XII. THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

   THE sound of groaning pulled Ivy from the darkness that once enclosed her. Blinking a few times to clear her vision, her heart plummeted at the sight around her.

   They were in a carriage; evident by the gentle bump of the landscape beneath them and the moonlight pouring in from the tiny window— she was imprisoned alongside the vampires.

   They were grunting and attempting to work up the strength to remove the muzzles covering their faces. Ivy gulped, trying to refrain from emptying her stomach at the sight of the vampires bound and suffering— being led to their death.

   Ivy's vision went in and out— a cry tumbling from her lips as she raised an unsteady hand to the back of her head, grimacing at the feeling of blood coating her hair.

   Still somewhat groggy, she crawled forward on the ground, her blood smearing across the carriage; she needed to get help.

   A body caught her eye— the embroidery on the dress familiar.

   Pearl.

   Ivy shuffled towards her, heaving her up from her lying position on the ground. Her shaky hands worked to unclasp the muzzle, tossing it aside as Pearl coughed, turning on her side.

   Ivy palmed the back of her head again, thinking about some sort of solution; some way of survival.

   Blood.

   Looking down at her hand, she flinched at the blood that coated and stained her flesh, but held her palm out to Pearl, "Drink from me. When they open the doors to take us, you have to attack, and you must be strong."

   Pearl nudged her hand away gently, whimpering at the movement of her body, "There are too many. How are you here?"

   Ivy glimpsed around, trying to find any point of escape for them, but came up empty, "Father."

   She didn't want to elaborate or think about her brothers' bodies laying abandoned on the dirt. No, she needed to get them out of here.

   Pearl bobbed her head, seemingly deciding that the explanation was sufficient enough, "They have too many men for me to take on."

   Ivy shakily moved again, taking the muzzle off of another vampire, hurling it aside. "How many vampires would you require? I can feed you."

   Pearl jerked her head, "Too many for you to supply."

   "If it means you are able to get everyone out of here, then it is worth it," Ivy shrugged, hesitant in her movements as she brushed her bloody hand against one of the vampire's mouths. "My brothers are gone and with them, my happiness. If I can help you escape, I will die happily."

   Pearl seemed to consider it for a moment, glancing around at the vampires in the carriage before sighing in defeat, "There are not enough in the carriage. They have men encircling us and following to make sure that no one gets away."

   Ivy yelped as the carriage went over a rough bump, her head banging against the wood of the structure. Wincing, she tried to cradle the injured area of her head, crying out when she realized the bump had worsened the gash her father had inflicted.

   Her vision blackened at the ends and her body collapsed back against the carriage wall. Groaning, she tried desperately to keep her eyes open, but her body eventually gave up.

PAIN. It was all Ivy felt when her body awakened.

There was a throbbing at the back of her skull and her body felt sore; she could feel bruises forming from the way she had been tossed around.

It was far too quiet. There was no groaning around her from the sedated vampires and she wondered briefly if Pearl had been able to escape.

She attempted to open her eyes, but the candlelight she met was too bright, clashing violently against the throbbing in her head. Biting back a pained noise, Ivy kept her body still at the sound of movement.

A woman was heard near her feet, a twinge of a British accent entangled in her voice, "Why can't we just take her to the cottage? She'd be safe."

Another woman hummed closer to her head, "There are some things we cannot change, fate is one."

A third voice was heard, another woman. "Well, that was painfully vague."

The second woman spoke again, the sound of rustling as she moved around by Ivy's head, "Darling, there are some things that have been set in stone long before us. We cannot change the way of fate, we can only protect her." Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. "Vari, prepare the runes; it is almost time."

Ivy tried once more to open her eyes, only getting a flash of a dark green cloak before her head began throbbing once more.

A few moments later, she felt hands brushing against her forehead, the second woman speaking once again, "Don't fret, child. You will be safe."

The third voice cut in, "It's time."

Fingers pressed onto her arms and chest, covering any exposed flesh with some sort of paste-like material.

"Sleep, child."

The faint sounds of chanting lulled her back to sleep— a chant in Latin.

IVY sat up in bed, curling her fingers around the ivory-colored comforter, bringing it closer to her chest. Her heart was beating rapidly, filling her ears with the sounds of her panic.

She hadn't ever had that dream before, or perhaps, recollection of that memory.

It was odd. There was something familiar in the women; something Ivy couldn't quite place.

Reaching over, Ivy grabbed her stuffed wolf, Bingley, and cradled him in her arms.

When Ivy first began looking into online shopping, she came across a stuffed wolf, reminiscent of the one her grandmother had made her as a child, so she purchased it. Or rather, Stefan purchased it.

To-may-to, to-mah-to.

It was rather childish and Ivy had been embarrassed about it at first, but after a few days, she realized that she was allowed to find comfort in the small stuffed animal; she had been stuck inside a tomb for over one hundred years, and before that, had endured violence for a great deal of her life, so what if she found comfort in Bingley?

The wolf had of course been named after Pride and Prejudice.

Ivy held Bingley in her hands, clambered out of bed, and planted her feet on the soft rug that covered the hardwood around her bed. She attempted to be quiet in her journey downstairs, wincing whenever she stepped on a piece of flooring that would creek under her weight.

Once she reached the kitchen, Ivy pulled out the kettle, filled it with water, and set it on the burner.

With a sigh, she grabbed Bingley from where she had placed him on the counter and sat down on one of the barstools, curling her body in on herself and holding the wolf close.

"Can't sleep?"

Startled, Ivy jumped in her spot, turning around swiftly to face Stefan, who was struggling to contain his laughter at her reaction. "Goodness! Not everyone has super hearing! I could've had a heart attack, you know!"

Stefan waved her off with his hand, "Oh, you're fine. What's wrong?"

Ivy settled back into her seat, fingers tightening around Bingley, "I had a bad dream. I think it was about the night I was placed in the tomb. Things seem to be coming back about the specifics."

Stefan nodded at her words, placing his palms on the counter as he leaned onto them, "It makes sense that over time things will start coming back to you; especially if something triggers it."

Ivy hummed in agreement, "I knew it was bound to happen, but it was a bit frightening. Being back in those moments, remembering that fear— I hate it, Stefan."

Her twin reached out to her and clasped his hand over hers before he spoke, "I know, V. It's hard to remember that stuff, especially because it doesn't feel as long ago for you, but it'll help you get answers."

"I know," Ivy nodded at his words, "I just hate reliving that fear."

Stefan released her hand when the kettle began whistling lowly in the kitchen, moving over to the stovetop to continue making Ivy's tea. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Be brave.

"There are still some things missing, but I was in and out of consciousness, I believe. Father had smashed my head against the carriage side before and the wound was deep." Ivy cleared her throat at the faint memory of her father's grasp against her scalp. "I woke up in the carriage with some of the vampires captured; Pearl was there. I tried to convince her to drink my blood; to fight off the men."

"Ivy,"

Ivy shook her head, continuing, "Pearl claimed she wasn't enough to stop them, so I offered my blood to the other vampires. I thought I had lost you and Damon," Ivy met Stefan's gaze, his eyes holding pain within them, "I didn't want to live without you both. If I could help them escape, I could die content. There weren't enough vampires in the carriage to take the village men on though and that's when the carriage hit a bump; further injuring my wound father gave me. I think I passed out."

Stefan reached for her hand again, squeezing it between his own, "Is that all?"

"No. I woke up again, but I don't know where I was. I couldn't keep my eyes open. There were three women there; at least, three spoke. I didn't understand much of what they were saying. Something about fate and runes."

"Runes?" There was a flicker of something across Stefan's face.

"I believe so. Why?"

"Nothing," Stefan's face returned to a neutral expression, "what else?"

"That's it," Ivy shrugged.

Releasing her hand, Stefan walked back to the stove, grabbing the kettle and pouring a cup of tea out for Ivy, pushing it her way along with milk and sugar. She murmured a small thank you under her breath, clutching the cup desperately as though it contained all the answers to the questions swirling in her mind.

Stefan poured his cup of tea, sipping from it as he glanced up, "V, it's going to take time to heal. I still haven't fully recovered from everything that's happened in the past one hundred years."

Ivy's eyes flickered to his and there was a silent understanding between them. "Yes, well, you're rather old, so I'm sure you've gone through more while I was gone."

"I am going to ignore the age comment because we're having a moment, but," Stefan breathed out heavily through his nose. "Yeah. I lost myself a few times over the years; being a vampire hasn't been easy for me, more so than other vampires. But what happened to you, that night and before, that is still recent to you, Ivy."

"I know. I started reading the books you gave me about handling it all, but I just loathe the fact that we have no true answers."

"Don't worry, V. We will figure it out."

   Ivy took another sip from her teacup, thinking over her decision before voicing it to Stefan, "I think I'd like to meet Elena."

   "What? Ivy, are you sure?"

   Ivy set her cup down, an authoritative nod following, "I cannot let the past hold onto me. Katherine ruined enough for us and I will not let her ruin this. If Elena makes you happy, I want to meet her."

   IVY hadn't been able to go back to bed. She had tried— tossing and turning for almost an hour before she gave up. She spent the next hour or so before it was time to prepare breakfast lounging on the loveseat in her room, reading through a few books Stefan had gifted her.

   When the sun peeked in through her curtains, she declared it was time to prepare for the day.

   She started with a long shower; taking her time to wash her hair, shave her body, and exfoliate before exiting the shower and lathering her body in oil and lotion.

   She did not rush through her routine, taking her time to get ready.

   Her outfit was simple enough; an ivory sundress that was comfortable and pretty. Her family locket lay between her collarbones at the base of her neck and her wrist had a small dainty gold chain around it. Her fingers had a small assortment of crystal rings and gold rings, stacked delicately.

   Online shopping was a gift from the Gods.

She had contemplated wearing a pair of pants, but a dress was familiar and despite the times changing, she wasn't comfortable wearing pants around anyone new just yet, so she settled for a sundress that fell at the middle of her thigh— showing much more of her legs than what would've been considered appropriate in her time.

   Her hair had air-dried before she pulled sections away from her face, braiding them expertly before pinning it back. She pulled pieces out to frame her face and brushed through the section not braided.

   When she had finished the rest of her routine, she had made her way to the kitchen to start on breakfast; a thing which was becoming an everyday thing for the siblings before Ivy saw Stefan off for the day to go to school while she spent the day baking, gardening, or learning about the world while Damon went off on his own.

   It was different from their life before, but Ivy cherished every moment of it.

Like most mornings, the soft hum of jazz music swayed in the air, filling the kitchen with a comforting feeling as Ivy moved around cooking.

She made Damon's pancakes first, mixing a cup of blood from the cooler into the batter set aside with a grimace; cooking with blood was a bit unsettling, but it was important for her brothers, so she kept going.

Once Damon's pancakes were ready, she used another pan and bowl for her and Stefan's portions, cooking them quickly and plating them with practiced ease.

She had already set out toppings, fruit, and beverages on the table, setting the pancakes down near them. Ivy put Damon's plate by his seat to be sure Stefan didn't accidentally have one and risk having human blood.

Humming along softly to the jazz song playing in the room, she grabbed her tea from the counter and walked to the entryway to the kitchen, "Breakfast is ready!"

Satisfied when she heard footsteps trampling in her direction, she settled down in her chair and began to place her food on her plate.

She had a plate for her pancakes and another for her fruit— worried that her fruit might touch the pancakes or syrup, or become warm from the proximity to the food, which disgusted her.

Stefan entered first with Damon on his heels, the latter groaning as he rubbed his fingers against his temple, "Can we close the blinds?"

Ivy raised a single brow, leaning back in her chair as she took a sip from her cup. "It's not my fault you were out late, brother. I enjoy the sunlight while I eat. Perhaps this will be motivation to not go out drinking all night."

"I thought Stefan was the Debby Downer of you two."

Ivy reached over, patting Damon sympathetically on the arm with a pout, "I'll make sure to be extra loud in the kitchen tomorrow. I discovered something called metal music, maybe I will try that tomorrow if you decide to spend your nights drowning in liquor."

Stefan laughed into his bite of pancakes, smiling up at Ivy, "Elena is going to be here soon. You sure you're ready?"

Clutching her locket in her hands, Ivy nodded. "I think I am. I have some baked goods I made her as a thank you; pastries, cookies, and such."

Damon looked up from his plate, "You're meeting Elena?"

"I plan to, yes." Ivy's grip tightened around the cool metal of her locket, "It is time I stop letting Katherine Pierce hurt me. Elena is not her and it's not fair of me to hold anything against her for the blood they share. I am not like father, am I? Our lineage does not determine the people we become; I want Elena to speak for herself."

Damon visibly swallowed, glancing between the twins, "Is this some sort of intervention?"

"No," Ivy grinned, "but it can be."

"Nope," Damon pushed his now empty plate away, shaking his head quickly, "hard pass, Bambi."

HER heart hammered against her chest when the doorbell rang— she knew the face that would be behind the door.

But it was only a face; it was not Katherine.

Swallowing harshly, Ivy followed Stefan to the entryway of the home, offering her twin a smile as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. He gave her a reassuring look before he opened the door, grinning while he did so, "Hey."

"Hi."

The voice was somewhat similar, but it was softer than Katherine's; there was less of a grit to it.

When Stefan shuffled to the side, he pushed the door open further, allowing Ivy to move forward, "Ivy, this is Elena. Elena, this is Ivy, my twin."

Much like her voice, Elena was visually softer than Katherine. It was an odd thing to notice, but she didn't have the same hard and calculating look behind her eyes, or the same defiant stance that the Petrova did— she looked nice.

Ivy beamed at her, feeling at ease, "Hello."

"Wow," Elena huffed out a small laugh, "You guys do look alike. I mean, I know you're twins, but Damon doesn't look much like you."

"Yes, Damon doesn't look much like us, poor thing." Ivy shrugged, pretending to look sympathetic for her elder brother.

"I'd apologize to him, but he's a bit of a dick."

Ivy laughed at her words, turning to Stefan, "See, I told you other people think of him as a gibface too."

Stefan grinned as he looked between them, shrugging, "I never said people wouldn't agree."

Ivy looked down at her hands, extending the box towards Elena, "I made you some baked goods as a thank you. For the clothes, books, and everything— especially looking out for Stefan."

Elena blinked in what appeared to be surprise, taking the box with a tentative smile, "Thank you and I think he looks out for me more than I do him."

"He has a nasty habit of self-sacrificing," Ivy said with an eye roll, holding Stefan's lunch out to him, "here you go, White Knight. It was lovely meeting you, Elena."

"You too."

Ivy saw them off with a grin.

She felt lighter after meeting Elena. She was healing, she knew it.

________

qotd: saddest tvdu death in your
opinion ?

boring chapter, but i needed a
filler before the intensity of
the next chapter.

i shouldn't need to remind readers
of this, but please be kind in the
comments. mentally, i cannot
handle negative comments right
now. i'm trying to keep up with
writing, but my health is my
main priority and i'm sorry, but
that's nonnegotiable.

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