"But why?" Viscountess Rose Cotton stamped her foot and glared at the handsome young singer before her. "Why won't you say yes and come with me?"
Sam sighed sadly and turned away. "He'd never let me go, Rosie. And he knows so much, he's taught me more than I could ever imagine."
Rose turned him back to her and brushed aside his hair. "And for that, you'll stay your life forever here? With his dictating your every move, and threatening you if you refuse?"
"He loves me."
Rosie gasped and flinched back as if struck. "He doesn't!"
"I do." The voice was quiet and commanding. "I love him, Viscountess. Would you force me to give up the one thing the world has granted me?"
A mask covered his face, and Rose wished it away desperately, wanting to the see the eyes of her rival. "You aren't the only one who loves him."
Sam turned from one to the other, torn. "I don't see why it has to be so hard," he said, mostly to himself.
The Phantom glided forward and rested one white gloved hand upon Sam's shoulder. "It's the easiest thing in the world. Stay with me, Sam. And you as well, Viscountess."
"With you?" Again Rose was taken aback. "We don't even know your name."
He lifted both hands and undid the ties to the mask, drawing it away. Blue eyes and dark hair, and a scar that marred the purity of his face. "My name is Frodo," he said, and for the first time ever, he sounded nervous.
~