, looking down, going all serious and dark.

"Hey, stop it."- Elena now took him by the chin, making him look at her - "you made mistakes. I made mistakes. Most important is that you learned from them."

"Oh, I have learned. I have been so lost. And - after Hayley’s death - I - it shook me profoundly. It put so much in perspective. The person I became after M.J. left me - oh, I was such a jerk. I don’t know what made you fall for me  "- Elijah said.

“Let’s see - well -under that smouldering exterior - there was a sweet and good person. The amount of pro bono you did- you always assisted the young associates, and you never made anyone feel unwelcome. Helping us with the Bar exam- no one in the office would have done what you did for the people who started in the Firm. And I knew about M.J.”

“You did? How? Nobody knew about it - Klaus had just told Caroline a few months ago.”- Elijah looked at Elena baffled. 

”I heard Rebekah talk to Klaus about it once when she came to the office. I wasn’t eavesdropping. I had to take some papers to him and - there they were talking about it. Sorry.”

“It’s all right. I - just - was so in love with her - and she”

“She walked all over you.”- Elena finished the sentence.

“Yes.”- Elijah said and then sighed- “and then I - kind of froze my heart like you did.”

“Like Gerda did Kai’s”- Elena said.

“Excuse me?”

“The Snow Queen.”- Elena now pointed over to the book that was on the coffee table.

“I’m sorry, but I never read it.”- Elijah said.

“Well, it’s a great read. But - now - I really don’t want to do any more talking or reading”

“No?”

“No.”- Elena now leaned over to Elijah and she gasped as his soft lips captured hers now, causing her body to flush with heat, that travelled through everfacet of her being. Straddling him now, Elijah’s hands tangled in her long, dark silky hair, pulling her lightly to him, adding more pressure to their lips, deepening the kiss. As they parted she saw his eyes sparkle into hers, and his lips curled up a smile. Elena smiled back now, whispering - "My room is on the left."

Elijah nodded and now walked them to the bedroom. 

Letting her down on the bed, softly, he gave her a small kiss now slipping- "Are you sure?"

"I am so very sure- and you?"

Elijah nodded with a little gulp.

"But we can - talk more about serendipity if you want?" - Elena teased-"if you -"

But his lips covering hers now stopped her from talking further. 

___

A couple of months later

“I am proposing today. It is all set.”- Elijah said to Klaus as she gave him the call about their visit to Toronto.

In the background, he could hear Caroline screetching extatically.

“I am on loudspeaker, I take it”- Elijah said then.

“I am sorry - I pressed it wrong when you picked up - and she just walked in the apartment.”- Klaus apologized. 

“Where - what - what have you planned? Why didn’t you tell us anything?”- Caroline now spoke.

“I am not doing anything particular - just maybe - something.”- Elijah said.

“Something? Please, tell me it is romantic - Elena loves romantic”

“I know.”- Elijah said, and continued -” In the Mimico Waterfront Park, there was a gazebo with a wonderful view on the lake. We often go there for run, for walks, sit with little Jenna.”

Later that afternoon

The florist put the last of the flower decorations and saying bye to Elijah, wished him good luck. 

Putting little Jen on the bench, he now picked up his phone. And just as he wanted to dial Elena’s number, Jen pointed to Elena - 

“Mommy”

Elijah turned and now saw Elena standing still not far from the gazebo, completely gobsmacked. Putting his phone back in the pocket, he now met her at the halfway to the gazebo.

“What is this?”

“Just - a gazebo - with flowers - and uhm- I thought that - you might like it”

“Might like it -? You did this?”

“I did this.”- Elijah now said as they walked inside the gazebo-”Because there is something I wanted to ask you - and -”- Elijah now gulped. 

Jen stood up and walked to her mom. Elena gave the girl a hug and a kiss. 

As the girl went back to the bench, sitting back on it, Elena turned to Elijah.

“Ask me- what?”- Elena took a small breath, knowing full well that all this was not just a random thing.

Elijah now got the box with the ring out of his pocket and opening it, knelt down -

“Will you marry me?”

Tears of joy now welled up in Elena’s eyes, and she nodded over and over again, finally uttering a big yes.

The sun, the sea, all  spread such splendour all around as Elijah put the engagement ring on her finger.                                                                               

Elena whispered in his ears as she wrapped her arms around his neck with love-

"When I'm with you there's no place I'd rather be!! I so love you!!"

He whispered back at her- "And I love you!!"

****

The wedding was not a small affair, and Caroline and Rebekah stood as the maids of honour, and Klaus and Kol as the best men. They honeymooned in Europe- starting from the French Riviera, Italy, finishing the trip around Greek islands.

At one point in the trip, Caroline and Klaus joined them. They loved having their friends and family with them for a long weekend in Rome.

"It so feels like I am in a dream - some days. Then I wake up and he is there, sleeping next to me. And he loves me!"- Elena said to Caroline in one of their chats as they took time for themselves after the shopping.

"Believe it!"- Caroline said- "and you look so good together."

"You know - he is my soulmate- we can talk about anything, joke about anything, and we are finishing each other's sentences and even before he says something I know what he wants just by the way of his look."

"You two are like two peas in a pod!"- Caroline concluded.

***

Life was good. And they truly were like two peas in a pod. Even when they were choosing to buy a house. Nothing big. A nice family house, which they both decorated with loads of love.

And finally, there was one anniversary they celebrated extra specially. And it was at Christmas, when Elijah surprised Elena travelling all the way to Toronto to tell her that he loved.

And so this particular Christmas, after they had put the lights on the bare tree in the garden, they walked back in the house to open the presents, with little Jenna being first in undoing all the wrapping with both their help.

"This is yours"- Elena passed a little package to Elijah.

He shook it- but there was no particular noise.

"What is it?"- he joked.

"Open it- and you will find out. It is a surprise!"- Elena said smiling.

Elijah ripped the wrapping off and opened the small box and there was an envelope in it.

He looked at Elena trying to get the clue from her eyes and all he could read a happy sparkle-

"Open it!"- Elena now said impatiently.

"Right"- he said and opened the envelope- taking a paper out with the results stating that Elena was expecting a baby.

"You're pregnant!!"- he exclaimed now with the same sparkle in his eyes pulling her into a hug.

"Yes! We're pregnant!!"- Elena said holding him tight-"I just- I wanted to make it a surprise."

"And everything is fine? Sorry-I just- you know"- Elijah said, and Elena knew what he was referring to.

"I know! Yes, everything is fine!"- Elena confirmed now brushing away a tear from his eye.

"I love you!"- he exclaimed.

"Love you, too!!"- she pulled him in a hug again.

The happiness were complete. And Caroline had to assure them over and over again that they were good and compassionate people that deserved it all.

The End

P.S. It was a baby boy, and a couple of years later another girl. Well, the Mikaelsons always had a big family-

“I love you, too”- Elena said dearly and leaned over to the Original kissing him.

Drawing her closer to him, Elena snuggled up to the Original, laying her head on his chest, making loving circles around his stomach now, listening to his heart.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you after our talk in the Lockwood Mansion”- Elena now admitted. 

Elijah wetted his lips now, a smile danced on his face, sharing the same sentiment-

“Likewise. But I must say that I was taken in the night we negotiated in your bedroom- your feisty, daring nature - was compelling- but - yes - it was then, when you returned to the Mayor’s house - walking through that door - determined to set the whole world on fire - in actual fact - you delving into my soul with a mere look into my eyes - “ 

Elena now beamed her look up at the Original. She clearly remembered that moment, and what she had seen - yes, he had cared about Katherine, but he had expressed that she had moved him, and that she was the one that shook his undead heart then. 

“You - say that you will not make the same mistake again?”

“Oh, please don’t remind me of what I had said then.”- Elijah said brushing his thumb over her cheek lovingly and continued- “I was in love once before - and - “

“Katherine?”

“No. A witch. But it does not compare - not that I wish to compare - because you are unique. Your soul, your heart - does not - could not match any other woman- ever.” 

Elena’s eyes glisten with tears brought up by the Original’s declaration. She thought she was in love before, but this was something that she could not describe. She felt she could touch the moonlight, her heart was shooting stars as he now pulled her to him, kissing her even more tenderly than before. 

*******

Elsewhere

It was obvious to Yizel that Klaus would use all the resources possible to mask his whereabouts as Katherine and her found themselves yet again on a wild goose chase.

"To find a needle in a haystack would be easier."- " let's find Elena.

"If they are hiding so well, something is going on and you haven't told me the whole story."- Yizel said- " I think it's time you told me exactly what had happened."

Katherine rolled her eyes and then started with the rest of the story that took place and the story of her doppelganger and the Mikelsons supposed demise. 

The witch now asked Katherine to pour the blood in a bowl. It wasn’t hard to locate Elena. They soon were on their way to Bucharest.

Katherine smirked with gladness that at least some things were finally going the  way she wanted them to. The hatred she had harboured for the doppelganger couldn't be described. More than five hundred years of survival killed all real emotions in her. She wanted revenge and she didn't care what price she or anyone in her way would pay.

*******

Bucharest, Romania

Having eventually left the bed, Elijah and Elena left the villa as she wanted to see some of the city, do ordinary stuff, as she said. And she loved listening to him telling her his views about things and historical points. She could listen to him for hours. There was something in his voice that was inviting, calming and captures the listener fully. He told her about the time when the merchants and craftsmen established their stores in the early 1400s in the old district. She then asked about the infamous count Dracula, as they came to the place where the remains of the Old Princely Court was, and Elijah told the true gruesome story of the count Vlad Tepes, his victorious yet bloody battles against Turkish invasion, which was far different from the folklore built around him, and the fact that his younger brother had betrayed him, after which his decline was imminent. Elena could notice that Elijah's tone changed as he spoke about the count's brother.  

"You agreed to Lia's deal-and it's not easy, you feel like you have betrayed him!"

"Elena, we had this conversation, not once. Klaus and I-you see- I failed him in so many ways. I have treated him like a spoiled child. Father used to beat him because he was not his son- and I tried to compensate somehow for all that time- I am very much to blame for who he is now,and I made a promise once a long time ago 'family above all-"

Elena could see that he was in great pain and he didn't hide it.

"You wished there was another way?!!"- she said empathically, understanding the complexity of it all.

"We both know that there is no other way. Lia offering him a human life. Maybe he can find some redemption in it- I just- let's continue walking shall we?!"- he said suddenly composing himself again.

"Elijah?! "- Elena laid her hand on the Original’s arm- " this is not your fault, nothing that Klaus does is your fault!"

There it was, her compassion trying to balance it all out. Her eyes truthfully believing in him and his redemption. She had the love he needed to see him through. He smiled a little and said- "Shall we?!" She nodded and they proceeded in silence.

As they came up to the Old Court Church. Elena wanted to go in.

"I will be waiting here for you."- Elijah said. She understood that he could not go in and then felt badly for a moment, but he urged her to go.

"I- well-I kind of want to light a candle for Damon. I don't know if it is right him being what he was."

"You should."- the Original nodded a little. 

"Yes. I was so mad at him -cuz of the compulsions and - but he was there for me and when I left we didn't leave things in a good place, and I just-"

"Elena, he was human once and he had a soul.It doesn't matter where you do it! I'll wait here for you." - Elijah said dearly.

"Thank you"- she said and walked into the church. It was a small, but magnificently beautiful. She felt a tad bit strange to do this as he was a vampire, yet Elijah's words reminded him that once he was a human.

Elena came to the part where many yellow candles were burning for the souls of the loved ones. She lit a candle and placed it among the others. She needed to say goodbye to the vampire and thank him for having cared for her. 

"I hope you are at peace now, Damon."

She looked around a little bit, and then walked slowly back to the entrance. Seeing Elijah patiently waiting for her to exercise something private made her heart flutter.

"Everything all right?!"- the Original asked politely, stating the obvious as she nodded with a little smile.

"I am a bit hungry." - Elena then said.

"Of course. You didn't have any breakfast. I am sorry."- and it seemed like they were back on with their plan to take time to themselves and indulge in being nothing else but tourists, a couple visiting and simply enjoying each other's company.

"I bet you know a good place?!"

Elijah nodded with a small smirk dancing on his face. They walked away from the church/ She took him by the hand and the Original couldn’t help but glance at his hand in hers. It felt unusual as he wasn't accustomed to those kind of public displays of affection. 

“Everything ok?”- Elena asked.

“Perfectly.”- Elijah confirmed squeezing her hand lightly - “this way”

And they walked in the direction he pointed, hand in hand, followed by the sunshine behind them.

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

In the Old Town, not far from the Church Elena and Elijah walked out of

Lia looked at her watch. It was nearly five in the afternoon. She drank her tea and enjoyed the buzzing café full of people.Then a woman in her late fifties came to her.

"Esther Mikaelson."- Lia said- "nice to finally meet you. I am Lia Vladu. Please sit down. I'd  like to discuss with you something that would be of great interest to both of us."

******

Meanwhile in another part of Europe

Klaus wasn't very kind to the young witch, and there was no business deal to discuss. The poor woman laid in the bath tub as he'd overpowered her and mercilessly killed her.

"You do not play with me!"- he hissed as he got out of the hotel room.

Feride felt the demise of the young witch as if something had stabbed her right in the stomach. Lia felt the same. Just before Lia was to enter the villa with Esther, she stood as if she couldn't get any breath.

"Are you all right?"-Esther asked.

"Fine"- Lia said, although she knew that something was seriously wrong.

The women entered the house.

"This is a beautiful house"- Esther complimented her.

"Well, thank you. Please, if you would come through here"- Lia lead Esther into the living room.

The witch then murmured words in the old Dacian language sealing the room closed.

"What is this?"- Esther could feel a strange surge of magic enveloped her.

"Unfortunately, I had to contain you. I didn't really think that you were so strong minded."

"You brought me here on false pretences?!"- Esther said openly showing that she wasn't happy about what had occurred.

"I have no choice. I have to protect Elena and your son. You are unfortunatelly in my  way."

"My children will bring you nothing but misery!"- Esther said agitated a bit, continuing- "I don't understand why you cannot see what abomination they are!"

"It is too late for being regretful about what you have done a thousand years ago. We have to fight the hybrids and I will need all your children on my side-at least those who want to go against them!"

Lia then heard Elijah and Elena enter the Villa. She excused herself and went out to meet them in the Hall.

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

In Germany

Feride felt that the power of five reincarnated witches break as one of the witches was now dead.

With her eyes full of tears she slammed down on the floor. She took time to mourn the passing. It was a harsh world, she knew that, and all she knew about the deadly soul of the most notorious vampire, now hybrid, came true.

"He will kill -and he would not think twice about it"- she remembered the lines she read about Niklaus Mikaelson.

With a heavy heart she got up and went to call Lia.

In Bucharest, both Elena and Elijah met Esther once again face to face. The Original witch couldn't get to them as she was now held captive, but they could converse. Elena wanted to leave mother and son on their own, but Elijah said that whatever was to be said could be done in her presence too.

"I wanted to mend my mistake!"- Esther started.

Elijah was serious. It was now time to finally speak with all cards openly laid down on the table.

"I can understand that."- Elijah said sincerely - "but you knew what was going to  happen-you were a witch, and not just any!"

"You know of survival-I have been motivated to save my family-and after Henrik was killed-"

"Yes"- Elijah muttered, his face getting grim. He understood that part as he also would do anything to save his family.

"But-I have to carry this burden, I guess...like you have to carry yours!"- Esther said.

Elijah knew what she was talking about, as he had a great share of trespasses to live with himself.

She turned to Elena now.

"I see that you and Elijah share more than just a friendly understanding. Maybe for some reason he does deserve some light in his life! Still, never forget what he is!"

Elena's sombre face indicated that she understood what Esther meant. Without saying anything to it Elena just walked out of the room. Her heart felt like it was hit with dark magic. She felt an unsual pain in her gut.

Elijah went after the doppelganger rushly.

In the library, Lia finished her conversation with Feride. She brushed the tears off of her face as she put the phone down.

There was more carnage to follow and the witches knew that.

She now took a moment to reconsider what would be the next step. Time could not be wasted. Once again she read about the ritual that was to take place. She calculated out the moon and the sun conjunction that was to happen before she had planned it, and what the implications it would bring if brought forward.

In the attic apartment Elena nervously undid her coat and tossed it on the bed.

"Elena"- Elijah said concerned as he walked in after her.

She looked at him worried.

"I don't like her being here!"- Elena said- "with all that happened last time- I mean-I know we brought her back-but-huh!!! "

"Lia needs Esther for the ritual!"- Elijah said seriously.

Elena could see the transformation in Elijah. He seemed to have closed himself off again.

"Demons and darkness"- Elena thought. She sighed.

He now turned away from the window-

"You will have to be stronger than you have ever been!"- he said to her.

"Why are you saying this!?"

"I just got a message from Niklaus! He knows what we are up to!" 

Elena felt like the blood in her veins froze. They were both quiet for a moment.

"What now?"- Elena uttered.

"Well-we still have a powerful witch on our side...she must come up with something."

And, indeed it was so. Lia called them to the library not long after. She told them what had happened, and that now they were in a dangerous limbo. But the very resourceful witch had a solution.

"We know now the cause of the mutation"-Lia said- "but that is the least of my worries. We have lost a witch that was necessary to complete the ritual to close the circle to end the hybrid gene. But we are looking for a witch that is born with the mark of Earth so we can complete the ritual when the time comes. Now to more pressing matters- before the first dark red 'blood moon' appears we have to complete the Sun and the Moon conjunction ritual, so we have two that can fight against the hybrids holding the same powers as once the witch-slayers had.

The scrolls say that Elena is the bearer of the Sun and you Elijah the Moon."

What does that mean?"- Elena inquired.

"You are speeding thing up!? Would you care to explain?!" - Elijah looked at her poignantly.

"Because the Tetrad is about to set in and it gives the hybrids great power-when the sun, the moon and Mars are aligned -they create a passage of six full moons. You know what full moons enable the werewolf to do. You will be able to fight them when they are either vampire or werewolf. You two drawing power from the doppelganger and vampire will  have equal power against them. Although you are an Original you are still so much weaker than you brother, or isn't it so?! This conjuction will enable Elena and you to be as strong as a hybrid, and she will not anymore be merely a human."

"Will I become a vampire?"- Elena then asked.

"No. You will still remain human, but you will be Immortal nevertheless, as you will become the reincarnation of the sidhe-spirit, the first, Zana, from whom the first vampires were created."

"That is not what you were suggesting earlier?"- Elijah wanted to know.

"No. I received some more disturbing news, namely, the hybrids have made covenant with witches and warlocks who practice dark magic- and that your brother is meeting them!"

"What proof do you have?"- Elijah said.

"This" and Lia put her hand on Elijah's forehead and what Feride had teleported to Lia she now did to him. It showed Klaus with the mutated hybrid called Julius.

As she finished Elijah moved away from her as if stung by a wasp.

"Elijah"- Elena said as she saw that his facial expression got darker. All he told Elena before the ritual in Mystic Falls now was coming to be.  

"I couldn't kill him-he is my brother!"- the Original muttered.

"I know!"- Lia sympathized with him- "but you knew what would come to pass!"

"Yes"- he said faintly- "if I agree to all this-we still have a deal-you turn him into human!"- he demanded.

"I can sign it in my own blood if you want!"- Lia said coolly.

Elena's mind was racing now. She felt exactly the same as the day when she found out Klaus had arrived in Mystic Falls and the only clear thing was to undagger Elijah.

"I am willing to do it!"- Elena said resolved- "I want to fight them." 

Elena looked Elijah wanting him to declare the same.

He knew that she wouldn't take anything less than a straight answer.

"We do this!"- Elijah said looking at Elena and then at Lia.

"I will make the preparations. We need to depart for Cluj-Napoca as soon as possible!"

"And Esther?"

"She remains here. She will be safe!"- Lia confirmed.

Not long after, the trio made their way to Transylvania.

***************** 

Elsewhere

Klaus sat down with Julius, who was the leader of the twelve hybrid packs.

"I know  that you have stolen the precious doppelganger blood bags!"- Klaus said calmly, but the blood in him was boiling.

"Unlike you, we only need now a few drops for the werewolf to change into the hybrid thanks to my mother, the hybrid witch!"

"Your mother?"- Klaus asked.

"Yes. she is a hybrid and yet she kept all her witchcraft-"- Julius said.

Klaus was quiet. He was there to collect information, and didn't like what he was hearing.

"I am listening"- Klaus said cleverly playing the game of someone who had thousand years of cunningness.

"I hear that the doppelganger has escaped!" - Julius remarked.

"She is with my brother! We are out of blood bags, aren't we?! Guess what - I don't negotiate with thieves!"- and Klaus vamped out, attacking Julius who fought back with the same strength that Klaus had. Everyone present watched how the two bit one another and charged at each other over and over again as rabid dogs.

"Enough!"- the witch waved and the magic separate them. They parted for a moment and stood still, not changing back into the human form just yet.

"Yes, he stole from you, as I have instructed him so. You don't negotiate with an Original. And we needed the blood to work the spell. I apologize, but it is in our best interest! You may think that your brother is on your side- but we know of his alliance with witches who try to kill all hybrids even you!"

"You think that I don't know that the witches are on my case. I have killed one of them! And as for your information. I have received fresh blood bags. You see, we are a close family, and my brother is only keeping the doppelganger safe from the likes of you!"

"Calm down. This is exactly what they want- to divide and make us weak!"- Julius now said.

"My son is right. Join us, Niklaus Mikaelson, and our power will be infinite!"- the witch said.

Klaus retreated to reconsider the offer. He didn't like what he had heard and that there was now a witch that was also a hybrid werewolf/vampire. He didn't believe it could ever happen.

**********

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Elena, Elijah and Lia arrived in the north-western city of Cluj- Napoca, Transylvania, sometime before midnight.  

Lia told Elena a bit more about the history of Dacians. Elena wanted to know more about Zana, whose spirit she would be assuming in the ritual that was about to take place the following night.  

"She was the spirit of nature, which you are too, because you are the doppelganger-you will know once it is done, as you are a reincarnation as well."- Lia said.

When they arrived in the apartments Lia had organized for them, Elijah asked to see the text in the scrolls that talks about them.

Elena made herself comfortable in one of the bedrooms. She took a shower, needing time to herself. He heart felt like it separated into million pieces. She felt she grew more mature in the past few months. Curiously, she felt a strange calm envelope her.

As she got dressed, she decided not to join Elijah and the witch in the lounge. She laid down on the bed. Her thoughts were with her friends and her brother, and the life that now was so far away. At one point she fell asleep.

When Elijah got in, Elena woke up. He sat on the bed next to her. She could see in his look that he was still very worried. She sat up.

"We will be bonded for all eternity."- the Original then said.

"I know. I understood all what Lia was saying. Sometimes it feels like I dreamed this moment- all of this. Like I have always known but it wasn't clear, now it kind of is-I used to lay down in my bed in Mystic Falls and thought about the future, and- I dreamed of this guy, wondering who he was, where he was. In my heart -you know when it all fits and you know it but you can't understand how that is. Where you go, I go. It's so clear to me. Give me your hand" - Elena said.

He put her hand out to her and she took it.

"I love you. And I know now that it was always you!"

"I love you so- more. I never could have imagined how real love can be!"- he uttered- then looked deep into her eyes, which responded with warmth and love, he then said -

"I would be honoured if you would enter into this as my betrothed?!"

"Yes."- Elena nodded smiling a little- and then embraced him dearly.

In the apartment next door Lia wrote a message to her fellow witch Feride.

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

At the same time in Germany, Feride opened the door of her flat to a woman in her thirties, who introduced herself as Adelheid Friedrich. She showed the witch the mark of caduceus and Feride smiled relieved that she found a fellow reincarnated witch. She invited her in and the two women commenced  exchanging all that is to do with the strange occurrences that were taking place.