Disclaimer: NOT MINE.
…
It wasn't autumn, but it wasn't winter. It was bleak, and any trace of color in the leaves there might have been was gone. It was bitterly cold, but it wasn't snowing. The sun almost poked through the clouds, but not quite. The weather matched the occasion.
Christine had died.
Raoul heart felt as if someone had torn it out of his chest, then put it roughly shoved it back in. It was several days after she had died, and the funeral ceremony had just ended. People were still saying their goodbyes, leaving flowers and such around her grave. Raoul didn't want to leave Christine's grave, but so many people had attended that when he was done, he had to move away from it for the time being.
Christine had made many friends- she had always been a good listener and understand-er, particularly after… Raoul put it out of his mind.
Raoul and Christine had four children- Jord, William, Estelle and Aubin. William and Aubin were both boys, and Jord and Estelle were both girls. Aubin was the youngest, having only just turned five a few weeks before Christine's death. He had fair hair and blue eyes, and his complexion took after his father's. Estelle, the second youngest at seven years old looked almost exactly like Christine when she was seven, except she too had blue eyes, unlike Christine's fawn brown ones. William was fourteen and second eldest with dark brown hair like Christine's. He had Christine's soft brown eyes, but a build like Christine's fathers when he was young.
Then there's Jord-16 and willowy tall, with somewhat straight, impossible to manage jet black hair and a piercing stare from those fiery black eyes. Jord was unexpectedly strong, both physically and mentally- even her presence had a strange potency. And though she was extremely terse, her words had an aura of power around them.
Jord was also a singer. She had yet to start taking lessons from anyone other than Christine, but her voice was surprisingly deep and, once again, powerful. Raoul found it invigorating to hear Jord and Christine sing together, though he knew that it would never happen again.
Raoul's heart skipped a beat when he saw a dark figure walking toward the funeral in the distance. The figure was wearing all black, from his long, billowing cape to his hat. Raoul knew there was no prize to guess whom it was.
Raoul began approaching the figure, who kept his head down, rendering it impossible to see his face. He was still far away, but drawing nearer every moment.
Both men met in the middle. Raoul and the figure stopped simultaneously several feet away from each other. Raoul stared at the figure's hat expectantly. Slowly, the Phantom raised his head, his white mask over his face.
"Leave now," Raoul said coldly. Erik shook his head.
"I'm here to mourn my angel," Erik said weakly, "Let me pass." Raoul shook his head- he wasn't going to let Erik anywhere near his children.
"I'm not letting you near her grave," Raoul growled. Erik's yellow eyes flashed with anger.
"I didn't come hear to kill you, Raoul, though I might change my mind if you persist," Erik said threateningly, "All I want is to leave this rose upon her grave." Both men took an angry step forward.
"Leave now," Raoul hissed, "And never come back."
"Insolent boy! I came here for the same reason as you, and yet you deny me the chance to leave one silly flower on Christine's grave!" Erik fumed, his hatred for Raoul becoming even greater.
"You expect me to trust you after everything you did to her?" Raoul barked, "All you ever did was hurt her you monster!" suddenly Erik didn't feel angry anymore. He felt cold and alone. He turned his face away in shame. "Leave."
"Promise me you'll put this on My Angel's grave," Erik said, "Please. That's all I ask of you."
"How dare you say that! How dare you!" Raoul screamed.
"I thought the same thing," Erik snarled, "Now leave this on my angels grave or I shall sing it!" Raoul could not describe the hatred that tore at his heart. He could hardly resist attacking Erik, except that it was likely he had the Punjab Lasso with him. But he knew Erik would not leave until he was satisfied
"Fine," Raoul said, snatching the rose from Erik, "Now leave." Erik slowly turned around and went without a second glance. Raoul stared after him until Erik disappeared from view.
Raoul turned his gaze to the Phantom's Rose, the rose he promised to put on Erik's angel's grave. Raoul fingered the black ribbon Erik tied around it.
Raoul dropped it. He turned and left, leaving Erik's rose to wither and die. The Phantom has no angel.
…
After note: Erik has yellow eyes in the book. Check it. And yes, I still adore the metaphor of the rose from the movie Chapter name suggestions welcome. Did anyone catch the LOTR reference? I'm not a big LOTR fan, but I couldn't resist :D. Please review.