A/N: I know the length of time between my last update and this one was unforgivable, but life got in the way in the most unpleasant way. I'm sorry this chapter, like the last one, is short. The next one will be longer, I promise, and will come quicker than this last one did!

Ten

One small but resonate bell rang only once, indicating a quarter to five, signaling fifteen minutes to five. The abbey was filled with the sounds of the sisters, all walking to the church for the five o'clock evening mass, mandatory for all in the convent. As Maria followed the Reverend Mother out of her office, the sounds of the peaceful Latin hymns did more good for her than she could ever describe. Her life had changed so much in the past two days – really ever since the start of the summer – and hearing the familiar hymns of simple praise and worship were soothing and comforting to hear. She briefly closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

The Reverend Mother noticed Maria's quiet moment, and gently placed a hand on her arm. "Tell me what is going through your mind, my child."

Maria silently chuckled to herself after she opened her eyes and looked around. "It just struck me how strange it is to be here and not have my wimple on. I felt self-conscious about it all through our talk."

The Reverend Mother chuckled as well. "That must be strange."

Maria shook her head. "You know what is even more strange, but in a welcome way? I feel much more at peace here than I have before…perhaps because I am now only a mere guest rather than a postulant or resident here…"

The older woman took Maria's hand in hers. "You shall always be so much more than a mere guest here, Maria. We love you dearly, and will never stop. I hope you will always remember that."

Maria gave something of a watery look and smile, squeezing her hand back as they walked slowly through the abbey. "Thank you, Reverend Mother. But I am glad I feel this way, rather than feel sad. It feels like God letting me know I made the right choice in not giving myself to Him as a nun. Because, quite frankly, I have no regrets about returning to the Von Trapps, even if circumstances had been different. I would give my life for those children, if I had to." And their father, if I had to, she thought, but chose not to voice this aloud.

But Maria had no need to say this aloud to the knowledgeable Reverend Mother. She was very pleased that Maria felt this way, and had no qualms about giving up the life of a postulant. More than that, the Reverend Mother was proud of Maria and the new air of maturity that surrounded her now. Though it had only been two days since they had talked, the change, to the observant Reverend Mother, was striking. Maria no longer resembled a girl, but had the grace and carriage of a woman, who carried her responsibilities proudly and gladly, despite the frightening circumstances around her.

"Well, thank you for coming and telling me more about the situation," said the Reverend Mother as they continued to walk. "Ever since the Anschluss happened yesterday, it seems that all of us have more new worries, especially you and the Von Trapps."

Maria could only nod in response to the second statement, but responded to the first. "I was glad to come today and relieve some worry where I could…" Maria's voice drifted as her gaze absently turned to the front gate of the abbey, which they were walking past now. Her footsteps ceased, so the Reverend Mother's did as well.

What she saw at the gate nearly broke her heart. The figure of a girl, between Brigitta's and Louisa's ages, sat in a crouched position at the gate, hunched over as if in pain or crying, possibly both. Maria's feet carried her, almost ran her, to the gate, barely noticing the Reverend Mother following behind her. When they reached the gate, Maria opened it without hesitation and crouched down beside the girl. Her long, fair hair hid her face, but her quiet, whimpering sobs shook her entire body. One hand covered her eyes, and the other was held close to her chest.

"Fraulein, how can we help you?" asked Maria softly, reaching out a gentle hand to stroke the girl's hair. When she touched the girl, the head shot up in shock and fear. As Maria took in the sight of the girl's face, a wave of nausea went through her at the sight. The girl's face bore marks of clear, cruel abuse.

In that moment, Maria did not debate but acted, taking complete control. The Reverend Mother, who had followed her, did not question or stop her. Both of them knew that Maria was one of those people who would know exactly what to do.

Wrapping an arm around the girl, Maria smoothed the girl's hair as she spoke softly. "What's your name?"

"M-Mina," stuttered the girl as her sobs softened. "I had to…I had to get away, and…I didn't know w-where else I could go…"

Maria nodded, looking at her with pure understanding. "Come inside now. You don't have to be afraid. You will find safety here."

The girl Mina looked at Maria, and knew in a moment that she was safe. She let Maria support her as she stood up, and leaned against her as the two older women led the girl into the sanctuary of the abbey.

The Reverend Mother led the way to her office, but stopped them before the door. "I must get to mass, or everyone will wonder where I have gone. Maria, take her inside the office and help her all you can. I trust your judgment in whatever decisions are made."

"Thank you, Reverend Mother," said Maria, and the two women shared a look of understanding. After the Reverend Mother had walked away down the corridor, Maria led Mina inside the office. As she helped Mina sit down in the chair that Maria had so often sat at, Maria noticed the peculiar way the young girl held her wrist to her chest. Maria knelt in front of her and reached out for the limb. "I'll be gentle," she reassured quietly, gently.

Mina believed her, and very slowly held out her forearm, biting her lower lip as Maria's gentle fingers touched it. "This could be broken…" murmured Maria. She got up and went to a cabinet in the office where Maria knew the Reverend Mother kept some basic medical supplies. She pulled out bandages and went back to the girl. "I must wrap this up as tightly and best as I can until a doctor can take a look at it, dear."

The fair-haired girl sat silent and brave as Maria tightly wrapped the damaged limb up, the only indicator of her pain the silent tears that broke free of her tightly closed eyes. When she felt those gentle fingers brush them away, now that the task was done, her eyes opened again. In the blue eyes she met, Mina saw nothing but compassion and understanding.

"You need to be looked over by a doctor, Mina," she said, her voice kind but firm. "However, the problem is that this is a cloistered abbey – no men allowed to enter. Let me take you to my home, where I can call a good doctor and have him take care of you."

Mina's eyes widened and started to shake her head. "No, ma'am, I can't leave here. I told my brother I would come here, and he is coming after nightfall…oh, no, if men aren't allowed here, then how can he? I swear I didn't know…"

She was on the verge of crying again, and Maria rubbed her shoulders. "Hush, now, it will be all right…" A thought occurred to Maria, and her hands stilled. Looking intently into the bloodshot green eyes, she asked, "What is your brother's name?"

"Rolf," replied Mina. "Rolf Gruber."

Maria's eyes widened and she took a deep breath as all of the pieces came together in her mind. Thank goodness she'd talked with Liesl that morning. "Then you are definitely coming home with me, where you can be taken care of. I know your brother, and he knows me. I look after and stay with the Von Trapp children."

Mina gasped and raised her good hand to her mouth. "You're that Maria? Who looks after Liesl and her siblings? Rolf told me about you last night."

"Then you know you will be safe and welcome with me, Liesl and all of us," said Maria.

Mina nodded slowly. "But…how will we let my brother know? I can't call home, and if he can't come here…"

"Don't worry about that," said Maria, thinking fast as she got up to stand. She walked around to the other side of the desk and began to write on a free piece of paper. "I'll leave a note for the Reverend Mother, telling her where I have taken you and to expect Rolf to come for you after nightfall. She will tell him where we are, and he will come."

After a few minutes of silence, Mina nodded more surely than she had before. Though she had only known her a few minutes, Mina could feel in her heart that this Maria could be trusted.