This is my entry for the Sherlolly Big Bang Challenge (on AO3). It has 8 parts, and is completely done. If you'd like to read the entire story now, you can find it on AO3. My username is onceinabluemoon0013 over there.
As for FF, I am going to spread out posting the chapters a little bit (probably every other day or so), so I don't blow up your inboxes!
The wonderful Ouishie created a wonderful artwork for this story, which you can find on AO3, or you can message me for the link.
I really hope you like it!
There once lived a girl named Molly Hooper.
It was said (by those shadowy someones who seem to always say such things) that nature celebrated her birth with splendor, welcoming the bright-eyed baby into the world with open arms.
The sun smiled down on the kingdom of Baker from an incandescent blue sky, while a gentle breeze drifted indoors through an open window, delicately brushing her mother's flushed cheeks. The babe's first cries were masked as birds sang a joyful melody from their treetop havens in honor of the earth's latest inhabitant.
Margaret Hooper cried when she first gazed upon her beautiful daughter, a grin already proudly displayed on the child's round little face. Her husband, Captain Edward Hooper of the Royal Guard, simply stared in awe at the tiny human wrapped snugly in the bright green blanket Margaret had knitted in preparation for the baby's arrival.
The midwife gently dabbed the tired mother's forehead, as the proud couple fussed over the newest addition to their family.
"What should we name you?" Margaret crooned, her eyelids fluttering heavily as weariness caught up to her. Edward gently removed the child from her grasp, placing a gentle kiss on her temple.
"I believe you look like a Molly," he uttered quietly, gazing adoringly at the tiny infant. "Molly Hooper. What do you think, love?" he asked his wife.
"That sounds perfect." She offered Edward a small smile. "Welcome home, Molly," she whispered, before sleep finally overcame her.
XXXXX
Living on a modest estate a mere half-hour journey from the palace on horse, Molly's childhood was a sublimely happy one, filled with the kind of love and joy that many people seek, but few are ever lucky enough to find.
As a captain of the Royal Guard, Edward spent the majority of his time away from home; thus, most of Molly's days were spent with her kind and caring mother.
Molly quickly displayed an aptitude for science, rare in someone so young, and Margaret Hooper happily nourished her daughter's thirst for knowledge. The library in their home was filled to the brim with tomes explaining any manner of topics in great detail, from medicinal uses for naturally-growing plants to anatomical drawings of various animal species.
Molly consumed this information with wild abandon, spending hours outside memorizing the names of the various herbs and flowers. The woodland creatures which lived in the surrounding woods were her playmates, keeping her company when her mother could not.
Although her father was away more often than not, when he was home, Molly would beg him to tell her stories, and the two would curl up together on her bed. Her favorites always involved brave warriors battling fearsome monsters to save the damsel in distress.
"Why doesn't the princess save herself, daddy?"
"I'm not sure, pumpkin."
"Well, I think she should. It makes no sense to be waiting around for the knight to save the day."
"Whatever you say, pumpkin."
They would sit like that for hours, Edward weaving increasingly more fantastic tales as the night wore on. Afterwards, Margaret would walk in to bid her daughter goodnight, finding Molly fast asleep nestled into her father's side, a wide, goofy smile etched on her face even in slumber. Extracting himself from her tiny arms, Edward would grab Molly's green blanket (now fraying at the edges and patched several times) and drape it over his daughter. Entwining his fingers with Margaret's, they would both kiss her cheek and retire to their chambers.
Yes, Molly Hooper's childhood was, indeed, a happy one.
Until, it wasn't.
XXXXX
The signs were subtle at first.
Her mother tired more easily, unable to spend as much time roaming around outside, chasing after Molly.
A plump and kind-looking elderly man visited the manor frequently, although Margaret sent Molly out to play whenever he arrived. He always carried a large, black bag that rattled when he walked, but never failed to hand the young girl a candy as he took his leave with a sad smile.
When Molly awoke for the third day in a row to a loud coughing fit, she felt fear grip her five-year-old body. She rushed to her mother's side and continued to stroke her sweat-soaked hair until the outburst finally wound down.
Later that morning, Edward Hooper arrived at the estate, wheezing and out of breath, alerted to his wife's deteriorating condition by the housekeeper. Never having seen her father so distraught, dread sunk its claws even deeper into Molly's heart.
Two days later found Molly lounging in her father's lap outside her parents' bedroom as the old man with the bag once more examined Margaret Hooper. When he left the room this time, however, he shut the door quietly behind him, a grim expression upon his face. He looked at them and quickly walked over to where the two Hoopers were sitting together.
Always a bright child, Molly instantly knew that something was wrong. Instead of waiting around to listen to the man's prognosis, however, she hopped off of her father and hurried to her mother's side.
"Mummy?" she called hesitantly, slowing as she reached the large bed. She found her mother propped against the headboard, dark hair fanned out on a fluffy pillow.
"Hello, pumpkin," her mother answered feebly, attempting a smile for her daughter's sake, although the final result looked more like a grimace.
"What's going on, Mummy?" the frightened little girl asked. "And don't say nothing, because I can tell something's wrong."
Sighing, Margaret reached a hand out to her daughter, catching Molly's small fingers between her own. "Molly, my brave, sweet, girl," she began, choking a little on her words.
Molly crawled onto the bed beside her mother, hugging her as fiercely as she could. Young as she was, she understood that this moment was important, and that she needed to remember every second of it.
"My brave, brave girl," Margaret started again once Molly had settled next to her. "I love you so much. You know that, right?" Molly nodded, lower lip trembling as she fought back tears. Margaret swallowed thickly and continued, "Our time together is drawing to a close, and I need you to promise me something." She paused again, gathering her strength.
"One day, you will meet the most amazing person in the world and fall madly in love. Someone who makes your heart stop and your pulse flutter. You are the best, most unselfish person I know, Molly. So when you do meet this person, I want you to promise me that they will be worthy of your love. Don't give your heart to someone who isn't willing to give you theirs in return. Can you do that for me, pumpkin?"
"I… I promise, M-mummy."
The dam finally broke, and Molly began to sob into her mother's stomach. She stayed there, Margaret caressing her back, until Edward picked her up and put her to bed.
It was the last conversation she had with her mother.
Margaret Hooper died peacefully in her sleep later that night.
XXXXX
Haunted by memories of his wife, Edward Hooper moved Molly and himself to the palace permanently two weeks after Margaret's passing. The estate was left in the care of a middle-aged widow by the name of Martha Hudson, under the condition that it eventually be left to Molly.
Ever a resilient child, Molly quickly adapted to life in the castle. She learned when to sneak into the kitchen to bargain an extra roll away from the cook (after breakfast, when Mrs. Prince, the strict head of staff, was busy elsewhere), and where the best books were kept in the enormous library (bottom shelf, second row from the end). She quickly befriended a young servant, Sally Donovan, who was brave and witty and everything Molly wished she could be.
Less than a year after they moved to the palace, however, tragedy struck once more, blowing through Molly Hooper's life like a hurricane hell-bent on leaving as much destruction as possible.
She was playing in one of her favorite courtyards, a hidden treasure she had stumbled across accidentally, when Lieutenant Gregory Lestrade, one of her father's subordinates, found her.
Greg (as he insisted she call him) was still young, fresh out of training, but her father had told her that, one day, he was going to be one of the greatest soldiers in the king's entire army. Molly was quite impressed, to say the least. He had taken her under his wing, bringing her small tokens from his travels around the kingdom. Molly had never had a brother, but she imagined it felt something like this.
A man of only one and twenty, he looked much older today, with his head hanging sadly and dark circles under his brown eyes.
"Is Papa home, yet?" she asked him, already sensing that he did not bring good news.
"Molly…," he said regretfully. His reluctance to continue, however, told Molly all she needed to know, prompting her to burst into tears.
Captain Hooper and his men had been traveling through Lord Moriarty's lands when they were ambushed. Without Edward's sacrifice, many more men would have lost their lives.
Greg held her as she cried, his heart breaking for this young girl who had experienced far too much hardship for someone her age. He vowed then and there to always watch out for her, and to ensure that, whatever happened to her, she would get her happy ending.
Yet, little did either of them know, that Molly Hooper's destiny was currently spying on the pair of them from behind a rose bush.
Reviewing is optional, but I love reading your thoughts, and it could convince me to update sooner!