let me finally make a thread of all the times elena gilbert was useful, a good friend and overall a strong character on the vampire diaries. this thread is for those that believe female characters that show emotions cant also be fierce and a badass.

As a human, Elena fought off vampires for 3 seasons without the supernatural advantages Damon, Stefan, Caroline, Bonnie &Tyler had.

In S1, Elena fought off a vampire with a PENCIL & managed to hold her own against a being that was stronger, faster & had better reflexes than her.

In S1, Elena took out a vampire that was about to rip Stefan's heart out. She saved Stefan's life and then helped him regain his energy by feeding him her blood.

Stefan would have died in Season 1, Episode 17 had Elena not stabbed the Vampire attacking him in that moment.

In S1, Elena stopped Lexi's boyfriend from killing Damon by persuading him to let go of his vengeance.

Damon would have died in Season 1, Episode 11 had Elena not been there that night to save him.

In S2, Elena jumped over fire & stopped Bonnie from killing Damon. This was an episode after Damon snapped Jeremy's neck. She could have let revenge get the best of her and let Bonnie kill him, but she didn't.

Damon would have died in S2, Episode 2 had Elena not stopped Bonnie.

In S2, Elena not only rescued stefan out of the well full of vervain, she also found the moonstone while simultaneously getting attacked by snakes.

Stefan would have died & they would have never found the moonstone had Elena not volunteered to go down the well in S2, Episode 6.

In S2, Elijah offers to protect everyone Elena loves if she lets him use her as bait to kill Klaus. Elena agrees but only if Elijah frees Stefan from the tomb where he is trapped with Katherine.

Elena's deal with Elijah in S2, E11 is the reason Stefan is released from the tomb.

In S2, Elena willingly walks to her death with the determination to save all her loved ones. She lets Klaus kill her in the ritual, she sacrifices herself so no one else has to die.