What Dreams
May Come
Chapter 9
Symphony of the Night
AN: Well how was everyone's weekend? Good I hope. Well another chapter, more fun and more exploration into Erik and Elphaba's interesting "relationship" so to speak. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews, they were great to read. You guys are awesome.
Huge shout outs go to: Doglover645, thank you so much and of course we are . NiatheWickedLover, Lol thank you so much and wow, turned you into an Erik/Elphaba fan already eh? That was quick. Thank you and the facts will keep on coming. Elphaba'sGirl, that is true, but Elphaba is also still grieving the loss of Fiyero, so she's very unsure about Erik and keeping her guard up. Their relationship gets very…interesting later on. Thanks for reading and thank you for the wonderful review. Mad-Idina-Fan98, the fluffiness! The Feels! All because of you my dear. L8zytwner, oh definitely. Fiyero will be making an appearance later on…though you may not like how he is…just saying.
Phantom Fact 2: Though in an ideal world, the show would run smoothly throughout the entire performance, and even though it may not seem like it, the Phantom of the Opera is very technical. The chandelier for instance, at the end of Act I the chandelier plummets from the ceiling of the Opera house and swoops over the audiences heads and crashes at Christine's feet. Ideally, the chandelier crash should go smooth, but that wasn't the case for one Phantom. During "All I Ask of You reprise, he stands on the Angel singing the lines, "All that the Phantom Asks of You!" at that time, the angel statue he is perched on rises, allowing him to run to Box 5 where he commands it to fall. During one such performance, the angel statue would not move, hence not allowing the chandelier to crash to the stage, so the cast had to pretend the chandelier crashed, ending Act I. The poor Phantom was stuck in the Angel statue throughout the Intermission and staying true to his character, glared at the audience members waving back at him.
In the silence of the night, Erik; the loathsome creature of darkness, sat perched at the edge of the bed, his darkened gaze remained entranced at the sleeping beauty half nestled beneath the sheets; half twisted around her slender body. A twirl of candlelight and the shadows once dancing across her face fade beneath the soft glow of heaven's light.
Erik's breathe hitches and his heart twists beholding the beauty lost within the cadence of darkness and ice. The glow of the candlelight highlighted the softened edges of her face and for a moment, he believed he sat before the presence of a real angel, born from Heaven's light, casted down to this, the abysmal pits of hell.
Sighing, he forced himself to turn his gaze away from the beauty sleeping before him, and for a moment; in the silence of his broken mind, he wondered how long it would be, before this woman would flee on angel's wings from this devil, this demonic angel of darkness.
An all too familiar ache, rippled across his heart. Wincing, he rose from the bed as his fingers absently rose and pressed against his chest. He could feel the soft beat of his broken heart, pulse against the tips of his fingers, and that alone, brought little comfort to this destroyed beast, shattered by a love that would never be his.
Pitiful creature of darkness…what kind of life have you known…
Shaking his head, Erik stumbled away from the bed and clutched his throbbing skull.
God give me courage to show you…you are not…alone!
Biting the inside of his cheek, Erik forced his quivering legs to move. He had to get away.
Reaching the piano, he collapsed on the bench, and rounding his back, bowed his head as the silvery, bell like chime of Christine's voice, slowly faded beneath the waves of chaos's of darkness.
"You alone…can make my song take flight," whispered Erik in a broken tone. Slowly, his trembling fingers rose and pressed down on one of the half destroyed keys. "It's over now…the music of the…"
His voice breaking, Erik bows his head and rests it against the ivory keys. The heartache from a few months past returns, stealing away the very breath from his lungs.
"Christine…why…why?" he moans in pain.
Elphaba roused a few hours later. Moaning, she winced as she weakly turned on her side. Absently her hand reaches out across the bed. Finding it empty, she stiffens and her eyes fly open.
"Fiyero!?" lurching up, she grabs the blankets and holds them tight against her chest. Frantically, her dark chocolate eyes gazed around the room, her mind reeled as she tried to recall to where she was at. Her strange surroundings did little to quell her growing fear.
Time drifted by for the fallen angel, for he had lost track of how long he had been sitting before his now dilapidated piano. Sighing, his fingers rose, and lightly pressed down on one of the keys, not broken by the fires of rage and blood lust.
Closing his eyes, his fingers glided lithely across the keys. He didn't know what he was playing, nor did he really care. All he cared about, was that the soft melody helped lift and carry away what remained of his shattered soul.
"Hello?" called out Elphaba, hearing the soft music play in the distance.
Not hearing a response, Elphaba carefully lifted the blankets away and for a moment, relief flooded her heart, for the pain in her arm and ribs seemed to have melted away.
"Hello?" she called out louder this time. Hearing only the soft music from the piano answer her back, she gingerly rose on shaky legs to her full height, and turning, made her way towards the music.
Reaching the edge of the bedroom, she stumbled. Gasping, Elphaba grasped onto the doorframe and panted. Small beads of sweat glistened across her forehead.
Mutely, she swore beneath her breath, for never had she been winded so easily by a few measly steps. Lifting her gaze, she stiffened, for everything from a few hours past came rushing back at her.
She wasn't in Oz, she was in France, or at least that's what she had thought Erik had said. Using her good arm to support her ribs, she limply made her way towards the sound of the music.
"Christine" moans Erik brokenly.
Elphaba stiffened at the name and gasping leaned against the wall.
"Erik?" Elphaba called, nearing the masked man.
Startled, Erik's fingers crashed against the keys, slowly he turned stiffly towards the sound of the one who had called his name and relaxed, seeing Elphaba stand but a few feet away.
"Mademoiselle Elphaba," gasped Erik. Immediately he frowned, seeing her lean heavily against the wall, "What the devil are you doing out of bed?"
"I couldn't sleep anymore," replies Elphaba softly. Wincing, she took a timid step closer, "whose Christine?"
Erik stiffened and turned away from Elphaba. Sighing, he lowered his head.
"Someone who was not meant for me" he replied softly
"I'm sorry" whispered Elphaba softly. She knew what it felt like, to have been in love with someone who was not destined to be yours. A pain, she knew all too well.
Erik couldn't help but chuckle
"And what exactly are you apologizing for Mademoiselle Elphaba?"
"I…" frowning, Elphaba huffed indignantly. In truth she really didn't know why she apologized. After all, it wasn't her. Groaning, she face palmed before changing the subject, "You play beautifully"
"Thank you Mademoiselle" suddenly he stiffened and turned back towards Elphaba, "I hope my playing did not disturb your slumber"
"No it didn't I assure you…actually I quite enjoyed it" smiled Elphaba. Wincing, she limped closer and nearly fell.
Seeing her, Erik's arms instantly reach out and wrap tenderly around her slender waist. Gently, he lowered her down on the bench beside him.
"Are you alright Mademoiselle?" he asked softly.
Elphaba stiffened at first, feeling his warm, muscular arms wrap around her. Forcing herself to relax, she winced slightly at the pain, before turning and smiling back at Erik.
"Not really" she admitted reluctantly.
"Have I hurt you?" absently his one arm unwound from around her waist, the other remained as his hand rose and gently cupped her cheek.
"No…you actually stopped me from hurting myself more" smiles Elphaba. A small blush crept across her cheek as she stared back into the masked man's darkened eyes.
Shifting slightly, Elphaba cleared her throat before undoing her braid, and closing her eyes, softly combed her fingers through her long raven locks.
Mesmerized, Erik watched her.
"What?" she asked, noticing his stare.
Erik was about to retort when he suddenly stiffened. Instantly his arms tightened around her waist as he turned his gaze towards the encroaching darkness.
"What?" asks Elphaba again.
Silence follows, and Elphaba grew nervous at Erik's rigid stance.
Turning, he stared back at Elphaba; fear and worry back at her.
"What is it Erik?"
"Men" is all Erik says
