Her Story by GoldenLyre
Previous disclaimer applies.
Chapter 7
Raoul burst into my room, interrupting my solitude and explained his motives hastily. They did not impress me. He had said to me, "I was only trying to protect you, darling. That man, that… thing was going to take you away!" I glared at him through teary eyes, not saying anything. His expression then turned accusatory and suspicious. His tone mirrored his face as he snapped at me, "Do you care for him, Christine? The Phantom of the Opera who does nothing but haunt all who live here peacefully? Do you not remember what he did to Buquet, my dear?"
I then did something that the both of us did not expect. I slapped him across the face. Hard.
I said to him coldly, "Do not accuse someone you know nothing about, Raoul." I stormed off to the Opera House stables with the withered rose in hand. I decided that I was going to visit my father's grave the next day. If anyone was to be of any consolation at this utterly confusing point in time, even if it were only a whisper, it'd be from him…
The next morning, I rose at first light. I had made all the arrangements the night before when I stormed away from Raoul. I put on my dressing gown with haste and snatched a small pouch of francs off my bedside table. I carefully treaded on the wooden floors, hoping to make as little noise as possible. I opened the door, and suppressed a gasp as I saw Raoul asleep outside my door.
I studied him for a moment, forgiveness for his earlier actions catching on. He may have grown physically, but he barely knows of how cruel the world is capable of being… I smiled sadly and continued on my way.
Once downstairs, I handed the old stable hand his payment before I went to retrieve my mourning dress and small bunch of roses which I left hanging in an empty stable. Hastily, I changed and quickly climbed into the open carriage. A strange shiver went up my spine but I ignored it. I instructed the driver nonchalantly to take me to my father's grave.
During the ride, lyrics rang through my head. Those lyrics were of a song that Erik wrote for me when I realized his identity was that of the Opera Ghost…
"In sleep he sang to me…
In dreams he came…
That voice which calls to me –
And speaks my name…"
The lyrics described my position in that situation so well… He sang lullabies to me when I believed him to be my Angel of Music… I gazed at the trees that blurred as they passed. So many thoughts were jumbled in my headI was almost dizzy… Finally, I had reached my destination.
I got out of the carriage, murmuring a word of thanks to the driver distractedly as I walked through the cemetery gates. Mist heavily coated the ground, and it parted as I walked past… Cold, stony angels stared down at me without expression. I suppose I truly should not expect sympathy nor do I deserve it at this point in time…
I reflected on how lonely my father must feel to be in that place for his entire afterlife… As I approached the mausoleum where my father's grave was, desperate pleas for guidance and help emerged from my lips. I sat myself at the foot of the mausoleum, setting the roses down. I hung my head at the lack of reply. I felt foolish, expecting a sign from someone who had been gone since long ago…
Suddenly, a reply was given to me – only it was from none other than him. Erik.
He played a familiar violin tune for me – the Angel of Music. He sang, but he changed the lyrics to suit the setting, as usual…
"Wandering child, so lost, so helpless –
Yearning for my guidance…"
I sang in reply with the lyrics which my heart seemed to implore me to let out. His music once again made my very soul take flight… I felt as if I was forgiven for all the pain I caused him…
"Angel or father, friend or phantom –
Who is it there, staring?"
To this he replied sadly, "Have you forgotten your angel?" I felt my heart wrench at his reaction. On the contrary – I would never want to forget him! I wanted to know, I needed to know what he was implying.
"Angel of music,
What endless longings
Echo in this whisper?"
A short pause. He sang a reply that was completely false! I was not so much of a fool to believe that all he felt for me was parental affection!
"Too long you've wandered in winter…
Far from my fathering gaze…"
I was now defiant – I decided to express what I felt for him because it did not seem that he was going to take the initiative.
"Wildly my mind beats against you – / You resist –"
Our duet merged at this point as he sang at the same time… It felt incredibly invigorating!
"Yet the soul obeys!
Angel of Music
You / I denied me/ you,
Turning from true beauty!
Angel of Music
My protector / Do not shun me,
Come to me, strange angel!"
He beckoned me towards the mausoleum entrance. Inside the mausoleum, I could see that it was candlelit, giving it a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I willingly strode towards it, hoping to find my Angel in there, waiting for me.
Before I could, though, my fiancé had decided to make an untimely appearance.
"No, Christine! Wait!" He yelled for me. I turned and said with mild surprise, "Raoul…" He continued on in frenzy, speaking of Erik, "This man – this thing – is not your father!"
Suddenly, a swish of black temporarily blinded me as Eriklanded in front of me before Raoul could approach me. I heard a metallic clang of what I knew was two rapiers colliding. A swordfight between them had commenced. I watched on in morbid fascination. I took sick satisfaction in realizing that they were both fighting over me. Nevertheless, I worried for the both of them. I wanted neither one to die for me!
Erik had drawn the first blood by slicing Raoul's arm. He let out a yell in pain and blindly swung his blade in response. Foolish, I thought. Erik must have gotten cocky as he carelessly tripped over a tombstone and his rapier flung from his grasp. I gasped – he was completely vulnerable!
Raoul wasted no time in realizing it. With a cry he pulled his arm back, fully intending to end it all at that moment. Thankfully, I found my voice again.
"No, Raoul!"
They both turned to look at me, different expressions etched into their faces. Erik wore one of desperate confusion while Raoul wore one of frustration. I begged him, "Not like this!" He then turned to cast a final loathing glance at Erik before walking towards me. I continued to look at Erik, his usually-brilliant blue eyes were cloudy as they met mine.
I took a tentative step towards him, but Raoul took my arm and led me to his horse. He set me into the saddle before climbing up to sit behind me. I never took my eyes off Erik. His expression changed to one of jealous fury. I refused to let fear set in this time. I knew it was not aimed at me. I wore an expression of desperation as I continued looking into his now stormy blue eyes. I wanted him to know that I wanted nothing more than to stay with him.
Even as the horse beneath me galloped off, I did not dare remove my gaze from Erik. My heart wrenched again as I saw him hunch over.
I had abandoned my Angel once again.
TBC
A/n: kay all! Erik's lyrics were in bold italics and Christine's were only in italics. I know it's been ages, and I apologise… it's been hectic – my exams are really close so I kinda have to study HARD. Hope you guys find this chappie worth the wait. I'm getting started on the next one already guys! No worries :P 26 reviews! I'm soo flattered!
To all my wonderful reviewers (listed below) this chappie was written just for you.
colbie: hello! I have updated! grin hope you enjoyed it, real sorry for the delay…
Kat097: omg! The writer of "Cold, Cold Heart"! undoubtedly one of my absolute favourite EC AU fics.. you absolutely kick butt – I was so psyched when I saw that you reviewed! Glad you're loving the fic! Well, this chappie's for you! ;)
Maeve of the Nile: It's a very good fic? Thank you! blush
fanficfan: hello! Hope I didn't keep you keeping too long.. well I figured that Christine must've had SOME sense of logic in the movie… I just attempted to make more sense of it, is all. Shes pretty wimpy in the movie so I figured that I could make her more of a woman than child in this fic. :) glad u like it :)
monroe-mary: grin ur not useless in this site, girl! Reviewing keeps the authors going! Haha! Ok, explaining the dead rose – keep in mind that the rose with black ribbon is given to her means that he is PLEASED with her. I figured that I'd use the opposite to symbolise the opposite so that's what the dead rose symbolises. Hope this clears it up. And yeah im sure we all would've liked to see his face if she said that to him in a crowded ballroom with Raoul nearby.. lol! And I like commenting reviews – you guys keep me going ;) and the confrontation? Hehee.. wait and see… wink
meneyavewen: thank you! Im flattered! grin
Gerik Phan: I get roses? Thank you so much! I like roses… my friend gave me a small bunch of red ones for my birthday… hahaha! Hope you enjoyed the update!
Omega Devin: omg! Another fave author! The creator of "All Forgiving"! bows I am not worthy! grin the reviews are nice, but I'd rather have a few nice ones rather than many flames;) know what I mean? Hahaha! And.. im doing a wonderful job? YAY! Im so happy… I feel my sense of purpose! grin hope im keeping it up!
Veronica: ooooooo… my first flame(ish)… well, my dear, a word of advice – don't read EC fics if you love Raoul. Seriously. Not good for you. Cuz I think raoul's an annoying fop but evrywun's entitled to their own opinion. I don't have a problem with you liking raoul, of course. But I don't see why you'd read an EC story if you did. I do not apologise for the EC-ness. But I do apologise if I've offended you personally.