Ann: We left the village two days later, after a much needed rest for both us and the horses. We continued our journey north to Switzerland, traveling through the vast, empty fields of Slovenia. I had begun to enjoy the quiet solitude of that country, taking time to relax and think deep thoughts.
I did, however, notice that Erik and Meg were using that time to enjoy each other's company. I was afraid, deep down, because I did not want to lost my precious daughter to the same man I had lost my husband to so long ago. Of course I knew Erik would never harm her, I trusted him with that.
It was the knowledge that Meg was young, energetic, and losing her heart to a man whose heart had already been taken. I did not want to see her hurt, and I began to wonder, if, after our trip in Switzerland, we should turn around and settle back into France.
I wasn't tired physically; in fact I was more healthy than I'd ever been; but I was tired of the constant worry, the fear that slowly crept into my mind as I watched Meg holding Erik's hand while they trotted along beside me.
Meg: After my mother's harsh reprimand at the village I kept myself slightly away from Erik. I tried to be as docile and friendly as possible, but it took all I had not to leap into his strong arms and hug him.
He seemed more troubled these days, fidgeting and nervous. I threw myself into astronomy, drawing out constellations and making personal records. I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed the nights that Erik spent with me. We would talk while my mother slept, of things gone by and things to come.
He slowly opened up, bit by bit, but after nearly nine month's of knowing him I really didn't know him at all. I, of course, chatted about every small, insignificant detail; yet Erik seemed content to listen.
During the days we would ride through fields of wildflowers, and I would often try to hold his hand in affection. He remained stiff, almost uncomfortable, but I knew in time he would warm. I didn't expect anything more than platonic friendship between us; yet I was beginning to feel something more.
Erik: We rested at the village for two days, then continued our journey towards Switzerland. After Ann's outburst at Meg, Meg appeared subdued. She hardly talked to me while her mother was around; yet at night when Ann slept she would open herself up. I enjoyed listening to Meg; but I rarely let anything slip about my horrid past.
I merely mentioned small bits to keep her content; but I wasn't ready to talk, not about my childhood. She tried to be affectionate towards me; holding my hand and often reaching out to me. No one had ever done that, not even Christine. I didn't really know how to react, so I simply let it happen. In time she would understand that I was not the affectionate type.
At night we would wander through the fields, glancing at the stars and talking. She was a sweet companion, energetic and chipper; quite a contrast to my disconsolate apathy. I found Ann, on the other hand, to be overbearing and protective. She would talk to me, and yet I found myself less and less interested.
There had been a time, so long ago, when Ann had been my best and only friend. Now, it seemed as if she were more a monarch, and I the peasant. It made me angry, yet I tried hard to control that anger. There was no need, in the green grass of Slovenia, to fight.
Ann: Erik was becoming more melonchaly, and no matter how I tried to engage him in conversation he would eventually become bored. I realized that during our time at The Opera we had become distant, shut off from each other.
I also realized, to my dismay, that our friendship had deteriated to a mere aquaintance.. Meg, on the other hand, didn't appear botherd at all. I dare say she was having the time of her life, jumping Brise or racing along the feilds.
I wondered if the constant isolation of Slovenia had perhaps warped her senses. I also speculated that her high spirits were due to her young, innocent heart becoming infatuated with first love.
Meg: It was becoming colder as we neared Switzerland. Erik had warned us that the Swiss climate was much colder than our native France. I wasn't prepared, however, for the actual shock of two majestic, snow-topped mountains to rise up in the distance.
Erik nodded, "Those are the Swiss Alps. I believe the two we see now are Mount. Monte Rosa and Mount. Weisshorn." I gaped at them. Then I asked my mother, "Could we climb them?"
She gave me a look of utter disbelief. Erik, however, replied. "Only if you think you can handle it. The highest peaks are over 4,000 feet high. I do believe, however, that we can ski, if you'd like."
My mother looked quizzically at Erik, "Just what is Skiing and how much danger is involved?" I laughed at my mother's indignation. I didn't care if she was worried about my safety.
I had never even seen a mountain up close, and I was determined to enjoy them. As we trode our horses along Erik explained the concept of Skiing. It sounded exciting and adventurous. If I didn't climb a mountain, I would certainly ski down one.
Erik: Ann was shocked at the concept of Skiing. Meg, I believe, was absolutely enthralled. It was amazing how different the two were, in every aspect. I checked the map, and then tried to think of what else I knew about Switzerland.
I had never been there, but I had read about it. I remembered that Switzerland was also known for it's Health and Wellness Centers. I explained them to Ann, but she smiled and replied, "That's called a Spa, Erik." She seemed to be interested in them, however, and I decided to find one for her.
Meg didn't appear interested in them, but she did want to know about hiking and other excursions. I myself was more interested in finding someone who could speak French, for none of us could understand Swiss.
We traveled north, and I estimated that within two days we would cross the border into Switzerland.
Ann: Under no circumstances was I going to allow Meg near any mountain. Not even a tall hill. I had frightening images of her falling, or hurting herself somehow. I was leery of her interest in hiking, for it is simply another word for climbing. I blamed Erik for interesting her in such nonsense.
Of course he did also mention that there were several spa's in Switzerland. A good massage sounded perfect, and I wondered how different Swiss treatments might be from European ones.
We made camp under a rare tree, while Meg gazed into the distance at the two mountains. Erik circled a few spots on one of his maps, and began to study another. We had eaten, and I began to drift off.
Erik: If Ann would not allow Meg to come, I would do it myself; there was a large mountain called Mount. Leismad that sounded beautiful. I did want to see how far I could climb, perhaps not to the top but at least far enough to see the stars closer. I knew if I did this Meg would be insanely jealous, but I would never go against Ann's wishes.
I planned to find a nice vacation spa for the two girls, and give them at least a week of pure pampered treatment. Of course Ann was not going to stop her daughter entirely, Switzerland was too full of wonderful trails and places to explore.
She could not keep Meg under lock and key for her whole life. I marked a few interesting destinations, and made a small note to find a tour phamplet somewhere when we reached the first Swiss village. The closest town I could find was nearly seventy miles away, but that map was also five years old. Perhaps Switzerland had changed since then.
I folded everything back up and noticed Ann asleep. Meg and Brise were nowhere within our vicinity, but I trusted her to come back. I smoothed out a blanket and laid down, gazing at the stars.
Meg: I took Brise and went for a small walk. I wondered how the world looked from such a high mountain. They must have been large for us to see them from where we were.
Later I went back to our camp and let Brise wonder over to Aries and Cleopatra. I fell asleep next to my mother.
Sometime in the middle of the night I awoke to the sounds of someone gasping. I realized Erik was tossing in his sleep again, and I sat up. He slept a few feet away from us, and I began to walk towards his trembling body. He always did this, in fact I should have been more worried if he were peacefully asleep.
He was mentioning someone's name, and I leaned down. His voice shook as he mumbled, "Stop, please stop." He turned over and I stepped back. His breathing resumed it's normal pace, but I saw a small tremor pass through his spine. I reached out and placed my hand on his back, and he shook.
I was afraid I'd woken him, but he was still asleep as he sobbed, "Don't hit..don.." I glanced over at my mother, who slept peacefully. Slowly I bent down, and kept my hand on Erik's back. I sat there as he twitched his legs, and then, gently, I laid down on my side. Suddenly he turned over again, and I jumped up.
He trembled, and I figured it was best to leave him alone. I reached down once more, to pat him gently on the side. He lay still when I did, and I kept my hand still. Tenderly I sat down again, and watched as his legs twitched again.
I began to lay down, inch by inch, until I was beside his back, holding his waist with my hand. Suddenly I heard him mumble, "Christine." He was asleep, and in his nightmarish fever believed me to be his beloved.
My heart broke a bit, and yet I ignored it. Erik needed someone to comfort him, and Christine was not here to do so. I gently lay beside him, our bodies separated by only a few inches, and tenderly held my hand against his side.
He did not fidget anymore, and I found myself slipping into slumber.
Erik: I dreamt of Christine. I dreamt that she came to me one night, and held me. It was wonderful, and I found myself awaking.
When I did awake I found myself alone in a field, while Meg cooked breakfast. Ann began to awake as well, and we ate quietly. Meg seemed more shy around me than usual, and I lost myself in conversation with Ann.
After all day and night of traveling, we arrived at a small village. No one spoke any dialogue we knew, although one man had a scattered English vocabulary.
He directed us towards a town, south, and we headed off, to discoverSwitzerland.