I do not own Sweeney Todd, and thanks to the two users who reviewed on this story, Alaizabel Marks, and an anonymous reviewer. I own no songs in this story.
Ellie could hardly sleep a minute that night, nightmares of the judge and Johanna and the beadle filled her head until sun rose over skyline. She awoke even more tired than she had been the night before, she thought of writing the judge and saying that something had come up, that she had fallen ill or something.
She lay on her thin, lumpy cot for as long as she could, until her father knocked on the door and peered in, inquiring on her health. After forcing herself out of bed, Ellie looked in the mirror and sighed loudly, her hair was matted, and the circles under her eyes were several shade darker than previously. "Knock, knock." Nellie opened the door, "You'll have to leave this room some time." She leaned on the door.
Ellie closed her eyes in front of the small mirror, resting her face in her hands. "Take the day off." Nellie insisted, "Clean yourself up, once you're presentable your father has something for you." Ellie nodded silently and sighed.
Grabbing her thin rode, a towel and other toiletries, Ellie rummaged her closet until she found the right dress. It was one of Mrs. Lovett's old dresses, a navy green dress with a white split section in the middle that pleated in the layers. Three small copper buttons went down the middle of the bodice which was cut with a square neck line trimmed with fine white lace. The sleeves where puffed and pleated and also trimmed with crisp white lace. Finally around the middle, just underneath the bodice a green bow sat.
She hadn't wore the dress in years, never having a reason to, but now she wished she did. Facing the unavoidable, Ellie when the back way down to the bath house, a cold room just under the parlor. In it sat a large metal tub rung with rust rings, and a small stove to heat the water in. setting her things on a molding wood chair she wrapped her robe around her a little tighter and picked up a tube of long wooden matches, sticking it several time down the box it lit and set the stove ablaze. Ellie took a small pitcher over to a small tap coming out of the wall and let the water run onto the floor a moment to get all the dirty water out before filling it and placing it over the flame.
Once the water simmered she dumped it into the tub and repeated the process, within fifteen minutes she had filled half the tub and turned off the stove. She shuddered before removing her robe and night gown before slowly lowering herself into the hot water.
Using a small brush to scrub off dirt from her skin Ellie lathered a tiny bar of soap between her hands and washed as much oil and dust from her hair as she could. Soon her skin was pink, rosy and one layer of skin lighter. She longed to rest a while longer but the water cooled by the second and she soon had to rush out of it to avoid pneumonia.
Ellie walked back up the stairs and into her room once more after patting her skin dry with the rough towel. The morning air made every hair on her stand on end as she rushed to pull on her underclothes and Petticoat. She struggled to lace her corset as Nellie knocked on the door, "You almost ready in there?" she called in.
"Yes, could you give me a hand?" Ellie replied and the Baker opened the door. Ellie leaned on the vanity as Nellie laced the tight, cream colored garment and allowed Ellie to suck in one final breath before pulled the strings tightly and tying them in a tight knot. "Thank you." Ellie gasped, now finding it rather difficult to breath properly, is she knew she wasn't going out, she could usually get away with a petticoat and brassiere, but if she was going out to market, or in this case about to have the most uncomfortable afternoon of her life, the more layers the better.
She un-laced the string on the back of the dress and pulled it over her head, the top a little tighter than it had been before. The baker laced up the back and stepped back, "Ellie you look just beautiful." She paused sadly, "It's a pity you're looks are going to be wasted on him."
Ellie sat at her vanity and began to comb out her hair before it got too dry and tangled. Nellie sighed and smiled, "Well, if you're going to look nice today you might as well go all the way huh?" She walked down the stairs and returned a few moments later with a set of cloth strips. The Baker took thick strands on Ellie's hair and twisted them around the rags before rolling them up and pinning the tight to the scalp, and soon her entire head was covered in the tiny bundles.
"Now just sit by the fire until they dry" Nellie instructed, "I'll bring you up some breakfast"
Ellie sat by the hearth in her room and waited for her hair to dry, Nellie returned with two biscuits and a piece of ham on a plate. "Are you sure you want to go through with this, I can easily send word to the judge that you're sick or somthin'"
"No, It's the only way to get him back on his side, no matter how repugnant I find him." Ellie took up her knitting, a good sized scarf was starting to form in her lap as they waited with Nellie checking her hair every now and again.
"Shouldn't you be in the shop?" Ellie asked, "Some one might come in."
They both processed those words before bursting out in bellowing chuckles, an hour later Nellie took her hair down and the locks fell in perfect springing curls, all thick, soft looking ebony strands except a single dove white lock that hung by her face.
Nellie took a set of her many, many, many, hair pins and pulled both side back, pinning them with small decorative pins that were each topped with a small, white rose that matched the pleated section of her skirt.
The final touch was lining her eyes with light brown kohl and coloring her lips and wine red color. Nellie led her down stairs to find Sweeney finishing off his second tumbler of Gin along side Toby who took sips between cleaning tables and sweeping.
Sweeney stopped mid-drink and looked up, nearly choking on the gin. Ellie was nothing short of lovely, not his Lucy's sort of Lovely, his wife had had a delicate, and innocent air about her. However she wasn't Nellie's sort of Lovely either, the Baker had a motherly, kind air about her.
No, Ellie's lovely was a charming, yet knowledgeable sort, her air was the 'sadder-but-wiser girl's' type, with the face of an aged chine doll, haunting yet beautiful.
"Good morning Father." She said and little less than cheerfully, ah yes under that porcelain, china doll, she was still her father's girl. The believer in Murphy's Law, and an act first ask questions later girl.
"Are you ready?" he asked her bluntly. "I think so." She whispered. Toby stared at her shamelessly, "You look lovely as spring lily Missus, If I may say so." He said childishly. Ellie smiled at the young scrap, "thank you Toby."
It was almost three in the afternoon and Ellie would have to leave soon if she wanted to get to the court house, which was half way across town. Sweeney led her into the Parlor as Toby was kept with Mrs. Lovett.
"Take this." He handed her a tiny handgun. "Father I…"
"Don't" he stopped her, "It's already loaded. I want you home as soon as possible, and if you have any trouble, any at all, I want you prepared."
Ellie nodded grimly, it was a small gun, barely the size of her hand, it had six cylinders for bullets and a wooden handle, "But if you do need to shoot him." She looked up, "shoot to kill"
Ellie nodded and slipped the gun In her hand bag. "Thank you." She whispered.
Sweeney looked away and quickly gathered her into a tight embrace. "Be safe" he muttered into her neck, "Come home safe."
They pulled apart, "I should go, or I'll be late" she whispered.
She rushed out of the shop before she had a chance to change her mind. She walked at a brisk pace, Her curls bouncing like small sausages. She wanted to get there, and get away as quick as she could. At five til, she made it to the court house and asked directions from an elderly, sharply dressed gentleman.
"Pardon me sir." She said, "Could you please tell me how I may get to Judge Turpin's office?"
"Don't bother Archibald." A nasally voice cut off the man's answer, "I'll show her." Ellie turned to find the Beetle grinning at her with a horrible snaggletooth and small, watery, piggy eyes. "That would be most kind of you Mr. Bamford." Ellie smiled as kindly as she could, but honestly, it was hard.
"This way, Miss…"
"Todd, Eileen Todd."
"Ah, yes, the Barber's daughter." He pressed his hand to her lower back and Ellie suppressed a shutter, "Right this way"
He led her through a stone hallway that was almost empty until they reached a door at the end of the hall, "he's waiting for you inside my dear." He said.
"I thank Mr. Bamford, I never would have found it on my own" she smiled sheepishly, "Good day."
The Beetle left her alone and she raised her hand to knock, but could not, she sighed.
"Knock on the door Ellie, just knock on the door, don't be pathetic." She scolded herself and took a deep breath, yet still unwilling to knock.
"Knock on the door Ellie, there's nothing to fear, you're being pathetic." She hissed, "It's just a door, you've seen one before, just knock on the door."
"look at you trying to hide silly, standing outside His office like a little girl, it's just pathetic!" she fiddled with her hands and inwardly groaned, and raised her hand once more to find it trembling, she was suddenly disgusted with herself, "Look at you hesitating, hands shaking, You should be embarrassed! You're not a little girl! It's just pathetic!"
She set her teeth stiffly, "Knock on the door Ellie, what are you waiting for? Just knock on the door."
"but perhaps he's having and meeting or something and won't want to be interrupted, if anything a sensible person should avoid confrontation if possible, I'll come back later than." She said quickly and began to turn, only to stay there, disappointed in herself.
"Knock on the door Ellie, just knock on the door! Don't be Pathetic!" she forced herself to reach out and knock firmly on the wood door. An action she instantly regretted.
"Enter." A solid, deep voice called.
Ellie's hands trembled horribly as she opened the heavy wood door. "Sir Judge?" she said daintily.
He looked up at her from his desk and smiled, "Miss Todd, I was beginning to fear you had changed your mind."
"No sir," she smiled kindly, "I lost my way, but thankfully Mr. Bamford helped me."
"Did he now?" the judge stood and strode toward her, "I shall have to thank him,"
His eyes traced every inch of her, "You look Lovely today Miss. Todd." He complemented, "I am not worthy of such a complement" Ellie looked down shyly.
"But you are." He pressed his hand to her lower back and led her further into the room. "Come, sit."
Ellie was suddenly sent back to went she was a small child, ten year old Ellie Barker sent to her guardian with a angry letter from her headmistress after she was naughty in class, Fifteen year Old Ellie being beaten after the Beetle ratted on her for kissing the messenger boy behind the kitchens.
She sat primly on the edge on a finely upholstered chair. "Now, I would like to apologize once more for my actions yesterday."
"Sir, There is simply no need, if anything I owe you an explanation as to why that sailor burst in quite rudely." Ellie sipped her tea softly, "You see, when we came here, my father and I had very little money and could not afford to board the passenger ship." She said sadly, hoping to gain at least a little sympathy, "but the Sailor offered us a ride on his ship for half the price of a ticket for the passenger ship, we had no other choice you see,"
She looked up slowly to find the judge gazing at her intently, "after we docked in London, we owned him a debt you see, and he said all he needed was for us to house a girl he planned to marry for a few hours until he could collect her."
She sighed, "Sir you most believe had we known the girl was your ward we never would have agreed." The judge nodded and set his large hand over her petite one, an action that made her almost gag, "I believe you Miss. Todd."
"How old are you?" he asked. "I am twenty one sir." She looked up. "I had a ward once, who would be about your age now," he tilted his head slightly, "You look like her a bit." Ellie's breath caught in her throat, this is it, she was sure, now she was done for.
" You mean that Barker girl? The one who died?" she asked. "Yes, did you know her?"
"No, only stories, apparently she was half mad by the time she died." She pulled a mournful mask, she felt his hand move from her hand and to her knee. Disgust built in her throat, but she did not stop him, don't set off any alarms, she told herself.
"Twenty one and not married?" he mused, "Surely you have been courted by many men." She shook her head, "I was almost married, but he…" she bit her lip, "He had other plans."
"to turn away a woman such as yourself." The judge tilted her chin with his hand, "It's positively criminal." His hand moved up her leg slightly, "That is very kind of you to say sir." She smiled and looked down.
"Surely you don't plan on working for your father all your life." The judge urged her, "I'm sure a lovely woman such as your self has a talent of some kind."
Ellie felt the lump in her throat grow, but she couldn't leave yet. "I wanted to make music, I was going to attend school for it, but after my mother died we simply could never afford it."
"That is a pity," his hand was growing bold now, tracing circles through her dress on her upper thigh. "I'm sure it would have been the most beautiful music to grace the world, he leaned in slightly, catching Her off guard. She turned to face him and he caught her lips quickly.
She gasped and reached for her gun but paused, no, settle this calmly, don't expose yourself.
She pushed him back, her feeble strength doing little to stop him as his hands slipped up to her lower back on resting on her rear and one pulling her in firmly on her spine.
"Please!" she pulled back from him, "We should not do this!" his lips made due with kissing her neck and she finally freed her pinned arms and used all of her strength to push him away.
"Sir Judge!" she stood from her seat, "Y-Your Johanna, you said you were to marry her, we- we can't…"
"Johanna has betrayed me." He stood and walked toward her, she back away and soon he had her pinned to the wall, "I can free you, I can give you everything you could ever want." He insisted, his lips diving down to kiss her neck.
"Sir Please!" she slipped away from him, and snatched her bag from her chain, "I am sorry but I- I- I can't" Her voice cracked, truly from rage and disgust, but from the Judge's end it seemed as if she may cry.
"Shh, I will give you some time to think about it." He walked to her and pulled her close, Ellie wanted to take out her gun and shove it down his throat then pull the trigger, but she allowed herself to be held. "Promise me you will think about my offer, I could give you everything you have ever wanted." He whispered into her ear, and slipped something into her palm. She looked down and found a small velvet pouch of money.
Covering her anger, indignation and embarrassment with gratefulness and innocence she looked up at him, "I promise."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "I must get home, and my father will worry about me."
"Of course." He let her slip away from him, "And Miss. Todd, " she turned back to him, "this will be our little secret?"
She smiled at him, it was a forced, painful smiled but it looked real, "Please sir, call me Eileen."
She slipped out of his office and allowed her anger to be vents in a quiet whisper/scream of obscenities no decent person had any business even knowing. 'Did he think he could buy me like a cheap whore!?'
She thought, she instantly felt dirty, she had allowed him to kiss her, to feel her. She wanted to vomit. She leaned on the cold stone wall to catch her breath, the yard was practically deserted. Her breaths were more like gasping sobs and she felt tears prick her eyes.
"Miss?" she looked up and saw a handsome man walking toward her, "Miss? Are you alright?"
Ellie gulped and looked away, "I-I'm fine." She whispered, "Are you sure?" he asked, tilting his head to get a better look at her, her lip stick had been smeared slightly, her dress was rumpled, and her hair was falling out of its pins.
"Miss, Have you been attacked?" he asked, she shook her head, "Alright, well," he looked around, "I- Well I can't very well leave you alone out here like this, where do you live, I'll walk you home."
She looked up at him, getting a good look at him, he look about two years older than she, and his hair was a golden blonde. His upper lip bore a small mustache and his eyes were the blue of the sky, he was dressed in a sharp black suit with a black top hat. "What is your name?" he asked.
"Eileen Todd." She whispered, "You're the Barber's daughter, I know where his shop is" he stuck out his hand, "my name is Westley Kingsley. A pleasure."
She smiled and shook his hand, "Like wise."
"Well, come along, I'll walk you home, you look in no shape to be alone."
Ellie nodded and took the arm he offered, they reached the shop as the sun began to set and the street was full of dancing shadows. Westley held the door open for her as she walked in slowly.
Sweeney was sitting at the same table he had been in since her left, having not moved for the past three hours. As soon as the door opened he was to his feet, watching a strange young man hold open the door for his little girl who looked like she had just had one hell of a day.
"Ellie!" he shot forward. "Are you alright?"
She nodded her head silently, "Thank you for walking me home." She turned to Westley and gave him a sincere half smile, "Well I can see you are in good hands now, have a nice night Miss. Todd." He glanced at Sweeney who held his daughter protectively and looked at his as one might look at an unwanted guest, "Sir." He nodded and left the shop.
Ellie walked wordlessly over to the table where Toby had left a bottle of gin and popped off the cork then downed a mouthful, not caring if the drink burnt her mouth.
"Did he harm you?" he asked seriously. She shook her head, her hair covering her face like a curtain. "Do you want to tell me about it?" he asked, knowing the answer would be a simple head shake, which it was.
"right, well, you had better go change." He said awkwardly, she nodded and trudged upstairs. Nellie watched from the parlor door until her footsteps faded away and they heard a door close. "Go after her, something happened, I know it." He told the Baker who nodded and lifted her skirts as he walked up the stairs after the young woman.
"Ellie?" she knocked softly on the door, "I'm coming in." she opened the door and found Ellie sitting in front of the fire place on the floor in her petticoat and dressing robe, the dress discarded on the bed and her hair freed from its pins and fallen in front of her face.
"Something happened didn't it, something you can tell your father?" she stated more that asked. Ellie nodded, staring intently into the flames. "What did he do?"
"What I let him do…" Ellie muttered. The Baker sat beside her and rubbed her back, "I let him kiss me, and hold me. I didn't want him to , but I let him because we need him on our side." She let tears stream down her face and leaned on the baker's shoulder, "Then he gave me a bag of money, as if he would pay me off like one of his cheap whores!"
"There, there." The baker calmed her, "Oh Nellie I was so embarrassed! And Frightened!"
The baker held the sobbing girl tightly, "I know, it's okay. You're okay. You did what you had to do, okay?" she held Ellie's chin to get her to look up.
"Now, I'm going to go back down stairs, You are going to get changed, we'll have some gin, get that taste outta your mouth, and then you can call it an early night." Ellie nodded with a watery smile.
"Nellie." She stopped her. "You won't tell father about this will you, I mean…" she bit her lip, "I don't want him to worry."
The Baker smiled understandingly, "Not a word."
Alright, The song Ellie sings in this chapter is Pathetic from the matilda Musical, and pay close attention to that Westley guy, he's going to be kinda important.