Rendezvous

The castle loomed ahead of him. Raoul felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle as the wolves howled behind him. Only a few of the windows glowed in the dark and he figured that one of them must be where Christine was being held.

He dismounted and walked up to the iron gate, reaching out and pushing it gently. It groaned softly and opened partway. Raoul took a deep breath and pushed it open, leading his horse in. He snuck around to the side and tethered the animal before looking for a way to get to Christine. There was a lighted window above him and he wondered if he would be able to scale the wall, there were heavy vines covering it that he could use to reach the balcony of the room.

He took a deep breath and grabbed onto the vines and pulled himself up, pausing to see if they could support his weight. When the vines didn't tear away from the wall under his weight he started to inch towards the balcony, pausing every time to ensure that they vines wouldn't break.

When he finally reached the balcony he grabbed onto the rain in relief. He carefully climbed over the rail and looked in the window. Christine was sitting at a vanity, looking at herself in the mirror. She looked as beautiful to him as she ever had and he tapped on the glass.

She looked up in surprise and turned toward the door first, then she turned to the window and her eyes widened and she covered her mouth before rushing over and unlatching the lock before opening the doors.

"Raoul," she gasped, "what are you doing here?"

"Christine, I came to rescue you. Your father and I have been so worried, why didn't you talk to me before?"

"Raoul you can't stay here," Christine said, glancing at the door, "what if he found you? Oh, he would surely…you have to go!"

"Christine," Raoul moaned, "I came all this way n the dark. Surely you could at least explain yourself. Why did you leave in such a rush? Why did you leave your father?"

"Raoul you wouldn't understand," Christine sighed, "this is my home now…I can't leave. I made a promise to Erik-"

"Who?" Raoul interrupted.

"The Master of this castle," Christine explained, "I traded my freedom for my father's. I was lucky to be able to visit him, but I couldn't stay…"

"I've missed you so much Christine," Raoul sighed, "you're never in town anymore. Never sitting and reading by the fountain or under the big apple tree in the pasture…I love you Christine."

"Raoul, you have to go," she murmured, "you shouldn't be here. I miss you too…"

"He's horrible for keeping you here! He should let you go back to your father, he was sick for a long time…why are you laughing."

"You're very sweet, Raoul. But I trust you to take care of him, please?"

"Of course, I'd do anything for you Christine."

"You have to go now."

"Please don't make me go, Christine. Not without you."

"I told you, I cannot leave. Now go, Raoul. Go!"

"Very well, Little Lotte," he said sadly cupping her cheek.

"Go," she repeated, putting her hand over his.

Raoul leaned in a placed a gentle kiss on her lips, "I love you…"

Christine turned away quickly and looked at the door, "Go now!"

Raoul stared at the door and frowned, but she repeated that he should leave with a hushed urgency and quickly closed the window and pulled the curtains to block the light. Raoul sighed and carefully climbed back down to where his horse was tethered. He untied the reins and guided the animal back out the gates. He gave the castle one last look before closing the gates, mounting his horse and galloping back to the town.


A/N: Yes, I know, very short chapter here, but at least its a chapter! Though I did post another one before this. Anyways, its short because otherwise it would be really long and not nice...you'll see what I mean later. Hope you enjoyed and please review