Disclaimer: As I continually thought about how to make this chapter better than the last I realized I don't own The Sound of Music…

Author's Note: Ok, so for some unexplained reason I have this problem with the last chapter I wrote…I think it's because it turned out differently than I expected, but whatever…so the first thing I got to today was the next chapter…hope you enjoy!

Oh, by the way…there's probably only going to a be a chapter of two left after this one…yes, sadly this story is coming to an end! I wish it wasn't…but alas…what is a story without an end?…

I Trust In My Heart-
-Chapter Twenty-Four: Whistling Away the Dark

The rest of the day Maria and Georg sat in the small clearing talking about anything that came to mind. It was mainly about happy things, the past…theirs as a couple, or their childhoods. Making fun of each other and such things…just like they used to. It wasn't until the sun had almost disappeared from the western sky did the conversation took a serious turn.

There had been silence a few minutes then Maria asked: "What will we do once we get to Switzerland?"

"Well, I was thinking we could go to the cabin that the children and Max will be at." Georg paused in I response as his face became distant and worried. "If they ever made it there."

Maria felt her heart break. "Of course they did. Their safe. But-er--cabin?"

Georg laughed slightly at Maria's response. Her concern for him and the children but her curiosity still making it's way into the conversation. "Yes, when I was first planning our escape my friend Werner and I bought a small cabin just outside of St. Gallen." he paused and looked around. "If I'm correct about out location it should only take a two day walk to get to the cabin."

Maria gulped. A couple of day's once they get off the mountain? She felt her muscles tense at the thought. The Lord only knew how long it would take them to get off the mountain in the first place, then it would take two more days (probably more, she reasoned) to get to safety? She didn't know if her already weak body could take it.

Georg looked at her scared face and smiled. "I'm sure there's a village or town near by and we can look into a bus route once we're there. I still have some money left that should be enough to cover both of our fairs." he said, as if reading her mind.

"I hope." Maria said, rubbing her arm and then her ankle. "So the children and Max are in a cabin?"

Georg nodded. "Well, they should be, if they didn't encounter any problems…" his voice trailed off.

"I'm sure they're fine." Maria said, looking to the western sky just as the sun disappeared for good.

"We should get some sleep." Georg said, after a moment of silence. "If we want to get an early start and cover as much ground as we can, that is."

Maria nodded. "I agree. Besides I'm quite tired myself." she said, yawning and flinching at the same time.

Georg chuckled the took at their changes of clothes and lied them on the ground. He then took off his jacket and helped Maria's take off hers. With his help Maria lied down comfortably, using her extra dress as a pillow. Once she was comfortable Georg draped her coat over her.

"There you go." he said, lying down beside her, resting his head on his extra shirt and covering himself with the his coat.

They were lying close to each other. And yet, there was still a good amount of distance, it was small, but a good amount. Maria felt her heart rate quicken and her cheeks flush red. "Goodnight, Maria." Georg said from her side.

"Good night, Georg."

Maria woke. Her slumber had been light to begin with, and uncomfortable. The hard ground was unbearable. She wasn't comfortable to way she was laying and if she moved pain soared through her veins…making her more uncomfortable. She stared at the night sky. The stars were so bright, making it not that dark. She could see them clearly, smiling down on her. She smiled back. A soft breeze moved through the trees, it was warm and pleasant. The night was beautiful, and she was stuck lying on her back. She sighed, well, if she was going to enjoy the night she would like it was meant to be enjoyed.

Wincing slightly and taking a sharp intake of breath Maria sat up. It actually felt good, her muscles were stretching in a different direction, relieving her body of this stiffness it had felt before. With another wince, she braced herself against a tree she and Georg had settled underneath and stood. Her feet wobbled a moment before she gained her posture.

Just to her right was a little rock by another tree. The rock was just big enough for a person to sit on and close enough to the tree for them to lean their back against it. Shaking slightly, and hoping a little Maria made her way to the rock and tree. She nearly collapsed on the rock when she reached it. She settled and got as comfortable as she could, turning her back to Georg and looking out into the valley of Austria below.

Just in the far distance she could see lights, they were hardly visible, but there none the less. The lights glowed humbly in the night, almost reflecting the stars up above. Maria sat in awe at the sight before her. It was the entirety of Austria, sitting quietly in the night. It was so peaceful, and filled with something quite the opposite at the same time. Maria was suddenly struck by an old song she had learned as a child. It fit the picture perfectly. She began to hum it as the words slowly came back to her, her humming soon turned into quiet words:

"Often I think this sad old world is whistling in the dark.

Just like a child, who, late from school

walks bravelyhome through the park.

To keep their spirits soaring and keep the night at bay.

Neither quite knowing which way they are going,

they sing the shadows away,

Often I think my poor old heart has given up for good.

and then I see a brand new face,

I glimpse some new neighborhood.

So walk me back home, my darling, tell me dreams really come true.

Whistling whistling here in the dark with you.

Often I think my poor old heart has given up for good.

and then I see a brand new face,

I glimpse some new neighborhood.

So walk me back home, my darling, tell me dreams really come true.

Whistling whistling here in the dark with you."

Her voice trailed off into the night, flying away as a breeze swept through the air again. A quiet clapping sounded behind her and Maria jumped. Through the dark she could just see Georg standing a few steps from where she sat.

"Sorry," he said, coming over to her. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"That's alright. Did I wake you?" she asked, hoping she hadn't been singing to loud.

Georg shook his head, a slipped her arm around her waist as he knelt beside her. "No." he paused. "I haven't hear you sing in so long. I forgot how beautiful your voice was." even through the darkness Georg could tell that Maria blushed.

"I'm not that good." she said, digging her head into his shoulder hoping to hide her embarrassment.

Georg laughed deeply. "You should get some more sleep. The sun will be up soon."

"How can you tell?" Maria asked, pulling away and looking at him.

"Oh, it's a wonderful invention. Called a watch. Have you ever seen one?" Georg asked, showing her his watch.

Maria laughed, and smacked his arm slightly. "Ha ha. But I suppose your right."

Maria woke the next morning just as the sun became fully visible. She stretched and winced. When was she going to remember that making sudden movements like those only hurt? She laughed at her own silliness, but stopped shortly when she realized she was alone. "Georg?" she asked, sitting up slowly and looking around. "Georg?" he gave no answer.

Maria stood and braced herself against a tree. "Georg where are you?" she asked, her voice full of worry.

"Right here, of course." he said, coming down from the part of the mountain they had to head towards.

"Where were you?" she asked, as Georg came over a kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Looking for the easiest path to get us to the top." he said, walking over to the picnic basket and putting everything they had taken out away and handing Maria an apple.

"Glorious Food!" Maria sarcastically exclaimed, taking the apple.

"We're close. I was almost there before I decided to head back. It should only take an hour or so."

"Really!" Maria asked, excitedly, momentarily forgetting about the apple.

"Really, really."

Georg's calculations had been right. The top of the mountain and the beginning of Switzerland was merely and hour's walk away, though it had taken Maria and Georg more than that due to stopping frequently for Maria. They were at a high altitude now, and Maria was having a hard time. With one final step, that did a number on Maria's ankle, the reached the summit of the mountain.

"UGH!" Maria said, collapsing on a near by rock.

"Are you alright?" Georg asked, concern etching his voice.

Maria nodded. "I'm fi-oh my." she stopped herself mid sentence when her eyes caught sight of the new valley that lay before her--before them. It was Switzerland. It was peaceful, it was beautiful, it was freedom, but most importantly of al: it was safety.

"We-we did it!" Maria exclaimed, as if she hadn't thought they would.

"Yes, we did." Georg said, smiling at her blatant enthusiasm. Maria quickly threw her arms around Georg again, engulfing him in a hug. Georg kissed her temple. "Are you ready to start heading down?" Georg asked.

Maria shook her head. "Not just yet. I need to rest." as she said rest, she sat herself heavily on a near by rock, she groaned and rubbed her ribs with her non broken arm. "Do you mind helping me rewrap my ankle?" she asked, shyly. "That way I can put more pressure on it."

Georg nodded. "Of course." he bent down and undid the wrap, then began to wrap her foot up once more. "Is that tight enough?" he asked.

"Any tighter and you'll cut off the circulation." she said, cringing slightly.

Georg chuckled, "Sorry. There, that better?" Maria moved her ankle around, the bandage was now tight, but she still had flexibility. She nodded. "How's your arm?" he asked, looking at her worried.

"It's starting to itch." Maria replied as she made a move to some how make the small itch go away.

Georg laughed. "Sorry, I can't help you there."

"Don't I know it." Maria replied grumpily, moving around to stop the itch.

"And how's your ribs?"

"Painful." was all he got as her focus was still on her arm. She was biting on her tongue in concentration and he could just see it sticking out of her mouth. He had to suppress himself from bursting with laughter, despite her reply.

"The cut on your face seems to be healing." he said.

"Is it?" she asked, still focused on her arm, the itch really was becoming unbearable.

Georg smiled, and took hold of her chin, catching her attention. "Yes, I believe it is." he said, before kissing her softly. He pulled back, and rested their foreheads against each others.

"My arm stopped itching." Maria said, smiling as she sat back.

"That's because you stopped thinking about it."

"So you lied then!"

"I did?"

"You said you couldn't help me with the itch. But you did!"

Georg laughed heartily. "I suppose I did." Maria giggled slightly. After their laughter died down, Georg asked: "Are you ready?"

Maria nodded and stood, resting her weight into Georg as he picked up the picnic basket.

She turned her head towards Austria, that was now behind them. This was it. This was the final goodbye. I don't want so say goodbye, Maria thought. "This isn't a goodbye, darling. her words she had spoken to Louisa as she left the villa filled thoughts. "It's an 'I'll see you later'" Right, that's all it was. She would see Austria again. She had to.

Suddenly she felt Georg pull on her waist, he had begun to move, but she hadn't budged. She looked at him and he rose an eyebrow, asking if she was coming. Maria nodded, before turning her attention back to Austria. She took in a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the pure Austrian air. "I'll see you later." she whispered, only loud enough for herself to hear, before she turned back to Georg and gave him a bright smile, which he returned.

Together they began the descend into Switzerland.

Author's Note: The song (and title) in this chapter comes from the movie Darling Lili, it's by Johnny Mercer with music by Henry Mancini and it's called Whistling Away the Dark I love the song, it's so beautiful and I can't get enough of it. So yeah, I don't own that either…

A THANK YOU TO ALL WHO REVIEWED! AS I KEEP SAYING, YOUR REVIEWS MEAN A LOT!

Until next time,
Your humble author,
The Lonely Goatherd