Prologue
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* 'Once apon a perfect time, many hundreds of years ago, when the old magic clung to Moonacre valley. There was a young woman and her most trusted friend and companion, the women's skin gleamed as pale as a star, one with a heart as pure as moonlight, the other a heart as gold as the sun. Such of their bravery and goodness, they were beloved by nature, as if they were her own daughters. One faithful night, the moon and the sun blessed them with an extrordinary gift, that would change the magic of the valley forever. The Moon Pearls. From that moment on they were known as the Moon Princess and her Protector and loyal friend, the Guardian of the Sun. In the hands of the princess, the pearls gained the powers of the moon and in the hands of the Guardian, the beheld the powers of the sun.
Two ancient families, lived in harmony at the edge of the valley, sharing nature's bounty. Daughter of the De Noir clan, the Moon Princess fell deeply in love and was to be married to Sir Wrolf Merryweather, the elder brother of her close friend, The Guardian of the Sun or at the time known as the Angel of Light. Her father, Sir William De Noir blessed the union by presenting the couple with a rare black lion. This lion was fearis and loyal with gleaming red eyes and a large, black mane as dark as night. In turn, Sir Wrolf gave his bride a unicorn, breed from the wild, white horses of the sea. Then Sir Wrolf turned to his sister, the Angel of Light and the Guardian of the Sun. To thank her for being the one to bring him and the Moon Princess together, he presented her with beautiful, Gold and scarlet Phoenix burned and breed from flame and ash. Their hearts over-flowing with happiness, the Moon Princess and the Guardian of the Sun, revealed the magical Pearls to both showed the greed among a man's heart. Legend told of their unique power, so strong the pearls could grant every wish. Both good and Evil. The two women both truely believed in the goodness of all. But the men soon revealed what was hidden in their hearts. Each desperate to claim the power of the pearls for himself. Sir William De Noir, reached forward his greed over taking him, he took hold of the Pearls and with this the moon's magic took hold and he spoke his thoughts. He believed them to be the chosen ones, he wished for the Pearls to remain in their family, forever. The Moon Princess and Guardian could not believe their ears. Next, Sir Wrolf spoke and pressed the Moon Princess to make her home in Moonacre. Then Sir William forced Sir Wrolf's hand upon the moon pearls and with this his own truth. In his dark thoughts he believed with these pearls he could claim the whole valley for himself. Shocked by this reveal, the Princess locked the Pearls away once more in their chest as the Guardian of the Sun proclaimed that they belonged to nature and never them. The men then renched the casket from their hands and took the key along with it. They faught, ignoring the protests of the Princess and the Guardian.
Betrayed by those they loved the most, the Moon Princess, along with the Angel of Light unleashed the power that was bestowed upon them and cast a terrifying curse over them all. The De Noir clan took the casket, while Sir Wrolf secretly took the key. The curse was made because of their greed and actions against nature. They spoke of how the only way the curse could be broken was when a heart so pure and another heart so gold and full of love must be heard, for if they weren't, when the 5000th moon rises from the sea, the valley would be plunged into eternal darkness.
The Moon Pearls vanished that day and where to find them remained a secret.' *
I slowly opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. I was laying comfortably on my bed in my large, red and gold room. The first thing that meet my eyes was my ceiling. Beautiful clouds and a calming blue sky. A flaming red pheonix was right up above my head. I smiled at it, this magnificent bird was always a sight to see every morning, one I never got tired of. It had long, red and gold feathers which almost seemed to be alight with flames. Its long proud neck and head was red with piercing but soft gold eyes. Most would feel uncomfortable at the painting staring down at you but I never did, I was felt like it was just protecting me. It felt natural to have it there. My large queen sized bed was positioned opposite the was made of beautiful ash wood which seemed to glow in the sunlight as it shone through the large doors accross to the right of my room leading to my balcony. The bed was cover in red blankets and there was a large golden frame that stood around my bed which connected together at the top and along each top pole was a drape of gold fabric. There was a large, elegant ash desk against the left wall, next to it was a large fire place with a unicorn design. The fire wasn't lit but it would still rather room. Covering the walls were different images from the stories of Moonacre, I painted them so it was just how I pictured it. Looking to my right, towards the balcony there was a small plate of cookies and a glass of milk.
With another smile, I slipped out from under the covers and reached for a cookie and after taking a bite, I took a sip of the milk. With a satisfied sigh I turned to the balcony doors. I threw them open and stepped out. I looked out accross Moonacre valley. I could see partly into the forest. The sun was shining and there was no clouds in sight. A perfect day for riding. I took another look around, noticing not many were up and about yet. By the looks of things it was around six maybe at latest seven in the morning. My father would not be awake for a little while. I left the balcony and went to dress.
As I figured I'd be riding I went with a long black dress with long black sleeves. From the elbow down there were long red ribbons that criss-crossed several times and then I tied them in a bow near my wrist. Undearneath I wore long black breaches that also had red ribbons on the end, after crossing and tying them nice and tight they would fit into my boots, so I was more fit for riding. Along the arms and edges of the dress and trousers were patterns of gold. Lastly I slipped a red bodice over it which also had similar gold markings. My dark brown waves curled slightly around my shoulders and down my back. I put on knee-high black boots with a small heel. After crossing and tying them, I placed my choker neclace around my neck. It was two rows of pearls, three small peridot jewels in the middle and hanging down from them was a beautiful gold and blue sun. I had always felt a deep connection to the necklace and had always had it. I then gently placed some of my hidden throwing knives in my boots just in case. There was most likely some De Noir boys running around in the forest, and there was a good chance I would end up in there. That is why I went with red and black, colours worn by the De Noir clan.
(outfit: riding_in_forest_at_moonacre/set?id=51262123 )
I left my room and tip toed down the spiral staircase that led down from my room to the second floor of our mansion and danced down the hall past my fathers chambers until I came to the next staircase and again went down and headed towards the kitchen. The house was silent and still until, ROAR! I spun on my heel just in time to see a large bundle of black fur tackle me to he ground. "WROLF!" the large black dog continued to lick at my face, "ew, Wrolf get off!" Finally, the dog seemed to be satisfied with washing my face and rolled off of me. I got to my feet and after wiping my face on my sleeve I ran my hand through, Wrolf's heavy coat. Wrolf was a large dog with big goden brown eyes which were often a bright demonic red. Most were terrified or turned off by them, I on the other hand found them fascinating and thought they made him unique. "Come on boy, lets go to the kitchen."
I head back down the hall rubbing my head slightly, it hurt a bit from when Wrolf knocked me down. We wandered down the hallways until we came to a large door. Sharing a look with Wrolf, I pushed the actually rather small door open and then bent down to step in. Wrolf trotted in after me happily and imediately went and put his head in a large bowl of who knows what, but it must be good because he doesn't seem to want to take his head out again. I shuck my head and let out a small laugh at his antics. This was all it took to catch the attention of out chef. "Ahh.. good morning Little Angel, nice and early today it seems" he greeted me, I rolled my eyes at the little part. "Marmaduke, I'm almost 15 I'm not little, if anyones little her its you" I said with a small giggle. "Yeah..well your still an Angel, our Angel of Light!"
I gave him a look, he knew better then to just blurt it out, Digweed or my father could be listening, neither knew of who I was and my role in this whole curse business. "Don't worry, your father won't be up for a while yet" he said to comfort my nerves. I knew I should probably tell my father I was the Guardian of the Sun from the story but I knew it would make him worry and he would most likely stop me from going riding. I knew though it wouldn't be a secret for long, he would figure it out eventually I'm sure.
"So..breakfast...breakfast" Marmaduke started shooting around the room and disappearing and re-appearing here and there. "Maramaduke!" I yelled in surprise. "I know!" he replied he sounded so surprised, "Its getting closer to the 5000th moon, I feel like somethings about to happen, somethings coming." He continued runnign around, I tried to follow him with my eyes but it wasn't working very well. "But the 5000th moon isn't until next year" I exclamied. "True, so it must be the Moon Princess is coming, you must feel it" he stopped shooting around and looked at me expectently. I slowly reached up and let my finger tips graze across the sun charm on my choker around my neck. "I do feel something, but I don't know what" I replied slightly flustered and frustrated. Marmaduke suddenly appeared beside me, he placed a plate of eggs, toast and a cup of orange infront of me and then rapidly patted my hand several times. "So what are you up to today? Going riding somewhere? Eh?" he asked with a cheeky grin. I rolled my eyes playfully. "I think you already know the answer to that" I said with a grin of my own. He nodded his head happily. "Its not hard to guess by the way you dress" he said, I couldn't help but agree, I did look kind of like a De Noir clan member. I slowly started to eat what was laid out before me. Marmaduke continued to talk, we discussed different things, after a while Wrolf trodded over to me and placed his large head on my knee. I took the last piece of toast from my plate and offered it to him and he took it without hesitation (not that I expected one).
I then left the kitchen with a goodbye to Marmaduke and headed for the stables to sadle up my horse. Wrolf followed me willingly, there wasn't really much else for him to do. The stables weren't overly large, there was only around seven horses and ponies inside. I past my fathers horse, Atlas and then came to my horse, Necia meaning fiery or passionate in Latin. I ran my fingers through her long light golden mane. Her coat seemed to glow and her mane and tail were soft and smooth. Her short, chestnut colored coat was sleak and clean. She was rather tall, most wouldn't think me I could ride her, but after many years of practise it became a second nature. First I fed her her breakfast and then while she ate went and did the same for the rest of the horses. When they were all happily feed, I returned to Necia and started to tack her up. After her saddle was nice, tight and safe along with her bridle, I led her out to the front of the house.
I climbed up into her saddle with ease learned from many years of riding, both of my feet in the steerups I started to walk down the lane away from the house and built up into a trot. The petit town was peaceful and silent, very few were around. I smiled at those who were, sometimes we exchanged a few words. All were pleased to see me and most knew me well. It was a good thing they all knew my face too, or else they would have thought me a De Noir. I watched as a small group of children skipped past, all stopped to watch me on my horse and give me a friendly wave. I smiled and waved back. Then they came up and patted Necia, I knew she loved the attention. After saying goodbye to the children, I broke out into a canter and speed in the direction of the forest. No one seemed to think it odd I was going to the forest.
The forest seemed still but I knew it was anything but. Traps lay scattered around, just waiting to be activated so you could then be found by a De Noir or one of their clan. Very few horses that weren't of the De Noir's were able to ride in the forest, but over the years Necia had adapted to it. I much more prefered the woods t the valley. There was always the feeling of adrenline and risk of the possibility of being caught and its concequences but I never cared. The forest was most beautiful. There were many animals, flowers, bushes and winding trees that towered up above towards the sky. I loved the forest ever since I was five, when I first snuck in to have a look. I was young and foolish and was easily lost. I thought back to that day, almost 10 years ago.
* 'Father had gone to lie down, he had a bad headache and needed rest. Marmaduke was away in the kitchen of course and Digweed was most likely out gardening. They wouldn't notice I was gone until later. I often was just hiding away in the library or in my room, sometimes I would simply be sitting at the piano, playing to my hearts content.
I had slipped from the house quietly, not taking any chances. I was only five and didn't really know what was in the forest, my father had spoken of thieves and plunderers, the De Noirs. I was to stay away from them but I didn't know why, I hadn't been told the stories of moonacre yet, I wasn't old enough to understand it. I didn't like following rules that were given with no explanation.
The forest was quiet then aswell except for the odd bird which would sing cheerfully, once or twice I caught myself singing along with their tones when I hadn't even realised I had been doing it. I had gone in quite deep and when I went to turn back and started on my way home, I couldn't remember. There was now a deafening silence that had surrounded me. I was terrified. I called out for Wrolf but I was to far from the house for even him to hear me. It started to get dark and soon, the moon and the stars were my only light. I was cold, alone, hungry and frightened. Unfortunatly, I tripped and sprained my ankle and couldn't get up. I tried again to call for help, but my pleas were in vane. Clouds in the sky started to cover up my only light sorce until I was plunged into complete darkness. At that age, I had been terrified of the dark and even if I hadn't been before I was after that. But already being afraid of the dark just made things worse. I tried several more times to get to my feet butal I seemed to do was make my ankle worse. Eventually I was able to get a grip on a low hanging branch and I slowly pulled my self up but as I walked, a terrible limp, I was practically blind because of the darkness.
Without any warning, I went tumbling down a large hill side and landed in a heep at the bottom. My hair full of sticks and leafs and my ankle literaly trobbing, and I dared not move it. Then I felt gentle, rough hands move across my ankle. I slowly lifted my head to look back at this mysterious person. It was a boy. He had dark, brown curly hair that fell down infront of his eyes. He looked up into my face, his dark brown filled with worry. He couldn't have been more 7 or 8 years old. What was doing out here all alone? He used his arms to pull me up and carried me with one arm under knees, the other around my back, "put your arms around my neck" he told me. I did as he ordered and gave him a slight smile, which he returned. "Merryweather?" he asked his voice sounded sad. I gave him a small nod. He then headed in the direction of my home. He was very strong I could feel it and even though he must have carried me for around an hour he didn't falter or slow down. Eventually I let my guard down and head fell against his chest, I felt safe with him, yet I didn't know him or vice versa.
Finally, we reached the house. I explained to him where to bring me and I was brought to the back door of the kitchen, Marmaduke could look after me, he would most likely be still in the kitchen and wouldn't tell my father what happened. The boy stepped up to the door and knocked nervously. I gave him another smile as the door swung open to reveal Marmaduke Scarlett, "De Noir?" he asked carefully. The boy answered hesitantly, not wishing to answer, "yes." These were the people my father wanted us to stay away from. Marmaduke stepped aside, the De Noir boy brought me inside and then turned to leave not even daring to look at me. "Wait" I called out to him, making him stop in his trakes. I guess he didn't expect to still even want to look at him for finding out was a De Noir. He turned and looked at me, a forlorn look on his face. "Thank you." He hadn't been expecting that, I could tell by the way he stared in amazment. I couldn't see it at the time, but Marmaduke was a few feet away from us, smiling. "Will I ever see you again?" I asked, giving him a small encouraging smile. He smiled and said, "hopefully" and with that he left. Marmaduke didn't tell my father of the De Noir boy and simply told I had tripped on the stairs.' *
I shuck my head out of memory lane and looked back at the forest, then urged Necia in. She went in willingly as she loved the forest almost as much as I did. There was a good chance we would run into some De Noirs but none of them knew me, well except for one. So if I did meet some it wouldn't matter. No one else really comes into the forest, especially on horseback and with the way I was dressed I could easily pass as one of their clan. I let Necia take the lead knowing fully well where she would take us and let her go at her own pace. I made sure I had a firm grip on the reins and I was postioned right as Necia oftened prefered to go fast and today was no exception. My brown waves blew out behind me, I laughed as we galloped through the trees. Several animals scattered as we past and I was certain I spotted a group of the De Noir clan not to far from where I was. I was almost convinced that it was Coeur De Noir and his usual party but I couldn't be certain.
I came closer to them and my suspisians were confirmed, (see! This is why I dress like a De Noir when I go riding). It would look suspicious if I continued to ride on and ignored them so I slowed down, "Good day young lady" said Coeur De Noir, he was a large man, with long dark hair. At the moment he had a strange, but kind smile on his face. One which I returned with a smile of my own. "And Good day to you, you are up and about early milord" I replied kindly, not that I wanted to, I wanted to be away from this man. As if he knew who I was he would either kill me or lock me up. "Yes, well it is the first good day in long time, we felt the need to enjoy it." I knew he wasn't a bad man, when he wasn't trying to kill me or my family, it was just greed and power blinding him, I knew he would see sense someday, in most likely the far off future. One of the other men spoke up, "where, may I ask, are heading for my dear?" I nodded in understanding, "I was just heading back to the keep, I was hoping to speak with a friend I haven't spoken with in a while" I explained. "Oh", said Coeur, "why haven't you seen her?" I smiled sweetly at him and let a small laugh escape my lips, "Him. And I guess we have been just running in different circles." I men smiled cheekily at learning it was a male friend, "ahhhh, him. Well we shall leave you to it and hopefully we shall see you back there and we shall meet him, we are heading back soon anyway" Coeur said slyly, sharing a look with some of his men. As they started to ride again I called to him, "I'm quite certain you have met him, milord!" They all shared a rather puzzled expression and with that I turned Necia and head off in the direction again of the De Noir Castle.
I tied Necia to a horses post and continued through the small village towards the keep. I spotted several men and boys my age and older watching me as I walked. I made sure to walk confident and show no fear, to act like everything was completely natural. I stopped several times to just look around. I noticed there weren't many women wandering around. I shrugged my shoulders and continued ahead. I hadn't seen 'him' in over a year and this morning I just felt I needed to see him. I wondered if he had changed, surely he'd recognise me. I didn't notice when Coeur and his men arrived back, they noticed me and along with some others continued to watch me. I walked with grace and strength looking for him but I couldn't see him, I started to think I should give up.
*Coeur had been watching the pretty brunette girl as she walked, then spotting his 18 year old son with a bunch of his friends with him, he was about to call out to him, when someone beat him to it.*
"Robin?" I called out nervously, it couldn't be him could it. He looked different, he was even taller, looked stronger and even more handsome than I remembered him to be. His head shot up at my voice, a smile split across his face. He ran from the group he was with and right to me. He picked me up from my knees, causing me to tower above everyone else. Everyone seemed to have stopped what they were doing to watch our exchange. Robin spun me around and I couldn't help but laugh, eventually he let me back onto my feet.
He took a step back and held my hands in his and looked me up and down, I had changed quite a bit from that 13 year old girl he had last seen, then he had been only around 16. I took the time to give him a look over aswell.
He wore all black, His shirt, his pants, his leather jacket, his knee-high boots and of course his top hat which cover most of his dark brown, long curls. His dark brown, almost black, eyes were just as I remembered. I had been right he was much taller and he must have grown alot in the past year to seem this tall to me as I had grown quite a bit aswell. His features were more diffiant. His skin slightly darker from all the time spent outside. Well, from I remembered he practically did life in the forest. He wore a large band around his neck like before and sticking out were long bird feathers. Along with this he wore a red scarf. I was actually rather surprised to see him wearing it, as it was something I had given him last time I had seen him. He told me he would wear it always, but I hadn't believed him.
"You look.." he trailed off. I looked down at my feet embaressed, his message clear. "Don't look bad yourself" I said cheerfully. He smiled once again, "why don't we go back out into the forest, like old times" I nodded eagerly. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder, "I think.." I looked up at the owner of the hand, it was Coeur De Noir, "we should all go inside and have a chat and something to eat, What do you think?" I mentally gulped, not daring to show nerves, though I probably was but he must have mis-read them for something else. Robin was the one to answer, "of course, father." He gave me a nervous look as his father past us. Robin leaned down to whisper in my ear, "you're lucky you pass for a De Noir." I gave a head a slight nod and he then gave me an encouraging smile. He placed his hand on my lower back and we went to enter after his father and I'm almost sure I heard Robin mutter under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear, "we're in for a long day" I couldn't help but agree.
Everything went surprisingly well. Afterwards Robin and I had been able to slip away from his father, knowing we most likely wouldn't be seeing each other again for quite some time.
"I survived anyway, and I'm no being thrown in the dungen" I said with relief. Robin shuck his head and with a smile said, "you were lucky my father didn't figure you out, Merryweather!" I smiled at him as he led Necia through the trees, I walked up ahead of him slightly.
I stopped as I noticed the sun was setting over the trees, had the day gone already? I would soon have to be setting off home. I looked back at Robin he had stopped and was watching me, I guess he had figured out I would have to leave again soon. He stepped up closer to me, looking down at me, he asked "how long do you think we'll be apart this time?" I just shuck my head and looked down at the ground. Robin wrapped Necia's reins on a nearby branch and place both his hands on either side of my face. A lone tear had fallen without me even knowing and slowly, with a sad smile, Robin leaned forward and place a small kiss on my cheek, stopping the tear from looked me in the eye, "we best be getting you home."
We continue on our way this time me leading Necia and Robin walking at my side. It didn't take us long to reach the outskirts of the forest nearest to my home. I looked back at him and just stared, would be another year before I saw him again? Would it be less? More? I didn't know. It was hard for us, oh so hard. Him being a De Noir and me, a Merryweather. I remembered how it shattered my father when this happened. But then my father had been a fool, not realising true love when he saw it. He was being given another chance after losing my mother but he had been blinded by pride. History was repeating itself. But maybe this time things would go right.
He was staring right back at me. I saw something in his eyes, almost like he was arguing with himself, finally, something seemed to snap within him and with that he strode toward. Crushing his lips to mine and pressing me up against a nearby tree. I kissed him back with just as much passion but eventually we both needed to stop for air. He placed his forehead on mine, both of us breathing heavily. "Something to remember me by" he said with a sly grin. I let out a small, soft laugh then grabbing Necia, who stood forgotten a bit away from us, I head towards my home.
Digweed came running out of the house and smiled at me, he looked like he had fallen in the rose bushes again. He smiled when he saw me and then offered to take Necia for me, sending me off by saying, "your father has been worrid sick." I darted to the door, knowing what my father was like. I looked back once more into the trees to see a figure dressed all in black just watching me, then slipping away into the darkness of the forest. Turning back to the house I danced inside a smile still on my lips from before. I stopped dead when I saw Sir Benjamin Merryweather standing next to the fireplace, Wrolf curled up at his feet. Wrolf spotted me and bounded over barking playfully. I rubbed behind his ear, then looked up at my father.
"Áine Eliana Merryweather, where have you been all day?" he asked angrily. "I was in the forest and got chased by a couple of De Noirs and ended up getting a bit lost" I lied, hoping he fell for it. I used to spend alot of time with robbin in the forest so after a while of lying I had gotten rather good at it. "Very well, but how many times have I told stay out of the forest!" I nodded my head, "yes, father" he hugged me and then headed upstairs, either to his study or his room. I decided once again to go visit Marmaduke in the kitchens and give a full run through of todays 'events'.
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