A/N: The facts are true but they are not chronological according to a timeline about Austria and Germany prior to WW II.
Changes
The beautiful days of "Indian Summer" quickly changed to the cool crisp days of fall. Maria was very grateful that Rosemary had given her dresses that were perfect for these kinds of days. She jotted a note to send to her thanking her again. A shawl she had picked up when shopping with the children was perfect for the evenings.
Maria followed the Church's calendar for her selections of music. This was the time known as Ordinary Time which follows Easter and Pentecost and remains such until the beginning of the Church's new year with Advent. The adult choirs sang songs like Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence and O Jesus Joy of Loving Hearts while the children learned songs like The King of Love my Shepherd is, and Be Thou my Vision.
By mid October the choirs were learning Advent songs. All the children knew O Come O Come Emanuel. They learned new songs for each of the remaining three Sundays; beginning with O Come, Divine Messiah. It had so many verses she could use it for two Sundays."Her" children amazed her; they learned so easily and were very good. The other members of the Children's Choir also contributed with their voices.
The days seemed to go by quickly; Christmas time was extremely busy; she helped the children with their presents for their father and the house staff. And she was busy sewing and embroidering her gifts to them; except for the Captain. She had a difficult time making a selection; finally deciding on a new journal.
Karl joined them on December 23rd. "Maria I insist on you and Karl staying at the villa; no need for Karl to sleep on your sofa. No one will know. Karl can drive you back and forth for choir rehearsals and all the Masses. Please Maria."
Maria couldn't say no. "When Karl leaves I will return to the cottage."
"Yes, I know but I still don't like it."
It was a wonderful time. Karl and Maria helped the Captain and the others decorate the tree; and then stayed up late Christmas Eve to finish and put all the presents out. Karl felt bad he didn't bring any presents. Like Maria had told him; the children told him. "Uncle Karl, we don't need any more presents; we're just happy you are here to celebrate with us."
Karl thanked them profusely; he took the late train the next day back to Vienna. And Maria went back to the cottage, much to Georg's disapproval.
The New Year would bring changes to the world – events occurred entirely out of their hands. The Germans had not formally declared Austria a part of Hitler's empire but the number of sympathizers and infiltrated persons from Germany were increasing daily. Some were bold like Herr Zeller who already called himself the provincial governor.
Georg did his best to hide his feelings from his children, but Maria was different. She was quite perceptive. She began to sense that he was deeply troubled. It wasn't long before she found an opportunity to talk with him in private.
"Captain, here lately whenever I see you, your brow is furrowed. May I ask what is troubling you?"
"Please sit down Maria." He paced around his study. "You know about my naval skills."
"Of course I do sir; everyone knows."
"Maria, think about the German Naval base in Bremerhaven; they have a multitude of highly efficient submarines. Do you know the extent they would go to in order for me to command one of them?"
"I never really thought about it sir; but I understand exactly what you mean. Do you think you are in immediate danger?"
"No, Hitler is too concerned with the Olympic Games that will be held in Berlin later this summer. He wants to put on a false front; hiding all his atrocities against his own people."
"Maybe that will give us some time to figure out what we can do."
"I hope so Maria. I am going to talk to Bobby about taking his mother back to London. She still has a home there; it has been cared for by housestaff all these years. She doesn't need to go through another war. It's highly probable that the war will never reach England's soil; their Air Force is far superior to the German's."
"Let me know Captain, if there is anything I can do."
"Right now, Maria, pray for all of us."
"You can count on that Captain. I need to get home, I'm sure Stefan is waiting for me." The light still hadn't lit up; neither remembered where they had met before.
The children wrote to their Gromi often; Georg had to tell them.
"Why did Gromi have to go back to England?
"Children, she's getting too old to deal with all the political changes here in Austria."
"Is it going to affect us too Father?"
"I'm not sure, Liesl." That was the best answer he could give her.
When school was out, Maria spent a lot of time at the villa. The choirs didn't practice during the summer; many were in singing groups who would be performing at the Salzburg Music Festival.
The music festival was new for Maria. She had asked members of the choir to tell her about it. "Maria, it's a week long celebration of music; it climaxes with performances where individuals and groups are judged to earn that top spot in all of Austria." Maria had an idea; at her first opportunity she talked to the Captain.
Since their conversation months ago, Maria had continued to see his worried look. "Good evening Captain, may I talk to you."
"Of course Maria, what's on your mind?"
"I have an idea of how to get you and the children out of Austria."
"Tell me Maria."
"Captain you know your children are amazing singers; we've talked about that many times. I think you should consider letting them sing in the festival this summer."
"That idea really goes against everything I had ever been taught about what was proper; but this is not a time for being proper. Tell me more Maria."
"Are you aware of the prizes that will be awarded?"
"No Maria."
"Whoever wins first or second prize will be sent on a tour; they both end in London."
Georg stopped her right there. "Maria you are brilliant; in London I could declare us refugees and live with Alice."
"That's right Captain." There eyes caught; this time not searching for the answer to the question that still haunted them; it was something more.
"You understand that also includes you Maria; they need their choir director and besides you would be in great danger. I won't take no for an answer."
Maria heard the concern in his voice; she answered quickly. "Of course I will come; I have no reason to stay; Karl will probably want to leave as well."
For the next few weeks, the children practiced intensely. Maria made it fun so hopefully they wouldn't question why they were practicing so much. Georg went to the Festival office and entered "The von Trapp Children Singers" in the summer festival competition.
The children being very intuitive soon asked Maria. "Why are we always practicing the same songs over and over again?"
"They need to be perfect." A simple question followed. "Why?"
"Children I didn't want to worry you but you have been invited to sing at the Salzburg Music Festival."
"We have?"
"Is it alright with Father?"
"Yes, Liesl, he entered you as The von Trapp Children Singers. Tomorrow we will go down and practice with the orchestra."
"This is so exciting Maria." They ran upstairs to get ready for dinner.
"That went well Maria."
"I'm glad Captain; they didn't seem the least bit scared."
Two days later they had a dress rehearsal. "Maria did you make our dresses?"
"Yes, Louisa, they were easy." Maria had sewn simple dresses for the girls, they were all similar but each had a different brightly colored apron; the boys, nothing fancy; white shirts with colorful suspenders.
The night of the contest the arena was full. No obvious German presence but everyone knew they were there. The "MC" was a member of Maria's adult choir; he had done this before. He was sure the children would win; he had heard them sing many times.
Georg and the housestaff along with Ralph and Audrey and other parishioners sat scattered throughout the audience. The children were fifth on the program out of twelve entries; they each sang three songs. Their first selection was the first song they had sung in church; The King of love my shepherd is; the second a fun song called Do-Re-Me; they concluded with a beautiful version of Climb Every Mountain.
Maria and the children listened to the groups from the wings of the stage. All the participating groups were good but the children had received the most applause.
The "MC" started with third place and then second. The children looked at each other, one of them spoke, "maybe we won first place;" and then they heard.
"First place, a tour to Switzerland, Paris and London – goes to 'The von Trapp Children Singers'. The applause never stopped; the "MC" finally quieted the jubilant audience.
"Will you sing an encore?"
Liesl was prepared. "Yes."
She started the chords on the guitar; the well-known song, "Edelweiss…." On the second verse the audience started to sing with them. No one clapped louder than Maria in the wings and Georg in the audience. The children were asked to return to the stage while pictures were taken for the paper.
At home, they continued to say. "I can't believe we won first place." It took a long time to get them settled down; not Marta and Gretl, it was long past their bedtime; they barely made it up the stairs. Finally the Captain and Maria said goodnight to all of them.
Maria stayed at the villa that night; it was much too late for her to go home. "Thank you Maria; you were right. I'm still amazed; they weren't the least bit nervous.
"I'm not sure why Captain"
"They had a good teacher, that's why Maria."
"Oh, I think their inherited gifts have something to do with it."
"You're so modest Maria." She blushed.
"We could go on all night with this debate. I think we both should get some sleep. Good night Captain."
"Sleep well Maria."
After the pictures of the children were printed in the paper Georg began to realize; all of this publicity may have alerted the Germans; they may not let me leave Austria. He made a plan. He went to the cottage to see Maria.
"Captain, this is a surprise."
"Maria I'm worried that all this publicity the family name has received may have alerted the Germans. I need to leave before you and the children go on tour. I'm sure if I asked Karl to come here to accompany you on the tour, he would. I'll meet you in Switzerland at the concert in Vienna."
"I don't like it anymore than you do, but I think you are right. Yes, I'm sure Karl will help us."
"When you come to the villa tomorrow, I'll tell the children. I need to leave as soon as possible. I've already sent some things to England. I've confided in Father Martin; he knows about our plan. I thought someone should know. I gave him letters for the housestaff which include enough money to use if they want to leave Austria."
They were in the sitting room after dinner when Georg spoke to his children. "I need to leave for Switzerland in the morning. I want to know exactly where you are going to perform and see where we will stay." He could tell Liesl and Fredrich weren't totally convinced that was the reason, but neither said anything. "Uncle Karl will be here tomorrow afternoon; he will accompany you and Maria on the train.
"I'll be gone before you get up in the morning. Why don't you sing all your songs for me; I know I haven't heard all of them; pretend it is a rehearsal."
"Okay children, let's pretend you are on stage; places please." The Captain sat back and listened; Maria had prepared enough songs to last an hour. The average time for singing groups to perform when they went on tour; he heard My Favorite Things, For the Beauty of the world, Climb Every Mountain; the first song they had sung in church, The King of love my shepherd is, among others.
"Children, the audiences are going to be so pleased. Now, let's play charades until bedtime."
Georg made a visit to each child's room; giving them a special hug and kiss; and assuring them he would see them in a few days.
Maria had moved back into the villa a day ago. She and the Captain sat in his study; he noticed her fidgeting with her hands. "Maria, are you alright?"
"I guess you could say I'm nervous and worried."
"I'll be fine Maria," he patted her hand. "You'll feel better when Karl gets here tomorrow."
"I know, I'm so glad he decided to go with us."
"Here are the train tickets to Switzerland; I'll take the others with me. And here's some money to have if you need it; I know everything is paid by the Festival."
"Are you packed Captain?"
"Almost Maria; I will throw in my shaving accessories in the morning. You don't need to wake up."
"I want to Captain; I'll probably wake up early myself."
"Try to get some sleep Maria, goodnight."
"You too Captain, goodnight."
Maria was waiting for him in the kitchen. "I packed some food for you Captain; just some fruit and cheese."
"Kiss the children for me; I'll see you in two days." Georg kissed her hand. "I'll be fine Maria, please try not to worry."
"I'll try." She watched him walk out into the dark towards the pasture; the path would take him to the back of the train station. What she didn't know, he changed clothes before he got there.
When he boarded the train to Switzerland he wasn't dressed like a naval captain; but like a peasant; he even carried a small recorder flute. His floppy hat hid his face. During one stop close to the border, men boarded and inspected every compartment. Georg sat in his playing his recorder. A simple song he had learned from Louisa; something about a Pied Piper.
The men acknowledged him but walked on by. As they left he heard. "He's not on this train." It would be later he would learn, they had been looking for him; but their description was all wrong.