Authors Note: Simply a little history. You can skip this if your not interested. Spa's have been around since the early Roman era, with public baths. They've undergone changes of course, but over all the concept is the same. As for Skiing, this used to be a practical means of transportation in Norway and Sweden, until the early 1800's saw a surge in the popularity and Skiing became a pasttime activity. Norway and the European area were the first to offer ski resorts; albeit very different than what we know now; and I've tried to write as accuratly as possible about 1800's skiing and spas.


Meg: I came back to my room rather flustered. I'd never actually felt what I was feeling at that moment before. Of course all Erik had done was kiss my hand; a rather nonchalant and simple gesture that many men before had done.

Yet none of those admirers and suitors had ever kissed with such tender lips; and such frightened uncertainty. I began to pack my bags, noticing that the few dresses I owned were becoming tattered and frayed.

I would need to sew them back up; or design a new dress. I had never had the ability to sew that my mother had; often I would hand her my ideas and she would do the actual work.

But I wanted to break free of that dependence, I wanted to things on my own. So I started thinking about what type of dress I wanted to create; only a ploy to keep my mind off Erik's warm, seductive voice and our future adventure that would begin in the morning.

I remembered his eyes, gentle yet timid, and such a deep shade of green. I wanted my dress to reproduce that color, the color of grass in the late evening, or a weeping willow; they always appeared so sad.

I finally smothered my face into the pillow and told myself to stop having such a childish crush.

Ann: I awoke the next morning frightened yet exhilarated. I had only left Megan alone for so long once; when she had visited my parents for a month's vacation.

Now, however, I was leaving her for an entire week in the hands of a mentally unstable man. Although Erik had maintained control over himself during our time together; ten months could not overcome an entire lifetime of lunacy.

I was terrified of so many things, that Meg would get hurt, or even Erik, or they would get lost, or else, that they would discover feelings for each other.

It wasn't that I didn't want Megan to fall in love, but I wanted her to be with a nice gentleman; preferably her own age. I was afraid if she got too close to Erik, the same problem with Christine would occur.

Or, rather, he would reject Meg and break her heart. I had spent half my life keeping them apart, and now I realized it had all been in vain.

I walked outside to the foyer and waited for my daughter and surrogate son.

Erik: I awoke to an incessant pounding on my door. I went to open it, and found a highly excited Meg with her bags all packed. She was fresh faced and smiling, and I smiled back.

"Give me a few minutes." I told her. She nodded and went down the stairs, and I began to dress. When I reached the foyer Meg and Ann were talking in rather low tones, and when they saw me they immediately stood up.

"Are we all ready?" Ann asked. I set my suitcase on the floor and wrote a letter to the landlady. I included a generous tip along with it, and then we three set out back.

We got on our horses and Ann turned to Meg. They embraced in a tight hug and Ann whispered, "Take care of yourself dear." Ann rode next to me and held out her hand. We shook hands and I told her, "You have nothing to fear. She will be safe." Ann nodded, and we set off to the road.

At the next boulevard, Ann took the map I had given her and rode west, towards her destination. Meg watched her mother ride off, and then turned to me. "Shall we go south?" She asked. I turned my horse and we left for our destination.

Meg: My mother had always been a constant presence at my side. The only time I had ever known her to be truly gone was when I visited my grandparents one month.

Other than that she had always ben watching over me, protecting me, and constantly irritating me. However, now, as I rode with Erik towards the Treves Glade, I wished she had been there.

We rode in silence, neither of us knowing what to say to the other. I did like Erik; it was something I had to accept; but now, after that acceptance; every time he spoke to me I got butterflys in my stomach.

Suddenly he stopped and I asked, "What are you doing?" He pointed to a small shop and I stopped too. We got off our horses and tied them to the posts. The store was a small ski supply merchant. Inside everything was hung up on the walls, with a low counter that held a register and a jar of pennies.

I had no idea what the little sticks were, nor why there were so many poles in one place. They had masks and lamb wool jackets hanging up, and I saw a rather nice pair of leather boots.

Erik went over to the old man behind the counter and asked in English, "We are going to the ski lodge this week, could you help us with our necessities?" The man smiled and then replied in French, "Of course. Would you like replace your broken ski mask for a nice lamb-skin one?"

I covered my gasp with a cough and Erik glared at me.

The man had mistook what Erik's mask was for, and I didn't know if the poor man would survive our encounter. Erik replied nonchalantly, "Yes. I would like a black one. Along with those skis there." He pointed to two tall sticks and I realized those were skis. I couldn't imagine diving down a snow slicked mountain with only two thin strips of wood attached to my feet.

Perhaps skiing was not what I would enjoy. Suddenly the man turned around and asked, "What sort of skis would your daughter like Sir?" The old man was very presumptuous!

Erik gave me a look that said everything, and I simply replied, "Thick ones, very thick skis." The man handed me a pair of large, thick skis and Erik placed his on the counter.

I laid mine against it and we began to sort through the jackets. The man had pulled four poles from the wall and added them to our pile, and after we had both found very comfortable jackets and Erik's mask, we were set.

"You may need gloves." The man said, and he gave us a group of leather gloves to try on. I found a pair that fit and Erik asked, "Is there anything else we may require?" The man shook his head and began to ring up our purchases.

After Erik paid we went outside with our bundle, and attempted to place them on our horses. Brise wouldn't carry my skis on her back, but Erik had attached his skis to both of Aries's sides.

He came over to me and attached my skis to Brise, calming her in the process.

"You're very good with horses." I told him. He nodded and got up on Aries. I swung my leg over Brise and we started walking. Erik told me, "I like animals. They are good company."

I replied, "Did you have a pet, back at the Opera?" He nodded his head, "I had a horse too, Ceaser. He passed away however. I loved him." I suddenly realized why my mother had named her horse Cleopatra.

Obviously she had been with Erik when his horse passed. We continued to talk as we rode along, until we reached Treves Glade. A large, deep forest that ran all the way to the base of the mountain.

There was a path that led through it, and three other people were riding ahead of us. We smiled at each other, and left the path.