Maria, the legacy of Lord Death has returned. He has come to finish what he started

XXX

The night was frigid as the horses pounded through the forest. Dawn was slowly peeking above the horizon; the hour had grown later, or rather earlier, than I had previously thought. Fatigue began to take its toll on my body as we rode, and not for the first time I wished we had taken a carriage instead. Time and circumstance, however, were not on our side.

Robin had insisted on a hasty departure, so we prepared in a similar fashion. I had written a short note to Ms. Heliotrope to explain my whereabouts while Robin retrieved the horses on which we would depart. Both of us knew that explaining the situation to my guardian in person would cause unnecessary delays. That was simply not an option. Robin's urgency seemed to be so great, I didn't dare stop to gather my belongings or wardrobe before we set off for the valley. With nothing but the clothes I wore and a horse, I set off towards Moonacre. Towards home.

I could tell by the vegetation that we were nearing the valley. I had paid little attention to directions on my first visit and sorely wished I would have been more observant. Although it was clear Robin knew the path and we would not lose our way, I wanted to know how much longer our journey would be. I did not have the heart to ask. So much seemed to be weighing on his mind, I decided he should be left to his thoughts.

Instead of pestering him, I found myself content to simply observe. His hair was shorter than before, if only just, and his bouncy curls seemed a touch more tame. He had grown taller and more muscular, but retained the build of a hunter or a scout rather than a warrior. Lean, fast and deadly. But Robin's eyes were far from dead. They were still the same emerald hue, but were far less guarded than I had been accustomed to. Worry and determination swam in their depths as he focused on delivering me to safety. I smiled slightly, realizing that his protective nature remained unaltered by time.

"What are you staring at?" Robin asked, drawing from my thoughts. A self-assured smirk replaced his previous expression, obviously wanting a lighter mood. I blushed and looked down the reigns in my hands.

"Nothing," I muttered. He laughed knowingly and glanced at me.

"Don't act so coy, Princess." He winked and my blushed deepened. How was it Robin seemed to see right through me? I sighed and shook my head, deciding it was simply because he knew me.

I found the conclusion peculiar as I studied it more thoroughly. We had not seen one another in approximately two years, all the while corresponding only through letters. Yet, as luck would have it, we knew each other as well as we had in years past. We seemed to be always connected, no matter how far we were apart. I couldn't help but smile.

The light began to filter more strongly through the trees, signaling the passage of time. It seemed to fly more quickly while I was lost in thought, barely skimming the periphery of my knowledge. We were arriving at the gate to the valley, the same one where I had had my first real contact Robin. A comforting though, until I remembered the encounter ended with my bewilderment and a slashed hand for my not-yet-friendly attacker. I shifted my gaze towards that very hand, noticing the long-healed scar. I was glad we had moved past such animosities.

As I stared, a flash of light caught my eye. It was a faint metallic gleam, originating from the heavy brush that covered the side of the gate. While Robin dismounted and went about opening the barrier, I moved to examine the curious object. I could never resist a mystery.

It was old, that much was clear. The face was dusted with a light covering of dirt from being exposed to the elements. It occurred to me that it was odd for an object of such dark, tarnished silver to shine brightly enough to attract my gaze. However, the thought did not occupy my flittering mind long, for the allure of secrecy behind the object in my grasp was far more diverting. I ran my thumb over the long oval face of the object, feeling the groves of an engraving as I did so. Squinting at the surface I realized that any hope of deciphering the image was futile until it was cleaned and polished.

"What are you looking at," Robin called to me as he readied himself to return to our journey.

"Oh, nothing," I replied falsely, spinning while tucking the treasure behind my back. I do not know what prompted me to lie, but I felt an overwhelming urge to keep my new discovery to myself. A strange inclination, I'll admit; I was never one to possess items greedily.

Robin simply shrugged his shoulders and remounted his horse. I took the cue to do the same, discretely dropping the object into my bag before we continued on our way.

By the time we had finally reached Moonacre, the sun was already beginning to slip below the horizon. Vivid colors ran awash in the sky, like an overzealous painter had used it as his canvas. As my feet hit the ground, I winced. The morning would surely bring a fair amount of muscle pain. All my training to be a lady in London had left my body weak with disuse, which I hoped to recover fairly quickly. In the mean time, I would simply have to grin while I suffered.

We had stopped in the De Noir section of the valley. As I surveyed the area, I was surprised by the visage that greeted my sight. While I knew lifting the curse had brightened all of the Merrywether Manor, it had not occurred to me that Robin's town would to be altered. The once crumbling stone barricades and gates were replaced with solid walls that looked brand new. The vegetation that thrived on the sides of streets was no longer sprawling and overgrown. Even the colors had brightened, if only marginally. I had a feeling the De Noirs would always prefer their muted forest colors to the "ostentatious" hues of the Merryweathers.

Robin chuckled at my expression, which I am sure involved my mouth opened farther than could ever be considered ladylike. "Not quite as you remembered, eh?"

"Not exactly," came my honest reply. What else has changed? I wondered as I patted my pony's muzzle before we proceeded to follow Robin's lead toward the stable. There, an eager groom accepted our horses and we continued to the main hall.

"Can I not freshen up after the travel," I asked Robin.

"I'm afraid that would not be the wisest. My father wishes to speak to you as soon as is possible. The matters are…" His face contorted into a troubled frown, pondering something briefly, before he raised his eyes to meet mine. "Urgent."

I nodded my understanding, but my mind had begun to wander at this reaffirmation of the meeting's importance. I struggled to comprehend how desperate the situation had become and what I, of all people, could do to assist in such a dire event.

The old wooden door groaned as Robin pushed it open. Inside, it seemed there was quite the conversation. Many of the De Noir clan were gathered at a large wooden table, discussing with serious expressions. At the head of the gathering sat the Coeur de Noir. Despite the subtle of accretion of age, their leader seemed much unchanged, save a decrease in hostility. Dark and foreboding, he continued to exude an underlying power. Though kinder, the lord was soft by no definition.

The muttering ceased as we entered the chamber, all eyes pivoting towards Robin and I. No, their eyes fixed exclusively on me, expectant of some gesture that eluded my grasp. A silence grew as I began to search my thoughts frantically as to what it was I was supposed to provide, but Coeur de Noir rescued me from the uncomfortable exchange.

"Maria," he addressed me, a tinge of relief coloring his voice. "At last, you have arrived."

I bowed my head politely and returned the greeting. "I am glad to be home; it has been far too long."A tight smile spread across the lord's face.

"I wish we had time for pleasantries, but unfortunately we are pressed for time. I trust my son has filled you in on the situation?"

Robin nodded. "I only told her the legend, but it should be enough for her to understand."

"Very well." Coeur de Noir took his seat while gesturing for us to do the same. "It is time for us to being. Every moment we waste, the enemy grows stronger."

"Excuse me, but would someone care to explain the nature of this issue," I queried. "I know little more that Death is involved."

"You are correct, Miss Merryweather," an older, member of the group replied. With a sigh, he smoothed his white hair and pushed his spectacles further up his spindly nose in preparation. "For a few moons now, some aspect of the valley has been out of balance. A dark shadow has been reported stalking about the woods. The animals are weary; many of the horses have adopted a jumpy attitude. A few refuse to eat much at all. A presence has entered the valley, a fear with no name, one unfriendly at best."

"We believe an army is amassing just outside the valley borders," Coeur de Noir explained. "Lord Death is at its command. From there, an unnatural frost has spread and covered the forest ground. Death has all sorts of minions, who know what forces he currently controls."

"But why has he come now," I interjected. "What is it that he wants?"

"We believe that he has recovered the Booke, or he has the means to do so. Now, reading its contents is within reach. Nature's chosen appeared in the valley, and he with it: the Moon Princess has reawakened that which was never meant to rise."

His words hit me hard, enough to expel the breath I had been holding. Though the de Noir lord did not overtly point a finger of accusation, an undercurrent of reproach in his voice expressed his belief that the situation was not without blame. It was me. I was responsible for unleashing such a terror on the valley, on my home. I did not yet comprehend the damage that would likely ensue nor the nuances embroiled in the conflict, but that was no matter. I had jeopardized the welfare of the home I had fought so desperately to save, flitting about in party dresses while it prepared for a war against a force of unknown strength and nature. Guilt berated me, for I knew I had abandoned my responsibility as Moon Princess by leaving the valley vulnerable. I would not make such a mistake again. I raised my head, willing myself to swallow the bitter feelings and to act. I would not abandon my people again.

"What must I do?"