Chapter 11: The Sword of Thelma

As I neared the big crowd I spotted Tommy, Noah, and Jonnie shouting for me.

"Erik! Over here!" they motioned me to their side. I began to run but feeling the sudden urge not to run I just walked.

"'bout time mate, I was beginning to worry about you." Said Jonnie giving me a small pat on the back, I glared at him for an instant then positioned my interest to what ever it was the crowd was chatting about.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Oh nothing big, Thelma is just having a fit, usually when ever she has a fit or something, she gets all of her crew over here and she sword fights them, sometimes she'll just do this for practice. It's quite a show really." Jonnie explained but all I heard was she was angry and she was going to sword fight her crew.

"Is she mad? She'll be killed! She can't face all of her crew…"

"Oh you misjudge her already?" Jonnie laughed. "You'll be surprised, just get comfortable and watch.

I frowned as I focused on what was happening in the center of the crowd. I saw Thelma, just standing there in her long sleeve black top, the one that resembled Mme. Giry's outfit, only this time the first few top buttons were undone revealing a white blouse underneath, the bottom of her sleeves revealed a bit of the end of the blouse sleeves as well, she wore her black trousers and boots. As I moved closer, I realized she was tied; her hands covered by thin black leather gloves were tied behind her back! Her crew mates began to surround her; the knots in my stomach suddenly began to multiply. This is wrong! Thelma turned her head numerous times at everyone around her, with nothing but her sword that lay on the floor in front of her. She waited.

I felt the need to run to her and get her out of there, to fight for her, to protect her! I would have ran and fought, but I couldn't move.

Suddenly a man behind Thelma ran toward her with a sword in hand. She slightly turned her head then turned and quickly jumped up in the air and with both her feet she kicked his stomach and sent him flying onto his back. Thelma now on the ground slips out a knife from the back of her boot and cuts her ropes.

Tossing the knife to the side she ran to her sword. Having another man run toward Thelma in front of her this time she slipped her foot underneath her sword and kicked up having the sword hit the man in the face. Before the Sword fell she caught it and quickly blocked the blade that could have struck her from behind.

She was now fighting two men. But every time she knocked one down they would get up and more men would join the fight.

Her skill was amazing. She blocked every sword that went her way. If she needed to she would block by hitting her opponent in the face then kicking in the stomach, which pretty much ended the fight for one man for he didn't get up. One by one men began to fall, some unconscious, others just to drain to try and fight.

I couldn't blame them for stopping, they were good fighters, but none matched the sword of Thelma. After a good three minutes the fights had stopped. Thelma concord the whole crew. I couldn't believe it, Jonnie was right I misjudged Thelma completely!

The people around were clapping in amazement. Thelma took a cheerful bow as her crew members ran toward her and knocked her down. I gasped and was about to intervene, but soon realized they were only fooling around, for each and every one of them had a smile on their face.

Soon the crowd had cleared and continued what they were doing before. I however just stood in one spot dumbfounded. I still could not believe what I saw was true.

"It's unbelievable…" I said to myself.

"What is?" came in an English accent. I turned around to see Thelma staring at me.

"You." I said answering her. She frowned.

"Me? And what exactly is so unbelievable about me?" she asked as she pulled her hair out of her face.

I chuckled. "What's so unbelievable Mademoiselle Thelma is that you are able to take on more then several men by yourself." I said walking up to her.

"Oh really? Well I was taught by one of the best." Her eyes suddenly told me she had an idea, and she was rather proud of it. "What about you Erik? Has any great teachers taught you the sword?"

I narrowed my eyes and smiled. "Oh yes indeed. The best of them all." She raised an eyebrow.

"And who exactly is that?" she asked, more like a demand. I gave a quiet laugh as I saw her eyes darken.

I walked closer to her, then moved to her right ear and whispered.

"Me." She glared at me deeply. But then her glare somehow disappeared then turned into a grin.

"Forgive me Monsieur but I refuse to believe that. Unless a man such as yourself can prove it." Her grin stayed in place, her eyes stayed the same. I just gave a small dark laugh.

"Oh mademoiselle, if I knew that you were capable of winning, indeed we would have a duel. But unfortunately you are no match…" my voice went low. "For The Phantom of the Opera." I smiled as she swallowed the lump growing in her throat. I didn't mind revealing who I was, she already knew.

But suddenly her grin was back. She laughed wickedly.

"You forget Monsieur, you are no longer The Phantom of the Opera just an ordinary man." She held the same gaze I held. Her eyes narrowed with a smile. But then my gaze was hers for I now held a completely different one. I was now just glaring at her.

"Ordinary?" I asked deadly. She just nodded joyfully.

I opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted by Dean.

"Alright everybody for those of you who are participating in the festival tomorrow night please meet me at the stage!"

I frowned.

"Stage?" I asked expecting an answer from Thelma.

"When one of the first came to Arthur Barstool he built a stage here." Thelma answered placing her sword back on the belt.

"Why did he do that?" I asked bewildered. She shrugged.

"How should I know? Honestly now I don't know everything!"

I rolled my eyes with a smile at her sarcastic tone. She then tapped my shoulder.

"We shall continue this later."

I eyed her fiercely.

"So we shall."

She gave a smile and I returned it. We headed for the house.

As I entered Tommy and Noah rushed past pushing each other. They'll never quit will they? I entered the kitchen to see Dolly packing food.

"Oh Erik darling there you are, are coming to the meeting tonight?"

I shook my head; I rather make my appearance when people are having a good time…

"Oh well, there's some leftovers next to the stove, I suggest you eat it quickly before any of it gets bad." And with that, she left the kitchen.

"Wait Dolly, who else is going?" I asked a bit curious.

"Almost everyone in the village…oh you mean in this family?" she asked with a laugh, I nodded with a grin. "Well, same here, everyone's going except Thelma. Looks like you two will keep each other company." She said gleefully and left. A bit confused on how she would leave me here alone with Thelma I suddenly felt strong fatigue take over. It was just the beginning of the day and I was already tired.

I squinted my eyes as I yawned. I shook my head to lighten the tiredness but as my eyes opened, Dreama came into view.

She did not stop to look in my direction just kept moving. Oh god just having her angry at me is pain!

"Dreama!" she stopped and faced me. I walked to her timidly.

"I just wanted to apologize for earlier. It was wrong; I knew I shouldn't have asked you such a question. I know how it feels to have something terrible happen to you and wanting to forget it. I'm sorry." My mouth closed and opened several times before she swallowed, blinked a couple of times then finally spoke.

"I guess I can accept the other half of those apologies you offered from before." She looked at me then smiled. Feeling at ease I smiled back.

"I believe I'll see you tonight? That is if you're not in bed already." I frowned.

"How late will you be coming back?" I asked the frown still tightly held in place.

"Oh well usually practice and meetings get done sometime past twelve."

"Really?"

She nodded.

"So late." She giggled; oh it's great to hear her laugh.

"Well I best be going or I'll be late. I bid you farewell Sir Erik." She said with an English accent.

"Until later my lady." I said kissing her hand playing along her little fantasy. She smiled then left with her family.

As soon as the door closed the fatigue again came! I don't know what it was that was making me so tired but it was testing something more then nerves!

I sighed as I made my way upstairs. I opened the door, shut it, and then made my way to the bed. Sleep all I need was sleep. Then another big day ahead of me.

Sleep…all I need…is…sleep….

Well please forgive me for writing so badley in this chapter, I am terribly bad at writing fight scenes.The next chapter I hope you will enjoy. Another fight scene, so yes alot more confusion. But um let me tell you this. Whatever you read don't think they are the ones who are going to fall in love with each other. lol just wanted to let you know that. So yea. Thank you so much for those of you who reviewed! I look forward to read more and to write more.

Thank you so much!

Crystal Lynn A.