Disclaimer: Yet again I must say that I (sadly) do not own The Sound of Music….sob

Chapter Two

RRIIINNGGG, RRRIIINNNGGG.

Sister Margaretta of Nonnberg Abbey woke with a start upon hearing the front bell ringing. Quickly getting up, she put on a dressing gown and hurried towards the front gate. After turning the corner down the hall and almost falling the nun saw a lone figure standing at the gate, not moving. I wonder who it could be at this hour the woman thought as she approached.

"May I help you my dear?" the Sister asked while trying to cover up a yawn. The was no answer from the petite form standing in front of her. The person seemed to be in an other world, staring at the ground as if it were the only thing that existed "Excuse me?" The figure finally looked up realizing they were not alone.

As they did Sister Margaretta gasped. There standing before her, with a tear streaked face was; "Maria!" Maria tried to give a half smile to the dear Sister but as she began to shake as more tears found their was down her face. Hurriedly the nun opened the iron gates and pulled into a tight, yet loving hug just as Maria's knees gave way and she collapsed into a fit of sobs in the nuns arms.


Leisl woke to the sun shining on her face. Propping herself up on one elbow and rubbing her eyes she was surprised to see that she was in her governesses room. Suddenly the events of last night came flooding back. Fraulein Maria was gone and she, Leisl, must have cried herself to sleep in her father's arms. Taking a steadying breathe she stumbled out of the bed, sleep still having a strong hold over her. In a zombie like manner she went to her room only to find her sisters, Louisa and Brigitta still asleep. Silently she changed into a dress and proceeded to the dining room.


Entering the dinning room Leisl's eyes fell on her Father's back. He was sitting by himself sipping coffee and trying very hard to focus on the newspaper he held in his hands, but failing.

Leisl took her respected spot at the table and pored a glass of juice before taking a long drink. Her eyes falling on the clock in the room the young woman was surprised to see that it was 10:00.

"How come no one is up?" she asked, remembering her two sisters asleep.

Looking up from the paper the Captain smiled, glad some one else was in the room so he wasn't alone with his thoughts. "Well, Uncle Max and Baroness generally don't wake up until 10:30, and I couldn't bring myself to wake you or your brothers and sisters."

"Because of Frau-" she couldn't finish her sentences knowing tears would threaten to fall if she did.

The Captain merely nodded. "Why father, why did she leave?"

"Who left?" Georg and Leisl jumped and turned at the sound of a new voice, Fredreich and Brigitta were standing in the door way. The Captain sighed, dreading what was to come.

"Will the two of you wake your brother and sisters, there is something I have to tell you all." Giving each other a worried look, the two new arrivals each gave a nod and left.

Waiting until they were out of ear shot Captain von Trapp turned his attention back to his eldest daughter. "She left this note." Digging into his pocket Georg handed to piece of paper he handed the letter to Leisl.

After reading the letter, Leisl threw it on the table. She missed her life at the abbey to much? How was that possible. Fraulein Maria never talked about they abbey. Why, all of the sudden, did she miss it so much. Almost instantly the sixteen-year-old girl knew there was more to the situation than met the eye.

"Where's Fraulein Maria?" Little Gretl's voice broke the tense silence of the room. "She didn't wake us up? How come?"

The Captain looked at his younger daughter as Leisl picked her up and sat the five year old on her lap, as the rest of the children took their seats at the table, waiting for an explanation.

Sadly the Captain began to speak. "Children, Fraulein Maria didn't wake you up, because…well."

"What Father is trying to say is that Fraulein Maria, she, she, uh.." looking around and taking a deep breathe Leisl finished what had to be said. "She left."

A stunned silence filled the room. Each of the remaining six von Trapp children staring at the table, registering what was just said. Finally Gretl's shaking voice filled the room.

"She left?" Nodding the Captain picked up the letter.

"She left this note." he said, before reading it.

After finishing the letter Georg looked at his children. The five girls were slowly allowing the tears in their eyes to slowly fall as the two boys tried hard not to let them. Letting his gaze rest on his younger daughter being rocked by her oldest sister the Captains heart broke. The five year old had no memories of her mother, and the one and only person who could fill that gap was threatening to slip from all of their memories.

Author's Note: There you have it chapter two. Hope you liked it, I don't think it was the best, but I felt it was necessary. More to come soon!

Imnotacommittee: Thanks for the review! Glad you liked it! I just loved the thought of the Captain staring out her window, glad you liked it too!