For the purpose of this I have Erik with gold eyes and Raoul with green. I don't know what they are really. If someone could enlighten me I'd be grateful.
Chapter 8: I do?
Raoul was eating his breakfast when he spotted the announcement in the paper. A Masked Wedding was to be held. Celebrating the marriage of Christine Daae. Everyone attending would be masked. He snarled at the paper, it would be a masked wedding. An idea slowly came to him. He chuckled maliciously. He had them now.
Erik was in the backroom getting ready. This was Christine's idea to have a masked wedding. He hadn't wanted anything public, obviously because of the outcry at his deformity. He could imagine it now,
"Does any one know of any reason why these two should not be joined…?"
"I object. On the grounds that the groom isn't human."
So Christine had suggested a masked wedding, like a masked ball, in the opera house ballroom. That way she'd still get the wedding she always wanted. Ironically he was dressed as Don Juan. He had no idea why Christine had wanted him to wear this and he got a bad feeling about it. It was too obvious a choice. Why that should be a problem he couldn't imagine, but still…?
He opened the door of the room and stepped out. There was virtually no warning, just a slight movement. He turned to block the attack but was too late. There was a sharp pain in his head and he fell into darkness.
Christine was twisting her hands anxiously. What was going on? Why was it running late? Then the music began, organ music. She walked into the opera building and up the makeshift aisle. She looked up at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, a smaller one than the one Erik cut down in 'Don Juan'. It hung right above where the bride and groom would stand. Her footsteps slowed when she spotted Erik. Something was wrong. He smiled at her. No, it must be her imagination. Erik whispered something to the priest. As the ceremony wore on the feeling of unease grew. Especially when they skipped the vows. He hadn't discussed that with her. In fact he had said nothing the whole ceremony.
"Do you take this woman to be your wife?"
"I do," the first time he'd spoken and she spotted it. There was a different timbre to his voice.
"Do you take this man to be your husband?"
"I…" She looked into the mask. Blue eyes flashed back. Not gold! Blue!
"No!" She stepped backwards. No, no, no!
Raoul took the mask off and smirked. "Drat, foiled again. Come on Christine all you have to do is say do."
"What have you done with Erik?"
"Oh yes poor Erik unfortunately he is…"
"Right here." Erik strode in, wearing an identical Don Juan outfit and looking thunderous. "Next time you try to kill someone with a blow on the head, make sure they are actually dead before walking away you fool."
"Erik!" She tried to move towards him. Raoul drew his sword.
"Don't move a muscle," he hissed pointing it at her chest, "that includes you." He spoke to Erik, who froze. The Priest backed away as far as he dared.
"Now say 'do' or I'll kill you."
Christine just stared at him, "I'd rather be dead than married to you."
"Very well then," he drew out his pistol and aimed it …at Erik. "Say do or I kill him."
Erik laughed, "He can't shoot. That's not much of a threat." Raoul aimed at a candlestick and shot off its head. The laugh died in Erik's throat.
"I've been practicing. So what do you say Christine?"
Christine hesitated.
"Don't you dare Christine. You've given me the happiness I never thought I'd feel. You must not marry him. Not for my sake."
"Okay Raoul," she murmured, then darted forward and grabbed his sword that was hanging loosely in his hand due to his concentration being on the pistol.
Raoul just chuckled, "I can still kill Erik before you kill me and that move is going to cost you." He let off a bullet. Erik cried out as it buried itself in his shoulder. Christine saw the blood seep through Erik's clothes and made up her mind. She didn't want to do this, but she would have to, to save Erik.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
Her voice broke through the haze of his pain. No! He would make Raoul kill him before he let Christine marry that fop. He began to move forward.
"No Erik." He froze in disbelief. "I have to do this."
He stopped. Something was up with Christine other than the fact Raoul had a gun pointed at him.
Christine looked at Raoul steadily. "I'm sorry," she repeated, "I'm sorry…Raoul."
Before Raoul could register what she'd said Christine swung the sword, chopping a nearby rope. Severing it from its component. The Chandelier. It came crashing to the floor. Right on top of Raoul.
Erik was running towards the scene before the dust had settled. He spotted Christine pressed against the wall and held her to him with one arm. She hugged him fiercely.
"I hadn't wanted to kill him, Erik. He had been my friend."
"I know, shush."
After just standing like this for several minutes Christine pulled away, her tears finished.
"Okay Erik. My wedding didn't work. Let's do it your way, I've always wanted to elope."
Erik smiled at her and they left the hall together, walking quietly through the crowds and policemen. Leaving them to find the crushed body of Raoul.
Finished. I hope you all liked the ending, especially all the Raoul haters out there. I couldn't have Erik be the murderer again I'm afraid.I haven't yet read a fanfic where Christine does the killing (though that doesn't mean they don't exist) so I dcided to have her do it.I'm planning to do another Fic soon so please R&R.
