Always and Forever... For the Last Time (The Originals: Season 5 Fanfiction)

Chapter 5: Trapped in a Chambre de Chasse

'In New Orleans, the dead cannot be buried. Instead, in boxes above the ground, the dead cluster together. When a man passes on, his family tomb is cracked open. Old bones are shoved aside to make room for fresh remains. Bloodlines rot, entangled. The houses are that way too. Layer upon layer of peeling paint, hiding little tragedies. Scorch marks from the fires. Water lines on wallpaper. These are the tombs of the living, where we rot alongside memories of our dead. Crowded with people we have failed and those who have failed us, we are forced to struggle with those we love.'

 - Klaus Mikaelson

In the chambre de chasse (formulated in the style of the Mikaelson compound) ... 

'Every last exit is sealed,' Elijah said, walking into the room. 'If you're thinking about jumping, don't.' Klaus stood at the balcony, turning as he heard his brother's voice. 'I already tried it. I landed in the world's most pretentious wine cellar.' 

'You sorted it by vintage,' Klaus retorted. 'You don't remember, do you? I thought Marcel was intent on retrieving your memories.'

'He was. He failed. I still remember absolutely nothing, and my wife, Lilliana, is dying.' 

'Is she? Right. Yes, I'd forgotten.' 

'What are we doing here? What is this place? This is dangerous, you and I here together.' 

'We're not actually here together, are we? Not physically, at least.' Klaus sighed, turning to his brother again. 'It's called a chambre de chasse. It's a magical mental prison designed to resemble our home. But don't worry, there's always a way out - a game, or a riddle.' 

'How do we solve this riddle?' 

'We don't do anything,' Klaus replied. 'We're square, you and I. You got Hayley killed, and Lilliana will die because of me. I would hate to upset that delicate balance. So I'm going to find my way out, and you're on your own.' Klaus walked past him and out of the room. 

Several hours later... 

Elijah walked down the stairs into the main foyer and stopped at the bloodstained painting on the wall. He was about to continue walking through the house, but before he could, someone vamp sped in front of him, grabbing him and pinning him to the wall. 

'You've been lying to us all day,' Klaus hissed. 'You remember everything.' Elijah shoved Klaus off of him. 

'I remember nothing. For all I know, I was born on a bus stop seven years ago.' He turned and left. 

'Lie,' Klaus said, and stalked after his brother, their shouting carrying through the house until they met the others in the main living room of the house. 

'Why would I lie?' Elijah said. 'I want out of here as bad as you.' 

'What's going on?' Kol asked. 

'Our brother has been deliberately repressing his memories to keep us trapped here,' Klaus snapped. Elijah was going up some steps, but then he turned. 

'I am not your brother!' He came down, facing his siblings. 'And I didn't ask for any of this.'

'You most certainly did. It's not like you held a family vote before you decided to erase all of us.' 

'You ever consider the possibility that perhaps you don't even want me back?' Elijah snapped. 'I mean, it seems to me that I make you all incredibly miserable.' Kol stood up, sighing in frustration.