Elijah Mikaelson & The Dragon's Legacy

Chapter 11

Elijah responded in a tone Angelica did not recognize, "Niklaus," but kept his body positioned between Niklaus and Angelica, his eyes locked on his brother. Angelica had never seen Elijah like this before and stayed quiet. "Why Brother, this must be your lovely bride I've been hearing so much about. The Duke was regaling me this afternoon with the story of how you met and came to marry his daughter." Niklaus leaned to the side to peer at her around Elijah and said, "Hello Sister, I am so pleased to make your acquaintance." Elijah was still unsure of Niklaus' intentions but Angelica boldly stepped out from behind him and walked straight up to Niklaus, "Hello," she said, and then embraced him. Niklaus was caught off-guard by the embrace and smiled crookedly back at Elijah. Angelica told him how pleased she was to meet him and they all went into the library. By the end of their conversation, Angelica insisted that Niklaus and the absent Rebekah come to stay at the estate. The old Duke agreed because after all, any family of Elijah was now his family, and they were welcome. Niklaus agreed to the arrangement, amused by the entire turn of events.

Niklaus stayed the night but headed out to Madrid in the morning to collect Rebekah and coordinate the move. He told Elijah they would return in one week. After Niklaus left in the morning, Angelica cornered Elijah on what he was not telling her as she could see how uneasy Elijah had become around Niklaus. It took a bit before Elijah would express what was really worrying him: Niklaus' temper and lack of self-control. Elijah stopped short of telling her that he was worried that Niklaus would kill Angelica just for spite but Angelica was able to fill in the blanks on how dangerous Elijah's brother could be. But Angelica reassured Elijah that it would be alright. Elijah was concerned as well about what the old Duke had said to Niklaus about Angelica, specifically the oddities of her adoption and her immunity to fire and heat. When Elijah had a moment alone with the old Duke, he compelled him to tell Elijah what he had told Niklaus about Angelica. Elijah was relieved when none of it was about her special abilities. Her secret was still safe.

Over the next week, Angelica made the preparations for Niklaus and Rebekah's arrival. Bedrooms were ready and a special place in the basement had been selected as the perfect place to store the coffins. It always surprised Elijah at how well Angelica adjusted to his unique situations. Elijah would cover the ground rules with his siblings (no feasting on the house staff, no feasting on the farmers or the villagers) and he would keep them under control. Montecito would be a good home for them provided they stayed under Mikael's radar.

When they arrived with their carriages, Angelica ran out to meet them, reaching them before Elijah. Angelica hugged Niklaus in greeting and as Niklaus introduced Rebekah, Angelica hugged her. "I forgot to warn you, Sister, this one's a hugger." Rebekah said, "Well, aren't you lovely, I have always wanted a little sister." Rebekah smiled at Angelica and at her exuberance. Her happiness was absolutely contagious. Angelica welcomed them into the home and Elijah and Niklaus discretely stored their coffins in the basement, including the two containing daggered brothers Finn and Kol. The house staff were compelled to never go passed the wine cellar in the basement, ensuring that the coffins would be safe and undiscovered. The old Duke welcomed Niklaus back and greeted Rebekah. Angelica showed them to their rooms, gave them a tour of the estate, and told Niklaus that she had a special surprise for him. Niklaus cocked a curious smile and followed Angelica up the rear flight of stairs to the attic. She had it converted into his own art studio since Elijah had told her of his talents. Niklaus thanked her for her thoughtfulness. "I like this girl," thought Niklaus.

Niklaus and Rebekah quickly settled in to the estate life, they adored the old Duke, and for once, happily followed the rules Elijah set for them on how to keep their vampire activities discreet. Each would eventually compel themselves a servant to attend to their personal needs, including providing them blood when they needed it. Elijah did not know where they found the servants, but since they were not part of the original house staff he did not care.

Both Niklaus and Rebekah noticed that they felt happier and contented since they came to live at the estate. Rebekah and Niklaus both began to refer to Angelica as Beloved Sister, and they meant it. Angelica made Elijah happy, truly happy. Their brother had always carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, had always denied himself and put his siblings first. He was always on the watch for Mikael and constantly worried about their discovery. Elijah had not changed in that respect, he was always watching out for Niklaus and Rebekah, whether they needed him to or not. But Elijah was also different around Angelica. He smiled a great deal more, he was more relaxed, he relished in their estate planning and projects, he worshipped Angelica and she worshipped him.

Elijah and Angelica would often end up on the roof of the estate together, gazing at the stars. Angelica would point out the constellations and then tell wonderful mythological stories that she had read in her books. But her retelling of the story was exciting and she made the stars come alive. Even Niklaus and Rebekah would join them occasionally on the roof and the four of them would joke and laugh together, and just take in the beauty of the night. When Niklaus and Rebekah sensed that Elijah and Angelica wanted to be alone, they would take their leave of them as it was not uncommon for Elijah and Angelica to spend the entire night on that roof, wrapped in a blanket, making love under the stars.

Living in a house, even a large estate, with newlyweds did have its awkward moments as Niklaus and Rebekah would quickly learn. On repeated occasions, each of them had walked into a common room only to catch Elijah and Angelica in some moment of passion, usually in various stages of undress. It had become such a regular occurrence that Niklaus and Rebekah would joke about it but neither would enter a common room without pausing to be sure they were not interrupting the love birds. Elijah had awakened a passion in Angelica that she did not know existed, and she was eager to explore it with Elijah as her capable guide, whenever and wherever the mood struck them. They would tease Elijah about it on occasion but never Angelica, she had an innocence about her and both Rebekah and Niklaus found themselves becoming very protective of her, of their little Beloved Sister.