Elena glanced around the foyer taking in all its beauty, it was even more beautiful than she last remembered when she had been here. Her favorite were the pillars that went the length of the entryway to behind both staircases. She hadn't really got to admire their beauty during the ball with both Salvatore's breathing down her neck every time she turned around.
Kol had noticed Elena was no longer walking beside him and he turned to see her lost in her own little world exploring the foyer. He never found it as interesting as she did, he was more interested in who was standing in the foyer. He smiled watching her until she frowned, he knew the last time she had set foot in here was during the ball with both Salvatore's. Just thinking about them made him frown.
"What are you thinking about love?" Kol asked. When he spoke she turned towards him, walking his way.
"Just how beautiful this all is, I didn't see much of it the last time I was here," she said cheerfully.
"Are you two going to stand there and admire the foyer together or am I to drink alone?" Klaus said jokingly. With that, he turned on his heel and disappeared from sight.
"Shall we?" Kol said jestering for her to walk with him.
After a few drinks and laughing at the stories they were telling about each other they hadn't seen their eldest brother walk in.
"I see everyone is having a good time, nice to see you again Elena," Elijah said while pouring himself a drink and then taking a seat.
"Well brother glad you could join us, how was your evening?" Klaus asked his brother.
"Apparently not as interesting as the three of yours, I heard about what happened at The Grill. Shame that after a hundred plus years that Damon Salvatore didn't learn any manners on how to treat a lady" Elijah said matter of factly.
"True, but Kol handled himself well. Made the baby vamp look like an ass all on his own" Klaus remarked.
"I'll drink to that" Elena said, lifting up her glass.
All three Mikaelson brothers looked at her as if she had grown a second head before they chuckled at the fact this slip of a girl was drunk, then raised their glasses along with her.
"To new beginnings and all that" Elena slightly slurred.
"To new beginnings and all that," the three brothers said with amusement.
After one last drink, Kol bid his brother's goodnight and carried a sleeping Elena upstairs to his bedroom. Once inside he laid her on the bed careful not to wake her, he took her shoes off and covered her up. He then took his own shoes off and crawled into his bed beside her. Kol was content to watch her sleep before drifting off himself.
"Do you think she will be safe at home with that Salvatore trying to get her back?" Elijah asked Klaus after their younger brother left the room.
"After the things, he said tonight, rest assured brother she wouldn't take him back. Besides I think she is quite taken with our brother as he is her, as for her being safe it will depend on if the younger, reasonable Salvaltore can keep his brother in check" Klaus said casually.
"Well at least there is that, it's nice to see Kol happy. Let's hope it continues, and depending on Stefan Salvatore to keep his brother in check is precisely what worries me. Who is to say they won't try to make Kol lose control, you know as well if I do that happens then Miss Gilbert will be in danger of our brother" Elijah said thoughtfully.
"Well then we will just have to make sure that doesn't happen. As long as she is with Kol she will be protected as we would do with family" Nik said seriously and Elijah nodded in agreement.
In the morning Elena came awake realizing a couple things, this was not her bed, and someone was in bed with her. She quickly turned her head to the right which was a bad idea as it made the room seem to spin before she could focus on the person in bed with her. Once the room stopped spinning she saw the who and smiled. Kol. She was watching him sleep when he spoke.
"You know it's rude to stare" he said amusingly, opening his eyes to look into hers.
"You got me there, how long have you been awake?" she asked.
"For awhile, the bathroom is through that door and I hope you don't mind that I went to your house and got you some fresh clothes" he said nonchalantly getting up off the bed.
Now she was embarrassed to think Kol going through her undergarments, he sensed what she was thinking and just smirked at her before shutting the door behind him to head downstairs.
"So how is the lovely Elena feeling this morning?" Klaus asked with a smirk.
"A bit of a hangover" Kol said.
"For such a petite young lady, she has a high tolerance for liquor" Nik chuckled, making Kol chuckle too.
"That she, does," Kol said proudly.
"Kol, Elijah and I discussed after you left that as long as Elena is with you then she falls under our protection. That way if you aren't with her then one of us can keep watch from a distance of course, don't want the poor girl feeling smothered like she was with them" Klaus suggested.
"I like your way of thinking brother" Kol said smiling.
