Memories Arisen

I don't own any of the versions of the Phantom.

Oh, and this is mostlySusan Kay Erik, slight Leroux. Leroux-ish ending with Christine having left and Erik suicidal.

Late winter, 1861 -------------

Life was hard on the road, but it was better than death, barely. Had he not left, that would have been his fate. Rain came down in sheets, drenching him deeper than skin, or so it felt.

That's how it felt, anyway.

"Hello there stranger." Another man greeted him. Surprised, Erik looked up.

"Oh…hello." He responded hesitantly.

"Abominable weather. Have you any place to seek shelter young man?"

Erik observed the other man. He was tall, with laughing green eyes and black hair. Irish, if the accent was anything to go by. "…No, not presently."

"This weather isn't fit for man or beast. Why don't you stay with my family tonight? It's just my wife Ailie and I, and our little niece Eithlinn."

"I don't want to impose." He murmured nervously.

"No imposition! We love guests. My name's Ewain of clan Bascna, by the way." He offered his hand.

After a moment's hesitation, Erik took it. "I am Erik."

"Ah, a Scandinavian lad, correct?"

"Er… yes. And you must be Irish."

The man chuckled, "Guilty as charged, I'm afraid." He replied, "Come now, lad, you're liable to catch your death out here!"

Soon they reached a rather nice, if simple house. Erik was wary, but Ewain ushered him inside.

It was warm, and the smell of dinner cooking was tantalizing, as he hadn't eaten in several days. A little girl sat by the fire absentmindedly drawing. She was a pretty little thing, with flame red hair and dark green eyes. She jumped up when they entered and embraced Ewain. A woman with russet brown hair hugged him as well, greeting him happily in Gaelic.

For a moment, Erik found himself wishing for the life this man had, with a loving family. The girl backed up a bit as her uncle and his wife greeted one another.

She stared curiously up at him. "Hi!" She said cheerfully, "I'm Eithlinn. What's your name?" She held out her hand.

"Erik." He took it and she shook his hand rather firmly for such a small child.

"Looks like we're going to have bad weather for awhile." She observed.

"Unfortunately, it seems so." He agreed.

"Where are you from?"

"Far away."

"I came from Ireland. Have you ever been there?" Eithlinn inquired.

"No, I can't say I have." He replied. "But I've been to Russia, and Belgium, and Persia."

Her eyes widened. "Wow! Was it neat?"

"Sometimes."

Then Ewain introduced Erik to his wife and the woman exclaimed over his wet clothes. "Oh! You should change into something dry, dear! Do you have anything else?"

"No." He was a little embarrassed.

"Then you can use some of our son's old clothes. He's moved out with his wife, he doesn't need them anymore."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Eithi, dear, will you show him Lugh's old room?"

"Yes, Auntie." The little girl held out her hand again. "Come on."

Obediently, he took her hand and followed her.

"How old are you, Erik?" She asked.

"Twenty-eight. Twenty-nine next month."

"You're old." She replied with innocent candor.

He raised an eyebrow behind his mask.

"And how old are you, Miss Eithlinn?"

"Seven."

"Everything seems old at that age." He remarked.

"Yep. And you're not as old as Uncle Ewain." She looked around, lowering her voice, "He's forty-six!"

Erik chuckled.

"How come you wear a mask?"

He winced. He knew that was coming. "I… I'm very ugly. I just got tired of people staring."

"Oh. I'm sorry." She replied. She frowned, "They shouldn't do that, I like you. You're nice."

"Thank you, little one."

Her little nose scrunched up, "Please don't call me that, you sound like granpa. And I know you're not that old!"

She was a sweet little child, but he supposed that was due partly to her upbringing. "So where are your parents?"

Suddenly a very sad look came over her face. "I… My parents used to own a stable in Ireland… Bandits came when I was four… They stole the horses and burned things… Mama told me to hide in the root cellar and keep real quiet. When the noises stopped, I fell asleep. When I finally came out there were bodies everywhere…" Her eyes held a haunted look. "Mama and Daddy were dead. I was alone there for three days until one of the workers came back from a fair with the profits from selling some horses daddy had sent him to sell… Then he took me to Auntie Ailie and Uncle Ewain. I've been here ever since. They left Ireland when cousin Lugh fell in love with a French girl who had taken a trip to Ireland once. They're married now." She looked at the floor. "Oh," She said, pointing at the door they stopped in front of, "That's the room you'll be staying in. Look in the drawers, you should find some dry clothes."

"Thank you."

"Thanks for listening. Nobody ever wants to talk about what happened, but Mama and Daddy saved my life. I don't want to forget their sarc.. sacra.." She fumbled for the word.

"Sacrifice?"

"Thank you… I just don't think they should be forgotten just 'cause they died."

"No, you're right."

She smiled and left him.

"So where are you headed, lad?" Ewain asked later that night.

"Paris. I want to help work on the Opera House." Erik replied.

"Sounds like good work. Have you an interest in architecture?"

"Very much."

"Do you have to leave, Erik?" Eithlinn asked, looking sadly up at him.

"I'm afraid so, Eithi."

"Promise you'll write." She begged.

"Alright."

"I'll miss you." She said, "You're the only grownup who takes me seriously."

"You're a smart little girl."

Eithlinn threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Erik."

He couldn't respond.

"I hope someday I marry a man just like you." She continued.

"No, you don't."

And he left.

January 1872 -----------------------------

Dear Erik,

I heard about the troubles caused by the war. Was the incomplete Opera House really used for an observation post, communications center, powder store and military prison? I hope you were not harmed during all of this, I was quite worried, as I haven't heard from you in awhile. Is it nice to be back to work? How have you been?

Good news: I'm getting married! His name is Jack Eiru, and he's a very good man, The wedding is planned for May the fifth. Would you please come? You haven't visited since I was fifteen. I miss you, my friend.

Missing you,

Eithlinn Mae Bascna

Enclosed was a miniature portrait of a young woman about eighteen years old.

Dear Eithlinn,

Congratulations on your engagement, but, regrettably, I must decline. I'm afraid that work has been quite hectic. I have enclosed a gift, and, of course, my best wishes go with you always. I hope that this 'Jack' fellow is truly worthy of you. If he mistreats you in any way, contact me and I will see that he is dealt with.

Your information was reliable; the Opera House was, in fact, used for all of those things. It is nice to be back to the job I love, although I do regret that it keeps me from your most special of days, again, I apologize, and I really am very happy for you. I am as well as can be expected, you know how I loathe winter. Send Ewain and Ailie my best regards.

All my love,

Erik

December 1876 -------------------------

Dear Erik,

Happy holidays, dear. I hope this letter finds you well? The twins are growing so fast, and I am due to have another in April. I'm going to name this one after you. Erik if it's a boy, Erika if it's a girl. Jack sends a greeting, and Auntie and Uncle are doing very well. I miss you. What's new? You seemed so sad in your last letter. Are you sure you won't consider spending the holidays with us? I don't like the thought of you being alone. Take care of yourself, and get out now and then, it'll do you good.

Best wishes,

Eithlinn Mae Eiru

Dear Eithlinn

Happy Holidays to you as well. I've been a little under the weather lately, otherwise, I'm ok, but I'm not at all up to traveling right now. Tell Marcus and Eliara that Uncle Erik loves them and give them these gifts for me. I was just having a bad day earlier, nothing serious. I miss you too; Eithi, and I appreciate the sentiment and hope you'll send me a picture of the little angel. I get out enough; you worry too much, dear. There isn't much new around here. There isn't usually much to talk about. I'm glad to hear that your family is still growing.

With love, as always,

Erik

1880 -----------------------

Dear Erik,

How have you been? Things are pretty average here, though I do miss Aunt Ailie and Uncle Ewain. Ah well, they died together, painlessly. It was just their time. Erika seems to have your musical talent. She misses you almost as much as I do. I'm worried, Erik… So many people have been getting sick in the village. Consumption, I'm afraid. I'm terrified I'll lose Jack or one of my babies! Don't worry about that dreadful diva, Carlotta, she won't last long. When people realize how bad she is, she'll get cast less and less, lower and lower. Tell me more about this Christine girl! Are you sure she's good enough for you?

Take care,

Eithlinn Eiru

Dear Eithlinn,

I've been well. I'm sorry to hear about Ewain and Ailie. Their loss will truly be felt. Erika has displayed musical talent? Magnificent! I know what to get her for her birthday, then. Don't worry overmuch about the sickness, dear. By all means take the necessary precautions, but if you panic, things will seem far worse than they actually are. I surely hope that you are right about Carlotta.

Christine is… Ah, how to describe such a vision of perfection! I've never loved anyone so!

And Eithi…

I miss you too.

With love,

Erik

Location- Paris Opera House, 1881 ------------------

Erik wanted to die.

He really did.

After all, what was there to live for? He was all alone now.

As if in reprimand for that thought, he stumbled and fell across a small table. His hand fell across a closed letter.

He felt a pang of regret as he painfully stood and looked at it. It was from Eithlinn, his dear friend for about twenty years. With all that had been going on, he'd forgotten to even open it. Perhaps he ought to read this letter, and write to her a farewell.

Yes, he owed her at least a goodbye.

Carefully, he opened the letter and read:

Dear Erik

The paper was smudged as if with tears.

Oh, Erik! Everything has fallen apart! My husband and my little ones are dead! The only ones to survive the accursed disease are my sweet little Erika and I. Everywhere I look there are reminders of what I have lost. Every day seems like a nightmare. Erika and I were the 'lucky' few immune to the disease. It feels more like a curse than a blessing to live yet. God, Erik, I had to bury my love… I had to bury my babies. I couldn't even ease their suffering!

I hate to ask, but could Erika and I please stay with you, at least for awhile? I don't want to be alone right now. Everything hurts and Erika won't stop crying for her Papa and brothers and sisters. I need your presence, please, you always knew what to say to make things stop hurting.

Eithlinn

Erik was shocked.

They were all gone?

Poor, poetic Jack, who loved Eithlinn and his children passionately…

The eight year old twins, Eliara and Marcus? The little boy and girl who loved his stories…

Three year old Ewain.

Baby Tomas, just a month short of a year old.

Oh god…

And little Erika and her mother all alone.

He'd formed a special bond with his namesake, and she would follow him everywhere when he'd visit.

Oh, Eithlinn! Poor girl! First her parents, then her Aunt and Uncle, who'd been like parents, now her family!

He was all they had left, he realized, and they were all he ever really had.

How could he think he had nothing?

They'd always been there for him, from that first act of kindness twenty years ago.

Immediately, he took out a pen and paper.

Dear Eithlinn,

Stay right where you are, I'm coming to get you. In the meantime, pack everything, and sell what you can't pack. I never want to have to send you back to that place of horrible memories.

I wish I could say everything's going to be ok, but that would be lying. However, I'll do everything I can to ease your sorrow.

I'm coming, dear. Don't worry.

All my love,

Here he paused a moment, realizing he hadn't closed with that in too long, having given all his love to Christine for so long. He sighed and finished,

Erik