I know that I promised a oneshot with Finn and Elena, but this story kind of took off with me. I have the second chapter written, so I'd really like to know what everyone thinks and if I should continue!

Chapter 1

Elena Petrova observed the feast with eager eyes. Being from a small town in Bulgaria, she wasn't sure what to expect when Trevor had invited her to the Lord Niklaus' birthday celebration.

She was wearing a beautiful dress of hunter green, the corset tied so tightly that she hardly dared to breathe. Trevor had been adamant that she remains by him at all times, a demand that highly annoyed Elena. She wanted to experience the party and mingle with the guests, but whenever she wandered too far, Trevor was there with a hand on her shoulder guiding her back to him.

"Lord Elijah!" Trevor called, bowing when a man with chestnut hair and deep brown eyes came over to them.

"Hello, Trevor," he greeted, his poise exuding arrogance. The man was well dressed and attractive and he obviously knew it.

Trevor took Elena's hand and passed it to Lord Elijah with a flourish, "May I introduce Elena Petrova."

Elena curtsied respectively, a small smile playing on her lips as she met his eyes, "A pleasure to meet you, my Lord."

As soon as Lord Elijah's eyes landed on Elena, her heart stopped. He gazed at her like he had never seen a woman before in his life and it unnerved her greatly. She swallowed uncomfortably, looking away from him slightly.

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Petrova," he said softly, bringing her hand to his mouth and brushing a tender kiss across her knuckles. He gently released her hand and she readily reclaimed it, burying it in the satin of her dress as she tried to maintain an amicable expression.

"Miss Petrova is from Bulgaria, my Lord," Trevor boasted, a smile on his face as he started at her like a prize, "She was sent here by her family to get a better life."

Lord Elijah's mouth cocked in a secretive smile as he opened his arms in a welcoming gesture, "Well then, by all means she should be introduced to the guest of honor. He should be around here somewhere."

She watched as both Trevor and Lord Elijah looked around the room for the man in question. Something felt off, but she wasn't quite sure what. The Lord Elijah's attention was caught as he motioned towards the door, "There he is."

Elena followed his hand and her eyes landed on a man with golden hair and bright blue eyes that seemed cold. He walked to them slowly, his eyes only on Elena.

"Miss Petrova, may I introduce the Lord Niklaus," Lord Elijah said with that same secretive smile.

Lord Niklaus smiled at her, his eyes wide as he took her in. Taking her hand, he kissed the back of it and murmured, "Miss Petrova, how lovely to meet you. You are…an exquisite beauty to say the least."

Elena curtsied and blushed, "Thank you, Lord Niklaus."

"Niklaus is the name my father gave me, please, call me Klaus."

It wasn't long before Lord Niklaus had convinced Trevor to allow Elena to move into the palace with his family. The grounds of the palace were beautiful, she admitted, but she had yet to feel any warmth from either brother. Elena was aware that they had more siblings, but she had yet to meet any of them.

Most days she was left alone, so she spent her time exploring. Some days she would sit and read in the gardens for hours and other days she would stay in her room and study to learn more about the world around her.

Lord Niklaus had not shown her any more interest since the night of the festivities and neither had Lord Elijah. She had to admit that she was grateful for the lack of attention; she would rather be left alone than fawned over.

Today, she was wandering about the garden, a book in her hand. Every time she read outside, she tried to discover a new place. Her feet led her to an obscure part of the gardens, surrounded by water fountains and flowers of brilliant colors. She smoothed out her dress before taking a seat in front of one of the large trees, resting her spine against the sturdy trunk.

Her mind became lost in the words of her book and she had yet to notice a figure standing in front of her until they cleared their throat.

Looking up abruptly, her brows knitted together as she tried to recall his face. Smile hesitantly, she softly said, "Hello."

The man in front of her had brown hair and soft hazel eyes. He seemed to have a genuine smile tugging at his lips as he took her in; a simple peasant girl adorned in a stunning gown while sitting in a garden and reading. She looked so happy and her eyes were the color of melted chocolate. He cleared his throat once more before he spoke, "Hello, Miss Petrova."

"I would stand and greet you, sir, but I have yet to learn your name," she said, a small giggle erupting from her throat, "However, you seem to know who I am."

The man's eyebrows shot up at the sound of her giggle, clearly enthused that he could bring forth such a reaction from a delicate creature. Kneeling down in front of her, he bowed his head in amusement before meeting her gaze once more, "Excuse me for my lack of manners, Miss Petrova. My name is Finn Mikaelson."

Realization crashed upon her as she shot up and curtsied deeply to him, "My apologies, Lord Finn. I did not know who you were, otherwise I would have greeted you properly."

Startled at her sudden change of demeanor, he stood as well and offered her a small bow in return, "My dear, you do not have to greet me in such a way. If I wished to have my title used, I would have introduced myself using it."

"Forgive me, my Lord," she murmured softly, still keeping her eyes downcast.

Pursing his lips, he tilted her face to look at him, her wide doe eyes staring at him in shock. His face became more relaxed upon seeing her eyes as he spoke softly, "Please, Miss Petrova, do not apologize. I would very much like if you called me Finn. No title or anything like that."

"I-I was not raised that way, my Lord," she stuttered, looking anywhere but his face, "I owe you respect in light that I am only a peasant."

"A peasant in a Lady's gown," he observed, causing her to blush scarlet, "You are definitely more than a mere peasant, Miss Petrova."

After the awkward encounter with Lord Finn in the gardens, Elena had yet to go out again. She didn't want to say the wrong thing in his presence and feared that he may decide to punish her for her lack of correct titles.

"Miss Elena?" Her handmaiden Bonnie said from the doorway to her room. The small girl was often fearful, but she seemed at ease when she was alone with Elena.

"Yes, Bonnie?"

"The Lords Elijah and Niklaus request your presence at dinner tonight…" she said almost hesitantly, looking any where but the brunette, "I know you don't wish to dine with them, but the Lord Elijah insisted."

Elena looked down at her hands before softly setting her book down on the end table beside her bed. She plastered a polite smile on her face as she nodded, "Of course, Bonnie. I'm sure it would be lovely to dine with both of them."

The handmaiden nodded sheepishly as she went to Elena's wardrobe, selecting a light pink one from the inside. She lay the dress across the foot of the bed, fluffing the skirt slightly, "I think this will be acceptable for tonight, Miss Elena. The Lords asked that you join them in an hour. Will you need help with your dress?"

"No, of course not, Bonnie," Elena said softly, staring at the dress, "I'll be sure to be ready in an hour. Thank you for your help."

Bonnie curtsied slightly, "You're very welcome, Miss Elena."

Before her hour was up, there was a sharp knock on her door and when Elena opened it she was face to face with Lord Elijah.

"Lord Elijah," she gasped slightly, lowering her eyes as she curtsied, "I was just about to head down to the dining hall. Am I late, my Lord?"

He shook his head slightly, "Not at all, Miss Petrova. I was merely wondering if you would mind having a little chat with me before dinner."

"Of course, Lord Elijah," she nodded as she took his arm and allowed him to lead her to what she assumed was one of the many other studies in the palace.

Her heart thumped heavily as she took a seat on one of the couches adorning the room. Lord Elijah still made her nervous and she didn't like being alone with him in any capacity. She clasped her hands together in her lap to keep them from shaking as she stared expectantly at him.

"Miss Petrova, I hope you understand that you are able to do whatever you'd like while you're staying with my family," Lord Elijah started as he took a seat across from her, "You are, by no means, a prisoner in our home and we'd all like for you to be comfortable with us."

"I understand, my Lord," she nodded, worrying her bottom lip slightly with her teeth, "I suppose I'm not used to such an…estranged family dynamic. In my home of Bulgaria, families are always together, especially at meal times and the like. I'm not accustomed to merely seeing my housemates once a week or less."

Lord Elijah pursed his lips for a moment, his eyes becoming distance with thought, "I suppose you're correct, however my family has spent the better part of our…existence in such an arrangement. We see each other when necessary and try not to overwhelm each other with our presence."

Elena smiled a little with understanding. Some families were hard to bear and she understood that. But her own family was so close knit that it was hard being away from them at all. She missed her mama and papa so much that it felt as if her heart might break inside of her chest.

"Trevor said that your family sent you here from Bulgaria," Lord Elijah started, pulling her from her sad thoughts. She nodded and he continued, "My family and I would like to aid you in your endeavor to better your life; he would like to offer you the position of a Lady while you're with us. That should help your social standing with the bachelors in this part of the country dramatically."

She was speechless. She had never known a man to offer such things and the idea of being a Lady was unknown to her. She bowed her head in thanks as she spoke softly, "Thank you for your kindness, my Lord, however I'm not exactly looking for a husband right now. I am only sixteen winters."

"Marriage does not need to be discussed right now, Miss Petrova," he assured, "We would just like you to feel comfortable with our family. You're allowed to come and go as you please, we just ask that you conduct yourself as a Lady should."

"I shall, Lord Elijah," she whispered softly, gratitude filling her features, "Thank you."

"You're very welcome, Lady Elena."

"I assure you, Niklaus, she won't be leaving any time soon," Elijah said as he tried to console his brother.

Klaus shook his head in exasperation, "She's the doppelganger, Elijah! I practically have everything I need to lift this curse and yet the bloody moonstone is nowhere to be found!"

"Our men are working on it," Elijah said dryly, "It's hard to find something when you have absolutely nothing to go on. The stone has been lost for over five hundred years; it won't turn up overnight."

Klaus ran a distressed hand through his blonde locks, "She can't be permitted to leave until it's found. I can't afford to lose her when I'm so close to finally being rid of what our mother has bestowed upon me. The werewolf and vampire are already waiting in the wings, the moonstone is nowhere to be found, and the doppelganger is clueless to this entire thing."

"I've already granted her freedom, Niklaus. I cannot rescind it and risk her feeling imprisoned; we need her to be willing, not waiting for a chance to run."

Klaus scoffed, "As if she would get very far. She's a human!"

"No prisoners," Elijah said firmly, "She will be permitted to live her life as she sees fit until the time the moonstone is recovered. Then, we will continue with our plans."

After dinner, Elena seemed to feel much more at ease around Lord Niklaus and Lord Elijah. Lord Elijah seemed to truly want her to be happy in their home and the thought pleased her immensely.

Tomorrow, she would put her newfound freedom to the test and go into town. She missed being surrounded by people and she desperately needed interaction of some sort. She lay in bed, exciting for the following day, but sleep would not come. She had worked herself up and her mind was now fully awake.

Sighing, she slipped out of bed and decided to wander to the study on her floor. Reading always put her in a relaxed state and that's what she needed. Once she reached the study, she hummed to herself as she appraised the books, brushing her fingers delicately over the spines.

"Do you always peruse the library this late, my Lady?"

Elena jumped in surprise, not realizing that she was no longer alone. She turned and her eyes opened slightly wider before she curtsied softly, "I beg your pardon, Lord Finn. I was unaware that anyone was awake at such an hour."

"I hear that my brother granted your freedom among the palace," Lord Finn said, picking up a book from one of the shelves, "So, that means you are allowed to do whatever you please no matter the time."

She blushed before she plucked a book from the shelf and sat on the couch in the room. Curiosity won out as she looked up at Lord Finn surprised to find that he was already staring at her. She cleared her throat, "If you don't mind me asking, my Lord, what are you doing up at this hour?"

"I heard you," he shrugged in nonchalance, "I wanted to make sure you were all right."

Elena looked mortified for a moment, "You heard me? I am so sorry, my Lord! I did not realize I was being so loud…"

Lord Finn shook his head vehemently, "No, my Lady, you are fine. I…have exceptional hearing and my room is merely down the hall. A Lord should always check on a Lady."

She blushed and looked down before setting her book aside and standing gracefully. Offering him a small smile, she said, "Thank you for keeping my company, my Lord, but I fear I've taken up too much of your time this night. I shall retire and perhaps we'll come across each other tomorrow."

Lord Finn nodded and strode over to her, taking her hand and placing a soft kiss across her knuckles, "Until tomorrow, my Lady."

Walking back to her room, she heard a peculiar sound coming from a closed door down the hall. Her eyebrows creased as she followed the sound, worry beginning to roll off of her in waves.

Elena stopped outside the door for a moment before she pushed it open, gasping at the sight it revealed.

A man was holding a woman forcefully in his arms and his mouth seemed to be fastened painfully to her bared neck. The woman was crying as the man held her tighter as she paled dramatically.

"You're hurting her!" Elena cried, startling the couple and causing the man to look up and growl slightly.

Lord Niklaus showed no recognition as he stared at her, crimson liquid dripping from his neck before breaking the woman's neck and pushing her away to the floor.

"Oh, Elena, darling, you just couldn't stay asleep, could you?" Lord Niklaus said as he sauntered over to her, a cruel smirk on his face, "You weren't supposed to see this quite yet. I hoped I could keep you ignorant for as long as possible, but, alas, curiosity killed the cat."

"W-what do you want?" Elena stuttered out, fear wracking her small body and causing her to shake like a leaf.

He grabbed her face and forced her to look into his icy blue eyes as he spoke demandingly, "I want you to forget. You will remember going to sleep and nothing more."

"I will forget," she repeated robotically and he was gone with the woman's body, leaving her alone in the empty room, confused and tired.

"Lady Elena, are you all right?" Finn asked worriedly, observing her with interest as she was focused intently on the book in her hands.

Her eyebrows scrunched together as she looked up, her eyes clouded slightly, "I'm sorry, my Lord, what did you say?"

"I asked if you were all right, my Lady," he repeated slowly, coming to stand beside her and setting his hand gently on her arm, "You've been acting most peculiar this morning."

Elena was startled by his touch, but pursed her lips, "I'm sorry, my Lord. I…I slept quite fitfully last night," she paused and gave him a small smile, "I'm sure I'll return to myself once I have a good night's rest."

His mouth was set in a firm line as he looked her over. Her normal wide expressive eyes were dull and seemed diluted somehow. He had been used to seeing her happy and smiling; her new expressions were causing him to feel an unknown sensation.

Anger came over him as he realized the cause of her lightless eyes. He had been around for many centuries; he could tell when someone was compelled or not. He knew that Elijah was not a man to compel someone unless absolutely necessary and Rebekah and Kol were still away for at least a fortnight, and that left Klaus as the culprit.

Finn nodded slightly before excusing himself, "Pardon my leave, Lady Elena. I need to have a conversation with my brother."

"Oh," she said softly, sadness creeping into her delicate features, "Of course, my Lord."

Finn left Elena sitting on the couch and made his way to his brother's quarters. An unknown sense of protectiveness washed over him at the thought of Elena having her free will abused in any way. Rebekah hadn't needed anyone to protect her in such a long time and it was refreshing how Elena seemed to be comfortable with him despite her current predicament of being 'held' at their palace.
Throwing open a door without a care, Finn strode inside, his eyes instantly seeking Klaus hunched over the desk adorning the corner of his room.

Klaus looked up boringly, his eyes boring into his older brother as he drawled, "What do you need, Finn? I assume by your face that this isn't simply a social call."

The elder nearly cursed himself as he felt the change in his face. Taking a deep breath, he allowed his true nature to recede as he reined in his composure. Gritting his teeth, he spoke calmly, "Why has Elena been compelled?"

"How do you know that she was?" Klaus asked sharply, "Is she remembering anything?"

"What is there for her to remember, Niklaus?" Finn demanded, slamming his fist down on the table hard.

"Why do you care?"

"Because you can't take away her free will!" He cried, running a distressed hand through his long hair, "She's a human being-"

Klaus gave a sharp laugh, "Exactly! She's a human being. She's at the bottom of the food chain; we're at the top. She is nothing, Finn."

"She's what you need to break that damned curse," Finn shot back, anger bubbling under his mostly calm façade, "That should put her a little higher up than a human on your ridiculous chain. She's the doppelganger; a supernatural being. Not a mere human."

"Fine, fine," Klaus conceded, waving his hand in dismissal, "If it's so important that you know, then I'll tell you," he sighed, obviously not accustomed to bending to the will of his brother, "She merely caught me feeding and I felt that she didn't need to know of the vampirism that plagues our family. I compelled her to forget and go to sleep. Nothing more, nothing less. I didn't take away her free will or compel her to do anything. I simply took an unpleasant memory."

Finn sighed in relief, a weight seemingly lifted off his chest as he spoke, "No more compulsion, brother. She deserves more than that."

What do you think? I'm so nervous about posting this because the fandom doesn't really like Finn...and I love him! Gah! Leave a review, please.

~Grace