Eight

After all of the children had been put to bed, and Maria had changed into her own night clothes, she quietly made her way downstairs. In the pocket of her robe rested the ring of keys that Frau Schmidt had given her earlier in the day, all of which gave her access to the Captain's private rooms. Maria felt a great power and privilege holding these keys, and rightly so. Never had she expected the Captain to give her this much trust; with the children she could understand, but with himself? This thought not only filled her with a feminine pride, but with a great humility and hope. If all she was to him was a governess he would trust his children implicitly with, he would never have given her these keys.

She had often seen the Captain walk to a certain room, which she had been told was his private study. During her time at the Von Trapp villa, Maria had never seen anybody else go to that room other than the Captain, and it had been an unspoken but clear rule to everybody that no one – no one – was to go there without the express invitation of the Captain.

Maria clutched the keys in her pocket, reminding herself that she had express permission to enter the room as she made her way to it. She stopped at the imposing white door and looked closely at the lock. After finding the proper key for it, Maria put the key in the lock and turned it, not aware that she was holding her breath as she did so.

When Maria had shut the door behind her, she flipped on the light switch. She couldn't help but gasp as she took in the most beautiful room she had ever seen. And to Maria, it was the most beautiful room because she saw him in everything. Immediately, she dove for the bookshelves that wrapped around the room, drinking in the leather-bound titles and the many artifacts from around the world. No wonder he spent so much time in this room, thought Maria, turning around in the middle of the room as her eyes took in everything. It seems you can fit the whole world into a single room.

When she came to the beautiful mahogany desk in the room, Maria paused at the sight of an envelope on the desk with her name written on it. She picked it up and opened it right away. Inside was a small note for her, with only one line written:

The smallest silver key opens the top right-hand drawer.

Maria immediately found the right key and opened the drawer. Inside she found another sealed envelope with her name on it, resting on top of several files and papers. Again, she opened the envelope and found a longer letter addressed to her:

Dear Maria,

I hope that you will never have to read this letter, because if you are, then that would mean I will be gone for more than one evening. But the fact that you are reading this letter also fills me with great relief, for it means my children are in the best hands because you are there. No words will ever be able to express my gratitude to you, Maria, and I hope to see you again soon so I might be able to try.

Do not worry – I will not attempt to give you further instructions on how to take care of the children. I tried that once and you rightly disobeyed me (even if I didn't think so at the time). But I feel the need to ask a few requests of you, and I beg of you to heed them.

Austria as we knew it is gone; officially, it is now a part of Germany. I do not want any of the children going into town alone or without you. Even when you go into town, Maria, do not linger. The Nazis are now free to assert their authority in any way they please, especially on the streets. Avoid them whenever possible; as far as I am concerned, anybody who wears a Nazi emblem cannot be trusted.

However, one person you can trust completely is Dr. Hans Falk. We knew each other at the naval academy, and he was stationed with my unit when he had his medical training. He saved my life in Greece when I got a nasty infection from an injury sustained at sea. Now, he is the most respected doctor in Salzburg. Many of his patients are those of the Nazi party, but his convictions are the same as mine. It was he who warned me of the Anschluss and the meeting I was called to, giving me the chance to call you and make some preparations for the worst. Do not be afraid to turn to him for whatever reason; he is as loyal a friend as Max, and can be trusted with any information.

Finally, you should know this, Maria, and make your own choice. I only wish I could tell you this myself. I promised myself a long time ago that if and when Austria would become a part of the Nazi empire, I could no longer let myself or my family live there for long. In one of the folders, you will find open passage tickets to London, both train and boat, for the children. In London is their maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Whitehead, who knows of this plan.

However, there are not seven but eight tickets, because I bought them long ago for the children and myself. Maria, I need my children out of Austria before the summer is over. If I am not back by the end of the summer, they must go without me. Now, more than ever, I wish I could ask this question to you in person: Would you go with them?

As I've told you before, I trust no one else in this world with my children more. However, I would never hold it against you if you refused. I know you want to make your own life, and I couldn't be so selfish as to force you to make mine easier. Then again, I don't know if it is possible for anybody to force you to do anything, Maria. So, if you decide not to leave Austria, give the ticket to Max or Frau Schmidt; I can trust that at least one of them would be willing to at least accompany the children on their journey and deliver them safely to their grandmother.

Maria, know that wherever I am while I am away, the children and you will always be on my mind. I pray to God that He can bless me with the unswayable faith He has blessed you with while I am torn from the people I love most. Pray for me, Maria, that I will be brought home to my children and to you soon.

Georg

By the time Maria had finished the letter, she had tears in her eyes. Carefully, she folded the letter again and walked to the window. She leaned her forehead against the cool glass as she pushed back her tears. The fact that she didn't even know where he was in the world was a big factor; however, it had been the last paragraph in particular that had brought Maria close to tears. While it wasn't a declaration of love she so longed for from him, the language of it had been very tender.

He's thinking of me as well as the children…he wants to come home to, not just the children, but to me…Oh, dear God, I beg you to keep him safe and bring him home soon. I don't care if he doesn't love me the way I love him…please watch over him, and bring him home…

After her prayer, Maria opened her eyes and looked out the window. They immediately narrowed when she saw the figures of two people outside, sitting on a bench in close conversation. She recognized Liesl immediately, but did not recognize the young man she was sitting with.

Immediately, Maria walked out of the study to investigate.

When their embrace broke, Liesl noticed that Rolf still seemed to be shaking. "Here, sit down with me," she said softly, leading him to a nearby bench. She rubbed his back as he took some deep breaths in order to calm himself.

Liesl's instinct told her that, whatever she was about to learn, her anger would be short-lived. Rolf looked as though he had been through a tremendous ordeal, and being harsh with him would get them both nowhere.

When Rolf seemed to calm down reasonably, he turned to her on the bench, and took her hands as he spoke to her. "Oh, Liesl…I'm so relieved to see you, and that you're all right."

"Of course I'm all right," said Liesl, squeezing his hands, still a bit alarmed at the expression in his eyes and the tone of his voice. "Why on Earth wouldn't I be all right?"

Rolf seemed at a loss for words for a few moments, his blue eyes shining with turmoil in the moonlight. Finally, when he did speak, his voice was almost constricted. "Well…with what happened today…the Anschluss…"

Liesl sighed heavily and nodded, looking down. "No, we're…I'm fine, we're all fine…at least, I can only hope my father is fine…"

Rolf gaze immediately became sharper when their eyes met again. "What do you mean?"

"Last night, my father was called away to some kind of meeting…he didn't come home and then this morning, we received a telegram from him saying that he had been offered a post in the Third Reich's navy and he had to report in Germany right away…he couldn't even say goodbye…" Liesl wiped at her eyes to stop the tears from falling. She barely noticed Rolf's shocked expression. He must be surprised that my father would join them at all, even when he didn't have a choice.

"But…" Rolf finally stuttered, breaking her reverie. "You and your siblings aren't here all alone, are you?"

"Oh, no, thank goodness," said Liesl. "Fraulein Maria is here with us. I honestly don't know how we would be getting through this without her…"

Rolf couldn't help a small smile. Every time he and Liesl had met between their first kiss and his disappearance, Liesl could never talk enough about her. She sounded wonderful, considering how much happier she had made Liesl. "That's good," he said softly. "I'm glad she's with you."

Liesl nodded, and took in his appearance. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the khaki and black. "That's not your usual wardrobe…" When her eyes found the red band on his right forearm, she gasped and got off the bench, putting distance between them. "No! You're one of them?"

Rolf slapped his forehead in a grimace. "No! Liesl, please just hear me out," Rolf pleaded, standing up but not coming closer to her. "I've told you the kind of man my father is. He's hero-worshipped them from the beginning, and now he's working for them. He does everything he can to show them he is loyal to the party, including drafting me into their ranks."

Liesl's reservations did not disappear completely from her face. "Drafting you? Did you really have no other choice?"

Anger flashed in Rolf's eyes. "Well, what would you do, Liesl? Join their ranks, or refuse and put your little sister under the force of his hands and belt?"

Liesl's eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hands. Rolf immediately buried his face in a hand, his entire body slumping. Liesl came back to the bench and sat beside him, tentatively placing a hand on his shoulder. "Rolf, I…I'm so sorry…I swear, I didn't know…"

"I wish you didn't," said Rolf, uncovering his face but keeping his gaze down. "I wish I hadn't forgotten to change before coming here…I'm sorry I became angry…I just wanted to make my position clear."

"Of course," said Liesl. "Is that why you cut me off? To avoid your father's anger and to protect your sister?"

Rolf nodded, looking at her. "I came here to see you the day your father came back from Vienna. He caught me throwing rocks at your window; I panicked and even heiled him, that's how off-guard I was caught. That was stupid of me…He told me to get out and I did. Unfortunately, stopping by your house made me late coming home, and my father lost his temper." He covered his face. "It was all I could do to keep my sister out of the way…After that, as the Nazi party's power grew and my father became more zealous, I knew I couldn't risk coming here. And after how cold your father was with me, I thought it best I just keep away from you, because I didn't want you to get into trouble, either."

Liesl nodded, feeling relieved that she now knew everything about Rolf's silence. She gently took his hand in both of her own. "I'm glad you came tonight and told me everything, especially now that I know the risk you're taking."

Rolf looked at her again, and his face was vulnerable. He covered her hands with his free one. "I've missed you, Liesl," he said quietly. He had said these words before, but his tone hadn't been nearly as tender or vulnerable before.

In the next moment, they were hugging each other tightly. "I've missed you, too," whispered Liesl. "And I don't care that I never got that telegram from you."

They laughed and broke the embrace, smiling at each other. For a moment, the expression in Rolf's eyes was conflicted, as if debating whether or not to tell her something. But it only lasted a moment before he smiled again, taking her hands again. "So, tell me all I've missed. If your Fraulein is still with you, it must mean your father at least tolerated her."

Liesl chuckled. "You don't know the half of it!" Liesl then proceeded to tell Rolf all that had happened since her father had returned from Vienna. Rolf listened closely, an attentive and enthusiastic listener, keeping her hands in his.

But as Liesl was just finishing her account of the grand and glorious party, a voice from the terrace broke through the night air. "Liesl? Who is that with you out there?"

Both Liesl and Rolf immediately broke contact and got up from the bench, and watched the approaching figure. "This is Rolf, Fraulein Maria," said Liesl, emphasizing his name. "Whom I've told you about?"

Maria stopped near them and nodded, looking at the young man. "Ah, yes. Well, it's quite a bit late for a visitor…" Her voice drifted as she took in Rolf's appearance and uniform. Immediately, Maria pleasant expression melted into one of cold suspicion. "I would prefer it if you leave now, young man. I know those of your party now feel you are entitled to anything and everything in this country, but in my mind that does not extend to trespassing."

"No, Fraulein!" exclaimed Liesl immediately.

"Please, ma'am, I do not mean to trespass," said Rolf, looking nervous now. "I only wanted to talk to Liesl."

"Who should be in bed, at any rate," said Maria, turning to Liesl. "Go inside now, Liesl. We'll talk about this in the morning."

"Not until you understand, Fraulein!" said Liesl, going to her. In a hushed voice that Rolf couldn't hear, she said, "Father is not the only one whom the Nazis have trapped."

Maria's expression froze, and immediately lost its cold suspicion. She took a deep breath, and looked between both teenagers as she spoke. "Well, either way, it is very late, and we all should be in bed." She addressed Rolf. "Young man, if you want to see Liesl again, I would prefer that you come at some reasonable hour; I'll not have either of you doing any sneaking around at night, especially now. All right?"

Rolf nodded. "Thank you, ma'am." He turned his head to Liesl, and both exchanged a small smile before Rolf went back to his bike and rode away.

Liesl then allowed Maria to wrap her arm around her and lead her back inside, exhaustion catching up with her. Even so, she felt relieved that everything between her and Rolf was resolved.

If only Father were home; then everything would be perfect…

A/N: Hope you're still enjoying it! I'm taking turns posting chapters for this story and my other story, in the Downton Abbey forum. I didn't think any onscreen couple could capture my heart and imagination as much as Maria and Georg - then Anna and Mr. Bates came along. :)