Well, I shall be brave and wait out here to see what comes next - Daleks or no!
Thankyou, that was a lovely story.
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| Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7108 |
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| Author: | Advent Drabblers [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Before Frieda Mensch had a reputation at the Chalet School as a law-abiding young lady and a peace-maker. As far as most people in the school knew this was completely justified, but her sister Bernhilda could have told a different story. Frieda had always been a motherly little girl, but as the younger of two sisters had no-one to devote this side of her nature to. For a time her dolls fulfilled this function, but by the time she was ten she'd grown out of playing with dolls and wanted something more fulfilling. Having been trained to instant obedience to her parents, she said nothing of her longings, and not even Bernhilda knew how much she wanted something to mother. Possibly a pet would have helped, but as Frieda kept things to herself, even this outlet was denied her. One day a new family came to live in the block of apartments on the Mariahilfe. There were three of them - mother, father, and a small baby girl of about two months. Frieda was fascinated by the baby, and used to hang over the pram whenever she got a chance. That was all she was able to do, however much she begged to be able to help. Then, two weeks before Christmas, she found the door to the flat open. She had been out with her mother, but had got left behind in the long climb up the stairs. She had seen Frau Metterlich talking to someone down in the lobby, so she knew that there was no one in the flat. Greatly daring, she tip-toed in and into the bedroom occupied by baby Greta. For a moment she stood staring down at the sleeping child, then suddenly, before she could think better, she picked little Greta up and ran out of the flat. She hesitated on the landing, wondering where to go, then, as she heard someone coming up the stairs, she retreated further up and hid. It was Frau Metterlich and she disappeared into her flat and shut the door. Frieda came back down the steps slowly, wondering what to do now. then she remembered the cellar area, where each flat had its own place. There was her own old cot down there, she knew, and some bedding for it. Once down in the cellars she made her way to the fenced off area belonging to her own flat. As she had remembered, there was the cot, with the bedding folded neatly inside it. Before long little Greta was snugly bedded down in the old cot, and Frieda breathed a sigh of relief. The peace and quiet didn't last long. Frau Metterlich, knowing that Greta would wake for her feed at any moment, went to check on her and found her gone. She screamed and ran out onto the landing, shouting for help. Down in the basement, Frieda vaguely heard the commotion that broke out upstairs, but she had other problems on her hands. Greta had woken up, and was crying, and nothing Frieda could do would stop her. Outside, people were running up and down the stairs, and finally her mother thought of the basement. She opened the door to be met by her distraught daughter and the noise of a screaming baby. "Oh Mama!" cried poor Frieda. "She cried as soon as she woke up, and I can't stop her. And she smells so!" "Of course she's crying Frieda. She wants her milk, and she wants to be clean too. Why is she down here? Did you take her?" Frieda quailed at the stern note in her mother's voice. "Yes mama. I wanted to look after her." "A baby is not a doll to be played with Frieda, as you have found. A baby is in the care of her parents for a very good reason. Only they can look after a child properly. Now you must come with me and apologise to Frau Metterlich for stealing her baby." Frieda started to cry at this, for she hated having to apologise to anyone, but Frau Mensch was adamant. She picked up the howling baby, who quieted as soon as she felt experienced hands holding her, and pushed Frieda up the stairs ahead of her. Once Frau Metterlich had her child safe in her arms again, she was able to listen to Frieda's halting apology with some sympathy, and once she was assured that it would never happen again, was able to forgive her. |
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| Author: | JB [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch |
That doesn't seem so bad ...... * hides behind a cushion at the thought of what might happen in the next instalment * |
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| Author: | cal562301 [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch |
Poior Frieda. Such a strict upbringing must have been hard. But even so..... *Joins JB behind the cushion* |
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| Author: | Pingaware [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 3:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch |
It's going to have to be a very big cushion *Hides behind afore-mentioned cushion with JB and cal* |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 4:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch |
Well, I shall be brave and wait out here to see what comes next - Daleks or no! Thankyou, that was a lovely story.
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| Author: | Advent Drabblers [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch |
During. (I feel that maybe I should apologise for what follows...Carolyn.) She was always known as Frieda the peacemaker, ever since starting at the Chalet this was what she had been told, that she was good at reconciling differences between people. Joey and Simone, Joey and Eustacia, Joey and Evadne, Joey and Thelka, Joey and Grizel, even Joey and Marie. Joey and anyone and everyone. Frieda knew why it was that Joey needed someone to make peace between her and the world, and she also knew why she was the person it came down to. It appeared that she was the only person in the school who could see Joey as she really was. The only person who could see behind the glamour she projected. Everyone else saw a cheerful English schoolgirl, leader, outspoken but friendly, and yet none of them seemed to realise she was the person involved in more arguments than anyone else, the person more likely to have a violent disagreement with someone, even the person most likely to be involved in violence itself. Frieda could see behind the glamour. She could see Joey for the dragon she was. Frieda could see that Joey was not in fact a jolly English schoolgirl, but a green, slimy, scaly dragon. When she first met Joey she had been surprised that no-one remarked on the fact that Madame's sister was a dragon, but she soon realised that they just didn't notice. So she went along with it. Fortunately for ell concerned Frieda came into her powers that first term. She had an inheritance waiting to be awakened, and contact with Joey did it. Frieda was the first DragonLord in several generations of her family. The last had been her great-grandfather, and tales where only told of him in whispers. Frieda took time to learn how to use her powers, her control of Joey now was far better than it had been in those first few stormy terms. Now she knew how to meet Joey's eyes, how to see and hear beyond the glamour, and most importantly how to subdue her. Now no doubt you are all thinking it is great identifying Joey with a dragon, think a peacemaker as a DragonLord might work and wonder if I was watching Merlin last weekend. But you are also wondering where the crime is. Is it illegal to be a DragonLord outside of a specific universe's Uther Pendragon's court? Or is there another crime? I think it would be deemed as cheating to say Frieda would be illegal for Uther since she isn't actually in that universe, but in a Chalet universe that isn't quite as EBD dreamed it. By the time Frieda was second prefect to Joey's headgirl she had Joey well under control. She had learned to draw on power from deep inside, to feel the burn of a dragon's language and speak it out with command. It was just as well because in their final term Joey came up against Matron Besely. This was where difficulties arose because Joey now felt a need for vengance. She also had grown, and her taste for fire had grown. Frieda had her work cut out that term But what did she do, where is the crime? (Secret: I don't know yet either!) A hero is normally the last person you would expect to commit a crime, and dislike it as they do, DragonLords are heroes. Frieda would never have described herself as a hero, but she was, it was in her nature. Yes, but get on with it, this is getting boring now. Have you actually worked it out yet? (ermmmm....well...) So, here we are, Frieda, Joey, DragonLord and Dragon. One in control, the other seen as leader and followed. One keeping a tight discipline, the other learning to enjoy her fire. The last term at school was drawing to an end. Marie was engaged. Simone was planning on going to the Sorbonne. We know. Get a move on give up. You've said all this before. (OK, keep you hair on.) Frieda, Joey. Showdown. Not the end. We know there will be more, the series is not finished. But for now, showdown. This is the end of an era. Tension builds. Last episode of current series. Will there be a death? Or a cliffhanger for the next series? Each is possible. The face off approaches. Our hero is put in a no win situation. A trade off. Her own reputation, or loosing control of the dragon. A stark choice. She does it, she fullfills her destiny. The world is saved once more...for now. But in order to stop Joey flaming Matron Beasley all the way down to Spartz, Frieda had to make a sacrifice. She thought she was just ignoring a lesser duty, that of overseeing the middles as they left at the end of term and got on the train. She was but this was to have a serious effect. The middle whose name no one knew, but who for some odd reason wore a red shirt A La Star Trek I suppose The unknow middle who always wore a red shirt fell under the train and died. In true Chalet School fashion although this was an accident, although the middle should not have been playing on the track at the front of the train, although there were plenty of other people around, because it was Frieda's duty to count the middles into that carriage and oversee their behaviour she was considered a murderess. Luckily for the future of the series, people didn't know the name of the red shirt middle and therefore she didn't need to be referred to again and so the incident could be forgotten. Ah, nice cop out. Dereliction of duty leading to a death, but one that doesn't matter and therefore doesn't change anything. |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x2 |
Love the Star Trek reference!
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| Author: | cal562301 [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x2 |
Lesley wrote: Love the Star Trek reference! Me too. Maybe that's an idea for another crossover when I finish my current drabble. Worf and Joey? Worf and OOAO? The possibilities are endless, as the advert says. *Scurries away to consult with plot bunny* PS I really enjoyed this! |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x2 |
Well, that was slightly, um, different to the rest! Rather unexpected, but enjoyed! Thankyou. |
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| Author: | Advent Drabblers [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x2 |
Well guess who still has some presents to wrap? 
Never mind though - thought I should get into the spirit of the season
for this one so that the actual crime is almost incidental. Think I may
have been a little elastic about little Louis' age but what the heck! Merry Christmas!  Frieda Von Ahlen pressed the starter button on the car once more, the car gave a muffled whine then died away to nothing. She tried again but the car did not even make a sound the next time. She opened the car window to speak to the man outside and was almost knocked back by the strength of the wind, “There's nothing, Bruno,” she called in German, “whatever the problem is the car just will not start.” Bruno von Ahlen appeared suddenly and opened the door, “Move across Liebling,” he said quickly, then inserted himself into vacant drivers seat once Frieda moved across, she looked over at him, “Can you fix it?” Bruno shook his head, “I don't think so, I'm no mechanic and I've exhausted the little I know about engines. How is Louis?” Frieda looked back at the Moses basket on the rear seat, in which reposed their new son of just three weeks, “He's fine at the moment,” she said, “but he will need feeding soon and it's already getting dark.” “I know, we should have reached Joey's hours ago. I wish to God that we'd taken the train.” “It was very kind of your CO to give you the car and petrol to get to Armiford,” Frieda replied, “he knew that it would not be possible to get there by train tonight – even if it were not Christmas Eve the disruptions caused by the recent bombings mean that there is no direct route.” “Well it doesn't look as though we're going to get there anyway,” Bruno said gloomily, “we'll need to find some shelter though, the temperature is dropping.” “Didn't we pass through a village? It was less than a mile back.” “I'm not letting you walk a mile in this weather, woman? You've only just had a child.” “Bruno, Louis is three weeks old and I'm as fit as a fiddle – to quote Joey, come on, perhaps we can find a telephone and contact Plas Gywn.” It took some time to reach the village; Frieda carried baby Louis wrapped inside her shawl and with Bruno's greatcoat over her, he had one arm around her and, with the other, held a torch to try and light their way. Although not icy the wind made the temperature far cooler and, with driving rain, it wasn't long before they were both soaked. In the village they headed for the largest building with a light, a pub, and Bruno banged on the door. Within only a minute the door was being opened and a welcome blast of heat and light washed over the family, “What the? A family out in this? Come in, come in,” the male voice was accompanied by a strong arm literally pulling the two into the bar. Bruno and Frieda looked round quickly, they were in the public bar of a typical English public house. There were five or six men and a couple of women, all country folk. In one corner was a huge roaring fire that threw warmth out to all corners of the room. The man was still talking, “Storm is really hammering down and you look like you've walked a way – car broke down? Don't worry, Christmas Eve we'll not turn you away. Take off those wet things and sit yourselves by the fire.” Bruno allowed himself to helped out of his coat and hat and also helped Frieda to remove her wet things. He then turned to the man, “Thank you Sir, my wife and I are very grat...” he stopped, suddenly aware of the immediate change in atmosphere. Despite the heat from the fire it suddenly felt icy cold, “Germans? You murdering bas***ds, I ain't having you in here. Jonny, go get Constable Lacey, I'll hold him here.” Bruno shook his head, “Not German, Sir, Austrian. My wife and I are Austrian...” “Yeah, so's Hitler, don't you move, here, you lot, give us an hand.” The rest of the men moved toward Bruno, a couple of them snatching up a poker and a knife as weapons. Bruno was pushed hard against a wall. He tried to remove some papers from his breast pocket but one of the men misread his movement and grabbed hold of his arm, twisting it up behind his back, “Got a gun in there have you, Fritz?” Frieda tried to push her way back to stand beside her husband, “No, no you're wrong, we're not your enemies, I swear. Bruno is fighting the Nazis, his regiment is the Polish Legion, he has the papers in his pocket. Please,” her fear and the general hostility was enough to communicate themselves to a wide awake Louis and he let out a cry. “Hold it!” Another voice, one from behind the bar, suddenly rose above all others, “let them alone!” The big man turned, “Rose they're enemies,” he began. “Enemies what have brought along their baby with 'em, Pete?” “Well they...” “Please,” Bruno said quickly, “in my left breast pocket, my papers and those of my wife and son. They will prove to you that we are not your enemies. We are Austrian, yes, but we had to flee from Austria when the Nazis took over.” “Bruno was held in one of their concentration camps,” Frieda put in, “he managed to escape but not before they damaged his hands.” The men surrounding Bruno all looked at his hands, saw the marks of torture on them. Pete retrieved the papers and read them, he sighed, “Looks like they're telling the truth,” he said reluctantly. Frieda gave a deep sigh, “Thank you, now, please, may we sit by your fire for a time, to warm ourselves? We'll not be long, just enough time to find a mechanic to help fix our car.” Rose shook her head, “You won't get anyone to go out until it's light, love.” Frieda and Bruno both looked worried again, “But we must,” Frieda replied, “we have to be in Armiford before midnight – we are subject to movement orders as aliens, even friendly ones. We will be breaking the law otherwise.” Rose came out from behind the bar and placed an arm around the younger woman, “Not a lot you can do about it, love,” she said, steering Frieda to a secluded seat next to the fire, “and anyway, none of us will tell the cops, don't worry.” Bruno sat beside Frieda and nodded his head in agreement, “We'll have to stay here until it's light, Frieda,” he said softly, “we cannot let anyone know, the storm has brought down the phone lines.” A short time later and Louis was settled, sleeping in his mother's arms, Pete suddenly appeared with an old wooden cot and some blankets and Frieda placed her son in it. Rose suddenly laughed, “What is it?” Frieda asked. “Just thinking,” Rose smiled, “we couldn't turn you away anyway, not tonight. Did you happen to see the name of this place?” Frieda shook her head pulling her shawl down from over her hair as the warmth from the fire slowly seeped into her bones. “It's called The Livery Yard, know what that is? It's a stable – seems you're destined to be here tonight.” |
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| Author: | Carolyn P [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Oh Lesley, that is beautiful. You've made me cry. |
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| Author: | SMG [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Oh wow!What a perfectly crafted ending-especially for the date  Have really enjoyed all the Advent Drabbles. Thank you! |
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| Author: | Nightwing [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 3:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Oh, that last one   Loved Joey the dragon, too! Thanks, ADs! |
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| Author: | keren [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 8:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Very moving |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 10:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thanks to all three of you for another wonderful set of Advent drabbles. |
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| Author: | JB [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 10:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thank you. That was beautiful and i'm blinking away the tears. I've enjoyed all of these advent drabbles so much. Thanks very much drabblers. |
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| Author: | LizzieC [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 10:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thank you for this, and all the others Advent Drabblers. They've been sweet and funny and gripping and I've really enjoyed them
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thanks ADs for all the amazing drabbles - I may not have commented every day, but I've been reading avidly and loving every one
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| Author: | jmc [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thanks ADs for all the fantastic drabbles at such a busy time of year. I have enjoyed reading all of them very much.
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| Author: | Karoline [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 1:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thank you AD's, I've really enjoyed this years drabbles |
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Fri Dec 25, 2009 10:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thank you Ad's for an interesting set of drabbles which has kept me coming back daily. I am pleased Frieda's crime was such an unindential one. |
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| Author: | Abi [ Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
The last one was beautiful and loved Joey as a dragon! Thanks for all the Advent Drabbles - they've been wonderful! |
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| Author: | Lyanne [ Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thank you for all the advent drabbles. |
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| Author: | JS [ Sat Dec 26, 2009 10:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
What a fabulous ending. Thanks so much for all the drabbles - I've enjoyed them all and really appreciate all your hard work and talent - three cheers for the Advent Drabblers
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| Author: | cal562301 [ Sat Dec 26, 2009 11:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Have really enjoyed all the Advent Drabbles and this was the perfect ending. Thanks so much all of you for your creativity and hard work. |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thankyou for all of the drabbles - and a perfect ending! |
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| Author: | BethC [ Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thank you, ADs - a wonderful set of drabbles! |
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| Author: | Pingaware [ Sun Dec 27, 2009 2:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thanks ADs. I enjoyed each and every one of your drabbles
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| Author: | Chris S [ Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thank you Advent Drabblers. I can't say that I have enjoyed all the stories since you have managed to alter my feelings about some of my CS favourites, but I really did enjoy the last one. |
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| Author: | Kacca [ Mon Dec 28, 2009 5:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Advent 24: Frieda Mensch x 3 |
Thank you so much Advent Drabblers for a most magnificent set of drabbles. It's been such a joy reading them. |
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