Author's notes: Again, please bear with me this is my first fan fiction. You all will be glad to finally meet...drum roll please... Captain Erik Sebella. The long awaited chapter has finally arrived. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: The long list of movies/books/charaters that equal not affiliation with me: Phantom of the opera, Pirates of the Caribbean, Titanic, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid or any other pirate/ocean movie or tale you can think of. I claim "NADDA!"
Last time on Love upon the sea: The servant carried out her duties as Christine gets ready for bed. This was Christine's favorite time of day, for she could look out across the sea and dream of Captain Sebella.
This chapter has the same content as when originally submitted. However, I have gone back because it was brought to my attention the wording was inconstant. I wish to apologize now for any agony, confusion and frustration this may have brought my readers. I hope that it is now correct. Although, I am confident that you will let me know, if it is not. I want to thank zeeksmom for her reviews and suggestions.
ONE THING HAS CHANGED IN THIS CHAPTER: GOVERNOR KESSLAR'S NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM BRYAN TO WILLIAM TO BE MORE ON PERIOD.
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Love upon the sea -- Chapter 3:Dreams and Omens
Christine is running with haste towards the sea. She needs to get away, far away from this place. She can not breathe. The tears are streaming down her face and heart pounding. She grows tired, her legs are heavy, it is getting harder to lift them. Finally, she falls. She lies there softly sobbing, out of breath upon the ground.
Listening intently, she hears footsteps approaching. Christine grows afraid and jumps to her feet. She can no longer see. The fog that night coming in from the sea was unusually thick. Christine squints, as the footsteps draw closer. In the distance, appears a dark figure approaching her. She peers, so she can see more clearly. It appears to be a man, with a tall stature and strong build; his head is pointing towards the ground. Christine's eyes widen as she tries to get a glimpse of his face. The man, feeling the weight of her stare, raises his head to see the young woman. He stops. She studies his chiseled features, regal nose, pouting lips and muscular jaw. The figure is dressed in black, except for the milky white mask over the right side of his face. The mask does not stop her from gazing into his eyes as deep as the ocean and just as blue.
The familiar look of gentle compassion was hidden by pain. A pity fell across her heart as she saw deeper within him. He smiles slightly as to relieve her from that burden. Christine felt warmth in his smile that causes a calming feeling. She realizes that he meant her no harm. She felt the pull of his stare as if they were the only ones in the world. Christine's body feels lifeless, almost as if she is floating towards him, her heart banging on her chest and those eyes continue to draw her ever closer. As she gets near him, she closes her eyes, still feeling the enchantment of his spell.
Suddenly, Christine could hear the sound of an angry crowd. Men were shouting, "KILL HIM! PIRACY IS TREASON!" The confused girl opens her eyes and to her horror saw Captain Sebella being led by two men, one carrying a hangman's noose. Christine's eyes widen with shock, as she watches them place the noose around the pirate's neck. She looks around, discovering that she was no longer at the sea but in the center of town. The crowd chanting for the death of Captain Erik Sebella. No one is doing anything to help him. She can not breathe. This has to be stopped, she must do something, she screams "NNNOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Awakening herself, her body wet with sweat and her face moistened with tears, she runs to her open window overlooking the deep blue. Still crying, she realizes it was only a dream...but a dream that could soon become a reality. She starts to worry of the armada. Christine's heart feels as if it is crushing inside her chest. The thought of her legendary captain perishing in such a cruel manner is too much to take. She ponders what she should do.
With a glimmer of hope, she smiles, remembering the nighttime tales that her father had once told her as a girl.
She recalls his words: My dear, the ocean is very powerful and its breeze has been told to possess a magic power. Magic so powerful that, they say, it can carry a message of warning or of love to ones at the sea. Daddy, do you believe...do you believe that a spirit takes these messages to keep them safe? I do believe, my dear, every word.
Christine pulled her thoughts out of the memory,recalling a confidence in his demeanor and the tenderness in his voice. She felt almost as if her father had undertook this before and succeeded.
Christine looks out her window again at the darkness. She gazes out over the sea, the warm Caribbean breeze filling her heart with hope. She peers once more and her heart jolts as in the distance a ship appears. Christine decides to do whatever she can to save Captain Sebella.
She sends a warning to the dark man, "hear me, O Phantom and take heed to my sayings, stay away from Port Kesslar. They will kill you, Captain Sebella."
The wind kicks up and carries her warning that night. Flying through the air with haste to the Phantom, where Erik is on deck each night. He loves the blackness of night. It has been said that the stars would play him an orchestra, a melody so beautiful, it could tame even the blackest heart of a pirate. It was here in the darkness; his creative side would come out.
Sitting on a keg at the bow of the ship, Erik notices that on this night, the night sky was unusually silent. The night crew became aware of this fact as well. Moments later, a thick fog came up across the water, giving the men a sudden chill.
"The ship is bewitched, Cap'n." Some of the men began praying, others engage in a superstitious dance to wart off evil spirits.
"An evil spirit cap'n." One crewmember nervously uttered. Curious Captain Sebella listens intently.
As the breeze kicks up, some of the men became frightened; "it's Davy Jones come to take our souls."
"SILENCE!", Captain Sebella yelled. The crew's eyes grew wide, as they finally are able to hear the warning on the breeze
Hear me, O Phantom and take heed to my sayings, stay away from Port Kesslar. They will kill you, Captain Sebella.
The crew of the Phantom heard the warnings of the young woman. "A woman, it is a curse." The men cower down and run around in a fearful panic.
"And she bodes ill for the Cap'n." Said a dirty pirate named Brags.
"Aye, you heard her; she said Cap'n Sebella by name. And what bodes ill for the Cap'n, bodes ill for us all." Will added, taking up for his friend.
"Mark me words, we'll all pay for this." Bargs continues.
Naider was standing close beside his friend, with their backs turned towards murmuring men. Naider leans in with a whisper, "What'll we do, Erik? T'is true she mentioned you by name. You want me to summon them so' as you can talk to the men."
With a nod, Naider hurriedly obeys his captain. "All right all you scalawags! The captain's wants a word with ya! All hands on deck!" He shouts, bringing all the crew up on the main deck.
As the men continued to murmur among themselves, Captain Sebella began to sense disorder and that angers him. The 6'2" man stood tall and walks down the stairs from the bow to main deck. Erik's eyes a glowing yellow with flames of anger.
The only sound is pounding of his large, black boots against the floorboards of the ship. Pacing back and forth slowly, without turning, in front of his men. A lump of fear arose to the throats of crew as they stood at attention. Fearful men patiently await the word of their captain, each of them with their hands at the level of their eyes. On passing all of them, Erik smiled smugly at the sight of them.
"Anyone that believes those myths isn't fit to be on my crew. Am I not Captain Erik Sebella, the most feared pirate of the Caribbean?" Some men nod in agreement while others still murmur.
"Alla ya 'ave 'eard of this armada before. Have ye not overtaken countless ships and men?" The pirates grinning at the thoughts of their past victories, gaining more confidence with every passing moment.
The Captain adds, with a glimmer in his eye, "and do not forget the women and the treasures." A rumble of grunts and devilish grins cross the faces of the greedy men.
Captain Sebella continues to speak and proves to the men that there is nothing to fear from the French Army.
"A ship and her crew take after their captain, aye." The men agree.
"Be he a coward...can be easily taken. Be he a pirate; well...Let them try! So, ye scurvy rats, ye be a pirate or coward. For a coward, has not a place on the crew of the Phantom."
Naider looks at Erik for a nod. He shouts, "Now, back to work alla'ya or you'll be swimming with the fishes this night."
Captain's yellow orbs glowing as the glare causes his crew to scatter to their duties. "Aye, Cap'n!" They respond in unison.
Erik returns to his captain's quarters to ponder the message of the evening. Who is she? Did I know her? The concern and love in her voice...I have not heard such words since...since...MEG.
At first light, the Captain stepped out of his cabin to announce their heading.
"Naider!" The captain calls looking for his right hand man.
"Yes, Captain. Do we have our heading?" Naider hurries to the masked man's side.
"Yes..." Erik pauses and turns so as to look upon the expression of his friend's face, "inform the men that we sail to Tortuga."
"TORTUGA!" shouted Naider and the men cheer thunderously.
Erik silently adds to his close friend. "I need to see Meg."
Naider questions, "Meg? Cap'n, I hear she has taken up with Jack Sparrow and the Pearl."
"That may be, but I need to see her." One look into Erik's blue eyes shows his friend, it was earnest.
"Aye, Cap'n, we sail to her then." Naider replied with a nod.
A sigh of relief came upon Erik as they sail to Tortuga, a port richly populated with pirates, rum, gambling and women. The sights of which crew had not seen in their many months at sea. The men, hungering for the debauchery they were about to indulge themselves in, scurry to their obligations to bring the Phantom safely to port.
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Meanwhile, Christine's night became ever more taxing on her nerves. She stayed by the window until light of morning came over the horizon. Carlotta enters the bedroom to attend to her mistress is shocked to find her not in her bed.
"Miss?" The maid called, running to her side. "Miss Christine, what on earth, are you doing there?" The servant asks in confusion.
Christine's eyes are swollen from a night spent crying. "Oh Carlotta, the armada and Captain Se...I ha...had to stop it." Christine exhaustedly faints into the arms of the maid.
"Andre, help" the woman called for the manservant.
"Let us place her on the bed." The servants sigh as they close the door behind them. Alana Kesslar abruptly approaches Carlotta.
"Well, where is my daughter?" The governess asked impatiently.
Carlotta lowers her eyes and begins to explain, "Christine is not well, ma'am."
"What do you mean she is not well? Speak up, girl." orders Alana, growing angry with the maid.
The servant perks up and replies, "I am not sure. I found her by the window. She looked as if she had been crying. She started babbling about something. I could not understand her and then she fainted. I had Andre place her in bed."
Alana red in the face, "You incompetent fool, she is due to see the Vicomte today. She must get ready!" Alana said, pushed the servant out from in front of the door and rushed to the bedside of her daughter.
Christine is laying on the bed her arms limp hanging over the sides. Alana brushes back her daughter's hair revealing her swollen eyes and pale skin. The governess immediately calls for the manservant, "Fetch Dr. Covent, now!"
Moments later, the doctor came in to examine the girl. The parents waiting to be given a diagnosis. The doctor raises one eyebrow with concern for his patient.
He asks, "has your daughter been under any strain lately?"
"Well, she is due to see the Vicomte this afternoon but..." Her mother responded innocently.
"I thought as much." Dr. Convent replied, shaking his head as he had seen this before. "Your daughter requires a few days of rest. I am afraid that any activity will only encourage another spell."
"Isn't there some way that she could..." Alana was abruptly cut off by a strong squeeze on her arm from her husband.
"Christine will rest tonight. Thank you, Doctor." Governor Kesslar commanded. Alana reluctantly agrees with a half smile, "yes thank you, Dr. Convent."
As the doctor left the Kesslar's mansion, the Governor stared at his wife with disgust. "How could you force our daughter to see Rauol when she is in this condition?"
Alana responds in defense. "Well, it is your fault. If you hadn't taken this position as governor, Christine could be working in the ballet or opera in France. She always wanted to as a child."
William scoffed; "you would place this on me, as if I wear this wig for anyone except you. You and your struggle to be important." Alana glares as her husband takes his leave from the disagreement. Glancing outside the windowpane, he sees a carriage approaching. The governor clears his throat and he prepares what he must say to the Vicomte.
The butler, Andre allowed the man to enter but asked that he wait in the parlor. "May I pour you a drink, monsieur?" Andre asked holding the bottle of Port.
"No, thank you. Will you, please, tell Christine that I have arrived?" Rauol stated impatiently.
The butler bowed and turns to abide by the wishes of the guest. Rauol nervously pace back and forth as he waits. He ran his fingers through his long blonde hair and passing a mirror, checks his appearance.
The sound of a door opening causes him to turn around smiling politely. The young man is shocked when he sees, Christine's father standing before him. "Good evening, Governor, is Christine ready?"
"I am afraid not, Rauol. She has fallen ill and will not be able to join you this evening." William said with regret.
Anxiety fell upon Rauol's face. "Can I see her?"
"Not this evening, Rauol, she is resting. You have no reason to fret. She is under the care of Dr. Alexander Covent." William confidently replied.
"I see but would you...please tell her..." the young man pauses and shows great concern, "tell her, I was here."
"I will son and thank you." The governor showed the young man out. William watches as the carriage pulls away through the front garden path. The loving father thinks to himself, that boy really cares for my daughter. He cares for her as much as I do.
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Thank you to all my reviewers. Please respond.
Superphan: Sorry the update was a long wait but I wanted to put as much into Erik as I could. I hope you like.
Me: Thanks, hope you like Erik as well.
Phantomlvr: More full of himself Rauol in Ch. 3 too. Erik is better though. smiles
Lonsomegurlangelofdeath: I guess I didn't think about POTC. It was not my source at all. But your comment intrigued my beta. So you will see some characters from POTC pop in and out in chapters to come. Thanks!
Kalaia: Your wish is my command. magic wand sound How was Phantom for ya?
jtbwriter: You are awesome always giving me a challenge. I hope I didn't disappoint. winks
ello ya'll: Yeppers Erik is here. Keep reading!
The mouse in the opera house: Lysimarie thanks you for your kind words and hopes you keep reading. This is really fun to write and challenging. Whew! wipes forehead
Last but certainly not least,
MY BETA: Lysimarie- You are a gem. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for talking me into a fanfiction. It is an amazing experience and I am glad you are a part of it. BIG HUGS for Brownie. I am proud of the way Erik turned out. blushes