Phantom of the Glen Chapter 30: An Accord, a phantom of the opera fanfic

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:

To LittleMargarita: Will Erik be careful in dealing with Phelon? Read on and find out. And the little people will be making a return for later chapters as well.

To GigiMusic: Will Erik trust a vampire? Would you trust a vampire? Read on for the answer.

To phantommistress: Welcome back faithful reviewer! Yes, Erik certainly does have a pair to go up against a dragon in his true form. Really? You didn't suspect that Phelon is a vampire? And here I thought I was dropping too many hints that he was, no matter; I thought it was about time to bring more of the Unseelie Court into the story and you will be seeing more of Phelon and his coven in upcoming chapters.

To pidpit: Glad you like the story, hope you stick around for the rest of it. Thanks for reading.

To foxgodess07: Erik work with a vampire? We'll just have to see what happens.

Welcome and thanks to Orochimaruismyman for adding this as a favorite story. I hope you enjoy the story and keep reading.

Poll Time! I know it hasn't happened in the story yet, but should S'ray tell Christine off once and for all? Yes or no? Let me know, the poll is on my profile!

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.

So far we have Erik sitting on his throne in the black mask and clothes, Erik beating the you-know-what out of Raoul, Raoul tied to the tree in the torture chamber and Erik torturing him, and Christine fainting in the kitchen between the Brownies. I know there are some more scenes you people are dying to see, any scene from any chapter is fair game except for Christine kissing Erik.

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 30

An Accord

"And what guarantees do I have that you'll honor such an agreement?" Erik asked the vampire. "I don't have any reason to trust a vampire at all, do I?"

"You have my word as a man of honor," Phelon replied.

"Were you not a vampire, I would take you at that word," Erik retorted.

"So, I ask again," Phelon sighed. "What do you want?"

"I want my name on the deed to the Populaire as a half-interest owner," Erik smirked, now in full Opera Ghost persona.

Cyd's head snapped around to stare at the half-Faye in amazement at his audacity. Then again, he had stood against himself in dragon form and argued with him heatedly earlier in the day. The dragon smirked inwardly, now it was the vampire's turn to squirm.

Phelon narrowed his eyes; the Opera Ghost drove a hard bargain. He also apparently knew how to get under the skin of a vampire. "And if I refuse?" he asked, wondering how far the man was willing to go.

"Then we have no deal," he replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "And your opera house has no ghost."

"Very well, deal," Phelon sighed, growing weary of bargaining. "When do you want to sign the papers?"

"As early as possible," Erik replied. "I have personal matters to attend to outside of the city."

"Don't try to deceive me boy," he said with a slight smile. "One of your personal matters is asleep in that other room right now. I will return with the papers within 12 hours."

"And my back pay as well," Erik smirked as the vampire turned to leave. "In gold if you would."

"That will take more time," Phelon said turning back toward him.

"I can wait," he replied.

"But can your lady in the other room?" the vampire asked as he walked away from the portcullis.

"Now that took stones," Tavlyn said turning to Erik once he was certain the vampire was well out of earshot.

"What do you mean?" Madame Giry asked thoroughly baffled by what was happening around her.

"It seems our Phantom just got the better end of a deal with the second oldest vampire in existence," Cyd rumbled bringing his head on level with the others.

"I knew you could get the better of captain overbite," Brandji crowed jumping from Cyd's head to Erik's shoulder.

"I still wouldn't trust him," Tavlyn said as they began moving back toward shore.

"I don't intend to," Erik replied.

"I'm not sure I really want to know what this is all about," Madame Giry frowned.

"Never fear, all will be made clear in time," Cyd rumbled as he sank down into the water.

"Coming with us or are you staying in the lake?" Erik asked the great dragon.

"I believe I'll wait right here for the vampire to return," he replied and submerged himself in the lake.

"I'm hungry," Brandji complained.

"Meg and I managed to make a bit of breakfast with the supplies you had left," Madame Giry replied.

"That wasn't me Antoinette," Erik said gesturing to the Brownie.

"Oh, pardon me," she blushed. "You mean there are two of them?" she asked realizing that this was not the Brownie that rode in Meg's hood.

"Seems like more than that at times," the Phantom replied with a wry smile.

"Brule!" Brandji called as they neared the shore. "You'll never guess what big and ugly here did!"

"What now?" Brule asked as he wandered into view with a biscuit in his arms.

"Where did you get that biscuit?" Brandji demanded as he scampered off Erik's shoulder and up the rocks.

"The pretty lady gave it to me," Brule grinned pointing at Meg.

"Can I have one too?" Brandji asked looking up at Meg with pleading eyes.

"Of course you can," Meg smiled as she bent down and patted the Brownie on the head.

"I don't believe this," Erik groaned, covering his eyes with one hand.

"Neither do I," Tavlyn frowned.

"What is it?" Antoinette asked.

"Normally they just take what they want," Erik replied as he watched Brandji follow Meg into his kitchen like a little puppy.

"Do you think that would work for me?" Tavlyn asked.

Erik and Madame Giry both gave him a look that said, "Don't even try it."

"Right, I'll just ask," the one-eyed Elf replied and followed Meg into the kitchen.

"Get some sleep, you can explain yourself later," Madame Giry said as Erik was about to speak.

"Show him where my instruments are if he asks," Erik said as he turned to go up the steps to his bed chamber.

"I will," she nodded going into the kitchen.

Erik sat down on the bed and pulled his boots off, letting them drop onto the floor. He wearily lay back and let out a long sigh, willing himself to relax. S'ray opened her violet eyes and moved closer to him. "Tired?" she asked, her breath warm against his neck.

"You have no idea," he sighed putting his right arm around her.

"You'd be surprised," she yawned. "How did it go?"

"We have a deal, I will explain it all later after I get some rest," he replied closing his eyes. "I haven't been this tired since you found me in the forest."

"Erik love," she smiled.

"What?"

"You forgot something."

"What?"

"This," the Alve smiled tapping his full black mask.

"Too damn tired to care love," he groaned pulled the blankets up over his injure shoulder.

"Fine, I'll do it," S'ray sighed and reaching over, pulled off his mask before unceremoniously dropping it on the floor next to the bed. "Mmm, you look about the way I feel," she said resting her head on his bare chest.

"And you called me handsome the other night," he chuckled.

"You are handsome, but you look utterly exhausted right now," she smiled stroking his stubbled chin.

"Mmm," he nodded, letting himself relax further into the warm bed.

"We'll talk about how irresistible you look when you're dressed all in black later," she sighed cuddling up next to him.

Erik's eyes snapped open and he looked down at her. S'ray appeared to be fast asleep to him. Had he heard her right? Had she said he looked irresistible? He smiled and kissed her forehead, holding her gently against his side.

"You were very brave going nose to nose with Cyd like that," she continued opening her eyes again.

"Was I?" he asked turning toward her and pulling her against his chest.

"Very," she replied settling against him again. "Do you know how dragons usually settle arguments?"

"How?" he asked now caressing her back.

"Ohh, that feels so good Erik," she sighed suddenly going limp in his arms.

"How do dragons usually settle arguments love?" he softly asked.

"Mmm, they eat whatever is arguing with them," she smiled opening sleepy violet eyes.

"So that's why Tavlyn looked like he was about to give birth to kittens," Erik chuckled.

"Speaking of Tavlyn, do I hear music?" she asked.

"You do, I had Madame Giry show him where I keep my instruments," Erik replied closing his eyes.

"I thought so," S'ray sighed as they drifted off to sleep to the Bard's singing and playing.

"I would prefer my Crwth, but we'll see what I can manage with this," Tavlyn said picking up one of Erik's many violins and tuning it. "Any requests?"

"I wouldn't know what to ask you to play," Meg said shrugging her shoulders.

"Hmm, in that case," Tavlyn smiled and brought the instrument up to his chin. He pulled the bow across the strings several times. "Something pretty for a pretty young lady," he smiled at her.

"The pale moon was rising above the green mountains,
The sun was declining beneath the blue sea,
When I strayed with my love by the pure crystal fountain,
That stands in the beautiful Vale of Tralee," he sang and played.

Meg smiled, she'd never heard the song before, but she liked Tavlyn's voice.

"She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee," he continued with a smile.

She leaned back on the divan and sighed as she listened to the Elf play.

"The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading,
And Mary all smiling was listening to me.
The moon through the valley her pale rays was shedding,
When I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee," Tavlyn smiled at the ballerina.

Antoinette looked up from her book. She sighed deeply when she saw the looks the Elf was giving her only daughter. She would have to ask Erik about the man's intentions before this went any further between the two.

"Oh, that was lovely," Meg sighed. "Do you other songs?"

"Do I know other songs?" Tavlyn smiled. "How much time do you have?"

"So you're a musician?" she asked.

"I am," he said inclining his head toward her. "I also write my own music."

"Can you sing something of your own then?" she asked.

"My pleasure," Tavlyn grinned and started playing again.

He walked over to the wall of his work area that was covered with pictures of Christine. Shaking his head at the realization of just how obsessed he had become with the young woman, he began taking them down one by one. Erik stacked them in a neat pile and dropped the pins holding them in a nearby cup.

"I was wonder when you'd get around to taking those down," Madame Giry sighed behind him.

"I don't need them anymore it seems," he smiled as several more images joined the pile.

"What are you going to do with them?" she asked.

"I haven't really decided," Erik replied. "You and Meg may keep any that you would like, the rest I think I'll give to Christine to do with as she pleases."

"Erik, you never said how you knew what happened to us," Antoinette said. "Raoul's men forced me to write that letter to you, but how did you know the rest?"

"Christine found me," he simply answered turning to face his old friend.

"She hinted that Raoul was up to something in several of her letters. She said he was being very secretive and associating with rough men," Madame Giry frowned. "So what happened when she found you?"

"She arrived at a most inopportune time," Erik said evasively.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"S'ray and I were enjoying an intimate moment and she saw more than she should have," he explained, coloring a bit.

"She walked into your bedroom?"

"No, we were in the kitchen."

"Oh."

"She only saw my back and I was mostly clothed yet, but it would be hard to mistake what we were doing with S'ray's bare legs wrapped around me," he confessed coloring a bright scarlet.

"And then what happened?" she asked.

"I guess she fainted," he shrugged. "The Pixie told us we had a guest and we found her lying on the floor."

"You seem to be taking all of this in stride," she said motioning toward the squabbling Brownies and the dragon in the lake. "You're acting like all this is just part of a normal day for you."

"When have I ever had anything normal?" he asked with a slight smile.

Antoinette was about to speak again when something whizzed past her head and hit Erik square in the chest. He caught the object gently, her eyes widened in surprise to see him holding a Pixie in his cupped hands. "'Bout time you put some lights on," she trilled as she stood and straightened her dress.

"I was wondering where you had disappeared to," he said setting her on the table.

"You look different," she said narrowing her eyes and looking up at him.

"How so?" he asked, the material of his cloth mask moving with his breath.

"You put a different mask on," she frowned.

"I have," he nodded. "Don't you like it?"

"No, I can only see your mouth and it covers your hair," she complained. "Why don't you just leave it off?"

"Because we have guests and I'm expecting someone," he replied.

"Oh, how's S'ray?" she asked.

"She's going to be fine, she's sleeping right now," he replied.

"Oh," she nodded and flew off to find S'ray.

"If I hadn't seen that with my own eyes, I would have never believed it," Madame Giry said, still amazed at the exchange between Erik and the tiny Pixie.

"What?" he asked leaning back in the chair again.

"The feared Opera Ghost talking to a Pixie," she said shaking her head.

"That is an every day occurrence now," he smiled.

"I see, so are you just lovers or is there more between you and S'ray?" Madame Giry asked, hoping it was the latter.

"She's my friend, she saved me when I was ready to die," he said sitting up in the chair and leaning on the table. "She loves me in spite of all I am and what I've done."

"And what about you?" she pressed.

"She's everything to me," he answered. "Without her, there's nothing for me."

"That sounds a lot like what you told me about Christine," the ballet mistress frowned.

"No, this is different," the Phantom said trying to collect his thoughts. "S'ray is like no one I've ever met. I don't have to be the Angel of Music, the Phantom, the Opera Ghost or anyone else. I just have to be Erik around her. She's not afraid of me at all and has stood up to my temper more than once."

"And what about Christine?" she asked.

"What of her? She's married, my only concern is getting her back home safely when all this is done," he replied.

"So you truly don't care that she's married now?"

"I did, when I first read of it in your letter, but not anymore," he said as he eyes kept drifting toward his bedroom.

"You really love her, don't you?" Antoinette asked as she watched him gaze at his bedchamber and look for any sign that S'ray was awake.

"I do, more and more every day," Erik replied turning back to his old friend. "I've changed a lot since meeting her and even more since I realized that I loved her and she loved me as much."

"You have changed, I can see that," she said. "I thought it may have just been your outward appearance, but you've changed on this inside as well and for the better."

"Thank you Antoinette," he replied.

"You are very welcome old friend," she smiled. "I am so glad you have found true love."

"Are you sure you should be getting up?" Luniana asked worriedly.

"Yes, I can't stand lying in bed anymore," S'ray replied as she stood.

"You may want to wear more than that?" the Pixie sighed.

"Since when are you so concerned about someone being fully covered?" S'ray asked.

"Since you're sick and there are other humans here," she frowned tapping her foot in the air.

"Fine," the Alve sighed. "Then help me find something else to wear."

"How about this?" she asked pointing to a black velvet robe that was lying across a chair.

"That should work," she said pulling it around herself.

"Too big," Luniana frowned.

"That's because it's made for Erik, but it'll have to do till we can find my clothes," she sighed as they went toward the entrance to the bedroom.

Erik looked up from his book and saw S'ray standing in the doorway of his bedroom and wrapped up in his robe. He swallowed hard to get his urges under control and rose from his seat. "You shouldn't be up," he said as he came up to her.

"Sorry, I can't just lay in bed anymore," she smiled as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Would you take that stupid thing off," Luniana trilled as she landed on his shoulder.

"What stupid thing?" he asked.

"This," S'ray said tugging on his cloth mask.

"Only for you love," he smiled and pulled the mask off.

"Much better," she smiled and stepped further into his embrace.

"How are you feeling?" he asked stroking her back.

"Much better," she sighed. "Care to show me around?"

"Of course, but first I need to put my mask back on," he smiled.

"I suppose," S'ray frowned as he pulled the black cowl over his face again. "So where is everyone?"

"Cyd is in the lake, Tavlyn is entertaining Meg, Antoinette is sleeping on the divan, Luniana is on my shoulder and I'm not sure where Brandji and Brule are at the moment and that does disturb me," he replied.

"Same here," she agreed as he put his arm around her and walked her down the steps.

"You're already familiar with my room so we'll start here," he said pulling aside a curtain.

"Erik, what on earth is that thing?" she demanded pointing at a mannequin of Christine.

"Um, opps," he said as the visible portion of his face colored.

"Opps?" she asked putting her hands on her hips.

"That's creepy," the Pixie trilled, her head cocked to one side.

"I had ah, forgotten about that," he stammered.

"Please tell me you didn't do what I think you may have done with that," she said covering her face with one of her bandaged hands.

"Ewwww ewwww," Luniana squeaked, scrunching up her face in disgust.

"No S'ray, I swear it's perfectly innocent. It's a dress form and that's it," he explained. "I'm going to get rid of it; I just haven't had time yet."

S'ray and the Pixie both looked at him skeptically.

"I swear on my love for you, I'm going to get rid of it," he said, closing that curtain again.

"All right," she sighed.

"I love you S'ray," he said stepping close to her. "I love only you."

"I love you too Erik," she smiled.

"Kiss her, kiss her!" Luniana shouted in his ear.

"Ahh, little too close Luniana," he said tilting his head away from the screeching Pixie.

"Opps, sorry," she said clamping her hands over her mouth and sitting down again.

"Thank you," he sighed.

"So, are you going to show me the rest?" S'ray asked looking up at him.

"If my Goddess so desires," he smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Ooo, show her all of it," the Pixie trilled suggestively.

Erik closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Please," S'ray whispered as he took her hand again.

Suddenly a discordant sound came from the organ. "I think I know where Brandji and Brule are," he groaned as they walked toward the steps to his organ.

"Dorks," Luniana snorted.

"Finally," Cyd snorted as he rose up out of the water at the approach of the vampire. "And who is this whelp?"

"My name is Achilles," the other vampire answered. "Phelon, you should have Barrin come instead, he's the expert on slaying dragons."

"So where is he?" Phelon asked, "I've brought what he requested."

"It was only supposed to be you," the dragon hissed.

"You didn't seriously expect to carry all that gold by myself, now did you?" Phelon asked quirking an eyebrow.

"Show me," Cyd said narrowing his eyes.

"No," the vampire flatly replied. "Where's the Phantom?"

Cyd snorted in annoyance and then turning his head back toward the lair called, "He's back."

"Coming along?" Erik asked S'ray as she slid off his lap.

"Of course," she replied

"Who's back?" Luniana asked from Erik's shoulder.

"The new owner of the Opera Populaire," he replied standing and straightening his waistcoat.

"Ooo, I have to see," she trilled and flew off toward Cyd.

"Is she going to . . . " he started and was cut off by a shriek.

"Sucky heads! Sucky heads!" Luniana shrieked and then hissed at the vampires.

"For the love of! You brought a Pixie!" Achilles exclaimed.

"I came here by myself," she trilled and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Wonderful, next thing we know there'll be Leprechauns in the flies," the younger vampire groaned.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but we didn't bring any with us," Erik said as they approached the portcullis.

"Ah Lady Guardian, nice to see you in good health," Phelon said and bowed with a flourish while Achilles inclined his head.

"So the stories are true," she said with an appraising look at the vampires.

"Indeed," he replied.

"So you have both items with you?" Erik asked.

"Yes, we can bring them in for you," Phelon suggested.

"I don't think so," Erik replied. "Hand it to me and I'll sign it."

The vampire sighed and handed the document through the portcullis. The Phantom took the paper and waded back to his work area to sign it. S'ray and Cyd both quietly regarded the vampires before them. Luniana flew down and landed on her shoulder. "Sucky heads," she said pointing.

"We know little one," she said nodding.

"It's not polite to call us names like that," Achilles frowned. "We could decide to not let you leave here alive you know."

"Try it and you'll wish your sire had given you the final death instead," Cyd growled.

Luniana gave the vampire a confused look. "What? You're a sucky head," she replied tipping her head to one side.

"I'm a vampire," he growled.

"Sucky head," she trilled.

"Vampire," he growled again.

"Like a said, sucky head," the Pixie frowned and stamped her foot on S'ray's shoulder.

"Achilles, stop it," Phelon commanded.

"But," he protested.

"I said to drop it, that is what some little people refer to our kind as," he said glaring at the younger vampire.

Luniana stuck her thumbs in her ears and wiggling her fingers, blew a loud raspberry at the vampire.

"I thought you had better control over your coven," S'ray said crossing her arms over her chest.

"I didn't think full-blooded Alve dallied with half-blood goblins," Phelon replied.

"Who I dally with is none of your concern," she replied.

Cyd narrowed his eyes at the vampire and snorted fire from his nose in a thinly veiled threat.

"Can't you control that beast?" Achilles demanded glaring at the dragon.

"Now you should know better," she coolly replied. "No one controls a dragon."

"The gold now gentlemen," Erik said as he returned with the deed.

"The deed," Phelon said holding out his hand.

"The gold first," Erik corrected.

"And how do you propose to get it, you won't invite us in," Phelon smirked.

"Simple," he replied and indicated the dragon. "You'll hand it over to him."

"I will not," Achilles objected.

"You will do as you are told," Phelon growled. "Now back up, I'm growing tired of spending so much time in the water."

The two vampires backed up and waited as Madame Giry threw the lever that would open the portcullis. The iron rose up into the rock, dripping water. When it was fully raised Cyd stepped through and approached the vampires. "The chest, if you please," he rumbled, holding out a taloned hand.

Achilles looked to Phelon who nodded that he should turn the chest over to the great beast. The younger vampire frowned, but did as the elder bid him. Cyd grasped the chest and backed under the portcullis again.

The Phantom signaled Madame Giry and the portcullis was lowered once again.

"The deed now," Phelon again demanded once they stood before the portcullis again.

"Everything is in order I see," Erik said handing the document over to the vampire.

"Of course, I didn't exist this long by being sloppy," Phelon replied as he glanced at the document before rolling it up and placing it inside his waistcoat. "I look forward to working with you. When may I expect a schedule of operas for the rest of the season?"

"I'll send it in a week's time," Erik replied.

"I shall look for it," he nodded and turned to leave with his associate.

"You're very lucky Vicomte," the Phantom said as he walked up to the bound noble.

"Oh really?" Raoul sneered.

"Yes," said the taller man behind the Phantom.

"It's been decided that you're going to live," the Phantom continued.

"Unable to bring yourself to actually kill nobility?" the Vicomte replied.

"On the contrary," the other man said. "You have something that does not belong to you."

"A book to be exact," Erik continued. "It's called the Book of the Faye Realm. Does that title sound familiar?"

"You will turn over the book and any parts of it that you may have copied to me," the man with steel colored eyes said.

"And if I refuse?" Raoul asked defiantly.

"Then I shall raze your home to the ground searching for it," he replied.

"I suggest you give Cyd the book," Erik smiled. "After all you wouldn't want to make Christine a widow at such a young age, especially with a child on the way."

Raoul blanched. "What? What did you say?" he stammered.

"Oh, I think you heard me the first time," the Phantom said giving the noble a hard look. "So make your choice Monsieur."

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.

And don't forget to vote in my new poll as well!

Coming up in Chapter 31 – Home Again

Time to tie up some loose ends and return to the Glen.