This is the final chapter of this story. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

Sire
(The Vampire Rules)

Sire (noun): A respectful form of address for someone of high social status, especially a king; a father or other male forebear.
Sire (verb): To beget; procreate as the father.

Chapter 23: Two Weddings, a Coronation, etc.

The Journal of Elijah Mikelson:

I believe I've figured out solutions to several problems facing us right now. Unfortunately, some of my family members will not be happy with how I choose to resolve them. Of course, I'm quite used to making difficult and unpopular decisions; such is the life of a king. At least I will have someone to share those challenges with going forward. I'm so thankful Hayley is alive and that my niece Hope is healthy and strong. And frankly, Hayley now being a vampire as well as a werewolf has its advantages. The main one of course being that we can share an eternal life together. Plus, I won't have to worry about hurting her when we make love; vampire sex can be quite brutal. I must admit though, she's handled me with no problem so far.

Elijah's Study
Later That Evening

"I've brought you all here to inform you of some changes that have occurred, and will be occurring, that affect all of us." Elijah addressed his siblings, Hayley, Marcel, and Trevor, in his study.

"First, as you all know I have consented to Rebekah and Marcel marrying and have agreed to perform the ceremony." Rebekah beamed hearing him state it all out loud again.

"Their engagement prompted me to think about making a similar commitment, and Hayley has agreed to become my wife." It was Hayley's turn to smile, rocking her baby in her arms.

"And of course we are all grateful for the birth of Hope, the first Mikelson child in over 1,000 years." Earlier, Hayley and Niklaus had decided on the baby's name and informed Elijah. He continued, "I would like to perform a naming ceremony as well, to officially welcome Hope into our family." Hope's parents both smiled and thanked him for the suggestion.

"However, since I am the vampire king and Hayley is a werewolf queen we require someone of royal blood to perform our marriage. That posed a problem for which I now have a solution."

Everyone looked at him with confusion. "Sire, brother, what are you talking about?" Rebekah asked.

"I'm talking about Niklaus," Elijah looked at his brother. "You enjoy telling everyone you are the original hybrid as if that gives you some authority, and we all have dismissed it. But in reality, it's true. You are the king of the hybrids, all three of you."

Niklaus was stunned but thrilled at his brother's declaration. Hayley felt quite the opposite. "No way; I'm not kowtowing to him!"

"Hayley," Elijah admonished, "you are the queen of the crescent wolves. Where Niklaus is concerned, you are higher than all the other wolves but still subject to his authority in any matters concerning hybrids, just as my siblings are to me concerning vampires. And while I'm telling you things you don't want to hear, you are now a vampire too which makes you subject to my authority as well."

Hayley was furious, as Elijah knew she'd be. His next statement made her feel a little better, "However, Niklaus is still subject to my authority," he looked at his brother, "and if you ever try taking advantage of your position to hurt Hayley, you'll answer to me."

Klaus nodded his head. "I understand Sire. And Hayley, I promise I have no intention of lording it over you all, well, at least not too often."

Hayley wasn't sure she believed him and asked Elijah, "So what do I get out of this? If you expect me to be grateful there's now another king to perform our marriage you are sorely mistaken. In fact there might not be a marriage, at least not between us!" After consummating their love the previous night, Hayley didn't exactly mean what she said. But she tried hard to seem as if she did.

Elijah gave her a very serious look; he believed her words. "If you're threatening me with Jackson and the arranged marriage, don't bother. I already told you how that would turn out." He took a deep breath and let it out with his anger before continuing. "But I know there must be something in this for you besides marrying me. I have made an arrangement with the witches."

"Ah, that's why Sophie was here earlier," Marcel interrupted. Elijah turned and looked at him. "Keeping tabs on me Marcel?"

"No Sire, on her, as you instructed."

"Right, anyway as I was saying," Elijah continued, looking back to Hayley. "I have reached an agreement with the witches. Sophie will be working on creating moonlight rings for your wolves."

Hayley's heart started pounding; "Enough for the whole pack? Oh Elijah, that would change everything!" she exclaimed.

"So is our wedding on again?" Elijah teased.

"Just a moment," Klaus interrupted. "As king of the hybrids shouldn't I get input on these rings?"

"Oh shut up and hold the baby!" Hayley exclaimed, putting Hope in her father's arms so she could take her future husband into her own.

The Mikelson Compound Courtyard
Nighttime, Two Weeks Later

"How much more of this do we have to sit through?" Diego asked Thierry, his eyes rolling back to indicate how fed up he was with all the theatrics.

"Let's see," Thierry replied looking down at the printed program in his hand. "We've finished the crowning of the Hybrid King, the naming of the Hybrid Princess, and the marriage of Lady Rebekah and Marcel. Looks like we've just got the main event and then we're done." Looking up and seeing his friend wasn't satisfied, he added, "Now that he's in the family, Marcel thinks he can get our parties reinstated. They'll have to be at the warehouse but that's ok. It's beyond time for us to have some fun again."

Diego instinctively moved a hand up and rubbed his own neck, remembering Elijah's punishment the last time fun was mentioned. "Don't worry," Thierry told him. "This time it'll be Marcel's neck in jeopardy."

It was taking a while to set up for the main event; it was, after all, a royal wedding. But finally all the flowers and attendants were in place. Niklaus proudly took his position at the end of the courtyard and waited. Facing him, Rebekah stood to one side and Trevor on the other. Trevor had argued with his Sire about being included in the ceremony. "Sire, I am not royalty, I am the servant to royalty. I should not be featured so prominently in your wedding!"

Elijah was not put off. "You are my servant so do as I command. Niklaus is performing the marriage, and you are the male I am closest with after him. You have been a faithful friend and supporter and I want you to stand with me." Trevor could do nothing but agree with his king, despite how unworthy he felt of the honor.

Rebekah was thrilled to stand up for Hayley, her soon-to-be-sister and friend. Marcel was on baby duty and held Hope while seated in the front row. Niklaus had wanted to invite Camille but Elijah put his foot down. "Do you really want your human in an enclosed area for hours with a hundred hungry vampires? My wedding is not being interrupted by a feeding frenzy."

Elijah appeared at the end of the aisle and Trevor cleared his throat. "All stand and hail Our Sire, Elijah Mikelson, King of the Vampires!" All the assembled vampires stood as one and turned to face the aisle. Elijah strutted past them in tuxedoed splendor. His heart was full of pride and love for his bride, his family, and even for the vampire society he had come to New Orleans to tame. His now loyal subjects bowed their heads as he passed.

He reached the others, took his place next to Trevor, and turned back to look for Hayley. When she appeared, he felt he would be blinded by her light. She was dressed in a simple, straight, white satin gown, which hung from thin straps at her shoulders. Her hair was long and loose and a diamond tiara sat upon her head; elegant sandals adorned her feet. She was beautiful, regal, and very, very happy. She walked slowly and deliberately down the aisle, not wanting to trip and spoil the moment. When she reached Elijah, she bowed her head with respect. She then looked at Niklaus and did the same, knowing how much it meant to Elijah that she observe the new pecking order. The two kings returned the favor and bowed to her, and then Klaus began the ceremony. Elijah took Hayley's hands in his, grateful to have his queen by his side from this day forward, always and forever.

THE END