The Search
Sidney was waiting outside the hotel. Georg stopped the car and got out. "Sidney, you need to drive. You know the way to Tirol."
"Okay Georg, I'm going to drive east for a few miles, far from the German border."
"Good idea, we shouldn't take any chances."
Sidney drove in that direction for about thirty minutes; he had driven about twenty miles. He easily found the route which headed southwest.
"Georg, this road will take us into Tirol a good thirty miles south of its border with Germany. Do you know how Maria may have traveled?"
"I'm sure she must have taken a train from Vienna."
"And do you know where in Tirol she had once lived?"
"No I don't. All I know is that she is orphan and grew up on a mountain farm. The Reverend Mother told me she had just recently professed her faith; she had been led astray by the atheists."
"I remember that time. It was probably my motivation for buying the lodge near the seminary. Georg, I've traveled here on several occasions. There are many small churches which offer retreats for meditation. As I traveled to them I remember seeing farms of all different sizes tucked away on mountain plateaus or in the area surrounded by the Tyrolean Alps. I'm sure Maria may have lived in one of them."
"And hopefully Maria didn't walk very far before she found her destination."
Sidney drove into Tirol Province through a small village almost on the border of Tirol and Salzburg provinces.
"Look Georg, there's a train station here."
"And right behind it is a trail on that mountain. I'm sure Maria may have left the train here. Let's stop and ask a local where that trail goes."
"Good idea, I see a place to park up ahead."
The two men left the car and Georg spoke to the first person he saw. "Excuse me, sir. Where does this trail take you?"
"To the top of a mountain ridge; the view from there is breath-taking."
"Thank you." The man nodded, as he continued past them. To Sidney, Georg said. "I'm sure Maria didn't go there; she must have continued through the town. Let's go do the same."
The two men returned to the car and traveled through the town with the beautiful lake. The road continued on in this valley between the two mountains.
"Maria may have walked on this road; she has a little tomboy in her; just like Louisa does. I didn't tell you I saw my children in trees on my way back from Vienna with Elsa. I'm sure she was up there too."
As Sidney continued to drive west they passed several farms; most were small. As they drove by the next one, they could see woman hanging clothes to dry and a man out back doing some digging. They didn't stop. Nor did they stop at the next one; it too was very small and looked deserted.
After driving another twenty minutes, Sidney exclaimed. "Georg, look at the size of that farm."
"I see it. The house is a large chalet structure and look it's attached to another structure with a glass enclosed passageway. It looks like the man of the farm is packing his car. Keep driving Sidney; it looks like the road goes all the way around the property."
As they traveled the road Georg continued to marvel at what they saw. "I can't believe this property even has a lake with boathouses. This must have been a resort at one time."
He didn't need to tell Sidney to keep driving; he did, very slowly. "Look Georg, over there towards that big tree. Are those people sitting under it?"
"I'm not sure. Drive to that grove of trees; we can get out and get a better look."
It wasn't only a better look they had; they could also hear talking and these were little people, small children. "Why don't I feel better? Thinking about my favorite things isn't making me happy."
And then a different voice spoke. "Maybe if you sing Edelweiss we will be ready to travel to Switzerland. I still wish you were going with us."
The person with them didn't speak; the men heard, "hmmm," instead. Then this person began to sing. Georg had already begun to think it was Maria. The songs were too much of a coincidence. As soon as she sang the second verse of Edelweiss he knew for sure.
He tapped Sidney on the arm and mouthed the words, it's Maria. He also slowly moved to the front of the grove of trees. When she was finishing the song, he sang the end with her…bless my homeland forever.
Impulsively, Maria jerked her head to look towards the voice she had heard as one hand covered her heart. She could feel it pounding. A tentative smile appeared as she saw who it was.
Georg never took his eyes off her. He was wondering what she would do next. He saw her almost gulp as she swallowed hard. He heard.
"It's alright, children. I know one of them. Why don't you go back to the house? I'll be there in a few minutes."
The four children ran off as Maria stood. Now she was eye level with Georg. She couldn't help but notice his facial expression; his eyes seemed to be searching her face.
They were. Georg was praying he hadn't misread what her eyes had told him during their dance. They both held gazes similar to after their dance. Maria broke the trance.
"Captain, how did you find me? Is the Baroness with you?"
"First, allow me to introduce Sidney Shriver. He was my co-commander on our last mission."
"Hello, Maria, I'm pleased we found you."
"And I hope I didn't scare you. And no, Elsa isn't with me; I broke our engagement. She wasn't at all interested in being my children's mother. Maria, we couldn't help but hear the children. Why are they moving to Switzerland?"
"Harold knows his farm is not far from the German border; he wants nothing to do with the Germans. He's sure they will confiscate his property."
"And why aren't you leaving with them?"
"I wasn't ready to leave Austria. I don't believe it is what God wants me to do."
Sidney was moved by her words. "Maria, I understand all about finding God's plan. I've had many discussions with priests and seminary students about discernment. I never felt the priesthood was for me; but it was my life to facilitate others in their discernment by giving them a place of solitude as well as a place to enjoy God's beautiful earth."
"The Reverend Mother never scolded me when I would leave to find the mountain meadow near the Abbey. She knew it was a place of solace for me."
"Maria, like your friend Harold, I fear the Germans are about ready to invade Austria and my orders and Sidney's from their Admiral will be delivered. There's not much time. Will you return with us? I know there are seven children who will jump for joy."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive Maria, they certainly have been very happy since Elsa left; you will double and triple their happiness."
"I'm already packed. I was going to go to an Abbey not too far from here until I could discern my life."
"Good, take a seat in the car. Sidney will drive us back to the house."
Before Maria could introduce Georg and Sidney to Harold and Claire Keller, they heard Harold speak to his daughter.
"Sarah, Abby and her kittens are in their basket. They're ready to go to Switzerland with us. I'll place the basket on the floor of the car."
"Thank you, Papa; I'll take good care of them."
"Maria, Gretl asked me to find a farm with kittens. Now I can tell her I did. But sadly she won't get to see them. All of the children are going to be disappointed."
"I'm sure they will understand. Let me introduce you. Harold, Claire, this is Captain von Trapp and Sidney Shriver another naval captain."
"Hello sirs. Captain, I'm familiar with your feats from the Great War. You must be fearful of the German High Command demanding your service in their navy."
"I am Harold. It's why I had to find Maria."
"I wouldn't waste too much time in this area. It's speculated that eager Stormtroopers might come across the border at any time."
"Thanks for the warning."
"Captain, let me say goodbye to the children."
Georg watched Maria give each of the four children a hug and a kiss. "Children, one day when you're all grownup, each of you will discover God's plan for you. For now, remember all the fun things we did together and lift your voices to God singing all the songs I taught you.
"Your Papa gave me an address in Switzerland; I'll try and write to you. Hopefully you will be able to receive my letter."
Harold had waited for Maria to finish before speaking. "Maria, I still can't believe you found our farm the day I twisted my ankle in that big hole. Captain, she agreed to stay with us while I got back on my feet. She's a special young woman."
"Yes, I know."
Maria stood with Georg and Sidney and watched the Kellers drive away. Maria wiped a tear from her eye.
"It's so sad we are all being chased from our homeland. Those last words of Edelweiss seem so appropriate…bless my homeland forever".
"Yes, they do. We better leave too. I certainly don't want to run into any of those eager Stormtroopers."
Sidney drove rather quickly off the property to the road back to Salzburg. They had no idea that eager Stormtroopers appeared an hour later.