I just had this story in my head and needed to write it out.

A little fluffy one shot for you :)

Based on the book and the musical.

Enjoy.

The moors were magical in Lilias's opinion.

Her older sister, Rose, never agreed with that. Rose was always one for more indoor activities. She liked painting, sewing, and making music. Lily had never been good at any of that. She found more pleasure in gardens.

All her life she wanted to visit the gardens at Misselthwaite. She'd walk near them all the time when she strolled the moors.

It was a Sunday when she finally dared to enter them. Eighteen and brimming with energy, Lilias gathered her courage and entered the mystical gardens she'd dreamed of for so long.

They belonged to Archibald Craven, a man people only spoke of in whispers. Lily had never seen him. It was said he never left his home. A hunchback who hid away in his labyrinth of a house. He was the monster of children's stories and the talk of adult groups.

Rose was an expert on all things Archibald Craven. She said she'd seen him once in town. He was only three and twenty but looked an old man. His hunch was as large as a sack of hay, withering the man beneath it. Rose said he was angry and fearsome and spoke to no one.

Lily feared him finding her in the gardens. What would he do? Arrest her? Hurt her? Hide her away in his haunted castle?

Oh, hush, she thought to herself. You're acting like a school girl. Put away these silly thoughts. If what people say is true, he's up in his house with no idea that you're out in the garden. No one will catch you.

Lilias took a deep breath, and began walking through the maze of hedges tall as elephants. There was a mist hanging over everything, as if a body were in a dream.

Suddenly, he heard a sweet song bird above her. Lily looked up to see a fat red robin. It seemed to be staring right at her.

"Hello there," Lily whispered to it. It tweeted back, as though responding. It took off in flight down a passage way. "Do you want me to follow you?"

It didn't respond but she went after it anyway. She spotted it again and once more it tweeted, flitting further away. Lily followed it until it darted right into one of the hedges. Pushing away some branches, she saw a small door hiding away inside.

It was very little, sized for a child it seemed. As if transfixed, Lily went to it, turning the door nob gingerly.

It was locked.

"It won't open without a key."

Lily gasped so hard that she flung herself back and tumbled over her blue gown. Like a rock, she fell straight to the ground.

The man laughed a bit and quickly rushed to her aid. From the ground Lily would see his dark pants and shoes and the black cane he carried. The man extended a hand, the sun blocking his face. She took it and pulled herself up.

"I'm so sorry, sir," Lily brushed off her gown nervously. "I didn't mean to intrude, honestly. I just saw the gardens and I-"

He smiled kindly, "It's quite all right, miss. No one come out here usually."

Lily had a chance to look at the man. He was slightly taller than her with dark black hair that waved down to his chin. He was pale and thin, and leaned most of his weight on the cane. He seemed to be not much older than herself.

Lily wouldn't say he was handsome, but there was something about his smile and his eyes that made her heart flutter.

"Sorry, again," Lily said. "I'll be leaving-"

"No, stay," He said. He cleared his throat, "I mean, if you please." The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a bronze key. "I have the key if you'd like to see the garden."

Lily looked at him with wonder, "What is your name, sir?"

The man looked slightly embarrassed, "Forgive me, I'd forgotten to introduce myself. Archibald Craven, miss." He gave a polite boy.

"Archibald Craven?" Lily gasped. Could it really be true? This man looked so ordinary. "Sorry, I didn't mean...it's just that you aren't what I was expecting." This hardly seems the monstrous man Rose had told me about. I can't even see a hunch.

Archibald sighed, "You were expecting Quasimodo, I have no doubt. Sorry to be a disappointment."

"No," Lily stepped forward and placed her hand on his arm. He looked at it in awe. Realizing how brazen she'd been, she dropped the hand. "I meant no offense, Lord Craven. It's just my sister Rose often romanticizes things...and people. I get a little caught in her romances, I suppose."

He gave her another smile. He does have quite an extraordinary smile. "There's nothing to forgive. You've said nothing worse than what people normally say."

They stood there for a moment, just looking at each other. Neither seemed able to think of anything to say.

He has such queer eyes. It's like he can see my soul. I feel positively naked in front of him.

"If you'd please, I would like to see that garden, sir."

Archibald nodded, taking a moment longer to gaze at her before going to unlock the door. "Come." He said and she quickly followed.

Once inside, she was greeted by fountains of roses. Lilies, crocuses, daisies, and flowers she couldn't even name grew all around in a beautiful rainbow.

There were tears in her eyes. She wasn't even sure when they had gotten there.

Lilias ventured further inside, mouth opened in awe.

She looked back at Archibald, but he seemed only focused on her, giving that nice smile of his.

"This is wonderful, Lord Craven." She breathed in the sweet perfume of it all. "Fantastic."

"Beautiful," he finished, but he wasn't looking at the flowers.

Lily felt herself flush, "Thank you for showing this to me." She soon became conscious of the time. "I should be getting home. They'll wonder where I've been."

He stopped her before she could go far, "Please, miss, you haven't told me your name."

"Lilias Doyle. I prefer Lily, though."

Archibald gazed at her with his deep eyes, "Like the flower."

"Yes, sir." She grinned.

"Archie," he told her. "I don't like formalities."

Lily gave a slight bow, "I should be leaving now, si-Archie." He nodded and walked to the door, opening it for her. They walked out together. "It was good to make your acquaintance."

"Yes, it was," he stared at her. "Erm, I mean, good to meet you as well. I mean make your acquaintance." He was turning a bit red in the face. Lily giggled a bit. "Sh-shall I see you again, Lily?"

"Yes," Lily answered quickly. "I shall probably be out again tomorrow." You sound too presumptuous. Remember, Rose says you need to be more coy. "If that pleases you."

"Yes," he said very eagerly. "It does...please me."

Why can't you speak? She demanded herself. Stop acting so...silly.

"Can you find your way out?" He asked her.

"Yes, I think so." Lily gave another awkward little bow. "See you tomorrow, then."

Archibald gave her a nod, "Yes, tomorrow." Unexpectedly, he reached for her hand. Very slowly, he leaned over and lightly pressed his lips upon it.

It was then she could see the hunch on his back.

He let go of her hand and didn't look in her eyes, "Goodbye, Lily Doyle."

Lily walked away, not quite sure what had just happened.

Her hand felt warm. Not, not warm. It felt aflame. Yes, she was certain it was on fire.

But when she looked down at it, it was unchanged.

There is certainly magic in these moors, Lily thought as she glanced back at Archibald Craven.

More than I had ever thought possible.