A Place In My Heart
Chapter Three
Christine was sat in the garden the next day, watching Chima scamper about. Meg was cooking and Marie and Nadir had gone for a walk. Christine smiled at the dog's antics and fiddled with the ring that lay around her neck on a chain.
How could she feel so happy when Raoul was gone? When he had died she'd thought that she would never be happy again. But here she was, perfectly content to simply sit in the sunshine and smile.
"What do you think, Chima? Is it time to say goodbye?" she asked the hound who cocked his head at her and started to sniff a blade of grass. Christine smiled and examined the elaborate diamond ring.
"Or is it too soon? Raoul has only been dead for a few months… is it too soon to say goodbye? Or has it been too long? I wouldn't know, Chima. I've never lost anyone before. Well, I suppose I lost my parents, but they died when I was just a baby, so it's not as if I can remember them."
Chima was sat, listening intently, ears pricked. Christine suspected he was listening to something else but continued to talk to him.
"So you see, I don't know if it's appropriate for me to stop wearing the ring. I feel as if I should still be mourning but… I don't know. What do you think?"
Chima simply licked his paw, chewing at a thorn stuck in the pads. Christine smiled and said,
"Well, what do you know? You're a dog."
"Dogs sometimes know more than we think they do." Christine jumped and looked around. Erik was stood a little way off. She flushed.
"You were… listening?"
"I was. My apologies."
"No, it's fine. I was just wondering out loud and asking some advice. Not that he's much help, are you Chima?" The dog looked up as his name was said and then continued to worry the thorn. Christine bent down and plucked the thorn from the pad. Chima licked the paw and then trotted away, tail wagging cheerfully.
She looked over at Erik and then stood quickly.
"I'm sorry. Did you need something?"
"No. A little conversation perhaps."
"Oh! Well…" She gestured at the bench. Erik sat awkwardly, keeping his distance. His eyes fell on the ring that Christine was still fiddling with.
"You miss him?"
"Yes. But not as much as I used to. That's why I'm confused. We were to be married. To spend the rest of our lives loving each other. And yet… looking back, I'm not sure how it would have worked. But… I don't know if I could have lived my whole life like that. But I did love Raoul. I still do"
Erik was liking the sound of this Raoul character less and less.
"You knew each other long?"
"Our whole lives. We grew up together." Christine said softly. She laughed, "He used to call me Little Lotte, after a story we used to read. I can't remember who wrote it, but we loved it."
She smiled and began to recite.
"Little Lotte let her mind wander. Little Lotte thought, am I fonder of dolls or of goblins or shoes?" Erik smirked slightly.
"And which was she fonder of?" He asked. Christine smiled, looking at him sideways.
"No. What I love best, Lotte said, is when I'm asleep in my bed. And the Angel of Music sings songs in my head." She started to sing softly, "And the Angel of Music sings songs in my head…"
"Angel of Music?" Erik wondered. Christine laughed.
"It's just a children's story. That if you were good and sweet and kind, and if you prayed hard enough, you would be sent an Angel of Music, who would help you to sing. Raoul always used to say that I never needed one. But I used to pray. Every night, before I went to sleep, I would pray for my Angel of Music." She lapsed into thoughtful silence. Erik asked quietly,
"Did he come? Your Angel of Music?"
Christine sighed.
"No. No, he never did. I suppose I wasn't good enough. Or maybe it was because I stopped praying."
"When did you stop praying?"
"I'm not sure. I think it was after Raoul died. When I was…" she cut off abruptly. Erik looked at her and she shook her head.
Erik considered her.
"Why were you being chased by those men?" she shook her head again and said,
"I don't… I'd rather not speak of it. Not yet."
"If that's what you want."
"It is."
They fell into silence. And then Erik said,
"Maybe you should pray again."
"It's only a children's story, Monsieur Dumas. And I'm not a child anymore." Christine replied sadly. Erik looked at her thoughtfully.
"I am not a religious man, Miss Daae. However, I have read the bible. And from what I understand, doesn't God love all of humankind equally?"
"Well… yes, I suppose so."
"Your prayers are just as valuable as the next persons. If you pray, maybe he will listen."
Christine smiled slightly and looked at him.
"Very well. But you have to pray as well. Otherwise I'll feel silly."
"Why would God listen to my prayers?"
"Why wouldn't he?" Christine asked. "You just said he loves all of humankind equally."
"I am not… I am different from others." Erik said quietly. Christine looked at him.
"And does that make you less valuable?"
"I don't… I…" Erik found himself flustered. Christine smiled slightly.
"If you pray, I'll pray too. Maybe if we're both praying, God will pay attention. If he hears one of us, maybe he'll hear the other and we'll both get what we want. Does that seem fair?"
Erik stared at her. This sweet, innocent girl had completely befuddled him. She waited patiently for his answer. Eventually he nodded.
"Very well. I shall pray also."
"Good. Maybe I will get my Angel after all. What will you pray for?" She asked. Erik lifted his eyebrow.
"Maybe I'll pray for an Angel."
"We could both have one." She agreed lightly.
Erik watched her. She was staring up at the blue sky, lost in her own thoughts. He took a deep breath.
"Miss Daae-" He was interrupted by frantic barks. Christine looked around.
"Chima? Where is he?"
The barks were coming from a grove of trees leading into a forest behind the castle. Christine started to run towards the noise, Erik by her side.
They found Chima standing on a stone in the middle of a deep stream. A tree lay across the stream, making an unsteady bridge. Chima must have jumped onto the stone and not been able to get back up again. Erik groaned.
"Stupid animal."
"I'll get him." Christine said.
"No, I will."
"No offence intended, Monsieur Dumas, but you're considerably heavier than I am. I'm less likely to knock the bridge." Christine pointed out. Erik couldn't argue with her logic and looked away as she pulled off her stockings and shoes. She tied the ends of the dress, so it hung by her knees and started to walk gracefully along the log. It wobbled and she held out her arms to steady herself.
"Don't fall in." Erik warned. She smiled.
"I won't, don't worry."
She got halfway across and knelt. Chima whimpered and she stretched out her arms.
"Come on, Chima. Come on boy." Just then, the log rolled over, sending her head first into the water. Erik started forward and shouted,
"Christine!"
Then he tripped over a tree root and splashed ungracefully into the stream. They both surfaced. Christine's eyes were wide with shock.
"It's freezing!" She gasped.
"Are you hurt?" Erik demanded. She shook her head.
"No." And then she started to laugh, wiping unruly locks of hair out of her face. Erik stared at her, up to her chest in cold water, giggling hysterically.
"I'm sorry… I just feel so silly!"
"You're not the one who tripped over his own feet." Erik pointed out with a tiny smile. Christine laughed and then smiled at him.
"You were worried about me."
"What? I…"
"You shouted my name, ran forward and fell in." Christine smiled. Erik mouthed wordlessly. Christine turned to Chima and plucked him from the stone.
"We'd better go back. We'll catch colds if we stand here." She said and they began to wade to the shore.
Nadir, Marie and Meg were in the garden, looking around.
"They were here just a few moments ago." Meg said, confused. Then Nadir pointed towards the woods where two sopping wet figures had appeared. Christine held Chima in her arms, Erik's jacket wrapped around her shoulders. He was now clad in a soaking white shirt and black trousers. Both carried their shoes.
"My god, I leave you alone for ten minutes…" Marie snorted at them. Christine smiled helplessly.
"Chima got stuck on a rock in the stream. I went to fetch him and the log gave way. And Monsieur Dumas came to help me and tripped into the stream."
Nadir and Meg started to laugh. Even Marie gave a smile. Erik glowered at them.
"Whilst I'm sure my current state is extremely amusing to you all, may I point out that we are both soaked through and likely to fall ill if we stand here without changing?"
"Yes, of course. I'll take Chima. Go and change." Marie said, taking the wet dog. He shook himself, splattering Christine and Erik even more.
Christine laughed and then turned to Erik. She slipped his jacket off and handed it to him.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Go and change, before you fall ill." He said quietly. She smiled and went indoors. Erik stared after her and then noticed the looks of Marie, Meg and Nadir.
"What?"
"Nothing." They all said in unison. Erik growled at them before storming past into the house.
Christine patted her hair dry with a towel, her mind fixed on one thing. Erik Dumas. What was wrong with her? Of course, he was a nice enough person, a little eccentric maybe. But he wasn't Raoul.
So why did she feel this way?
"You're a little idiot." She told her reflection sharply. She brushed out her damp hair and let it hang loose. Then she put her shoes back on and went downstairs to help make dinner.
To her surprise, Erik joined them for dinner that night. The day before Nadir had been resting and Erik had remained in his study. But now all five of them were seated at the table in the dining room. Christine wondered if it had been Erik's idea or Nadir's.
She was sat two seats away from Erik, on his right. Between them was Nadir and directly opposite was Meg, with Marie on Erik's left. They ate beefsteak, in a wine sauce and it was delicious. Nadir was telling a very amusing story about a man he had met in Germany, involving a pig and a flute.
She laughed along with Meg and Marie. Erik merely gave his little smile and lifted the eyebrow they could see at Nadir's stories. Christine looked down at her food and sipped at the wine.
"Where will you be going next, Nadir?" Meg asked.
"I'm not sure. I don't plan these things until the last minute. I may stay here for a while. The living arrangements are pleasant, the food is exquisite and the company is perfect." Nadir said, lifting his glass. Christine noticed Marie give a tiny smile, staring at her own glass. Nadir sipped his drink and then said,
"I have a mind to visit England. It has been some time since my last visit. Have you ever been to England, Christine?"
Christine nodded.
"Only once, when I was eight. We went to London for a week."
"What did you think?"
"Well, I had grown up in a country house, so it seemed very noisy and crowded. But we saw an opera there. It's really the only thing I can remember."
"Really? What opera?" Nadir asked. Christine smiled.
"It was Il Muto. I don't think I understood most of the humour, but I loved it. It was my first time to visit the opera. Unfortunately, I haven't had much opportunity to go again."
"You should go to the Opera Populaire in Paris. They have some fine shows." Nadir commented. Christine smiled again.
"I would very much like to. One day."
She lifted her glass again as Marie commented,
"Tell me, Nadir, is there any country that you haven't yet visited?"
"Australia. But I plan to, at some point." Nadir said lightly. They all smiled and he said to Christine,
"Whereabouts did you grow up?"
"Nice."
"A charming area. How long did you live there?"
"My whole life, until now. My parents died when I was very young, and I was left in the care of friends. The De Chagny family."
"De Chagny… that sounds familiar…" Nadir said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. Meg looked at her curiously.
"And you were engaged to their son?"
"Yes. We grew up together and his parents always planned for us to be married." Christine explained. Nadir snapped his fingers.
"I know where I know the name from! Wasn't one of the De Chagny's attacked? Killed?"
Christine felt her heart race, pounding painfully against her ribcage. She looked down at her glass.
"Yes. Yes, he was."
"It was… oh god, Christine, it was Raoul de Chagny wasn't it?" Meg said, horror overcoming her. Nadir stared at her.
"You are Raoul de Chagny's fiancée? There's a reward for your discovery!"
"What?" Christine stared at him. He nodded.
"Yes, it was in the newspaper before I came here. They were searching for you, they said you'd been kidnapped."
Christine felt dizzy. She stared at him.
"Who is looking for me? Who?" She asked desperately, clutching his arm. Nadir stared at her hand and said,
"It was… it was another Viscount. A friend of Raoul de Chagny. Viscount de Fenz."
Christine gasped slightly and then bit down on her lip, trembling. Everyone stared at her, her eyes wide and her breath ragged. After a moment she blinked and stood up quickly.
"Excuse me." She whispered breathlessly, walking quickly from the room. Meg stood to go after her but Erik waved his hand at her, rising.
"I'll go."
Christine was in her room, hastily stuffing her things into a bag. Erik stood in the doorway, watching her.
"What are you doing?" He asked. She gasped, not having realised he was there. He looked at her and then to the bag. She shook her head.
"I have to go."
"Go where? To the Viscount de Fenz?"
"No! I have to leave! If he finds me…" She shook her head and stuffed the book into the overflowing bag, trying to close it.
"What will happen if he finds you?" Erik asked quietly.
Christine didn't reply. She lifted the bag and pushed past him, walking towards the front door. Erik walked beside her.
"Miss Daae, you're not leaving until you tell me exactly what is going on."
"I can't."
"Then you're not leaving." Erik told her. They reached the front door and Christine pulled it open. Erik pushed it closed again, keeping his hand on it. Christine ground her teeth.
"Let me go."
"Tell me what's going on." He demanded.
"No!"
"Then I'm not letting you go!" Erik shouted.
Christine tugged hard at the door, but Erik kept it slammed shut. Christine felt the fury well up in her and before she knew what she was doing she had snatched the mask from Erik's face.
What she had meant to do was get him to take his hand from the door, giving her time to slip through. But what happened was that she screamed and dropped the mask in horror.
Erik stared at her. She gaped at him, her eyes wide and her lower lip shaking. He reached for her but she cried out and tugged the door open, running out into the night.
She reached the gates and slid the bolt back. Christine ran through, clutching her bag to her, tears streaming down her face at what she had seen. Horror, dismay, pity and fury ran through her all at once but she kept running blindly. Dear God, what had that been?
And then someone pounced on her. She screamed, her bag flying from her grip as she fell. A man leered down at her. He was filthy, pock-marked and he stank. Christine screamed again and he stuffed some material into her mouth, gagging her. She choked on the rank taste but was unable to spit it out.
"Shh… don't want to disturb anyone, do we, pet?" he leered. Christine stared at him in horror and tried to roll over. He rolled her onto her back, saddled her and she saw the knife for the first time. The dirty blade shone dully and he flicked it back and forward before her eyes. She watched it fearfully.
"Now, pet… no more screaming." He warned. The knife slashed down and Christine squeezed her eyes shut. But she felt no pain. She opened her eyes and saw that he was ripping the dress to shreds.
No… not this… anything but this… somebody had to help her! Someone would come for her!
But who would come? She had no one. There was no one who would help her now.
The cold air made her exposed skin rise in goosebumps. Drops of rain started to fall, mingling with the tears that fell from her eyes. Christine struggled helplessly, trying to kick the man away. A rope was wrapped around her wrists, preventing her from hitting him. He tore at her skirts, Christine tried to scream…
And then he was knocked from her. Christine curled into a ball, spitting the cloth from her mouth, feeling sick. She looked up and saw the man fleeing into the forest, his trousers loose. So close… he had come so close to…
She was being covered with something. A cloak. She looked up, through the pouring rain and saw the white mask. She closed her eyes, turning her face away. But he was lifting her in strong arms, holding her close, pulling the rope from her wrists.
"You are safe now… don't be afraid…" Erik whispered to her. She pressed her face to his shoulder as he carried her back towards the castle, all the time murmuring comfort to her as she wept.
By the time they reached the castle, she had fallen into fitful sleep. Nadir ran out into the rain as they approached but Erik would not turn her into his care, nor into Marie or Meg's. He carried her past them, straight up to her bedroom. He placed her between the sheets, drawing the covers over her, brushing her hair back from her face. And then he sat by her side, watching her sleep.
Marie, Meg and Nadir stood by the door, watching them. Marie touched Nadir's sleeve.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. But her dress was torn." He said, looking at her. Meg's eyes widened.
"You mean… she was…"
"I don't know. We'll have to ask Erik in the morning." Nadir said quietly. "I very much doubt that he will leave her alone tonight."
She woke in the night and found Erik sitting in the chair by her bed. She stared at him. His eyes were closed, dark locks of hair falling into his face, over the white mask. Christine remembered what had happened and shivered. She looked down and saw that the cloak was still wrapped around her.
"Are you alright?" Erik asked softly. She looked up at him quickly and then nodded slowly. He got to his feet and started towards the door.
"Wait!" She whispered. He paused and she sat up in her bed.
"Please don't go. Please don't leave me alone." She begged.
Erik hesitated and then returned to the chair. But Christine slid over in the bed and said, hesitantly,
"You can… you can lie down. If you want." He saw the uncertainty in her eyes. But he didn't know if it was at being alone, or at his presence. So he lay down beside her, without touching her. Christine lay down too and closed her eyes.
"You saved me," she whispered.
"Yes."
"…Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me."
She fell silent and he thought she was sleeping. But then she spoke again.
"Then let me apologise. For what I did." She meant the mask. Erik sighed silently.
"There is no need. Let's just forget it happened." She nodded and closed her eyes. Within a few minutes she was sleeping. Erik reached out tentatively and brushed a lock of hair from her face.
When Marie, Nadir and Meg arrived the next morning, they found the pair together on the bed. Christine had her back to Erik, but his arms were around her, his face nestled in her dark hair, their bodies moulded together, with Erik's wrapped around Christine's. Meg let out a quiet giggle and was sent from the room by her mother. Marie also sent Nadir to fetch tea before touching Erik's shoulder.
"Monsieur?" She whispered, not wanting to wake Christine.
Erik mumbled blearily and looked up at her. He blinked and then looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms. His expression twisted between surprise, joy, apprehension and astonishment. He looked at Marie and nodded for her to leave. She did so, unwillingly.
Erik tried to slip his arms out from under Christine but she stirred. She stretched and then blinked, looking around. She looked up and saw Erik staring down at her. Her eyes widened for a moment and then she remember and sat up quickly.
"How do you feel?" Erik asked quietly. Christine licked her lips as the memories of the previous night returned. Her face contorted in sorrow, horror and disgust and she pressed her face into her hands. Erik didn't say anything, but put his arms about her as she wept.
"Christine, it's important that I know. Did that man… did he…?" He couldn't finish the sentence. She shook her head.
"No… no, you got there in time."
"Thank god…" Erik breathed. Christine wiped her eyes and looked at him.
"If you hadn't been there… if you hadn't…"
"Shh. Don't even think about it." Erik said, placing a finger to her lips. Christine swallowed hard and nodded.
Erik considered her and then asked,
"Will you tell me? Why you ran?" Christine met his eyes and he saw a surprising determination there. She nodded and said quietly,
"The Viscount de Fenz… Thomas de Fenz killed Raoul."
A/n: Hey! I can't believe people really like this! A few notes - this is set during the period of the film, maybe a little earlier, but that general time. Second - the story that was briefly started with Moonjava is over. I haven't got the time to commit myself to a full story right now. Hence why I'm giving you this old one. I need the reviews to feed my overlarge ego! And 26 for two chapters? Yup, we're going the right way! And occasionally you may be getting two updates a day. Since I'm going away next Monday - family holiday, two weeks in South France. I'll probably roast to death and I wouldn't like to leave the story unfinished. We'll see how it goes, OK?
Love you all
Katie