Disclaimer: I do not own TVD or it's characters. If I did, the Originals would never have happened and Caroline and Klaus would be travelling the world and sexing it up.

Title is a line spoken in Shakespeare's Play Henry IV. It seemed appropriate.

"In the event of the death of the reigning monarch the throne shall pass to the next living heir lest he or she choose to abdicate."- Constitution of Qirevia, Article 1

The shrill ringing of her iPhone is shocking in the silence of her dorm room, and it is with an impatient growl that Princess Caroline Forbes crosses the room and scoops it up.

Elijah Mikaelson is displayed on the screen, phone continuing to beep and vibrate in her hand. Altogether a rather frustratingly perceptive man, Elijah Mikaelson is her mother's assistant and one of her family's most loyal subjects. He has been for years. Even as a young girl of 9 Elijah had been 12 years her senior, fresh out of university and in possession of a sharp and brilliant mind.

The eldest surviving son of the disgraced late Lord Mikaelson, Elijah had given up all claim to title and land once he had entered into the service of the royal family as is tradition. Steadfastly loyal and ever serious, Elijah had practically helped raise her when her mother was not around to fulfil her maternal duty.

With a sigh, she sends the call to her message bank. It has been the seventh in the space of 3 or so hours. It's not the first time that Elijah has called her while at university, usually to chase up a request from her mother or an invitation to a royal function that required her presence.

She'd been able to keep a low profile most of the time, staying out of the public eye and attending functions that occurred only when she was on break from university. But sometimes even that wasn't enough to keep her out of the eye of the media, continuous speculation over her relationship status and why she wasn't married yet and who she possibly be married to.

Her phone buzzes again, and she rejects the call again. She doesn't want to deal with the reality of her life today. Doesn't want to see what boring function Elijah wants her to attend or which noble man whose suit she'd have to fend off. She didn't plan on marrying for a very long time, something that would be sure to disappoint her mother.

A soft knock on the door makes her place her phone back on the table before turning.

"Pardon me ma'am. A Sir Mikaelson to see you." Her bodyguard offers politely before he is being nudged out of the way by the man in question.

Elijah Mikaelson strides into the room, glancing around at his surroundings and looking oddly out of place in his dress shirt and pants. She notices then, just how exhausted he looks. In all of his years of service she's never seen Elijah look so run down.

"Your Royal Highness I beg that we speak in private." He says, sweeping her a respectful bow and glancing pointedly at her bodyguard all in one smooth motion.

"Leave us please Ben. Close the door behind you." Caroline instructs gently as her bodyguard backs out of the room, pulling the door shut as he goes.

Elijah waits until the lock clicks before he's moving towards her, grasping her gently by the arm and steering her towards the bed.

"What is it Elijah?" She asks hoarsely, taking in the expression on his face, the weary set to his shoulders. Whatever it is, it can't be good news.

"Caroline I'm afraid the news is not good." Elijah begins formally before he sags, losing all stiff posture that he's previously held in her presence.

"Tell me." She demands as he begins to pace back and forth in front of her, heels of his dress shoes clicking against her wooden floorboards.

"There was an accident ma'am. Your mother was severely injured when another car struck the royal convoy early this morning." Elijah informs her in colourless tones, voice even despite the gravity of the news.

"Is she okay?" She whispers, massaging her temples with her fingertips. She didn't want to think about what would happen if her mother, the Queen was not okay. If she did not survive this.

She would be the next Queen, lest she choose to abdicate and pass the throne to the next royal heir.

"She remains in a critical condition. You must return to the capital immediately and come to her."

Caroline gets to her feet, whirling on Elijah suddenly.

"Why was I not informed of this straight away?" She snaps, using her position and authority to get the information she needs. It is not the first time she has had to pull rank and she highly doubts that it will be the last.

"I've been trying to reach you all day. You were however, not answering your phone." Elijah replies coolly, giving a pointed glance to her iPhone lying prone on her desk.

"And you didn't see fit to inform me through other means?" She pauses, gesturing wildly towards her bodyguards on the other side of the door. "Perhaps you would have deemed it appropriate to inform the people that are with me all the time?" She added with a glare.

"Your mothers advisors and I deemed it prudent that we not let this news get to you before we had a chance to inform you ourselves. I set out as soon as I realised that you were not answering your phone." Elijah supplied calmly.

There's a long pause as the two occupants of the room stare each other down, Caroline furiously and Elijah impassively.

"What happens now?" Caroline asks tiredly as she rubs a hand over her face.

"Return with me to the capital, and be at your mother's side. We have a helicopter waiting for you."

By car Valyria is 3 hours from the capital of Qirevia. By helicopter the ride takes only an hour, and it's mostly silent as she stares out the window. She can feel Elijah's gaze on her for the better part of the journey but she ignores him.

The convoy that awaits her is just as impressive as the ones granted to her mother as Queen, and it's with a tired smile that she acknowledges the driver. She's surprised when Elijah climbs into the seat after her, hitting the button to raise the partition between them and the driver.

"We need to talk about the possibility of what comes next should your mother not live through the night." Elijah says gently as she turns to look him in the eye for the first time since locking the door of her dormitory behind her.

"Tell me then." She replies evenly as Elijah tilts his head to her with something akin to approval written across his features.

"As I am sure you are aware of the rule of succession in Qirevia, I need not tell you that the throne would fall to you should your mother pass on."

"I don't want the throne." She replies quickly. In all the many years of their acquaintance, and Elijah's service to her family she's never seen him look anything remotely close to shocked. Until now.

"I beg you reconsider ma'am." He finally replies with an audible swallow.

"I've never wanted the throne Elijah. I would be more than happy to pass it on."

Elijah stiffens, glancing down at the iPad in his lap.

"Should you elect to abdicate, as is your royal right as the Crown Princess of Qirevia you will give up all rights you previously held to the throne for both you and all heirs to come after. After you have signed the abdication document in front of parliament the throne will pass to your distant uncle Mason Lockwood." Elijah says disdainfully, sniffing at the mention of the Duke of Lamprey.

"Very well then." Caroline replies after a moment. The idea of Mason Lockwood, or any Lockwood for that matter on the throne made her uneasy. A powerful family in possession of enormous sums of money the Lockwood's were influential, power hungry, and arrogant above all else.

The lights of the capital are achingly familiar to her, the pavements teeming with people and tourists alike as they peer curiously at the convoy passing through the already cleared streets.

The capital police are out in full force, holding back the traffic as needed so she may pass unhindered.

"We are taking you directly to the hospital. It is for the best that you be there with your mother." Elijah informs her quietly as her car passes the familiar entrance to her home at the palace.

"Is she with us?" She asks the older man who looks at her pityingly.

"She has not yet woken up ma'am. The injuries she sustained as a result of the impact were considerable."

She slumps back into her seat, all her lessons on posture and poise forgotten as the full impact of Elijah's answer hits her.

Slowly, her car draws to a halt. Beyond the tinted windows she can see a veritable army of bodyguards move into position for the short journey from her car to the foyer of the hospital.

The night air is shocking against her skin, and she silently berates herself for not bringing a jacket. Elijah, as observant as ever unfolds his tall form from the car and motions towards one of the many bodyguards.

She jumps when a jacket is placed around her shoulders, one of her own. Elijah offers her his arm and she takes it gratefully, leaning on him for strength and support.

Their journey through the hospital is quick at this time of night, outside of normal visiting hours. The halls are dimly lit and hushed as lights flicker overhead.

The first floor of the hospital is reserved for royal patients, and the ride in the elevator seems to stretch on forever as she and Elijah take the journey with two of the fourteen bodyguards that had accompanied her.

Her vision swims, and she feels faint. There's an awful feeling in the pit of her stomach as the doors slide open. She drops Elijah's arm, starting towards the only lit room on the floor.

For the first time in a very long time she is frightened. Of what she might see, or not see. With a whimper she clutches the door frame not comprehending the sight of two nurses hurriedly folding a sheet over her mother's face, heads bowed in concentration.

She realises as she sinks to the ground, that the strangled cry that echoes around that room is hers. Elijah catches her before she makes contact with the floor, cradling her in his arms gently, allowing her to bury her face in his shirt and clutch onto the fabric.

Her mother is dead, and this changes everything.

The last thing she sees before everything fades is the two nurses turn to her, sinking into deep curtsies.

"Your Majesty."

Her new title.

"Do they know?" She asks of Elijah, who stands silently behind her as they both stare out the window. The gates of the palace are closed to the public, and although her world has changed the one outside continues on.

"The announcement was made a few hours ago. Your majesty you have a-"

"Don't." She cuts across Elijah suddenly at the enunciation of her new title. As a princess her official style was Her Royal Highness, and unofficially and informally ma'am. As the queen in waiting her rank has been elevated to Majesty, the sole person in the kingdom to hold such a title.

"You cannot run away from this decision forever Caroline." Elijah replies softly, dropping all formalities and stepping away from the window. Caroline turns to watch his progress across the room, watches as he takes a seat in front of the fire and gestures for her to join him.

She picks her way around the furniture, perching on the very edge of the seat opposite him. She sighs, mentally preparing herself for an interrogation that she's sure to get from him.

"You say you don't want the throne. Why?" Elijah asks politely as he shifts minutely in his chair.

"I am trapped Elijah, as you very well know. I cannot go anywhere without a retinue of bodyguards and retainers to follow me. I was allowed to study at university only with the concession that I take men with me to stand guard over my door. I am not allowed to work, not allowed to set foot outside the palace once I am safely within it's walls. I am a bird in a gilded cage." She replies softly as Elijah gazes at her thoughtfully.

"Would you allow me to paint you a picture of what may become of you should you choose to abdicate the throne?"

Caroline grimaces at him, an entirely un lady like expression as she motions for him to continue.

"I daresay you'll continue whether I want you to or not."

Elijah's lips quirk into the ghost of a smile as he leans forward in his seat.

"Caroline outside of your status as a Royal Princess of the blood you have no title. Should you choose to abdicate you will be turned out of the palace at the earliest convenience of Mason Lockwood. You have no other home, own no other holdings, and have very little money to your name. Your university tutelage is state paid, however once you abdicate you give up all rights to that money. Despondent and poor, you will be forced to rely on your Uncle's good graces to support you for the rest of your life. You have no experience in employment, and no one will risk taking you on because you are at the best a security risk and at worse a nightmare waiting to happen." Elijah pronounces smoothly, leaving no room for interruption.

She gapes at him as he takes another breath to continue. This is probably the most she's heard Elijah ever speak in her presence for as long as she's known him.

"Oh you may find employ somewhere scrubbing floors or waiting tables but it won't be enough to get you by. Your uncle may find a suitable match for you but you will be sequestered to a far off estate in the countryside good only for producing children for your husband as per tradition. There you will live out the rest of your days, insignificant and forgotten by the world as they embrace their new king, their new royal family. And one day you will die surrounded by perhaps a faithful servant or two. Your name will be forgotten and your family line will be extinguished with your passing."

Caroline gets to her feet, a hand to her mouth as she turns away from Elijah. She's shaking she realises, holding one hand out in front of her as she considers Elijah's words. It is a frightening picture he paints of her future, and she can't help but feel as if the rug has been ripped out from under her feet, exposing her to the harshness and the cruelty of the world.

A bubble. This whole time I've been living in a bubble.

"I do not mean to frighten you ma'am. Over the coming days you will have many people who will attempt to ease your burden by withholding certain pieces of information from you. Please know that I will always provide you with the absolute truth, whatever you may ask of me." Elijah says from behind her, and she doesn't have to turn to know that he's offering her a respectful bow.

A pounding on the door interrupts her sanctuary and her thoughts as one of her bodyguard enters and bows stiffly.

"The Duke of Lamprey Your Majesty."

She can't help but flinch at her new title. Elijah raises an eyebrow as Mason Lockwood strides powerfully into the room, eyes finding her immediately. Caroline shrinks back as Mason goes down one knee in front of her, head bowed deferentially.

Eyes wide she looks to Elijah for help, who simply sighs and motions for her to offer Mason her hand.

"Caroline I am grieved by your loss. Please accept my family's condolences in these troubling times."

"Thankyou Uncle Mason." Caroline smiles familiarly as she gestures for Mason to sit. The Duke unfolds his tall form from the floor and offers Elijah a curt nod as he seats himself.

"How about you and I have a chat in private Caroline? It's been far too long since we've last conversed." Mason says with a pointed glance towards Elijah, who simply lets out a long suffering sigh and bows stiffly towards the both of them.

"I'll be outside Caroline." Elijah promises as the door closes behind him.

"It seems you have a decision to make niece." Mason tells her as she saunters over to her mother's desk, uncorking a bottle of brandy that has sat there gathering dust. It's a damn shame she thinks to herself as she expects the liquid within. This will have aged beautifully.

"Drink Uncle?" She asks innocently as she pours herself a glass before turning to him. Mason waves a dismissive hand as she perches on the edge of the desk, arms crossed over her chest.

"Do you know what you're going to do?" Mason asks, staring at her intently.

"It seems I am torn Uncle. I fear that I am not ready for the weight and responsibility that comes with ruling. But as princess I have a duty to my people to rule in my mother's stead."

"You are young. No one will think less of you should you choose to pass the throne to another."

There it is. Caroline sees the minute change of expression in Mason's face as he gets to his feet. As incredible as it seems maybe Elijah is right about what would happen to her should her Uncle rule. And maybe her gut instinct concerning her Uncle and the Lockwood family is true.

"Not as young as my mother was when she became Queen. But all the same, I trust that you would rule honourably in my stead." She replies, draining the glass and setting it on the table beside her.

"I would do everything in my power to ensure that this country is looked after. And you of course, will be taken care of as befitting your royal status."

Except I wouldn't be a royal if I gave up the throne.

"And what exactly would that entail Uncle?"

Mason looks genuinely confused as to why she'd even ask him such a question.

"You will be put up in your own house with servants to tend to your every need of course. You will always be welcome at the Palace should you ever require anything of me."

Elijah's summary of her future life has proven to be frighteningly accurate, even if her Uncle does not say so in so many words.

"I will have to think on it I fear. I'm addressing Parliament on Friday. You will know my decision then. That will be all I think Uncle." Caroline replies, turning back towards the window as Mason gets to his feet.

"Thankyou Your Majesty for seeing me. I hope you make the right decision for this country." Mason says sharply.

She turns in time to see Elijah throw Mason an entirely distrustful look as he enters the room once more.

"Did my suspicions prove correct then?" Elijah asks once the door is shut safely behind him.

Caroline turns, nodding once in confirmation.

"Elijah." She trails off, feeling strange at giving him a direct command. She had done so many a time in the past, but she had never been a Queen in waiting.

"I am yours to command ma'am, for as long as you may keep me around."

Caroline straightens, pushing her shoulders back.

"I'm going to need a copy of the Constitution."

She doesn't miss the smile that spreads across Elijah's face.

A/N:

Hello all. This idea came to me one day and I've decided to run with it because there really aren't enough royalty AU's out there featuring Caroline as the royal figure.

Bright Lights is still progressing, albeit slowly. The next chapter is giving me a little bit of trouble but it's coming along okay. I'm about 500 words out from completing the next chapter so I'll have it up soon hopefully!

Characters

Elizabeth Forbes: The Queen of Qirevia and Caroline's mother. Caroline's father died when she was a child, and is no longer in the picture.

Caroline Forbes: The Crown Princess and heir apparent to the throne of Qirevia with her mother's passing

Elijah Mikaelson: The eldest son of the late Lord Mikael, he gives up all claim to his titles and lands once he enters into the service of the royal family, as per tradition.

Mason Lockwood: The next heir to the throne should Caroline abdicate.

*I've made the Lockwoods and the Forbes related by blood via a very distant marriage connection a hundred years or so ago. Mason Lockwood is a distant cousin to Caroline's mother, who had no siblings to pass the throne on to. Therefore by right of blood the throne is his. Caroline calls him 'Uncle' only as an informal means of address.

Titles: If any of you are ever confused over titles please don't hesitate to ask. As mentioned in the story, Caroline has a few titles...

Your Royal Highness: Used when Caroline was the Crown Princess

Your Majesty: Used to address a King or a Queen. Now that Caroline is the next heir this title is used

Ma'am: Subjects address a royal family member first using their formal title (majesty, royal highness etc.) and then informally after as Sir or Ma'am. I know the language might seem overly stiff and formal but I'm going to assume that this is how people actually address royals!

Qirevia is a fictional kingdom obvs and is pronounced Ke-ray-vee-ah if any of you guys were wondering.

This is going to be Klaroline, let me know if it's worth continuing.