What Dreams
May Come
Chapter 37
Her Choice
AN: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! Both Mad Idina and I are so shocked and thrilled to see people enjoying the story that the both of us have been working so hard to write. Special shout outs go to: Fae'sFlower and you'll just have to see what happens and yes, the beloved lovers triangle. Gotta love it. Doglover645. Don't you just love it? And L8lzytnwer. Thank you all again so much for the wonderful reviews. And special thanks to everyone still reading the chapters and staying with the story. Your ongoing support and interest in the story is very appreciated.
Elphaba spoke not a word as she climbed back in the carriage. Taking a seat by the window, she pressed her elbow against the soft cushioned seat, and cradled her chin within the palm of her hand.
The streets gave way to the vast forest, yet Elphaba saw none of it. Her mind was to conflicted, her thoughts a tumultuous sea of chaos and thunder.
Her Fiyero was back, the man she figured had died at the hands of his own men, and all for not, for here he was in this strange world; flesh and blood, whole, and perfect, as she had always remembered him to be.
Madame Giry watched the raven haired woman in silence, her heart breaking, for she could see the conflict in her eyes. She could only guess that this man, who had spoken to her in the market place, had been someone whom she once held dear. A lover whom she had feared had lost within the tides of hatred.
She wanted to say something, anything to help comfort her. But no matter what her idle brain came up with, none seemed appropriate. So instead, she reached a hand out, and tenderly cupped it over Elphaba's.
Feeling Madame Giry's touch upon the top of her hand, Elphaba stiffened. Turning her head, her dark chocolate eyes pierced back into the elder woman. And for a moment she waited, watching to see an underlying current of deceit or anger flicker within Madame Giry's darkened eyes.
To her relief, there was nothing but sympathy and love.
Relaxing, Elphaba simply smiled softly back at Madame Giry, for although the touch was subtle, simple. It was just the thing she needed.
The return to the chateau was both bittersweet, and a relief, for though her thoughts were awash with fear and worry, only one thought kept thrumming within her mind, drowning out all other thoughts of her lost love.
Stepping out of the carriage, Elphaba picked up the edge of her skirt, and quickly ran into the house. Her heart pounded in her chest as she ascended the steps. She needed to know how her love was doing, know whether or not his wretched fever had finally broke.
Madame Giry followed slowly behind. Stopping at the edge of the bottom steps, she lifts her head and smiles, watching Elphaba round the corner to the hallway.
Turning slightly, she whispers something beneath her breath before making her way into the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks for everyone.
Reaching the bedroom, Elphaba pushed open the door and stopped seeing Nadir sit in a chair beside the bed. His one hand clasped gently with Erik's pale fingers.
Lifting his head, Nadir smiled warmly back at Elphaba.
"He's been waiting for you" he spoke softly, a ghost of a whisper. To the far left, a warm fire crackled in the stone fireplace. The sweet smell of cedar filled the air. It was relaxing, and Elphaba couldn't help but smile.
"He's awake?" she asks, as she takes a tentative step closer. Unconsciously she rubs the meat of her thumb against the palm of her hand. A nervous habit, one she had picked up on since her fleeing the City of Emeralds.
Nadir smiled and nodded. Turning back to the bed, he leans his head down, "Erik. Your girlfriend is back" he says softly.
A low moan and Erik's eyes open slowly. A soft gasp, slipped past Elphaba's lips, for the fever she had seen once burning beneath the unfathomable waves of chocolate and ebony was gone. The soft glow of the fire reflected back within the whites of his eyes.
"E…Elphaba" he whispers hoarsely.
"Yes my love, I'm here" Elphaba said, as she took a step closer. Her heart fluttered hearing her name upon his lips.
Weakly, Erik tilted his head up towards her. His eyes lit up, seeing her, as a soft smile pulled on his lips, "mon ange" he whispers.
Elphaba shifted her gaze to Nadir quizzically.
"It means my angel in French" chuckles Nadir
Tears swelled in her eyes unbidden. The words, so simple, yet when he said them, she could feel, hear the love behind them, and her heart fluttered all the more.
Nadir smiled. Rising, he took a step behind the chair and gestured for Elphaba to take his place.
Nodding, Elphaba smiled and stepping up to the chair, sat down. Looking over her shoulder, she reaches a hand up and places it over Nadir's
"Thank you. For watching over him" she says softly.
"Your welcome," bending his head, he kisses her hair, "I'll let you two be alone" he finishes. Rising, he steps out and closes the door.
Erik watched his love for a moment. The fire crackled behind her, filling the silence that had blanketed the room.
He could see it in her eyes, something was wrong. Gently, his hand moved, and his fingers laced with hers.
"Mon ange…what's wrong?" he whispers.
Startled, Elphaba jumped and shifted her gaze from her lap to Erik. In the back of her mind, she wanted to lie, to deny that anything was wrong. To spare this man the pain of knowing the one whom she had loved before was back. But she couldn't. Her heart simply wouldn't allow her too.
"Do you remember. Back in the catacombs, when I had told you about the man I had once loved?" she asks softly.
Slowly Erik nodded. Realization dawned within his eyes, for he could see it. Her lover was back, here in Paris.
"He's here isn't he. Your Yero" he asks softly.
Though it startled her that he had figured it out, she none the less showed it. She simply just nodded her head.
A soft, weak smile pulled on Erik's lips. Tenderly, his pale fingers ran over Elphaba's knuckles in a comforting motion.
"You don't know whom to choose. Do you?" he asks.
Once again, all Elphaba could do was nod. If this was not happening, she would be questioning Erik as to how he had figured this all out.
The smile never left his lips, as he watched her.
"You promised to meet him later?" he whispers.
Again, Elphaba nodded and lowered her head. She couldn't bear to see the hurt in his eyes.
"Then go" he says softly.
Startled, Elphaba lifted her head and stared shocked back at Erik. This was not the reaction she had been expecting. All throughout the ride home, she had gone over every possible scenario. And the one that stuck in her head the most was Erik being angry and throwing her out of the chateau, and out of his life.
"W…what?"
"Go to him. Talk and find the answer you seek" says Erik softly.
"But what if I can't?" Elphaba asked on the edge of a sob.
Erik smiled softly back at her. Weakly, he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, "Then let your heart decide" he whispers softly