Chapter Summary: Annalise goes to the country to cheer an elderly relative and meets a strange, sad man in the woods.

CHAPTER FIVE

In the bucolic countryside a day's ride from the southern Paris gates, located just outside the market village of Saumur, stood the de Chagny country estate lovingly named Tout Ce Qui Est - All That Is - by its new mistress some twenty-five years previously. The small stone chateau, surrounded by barns and dependencies, had been in the de Chagny family for almost seventy years, its farm functions managed by trusted retainers. The farm produced coveted cheeses year round, fruits and vegetables in season and there was even a small winery that provided family and friends with dark, fruity red vintages.

It had been to this gentleman's farm that Raoul and Christine had escaped after their wedding. The scandalous tragedy that had brought them together had still been too close to the surface for much of Paris society. Raoul could not bear to see the pain in his new wife's eyes as whispers followed them throughout the city; he had seen enough pain in her eyes to last him a lifetime. So it was that he had ordered their things packed and had taken his young wife into the countryside. Raoul hoped that Christine would find comfort in the peace and simplicity of country life and a friend in his Aunt Adele. Adele had lived at the estate since the early death of her own husband some twenty years before Raoul's own wedding to Christine. She, too, had been deemed to marry beneath her station but the intervening years had not found Adele willing to remarry thus putting to bed the gossip that she had not really loved the country squire she had taken to husband.

"I never did find out why my mother named this place All That Is," Annalise said to her great aunt as the two women rested in a sunny parlor. Annalise was sitting on the edge of the hearth, a sketchbook resting on her lap. She was studying her great aunt and placing her likeness upon the creamy paper.

Adele Fontanges looked up from her embroidery. She was nearing seventy, her dark hair now silver grey but the blue eyes held the same twinkle as that of the young woman seated on the opposite of the room. "Now you are asking me to tell tales - how do they say it - out of school."

Annalise put her sketching down, stood, crossed the room and knelt at Adele's feet, taking the old woman's hands in her own. "Oh please?" she asked, eyes wide and innocent. "I promise I shall never let Maman and Father discover that I learned one of their secrets. I just know it must be romantic. Please?"

Adele sighed, knowing she would give in to this slip of girl who knelt at her feet. "Alright, child," she said as she moved and patted the cushion of the loveseat. "Come and sit next to me and I shall tell you."

Annalise sat down up on the rich velvet upholstery, resting her head upon her aunt's thin shoulder.

"It was not long after your parents came here," Adele began. "I did not ask many questions because it was not my place as I have always felt rather like a guest in this house but I did notice that your mother would have nights where she was restless. I could hear your father's voice talking to her as they walked the hallways. I never wanted to know why, you understand. It was a few months before those nightly walks stopped." Adele stopped, closing her eyes, reaching back into her memory. "It was a day not unlike today," she continued, "and your parents had left early in the morning, a small basket packed with wine and cheese and fruits. I remember watching them ride into the fields and hoping the shadows around your mother's eyes would disappear. They came back very late that afternoon and I had not seen your mother with a smile that lovely since they had come to this place. I remember she was holding your father's hand and said that she could be content if this was all that would ever be." Adele patted her great-niece's cheek. "And that is how this place finally got a name."

Annalise sighed and blinked away tears. "Oh, I had a feeling ... Thank you," she said as she kissed Adele's cheek. "My parents hardly ever talk of when they were young and I never understood why." She thought for a moment. "I guess I will never understand."

"There are some things, child, which will always remain between the man and the woman in the marriage. Be content with that and with what I have told you." Adele blinked. "Now I grow tired and should like a nap." She reached for and rang a small bell on the table next to her. "Why do you not go into the gardens for some sun? It is far too lovely out for a young person to wait while an older one naps the hours away."

Annalise stood as the door opened and a maid walked in toward her great aunt. "I shall go and sketch the wildflowers to send with my next letter to Maman." She walked across the room and gathered her sketchbook into her arms.

"Do not stray far," Adele warned. "You are not familiar enough with the landmarks."

"I shall stay within sight of the house," Annalise promised with a smile as she walked out of the room.

Adele took the arm offered her, shaking her head. "I do not know why I try for she will not listen."

It was late June and summer was claiming its domain over the French countryside. Annalise walked through fields of bright wildflowers and up a small hill towards an inviting copse of trees that she had been studying from her bedroom window. The sketchpad had long been discarded beneath a garden bench. Blue flies buzzed lazily through the warm air, butterflies flitted amongst the waving stalks of the taller flowers. In the distance, Annalise could see the figures of herders standing amongst cows and sheep and goats, smoke rising from the ovens of the village. She stood still for a moment, closing her eyes and loving the feel of the sun through her light summer dress. A gentle wind blew past carrying with it the scent of roses, bringing a smile to Annalise's face.

She looked back over her shoulder, still able to see the family home, so she continued to walk up the small hill. As she approached the trees, Annalise stopped to get her breath. "That was further than I thought," she told a rabbit that poked its nose out from the high grass before scampering away. Her hand reached up for the buttons at the high collar of her dress. "No one is looking but God, right?" she asked as she looked up at the sky for an answer. "And You won't tell." Annalise undid the top four buttons of her collar, moving the light material away from her throat. Her hands then reached up and pulled out two long pins, allowing dark curls to fall loosely about her shoulders. "That's better," she said.

The woods looked cool and inviting. Annalise stood quietly for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before she saw a neglected, forgotten pathway worn into the grass and litter of previous years. A smile crossed her face as she began to follow it. She followed the pathway as it wound its way into the cool comfort of the sun-dappled shadows. Annalise could hear birds twittering away far up into the branches of the surrounding trees. She heard rustling in the undergrowth but did not fear whatever it was that might be causing the noises. It amazed her as she realized she could also hear the babbling of water as it flowed over stones. Annalise looked around and found a small stream that lead deeper into the woods and could not help but follow it.

"Oh," Annalise breathed as she drew up short, stopping in a sunny opening in the woods. A small spring bubbled in the middle of the green meadow and fed the stream that had led her here. "How pretty!" she exclaimed. A fallen tree trunk stood not far from the edge of the spring and Annalise walked over to sit upon it.

It was quiet, there, next to the spring, the trees muting the noise from the surrounding woods. It was still and peaceful and Annalise could hear her heart beating. It was moment of grace in which she had a glimpse into the peace and comfort this place had given her mother when she had not been much older. A wave of emotion washed over Annalise and she lifted her eyes toward the sky. "Thank You," she breathed as she tried to remember the hymn that Katherine had taught her. A gentle smile crossed Annalise's lips as the words came back to her. Annalise's voice was young and clear and strong as the words of "It Is Well With My Soul" carried her thanks up to the doors of heaven.

"You sing like an angel," a voice seemed to echo in her head.

Annalise stood quickly, a hand drawing her collar closed, as she turned to find the speaker of those words. "Oh my God," she tried as she noticed the owner of the voice, her eyes widening in horror, both hands going over her mouth. She began to involuntarily back away but was stopped by the fallen tree trunk she had suddenly forgotten.

A man dressed entirely in black stood before her. He rested lightly on the cane he held in his left hand. He appeared to be not much older than her father, yet his hair - where it covered his head - was a startling shade of white. He had the most intense dark eyes that Annalise had ever seen but it was his face that so startled and frightened her. One side of his face was disfigured, the skin red and irritated. It was a sight the likes of which the protected young girl had never seen before.

The man looked at her sadly and turned. "My pardon, mademoiselle, I shall leave."

"No, please," Annalise managed as she held out a hand to him. "I did not ... I was not ... You startled me. Please stay, I shall leave."

"Do not go child," the man told her. "I mean you no harm." He waved a hand about him. "These woods are the border on my land. I often walk here and when I heard your voice I thought that God had at last returned my angel to me. I did not mean to frighten you. I only wished to listen to your song."

Annalise thought it odd that the man was looking at her as if his heart would break. "You are my great-aunt's neighbor," she ventured softly, still unable to take her eyes from the man's face, remembering the village tales of a man who lived like a hermit, locked away in the ruins of a small, old monastery.

"Yes, I am Erik," he hesitated for a moment. "Erik Lachaise. Please, child, sit" the man motioned towards the downed tree. He watched as she slowly resumed her seat. "I shall remain here at the edge of the light, a distance that should let you know you are safe with me. Although, I believe I am old enough to be your father and, thus, should cause you no concern. I am sorry my face frightens you."

Annalise continued to study his face, finally lowering her eyes, unable to understand the emotions his gaze stirred within her. "It is I who should apologize. My manners are deplorable. My parents would be disappointed with me and I am mortified."

"I do not believe that any parent would be disappointed with such a charming young lady."

Annalise raised her head, determination in her blue eyes. She felt that this strange, deformed man was laughing at her - it was something to which she was not accustomed. "It did frighten me at first but you startled me."

Erik smiled at the girl seated on the tree trunk. "You were in trespassing in my woods, Mademoiselle de Chagny."

"You know me?"

"This is a small town," Erik told her. "There is nothing that one does not hear. I knew of your coming before you even arrived. I also have my servant stop a few times a week to check on your great-aunt to ensure that she is well. Everyone is very fond of her, you see. She has been a gracious neighbor to this village."

Annalise brightened. "Did you know my parents when they lived here?"

"No. I have never had the pleasure," he lied to her. "I came to live here not long after your parents had returned to Paris."

"Oh," Annalise replied with a touch of disappointment. There was something in the man's voice that also bespoke of disappointment.

"But I have seen your parents from a distance when they would bring you and your brothers to this place for visits. You have a great look of your mother about you."

"Thank you," Annalise smiled softly at this strange man who was looking at her as if he wanted to cry. "I always wanted to be as beautiful as my mother." She studied his deformed face, always being drawn back to those eyes that spoke volumes. Even with the inexperience of her youth, Annalise knew she was being allowed a glimpse into a soul that was torn and tortured. Yet she had no fear of this man. There was something about him that made her want to hold and comfort him the way her parents would hold and comfort her.

"You are welcome," Erik told her. "May I ask if your great-aunt is on the mend? Her recent chill was of great concern to all."

"She is feeling much better," Annalise assured him. "I came to stay with her and cheer her as she regains her strength. May I give her your regards?"

"Please, I should be honored." Erik realized what he had said. "But do not say they came from me. Say they came from my servant."

"But why?" Annalise looked puzzled.

Erik managed a short, somewhat bitter laugh. "I am thought of in the village as a bit of an eccentric and I should wish to maintain that image."

Annalise's eyes twinkled and she was amazed to see the change of expression on Erik's visage. The bitterness was fading, replaced by amusement. "I promise I shall not tell. It will be like our own private mystery and we are the only ones who hold the key."

Erik laughed delightedly this time. "A mystery it is to be, then. Are you to grace our simple village long?"

"Another fortnight, I believe."

"Well, Mademoiselle de Chagny, should you ever find you wish to wander through my woods again, I shall be pleased. It is not often that such a lovely creature graces my simple land."

"Shall you be here?" Annalise asked with a tilt of her head.

"I am always here," Erik bowed to her. "Perhaps we shall meet again."

Annalise watched as he disappeared from sight into the shadows of the woods. She sat silently for a moment, listening to her thoughts, struggling to understand the emotions this man stirred within her. She did not believe the tales of the village children who said he was evil and would lock you away in his dungeon. That was not the man she had just met. This man, Erik, seemed to be sad and lonely. Annalise thought he had looked at her almost as if he was burning her image into his memory. She sighed and shook her head - it was all too much for her to think upon at the moment. Annalise stood and smiled her goodbye into the woods before walking the other way, back towards her family's estate.