Rekindling the Music of the Night

By: K.C. Vaillancourt

Disclaimer - You know the drill…I do not own anything associated with The Phantom of the Opera or lyrics of any songs I use.

Just as a quick warning I do edit all my work before I post and have people read my work but there still may be some grammar mistakes. I apologize for them in advance.

Author Note – Thank you for taking the time to review, follow, or favorite my story. Your support is what keeps the momentum going.

I am almost caught up with posting the old chapters and should be posting new ones soon.


Dreams and Nightmares

Christine and Erik saddled up Cesar and Arturo. Erik helped Christine mount Arturo who seemed to be comfortable with her on his back. Erik got on Cesar and together they rode into the forest. Arturo took to Christine just like Cesar had. She felt like she had ridden him for years. He responded to her every move. They rode slowly for a while until they emerged from the trees and found themselves in a seemingly endless meadow. Christine looked over at Erik and smiled.

She whipped the reins and Arturo took off with Erik and Cesar following suit. The wind whipped through her hair as they rode together. She had no idea where they were going and at the moment she didn't care. She felt a sense of freedom she had not felt in a long time. After riding for a while she saw a lake up ahead and slowed Arturo down.

"I have never seen a horse, a stallion no less, take to someone so easily." Christine said as she watched the horses drink.

"Perhaps you have a gift." Erik said as he wrapped his arms around her but stopped when he felt her flinch at his touch.

Christine closed her eyes taking deep breaths to calm herself and then turned around to face him. "I'm sorry. I guess you're gentle touch will take some getting used to."

"I see." Erik said and she could hear the hurt in his voice.

She placed a hand on his cheek. "Erik, I swear it has nothing to do with you. It's Raoul. Most of the time, especially in the past couple of years, when he would touch me it was in a less loving manner. I may be caught up in the bliss of our new connection now but I know I will need to allow myself time to heal from my ordeals with him."

"I understand." Erik said placing his hand on her cheek gently rubbing his thumb over her fading bruise.

Christine smiled as she leaned into his hand. "Your touch is tender and wonderful. I know you would never hurt me."

Erik smiled and pulled her toward him. He sat in the lush green grass with Christine nestled in his lap.

"Where did you get them?" Christine asked. "I have not seen many horses like them around France."

"They are Friesian horses from the Netherlands. I acquired them from an acquaintance I met while I was traveling through Europe. They refused to be broken by him and were going to be put down but when I met them they immediately took to me. He told me if I wanted them they were mine for the taking."

"You've traveled through Europe?" Christine asked.

"Madame Giry was surprised by that revelation as well." Erik said with a laugh. "When she left the opera house. I decided to venture out myself. I traveled through France and a bit of Belgium then the Netherlands. Always hidden in the shadows of course. I found I missed the opera house so I decided to return. Madame Giry, Meg, and you arrived a couple years after I returned."

They sat in silence watching their horses drink and explore the area nibbling on the grass. Christine let her head fall against Erik's chest as she sighed. "What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"I had a dream about this once. When I was a little girl, after my father died. I think it was a dream of the life I wanted. A simple, quiet life with someone I loved. Perhaps a couple of children. Riding, having picnics, doing whatever we felt like, rich or poor. It didn't matter as long as I had someone to share it with."

"Are you sure you want to share it with me?"

Christine moved so she could face him and placed a hand on his chest over his heart. "Erik look in my eyes and tell me what you see when I look at you."

"Love." Erik answered immediately.

"That is what I see when I look in yours. There is no doubt in my mind that you are who I want to share my dreams with. I never would have come if I didn't. I couldn't imagine doing something so cruel to another human being. As I said you are the man I loved from the start. Raoul was…"

She never got to finish as Erik silenced her with a kiss. "Raoul doesn't matter today remember. No one or anything else matters and that is the last time I will ask if you are certain you want to be with me. We are in this beautiful place together we should enjoy it."

"Before you met me, what was your dream life?"

Erik tightened his hold on her. "I never really had one. I accepted my fate of living the long years of my life alone so I never allowed myself to think about it but now sitting here with you I know I am living my dream right now."

"See what I mean about us. We have the same dreams. We fit together like pieces of a puzzle." She snuggled closer into him and Erik let his chin rest on the top of her head as he looked ahead with a smile he thought might never leave his lips and letting his mind get lost in thought. "How will we travel?"

"What?" Erik asked looking down at her.

Christine looked up at him. "I know I said I wanted to wait until tomorrow to talk about this but as I was riding I had a chance to think a bit more clearly about the conversation we had with Madame Giry and Meg earlier. We are both being hunted, thanks to Raoul. How are we going to get out of France with his people looking for us?"

"We can travel as discretely as possible to Calais and take a ship to Britain. From there we make our way to London. I know a few people from my travels that will help us with no questions asked and no amount of money Raoul can offer will sway them from my side. When it is time for us to go all you have to do is have your bags packed. I will take care of the rest. The Vicomte can offer money for my capture and your return but there is something he has overlooked." Christine raised an eyebrow and Erik smiled. "No one except those I have revealed myself to know what the phantom looks like and there is no real proof that I am him." Erik's smile faded and he looked away from Christine. "Anyone who did see me that could expose me never lived to tell the tale."

Christine could sense he was ashamed of those actions now but knowing what she did about his past she understood why he took those lives. She began to feel guilty about bringing up Buquet and Piangi earlier. "What about Cesar? He will be fairly recognizable." Christine pointed out.

"No one knows he's mine. When he was at the opera house everyone thought he was the stable man's horse."

Christine laughed. "There isn't much anyone knows about you. Is there?"

"There is only one person who knows my secrets." Erik whispered.

Christine knew it was her and pulled his arms tighter around her. "What about me? Raoul is well known throughout France and I was carted around for all to see by him. I will certainly be recognized."

"I didn't recognize you when you were first at my door. It might be easier than you think to get out of France. Although something I have thought of is, your name. It may be best if you took on a new one."

Christine took a moment to respond. "Change my name?"

"I will always think of you as Christine Daae but whether Daae or De Chagny. It is a well-known name and as you pointed out Raoul did make sure you were out for all to see. Until we are safely out of France it would be the best course of action."

"Even after we are out of France it may be best to keep my new name. Who says for sure that Raoul doesn't have connections in Britain he could turn to? If I am going to change my name it will have to be for good. What about your name?"

"As you said there isn't much anyone knows about me. Only Madame Giry, Meg, and you know my true name."

Then she thought of something that she hadn't thought to ask Meg at the time. "Do you have a last name?"

"Destler" Erik told her. By the tone in his voice Christine knew it wasn't time to ask any more about his past, yet.

Christine sat up and looked at him. "Erik Destler." She thought about it for a moment. "It suites you." She curled back up in his arms and watched the horses once more. "My name is the one thing I have left of my father. How do I give that up?"

"I know it'll be difficult for you. Now do you see why it is easier for the Giry's and me to give up our personal possessions?" Christine shook her head. "You are giving up far more than any of us. You have to give up your identity. The name Christine Daae which as you said is the last tie to your father whom you loved so dearly and in order to have the life you want you have to change it."

"I know if he were here he would tell me I was being foolish. He would remind me that my name is not what makes up my identity. It is no more important than your journals or my roses. It is our experiences and actions that make us who we are. If we had ever had to run when I was a child my father would have changed our name without a second thought to keep us safe. He would want me to do the same thing now."

They sat together for a while longer until Erik noticed the sun was beginning to set. "Perhaps we should head back."

They rode back to the stables in silence. Christine thought about everything she and Erik had talked about. It was all a bit overwhelming. She loved the idea of going to London with Erik and starting over. She couldn't help but think that it would never happen. Raoul was ruthless and conniving. He would most likely figure out their plan to leave France even if no one came forward with information for him. She knew he would have people watching the ports and borders.

Erik watched Christine as they rode. He knew she was excited about leaving France with him but leaving her name behind had been what unsettled her even though she tried to justify it by saying she knew it is what her father would want her to do. He remembered the numerous times he had heard her at the chapel crying and praying to her father. He wanted to reveal himself then to comfort her but stayed hidden. He couldn't imagine how hard it was for her to be considering giving up the name that Gustave Daae had given her. He hadn't wanted to suggest it but knew he had to for the safety of them both.

After they returned the horses to the stables Erik asked Christine if she wanted to see the Giry's before they went back to the cabin but she declined. When they got back Christine sat in silence starring into the darkness outside as Erik made dinner. They ate in silence and it continued until they were sitting together on the floor by the fire a little while after they ate. "Belle." Christine whispered and lifted her head from Erik's chest so she could look at him. "Belle Deforest that will be my new name."

"Belle Deforest" Erik repeated. "Beauty from the forest." He ran his fingers through her hair. "I think it's perfect." He took a small strand of her now blonde hair in his hand. "Is this new color something I should get used to?"

Christine shook her head. "As soon as my hair has grown out enough I will be saying good bye to these blonde locks. It might suite Meg but this color is not for me."

Erik couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't want to say anything but your natural color absolutely suites you better and only enhances your beauty. If you like I could assist you in dyeing it back."

"As much as I would love to take you up on your offer I think it is best that I keep it this way for now." Christine leaned up and pecked him on the cheek. "When do you think we should leave?"

"I have been thinking about that. Meg said she would be leaving the day after tomorrow. I think we should leave then too. I know it won't give Meg a chance to give us any information she finds out but I don't think it's safe for us to wait much longer than that. It will only give Raoul more time to mobilize his people and seek us out. Meg can tell her mother if anything develops and they can prepare as they see fit."

Christine nodded and thought perhaps in the next day or two she might be able to convince the Giry's to leave when they did even if they were going separate ways. "Before we leave for London…" She was quiet for a moment. "I need to say good bye, to my father."

Erik knew what she was suggesting and took a moment choosing his words carefully. "Christine, I know how much your father means to you but I think going back to that cemetery would be an unnecessary risk."

Christine sighed trying not to be angry at his answer. "If I am going to leave everything behind, including my name I have to go there. I realize it is a risk but I have to tell him good bye, please."

He saw tears forming in her eyes and knew the discussion was over. "I truly can't deny you anything. If it is what you need to be ok with this than that is what we will do."

Christine leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you."

Erik leaned down not satisfied with a simple kiss on the cheek. They closed their eyes as their lips met. Christine got on her knees and placed her hands on either side of his face while he wrapped his arms around her waist. Their kiss deepened and her thumbs gently caressed his cheeks. Erik's eyes opened when he felt her thumb making its way under his mask. He broke away from her and made sure his mask was still in place. Christine took his hand away from his face. "Erik, you don't have to hide from me. I love all of you. I am not afraid." She whispered placing her hand on his masked cheek again. "You don't need to wear this when we are alone."

Erik closed his eyes. He wanted to believe, wanted to trust that when he took off his mask and wig he would see the same love in her eyes that he saw now. There was still a part of him that feared when she looked at his true face he would see the same disgust in her eyes that haunted him when anyone had looked at his face. He placed his hand over hers and removed it from his mask opening his eyes. "I am not ready for you to see Christine."

"I understand." She whispered. "I can wait."

They sat together for a while longer watching the fire until Christine found she was having trouble keeping her eyes open. She kissed Erik good night, who told her he was going to stay up awhile longer, and went into her room. After lighting a lamp she began to change into her night clothes. As she unfastened her undergarment she caught a glimpse of her scarred back in the mirror and stood starring. She closed her eyes as the sound of the whip against her flesh rang in her ears. She forced herself to look away and finished changing. After climbing into bed she closed her eyes and after a few minutes was fast asleep. Her lips curled into a smile as she began to dream about her life with Erik and how happy they were together but suddenly her peaceful dream turned into a nightmare from her past.

Erik was sitting at his organ writing a new piece that had come to him after Christine went to bed. His head shot up when heard her scream. He got up letting the bench crash to the floor and rushed to her room. He opened the door and saw Christine thrashing in her bed still screaming. He rushed to her side and tried to calm her. "Christine, Christine." He whispered as he tried to wrap his arms around her.

Christine's eyes shot open and he saw the pure terror in them. She sat up but still thought she was in her nightmare. She felt someone's arms around her and acted on instinct. "Let me go!" She cried trying to push away the person who was holding her. "I didn't do anything. Please, let me go!"

Erik held her closer to him even as she fought. "Christine. Christine, it's alright it's me, Erik."

"Erik. Erik." She whispered and realized she was in fact awake. She wasn't with Raoul in Dijon. She was in his home. She was in his arms. She stopped fighting and crumbled into his arms burying her head in his chest as she cried.

Erik stroked her back letting her cry and knew one thing to do that would calm her. "Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently the senses abandon their defenses." As he sang the soft lullaby he felt her beginning to calm down and continued to sing. "Slowly, gently your mind unfurls its splendor. Grasping, sensing pulling you into nightmares. Turn your face away from the darkness of your days. Turn your thoughts away from a cruel and painful past. And listen to my music of the night."

His voice faded away and Christine looked up at him her cheeks stained with tears. "It felt so real."

"What did?" Erik whispered still stroking her back.

"I can't. I don't want to remember it." She closed her eyes and laid her head back down on his chest. "I want to forget it ever happened."

"Keeping things locked away inside of you only gives it more power. Talking about it will make the nightmares stop." Erik told her. "You can tell me anything. Nothing will change the way I look at you."

"I know. I know if I don't let it out I will keep reliving it." She had had the same nightmares when she was with Meg but she never admitted it. She kept her eyes closed as she recalled her nightmare. "At first I was dreaming of us. We were in our new home in London and incredibly happy with our new life. But then it all changed…" She took a deep breath. "I was back with Raoul. I can't remember what I had done." Then it came to her. "We had a fight earlier that day about how music had no place in my life anymore. He must have heard me singing later that night as I brushed my hair getting ready for dinner. That was why Raoul brought me into his study. Anton was there and…and…all of a sudden he grabbed my wrists and held me down over the desk while Raoul ripped open the back of my dress. I begged them to let me go and then I felt it. A horrible painful stinging against my back." Christine took a deep breath as she tightened her grip on him. "It was the first time he had ever done it but he continued to whip me as he told me I would be an obedient wife and realize my days giving into music were over. I held back my screams and tears as he continued. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction. Even the times after that I never ever let any of them except Marie, one of the maids I had grown close to, see the pain he inflicted on me. She would clean the wounds he left and make sure I healed without infection and minimal scarring."

Erik continued to hold her as he stared at the wall. It took all he had to hold in the rage he felt at what she had told him. Raoul had treated her no better than a disobedient horse. She was his wife and should have been cherished. Oh how he wished he had followed through six years ago and tightened his lasso around his neck until he had no breath left but if he had done it Christine would have walked away from him. She wouldn't be in his arms tonight. She will never know that kind of pain ever again. He silently vowed as he narrowed his eyes. If the opportunity presented itself to be rid of the Vicomte and his friend Anton he would not let it pass him by. "I am so sorry ma Cherie."

She looked up at him. "What do you have to be sorry for? It's not your fault. You weren't there. Had I been a better wife…"

Erik cut her off. "What happened to you is not your fault, most men in this world think of woman as nothing more than property and that when property misbehaves they are within their rights to do what they feel is necessary."

"I used to hear other wives talking about their husbands at parties. Most of the time when I would join them or was near they would begin to gossip loud enough so that I was sure to hear them. Even though I had the fancy dresses and all the accessories they never accepted me as part of their world. To them I was a common singer. No better than a prostitute Raoul had acquired."

"Is that how you see yourself?" Erik asked.

"Sometimes." Christine admitted. "I try to be strong in the light of day or when I'm with others, even you. Since the day I left I've tried to pretend the last six years didn't happen but in the dark of night or when I see my scars in the mirror I can't deny what happened to me. When I think about it I can't help but wonder if Raoul and the others were right about who I am. A common whore who married up to acquire money and a title."

Erik brushed away her escaping tears. "They are all wrong. I know you and you are so much more than common."

Christine smiled. "My father used to say something similar to me. He would tell me I was a beautiful free spirit destined for more than the world I was born into had to offer."

"He was right. You are worth so much more than all those other women. They may act happy but it is all a façade. They are no better than portraits in a museum."

"I wish it didn't take me so long to finally find the strength and courage to leave."

"But you did and that is what makes you better than those who looked down on you. If you don't mind my asking, what made you decide to leave?"

"The fight I had with Raoul that night. I kept a rose you had given me hidden in a drawer of my vanity and he found it. He was drunk as usual and once again left me on the floor with more bruises to cover. I looked at myself in the mirror that night and realized I couldn't live like a prisoner subject to his beatings when I stepped out of line. I also couldn't deny what was in my heart and the real reason why I kept that rose all these years. Even if I told Raoul a different story. Now I am here and happy but a part of me is still trapped in that room with Anton and Raoul. Feeling the burden of responsibility for what I allowed them to do to me and the part I played in the madness at the opera house. Had I been stronger then so much pain could have been avoided."

Erik was quiet as he took in what she had told him. "You know the life I suffered at the hands of the gypsies. There was a time I thought I deserved it because of my face but I realized it wasn't my fault. Even if I don't want others to see my face I know I didn't ask for my deformity or the way I was treated because of it. At the opera house you were put in an impossible situation at a time in your life when such decisions should never have had to have been made. I know it will take time for your body and mind to heal but eventually you will come to see your past as just that and not let it affect your present or future because there is nothing any of us can do to change the actions we took. All we can do is acknowledge what we did wrong and learn from the experience to help make us better people. In the meantime know I am here for you for whatever you need." He sighed as he thought of why Raoul had decided to beat her the first time. "Music should never be a reason to harm someone. It is beautiful and pure. Not a device to be used for torture." He shook his head and whispered. "I helped inspire your voice…"

Christine put a hand to his mouth. "None of what happened to me is your fault and as you said in time I will accept that it was not mine. I loved music long before you came into my life. My father showed me the beauty music could bring and when he was gone you continued what he had begun." Christine told him and was about to say more when she yawned.

"I should let you get back to sleep." As he was about to remove his arms from around her she stopped him.

"Wait, please stay." Christine said. "At least until I fall asleep."

Erik nodded and she moved so he could shift his position. He sat on the bed with his back resting on the headboard. Christine crawled into his arms pulling the blanket around them. She rested her head on his chest and listened to the rhythm of his heart beat. "Would you sing to me?"

He smiled as he held her. "Close your eyes and surrender to your sweetest dreams. Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before. Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar. And we'll live as we've never lived before." He could hear Christine breathing slowly as she began to fall back to sleep. "Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be. Floating, falling sweet intoxication. Let our dream begin, let our loving sides give in. To the power of the music that we write. The power of our music of the night."

Erik knew Christine had fallen asleep not long after he began to sing and didn't want to move in case he woke her up. He slid down on the bed so his head was resting on a pillow. He laid there with her in his arms. He enjoyed sharing a bed with her and found his mind wandering to more intimate things he would like to do with her. He pushed the thoughts away not allowing his mind to wander into ungentlemanly territory any more than it already had. It wouldn't be long before they would be able to have a new start, in a new city, and a new life. He let those thoughts lull him into a peaceful sleep with his angel in his arms.