AUTHOR'S NOTES: Once again, I offer my greatest apologies for the unannounced hiatus. Coincidentally, this one was caused by my involvement in a local performance of this story's inspiration, Aida, which took up much of my time and energy that would've been put to use in writing this.
As well, I have written through Chapter 9 of my real-person fiction Where I'll Be. If you are behind in reading or would like the links to the chapter to start reading, feel free to ask!
I hope you enjoy this chapter after such a long wait – the web of characters are starting to come together in this chapter, as in, they are all meeting one another.
A huge thank you to my wonderful beta and good friend, Miss DonJuanTriumphs, for her support and encouragement and, of course, editing of the story. She is awesome, as is her own writing!
As always, references are at the end of the chapter (most are Aida explanations this chapter), and neither Phantom nor Aida is my own. Original characters and plotlines are mine.
Happy reading and please review!
NSLJ
Caput VI – Introductio
Erik looked on out of the corner of his eye as Christine interacted with her family and then left with her father, leaving a young boy he assumed to be her brother and a beautiful but fierce-looking woman who, though she'd passionately kissed Christine's father, couldn't possibly be her mother. A mistress or wife, likely, but certainly not parent to Christine. When Christine and her father were out of sight, the woman dismissed the boy rather coldly and turned on the rest of Christine's entourage, Erik included. She walked over to Sir Richard, who bowed deeply to her and said formally, "Lady Lucille, 'tis an honor."
"Aye, Richard," she mused, brushing off his words as if they were dust in the wind. She walked slowly and stiffly past the assembled people and finally came to stand before Erik and Buquet. The woman, Lucille, looked them both up and down until her eyes came to lock with Erik's. He found them an unemotional and hellishly dark brown, almost black. She stared at him for a long moment before asking firmly, her face set, "Why do you not kneel?" Erik felt Buquet to his left, lowering himself to kneel before Lucille.
"Your ladyship wishes that I kneel?" he responded coolly, not breaking eye contact with Lucille. He knew in contradicting her he could bring about suspicion as to his origin – people would think him a noble, which he was – but Erik for the moment did not care. Noble or not he, and he hoped others from his father's land, would not kneel to a lady not his own; Buquet had succumbed to his cowardice.
"I do not wish it," Lucille replied irreverently, "I command it!" Erik did not budge. "KNEEL!" Erik again ignored her advances. Lucille's eyes flashed and she snapped her fingers sharply, saying through gritted teeth, "If you will not kneel of your own accord, you will be made to!" Erik felt a forceful push grip on each of his shoulders and he did not resist being pushed onto his knees on the ground; it was one thing to defy orders but quite another to cause a commotion; he'd made his point. Erik moved his gaze from the ground upwards to Lucille, standing above him. She glared at him before saying evenly but bitingly, "Take them to the mines. We can't seem to keep them alive there…"
"Lucille!" Erik turned as he heard Christine's voice. She was striding purposefully across the foyer in their direction, her eyes blazing. Stopping before Lucille, she stared at the woman coldly. "Lucille, what in God's name are you doing?"
"I am teaching a stubborn servant a lesson," she responded viciously. "He must learn his place in this house." Erik watched Christine carefully; her breaths were slightly heavy from running across the hall and he found himself distracted by the way the swell of her breasts rose and fell beneath her bodice.
Erik nearly jumped when small hands took hold of his upper arm, pulling him up to stand; it was Christine. She helped him to stand before saying to Lucille, "I cannot allow you to condemn him or his fellow to death. You know nothing about him or my intention in bringing these men here!"
Lucille snapped, "Do not order me around, child! I am the lady of this manor, not you, and do not forget that!"
"I intended him as a servant to Sir Raoul, with my compliments!" Christine responded quickly, trying to get a word in. Erik found himself impressed. Lucille took long deep breaths, her expression showing her fury and she looked as though she might catch fire had it not been so drafty in the manor house.
"Very well," she bit back. "And his companion?" Erik turned to look at Buquet, still on the floor, and realized that Christine's hands were still firmly on his arm. It was comforting but the feeling of such a beautiful and strong woman holding any part of him threatened his willpower. He swallowed down the first tingles of desire; he could not afford for his body to announce its intentions when Christine had just so nobly saved his life and Buquet's.
"Chagny Manor is enormous; he will have a purpose there," she said, still not relinquishing her hold on Erik's arm. Lucille nodded curtly to Christine before turning on her heel and walking proudly up the staircase and out of sight. Christine nodded to her assembled entourage, saying, "Prepare extra horses for these men and return to Chagny." Not one questioned her, quickly bustling about to follow her orders. Buquet rose from his place on the floor and followed them, but Erik found that Christine was holding onto him still.
"My lady, I…" he started, but Christine interrupted him.
"I apologize for my stepmother, but do not take her threats lightly, however empty they are," Christine explained calmly but urgently, confirming what Lucille was to her for Erik. "You cannot afford any missteps with Sir Raoul and especially not with my family when they are visiting Chagny. I will not be able to stop them from doing terrible things to you for any contradiction you make."
"I would not expect you to," Erik replied softly, looking down at the woman before him, immediately wishing he had not; he would never be able to look away now that her vibrant blue eyes were locked with his. "You have done enough."
"Be careful; they will not make any exceptions for you just because I have favored you," Christine continued, not breaking eye contact. Erik felt inwardly proud at her words. She favored him! She – the beautiful Christine – favored him and said so to him! Erik swallowed before bowing to her and quickly breaking away from her, hurrying to join Buquet and the rest on their journey to Chagny.
Metal hit metal as swords clanged together in the air over one of the Chagny manor house's many courtyards, the metallic sound resonating against the stone walls and sending pulsations down the arms of the opponents. Raoul parried left, holding off the novice knight he was training as the others, a mixed group of novices and official knights as well as some servants, egged them both on. With a powerful swing of his blade, Raoul hit the novice's sword from his hands, the force of the blow sending him to the ground. Raoul stood over him, both of their chests heaving from the effort, before extending his hand to the fallen novice. The young man took his hand and Raoul helped him up to a standing position before sheathing his sword at his side.
"It is hard work to best any man with a sword, and even harder to best one's teacher, don't you think?" he said to those assembled. Raoul was not a selfish man for the most part, but he was never shy about his skill with a sword. He brushed sweaty locks of blonde hair from his face, breathing deeply. It was never his intention to hurt or embarrass any of the novice knights he trained, but on some days, like today, he would fight them purposefully so he could give himself an ego boost. And today he needed it more than ever.
"Of course, Sir Raoul," the novice replied as Raoul motioned to the other knights and novices to begin their own duels, "and especially a teacher as skilled as yourself." Raoul relaxed against the stone wall of the courtyard but relaxation was just about the last thing he felt. "And you are fair to your opponents."
"A fair and skilled fighter I may be," Raoul replied, fighting against his own nervousness, "but that clearly hasn't had any effect on the woman I am to marry." Raoul had been bitter about Christine's arrival as of late. Lord Gerard had been receiving many letters from his daughter regarding her return home but none had been written to him, the man destined to be her husband. His father had gone to Dalton to speak with Gerard earlier in the day and news of his arrival home had been brought while Raoul was busy training the novices. With such news was the announcement that Christine had returned to Dalton and would be accompanying her father to Chagny that very evening. "She has written to her father, spoken with my father and yet does not see fit to visit me personally until later."
"Perhaps she is intimidated, my lord," said one of his knights, chuckling. "So powerful a man must have a grand effect on any lady." Raoul found it difficult to argue, letting his ego get the best of him. He hoped that Christine's choice to not see him until that evening was out of her own anxiety and not neglect.
"Sir Raoul!" Raoul turned upon hearing the voice of one of his squires, seeing him enter the courtyard flanked by another man Raoul did not recognize. He was tall, at least three inches Raoul's vertical superior, and Raoul was considered to be the tallest in most companies, with a broad muscular chest and equally strong legs; he had the stature of a hardened, well-trained knight but could not have been more than a year or two older than Raoul. What was most shocking of all was his face. Framed by ebony hair, he had a very strong jaw line and fierce green eyes, but Raoul could see no more; over the upper half of his face, covering everything with the exception of his eyes from nose to hairline, was a black leather mask.
"Aye?" Raoul responded, walking towards the entrance to the courtyard, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The squire quickly knelt before Raoul and then rose again.
"Lady Christine has returned to Dalton manor from her travels safe and in good health. She will be attending the feast tonight and looks forward to your presence, but for now she sends you a token of her good wishes." The squire stepped aside, motioning to the masked man.
Raoul paused for a moment, looking the man up and down; he was dressed simply in the garb of a servant. "She sends to me a servant?" He looked back at the assembled knights and novices as well as the handful of servants present to attend to them. "I have no need for any further servants!"
The new servant's face remained set and emotionless as the squire persisted. "Lady Christine intended to please you with her gift, my lord, as you did for her with that young girl, Margaret." Raoul felt his mood brighten upon hearing of both Christine, his betrothed, and Margaret, the lovely servant, in one sentence.
Obliging the squire, Raoul rolled his eyes. "Aye, I suppose. And he is a captive of my father's enemy, is he not?" The squire nodded, acknowledging the man's roots from Eaton. "Now then, does this gift have a name?"
"Erik." Raoul found himself in shock when the servant said his name so proudly, seemingly not fazed at all that he was in the presence of the second most powerful person in the whole manor house, on the manor in its entirety! Every servant that had been brought to him before had cowered upon being introduced to him, had feared for their lives should they speak any louder than a meek whisper before him. Raoul felt some of the knights and novices, and especially the servants, behind him make subtle noises that echoed Raoul's own surprise. He was not against having more vocal servants, but something about this Erik's forwardness hit a nerve.
"Did you just speak?" Raoul stood proudly as he spoke, acting every bit the handsome and wealthy heir.
Erik, seemingly unimpressed and unmoved by Raoul's presence, straightened his body and used his superior height to his own advantage. "My name is Erik, my lord, and if you would allow me to speak I would tell you that…"
Raoul's temper snapped, though it was fully intentional. He was by no means offended by such a forward servant, if not a little put out that he did not back down from his new master, and meant his anger only as a means of intimidation. "How dare you! You do not lower your eyes, do not cower, nor do you kneel before a man your superior. Do you not fear the consequences for such?" Raoul's strong façade began to fall apart upon Erik's response, but part of him was strangely impressed.
"Would it please His Lordship if I did?" Raoul cocked his head slightly to the side, looking intently upon the man before him, examining him. There was something intriguing about him to Raoul and he found himself not only humbled – though he would never show it – but very interested in Erik.
"Nay," he replied simply, walking towards him.
"Then I am doing as you please." Raoul smiled inwardly; this man possessed characteristics akin to Raoul's own in his eloquent but sharp tongue and commanding presence.
"You speak the truth," Raoul admitted, before saying. "Now, you were saying something about…"
Erik's hard expression melted. "About Lady Christine, my lord." Raoul stepped forward towards Erik, his happiness more than apparent on his face.
"Aye, what do you know of Lady Christine?"
A smile creased Erik's face. "Only that she is well, my lord, and returned safely from her travels." Raoul felt his heart leap within the confines of his chest upon hearing of his beloved. He had already heard of her safe return to Dalton from his father, but such an announcement had been overshadowed by his father's obvious frailty. Now, as Erik spoke of his beautiful fiancée, Raoul basked in the warm sensation in the pit of his stomach knowing that very little stood between himself and Christine any longer. "I thought you might wish to know…"
"Aye! I've been so…" Raoul interrupted, immediately regretting his excited outburst when he garnered interested stares from the assembled. The very proud and regal heir of Chagny was almost never seen in a weak moment, and Raoul was not keen on changing such a reputation. Quickly changing the subject, he continued, "You're quite astute, are you not, Erik?"
Erik bowed slightly to Raoul in acknowledgement. "Aye, my lord, but my true talent is not in my perceptiveness. Forgive me to be so honest, but my capabilities are mostly with a sword," he spoke evenly and with a very cultured tone, surprising Raoul, and he motioned with his hand to the blade at Raoul's side. "If you would allow me, my lord, I would impart to you my own skills. There are techniques I have learned on my travels to lands not allied to yours that are beneficial to any combatant. They are skills boasted to be those of the heroes of the ancients, even of great Achilles himself!"
There was a collective murmuring behind Raoul, all of the servants and squires and knights and novices impressed by this man. Raoul smiled slyly. "A servant who can justly wield a weapon? I suppose I stand corrected." He nodded to Erik before turning the squire who brought him. "Bring this man to the servant's quarters and give him as Margaret's own charge. She will make him aware of anything further he need know. And in the morning," Raoul said officially, "he will join me in this very courtyard for swordplay."
Erik walked silently behind the lovely blonde servant named Margaret that the squires had handed him off to, never having felt smaller in his entire life than he did in the shadowy corridors of the Chagny manor house. His encounter with Chagny's son had been strange and draining, to say the least; he had not exactly wished to discuss the beautiful Christine with her fiancé, or with anyone, for anxiety about making known his interest in her. His thoughts had been only her since seeing her that night in the pub; it was the thought of her, after all, that inspired him to return and in turn be captured!
His thoughts were mixed about Sir Raoul. There was little more that he could say about the man than that he had a distinct haughtiness from both his looks and his position, was an excellent swordsman, and was entrenched in his own love for his betrothed. Erik could not blame him for his pride – he himself had never been quite humble as the son of the Lord of Eaton – nor could he find any fault at all in Raoul's keen interest in Christine; not only was she the kind, elegant and alluring woman that had saved Erik's own life, but she was Raoul's bride.
Erik's musings stopped short as he found himself nearly running into the young woman leading him, who had stopped and turned to face him. "Forgive me, but I cannot help asking about your importance to Sir Raoul?" As she spoke, Erik could not help but think that there was something oddly familiar about her, but he couldn't quite trace it.
Erik sighed. "I would rather not discuss that man," he replied coldly. Thinking about Raoul would in turn lead to thinking about Christine. "He values servants only for their pertinence to his own talents, for nothing…"
She interrupted him. "That may be, for Sir Raoul is certainly absorbed by self, but he did choose you and a life as a personal servant to him is far more worth living than one for anybody else on this manor." She paused. "When I was captured, Sir Raoul saved me from nearly being beaten to death for disobeying his soldiers and…"
"Margaret…" he extended a hand gently to her arm in comfort, but she shied away.
"…and from then on he said that he would look after me. And he has kept that promise! He gave me to Lady Christine and she treats me as an equal, but it was all of Sir Raoul's doing." Margaret sighed. "I know what you're thinking – that I've given my favors to him and the others here, but I am still loyal to Lord Arnold and to Eaton!" Erik shuddered upon hearing his father's name. "I will always be a part of my homeland and my heart lies only there."
"Of course," Erik replied softly.
Margaret took a deep breath. "If you don't mind my asking," she murmured humbly, and Erik nodded, "you have not given me your name?"
"Erik," he replied plainly, but the young girl gasped.
"Your name is Erik?" Her voice was breathy and she placed a hand to her breast in shock. "My God! I…" she made the sign of the cross on her chest before falling to her knees before Erik. "I did not believe it possible, my…"
Erik was stunned but managed to grab Margaret's arms and raise her stand before him. "What on Earth are you doing?"
Margaret smiled gently. "You do not recognize me, my lord?" Erik's eyes went wide, taken aback that she would speak to him formally. Did she know him? "My family lived with yours as your personal servants! I was handmaiden to your sister Elizabeth and my father personally advised Lord Arnold, your father…"
"Do not say such things!" Erik reprimanded forcefully. "I am a servant, nothing more!" The girl's intentions had to be good ones, but Erik knew that he could not afford for his identity to be whispered around the manor by the servants; it would soon reach higher powers.
"But my lord…"
"Margaret! You do not know me as the man that you think I am!" Erik was angry now, both at himself for shying away from his position by birth and at Margaret for her persistence.
"Aye, my lord, I do! Do not shame yourself by claiming to be one of lowlier birth! I know who you are, Sir Erik!" Erik opened his mouth to utter words of protest but could fid none. Margaret once again sank to her knees, bowing to Erik. "My lord."
Erik crouched down beside her, placing his hands on her arms. He sighed, knowing that he could not sway her correct assumptions of him. "Margaret, you must treat me like any other servant. If Chagny knew that I was the son of Lord Arnold…"
"He would kill you," she finished, solemnly, but immediately brightened. "Our people will keep your secret, my lord, you can be sure."
"Nay, Margaret, for they cannot know! You must tell no one who I am," Erik said strongly, standing and helping Margaret up as well. "It is too much of a risk for me and for the others still loyal to my father."
Margaret smiled at Erik, nodding her head and curtsying. "Of course, my…" she caught herself. "Of course…Erik."
References:
1. Lucille & Erik: In Aida, Zoser's (Gerard/Lucille) initial response to the captives brought home by Radames (Christine) is to send them to the copper mines (from which he extracts the arsenic he uses to poison the Pharaoh) as they 'can't seem to keep them alive down there.' This is, of course, shown in this chapter as Lucille's response to Erik's disobeying her. Continuing with Aida, Radames (Christine) comes to the aid of Aida (Erik) and instead makes his intentions known of her going to serve Amneris (Raoul) instead. He makes it known to her that she must not try anything to get away or cause problems or there will be consequences.
2. Raoul: Sir Raoul in this story is a skilled swordsman and this, paired with his good looks and rank, gives him a bit of an ego, though he is still kind and good-natured as we've seen him before. This corresponds to the attitude of Princess Amneris in Aida, who is beautiful and powerful and has a 'passion for fashion' (hence the song My Strongest Suit in the show). It is important that Raoul be portrayed as a bit haughty since his transformation throughout the story (as with Amneris) is important to the plot and to the eventual fates of the characters.
3. Raoul & Erik: Surprisingly enough, they will be friends in this story, as their counterparts Amneris and Aida are. Parts of the conversation about Erik's talents and his compromising Raoul's position are verbatim from Aida, in which Mereb (Margaret) brings Aida (Christine) to Amneris (Raoul) and she proves herself 'indispensable' to the Egyptian princess for her talents with fabric. ('A slave who knows her fabrics? I'm keeping her!') This friendship makes the eventual relationship between Aida and Radames (Erik and Christine) all the more complicated.
4. Margaret & Erik: The character of Margaret is the counterpart of the Nubian slave Mereb in Aida. The story behind this character is that Mereb's family was abducted from their home in the village of Ikaita, where Aida (Erik) and her family lived as Nubia's royalty. His father had been the king's advisor and Aida herself witnessed their abduction at a young age. Upon reaching Egypt, Mereb was nearly beaten to death by the palace guards but was saved by Radames (Christine) and he promised to look out for him from then on. During the play, he is a close friend of Radames and is in charge of his household while he is out exploring. Obviously, the story has gone under some alterations, such as Margaret being saved by Raoul, not Christine, and her traveling instead of remaining at Dalton. Her scene with Erik corresponds to the song How I Know You, in which Mereb (Margaret) confesses to Aida (Erik) that he knows who she is, that being the Nubian princess.
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