I do Not own the songs used is this story nor do I own any Phantom of the Opera characters,like Erik, Christine or Daroga

Farwell Mon Ange Chéri

Jewel and Aeris spent the next afternoon going through Erik's books. Aeris was studding the gypsies Jewel, Erik's books on Persia. Erik was busy at his organ writing his music. Jewel flipped threw the last pages of her third book when she looked over Aeris's shoulder.

"Is that a good book?"

"Yeah it is about Gypsy Medicine and stuff it's interesting so far," said Aeris.

Jewel put the books she'd been reading away carefully before starting on a new stack. She took three books on architecture out and started look through them. Toward the back of the book were some stray pages. She handed them with care as she removed them from the book. Luckily they were separate pages from the book itself.

"Wow theses must be Erik's..." Jewel was wide eyed.

Aeris looked over at the pieces of papers. They were three separate drawings of buildings none the girls knew of. The ink had faded and the paper was worn but the pictures still showed great detail. Two looked like castles one looking like it was from the middle ages. The other more modern, 1700- 1800's modern. The third drawing was of a grand 1800's house.

"Did Erik do these there so beautiful," said Aeris.

Jewel replaced the drawings flipping through more books to see if she could find more. Erik's voice caught her ear he was singing notes of music to himself notes she knew. Closing the book Jewel was drawn out toward the organ. She sat at his feet while he studied a piece of sheet music.

"Erik, what are you doing?" Jewel asked.

"Just going over the sheet music you gave me. You really like this composer don't you?" he asked.

"Webber?" she laughed, "yeah he is one of my favorites."

He put the sheet music away, "I think this song fits since the next lesson will be our last."

Jewel almost choked," What?"

Erik got up, "You are going home soon."

Jewel blinked blankly watching Erik walk away.

"Erik, can I go up to the surface?" Aeris joined in changing the subject, "Jewel, want to go pick flowers with me? Erik you should come too it will be dark soon so no one will see you."

Erik nodded, "If I take you now there should be some day light left. I actually have to something I need to do."

"Really what?" she asked.

"I've have to go see someone," said Erik.

Jewel who was silent this whole time gave Erik another blank stare.

Since we're all going you take the path I showed you back up to the surface and I'll take Jewel up myself. Do you remember the way?" he looked at Aeris.

"Yeah..."

"Very well meet us at the barn behind the opera house."

Erik mounted his black horse after adjusting the saddle. Jewel held out her hand to him and with one arm he pulled her up into the saddle in front of him. Erik walked his horse out in the yard where he could see Aeris running his way. Handing Jewel her flower basket Aeris climbed on the horses back. The three were heading out just before dusk. The horse jotted up to a fast walk heading down an old dirt road. The girls guess it was a short cut to where ever they were headed and that Erik had taken this road before. It cut into a small wooded area were he would have enough cover not to be seen by anyone even with the horse. When they'd finally cleared the woods the horse stopped at the edge of a familiar flower field.
"Erik, we've been here before! Remember Jewel?"
she nodded.

Aeris dismounted and took her basket, "Are you coming Jewel?"

"I'd better stay with Erik...that is if he doesn't mind," she answered.

"We'll be back shortly," said Erik.

The horse nickered trotting to the other side of the field. Jewel knew where Erik was headed she, knew who he wanted to see. He was going to Christine's grave. Erik slid off the horse opening the gate. He walked on foot the rest of the way with the horse following him with no lead. Walking the rolls of graves in silence Erik pat the horse's neck as they walked along. Jewel watched the leaves blow reading the names as they passed. Finally her grave came in sight and Erik stopped the horse. She guessed he wanted to go on alone for he didn't even look at her he just kept walking. Jewel was sad but understood what he was doing and want to give him a few minutes. She saw him on his knee at the foot of her grave. She watched him with minutes going by with no movement. After fifteen minutes Erik looked like one of the gray statues growing darker in the fading light. Still when he started to walk back Jewel could make out his long cape flowing behind him as he walked and his mask.

"Farwell mon ange chéri," he whispered as he walked out of the grave yard with his horse following.

He remounted as they came back to the field. Settling in the saddle Erik called to Aeris. She quickly rejoined them with a full basket of flowers.

"Tell us, Erik about your past…"Aeris asked her arms were wrapped around him tightly as they rode.

There was a pause," Let's not talk about that."

"Please…" Jewel asked softly.
"You know the story you don't need me tell you what you already know," he said bluntly.

"I want to know all of it. I want to hear it in your words…"Jewel pleaded.

He sighed, "Very well, but as you know it is not a happy tale. My father was a master mason. My mother I must admit I don't know much about her. I ran away home at a young age. I don't have many memories of my parents and those I remember I wish to forget. My face, my ugliness was always a subject of terror and horror to them. My father beat me and my mother, every time I'd come near her she'd scream push me away and throw me my mask..."

Jewel's eyes looked up to his white mask as she listened, "You can always remember wearing a mask."
Erik nodded and continue," So I left my home and joined the circus and fairs. I traveled through must of Europe going form fair to fair. The Showman exhibited me as the 'Living Corpse'. Most of my young life was spent with gypsies where I learned and mastered the arts of magic and illusion."

"Was life with them bad, did they mistreat you?" Aeris asked.

"Life as the sideshow freak is not a pleasant one that I can assure you. But there were those who were kind to me. I wasn't just put on show for my looks I also sang to the crowds. That's how I was discovered and came to Persia. A Sultan heard of my talent of a trader. He ordered that I be brought to him. He was the Shah-in-Shah, a greedy and cruel man. I was brought to Persia by Daroga of Mazenderan…"

"Daroga…he's the Persian from the novel?" asked Jewel.

"Yes…" Erik replied, "From my arrival in Persia for the next few months my will became law. I took part in many political assassinations one which was that of theEmir of Afghanistan, who was at war with the Persian Empire. The Shah and I formed a provisional friendship…."

"Wasn't Daroga's real name Nadir?" asked Aeris.

"Yes it was…" Erik continued, "I had very original ideas on the subject of architecture and thought out a plan for a new palace much like the opera house. It was full of tricks and the Shah ordered that I construct an edifice of this kind, and I quickly did so. In this Palace he could move around and do things with out being seen. When he had my grand idea in his possession he betrayed me an ordered that my eyes be ripped out... But that incompetent fool knew very well that even without my eyes I'd still know the secrets of his palace. So he let me keep my eyes, but then feared I'd build another building for one of his enemies. Therefore my death was quickly decided upon and I was thrown in jail. But, as you already know Daroga provide me with a means of escape and nearly pay for that with his life. I could call Daroga my only friend up till now…"

Erik started walking back to the opera house Jewel in his arms.

"Erik, you two head back I got to put these in water. I think I'll start packing too. If it's okay I'll come by tomorrow…"

Erik turned around looking at her, "As long as you can find your way back."