Well, this was a very interesting update.
At first, we were inside Elsa's mind, which was quite refreshing. As she says, there's a big difference between how he used to talk to her and how he does after he broke the engagement. Only with that, we can see how much has changed everything. But poor Elsa, thinking about how Georg spoke to Maria so lovingly...
It broke my heart how Elsa realized they weren't her family, even friends. I wonder if she felt part of the family before, when she was at Aigen. Now is when she sees that the Georg she knew was only a façade.

Oh, finally, Hede has appeared! So, they lied to her. Of course, they "kidnapped" her because they want Georg to accept the commission. But now I'm scared after reading your last sentence.
What if something happens to the children? I don't want to think about it!

As always, I loved this chapter. Also, you did a marvellous job, considering how difficult it must have been to keep your muse with you.
Brava.

I am extremely late in reviewing - I've only just had time to catch up on reading.
I'm so in love with this story. You capture Elsa so, so well. Definitely the best portrayal of her that I've read. You convey her pain so perfectly. I love that she isn't a heartless so-and-so as she is portrayed in the film, so you definitely do her justice imo.
I'm so so glad that Hede is safe! There was so much tension, I was glad that I was able to binge read these last few chapters but I'm eagerly awaiting the next! Keep doing what you're doing, you know I love it.

Take care
- C x

I love the way you have mixed the drama and suspense in with the perceptive insights into Elsa's emotional turmoil. You capture so many layers in this scene, so brilliantly.

I really felt for Elsa, having this painful (at least for her) conversation with Georg after their breakup. Her hurt was so excruciating at his brusque chat with her. Obviously he is so wrapped up in his worry about his sister and his feelings for Maria that he can't see how much it would hurt Elsa to be brushed aside like this. Every sentence must have felt like a stab for Elsa, with his language so strikingly changed from 'I' to 'we' and 'me' to 'us,' and then in the middle of it he is interacting so lovingly to Maria while Elsa is still on the line. It just intensifies the sense of rejection for her. Urgh, I'd like to give him a shake for that, but at least he was sensitive enough to thank Elsa for being so kind to Maria at the ball.

Poor Elsa, it must feel as if her manipulative words to scare off Maria have backfired: "He'll get over it soon, enough. Men do you know." He certainly seems to have gotten over Elsa pretty quickly given they were together for two years.

Hede had a lucky escape but now it is very clear that Georg and all those closest to him are in danger. It's a frightening situation. I can't wait to see where you take us. I'm completely riveted.
As always, I do love your gorgeous writing. More please!

I love the way you write Elsa's thoughts in the first scene.
Like, "It was an odd reminder, hearing him speak to her so abruptly, so business-like. Like a stranger. But then, how else was he going to speak to her? The world had moved on. He had moved on."
And, "'Is Hede all right?' The distant question, barely audible but filled with concern, hit Elsa squarely as if it had been shouted down the telephone line. She froze. Maria. She was with him.
Those lines do an excellent job showing how painful it is for Elsa since she and Georg parted, and how much it hurts to see/hear his relationship with Maria.

But this line was the best, "It didn't escape her that he no longer referred to himself. It seemed, these days, it was both of them. Him and Maria. She didn't recall him ever falling into that habit with her." Not only does it show Elsa's pain in seeing/hearing Maria and Georg's relationship, but it highlights how much closer he and Maria were than he and Elsa ever were. (Which is something you can see in canon.)

Georg and Maria's worry about Hede (when she does return home) vs. Hede trying to "brush it off" was well done, too.
And that was a nice cliffhanger at the end, too. If the Nazis tried to "grab" threaten Hede, what might they do to Georg's children? (It's also a great foreshadow to the end of the movie, where the Nazis try to trap the entire von Trapp family.)

P. S. You seem to have a bit of "head - hopping" in your opening scene. As I said the opening scene is written from Elsa's POV. (Which I think is a great choice, as I said before, you do well with.) But this sentence doesn't fit, in that case.
"'Hede?' Georg's frown grew as Maria's hand tightened around his arm, her eyes widening at the sound of his sister's name."
There is no way Elsa would have seen Maria and Georg do those things if she were on the other side of the phone. More importantly, a few paragraphs later, you have Elsa surprised/uncomfortable when she realizes Maria is with Georg. That sentence ruins the impact of what you are trying to imply later on.

I am dearly in love with this story. For starters, I like the POV of the Baroness Schrader. I've always been annoyed at stories that portray her as an unfeeling witch and I appreciate that you are doing the opposite and looking at what-to her-must have been an embarrassing, unthinkable experience of essentially being jilted. And any Nazi tension is good.

As always, I loved it! xx

Wow, this is getting scary.
I do feel so bad for Elsa. Georg hanging up before the words left her mouth was a nice touch -I know he meant no harm, but his mind and heart are elsewhere.

Really hoping to see this updated soon

Masterful update with the slowly building suspense and a cliffhanger!

I did NOT see this coming in the plot! Poor Hede!

What a great cliffhanger! More please.

Oh Oh...What's going on? Why were two men looking for Hede? I have so many questions...
Thank God Frau Stoltenberg is a "nosy" neighbour and has seen everything. I'm positive that the disappearance of Hede is one of the consequences of neglecting Hitler.
I was biting my nails while I was reading your update, especially when Georg was inside her house because you did a great job building up the suspense.
When Maria suddenly talked to Georg, I smiled, because she did the opposite of what he told her, and it's something she would do.
I loved how Georg confessed to Maria that Hede was his protector and guardian angel when he was little. It's how I imagine their relationship. Also, my favourite part was when he said he was like Marta until he was grown up.
Poor Elsa, trying to tell Georg something important while he's telling her to "shut up".

I can't wait to read your next update. I have many questions, and I need answers!
Exquisite writing...As always, bravo.

This update had me spellbound, it had such a sinister, menacing feel to it. Brilliant writing. The skin on my arms was prickling with uneasiness as I read this. You really brought out the suspense, the sense of foreboding in both Maria and Georg. The sweet little old lady next door provided just enough information that something was very seriously wrong. Poor Georg, he must be so horrified if something has happened to Hede because of him.
Everything was in such turmoil in Austria in the days and weeks before the Anschluss with a lot of violence stirred up by Nazi sympathisers so it is no wonder that Georg is so fearful about what has happened to his sister.

Amidst all the tension and drama I felt a wave of sympathy for Elsa when she was speaking to Georg for the first time since he had ended their relationship. It must have been so painful for her. I really felt for her in the way you wrote it.

I hope Georg, the master strategist, will figure out what to do and get his sister back. I’m on tenterhooks with this.
I hope that while you are in lockdown again you’ll find the inspiration to write some more soon.
Keep safe and stay strong, kia kaha.

Thanks for the wonderful update. Such a great story.

Love this chapter...lovely morning that increasingly becomes worrisome. Nice little cliffhanger! I’m really enjoying your story! Stay safe!