Between Heaven and Earth: Der Tod

For this chapter I tried to incorporate a rough translation of the lyrics for the song in this scene (Nichts Ist Schwer). I had to tweak a few of the words and add in some of my own for the scene to make sense and not become too cheesy. Please let me know what you think! Please Read and Review!

I will not say that I took the news of the engagement lightly. I had watched the entire scene between Elisabeth and the Emperor from the shadows, clenching my fists as Elisabeth threw her arms around Franz Joseph.

Now some of you may be asking yourselves, why I simply didn't…"dispose" of Franz Joseph and take Elisabeth for myself? Well, it's not that simple.

In order for me to administer the Kiss, the person in contact with me needs to have a reason for death. I cannot simply end a person's life whenever it suits me. I answer to Fate, only claiming people when their time has come.

The fact of the matter is that it simply was not the Emperor's time, or Elisabeth's for that matter. As much as it would pain me, I would have to bear witness to their marriage.

But that didn't mean that I had to do it peacefully.

I sneered as I watched Franz Joseph lead Elisabeth to where the Archduchess and Ludovka were awaiting them. I had a few tricks up my sleeve for the wedding celebration. The Emperor did not yet know whom he was dealing with in this strange duel for Elisabeth's love.

"You will know soon enough, Franz Joseph, believe me, you will know."

Time moved forward. It was March, and the wedding was drawing closer. Elisabeth and the Emperor had been swamped with planning the event, urged along of course by the Archduchess Sophie.

Throughout all of the planning, the two had not been allowed to spend a moment alone together.

I had worked out carefully the details of my plan, and now I was going to begin putting it in motion.

I motioned with my hand, and everything became pitch black, and time seemed to freeze. I sighed for a moment, enjoying the complete silence of nothing. Then I snapped my fingers, and a large, elaborate platform appeared, hovering in midair.

In front of the platform, frozen, stood Elisabeth and Franz Joseph, facing each other. I had transported them to the abyss between Heaven and Earth, the ideal place to be alone.

The stars poked through the darkness, dimly illuminating the scene.

As I snapped my fingers, and the two of them walked to ladders on each side of the structure, slowly climbing and facing each other from opposite ends of the platform.

I smiled, thinking of the plan. I was going to allow them to talk together, to draw closer to each other…for a time. When the timing was right, I would show myself to Franz Joseph, and let him know what kind of adversary he was up against. He really stood no chance against me. No matter what he did, in the end, Elisabeth would be mine. So I allowed them their moment of solitude, staying hidden in the shadows, watching as Franz Joseph spoke.

"You must have courage Elisabeth, if you marry me….an Emperor is never alone. If you live with me, your life will be far from simple."

"What's important to me isn't all of that…" she started, slowly walking towards him.

"Much will be expected…"

"But I have you!"

I saw the Emperor smile at her reply as he grasped her hands in his, gazing lovingly into her eyes as she continued.

"Nothing is too hard, as long as you are with me."

"If I have you, Elisabeth, there is nothing that I can not undertake. If I lose my courage, I know I'll find it again in you."

"Nothing is missing from my life, if only you are with me."

I rolled my eyes as they spoke to each other, some part of my stomach growing cold to hear her saying such things to Franz Joseph.

He broke away from her, taking a few steps away from her.

"But in the yoke of so many obligations, some dreams will go unrealized…"

"That may be so," Elisabeth said softly, walking towards him and placing a hand on his shoulder "but other dreams may be freed! Don't you understand, I don't care what difficulties may face us…you are all I need." She sighed, taking a hold of his hand again.

"You become my life whenever I see you, and every day a little bit more of myself becomes lost in you."

He sighed, gently stroking the side of her face, gazing at her. He then reached into his pocket, a small smile on his face.

"I have something for you."

He opened the small box that he had produced, and I heard a small gasp from Elisabeth.

"I want you to take this chain, as a token of my love." He clasped it around her neck, his fingers tracing her throat. The necklace seemed to be made of ivory, with tiny gold flecks sparkling in the starlight.

"It's beautiful…thank you."

"Elisabeth…I love you."

I saw her look up at him for a moment, her eyes glistening in the light. She was so beautiful…

"And I love you."

My heart nearly broke when I heard those words, which seemed to echo throughout the empty air.

I closed my eyes as they kissed, clenching my fist and forcing myself to stay hidden. I gave a wave of my hand, opening my eyes as the world became pitch black once more. When the dim light returned, Elisabeth and Franz Joseph were gone, returned to earth, leaving me alone.

Utterly alone.