Chapter Twelve

The Southlands was an enormous stretch of land that covered the south of both Hirlos and Rymansia. It was neutral land and was used by people from both countries for various things. Erik was still driving as dawn arrived. They were but a few miles from his house now. Christine was dozing, her head on his shoulder.

They reached a narrow road. It was about three miles long and surrounded by hills. Christine woke as they went along it and looked around blearily.

"Where are we?"

"We're almost there." He replied. Christine smiled and put her head back on his shoulder, snuggling closer.

"Good. Aren't you tired?"

"A little."

There were two large hills before them and the path twisted between them. When they had cleared the obstacles, a house came into view. It was a lovely building, two storeys in grey stone with large windows and more than big enough for two people. Christine sat up straight, smiling.

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

"Erik, it's wonderful!" She said, jumping from the carriage as it came to a stop. She walked forward, gazing up in awe at the house.

This was to be their home! This was where they would live together, where they would be happy, far from Rymansia and Hirlos. Christine giggled delightedly to herself and turned to look at Erik. He was stood by the carriage, watching her closely as if waiting for her opinion.

"Can we go inside?"

"It wouldn't be much use if we couldn't." He smiled and produced a key. Christine waited excitedly as he unlocked the door.

"What do you mean gone? Where is she?" Charles demanded of the quaking servant. He, Philippe and Sorelli were in the music room with Raoul. Christine had failed to appear for breakfast and Charles had sent the servant to her room to see if she was alright and found her gone, along with several of her things.

The door opened and Meg came in. Charles looked at her quickly.

"Meg, have you seen Christine this morning?"

"No, your majesty."

"Christine has vanished." Raoul said anxiously. "Some of her things have gone and no one has seen her all day."

Meg felt the air rush from her lungs and put a hand to her mouth. She turned quickly to Charles.

"Your majesty, please wait here. I'll return in just a moment." She turned and ran from the room. Philippe blinked.

"What a strange girl." He commented. Raoul was pacing the room anxiously and Sorelli put a hand on his shoulder.

"Raoul, I'm sure she's fine."

"But we don't know that, Sorelli! We don't know anything!" Raoul said desperately.

A few minutes later the door flew open and a breathless Meg rushed in. They all turned to her quickly.

"Your Majesties… Prince Raoul…"

"Where is she? Do you know?" Raoul said quickly. Meg hesitated.

"I… I don't know exactly. But I do know why she has left."

"What? Why?" Charles said, grasping her arm. Meg didn't speak, looking terrified. Raoul looked at her pleadingly.

"Please, Meg… where is she?"

"She… she's run away." Meg whispered.

"Why would she do that?" Philippe demanded.

"Please, your majesty. She was not alone. She left with…" Her voice failed her.

"With who?" Charles asked.

"With… with Monsieur Destler."

They all stared at her. Meg looked at Raoul. His face was a picture of confusion and she said softly,

"They… Monsieur Destler and Christine… they're in love."

"What nonsense!" Philippe blustered.

"No, your majesty. Please believe me." Meg insisted. "Christine loves Erik Destler and I think that he loves her too."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Philippe snapped. "This is insanity!"

"His things are gone, your majesty."

"You mean to tell me that your pianist has taken my daughter away?" Charles said, turning on Philippe.

The king of Hirlos looked rather flustered.

"Charles, I swear to you that they will be found."

"They had better be, Philippe."

"I can't believe that Erik would kidnap her." Sorelli whispered. Meg tried to speak but both Charles and Philippe glared at her and she fell silent. Raoul was silent, his face pale. Philippe grasped his shoulder.

"Raoul?"

"My god… she was terrified." He whispered. Philippe frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"When Erik got here… when she saw him yesterday, she looked like she was about to faint. What if he's been planning this? What if that's why he left, to make plans? If he's been threatening her, scaring her…"

He bowed his head, putting a hand to his face. How could he have been so blind? Charles was shouting at Philippe, Raoul had never heard him raise his voice before but he couldn't hear a word that they were saying. A light hand touched his arm.

"No… no, please, Prince Raoul, he hasn't kidnapped her! They're in love! She didn't want to hurt you, I know that she didn't. She wanted to make things better, that's why she agreed to marry you, she was trying to forget about him!"

"Get out of here, you foolish girl!" Philippe shouted at her. Meg went red, looked as though she were about the burst into tears and ran from the room.

"It needs some tidying." Erik said as they moved through the house, pulling dust sheets from the furniture. "Some cleaning. I'll go to the village later and find some food, there isn't any here."

Christine didn't reply. She was looking about the sitting room with a curious expression on her face. Erik paused.

"Is something wrong?"

"No… I just… it's so different from the castle." She said. "I don't know how to cook or clean, not really."

Erik didn't reply. He waited. After a moment's thoughtful silence she smiled.

"But I'll learn." She said firmly. "I can learn those things. I'm sure they'll be far more interesting than the proper etiquette of a dinner party or how to pour tea in the correct manner."

"My dear Christine, anything is more interesting than those things." Erik pointed out. She smiled.

"Very true."

"Shall we go to the town now?" Erik asked but Christine eyed him.

"No. You are going to go and sleep now. You haven't slept since dawn yesterday."

"Christine-"

"Now, Erik!" She said, pointing the stairs with a firm look on her face. Erik smirked.

"I believe that you enjoy ordering me around, Princess Daae."

"I do indeed, Monsieur Destler. Now go. I'm going to keep looking around."

"Wake me in a couple of hours."

"I shall do." She said, already turning her interest to removing more dustsheets to reveal furniture.

Erik paused in the doorway. Surely this was some sort of bizarre dream? He had run off with the princess of Rymansia who, instead of failing incredibly under his charms and insisting that he take her upstairs, was examining furniture and becoming terribly excited about mundane things such as cooking and cleaning.

He couldn't say that he'd dreamt this before.

"We have men searching the town and surrounding land as we speak. From there we will expand the search to cover all of Rymansia within a couple of weeks." The captain of the Rymansian army, Captain Piangi informed Charles. The king nodded tiredly and Piangi hesitated. "Your Majesty, they will be found. We will not rest until Princess Christine has been returned."

"Thank you, Piangi."

The captain left and Charles put his head in his hands.

"Christine…" He whispered, his heart beating painfully.

Raoul was sat in his bedroom. His head had been aching unbearably.

"I trusted you, Erik… I trusted you." He didn't know which hurt more. The fact that Erik had been plotting against him or that Christine could be in danger. Both made him want to either weep or grow angry.

"I'll come for you, Christine. I promise that I'll come for you." He said solemnly, clenching his fist as the words of their vow ran unbidden through his mind.

When you sleep, I will sleep

When you rise, I will rise

I will pass my days within the sound of your voice

And my nights within the reach of your hand

And none shall come between us

"This I vow." He breathed.

Looking around the large kitchen, Christine smiled, pleased with her efforts. It had taken over three hours but she'd cleaned all of the downstairs rooms, apart from one which had been locked without a key. She pushed the filthy water out into the courtyard and closed the door.

She decided that she should go and wake Erik now. Christine climbed the stairs and looked around, wondering which bedroom he was in. There were several to choose from. She chose one and looked inside. Nothing. She moved to the next one.

Christine found Erik in the fourth room. The curtains were drawn, with a single slit of sunlight peeping into the room. She moved inside and went over to the bed. Erik lay on top of the cover, on his side with the mask faced upwards.

She chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before reaching across and touching the mask softly. It was warm from his body heat and it couldn't possibly have been comfortable to sleep in. Christine slowly lifted it up and stared in a mixture of revulsion and sadness at the mangled face beneath it.

The eye socket was stretched out of proportion, the lower lid pulled down to expose the tender flesh inside. The cheek and forehead were ridged and a sore-looking red in colour, as though the skin has been scraped away. Christine could even see hints of blue veins beneath the skin. As a child Christine had played with clay, she and Meg creating people out of the mushy substance. The right side of Erik's face was not dissimilar to the misshapen forms they had made.

Christine closed her eyes to fight back tears. Not at what she saw, although she couldn't deny that it shocked her. But at the fact that Erik had had to hide it all his life. That wasn't fair. Why should a man with so many positive attributes have to hide for something as insubstantial as this?

She put the white mask down quietly on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed. Erik didn't stir and Christine leant down and softly kissed the ravaged cheek.

"Erik? It's time to wake up now." She whispered, laying her cheek to his. He stirred momentarily and then his eyes flew open and he's at up sharply, staring at her in horror.

Something had been wrong. He'd known it, but he couldn't place it. There was something different. And then he knew. Something warm was pressing against his scarred half. At first he'd tried to think what it could be and then a sweet voice had spoken his name.

And now Christine was looking at him, looking as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Erik stared at her. Why wasn't she screaming? Why wasn't she running in fear?

"What have you done?" He breathed, his throat constricted in fear.

"I woke you up, just as you asked me to. Come on, we have to go to town and I want to show you what I've done downstairs!" She smiled.

Erik couldn't move. She sighed and stood up.

"Will you hurry up?" She said, looking at him plainly. Erik opened his mouth, found nothing to say and closed it again. Christine hesitated and then picked up the mask. "Here. If it makes you more comfortable, wear it."

"Why did you take it off?" He demanded, taking it and slipping it over the deformity.

"Because it didn't look comfortable while you were sleeping and because I wanted to see the man I'm going to spend my life with."

"I doubt that he meets your expectations. More monster than man." Erik said in a clenched tone. Christine lifted an eyebrow.

"Don't be ridiculous, Erik." She said coolly. "I wouldn't have come if I didn't want to be with you for everything that you are. Now, are you going to get up or not? Because I just spent over three hours tidying downstairs and you're going to come down and appreciate my hard work."

Erik stared at her. She had folded her arms across her chest and he noticed for the first time that she was filthy, her clothes stained and a large smudge of dirt up her cheek. Her hair was curling wildly and her lips were pursed irritably. And yet, inexplicably, she looked beautiful.

"Yes. I'm coming." He said eventually. She smiled and held out her hand. He took it without hesitation.

Four days.

It has been four days.

And still Christine was not back in the castle of Rymansia.

Charles sat in his study with Philippe, Raoul and two lords of the court, Lord Hawkins and Lord Callin. They had just received Piangi who announced that they were no searching all surrounding towns and villages. Philippe had sent word for his own army to search Hirlos and they had begun two days previously.

Charles looked haggard and so very old. Philippe was furious with everyone for nothing. He had even snapped at Sorelli. Raoul was stood by the window watching the thin mist that had settled that morning swirl past.

There was a knock at the door and Marie Giry entered.

"Your Majesty, the physician is here for you."

"I don't need him, Marie." Charles frowned.

"Excuse my forwardness, but I believe you do. You have not eaten in four days and you have not taken your medicine." Marie said calmly.

"No. Send him away." Charles said quietly. Philippe frowned.

"Charles, surely-"

"Send him away!" Charles snapped. Marie hesitated and then spread her hands.

"Very well."

She left and Lord Callin rubbed his jaw.

"I shall send messengers to the other kingdoms in case one of them has seen Destler and the princess."

"Fine." Charles said quietly, his eyes fixed on the paper on his desk. After a few awkward moments the two lords excused themselves. Philippe glanced at Charles and then left too.

Charles didn't move for a moment and then stood and looked at Raoul. The young prince looked at him solemnly. Charles hesitated.

"Do you love her, Raoul?"

"Yes. More than anything."

"Then find her." Charles said quietly. "Find her, Raoul. She is all that I have. I cannot lose her."

"I'll find her, Charles." Raoul promised. "I trusted Erik. But I won't make that mistake again. When I find them, he will pay."

Charles didn't reply. He didn't need to.

A week passed. Christine and Erik walked about the small town, collecting food. This had become a sort of ritual for them. Every few days they would go into town together, picking up what they needed. Christine still found the whole affair rather exciting but managed to hide her happiness. Erik checked the basket.

"I think we have everything now."

"What about bread?" Christine asked. "I could try making some!"

"Do you know how?"

"It can't be that hard. I can try." She said firmly. Erik hesitated.

"We'll buy ingredients and some fresh made. Just in case."

Whilst Christine proved to be adept at cleaning, cooking was slightly beyond her skills. But not for want of trying. Over the past week she had experimented in various different recipes. None had come to a success.

"Very well, you go to the bakers and collect some bread and I can fetch ingredients." Christine said. Erik nodded and went into the warm shop. It smelt deliciously of fresh bread and sweet pastries. After some deliberation he also picked out some sweet biscuits for Christine.

Christine was just down the street, waiting in a queue for ingredients. She went out and met with Erik as he came out of the bakery. Putting her arm through his, they began to walk down the street.

Neither of them noticed the carriage that went past and the curious face that looked out of it.

Dinner was a quiet affair these days. Only Philippe, Raoul, Charles and Sorelli were at the table and none was particularly inclined to eat.

Ten days had now passed, Charles thought as he picked at the cut of beef.

There was a knock at the door and a servant entered.

"Your Majesty, Lord Charlton is here and he wishes to speak with you immediately."

"In the middle of dinner?" Philippe said incredulously. Charles sighed.

"Show him in."

The blustering nobleman entered the room and bowed to them all before looking to King Charles.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry to disturb you during your meal."

"Its fine, Charlton. Is it urgent?"

"I'm not sure." He looked around the table. "May I enquire as to Princess Christine's whereabouts?"

Charles closed his eyes.

"My daughter… my daughter has been kidnapped, Charlton. By the Hirlos pianist."

"My god!" Charlton said in horror. "I had no idea! But…. Your Majesty, I know where she is!"

Raoul dropped his knife. It clattered noisily to the plate as he stood to look at Lord Charlton.

"Where is she?"

"I have just returned from the Southland, with my wife and we were passing through a village when I saw a girl who looked identical to the princess. But I thought that she was here and I thought nothing further of it. She was with a man wearing a black cloak with a hood pulled over his face."

"Erik…" Sorelli gasped.

Charles rang the bell so hard it clattered noisily. A servant arrived.

"Fetch Captain Piangi immediately and order him to gather the troops. We are going to the Southlands!" He said.

Christine and Erik sat on the sofa before the fire place, Christine lying with her head in his lap.

"I don't think that I have ever been this happy." She commented quietly.

"I'm glad."

"And yet it's all so… easy, I suppose. It just makes sense that this is how I should live. Perhaps I was never supposed to be a princess at all." She said, looking up at him.

"Perhaps not. You certainly don't have the temperament for a princess." He said with a smirk.

"Oh, you can't talk about being sweet-tempered!" She laughed. "You lose your temper just as easily as I do, more even!"

Erik smiled.

"I never claimed not to." He said, looking down at her. She laughed and nestled into him, closing her eyes.

"I'm glad. I like you just as you are."

"I'm rather relieved." He said, stroking her hair. "Because I don't suppose you'd marry someone who you didn't like."

Her eyes opened and she looked up at him. He was watching her with a perfectly serious expression.

"No. I don't suppose I would." She said softly. He lifted an eyebrow.

"Would you care for me to go down on one knee and proclaim my love?"

"Not particularly. You could just ask."

"Very well. Will you marry me?" He said, as casually as if he were commenting that the sky was, in fact, blue.

"Yes." She replied, just as casually.

"Good. I suppose you want this?"

He took a ring out of his waistcoat pocket and held it to her. She took it and slipped it onto her ring finger. It was a plain gold band but nonetheless charming for its lack of decoration. Christine smiled and closed her eyes again as Erik continued to stroke her hair, watching the dancing flames in the fireplace cast shadows across the room.

A/N: Wow, can't you just feel the tension building? Lol, just when I thought you guys couldn't get any greater. Every single review makes me sit here and smile insanely. I get some REALLY weird looks from my friends, lol!

I know, it's still kinda predictable. Bear with me, please! And, in a way, it's SUPPOSED to be a bit predictable. I just hope I'm throwing in enough original stuff too.

Lotsa luv

Katie