Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the book The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge or the film The Secret of Moonacre.
This story starts at the end of the film, carrying on the stories of the inhabitants of Moonacre. Although, mainly based on the romance of Robin and Maria, the other characters do make appearances along side some new ones.
I have used details from both the book and film but have mainly kept to the character descriptions from the film i.e. Robin and Loveday are still brother and sister not mother and son like in the book, and they are both De Noirs. The only other major change I have made is to the ages of Robin and Maria: Robin is 18 and Maria is 16, I felt that in the book the ages were too young, and in the film the age difference was too apparent.
I am not sure how long the story will be as this is my first time writing a fan fiction piece but I hope it will be a few chapters.
Let me know what you think, Cheers Sorrel x.
Chapter 1: The end is sometimes only the beginning …
Moonacre Valley was saved by the last Moon Princess, the pearl necklace was returned to the sea, and the valley was restored to its former glory. (And so this story begins) The inhabitants of Moonacre settled back into the idyllic idiom that was once only a distant memory of their great grandparent's days; contentment and joy enveloped everyone within the valley.
The happiness that was exuberated by those from Moonacre Manor was such that had not been seen in a hundred years, and a consequence of such abandonment meant that behaviour that would normally be frowned upon went unchecked.
Maria Merryweather had fully grown into her role of Moon Princess as she sets about bringing the peace and joy deserved by all the people of the valley but the enchantment of the pearls had left a mark on Maria, unseen by everyone even those closest to her. She had grown taller and more wild since her encounter with the magic of the valley, and most days if she isn't helping out the inhabitants of the valley, you can find her wandering through the Dark Wood or the shoreline, with Robin De Noir her now constant companion and friend. Today she sits upon the cliff tops with the wind catching her loose hair, causing flashes of fiery red to catch the eye of Robin; who sits silently beside her. They both sense a change in the air and whether that is to do with their growing feelings for each other or something altogether more alarming neither knows. Their only acknowledgement of this change is to sit where it all started; silently hoping for their own dreams to bear the fruitfulness that the whole valley is enjoying.
"When does Miss Heliotrope's friend arrive at the Manor?" Robin breaks the silence. Confused green eyes look over at him, muddled for a moment and lost in their own thoughts; clearing and suddenly bright and beautiful, followed by a dazzling smile that makes the edges of Robin's heart contract.
"Sorry, Robin" she pauses as she collects her thoughts. "She arrives on the morrow, Miss Longlace of the Knightsbridge Academy," she looks worried for a moment. It passes before Robin can question it, and she continues. "Miss Heliotrope and Miss Longlace have been firm friends since they were girls at school. She use to visit us often while we were living in London. I know Miss Heliotrope has missed their weekly Tête à Têtes."
"What's the Knightsbridge Academy?" Robin asks.
"A ladies finishing school for the elite and wealthy, before Moonacre I had always had designs to attend the school before being introduced to society, but now …" She falters and the worried look on her face returns. Silence envelopes them both but before it settles too firmly Robin interjects, "Let's go up to Paradise Hill and watch the sun set over the valley."
Robin gets up and makes to leave, but Maria remains seated. "Maria?" Robins questions and then continues "come on Maria we will have to hurry if we are to make it to Paradise Hill in time for the sunset." He holds out his hand to her, Maria glances up and looks at the hand that is now out stretched to hers: a hand that she once fought with and which still bears the mark of less happier times. She takes his hand, and smiles at all the possibilities that come with it. Robin smiles back at Maria rejoicing in their renewed contact together; hoping and wishing that this moment would last forever.
As Maria and Robin watch the sunset together Marmaduke Scarlet is in the kitchens of Moonacre Manor preparing for the impending visitor.
"What do you make of these Zachariah?" He waves a number of sheets of paper in front of the cat, who looks up nonchalantly from his position in front of the baking oven. "Received today from Miss Heliotrope's guest in preparation for her upcoming visit, Oh my …" He begins to read off the list to the cat who responds by yawning and closing his eyes.
"A list of refreshments and refinements suitable for Miss Longlace victuals … Breakfast to be served precisely at 7 o'clock sharp, and will consist of 1 cup of boiling (not hot, not tepid but boiling) water and a slice of lemon, this will be followed by 3 prunes and 1 round of buttered toast; no conserves will be required. Mid morning one expects a pot of tea served with a slice of fruit cake, and 4 segments of orange. Lunch will be served at 1 o'clock and should consist of a light soup (ideally vegetable or a chicken broth) … Oh my …" Marmaduke read on as the list became more and more insipid. He turns to the cat, "Well Zachariah it seems that the intolerantMiss Longlace is in need of the Moonacre constitution; it is up to us to enlighten the lady to such culinary delights, such as she has only ever dreamed about."
Marmaduke Scarlet begins busying himself with the food preparation for tomorrow. Like an artist at work Marmaduke begins to slice and dice carrots, potatoes and leeks before moving onto the finer work of pastry making. Zachariah looks on with the insouciance only a cat can deliver, and makes his way to the stool besides the working Marmaduke. He jumps up and settles himself down waiting for the chance to sample some of the cook's wares.
As Marmaduke Scarlet settles to pastry making, Miss Heliotrope settles to the matters of digestion after an exceedingly agreeable supper of potted salmon and plum pudding. She had concerns that her indigestion would reacquaint itself tonight due to her heighten excitement over tomorrow's arrival but was pleasantly surprised that all seemed calm and quiet. She picks up her French needlepoint and begins working on the arrangement of roses, which she hopes to make into a pillow slip for Maria. Thinking of Maria makes her realize with a start that she hadn't seen her all day, and she begins to wonder whether she ought to be worried about her. Before she can get the thought to anything more than a starting realization there is a knock upon her chamber door, and Maria enters fresh faced and wind-swept.
"Good evening Miss Heliotrope, I hope you have had a pleasant evening?"
"My dear Maria, it has been fought with preparations for the arrival of my dear friend, Miss Longlace. She should arrive at the Manor tomorrow just in time for lunch; I do hope Marmaduke Scarlet received her correspondence regarding her dietary requirements, she is so very particular about her food and has an even weaker digestion than myself." Miss Heliotrope looks over to her empty supper plates, spies a crumb of plum pudding and sweeps it up before Maria is seated beside her.
"It has been 4 months since I last saw Fanny, and I do so miss our little chats and comradeship. I adore finding out about all the latest news from the Academy and London society." Miss Heliotrope looks wistful, and continues "but my dear, where have you been all evening I missed you at supper?"
Maria looks uncomfortable for the briefest of moments but composes herself before Miss Heliotrope notices, "I went for a stroll with Robin across Paradise Hill, we watched the sun setting over the valley. Oh, Miss Heliotrope," she exclaims "It was one of the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. The rays of the sun look like they were kissing the edges of the valley goodnight with a fiery embrace … it was magical." At this point it is Maria's turn to look wistful, and for Miss Heliotrope to look thoughtful and somewhat apprehensive.
"You are spending rather a large amount of time with that boy, it is a wonder that his father doesn't have things for him to do on their estate seeing as the Coeur De Noir is rebuilding the castle and keep." Miss Heliotrope looks over to Maria who is faining an interest in the edge of her sleeve, and begins to wonder to herself if Maria is indeed spending far too much time alone with Robin that ought to be considered proper for a lady of Maria's standing. Miss Heliotrope looks over Maria's countenance with a growing expression of alarm: Maria's hair is cascading down her back in rivulets of burnish gold with what looks like vegetation stuck in between some of the curls, and she is wearing one of the old Moon Princess dresses, which in Miss Heliotrope's opinion would not look out of place in a museum. Miss Heliotrope finishes her appraisal of Maria by looking in abject horror at Maria's lack of foot wear; it seems that she has been taking dressing advice from Loveday, who thankful has resumed a more fitting appearance now she is married to Sir Benjamin and is known as Lady Loveday Minette. Miss Heliotrope's mind is reeling; she really must do something about Maria, if she is ever to perpetrate a successful match for the child then she must do something soon.
"Goodnight, Miss Heliotrope" Maria interrupts Miss Heliotrope's thoughts. "Goodnight child, sleep well, I will see you at breakfast," responses the Governess thoughtfully; yes she thinks something needs to be done.
Maria enters her tower room and finds none of the solace or comfort that she is use to. Her thoughts and emotions are confused and in turmoil, as she replays the events of the evening in her mind. She remembers sitting at the edge of cliff feeling the warmth of the summer sun ebbing as the coastal breeze made its presence known. Her thoughts had been confused and cloudy all day, just as the summer was drawing to an end so to it seemed was the peace she had known since finding the Moon Princess's pearls and restoring the valley. What she was in need of was counsel but she couldn't speak to Miss Heliotrope, instead she needed a mother's wisdom but Loveday was not currently residing in Moonacre Valley as she and Sir Benjamin enjoyed their honeymoon in Europe.
"Oh, what am I to do Wiggins? I have ruined everything," she looked down at the spaniel who was enjoying one of the sugar flowered biscuits too much to take any notice of his mistress. "He will never to speak to me again! I have ruined everything!"
She starts to prepare for bed, cleaning her face and hands, brushing her hair and for the first time noticing the leaves that have become entangled in it. She pulls one of the leaves out and carefully places it on her dresser, she looks down at it and as the memories begin to flow so do the tears …
… They are sitting together at the top of Paradise Hill over looking the whole of Moonacre Valley and are watching as the sun slowly says goodnight to the valley; rosy-fingered the sun seems to caress the trees of the Dark Wood. Robin and Maria sit rigidly next to one another confused by the awkward ambience that seems to have descended over them during the last few days. Robin glances over at Maria and the sight catches his breath, his heart begins to beat faster, louder; he wishes and prays that he could find the right words.
"Maria …" he begins but falters. "Yes?" she questions but stops when she sees the look of pained despair on his face. "We should be getting back before it gets too late," he replies quickly, inwardly kicking himself for being so verbally devoid of emotion.
As they rise to go, Maria slips on a rock and just as if the valley had conspired to bring the two friends closer together, Robin catches her in his arms. Robin rights Maria so she is facing him; he looks into her eyes and can't help himself as he kisses her. She starts to kiss him back and for a moment he can't believe this isn't a dream, and then reality hits them. They pull apart from one another and there is stunned silence about them as they look at each other. Maria turns about and flies down the hill towards Moonacre Manor, while Robin is left aghast atop the hill just as the sun sets in a triumphant blaze of glory.