Georg, Maria and the children climbed almost every peak, up and down, left to right, it was tiresome. The children themselves couldn't bear to walk any further, Friedrich's feet began to blister, Brigitta was thirsty and Kurt, being the growing boy he is, was facing hunger pains.
"Mother, Father, I'm tired of walking so long" said Marta who seemed very sleepy.
They had been walking since six in the morning and it was already three in the afternoon, which meant that they better find shelter soon.
"Georg, perhaps we should find a place to rest for the night" said Maria concerned for the children's well being.
"I know, but where can we go" Georg said motioning around while carrying little Gretl on his back "there's nothing up here" he finished.
"Fraulein Mari- I mean Mother" said Liesl correcting herself, even now she still has yet to remember that Maria is her step-mother "you said that you lived in the mountains, don't you know of any place we can go for shelter" she asked.
"I would Liesl, but I lived on the south rim, this is the north rim" Maria answered "besides, I doubt that any of my family is still around, the last time I saw them was when I left for the abbey and I've never had contact with them again" Maria said.
"Hey, you there" a booming voice shouted from the other side of the path. A silhouette of a man was seen, wearing a fur jacket and carrying a gun. Some of the little children shrieked in terror and hid behind their parents.
"It's a mountain man" Brigitta said, staring at the man.
"Who are you and what're you doing in my territory" the man said.
"My name is Georg von Trapp and this is my family, we are running from the enemy" Georg said to the man.
"There are no enemies here unless you brought them wit-" suddenly the bearded man paused and looked at Georgs wife "Maria...my little Ziegenbock" the man said almost emotional.
"Wait" said Maria "Uncle Arnold" she asked as they both looked at each other "Uncle Arnold" she shouted, embracing the man and laughing.
"My little Ziegenbock, I haven't seen you since you were this high" Arnold said in a happy tone.
"Maria" asked Georg "who-" he asked again.
"Everyone, this is Arnold Schaefer, my mothers brother" Maria said "Uncle Arnold this is my husband Georg and my adopted children" Maria answered to Arnold.
"Oh my Maria, I'm so happy for you" Arnold said hugging his niece once more.
"As much as we'd like to get acquainted" Georg interrupted "Arnold, our family needs a place to rest, do you have shelter" he asked the bearded man.
"Why yes, my cabin is just up the path, Maria take the Children, I need a word with your new husband" Arnold said.
"Be polite Uncle Arnold" Maria said as she lead the children up the path.
"My dear, when have I not" Arnold said with a sly grin.
Georg and Arnold walked to the side as Maria and the Children continued up the path.
"Is there something you wish to discuss Arnold" asked Georg.
"I'm curious as to what you're all running from, that you had to walk into the mountains" Arnold asked as Georg came in close.
"The Anschluss has come to Austria and they wanted me to join their army, putting myself and my family under scrutiny" Georg told him.
"A man who cares for his family's well being, I like you already" Arnold said "those fascist, German bastards, poking their noses where they aren't wanted, it's no wonder why Austria become its own free country" he said gripping his fists.
"Yes, but forgive me Arnold, but I'd like to rejoin my family" Georg said worriedly.
"Ah, yes, yes, of course my boy, come, come" Arnold said leading him down the path "and don't you worry about those goose steppers, you and your family are in good hands" Arnold assured him.
Maria and the children saw the cabin in the distance and a woman coming out to greet them.
"Is that my little Maria oh" the woman exclaimed as she and Maria embraced "look at you and...seven little angels, yours" she asked.
"Adopted, but they are mine all the same" Maria said "Aunt Hilda we need a place to stay and I hate to impose you and Uncle Arnold-" Maria said before she was cut off.
"My child, do not worry, come in side all of you please before you freeze to death" Hilda said as everyone entered the warm cabin.
"Mmm, what smells good" Kurt said as he sniffed the air.
"Goulash" Hilda said.
"Goo what" asked Friedrich.
"Goulash, it's a beef stew, you'll love it" Maria said.
"And I picked some Apples to make apple strudel for dessert" Hilda said.
"Wow I like this place" said Marta.
"Alright, now everyone get set for dinner" said Maria "do you have any extra bowls Hilda" Maria asked.
Suddenly the door blew open with Georg and Arnold coming through it and immediately shutting it.
"It's quite a gale tonight, it's lucky you all came when you did" Arnold said.
"Oh Arnold, for pete's sake take those wet shoes off and put them by the fire" Hilda said to her husband.
"And risk freezing to death woman, I think not" Arnold said retorting playfully.
"Thirty years we been married, he never listens" Hilda said laughing.
After saying grace, the family had their dinner, which was very warm and surprisingly delicious.
"Ah, this brings back memories" says Maria.
"I'm so happy my little Ziegenbock" said Hilda.
"What does "Ziegenbock" mean" asked Kurt curiously.
"Oh please don't ask" Maria said laughing and blushing.
"What's so embarrassing" asking Louisa.
"She's blushing" said Gretl giggling.
"Ziegenbock means billy goat" said Arnold chuckling.
Everyone burst into laughter, along with Maria who was covering her blushing face with her hands.
"She would always climb along the rocks like a little Billy goat, in fact she'd climb so high we couldn't keep up with her" Hilda said.
Suddenly, their laughter was cut off by an abrupt knock at the door.
"Open the door in the name of the Fuhrer" said a booming voice on the other side of the door. Without mistake, Georg knew that the voice belonged to none other than Herr Zeller.
"They've caught up with us Georg" said Maria quietly.
"Hilda, answer the door, I'll take the family to the cellar" Arnold said softly.
"Hurry" Hilda said.
The knocking became more louder and frustrating.
"I'm coming, I'm coming" said Hilda feigning calmness. She waited for Maria and her family to be out of sight and then opened the door. "Good evening mein herr" she said to the man covered in snow as he barged in.
"We are looking for a family of nine known as The Von Trapps" Herr Zeller said to Hilda "we have arrested their accomplices Maximillion Detweiler and Frau Schmidt who will both stand trial for treason to the swastika" Zeller said with harsh gruffness.
"Well I have not seen or heard of anyone by the name of Von- what was it again" Hilda asked.
"Trapp woman, Trapp" Zeller shouted while Hilda didn't flinch.
"Ah yes, no one by that name here" Hilda said.
"Captain" Zeller's lieutenant shouted "there are twelve bowls on this table, their are others here" he finished.
"Oh nonsense, my husband and I just had a few friends over for lunch and I forgot to tidy up" Hilda lied nonchalantly.
"Then why is the soup pot still warm" the lieutenant asked.
"Well you see my husband and I just had dinner, before tidying up" Hilda said until she was interrupted by a thump heard from the basement.
"The cellar, go, go" Zeller shouted to his soldiers "if you are lying woman, both you and your husband will be shot for treason" Zeller said glaring at a smiling Hilda.
"I assure you Mein Herr, we have nothing to hide" Hilda said with a smile and an air of confidence.
Herr Zeller and his men journeyed down to the basement where Arnold was hammering on a new wardrobe for his wife. The bearded mountain looked up to see Herr Zeller and his lieutenant.
"Ah, good evening Mein Herr" said Arnold politely as he shook Herr Zeller's hand "how can I help you" he said.
"We are looking for a couple and their seven children, they go by the name Von Trapp, have you seen them yes or no" Herr Zeller asked.
"Seven children, God bless, we can hardly take care of one" Arnold said jokingly.
"Have you seen them, yes or no" Herr Zeller asked again, this time gritting his teeth.
"Well now, I don't know anyone named Von Trapp but I do know a Von Schuler" Arnold said.
"Are these shelves built into the wall" the lieutenant asked curiously.
"Why yes as a matter of fact they are, made them myself" Arnold said proudly "you know it's a funny story but I-" Arnold started before he was interrupted by one of Zeller's soldiers.
"There's no one down here sir" the soldier said.
"Very well, I will leave you and your wife Herr-" Zeller said asking for his name.
"Schaefer sir" Arnold answered, helping the man.
"Yes, Schaefer" Herr Zeller said "but know this, we shall return here again and if you're hiding something, you and your wife will be shot at sundown" Zeller said glaring at Arnold.
"And when you come again Mein Herr, my wife will make a nice warm apple strudel just for you" Arnold said with a nonchalant smile.
Zeller just huffed and walked back upstairs with his men and then out the door
"Auf wiedersehen, come again" Hilda said as she closed the door. When it was shut, she breathed a long heavy sigh of relief.
She then journeyed down to the basement where Arnold was waiting for her by the shelves. Arnold then knocked on the shelves and they quickly opened to reveal a secret room where the Von Trapp's were hiding.
"Thank you, both of you" Georg said.
"Oh my boy, think nothing of it" Arnold said patting Georg's shoulder.
"We're just thankful you're all alright" Hilda said to Georg and Maria.
"One thing's for sure, we can't stay here" Maria said "he said he'd be back" she continued worriedly "maybe we should go now" Maria finished, jumping to conclusions.
"You'll do nothing of the kind" Hilda said "I won't have you, your man and your little cherubs running about in a blizzard freezing to lord knows what, you're both gonna stay right here and leave in the morning and that's that" Hilda said stern but kindly.
Without even arguing, Maria and George to leave early in the morning when the Gale clears up. Arnold bought down some mats and blankets, while Hilda made the apple strudels she promised the children. After they finished their treat and washed up, they went straight to bed, with hopes that tomorrow will be better than what they have faced this past week.
Morning came and already Maria and Georg were packing some supplies for the walk to Switzerland, where they will head to Italy by train and leave Europe by ship. Georg and Friedrich would carry anything heavy while Maria and the older girls would carry the food.
"Maria wait" Hilda said while handing Maria a pot wrapped in a cloth "for your travels" she said. Maria smelt that it was Goulash and felt overwhelmed by her Aunt's kindness.
"Oh Hilda" Maria said.
"Trust me, you have a long way to go and you'll need it to keep you warm" Hilda said insisting.
"We don't know how to thank you" Georg told the Schaefers.
"Oh think nothing of it" Arnold said.
"What'll you do when they come back" Maria asked its concern.
"Then we'll cooperate and pretend nothing happened like last night" Hilda said with a smile "take care my little Ziegenbock, don't forget the mountains and the songs they have taught you" she finished.
Waving one last goodbye, Maria and Georg began to climb down the mountain with their children. They knew that the journey out of Europe will be hard and turbulent but somehow they know that they'll get through it if they stay together.