Shattered
A dark plot thrusts Maria into the hands of a cruel stranger who forces her to use her extraordinary singing abilities to his advantage or lose her life. Caught in a heartless world where her performance means everything and her feelings nothing, she struggles to keep sight of a free future she knows she may never see. Post-SoM. Slightly AU.
Author's Notes—important!
This story is being written with the traditional family and its roles in mind. This is true both to the Sound of Music and to the time period in which it takes place. Thus, the husband is the head of the family and is the final decision-maker. This was not intended to offend anyone, but if you dislike this structure I ask that you refrain from reading. Thanks!
This is movie-verse and may not be one hundred percent historically accurate. It occurs approximately a year and a half after the events of 'The Sound of Music'. The family is living in the von Trapp villa. The incident with the Nazis never occurred. I realize that this is…um…really incorrect, but I wanted them living in Austria, not Switzerland, and I wanted it to be a free Austria. I'm sorry about this, but my story is just fiction. Also, Maria and Captain von Trapp returned from their honeymoon only after Max had put the children in the festival, and not in time to stop him from doing so.
Thanks for bearing with my notes. Please read and review! Flames are not appreciated but will be borne graciously!
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Chapter I : Sweet Oblivion
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"No, Maria."
"Georg, please. It would be such great fun!"
"Maria…"
It was a rare occurrence. Captain Georg von Trapp and his beloved wife Maria were having a mild argument. Where usually the two discussed and Georg made the final decision, this time the issue was of personal interest to Maria and she was not satisfied to let it rest.
"Darling, please…you know how I love it…"
She placed pleading eyes on her husband.
Captain von Trapp chuckled knowingly and waggled a finger at his wife. "Maria, that is not fair. You are perfectly aware that I cannot deny you anything when you look at me in that fashion."
She refused to yield. "Only this one time, dear…"
He raised an eyebrow. "I do believe, my dear, that you used that line the last time. And, dare I suggest it, the time before?"
Caught, she grinned guiltily. "Oh, but Georg, it's so fun. You ought to join me some time. Being up there on stage, with hundreds watching you, able to sing my heart out…it's such a thrill, Georg."
Captain von Trapp sighed. "Yes! Yes, that's it exactly. So many people watching you, Maria. I do not want my family singing in public. I don't…I don't like all those people looking at you, my dear." He smiled apologetically at her before sweeping her into his arms and kissing her lightly on the lips. "I want to be the only one watching you," he murmured into her ear, causing her to giggle slightly.
"But Georg, they're only watching me as the performer," Maria insisted earnestly once she had 'freed' herself from her husband.
He gave her a stern look. "I wouldn't be so certain if I were you. I saw the way some of the other men were looking at you after the performance!"
She laughed and touched his face lovingly. "Oh, Georg, please don't be ridiculous. You know I couldn't ever look at another man the way I look at you."
"It's not you I'm worried about," Captain von Trapp replied, enfolding her in his arms once again and resting his head on the top of hers.
"At least think about it, Georg…"
He sighed and held her at arms length, gazing deeply into the eyes of the woman he loved.
"You really want this, don't you?" he asked. Her timid smile and slight nod was answer enough.
He sighed. "You know you really are doing very bad things for my masculinity, prodding me into letting you have your way with those enormous doe's eyes of yours…"
"Oh, nonsense, Georg. You have never done anything which you were truly, vehemently against and I shall not break that trend, I fear."
He sighed again. "Very well, Maria. You may tell Herr Veinburg that you will be participating in his thing."
He raised a hand as Maria began to thank him. She stopped, looking at him with a puzzled expression.
"I have only one condition," he told her, drawing her close to him, his hands around her small waist. She gazed up at him, waiting.
He cupped her face gently with one hand, tilting her head up to gaze fully into her face. He stroked the side of her face lovingly.
"Later you must sing for me," he murmured. She cocked her head to the side, a slight smile playing on her face.
"For only me," he continued, still stroking her face. He pulled her more tightly to him. "I want you to sing for me, my lovely Maria."
She nuzzled his hand with her face. "Of course, my love," she whispered. "I would enjoy nothing more."
Georg ran his fingers lightly through her hair. "Now, you must tell me exactly what is going on in this—show, or whatever you like to call it, in which you intend to sing."
Maria laughed lightly. "It isn't a proper show at all, Georg, not like a play…it's more like a music recital showcasing the various musical talents of the residents of Austria."
"Like that blasted festival Max put the children into," muttered the Captain. Maria quickly guided the topic of conversation away from Max and festivals.
"You will be coming, right?" she asked, ninety-five percent certain he was but just checking.
"Naturally, naturally," he affirmed. He sighed. "After all, someone must keep an eye on you, my little troublemaker…"
He laughed outright at the affronted look on Maria's face and held up his hands in defense.
"Now Maria, I do seem to recall you telling me that at the abbey you were in fact much more trouble than you ever were here—and at first you were a substantial amount, you know!"
She mock-glared at him but found it impossible to be angry with him and settled to roll her eyes slightly and turn her back haughtily.
Captain von Trapp fixed this by sneaking up behind her and literally sweeping her off her feet, so she rested in his arms with her feet dangling off the ground.
"Now," he murmured into her ear. "I have you, and there is nothing you can do! What say you to that, Maria von Trapp?"
He dropped her lightly onto their bed then plopped down beside her, an arm resting across her stomach onto the other side of the bed.
"Maria, I hope you understand that I am not trying to limit your enjoyment of your magnificent ability to sing," he murmured, his tone taking a more serious note. She reached up and stroked his hair gently.
"I know," she replied. "I know, Georg. But do you honestly believe that those men up there are looking at me badly? They know who I am, but more importantly they know to whom I am married. They know who you are, dear. I do not think it would enter their minds for a moment to attempt to make advances upon me knowing who you are. You can be rather intimidating, you know."
Her eyes twinkled at the last statement to let him know her jest, though the truth in the statement remained.
"I know you are right, my love," he told her. "I know. I am sure that any thoughts any other man may have are thoughts only. I don't mean to speak ill of the entire male population of Austria." He smiled tenderly at her. "But surely you cannot blame me for wanting myself to be the only man who looks with thoughts less than—ah—professional upon my wife?"
She smiled back. "Of course not, Georg. Now, let's let the issue rest, please, dear. I do believe the children are all sleeping, and I can think of at least one better thing we could be doing right now…"
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Herr Wilhelm Zimmer gazed upon the large advertisement for the Austrian talent show. Upon it was a large photograph of a pretty young woman. There were other photos too, but this young lady was at the very center and was beaming brightly; obviously, whoever had created this poster knew having her there would draw the attention he wanted.
"Fräu von Trapp," he murmured to himself. He knew she had only sung in public twice before, and both times she had been simply superb. Wilhelm had been stunned to hear the raw talent coursing from the strong, sweet sound of the lady's voice.
With only two public performances, she was not incredibly well-known. The poster-maker apparently wanted to change this by promoting her upon his advertisement. At least her looks would draw the curious crowds he wanted, and once they heard her beautiful voice they would return.
She must want to be famous, though, Wilhelm reasoned, for didn't all young women desire for their name to be written and seen everywhere?
"I must persuade her to join my troupe," he murmured to himself again. "She will join."
She was not famous—yet. Wilhelm knew she could be, and he knew exactly the man to make her so—himself. She would get the fame, and he would get the enormous amount of revenue which she would generate for him. He needed to snatch her up before some other talent agent did.
His mouth curled into a smile at the thought of having this magnificently talented young woman's voice bound to him by a contract. He loved money, and was a shrewd business. He knew how much money the woman could make for him.
His smile grew as he planned his persuasive tactics. He would attend the show, then speak to her about joining his group of actors and musicians as the star after the performances were complete.
A smirk finally settled on his face as he solidified his plans. He was very good at persuading people to see his point of view. He almost always did persuade them. He could not see why this young woman, so bright and, in his opinion, naïve, would object.
He would persuade her to see his perspective and join his troupe.
He never even considered the possibility she might say no.
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Reviews, bitte…I have never done a SoM fic, and I know there's not a huge audience, but I know you readers are out there! Please, please review. I will be updating this regularly and I have a thrilling tale planned. I know it's starting out slow, but please trust me, it is going to pick up in the very next chapter. Danke!
TRS