Chapter 27
The bridge is crossed.
Walking over to the swan bed, Erik approached; "Christine, my darling, I must ask you to tell me where the seaside cottages were that you and Raoul met." Seeing the look on her face, worrying that she was going to insist on coming with them or not telling them where it was he went on; "We must go and see if we can find him, and I am not allowing you to come with as a guide, so don't even think it."
"Erik, I can show you where it is, I may even be able to talk to Raoul and work some sense into him to save Meg."
"We will not risk the loss of our child nor the injury of you on that man. The stress of this whole situation I would have rather kept from you as well, though that would not have been very practical."
Deciding that there was no way that Erik would allow her to go with them willingly, she told him where the cottages were located as best she could recall. She also planned how she would follow them. There was no way that Raoul would endanger Erik or Meg, the damage was done, it was time to end this. She had to be the one to end it, she was the reason this had all happened in the first place and it was up to her to be the one to close this drama once and for all. Nobody could go on with their lives if she did not. She owed it to the very life she was carrying to do so.
As Erik began to make ready to leave, he told Mme Giry to go gather the men and told her to come when they were assembled. Giving her the directions Christine had given him he sent her on her way. He had to get there, in case Meg was in any real danger. Mme Giry had a feeling that Raoul abducted Meg with the whole purpose of flushing Erik and Christine out to prove he was not crazy as well as kill Erik and claim Christine once and for all. Erik acknowledged this, knowing that was exactly what he had planned and that they were playing into his hand. However his mental state made him a sloppy opponent, he would be dangerous but easy to beat as Erik knew where he was mentally, after all he had been there himself.
Mme Giry left then and Erik began moving around the lair, looking for his weapons and gypsy tricks to confuse Raoul. He had some other tricks up his sleeve for the dear spoilt Vicomte. He would relish this torture; it was the most requested torture he had ever dealt in his life. It would be the one that would require Raoul to end his own life, without Erik having to lay a hand on his ruddy neck. Then there would be the Punjab lasso, there for the final welcome release from the insanity he would push to its climax.
Christine counted on Erik to be busy so she could get some things of her own together for the trip. She would let Erik know she was there, but not until he was well away from Paris. Then he would not be able to turn around and bring her home, fearing a loss of too much time. She watched where Erik got his weapons and the gypsy potions for hallucination inducement that he took, to ensure she had a way to gather some to protect her. She paused to pray for them all as well. It was so monumental, what they were about to do, it was something that had to happen, their very lives depended on this, though it broke her heart to see this change in Raoul, someone who used to be so compassionate and kind become so ruthless and cruel. To think that she had driven him to this point made her soul ache.
She was kneeling at the foot of the bed, head bowed down in prayer, when Erik came around to her. "Christine, I am sorry that it has come to this, I fear that there may be one more death I have to beg forgiveness for, despite my promise to you. There is so much at stake if I let him live, I cannot allow it, forgive me my dear. Please! I will be unable to do this if you don't."
"Oh Erik, I know that he will always be after us if you do not, I feel that he is in so much pain that it has blinded him to good sense. It is impossible to live the rest of our lives knowing that he is there, possibly after us. Somehow when that prospect was of you, I was not as worried, you knew how to be there and not be observed, it was almost comforting for me to know you would be there. Raoul is not used to being silent and unobserved, he would be dangerous and I would always fear him, much more than I can bear. Try not to kill without reason, Erik, please at least do that for me?"
Erik never expected her to say this without a fight or discussion. It was a miracle; she would release him from his promise, a fact that very well may have saved both of their lives. He knew it would free the life of their baby. He was so relieved; he let out a breath from his nearly closed lips and looked at her with such gratitude. Then he spoke her name "Christine, you are truly my angel, you have saved my soul from such depths of hell, I know not why I deserve such things suddenly, I have never known them before. I am so grateful to you and to God, for the gifts I bear today. When you are praying, please remember to thank God for me, I am grateful beyond words to him for you and our budding child." Then he looked down at her taut, flat belly and placed his hand palm down, upon her, caressing her softly. She caught her breath at the warmth spreading from her belly out. Even with her layers of clothing, his hand was hot to her skin. He was able to make her go weak in the knees with but a word or a touch, she was wantonly wicked she thought, marveling open mouthed at the sensations he drummed up in her head with such a simple touch.
"Christine, I must leave now, I promise I shall return to you. I will be rushing back to your side, I want not to be anywhere else, you know."
"I know, just be careful, please, I want to be married and have my baby's father around for him or her. Don't you even think about losing this fight, you hear, Erik? Oh, and while we are on the subject of our marriage, what shall my last name be when finally we wed?"
"de Maitre, that is my fathers name, de Maitre. I never used the name as I have never had need of it. My father died before I was born, my mother was never inclined to tell me much about him, either, she didn't speak much to me at all. I found out my birth name when I received this letter from Mademoiselle Perralt at the death of my mother. I went to see the solicitor to transfer the ownership of the house to Mme Giry and found out the last name of my birth from the solicitor that day."
"de Maitre, that is a beautiful name, Erik, Christine de Maitre, I like it. Thank you for telling me about that letter, I happened on it when I put your shirt on back at the Pension Au Derlie. I meant to ask you what ever happened to that house, but there was never a good time for that. So, you gave Mme Giry and Meg your house. It was a brilliant gesture."
"It was only natural after Gigi saved my life from the gypsy captivity I knew before her. Then when her husband passed away suddenly and left her with Meg, so young, it just seemed that she should have someplace other than the Opera Populaire to call her home. I didn't need that house and it only held bad memories for me, so it was a natural conclusion to give it to Gigi and young Meg."
"Well, I think that it is such an honorable thing that you did that for her." Christine looked at Erik then, praying silently that he would forgive her for disregarding his wishes when she was found to be with him helping return Meg home. She looked at him and smiled a wan smile, wishing for the thousandth time that things were different and they were leaving to begin their life anew elsewhere now.
"I really have to go and find Meg now, Christine, I owe Madame Giry that favor, she has been so good to me, if it was not for her, I would not have you, Christine. I shall always be in her debt for that. You must eat some of the food that Madame Giry brought down when she came to tell us of Meg. You have to keep your strength up, my dear one." At this he came over to her once more, having gone to get his saddle bag filled with deceptive manipulations and weapons and his mask to wear once more. Grabbing her by the waist and drawing him to her gently, he bent down and kissed her long and slowly on the mouth, sad to be parting with his life, his obsession for any time, he worried so of her safety when he was not there to protect her. This was far harder than he first thought it would be. They parted lips and he looked deeply into her eyes, "My God, Christine, I have such a hard time letting you go for anyone, I know I must do this, but I worry so of you. Please promise me you will be safe and won't take unnecessary risks with your health or life while I am accomplishing this task. Please?"
"Erik, I shall protect the baby and myself with all I have, there is no worry, my darling, you go and collect Meg, she does not deserve to be in the position she is in right now. You are the only one who I really believe can save her. I love you and will be here when you are back, with you, beside you. Always, to share one love, one lifetime. Those words take with you, they are real and I mean them with my heart, anywhere you go Erik that is all I ask of you, too." Erik looked at her slightly confused, wondering what she meant, she had changed his words around and they were not exactly as he had said them. Then he decided that it was just the situation, it was hard on both of them and he would have to expect that.
With one more quick kiss, and a deep lingering look into her eyes, he said goodbye and left the lair. Christine could not help but shed tears over watching him leave. It was not right, they should not always have to fight so to be happy.
Allowing him a few minutes to start out, she then got her things she had gathered and the rest of the things Erik had left behind for weapons, a knife with a short blade that was very sharp. She hunted for a sheath and finally found one that went around the thigh. She placed the sheath around her thigh and began to tighten it to make it stay. It was rather large, but it was still able to fit. She would have to wear it on the outside of her thigh, to keep the blade from hurting her leg if she managed to find a horse.
Having gathered all she could, she left the lair, taking with her a croissant and cream for the journey. Her stomach ached with hunger though there was no time to eat right now. She had to try to stay close to Erik. She approached a stable where they were keeping the horses for the Populaire, there was nobody there tending to the horses, so she took the first horse she came upon and was off.
While Christine was riding her horse carefully, she wanted to eat her croissant, so she pulled it out and took a bite. The horse reared, she almost fell, but gathered the reigns in her hand at the last moment. She decided that she would have to wait until she stopped to eat the rest of the croissant so she put it into her saddle bag. Up ahead she saw Erik in the distance, her heart fluttered at the striking figure he was. Even in the waning sunlight, he was a stark contrast to the light of day. He commanded power in all around him through the confident way he was riding. He was so focused there was no way he would be aware of her trailing him. So she thought.
Christine slowed down, as she noticed Erik was suddenly not on the road, she grew nervous and began to comb the trees ahead for where he picked up another trail to the place she had instructed him to go. Suddenly Erik strode out of the trees on his horse. He looked furious with her. "What do you think you are doing? Did I not tell you to stay behind, protect yourself? This does not look safe to me."
"Erik, I could not let you go alone. I have to be there with you. It is my fault that things are this way to begin with, I was not going to have anything happen to you and put that on my head too. There is no way I will live if you die, so what is the use of me staying behind?"
Erik got down from his horse and came over to her, walking the horse gently. He lifted her from her horse and gazed at her with curious eyes. "Do you mean that you would risk everything to ensure I return to you?"
"Yes Erik, without you I would not care to make it myself. Therefore it makes no sense for you to leave me at the Populaire while you are off fighting with those who may not care as much for your safety and well being as I do."
"I am once more taken by your deep feelings for me. I must question, what have I done to deserve such faithfulness and devotion from you. For so much of my life I was the gargoyle whom no one cared about, now, you would risk your life, and that of our baby to ensure that you didn't have to live without me? Christine, for one so neglected as I this is a dream. Thank you for the flattery, however I still must ask that you allow me to protect you by requesting you return to Paris promptly. You are in danger out here with Raoul around. Even at dusk, you are unmistakable and he will be looking for you. I would not be able to live without you either, so you must return to the safety of the lair. Please, Christine, for me, for our child, turn back."
"Erik, I cannot. I may be able to help; I may mean the difference between sanity and death for Raoul. No matter what you think, Erik, Raoul is innocent in this matter, he didn't plan this fall into madness, I cannot live with myself if I do not try to return him to sanity at least. That way if he does not hear and understand, at least we know we have tried every other way before the fight to the death, no?"
"Christine, I have a bad feeling about this, I don't think that things will turn out well if you are with me. I had a dream a while back where we were dueling with swords and you were pierced in the heart. I held you while you left me forever, and I am fearful of that being a premonition if you are with me now. It will be impossible for me to focus if you are there, I shall be guarding you excessively and unable to find any way to be equitable with him. That is a quality I cannot afford to compromise at this time. It could mean Meg's life as well as yours my dear."
"You will not get rid of me, no matter what you say, I am here, I will not leave you. You can choose to protect me or not, I shall be here to protect you and see to it that Raoul does not kill you, Erik. There is no way that he shall win with us together against him. Remember, we began this final foray into madness when we visited his room that time. That seemed to drive him over the edge then, it was bound to backfire somehow. We just never knew it would involve anyone else. Now we must rectify what we have done, and we shall do that together as we did the torment and torture of his fragile mind together. I can hide in the woods and watch, to allow you to freely move about without consideration to my whereabouts. Still, I must be there, you must see that now."
"I cannot argue this with you all day, if you vow to stay hidden, you may come with me, but realize that if you don't stay hidden, I shall have to end things to ensure your safety as well as Megs. It shall be Raoul's death sentence if you reveal yourself to him."
"Yes, Erik, I know, I shall stay safely ensconced in the woods, unless he pulls some trickery to endanger you or Meg. I shall not stand by and watch that happen when I shall still have the advantage of surprise over him." Christine stood and looked at him defiantly, tugging at his heart once more with the determination in her eyes to protect him and Meg at great personal risk, he was overwhelmed and had to shake his head and look away. She was even more incredible then he had ever thought possible. He was the luckiest man alive, and intended to stay as such.
They rode on together in the dusk, out in the countryside, enjoying the sunset as they rode west. Every now and then Erik would just slow down a bit so he could watch his Christine move gracefully on the horse as it strode forward. He was so worried that these would be their last moments together, he felt panic grip his heart at the thought of where he would go and how far he would fall if that happened. Losing Christine would destroy his life, leaving him in ruin, but taking the child as well as her, that would raze a devil such as the opera Populaire had never seen in the phantom. There would be no turning back, the bridge would be crossed and he would be damned for eternity to the hell that began for him here on earth. There would be nothing to lose anymore. He prayed fervently that God would watch over his Christine and his baby, they had to be alright, his life depended on it. He wondered if she knew that was how he felt. He was loathe to put it into words, though. It was too much for her to hear right now, they had to stay focused. That was bothering him too, how was he going to be able to fully focus on Raoul when he met up with him knowing that Christine was hiding nearby. He would be so fearful for her life. He hoped he could do this. Yes, he had to. He strode back up along side of her and smiled at her. "How are you feeling? The trip is not too much for you in your delicate condition, is it?"
"Oh Erik, I am not made of china, I will not break into a million pieces, and the baby is well protected with my body, I am sure the baby will be fine. That is if I am not wrong about being with child. Otherwise we have yet to worry about that. Either way, I am sure I am fine."
"Have you eaten the food I instructed you to eat before I left?"
"I took a bite of the croissant and almost fell off the horse, so I have not eaten the rest of it yet. I will though, when we stop for a bit."
"Whoa, boy." Erik stopped his horse abruptly and dismounted, looking for Christine to do the same. "We shall stop here, then for the night. You cannot take care of yourself much less a little baby if you do not."
"Oui, but do you have food for yourself?"
"Just a bit of salami and crusty bread. The salami was in the lair, it is still good, would you like some?"
"No, I am fine with this croissant, thank you anyway. And Erik…" She waited for him to look at her with rapt attention to smile at him and say… "I love you."
Erik smiled a big smile and replied "I love you too, Christine. I have a bed roll to lay on the ground. You go ahead and I shall prepare our place to sleep, unfortunately there is not a pension near here to go to. You didn't happen to bring a bed roll for yourself, did you?"
"Yes I did, I realized it was a long journey and I didn't expect to be discovered so soon, so I needed to be sure I had the necessities."
"Smart girl, I knew you were. I fear that I didn't bring blankets enough for two, did you perhaps bring blankets as well for your bed?"
"Yes of course I would bring them, it is only spring, the weather is still cold at night and I am with child, I must protect myself a bit from the chill."
"I shall see to it that you do not catch a chill, my dear. Now, you finish eating, I have some water in the wine bladder over my horse, you are welcome to some."
With that Erik set about the task of getting a safe place away from the road for them to bed down for the night. It would be a long trip to the sea, though it would be worth the time spent alone together to enjoy one another's company. He found himself very glad all at once that Christine was here with him. The trip would be so much more enjoyable with her along. It was already.
After the beds were rolled out he came back to eat his food, when he returned to the horse, Christine was sitting on a nearby rock looking in the sky. Erik got his food from the saddlebag and came over to sit by her.
"Off in thought again my angel? What has your attention now?"
"I was thinking of my father, he used to tell me this story when I was little of the man on the moon who went out to light the stars every night. The little monkey that would swing from the moon and eat the cheese that the man on the moon would make for him. It was an engaging tale and that was what your music box reminded me of when I saw the monkey on top. My father. He really had the most amazing tales for me, Erik; it was always fun to hear of this ship going here or that star that had its own wish. I hope that I can retell all of these stories to our child, I want to remember all of them and sometimes I fear that I forget them."
Erik sat and thought about what she was saying for a bit, then he spoke; "My dear, I would be more than happy to set these stories to music for us to sing to our dear child. We will never forget the wonderful stories then."
Christine looked at Erik at that moment with tears in her eyes speaking softly "Oh Erik would you, really? They are so special, only you would know that so well that you would find a way to help them all carry on." She rested her head on Erik's shoulder then, and softly hummed a tuneless lullaby to them both. Erik looked at her hands resting gently in her lap and thought of the child inside of her right now, growing and moving, becoming the beloved child they would meet some day. He would do that, make music for his beloved to sing to their child, that would be his greatest joy in the world, that and writing music for his beloved Christine. Those songs he wrote of her would need to be sung in private, with her for his audience. He could not write songs of her any longer that were not too erotic for others to share. She inspired him through the soul, that passion needed release, these songs floating in his head, begging to be written, were certainly for him to sing to her alone, they were for no other and no others would use these words to proclaim their love. This was his, for her and her alone.
They sat there in their reverie until Erik felt Christine shiver and yawn, he gathered her in his embrace and asked if she was ready for bed. She replied that she would be ready shortly; she had to go to the bushes and ready herself for night. Not to change, but to tend to business needing tending to prior to bed. Erik knew what that meant so he gave her some privacy and went to tie the horses up more secluded and secure for the night.
Christine returned to him a short time later and he helped her into her bed roll. He was lying right next to her, and she scooted up to him to keep warm. In his embrace she fell quickly asleep. He however, stayed awake for some time, listening to ensure their safety and fighting the urge to consume his love totally. She was so warm and smelled so wonderful after washing up a bit with the water he had brought and her scent; he was mesmerized by her and found it hard to relax with the desire coursing through him. Such a combination to him, her beauty and smell and feel, it was totally intoxicating to him and she knew it too because even in her sleep, she seemed to arch into him sweetly tormenting him. He would have to endure this, there was no way to succumb to this passion out here, even as he said this to himself he was burying his face in the soft flesh of her neck and gently kissing her. She stirred, however did not wake, she was so tired and so comfortable in his embrace that she was deep in sleep. He wanted to stop and pull away even a bit, but she had her arm around his keeping him up against her back, so there he would stay, silently tormented with her intoxicating beauty, feeling and smell filling his mind. Somehow he managed to close his eyes, after allowing the torment to touch him for some time, he gave in to the exhaustion which had come across him from fighting her effect on him.
Morning was beautiful and when it woke Christine, she just laid there with Erik's arms wrapped around her still. He was breathing into her neck; she could feel his warmth through out her body. It was the best feeling in the whole world and she didn't want to move even an inch. She lay there listening to him breath slowly and steadily. The love she felt was so complete she felt guilty for ever courting any other love. She felt it in his songs, and should have known it from the beginning, how foolish she was to doubt it.
Finally she felt Erik stir, he was waking up and she was glad as well as remorseful, she was stiff but she enjoyed the closeness of him so much that she didn't mind being stiff. She was so happy that he had accepted her coming with him. She feared he would not forgive her for coming, this was a far cry from what she thought he would do when he found out she was with him.
"Good morning, my dear" Erik said from behind her, into her neck. He nuzzled her and kissed her neck then turned her to kiss her on the lips. Then he rose and presented her hand to help her to rise as well. She took it and rose to his arms. He gave her a hug and drawing away slightly faced her to the east. "Now we are rewarded with a beautiful sun rise. Do we dare to look for early spring berries, or do you think that we have enough left over to travel on after we eat something?"
"I think we should just eat what we have and get going again. It is quite a ride yet to the sea, and we must get there and save Meg, with each day I fear her safety more."
"Yes, you are correct, I merely want to be sure you are ready to resume our arduous journey, you are after all under great strain already between your recent illness, your ankle still recovering and your condition, you have much to deal with, I want to be sure that you are alright."
"I am fine, I promise if I am not I shall let you know."
"Very well. On to the sea then, we shall find the Vicomte and save Meg from his perilous grip."
"Do you think we shall find Monsieur Giry's friends along the way sometime? Or are we going to meet up at the sea?"
"Perhaps we shall meet up with them, although I don't expect to see them until we are all at the cottages by the sea. If I know what Mme Giry was talking about, they are coming from all over to help us, they will most likely be traveling in pairs or solo, not as a large group until they are there. Then there are only 7 of them. They may not all be able to come, either. So, we shall see who is there when we arrive at the rendezvous point."
"I see, that makes sense. So, what would you desire for your morning meal Monsieur?"
Erik came over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders, turning her to look into her eyes; "Surely you know what I desire for my morning, however, since it is impossible at this time, I shall have to make due with this." Drawing her tightly to him, he kissed her yet again; he had to have this after the night long ache he felt. This was what he needed to clear his head and help him to think of what they needed to be doing. He released her then; she stumbled back just a bit, but found her step. She smiled at him and turned to the saddle bag to pull out some food. There were more croissants and she spread cream on them and gave one to Erik.
He smiled at this and took the croissant, looking at her the whole time. Taking a bite of it, he finally looked away. Christine felt so hot and flushed by that whole exchange, she felt as if he had gotten what he desired from her without so much as a caress. This was what passion truly was, she could not even begin to see Raoul being this way with her. Yes, she had truly made the right choice when she picked Erik. He was her passion and her life. There was so much more to love then she had ever thought when she accepted Raoul as her betrothed. She was ashamed of the foolishness she had felt before.
Poor Raoul was truly led on by her, though she had no way of knowing that at the time. She did now, with certainty and she had to tell him this. Hopefully he would find someone who would make him as happy as Erik made her. It was her new prayer for him. She did not want to think that she was the whole reason for all this pomp and circumstance over her. It was infuriating to think of it.
Finally they were done with their croissants and the magic that had befallen them was broken. They had to mount their respective horses after picking up their beds and tying them up to their saddles. It was time to head west yet again.