Okay so this is the first chapter. Its long enough. I hope you like it. Not alot goes on. A few things happen and you start learning about things and the main plat is starting to come in but not much else. Thanks for reading!

Enjoy!

The year past quickly here in Moonacre. I was right in thinking that I wouldn't be seeing Robin for quite a while. By that I mean I haven't seen him since. I wonder how he explained that one to his father. I couldn't help but laugh as I thought about Coeur De Noir, he seemed to have taken a liking to me, oh the irony. The kiss replayed in my mind often and more times that I'd have liked I was caught by my father thinking about him and then having to come up with some excuse. The weather was beautiful these days, clear skies and the sun was shining none-stop.

I jumped at a knock on my bedroom door. "Little Flame" I smiled at my nickname. My father had called me this since even before I could remember. He told me it was because when I was born the first thing my mother said and the last was, "my Little Flame". So thats how I got my name, Áine meaning fire or joy in celtic, it ment other things too but they were the main. Eliana which meant daughter of the sun. When I discovered that was what it meant and after I discovered my role in everything, I couldn't help but see how close it was actually to the truth. I got to my feet from where I had been sitting at a small table that was on my balcony, my head stuck in one of my latest books. I returned to my room and openedhe door wide to reveal my father standing there proud and strong. "Morning Father" I said cheerfully. I stepped to the side as he gestured towards my room, asking for entrance. He strode in, he looked around my room smiling, I could see something in his eyes, pieces clicking into place. It wasn't long before he figured everything out. He would have already figured it out but he is still blind to this curse and I did not know of anyway for him to see sense, so I didn't try.

He then slowly turned to me, I could slightly sadness hidden in his eyes. Sir Benjamin had a talent for hiding his emotions and keeping up a mask but it never worked on me, I could always see through him. He had always had sadness in his eyes these, well ever since Loveday left. But this sadness was more, I slowly took a stp towards and placed my hand on his arm. "Father, what has happened? What is wrong?" I asked carefully, waiting patiently for him to answer. I took a seat on my desk and continued to look at him. He sighed and said, "my brother has unexpectantly passed". I knew of this brother, my father had ranted on about him often, mainly how he was broke and owed money to many people and wouldn't take any money from my father. My father always complained of his pride and I couldn't help but think that might be something the two brothers shared.

"He left behind a daughter, who is now an orphan and I have had it arranged so that she is brought here" he explained calmly, but there was still a slight bit of despair in his tone. "She is from the city and has never been to the country, she is said to be around 13" he continued. I was waiting to see if there was anything else. Apparently there was, as he said "I was hoping you could set up a room for her." I agreed, glad there would be another girl with us in the house. "Also" my father added, as he made to leave, "her governess will be coming to help care for her and teach her." I gave him a look which seemed to say, 'you aren't going to do what I think you are?' He shot me a small smile, "No, you will continue your studies with me" I sighed with relief. Just as he was about to go I called him back and asked, "when are they set to arrive?" I was wondering how long I would have to put together her room. "At most a week." With that he left me to my thoughts.

"Better get to work then" I thought out loud and then turned to my dresser to get apropietly dressed so I could start my plans for her room. Which would most likely take all day and then actually doing everything, I just hoped I had enough time.

Flinging open my wardrobes doors, I started rummaging through my things for something to wear. After a short while, I decided on a floor length red/orange dress with large and flowing sleeves that almost reached the floor which were made of lighter orange fabric. Around my waist there was a small golden chain, the two ends met in the middle at were kept together by a small golden sun shaped broche and then the cain hung down the middle of the dress reaching past my knees. There was gold embrodiery across the neckline and where the lighter orange fabric met the darker material. I brushed ou my hair and let my curls and waves fall around me and then place an elegant silver circlet with golden leaves that dipped and twisted down my forehead, on my head. I wore it and many other often as they belonged to my mother and they made me feel closer to her. I then placed my sun choker around my neck and put my gold ring with a ruby droplet on my right hand. After applying some simple and make-up and putting on and tying up my boots, I left my room to decide where I would put my cousin's room.

( Outfit: chapter/set?id=51434094 )

I didn't take me long for me to figure out a good place for my cousin's room, who I had been told was named Maria. There was another tower similar to the one I lived in. I decided to make it up there as I thought she would like privacy, like most girls her age and as she would hopefully be staying for while (if this curse on the valley didn't kill us first) I thought it would work out well.

As I tried thinking of ideas for the room, I felt a difference in the atomosphere around me. I stopped idilly sketching on the paper infront of me at one of the many desks in my father's library. I let my hand rise towards my neck and let my fingers graze across my choker and its sun. I froze as an image of a girl long curly red hair. She was wearing a long black dress, walking along next to a large hearse. Then another image flashed across my eyes. It was a statue of a woman her arm was bent up slightly, her hand bent towards her neck and upon her neck was the PEARLS! Suddenly I was back in the library. I frantically looked around. It was clear to me now. She had to be. She was the only other female Merryweather. Maria, my cousin, the one coming to live with us here in Moonacre valley was the Moon Princess. Maybe now we could together end this curse.

The sound of claws clicking on wood made come out of my thoughts. Turning my head slightly I saw Wrolf come trotting in and settle himself down next to me, so I could rub him behind his ears. I gave a small, musical laugh at him. The sound of footsteps quickly followed and not long after I felt a large warm hand on my shoulder. I looked up happily into the cheerful face of my father. He hardly ever looked this happy, so when ever he was it made me feel amazing knowing he was feeling so extatic that it seemed to cancel out all the sadness in this memories. "How is everything coming along? Got any good ideas?" he asked, refering to Maria's room. I nodded with excitment, "oh, trust me have alot of ideas and I'm sure she'll love it."

Then he gestured for me to follow and so I did. He took us to a small quite place at the back of the library where there was a large fire and a large armchair. When I was younger, we would come here and read. Sometimes my father would just read to me, as I sat on his lap or on the floor. I took a seat on the floor next to the surprisingly lit fire. Even though it wasn't needed I appreciated it being lit.

We sat and talked, after while we chose a book and I sat back and closed my eyes I listened to his voice say te words. I smiled as millions of happy memories of similar situations came flooding back. Then when he finally stopped he looked at me, he seemed to be thinking his words over carefully, "Little Flame,would you mind...um.. singing for me?" I looked up him at him in surprise, after Loveday left there had been little to no music in the house. He gave me a nervous smile, "I remember you had the most beautiful voice." I looked at him and smiled, I loved music and always will. I remember, playing the piano everday and singing along.

I closed my eyes once more and let the first song that came into my mind escape my lips.

"You tucked me in, turned out the light"
"Kept me safe and sound at night"
"Little girls depend on things like that"

"Brushed my teeth and combed my hair"
"Had to ride me everywhere"
"You were always there, when I looked back"

"You had to do it all alone"
"Make a living, make a home"
"Must have been as hard as it could be"

"And when I couldn't sleep at night"
"Scared things wouldn't turn out right"
"You would hold my hand and sing to me" "

At this part, my father got up from where he had been sitting in his armchair beside the fire and kneeled down infront of me. He placed his hands on mine and smiled, happily. It was the kind of smile that reached his eyes. One I hadn't seen in years. I took a deep breath to continue onto the next part and this time he sang too, just like when I had had a nightmare as a child.

"Caterpillar in the tree"
"How you wonder who you'll be"
"Can't go far be you can always dream"

"Wish you may and wish you might"
"Don't you worry, hold on tight"
"I promise you that there will come a day"
"Butterfly fly away"

"Butterfly fly away, butterfly fly away"
"Flap your wings now you can't stay"
"Take those dreams and make them all come true"

"Butterfly fly away, butterfly fly away"
"We've been waiting for this day"
"All along and knowing just what to do"

"Butterfly, Butterfly, Butterfly, Butterfly fly away"

"Butterfly fly away"
"Butterfly fly away"

With that I jumped at my dad wrapping him in my arms with a hug I'm certain he needed. He smilled thankfully and hugged me back. "I'm just going to do some things on Maria's room and then I'll meet you for dinner,okay?" I asked him. He nodded, "if you need me, I'll be in here." I nodded and then left the library, a smile never leaving my face.

The plans were all fitted and sorted for her room. I just had to get everything. I would just have to enlist Marmaduke and Digweed's help to have it all set up. I let out a sigh and placed my hand on my forehead. This was all really short notice. I just hoped I could have it all done in time. I knew her father had died and I was hoping, I could do this make to her feel welcomed and help her take her mind off of everything. I had started painting the walls as soon as I could so when the furniture and everything was ready I wouldn't have to worry about it. I painted what to me was the valley, the fields and the village, the houses and farms. I knew I couldn't do all the painting of the walls now but I could do alot, i would take time. Finally I looked up at the ceiling, I had to do something with it. Then an idea came to me, sky, night, I knew it would be quite simple and I wouldn't have to be in an awkward position for long to do it. When I had it all set up and had just started painting the night sky, I realised I was late for dinner. throwing off my apron, I rushed down stairs to the dinning room, my dress swirling around me as I ran. Its a good thing I wasn't wearing something with heels today.

I slipped inside the dinning room to see my father smirking up at me. "You're late" I gave him a look that told, 'I know that' he just gave a small laugh. I was glad he seemed happier, he was hardly ever like this. He pointed to his check and then to me. I gave him a confused look. He tapped his check again just less then an inch below his eye. Digweed walked in with my dinner and smiled at me, after placing down the plate and drink, he tapped his check too. I finally realised what they ment. I went over to where there was a mirror and saw I had a large smuge of blue paint on my check, exactly where they had been indicating. After cleaning it off I gave my father a playful nudge and then took my seat beside him. As always we sat in silence but tonight it wasn't the usual awkward or forced silence, this time it felt comfortable and easy. As always Marmaduke out did himself with our food. I made a note to thank him later like I always did. I bid my father farewell and went to continue work on Maria's room. My father had informed me he was going on a ride and not to expect him back for a while. He was just going to 'clear his head'. I smiled with understanding knowing he wanted to have time to himself to mourn the lose of his brother so I went on my way.

I looked at the ceiling, there wasn't much left to do. I studied it closely thinking. Then another idea came to me. I left the room and rushed up another set of stairs a couple of doors down and came to where we store old things. It was like our attic. I found a small old box, covered in dust. It had belonged to my mom and inside were many little crystals. I figured they would look good as stars. If the light caught them right they would sparkle. So going back to the room, I got to work putting them in. As I didn't have that many crystals I painted in a good few more stars with some silver and white paint. When finished I cleaned everyting away to admire my work. I almost fell back but the door happened to be behind me so I simply fell against. I was given a fright when one by one each star, either crystal fitted into the roof the room or painted, lit up like stars and re-arranged themselves into their constellations. I carefully pushed off the door and looked up at it all in awe. It was truly magical.

"Now all I have to get is the furniture" I said to myself. I figured I could start that tomorrow, I'm sure there is some stuff upstairs or in our attic. Things we've forgotten. That's how I did my room when I was old enough.

After a good nights rest and a nice warm breakfast, I set to work and last of painting the walls. I put in images of cliffs and forests and places from fairytales and books. When that was finished I started wandering around the house. Wrolf was happy enough as to tag along. I made a list of what I most likely would need. There was a bed, a desk, bedside tables, dressers, wardrobe and maybe a couple of other things.

After several hours I had found nearly everything I needed, the desk, some chairs, dressers and a wardrobe, tables, all of these would be needing fixing up, but I knew we could do it. All I need was her bed. Marmaduke and Digweed had brought the furniture I had found, into the room and started working on it. Also they put work in on the fireplace that was already present in the room. It was a perfect copy of the one in my room. I helped for a while and even brought them some food and drinks, which it was obvious they appreciated as they didn't hesitate in taking them. I knew they wanted Maria to feel welcome almost as much as I did. I was also certain that Marmaduke knew what she was. I would ask him later, hopefully he won't be too tired.

When everything was cleaned, smoothened and re-painted, I set off again around the house looking for a bed that would work.

I went down a corridor that had long been succumbed to the valley's curse. The paint all rotted away, stone was chipped and cracked. The floor was cracked, shakey and creaky. There was one door that seemed untouched by all the darkness and gloom. I slowly stepped towards and tried to open the door. It wouldn't budge. I pushed harder, nothing. Again I pushed meeting the same results. With sigh and then a deep breath in I slamed my shoulder into the door but unfortunately all I ended up with was large pain in my shoulder! I looked up at the door, annoyed. 'Whatever is behind this door better be worth it' I thought. The strange thing was, there was no key hole. Well there was, kind-of. There was a small sun symbal, there must be a sun shaped key. I wondered why would there even be key like that.

I was turning to leave when it came to me. The Guardian of the Sun had been a Merryweather, so she must have lived here in this house. This room must have belonged to her. It was a large door made of a white kind of smooth wood I couldn't place with gold designs across it. I gave up trying to get in for now, hoping I could figure out a way in later and continued on with my search.

It was quite late when I decided to stop, I must have checked nearly every room in the whole of the building and I was exhausted. I fell down not so gracefully into a chair in the kitchen. Marmaduke placed a plate of who knows what I didn't bother to check and just started eating it. It was good too and by the time I looked down at the plate, I had eaten everything already. "Marmaduke, I still can't find a bed for Maria's room, what should I do?" I asked desperately. He turned to look at me, a sly grin spread across his face, "just ask nature for a little help" he told me. I was rather confused but I was too tired at the moment to argue or question so I just headed off to my room.

I put on my bed clothes and just before I got into my bed, I walked out onto my balcony and looked up at the stars, "a little help wouldn't hurt about now" I muttered under my breath, with one last look, I turned back to my room and after shutting and locking the doors I got into bed.

The next morning, I woke to find a small robin pecking at my balcony door. Opening it, the robin flew in. I watched as it hopped around chirping. I flew towards the door and quickly opening it, it fleed down the corridor, several seconds later it reappeared and repeated the action, it did this several times before I figured I was ment to follow it. After a few short minutes we came to the bottom of the stairs that led to one of the more smaller storage attics. It chirped once more and then flew off out a window just a couple of feet away. I slowly tip toed up the stairs and creaked the door open. I hadn't expected anyting to be in here as no one went in here but I was plesently surprised when I discovered many boxes and mirrors and paintings. I continued to the back of the room, it seemed alot biger then I had originally thought. I stopped as I spotted something large under a sheet. Stepping up to it. I pulled the sheet away and coughed a bit at the dust and smiled when it all cleared it see a large, elegant bed. The paint had long since rotted away and it could use with sanding and some cleaning up but other then that it was perfect.

Finally the day before they were ment to arrive, the room was complete. I was proud with the accomplishment as we had all gotten in done in such a short period of time. All we had to do was hope she liked it, which everyone in the house including my father believed she would.

I was sad to say, my father had become a bit more reserved and kept mostly to himself since the other day, this saddened me greatly but there wasn't much I could do but hope things would improve. As I sat alone in my room, thoughts ran through my head, a robin. Did that mean something? Or was it just coincidence? It made me think of him. Had he changed much again, I wondered, probably not. He would be around 19 now. I had just gone 16, two weeks past. The last thing that kept jumping forward in my mind, was that door. How was I supposed to get in? Where was the key? I felt it. There was something in there that wanted me to find it, all it was was getting in.

Well what did you all think? Did you like it? This chapter was probably really boring. So I don't mind if you say this chapter is. But I liked it, so...

Review please!

Ciao,
Áine