Chapter 4: Renewal of the Soul
Meg stayed up and put some wood in the fire place, then laid beside the fireplace. She knew Erik would make an escape that night, like he planned.
" Remain where you are, I'll return tonight"
" I'm waiting," she whispered
Erik looked the gypsies as they danced to their usual wicked music. They ate rabbit to hogs, sometimes what ever they could get their hands on. Erik leaned back and rubbed his hands against the pole, they had him tide too. He needed to get out and get back just as he promise.
" What's a matter little devil? You don't have enough company?" a young gypsy girl taunted
Erik turned his head away and the young girl laughed a little. She sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
" Aw, do you miss that woman?" she questioned
Erik did not answer her and she laughed a little, she turned his head towards her.
" Your ours Erik, you were bound to end up here again," she said, " So, enjoy your new life."
" What kind of life do you live, making money off other people's misery?" Erik hissed
" I don't make money off people's misery," she said
She looked at him and smiled and gently stroked his cheek. He narrowed his eyes at her and she slid her hand down his shirt and undid it. She looked at him and push his shirt off. She slid her hands over his chest and smiled.
" Perhaps you need something to relax you," she said
" Remove your hand whore," Erik said
" I'm no whore," she whispered
Erik looked at her and gave only a growl as she trailed her hands down towards his waist. Erik pushed himself up to stand and managed to get her off him. She looked at him, narrowed her eyes as she stood. She walked to him and he kicked her directly in the stomach. He looked at her and she approached him from the side, but he was wise to her game.
" You're a wild animal Erik, you should be taught a lesson," she said
" Cut me free and I will give you a lesson," Erik replied
The gypsy girl laugh and drew a whip from one of the other gypsy's belt. She snapped the whip and Erik looked at her.
" A whip can hardly cause pain," Erik said
" We'll see," she said
She snapped the whip at Erik and hit him at his leg. He hissed at her and she smiled at him. As she snapped it again, he turned his head. She struck him again on his other leg. She snapped it at him again, this time catching his leg. She pulled the whip and Erik lost his balance. She wrapped it around his arm and pulled hard. Erik shouted in pain, feeling his shoulder being pulled out of it's socket.
" Enough," the old woman said
They young gypsy girl looked at the old woman and pulled the whip back. The old woman looked at Erik as he breathed deep, with pain traveling through him.
" You pathetic little man," she said, " We are not easy to just throw off."
She knelt down in front of Erik and looked at him.
" You damn woman," Erik breathed
" Damn woman," she said, " You are damned with me."
She looked at one large man and nodded.
" Fix his shoulder," she said, " But don't give any other help to him."
She walked past the young gypsy girl.
" He's not one you can full around with, he's a wild animal that can not be tamed," the old woman said
Erik watched the old woman and when his shoulder was popped into place, he let out a painful yell, which echoed though out the deep forest.
Meg opened her eyes and sat up breathing deep. She felt cold and looked at the fire, which was dying.
" Erik," she whispered
She got up and ran out to the stallion and saddled him, she took off into the deep dark forest. Her mind was made up Erik needed her help, she was going to save him….again. She marked where she had come from and continued until she heard music and saw light.
" There," she thought
She slipped her hood on and pulled the cloak tighter, she got off the horse and walked into the forest. She hid in some scrubs and watched the gypsies dance around the fire and laughed, like drunks. She saw Erik tied to a wooden pole, he wore his cloak over his bare torso and his face showed pain.
" Erik," she whispered
Meg looked around and made it closer inward, but stayed hidden. She waited until they settled down later in the night. Meg was careful not to be spotted by anyone, she entered the circle of tents, then came to Erik. She touched his face with her cold hands and Erik opened his eyes. He looked up at her and she placed her finger on his lips.
" I've come to rescue you again," she whispered in his ear
Erik looked at her then she looked at the ropes and started to cut at them, with a rock she found. She saw that Erik had already started, but had rope burns on his wrist. She got through one layer of rope and started at the other one.
" Hurry," Erik whispered
She rubbed hard and the rock slipped and cut her hand. She winced in pain as she got through.
" Ok," she said
Erik pulled the ropes and freed his hands, he slipped his shirt on and grabbed Meg's hand. She looked at him and led him to the horse. He got her up and then leapt on and took off. They got back and Erik helped her down, he lit a fire and took her hand into his. She looked at him and breathed deep, she pulled some cloths from a sack. He lifted her cut hand, then took a cloth to it. She winced in pain and he closed his hand over it.
" It's deep," he whispered
" I guess it happens when your trying to save someone," she whispered
Erik looked at Meg and breathed deep, then let go of her hand. He got some water from a stream, that was barely a mile from the house. He brought it back and boiled it, then dipped the cloth into it. He turned her hand over and cleaned it and she wince in pain. He looked at her and finished cleaning it. He tore the cloth and tied it around her wounded hand. Erik moved his shoulder and slightly winced, she looked at him and her eyes turned soft.
" Did they hurt you?" she asked
" It's just my shoulder," he whispered
" Let me take a look," she said
He looked at her and moved away from her.
" Come on Erik, please, you have trust me," she whispered
Erik sighed and she undid his shirt and touched his tender shoulder. She dipped another cloth and laid it on his shoulder. He tensed up at the extreme heat, but he felt himself relax. She pressed her hand on it and Erik reached up and grabbed her hand. She tensed up and Erik turned to her, she looked at him fully, her heart racing. He lifted her hand to his face and let it rest there. She gently stoked his face and then she touched his disfigured half, she traced it and Erik looked at her. He placed his hand over hers and she felt a sadness come over her. She wrapped her arms around Erik and began to cry. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, stroking her head.
" I'm here, beside you," he whispered
She kissed both sides of his face and hugged him. This was the second time that he ever held a woman in his arms and the first time a woman cried in his arms. He kissed her head and leaned his head against hers. She looked up at him and saw tears fall from his eyes, she wiped them away. Erik wiped hers and pushed her hair back from her face, then leaned over and kissed her cheek.
" Dry your eyes mademoiselle," he whispered
Meg wiped her eyes and looked at Erik and Erik continued to hold her in his arms.
" I can't let her go," Erik thought, " I can't…God forgive this man's desire to love."
Erik looked at her and stroked her soft cheek, he felt a peacefulness deep down inside. Meg looked up and touched Erik's face and then laid her head on his chest.
" Give me strength to do this," she thought
She looked up at Erik and Erik looked at her, she touched his face then kissed him. Erik did not fail to return her gentle kiss, but encouraged her. She pulled away and looked at him, she smiled and then kissed him again. Erik pulled away and placed his hand on her cheek. He untied her cloak and let it drop to the ground, she looked at him and took a deep breath. She undid his cloak and then kissed him softly as she removed his shirt. Erik pulled her to him and Meg looked at him, his eyes met her own. Erik turned her back to him and he undid her dress, he kissed her neck, to her shoulders. He pushed it all the way down to her ankles and she turned around facing him. She crossed her arms over her breast and smiled at him. Erik removed her arms and pulled her to him by the waist. She undid his pants, then slipped them off and kissed him. Erik pulled her close to him and whispered in her ear. Erik took her into his arms and laid her down gently on the blankets by the fire place. He kissed her and she kissed him back, there was no hesitation in their motives.
" You have been in my mind since you put yourself in front of those guards," Erik whispered
" I didn't want them to kill a legend," she whispered
Erik kissed her down her body and Meg closed her eyes, he kissed her on her lips again, their passion began there, as they took the rest of night as their own. Their bodies entwined and satisfaction was noted in the pleasing sounds.
By the mid morning Erik and Meg embraced one another in their arms. Meg's head rested on Erik's chest, as their warmth kept each other warm. Erik opened his eyes and looked at Meg, he saw the morning light catch Meg's beauty as she slept, he smiled and kissed her head.
" I love you Meg," he whispered and laid his head on hers.
Madame Giry sighed as she sat there in the Vicomte's estate.
" Here drink this Madame," Christine said
Madame Giry saw the hot cup of tea before her and she took it. Christine sat down beside Madame Giry.
" She's alright, don't worry. Meg's strong," Christine said, " I'm sure she just got turned around."
Christine sighed and looked out the large window and she got up.
" How could you Erik, using someone as your safety," she thought
Captain Rousseau checked the check points, but his men told him he had not been spotted. Rousseau narrowed his eyes and told his men to keep an eye out, that he was going to take a country ride. He went around each town he came to and asked around, he found very little information about sightings. He was becoming angrier and he desired more than anything to kill Erik, because he took Meg from him.
" Afraid that this dead body would steal her from living flesh, I see? Your mind has fallen into the gutter Monsieur Rousseau."
Erik's remark mad Rousseau furious.
" If you have touched Meg in anyway, I will be the one to kill you," he thought
Meg opened her eyes and looked up at Erik. He looked at her and smiled a little.
" Good morning," she whispered
" Good morning," Erik replied
She kissed him and laid her head on his chest and Erik gently stroked her bare back.
" Are we going to run again?" she asked
Erik looked down at her and kissed her head.
" We should move perhaps later," Erik said, " We don't want our friends, the gypsies to find us."
Meg smiled and kissed Erik's chest and then sat up, Erik sat up with her, then kissed her neck.
" Are you alright?" he asked
Meg turned to him and nodded, followed by a kiss on his cheek.
" I never felt so happy," Meg whispered, " Even when I danced, it never really made me happy. But being with you last night just freed me."
" Perhaps, I was not the only one trapped in my own lies," Erik whispered
He warped his arms around her and she leaned back into his hold. Meg turned and looked at Erik and smiled.
" I have an idea," she whispered
She got up and dressed and Erik looked at her, she looked at him as if waiting for him. He then got dressed and she grabbed his hand, then led him to the stream.
" It's fresh," she said
She undid her cloak and looked at Erik as she undid her dress. He walked to her and embraced her.
" It's to cold to do this," Erik whispered
" We have each other's warmth," she whispered
Erik sighed and Meg slipped her dress off and then walked to the stream, she tensed up as she walked into the cold water. Erik shook his head and undressed and went in, he grabbed her into his arms and Meg looked at him.
" Couldn't you have thought of something warmer?" he whispered
" No," she said
She kissed him and Erik pulled her to him, they both bathed in the fresh water. Though it was quick, they felt happy and refreshed. Meg put up her hair and looked at Erik as he stared at her. She smiled and grabbed his hand.
" Erik, stay with me," she whispered, " Stay with me and never let me go."
Erik wrapped his arms around her, he couldn't say no, nor would he.
" I will stay with you and never let go," he whispered, " Never."
Later, Meg and Erik went on their way, leaving nothing and Erik looked down at her.
" Do you know where we're going ?" he asked
" Yes, I was suppose to pick up some money from Christine," she said, " So, we're heading there."
" I don't want to go there," Erik said
" Don't worry, I'll go and get it," Meg said
Erik was a little uncomfortable in traveling to the Vicomte de Chagny's estate to get money. He followed her directions and they were there by nightfall. Erik and Meg took a carriage to the Vicomte de Chagny's estate, instead of horse back. Meg went to the door and knocked, she looked at Erik and smiled. The door opened and a servant welcomed her in, she asked for Christine and she was soon greeted by both Christine and her mother.
" Oh, Meg!" her mother exclaimed
She embraced her daughter tightly and Meg felt tears fall from her face.
" Where is Erik?" she asked
" He's waiting for me back in town," Meg said, " Mother, you must listen to me carefully, I have to stay with him. I have to be his safety."
" No, Meg," Christine said, " He's only pulling you into his trap. His pity, his sappy love tales."
" Christine, he's not, I have seen him beyond the mask," she said, " He's changed, Christine."
Madame Giry looked at her daughter, she seemed refreshed, happy. Madame Giry looked at Christine and saw a sadness to her eyes. She knew that she didn't want to see her friend get hurt.
" Meg, here's the money," Madame Giry said, " Please, be careful."
" I will," Meg said
She hugged her mother and then Christine.
" Don't let pity make your judgments Meg," Christine said
" I won't," Meg replied
She walked out and got into the carriage, it took off and Meg turned to Erik. He removed his hood and looked at her.
" Here," she said, " It's your money."
" It's our money," he said placing his hand over hers
They entered town and slept in the comforts of a soft bed. Erik looked at Meg as she braided her hair, he smiled and Meg looked in the mirror seeing Erik smiling. She turned around and returned the smile.
" Erik," she whispered
She walked over to him and touched his face.
" Yes," he replied
" I love you," she said
" I love you too," he said
He lifted her into his arms and she put her arms around him. He smiled and laid her down on the soft bed. He leaned over to her and kissed her.
" Tomorrow, a new Erik is born," he said
" I like this Erik though," she whispered
" No, I won't change, just how people look at me," Erik said
Meg smiled and kissed him and he laid beside her. She propped her elbow up and rested her head on her hand, she looked at him and gently stroked his head. He closed his eyes to her gentle touch and, then she laid her head on his chest.
" Erik, I love you," she whispered