——— FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW, Haley Gilbert had been living in New Orleans, having met new people, and they were all nice. Haley also had a job in a bar called Rousseau's Bar, working alongside a friend named Camille. "Cami, we're out of bourbon, again!" Haley called to Cami, over the music that was playing. Cami nodded as she walked toward the back. Haley noticed a man in a suit, so she walked over. "So What brings you to the Big Easy?" Elijah knew that Haley would be here, Damon Salvatore had called, and informed him of her travels and destination. He had given his word that Elijah would protect her with his life if he must. Damon had agreed. "I used to live here." Elijah answered. Haley rose an eyebrow. "Really?" Haley asked. "When?" Elijah's lips twitched. "Oh, it feels like a hundred years ago." Elijah told Haley. Haley nodded her head slowly. "I just moved here myself, actually." Haley told Elijah. "What brought you back?" Haley told him. "Well, my brother's here somewhere." Elijah answered her question, sipping on his drink. "I'm afraid he might have got himself into a bit of a bind." Elijah admitted. "You say that like its a common occurrence." Haley told him. "Well..." Elijah trailed off. "It's complicated." Haley nodded slowly, refilling his drink, giving him a smile. Elijah looked at Haley. "Defiant, ill-mannered, and a little temperamental." Elijah looked at Haley once again. "See, we don't share the same father. Of course; that never bothered me, but my brother resents it deeply. Never felt like he belongs. All told, he has a long history of getting himself into trouble." Haley hummed. "And I'm guessing you have a long history of getting him out of it." Haley told him. Haley had to do the same exact thing with her nephew when it came to drugs. Elijah nodded, smiling. "What kind of bind is your brother in?" Haley asked, curious. "He believes there are people in this town that are conspiring against him." Elijah answered. Haley slowly nodded, shocked. "Wow." Haley told him. "Narcissistic and paranoid." Haley shook her head. Elijah knew that Haley had some degree on a subject. "Sorry. Bartender with a grad-degree in Psychology and art. Total cliche." Elijah read her name tag, knowing her name. "Listen, Haley, I'm looking for someone who might shed some light on his current predicament. She works here. Jane-Anne Deveraux. Any idea where I might find her?" Haley frowned in confusion, not recognizing the first name, but knowing someone sharing the same last name. "No." Haley answered. "But I know someone who does." Haley told Elijah, smiling softly as she grabbed a piece of paper and a note from her pad, writing down the names of one person she had met when she first got here. Sophie Deveraux.

As a red haired witch was standing in the middle of a circle. She sighed as she realized she was trapped. "Davina, why am I here?" The red haired witch asked the young teen. Davina, another girl in the room sighed, turning to her. "I need your help, and I don't know if I can do it alone. And I can't have Marcel finding out." Davina told the red haired. The girl tilted her head, folding her arms. "I'm dead, how can I help you?" The red haired witch asked Davina. Davina sighed. "Haley Gilbert. I've seen her in my visions I get from the ancestors. The witches want her." Davina told her. The red haired nodded slowly. "There's talk, the girl who will run with wolves. You know, Athena wouldn't be very happy to know this." The red haired warned. "Or my descendant in fact. Thomas isn't a man to trifle with, Davina." The red haired told her softly. Davina sighed. "Haley has the power of The Five in her blood, if she kills a vampire, she becomes a huntress. She's meant to protect the wolves." Davina told her. The red haired witch already knew this, but her descendent wouldn't be happy, because of Athena. "How do you know this?" She asked Davina. Davina sighed. "The witches want to use her against them." Davina told the red haired witch softly. Davina turned back to the mirror; staying silent. The red haired witch faded away as Davina blew the candle.

Selina King was trapped on the Other Side, not like the rest of the supernatural beings, no, She was buried on sacred ground, so she knew all the ancestral witches, and she could go anywhere as long it was in New Orleans, or the state of Louisiana. So, Selina trailed after the blonde teenage girl who knew would protect Thomas and his pack. After she had married a man, she had a son; which became the starting of the King bloodline. Selina, for centuries watched her descendants be being born, grown, protected her wolves, and killed by vampires. One day whilst she was alive, had a vision of Haley. Although, during that time, it had confused her, to see Haley wearing more of a modern style than she did back then. It had made sense as the time went on, after she had passed away when she was murdered, being associated with wolves, being married into one. Niklaus Mikaelson out of anger had killed her, including her family. Her husband was devastated of course, and vowed to kill the man, but sadly, he had been killed by vampires as well. Selina had watched vampires murder her husband, and the wolf lack during that time. Thankfully, her 10-year old son had managed to hide from them, and the two had watched him grow into a strong man. Eventually, her husband had found peace. Selina could not move on, not during that time. She knew it'd be centuries before she even found peace. She wanted to wait until Haley Gilbert was acquainted with Thomas, before she moved on. And it had been centuries since then.

Selina watched from the other side Haley was sitting in her apartment, reading a book. She sighed as she needed to tell Thomas, or Athena somehow. She didn't know what to do honestly, and it scared her. She heard voices coming from the cemetery, so she went toward the graveyard, noticing Thomas holding flowers, as he knelt down a grave a few graves down from her own. Selina, with her red hair flowed as she watched her descendant placed flowers on the woman's grave. Selina had the pleasure of meeting the parents, and to say, Selina was not very happy. The way they treated their only son, disgusted her. Selina was a witch, and she had a duty to her descendants and their pack. So she banished them to the Other Side, never once seeing Thomas. Selina sighed as she knelt down next to Thomas. "One day, my son, I will help you, once again, you'll reunited with your protector." She whispered to him, knowing Selina couldn't hear him. Thomas glanced up quickly as if he heard a noise, but shrugged it off as he stood, closing his eyes, and walking away from the grave site. Selina followed him, to wherever Thomas was going.

That night, Elijah had pulled Athena to the side. "I must confess I have received a phone call from Damon Salvatore." Elijah spoke. Athena scoffed. "What is it this time, Elijah? More games to play?" She mused. She disliked the Salvatore boy, for trying to kill her and her family, calling them murderers. But so was he. Elijah ignored her comment. "Haley Gilbert is in town, with no memory of us, nor the supernatural." Elijah straightened his tie. Athena dropped the glass she had filled with bourbon. She slowly turned to her brother. Her eyes were blazing in fire of anger and shock. "What. The. Hell?" Athena grounded out, stepping toward. Athena had known Haley, in fact, Athena remembered Haley actually tried to help her family, introducing them to the town, but the Gilbert girl was related to the girl who killed Kol. Elijah pointedly raised an eyebrow. "In fact, I have considered hiring her to watch over Hayley." Elijah suggested merrily. Athena scoffed, folding her arms. "No fucking way, Elijah. That girl is not going anywhere near my wolves, no." Athena turned around, walking away in disbelief. Athena knew that Elijah would take Haley under her wing, of course he would. Athena walked toward her bedroom with a slam on the door.

Haley sat at her newly rented apartment, watching Netflix as she talked on the phone with Caroline. "Guys, I'm fine here. It's been a couple weeks. Is Elena okay, is she settling in over at Damon's?" She asked about her niece worriedly. Haley sighed as she got up, and walked toward the kitchen, refilling her tea and pouring some herb that she always liked. Damon had given her some before she had left. She took a sip, forgetting that it wasn't her tea she took a sip of. The cup of tea was next to the kettle. She had picked up a glass of water, taking a sip as she walked back towards the couch. She sat down, listening to Caroline ramble about Elena's attitude adjustment to Jeremy. "Hm, Care, I gotta go. It's late here, and I start early." Haley noticed a knock on her door. "Bye, Caroline." Haley laughed as she hung up. Haley went to answer the door. Athena Mikaelson stood at her door, void of emotion. "Hello." Athena's smirk widened, thinking she'll enjoy interrogating Haley Gilbert.

The next morning, she woke up, yawning as it was merely 6am there. She widened her eyes. "Shoot." She quickly hopped into the shower, and walked toward the counter, once again to drink her tea as she grabbed her bag, and locked her bedroom door. No memory of what had happened last night. Haley quickly walked toward Rousseau's where she met Elijah. "Elijah. What a pleasure." She noticed how tense he had been. Haley frowned in confusion. "Are you alright?" She asked hesitantly. Elijah merely nodded. "Of course, although, I am in need of your assistance. I've heard from Cami that you are a great cook, and I have a friend, who is currently carrying my brother's child. I wish for your help and expertise." Elijah stated, twisting a few lies. Haley raised an eyebrow. "I'm actually...—." She trailed off, pointing towards the back. "No, need. Elijah is yours for the day. I'm fine here." Cami walked toward Haley, showing her out of the bar. Haley gave her a weird look. "Okay..? Lead the way, Elijah." Haley gestured toward the door. Elijah nodded, offering an arm. Haley smiled softly, taking his arm.

Selina sighed as she shook her head. "Poor girl, the lion falls for the lamb." She mused quietly, walking beside them. "So, who is this friend that is pregnant?" Haley asked as they both walked down the busy street. Elijah hummed. "Her name is Hayley." Elijah supplied shortly. Without her memories, Elijah was frazzled how to explain their current predicament, but he hoped he or Athena could undo the compulsion. He had been shocked to learn about Katherine's return to Mystic Falls, along with the news of Haley Gilbert being asked to forget about their world. Elijah also had informed Athena, who was shocked, and ran off to Thomas for the night. Elijah had carefully explained to Haley about her pregnancy and the father's temper. "If I can handle my nephew, I'm sure I can handle your brother." Haley mused as they came to a plantation house that seemed old fashioned. Haley stood in shock and in awe of the beauty that surrounded the property. It was white, with black rims of course. Elijah smiled softly as he glanced at the girl. He started walking forward, his hand on Haley's back, guiding her way towards the entrance. Selina smiled knowingly, as she faded away towards another place. Elijah paused for a moment, knowing he did not smell vervain on her. "Haley." Elijah asked. Haley turned to see Elijah's eyes dilated. "You will never speak of what we speak of outside this property. You will simply know us as before, and once you leave, all you remember is watching Hayley and her unborn child." Elijah compelled. Oh, he hated compelling her, but how was Elijah and his family supposed to interact with a human who has no knowledge. "I will never speak of this outside the property." Haley repeated in a monotone. Elijah released the compulsion. Haley blinked. She smiled softly as Elijah led her inside the plantation. Athena, in the other room scoffed at Elijah's idea of compulsion. Although, Athena may be wary of the Gilbert, but some part of her trusted her, her subconscious at least, but she never trusted that part of herself, she never trusted no one, until they proved themselves.

Haley was in the kitchen making a simple breakfast for Hayley, and for everyone else in the house. She hummed a tune as she made pancakes and fresh scrambled eggs for Hayley. Athena stood by the doorway, quietly observing the tall girl. Athena noticed Haley had changed from her curly hair she had the year before, and straightening it a bit, and dying it blonde a bit more. Athena kept an eye on her. She wasn't letting Haley Gilbert out of her sight, not for one second. Athena silently turned around, and walking to find her brother.

Haley had followed Hayley and Elijah towards the nursery. Hayley had pulled a sheet away from the crib, coughing because of the dust. "Hayley, are you okay?" Haley asked concerned in her eyes. She didn't know where this protective instinct was coming from, all she knew in this moment was Hayley and unborn child needed to be protected. "Just dust, Lizzie." Hayley told her. Since the two girls practically had the same name, Haley offered her middle name, Elizabeth, but Hayley liked Lizzie better. "This place is ancient." Hayley mused. Haley hummed in agreement as she moved around in the room, removing the sheets and coughing. Haley had waved Elijah's concerns off. "Yes, it should serve our purposes." Elijah told her. "It's a sanctuary from our business in the Quarter. Right now, you are the most important person in this family. You need a good home. So I'm curious... in all this time, has anyone asked you how you feel?" Elijah had asked. Haley paused and glanced at Hayley, concerned and worry for the child and mother. "About having a miracle baby with a psychotic one-night-stand?" Hayley asked. Haley frowned, reaching over towards an table out in the hallway, handing Hayley a cup of water, who gratefully nodded in thanks. Hayley was very surprised to see a familiar face, however as Elijah had explained the predicament that she was in, she felt sorry for the girl. "Thanks." Hayley murmured, taking a sip of the water, glancing at Elijah as Haley continued to remove sheets off furniture and other appliances. "I think Elijah meant being a mother." Haley chimed in after a moment. Elijah nodded in thanks. Hayley hummed. "I—I was abandoned when I was born, and my adoptive parents kicked me out the second that I turned into a wolf." Hayley told them. Haley frowned, glancing away, from the moment of the two. "So... I don't really know how I feel about being a mother because I... I never really had a good one." Hayley told them. "My parents died when I was really little.." Haley started speaking, looking at Hayley. Elijah turned his head toward her. "I was four, maybe five when my dad died in a car accident, a heart attack is what caused it. Nobody knew what, or how or why it had happened." Haley's voice was soft, gentle. "My mom, a year later passed away due to suffering pain and loss of her husband. Left me with my eldest brother John. Elijah, you've met John." Haley nodded toward Elijah's direction. Elijah's lips twitched as he recalled the memory of John Gilbert at the Salvatore house for dinner, right before Haley had warned him as Alaric had daggered him. Although, Elijah was grateful for Haley's warnings, he had considered her worthy of his time. "I, happen to remember." Elijah murmured. Haley cleared her throat. Then John got busier and busier as I got older, so I had moved in with my brother and sister in-law, after living with my other sister in-law for a year at Duke." Haley chuckled. "My brother died in a car accident a couple years ago, Stefan and Damon came to town; and John died saving Elena's life from an animal attack." Haley chuckled, not believing the story. "But yeah, so most of my family is dead, and I lost my mother. But I'm still an aunt to two teenagers who is out of control so Damon had sent me away." Haley mused. "Being an aunt is the greatest feeling in the world, when you're two years old and you're holding a newborn baby for the first time. I had thought Jeremy was my brother, but as I got older, he was my nephew, and still is." Haley told, laughing softly. "So, being a mother will be new, but it's almost as good as becoming an aunt to another child. It's the greatest feeling you'll get." Haley told Hayley softly. Elijah gave a tiny smile. "I will always protect you." Elijah told her. "The both of you." Elijah turned to Haley as well. "You have my word on that." Klaus then walked in, with Athena by his side. Both of them heard Haley's comment, but they understood the meaning. Klaus, also had been informed of Haley Gilbert's predicament and didn't quite like that very much either. "And noble Elijah always keeps his word." Klaus told the girls. Elijah looked at his two younger siblings. "Is it done?" He asked. "As a matter of fact, yes." Klaus answered. "Your underhanded deal worked quite well. Marcel was only too happy to accept my blood even as he accepted my heartfelt apologies m. Thierry yet lives and I remain a welcome guest in the French Quarter. My only concern now is this coven of impudent witches." Haley frowned, but the compulsion had kicked in. "I believe them to be honorable." Elijah told them. "They did release Hayley to me. Although, they haven't been forthcoming. Marcel obviously has something that they need. They don't want him dead. There must be a reason why."

Davina was in the attic as Selina was sitting crisscrossed on the ground inside the circle. Selina noticed a presence and whisked away before Marcel could enter. Although, Selina was still inside the circle, she could hear and see everything, Marcel and Davina, could not see her. "I assume it's all quiet out there?" Selina frowned in confusion, tilting her head. "The witches know better than to use magic." Davina told him. "They know I can sense it when they do. What about the old ones? They're dangerous, and I don't want them to hurt you." Selina noticed Davina hadn't mentioned Athena, nor Haley, which surprised her greatly. "The Originals?" Marcel asked. "Davina, as powerful as you are, they don't stand a chance." Davina turned to face him, sighing as she nodded silently.

Selina watched amused as she followed Haley. She didn't like that Haley was compelled by Elijah, and she also found out a man named Damon Salvatore had compelled her to forget the supernatural. Selina scoffed at the idea of not remembering. It was safer if she knew. Her bloodline, and her pack was counting on Haley, and she had no idea. Selina sighed as she whisked toward Thomas who was with Athena out in the bayou. They were both surrounded by wolves of all kinds out by the fire. Athena kept quiet about Haley, not knowing if she was a threat to her, her family, her wolves, or Haley was just innocent and being a tourist. Athena knee Damon had compelled her and she was upset to the slightest. She knew not knowing the supernatural was dangerous as much as an outsider knowing. Athena closed her eyes as she relaxed against Thomas. Selina smiled softly at the couple, knowing things would change.

Haley was at home in her apartment, as far as she knew, she had watched Hayley, to make sure she was okay. But she felt slightly off, and she didn't know why. Her eyes became blurry as she noticed figures coming toward her, mumbling words in Latin. Haley frowned as she had fallen unconscious, hitting her head against the wall in the process. A witch caught her with s soft smile upon her face. "Gotcha, huntress." She whispered, smirking, looking down at the unconscious form of Haley Gilbert.

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•• So, I apologize, but this is super short, and they will be until Haley has her memories, but for now, Haley has her own adventures to deal with before the wolves, Athena, and the whole purpose of the story. I'm excited.
•• Haley is officially in New Orleans, guys! And it's not over yet.
•• So, Selina is a character who is related to wickedivory's Thomas King, who I love. And I wanted Thomas to have someone who is his family, and somewhat alive.
•• So, I won't answer how Selina is walking around New Orleans, because that's a witch's secret, and I'll never tell. ;)
•• Stay tuned for House of the Rising Son!