Chapter 7 – The Long and Winding Trek
Friedrich continued to lead the family as they journeyed through the mountains. With his father following closely behind him, ready to offer advice if he needed it, Friedrich felt proud of himself as finally he was being treated like the man he was growing up to be.
They moved slowly with Georg doubling back every now and then to make sure they weren't being followed. But by the afternoon, he was confident that their escape from the Nazis had been a success. Now the only obstacles he still had to worry about was negotiating through the mountains to Switzerland and their short supply of food. Despite Maria's best efforts at rationing their food, Georg knew they had to find a village or a town within the next few days. Thankfully they were fortunate enough to come across a small mountain stream towards the end of the day. Looking at his weary family, Georg decided it would be the best place to camp for the night.
After a small slice of Sister Berthe's chocolate cake, all the children with the exception of Liesl and Friedrich snuggled up together and fell asleep immediately. Friedrich had volunteered to stay up and keep watch with his father but before he could join Georg, he quickly became engrossed in a conversation with Maria, proudly showing her the new Swiss army knife Georg had given him that morning.
Maria glanced over to where Georg sat on the other side of the campsite noticing Liesl had moved over to sit with him. While she couldn't hear their conversation, she guessed they were talking about what had happened in the graveyard with Rolf. Liesl had her eyes downcast, but quickly Maria saw Georg put his arm around his daughter, rubbing her shoulders lovingly and speaking quietly into her ear. A few moments later, Liesl looked up, a beaming smile on her face as she threw her arms around Georg giving him a large hug. After embracing her for a moment or so, Georg gave her a pat on the cheek before Liesl stood up to join the others on the blanket.
Maria felt like her heart was going to burst with emotion at seeing this exchange. She felt like she did on the day Georg reunited with the children after their dreadful argument on the lakeside: a combined sense of joy, satisfaction and happiness at seeing the bonds of fatherly love between Georg and the children strengthen.
Georg stood up and came over to Friedrich and Maria. "Everything alright with Liesl?" Maria asked him quietly.
"Yes," he replied, "all sorted. She feels better now we've talked." Maria nodded. "Now Maria, I want you to get some sleep, I know you didn't get much last night. Friedrich said he'll stay up and keep watch with me." Maria knew she was tired, and rather than argue with him, she went and curled up next to Gretl and fell asleep.
The next morning when she awoke, she saw Georg sitting up resting against a tree with Friedrich asleep on his shoulder, mouth open, snoring loudly. She had a little laugh to herself as she got up to join her husband.
Georg gave her a kiss as she sat down next to him. "Did you stay awake all night?" she asked.
"Yes… While I'm certain that we're not being followed, I guess old habits die hard. Military training I suppose. I couldn't sleep without someone keeping watch." Georg replied with a weary smile.
"What about Friedrich?" Maria asked indicating with her head towards his sleeping form.
"Ah," Georg chuckled, "he only fell asleep about two hours ago. We spent some quality time together I must say."
"And that's a good thing, a very good thing."
"It is," Georg agreed, giving Maria a long lingering kiss. "Now I suppose we should make a move."
Maria woke the children and after quickly packing up the campsite, they started off for the day. The path had become a little more precarious so Georg re-took the lead. After a few hours of walking, Gretl's legs had become tired so Georg carried her on his back. Kurt and Friedrich followed behind Georg and Gretl as they came up over the ridge. Brigitta, Louisa and Liesl followed with finally Maria helping Marta over the difficult sections towards the back. They continued this way for another hour before finally they came across another small mountain stream. They were all tired, especially Georg who had barely slept over the past few days and carrying Gretl across the mountains was a strain. To make matters worse, while he and Maria had been on their honeymoon, Gretl apparently been indulging in too many strudels while Max had his head turned the other way so she was now quite heavy to carry. Georg was grateful to finally put her down.
They laid the blanket out to sit on and Maria handed out their meagre lunch of bread and cheese. After copious amounts of whinging from Kurt, she promised them another slice of Sister Berthe's chocolate cake after dinner that night. Satisfied with her response, Kurt and the other children went to have a wander down the stream. They even took their shoes and stockings off, putting their feet into the cool water finding it quite refreshing after the long walk that morning.
Maria and Georg lingered alone on the blanket. Georg took the opportunity to stretch out on the blanket, placing his head on Maria's lap. She stroked his hair tenderly before placing a chaste kiss on his forehead. They watched the children playing in the distance in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the quiet serenity of being in each other's company. So much had gone on over the past day that they'd both were pleased to have some quiet time together again. It was practically the first time since their return from Paris that they spent together without the strains and stress of escaping from the Nazis. Georg was sure now that they were not being followed so had begun to relax somewhat.
"This is nice, being here with you," Maria commented as she continued to stroke his hair. Georg merely grunted in reply. "The children are coping surprisingly well with the walk don't you think?" she said as she looked down at him.
"Yes, they are. Not too much complaining. I'm proud of them." Georg replied, as he tried to stifle a yawn.
"You're tired." Maria remarked.
"Hmm… I suppose I am."
"You've barely slept the past few days. Why don't you take a nap now?"
"A nap?" Georg sat upright and looked at her like she was mad. "Maria, I can't remember the last time I took a nap in the middle of the day."
Maria laughed. "Well it won't do you any harm." She leant forward and gave him a quick kiss. "Look, the children are playing; we aren't going anywhere quickly. I can see that you're exhausted. It won't do for you to collapse on me out of exhaustion out here in the mountains." She gave him a pointed look.
Georg looked at her for a moment, he was continually surprised how she always managed to know exactly what he needed before he knew it himself. Admitting that she was probably right, he nodded then laid down again. Maria had taken off her travel cloak and she used it as a makeshift pillow for him. Georg placed his hat over his eyes, wriggled a few times to get comfortable then quickly fell asleep. Maria stayed by him for the next few minutes until one of the children called out to her, asking her to join them. She glanced down at Georg who was still sleeping. Hoping he would sleep for a while, she quietly got up and ran to join Louisa and Kurt.
Around an hour later, Georg started to stir. He felt uncomfortable, but surprisingly rested. He could hear the joyful shouts of glee from the children nearby. He turned slightly to look up at Maria, but to his surprise, she wasn't next to him. He got up, trying to rub his sore shoulders and neck and went to find where she'd gone. He first found Liesl and Brigitta sitting talking quietly.
"Where's your mother?" he asked them as he approached.
Brigitta tried to suppress a giggle as she pointed up to the large tree next to them. Georg looked up, and his mouth dropped open as he saw Maria hanging upside down in the tree with both Louisa and Kurt next to her. Maria's skirt had fallen just a bit to reveal her shapely legs clinging to the tree branch.
"What on earth are you doing up there Maria?" Georg called out to her, a slight air of bewilderment in his voice.
Maria laughed as she swang herself to sit upright on the nearby tree branch. "I'm climbing a tree Georg. What does it look like I'm doing? Making more play clothes out of old drapes?" The other children on the ground gathered around Georg, laughing loudly at his bewilderment. He glared at them, unimpressed at their laughter at his expense.
"Maria?" He called out to her again, his tone abrupt and sharp. "Climbing trees isn't quite ladylike behaviour or becoming of a Baroness," he stated.
Maria raised her eyebrows and gave him a defiant look, before letting out a sigh. She proceeded to climb down and quickly she shooed the children away so she could speak to her husband alone. "Georg, have you forgotten that I like to climb trees with the children?"
"Hmm…" he grunted. "I'd hoped you'd forgotten," he answered dryly.
Maria let out a loud laugh and wrapped her arms around his waist, giving him a large squeeze. "You may have made me a Baroness when you'd married me Georg, but I haven't forgotten how to have some fun with our children." She looked up at him, giving him a mischievous look before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "You really should try it sometime, it does wonders for your disposition, especially if you've woken up in a bad mood." She gave him a wink as she glanced upwards into the tree where Louisa and Kurt were still hanging upside down.
He raised his eyebrows and gave her a quizzical look. "Is that a challenge Frauline?" Maria instantly picked up the playfulness that was now in his tone of voice, the previous irritation gone.
"I'm afraid I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about, Captain." She gave him a cheeky smile before hurrying off to join Marta and Gretl who were running around the meadow barefoot.
He watched all the children running around and having fun and he knew he'd been quite solemn and morose at times, continually pushing his children into marching like soldiers where they actually needed some fun and enjoyment, especially during a trek like this through the mountains. Not wanting to be defeated by his wife on this point, he smiled to himself as he shrugged off his thick travel coat and took off his tie, throwing them on the ground.
"Right children," he called up to Louisa and Kurt, "room up there for me?" They both yelled in glee as Georg struggled up the tree after them.
Around half an hour later, his hair dishevelled and slightly out of breath, Georg, Kurt and Louisa re-joined Maria and the other children on the ground. Running around with Gretl and Marta, Maria had become hot so she'd stripped off her grey outer cardigan and was just wearing her light pink skivvy blouse. She stood for a moment with Georg, who had also unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt, gazing out over the breathtaking view over the mountains and the valleys below. Giving Maria a smile, he let her know he was pleased that she'd encouraged him to have some fun with the children. He pulled her close to him, hugging her close and kissing her forehead lightly. The quiet moment they were sharing together was interrupted by sounds of the children now ready to go, they parted from each other to start walking with the children again.
After several more hours of walking they started to make camp again. The evening air had become cold, much colder than the previous two nights had been.
"Father?"
"Yes, Brigitta," Georg replied.
"Do you think we can make a fire tonight? It's cold."
"Well, unlike the last couple of nights, it's probably safe to make a fire, since I'm certain we aren't being followed." Georg told her. "However, I'm not sure we can since I don't have any matches. Unless you children can rub some sticks together, I don't think we'll be able to get one started." Brigitta's face fell and she shivered under her travel cloak.
"Oh I think I can get one started," piped up Maria, who had overheard their conversation.
"You do?" Georg asked her in surprise.
"Of course!" she replied. "Remember I did grow up on a farm, I know how to do all sorts of things like that. Come on Kurt, Marta, you can both help me." With that, the three of them headed off into the bushes to find some kindling. Ten minutes later they returned with a pile of large and small sticks to use as firewood. After another ten minutes of stacking the wood and fiddling around with the stack, a small blaze was started.
Georg approached the three of them, quite surprised. "Well Frauline, I really am very much impressed," he told her with a smile. "It appears we have discovered another one of your 'hidden talents'!"
Kurt and Marta looked at each other then at Maria then back at each other, huge grins on their faces. Georg saw this exchange and gave them both a curious look.
"Are you going to tell him?" Marta asked Kurt.
"No, you do it." Kurt retorted.
"No you!" Marta insisted back.
Georg interrupted them. "Tell me what?" Maria laughed and took his hand, opening it and placing a small object on the center of his palm. It was a box of matches. "How…?" Georg started to ask her.
"My 'hidden talent' as you like to call it," Maria explained with a giggle. "It was at the bottom of the satchel the Reverend Mother gave us. Honestly, despite my farm upbringing, I know nothing about starting fires without them." Georg looked flabbergasted as Kurt and Marta started to giggle before he saw the funny side and started to laugh too. Soon all four of them were roaring with laughter.
With the fire now going, the whole family huddled around it. It was warm and cosy and definitely the nicest night they'd had together since they'd been out in the mountains. As Gretl quite happily announced, it was like being on one of her favourite mountain picnics, with the exception of the lack of food, as Kurt quite rightly pointed out. Maria and Georg told the children about some of the things they had done and seen on their honeymoon before the children told their parents about some of the escapades they had gotten up to while they were away.
Finally, Maria announced it was time for all the children to get some sleep. She knew that Friedrich hadn't slept much the night before so she insisted he sleep and that she would stay up with Georg.
There were many requests from the younger children that Maria sing for them, so she softly sang them a lullaby as they drifted off to sleep. As she finished singing, she looked up to see Georg watching her intently, the look of his face reminiscent of the one he gave her on the night he sang Edelweiss all those many months ago.
She went to join him and as she sat down next to him, he unexpectedly claimed her lips in a passionate kiss. His hands ran through her hair, down her back, pulling her tight to him. The initial intensity of his kiss quickly slowed to be replaced by a more tender, sensual kiss as they wrapped their arms around each other, slowly caressing each other's bodies. Minutes past as they continued kissing before breathless, they finally parted from each other.
"What was that for?" Maria asked as she snuggled down into his embrace, the warmth from his arms comforting.
"Many reasons," he murmured as he kissed the top of her head.
"Tell me," she asked softly as she gazed into the fire, finding the patterns of the flames dancing around mildly hypnotic.
Georg was silent for a moment, deep in thought as he stroked her arm. "It's you," he finally said. She shifted around to look into his eyes, perplexed at his response. "Nothing bad I assure you," he chuckled at seeing her expression. "The last few days have just been madness, but you have been with me every step of the way. I mean our time together in Paris was magical, romantic… well I never thought I'd be able to feel like that again. You're my wife, my lover and I cherish you deeply." He paused for a moment to kiss her hand. "But since we returned from our honeymoon, you've been such a source of strength to me, supporting my decisions, never once arguing with me." He smiled at her.
"I only argue with you if I disagree with you, Georg," Maria told him with a small laugh.
"That I know," he chuckled back. "But with everything that has happened between us over the last few months, I'd forgotten your um… enthusiasm for playing with the children. But watching you with the children today, then hearing you sing to them, well it's like I've fallen in love with you all over again, and I feel like I love you even more than I did before, which I didn't even know was possible."
"Oh Georg," Maria whispered as she wrapped her arms around him, embracing him. "I love you so much too." They held each other in a comfortable silence for the next little while before Georg looked down to find Maria had fallen asleep in his arms. Feeling content, warm and safe, eventually his eyelids began to droop and he fell asleep as well.
The morning rays of sunlight hit Georg's face as he started to wake. He immediately realised that Maria was no longer in his arms. Opening his eyes, he looked around for her but she was nowhere to be seen. Also, the blanket the children had been sleeping on was empty. Starting to panic somewhat, he began to stand up when a rough hand pushed him back down.
He heard a fierce voice: "Put your hands up and don't move," before he felt the cold hard metal of a gun being pointed at his head.