A Change in Me

Christine sighed as she wrote the letter, she had gone to the library after dinner instead of her room. Surely Erik wouldn't mind he sending a letter to her father. After all, it was only a letter, it was not asking to leave the castle grounds. Still, she felt oddly nervous as she wrote it, telling him that she was fine and that everything would be alright. She only hoped that she would be allowed to send the letter, however that would be done.

The sun quickly sank and Christine folded the letter and slipped it into an envelope. It was strange that she should have everything at her disposal, but then again the library seemed to contain everything. She then took the envelope with her as she went back to her room, passing Nadir, who looked thoroughly worried, as she went.

Once back in her room Christine tucked the letter into a drawer in the large vanity and changed into a nightgown, putting a dressing gown on over top. She then sat down in front of the vanity and started brushing her hair. Tomorrow she would ask, she was resolved in that, and with that resolve she climbed into bed, dimming the lights and pulling the heavy comforter over top of her.

Christine was shocked awake by the sound of raised voices, one of which obviously belonged to Erik, the other was Nadir's. She got up and quickly dressed before edging towards the door and opening it. The argument seemed to be echoing up from the main hall.

"You try my patience, Nadir, Erik hissed, looming over the other man, "and that is not something that you want to do."

Nadir backed away from Erik nervously and shook his head in frustration, "No, I don't suppose it isn't!" and with that he turned away, storming across the hall and into one of the many doors.

Erik seemed to wait until he left before allowing his shoulders to drop and it was at that moment that Christine realized just how fragile he looked. He was skeletal, tall and thin with his black suit and cloak hanging loosely on his form. He looked tired and, for once, not nearly so menacing as he always made himself out to be.

"Is something the matter?" she asked, coming down the stairs.

Erik's back immediately straightened and he pulled his shoulders back. Though the look of exhaustion did not leave his eyes, "Everything is fine…I hope that we did not wake you?"

"I should have been up anyways," she replied, "are you feeling better today?"

"Yes, somewhat."

Christine smiled, "I'm glad to hear that…will you join me for breakfast?"

"Of course, Christine," he replied, following her towards the dining room.

"I have something I would like to ask you," she murmured, "if it isn't too much trouble."

"What is it?" he asked, pulling out her chair for her.

"Would it be possible, to send a letter to my father?"

"A letter?" Erik asked, taking a moment to process the request.

"Yes, just to tell him that I am still fine and not to worry."

"It can be arranged," he replied, walking to the other side of the table and sitting down, "I will have Nadir deliver it, I think."

"Thank you!" Christine said, breathing a sigh of relief.

"You have already written it?" Erik asked, reading her reaction.

"Yes," she replied, almost guiltily.

"Then I will have it delivered today, if you wish."

Christine nodded her head, "That would be wonderful, Erik, thank you."

As soon as she finished eating she went up to her room and fetched the envelope, which she gave to Erik who, in turn, handed it off to Nadir. Christine couldn't help but notice the way Nadir snatched the envelope from Erik before storming out, slamming the door behind him.

"What were you talking about earlier?" Christine asked, "he seems upset."

"Is he?" Erik asked coldly, "I hadn't noticed."

"Oh…"

Christine spent most of her day in the library, turning the pages of a novel one after the other until the words blurred on the page before her and her stomach gave a small growl. She quickly finished the last few pages and set the book down. It was just too easy to get sucked into a story, sometimes she could put herself in the shoes of the character and it felt as if she were the one trapped in the tower or fighting the dragon.

"It was a good story?" Erik asked.

Christine gave a small gasp and turned to see him watching her, "Oh, yes. The ending was so nice."

Erik blinked and shrugged his shoulders, "I never liked that novel."

"Why not?" Christine asked, "its so exciting and romantic."

Erik shrugged his shoulder again, "Perhaps it is simply not my style. Happy endings are something I tend to find sickening."

"But why?" Christine asked, perplexed, "don't you want the characters to live happily ever after?"

"Life is not like that," Erik replied darkly, "very rarely is there a happy ending, there is no such thing as a night in shining armour and true love will conquer nothing except your senses…least of all evil."

Christine frowned slightly, "I'm sorry you feel that way…"

Another shrug of his shoulder and Erik turned to leave the library, "Supper will be soon, if you wish to come."

"Of course," Christine said, "I was finished here anyways."

"Good."

Christine couldn't help but feel that there was something very sad about Erik. The way he looked at the world seemed to be through dark eyes, as if he never expected anything good to happen. But perhaps he had a reason for that. She remembered his face and gave a sad sigh. Yes, he was ugly, but that didn't seem to matter to her. He was always kind to her, even when he was in a foul mood.

With a shake of her head to clear her mind she rose and went to the dining room. Erik was already there, waiting for her. She sat down and smiled at him.

"I was thinking," Erik said slowly, "perhaps tomorrow you would like to go for a ride over the grounds. There is a safe part of forest behind the castle, if you would like."

"That would nice," Christine said, "I would like that very much."

Erik gave a small nod, "Very well then, tomorrow after breakfast."

The next morning Christine was happy to find herself in the stable brushing a gorgeous chestnut gelding. The air was warm for the season and it felt good to be out instead of sitting in the library reading.

"It's a lovely day," she smiled, watching as Erik mounted the black stallion, "it will be good for a ride."

"Yes," he agreed quietly, "it will be."

Christine mounted her horse and followed Erik into the forest behind the castle. She couldn't help but feel nervous, most other experiences in the forest had involved wolf attacks. But Erik assured her that the animal's did not come to this part of the forest.

"You are perfectly safe, Christine," he sighed when she started at a sound.

"I know," she said weakly, making sure she stayed close to him, "but I can't help it."

"Would you rather stay on the castle grounds?" he asked.

"No," she said quickly, "its fine, it really is beautiful in here."

Erik gave a small nod and urged his horse to move forward. The forest really was gorgeous here. Full of tall evergreens that allowed the sunlight to filter through, causing spots of light to dance off the forest floor.

The ride was quiet, Erik spoke very little, only responding to Christine's comments when a nod of the head would not suffice. They came to the bank of a small stream and stopped, dismounting to allow the horses to drink for a moment.

"We should have brought something for a picnic," Christine sighed, dipping her fingers into the ice cold water."

"A picnic?" Erik asked, gently twining his fingers in the stallion's mane.

"Yes," she said, "it's the perfect day for a picnic. Don't you agree?"

"I guess so," he murmured.

Christine smiled, "Have you ever gone on a picnic?"

"I cannot say that I have, Christine."

"Really? That's a shame."

Erik shrugged his shoulders and gently tugged on the reins of his horse, "We should get back to the castle."

"Fine," she sighed, mounting her horse again, "but…never mind it's a silly idea."

"What is?" Erik asked, suddenly intrigued.

"Oh, nothing," she replied, glad that she had gotten his attention. Maybe now she would get more than a head nod from him.

"Tell me," he said, "I want to know."

"Really, it was a foolish thought. I'm sure you wouldn't be interested."

"Interested in what?" he asked, irritation slipping into his voice.

Christine tried to hide a small smile, this was exactly like what she used to do with Raoul, "Nothing! Honestly, it really wasn't a very good idea."

"Tell me!" he barked, temper finally flaring as he blocked her path with his horse.

Christine gave a small laugh, "You really want to know?"

Erik growled low in his throat, "Yes, I want to know."

"Fine…" she sighed, trotting up beside him and suppressing the urge to laugh.

"Yes?" he urged.

"Lets race," she said, pushing her horse into a quick paced canter.

Erik stared after her for a minute before kicking his horse in the side and charging after her. Christine may have had a good lead, but his horse was larger, stronger and faster, quickly overtaking the smaller gelding. Once back on the castle grounds he reined in the stallion and waited for Christine. She emerged shortly after and dismounted, him following suit, before going back to the stable.

"That was fun," she said as he began to leave.

"Yes," he agreed, "it was."

Christine spent the remainder of the day in the library, curled up with a book. At suppertime she went down and ate, to her surprise without Erik, and then went up to her room. She sat down at the vanity and started to brush her hair, though it was too early to go to bed. Instead she found herself looking out the window where a gorgeous spatter of stars had been sprayed across an inky black sky.

"Oh how beautiful," she murmured. Then she pulled her cloak on and took a blanket off of the end of her bed. It would be the perfect night to look at the stars, even if it was cold outside.

She knew where to look. There was a perfect balcony that she had seen Erik standing on once. It overlooked the entire ground and would provide a perfect view of the sky. She was going there when she decided to invite Erik. It was always more fun to watch the skies with someone else. So she went down to the music room, only to find it empty, and then dared to knock on the door of the West Wing.

"Yes?" Erik snapped from inside.

Christine took a deep breath, "I-I was wondering if you'd like to do something with me?"

The door opened a bit and she found Erik staring down at her, yellow orbs practically glowing in the dark hall, "Do something?"

"Yes, I was going to watch the stars, they're so beautiful tonight. I thought maybe you'd like to join me."

Erik sighed softly and glanced back into his room, "I guess that would be fine."

"Oh, good," Christine smiled, "I know the perfect place. Make sure to get your cloak, it will be cold."

Erik sat several feet away, cloak draped over his shoulders as he stared blankly at the sky. Another petal was ready to fall and the fatigue and headache had already set in.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Christine asked.

Erik just nodded his head, "Mmm hmm…are you cold?"

Christine shook her head, "No."

"You're shivering," he remarked.

"Maybe a little," she admitted.

Erik sighed and stood up, taking off his cloak as he did so. Then he walked over and draped it over Christine's shoulders before sitting down again.

"Oh no," Christine said, "you'll freeze."

"I will be fine," he sighed.

Christine stood up this time and went over to his, sitting down and draping the blanket over both their shoulders. She could tell that Erik was uncomfortable with such closeness, but she really didn't care. With a small smile she leaned her head against his shoulder. She felt it tense and then relax again.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she asked again.

"Yes, Christine, It is."


A/N: So I have finally updated and there shall be much rejoicing...at least that is what I hope. Sorry the update took so long but because of school and evil math class I have been busy with homework and a physics lab. Please review!