- UPDATE 02/04/2018- Hi All, unfortunately, I will have to take a brief hiatus from writing. I'm graduating from college this year and to do so I need to complete a sort of research thesis for my engineering degree. Well... UGH... My professor needs me to present at a conference this March, and well they have been on my case making sure my project is at the level it needs to be. So ... That means I may not be able to write until afterwards. I am very sorry :( I always told myself I never wanted to just leave a story as it is, not only is it frustrating to you all, but it also means I may lose your attention. But I also don't want to betray you all and leave you readers hanging. I know many of you are guests and don't have accounts, which is why I try to push myself to publish by deadlines, but this school year has been kicking my butt and dragging me through the mud. I am very sorry, especially that I don't know when I'll put up the next chapter. :(
Disclaimer: I, Immergladsss, do not own The Little White Horse nor the Secret of Moonacre nor the characters from either of those stories. Nor do I intend to claim them as my own. I am simply writing a sequel to the story of how I wish a sequel to The Secret of Moonacre could have gone. This is a sequel to the sequel of my own design :)
...I think I can only take credit for characters that are newly introduced in "When a Young Heart Loves" and forwards...
If you have yet to read the first part of this story (When a Young Heart Loves) I highly suggest that you do. I sort of strayed far and you may be confused as to what's going on.
Also 3 things to note:
1) this part begins soon after chapter 25 from part 1. Chapter 26 (Epilogue) will happen, but we're not there yet (read to know Charles' fate!)
2) This first chapter is a bit heavy….sorry!
3) There is a flashback scene, its italicized and 'centered'. It shows what happened when Robin woke up after Althea cursed him. Its my first time writing a flashback so let me know what you think!
I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 1: What Came Before (Events immediately following chapter 25)
The shallow tied of water lapped against Maria's thighs and soaked through her night dress. She shivered as a cold ocean breeze fluttered by. Maria was sitting in the cave by the beach. It was the same one Albert had been hidden in, the one Robin and William came out from. She wasn't sure what she was doing here, but she was sure she hadn't wanted to come back.
The cave was quiet. Only the gentle sound of the waves and a periodic drip of water from the stalagmites above her was heard. Though, if she listened carefully, she was sure there was the feint rush of a river deep in the cave behind her. Ahead of her, the entrance of the cave opened to reveal the pastel colors of dawn. Sprinkling the sky with hues of pink, blue, orange, and purple. The corner or Maria's mouth twitched. Maria knew she should get up. Ms. Heliotrope will throw a fit if she came home with another ruined dress. But Maria didn't listen to herself. Instead she cupped a handful of water. She peered in to it and watched her reflection fade away as the water seeped through her fingers and back to the surface pool around her.
Maria wished Robin was here with her. He would have loved the sight.
She missed him.
She hated that all the progress they made was wrecked, again. She would have to start over. This time, without the help of their memories together. Maria would somehow have to prove to Robin they had once been friends.
A foggy mist rose form the water around her. At first it was a thin, transparent haze, but then it grew so dense she could barely see in front of her. The air began to feel heavy. An unnatural stillness fell over the cave. Even the sounds of the waves were muffled. A purple light appeared at the entrance of the cave. Maria knew only one entity who emitted such colored light. The sharp click of her raptor talons against the rocky floor echoed off the cavern walls, walking towards her.
Maria climbed on to her feet. Her night dress, translucent and drenched with sea water, clung to her body. Maria shook her skirt loose and glared at the monster. "What have you done to him? Give him back!"
Althea cackled. "Girl, I've done nothing that he didn't already want."
"Liar!"
Althea's laughter resonated through the cave. Maria reached for her pearl necklace, but her neck was bare. Panicking, she swiped at the fog by her feet, thinking her pearls must have slipped off of her while she was sitting down. But before she could get far along her search, Althea's chuckling dimmed. As with her laughter, soon Maria's surroundings began to fade away into black.
Maria was alone. Surrounded only by darkness. Despite the emptiness of the void, it was suffocating. Her breathing became labored and she strained her eyes to find something, anything, in the dark. But it was all black.
"Mrs. Heliotrope?"
"L-Loveday!"
"Uncle!"
She called out their names in vein, her voice fell flat to her ears. With her arms held out in front of her, Maria carefully took a first few steps, testing the smooth floor on which she walked on. The floor was cold and chilled her toes. Feeling reassured, Maria walked forward. Her foot fell through the blackness and she screamed. She was falling.
Suddenly, she came to a stop. Her nose mere inches above the old wooden floor. Maria put down her hands and set herself on all fours. Looking around, she recognized the old fireplace and curtains that were once burgundy and green. Maria was in her old parlor. It was devoid of all furniture, of all life. She found herself in the hollowness of her once home in London.
"Hello?" Maria called out. Not even her echo answered back. Her footsteps caused the dusty floorboards to creak as she stepped towards the door to the hallway. Before she could reach it, a heavy scuffle came from the other side.
BANG-BANG-BANG
The parlor's door shook with each pounding knock. Maria jumped and clasped a hand to her mouth.
The door knob started rattling.
Maria panicked. Thinking quickly, she climbed onto the window sill. She pulled her legs up to her chest and dragged the moldy and moth-eaten curtains around her. Then, Maria waited.
A booming bang shook the room as the door was thrown open. Maria stifled her breath. The drumming of her heartbeat was loud at her ears and matched the thumping footsteps that marched into the room. They came closer to the window she was hidden at. The curtains beside her quivered. Suddenly a sword swooshed down and began to slash at the curtains, just barely missing the one she hid behind. Maria covered her whimper with her hand and prayed for her life. She tried to open the window with her other hand. She needed to escape. But it was barred and refused to budge.
Then, the footsteps pounded away.
Maria quivered and stayed hidden. After what seemed like eternity, she forced herself to breath. She needed to go home immediately. She edged the curtain to the side, and quietly stepped back into the room. Maria avoided touching the shredded curtain beside her. She felt exposed. Maria attentively watched the now opened door to the hallway. She was fearful the pounding steps would make their way back to the room. Maria was not safe here. She needed to leave, but there was only one way out the room. Through the door the figure came in from. Maria looked around the room for a weapon of sorts, she was out of luck. She hesitantly walked to the door.
With each step her body protested, wishing instead to go back into hiding. A dreadful feeling grew in her stomach. There was something out there. Something sinister.
Maria's ears pricked at the sound of scurrying steps.
Thoughts of panic and terror flashed through her mind, freezing her in place. Her heart beat at her chest, wishing to leave her body.
A black shadow darted down the hallway and past the door.
Maria's breathing hitched. Though her eyes were wide with fear, she forced herself closer to the door. Maria sucked in a deep breath and slowly peered out the doorway.
At the other end of the hall, going up the stairs, the shadow continued down another corridor. Was she alone now? Maria didn't think so, but her instinct warned her to keep moving. She didn't want to be a sitting duck. Maria reluctantly exited the old parlor and slid through the hall. Forcing her steps to be light and quiet, her eyes darted around her, watching.
At the stairs, she raised her head to make sure no one would be waiting for her at the other end. Then quickly, she walked on the outermost edge of the stairway, avoiding the creaking steps she once knew. The hallway upstairs was darker. Any bit of light that made it through the windows was snuffed by ages of cobwebs and grime. The paint on the walls was fading. In some areas the walls were cracking and falling apart, revealing the brick and rotting wood underneath the chipped paint. Maria followed the path the shadow took.
It led to her father's room.
She was confused. Light streamed from the edges of the doorway. Was there someone there? Maria did not want to find out. She was about to turn back when a soft whistling came from the room. It was a song her father once loved to whistle as he worked. Maria's heart ached. Could that be him, was he really here?
Maria reached for the door, and slowly turned the knob.
She heard a small click, and the door creaked opened.
Maria tightened her mouth and went in. But all hope was crushed. There was no one in the room. Not even the light that was once shinning through the door frame was there anymore. Maria sighed and stepped inside. It was unchanged, much like how she remembered it. Unlike the rest of the house, her father's room was still furnished. But his bed, drawer, and desk were decaying and covered with dust and debris. Rats scurried across the floor and hid under the bed and old furniture
At the center of the bed was the book.
Her Moonacre book.
Maria looked around, worried this had all been a trap.
She crept closer and her hand reached for it.
As her fingers touched the cover of the book, deafening winds shattered the window and filled the room. She fought against the force that tried to blow her back. The old furniture cracked and crumbled under the blistering winds.
The book flew open and sheets of her book tore out and flew around her. She shielded her face with her hands.
A roaring voice shook the room and yelled "RUN-RUN-RUN-RUN!"
Then the cold feeling of terror seized her once more. The stormy winds stopped and the pages fell fluttering to the floor. She heard the pounding footsteps come up from behind her. A cold chill clutched her heart and Maria paled. She braced herself and turned around.
Maria sat upright, screaming. She was in her bed, back in Moonacre. She covered her heart with her hands and gasped for air. It had all just been a nightmare.
One that she could no longer remember.
Robin glared at his reflection in the mirror. It was still dark out, though the sun would be rising soon. There went another night without sleep. His thoughts wouldn't let him.
He just simply didn't understand! How did this happen...Was it really true?
Every reflection was of a face he didn't recognize. His hair was still an unruly mane of brown curls, but longer and thicker. His eyes were still a deep brown, yet they were bloodshot and devoid of all life. And his face, when did he start growing so much facial hair? He had somehow grown up without him even realizing it. That just simply wasn't possible.
And why did he have more scars? He swore the last scar he'd received was from that Merryweather girl and her needle. And though it seemed like it was only yesterday, the scar on his hand was fading, as if it had indeed happened some time ago. Then there was stitching on the arm of his leather jacket that matched in location to a fading cut on his arm, as though he had been struck recently.
Robin twisted his torso, inspecting the rest of his body. Hang on, had he been stabbed? The feint markings of hastily sown stitches stretched below his chest to his bottommost rib. When did that happen?
Robin growled. They are going to pay for that!
But who…Robin grimaced, not knowing who or what to blame for that scar along his side.
Charles? A voice seemed to suggest. Robin shook his head, impossible. That nob couldn't hold a knife even if his life depended on it.
Finally, there was the matter of that other scar on his back. Robin turned his back to the mirror and looked over his shoulder. A jagged circular scar, the size of his hand, was burned between his shoulder blades. It was a fleshy bright pink and white, raw and tender in patches that still needed more healing.
His friends claimed it was a monster that did that.
They said Robin took the hit after the monster had tried to curse the Moon Princess instead.
Robin snorted. As if he would ever do that. He would have to be a fool to do something as stupid as that. Especially when he had tried so hard to capture her. It just didn't make any sense.
Richard even claimed Robin had developed 'feelings' for that girl. But Robin wasn't having any of that. He immediately flew into a rage and grabbed Richard by his shirt, demanding he never say such stupid things.
Those weren't the only signs that time truly had past. Yet Robin refused to believe them, thinking—no swearing he must be cursed. That was it! He must be under a spell. There was no other possible reason for why this was happening to him.
Robin was cagey and confused. He felt the same but others told him he was different. He felt that no time had passed but his surroundings and reflection proved otherwise. He felt as though just yesterday he was trying to capture the Moon Princess, but his friends swore that happened three years ago.
Where had those memories gone? Why didn't he miss them? It certainly was a large amount of time for them to just, up and vanish. It must be a spell.
He must be under an enchantment.
And his father? When had he grown so old and so—so peaceful! This was not the De Noir clan leader Robin had grown up with. The man who had forced him to disown his sister. The man Robin had feared so much he was willing to take a little girl's life just to avoid his wrath.
But of course, she too was different. She was not that same little girl he so vividly remembered tossing into the dungeons… Was it a few days ago? Loveday said it wasn't. Yet he recalled that it was. They told him that too happened over three years ago.
No, they must be lying to him. It just couldn't be true!
When she invaded his bedroom, he didn't even recognize her! It was only her ridiculous gown and 'proper' manner of carrying herself that he correctly guessed she must be a Merryweather. It wasn't until that boy, William, said her name that it clicked.
How could that—that girl that barged in; that seemed to be so happy to see him; that for a brief moment, gone unrecognized, appeased his beating heart; how can that—she be the same girl, the one he had needed to kill?
What happened to him? What happened to her? Why did thoughts of her agitate him so much, pulling him in various directions?
Witchcraft, magic, that must be it.
Robin stiffened and gasped. He clutched the basin and doubled over. He shut his eyes, as a sharp, pulsating pain shot from the base of his head up to his temples. His mind flashed back to that day he found everything so changed.
…Robin woke up, confused. He had strips of gauze wrapped around his chest. His back felt like it was on fire.
Where was he?
He was in a room that he thought he recognized, but it wasn't his. It was warmer, and despite the unfamiliarity of it, seemed almost homely and welcoming. His hat and scarf laid atop his neatly folded jacket on the nightstand. His boots were covered in sand and stood by the door.
The balcony doors were thrown wide open, showing him a beautiful, and well cared for, garden.
Robin furrowed his brows, the castle didn't have any gardens… not since his sister left.
Robin groaned. His father was going to kill him. He failed to capture the little witch, again.
A stirring to his side caught his attention. Robin sucked in his breath and forced himself to turn around, trying to ignore the pain from his back.
Robin sat up.
His eyes widened.
There, by his bed, was his sister! She was holding a sleeping child with a head full of shaggy black hair. And beside her, was Sir Benjamin. They were watching him, worried.
"Robin, how are you feeling?" Loveday asked. "Marmaduke did his best, but I'm afraid Althea's magic was too potent. Your wound will take some time to heal."
Confused, Robin reached an arm over his back and winced. Loveday moved to place a hand on his shoulder, but he pulled away, backing up to the farthest edge of the bed. His heart began to quicken, his gut warning him to leave.
Fearing Sir Benjamin must have captured him and was holding him prisoner, Robin jumped from his bed, startling the couple. He winced at the pain from his back and smashed his hat over his head. He grabbed his scarf, jacket, and boots, not bothering to put any on.
Then he ran.
When Sir Benjamin tried to stop him, Robin yelled, "Stay away from me!", and shoved him to the side.
He kept running. He ran out the bedroom and past the manicured gardens.
Robin ran all the way home.
In the great hall, he found his father and friends, but they all looked different. Older. There were two other young men he didn't recognize, but from the way they looked at him, with relieved smiles on their faces, it seemed he should.
"Robin! You're awake!" Henry said, standing up.
" 'Bout time you joined us! We thought we lost you!" Richard grinned.
"Blimey, why aren't you wearing your boots?" David asked, causing one of the unfamiliar boys to choke on his drink from laughter.
Robin was breathing hard, his barren eyes darting over his surroundings. His gut feeling told him something was off. It was home, but it felt, different. Wrong.
Sir Benjamin and Loveday came running in. "Robin, what happened? Why did you leave?"
Robin's eyes furrowed. Loveday, why was she here?
He backpedaled to the wall and stifled a painful groan as another shot of pain burst from his back. He watched his father apprehensively. Expecting him to throw another fit of fury at seeing his daughter here, and with that Merryweather.
He didn't.
"Robin, what's wrong?" Loveday asked.
He stayed silent. His eyes wildly looking around the room, as though expecting something, someone, to blow up.
"Are you a dolt? Speak, boy!" His father commanded.
He raised a shaking finger towards Loveday. "Why—why is she here?"
"What in the devil are you talking about boy? She's your sister!"
"But she's with the Merryweather! Why are they here?"
At this, the boys looked to one another, confused. Sir Benjamin scowled, and Loveday raised a hand to her lips.
Mr. De Noir let out an exasperated sigh. "He's your brother-in-law, you dolt! What—"
"You traitor!" Robin shouted at Loveday. "All this time, we thought you were missing, hurt! You could've been dead for all we knew! But you were off with him! How could you betray us!"
Robin went to grab a knife from the table, but David gripped his arm. "Robin, what are you doing?"
"What do you mean, what am I doing? I'm the only one doing what I'm supposed to! Defending this ruddy family! What in the devil are you all doing, letting a bunch of Merryweathers in! They're only looking for the pearls to beat us with!"
"Robin what are you talking about—"
"—the girl? Where is she?" Robin asked Loveday and Sir Benjamin, pointing the knife at them. "Bet you brought her here too, didn't you? Are you distracting us while she goes around and has a look?"
"Robin, what games are you playing at? What devil has taken a hold of you?"
"—Robin, he doesn't remember…" Loveday said with a small gasp. "He's confused. He doesn't remember what's happened."
Robin scowled. "Liar! Don't you dare play mind tricks with me!"
"Robin, what's the last thing you remember?"
"I was chasing that little witch through the forest, after she escaped our dungeons! Next thing I know, I'm at that blasted manor, held prisoner!"
"Robin, that—that was three years ago. And that's not what happened, not at all! You helped Maria find the pearls, together! And just now, you weren't a prisoner, you were recovering from Althea's attack. Althea, Charles kidnapping Albert, do you honestly not remember?" …
Robin shuttered and opened his eyes. He slammed his fist on the mirror, shattering it. He wished it was all a dream. He wished things were in fact, as he remembered them. But they weren't.
A shard of glass tore through Robin's hand. He ignored the pain as the cut bled along the side of his palm, dripping blood into the basin.
He stomped his way to bed. Robin kicked the bedpost before letting himself fall on top of his mattress. He just couldn't believe it.
His eyes fell on a pile of books in the corner of his room. And just who's book are those? He didn't read... did he?
Some were new, others old. All had a growing layer of dust. One was wrapped, ready to be mailed, but a blob of ink had spilled over the address. The name was completely blotted out. He could barely make out the address, London. He didn't know anyone in London… did he?
Robin ran his uninjured hand over his face and closed his eyes and wished for this nightmare to end.
-oOo-
Robin woke up with a start. His heart was racing, pounding at his chest. He was damp with sweat and his hair stuck on to his face. The sun was now high up in the sky. The sunlight that forced its way through his curtains, pained his eyes.
His hand was throbbing, his cut struggled to turn into a scab.
There it was, again! That growing feeling that disturbed his sleep and woke him. That made its uninvited appearance when he least expected it. He had felt it only a few times before.
That feeling, that—that calling! Someone was calling him. Something was grasping at his heart and crushing him. An empty void yearning to be filled.
He needed to find it.
Robin threw on his black tunic and boots. Then, he ran.
He ran past the startled servants and past the front gates.
The cold, sinking, feeling in his heart growing stronger.
Robin continued running, all the way to the forest. Still he did not stop. Letting the calling, the yearning, guide him. It was peaking, soon it would be dimming. He needed to hurry. He couldn't lose it again. He couldn't handle the void one more time. He couldn't stand the sudden emptiness, after that sense of yearning, for another day.
Please, he begged, wanting—no, needing, to find it.
Robin stumbled. His foot caught on an upraised root and he fell to the forest floor. He rolled into a clearing in the forest.
The feeling vanished.
Robin looked up to the bright blue skies. He pounded his fists onto the floor, sending a flurry of pain through his body from his injured hand and back.
Robin bellowed a roar to the skies.
He was empty once more.
He missed it.
Again.
A single tear fell onto the illustrated page. Maria wiped it away and sniffed. It was the last page in her Moonacre book. The page where Robin got struck by the Monster's spell. Althea.
Maria glared. Althea and Charles were locked away, somewhere in the castle. Mr. De Noir's brother demanded Charles be kept in the castle. They were "family", he argued. Maria rolled her eyes and gave an exasperated sigh.
Oh yes, now they're family. Now, for simply having the De Noir name, they weren't punishing him. After all he'd done! Maria huffed.
As for Althea, they were all working hard to strip her of her powers. She was too dangerous. They found iron kept her weak, like the witches of old. And so, her wrists, ankles, and beak were kept chained up, to stop her from casting any magic. Only her beak was unlocked during her feeding time. Maria was sure Althea continued to haunt her in her dreams, but she counted herself lucky she didn't remember those nightmares after morning.
A knock at her door pulled Maria from her thoughts. "Miss Maria, the carriage is ready," Digweed said through the door.
"Thank you Digweed, I'll be down in a moment!"
She closed her book and took it in her arm, pressing it close to her chest. Taking her luggage by the handle, she made her way down her tower's steps to the hallway. Coming into the parlor, her heart warmed. It was the De Noir gang, all dressed in their leathers and bowler hats. Robin wasn't with them.
"Henry, Richard, and David! To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"We're here on business, actually. Seems we'll have to run it 'till Robin, erm, gets better," Henry answered. "We're waiting to speak with your uncle over acquiring some new lands."
She noticed the boys looked over her shoulders, as though searching for someone. "I'm sorry to disappoint you all, but the girls have all gone back to London," she teased.
Henry scowled and averted his eyes. Richard smirked and David stuttered to defend himself.
Maria laughed, but her mirth lasted too short, thinking of Robin once more. "How... how is he?"
Henry sighed. He took off his bowler hat and shook his shaggy black hair. It fell into place, shielding his deep-set blue eyes. "Still the same."
"Where is he?"
"Oh, I reckon locked up in his room or wandering about the forest. It's the only thing he does," Richard answered with a shrug. "He's been a bit of an arse lately, if you ask me."
"He doesn't believe us, Maria. Thinks you've put us under a spell," David added.
Maria frowned. "Has… has Althea said something?"
"About Robin?" Henry asked.
Maria nodded her head.
Richard scoffed.
"No. Bloody bird refuses to speak," David answered.
Maria frowned. "I haven't found anything either. I fear she's put him under a curse, but I'm not sure how to break it."
"True love's first kiss?" Richard suggested, wiggling his brows.
Maria's face fell, she faltered. David elbowed Richard, who could only laugh, while Henry shook his head.
"All I'm saying is perhaps had you kissed him that night, like actually kissed him—on the lips—not just a small peck on the cheek, then perhaps he may have been saved by your moon magic's protection."
Henry interrupted Richard with a sigh. "That's not how it works, Richard." Henry leaned against the door way. "We've talked about this before. Nowhere has such magic been used to protect others besides the holder themselves or those near her. And as for kisses, you have to kiss them after the curse has been placed in order to break it. Not before. You're lucky you have a face," Henry added, "Since its definitely not your brains that could attract Jane."
Richard's smirk disappeared as he pretended to punch Henry in the gut. "Fancy yourself so smart, eh? Like playing the little detective with Miss Lizzy?"
Henry glowered and looked away, crossing his arms. He didn't have much else to say.
"Alright, then it's settled. She'll have to kiss him. Properly," Richard said, a cheeky grin returning once more.
Maria turned bright red. She began to stutter, trying to defend herself. "I—I can't just kiss Robin! The—that is just inappropriate, a—and demonstrates a lack of, of propriety and self-respect!"
David sniggered. There she went again, being all "ladylike". He wondered if Cat would think the same way…. He bit his cheek to stop his smile.
"Really, Maria? You care more about societal rules than the very fact that your beloved birdbrain is out there in the forest, running around without his head? As if he wasn't already an oaf, imagine with his mind wiped clean?" Richard asked, clearly exasperated.
Maria pursed her lips and made a face. "There must be another way! I've always found another way. I didn't break the curse by uniting the families, I broke the curse by—"
"—Jumping off the cliffs," Henry interjected with another heavy sigh. "We know. But Maria, that also broke Althea's binding spell. Seems like magic and spell breaking may have some consequences we don't know of. We don't know what curse has been put on Robin, we don't know how to break it. The last thing we need is a curse-breaker that deals more damage than what we've already got."
Maria looked down to her feet.
"Maria, all I'm saying is, think about it," Richard said, dropping his shoulders and stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I may not be smart like Henry, but it's all we've got. And until this genius—" Richard smacked Henry's arm "—offers another solution, it's the best we've got."
Maria nodded her head and heaved a heavy sigh, ignoring the burning feeling at her ears or fluttering at her stomach.
David was beginning to feel bad for Maria. "Come on mates, lay off her." David said to the boys, then turning to Maria, he said, "Look Maria, we know this is hard for you, but we—we just want him back. He's so—so different, almost angrier than before. Seems like he'll never trust us anymore.
"We know this is a lot, and we don't expect you to run up to him and snog him this instant…. We're just suggesting possible solutions is all. And honestly, I reckon the best way to start is by having you two be together in the same room, without him throwing a fit or threatening your life."
Maria paled. That was a moment she never wanted to live again.
"When you come back, promise us you'll talk to him," David continued. "We just have to work on getting him to believe us. Then afterwards, if that doesn't work… well we can't force you to kiss him, but consider it, please. Just think about it, will you?" David offered his hand to Maria.
Maria thought of what he said. Of course she wanted Robin back too. She mustered a small nod and raised her hand. David took it and shook it with a smile.
"Alright, I—I'll think about it. It is my fault after all… what happened to him." Maria hugged her book closer and bit her lips. Her face twisted, struggling to contain her feelings of remorse. "I should do all I can for him, just as he did for me."
David placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ey now, don't blame yourself. None of us do." David sighed and continued, "It was all Robin's own actions that did him in—"
"But if it weren't for me, he would've never done that!"
"Maria," Henry said calmly, drawing her back in. "Robin cared for you, more so than he could ever admit—"
"—Bloody fool was in love with you—" Richard snorted and crossed his arms.
Henry rolled his eyes at the interruption, "Trust me when I say this, we know Robin. He would've done whatever he could to keep you safe, with or without magic. It's why he ignored you for so long. The idiot thought doing so would keep Charles away."
David snorted, "blasted git, we all underestimated that one."
"That's beside the point. Don't blame yourself, Maria. Let's just all move forwards and do what we can to help." Henry finished.
"Which in your case, would be placing a kiss, on his lips, from Moonacre's fairest princess," Richard added with a wink.
Maria managed a laugh and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her dress. Though she could never remove all the blame off her shoulders, they were right. She needed to do what was best for Robin. She needed to keep her head up and keep fighting. She was not going to repeat the same mistake again. She was going to fight for him every bit of the way.
And should a kiss be needed… well she would consider it. It was the least she could do for him, after all he'd done.
"Thank you, boys. I'm so lucky to call you all my friends now. It most definitely has been a bumpy ride."
"And we wouldn't have it any other way," David said with a small smile.
Maria sighed, "I just wish there was a way to make him believe us. That we are telling him the truth, that I—I care about him."
Her fingers traced the spine of her beloved Moonacre book. Maria then spoke carefully, thinking of her words, "You know what, I do believe you boys are right—"
"—you're going to kiss him? —"
"I, uh, no—no! Not—not yet, at least not—not now, I'm going to try something else. I have an idea! This can't wait, not anymore, I must act quickly! When you boys go in, can you inform my uncle I went out for one last stroll with Wrolf?"
Without waiting for a response, Maria grabbed her book and left, calling Wrolf to follow her. She didn't want them to try and stop her. She left behind a speechless band of bandits and plunderers.
She briskly made her way to the De Noir castle through the forest. Last time, she left without saying goodbye. Last time, they went three years without speaking to one another. She was not making the same mistake again. It was her fault he was in this state, she had to help him. Maria's head whipped to the side as a yell echoed through the forest.
It sounded like Robin.
She took off running in the direction of the bellow. It was low and gut wrenching. He was in pain. She had to hurry!
Maria came to a clearing and stopped. At the center, was Robin on his knees. His head hung low and his hands fell limply to his side. His jacket, feathered scarf, and bowler hat were nowhere to be found. Maria hugged her book and tentatively stepped closer. She ushered Wrolf back with a gentle pat of her hand. She didn't want to startle the birdboy. She worried for what he might do. Easing her beating heart, Maria took another step.
Snap.
Maria flinched as she stepped on a twig.
Robin's head sprang up.
His bloodshot eyes glared as they fell on to Wrolf, then Maria, and finally, the string of pearlescent pink pearls around her neck. His face morphed into dreaded recognition. He scrambled back until he hit against a tree.
"You! It was you, wasn't it? You and your damned magic! You brought me here, didn't you?"
Maria's mouth fell open, "Robin, what do you mean?"
Robin shook his head and stood up against the tree, wishing to add as much distance between them as possible. His eyes were pained and fearful, marred with anger. He pointed a bloody hand to Maria.
"You've cursed me! What have you done to me? Tell me!"
"Robin, stop!" Maria cried out. Her echo bounced through the now silent forest. "I have no idea what you're talking about! But you're hurt, let me help you."
"No!" Robin's hand reach for the hilt of his knife. His sheath was empty. Robin panicked and raised his hands in defense, stopping Maria from coming any closer. He was no match against magic. "You stay away from me, you—you witch!"
Maria blinked, hurt by Robin's words. She took a deep breath and stepped away, solemnly nodding her head and fiddling with her pearl necklace.
"I—I was going to the castle." Marias eyes were beginning to water. "I wanted to say goodbye, properly. I—I'm leaving today. You—you won't have to worry about me for a while."
The De Noir was breathing heavily. He didn't trust her, believing she was playing another trick on him. He watched her, wary.
"...Where are you going?"
"To finishing school, it's my last year." Maria held out her book. "This—this book means a lot to me. It's—it's the only memory I have left of my father, but I—I think you need it more. It tells the story of Moonacre, of us. Right from the beginning. It's magical and fills itself with new events, please, just take it! I want you to remember us. I know you don't believe me, but we were once friends."
Robin only shook his head, wishing he could just disappear. He didn't want anything from her. His heart tightened. The yearning feeling was coming back, clawing at the pit of his heart. Before he could comprehend what she was doing, Maria ran up to him, and shoved her book into his arms.
Robin stood there, dumbfounded.
Maria took a few steps back, watching him. There was so much sadness in her eyes.
He didn't understand why.
Then the demon lion walked up to her. Robin recoiled, expecting Wrolf to lunge for him.
But Wrolf only nudged her hand. Maria bit her lips and nodded to her old lion. She looked up to Robin and gave him a meek wave with her hand.
"Until next time Robin. I hope by then, you'll remember us." Turning around, she ran back to the manor with Wrolf close behind her.
Robin was left alone once more. He slumped back against the tree and slowly let himself fall to the ground. The desperate feeling in his heart dimming.
That was twice today.
What was wrong with him?
He looked down at the book. Fearing it was cursed as well, he juggled it between his hands, and tossed it to the floor in front of him. The book fell open, on to a page of him and that Merryweather girl at the beach. He was carrying her over his shoulder and running through the waves. They were both laughing. He seemed so happy and free.
Wide eyed, Robin looked towards the direction Maria had disappeared to.
Witchcraft! He kicked the book further away. Hoping its magic did not contaminate him.
Then his headache built up once more. It stemmed from the bottom of his head, growing to his temples, and finally piercing the back of his eyes. His vision doubled, blurring his surroundings into a swirl. Robin dug his hands into his head and groaned.
Why is this happening?
Robin slumped to the floor. The pounding force in his head knocked him out cold.
There, Robin laid, unconscious, until his friends found him once more. His loyal gang sighed and scratched their heads, hoping this will all be over soon. Richard and Henry carried him back to his bed, while David took Maria's book and placed it in the corner of his room, with all the rest.
Ohhhh mannn... I was editing that last bit with Maria and Robin in the forest while The Cinimatic Orcheastra: "Arrival of The Birds and Transformation" played in the background... and man oh boy I got too dramatic. Gah, my heart :,( I want Robin back. I'm sorry for what I did to him.
Anyways...
Hello Lovely readers! Yup yup I posted earlier cuz I was just too excited! Thank you for reading this. If you have been with me from the very beginning, I promise you this will be the story part 1 was meant to be. I will also do my best to make up the long wait times for you all.
So what did you all think? Is this too much? What do you want to read in the next few chapters? I have an idea but please, please, let me know your thoughts since I am worried this may get too intense at times and just want to write a good story for you all :)
Much love,
gladssss
