I do not own TVD or TO.

This is the final chapter/epilogue. I want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to review this story it meant a lot to me. Each and every review brought a smile to my face.

She shivered when she surveyed the mess of bodies littering the halls of the palace. Elena wondered if the stone would be forever stained red. Would she ever forget the things she had done that day? Would her actions change the way her husband saw her?

Elena was reaching for his hand when it happened. Her fingers grazed his palm and stiffened.

At first she didn't know what to make of the jeweled dagger that had found a home below her breasts. Time seemed to stand still. She stared at the ruby and lifted her right hand as if to caress the gem. Her fingers never completed the journey; her knees buckled.

Cold spread down her spine. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew she was lying down. The air escaped her lungs slowly as she lifted her gaze; her vision was swiftly fading but she could see his eyes full of a desperate light. The last thing she saw was his mouth moving, but no sound passed his lips.

Esther froze when she rounded the corner and found her son kneeling on the cold stone. He held the limp body of Elena Petrova… his wife.

From where she stood she could see the knife protruding from her chest. She could also see Niklaus running his sword through Lord Salvatore's abdomen.

The twenty paces towards Elijah seemed to take an eternity.

Nik pounded on the door of Kol's chamber. He could almost feel the three women inside cringing away from the heavy wood.

"It's me," he called while pushing on the door.

He heard a loud scraping and felt the wood pull away from his hand. He stumbled forwards and righted himself before he could knock over his little sister.

"Is it safe? Is it done?" Rebekah pushed her hair back from her face and bounced from foot to foot.

"Yes," Nik wrapped his arms around Caroline when she laid her head on his chest, "it's over. The Salvatores are dead, and their compatriots have either been slain or have fled." He carefully extracted himself from Caroline and turned to Katerina.

Nik was fairly certain she could see the emotions flashing in his eyes. Tears seemed to well in her own eyes before he had even opened his m

"Your sister…"

Kat rushed past him before he could finish. She hiked her shift up to keep from tripping and ran down the corridor only to be stopped by Adelaide who directed her towards one of the royal bed chambers.

She knew it had to be Elijah's apartment when she stepped inside and found him kneeling beside the large bed.

"Elena," a sob tore through her throat. She fell to her knees beside him and watched Lexa wrap a pristine white bandage around Elena's body with the help of the queen.

He hadn't left her side in two days. He had sat alongside his bed… their bed… and watched her laboured breaths as they entered her lungs.

Three witches had done everything in their power to heal her, but they had been bringing her back from the very brink of death. Elena's pulse had all but stopped when Esther had knelt beside her lifeless body.

Elijah had seen the strain healing Elena had taken on the three of them. His mother, his brother, and his sister-in-law had already been exhausted when they'd begun. Kol had forced Lexa to back off when she'd begun to sway under the exertion.

He reached for her hand when she shuddered and groaned. Rising from the chair he blinked at the clean bandage and lifted the heavy blanket to her chin. His fingers lovingly brushed her damp hair from her heated brow.

"You need to get out of this room," Esther laid her hand on his shoulder.

"I won't leave her," he glanced at her over his shoulder.

"Yes, you will," Esther squeezed his shoulder and pulled on his arm. "You are going to go and take a short walk. The fresh air will do you a world of good, and you'll give me a chance to work. It's rather difficult to concentrate when you are staring a hole into my back."

"Mother…"

"A half an hour," Esther reasoned, "go take a walk, grab a bite to eat, and come back. Perhaps she'll be awake when you return."

She watched the reluctance flash through his eyes before he finally nodded and left the room. Somehow she knew he would not stray from the corridor.

"Adelaide," Esther watched the woman emerge from the shadows with a basin of warm water, "help me remove this bandage please, and then I would be eternally grateful if you would make sure my son and Lady Katerina get something to eat." She nodded her head to the chaise where Elijah had made the woman lie down.

Adelaide frowned at the black and violet skin when it came into focus. She blinked back her tears and composed herself before rousing Katerina and leading the bleary eyed brunette from the room.

Esther pulled a red vial from her skirt. She tipped the contents onto her hand and set the bottle on the table near the bed. She spread the thick solvent over the discoloured skin and hummed.

Electric energy raced down her arms and through her fingers. It spread over Elena's skin and made the bruises fade along the edges.

Esther wasn't sure how long she sat there rubbing soft circles over the olive skin. She seemed to lose herself in the healing spell and only snapped out of her reverie when the slim body shifted beneath her hands.

Elena's eyes fluttered open. There was a slight ache in her chest that was fading away under the skilled ministrations of the soft fingers. The gentle humming spread through her body and warmed her from the inside out.

It took her a moment to realize that she was bare from the waist up and that the hands below her breasts did not belong to her husband. The flush lifted from her chest to her hair in record time.

She lifted her heavy arm across her chest and drew in a deep breath.

"Good afternoon, my dear," Esther retracted her hands and lifted the blanket.

Elena accepted the blanket and clutched it to her chest. She grunted from exertion when she sat up and sighed when Esther arranged a few pillows behind her back and guided her to rest against the headboard.

Esther stood from the bed and pulled a long shirt from a trunk before returning to the bed and helping Elena into it. She took a moment to examine the woman who had finally gotten her son to settle into marriage.

The timing had been strange, but Esther had seen it in Elijah's eyes. Her son loved Elena Petrova. Esther could not recall the last time she had seen someone so worked up. He loved her, but the question was whether or not she loved him.

Elena didn't seem to notice the inquisitive stare. She was preoccupied blinking into the corners of the room. The last thing she remembered was fighting alongside him in the corridor and a flash of metal as it flew through the air. Fear curled in her chest when she couldn't find him anywhere. Her breath caught in her throat when she lifted her eyes to the queen.

"Where is he?" She blinked back her tears and swallowed the lump in her throat. "The knife… it… where is he?"

Esther's eyes widened when she realized what was passing through Elena's mind. She could see the fear and sorrow flashing in the woman's dark eyes.

"Elijah is fine," Esther caught her hand. She smiled gently when the relief flooded her gaze. "I made him go and take a walk with your sister. Neither one has left your side for two days."

Elena closed her eyes for a moment and let her emotions course unencumbered through her body.

"He's alright?"

"He is alright," Esther nodded. She watched the way her lip trembled slightly and stood to pour a glass of water and pressed it to her lips.

Elena sipped the cool liquid slowly and held the blanket to her chest as a chill raced through her.

"So," Esther set the glass aside and perched on the edge of the bed, "I've been told I am now to refer to you as daughter." She resisted the urge to laugh at the shell-shocked expression on her face. "I was a tad surprised to hear Elijah had finally gotten married, and a little upset that I did not get to witness it."

"I'm sorry," Elena swallowed and shrunk back against the soft pillows. "I…"

"It's alright," Esther waved her hand dismissively. "Kol and Alexandria informed me of the situation. I suspect Elijah would have done it himself had he not been so worried about your well-being." She sighed and slid a strand of damp hair behind Elena's ear. "I understand why you rushed. You had no reason to believe that you would both live through the war that was waged within these walls, but you did."

Elena could do nothing but nod. She cringed when she felt the sweat across her brow and through her hair.

"Do you think you could stand?" Esther nodded towards the fire where a copper tub had been filled with water. "The bath has gone cold, but heating it is not a problem for someone like me." She winked and helped Elena stand.

Esther wrapped an arm around her daughter-in-law's shoulders to hold her steady and guided her weak body to the tub. It took her a moment to reheat the water and help her inside.

Elena sighed at the warm water and lifted her arms so the shirt could be pulled over her head. She sank into the bath and struggled to keep her eyes open. The thought that the queen herself was washing her hair didn't pass through her mind.

"We'll have to fit you for a tiara," Esther quipped while rinsing the soap from Elena's hair.

"I'm sorry," Elena hummed contentedly.

"A tiara dear," Esther murmured, "every queen must have one custom made for herself."

By the time the full implication of Esther's words sank in the door was opening. Elena heard the sharp intake of breath and the rushed footfalls towards the bed.

"She's over here," Esther called softly.

Elena blinked tiredly and attempted to smile when he knelt beside the tub.

"Elena…"

She sighed and leaned her head against his palm.

"Elijah," she inhaled and curled her fingers around his wrist, "I love you."

"I love you, too," he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Rocking back he met her eyes and shook his head. "Don't ever scare me like that again."

Elena shook with a small laugh. "I'll try my best," she promised and lifted her hand to stifle her yawn.

"Are you alright?" His brows knit together with concern.

"I'm fine," she swallowed, "just really tired. Shouldn't I be full of energy? From what I understand I've slept for two days."

"You'll be tired for a few days," Esther stood and ran a linen towel through Elena's hair to gather the worst of the moisture. "I'm prescribing bed rest to begin as soon as you're out of this tub." She draped the towel over a bar by the fire and headed towards the door as Katerina was coming in. "I'll have Adelaide fetch some things from your old chamber."

Kat rushed passed the queen without stopping to curtsey when she saw her sister sitting up in the bath. She knelt on the other side of the copper tub and wrapped her arms around Elena's neck while ignoring Elijah's arm that had dipped beneath the water to wash her back.

"Never, ever do that again," she scolded her twin sister, "I will not lose my sister."

"I did not intend to be stabbed, Kat," Elena's eyelids fluttered. She was vaguely aware of Elijah helping her to her feet and Kat wrapping a linen towel around her body before she was hoisted into her husband's arms.

Sitting on a chaise by the fire she drifted off and only woke for a moment when Elijah placed her on the bed and moved to lie beside her under the warm blankets. Within moments they had both drifted off to sleep.

Three Months Later

Lexa stared into the mirror on her vanity and held the jar of powder between her thumb and forefinger. Everything she needed was before her, but she couldn't bring herself to mix the paste that would cover the scars. Most days it was easy; applying the concealer had become part of her daily routine.

Rocking back on the soft stool she smoothed down the front of her shift and cradled her swollen stomach. By her own estimate, and that of his mother, she was in her fifth month of the pregnancy.

She pressed her palm over her naval and felt the child spin in her womb; she was certain they would be able to feel the baby kick any day.

Lexa inhaled slowly and closed her eyes to better picture the baby. Perhaps it was a boy with her hair and his eyes, or maybe they would have a girl with chestnut curls and brilliant green eyes. There were only two things she was absolutely certain of: the baby was most definitely a witch, and it would have Kol's mischievous grin.

A chill ran through her when the door opened. She instantly moved as if to cover her cheek and relaxed when she saw that it was him.

"Good morning," he grinned and lifted her chin with his knuckle to place a chaste kiss to her lips.

"Good morning," she hummed. Her entire body came to attention when he knelt in front of her.

"You're not dressed," his fingers slid down the soft material of her shift.

"No," she tilted her head and smirked. "I am very tempted to remain in my shift all day and curl up with a book."

Kol shook with a silent laugh.

"Unfortunately today is the only day when you cannot," he chuckled.

"I already saw them get married," she heaved a dramatic sigh. A giggle escaped her lips when his palm flattened on the small of her back. "I know… I know. I have to get ready." Lexa reached back for the bottle and frowned. "It's just so hot in the summer."

"Well," Kol took the bottle and pushed it to the end of the table, "lucky for you I come baring gifts."

A line appeared between her brows when he pulled a small vial from his pocket and set it on her vanity. Her eyes grew round when he added a white cloth and a thin blade that she knew was wickedly sharp.

"Kol…" she swallowed and met his suddenly serious eyes.

"I thought I'd surprise you," he cupped her neck and traced the thin white lines with his thumb. "I had to wait anyway for the right flower to pop up… I would like to preface this by telling you I don't care about this," he kissed her scar and leaned back to meet her eyes, "but I know you do."

"Kol," Lexa felt hope flutter in her chest, "what are you saying?"

"I am saying I can remove them," he nodded to the items on the vanity, "so you never have to conceal them again."

"Why the knife, though?"

Kol hesitated for a moment and stroked her hair back from her face.

"I have to reopen it first," he murmured, "and if you agree the scar will be gone in moments, but it will hurt."

There was very little hesitation before she nodded.

Lexa slid her hand around the back of her neck and held her hair over her right shoulder. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to relax, but there was still a sharp intake of breath when he steadied her head. At first she felt nothing, but then the sting set as the hot wet blood slid down her neck.

A tear leaked from the corner of her eye and mixed with the crimson stain. She hissed when the contents of the vial were spread over the open wound and heard him apologize softly before he began to chant in a language she was unfamiliar with.

She could almost feel the skin knitting together under his hand. The briefest moment of doubt spread through her when the pain vanished. Everything else had failed her, would this as well?

She couldn't bring herself to open her eyes until after he had finished wiping the blood from her neck and jaw.

"There," he gently turned her chin towards the mirror. "You can look now, darling."

Lexa took a deep breath and pressed her lips into a thin line before slowly opening her eye lids. Carefully, hesitantly, she lifted her hand from her stomach and ran her fingers over her flawless skin; the only sign she had been injured at all the small stain on the neck of her shift.

Elena couldn't stop the snicker when her sister helped her into the gauzy shift. She had found the entire ordeal ridiculous, but after eloping and denying his mother the chance to see her last child married she had agreed; it was the least they could do, and it had the added benefit of removing any doubt as to the validity of their marriage.

"Personally I think it's crazy," Kat laughed, "as if there was any doubt that you two had consummated this marriage. How many people have caught the two of you in various stages of undress throughout the castle?"

"I think she's lost track," Lexa giggled and settled the summer dressing gown over Elena's shoulder. "Kol has caught them twice, and I have found them three or four times now."

"We agreed to it more for his mother," Elena shook her head and sighed when the pins were pulled and the heavy braids fell around her shoulders.

"Yes," Lexa drawled, "and now you get to go and consummate your 'marriage' in a room before witnesses."

"Don't remind me," Elena grimaced.

"You can take solace in the knowledge that it is not your first time," Lexa offered a small smile. "I cannot tell you how much I wish that had been a private experience."

Elena returned the smile; it did help. She knew Lexa must have had it much worse. Her friend had been worried about losing her virginity and being watched; Elena only had to concern herself with the eyes.

"If it helps," Kat pressed her palm to the small of her back, "they really can't see anything unless they press their faces to the screen, and nobody will do that when surrounded by the rest of the court."

"Do I want to know how you know that?" Lexa crossed her arms over her stomach.

"I didn't actually see anything," Kat laughed, "it was too hard on the eyes to look a prolonged period of time."

"At least nobody watched your wedding night," Lexa sat back and sighed.

"Yes, well," Kat exhaled, "my 'wedding' was a private affair."

The queen had arranged Katerina's marriage documents as quickly as possible. It had been fairly simple with Elena and Adelaide both corroborating the story. Elena had sworn that Damon had promised to wed Katerina which had effectively sealed their wedding the first time they had laid together. Adelaide, Elena and Elijah had each confirmed the rape and attempted rape which had secured Katerina's divorce; it was not an ideal position for any woman, but it was much better than the alternative of being ruined. At least she had maintained her own title and avoided bringing shame to herself and her sister.

Elena suspected that Esther's actions had more to do with keeping her daughter-in-law's reputation above repute; an elopement and divorce were far better than the alternatives.

He hummed contentedly and felt the erratic stuttering of her heart. It still brought a smile to Elijah's face whenever he pressed his hand to her back or his ear to her breast and knew that he was the one responsible for it. Her sleepy sated smile and glowing skin made him happier than he had been in years.

"If there was any doubt before," he murmured against her hair and ran his fingers down her spine, "it is most definitely gone now."

Elena shook with laughter and slung her arm across his abdomen. She kissed his chest and traced an old scar across his ribs.

"It wouldn't have lasted much longer anyway," she laid her head over his heart as the corners of her mouth lifted.

Elijah's eyes narrowed when he felt her smirk.

"I should think the castle will get very busy soon," she struggled to suppress her laughter when she caught the clueless expression on his face. "I think I want Adelaide in charge," she continued in a murmur, "she knows the tunnels and would be an excellent guardian in the event of an emergency."

She could tell when he started to work it out because he rolled her onto her back and hovered over her. The corners of his mouth were starting to lift when he flattened his palm over her abdomen.

"Elena?"

She couldn't stop her grin when she nodded. Her laughter was cut off when he pressed his lips to hers in a long kiss that stole her breath.

"Happy then?" She gasped when he pulled back.

"You've no idea," he chuckled before kissing her again. "I love you," his held himself over her body.

"I love you, too," she carded her fingers through his hair. "Can I let you in on a little secret?" She arched an eyebrow and smirked.

"Of course," his eyes widened when she hooked her thigh around his waist and pulled him flush against her so he was positioned between her legs.

"I'm not going to break," she teased.

Three Years Later

Elena struggled not to laugh. It would not do for the queen to laugh at the childish antics in the middle of a court session.

She could see Elijah struggling to supress his own amusement as well when their two year old daughter ran into the throne room without a stitch of clothing.

Elena covered her mouth with her hand and swallowed her giggle when he bent and caught the toddler. Luckily they had just about finished when the princess had decided it was time to see her parents.

"What exactly do you think you're doing?" Elijah took Elena's shawl and wrapped it around Freya.

"Addie said bath," Freya lifted the shawl up and over her head when her governess came into the room. "I don' wan' a bath," she whispered.

"And why is that?" Elijah dipped his head down in an attempt to catch her dark eyes.

"Cause," Freya peeked out, "I' wip' away mamma's 'iss." She pointed to her cheek where Elena had kissed her that morning.

"I'll tell you what, sweetheart," she grunted softly when she pulled Freya into her arms, "I'll give you a bath," she winked and kissed her nose, "and more kisses as soon as your clean."

Freya looked sceptical when she wrapped her arms around Elena's neck.

"Pwomise?"

"I give you my word," she nodded solemnly and held a hand over her heart. A grin spread over Elena's lips when her daughter nodded.

"Why don't you let me carry her, darling?" Elijah pulled his child back into his arms and followed his wife through the corridors with Adelaide.

"I'm fully capable of carrying my own child," she crossed her arms and gave him a sideways look.

"I know you are," he paused and bent to kiss her cheek, "but you are already carrying one of them; it is only fair that I carry the other." He gave her swollen stomach a pointed look.

Adelaide shook her head and supressed her smile. She lifted her skirts and twisted out of the way when three more children came careening around the corner; thankfully these ones were clothed. She bent and caught the one year old son of Niklaus and Caroline before he could fall head first onto the stone and handed him back to his father when he rounded the corner.

"I was right," Elena smiled when her niece and nephews ran past them.

"How's that darling?" Elijah pushed open the door to the nursery.

"I told you," she folded her shawl over a chair and carefully knelt beside the copper tub, "the castle was going to get very busy, and I was correct."

He chuckled and lifted the heavy tiara from his wife's hair. He set it aside and began working the soft soap into Freya's dark curls.

"Yes you were," he nodded solemnly, "and we're about to get even busier."

"I think we have a little time before this one's running around," Elena rinsed her daughter's hair. "There will be at least a year before he starts chasing his big sister around."

"Can I chase my brother ins'ead?" Freya tipped her head back to look at her parents. "I don' wan' a be' chased."

Y'all just know that Freya is going to be just as fierce as her mamma, and Elijah's only going to encourage it much to his mother's chagrin... Lol 0_o

I hope you all enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.