Barb/Morminator,Erik doesn't fully trust Isobel yet, so that's one of the reasons why. I explain more in this chapter, but I can't go in depth without giving away the plot. Just keep your eye on that Red Book...hehehe.
Jen Lennon,I'm glad you liked the crossover idea and feel I'm pulling it off so far. Don't worry, more Isobel/Erik interaction is coming up soon!
One other thing before I leave-college started, so I'll do my best to write and update in my free time.
Pairings: E/C, R/C, E/OW, OC/OC, Van Helsing/OC
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my OCs. Also, there will be some, but not a ton of AU. The quote "All that is gold does not glitter..., etc." belongs to JRR Tolkien and is used in the LoTR novels and the RoTK movie.
Summary: When the daughter of monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing and the Lady of the Dúnedain goes undercover with her company to capture the infamous Opera Ghost, nothing goes as planned. What will happen when three childhood friends reunite and secrets uncovered? Also, what will Erik do when he comes face to face with a child of Lúthien's line?
Chapter Fourteen: Children of the Wilderness
Isobel and Erik spent the next two days in fencing practice and reading. At night, Erik usually retreated to his room to brood, leaving the Hunter to her own thoughts. They were slowly getting to know one another, but he still didn't fully trust Isobel. With wisdom beyond her years, she in turn realized he needed more time to acclimate to her presence.
In the hours before the dawn, Gwydion arrived, dressed as a peasant farmer with a wagon full of crops. "Holy Order?" Monsieur Bontecou whispered in French. "Yes, I am here to meet Isobel Van Helsing and her charge." He responded. "Good sir, I will give you lodgings and your crop looks good. We will meet tomorrow and arrange to buy some, if you are willing." He said loudly in French, to deter any eavesdroppers. "Thank you monsieur. Here is the price for a few night's lodgings." Gwydion replied. Bontecou nodded, and showed him up to his room. It was across from Erik and Isobel's room.
Once alone, the Hunter knocked gently on Isobel's door. She opened it warily and then with a cry of happiness, hugged him tightly. "Gwydion! I thought you would never get here! How was the trip?"Isobel exclaimed. Unknown to them, Erik had heard her shout, and went to investigate. Hidden by the shadows, he noticed that she was truly happy to have her friend back. Isobel was twenty-three, but looked a few years older. Now the stress of their flight from Paris disappeared, leaving a happy young woman in her place.
"Tiring. I had to run around the flat like a bloody maniac, trying to figure out what to take and what to ship over and getting fake aliases, passports and all. You're high maintenance, Isobel." Gwydion teased. She grinned cheekily at him, eyes glittering. "Come in, I'll make tea for you. God knows you must be exhausted." Isobel said and turned to face Erik. "You too." She added, smiling.
The three of them sat at the small table. Gwydion and Erik were eyeing one another, trying to ascertain the level of danger. Isobel sighed and started to pass out cups and small plates with biscuits. The silence was deafening, and it was only broken when the tea was done.
"Where in England is your family estate?" Erik asked softly. "In Sussex, England right outside of Lewes. It's a fairly big estate, and we have a guest house that you can stay in, until everything has worked out." She said. "Speaking of which, Mark Niall, Erik Kavanagh and Isolde Connor have tickets on the ship The Dawn Noel. The Captain and his wife Roslynn Noah, are part of another society that's allied with the Holy Order and will make sure we get safely to our destination." Gwydion interjected. "Good. We'll leave by noon tomorrow-Erik and I will leave together, and then you leave dressed as a farmer. We should all get some rest, as we've got a long day ahead of us." Isobel said briskly, leaving no room for arguments. Gwydion rolled his eyes and she laughed.
As Erik left, he noticed the young Hunter give Isobel a worn and battered book. In gold lettering on a red leather cover, it said simply The Red Book. Her eyes grew wide with happiness and she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Then Isobel immediately buried it in the bag that contained her change of clothes, apparently trying to hide it. 'The Red Book? How is it that I, who have read many books in the course of my lifetime, have never come across this one before? More importantly, why is she trying to hide it? What is it to her?' he wondered, narrowing his eyes.
Once in his room, Erik began to pack what little he had and feeling tired, tried to get some sleep. He wouldn't sleep for very long, as Christine and the elusive Star-maid began to weave in and out of his dreams.
"Holy Angel, in Heaven blessed, with thee my spirit longs to rest!" Christine sang, holding her arms out to Erik. Surprised, he tried to embrace her, but she shone with a golden light and turned towards the Sun. Standing there was the Vicomte De Changy, and together the young couple disappeared.
Erik let out a cry of fury, but a voice singing caught his attention and he had a strong impulse to follow it. Thefour maidenswere standing in a clearing, dancing in the moonlight.
They were blurry, but he could see that one was slim with dark hair and wise eyes. Her pointed ears betrayed her elven heritage, and as she sang, nightingales perched on her shoulder. Next to her, a blonde elf woman with blue eyes that reminded him of the sea twirled merrily, seafoam at her silver feet.
The third elf-maid looked similar to the first, but with deep blue eyes that held wisdom and understanding. She wore a necklace that seemed woven from the stars and the Evening Star shone brightly above her. The fourth maiden was human, or so he guessed from the lack of pointed ears. She wore a gown of blue and silver and her face was the hardest to make out. Yet the one thing he did know-she held a copy of the book Isobel had. Turning, the ethereal women saw him and ran off, disappearing into the mists.
Erik woke up, his heart pounding. Clearly, his dreams were tied in with that mysterious book. He needed to get his hands on it, but how? Erik couldn't very well just go up to her and ask her for it-it was painfully obviously that she wanted to keep it hidden. Besides, he still didn't fully trust Isobel. Yes, she was kind to him and made a real effort to treat him like everyone else with her faith in him, but she was still a stranger. A dangerous stranger who was the daughter of the most wanted man in Europe. He wasn't exactly going to accept her with open arms and pour his heart out to her.
Unknown to Erik, Isobel's reoccurring dream had come back in full-force. It was always the same-she was wandering a deep cavern in a dark forest. The cavern lead underground, and she was always drawn there by an unearthly voice. A man was waiting for her, leading herback intothe night sky. His features were blurred, but that voice...there was something so familiar about him, yet she couldn't put her finger on it.
"I am never going to get back to sleep!" Isobel huffed and brought out her copy of The Red Book. Flipping through the dog-eared chapters, she found her favorite part-the tale of Aragorn and Arwen. With a happy sigh, she lost herself in the world of her ancestors. Before Isobel knew it, she was ready to try to go back to sleep, so with a sigh, the candle flickered out and sleep claimed her.
The next afternoon, the Bontecous bid farewell to Isobel, Erik and Gwydion. Van Helsing's daughter and her charge rode off, followed by the grey-eyed hunter with the wagon.
The three of them were silent as they made their way on long-forgotten paths. It seemed that once safely amongst nature, Isobel seemed to change. She seemed to take strength from it, in a way. Gwydion, on the other hand, seemed to have a sort of laconic poise about him. He seemed like the type to go from reading a book to a raging warrior in a matter of minutes.
The day was long, with only a few stops. Isobel seemed to be the leader, but she deferred to Gwydion's uncanny knowledge of hidden roads. "Just as long as we don't get lost."she teased, grinning cheekily. "Odd...I thought you were the one with the bad sense of direction." Gwydion said dryly, with the faintest glimmer of a smile. Erik could that they were very close, which had helped them in their charade in Paris. They moved as one, each catching the other's thoughts effortlessly.
They made camp in a small clearing. Gwydion had found kindling, and Isobel had taken out some of the goods that the Bontecous had given them. They ate the meal in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The time had come for them to choose who would have the first watch, and so they drew lots. Erik had drawn first watch, and so made himself comfortable while the other two turned the wagon into makeshift sleeping quarters.
The fire burned and crackled, painting images in Erik's mind. The last time he had slept outdoors like this was when he had been captured by gypsies. He felt a rising swell of freedom...for the first time in ages, he was out under the open skies. It was both a thrilling and frightening prospect.
Erik turned his attention to the sleeping Hunters. Gwydion slept on his side, his back towards Isobel. The brunette woman, however, slept on her back, her hair fanning around her face. 'She seems younger when she sleeps' he mused. It reminded him painfully of when Christine had fell into a swoon, and Erik had placed her almost reverentially in the swan bed. With a great effort and a heaving sigh, Erik pushed that memory back and continued his guard-duty.
Three hours later, Gwydion woke up and took his place at the watch. He nodded, and Erik gratefully climbed into the wooden wagon. There were supplies in the middle, creating a barrier of sorts between himself and Isobel. With a quiet sigh, he gave himself over to sleep. The long day had taken it's toll on him and for the first time in three days, Erik slept without dreams.