Disclaimer: I ownith nothing.

Chapter 14

The von Trapp car was in a deadly science as Georg drove towards the Festival, quickly coming up with a plan. It has to work, he thought, it just has to. Looking in the rear view mirror he could see the two Nazi cars following closely behind, making sure he went no where.

Maria looked over at the Captain. She had only seen the look on his face once before, when they had gotten into a heated argument about the children upon his return from Vienna. How could this be happening? We are supposed to be almost to the border by now, not on our way to the Festival.

"Max when we reach the entrance to the Festival I will drop you off." came the Captain's cold voice.

"I was hoping you would, though I take it you won't be coming with me."

"No."

"Captain?"

"Yes, Fraulein." At the mention of her name, the Captain's tone immediately softened. Merely her voice was able to calm him.

"What exactly are you planning on doing?" her voice sounded uneasy and almost carried a hint of distrust. She knew that she could trust the Captain, she would with her life. But now, when they had to make an impromptu escape, she didn't know what to feel.

"You'll see soon enough."

"But Sir."

The Captain was never able to answer her as the Festival auditorium came into view.


The street was crowded with people trying to get in. Cars where everywhere, car horns where honking. As they came to a stop, Georg found what he had been looking for. A dark alley next to the building, which he knew for a fact came out on the other end.

The car came to a stop in front of the steps leading inside. Max looked around at everyone. "I shall miss all of you," and with a small snort he added, "I shall miss all the money I could make." The children couldn't help but laugh as Georg and Maria smiled at Max. "Good bye to all of you."

"Goodbye Max."

"Good by Uncle Max." They all said together.

"We will contact you as soon as we can." Georg said.

"Yes…well, until we meet again."

"Yes, good bye." And with that Max left Maria and the von Trapp family.


As Max closed the door, the group in the car could hear Herr Zeller speak. "And where may I ask are you going Herr Detweiller?"

"Only inside Herr Zeller, I am after all the announcer of this fine Festival. Do not worry, the Captain is merely parking the car." With one last smile to the von Trapp car Max turned on his heel and went inside.


"Captain?"

"Yes, Fraulein?"

"Where exactly are you planning on going?"

"Well, I actually hadn't thought of an EXACT place of going but-"

"You don't know where we're going!"

"FATHER!"

"Captain, what have you been planning then?"

"A way to get Herr Zeller off our trail. That's as far as I got when we dropped Max off." the car moved closer to the alley.

Maria sat in silence. He didn't know where they were going? She was so scared. She didn't know what to do. Oh, what would Reverend Mother say? "The abbey." Maria said, just under her breather, thinking out loud.

"I beg your pardon?"

"We-we could go to the abbey. Someone's always there to answer the gate."

Georg thought. The abbey, it could work. There were most likely many places to hide and the alley opened right onto the road that led to the abbey.

"Do you think they would let us hide there?"

"Positive. I'm sure the Reverend Mother would be more than willing to help."

"The abbey it is then."

The Captain looked behind them as the alley was only a few meters away. As he looked he was just in time to see two cars cut in front of Herr Zeller's car. As they got a clear view of the alley, the Captain gave one quick look to Herr Zeller, before slamming down on the brakes.


Maria and the children gave a grunt Gretl even emitted a little scream to the sudden change ins speed. The didn't need to look back. He knew Herr Zeller and his men would soon be on their trail again, but at least he bought them some time.

As they reached the end of the alley the Captain was proven correct as two sets of headlights turned down the dark alley.

"Father, their still following us." Came Marta's scared voice.

"I know, don't worry darling. I need you all to trust me and Fraulein Maria right now, ok?" he said quickly turning around to look at his children.

Again a dead silence filled the car as Nonnberg Abbey came into view.


Maria rang the bell twice hoping someone would be close by to answer to gate. Soon enough the familiar sight of Sister Margaretta came into view.

"Maria?" She said as she opened to gate.

"Yes, Sister. This is Captain Von Trapp and his children." She said, giving the sister a hug.

"What brings you here Maria?"

"We need a place to hide."

"Hide?"

"From the Nazi's, Sister." The Captain said.

"OH MY! Come in, quickly."

"Thank you."


Georg stood looking out a window along with the Reverend Mother. He could hear the conversation that his children and Maria were having behind the wall. He quickly looked towards the heavens and thanked God that his family was alright and Maria was with them.

"Fraulein Maria?" came Gretl's little voice.

"Yes, darling?"

"I'm scared."

"Me too." came Marta's muffled voice because it was her head was buried in Leisl's coat.

Maria looked around at all of the children and had to contain her tears once again. They all looked so scared, how can they do this? She could barely stand the stress of their situation and here these seven children were, never complaining. She was so proud of them. She knelt down so she was eye level with Gretl.

"I know, darling. I know you're scared. I am too. But it will all be alright. I promise." she said, giving the little girl a hug.

"This way, quickly. I have a place for you to hide." Reverend Mother said, passing the Maria and the children. The Nazis has arrived.


"Oh, Reverend Mother, we never meant to put the abbey in this much danger." Maria said, as she followed closely behind the Reverend Mother in the dark grave yard.

"No, you were right to come here Maria." the older woman said, in a comforting tone. "In here, quickly." They had reached iron gates that held huge tomb stones that they could all hide behind.

The children and Maria filed in as Reverend Mother opened the gates. Once the Captain reached was on the other side, he turned to the wise woman. "Do you mind if we borrow your car taker's car?"

"I'm afraid our car will do you no good now. I've been listening to the wire less. The borders have just been closed."

DAMN! Georg looked around in thought. "Alright, the borders have been closed, so" he saw the mountains in the distance.

"We'll head into those mountains and cross the border on foot."

"But Captain, the children!"

"They'll be all right, we'll help them."

"We can do it without help, Father." Frederick said, mustering up as much courage as he could. The Captain gave his son a smile.

Maria stepped up to the Reverend Mother to say her final good bye.

"You'll be alright Maria, remember: I lift up my eyes to the hills whence come my help."

"Yes Mother." Maria said, almost breaking down into tears as she gave the person she had considered a mother figure for years.

"Do not worry, I believe you have finally found God's will. I shall miss you."

"Thank you, Mother. I'll miss you too." With one final smile, Maria turned to help the children hide.

"God be with you." Reverend Mother said as she locked the gate, made the sign of the cross, handed Georg the keys, and squeezed his hand. Georg could only smile in return. Taking a final look, the Reverend Mother of Nonnberg Abbey disappeared from their lives.


The Captain knelt behind one stone with Leisl, Kurt, Marta, and Brigitta. Maria was behind and another with Frederick, Louisa, and Gretl.

"Fraulein Maria?" Gretl whispered.

"Yes?"

"Would it help if we sang about our favorite things?"

Frederick whipped his head around as he felt his heart stop, and saw Louisa had a look a horror on her face. Maria took a deep breathe and looked heaven ward. "No darling, now would not help. We must be very quiet. Here hold tight." She looked over at the Captain and saw him signal for everyone to be quiet as three Nazis made their way into the yard.


Slowly they made there way down the long iron bars, starting at the opposite end from where the family was. Maria held her breathe as the flash reached her stone. There were to many of them, they were going to get caught. Luckily they passed by onto the Captain's stone. The five of them had more difficulty squeezing behind the stone, but were not seen. Looking one more time at both stones a Nazi spoke, "Alright, let's check the roof." The young soldier couldn't help the feeling that he should recheck that area, he swore he saw a shadow behind tomb stone.

The Captain waited a moment before deciding it ok to leave. Quickly he opened the gates and motioned Maria and the children towards the near by stone steps, with Maria leading the way.


Georg nearly fell over Frederick as he came to a complete stop at the top of the stairs. "What?" he said, moving passed all of the children towards Maria who had stopped dead in her tracks. The Captain soon found what had caused the sudden halt. Standing up from being knocked to the ground due to running into Maria was-

"Rolf!" Leisl gasped. "Please Rolf, don't do this." she begged.

Rolf's head shot up to meet the sad eyes of Leisl and the infuriated ones of Captain von Trapp. Taking a step back he pulled out his whistle, ready to fulfill his orders.

"No, don't" The Captain said, taking a step towards Rolf. Panicking, Rolf did the first thing that came to his mind: he pulled our the gun, pointing straight at the Captain's heart.

"N-n-not another s-s-step, or I'll s-s-hoot." He stammered out. Could he really kill him, Leisl's father?
Everyone was frozen. "Fraulein, the children." Georg said, pointing towards the battered down car taker's car. Maria hesitated a moment before moving the children and herself into the car.

"It's you we want, not them." the young man said, holding the gun as steady as he could.

"You're still a boy. Come with us Rolf, run away." he said, inching closer and closer to the "boy" who was now frozen in his spot. Quickly the Captain grabbed the gun and easily ranked it from Rolf's hands. "You'll never be one of them."

HOW DARE HE! Rolf thought. Gathering his pride back, Rolf straightened his shoulders and blew his whistle. "LEUITENANT! THEY'RE HERE LEUTENANT!" Quickly Georg pushed passed Rolf, knocking him once again to the ground.

He swiftly got into the car, started the engine and drove his family towards the hills. They were almost there.

Inside the abbey, Mother Superior, Sister Margaretta, and Sister Bertha, watched as Herr Zeller and his men could not get their cars started.

Quietly, Sister Margaretta broke the silence: "Reverend Mother, I have sinned."

"I too, Reverend Mother." Sister Bertha added.

"What is this sin my children" Mother Superior said, a look of puzzlement on her face.

Shyly, the two nuns pulled out car parts of the Nazi cars.


Author's Note: Wow, that was a long chapter, well, at least long for me. Hope you all liked it.

Lindainsweden: Don't worry, they will get together soon in enough…in their own good time. Thanks for the review. :)

meghankatherine: I'm glad the period of them not confessing is good, I was hoping it didn't seem repetitive. Thanks for the review. :)

Thanks to everyone else who reviewed. More to come soon!

The Lonely Goatherd.