Chapter 12

This chapter here will have elements of ALW

Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera.

Alera was sitting at the window, humming a tune that Erik sometimes played on his violin. She began to clumsy put words to it, in her old tongue,

" Nocturn- timp ascuţi , a intensifica fiecare sentiment ...
întuneric a agita a veghe maginaţie ...
în tăcere prezenţă de spirit pustiu lor neîncredere ...

încet, cu grijă, nocturn- timp desfăşura lui splendoare"

"That was surprisingly good." Erik's voice sounded behind her.

Alera jumped and whipped her head around. Erik was standing very close to her. "Oh, I was just-"

He sat down beside her. "No worries. I don't mind. But," he grew thoughtful as he ran the words though his mind," some of those words don't fit."

"How can you make them fit? I don't know anything about music." Alera asked.

Erik got up and crossed the room to his violin case. Pulling it out, he played the first few bars, and then began to sing the words that Alera had been singing, but changed some of the words to make them flow smoother.

"Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation ...
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination ...
Silently the senses abandon their defenses ...

Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor.

He paused then went on, the sound and his voice bringing tears to Alera's eyes. She closed them, drowning in the enchanting sounds that was flooding her senses.

Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender ...
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light -
and listen to the music of the night ...

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar!
And you'll live as you've never lived before ...

Softly, deftly, music shall surround you ...
Feel it, hear it, closing in around you ...
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness which you know you cannot fight -
the darkness of the music of the night.

Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world!
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!
Let your soul
Take you where you long to be!
Only then can you belong to me ...

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation!
Let the dream begin,
let your darker side give in to the power of
the music that I write - the power of the music of the night ...

The sweet torture ended, and Alera opened her glazed eyes, tears running down her cheeks. Erik was also in his own world. Alera shook herself out of the hazed she had falling in. "Was your voice and music always like this?" she whispered.

Erik slowly laid the violin aside and rested his hand upon it. "Yes. Ever since, I was a child. It drove my mother insane in the end. I used it to get what I wanted, but it was still a lie. But," he turned to her, taking in her form, "Ever since I had arrived here, I have neglected my music for far too long…it would be a change from all the horror and the ugliness of death."

"Yes, I believe it would, but as I have learned, death can be beautiful." Alera whispered slyly.

Erik inclined his head. "Go on. I have a feeling you have thought of something."

Alert laughed, "Indeed I have." She stood and picked up the violin and handed it back to him. He took it, looking at her in curiosity.

"Play, then think upon an irony."

He nodded and placed the violin under his chin and began to play a slow but happy song. He didn't sing, just harmonized along with the notes. no particular words, merely the beautiful notes.

Alera sat down among the cushions on the floor in front of him. Leaning back, she closed her eyes, listioning intenetly. Her breathing slowed and she fell into a trance. When the song was over, Erik looked down at her. Her breathing was almost non exstient. He put the violin away then turned to find her watching him. She pushed herself into a sitting position as he kneeled down beside her.

"Your idea is very…ironic."

"I thought it would be. What better way for her to die then by the thing that she loves the most."

"Very soon we must do this." Erik told her.

"Yes, if both of us want to keep any sanity… we will have to leave Persia soon. You have many enemies. More then any man. The Khanum wants your blood. She is truly jealous. Her amusement with you is diminishing. She is even more powerful then the shah. You will possibly surcome to a fate that may be worst then death."

"Yes, I know," he said grimly. "I knew an extended time here very may will led me to death. And what a great loss to the world that would be!"

"Erik-" Alera began.

"Don't preach." He placed a long finger to her lips.

Alera kissed his finger then leaned forward. "I wasn't going to," she whispered as she kissed his thin lips.

nocturn- timp ascuţi , a intensifica fiecare sentiment ...
întuneric a agita a veghe maginaţie ...
în tăcere prezenţă de spirit pustiu lor neîncredere ... încet, cu grijă, nocturn- timp desfăşura lui splendoare--

Night-time sharpens, heightens each feeling ...
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination ...
Silently the senses desert their suspicion ...