"Freya actually tracked down the last piece of the hallow puzzle. It was in none other then Mystic Falls. Of course the Lockwood family had it. I was also surprised to find out that Tyler was dead. It broke my heart, but I have to keep going. Hope comes first. I have to protect my baby sister. Even if my life is on the line" I wrote in my journal. I looked up and outside the windows, as I sat in my comfortable chair in my room. "I've been hearing the ancestors in my dreams. Of course with the connection spell I put on Hope when she was a baby I can hear what the witches say as well. Alaric is supposed to be bringing the new bone, and I want to go meet him, but I have to stay here. Like I said Hope comes first."
I heard footsteps and I smiled, as I just said "Morning Hope." I closed my journal, as I turned to see Hope. She had a blank face with blue eyes. "Be careful Salem. You can't protect little Hope from everything" Hope called out in a monotone voice.
I blinked and she was gone. "HOPE" I yelled and I herd her light feet, as she climbed the stairs. "Are you okay Salem?" She asked and I just walked over and knealed down. "What have you heard from the witches?" I asked and she gave me a weird look, before asking "Are you okay Sale? You're scaring me. Do I have to call Calder?" she asked me but I just sighed. "Please. Hope just tell me please" I begged and she nodded a look of concern still flooded her face. "They said that we're connected. Mom and I." I nodded, as the words left her mouth. "Is that it?" I asked and she nodded slightly. "Alright good." I said and kissed her head. "I'm sorry I freaked out so much darling. I just.. Dozed off and had a bad daydream."
Hope shrugged but smiled. "Can we go look around New Orleans? I want to go see that record store you told me about" She asked and I smiled slightly. "Sorry love. We can't." I said and she frowned again, "But hey. After this whole Hallow business is over we can go wonder wherever you want to go. Promise" I told her and she smiled again before hugging me tightly. Wrapping her arms around my neck. I stood up wrapping my arms around her, and she squealed laughing.
"Oh. No. Falling. Over" I said and we fell on the bed. Hope's laughter echoed through out the room, and I smiled. "I thought I heard you two in here" Calder's voice called out and I smiled, as Hope let go of me. Calder came over and plopped down next to Hope making her roll towards him. Hope leaned up and turned leaning on me. "Hey love" I said and they both looked at me. "I think we shoulder get some delicious food from Rousseau's tomorrow" I said and Calder smiled. "Oh yeah. I think so to." I smiled as Hope turned back to me, but then turned back to Calder as he called out, "Hmm. I guess I can make that happen." Hope was so confused, and I just said "Just get what I get for her" Calder nodded and leaned over kissing my lips, before kissing Hope's head. "I'll be back munchkin. and then we can play that game" He said and she nodded.
Calder left the room and I turned to Hope before pulling her down next to me. She giggled as I wrapped my arms around her. "Salem?" She asked and I hmmed. "What if the Hallow can't be stopped?" she asked and I ran my fingers through her hair, before tucking some behind her ear. "Your daddy and I never met an enemy we couldn't stop. The Hallow will be stopped" I told her, and she nodded. Hope opened her mouth to speak, but I just said "I promise." Hope nodded and turned back around to lay her head on my arm.
/\\//\/\/\\//\/\
After laying there for awhile Hope fell asleep, so I left her there. I stood in the window and looked out. Suddenly a bunch of whispers came my way, and I closed my eyes. Suddenly Hope gasped, as she woke up. I opened my eyes, as she took off her bracelet. "I know where to go" she told me and ran out. "Hope! Wait for me" I called out after her, before pulling my shoes on, and running out after her.
We ran in the church and I stopped as I saw Davina standing there. "Vina" I whispered, and Hope just yelled out "No!" Everyone turned to us, as Hope continued "You promised to help, but you're not helping. You're hurting us, and I won't let you." I placed my hands on her shoulders and she held her fist out. A giant gust like wind pushed the circle of salt that enclosed Marcel and Niklaus away. Davina disappeared and Hope ran over falling into Klaus' arms. Hayley turned back at me, as I was still shocked. I just cleared my throat and crossed my arms.
Getting back to the compound I gasped, as I ran forward and jumped into Alaric's arms. "Holy. Salem!?" He called out and hugged me tighter. Pulling away he put his hands on my cheeks as he tucked hair behind my ears. "So this is where you went off to" he said and I chuckled. "It is." I shrugged.
I stood in the room with Alaric, as Hope brought some stuff in. "My dad said you study this stuff." She called out and I smiled, as Alaric said "Yeah, that's right. There are a lot of amazing things in the world to study. And some of them are even things that don't want to hurt you. And what do you have there?" Hope smiled at the things in her hands, before she placed them around the jaw bone. "These are for serenity. And this one is for stillness. They'll keep the flowers in bloom."
Alaric was impressed, "Now, did you teach yourself all that?" He asked her, and Hope only looked at me, but then turned back to Alaric. "Well, I did read about it in one of my Aunt Freya's books. She and Salem are helping me learn, but some stuff I figured out on my own. " Alaric looked at me, but then turned back to Hope. "Mm. Well that is all very impressive." Footsteps sounded, as Hayley came up. "She's an impressive young lady." Hayley called out, and Alaric nodded slightly, "It's good meeting you, littlest Mikealson. I'll be seeing you around." I stood up and called out "I'll walk you out"
I walked Alaric to his car, after he had a conversation with Klaus. We went up to his car, he opened the door, before leaning against it. "She's very smart Salem" He spoke and I smiled. "Well I had great father figures growing up. A lot of men in my life. I knew when she was born I'd take care of her like those men all took part in taking care of me." I told him and Alaric chuckled. "Your father would be proud of you" He told me, and I bit my lip. "The last time I uh.. I saw him was the night we sent Kathrine back to hell. Did he uh.. say anything about me?" I asked.
Alaric seemed to think before he turned to the car and pulled out an envelope. "He wanted to give this to you, but couldn't bring up the courage to call you. I found it in his things" Alaric told me and I hesitated. I then took the letter from his hands to carefully like it was made of glass. "You know.. Caroline and I built a school for the magically gifted in the old boarding house. The twins are doing amazing there. If you ever feel the need to take a break from.. well all of this. You and Hope are welcome there."
Alaric then walked over and kissed my head gently. "Think about it okay?" he asked placing a hand on my arm. I nodded and he turned getting in the car. "Until I see you again Salem Mikealson" He spoke and I smiled. "Until I see you again. Alaric" I told him and he started the car.
"Little Mikealson" I heard and turned to Niklaus. "I'll pour you a drink" he said holding his hand out. I walked over and he wrapped the arm around my shoulders.
I sat in Niklaus' study as I stared at the letter on the table. Niklaus came over handing me the glass of bourbon. "I'm going to put Hope to bed" he told me and I nodded. Klaus left me and I took a gulp of the drink, before shaking my head, as my throat burned. I cleared my throat, before leaning forward grabbing the envelope. My name was written neatly on the front. I carefully opened the envelope, as I grabbed the letter out. My father's writing was like a smack to the face, as I read it.
Salem,
I've written this letter a thousand times. Elena keeps trying to get me to send it. Except. I can't bring myself to do it. The last time I saw you, you were here to fight. We were a family. Then when you told me about Klaus and Hope I knew I had to let you go. You had someone to protect just like I did when you were born. As much as I hate Klaus I'm thankful that he took you under his wing when I couldn't be there.
He raised you to be the strong woman you are today, and I couldn't be any less proud to call you my daughter. Your mother was the love of my life, and even though I messed up some times she'd always take me back. After I learned the truth of her death it just made me question what else she hid from me. I'll be able to ask her when I see her again. I messed up in your life to at times, and I'm grateful that you took me back.
You're my daughter Salem. Even when my emotions were off Enzo helped me hide that fact that you existed. We even stayed up late drinking, as he told me about how I'd tell him stories of you in Augustine. Then would say that you're a courageous young woman he was happy to know. I know you had this distaste for Elena, but she'd never be able to replace your mother. Ever. Even after we got married she said in her vows that she could never replace your mother. I wish you could of been there Sale.
It would of been amazing to see you one last time. If you get this and I'm dead then I want you to remember our good times, and keep fighting for that little girl, but if im not dead would it kill you to come see me? I have something I know your mother would want you to have, and I wanted to give it to you for awhile. I found it after you left for New Orleans, and I didn't have time to give it to you after Stefan died.
I love you,
Damon Salvatore
Tears filled my eyes, as I put the letter back in the envelope. I sniffled and wiped my face, before drinking the rest of the drink. I set the glass on the table, and went back up to my room. I grabbed my box that held the unopen letter Klaus wrote 5 years ago, and put it in. I kissed my trembling hand and placed it on the box.
'I love you too daddy.'