Disclaimer: The Phantom of the Opera does not belong to me (though I think if it were up to him, he wouldn't belong to anyone), only my own characters do.
Author's Note: Whew! Okay, kids, let's stop and review the important information – Raoul is a big doofus. He got the girl, but still insists on going after the Phantom anyway. Poor S'ray really was poisoned by iron, but can't die because, hey, let's face it; she's one of the good guys.
To flamethrowerqueen: Drown him in the lake? Nah too fast and not as satisfying. Torture chamber? Now we're talking. And if you loved Erik in the last chapter, you haven't seen anything yet.
To Bayley Storme: I'm glad you like the story so far. I hope this chapter came soon enough and doesn't disappoint.
To phantommistress: Thanks so much, glad you liked that fight. But now you'll have to decide which chapter to take the fight from as we have more fights in this one.
To LittleMargarita: Hey, like the children's book says, everybody poops and this includes dragons. Besides he ate a lot of red meat, can you imagine how ornery a constipated dragon would be? I don't want to touch that with a ten-foot pole. And Erik will be sure that Raoul gets what he has coming to him and then some.
To foxgodess07: Nah, Brandji didn't get lost, he just found a safe spot from which to watch the fight between Erik and Raoul. And Cyd doesn't like to eat humans; they give him heartburn and gas. And we don't want that, do we?
I've got an urge to do more artwork. Let me know in a review what scene from the story you'd like to see. It can be a fight, something humorous, or something steamy. I will not do Christine kissing Erik, that won't happen in case there are any E/C shippers reading this (there are already enough pictures of that). I'll tally the list and have my guy pick (So be creative so says the guy) the winner.
Thanks to all who have read and reviewed; the more you review, the faster I write the next chapter. Now, on to the next chapter.
Phantom of the Glen
Chapter 27
Down Once More
"Help please," Meg called from the doorway of the now empty church.
"Here, I'll take her," Tavlyn said stepping out from the shadows.
"Oh, you startled me," Meg gasped as the one-eyed Elf stepped into the light.
"Sorry Miss," he said taking his captain from the two women. "Come with me, I may need your help."
They followed him from the church and down to a grassy spot beneath an old oak in the small cemetery. He gently lay S'ray on the grass and took off his pack. "Roll her sleeves up please while I mix these herbs," he said quietly as he took out a mortar and pestle.
"Anything else we can do?" Madame Giry asked the Elf.
"In my bag are some strips of cloth, as I apply these herbs you'll have to wrap her hands and arms to keep the herbs on so they draw out the iron," he instructed.
Then he moved next to S'ray and taking one of her blackened hands in his, began smoothing the mixture over her skin. As he moved up her arm, Madame Giry wrapped her hand and arm securely in the strips of cloth from his bag.
"How long till you know its working?" Meg asked as she cradled S'ray's head in her lap.
"Soon I hope," he replied, moving to her other arm.
"How is she?" the Pixie asked as she flitted over to them.
"I think she'll be okay," he replied as Madame Giry finished wrapping her other arm. "Luniana, fly home and tell Daklu what's happened. He's going to have to prepare more the medicine for iron poisoning."
"Should I come back?" she asked hovering in front of him.
"Yes, do you remember the Opera House we stopped at on our way here?" he asked the little Pixie.
"Yes," she nodded. "Should I use Erik's door?"
"Can you fit under it?"
"Of course."
"Then go there, quickly now," he smiled.
Then with a buzzing of tiny wings, she was gone from sight.
"So what do we do now?" Madame Giry asked as the Elf stood again.
"Stay here with her, Cyd will be down shortly," Tavlyn replied. "I'm going to see what's keeping Erik."
"Be careful, the Vicomte is not in his right mind," the ballet mistress warned. "He may have all manner of traps set for your kind."
"I will be," he said nodding to her. "Mademoiselle," he smiled as he walked past Meg and into the church.
Raoul sputtered and spit the water from his mouth. He went to wipe some slime from his face and found that he was tied up. The Vicomte struggled, but found that he was bound tightly to a cold metal object.
"Is there a problem Monsieur?" the Phantom's voice asked from everywhere at once.
"Where am I?" Raoul demanded. "Show yourself, you bastard."
"You are in no position to make demands," the Phantom continued. "Also, the name calling, I thought that was below you seeing as you call yourself a gentleman. And please, do continue to struggle; it saves me the trouble of strangling you myself."
Raoul stopped moving as he realized that the ropes that bound him were only getting tighter with every move he made. "You monster," he cursed.
"Monster? I am not the one who had two innocent women kidnapped from their home. I am not the one who bound an Alve with iron chains and then threw her into an iron cage," came the Phantom's voice from directly in front of the Vicomte. "And now you dare to complain about your current circumstances?"
The Vicomte remained silent, sensing that if he said the wrong thing now it would mean a swift, but painful death for him.
"But I am being a poor host, here let me grant you a little illumination," the Phantom said and the room was suddenly filled with light.
Raoul blinked several times, adjusting to the sudden brightness. He raised his head and saw the Opera Ghost casually lounging on a throne-like chair before him, one leg carelessly flung over one of the arms. The man had obviously changed clothes. He still wore black trousers, but he was now wearing black knee-length boots. Instead of his usual white shirt, he wore black with a red brocade waist coat that was left unbuttoned. Most disturbing to the younger man was the mask he now wore; it was black as the Pit and covered his face except for his mouth and chin.
"Tell me, do you like my guest room?" the Phantom asked gesturing with a leather gloved hand to the room they were in.
"What are you going to do with me?" Raoul asked slowly so he could keep stammering in fright.
"I asked you first," the Phantom smiled and Raoul's blood turned to ice.
"Guest room?" Raoul asked choosing his words carefully. "This looks more like some sort of torture chamber."
"Very perceptive of you," his captor nodded. "This is a guest room for unwanted guests."
"I can see why, it's freezing in here," he replied.
"You are cold Monsieur?" the Phantom asked.
"Yes and wet thanks to you," he snapped.
"A thousand apologies, I will see about some heat in here immediately," the Phantom said standing. "I will be but a moment."
Brandji had finally made it along the narrow ledge that ran around the underground lake. He had been tempted to swim it, but the water was freezing and he was sure that any creatures living in it were probably partial to Brownies. He looked around, trying to determine where Erik had disappeared to in this place. Then he saw a curtain move and the man stepped out from behind it.
"Hey!" he shouted, running over to him. "Where are we? Why didn't you go up to S'ray like you promised?"
"Brandji?" Erik asked, surprised to see the little Brownie in his lair.
"Who else you big, stupid goblin?" the Brownie snapped as he stood before the man. "What'd you do with that son of a silly person?"
"He's where he can't hurt anyone else," Erik answered. "How is S'ray?"
"I don't know, I just followed you and the blonde baboon," Brandji shrugged. "Cyd's there, he'll help her. What are you going to do to him?"
"I'll show you," he smiled icily and kneeling down, let the Brownie climb onto his shoulder.
Tavlyn cursed silently as he trudged through the sewer. He hated being underground and he absolutely hated sewers and catacombs. Why Erik had dragged the Vicomte this way, he wasn't sure but he was damn sure he was going to find out.
The Alve frowned, he had been certain that Erik would have rushed out of the church as soon as he'd finished with the human to check on S'ray. What was going through the man's mind, he wondered. Then he realized that Erik must have believed the worst and that S'ray was dying. He had then dragged the young mortal down here to exact his revenge on him slowly and in private.
Cursing his surroundings again, he picked up his pace and continued on through the sewers in pursuit of the Phantom and his prey. He vowed that when this was over, he and Erik were going to have a long talk about the proper way to court his commanding officer and friend.
Raoul was surprised, the room was actually getting warmer and he had stopped shivering. It was now a comfortable temperature and he waited for the Phantom to return. Many minutes passed by and still he did not return.
The Vicomte frowned, what was the man up to, what game was he playing now. He shook his head to keep some sweat from rolling into his eyes; the room was still getting warmer by the minute. His eyes grew wide, was that his plan, roasting him alive in this room. He looked around at the mirrored walls, each reflecting heat back at him. "Hey, you can turn it down now," he called to the empty room, sure that where ever he was, the Phantom would hear him. There was no response from his captor and the room continued to grow warmer.
He was now distinctly uncomfortable, his clothes plastered to his body and sweat running off him in tiny rivulets. "It's not funny anymore," he called. "It's really, really hot in here." Raoul was answered by silence; he felt faint and closed his eyes. His breathing soon became labored and he passed out.
"How is she?" a deep voice asked from behind the two women.
"Eep!" Meg exclaimed and fell backward onto her bottom.
"My apologies miss, I did not mean to startle you," the tall silver-haired man said and extended his arm to her.
"Thank you," she smiled shyly as he helped her up.
"Can you tell me how long she was bound?" he asked, now kneeling before the unconscious Elf.
"Between three and four hours I think, it was hard to tell underground like that," Madame Giry answered, gently brushing hair from the woman's face. "You would be Cyd, correct?"
"I am," he nodded and picked up one of S'ray's hands. He gently lifted up a bit of the bandage to look at her fingertips. The man nodded to himself and examined her other hand as well.
"Well?" Meg asked expectantly as she hovered near her mother, not quite sure what to make of this strange man.
"She's going to be fine, the iron is already leaving her system," he replied looking up at both of them. "Where are Erik and Tavlyn?"
"We haven't seen Erik since we brought her up here," Madame Giry answered. "The other man went to find him after he finished seeing to her."
"Dammit," he hissed. "Look, it's not safe for you to stay here. Have you somewhere safe you can go?"
"Yes, we can go back to the Opera," Madame Giry answered.
"Then I suggest you go and take S'ray with you," Cyd commanded. "Let me take her and I'll hail you a carriage."
"What about me?" Brule asked waving up at the dragon.
"You stay with the ladies and help them," he replied standing.
"Can I ride on your shoulder pretty lady?" the little Brownie asked Meg, looking up at her with big, brown eyes.
Raoul swallowed and opened his eyes. The Phantom was seated as before, but this time the annoying little creature that had been with the Elf was perched on his shoulder.
"Awake again I see," he said nonchalantly, his amber eyes flickering dangerously.
"What the hell did you do?" the Vicomte demanded.
"Turned up the heat as you requested," he replied.
"You tried to kill me, to roast me alive," Raoul snapped.
"Come now DeChagny, if I wanted to kill you it would be by a much more personal and satisfactory method," he smiled coldly and drew a knife from his boot.
Raoul blanched at the thought of what the man might do to him with the knife he now held.
"Not so tough now, are you, you blonde baboon," Brandji gloated from Erik's shoulder. Now he knew why Luniana liked perching here, the feeling of power was awesome.
"What is that thing?" Raoul said disdainfully.
"You knew how to use iron bells against Faye, so surely you also know that Brandji here is a Brownie," the Phantom said sitting upright in his chair. "So tell me Vicomte, where did you learn such things?"
"That is hardly any of your concern," he replied haughtily.
"But it is my concern, you hurt a woman that Brandji and I care for very deeply and I mean to ensure you are not able to do so again," he said now standing up.
"Care for? You don't know what it is to care for someone, you just tricked her into thinking you care for her so you could have your way with her," he replied. "Just like you had planned for Christine until I stopped you. Besides, any woman that would give herself to you is obviously a whore anyway."
Erik's eyes flared in anger. "What did you call her," he growled.
"I said only a whore would sleep with you," the noble sneered.
"Uh-oh," Brandji squeaked as Erik stormed up to the Vicomte. The Brownie held on tightly as the Phantom pulled back and struck the man in the face with his gloved fist.
"Never, ever call her that again," Erik snarled and landed another blow against the bound Vicomte.
"Then what should I call her? A slut perhaps?" he laughed and was struck again. "You're just a coward, fighting someone who can't even hit you back."
"Then so be it," Erik smiled nastily and cut the ropes that bound the Vicomte. Then he hit the man once more and Brandji jumped off his perch before scurrying off to a safer place.
Erik backed off and let Raoul disentangle himself from the ropes. The Vicomte dropped into a defensive stance and waited for the next blow. The Phantom lashed out and delivered a right jab to Raoul's midsection. He doubled over and Erik followed up with a vicious hook to the younger man's cheek, splitting it open.
Raoul coughed and took two steps backward as he held his stomach. He felt something wet on his cheek and wiped at it, his hand came away bloody. "Oh, you're going to pay now," he snarled.
"Oh, did I mar your perfect face?" Erik snapped. "Then you shouldn't have hurt my S'ray!" He threw another punch at Raoul's face, but the younger man ducked this time. The younger man smiled and delivered a series of quick punches to the Phantom's kidneys.
Blast, but that hurt, Erik thought shaking his head to rid it of the stars. He whirled on the Vicomte and his fist connected with the other's nose.
The noble's head snapped backward and his nose fountained blood. "You basdard, you broke my nose," Raoul seethed, his voice distorted by the blood clogging up his now crooked nose. He threw a fist into Erik's face, but hit his shoulder instead. He drew his hand away and felt warm liquid cover his hand. Hah, the young noble thought silently, the bastard does bleed.
Erik hissed as Raoul re-opened the wound on his shoulder and rounded on him with a hard elbow to his ribs. He smiled as he heard a satisfying crack and the other gasp in pain. The Phantom turned to his opponent and threw another punch which the Vicomte barely blocked this time. His other fist connected with Raoul's stomach and the man doubled over in pain.
The Vicomte gasped as the wind rushed out of his lungs; damn, but the man was fast. Suddenly he was on his back, having had his legs swept out from underneath him. Raoul found himself straddled by the larger man and brought his hands up to his face to try and ward off the barrage of punches that now flew at him.
Cyd frowned; he had thought Erik would have more sense than to drag his nemesis down below. He expected to meet up with Tavlyn and Erik soon, counting on the Alve to talk some sense into him. However, if S'ray's second failed in that attempt, he would try talking to the man. And if talking failed, there was always bodily force and the dragon would have no problem with that option. Then he was going to sit Erik down for a long talk.
Tavlyn finally trudged out of the water and onto dry land again. He looked around, this had to Erik's lair under the Opera Populaire. As he was taking in his surroundings, he saw Brandji run out from behind a curtain. "Brandji," he called sharply and the little creature stopped.
"Tavlyn? What you doing here One-Eye?" he asked running over to where he sat on a rock emptying the water from his boots.
"I followed Erik," he replied putting his boots back on.
"How's S'ray?" the Brownie asked concern filling his face.
"She's going to be alright," Tavlyn answered. "Where did Erik get off to?"
"I'll show you, but I don't think you'll like it," Brandji cautioned.
"Just show me," the Alve frowned.
"Let's take her to my room," Madame Giry said as they entered the Opera Populaire through the stables.
"Oh, just a moment, I almost forgot," Meg said as they passed a large black stallion. "Here you are Caesar," she smiled and gave the animal an apple from a nearby barrel.
The horse happily accepted the treat and briefly nuzzled the ballerina's hand as he chewed the apple. "Hi horsie," Brule grinned peeking out from his cozy spot in the hood the ballerina's cloak.
"Let's go before someone sees us, I don't want to have to explain where we were or why she's dressed like this," Madame Giry commanded softly.
Meg nodded in agreement and they proceeded up to their private rooms.
"Erik, what in the name of the seven demons of the Pit are you doing in there," Tavlyn demanded as he stood before the door to the torture chamber. "Dammit Erik, come out here!"
Erik turned toward the hidden door as he finished tying the Vicomte to the iron tree once more. He stood and smoothed his hair back as he walked to the door. Then pressing the hidden mechanism, the door opened and he stood in front of a shocked Tavlyn.
"Yes Tavlyn," he said evenly as the Alve gaped at him.
"What the hell are you doing down here instead of being at S'ray's side," the Alve demanded.
"Taking care of a thorn in both our sides," he said darkly.
"Your woman needs you and you're messing around in the dark with some stupid mortal? I thought more of you than that Erik," he said crossing his arms and not backing down.
"She's dying and I'm making him pay for it, slowly," he said coldly.
"She's not dying, she's going to be fine," Tavlyn corrected. "You got her out in time."
"Then I'm going to make sure he never hurts anyone again," he said turning back to the still open door. "But not until I find out how he knew to used iron bells against you."
"That was no coincidence?" the Elf asked.
"No, he planned it," Erik replied.
"Then I owe him as well," Tavlyn said darkly and followed the Phantom back into the torture chamber.
S'ray opened her eyes to a dimly lit room. "Where . . . where am I?" she asked sitting up.
"You're in my private rooms in the Opera Populaire," Madame Giry said turning up the gas lamp.
"Where's Erik?" she asked relaxing back onto the couch.
"We don't know both he and the Vicomte are missing. Your two friends went to look for them, but haven't returned either," she sighed. "But more importantly, how are you feeling?"
"Like I've been chewed up and then spit out by a Tarasque," she replied. "Which is how I felt the last time I had iron poisoning."
Madame Giry and Meg looked at each other with a puzzled expression.
"That good huh?" Brule asked cheerfully as he clamored up onto the couch.
"Hello Brule," S'ray smiled at the little Brownie.
"We were supposed to meet back at Erik's home under the opera house," she said looking back at Madame Giry. "Do you think he may have taken the Vicomte there?"
"It's very possible," Madame Giry frowned. "And he's always hinted of having a place down there that no man would want to step foot in."
"Then I need to find him, make sure he keeps his promise," S'ray said.
"What promise?" Meg asked.
"Before we left, I made him promise to not kill the Vicomte if he could avoid it," she replied.
"Why would you be so kind to someone who tried to kill both of you?" Madame Giry asked.
"It wasn't for him, but for her and their unborn child," the Elf answered. "Christine showed up at our home three days ago, she doesn't even know yet."
Meg looked at her mother in total shock.
"I've got a key on me some where," the Alve frowned sitting up again and patting down her tunic.
"I know a faster way," Madame Giry said standing up. "Meg, help me with her."
Cyd finally waded into the lake in front of Erik's underground lair. He quirked a steel-colored eyebrow at the double gate and made a note to take a closer look when he was back in dragon form and had a spare moment. His quick eyes spotted Brandji standing in front of a curtain and wringing his hands in worry.
"Where are they Brandji?" he softly asked so as to not startle the little Brownie too much.
"Glad you here," he said running up the edge of the lake as Cyd changed back to his natural form. "They really quiet, haven't heard anything for a while now."
"Who's been really quiet?" the dragon rumbled.
"Erik and Tavlyn," he said. "They have that blonde baboon that hurt S'ray in a bad room and are trying to find out where he learned to use iron bells against us."
"So I see," Cyd frowned, this would complicate matters.
"We'll ask him again when he wakes," Erik said as he stepped from behind the curtain Brandji had been staring at.
"He was close, too bad he passed out," Tavlyn frowned, following the Phantom out.
"Good, you're both here now," Cyd said from above them as he stood up in the lake. "Now would either of you mind terribly telling me what is going through your inferior minds?"
"How is S'ray?" Erik asked looking up at the dragon.
"She's with the Giry's," Cyd frowned. "And more than likely worried sick about you, not knowing if you're alive or dead."
"Cyd you have got to see this room that Erik built, it's absolutely brilliant," Tavlyn started, reading the signs of a dragon in the early stages of a foul mood.
"Be quiet Tavlyn," the dragon ordered.
Tavlyn shut his mouth immediately at the command from the great creature.
"You should take her home, tell her I'll join her as soon as I'm done tying up a loose end," the Phantom said darkly.
"Do not be so presumptuous with me mortal," Cyd growled. "You are neglecting the woman you profess to love quite deeply and I am not going to tolerate it."
"What happens between S'ray and I is none of your concern," Erik frowned.
"She is my rider and her well-being is my concern," the dragon replied lowering his head to the man's level. "One snap and you'd be gone mortal."
"Don't threaten me in my own home," Erik replied.
"Do not tempt me Erik!" the dragon roared, knocking Brandji off his feet.
"Then do not intrude where you are not welcome," Erik growled.
Tavlyn swallowed, this was not good. An argument between Erik and Cyd was only going to result in Erik being eaten, that was how dragons usually settled arguments with lesser creatures. "Gentlemen," he interjected, trying to calm things down a bit.
"Don't get in the middle of this Tavlyn, this is between myself and Cydqx'xy-Ti," the Phantom said curtly as he pushed the Alve back.
"Impressive, you can say part of my name," the dragon hissed mockingly. "Now are you going to come along willingly or do I have to take you back by force?"
"I am staying here till my business with the Vicomte is finished," he replied, glowering at the great beast.
"Your business is done, you won!" Cyd shouted again, making the candle holders rattle this time.
"Really Cyd," Tavlyn said still trying to keep them calm and civil, "I'm sure the human will tell us where his copy of the Book of the Faye Realm is when he wakes up again."
"And where did a mere human acquire such a book?" the dragon demanded, swiveling his head to glare down at the Elf. "And in a mortal language as well?"
"It can't be," Brandji said suddenly.
"What can't be?" Cyd asked the little Brownie.
"He thought he destroyed all the copies," the Brownie continued.
"When Dandel was Guardian he heard of a monk in the old abbey making a copy of the Book," Brandji began. "It was in one mortal tongue and he was copying it to another one. One night Dandel and a dragon named Sirrac went to take the books from the human. They only found the original and the human refused to say what happened to the other one so the dragon ate him."
"What abbey?" Erik asked.
"The one in the forest, it's ruined now," he replied shrugging his little shoulders.
"Fontainebleau Abbey was destroyed suddenly over 350 years ago," Erik said.
"Cyd, is it possible that Sirrac came back looking for the other book and destroyed the abbey looking for it?" Tavlyn asked.
"Possible? It's true, I know him," Cyd rumbled. "He thought he destroyed the book when he set the rubble aflame."
"The book was already out of the abbey when they came there the first time," Erik explained. "Books were sent out as soon as they were finished in those days."
"And now the Vicomte has it," Tavlyn growled.
"Bring him out here," Cyd snarled. "I'll make him talk."
"He'll talk, but he stays where he is," Erik replied.
"I want that book!" the dragon bellowed almost knocking Erik and Tavlyn to the floor.
"So do I, you damn reptile," Erik snarled. "But eating Raoul isn't going to get it for us."
"Reptile? Reptile!" Cyd snarled making the stone walls of the lair vibrate.
"What was that?" Meg gasped as they steadied themselves against the wall of the tunnel.
"That was probably Cyd," S'ray frowned. "We need to hurry."
"It's not much longer," Madame Giry said giving her daughter a worried look as they started moving again.
Several minutes later they paused again as another roar shook the building and the tunnel they were following. Madame Giry grew more concerned by the moment for S'ray's health. The poultice the other Elf made may have been drawing the iron from her, but she was looking paler with every step they took. The ballet mistress sighed inwardly, no wonder Erik was so enamored of this woman; she was just as stubborn and mule-headed as he was. When this was over, she was going to have a long talk with that man whether he liked it or not.
Finally they reached one of the entrances to Erik's lair and stepped inside. Meg gasped and paled at the sight that met their eyes. There was Erik looking a great dragon in the eye and apparently arguing with it while an Elf stood by trying to break up the two. The beast was huge, his leathery wings almost touched the ceiling and Erik was practically nose to nose with him.
It was impossible to make out what they were saying because of the strange acoustics of the cavern and the fact that they were all shouting at each other. So the women patiently waited for a break in the argument to make their presence known. After several minutes, it seemed that they were calming down until the dragon roared something unintelligible at the Phantom. They saw the Elf roll his eyes and throw up his hands in defeat. Then Erik yelled at the dragon again and the space became suddenly quiet.
"ERIK DESTLER!" S'ray's voice suddenly rang out in the cavern.
Author's End Note: Don't forget to let me know in a review what scene from the story you'd like to see. It can be a fight, something humorous, or something steamy. I will not do Christine kissing Erik, that won't happen in case there are any E/C shippers reading this (there are already enough pictures of that). I'll tally the list and have my guy pick (So be creative so says the guy) the winner.
Coming up in Chapter 28 – Shaken Foundations
Having a dragon shouting at the Opera Ghost in the Lair can't be good for the Opera House. Is Cyd on the verge of eating our favorite Opera Ghost? And how pissed with Erik is S'ray? Will it all finally come tumbling down?