A/N: Hello everyone. I have a new chapter for you all. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter and I will upload a new one tomorrow cuz I'll be away for the rest of the day.
ENjoy:
Chapter 39: A Phantom's Return
"A performance?" Tor repeated as if that word was foreign to him.
"Aye, a performance." Christine assured. "I don't know how well known performances are in Scotland, but in England, they are well known and everyone loves a good performance."
"I don't know, lass." The man said. "We may not like what you may like." Christine knew that so she decided to do something she never thought of doing.
"I understand, which is why it wouldn't be like any performance back in London."
"How so?" Tor asked, interested. Explaining her idea, Tor and the man seemed to agree with it. Getting Tor's approval on it, she explained how many people she would need and need the musicians right away. If Erik was returning in a few hours, she would need those few hours to get everything ready for it. Once finished explaining, Christine left the tent to go get the people she needed for this performance.
Just one more hour and he would be home. He had been away for several days now and was ready to return. They had stopped just an hour ago for a small break before continuing their ride. Malcolm and Seten knew that Erik wanted to return as quick as possible, as well MacGregor. Erik had sent word back earlier that they would arriving today and he knew Tor might have something arranged for them. However, he was in no mood for another celebration. Galloping through the trees, he kept his eyes forward. By the time they arrived, their horses were tired and so were they. As usually, a crowded gathered to welcome them back. Halting his horse, he noticed was nowhere in sight, but Rhona was. Walking up to him, she gave him a small hug.
"Glad to have you back." She said, making him only nod.
"I'm glad to see you have returned." His head turned to see Tor. "Mission accomplished?" Erik nodded. "Good, now come…" Erik and the others followed Tor as they merged through the crowd.
"Tor, I am not one for a celebration tonight." Erik told Chief.
"There will be no celebration tonight." Tor said, making Erik glance at MacGregor who shrugged. "Instead…there will be a performance."
"A performance?" Erik and MacGregor repeated.
"Aye, a performance." Tor said. "Christine has arranged for your return." The thought of Christine arranged something for him made him almost smile, but he didn't. He kept his face stern as they continued to walk.
Coming upon the opening, Erik noticed a little stage set up with branches and plaids to help make curtains and a background. People were gathered around, waiting for them. The warriors were sitting in the front, along with their wives. Musicians were on the stage, prepping their instruments. Scanning the crowd, he couldn't find Christine anywhere again. Where is she? Unable to get his answer, he could only sit with the other warriors and wait for whatever Christine had planned. Once everyone was here, Meg walked on the stage.
"Hello everyone. We are here to welcome back Erik and MacGregor, they returned safe and sound to us." After the clapping ceased, Meg continued. "In honor of their arrival, Lady Christine and I have decided arrange a little performance for all of you. So I encourage you to sit back and enjoy." As she got off the stage, everyone clapped. Once quiet, a group of people went on stage in front of the musicians. They started singing something as Christine came up onstage. The music started and Christine began singing.
"Bless my soul
Erik was on a roll
Person of the week in every Scot opinion poll..."
She began singing, singing about him. What amazed Erik was her voice. He had no idea she could sing at all.
"What a pro
Erik could stop a show
Point him at an enemy and you're talking SRO
He was a no one
A zero, zero
Now he's a honcho
He's a hero
Here was a kid with his act down pat
From zero to hero…"
He couldn't get over her voice and the fact she was singing about him. Everyone was enjoying the performance so far and getting into the music.
"When he smiled
The girls went wild and 'ooh's' and "ahhs"
And they slapped his face on every vase
(on every vase)"
People started clapping along with the music. Erik couldn't help but smile at this performance.
"Say amen
There he goes again
Sweet and undefeated
And an awesome 10 for 10
Folks line up
Just to watch him flex…"
Christine tried to copy Erik flexing, making he smile more at her attempted.
"An this perfect package packed a pair of pretty pecs
Erik, he comes he sees, he conquers
Honey, the crowds were going bonkers
He showed the moxie brains, and spunk…"
He couldn't Christine arranged this and that he was enjoying it, everyone was. The fact she was doing this for them meant a lot to them.
"…who put the 'glad' in 'gladiator?"
"Erik Boyd!"
The crowd sang back, having gotten into the song.
"Whose daring deeds are great theater?"
"Erik Boyd!"
"Is he bold?
No one braver
Is he sweet?
Our favorite flavor…"
The crowd started singing his name on repeat until Christine sang the next lines.
"Bless my soul
Erik was on a roll
Undefeated
Riding high
And the nicest guy
Not conceited
He was a nothing
A zero, zero
Now he's a honcho
He's our hero
He hit the heights at breakneck speed
From zero to hero
Erik is a hero
Now he's hero!"
She held that note and held it high, impressing everyone. When the song ended, everyone rose to their feet, cheering and clapping. Smiling big, Christine bowed as people cheered her name. Looking at Erik who had a smile on his face, she watched mouthed 'Bravo' to her. Taking one last bow, she walked off the stage.
Once off stage, Christine let out a breath. She couldn't believe she sang that and in front of the whole Scottish camp. However, she knew that they enjoyed her performance, especially Erik. She had noticed the smile on his face as she sang the song.
"That was amazing!" Meg rushed over and hugged her friend. "I didn't know you could sing like that."
"I sing, just not usually in front of people. But for you guys, I made an exception."
"Well everyone loved you. You have to sing more often; you have an amazing voice."
"I will think about it. Come on, let us get the next one ready." Christine said as she went to prepare for the next song. After a few minutes, she and Meg reappeared on the stage.
"Are you enjoying yourselves?" Meg asked the crowd, getting a cheer from them. "We have one more performance for you all." She glanced at Christine who nodded slightly. Meg knew Christine arranged just for the Scots, not caring if it was against her own country. "Sit back and enjoy!" Meg turned to face Christine as a man walked on the stage. Christine glanced at the man, seeing if he was ready. Seeing that he was ready, Meg and Christine walked over to the edge of the stage.
"Down with King Daae!" Meg and Christine shouted, making a cheer come from the crowd. However, they all were surprised to hear that coming from Christine's mouth.
"Oh the world will sing of an English king
A thousand years from now
And not because he passed some laws
Or had that lofty brow
While bonny good King Bruce leads
The great crusade he's on
We'll all have to slave away
For that good-for-nothing Daae.."
The man started singing as the band played behind him. A man came up and pulled Tor's wife on stage to dance as the man sang. People started clapping to the music, enjoying the song.
"Incredible as he in inept
Whenever the history books are kept
They'll call him the phony king of England"
"A pox on the phony king of England!"
A group sang out loud. Soon a man came on stage, dressed like he was the king of England and started dancing around clumsily. Looking out onto the crowd, Christine could see everyone laughing with a smile on their faces. Even Erik an Tor were laughing.
"He sits alone on a giant throne
Pretending he's the king
A little tyke who's rather like
A puppet on a string
And he throws an angry tantrum
If he cannot have his way…"
Christine could help but let out a chuckle at the man's performance. Oh her father would kill her if he knew about this.
"Too late to be known as Daae the First
He's sure to be known as Daae the worse
A pox on the phony king of England!"
The music took full swing and people even started dancing. Tor's wife pulled her husband up on the stage to dance with. The warriors cheered on Chief. At one point, someone grabbed Erik to take him behind the stage for something.
"While he taxes us to pieces
And he robs us of our bread
King Bruce's crown keeps slipping down
Around that pointed head
Ah! But while there is a merry man
In Tor's wily pack
We'll find a way to make him pay
And steal our money back
A minute before he knows we're there
Ol' Erik'll snatch his underwear."
Erik came out and on stage wearing a white nightgown. Everyone burst out laughing as Erik took a performance bow, even Christine couldn't help but laugh. Taking the nightgown off, he tossed it off stage and he walked over and grabbed Christine's hand, pulling her to the center of the stage.
"What are you doing?" She asked over the music. He didn't answer as he spun her around.
"The breezy and uneasy king of England…"
Erik and Christine started dancing on the stage as people cheered and clapped.
"The sniveling groveling
Measly weasely
Blabbering jabbering
Gibbering jabbering
Blundering
Wheeling dealing
King Daae, that phony king of England!
If you guys know Disney, you will have heard of these two songs. First one is Zero to Hero from Hercules and the second is Phony King of England from Robin Hood. Now I know theses weren't published until years later, but I thought they would be good songs for the story.
Reviews are welcome : )