I own nothing sadly. This has some Italian dialect in this so I will explain what the words mean at the end of the chapter. Bold italics mean someone is singing. Please read and review!
Chapter 1: Rehersal
The group of performers stood in their costumes, practising for opening night. The leading lady. Abigail Dawson stood center stage confidently in the elgent dress. Her green eyes flashed with pride and excitement. She sang in her crowd pleasing voice, her boyfriend and leading man James Norrington standing next to her singing in his deep tenor voice. The ballet chouros stood behind them dancing. Amoung them is the spunky, energenic, and denfensive Anamaria, the best dancer and her friend, the more quiet but equaly spunky and feiry Elizabeth Swann.
The rehersal is cut short as Gibbs, the director of the operahouse, has the performers stop short. "Bootstrap" Bill Turner rushed into the theater, excitement scrawled on his face.
"The opera house has been sold! The new owners are coming as soon as today!" Bootstrap informed everyone. Bootstrap was the main stagehand of the Port Royal Operahouse, and knew a bit about the "Opera Ghost" who resides somewhere in the very building. Gibbs stared a Bootstrap, eyesbrows raised.
"Truly? If that's so as soon as they get here we aught to warn them about this "Opera Ghost" so no trouble arises." Gibbs looked nervous at the mention of the name. He glanced around the room, jumping at a group of shadows walking toawards them. "On with the rehersal everyone! Abigail, James! Start from the top!" Gibbs ordered when relizing it was just Madame Tia and a group of three men. One younger than the rest.
Madame Tia had on her moss green and scarlet gown on as she led the new owners to the stage. The two owners were odd. One had insisted it was his operahouse and the other was meerly co-owner, while the other insisted viseversa. The parton, a man named Will Turner, paid no attention to the squabbling men. Intead he took to look about the operahouse.
Tia shook her head in annoyance. The flighty one, by the name of Jack Sparrow, acted like he had no brain at all but used extremely large words and reeked of rum. He dressed like a businessman but his hair was in dreadlocks and he wore jewlery and a faded headband. The other had a monkey perched on his shoulder and almost always had a ripe green apple in his hand. He went by Barbossa, and he had a more pleasant smell to him, although he was oft irritated by Jack.
"These are the ballet chorus girls, the leading tenor is James Norrington and Abigail Dawson is the lead soprano. As of right now we are in the middle of practice so could ou move to one side?" Gibbs motioned to them. Will, obliged but continued to stare at something that held his interest.
"The brunnette is most talented." Barbossa commented.
"She is my neice, Anamaria is her name, has a lot of promise." Tia mentioned cooly, smirking as the man is taken back by surprise. Jack peers around the ballerinas and spied Elizabeth. She had a far off look on her face and stumbled, quickly regaining her balance. She twirled with the dancers but once more stumbled.
"She's very pretty but has a bit of a hard time dancing." Jack stated, "Is she…" Tia raised an eyebrow at him, eyes storming.
"Elizabeth Swann, I think of her like my daughter much like I do my niece!" She snapped as Elizabeth once more messes up. Jack raised his hands in defeat, not wanting to anger the woman further. Abigail noticed they were watching the dancers, particularily Elizabeth. She huffed and stopped the production.
"Swann? Does she have a realtion to a Weatherby Swann? The violinist?" Barbossa asked.
"Yes, but she has her head in the clouds almost always, may we please continue our practise?"
"You monsieurs! You must want to listen. I am the leading soprano for five seasons! Unless I am second chair to the dancers." Abigail glared at the girls in the background.
"You aren't second chair to them. You have a lovely voice." Will spoke up for the first time. Abigail looked pleased and her ego swelled. She fluttered her dark eyelashes at him.
"Why, thank you! Grazie! Siete signore troppo gentili !" (1) Abigail gushed in Italian. Will, not understanding the Italian just nodded. She continued making comments in the other lanuage. "Lo ama! Lo ama! È guite il signore!" (2) Will back away and left Abigail by herself. She relized this and stated sourly, "One comment does not suffice! I will be leaving! Rapidità dell'alberino!" (3)
"Wait Signora! Please! We would ove to hear your angelic voice!" Barbossa called out. Abigail paused and turned. She laughed.
"Me? Why would you listen to me? I am no more important than these ballerini stupidi? In fact I am seconda sedia! Second chair!" (4) Abigail smirked at the insulted dancers.
"No, no, no signora! You aren't what you seem! Please! You are obviously the best singer in the entire world! Please sing for us!" Jack tried flattery, hoping it would work.
"Well, I guess I could perform just a little!" Abigail acted modest.
Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while…
Abigail was cut off as a backdrop falls, barely missing her. She screamed as it hit the stage. The group of performers quickly whisper amoungst themselves, blaming the "Opera Ghost" as they huddle in fright. Abigail's fear quickly disvolved into rage.
"That is it! I have dealt with such incidents for many, many years and I will not take such risks anymore! I quit! Ho rinunciato!" Abigail stormed off the stage, gripping James' hand and pulled him away too. The new managers look at one another in shock. They just lost their star!
"Master Gibbs! Please tell me there's someone here who can fill in Abigail's shoes!" Barbossa looked at the peak of yelling. Gibbs shook his head sadly. He sighed and looked down.
"'Fraid not sirs. We don'y have a soprano as talented as she." Gibbs replied, eyes casting towards Will who seemed uninterested in Abigail's departure.
"We'll have to cancel the show Barbossa. We have no alternative!" Jack exclaimed.
"Wait! What about Elizabeth! She has been tutored by a fine teacher!" Anamaria insisted. The managers casted a glance to each other.
"It wouldn't work, she hasn't performed and if she had she must be terrible!" Jack scowled.
"Yes, and if she isn't?" Barbossa argued.
"Well we wouldn't want to risk the sales!" Jack pointed out.
"Monsieur Sparrow, Monsieur Barbossa. I would at least listen to her and if her voice isn't to your liking we will cancel." Tia said stiffly.
"Go on then love. Sing for us, we want to hear." Jack insisted grudgingly.
Elizabeth stepped away from the dancers and took center stage. She took a deep breath to try and release any and all nerves she possessed.
Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while
Please promise me you'll try
When you find that, once again
You long to take your heart back and be free
If you ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me
The group steadily became impressed. The dancers looked at one another in excitement. To think! A dancer now to be a singer! They were the first to be impressed. They had stood too long in Abigail's shadow unable to climb any higher than meerly dancing on stage. Madame Tia and Anamaria looked at each other in joy.
"She sounds so beautiful Auntie Tia! I wish I knew her tutor." Anamaria grinned. Tia shook her head.
"My niece, she will be getting this role." Tia said simply.
"Barbossa, I like the sound of her voice. It's more pleaseant that Abby's." Jack smirked.
"She will be getting the role." Barbossa nodded.
That very night, Elizabeth stood on stage, honey hair down and in curls. She wore a white gown with a silver brooch. White gloves covered nearly all of her arms and a silver bracelet adorned her wrist. A circlet of silver sat on her head, a teardrop diamond dangling off it and on her forehead. Her ears wore diamond earings and a silver locket was worn around her neck. She smiled at the crowd as she sang.
We never said our love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea
But if you can still remember
Stop and think of me
Think of all the things
We've shared and seen
Don't think about the things
Which might have been
Think of me, think of me
Waking silent and resigned
Imagine me trying too hard
To put you from my mind
Will sat in Box 5 astounded at the sight before him. Elizabeth Swann? His old friend and childhood sweetheart. She had grown much in their time apart.
Can it be? Can it be Lizbeth?
"Bravo!" Will clapped and walked away from the box and into the halls, searching for her. He passed cast members and workers, gently stepping aside.
What a change!
You're really not a bit the gawkish girl that you once were…
She may not remember me, but
I remember her…
We never said our love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea- but please promise me
That sometimes you will think of me…
Tia found Elizabeth and hands her a red rose. "He is pleased with your performance! As am I!"
"Thank you Madame." Elizabeth smiled at her as Tia slipped towards the dancers, having them begin their night practice.
Elizabeth sat infront of of a candle stick. Her father's protrait placed ahead of a lit candle. She stares into the flame's light gingerly and didn't notice Anamaria.
"Elizabeth! What an amazing performance! You are truly fortunate to have such a tutor." She praised. "Tell me, how did it come to be?"
"The Angel of Music, he comes to me and teaches me to sing at night. He brings me joy, but frightens me at the same time! Father sent him to me, I know it!"
"Elizabeth! Your face is pale and your hands are cold! Please, must you talk of him?" Anamaria scolded, her voice loud but gentle. Changing the subject she asks, "That patron, he's Will Turner, you're friend, isn't he?"
Elizabeth blushed and nodded, "Yes, but he doesn't remember me."
"Anamaria, you best get back to practice." Tia said in her eery tone, "No more sneeking off! There will be time to talk tomarrow." Anamaria grumbled a few cross words before leaving. She waved goodbye and disappeared.
"I best get to bed then, goodnight Madame Tia." Elizabeth stood and went to pass only to be stopped.
"Will Turner wished for me to give you this." Tia handed her a folded parchment and left, leaving Elizabeth to read the words written to her.
Will stood by the dressingroom, pacing ancily and his thoughts were nothing more but a jumble in his head as they raced around. What if she doesn't show up? What if she's with someone else? Will shook his head in an attempt to erase such thoughts. He spots Elizabeth heading his way and hides behind a pillar feeling suddenly shy. He watched from behind as she entered her dressingroom and closed the door behind her.
"Silly boy, what's there to be afraid of?" Will scolded himself, laughing at his childishness.
Elizabeth sat at the vainity, combing out her hair. The door knocks and she bids them in, not caring who it was.
"Little Lizzie let her mind wander. Little Lizzie thought: Am I a fonder of dolls or of goblins or shoes?" Will smiled as Elizabeth turned in joy. She stood up and hugged him.
"Will!" She smiled and gripped his hands in her's.
"Or of riddles or frocks?" Will continued, loving Elizabeth's laugh.
"Those picnics in the attic." Elizabeth continued to smile.
"Or of chocolates?" Will smiled as he kept speaking the riddle.
"Father playing the violin." Elizabeth lovingly watched the memories.
"As we read to each other dark stories of the North." Will placed a hand gently on her cheek.
"No, what I loved best, Lizzie said, is when I'm asleep in my bed and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head!" Elizabeth grinned as the riddle came to a close.
"As the Angel of Music sings songs in my head!" They finished together.
"You sang like an angel tonight." Will said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"Father said, 'When I'm in heaven child, I will send the Angel of Music to you.' Well Father is dead, Will, and I have been visited by the Angel of Music." Elizabeth explained in the same tone.
"Oh, no doubt about it! And now we we'll go to supper!" Will exclaimed, leading her from the room, only to have Elizabeth stop him.
"No Will, the Angel of Music is very strict." She reasoned.
"Well, I shan't keep you up late!" Will once more led her to the exit.
"Will no!" Elizabeth pleaded for him to listen. He was at the door and he smiled at her. Elizabeth relaxed, he got the message.
"You must change. I'll order my carriage. Two minutes-Little Lizzie." Will left the room.
"No Will! Wait!" Elizabeth shouted after him. She shrank back into the room, closing the door.
Insolet boy!
This slave of fashion!
Basking in your glory!
Ignorant fool!
This brave young suitor
Sharing in my triumph
Elizabeth's head shot up, she spun around trying to find the source of the voice. Upon finding none she relised who was addressing her.
Angel! I hear you
Speak! I listen!
Stay by my side, guide me!
Angel, my soul was weak
Forgive me!
Enter at last, Master!
She hoped the voice would respond and was relieved it did.
Flattering child
You shall know me
See why in shadow I hide
Look at your face in the mirror
I am there inside!
Elizabeth mechanically turns towards her mirror, she slowly approached it, staring at her reflection.
Angel of music!
Guide and Guardian!
Grant me to your glory!
Angel of music!
Hide no longer!
Come to me strange angel!
She placed stepped closer to the mirror as a man's reflection appeared. A white mask covered his face and nose. A black hat sat atop his head. The skin on his face that was reveiled was tanned. Black hair curled behind his ears and around his neck. He wore a navy coat, gray top, black pants and boots.
I am your Angel of Music
Come to me: Angel of Music
Will knocked on Elizabeth's door over and over for a minute without an answer. He could hear her singing and that didn't bother him. It was the man's voice in there singing with her.
"Who's that voice? Who is that in there?" Will banged on the door and shook the handle, trying to get it open. "Elizabeth!"
I am your Angel of Music
The voice called again. It didn't seem right. From what Will could hear, it had no place of origination. Elizabeth's voice did.
"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" Wil shouted louder and louder. He pressed his ear to the door, straining to hear as much as he could. He shook the door handle and banged on the door again.
Elizabeth was in a trance, the mirror had slid open and a white gloved hand was held out to her. She could hear Will calling out to her and banging on the door, but it sounded so distant, so far away. And besides, the Angel of Music was calling to her.
Come to me: Angel of Music
She reached out with her hand and gripped his. The Angel of Music led her away from the world she knew and into a strange new place, hidden from wondering and scornful eyes…