First off, thank you to FantomPhan33, Melstrife, and Andristasia Grey-Darcy, for your reviews on the prologue. It warmed my heart to know that there were people who were interested in my story and that I wasn't just tossing it into an empty void. Now, on with chapter one.
Chapter One
Two weeks later
Christine removed the last gown from the wardrobe and handed it to her maid, who folded it and placed it in one the two trunks that held her gowns. Her undergarments had already been packed away in a smaller trunk. The rest of her belongings were wrapped in paper and stuffed into three more trunks. The room looked barren now. Meg, her maid and the housekeeper's daughter, was to go with her to Britain. To her betrothed.
"Your Highness, we must leave now." Meg held out Christine's cloak, watching as the princess looked around her quarters with tears in her eyes. Christine moved to her vanity and picked up the last thing that was left, her crown. Settling it on top of her curls, she looked in the mirror one last time then turned and left the room.
In the courtyard, her parents stood by the carriage watching their daughter's belongings loaded into the wagons. Albert was absent, as he was confined to his bed with a broken leg. Both turned as Christine approached with her maid. "Christine." Gustave embraced his daughter. "Erik's a good man. He'll take care of you."
"I know Papa." Christine wiped tears from her eyes as she hugged her mother. "I love you Mother. Give Albert my love." She turned away from her parents and climbed into the carriage with her maid.
The driver climbed up to the seat and the carriage started moving. Christine looked out the window and waved to her parents. Her mother was crying and her father was holding her as she sobbed. Christine sank back in the seat, taking the book Meg held out to her.
Erik sat on the marble bench in the garden, his sketchbook on his lap. He periodically looked up at the dormant rose bush he was drawing, adding shading here and lines there. Adding one last detail, Erik studied the drawing and then compared it to the roses. It was perfect. With a grin, he closed the book and stood.
He strolled through the flowers, looking for something else to draw. But he didn't get far before he heard the gate open. Christine had arrived. Looking down, he noticed that his shirt was wrinkled. Rushing though the gardens he entered the castle by the servant's entrance and climbed the stairs to his chambers. His sketchpad found it's was to his desk and he traded his shirt for a fresh one. Then made sure his mask covered the marred side of his face, then raced down the stairs to the front steps where his parents waited with the servants.
The carriage stopped and the driver climbed down from the seat to open the door. A young woman, most likely Christine's maid, accepted his hand, standing meekly by the carriage. Then Christine descended from the carriage as well. Erik could not help but to stare at her. The picture his parents had given to him didn't entirely capture her beauty.
Erik's mother stepped forward and took the girl's hand. "My dear, I'm Queen Alice Delose. But please do call me Alice." She gestured to her husband. "And this is King Cedric."
Christine smiled to the older woman, "I'm Princess Christine Daae. It's very nice to meet you."
Alice pulled Christine to the group of servants near the steps. "This is Javert, the cook." She indicated the burly man with long black hair. "And this is Mabel, she's the housekeeper." The housekeeper curtsied to the princess.
Alice then turned her attention to her son. She pulled Christine to stand in front of him. "And this is my son. Prince Erik."
Erik bowed. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance princess."
Christine stared at him before her manners dropped in and she remembered that she was to curtsy to the man. She did so then held her hand out to him as though to shake hands. "You as well monsieur."
Erik surprised her by bringing her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles. He looked at his father who gestured for him to bring his bride inside where the servants had prepared dinner. "Come Christine. Dinner awaits."
Christine allowed herself to be guided to the great hall where she was seated between Erik and his mother. Meg was sent to oversee the removal of Christine's belongings from the wagons so they may be brought to her chambers. Her temporary chambers. Once she and Erik were married, she would be moved to his chambers, which connected to hers by a door.
Alice was the first to speak up. "How was your journey Christine? The ship must have been terrible." She picked up the goblet of wine in front of her.
"It wasn't that bad. I was able to walk freely due to being the only passenger besides my maid. The journey was tiring but I brought ever single book that I own with me. Which was enough to fill an entire trunk." She smiled at the queen. "When I wasn't reading, I was singing."
"You sing?" Erik spoke up from her other side. He had never heard a woman sing besides his mother. Given this woman's voice when she talked, he assumed that she had a beautiful singing voice. He loved singing himself. But had never had the chance to share it with anyone. He was also a master with the piano and violin, his mother having given him lessons on both instruments when he was young.
Christine looked at her betrothed. "Yes. I love singing." She blushed and looked away. "I've never sang in front of anyone else. I'm fairly self conscious about my voice. My family tried to get me to sing at parties, but I always refused." She stopped, tears threatening to fall. She refused to cry, but missed her family deeply. Albert had been ill before she left, so she hadn't been allowed to see him before she took the journey from all that she knew to this completely different world.
Erik put his hand over hers. "I assume you have a beautiful singing voice." She looked small and vulnerable sitting next to him. Almost as though she was fighting to keep her composure. The look on her face tugged at his heart, giving him the feeling that she hadn't had a perfect life. She had spent her life being told she was betrothed to him, not knowing what he looked like or how he would treat her. He knew the feeling, having gone through it his entire life. But for a different reason. His reason was his face. Hers, he mused, was probably being thrown into the unknown. Although he did feel that she had been through a few rough times in her life. He wondered what had put that fear in her eyes, making her a silent promise that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.
"Well we'd all enjoy hearing you sing Christine." The king held his wife's hand. Alice took hold of Christine's other hand. The one that Erik wasn't holding. "Don't you agree son?"
"Yes Father." Erik smiled down at Christine, who blushed a pretty shade of pink. "I sing as well. And I'm proficient with the violin and piano."
"Really?" Christine looked at his face. The white mask had given her a slight scare when she had been introduced to him. And she wondered what lay beneath. "I would love to hear you sing as well, Your Highness."
"Please. Call me Erik." He turned back to his plate. "I'm not king yet."
Christine picked up her fork and knife, delicately cutting off a piece of the roasted chicken breast on her plate. The bird had been seasoned with parsley, basil, and pepper. She could tell by the flavors. Since she didn't like beef or fish, she was glad that the staff had made a chicken and turkey as well as beef, pork, and fish.
Alice must have noticed her thoughtful look, "Your father sent a letter to us last month about what foods you do and don't like." She laughed. "It was very interesting to find out your tastes."
"How so?" Christine picked up her water goblet.
"Because I don't like beef or fish either." Erik spoke up from her other side. "The textures and flavors just do not appeal to me."
"Interesting. It seems we have found another thing we have in common." Christine smiled at him, then turned to survey the room where men in chainmaille sat at the long tables, eating and talking amongst themselves. These men were obviously knights, every one of them muscular and tall. Much like the prince who sat next to her.
When dinner was over, Christine was whisked away by Erik's mother for a tour of the castle. They started in the kitchens, peeking into the cellar. Then Alice showed her the armory, the training yard, the turrets, and the gardens. After showing her the gardens Alice took her hand and led her to the stables. "The king and I have an early wedding gift for you Christine." She walked down the aisle with Christine in tow, stopping at two stalls near the end. "This is Diablo. Erik's horse." She gestured to a huge bay stallion. The horse tossed his head and then stuck his nose over the gate to sniff Christine's hand. "And this, is Ginger. She'll be your horse." Alice let go of Christine's hand so she could rub the red mare's head.
Christine looked into the mare's gentle round eyes. "You're a lovely horse Ginger." She touched the white blaze that ran down the horse's face. Ginger nickered.
"She likes you." Alice watched the woman and her horse. Looking at the horizon through the stable doors, she noticed that the sun was setting. "I do believe it's time to bring you to your chambers."
"Very well." Christine reluctantly followed the queen out of the stables, through the great hall, and up the stairs to her bedroom.
"I hope this room meets your approval." Alice stood in the doorway as Christine walked around the room. The servants had already unpacked her belongings.
"It's perfect." Christine surveyed the room, everything looked exactly the way they had in her old room in France. Down to the last treasure that sat above the fireplace. Meg most likely, was the cause of every treasure being placed exactly right.
"Well then, I bid you goodnight Christine." Alice moved out of the way so Meg could slip into the room. Then swept down the hall to her own room.
Meg pulled her nightgown from the wardrobe and assisted Christine with the laces of her gown and petticoats. She didn't wear a corset since she already had a small waist. Once Christine was in her nightgown, Meg set about pulling the pins from her hair, letting the curls fall down her back. "Would you like me to fetch you a book, Your Highness?" Meg asked when the last pin was out.
"If you don't mind." Christine nodded. Meg went to retrieve the book Christine had been reading before they arrived at the castle, Tales of Black Gold. She dismissed her maid and settled under the covers with her back against the wall. It didn't take long before her yawns became insistent, and Christine set the book on the nightstand then slipped under the blankets.
Erik wasn't so lucky. He stood by the window in his chambers, thinking. He looked at the clock, it was past midnight. "Why can't I sleep?" He asked himself.
A voice in his head answered. Because of Christine.
"Why would that be the reason?"
Because you're worried she will come to resent you.
"That's true. But how can I know for sure?"
You won't.
"How is that helpful?"
Think on it.
The voice faded, leaving Erik with many questions. He turned from the window and paced to the door. Then turned around and paced back to the window. Door, window, door, window. He paced back and forth for what felt like hours, but had only been a few minutes. He yawned. Exhausted, Erik crawled into bed and closed his eyes.
Christine stood on a pedestal in front of a set of mirrors while a seamstress checked her wedding dress for faults. White silk cascaded down her hips to a long train, while a heart shaped neckline showed off the top of her chest. The bell sleeves ended just above her elbows and her veil stretched almost the length of the dress. Her own sapphire and diamond tiara held the veil in place. The bodice was heavy with pearls and lace. She looked at her reflection and saw a completely different woman, her eyes held a little bit more light than before she arrived in Britain. But they also showed wariness. She was marrying a man who she had only known for a few days. Their wedding would take place in less than a week. Marie stood up, satisfied with the fit of the gown. "Nothing seems out of place Your Highness." She moved to take the veil off of Christine's head. Once the veil was off she untied the laces at the back of the gown, then helped her back into her light pink dress.
Christine thanked the woman. Someone knocked, opening the door when Christine bid them enter. It was a young boy with a piece of paper in his hand. "From the prince." He handed her the note, then left the room. Christine unfolded the note with shaking fingers.
Christine – Would you join me for a ride to the lake? Please meet me at the stables in ten minutes. Dress warmly.– Erik
Christine read the words again, bit her lip, and made a split second decision. She asked the seamstress to help her into a warmer gown and donned her boots. Finding her leather gloves she slipped them on then wrapped her cloak around her shoulders. Christine thanked the seamstress and found her way outside.
Erik stood by the door to the stable holding Diablo's reins in one hand and Ginger's reins in the other. Two pairs of ice skates hung from their laces over one shoulder. When Ginger saw Christine she whinnied, and Erik turned his head. He was dressed in black trousers, a white shirt, black jacket, and boots. He smiled at Christine when she stopped in front of Ginger. "I see you two have already met." He let go of Diablo's reins to toss Ginger's reins over her head.
Christine eyed the tan horse, "Won't he try and run?"
Erik looked at her, and then at his horse, "No. He's been trained not to. And even if he did, he'd come back when I whistle." He led her to Ginger's side and helped her up to the saddle then pulled himself onto Diablo's back. He passed the smaller set of blades to her before nudging Diablo's sides.
Ginger fell into step next to Diablo. "How long have you had him?" She asked as they passed the gates.
"I've had this beast since he was a foal. He's three years old now." He patted Diablo's neck. "His mother and father are, ironically, my parent's horses. Thunder is his father and Mist is his mother."
"Thunder? Where did he get that name?"
Erik looked at her, then focused on the snowy road ahead. "Because he's a large draft horse and when he runs, his hooves sound like thunder on the ground." The chilly air had already turned Christine's nose and cheeks a bright pink that almost matched her red dress.
"And Mist? What's her story?"
"Her full name is White Mist, because she's so white that she almost blends in with the snow in winter. My father purchased Mist for my mother in town. When they were riding back, my father almost lost track of Mist and my mother because she was so white." He laughed. "The only reason Father didn't lose them, was because my mother was wearing a bright red cloak. So when Mother got close enough to Father's side, he tied a lead line between their saddles so that Mother and Mist wouldn't get too far away."
"Interesting." Christine watched the snow covered trees pass. "What –."
"Diablo?" Erik knew what she was going to ask. "He got his name because when he was a foal, he was a hell-spawn." He reached over Diablo's neck and scratched his ears. "When he was born, he wouldn't let anyone near him. He'd try to bite them. Except me. He took to me right away."
Diablo let out a huff of air, raising his head proudly. Christine laughed. "He's a proud one. Isn't he?"
"Yes. He's spoiled rotten and he knows it."
They came to a fork in the road and Erik turned Diablo down the path to the right. Ginger kept to Diablo's side. "Now Ginger, she has a sad story. She was brought to us about eight months ago, skinny and ill. My father wasn't sure what we could do to help her, and he came close to destroying her. But my mother put her two sense in and refused to let him end her life." He placed his hand on Ginger's neck and sifted his fingers through her mane. "So she took over Ginger's care, and found that she liked to eat ginger. So as my mother cared for her, she started calling her Ginger. And the name just stuck. We almost lost her twice to sickness. But she has spirit and fought tooth and nail to stay alive."
"Well I'm glad she survived." Christine looked at Erik, who had been watching her. As soon as they made eye contact, he looked away.
The trees parted and a white field stretched before them, a large pond rested in the middle of the field. A pasture sat to the side of the frozen over water, near the trees. Erik dismounted and assisted Christine. He took Ginger's and Diablo's reins and led them into the enclosure. Then closed the gate and strode over to where Christine was struggling with her skates. "Would you like some help with that?"
Christine sat down on the rock behind her and waited while Erik fixed the blades to her boots. Once the ties were secure he sat next to her and put his own skates on. Christine stood up and walked to the edge of the ice. "Are you sure it's safe?"
"The pond isn't very deep so it freezes solid a few weeks into winter. Every year." Erik stepped onto the ice next to her and skated to the middle of the pond, turning around to face her as he skated.
"How do you do that?" Christine asked as she set her feet on the ice.
"What? This?" Erik skidded to a stop. "Or this?" He took off again then turned, jumped, spun three times, and landed on one foot.
"The backwards skating." Christine giggled. "You were just showing off on that second thing."
"Oh that. It's easy." He slid up in front of her and took her hands. Turning her around he put his hands on her waist. "Take a step back with your left foot and push your right foot outward. Then do the same thing but push off with your left foot and step back with your right foot." He guided her around the pond twice then let go of her waist. "Try it now without my help."
She pushed off with her left foot and slid her right foot back, then pushed with her right foot and slid with the left. Right, left, right, left. "Am I doing it right." She looked at Erik, who skated up in front of her and took her hands.
"Perfect." He moved closer, put his hands on her waist, and stepped backwards. She followed him by stepping forward. They got three feet across the ice when Erik stopped. "Your eyes are pretty." He tilted his head as though to kiss her.
Christine pulled away and went to the rock. She sat down and pulled the laces to the blades free. "We should get back. Your mother promised to show me the library." Once the skates were off she went through the gate and climbed on Ginger's back. She didn't wait for Erik to get off the ice before she kicked Ginger into a gallop and disappeared into the trees.
Erik stood on the ice for a few minutes after she raced off before skating to the rock. He sat down and undid the laces to his blades then went and got Diablo. He closed the gate behind him and pulled himself into the saddle. He let Diablo walk at his own pace, deciding to give Christine time to get back to the castle and to his mother. "What have I done?" He asked himself.
You were caught up in the moment, weren't you? The voice in his head whispered.
"Yes. I was."
And you scared her.
"I did."
What are you going to do to fix this?
"I don't know."
Well you'd better think of something quick.
"Why?"
Because you might have just messed up any chance you might have had with her.
"Oh Lord I'm in trouble." He muttered to himself.
Diablo plodded through the snow to the castle. They arrived half an hour later, enough time for Christine to have gotten back and gone to find his mother. Erik slid off of Diablo's back, leading him to his stall where he removed the saddle and bridle then gave him a rubdown with a brush. When he was done he left the stall. Ginger was in her own stall next to Diablo's, munching on a bucket of oats. Erik scratched Diablo between his eyes then left the stable.