Disclaimer: I do not own The Little White Horse and/or The Secret of Moonacre.
Never in her life had Maria thought she would die in this forest, as it was her home and had been free of supposed evil since she was fourteen. Yet now, as she stared into the haunted eyes of the beast before her Maria felt the cold hands of death grasp at her skirts, as though the horseman was going to drag her into the ground prematurely. Her lips parted, as though to scream, but no noise flew from her mouth and Maria could not breathe for fear of making too much noise. Thoughts of running flooded her mind, her logic returning to her as she tried to plan a route, but she couldn't focus. The beast before her kept her entranced, the gleaming claws, frightening teeth, strange yellow eyes, and rippling muscles making her pause in her thoughts of fleeing. Minutes passed and neither moved, the beast and the beauty caught in the sight of each other, a spell keeping either from motion.
A gunshot pierced the air, striking the frightening creature in the chest, and the thunderous sound of hooves followed closely behind. Maria turned just in time to see the black stallion of the morning rushing by, its rider leaning down, reaching out for Maria's hand, which she quickly extended. A split second passed before Maria was pulled up and swung onto the horse, her position facing the rider, her boots resting on his in the opposite direction.
"Miss Merryweather, I thought you were not allowed in the forest." The rider, who she could easily identify as Rochester, spoke through gritted teeth. The teasing tone from earlier seemed absent, but the reproach of his words seemed to be held back as they rode quickly through the forest, their destination unknown by Maria because of the way she was facing.
"And yet you raced me through it, just this morning." Maria's ire rose at the words, though society deemed her to try and tone down the anger with which she spoke. Maria glared at him from her position, her blue eyes meeting his angered gaze.
"I was your escort, Madam, nothing more." Rochester's words seemed to strike a blow at Maria, her gaze losing any defiance and breaking from his. Instead she tried to ascertain their path from the surroundings that whizzed by. They rode in a harsh silence until they neared the tree line of the forest, at which Rochester reigned in his horse and slowed the stallion to a halt.
"Miss Merryweather." Rochester's voice still held the tension of earlier, causing her to return her gaze to the man's face. How like the beast the man appeared, with his growing start of a beard, wolfish face, short brown hair, and smoldering golden eyes.
"Sir?" She questioned, not understanding the reason for their sudden halt. Were they not chasing the beast?
"We might switch around our situation, as not to give false ideas to anyone who did not know what transpired in this forest." Rochester's eyes bore into her, causing her to blush as he spoke before she took the initiative and lifted her left leg over the horse's back, not caring if she made him uncomfortable. Her boot's heel dug into his left foot as she moved, but he seemed not to care as she pitched forward, so intent on dismounting the horse that she slipped. Maria felt all that was the ground as she ungracefully fell from the horse, landing on her hands and knees.
"Shit!" The curse flew from Maria's mouth before she could even think to stop it, earning a chuckle from Rochester, before she heard him dismount. Blushing furiously, Maria pushed herself off her ground, her feet wobbly as her knees threatened to burst with pain. A hand grasped her elbow, helping her stand to her full height as she groaned as she did so, allowing Rochester to help her mount the horse. Maria quickly situated herself, her head bowing in shame as she once again embarrassed herself in front of the same man. The weight of Rochester saddling up behind her and kicking the stallion into a full canter, however, caused Maria to raise her head and slide backwards into the man's arms.
"Sir! I apologize for my curse, but-!"
"This has nothing to do with your curse, Madam. Please, hold on, I cannot hold you and fire my flintlock at the same time!" Rochester grit out, prompting Maria to right herself and clutch at the stallion's mane while the man behind her twisted in the saddle while they shot through the tree line.
"Maria!"
"Princess!"
"Rochester!"
A chorus of shouts flew from the party that Maria had abandoned, her Uncle, Robin, and the Coeur De Noir being the loudest of the group.
"Run!" Maria cried out, a howl following her scream as the beast darted out of the forest behind them, its long limbs propelling it into a leap. A gunshot when off behind Maria and a loud yelp of pain followed, signifying that Rochester had once again shot the massive monster. Rochester slowed their pace, then steered their steed so that they were once again facing the forest. The beast stood, its chest bleeding and what might have been an ear was missing from its head. A deep growl rumbled from its chest before it slowly retreated backwards, into the forest, its yellow gaze the only thing they could see before even that was suddenly gone. Minutes passed, the group of people seemingly frozen in place while Rochester dismounted the horse, helping Maria to do so as well.
"Are you alright?" Rochester questioned her as they stood next to the stallion, his voice a whisper as Maria landed on her feet.
"Yes, Sir, I am fine." Maria spoke, her eyes not meeting his, but finding purchase on the tree line, confusion at the beast's actions furrowing her brow.
"Maria?" Maria's heart fluttered in her chest as Rochester used her Christian name, her breath catching in her throat as she blushed. She turned slowly towards him, ignoring the group closing in on them quickly.
"What?" She asked, her voice quiet.
"What's wrong? Do you see it?" Rochester's tone was still a whisper, a much kinder tone than it had been beforehand.
"No, it's just…."
"What?" His eyes were smoldering again as their gazes met.
"Why did it run away?"
"Yes, why did the beast stop at the forest's edge, Sir Rochester?" Loveday's voice startled both of them to face her, the close position that they had been standing in immediately parted. She, along with Sir Benjamin, Coeur De Noir, Robin, and Mr. and Miss. Digweed stood very near them now.
"Aunt, you cannot expect Sir Rochester to know!" Maria cried, although she had asked the same question to him not seconds ago.
"Maria! Inside, now!" Her uncle cried, pointing to the manor, his face red with fury and his eyes flashing. She had never seen him so incredibly angry and she nearly reacted in the way he wanted her to before the resilient spirit she had had when she was younger stopped her.
"No, Uncle, I shall stay out here. It was my fault that Sir Rochester-."
"Sir Rochester shall explain, Maria, you shall go inside!" Sir Benjamin replied.
"But Uncle-!"
"You dare to speak to me in this manner? You are not out in society as of yet, child, and you still live under my roof!" Sir Benjamin advanced towards her as he yelled, causing her to step back slightly before turning on her heel and racing towards her home, ignoring all that was happening behind her as she made haste to the entrance. Throwing open the doors, Maria shot through them, not even caring to shut them once more. Her feet steered her through her home, finding the way to the back, opening the doors so harshly that they hit the walls behind them. Stumbling, Maria slowed her pace, resorting to walking quickly through the gardens of Moonacre Manor.
Tears fell freely from her eyes, leaving trails of salt and water down her cheeks as she navigated the land she had saved. Years upon years of frustration flowed from her eyes as she walked, paying no heed to anything around her until the wheezing of something made her ears perk up. Turning quickly, Maria eye's met golden before everything became black.
A scream tore from Maria's mouth as she woke, her eyes unable to discern any shape from the darkness that surrounded her. Frightened, Maria lashed out, her hands feeling for something in the darkness, but only finding air. Uncertainly Maria moved onto her hands and knees, feeling about in the darkness of what she presumed was a cave so that she wouldn't run into anything or fall.
A string of curses she had picked up from Robin flew from her lips as Maria hit her knee on a rock and lurched forward, falling flat on her face as she did so. Pulling herself up once more, Maria began to move again, making her way through the cramped area, hoping that she was going the correct way. The thought that she could really use the moon pearls' guidance came and went as she maneuvered through what she'd now decided was some sort of tunnel, until she found a large room. A candle illuminated the small space, revealing some sort of living area and a bed made out of pillows and several blankets. Slowly Maria moved into the middle of the room, finding that the ceiling was high enough for her to stand up completely straight.
"This must be like Loveday's home." Maria mused, her eyes slowly adjusting enough to the small bit of light the candle emitted to see her surroundings. Uncertainly she turned, slowly as she was still unsure of her footing, making a complete circle before finding herself facing the entrance she had just came through. A small scream flew from her lips as she came face to face with a man, his eyes a familiar gold color, but his face unshaven, his hair a sandy blonde, and his facial features much different, but still handsome.
"I see you've found my home." He spoke, his voice rough with what could easily be seen as pain. Maria's eyes grew to the size of saucers as she noticed the man wasn't wearing a shirt, but was covered in hastily made bandages. One she could see quite clearly was bleeding through and was covering most of his upper torso, as if it had been devised out of a shirt.
"Y-y-your home?" She questioned, trying her best to ignore the frightening resemblance the man's wounds bore.
"Yes, my home. I have been living here for….some time." He spoke again, ducking slightly to both avoid the ceiling and to speak to her as he turned to the left, revealing another wound to the side of his head as he moved towards the candle.
"How long have you been here?" Maria tried, her voice shaking as she backed away from him a few paces until her back hit the wall of the underground home.
"Why don't you just ask me the key questions you wish to ask? You're probably wondering how you got here, why I brought you here, and why I am covered in bandages." The man spoke easily as he picked the candle up in his hand, not bothering to care that the hot wax spilled from the top onto his hand. The man turned to face her once again, his face now fully lit by the candle and his eyes reflecting the flame he held, the eerie glow of them causing Maria's heart rate to speed up slightly.
"So, sir, what are the answers to these questions you believe I am so keen to ask?" Maria's voice grew slightly in strength, though her eyes were still wide with fear. He moved forward languidly, the pain of his wounds seemingly ignored as he strode towards her. He stopped inches in front of her, his hot breath lightly hitting her face and he body angled so that one arm held the candle away from them, while the other hand reached up and so that he could gently graze his knuckles down her cheek. She shivered involuntarily at the soft touch, her eyes closing before she found her wits and cringed away from him. He cocked his head to the side, his movements repeatedly animal like in their nature, his eyes finding hers as he seemed to study her for a moment before a small grin overtook his face.
"To the first….I carried you here. You are not very heavy." Her eyes narrowed at this comment, but she held her tongue, albeit with some difficulty. His grin grew, his sharp canine teeth showing as he did so.
"To the second, I felt we should meet properly. We met earlier, but we were rudely interrupted." At this her eyes grew wider and she pressed herself closer to the wall, wishing with all her being that she had listening to her uncle and not gone into the woods. Wishing that she would've never returned to Moonacre and had forgotten about the silly boy who broken her heart. Wishing, with all her might that the man before her would step away, to stop leaning so close as he prepared to answer the last question she was beginning to think she already knew the answer to. His grin grew as he saw the realization of her thoughts become evident on her face.
"Ah yes….Princess, was it?" He leaned in more, to the point where their faces almost touched. "You are quite correct, dear Princess. I AM injured because I was shot today. Which, in turn, would make me?" He questioned, his grin fading into a small smile as his eyes surveyed her almost hungrily.
"You would be…." Maria started, her whole body shaking in fear at the proximity of the man and the intentions in his eyes.
"Hmmm?" He questioned, his head cocking to the other side slowly, his eyes half lidded and smile widening.
"The beast." She barely had the chance to answer as moved forward quickly, his lips claiming hers…
A scream rips through the morning, causing Maria to sit up quickly in her bed, her eyes wide and terrified. Her eyes searched the room for whoever was making the noise, realization soon dawning on her that she was the one who was screaming bloody murder. Helplessly she clutched her bed sheets, trying to stop herself from screaming, but unable to concentrate her mind through the haze of sleep. Fear clouded her mind, but not enough to ignore the opening of the door and the sound of her uncle's voice.
"Maria! Maria, please, calm down!" Her uncle's arms tried to encircle her, but she fought him, her eyes wide with fear and she screamed.
"Please, Maria, it's me, Uncle Benjamin—Oh God! Loveday! Loveday, get in here, quickly!" Her uncle called for her aunt who ran into the room, quickly ducking at the doorway, and holding the candle she brought with her out so that she could see. A gasp left Loveday's lips and the candle she was holding fell to the ground, extinguishing itself as it did so.
"Oh God….Digweed! Digweed!" Loveday screamed, her hands quickly going to Benjamin's candle before racing out of the room, her cries for Digweed echoing through the tower, accompanied by Maria's screams.
"Maria! Maria! You must be calm! It's me, it's your Uncle Benjamin, and I'm not going to hurt you! Please, my little one, please!" Her uncle finally managed to be able to hold her as her screams became sobs, her face buried in her uncle's shirt as she did so. Each sob shook her, but her uncle held her fast as she cried into his shirt while he rubbed her back soothingly.
"Where is she?" The voice of Rochester carried up to the tower followed by sound of several pairs of footsteps.
"Sir, please, it is improper for you to see Maria in such a state of undress-!" The voice of Mrs. Digweed was the loudest and the clearest as it neared along with the rest.
"If she has the same affliction then I am the only person that can help her!" Rochester replied, anger evident in his tone.
"Please, Mrs. Digweed, let go of your lessons for now. If Sir Rochester knows what afflicts her, then we must let him go to her. Please, for Maria's sake!" Her aunt's voice tried to reason with Mrs. Digweed's.
"But—you cannot, she is yet to be-!"
"Out in society, yes Madam, I understand this, however, she will not ever be able to come out into society if the affliction gets any worse!" Rochester growled back at the woman, cutting her off before he entered Maria's bedchamber, finding her sobbing in her uncle's arms.
"Rochester, good, you've come." Her uncle slowly let go of her, but Maria held onto him, her grip becoming a vice upon his shirt.
"Maria, please, let me go so that Rochester can look at you." Her uncle spoke soothingly as he lifted his hands to cover her own and help her to pull them away from his shirt. Maria allowed her uncle to remove her hands from his shirt, instead holding his hands.
"Maria, please, let me go. I shall be right next to you, I promise." Seconds passed and then she let loose her uncle's hands, letting them once again find purchase in the bed sheets. She felt her uncle's bodyweight leave her mattress of hay, only to be replaced by a slightly heavier one.
"Miss Merryweather." Rochester's voice was so soft, so different than the time in the woods when she had been confronted with the beast. Or was that real? Was she dreaming about their ride together?
"Sir…" She managed, her voice sounding strangely altered to her. She sounded so womanly, her voice having deepened and yet so soft. Maria's eyes widened and her hands clenched even tighter on the bed sheets until she could feel her fingernails digging into the palms of her hands.
"Miss Merryweather, please, look up at me." Rochester's voice was so deep, so kind, but she didn't want to look up, because everything was wrong. Everything seemed darker, even her beautiful bedroom. She felt as if her soul had been tainted, had been smashed to bits then put back together improperly. If she looked up she might do something drastic, something wrong, and he might not like her.
"Please….Maria, please, look up at me." Rochester sounded so heartbroken, as if he knew how she felt, and suddenly Maria understood. She understood why her uncle had called for Loveday when he'd seen her, why he couldn't look directly into her gaze. Maria, gathering up all her courage, slowly lifted her head so that she could face Rochester before slowly lifting her eyelids and revealed her eyes.
"Oh God!" Her uncle's voice was a harsh whisper as his eyes grew wide while her aunt turned into him, her face hidden in the crook of his neck. Mrs. Digweed feinted immediately, her husband soon entering to attend to her, but not daring to look upon Maria out of respect. Rochester swallowed heavily, his Adam's apple bobbing as he did so, his golden eyes filled with sorrow while his brow furrowed.
"What is it? What is wrong with me?" Maria questioned them, not truly wanting them to confirm what she already thought had happened. Rochester leaned forward, grasping the hand mirror that sat by her bed in one hand and a candle in the other, the light dancing in his eyes as they had the beast's. Maria cocked her head in confusion before she took the mirror, horror filling her heart as she realized who she had mimicked before she looked into the mirror and her eyes grew to the size of saucers.
Her hair, once a beautiful amber color, was now black as the night, her face even paler than she had been, and her eyes a soft glow of golden.
The last thing she could discern was Rochester's sorrow filled gaze before everything was dark once more….
A/N: This is getting inception-esque. I seriously hope I don't accidentally write in Dicaprio. I love him, but that would be bad.
Anyways, thank you for reading!
Please review kindly if at all!
-Aimze
