Disclaimer; I don't own anything in this story except for Fallon, I don't own the Phantom of the Opera or any of the characters. I don't even own my car. If I did I would have better things to do with my life than write and review fan fiction. I hope.
Although he had been present at Monsieur Reyer's audition, and had been greatly amused at the maestro's frustration, he had not been unduly interested in the proceedings and had been about to leave when he heard the soft Irish lilt and caught sight of the young violinist.
Unlike most of the rest of the people of France and England Erik was fond of the Irish and their beautiful island. Music seemed to permeate everything on the Island of Eire, from the rolling fields to the voices of its people. Despite more than eight hundred years of oppression, famine and poverty their culture had a spirit and beauty that refused to die.
As he watched 'Collin' play from his perch above the stage something dawned on Erik, who when he wished was more clear sighted than most people were. This was no Irishman, Collin O'Riley indeed!He almost laughed; the wise child knew quite well that no self-respecting orchestra would hire a female violinist, no matter how talented.
The laughter died before it reached his lips as he remembered another talented musician with brown eyes full of innocent laughter. He gazed down at the young Irish violinist, her dark blue eyes closed in concentration. She looked nothing like his Christine… and yet.
He smiled to himself as he left, deciding to keep an eye on this 'Collin'. As he left the sound of her violin faded and he wondered if she could play as well as she could sing…
The next day after rehearsal Fallon stumbled tiredly into her room and flopped gracelessly across her bed. She carefully arranged herself so that she lay with her head hanging down off the edge of the bed and moaned. It was more tiring than she had expected. It seemed as if four of the six hours they had spent rehearsing had been spent catering to the whims of the Diva….
One little thing after another, blown up all out of proportion, her dress was too long, her corsets too tight, her hat too heavy, the orchestra was too loud… Fallon felt her temper flare at the memory of Carlotta's screeching whine… At the moment she wanted nothing more than to get her hands on the diva's throat and silence that aggravating voice, if only for a few minutes.
She took a deep breath and sat up. No matter how much it would delight her, she could not throttle the annoying woman so she got up and did the next best thing. She pulled out her violin and began to play Fiddler's Green, an old Irish folk song that had been a particular favorite of her Da's. Her voice was passable, and though she knew it would never get it her onto the stage, it did not make anyone's ears bleed either and she began to sing softly.
As I walked by the dockside one evening so rare
To view the still waters and take the salt air,
I heard an old fisherman singing this song,
Take me away boys, me time is not long.
Chorus:
Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen,
Just tell me old shipmates I'm taking a trip, mates,
And I'll see you someday in Fiddler's Green.
Now Fiddler's Green is a place I've heard tell
Where fishermen go if they don't go to hell,
Where the weather is fair and the dolphins do play,
And the cold coast of Finland is far, far away.
Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen,
Just tell me old shipmates I'm taking a trip, mates,
And I'll see you someday in Fiddler's Green.
When you get back in dock and the long trip is through
There's pubs and there's clubs and there's lassies there too,
Where the girls are all pretty and the beer is all free,
And there's bottles of rum growing on every tree
Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen,
Just tell me old shipmates I'm taking a trip, mates,
And I'll see you someday in Fiddler's Green.
Now I don't want a harp nor a halo, not me
Just give me a breeze and a good rolling sea,
And I'll play me old squeeze-box as we sail along,
With the wind in the rigging to sing me this song.
Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
No more on the docks I'll be seen,
Just tell me old shipmates I'm taking a trip, mates,
And I'll see you someday in Fiddler's Green
When she was through Fallon lowered her violin with a sigh. The music had had the desired effect, she was no longer tired, and she was much calmer. It had also evoked memories of her voyage from Ireland. She had never seen the sea before leaving home and it had affected her in way she could not quite describe, so big and open, seemingly endless…
The song had also awakened memories of Da, of his deep, clear voice, so much better than her own, now silenced forever. She pushed that thought away before the tears could come. She needed to get some dinner and it wouldn't do for her to be seen crying in public. She was dressed as a man now and she needed to remember that, men did not cry.
She found a small pub not far from the opera house and managed to wheedle some soup and a cold beef sandwich out of the female cook with a good deal of Irish charm and a few francs. When she was finished, she paused outside the pub and wondered if she ought to go back to her room.
She looked around the city for a few moments and decided she wanted to take a walk before turning in for the night. It was a beautifully clear night and the air was warm. She picked a direction at random and started off that way blissfully unaware that she was being followed.
An hour later, she was back in her room and about to unbind her chest when she heard a sound coming from the full-length mirror at the other end of her room. Her head snapped up and she pulled her shirt back on quickly.
"Who's there?" She asked in a startled voice. No answer,
She walked over to the mirror and stared into it. All she saw was her reflection. She shook her head and turned away. She was about to resume undressing when there was a tap at her door. She sighed and went to answer it. She opened the door and gazed into the darkness.
"Hello?" She stepped out of the door and walked down the hallway a few paces, "Hello? Is there someone there?" She frowned and turned back to her room. She was so distracted that she didn't see the tall man in her doorway until she nearly walked into his arms.
I know these chapters are pretty short, but bear with me, they will get longer as I sink my teeth into this story, my first chapters are always my shortest and generally speaking my worst... kind of like a season of star trek. Anyway Please read and review, I need to know what you think if I am going to improve this story. your humble authoress, The-Lonely-Child
