Author's Note: A transition in the story, but as always, entirely necessary. Hope you enjoy :) Sorry for the delay!

Le Fantôme et L'ange

Chapter Three

la Toussaint

Light shone from the end of the trail, welcoming Raoul and Christine with warmth to the top of the western path. Christine felt that perhaps they could blow out their lights now with the high visibility, but Raoul kept his burning, hinting for her to leave hers lit until otherwise told. Raoul's pace quickened as he saw the lights, indicating his anticipation in arriving to the feast. They walked up the slope toward the square, when Christine gasped at the glowing barricade of lanterns resting on the floor before them.

All were lined together, nearly touching each other to avoid darkness filling the gaps in between. The space within the circle was filled with illumination, spreading daylight over the gathering place. Raoul offered Christine his hand, assisting her to step over the line of lanterns. As Raoul joined her on the other side, he turned her toward a small space within the line unchained by the glow. He gestured for Christine to kneel beside him, placing her candle beside his lantern filling the void, buried slightly in the fertile ground.

"The chain keeps any unwanted spirits out from our circle," Raoul commented, clarifying Christine's thoughts.

Christine turned on her heels and looked around the circle, taking in the contrasting glow and smell of the wealth of foods. Not a spirit to be seen amongst a crowd which gathered around a multitude of tables. Raoul pulled her back to her feet and drew her close to him.

"To the feast?" he asked.

Christine nodded.

Gathered around the rows of long tables were all the faces Christine had expected to see when she rolled through the square on her arrival into Perros. After having been concealed within their cottages and homes all day without a bite to eat, they flocked to the one place to relieve their longing for nourishment. Townspeople of all ages mingled together, sharing food with their children and preparing baskets for their elders.

They all truly did bare resemblances, from their shared hunger to their distant brown eyes and dark hair. Christine felt a rare gem amongst them, watching their heads turn to stare and the whispers as she passed by with her golden locks. They revealed their knowledge of her without introduction, claming to have heard from their neighbors or friends, none of which Christine could pin as an original source she had met. Raoul apologized on their behalf, blaming their lack of new faces and yearning for hearsay. Yet she remained kind, making light conversation on testing the food and her new living arrangements.

With time, she felt secure with a number of townspeople, taking the conversation from Raoul and charming the crowd which began to form around her. They laughed at her lighthearted humor and praised her optimism in moving in Perros, which was slowly beginning to grow again. A gathering of young boys were enthralled by her tales of traveling through the forests, curious to how she had outwitted the demons along the way. One boy in particular named Gilles pushed question after question, hoping to have a real encounter from her expedition. She shook her head with a smile, apologizing for her uneventful journey. Her story trailed off, disappearing like the lingering notes which she now heard floating on the wind.

Standing where a table once was covered with food was a man with a rustic old fiddle, plucking out a tone as a flute and drum soon joined him. Christine rose to her feet, smiling at the familiarity of music in the air. It was just like Knivsta, where festivals and concerts were played on a weekly basis. The followers of Christine's journey watched as she walked away from her own story, wondering what it was she intended to do with the tune that played.

Slowly, she began to turn in circles around herself in the middle of the few established dancers, letting her arms fall out to her sides and aid in twirling her in circles around her feet. Her toes kept her moving, tapping the ground and sending her back into the air in hops and leaps. Others around stopped their conversations and turned to watch, but Christine did not falter. Instead, she reached her hand out for others outside of the circle, inviting them to join in her dances which were native to the North. Reluctantly, they followed her lead, watching her steps and learning through each chorus by repetition. Those who watched stood and clapped to the beat, but eventually were pulled into the forming circle by either their companions or by Christine.

Each song brought a new wave into the circle, sharing their dances amongst the jigs Christine taught. All who were able were inside of the formation, dancing any way they knew how, but one who Christine expected to have joined her was still standing amongst the spectators, clapping to the beat and laughing along.

Christine skipped over to Raoul and held her hands out for him, urging him with a smile to join her. Raoul quickly declined, waving his arms in protest, implying his ignorance to the dance, but Christine grabbed hold of his wrists anyway and pulled him in to join her.

"Follow me," she said over the growing music and laughter.

Raoul nodded cautiously as Christine wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer to her. Raoul tried to conceal his flushed cheeks, unaccustomed to the closeness of those from the northern lands beyond Trégor, and held onto her hips as instructed. Soon enough, Christine was leading him around the dance floor, urging him to spin her around and lift her from her feet. They laughed together as they floundered and tripped over each other, running into others and asking for their pardon. As the music began to slow, Christine stopped him in the middle of the circle and let out a pretty little sigh. She saw her papa standing in the crowd and talking amongst the elders of the town. She smiled to him and waved, glad to see he had made it to the feast on his own. Christine longed to dance with him, but was already winded. Raoul tugged at her arm, gesturing for her to take a rest. She nodded slowly and Raoul took the lead back from her, guiding her to the outside of the circle.

They sat beside each other, watching as the slower music drew in the married couples of the town together to perform a traditional style of dance, which seemed more like walking in circles to Christine. But the music that played nearly lulled her to sleep, playing peacefully like a dream. The rest of the townspeople were equally pacified from their now restful states from dancing combined with the beautiful melody.

Christine rested her head against Raoul's shoulder, nearly closing her eyes as she began to hum with the melody.

Raoul looked at the stranger, finding the down time to realize how favorable he found her. Each moment she would glance away from him, he would take the time to look into her blue eyes and imagine the ocean, settled not very far from their settlement in Perros. He wondered absently if the pools of water within her lovely face could charm even the korrigans, who resided anywhere there was water nearby.

He was nearly convinced when Christine began to sing aloud that she may have been charmed by one of the creatures. So pure was the sound which came from her lips – so beautiful – that he even ventured to think she may be a korrigan herself. She looked up to him and smiled, washing away his doubt with her kindness.

He was caught staring, making Christine laugh lightly at his diligence. He turned away and caught the eye of Monsieur Daaé walking toward his daughter. Christine stood and greeted him politely, kissing him on the cheek and asking how he was feeling. Raoul took the moment to compose himself again, pushing aside his discomfiture.

It was that moment when the music came to a stop and the crowd all turned their heads toward the center of the feast. The muffle spread across the townspeople, drowning them all in the seriousness of the event once again. All eyes were intently staring toward the center of the square again, looking for the tall, stern figure at the center of their festivities. Christine grabbed hold of Raoul's arm, expecting him to give her reason for the sudden change, but then she caught on as well.

Standing where many were once dancing was Philippe with his arms held up high in the air. Everybody's focus was intense as his arms lowered, claiming the last few eyes of the group. The silence of the night momentary took control of the crowd. His eye went to Raoul for a moment, sternly glancing at him and then shifting to see Christine sitting by his side. Christine couldn't read the expression on his face, but she understood it to be anything but pleasant. Perhaps it was disappointment, or even displeasure. She felt Raoul shrink down a bit at her side.

Philippe turned to address the circle again.

"The feast of la Toussaint has concluded," Philippe announced to the spectators. "All spirits of the forests are still active, but tonight they are satisfied."

A sigh of relief swept over the townspeople, turning them to nod and mumble a prayer of thanks to those beside them. All seemed to remember again what it was they were there for, thanks to Philippe's intimidating presence. Christine turned to Raoul and whispered into his ear:

"Where was your brother during the feast?"

Raoul turned to face Christine with question in his eyes, unsure how to answer. Before he could reply, Philippe was gathering attention again.

"You are safe to travel to your homes, but send your children in groups for their story tellings," Philippe said. "The night is still unsafe from the spirits and some may still be willing to tempt a child. May you go in peace."

Philippe exited quickly, taking no questions or remarks from anybody he passed. Christine watched him the entire time, curious to why he acted the way he did.

Meanwhile, parents gathered their children and arranged with whom they would allow their kin to travel with. The elders shuffled back to their homes to prepare for the stories they would tell while the oldest siblings tended to their brothers and sisters, assisting their parents in assuring their families to be safe, yet informed.

Christine turned to Raoul and grabbed hold of his arm.

"What story tellings?" she asked curiously.

"The elders of the town welcome the children into their homes and tell them the lore of our village. It's how we've all learned of the spirits who are around us," Raoul said.

Christine watched the children around her, filled with smiles and excitement. They held hands and jumped at the chance to go out with their friends and hear the tales their elders had to teach them and it made Christine suddenly feel rather lonely.

"Can we go, Raoul?" she asked eagerly.

"To the story tellings?"

"Well, yes," Christine said.

"But story begging is for children," Raoul argued.

"But I know nothing of your town and it would be the best chance to understand the land my father and I have come to."

Raoul considered the idea, wrinkling his nose and rubbing the back of his neck with his hand in thought. Christine giggled, grabbing hold of his arm and pulling it down with a tight squeeze.

"Please, Raoul," she begged. "It will be fun!"

"Very well," Raoul said dejectedly.

Christine jumped in the air and clapped her hands, happily cheering for her victory. Raoul rolled his eyes and smiled.

"You can come with us," said Gilles, the boy who was earlier so intrigued by Christine's journey.

At his side were three other boys ranging in ages. His arms were crossed over his chest and his head was tilted up as if he were planning on conquering some beast rather than hearing stories. His companions stood proudly behind him, looking toward him with admiration, aside from the youngest, who seemed more nervous than anything.

"We'd be delighted to accompany you, Gilles," Christine said.

He held his arm out for Christine to link onto, turning and smirking at Raoul as if he were stealing her away from him. Raoul allowed him the moment of pleasure.

"Where will we be heading first?" Christine asked Gilles.

"To the widow Bisset's cottage, m'lady," Gilles said with added charm. He turned to his companions. "She tells the best tales, after all."

Christine laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Lead the way, then" she said.

Together they all gathered their lanterns and Christine's candle.

They traveled down the eastern path which was even less wooded than the trail to the west. The trees staggered farther apart and more stumps were present from their removal. Yet the space was more occupied with homes and cottages situated more closely together. Gilles mentioned Madame Bisset's home being near the end of the path, yet their travel did not last long, despite Gilles' constant bragging. Christine smiled often but looked to Raoul more frequently, laughing under her breath and showing her amusement with the young boy's efforts in showing off his charisma.

When they reached the cottage, Christine unraveled her arm from her guide's and waited for Raoul to step to her side. Raoul instinctively repeated Gilles' gesture which Christine accepted naturally. They stood outside of the door for a moment, waiting for anything to happen when Christine asked what it was they were supposed to do.

"Most homes you must knock, but once Madame Bisset is ready, she keeps her door open," Gilles explained. "We must be the first to arrive."

Just as he said it, the door to the cottage opened and an elderly woman walked on to the porch. The boys all leapt over the stairs, racing up toward her immediately while Christine looked to Raoul for confirmation of their next move. He gestured for her to take the lead, guiding her up the wooden stairs where they too were greeted by the woman handing them small bon bons. She smiled upon greeting Raoul, who kindly declined his treat.

"I have, unfortunately, outgrown the old traditions and am merely showing our ways to a new friend," Raoul said, gesturing to Christine.

"No one can outgrow our past," Madame Bisset said, placing the morsel in his hand and closing his fingers around it.

Raoul smiled to her fondly and nodded his head, silently thanking her for her kindness. Madame Bisset placed a treat within Christine's hand as well and smiled to her fondly. It was as if she couldn't see her contrasting hair color and bright blue eyes. The old woman ushered Raoul and Christine inside without saying another word and took her place in a large cushioned seat beside a fire. Allowing herself to settle, she leaned far back into the chair and took a deep breath of air before beginning her tale:

"A man sat in a little boat on one of those deep, still lakes that open like a bright eye in the midst of the great forbidden forests…"

The group walked out of the house after the story was over in silence. Christine was turning the ideas inside of her head slowly, working on understanding as much as she could before moving on to the next home.

The man in the story had rowed straight toward a gleaming light of red, however it was not the light radiating off of the water's surface which beckoned him, but the beautiful singing voice that made him so intent. There was no figure to be seen until he was standing within his boat, surrounded by the glow. For many men, it would have been too late to be saved, but the man was cleaver. He bargained with the korrigan who called him into her trap, offering to play his lyre to accompany her beautiful song. She accepted, believing his offer to be part of her seduction of the man. But as his music played, it proved to be more lovely than the siren's song. It drowned out the rich tone and he sailed away, leaving the korrigan dead, for any korrigan to lose their prey loses their song, and therefore, their lives.

Raoul looked over to Christine and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked over quickly, turning her thoughts back over to the night and the four boys who were now plotting to the side of her.

"Nonsense, we shan't encounter anything with our lanterns," Gilles was saying.

"But they are more active tonight," the youngest of the boys said in a trembling voice. His name was Nicolas.

"They will only be near the water," said another boy, Roland.

"There could be other spirits to follow us," Nicolas said.

"Nothing will happen," Etienne said. He seemed to be the most knowledgeable of the group.

"What do they mean?" Christine asked Raoul.

"They want to go looking for korrigans," Raoul said. "I used to do it often as a child myself."

"Is it safe?" Christine asked, trying to cover her mischievous grin.

"So long as you keep a lantern, I suppose," Raoul shrugged. "Though I know their parents would not approve."

"They won't need to know," Roland said to Raoul.

With the right persuasion, Nicolas was soon following his companions up the hill. His feet trudged heavily behind him in discontent, yet his inquisitiveness made it clear how intrigued he truly was. Behind him, Raoul and Christine walked together. Raoul detailed what exactly it was they were set to doing as they climbed over uprooted tree stumps and boulders. Just like many generations before them, children would go to the top of this hill which overlooked the town from one side and the forests beyond from the other. It was a safe place which crossed over minimal woodland but also offered the best view of the terrain surrounding their land. If they could see the faint red glow of a creature near the water, they were spying a korrigan.

"Have you ever seen one?" Christine asked eagerly.

"Not once," Raoul said with a laugh. "But it is always good for imagination."

As they reached the top of the hill, Raoul helped Christine over the last stone which granted access to their arrival. The four boys were running to the opposite end of the mound while Christine slowly approached, astonished by the view.

The night sky looked enormous as it shadowed all that was covered by forest in an ominous black veil, hiding all wonders which lie beneath the canopy. To the north, the sky met the dark roaring sea which met with its companion the river, which snaked its way down to the east. And of course, the west was filled with light from la Toussaint, but as her eyes continued scanning the world around her, she could not help but focus intently on a spot on the northern sea.

Beside her, Gilles grumbled.

"Nothing," he muttered.

"But there must be korrigans on la Toussaint," Roland complained.

"Maybe it is too early in the night," Etienne tried.

"But it must be near eleven," Roland said.

"Then perhaps they have all gone," Etienne said.

"They may be near the village," Gilles said.

Nicolas on the other hand sighed with relief. His adventure up the hill seemed to content him enough for one night of adventure, though he did hope that his friends would not decide on hunting for them so near their homes.

"Sorry, boys," Raoul said. "Looks like there will be no korrigan sightings tonight."

Christine shook her head slowly, still looking out to the north and furrowing her brow with confusion.

"I don't understand," she said to herself.

Raoul looked to her and stepped close beside her.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I…I don't understand how…how none of you can see it," Christine said to Raoul.

Nicolas overheard her and his eyes widened immediately, sending him to search over the water surfaces again.

"You can see one?" Etienne cried.

Raoul leaned in close to her and held onto her arm.

"You don't have to do this," he said into her ear.

"But, I can see…"

"Where is it?" Gilles yelled, pushing Roland nearly to the ground.

All four boys were searching the horizon, squinting their eyes and straining to get a glimpse of what it was Christine said she could see.

"She's fibbing," Gilles announced.

"Why would she?" Roland asked.

"To play us as fools," Etienne said quickly.

Christine remained silent, not wanting to further their declarations. She merely peered out to the horizon again and watched in disbelief. How could she be the only one who could see it? Was it a trick they were playing on her?

"She doesn't even know what a korrigan is, let alone what it looks like," Gilles said.

"But she heard the story Madame Bisset told," Roland said.

"She did not describe what they look like," Etienne said.

"Precisely," Raoul intervened. "Therefore, there is no reason to carry on with this."

"What does it look like?" Nicolas chimed in, his voice quivering from nervousness.

"Yes, make her describe it!" Roland cried.

"That will determine if it is real," Etienne said.

"Well…It…It—"

"See," Gilles said. "She is lying."

"It looks like a woman," Christine cried out quickly. Her cheeks were flushed with frustration. She knew she shouldn't continue, especially given the way Raoul was looking to her, but she was determined to prove that she was not lying to them. Christine looked again to the ocean. "She has long, dark hair and her eyes glow. She is so far away, yet still, her details are perfectly clear. She is quite beautiful… and her hair is being picked up by the air, though there is no breeze, even beside the ocean. That is where she is standing, after all."

Nicolas was nearly white with terror, but the older three boys were standing in shock with their mouths opened. They looked back and forth between each other and the coastline where they expected to finally see what it was Christine saw, but to no avail.

"How can she see it and not us?" Etienne cried nervously.

They all argued back and forth at possibilities while Christine raised her hands in defense, waving them and saying how it must be just her imagination.

"Boys, quiet," Raoul said. "Christine, do not lie to them; stop this."

"I…I'm sorry, I—"

"She can't be lying," Roland said. "She gave a perfect description of a korrigan."

"But how can she see it when we cannot?" Etienne asked.

"Sorcery!" Gilles cried. "She knows dark magic!"

The boys backed away from Christine immediately, grabbing hold for their lanterns behind them. Christine stepped toward them, trying to erase what had been done, but they all began to run. Their speed down the hill carried them quickly into the darkness, disappearing into the night within a mere moment.

Raoul did not speak until the light from their lanterns disappeared completely.

"What were you thinking?"

Christine remained silent, keeping her eyes on the ground as Raoul waited on her response.

"You don't need to play with their imaginations," Raoul said. "They can do that themselves if they so choose."

"I would not play with their imaginations," Christine said.

"Then why did you say all of that?" Raoul asked.

"Because it is true," Christine cried. "I told you exactly what I saw, and it remains there, even now."

Raoul shook his head in astonishment, unsure what the say.

"Do you not believe in your own tales?" Christine asked. "You said you came here before, looking for korrigans. Do you not believe they can be seen?"

Raoul was quiet for a moment, turning his thoughts inside of his mind.

"I know they exist," Raoul said. "Everything says that they do. But if one can see them, everyone should be able to see them. After all, I have not once met anybody who has seen them from the top of this hill."

"Then why come up here? Who started this? Someone must have seen a korrigan up here before if it is still part of the tradition. Is it not just like a story? Is this not what you and the rest of this village believe in?"

Christine's logic was too real for Raoul. He looked to her and then looked out over the horizon again, searching one last time for himself.

He sighed heavily, shaking his head and craning his neck to inspect every element he could. No matter how hard he tried he continued looking for that distant red glow…

"You cannot see her, can you?" Christine asked.

Raoul shook his head.

Christine kneeled to the ground, gathering her knees in her arms. She hid her face beneath her arms, shaking her head and closing her eyes tightly.

"What does it mean, Raoul?"

With thought, Raoul crouched down beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. He shook his head a moment and then turned her chin up to look his directly in the eyes.

"I don't know," Raoul said slowly. "But I think we should keep this to ourselves until it can be explained. Nobody should know."

Thanks for reading. Reviews appreciated :)