Guess what I discovered? I accidentally posted the wrong version of chapter 17! It's not that big of a deal, I had only changed a few lines about Erik's disfigurement, but it's still kinda funny.

-

Amme had moved back to living in the forest. In some ways, she was more comfortable there then living under the opera house. She actually preferred not having a roof over her head.

Some, however, did not share her feelings in the slightest.

Why am we stuck back here just because you had a little fight with that guy in the mask? Starlight asked grumpily.

"He killed someone, Starlight!"

So what? At least it was drier down there!

"He lives by a lake. A lake is not what I'd call 'dry.'"

Waterfront property. Complete with boat and dock!

"Be quiet," Amme muttered. Cats were impossible to argue with.

Fate was not much better. Really, Amme. I don't think the man knows he shouldn't kill people like that. I mean, honestly, people have been treating him so horribly, so of course he thinks he can do the same!

"You mean it's alright for him to take a life?" Amme said incredulously.

I think you should try to understand it from his point of view. Just because you've known killing is wrong doesn't mean everyone else does.

"I think he should be able to figure it out! Why else do people hate him so much?"

Hate is a strong word, Starlight informed her.

I think he thinks people don't like him because of his face, Fate explained.

Amme curled into a tight ball and propped her head on her knees. "I didn't think there was much wrong with his face. It's not as though he's really worse than the average human."

Some people would disagree, Fate replied.

"I don't care, Fate! He's wallowing in self-pity, and it doesn't impress me in the slightest!"

You have a point there, Starlight admitted. She got up and strolled onto Amme's right shoulder. Pet me.

Amme heaved a heavy sigh, but scratched the kitten behind the ears. "You know, I'm not making you two stay here. If you want to go back, I certainly won't stop you."

Yeah, but it'll make us feel really guilty, Starlight scoffed. I don't think so. Feeling guilty is bad for one's fur.

I agree with Starlight except for that last comment, Fate said.

-

"I don't get it," Erik said, frustrated. "I just don't get it! Why did she leave?"

"Because you killed someone, and she didn't like that?" Laetitia offered helpfully.

The human sat and buried his face in his hands. "But she knows I've killed people! Why should this be different?"

"Because she actually saw you do it? I don't know! Why don't you ask her?"

"But she doesn't want to see me again!" He cried.

Laetitia pursed her lips. "I didn't think that ever stopped you before. But then again, you do seem to have changed."

"From what? No, don't answer that; I don't care." He dug his fingers deep into his thick hair. "What should I do about Amme? Laetitia, I really need your help!"

"Well, this is a first, isn't it," She turned a quick somersault underwater. "I think you need to try talking to her. If you can make her understand why you did what you did, she'll forgive you."

"And if she doesn't talk to me?" He asked desperately.

"Then…you're screwed?"

"Thank you so much for that," Erik snapped, sounding much more like his normal self.

Laetitia grinned. "You are very welcome!"

Erik shook his head before standing up. "But about Amme…?"

"Try writing her a letter?" The mermaid suggested. "You don't seem to have any problem with doing that."
"This doesn't have anything to do with what I do and don't have problems with doing. Right now, it's what happens if Amme decides not to read the note."

"Write her another one. And another one. And another one. And…"

"I get the idea," He interrupted hastily. He sighed. "If that's the best idea…that's what I'll do."

"Wonderful!" Laetitia beamed. "Now, I've been meaning to tell you something. I've invited a couple friends of mine over for a few hours on Saturday, just for a little get-together, okay?"

-

Amme entered the theatre early one morning to be intercepted by Madame Giry, who looked rather upset about something.

"What's wrong?" Amme asked, concerned. "Did something happen?"

"No," Madame Giry sighed. "I was just…asked to give you this, and I hate feeling like a messenger-boy."

Amme took the note and rose curiously. It had her name written neatly and clearly on front in a handwriting she knew only too well.

With a sinking feeling inside, she flipped it over, broke the seal, opened it, and read.

Dearest Amme,

I cannot begin to express my deepest apologies for the way I treated you at our last meeting. I hope that we might be able to talk this over some time, preferably soon. I desperately want you back with me.

I remain,

Your obedient servant,

O.G.

Amme glanced up at Madame Giry, who watched her carefully. "Well," the elf said breezily. "Thank you very much for delivering this. I don't think you have to do that anymore. Thank you again."

Later that day, Amme burned both the letter and the rose.

The next evening, Amme found another letter stuck in the tree she slept in. She was not happy at all about this, and it also told her the Phantom knew where she lived. But curiosity overwhelmed her, and she read it anyways.

Amme,

You didn't answer my last letter, so I thought I would try again. I'm sorry if I seem rude, but I really need to talk to you. Can I meet you tomorrow in your dressing room at ten thirty?

I remain

Your obedient servant,

O.G.

Ten thirty the next evening in Amme's dressing room, Erik entered to see if she would be there. Instead of the elf, he found a note.

O.G.

Leave me alone.

With all due respect,

Amme Eledhwen

The next morning, the Phantom wrote back.

Amme,

Your letter wasn't exactly what I'd call polite. I'm feeling rather insulted at the moment, so I'll probably be just as blunt. I'm not going to leave you alone, so just get over it.

Can I talk with you tonight? Please? It's very important.

I remain,

Your obedient servant,

O.G.

O. G.

Clearly, you did not understand the meaning of my last letter. I specifically stated you leave me alone, and writing me a letter is not following my wishes. I will repeat them, and I hope, for your sake, you will listen: leave—me—alone!

With all due respect,

Amme Eledhwen

P.S. No, we cannot talk tonight.

Amme, dear,

Don't you think you're being a little too harsh? I understood both your letters completely; I just chose to ignore them. Don't think for a moment I ignore all your wishes: just the ones I don't like.

I remain,

Your obedient servant,

O.G.

P.S. If you don't agree to talk to me, I will continue to annoy you in this same fashion. The choice is yours.

O.G.

This is the last letter you will be receiving from me. And I hope you will not send any in reply.

Imagine this: a human male is annoying an elf princess. Said elf princess is very famous with using her swords and daggers. She can't get it through to the stupid human that she wants him to stop, so she is going to try one last time before she snaps and cuts out his tongue, something he would not like at all because he takes great pride in being an excellent singer. If he wishes to retain this ability, he will get the hell out of her life right now!

I hope you have enjoyed my little story. Think about it for a few moments.

With all due respect,

Amme Eledhwen

"She's threatening me now, Laetitia." Erik called after receiving Amme's last letter. "There goes your brilliant plan."

"You agreed to it!" Laetitia shot back. "Anyways, did you have any better ideas?"

Erik growled.

"I thought so," the mermaid said smugly. "What's she threatening you with, anyhow?"

"She said if I write her another note, she'll cut out my tongue." He replied grumpily. "Not necessarily in those words."

"Ouch," Laetitia winced. "What were her words? Never mind; I don't want to know. What are you going to do now?"

Erik glanced back down at the letter he held; then he looked at the other two laying on his desk. Finally, he looked at Laetitia. "Do you think she's serious with her threat?"

"She sounds pretty serious to me."

He grinned. "In that case, I'm going to write her a letter."

-

Amme was walking to the theatre when she was intercepted by one of the new ballet girls.

"E-excuse me," the girl stuttered. "I-I was t-told to g-give you this," she held out a piece of paper.

Amme took it reluctantly.

Amme, darling,

Your last letter to me was very interesting. I wasn't aware you were such a wonderful storyteller. Perhaps you could finish it sometime. I would love to see how it ends!

Speaking of love, when was the last time I told you how much I love you? It seems so long ago. I still do and I'll never stop.

I remain,

Your obedient servant,

O.G.

Amme ripped up the letter in frustration. This man was making things extremely difficult for her.

"M-miss?" The ballet girl was still there, looking very confused. "I-is it b-b-bad news?"

"No," Amme said. "I mean, yes. I mean…nothing. Never mind; don't worry about it."

"Can I go back, or are you going to respond?" The girl asked, calming down dramatically.

Amme shook her head. "No. No reply is expected. You can go now."

The girl ran off quickly.

Amme sighed. Was that human really so stupid as to think that was only a story? As Kevin would say: he is just a human. What do you expect? But Amme had been confident he would have figured it out. Hell, Joshua could probably have figured it out!

Just what was that human planning?