Authors Note: Prior to what my author's note detailed before, my cunning plan is working! Hell yes! However, if you see spelling mistakes, I am very sorry. I have checked and changed any but I cannot for the life of me work out how to make the spell check function work again. It was working, but I think I broke it somehow. Damn. Computer's dislike me. Tis probably 'cos I said machines are taking over the world and they heard me and are now getting revenge. Crap. Oh well! If you can't beat them, you might as well join them! Which is a stupid phrase. If you were getting beaten up for defending your friend, and you can't beat the bullies, does that mean you should beat up your friend? What the hell is that all about! Why would someone call someone their friend then beat them up? Unless you're a twat. Yes I said twat, and I have said it again. But really, think it through please people!

Dedication: This chapter is for Abbot Williams, as I was ill when I wrote it and he told me to get better. Also he's American. Gotta love Abbot! :P

Suggestions:"Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of Ashley Winslet"by Ashley Everdeen-Malfoy. Like pirates? Like awesome OC's? READ IT! Brilliant story that tells the tale of Ashley, a Jack Sparrow obsessed fan girl whom gets put into the first movie. I loved it!

Thanks to: suckr4luv as they were my first review! yay!

Keep on writing!

Yours sincerely,

The Red Crayon

"That fire you ignited, Good, bad and undecided, Burns when I stand beside it, Your light is ultraviolet"

Moonacre Manor

She shot up in bed as soon as the light broke gently through the curtains. Eye's mildly unfocused and head no longer pounding, she looked down, dazed, at the best covers. They were made from a yellow cloth with gold floral patterns stitched in. She felt incredibly warm and comfy but still felt the need to get up and run. Never quite feeling safe in a room all alone.

She got up from the bed, swinging her feet round to stand. Noticing, that they were now sporting white cotton socks, instead of horrible brown boots. Confused, she looked down at the rest of her attire. She was now wearing a white, sleeping dress, instead of the old brown cloth that she was familiar with.

"How did I get these clothes?" She thought. "What am I doing here? Where is here?" She tried to recall the events of the previous night. "I was running...from...HIM. Then...there was a camp...and a boy...HIM, then fire...then...waking here..." Confused as hell, she jumped profoundly at the knock from the door. Glancing round the corner of the massive wardrobe, she stared at it till it was slowly opened. Fearing the worst, she looked around frantically for a weapon of any sort. Seeing nothing, she clenched her fists, ready to fight.

"Oh my dear I see that you are already up! Well now, um, I suppose we will wait for Loveday. Yes, she said two minutes, we'll wait two minutes now won't we?" A great bustling woman had entered her room murmuring something about a love day. The woman wore a green skirt with a green blazer type jacket, which had a tie running down the centre. A blue undershirt could be seen as well as many different coloured ribbons hanging off her outfit. Overall, it was the strangest clothes she had ever seen.

"My dear, why don't you sit, you can tell me all about yourself. Oh wait, my name is Mrs Heliotrope. I kept my name for educational purposes, you know with all the strange names flying around these days. Makes one wonder why we even name ourselves. Haha, well, um, yes, your name perhaps?" The woman, Mrs Heliotrope, was asking her the easier question, yet the hardest to answer.

"My name is Eleanor, my voice has been lost along with my memories, and you don't know what I'm thinking." Eleanor thought. How could she portray that she cannot speak? Gesturing to her throat and shaking her head, she attempted to converse with the strange woman.

"Oh my dear, I see you do not want to talk about it. I daresay you have been through too much. Come along, I think I hear Loveday!" Mrs Heliotrope ignored the open mouth look coming from Eleanor. She clearly did not understand general sign language.

The door opened yet again to reveal the most beautiful woman Eleanor could remember. Granted, she only had two years worth of memories, but the other girls were never this pretty, even when they first were captured. A tall woman, of about 30 entered the room. She was wearing a deep blue dress with an open collar that showed off her creamy white shoulders. Her hair was wavy and uncontrollable but her eyes seemed to carry off the waves quite well. Her lips were formed in an always smiley expression giving her a trusting look.

"Ah, you are awake. Let's get you cleaned up then we can talk properly." She said smiling. Not being able to stop, Eleanor found herself smiling ever so gently.

For the next hour or so, they washed, brushed and styled her hair, cut and painted her nails with a clear varnish, cleaned and perfumed her body and generally made her look more like her old self. They put her in a light blue dress with a white net collar and styled her hair into a simple braid. Eleanor walked over to the vanity, in her small heels and admired herself for the first time in years.

"You look lovely darling, I haven't worn that dress in years! Ha ha in my younger life maybe, but they you are, you look lovely." Loveday assured her. "Now, if you please, we shall go down to the dining room, lunch is waiting. I'm afraid all the pretty making took longer than I anticipated. But my dear, it was well worth the wait."

"You'll have suitors lining up, just to shake your hand." Mrs Heliotrope added smiling.

Not sure what to make of this, Eleanor just curtsied slightly.

"Now, to lunch!"

.*. .*. .*. .*. .*. The Red Crayon .*. .*. .*. .*. .*.

The table for set for 5 but could easily fit 10 people. Sir Benjamin, the Lord of the Manor sat at the head of the table, with Loveday taking the seat on his right. Mrs Heliotrope then took the seat two down on Sir Benjamin's left. Unsure where to sit, Eleanor gazed at the table until Loveday gestured to the seat next to her. A man in a white shirt and brown ribboned waistcoat was serving them, smiling widely at Mrs Heliotrope who blushed scarlet.

"Ah my dear, I am Sir Benjamin, the lord of this manor, it is nice to make your acquaintance." Sir Benjamin said inclining his head towards Eleanor who returned it with a smile. Loveday turned to Eleanor grasping her arm lightly.

"I hope you enjoy the meal, Marmaduke certainly made enough." Loveday turned to Benjamin who held her hand as they ate. Eleanor began eating also as Mrs Heliotrope began a conversation, leaving little room for anyone else to talk.

"This is Digweed, my husband, if you were wandering." She said gesturing towards the waistcoat man. "Sir Benjamin and Loveday are also married, with their child, Joshua. Pray do tell, where is little Joshua Loveday?" Mrs Heliotrope enquired.

"Robin is bringing him back from my father after he has checked on his men. You gave them quite a turn my dear when you came bursting into their camp. Robin bought you right here after you fainted." Loveday turned to Eleanor giving her the snippet of information.

They all turned to Eleanor whom put down her fork as the conversation was to begin about her. She was sure she could trust these people with the kind eyes, she had always been a good judge of character, or so she told herself. Before one of them could begin, Mrs Heliotrope launched into another tirade, this one about a spot on her sleeve.

.*. .*. .*. .*. .*.

After the meal, they proceeded to the drawing room where comfy pink sofas and chairs were positioned. Loveday gestured to a pink chair in the middle for Eleanor to sit on, so she could tell them about herself.

"Loveday is clever, she will realise I cannot talk." Eleanor told herself as the door opened behind them.

A boy, well man, of about 20 entered the room. He was wearing black leather trousers, a black shirt that was opened slightly to show off a muscular chest, black boots, a black jacket, a red scarf and feathers round his neck. He had brown curly hair that was sticking out of a bowler hat, a chiselled jaw and beautiful brown eyes. If anyone was looking at Eleanor at that precise moment, they would see a slight smile and a look of awe at the handsome man that has joined them. He was carrying a baby whom was yawing gently as it began to drift off to sleep. Loveday stood up, taking the baby from him, and exiting.

Robin walked into the room more taking in the presence of everyone. Stopping short at the blonde beauty that was looking at the floor and was smiling gently. She had long lashes that held beneath them eyes like deep pools of blue, rose coloured lips, a clear creamy complexion and beautiful blonde hair that was tied back in a simple braid. She was such a natural beauty, she, no doubt, had a boyfriend, maybe even a husband. Slightly disgruntled that he was falling for a girl he had only just met, Robin took the seat slightly further away to the left of her. Loveday came back in, as Sir Benjamin started with the first question.

"This may be a little worrying for you, waking up in a strangers house and having us all stare at you, but we are here to help. Why don't you start by telling us your name?"

Eleanor tried to speak, hoping that maybe it was just the magic in the cave that stopped her from talking, but no sound came out. Grimacing, she gestured to her throat once more and shook her head. Catching on immediately, Loveday said, "Would you like some paper?" Nodding vigourously, paper was put in front of her, as well as a goose quill and a pot of ink. Robin looked at her as she began to write.

~~~My name is Eleanor. I am sorry but my voice was stolen from me as well as my memories. I do not recall my last name, or where I came from. All I can remember is as far as two years ago.~~~

Benjamin and Loveday exchanged worried glances as they read her words. Robin leaned closer to read them, noticing she was well practiced in writing, as her words were formed perfectly, in a curly fashion. This ruled out that she was a peasant.

"I am so sorry for your plight, Eleanor. How old are you may I ask?" Loveday put the next question to her.

~~~I am 18 years of age. I was stolen when I was just 16. But there are others that are younger than me.~~~

"What others? What happened to you?" Benjamin asked. Loveday shot him a look at his brash question.

Eleanor thought for a moment, wandering how much to digress. The powers, not yet, the others however, they needed help.

~~~There are eleven others girls, varying from ages 13-23. There is a cave somewhere in the woods; we have all tried to escape in the past, the last girl, Anna, HE caught her again. She was tortured to the point of insanity, which is the fate that befalls any who escape.~~~

Robin was sat there shocked as he read what she had written. He remembered the voice that night, all too well. The shuddering whisper. He also remembered that she was different. The fire that shot around them was certainly caused by her. However, he did not want to show this fact to Loveday and Benjamin. They would only worry. Instead, he asked, "How did you escape?"

Everyone turned to him as he had been sat quietly for the last ten minutes. Eleanor started writing swiftly. She hated having to take time to write when you could voice your opinion. But alas, she did not have that luxury.

~~~We needed someone to escape. To tell others of what was happening. To become free. Only a few wished to risk it. We had to choose the one with the most likely change of getting away. I was the strongest, I always was. I was also quick. The others set a diversion, a sedative in HIS lunch. As soon as they gave me the signal, we broke the door and the enchantments, and I ran. They told me to never stop, never look back. I ran for 7 hours straight, never stopping. It was then when I heard HIM. The rage we had all become accustomed to. I heard laughter, changed course and ran to that camp. HE caught up. Then all I remember was a man, defending me. I don't remember anything more.~~~

Robin had been watching her as she wrote, rather than the words. She furrowed her eyebrows when she seemed to be recalling past events. It gave her a cuteness that many of her age lacked. He began to read when he realised she was almost finished.

Stretching her hand after writing so much she waited for the rest to finish reading. She looked at the floor, finding comfort in the absence of another's gaze. They all seemed to mull over her written words before Loveday came up behind her and gave her a hug. Resting her head against Loveday's arm, she closed her eyes for a moment. Mrs Heliotrope was the last to finish. She looked at the small girl, cradled between Loveday's arms and thought of Maria, and how if it was Maria that was in this situation, she would help her all she could. Realising Eleanor was little different, she promised to help.

"Miss Eleanor, I will give you all the help an old woman can be." Mrs Heliotrope told her. Robin sat up straighter realising he should be the one on the case. He had been the one to save the girl, she should be thanking him. But before he got his thanks, he had to help her further.

"We've had reports of people going missing in the nearby village, we generally assumed that they had just run off, but your word is proof. Excuse me while I go make arrangements." Robin said getting up and leaving for his horse. It was a long ride to the de Noir castle.

Eleanor opened her eyes and watched him leave, noticing the way he touched the door handle, almost hesitantly.

"I shall accompany you. Meanwhile, Miss Eleanor, please make yourself welcome. You are now a guest in my household until we get to the bottom of this all." Sir Benjamin stated. Eleanor was shocked at the kindness, but inclined her head gratefully.

As the men left, Loveday stood, retracting her arms.

"I am glad you will be staying," she smiled kindly at Eleanor. "However, we shall need to get you fitted for clothes, I daresay you will need some!"

Eleanor stood wrapping her arms around Loveday. She mouthed a 'thank you' before doing the same to Mrs Heliotrope. Loveday left to make arrangements with the village seamstress. That left Eleanor and Mrs Heliotrope to amuse themselves.

"Tell me, my dear, how are you at Classic French Needlepoint?" Mrs Heliotrope asked.

~~~I do not know, but I am eager to try.~~~ Eleanor wrote.

A/N: I would just like to say, Robin is one of my favourite characters from 'Secret of Moonacre' and I have read 'Little White Horse' but for once, I do prefer the film to the book. Also, Robin is extremely hot! Augustus Prew is awesome! XD Sorry, off topic. Anywhom, REVIEW!