regency au } { of proposals and injured friends

[braveandstupid]

Derek: [as he was waiting for Elena to be ready to leave for the ball, he stood just outside her door in his new suit – sans cape thanks to Caroline. In his hands was a small carved box, a pillow holding the necklace inside with tiny springs of the vervain flowers tucked all around it. He had a tiny scroll of paper in his pocket that he would add to it later, but for now some of the vervain flowers were tucked into the necklace to that the scent would keep with her the whole night. After a moment, he went to knock on her door] M’lady, if we wait too much longer, we will surely miss your entrance.

Elena: Just a moment! [she finishes up the final touches on her hair and dress before making her way towards the door. She’s wearing a gown of deep midnight blue with her hair pulled up in a pile of curls on her head, and when she opens the door, she greets him with a smile.] Alright. Now I am ready.

Derek: [he just takes her in a moment, and then his smile goes from ear to ear.] You look so beautiful, m’lady. For a moment, I mistook you for an angel gracing me with her divine presence.

Elena: [Her smile widens, as she offers him her hand.] You flatter me too much, Sir Hale.

Derek: [he takes it, kissing her knuckles gently] I only speak that of which I see, Lady Gilbert. [he stood back up, holding out the small box] I have a present for you to celebrate this night.

Elena: [OH A PRESENT.] I feel at a loss, for I have nothing for you.

Derek: You on my arm is the only gift that I need. Please, open it.

Elena: [Does as she is told, and when she opens it, she smiles at first.] How did you know about vervain?

Derek: A man in the market spoke to me of how it was your favorite.

Elena: [As she takes the necklace from the box to examine it.] I didn’t realize it was that well known.

Derek: When men find beauty in one such as you, they pay attention to little things like that. [he held out his hand, raising an eyebrow in an offer to help her put it on] There is some of it in the locket so that you can smell it all the day long.

Elena: [she nods, holding it out to him, before turning and sweeping up what was left of the hair hanging around her shoulders] A very thoughtful gift. Thank you.

Derek: You are most welcome. [he put the necklace on, and then leaned forward to gently kiss her shoulder before he stepped back] Perfect fit.

Elena: [she nods, as she glances back to him.] Anything else before we make our way to the ball?

Derek: [he shook his head. He didn’t need to talk to her about the Salvatore brothers and his meeting with them. It was friendly conversation after all, even if Derek knew that Damon’s intentions were not as friendly as he spoke.] No, I believe I am ready for you to show me off to your town.

Elena: Excellent. [and off they go to the ball! Where there is much dancing and revelry and drinking. Unfortunately more drinking than Elena probably should be doing, but she has Derek on her arm all night, so there’s not much to worry about there.]

Derek: [and he will make sure that he starts to have her drink more water between each glass, and eat some food to help absorb the alcohol. The little lush of a wife to be. Finally, when her dancing is getting clumsy, he will smile at her] M‘lady, why don’t we take a walk and get some fresh air?

Elena: [She glances over with a wide smile and flushed cheeks before nodding her agreement.] Yes. That would be lovely.

Derek: [and off they go for a walk along the gardens outside the manor, and when they find a beautiful stop, Derek will pull her to a stop] Have you been having a wonderful evening tonight, m’lady?

Elena: [She nods, still smiling. The cool air feels good, and she leans into his shoulder as they walk, though she straightens when they stop.] Yes. You are excellent company, my lord.

Derek: [he smiles at that, his hands holding hers between his large palms] Good. Then I have something to ask you. As you know, my time here grows short, and I will have to return to my family manor come the new moon. Before I leave, though, I have a question for you that I wish to know your answer to.

Elena: Of course. I will tell you anything you wish to know.

Derek: [his grin grew, and he carefully lowered himself to one knee.] Then, my sweet Lady Gilbert, will you please do me the honor of being my wife?

Elena: [Her eyes widen at first, having not expected the question tonight, but eventually her face widens into a smile, before nodding her agreement.] Yes. Of course.

Derek: [jubilant, he jumped up, pulling her into his arms and kissing her, a silent sealing of the agreement. He already had spoken with Lord Lockwood that morning, having gotten permission to marry Elena if it was what the lady wanted. Now he had her, and he felt a completeness in his heart he didn’t realize he had been longing for]

Elena: [squeaks slightly as she’s pulled in, but meets him in the kiss eagerly, sliding her arms around his neck and keeping close.]

Derek: [kissing her more before he leaned his forehead against hers.] I will do my best to be a good husband for you, my lady, for the rest of our lives.

Elena: I have no doubt you will succeed. [and she will lean in to kiss him again, soaking in the moment. No doubt Derek is as well, but eventually he will start to pick up on the scent of blood.]

Derek: [and while kissing Elena is a good distraction, the scent will hit him and he will pull away, his face turning into the direction of the scent, his body stiffening slightly] Something is wrong.

Elena: [Her face frowns at that, turning to follow his eyes, but she can’t see in the dark, at least not that far.] What is it?

Derek: Blood. [he would tell her to stay here, but he knew better. Her staying as close to him was the only way to keep her safe. He took her hand gently, going to move in the direction the scent was coming from]

Elena: [The scent will take them further into the gardens, Elena sticking close by his side in case something in the woods was going to come out at them at any moment, but when they get close enough to the scene itself, Elena runs towards it, fear and panic coming before all else.] Caroline!

Derek: [holds Elena back a moment, his eyes flashing gold as he looks around the scene with his wolf eyes before moving them both to Caroline’s side to check on her condition]

Elena: [she’s lying prone one the ground, a bloody gash in the side of her throat. Elena drops to her knees next to her, leaning down to check her breathing. Her heartbeat is faint, but it is there.] She’s breathing. But she needs a doctor, right away.

Derek: These are the times where a cape comes in handy, Lady Caroline [he muttered as he moved quickly to rip off one of his sleeves to wrap it around her neck to stop the bleeding. He then pulled her into his arms] Stay close, my lady. [and he will rush them both inside]

Elena: [will follow quickly, not leaving his side the entire time. The sight seems to have sobered her some, and right now all that is present on her features is her concern for her best friend.]

Derek: [and once they get her inside and comfortable with a medic, Derek is going to take a scent from around Caroline’s neck to see what he can smell from the wound. The scents around the edges of the torn flesh are familiar, and Derek is going to growl, glaring out at the forest through the window] Stay with her, my lady. I will send Sir Tyler to find her mother and bring her here. Do not allow anyone else to enter until my return.

Elena: [She catches that “my return” part and she looks up in alarm.] Where are you going?

Derek: [stripping out of his ruined shirt] I’m going to find the animal that did this and make sure it never brings harm to any of you again.

Elena: [And that makes her worried and she glances to the window before shaking her head.] Don’t go alone. Take Tyler with you.

Derek: I won’t. Sir Boyd will accompany me. Sir Tyler will be best to stay here in case the beast is drawn here from the scent of blood. I will return soon, my love. [and he’s going to leave to find Tyler and Boyd, sending Tyler off on his duty while the young Lockwood looks scared at the idea of Caroline being injured, and then Derek and Boyd are going to go off into the woods]

Boyd: [already has his sword drawn] What kind of monster would do this, Derek?

Derek: Only one that I know of. [there are in the woods and the wolf is pissed. He doesn’t need a sword. He takes a deep breath, and shouts into the woods] Damon Salvatore, I am calling you out. If you have any honor left, you will show yourself.

Stefan: [Unfortunately, Damon is not available at the moment. But he will get the other Salvatore, who steps out of the trees, holding himself more as the old vampire that he is than the young boy he pretended to be.] I am afraid he cannot answer that call, Lord Hale.

Derek: He attacked Lady Caroline and nearly took her life, m’lord. If he cannot answer the call, he is a coward as well as a monster.

Stefan: He cannot answer it because he is unconscious. I am resolving the matter myself. I am very sorry for Lady Caroline’s part in it, but unfortunately my plan required her to be bait.

Derek: [growling, his eyes glowing] You allowed him to attack her?!

Stefan: It was the only ruse that he would fall for! [he grits his teeth and it’s clear that he was not happy about this turn of events, but he had no choice.] I knew that he was nearing the end of his use for her. He is older and more powerful than I am, and I could not take him head on, but if I took the opportunity to weaken him in a way he wouldn’t expect, I knew that I could take him.

Derek: [not satisfied just yet] And what will you do with him?

Stefan: In the past, vampires that were causing a problem were buried for an extended period of time. Give them time to … reevaluate their actions. I intend to do the same with Damon.

Derek: [he nods. It’s not the result he would have liked – death being that result – but it was a suitable alternative] You may want to give it a hundred years a minimum. If I see him again or he comes to my lands, I will kill him – damn his relationship with my grandmother.

Stefan: [He nods once.] I understand. You won’t see him again.

Derek: Good. [he was still on an adrenaline high, but he will find a way to burn it off elsewhere. He will nod to Boyd who will sheath his sword, and the knight will allow Derek to pass first before he followed him back to the manor]

Elena: [And Elena will be sitting there with Caroline who has woken up very confused and not compelled to forget everything because yay vervain. Whoops. But she doesn’t understand a lot of it, so she’s just sitting, curled up with Elena after being patched up by the medic and she’s clearly upset about recent happenings, but she’s trying not to be.]

Derek: [and Tyler lets him in, being the good guard at the door. He is very worried about Caroline, but catches Derek up to what the medic said before he had left. Derek nods, and goes over to stand at the end of the bed] My lady, Lady Caroline. It is good to see you’re awake already. Can I get you anything?

Caroline: [Caroline averts her eyes. The more that comes back to her, the more shame is creeping into her features and she doesn’t want to look at anyone she doesn’t know well.] I am fine, Sir Hale. But thank you.

Elena: [glances over, the worry still in her features.] Did you find the animal?

Derek: It has been taken care of, for now. [he sits on the edge of the bed, reaching over to lay his hand on top of hers] But it was not alone, and while it was handled, there may be another that will be worrisome. [he looked at Caroline] You are safe, though, my lady.

Caroline: [She doesn’t feel safe, at least not from her parents once they found out about some of the things that Lord Salvatore had done with her, but she nods.] May I return to my room, now? I think I would like to retire for the evening.

Derek: [he nods] If you feel well enough. Sir Tyler?

Tyler: I will escort you home, m’lady. [he moves close, so worried about her]

Caroline: [She glances up to Tyler, and there’s something on her face that’s unreadable for a moment, before she looks back to Elena.]

Elena: [There’s a small nod.] It’s alright. Go with Tyler, and I will follow after you in in a few moments. I promise.

Caroline: [glances between her and Tyler for a moment, before nodding and taking his hand.]

Tyler: [and he will keep her close, walking her back]

Derek: [sighs] And the evening was going so well up until then.

Elena: [There’s a small smile at that, before moving closer and letting her hands rest against his chest.] We can celebrate properly tomorrow. But for now, I think Caroline needs me more.

Derek: [he nods, his hands going up to hold hers] I understand that. She is going to need some time to recover as well. Take all you need with her.

Elena: [She nods for a moment, before her face softens a bit.] She said … terrible things. About Lord Salvatore. I don’t know what happened to her, but … something isn’t right.

Derek: Lord Salvatore is not the gentleman that he has made you all believe he is. [he reached up to gently caress her cheek] Caroline is not at fault for any of her actions done with him. But she will have to come to forgive herself for it all first.

Elena: It will be hard if the world is not so forgiving in return. [Her friend’s reputation is at stake, and she doesn’t know what to do.]

Derek: [nods] Perhaps she would do better to get away for a bit… escape from the prying eyes of those in the manor so she can distance herself and find herself again in that distance?

Elena: [frowns for a moment, confused.] Escape to where?

Derek: [thinks] She could come to stay with me. My sister Laura does not have any ladies at her side, and in my opinion could use a friend such as Lady Caroline. And then when we wed, she can remain there at your side.

Elena: [She considers for a moment, before nodding.] I would assume you would not mind my company as well? [She’s not going to leave Caroline alone in a time like this, not until she’s sure that her friend has recovered.]

Derek: I was hoping that you would be a given.

Elena: [She laughs.] Then you would be right. I’ll discuss it with her and let you know our decision in the morning.

Derek: Good. Until then, I am going to ask Lady Erica to attend to you overnight. She will be able to provide you protection in case there are more monsters waiting in the wings.

Elena: [She nods quietly before leaning in to kiss him one last time.] I am sorry this evening isn’t ending on a better note.

Derek: I will take one bad evening now, knowing that you will be at my side for a lifetime of better ones.

Elena: [She smiles softly, before turning back to head after Tyler and Caroline.]