~ Prologue ~
It was the night before Christmas.
The large Von Trapp villa was dark. The children had gone to bed early, under the impression of all children that going to bed early would make Christmas morning come faster.
Baroness Schraeder had retired around eight, claiming a slight headache, and, upon finding he lacked pleasant company, Max had followed her example soon afterwards.
Not every room in the house was dark, though.
In the study, a small fire illuminated the handsome, but worried features of Captain von Trapp. He sat on the sofa across from the fire, staring into the flickering flames. He was bent forward deep in thought; elbows on his knees, one hand supporting his head and the other holding an empty cognac glass. He had been sitting in this position, barely moving at all, for hours.
It seemed his life was coming together again.
Two days ago, he had asked Elsa to marry him, and she had accepted his proposal.
He had rekindled his relationship with his children and they were happier than he had seen them in years. The sudden departure of their governess had influenced and saddened them more than the Captain thought normal, but still, they would get over her – wouldn't they?
The image of their Fraulein appeared in his head, laughing, singing, her blue eyes sparkling.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the children again.
Yes, they would get over her.
And they would be happy – his children would have a new mother and they would form a real family again.
Then why did something not feel… right?
The Captain stood up and walked toward his desk. He picked up a picture of Agathe in a delicate silver frame.
He noted how her smile was just like Liesl's, something he had never really seen until a few months ago. He realized he had not seen Liesl smile in years. It was not until a certain postulant from Nonnberg Abbey had come to be governess to his children and had brought laughter back into the house, that he had noticed how much his oldest daughter resembled her mother.
He put the silver frame down and touched the glass with his fingers.
"What am I doing wrong?" he mumbled as he stared at the photograph.
Just as he was about to look away, the smile of the woman in the photograph seemed to broaden, while a twinkle shot from one of her eyes.
Georg's head snapped back to look at Agathe's picture again. Of course, it was exactly as it had always been.
The fire must have reflected in the glass, he thought as he shook his head.
It was late. He was tired, and his fatigue must be playing tricks with his mind.
It was time to go to bed.
Putting his glass down on the desk, he shot one last look at the photograph, before leaving his study to retire for the night.
***
The Captain's sleep was restless. He lay tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable, only occasionally dozing off for a few minutes.
As he lay on his back staring at the ceiling, he felt a breath of wind over his face.
Thinking that the wind must have blown a window open, he sat up, beginning to slide his legs out of bed.
"Georg…"
His name came like a whisper through the darkened room. He recognized the voice immediately and as he turned his head sharply in the direction of the sound, he gasped for breath at what he saw.
Near the window stood an apparition, like an angel. Her hair spread around her head as if it was floating in water, and the drapes from the window and her white garment billowed around her. A golden glow illuminated her countenance.
"Agathe…" Georg whispered, almost silently.
As she began to speak, a shiver ran down the Captain's spine as he heard the sweet voice he thought he'd never hear again.
"My darling, your path in life has not been an easy one since I had to leave you and the children. As I watched you from Above, I was glad to see happiness returning to you again."
Georg opened his mouth, but the spirit of Agathe brought a finger to her lips to silence him. She continued:
"But now, you are confused, and I was granted permission to help you. Tonight, three spirits will visit you to guide you in your decisions. Listen to them well – and follow the way of your heart. Remember, love is the most important thing in life."
She smiled, spread her arms in a grand gesture, and the golden glow became stronger. Georg blinked his eyes against the light and another, fiercer blow of wind.
When he opened his eyes again, Agathe was gone. The window was indeed open, and the drapes moving in the wind revealed a large, golden moon, which let its light shine into the room.
Georg stared at the moon.
This must have been a dream. He was sure of it. He got up, closed the window, and quickly slid back into bed. His hands were shaking, but he told himself that must be from the cold. But just before sleep finally came over him, he heard the faintest sound, which might just have been the wind through the trees outside:
"Follow the way of your heart….."