Maria Merryweather stood looking through her window at the snow blanketing Moonacre Valley. She stood in awe of the beauty of it all. Snow as far as the eye could see and as white as a unicorn's mane. She gently stroked Serena's soft fur as she remembered the night long ago that she had broke the spell that had threatened the land for decades. With help from her then enemy, Robin, she had retrieved and returned the moon pearls to the sea.
She smiled as she thought of him. Last she had heard he had set out on his own a year after the curse had been broken. He wanted to see the world. It was here that she stood the last time she seen him. It was a day just like this where the land was covered in powdery white. He had turned one last time to wave goodbye to her. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she silently willed him not to go.
She turned away from the window, the pain of their goodbye burning in her heart.
"Oh, Robin," she whispered. "I wonder where you are."
A light knock on her bedroom door made her jump. "Maria?"
Maria smiled and opened the door. A 4 year old Ellis walked into her room.
"Well, hello, Ellis." she smiled. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Maria," the boy looked troubled. "Mama and Papa are sleeping."
"Well, that's okay, Ellis," she replied ruffling the boys hair. "It must be time for their afternoon nap."
"No," he whimpered. "They won't wake up."
"Is there something you need? Something I can help you with, darling?"
The boy nodded, "Wake them up."
Maria held Ellis' little hand as they made their way down the staircase. Together they entered the piano room. Sir Benjamin and Loveday lay on the floor motionless. Maria ran to Loveday first and shook her lightly.
"Loveday," she whispered. "Loveday!"
She turned to Sir Benjamin, "Uncle!"
Maria stood up quickly, "Miss Heliotrope!"
She finally found Miss Heliotrope fast asleep lying on her bed. Maria raced from room to room finding that everyone in the mansion had fallen into a deep sleep.
Maria stood in frozen in stunned silence. She felt a small tug on her dress hem. Looking down she found Ellis staring up at her teary-eyed.
"Maria," he cried. "I'm scared."
Maria scooped the boy up in his arms and held him tight with worry racking her brain. Behind her Wrolf pawed at her. Maria reached down to stroke his mane and found the lion had transformed into a dog, confirming her fears. The curse was back.