Foreboding News

After Max sped away, Franz remained outside. He was wondering how he was going to tell everyone what happened last night. Indecision wasn't his nature. So he inhaled deeply and went inside. He climbed the front stairs and walked the hall past the governess's room.

Frau Schmidt hadn't slept well either; things she saw last night at the party had kept her mind active. She had dressed and was going to go to the kitchen to make coffee.

Immediately upon exiting her room she encountered Franz.

"Why are you up so early?"

"Isabel, I have something to tell you."

"Did you see Elsa leave with that friend of Herr Zeller?"

"No, but I'm not surprised. I still can't understand how Georg thought he wanted to marry her. She has no semblance to Agathe."

"And she really doesn't like the children. She would insist they all go to boarding schools."

"I agree with you. Isabel someone else left the villa last night."

"Who?"

"Maria. And I don't why. All I do know is that Max insisted she be his dinner partner and she went upstairs to change her dress. Isabel, there's more I need to tell you.

"Last night, after the guests left the villa, Georg excited the front door to get some fresh air. Herr Zeller was waiting for Georg by the gate. He had his followers force him into a car and they took him to some camp on a mountain."

The older lady had to sit. She hurried back into her room and took a seat on the bench at the end of her bed. Her hands covered her face as she bent over.

"How awful! What am I going to tell the children?"

From behind Franz, they both heard. "Frau Schmidt, what do you need to tell us?"

"Liesl, come sit beside me."

Her question had been innocent; now Liesl was alarmed.

"Liesl, I know you've heard your father speak about Herr Zeller."

"Yes, he's the Austrian who supports the new leader in Germany."

"Yes, that's right. Liesl, last night when your father stepped out to get some fresh air, he surprised your father and forced him to get in his car and took him to a mountain camp."

"He took Father away."

Liesl may have been sixteen going on seventeen but this news hit its mark. She felt her stomach tighten and her breath was taken away. She couldn't speak.

All she could do was as Isabel had done. It was her turn to cover her face with her hands as she tried to hide her tears forming in her eyes. Frau Schmidt's arm went around her shoulder trying to comfort her. She had to take a deep breath before she could continue.

"Yes he did. But Liesl dear, there's more. Fräulein Maria is gone too. But I'm sure she went back to the Abbey."

Now Liesl's tears fell from her eyes and ran down her cheeks. Franz knew he had to say something encouraging.

"Liesl, Uncle Max saw Herr Zeller take your father away. And he heard where he took him. He's at the Abbey right now hoping to speak to your Fräulein. I'm sure you remember she used to go hiking with her friends and she may know about this mountain. I believe, without a doubt, Fräulein Maria will help him find your father."

As Franz was speaking, all the other children had dressed and were standing in the hall. Friedrich asked.

"What do you mean, find Father?"

"Herr Zeller took him away." Liesl answered.

Now Friedrich proved his Fräulein was correct when she told him he was almost a man.

"I knew that man was trouble; I heard him talking to the guests. He was bragging about this camp of his where he would take his prize. Now I know what he meant, it was father who was going to be his prize."

Louisa and Kurt were trying to hold back their tears; the other three girls let them fall. Isabel motioned for them come to her. Liesl got up so they could sit with her. Gretl climbed on to her lap and sobbed.

"Children, remember your father is an experienced submarine commander. He knows how to out think an enemy. And with your Fräulein's help, I'm sure together they will outwit this enemy."

Isabel spoke those words realizing she needed them too. Just then, the distant ring of the telephone got Franz's attention.

"Friedrich, you move faster that I do. Please go answer it. Isabel and I will be right behind you."

Friedrich ran down the stairs to his father's study. It had already rung four times. He picked up the receiver before it rang again. "Hello, the von Trapp villa, Friedrich speaking."

Friedrich, this is the Mother Abbess from Nonnberg Abbey. May I speak to Isabel Schmidt?"

"Yes, she's here now."

"It's the Mother Abbess, Frau Schmidt."

"Hello Mother Abbess. Do you have any news?"

I consulted with the Bishop. He wants everyone to come to the Abbey.

"Is there danger, Madam?"

He's being precautious. He'll send his car and my caretaker will come in his car too.

"Thank you, we'll get ready. Good bye."

"Everyone, the Bishop thinks we should wait at the Abbey. Their cars should be here soon."

By now the other two men who worked at the villa had joined them. Stefan asked. "Do you want Phillip and me to come as well?"

"Yes, I'm sure Georg would want you to. And tell Katia to come too. I've heard terrible things are going on in Germany. You men and she may not be safe here. Can you find a couple of bags so we can bring along our night clothes and a change of clothes?"

"We can and we'll help the children pack."

With all the people helping the children they were packed in a matter of minutes. They were waiting in the hall near the front door. Franz was standing watch in the doorway. It wasn't very long before he announced.

"The cars are here."

No one hesitated getting into one of the cars. It seemed even the young children realized the gravity of the moment. After greeting the drivers, everyone rode in silence.

The Reverend Mother and the Sisters were waiting for them. They sensed a need to hurry everyone inside and move them all away from the gate.

Immediately Isabel spoke. "Reverend Mother, I hope we're not putting the Abbey in danger."

"You're not. At least for now, religious places are still being used as a sanctuary of safety. Now please follow me to the guest house."

In the guest house there was one room which had seats for most everyone. The younger children sat on the floor. They were very sad and quiet. The Reverend Mother had noticed.

"Children, I know your governess has a favorite song to sing when she was sad or frightened. It's a song I also learned as a child."

"Her song about raindrops and kittens?" Louisa asked

"Yes, that's the one. Children, I believe with all my heart that she will find your father and bring him here. I also think she would want us to sing that song. I'll start it but I want you to join me."

The Reverend Mother began with the first stanza about raindrops and kittens' whiskers. And at the end of the song they didn't feel so bad. Then they entertained the Reverend Mother by singing other songs Maria had taught them.

A/N: My story uses facts from the movie as well as from several performances of the play I have seen. So if things seem different, that's the reason. I also have read books Maria, the daughter Agathe wrote and those written by others. And I've used things I learned in them in my story.