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THE DECISION
AUTHOR’S NOTE/DISCLAIMER
Inspired by a fanfic I recently read where Elena and Klaus were soulmates but Klaus didn’t realize it until after he had killed her. The gist was that soulmates didn’t realize who the other was until their first kiss. Tried to find it again to give a proper shout out, but couldn’t find it. If anyone knows what story this is, let me know and I’ll give them the proper credit. The Vampire Diaries belongs to L.J. Smith, Kevin Williams, and Julie Plec.
ON THE WAY TO THE SACRIFICE
Elena used to fear her soul mark. She had been born with it right under her right wrist and as a child, she had hated it. None of her friends had soul marks yet and she had heard the town talking. Older soul mate. Tragic. Disgusting. Matt’s father was older than his mother and they had been a mess even though they were soul mates. Supposedly. But she also knew that soul mates weren’t what most people thought. According to her father, soul mates didn’t mean that you automatically fell in love, but that nature---or the universe, or whatever theory one prescribed to---wanted you to be with someone who would complement you. Someone you wouldn’t mind fighting for. At least, that was how her parents had explained it. And they had each other’s soul marks: a stethoscope under his name and a pen under her name, so Elena figured her parents knew what they were talking about. Elena bit her bottom lip as she followed Elijah and subtly caressed the Norse letters that were followed by the English translation that were covered in scratches blotting out the name that she had gotten used to reading: Kol Mikaelson. Then, her mind went back.
12 YEARS OLD
In the kitchen, Elena grabbed a black marker, uncapped it, and then scribbled over the name as hard as she can. She didn’t want to be at the mercy of some man who was older than her. She would be hurt like Matt and Vicki’s mother. The man hadn’t treated her right and in response, the woman had lost it. She didn’t want that for herself. She wanted someone who would love her. Cherish her. Like Mom and Dad loved and cherished each other. If she could make the name go away, maybe the universe would find someone who was closer in age to her. Someone who was more suited. She didn’t want to be tied to an adult.
“Elena, what are you doing?” At her father’s voice, the girl turned around.
“He’s an adult. I don’t want to be tied to an adult. It’s not right. It’s…Daddy, please,” she said, her voice cracking. Oh damn. I hadn’t realized that her mind had jumped to that, he thought to himself. She didn’t know what he and Miranda did. Without a word, Grayson took the marker from Elena’s hand and sat her down.
“Honey, you know how you like to watch shows with witches, vampires, and werewolves?” he asked.
“I mean, I don’t watch them as much anymore. I know you and Mom don’t like ‘em,” she answered.
“Well, that’s because…all of those things. They’re real, honey,” he told her. At this, Elena looked at him.
“What?” she asked.
“They’re real,” her father repeated. “But it’s more complicated than people think. Despite what most of the Founding Families think, each species has good and bad in it. “I had Sheila Bennett look up your soul mark,” he continued as he went to get some soap and water. “The markings above the English are Old Norse.”
“So you think my soulmate will be someone supernatural?” she queried, interest creeping into her voice. “But what if he’s still an adult?” she wondered as he began to wash away the scribbles.
“Then we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” Definitely not letting an adult anywhere near her, Grayson thought to himself. He wasn’t too surprised that Elena’s mind had gone that route as it was possible. Usually when that happened, it was handled very delicately, but Kelly’s parents had been horrible people and hadn’t cared about keeping her safe. “Your Mom and I won’t let anything bad happen to you. But there’s something you need to know.”
“What’s up?”
“Mom and I…we’re part of a council that keeps an eye on the supernatural. To make sure that none with malicious intent ever gets a foothold here.”
“Is that why you guys sometimes disappear?”
“Yes.” Grayson hesitated and Elena looked at him.
“There’s more, isn’t there?” Grayson smiled briefly. My smart girl, he thought to himself.
“Some of the Council members are part of a thing called Augustine. The majority of them torture anyone of supernatural origin.”
“What?” Elena felt her face pale. “Your basement…”
“I’m not one of them. But I did have a vampire there. He had been tortured and starved. He would’ve accidentally hurt you if I hadn’t chased you out.” Elena nodded.
AT THE SACRIFICE
“Is this the Doppelganger?” the harsh question broke the girl out of her reverie and she flinched at the glare from the woman.
“Greta…that is no way to treat someone who has graciously offered her help,” another voice chided and Elena stared at the man.
“Hello, Klaus,” she greeted, her fingers absentmindedly going back to the scratches. The scratches had been embossed onto her skin, meaning that Kol had rejected her. Did it hurt? Of course. But she also understood it. As an Original, he was so much older than her and he wouldn’t want such a young soul mate. Or one so breakable. No, he probably wanted someone like him. Someone strong and durable. Again, not that she blamed him. Elijah glanced at Elena. She was so quiet. Was she changing her mind? His mind went back.
Elijah watched as the human girl stood before him, trying not to tremble as he took in her scent to confirm Rose and Trevor’s claims.
“Human,” he breathed.
A small smile graced the Original’s lips. She had shown remarkable courage considering the circumstances. Then another memory came to the forefront.
Elijah’s eyes widened when he saw the Old Norse on Elena’s wrist and he quickly grabbed it and pulled the arm towards him to get a better look.
“You are Kol’s soul mate?” he demanded.
“I mean…I’ve never met him, so I don’t think he’s interested,” came the response. “I’m assuming you know him?”
“Yes. He’s my younger brother.” Elena stilled, taking that in. Then “So, what is this curse? I really doubt it’s to walk in the sun?”
“Oh, and why is that?”
“You’re the first vampires. One would think that if you wanted to find a way around it, you would’ve already.”
“You are correct.”
The smile grew as he remembered Elena’s response to what she had learned.
“So your mother had an affair and then took it out on your brother who had no clue that your father wasn’t his as well?”
“That is correct.”
“Well, she sucks. How is he supposed to get his werewolf side back then?”
And from there, the rest----as the saying went----had been history. Elena had helped them pick out two other sacrifices: a werewolf that had nearly gotten young Tyler Lockwood killed when saving another of their friends, Caroline Forbes, and John Gilbert as the vampire sacrifice. The last one had surprised him until Elena revealed that the man had tried to scratch out Kol’s mark. This was her punishment for him.
“Are you ready, Love?” Klaus asked and to Elijah’s surprise, the tone was gentle.
“Absolutely. Let’s get you whole,” Elena replied with a smile. With that, she went to stand in the place Klaus had indicated and watched and listened as the spell started, ignoring the male wolf that had been chosen, merely flickering her eyes when the man was killed.
Then John was released.
"Elena, please--" Before he could finish his sentence, Klaus staked him. Then it was Elena’s turn. She quickly got into place.
“Thank you, Elena.”
“Just glad I could help.” Then his fangs were on her neck, piercing the skin and the girl felt her body weakening. She didn’t care though. Even though she’d never meet Kol, she at least was able to help his family, and that was all that mattered. Within moments, everything went black and Elena knew no more. . Elena used to fear her soul mark, but now she didn’t. Not anymore…