Chapter 1

"Why mun it be tha!"

Dickon Sowerby has always been, and hopefully always will be, a gentle and loving boy who blossomed into a responsible and dashing young man. His heart bleeds for others. His loyalty has yet to be wavered and his love grew stronger by the day. A bigger heart could not be found in Yorkshire.

Though he may be rosy cheeked and funny looking, you just can't help but fall in love with him. He had the sort of face where at first glance you wouldn't notice but once you got to know him, once you see the things he could do with only his voice, he suddenly becomes the most handsome man a woman ever had seen.

The way he would speak to animals is both fantastic and thrilling. His gentle tone and touch makes you feel as though you could never guess and most certainly know just what to expect.

A boy like him, no a man such as Dickon could never in his be willing to kill another creature, be it man or animal.

That is why he was so devastated when he saw a soldier sitting upon a strong, harshly tamed horse, strolling up to his small cottage on the outskirts of the moor, his beloved moor. His mother was out with his brothers and sisters, but he chose to stay and clean up around the house… now he regretted it more than anyone could ever imagine.

Dickon narrowed his eyes and gulped as he stepped out of the safety of the small cabin. He stood tall and strong, now that he was 18 he only expected them to come. They always did take the ones with less fortune to cast away after all.

The soldier jumped off his horse and took out a parchment; he overlooked it quickly and then turned towards Dickon. "You're Dickon Sowerby, I assume?" The soldier was a pure British man that much he could tell by the way of he stood and spoke.

"Aye, that'd be me." Dickon spoke in broad Yorkshire. He jerked his chin upward as he continued to stare the soldier down. "An' who're you?"

The soldier's eyes narrowed towards Dickon as he straightened his back. "I am Commander Lockwood and I am here to inform you that you are needed in the ranks." He said it as if he were challenging Dickon, but Dickon didn't flinch or cringe back. He stood tall with his head slightly tilted, something he had learnt from Colin.

"Eh! The 'anks, ya say? Well, when 'ill tha 'ave to leave?"

"Excuse me?" asked Commander Lockwood puzzled. He had never been in Yorkshire before now and was unaccustomed to their tongue, Dickon observed. A slight smile graced the his face as he thought of another person who had a similar reaction to his queer speech.

He had learnt proper English from Mary, but he loved his Yorkshire… and he loved it even more when Mary spoke it.

"I said; when will I've to leave? Do I've time to say mi goodbyes?" His English cracked a bit and sounded odd, but the soldier understood him and gave him a stern look.

"You will have to leave in three days. Say your farewells to your loved ones, but I will be back by sunset on the third day to pick you up." Commander Lockwood turned his back to Dickon and then heaved himself onto his horse. Without another word, he left.

Dickon stood and stared at the same place where Commander Lockwood had occupied minutes before. His heart hammered in his chest as his eyes started to sting with tears. It happened… It finally happened… and today of all days… on the day he was going to confess his love for Mary; The queerest lass he had ever met. The only lass he had ever, and will ever, fall in love with. It was all over now; when he leaves Colin will sweep Mary into his arms and marry her.

For the first time in a long time, a single tear raced down his cheek which was then followed by more. He silently cried over his loss and shivered in the cool air of the moor.

The moor…

He's other greatest love was always the moor! The beauty of the clear blue skies and barren landscapes; all the animals that lived and nestled inside it. The entire moor was his home and now he was leaving it… and there was no knowing rather or not he was coming back... alive.

It was getting darker and he knew his family would be home soon. He quickly wiped his eyes with his sleeve and gulped down the large bile that stung his throat. He went inside and started packing.


Dickon held in his own tears as he held his sobbing mother. He had told her what had happened when the children fell asleep. And she was heartbroken.

"Mi lil' baby Dickon! Why mun it be tha! Why?" She sobbed into his chest.

"I donno, Mother…. I don' know" He whispered as a single tear fell from his eye as he gulped down bile after bile.


Mary's eyes fluttered open to the early morning sun. A small smile graced her features as she scanned her childhood room in Mizzelthwaite Manor. She was glad to be home again, no more lessons on how to be a proper lady and wife. She was finally home.

Mary was now 16 years old, soon 17. She had been sent to London for her education and manners when she was 13 years old. She had arrived just a little under a week ago and she couldn't have been happier. She was so glad to see Martha, Colin, Uncle Arty and, even, Ms. Medheart!

But most of all, she was absolutely thrilled to see Dickon. She was so surprised when she saw the boy she had grown to love. She had pictured a tall gangly little rosy-cheeked boy, but what she found was the complete opposite. He had grown into a man now, still rosy-cheeked, but she wouldn't have had him any other way.

Mary's smile grew wider and wider with every thought that passed through her mind. It was so good to be home.

She quickly tossed the sheets off her body and ran to her wardrobe. She pulled on her gardening dress and twisted her hair up in a clumsy knot on the crown of her head. A few stray golden locks tumbled down, but she didn't care as she yanked on her boots. She started heading towards the door, but was stopped by Martha, who stood at the doorway holding a breakfast tray.

"Now, where 're ye goin' on such a fine morning?" She asked, her Yorkshire accent hadn't changed a bit, and for that Mary was grateful.

"I couldn't wait any longer!" Mary exclaimed anxiously as she tried to weasel her way around Martha, but failed. Martha had grown quite fat, but she was still lovely. "I must go to the garden! I have been away for far too long!"

"Eh! Tha mus' eat first! Thy has gotten so thin since last tha saw you!" Martha chuckled as she went into the room, tugging along a sulking Mary while holding the tray with one hand. "C'mon now! Wouldn't want Ms. Medlock to be mad, now do ye?" She gave Mary a warm smile as she placed the tray on the table. It was then that Mary's stomach growled. Martha only smirked and pulled Mary towards the chair.

Mary sighed and sat down. She gulped her meal down without speaking, not caring if it was unlady-like or that it may have be rude. She had to see the garden, the moor!

She was itching to inhale the air outside and kiss her roses. She wanted to run without shoe or sock! She wanted to touch the trees, cuddle with the animals!

But most of all… she wanted to see Dickon's heart-warming smile…


An/ Alright… This story is inspired by TheDarkestShinobi's story: One Missing Rose, it's a NaruIno Romance/angst oneshot that I fell in love with! ^^ Her idea will come up in later chapters, but the plot is mine… But I do not own Mary nor do I own Dickon… sadly…

AN/ (edited) Alright, so after re-read the whole thing I have made many adjustments and ammends. The plot is the same and I thankfully still remember where I wanted to take this story. I have changed my way of writing and hopefully you will all like it.

Review to fuel my plotbunnies! ~