Linked

*Changes Pt. 1*

  The trio was in the living room on the comfortable cream sectional that was facing the kitchen. To the left of the sofa, there was a side bench and a wall-mounted television. The place was quite bare, but Elena was struggling to look anywhere but at the coffee table in front of her. “Elijah, the smell is distracting me. It's all my mind can seem to concentrate on.” Elena expressed dejectedly when she felt she may lunge. Elijah pulled the mug of blood back toward him. He was sitting on the far right-hand side, while Bonnie had taken the left. Elena was in the middle. “The point of this exercise is to practice control before completing the transition,” Elijah explained as he faced toward Elena.

  Bonnie looked like she was going to be sick. This was terrible. Her best friend already couldn't deal with this. “I'm sorry, Bonnie.” Elena murmured, wrenching her hands together. Bonnie looked over at her in surprise. “Elena, you have nothing to apologize for. This is not your fault. I was just thinking about the taste of blood, was all.” She offered a genuine smile, helping Elena put her concerns to rest. Elijah went to sit next to her then, draping his arm around her shoulders. “Elena, we have some details we need to discuss, but first we must ensure Miss Bennett's safety.”

  He then glanced over to Bonnie, “would you be so kind as to lock us into place here on the couch?” Bonnie said a few words as she poured an encircling of salt around the couch, and nodded at Elijah when she concluded. Elena noticed the loss as Elijah removed his arm from around her. “You can both only move within the circle,” Bonnie pointed out. Elijah tested the surrounding as he and Bonnie told Elena about the linking spell they had studied earlier, as well as filled her in on the Klaus situation. Elena had revealed to Bonnie that she arranged to go away for a while with Elijah until she learned control. Bonnie had questioned her, but when Elena mentioned the Salvatore's and their tendency of insisting upon involving themselves, she understood. “I just don't think Damon and Stefan would be good people to learn discipline from,” was the comment that won Bonnie over.

  When they finished explaining, Elena was curious and, to her shock, a bit relieved to see Elijah hadn't lost another brother. “Why would I need to be stronger?” She inquired. That Elijah wanted to give her all the benefits of being an original floored her. It delighted a part of her he wished to protect her. The other part was frightened that there was a sinister reason behind it. Was there a threat she was uninformed about? “I want to ensure that you are more challenging for individuals like my family or Katherine to kill Elena, Niklaus, and Rebekah both may take issue with your new status, and I'm sure Katherine will.” Elijah reasoned. “I've looked it over, Elena. You would be just as strong and also as tough to wipe out as Elijah. I think it's an excellent idea,” Bonnie whispered. “It won't affect Elijah?” Elena asked, to be clear. “Not at all,” Bonnie replied.

  Elena glanced over at Elijah. His face was schooled and indecipherable, but his eyes carried a gleam of something profound. This was important to him. With that observation, Elena agreed. “Alright, let's do this.” She beamed over to Elijah. He offered her a hint of a grin, and Elena saw relief flash through his eyes. Bonnie released Elijah from the surrounding by removing a section of the salt circle and restoring it when he was out. He had the vial of blood she called for. Bonnie dug through her purse for the four candles she needed and placed a small pocket knife on the table. “Miss Bennett, before we begin, there is one other thing we must see to first.” Elijah pulled out a pyramid shaped silver talisman from his pants pocket and handed it to her. “That talisman contains what I had for magic before my transition. It also has magical wards in it to help keep any black magic from consuming you. I never wanted to practice, so I sealed what magic I had into that with the help of Ayana.”

  Elena and Bonnie both gaped at him in shock. “What do you want me to do with it?” Bonnie asked. She could feel the positive magic and the balancing wards just holding it in her hand. Elijah had been a strong warlock. “I want you to take the magic, my brother forced to do a very taxing spell, and this will aid you to do this spell without taxing yourself. And hopefully gain a bit of strength. It is not as if I could use it, and I respect your sense of honor.” Elijah offered in explanation. Bonnie hesitantly thanked him. She held the talisman and being that the spell had been cast by her ancestor, the spell to take the magic came to her easily.

  After taking the magic, she grabbed the mug of blood and poured in the vial Elijah had given her. “I'll need some of your blood” she said, looking over at the noble vampire. “Elena already has my blood but if more is required” Elijah stated as he used the pocket knife to cut into his palm and pour some blood into the mug. Both girls started at that revelation. “Wait what” they spoke in unison. Elena realized Meredith used vampire blood to heal her yesterday.

  They had all discussed that topic first, upon Elijah's return with Bonnie. She had assumed it had been Damon's blood, as she knew he had been supplying Meredith with his blood in trade for blood bags.” Why did Dr. Fell have your blood?” She asked. Elijah paused at that question. Elena could feel his reluctance to answer. “I was concerned that your supernatural status would cause difficulties. Since I was created a bit differently and am connected to doppelgangers by blood, I thought my blood may be a safer route for you. I left a few vials to be used in emergencies for you,” He breathed.
Bonnie picked up the knife and sliced the tip of her finger and squeezed in a few drops. “My blood isn't needed for the spell, but it will protect you from being sired by blood or by the link.” She explained. She then read the words on the paper and the magic crackled through the air. Her eyes flashed white and suddenly, all was calm again.

  Elijah moved over and placed his arm around Elena's shoulders again as Bonnie magically swept up the salt circle. “You have until midnight to consume the full contents of the mug and everything should be set, I love you Elena no matter what, but I'm going to let myself out now. Call me when you're ready.” They thanked Bonnie, and Elijah directed her how to exit the panic area. When the door closed, Elijah removed his arm and Elena again missed his touch. “How are you?” He asked as he pulled the mug closer to them. Elena wasn't sure how she was, really, so much had happened and there was still more to come. “I'm not sure, all I can seem to keep focused on is the smell of that cup.” She could not pull her gaze from the mug in front of her. “Are you ready for this?” Elijah questioned, grabbing her hand. “Yes,” she replied, not taking her gaze from the mug. Elijah let go of her hand and passed her the mug. “Drink slowly” he demanded. Elena grasped the mug and after a last goodbye to her human life, took a sip.

-Authors Note-
Thank you for sticking through the first few setup chapters! All feedback is welcome and appreciated!