Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah, I don't own them… /sniffles sadly/ However, I do take responsibility for the way I have pieced together the different lyrics of the Broadway and Movie versions of The Music of the Night in this chapter as well as my original characters.

AN: Please don't wish to kill Sarah by the end of this chapter! I've already had to dodge pillows for a week! Trust me, I am an angst fanfic author, and I promise there will be plenty of pain to come for everyone... /note to self: do not read phantom torture to little sister/

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Ch. 6: Let the Dream Begin

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Throughout the song, Sarah couldn't help but be happy! Jareth had arranged this surprise for her, and Erik's rich voice was perfect for it. The guests applauded as the King and Queen ended their dance, and Erik continued to sing requests for the dancing. But nothing could have prepared him for Sarah's request.

"Erik, please sing for me," she pleaded.

"What would you have me sing, Your Highness? Anything you wish…"

"Sing 'The Music of the Night' for me." Sarah felt Jareth's hand on her shoulder warning that she was in dangerous waters. She didn't have to look at him to know there was worry in his mismatched eyes. Sarah's hazel gaze was fixed on Erik's steel blue.

Shock registered first then fire sparked behind them. The entire crowd stood silently waiting for the Phantom's response. The phantom could not refuse the Queen… But that was exactly what he did. "No, Your Majesty." He said it so quietly and with an air of deep respect, but he had still refused. The crowd gasped in shock at the refusal.

Sarah stepped closer still pinning Erik with the gaze that had once cowed the Goblin King. "Let it go, Erik," she whispered for his ears alone. "She's dead…"

"It is not a song to be sung for a crowd!" Erik protested.

"Then pretend we're the only ones present." Sarah arched one brow in expectation.

"It should be sung to an unmarried woman, Your Highness," Erik attempted.

The crowd was thoroughly confused by now. Erik had in not so many words made it clear that the Queen was asking him to sing a seductive love song that he held dear to his heart.

"Aeriessa can help then." Sarah led her surprised friend forward placing the princess' hand in Erik's. "You cannot refuse me, Erik." She leaned closer to keep her next words between them. "You need to do this."

The Phantom's expression told Sarah that he fully disagreed with that sentiment, but he knew he'd been trapped. Erik led the princess up to the platform he had been singing from, and he spun Aeriessa into an embrace with her back against his chest. With one hand on each of her hips, Erik took a deep breath to try and settle his racing heartbeat.

Jareth stood with Sarah in the same embrace listening. No one would be dancing as they focused on what Erik would do. "Are you sure about this?" Jareth asked his wife quietly.

"He needs to stop enshrining her, Jareth. This was all we could think of."

"We?"

"Christine and I…"

Jareth knew he would have to ask her later. The magic of the Phantom was powerful. Jareth knew Erik would pour his heart into this song. Indeed the very music was from Erik's soul for the orchestra sat silent and entranced as Erik began his song seduction. He started with the small musical intro to begin weaving his spell…

I have brought you to the seat of sweet music's throne . . .
To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music . . . music . . .
You have come here, for one purpose, and one alone . . .
Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed

You with me, to serve me, to sing, for my music . . . my music . . .

Aeriessa fought a gasp when she felt his hands move to her bare arms. As a Faye, he understood only too well how their senses were sharper than mortals.

Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation

Darkness wakes and stirs imagination

Silently the senses abandon their defenses

Helpless to resist the notes I write

For I compose the music of the night!

How true he was! She had spent centuries in darkness, and her senses were even sharper that most Faye. What concerned her was the fact that Erik walked the fine line between good and evil. No one was sure which side he belonged to, which might have to do with Jareth's influence. Now he was telling her where his power lay, and that power lay in the night.

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor

Grasp it, sense it – tremulous and tender

Turn your thoughts away from the garish light of day

Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light

And listen to the music of the night!

She sensed persecution in him but had no idea where it came from or why. She wondered briefly if that was his reason for his distaste of daylight.

Close your eyes for your eyes will only tell the truth

And the truth isn't what you want to see

Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar

And you'll live as you've never lived before…

Aeriessa smiled even as she fought the power he sought over her. To one such as her, closing her eyes had little effect though she understood what he was asking her to do. As he began to sing the next verse, she became very aware of his hands. He was free with them weaving them over her body as his voice wove into her mind.

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you

Hear it, feel it secretly possess you

Open up your mind let your fantasies unwind

In this darkness, which you know you cannot fight –

The darkness of the music of the night!

Aeriessa trembled in his arms. Could she indeed fight the darkness he offered? She could not let another overpower her and influence her away from good, but he was very convincing to say the least!

Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world!

Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!

Let your soul take you were you long to be!

Only then can you belong to me…

She didn't dare! It was taking all her willpower to resist the spell he wove so well with all his own strength! May the Supreme One help her for she was after all female!

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication

Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation!

Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in

To the power of the music that I write –

The power of the music of the night!

Her hand moved to touch the left side of his face that was not covered by his mask. The idea she realized was not her own. His memories of the last time he sang this song were beginning to influence her actions. She heard the music soar around them, and her senses were so overwhelmed that she felt herself slipping away. Again she wasn't sure if this was yet another way his memories were influencing her or her own powers going awry, but rather than have time to figure it out, she collapsed into Erik's arms as he finished the song.

You alone can make my song take flight –

Help me make the music of the night…

Jareth was the first to pull away from the effect of Erik's enchantment. He instantly sent Erik and Aeriessa from the room and removed the memory of the song from the minds of those gathered. He could not let this get out of hand. Sarah was about to move from his side when Jareth stopped her. "We have guests to attend to, Sarah," he reminded her gently but firmly. He was not pleased by this outcome of her request.

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/glances up at her Erik muse and pats his arm before hugging him/ Don't worry love... Things can't get much worse, right?

/her Jareth and Haldir muses cough not so discretely and Ione glares at them/ Ok, well look at it this way... I haven't killed you, and I certainly don't plan on it... That is... unless the plot calls for it... /stops herself/ No! No! Don't need to hurt my Erik! Well, at least not badly... /rolls her eyes and sighs while her newest muse, Lucius, laughs/ I'm glad you find my weak will funny... The others have learned to fear it, my fearsome darling.

/Jareth adds his own teasing/ Better not venture too far out of that hiding spot Vamp boy... Sun's still shining... /his answer is a warning growl from the Vampire/