Thanks for reading! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Sound of Music, Maria, Georg, the Baroness, the real von Trapp's or any of the other brilliant Rogers and Hammerstein characters.
Maria:
Georg and Maria waited in the cold afternoon wind for Elsa's train to arrive. Maria was excited to meet the young girl Elsa brought back with her and to tell her Georg knew where Elsa could write to Charley. Georg put an arm around Maria's shoulder when she shivered as a gust of wind swept up the platform and rearranged her hair. Maria tapped her foot nervously when she saw the dark form of the train come into view out of the Swiss mountains.
More people appeared on the platform as the steam engine pulled into the station and came to a halt, the white smoke fizzing and filling the air. Georg and Maria stood up from the green bench they had occupied and walked forward searching the crowd for Elsa.
A mousey looking girl exited the train and turned to help a silver haired woman holding a tiny dog down the steps. Georg left Maria's arm in order to help the women, and Maria was pleased at his gentlemanly gesture. The older woman pushed the dog into the arms of the mousey girl and took Georg's outstretched hands as she carefully navigated the steps. Once she had two feet firmly on the ground she looked down her regal nose at Georg. Maria moved to stand by her husband and beam approvingly.
"Well, it's nice to see there are a few gentlemen left in the world," the woman's shrill tone echoed on the platform.
"Stubborn though she may be, you can help my niece out next," she continued giving Maria a sly wink. Georg smiled and turned his attention to the next passengers to exit the train. A sweet disposition little girl jumped down the steps, causing the silver haired woman to put a hand to her heart in alarm.
"Good heavens, child, do be careful," she scolded.
The girl only smiled. Maria looked back up to the box car and saw a golden cane appear from out of the darkness. Elsa's eyes were looking downward as she took the railing with one hand.
"Is this your niece?" Maria asked.
At the sound of her voice Maria saw Elsa whip her head up and smile widely when she recognized her friend.
"It is indeed," the woman replied.
Georg helped Elsa down and she ignored him to completely smother Maria in a hug. The Baroness was so over come with joy that she hugged Georg as well, who, Maria noticed was quite shocked. Maria laughed and soon Elsa was laughing too.
"I demand to know what is going on here," the older woman said. Elsa's smiled lessened and she turned to introduce her companions.
"Maria, Georg," she began, "This is my great aunt Rosalind Harris, younger sister of my grandmother on my father's side. Angelica Stine is her companion and this little girl is Armina Janklowitz."
Maria took the extended hand of the little girl and shook it stoutly then she leaned down to speak to the girl.
"Why, you are just as enchanting as Elsa said you were," Maria told the girl, although Elsa had never really mentioned Armina to Maria. The girl giggled and Maria felt justified in telling a tiny fib to make the girl smile.
"Armina?" Rosalind questioned. "I thought her name was Annie."
"Her nickname," Elsa replied.
The way she responded made Maria suspicious that there was more to the story than Elsa was currently letting on. She decided to let the subject rest for the moment in order to discuss other important matters.
"My aunt will be staying with me until…" Elsa stopped suddenly and Rose continued for her.
"Charley comes home."
Maria nodded and a solemn silence fell over the group. Maria nudged Georg with her finger encouraging him to spread the news about Charley.
"Elsa, I'm sure you've heard from Charley and this will be old news to you," Georg began and Maria was pleased with the way he allowed Elsa to save face. From the grateful looked on Elsa's face she seemed glad too. "But he's in Great Britain with the rest of the American troops. He just arrived there and I have his exact address as I wasn't sure if you had the most current one."
Elsa bowed her head gratefully but when Maria glimpsed Rosalind out of the corner of her eyes she saw the old woman watching her niece with a disapproving smirk.
"Let's not stand here in the cold wind all day," her shrill voice interrupted, "this weather isn't good for an old woman. Angelica call a cab, I want to see this plantation Charley is always going on about."
Angelica picked up Rosalind's luggage while balancing the shivering dog in her hand. Georg stepped forward to help her and the group made their way to the edge of the platform. Maria decided to ride with Elsa to the plantation and come home later, as she needed a moment alone to speak with Elsa. The once governess had to patiently wait for that moment as it was late when they arrived at the plantation.
Maria noticed Elsa look to an empty chair when she walked into the house and sigh quietly before showing Armina to her room. The companion of Rosalind, Angelica Stine, left to prepare two more rooms for herself and Elsa's aunt. For a good fifteen minutes Maria was left alone in the den with Rosalind.
"I trust you enjoyed your journey here," Maria said politely, deciding small talk was better than silence.
"As much as an old woman can enjoy anything. The train compartment was far too small and the sun too bright to get much enjoyment out of things. Angelica, bless her heart, does the best she can but she's such a frigidity little thing. Rescued her from the street I did, mind you, but I don't like that to get around. I'm a very generous woman you know, even if I am old," Rosalind explained.
Maria got more of an answer than she was prepared for but she smiled and took the old woman's complaining in stride.
"Of course you are," Maria replied in agreement.
She saw Rosalind lift a thin white eyebrow in wonderment of just what Maria was agreeing with.
"You are great friends with my niece are you not," Rosalind questioned leaning her head against the high backed chair.
"I am," Maria responded.
"She's with child, is she not," Rosalind stated, her eyes closed. Maria hesitated before she answered, unsure how much Elsa wanted her aunt to know.
"She hasn't specifically told me so," Maria answered carefully. She saw one old hawk eye pop open and look at her. Then the other opened and Rosalind lifted her head back up.
"I like you," Rosalind said after studying Maria for an uncomfortably long time, "as much as I like anyone, mind you. I am a good and quick judge of character. I always have been. You meet with my approval."
Maria smiled at the old woman and decided that perhaps her bark was worse than her bite. Elsa and her aunt certainly had a great deal in common. Rosalind rested her eyes and head again and did not move until Elsa entered the den.
"I'm sorry too leave you alone Maria," Elsa said giving her aunt an accusatory glance. Rosalind straightened her back and then stomped her foot.
"Nonsense, girl, Maria enjoyed my company, did you not?" Rosalind asked. Maria could not help but chuckle a little at the old woman's manner.
"Of course I did," Maria replied to a surprised Elsa.
"Sit down, girl, you're always up and about and it's not good for you in your condition," Rosalind again scolded as she patted the chair next to her.
Maria carefully watched Elsa's reaction, but as usual Elsa betrayed no emotion. Elsa slowly sat down and Maria wished Rosalind would turn in for the night. Maria knew Elsa would never open up with Rosalind in the room.
"Does Charley know?" Rosalind questioned. Elsa kept her eyes on Maria as she answered.
"Know what?"
Rosalind's lips formed into a tight curl and with exasperation she picked up the pen on the table next to her and pounded it down.
"Blast it all, child, you know what," her shrill voice nearly yelled. Maria watched Elsa to see what her reaction would be. The Baroness lowered her head and looked down and the hands in her lap.
"No," Elsa said, her voice low. Rosalind picked up the paper on the table and threw it with the pen onto Elsa's lap.
"Then you must write him this instant and tell him. Lan' sakes child, if you don't make a mess of things," Rosalind scolded.
Elsa looked up at Maria and there was something almost playful in her stare. Maria suddenly had to fight laughter that threatened to leak out. She stifled one chuckle and ended up sputtering, and she saw Elsa's face crack as well. Rosalind's weak mouth began to quiver and it was not long before the three of them were laughing.
The instant the laughter stopped, Elsa was at the desk frantically writing a letter to Charley. Maria decided to spend the night and Elsa was still writing when she left the den. With a sigh Maria was grateful that things between Elsa and Charley would work out after all. With Elsa's letter Maria knew Charley would come home the first instant he could steal away.
The next morning started out wet and rainy. Maria was thankful there was no snow on the ground, as she planned on traveling home that afternoon. When she came down for breakfast Rosalind, Angelica and Armina were already eating at the table.
"Where is Elsa," Maria asked as she took a seat next to Armina across from Angelica.
"Asleep, no doubt," Rosalind answered with the utmost vexation. Maria smirked and looked to the mousey girl for a better explanation.
"I believe she was up late last night and is not feeling well this morning," the shy mousey thing said looking down into her plate. Maria was about to thank the girl and see if she could make eye contact when Rosalind began banging her fork on the table.
"Where is my Princess?" the woman demanded. Maria and Armina exchanged confused stares. From her look Maria could tell Armina believed Rosalind had truly lost her mind as well.
Angelica slowly rose from the table and disappeared into the living room. When she came back into sight she held the tiny hairy dog in her arms.
"She was hiding under the couch," the girl explained. Rosalind extended her arms and took the shivering dog from Angelica.
"My poor baby," Rosalind cooed as she stroked the dog's long haired head.
"Can I pet her?" Armina asked. The old woman almost took on an expression of delight much to Maria's wonder.
"Well, I suppose you may," Rosalind answered shrilly but her eyes were bright. Armina jumped up from the table and smothered the dog with her hands.
"Princess is the daughter of Queenie, the dog my late Richard bought for me," Rosalind explained, "The house was just too empty after Elaine married, and Richard thought the animal would cheer me."
Maria smiled warmly as she listened to the old woman talk about her husband. The way she spoke of the man made Maria suspect Rosalind was much softer hearted than she appeared to be. The fact was further confirmed when Rosalind suggested to Armina she should play a game of fetch with Princess inside the house. Maria thought perhaps it was a good thing Elsa was not up to watch the activity as the bouncing ball came close to causing china cabinet disaster a number of times.
Once the ball was in the air the little ball of hair barked in squeaky high pitched tone, wagged it tail and ran across the wood floor as fast as its tiny centipede like legs could carry it. Armina laughed delightedly and clapped her hands with Princess successfully retrieved the ball. Maria saw Rosalind derive much pleasure from the situation as well.
Maria prided herself on the fact that she never judged a book by its cover and because of this talent she made friends with people most others brushed aside. Elsa and Rosalind were clearly related. Maria had a feeling the three of them would get along just fine.