Author's Note:
I never saw Elsa as 'evil' (though I don't like her(), just as someone who
fights for what she believes is hers - and steps aside in time, when she
knows she can't win the fight. (I love the way imnotacommitee portrayed
Elsa in "Every Happiness" which I think is very true to character.)
But I also think it would be hard on Elsa to tell her friends the truth and risk losing face - hence my portrayal of her in this fic.
Chapter 8 - Confrontations
Georg froze when he saw Elsa. He had not imagined ever seeing her again after their last talk on the balcony, the evening he had proposed to Maria. Facing her unexpectedly was unsettling to say the least.
He heard Maria draw in a sharp breath beside him and put his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. He didn't know if that gesture was supposed to be comforting her, or himself. He realised Elsa was still looking at them rather expectantly and he pulled himself together. He cleared his throat.
"Elsa! What a surprise," he said, forcing a smile onto his face.
She nodded at him in agreement.
"Isn't it?" She turned to Maria, who was still looking at her in shock.
"And Fraulein Maria! How nice to see you again," Elsa addressed her, still with that unnerving smile on her face.
Maria gave a quick smile and didn't answer. The knowledge that this woman had attempted to keep her and Georg apart pounded in her head.
Georg answered in her place.
"It's Baroness von Trapp now, Elsa. Maria and I were married two weeks ago. We are here on our honeymoon." He spoke slowly, as if talking to someone who needed careful explanation.
"Oh yes of course, you wouldn't be travelling together without being married, now would you?" Elsa gave Maria a rather condescending look. "Congratulations, my dear."
"Thank you," Maria managed. The disdain in Elsa's look was unsettling her, but not as much as the thought that Georg had at one moment - only months ago - planned on marrying this icy creature.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the trio, but before any of them could think of something to say, Elsa was joined by a handsome, middle-aged man.
"Ah, here you are, darling. I thought we'd lost you," he said to her with a broad smile, as he stood beside her. "Did you run into friends?" He looked at Georg and Maria, obviously waiting to be introduced.
Elsa seemed disturbed, but had no choice but to comply.
"Count Erich von Wittelsbach, may I introduce Captain and Baroness von Trapp."
As he heard the name Von Trapp, Erich looked up in recognition. He shot a quick look at Elsa, but then remembered to extend a hand to Georg.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Captain. Elsa has told me much about you." His words were kind enough, but his eyes were not smiling. He turned to Maria, taking her hand and kissing it.
"And you too, Baroness." He let his eyes travel over Maria slowly, making her shiver with uneasiness. "I think I have you to thank for the fact that Elsa is still free for me to court."
Maria turned pale, not knowing how to react. "Excuse me, I think I should go wash my hands," she mumbled feebly and almost ran in the direction of the restrooms.
Georg felt the urge to go after her as she walked off and started to excuse himself, but Erich was already speaking to him again.
"I see there are certain perks connected to having a young, pretty nun as a governess, Captain," he remarked, glancing in the direction Maria had disappeared to. "My children's governess is a sour fifty-year old widow whom I wouldn't touch with a pole."
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Count," Georg said coolly, trying to remain polite.
Elsa shot a warning glance at Erich, but he didn't notice and went on.
"Well you must have been disappointed, not being able to marry my lovely Elsa, but I am grateful that you didn't keep her for yourself. I'm sure you will be happy now, with your young wife and new child."
Realisation dawned on Georg. Elsa had spread the rumour that he'd got Maria pregnant and that that was the reason why he broke off their engagement.
"I'm glad to see you are still your kind, friendly self, Elsa." Georg looked at her with a stare so cold that even Elsa recoiled at his look. He turned back to face Erich.
"My wife is not expecting, Count. I married her because I love her. I can only wish the same for you. If you'll excuse me?"
He turned around without even giving Elsa another look and walked in the direction of the restrooms, leaving Elsa to explain her actions to Count von Wittelsbach.
Georg just reached the restrooms when Maria emerged, still looking rather pale.
"Are you all right," he asked her, eyeing her intently.
She managed a smile. "I guess so. I'm a bit faint, I think I'd like to go back to the hotel."
He put his arm around her and nodded. "I'm sorry you had to face her," he told her quietly, while walking down the hall toward the exit.
Maria shook her head. "How could you have known?"
Georg remained silent. Indeed, he couldn't have known. He looked sideways at Maria. Her face was tense and still pale, and she was breathing quickly, betraying nervousness. He didn't think that she was so upset just from running into Elsa. He didn't pry however. First, he'd take her back to the hotel. He could try to find out why she was so upset when they got there.
The taxi ride back to the hotel passed in silence. Maria sat quietly, staring out of the window at the dark Paris streets. Georg held her hand, but didn't know what to say to her.
When they entered the hotel room, Maria broke the silence.
"Will you unbutton my dress," she asked, turning her back to Georg.
He complied quietly. As he exposed her back, he traced his fingers over her soft skin. He was disappointed when he got no reaction at all from Maria. Instead, she whispered a soft 'thank you' and disappeared into the bathroom.
Georg took his shoes and jacket off and sat down on the edge of the bed. He stared at the bathroom door, wondering what caused her sad look and quiet behaviour. Of course, running into Elsa would have been strange for her - it had been for him. But Maria had never since their engagement shut him out from her feelings.
The door opened and Maria came out. Georg was surprised to notice she was wearing a silk night-gown. In the short two weeks of their marriage, neither of them had had any need for night clothes.
She walked past him, intending to walk around to the other side of the bed, but he grabbed her hand.
"Maria.." he looked at her pleadingly. She just stood there, not looking at him. "What's wrong?"
He stood up and brought his hand to her face, cupping her cheek and looking into her eyes. Putting his other hand on her shoulder, he gently pushed her down onto the bed and sat down next to her.
Maria sighed and looked at her hands, which she was wringing in her lap nervously. "I was just thinking..." she began, her voice trembling. "If I hadn't come back from the abbey.. you would have been married to her now." She still avoided looking at him.
He closed his eyes in pain when he realised what had been bothering her. He turned her face toward his, forcing her to look at him.
"Never," he said, looking at her deadly serious.
"But you did ask her to marry you. How could you, she is so cold!" Maria became more emotional and a tear ran down her cheek.
He pulled her close to him and stroked her hair.
"Darling, I would never have married Elsa. It was just... Everybody seemed convinced that we were a perfect match. And I wanted to believe that there could be some joy in my life again. So I convinced myself against my own better judgement that maybe, she would make me happy."
Maria looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears, but with understanding beginning to spread on her face.
Georg continued. "You were the one to bring me joy. Asking Elsa to marry me was the stupid act of a broken-hearted man, trying to cover up his feelings. I was afraid, almost convinced, that you did not love me. After all, you did run away, remember?"
She smiled a small smile through her tears and nodded. "I was scared and insecure," she admitted. "I just never realised you were, too."
"Even if you hadn't come back when you did, we still would have found a way to be together, Maria," Georg whispered. "You are my destiny."
She put her head on his shoulder and sighed, feeling calmed and comforted by his loving words. He held her close and kissed the top of her head.
"Are you convinced now that I could only have married you, my love," he asked softly.
He felt her nod against his shoulder. "I am so sorry I doubted you," she whispered. She pulled back from their embrace a little and looked at him. She smiled again, with more conviction this time, and leaned in to kiss his lips. She let the soft kiss linger for a while, and when they pulled apart, she said: "Thank you. For a wonderful evening. And for loving me."
Their eyes locked and a spark shot across. When they kissed again it was more passionate, and not letting go of each other, they slowly sank back onto the bed.
***
A/N
Ok this was definitely the hardest chapter I've ever written. I'm not sure what to think of it really, so feedback will be greatly appreciated.
I will go on with this story! So requests / suggestions are also welcome.
JoolsFan
But I also think it would be hard on Elsa to tell her friends the truth and risk losing face - hence my portrayal of her in this fic.
Chapter 8 - Confrontations
Georg froze when he saw Elsa. He had not imagined ever seeing her again after their last talk on the balcony, the evening he had proposed to Maria. Facing her unexpectedly was unsettling to say the least.
He heard Maria draw in a sharp breath beside him and put his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. He didn't know if that gesture was supposed to be comforting her, or himself. He realised Elsa was still looking at them rather expectantly and he pulled himself together. He cleared his throat.
"Elsa! What a surprise," he said, forcing a smile onto his face.
She nodded at him in agreement.
"Isn't it?" She turned to Maria, who was still looking at her in shock.
"And Fraulein Maria! How nice to see you again," Elsa addressed her, still with that unnerving smile on her face.
Maria gave a quick smile and didn't answer. The knowledge that this woman had attempted to keep her and Georg apart pounded in her head.
Georg answered in her place.
"It's Baroness von Trapp now, Elsa. Maria and I were married two weeks ago. We are here on our honeymoon." He spoke slowly, as if talking to someone who needed careful explanation.
"Oh yes of course, you wouldn't be travelling together without being married, now would you?" Elsa gave Maria a rather condescending look. "Congratulations, my dear."
"Thank you," Maria managed. The disdain in Elsa's look was unsettling her, but not as much as the thought that Georg had at one moment - only months ago - planned on marrying this icy creature.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the trio, but before any of them could think of something to say, Elsa was joined by a handsome, middle-aged man.
"Ah, here you are, darling. I thought we'd lost you," he said to her with a broad smile, as he stood beside her. "Did you run into friends?" He looked at Georg and Maria, obviously waiting to be introduced.
Elsa seemed disturbed, but had no choice but to comply.
"Count Erich von Wittelsbach, may I introduce Captain and Baroness von Trapp."
As he heard the name Von Trapp, Erich looked up in recognition. He shot a quick look at Elsa, but then remembered to extend a hand to Georg.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Captain. Elsa has told me much about you." His words were kind enough, but his eyes were not smiling. He turned to Maria, taking her hand and kissing it.
"And you too, Baroness." He let his eyes travel over Maria slowly, making her shiver with uneasiness. "I think I have you to thank for the fact that Elsa is still free for me to court."
Maria turned pale, not knowing how to react. "Excuse me, I think I should go wash my hands," she mumbled feebly and almost ran in the direction of the restrooms.
Georg felt the urge to go after her as she walked off and started to excuse himself, but Erich was already speaking to him again.
"I see there are certain perks connected to having a young, pretty nun as a governess, Captain," he remarked, glancing in the direction Maria had disappeared to. "My children's governess is a sour fifty-year old widow whom I wouldn't touch with a pole."
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Count," Georg said coolly, trying to remain polite.
Elsa shot a warning glance at Erich, but he didn't notice and went on.
"Well you must have been disappointed, not being able to marry my lovely Elsa, but I am grateful that you didn't keep her for yourself. I'm sure you will be happy now, with your young wife and new child."
Realisation dawned on Georg. Elsa had spread the rumour that he'd got Maria pregnant and that that was the reason why he broke off their engagement.
"I'm glad to see you are still your kind, friendly self, Elsa." Georg looked at her with a stare so cold that even Elsa recoiled at his look. He turned back to face Erich.
"My wife is not expecting, Count. I married her because I love her. I can only wish the same for you. If you'll excuse me?"
He turned around without even giving Elsa another look and walked in the direction of the restrooms, leaving Elsa to explain her actions to Count von Wittelsbach.
Georg just reached the restrooms when Maria emerged, still looking rather pale.
"Are you all right," he asked her, eyeing her intently.
She managed a smile. "I guess so. I'm a bit faint, I think I'd like to go back to the hotel."
He put his arm around her and nodded. "I'm sorry you had to face her," he told her quietly, while walking down the hall toward the exit.
Maria shook her head. "How could you have known?"
Georg remained silent. Indeed, he couldn't have known. He looked sideways at Maria. Her face was tense and still pale, and she was breathing quickly, betraying nervousness. He didn't think that she was so upset just from running into Elsa. He didn't pry however. First, he'd take her back to the hotel. He could try to find out why she was so upset when they got there.
The taxi ride back to the hotel passed in silence. Maria sat quietly, staring out of the window at the dark Paris streets. Georg held her hand, but didn't know what to say to her.
When they entered the hotel room, Maria broke the silence.
"Will you unbutton my dress," she asked, turning her back to Georg.
He complied quietly. As he exposed her back, he traced his fingers over her soft skin. He was disappointed when he got no reaction at all from Maria. Instead, she whispered a soft 'thank you' and disappeared into the bathroom.
Georg took his shoes and jacket off and sat down on the edge of the bed. He stared at the bathroom door, wondering what caused her sad look and quiet behaviour. Of course, running into Elsa would have been strange for her - it had been for him. But Maria had never since their engagement shut him out from her feelings.
The door opened and Maria came out. Georg was surprised to notice she was wearing a silk night-gown. In the short two weeks of their marriage, neither of them had had any need for night clothes.
She walked past him, intending to walk around to the other side of the bed, but he grabbed her hand.
"Maria.." he looked at her pleadingly. She just stood there, not looking at him. "What's wrong?"
He stood up and brought his hand to her face, cupping her cheek and looking into her eyes. Putting his other hand on her shoulder, he gently pushed her down onto the bed and sat down next to her.
Maria sighed and looked at her hands, which she was wringing in her lap nervously. "I was just thinking..." she began, her voice trembling. "If I hadn't come back from the abbey.. you would have been married to her now." She still avoided looking at him.
He closed his eyes in pain when he realised what had been bothering her. He turned her face toward his, forcing her to look at him.
"Never," he said, looking at her deadly serious.
"But you did ask her to marry you. How could you, she is so cold!" Maria became more emotional and a tear ran down her cheek.
He pulled her close to him and stroked her hair.
"Darling, I would never have married Elsa. It was just... Everybody seemed convinced that we were a perfect match. And I wanted to believe that there could be some joy in my life again. So I convinced myself against my own better judgement that maybe, she would make me happy."
Maria looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears, but with understanding beginning to spread on her face.
Georg continued. "You were the one to bring me joy. Asking Elsa to marry me was the stupid act of a broken-hearted man, trying to cover up his feelings. I was afraid, almost convinced, that you did not love me. After all, you did run away, remember?"
She smiled a small smile through her tears and nodded. "I was scared and insecure," she admitted. "I just never realised you were, too."
"Even if you hadn't come back when you did, we still would have found a way to be together, Maria," Georg whispered. "You are my destiny."
She put her head on his shoulder and sighed, feeling calmed and comforted by his loving words. He held her close and kissed the top of her head.
"Are you convinced now that I could only have married you, my love," he asked softly.
He felt her nod against his shoulder. "I am so sorry I doubted you," she whispered. She pulled back from their embrace a little and looked at him. She smiled again, with more conviction this time, and leaned in to kiss his lips. She let the soft kiss linger for a while, and when they pulled apart, she said: "Thank you. For a wonderful evening. And for loving me."
Their eyes locked and a spark shot across. When they kissed again it was more passionate, and not letting go of each other, they slowly sank back onto the bed.
***
A/N
Ok this was definitely the hardest chapter I've ever written. I'm not sure what to think of it really, so feedback will be greatly appreciated.
I will go on with this story! So requests / suggestions are also welcome.
JoolsFan