The last chapter...
It was a pleasant day.
The sky was stretched above them, clouds floating across it effortlessly. The wind whistled, seagulls calling out as they flew over the castle into the sea.
Christine watched them pass, laying back against the tall grass on the top of the hill, the grass going up on each side of her face. Her fingers drummed against her stomach as she thought.
"Mamam?"
She rose, hand going up to adjust her head cloth. She rolled around to her knees and faced her son. "What is it darling?"
David grinned at her from behind a shock of black hair, it really was getting too long, his golden eyes flicked to a basket beside her. "May I show Ruth our siblings?" His grin lit his whole face, his nose wrinkling just so, dimples sporting in both cheeks.
She had promised him that honor when they had walked out the grassy hills outside the inner body of the castle for the picnic. David had wanted to go by the sea, but they hadn't the time. Not that day, for that spur of the moment picnic. So she made up for it by pointing out he couldn't show Ruth her siblings by the sea.
Christine smiled at her son. "You may show her." She reached down into the blanket filled basket next to her and pulled out the two month old babe, placing her in her seven year old brother's arms. He cupped Ruth's head, smiling down delightedly at his little sister. Then he turned carefully, as his mother had told him to, and walked down the hill to the graveyard.
In the distance she saw soldiers standing guard on the outer walls. Always watching, always working. She really should be working with them.
Christine stood and went down the hill as well, keeping her eyes on little Ruth.
David walked over the few graves from the servants, and to the place reserved for the family. There were two stones. David knelt by the first. "See-" He pointed, shifting Ruth so she could look at the grave, if she chose to do so. "this is Abigail, our older sister. She died before she was born." He pointed to the next one. "This is my little brother, Charles, your older brother. He died when he was two weeks old. Mama got very sick after him, so she had to wait a while before having you."
Christine felt her heart clench as he spoke, an old pain unearthing itself from its depths, one that never truly went away. Before she could help it, she felt her eyes sting and she reached up to brush them away.
A cool hand settled at her waist. "And how are you, my love?"
Christine leanned into Erik, pressing her face into his tunic. She took a deep, long shuddering breath.
"At peace, mostly."
She turned to watch David cradle Ruth closer, as he described what little he remembered from Charles's short life.
"Grateful for what I have been given." She decided, and sighed. "I need to inspect our food stores today."
"Christine after the news-"
"I know I said I would rest today. But it really needs to be done, and you know how I hate being idle."
"If you're sure."
"I am." She brushed away a stray tear and thought of the letter she received that day, laying on her desk only half read.
I regret to inform you Lady Valerius has passed away…
She had sat at the table, staring at the letter blankly. Erik had insisted she take a day to herself, but there really was too much to do for that. Spring was ever busy, ever full of things to do.
Once, three years ago, she had been able to travel back to visit her dear Mama. The journey had been full of rain, travel had been miserable.
It had been strange, walking the halls she had once known so well. It almost felt like a dream. The place had been doing well. As Christine had predicted, business had grown, it was now one of the more popular spots to stop whilst traveling. There had been several other guests staying at the same time as her.
Christine almost hadn't recognized Mary when they'd passed each other in the halls. But luckily she'd called to her in time.
"Mary?"
The woman had frozen. Her son, now a little boy, clung to his mother's skirts as they'd turned to face Christine?
Mary had stared, then gave a small curtsy. "My lady?"
Christine laughed. "No need to 'my lady' me. It's me, Christine. Look at your son, he's gotten so big."
Mary glanced down and smiled apologetically to Christine. "Yes. I… it is good to see you. You… you look so different."
Christine paused, there was a look in Mary's eyes. Something Christine had never seen in those eyes before, but now knew well. She saw it every day. It was the look of a servant to a lady.
"I-…" She had changed. What a fool she was to think that this place hadn't too. "I feel different. But it's been four years, that's hardly surprising." She looked down to the boy, one eye poking out at her. Kneeling before him, she smiled as kindly as she knew how. "What are you hiding from?" She asked.
The boy stared at her, then said. "Are you a queen?"
Christine felt her heart falter.
"No. Only a Duchess I'm afraid." She said jokingly, but sobered. "I have my own little boy." The boy's eyes widened. "He's at my home, in the black lands, he just turned three."
The boy smiled at this.
Mary interrupted suddenly. "They tell stories you know."
Christine looked up at her and stood. "Who tells stories?"
Mary looked away, her eyes tracing over the plaster wall. "Have you been to court yet?"
Christine shook her head slowly. "Not officially, no. Erik's been busy, and with the birth, we've never gotten around to it yet." She watched Mary, a perplexed look overcoming her face. "Who tells stories?"
"The nobles." Mary said shortly. "They seem to be of two minds. Some think you a vixen, a witch that forced the Duke to marry you. Others think you an angel. So good of heart and so beautiful a face that he could not help but take you to wife."
Christine frowned. "I see."
Mary's hand settled on her son's head. "You should go to court soon. Prove the first ones wrong." Then she'd walked away.
The look in Andre's face had been the same as Mary's. Even when Christine had cheekily given him two gold coins instead of one. Everyone watched her, admiring, respecting, but barely daring to engage.
The nurse Christine had selected five years ago had retired from the position, as she had gotten married. She'd chosen a new nurse for Mama Valerius, a Nun. She was middle aged, quiet, and patient with a kind smile. Christine was quite pleased with her.
"She doesn't remember much now." The woman had warned Christine before letting her see Mama. "She asks for her husband often, and I've had ever the time trying to keep her from going to see her sister. She almost made it on a horse once."
"I understand."
Then the nun had bowed and let Christine into the room.
She stepped inside hesitantly, watching the bed with growing apprehension. "Mama?" She whispered.
The old woman, her hair flowing out on the pillow like water, opened her eyes wearily and looked at Christine.
"Mama. Are you well?"
Suddenly the eyes filled with tears, an aged hand reached out to grasp Christine's.
"You're the girl." She said, her voice rough and old. "The girl. The one with rosy cheeks who used to sing to me." A tear flowed down her cheek.
"Yes, it is me, Mama." She had reached over, holding one hand to her face, reaching over with the other to brush the tears away.
The old woman had leaned into the touch and murmured, "You've grown so." Her mouth went up into a tired smile. "You must have married so well."
Christine had felt a lump grow in her throat, but she'd nodded and croaked a reply. "I did, Mama. I did."
Now Mama Valerius was dead. Her body buried in the earth next to the little wooden and stone church. Her soul no doubt in heaven, singing with choirs of angels. And Christine was leagues away from her grave. Would she ever see it again?
Erik's hand rubbed her shoulder, the motion was a little awkward, but he was trying his best. She pulled away, seeing David sitting on the earth, rocking his sister. The image made her heart ache with joy. David had so long wanted a sibling, even though he'd only been four when Charles had passed, he'd mourned right along with his mother.
He'd been delighted with Ruth, was ever so loving and gentle with her. Meg often complimented Christine on it. "He's such a gentle child. All my boys do when they see their sister is tease her." She'd shaken her head in frustration.
Ruth suddenly began to fuss, whining and beating her arms against the fabric of her wrap. David looked to his mother, worry splitting across his face. "Why-"
Christine stepped forward, holding out her arms. "Tired, I imagine. Bring her here, I'll take her inside for a nap."
"Alright." He crossed the graveyard, holding the squirming baby tightly in his arms. Going on the very tips of his toes, he let his mother take the bundle from him.
Christine curled Ruth up to her chest, rocking and shushing her gently. She smiled down at David. "Thank you, now if you could fetch the basket and blanket-"
Erik left her side. "I can do it." He went up the hill, David ran after him, probably wanted to help.
"Thank you darling."
Christine waited at the bottom by David while Erik collected their few things, then they walked back to the castle together.
fin
Boom. Done. *throws hands off the keyboard*
It's done! Wooooo!
*starts dancing in chair*
WOOOOO!
I hope this ending was satisfying. I wondered whether to do two or one chapters, and my perfectionist side whispered how lovely it would be to have this story have 30 chapters. How nicely it would round up. And so, this story ends with this chapter.
Yeah, I had real logical reasons for it.
But anyhoo... what did ya'alls think of the ending? Lemme know in the reviews.
I will be continuing writing. In fact, I plan to post a new fanfiction either tonight tomorrow. Who knows how long it's gonna be, but I have a feeling it'll be my longest yet. (Just like this one, heh.)
It will also, sadly, not be Phantom. It will be Labyrinth. (To the surprise of... no one, I'm sure.) If you want to read more phantom stuff from me, I have two other longer stories that are in the Phantom-verse and two one shots. However, I would greatly appreciate it if you would check out the Labyrinth fanfiction. I've already written nine (very long! Like 4,000 words a chapter, excluding the prologue) chapters and am super proud of what I've come up with so far.
But either way, thank you everyone, SO MUCH for reading and reviewing this. It's my most popular fanfiction ever, and I've LOVED interacting with all of you. You really inspired and pushed me to finish this story. Thank you, thank you, thank you! A thousand virtual hugs for you all. I hope you all have a lovely day. Stay safe everyone!
