Disclaimer: I sadly don't own the Sound of Music…
Author's Note: hey everyone, I'm back! This will be my third The Sound of Music fic…
Just a little info: Chapters 1-3, maybe 4 will consist of flash backs of scenes that I would have liked to see in the movie, and then going back to the Gazebo scene with Maria and the Captain. It will make more sense once you see it…it will just be scenes showing the evolvement of their relationship. Then in chapter 4 or 5 the main plot will really start going…
Summary: Maria and the Captain are happily engaged the night she came back. But the happiness is cut short the next morning, and that's only the beginning. Will the true love of the two last through the trials and tribulations? Or will Maria only be led to trust in her heart, and heart alone?
I Trust In My Heart-
-Chapter One: The Storm
Maria listened as the storm raged on outside. She pulled the comforter closer to her chin as she lay on her back, staring at the ceiling of her room. Her first day at the von Trapp home had proven to be difficult. But at least she won the children over when they were scared of the storm. Or, she hoped she had…
They were sweet children. She recalled the looks on their faces when she was helping them to conquer their fear of thunder storms. Pure joy, much unlike the contrasting looks that covered their faces when she had first arrived. They resembled looks much like their father's strong features held.
Hah, their father. Now there was a piece of work if Maria had ever seen one. She couldn't understand how a man could appear so cold and unfeeling but at the same time be so full of love and concern. Yes, whether he showed it or not Maria could see the love he held for his children. Even though he actions were wrong, they were filled with concern and meant for the well being of the children. Yes, she could see it. She could see it in his eyes.
There was a flash of lightning followed by a load crack of thunder. Maria sighed and rolled onto her side. She reached over, turned on her night table light and grabbed her clock. Pulling it close to her face as he eyes adjusted to the light. 9:30. She groaned and set the clock back down.
She stared at her wall. She couldn't sleep. It wasn't that she was tired, she was exhausted, but her body wouldn't allow her to sleep. When she was at the abbey and she couldn't sleep she usually snuck out of her room and sat in the court yard, staring at the stars. Luckily she was never caught. But tonight was not a night for star gazing, she doubted she could see the stars with all the clouds outside.
Perhaps, maybe she could go and look for a sowing machine. She doubted she would know where to look, and if anyone was up to tell her where to find one. But perhaps wondering around the villa would help her to familiarize herself with it, either that or get lost.
She quickly stood, grabbed for her dressing gown, and made an exit into the hall way. The only light was in the entrance hall, everywhere else was dark, giving the villa a ghostly look. Maria shivered, and she wasn't sure if it was from the cold of the storm or not. She hastily made her was down the stairs and into the warmth of the light. She was about to go to the opposite wing of the house when a flash of lightning illuminated the sky just as her eyes caught sight of the double door leading to the back gardens.
The bright light had illuminated the door and she could see how calm, and yet rage-full the storm was. Something rose inside her, curiosity, her love of nature? She didn't know, but she walked over to the large glass doors, unlocked them, and pulled them open just the slightest bit.
She watched as the rain fell in sheets, coming down hard and yet so soft at the same time. There didn't seem to be one spot that wasn't covered in rain, she could barely see the lake. But it was coming down so lightly, she had never seen anything like it. The lighting and the thunder seemed to be the only thing harmful in this, what appeared to be, huge storm.
Maria was so wrapped up in the sight of the storm that she didn't even here the foot steps sounding behind her. No, it wasn't until someone cleared their throat that Maria realized she was not a lone.
Jumping, Maria spun around to see the Captain staring at her with a curious look on his face, and what she could have sworn to be a smirk.
"CAPTAIN!" She yelled, instantly covering her mouth as she did so, in fear of waking the children. "Captain," she said again, after the shock settled in. "I didn't know you were there." she said, grabbing her robe and tightening its clutch around her.
The Captain let out somewhat of a snort, whether out of humor or disagreement Maria did not know.
"Is this, ah, another one of your little rituals you picked up in the abbey? Standing in an open door as it rained, ready to catch a cold?"
Maria blushed. "No sir, I just was looking for a sewing machine when the rain caught my attention."
"Looking for a sewing machine at this time of night?"
Maria took a moment to answer. There was something in his voice, something she hadn't noticed before, or maybe it was never there before. It made him sound softer. 'He's probably just tired' Maria thought, and convinced herself that was the answer.
"Yes, I couldn't sleep and I figured I could start working on the clothes for the chi- for me." she quickly corrected herself as her voice became a bit more harsh and firm. The mention of the children had caused her to remember the more recent of conversations with the Captain and the small dislike she held for him sped through her veins.
"Most people read when they cannot sleep, but you sew." it wasn't a question, it was a statement. Maria noted the tone of his voice, it was like earlier when he sent the children to bed, but it held just the slightest bit of sarcasm.
Maria blushed once again.
Without another word, the Captain walked towards Maria, and opened the doors to their full capacity, leaning against the right door frame. He stared into the storm, while Maria watched him.
His face seem to become more tired, he looked almost sad. His eyes were glazed, almost like he was in a dream world, remembering something, something that pained him. Maria was about to ask if he was alright when she realized who exactly she was standing next to and turned her gaze to the storm.
They stood in silence for a moment, both gazing into the rain, both absorbed in their own thoughts.
"It's funny." The Captain broke the silence after five minutes, as Maria looked his way. "It's so calm and nice, the rain that is. Then you add a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder and it's filled with rage." he finished turning his gaze to Maria. "Much like something else I know." he said as he looked her dead in the eyes.
"If you'll excuse me." his voice had now become sharp again, "I must leave early tomorrow." he began to walk away. "Oh, and uh Fraulein."
"Yes Sir?"
"I do expect to return home to a disciplined house." With that being said he was gone.
Maria stared at the spot where the Captain had been standing before once again turning her gaze to the storm. His remark ringing through her ears. "Much like something else I know" Maria had a feeling that the 'something else' wasn't a something, but a someone.
"What else does the Reverend Mother say?" The Captain asked, holding Maria's face to look into her eyes.
"That you have to look for your life."
"And have you found it, Maria?"
"I think I have." she whispered, not yet meeting his gaze. She looked up into his eyes, and there she could see her true answer. "I know I have."
Author's Note: Well, what do you think? It's not exactly the longest, but it's just the beginning. Please leave a review and let me know! More to come soon!
Your humble author,
The Lonely Goatherd