(I changed Stella's actress to Karen Gillan)

Astrid's head was pounding as her eyes slowly, yet painfully opened. She was disoriented, unaware of what was happening, of the situation she was in. "Bloody hell, she managed to say quietly, groaning as the pain around her wrists and legs suddenly appeared.

"Astrid," the gentle voice of Chris Argent spoke, alerting the other of the vampire who was slowly waking up, "You okay?" he questioned.

All eyes were now on the blonde, who was barely opening her eyes. Blood had stained the back of her head and her shoulders as ropes soaked in vervain and wolfsbane were tied around her legs and wrists. "Astrid, honey," Melissa spoke quietly, worried for the teenager, even though she was immortal.

The blonde eventually managed to fully open and the world around her became clear, no longer blurry. "What happened?" she croaked out, looking around at the worried faces of her friends. She tried lifting her arm, but the rope only dug further into her arm, making her wince in pain, "Fuck."

"Glad to see you're awake, darling," Stella spoke in a chipper tone as she walked inside the circle, "Long time no see, huh?" she asked, looking straight into Astrid's eyes.

The blonde vampire just sighed, her eyes looking up at the redhead who was proudly standing in the middle, smiling at the Original, "Stella," Astrid said quietly, "How did you find me and why the bloody hell were you searching for me in the first place?" she questioned, "You had a good life - I've made sure of it - so why give it all up?" she asked, clenching her fists as Stella continued smiling.

"Oh," The ginger vampire laughed, "I didn't give it all up. I'm immortal, thanks to you, so, I'm really wasting it, am I?" she smiled, "I want my memories back," she told the blonde, her voice no longer chipper but serious and threatening.

Astrid snorted, "I figured," she answered, never looking away from her ex-girlfriend.

"Is she awake?" a male voice suddenly spoke; a voice Astrid immediately recognised. The tanned man stopped next to Stella, looking into Astrid's eyes.

The Tribrid chuckled, "Can't say I was expecting to see you here, Mattie," she smiled upon seeing Stella's confused gaze, looking from Astrid to the witch, "Oh, you haven't told Stella?" she asked, realising that the ginger already didn't trust him as much as she used to.

Matthew sighed, "Stop it, 'Trid," he shook his head and massaged his temple.

"You two know each other?" Stella questioned, looking at Matthew suspiciously.

The blonde nodded, "Oh, poor Stella. I have told you never to fully trust anyone, have I not? Oh wait, you can't remember that" she laughed, taking in a deep breath. "But, yes, we do, in fact, know each other. We were best friends once... back in 1856. I have to say, Mattie, you look rather well for a three-hundred-year-old witch," Astrid complimented him.

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1856, Berlin, Germany

Rebekah's laugh echoed in the almost empty mansion as she and Matthew ran up the stairs, their hands intertwined. Once at the top of the long staircase, Matthew pushed her against a wall, not in a violent, but intimate way.

Rebekah smiled at the brunet, her hand cupping his cheek, "I wish we could act like this more often, my love," she whispered and gently kissed his lips, savouring the moment.

Matthew smiled, brushing some hair from her face, adoring her delicate features, "So do I, dear, but your brother--"

"Hello, there, love birds," Astrid's voice forced the two to break apart, standing a few metres away from each other. The tribrid raised an eyebrow, "No need to freat, I'm not going to say anything," She assured them with a smile, "In fact, I enjoy seeing my little sister happy and I feel like you will not break her heart," she spoke, making her way towards the two, maintaining eye contact with the witch.

Matthew shook his head, "Of course not, Ms Mikaelson, I would never hurt her in any way... I love her," his voice was shaky as he managed to answer.

Astrid smiled, "If that's the case then I guess I can get Klaus to leave more often," she smiled upon seeing Rebekah's massive smile. The blonde ran towards her older sister and embraced her tightly. "But I do need your help, Matthew," she told the brunet, who quickly nodded and followed her as she began making her way to the basement.

In the basement, Astrid stopped in the middle of the room, Matthew just watched her with a puzzled expression, "Is everything alright?" he asked.

"I lied," Astrid simply said, making chills run up Matthew's spine, "I don't need your help." In a split second, Matthew was pushed against a wall, her hand around his throat restricting his airways. "You see, love, my little sister was hurt numerous times by men like you," she spoke calmly, a hint of anger in her voice, "They told her they 'Loved' her, but they betrayed her nonetheless," she smiled, "She's naive and would do anything to be loved romantically by someone," she sighed, "So, I'll ask again, what are your intentions with my sister?" she questioned, using her magic to get inside his head, allowing her to compel him.

Matthew choked, staring into her eyes as he answered, "I want her to be mine; I love her," he quickly answered truthfully.

The blonde blinked and let go of the man, letting him fall to the stone floor, "You have to forgive me," she spoke, helping him stand as the world around him spun, "Rebekah had been hurt many times, I was only trying to stop yet another heartbreak," she explained, wiping the dirt off his arm.

Matthew nodded, "It's alright, Ms Mikaelson, you were only trying to protect your sister. I'm only glad she has such loyal protectors as you." He spoke with a smile on his face, still trying to catch his breath.

"Please, there is no need for formalities anymore, call me Astrid,"

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In the cold room, Matthew sat on a wooden chair, just staring at Astrid. Stella was beside him, standing up. The two were silent for about ten minutes, just staring at the Original and wondering what to do with her.

"This is getting boring," Astrid commented, letting her head fall back as she stared at the ceiling. A sudden groan escaped her lips as a knife was plunged into her knife. Melissa screamed quietly as she and everyone else in the room watched the blood run down her thigh. "You bitch!"

Stella just smirked, "That's what you deserve," she spoke through gritted teeth, her anger showing.

"I will give you your bloody memories back," Astrid told her, looking into her eyes, "But in order to do that, I have to compel you."

Stella laughed, "Not happening," she told her, not trusting the original.

The blonde narrowed her eyes, "Then how the hell do you want me to give you your damned memoried back?" she asked, "It's the only way, darling."

Stella clenched her fist and jaw, her eyes turning darker. But the vampire stopped herself from hitting the vampire and quickly left the room. Matthew then stood up, turning around to also walk out, but Astrid's voice stopped him.

"Rebekah is awake," she told him, making him stop in his tracks, slowly turn around to look at the blonde, "And I know exactly where she is." she told him, "You let us go and I'll tell you where the love of your life currently is," she spoke, hope in her eyes.

Matthew looked at the ground, contemplating whether he should agree or not. But, unfortunately for Astrid, he always keeps his promises and he had promised Stella he'll help her get her memories back. "No," he eventually answered, walking towards the doors.

"Matt, wait," she called out, stopping him once more, "At least remove the knife, please... it's the least you can do after I've saved your life so many times..." she spoke quietly.

Matthew nodded, quickly walked back towards her and pulling the knife out. He didn't even look at Astrid before leaving the room. The Original winced, looking back at the ceiling once more.

It was awkward in the room as everyone stared at the immortal woman. They all had questions, it was obvious. But they didn't know what and how to ask. Eventually, Astrid picked up on the atmosphere in the room, "Just say what you wish to say," she spoke, clearly irritated.

"Why'd you take away her memories?" Derek asked, staring at the woman angrily. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't be there; he'd be out in the world doing whatever he wished.

Astrid looked at Derek, "It was for hers and my family's safety. It was too dangerous for her to remember the Mikaelsons... not with my father in town," she answered, looking down at the dirty floor.

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I am so sorry for not updating for so long. I just didn't have any inspiration for this story at all, but I'm back now and will hopefully update every week. This story is nearly finished anyway :)

I have also made a Twitter account if you want to follow me: ILokitty101 - the link is in my bio - I follow everyone back :) I might also post sneak peeks for my stories on the account.