A/N: Hello everyone! Happy Monday : ) I have a new chapter here and it's a long one. I hope you enjoy it and I hopefully will upload the next one soon.

Chapter 49: One Last Night

"Christine, you need to relax. Erik should be back soon." Meg said to her friend who was anxiously looking around the Hall. It had been a few days since Erik left and she was getting nervous. "Just sit down and eat."

"Meg is right." Malcolm said, looking up at her. Sighing, she knew they were right and she sat down next to Malcolm. Though the food was in front of her, she wasn't feeling hungry. Her nerves were too much to eat.

"Aren't you hungry?" Seten asked, making Christine shake her head. "You should eat."

"I will…after Erik returns." She said, pushing her plate away. Sighing, Meg gave up on trying to get Christine to eat. Focusing on finishing her meal, she looked at her husband who was sitting next to her to talk about something. Staring at the plate, she almost didn't hear the doors to the Hall open. All heads turned to see Erik appearing with Striker and Hawk right behind him. They looked like they were running since they were breathless. His blue eyes scanned the entire Hall until he found the pair of eyes he was looking for. Locking eyes with her, he walked straight to her. As he approached, she rose from her seat. "What's wrong?" She noticed the look on his face.

"We need to talk…now." It wasn't a request. Taking her hand, he practically dragged her out of the Hall as everyone watched. Using her free hand, she picked up her skirt so she wouldn't trip over anything as he dragged to their tent. She knew something must have happened during their meeting, but what? She knew that she would find out soon.

Entering the tent, he let go of her hand as he walked towards the bed. Staying at the tent flaps, she closed them to give them privacy. His hands were in fists as he tried to control his emotions. His muscles were tense as he tried to take deep breaths.

"Erik?" She stepped forward towards him.

"Why didn't you tell me you are engaged?" He asked, making her stop in her tracks.

"H-How?" She asked him. "How do you know that?" So it was true then, she is engaged.

"Your flop of a fiancé was there."

"You met the prince of France?" Erik nodded.

"Aye I did." Rolling his eyes, Christine could tell that Erik didn't like him at all. "He tells me that you two are to marry as soon as you return." Taking a step towards her, he stood in front of her. "Why didn't you tell me?" He asked her, this time not so harsh.

"This engagement isn't something I want the whole country to know. It wasn't my choice to marry him, it's my father. England and France aren't on good terms either. My father and the French king decided on this marriage." She explained as he listened. "I learned just a few days before you captured me and William. Honestly, I was glad for that. It meant postponing the wedding longer."

"That is why you wanted to come with us." She nodded.

"Part of it."

"And the other part?" He asked. Looking up at him, her eyes soft.

"To know more about the man who I couldn't forget." She answered. His face softened as his hand reached up to caress her cheek. "How long?" She asked him.

"You won't return until after the money is collected. A few days." He answered, making her nod. They had a few days left now and neither one of them wanted to waste any more time. Leaning down, his lips softly kissed hers. Returning his kiss, her arms wrapped around his neck. Lifting her up, he carried her over to the bed. Minutes later, their clothes were scattered all over the tent. Their bodies were tangled up in the sheets.

Over the next few days, Erik spent as much as time as he could with Christine. Tor let him skip some training sessions so he could be with Christine. And she enjoyed every moment she got with him. He woke her early one morning so they would watch the sunrise and also a sunset. They had gone swimming a few times in the lake, once at night with the moon giving them light. One night, he laid plaids on the ground and they slept under the stars. Though they knew these times would just be a memory soon, they would cherish these forever.

One day, a message was sent to the camp, informing them that the money had been collected and Gustave was requesting a place where they could meet to return his daughter. As much as Erik didn't want to reply to the message, he gave his word and so, responded to the king's message. Now they only had one night left, this night.

"Erik?" Looking up, he saw Christine walking up to him. He was sitting in a chair at the small desk he had in his tent. Opening his arm, she sat on his lap as his arm wrapped around her waist. "What is it?" She asked, seeing the look on his face.

"Your father collected the money." He answered, making that smile on her face turn upside down.

"How much longer now?" She asked him, almost not wanting to hear his answer.

"Tonight." He answered, making her eyes widen. Collecting herself, she nodded.

"Well…then let's not waste it." Getting off his lap, she took her hand and started walking him out of the tent.

"Christine?" He asked, wondering where she was taking him. He got his answer when he noticed everyone gathering in front of a few musicians. There was to be a performance tonight. Walking with her, they sat down with the other warriors and their wives.

"It is my last night with everyone and I want to spend it with them as well." She said, making him nod. He understood that, she had become close with everyone here at the camp. Soon a violin played as a few women appeared in front of everyone.

"High is the moon tonight

Hiding it's guiding light, high

Heaven and earth do sleep, still in the dark so deep

I will the darkness sweep…"

"I will the moon to flight, I will the heaven's bright

I will the earth to light…"

Open your eyes with me, see paradise with me

Awake and arise with me…"

"I am the dawn, I'm the new day begun
I bring you the morning, I bring you the sun
I hold back the night and I open the skies
I give light to the world, I give sight to your eyes

From the first of all time, until time is undone
Forever and ever and ever and ever
And I am the dawn and the sky and the sun
I am one with the one and I am the dawn…"

Christine listened as the women sang the words to song, almost entranced by their voices. The song made her think of when she saw the sunrise with Erik, how it gave light to the land, the start to a new day. Finishing the song, they bowed as an applause erupted. A few more songs were sung until Tor's wife and Meg walked up.

"Sha ta co ti oh scum ne rivna
Sha ta co ti oh nugga tir na nog
Sha ta co ti oh scum ne rivna
Nug a tir na nog."

They sang together without the music, making a few cheer as they recognized the song. As the music joined in, it was a little more upbeat than the others Christine heard.

"Come my love our world's would part

The guards will guide us across the dark

Come with me and be mine my love

Stay and break my heart…"

Tor's wife sang the first part, almost dancing as she danced.

"From the shores through the ancient mist

You bear the mark of my elven kiss

Clear the way, I will take you home

To eternal bliss"

She finished as Meg joined in for the chorus. As they sang the chorus, Meg rushed over to Christine, taking her arm. Pulling her up and in front of everyone, she wanted Christine to join in the song. Looking around at everyone, she realized she really didn't know the words. Luckily, during the small break between the words, Meg whispered the next lyrics to Christine.

"Far away from the land you knew

The dawn of day reaches out to you

Though it feels like a fairy tale

All of this is true

Run with me, have a look around

We build our life of a sacred ground…"

Glancing at Erik, she saw the smile on his face.

"…Come my love, our world's may part

We'll be safe and sound"

Joining in the chorus with them, she began to dance as well. Seeing the happiness on her face, Erik couldn't help but smile as he watched her sing and dance with her friends.

"Time won't follow the path we came

The world you left, it forgot your name

Stay with me and by mine my love

Spare my heart the pain"

Meg finished off and the three of them stand the chorus one last time, dancing around as the music played on. When the song finished, everyone rose to their feet and cheered them on. Taking a bow, Christine felt a tear form in her eyes. She took her seat back next to her as more songs were song. A few times, she was pulled up to sing or dance. At one point, Erik was pulled too and he danced with her. Though he rarely danced, he danced for her. More songs were sung until the moon was high in the sky. The last song approached and Christine noticed that all the warrior's wives went up to sing.

"Lá na mara
Lá na mara nó rabharta
Guth na dtonnta a leanadh
Guth na dtonnta a leanfad ó
Lá na mara nó lom trá
Lá na mara nó rabharta
Lá an ghainimh, lom trá
Lá an ghainimh…"

The audience started singing as the music started playing the song. Glancing at Erik, she noticed him slightly singing the words.

"Can you feel the river run?

"Waves are dancing to the sun

Take the tide and face the sea

And find a way to follow me."

Tor's wife started off, singing beautifully.

"Leave the field and leave the fire
And find the flame of your desire
Set your heart on this far shore
And sing your dream to me once more"

Meg's voice sang out. The audience started singing the chorus along with them. Turning to Erik, she whispered to him.

"What are they saying?" She asked him.

"He is my hero, my dashing darling
He is my Caesar, dashing darling
Rest or pleasure I did not get
Since he went far away, my darling…"

He sang the words in English for her. However, Christine couldn't focus on the words but more of his voice. That powerful threatening voice that he had was transformed into something she couldn't describe. It was so beautiful to hear him sing. She wondered why he didn't sing more often.

"Now the time has come to leave
Keep the flame and still believe
Know that love will shine through darkness
One bright star to light the wave…"

Their voices sang together and looked at Christine, as if singing to her. She tried to let a tear run down her cheek, but she couldn't help it. As the drums played, Meg grabbed Erik's arm and pulled him up. Looking up at him as he stood in front of the everyone, she wondered what he was going to do. Holding out his hand to her, she took it as she rose from her seat to join him.

"Lift your voice and raise the sail

Know that love will never fail…"

He started singing to her and only her. He didn't care about anyone who was watching them.

"Know that I will sing to you

Each night as I dream of you"

Tears started forming in her eyes as he finished the song. Wrapping his arms around her, she welcomed his embrace. They started singing the chorus again. Meg came over and hugged her friend. It was then she realized they were performing this song for her, singing to her. She had become part of the family here, part of everyone's lives here. She had started a life here in Scotland and now, she would have to leave this life.

"'Sé mo laoch mo ghile mear
'Sé mo Shéasar, gile mear
Suan gan séan ní bhfuair mé féin
Ó chuaigh I gcéin mo ghile mear

Gile mear, the wind and sun
The sleep is over, dream is done
To the west where fire sets
To the gile mear, the day begun…"