Disclaimer: As I listened to the My Fair Lady and Cinderella soundtracks with Julie Andrews I realized that I don't own the Sound of Music…

Author's Note: Probably only one more chapter after this one!

I Trust In My Heart-
-Chapter Twenty-Seven: What Ever It Takes

"Hallo?"

"Good evening, is the Baroness at home?"

"Yes, may I inquire as to who is calling?"

"A friend."

"Sir, may I have your name?"

"Just tell her it's an old poor friend."

"As you wish."

There was silence for a moment.

"Hallo?"

"Elsa?"

"Max? Is that you?"

Max sighed in relief. "Yes."

"Why wouldn't you tell Alfred your name?" Elsa asked, inquiring after why Max wouldn't tell her butler is name.

"I couldn't-risk it, I suppose."

"Risk it? Max, what in the devil are you talking about?"

Max sighed, again. He didn't know why he was calling her, something could go wrong. Some one could over hear the conversation, but he had no one else he could trust. She was the only one left that he could rely on, and he needed answers. Besides, she was his friend.

"Elsa, have you heard from Georg? Spoken to him? Seen him? Had any form of contact at all with him?" Max pleaded.

The Baroness was taken aback by Max's tone. In all of her years of knowing him, she had never heard him sound so…desperate. The usual child-like tone Max had about him was gone, he sounded like an adult. "No, Max. I'm afraid not. I have seen or spoken to Georg since I left the villa months ago."

"Damn." Max swore under his breath, barely audible for Elsa to hear.

"Max, what's wrong?"

Max didn't answer right away. He debated whether or not to tell her. Calling her was risk enough, but he had to find out where Georg was. What ever it took, he had to find him. "I'm afraid so…" he began telling her the events of recent. "And it's been two weeks since we left Austria, and the children and I have yet to hear from him. I'm running out of hope Elsa."

The entire time Max recalled the story of their escape Elsa sat with her eyes fixed out the window of her villa, eyes transfixed on the hills. She didn't want to believe it. "I'm so sorry Max. If I see any sign of Georg I'll call you immediately. I-I can't believe it."

Max sighed. "Thank you Elsa. Look, I have to go, I'll talk to you soon?"

"Yes, keep me updated, will you."

"Of course."

"Stay safe, Max."

"You too."

It had taken two days to get three fourths of the way down the mountain. Throughout their constant monotonous trek Maria's ankle was becoming stronger, or just used to the pain, she didn't know which. But for the past half a day she had been able to walk by herself, which sped up their pace. The scratch on her face was healing, though leaving a rather noticeable scar. Her arm was fine, she didn't feel that much pain, most of the time, but it itched like there was no tomorrow. The blasted itching would drive her to insanity if it didn't stop soon. Her ribs were really the only part of her body, that had been wounded, that was still in pain. Any sudden movements sent a jolt of pain down her side. The slightest slip caused her to whimper, but she pushed it all aside.

When it came to their journey, it was going well, for the most part that is. They hadn't been stopped by anyone, well, they hadn't encountered anyone, actually. They only stopped when it was absolutely necessary. They would find some town soon, and then they would reach the children. Maria smiled. It would be lovely to see the children again.

"Maria? Maria?" Georg's voice snapped Maria out of her thinking.

"Hm? Oh, sorry. Where you saying something?"

Georg laughed. "Yes, actually. I can't find a spot to cross this creek, beside those rocks just over there." he said, pointing to the wide creek that they had come across.

Maria looked at the creek from where she had been sitting, she had decided to wait and rest while Georg looked for a spot to cross. Maria nodded, stood and followed him to the spot they had found. There were different sized rocks panning across the creek from bank to bank. The rocks weren't that big, and wet, indubitably slippery. Maria smiled at the sight. She used to cross rocks like these in her mountain back in Austria when she was younger. "Well, then what are we waiting for!" she said, excitedly. Crossing creeks like this was always a high light of hiking.

Stepping carefully, but skillfully Maria made her way across the creek in a record time. She only paused slightly when her foot slipped on one of the smaller rocks, and she felt her chest surge in slight pain. "Careful on that last rock!" Maria called to Georg as he began to make his way across he creek, laughing at her pure delight.

"Don't worry I'll be fi-WHOA!" the rock that Maria had slipped on was not big enough for Georg's larger foot to step on, resulting in a very wet Sea Captain as he sat nicely in the shallow water.

Maria was doubled over in laughter, and one couldn't blame her. For it was rather a sight to see a usually composed man sitting in muddy water, his face in a scowl at his own foolishness.

"Thinks something's funny?" Georg asked, as he stood, smiling in spite of himself.

Maria took a gasp for air, "Yes, actually, I do." after she calmed down, Maria looked at Georg and smiled brightly. "You have mud on your nose. Right there." she said, pointing to her own nose.

Georg nodded, and rubbed the spot away, but without much success because his hands were all muddy. Maria broke into another fit of laughter, despite the ache running through her chest. Georg sighed, and wiped his hands on his shirt, before he too began to laugh.

"I think it's time I change my clothes." Georg said through laughter, Maria nodded, unable to talk. Georg wiped his hands clean on the grass and then opened the picnic basket and took out his spare clothes. "It's getting late." he said. "I suppose we could make camp here." he continued walking towards and small grove of trees to change behind. Maria nodded.

"I'll out some food for us, while you change." she said, her giggles still subsiding.

Georg nodded, and bent down to give her a kiss, going out of his way to make sure Maria received some mud on her face from the gesture. "HEY!" Maria exclaimed, as Georg pulled away and walked quickly towards the trees.

Maria laughed and sat down, leaning against a rock. As wonderful as nature was and though she truly loved it, Maria was fully ready to find shelter. The days walking had left her lips chapped. Her hip was bruised from lying on the hard ground night after night. Her skin was dry and dirty. Her stomach craved for a hot meal, a nice shower, and a warm bed. Now that, would be wonderful.

"What are you thinking about?" Georg asked, sitting next to Maria and putting is arm around her waist.

Maria laid her head on his shoulder, sighing and closing her eyes. "Whether I want a warm bath, meal, or a comfortable bed first when we get to the cabin." she replied, imagining the feeling of each one as she said it.

Georg chuckled. "So, which one will it be?" he asked, wondering what she had chosen

"Mm, is it possible to have all three at once?"

Georg laughed again. "Probably not, though that would be nice."

"Then I suppose a meal. I'm afraid our feast of fruit, fruit, more fruit, and view vegetables, and a little more fruit is rather monotonous." Maria said, laughing.

"I'll agree to that. Speaking of food." he said, reaching over to the basket and pulling it close to them. "I'm star- oh."

"What is it?" Maria asked, taken aback at Georg's sudden change of attitude. He had just been smiling and joking with her and within seconds his face changed to a look of complete seriousness and concern.

"Well, I'm afraid we've run into some trouble." he said.

"Yes?"

"This is all we have left of the food." he said slowly, pulling out two apples.

Maria stared at the food. Two apples? That was it? Maria gulped as her mind began to race. Only God knew how long it would take them to reach the next town. A couple of days at most, if they didn't run into any trouble. She sighed, she knew things had been going to good to be true.

"What do we do?" she asked, worry etching her voice.

"Well. I think we should eat these now. We need strength. I'm sure we'll find some kind of trees along the road to the nearest town."

"And if we don't?"

"Then we'll have to decide if we should use the rest of our money to buy food instead of getting bus tickets."

Maria nodded. "Yes…" her voice trailed off.

"It will be fine. Don't worry." he said, handing her an apple. "Eat up."

Maria twirled the small flower in her hand. They were taking a break a day and a half later. Her stomach gave a lurch and a low growl. Neither she nor Georg had eaten in more than twenty-four hours. Their constant march seemed to make the hunger worse. Their bodies were craving for nutrients, and they were supplying none. With a sigh Maria picked up another flower and entwined it with the others, completing her wreath of Edelweiss. The flowers were becoming less and less. She would keep this wreath as long as she could, she promised herself, to remind her of it all. What all was, Maria didn't know, it was just all.

Feeling bored, to say the least, Maria placed the wreath on her head, rested her chin in her hands and stared into the bright day, praying to find some glimpse of civilization.

The air became thick and warm. The breeze heavy and strong. The ground was no longer covered in small twigs from fallen trees, but with long, lanky grass, spared here and there. As it went on in the distance it became thick, along each side of a single dirt road. Flowers bloomed here and there, colorful ones. Small and hidden except to the untrained eye.

Maria took a step and slipped on a loose pebble, but before falling to the ground she was caught gracefully by Georg. She smiled and slipped her arm around his back as he helped her stand. They stared at the sight before them. Mountains, surrounded them, the scent of grass filled their lungs, but nothing was more inviting than the small single dirt road. It to a place unknown to them, and yet it was the most welcome place in the world.

"We-we actually did it." Maria breathed, smiling and looking at Georg tears threatening to fall, but not doing so.

"Yes. We did."

Maria threw herself into his arms once more. Never wanting to let go. They were off that mountain, they were on solid ground, and they had found the road that would lead them to, in time, the children.

"Did you think that we wouldn't?" Georg joked, pulling out of the embrace slightly to look Maria in the eye. She smiled sheepishly and blushed.

"Well, no-it's just that. It seemed like everything was taking forever. But now, we're here."

Georg chuckled. "Yes, it's wonderful." He said, before kissing her passionately.

After a breathless few minutes, Maria pulled back. Resting her head against Geog's, closing her eyes and letting her other senses take hold. Enjoying the scent, the smell, the feeling, the everything around her, what ever it was. She locked in her memory, she would never let this moment go.

"Shall we, my lady?" Georg asked, holding out his arm and pointing towards the road.

"Most definitely." replied Maria, grabbing Georg's arm and beginning to walk.

They walked through the night. Adrenaline pumping through every ounce of their bodies. They were too happy to sleep, to happy to be tired. They didn't talk much. They just smiled, hand in hand. Though they walked on, and both were truly happy they couldn't help the fact that ever so slowly their bodies began to subconsciously slow down their trek, from lack of nutrition.

Maria's stomach gave a low rumble, and she unknowingly put her free hand over it. "I hope we get to a town soon." Maria said. Her voice was tired and yet wide awake at the same time.

"Me too. I'm sure we will." Georg replied, clutching her hand tighter. "Soon."

"How do you know?" Maria asked. There was no anger or accusation in her words, her voice just held the feeling of not wanting to get one's hopes up.

"Well-I-" Georg paused, and looked around, trying to find anything to reassure Maria. When- "Because of that house, right there." he said pointing up the road.

Maria followed her gaze and squinted her eyes to see through the night. Sure enough standing just up the road was a house. From what she could tell it wasn't small, but it wasn't large either.

"There has to be a town close by if there's someone living along the road." Georg said.

"Very true." Maria said, grinning.

"Shall we see if there's someone there to give two travelers a meal?" Georg asked.

Maria's only response was a nod and the quick advance of her feet.

The house didn't look very welcoming. It was old, and smaller than Maria had thought. An old rickety fence surrounded a yard in the front. The fence was almost invisible in the dark and Maria and Georg had to keep from tripping over it. In the front yard were a couple of trees bearing a fruit, unidentifiable in the dark. No lights were on in the house.

"Are you sure about this?" Maria asked. "It is the middle of the night. Maybe we should keep walking and wait till we get to the town." she said.

Georg took his hand and brought it close to his face, staring intently at his watch to make out the time. "The sun should be rising soon. Maybe they're early risers." Georg said. When they reached the front door, Georg rose his hand and knocked on the door once when a sign caught Maria's eyes and she quickly grabbed his wrist to stop him from knocking again.

"Look." she whispered, pointing to the sign right in front of her nose. Georg moved closer and slowly read the sign. It read:

Visitors Unwelcome

"Wonderful." Georg said.

"What do we do?" Maria asked. "Should we knock anyways?" she paused before continuing. "If they don't like visitors and we come knocking early in the morning, I don't think they'll be very happy."

"Good point." Georg said, looking around. Without another word to Maria, he walked over to the trees that stood in the yard. Maria had a feeling she knew what he was doing.

"Georg, what are you doing?" she asked, hoping she wasn't right in her assumption.

"Getting breakfast." he said, reaching and pulling down some fruit.

"Georg, that's stealing!" Maria hissed, not liking the idea that she had been right.

"Maria." Georg replied, as she stepped closer to him and he continued to take a few more pieces of fruit. "If this person doesn't like visitors the closest town could be another two or three miles away, maybe even more. We haven't eaten in days. I have the feeling our bodies can't take much more walking without something in them. I don't like the idea of stealing anymore than you do, but we need to. What ever it takes, we need food."

Maria huffed but took the fruit that Georg handed her, which she could now tell was an apple. "I hope there are some worms in these." she said, not as bitterly as she intended. Georg laughed as she took a bite and before he did the same.

The sweet taste filled Maria's mouth, and she used her tongue to wipe away a small amount of juice that trickled down her chin. She was about to say something to Georg when another voice filled the night air-

"Who's there?" it asked. Maria turned around quickly to see a man standing in the front door way to the house. Without another word, Georg grabbed Maria's hand and the two ran from the house.

Maria pealed away the last of the peal of her second orange. The food they had taken was so good, and so horrible at the same time. Horrible in the sense that they stole it, but good in the fact that it tasted so wonderful. She pulled the orange in two and gave half to Georg, which he gladly accepted. Maria pulled a slice of the orange off her half and bit into, juice flying over he face. She used her forearm to clean off her face and felt herself run into something solid.

"Wha-?" she asked, looking to that she had run into Georg. "Why did you stop?" she asked, yawning.

"Maria look." he said, pointing. Maria stepped to Georg's side and looked to where he was pointing.

They stood on a small hill, and below them was a small village. People could be seen beginning their day as the sun began to rise.

Theysmiled.

Author's Note: SO SORRY for not updating sooner! This chapter has taken the three weeks I haven't updated to write!

A special thanks: to TheMaraudars3 for helping me with the "stealing" scene and for letting me use the idea of Maria and the Captain coming across an unwelcoming house! Thanks bunches!

Thanks to all those who reviewed! It means so much! Thanks again!

I don't' know when I'll update again, but probably sometime this coming week. I've got the week off from school, and I hardly work so I should be able to get the last chapter written. That's right, I'm pretty sure that the next chapter will be the last. But maybe not. I don't' know. As of now, it is, though.

Until next time!
Your humble author,
The Lonely Goatherd