A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

Maria gaped in wonder at the scene that sprawled out before her. It was something she had only ever dreamed about. A small pond sat serenely, tall dark pine trees flaring out at its edges. The cold bright sunrays kissed the treetops. Glittering icicles hung suspended from the branches, dangerously beautiful. The snow provided a soft mantle on the ground. The pond itself was frozen over, a glassy, radiant ice, a perfect mirror of the pines. It was all so still, like a life size painting. Maria exhaled shakily. She had never before seen such a breathtaking scene.

"What do you think?" Robin smiled. She averted her gaze to meet his.

"It's…it's…" she was at a loss for words.

"That bad, huh?" he said drily. She shoved him affectionately.

"It's beautiful, and you know it."

"Have you ever ice skated?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Ice skated."

"No."

"Would you like to?"

"Robin, I don't have skates."

"You don't need them."

"Hm?" Maria tilted back her head, looking up at him. He smiled down at her—but then the bowler hat slid down over her eyes. Robin chuckled and tipped it up.

"Anyone home?" he asked.

"Very funny. Oh, go ahead and take your hat. It doesn't fit me anyway." Robin took off the pillbox hat.

"I thought you'd never say that. Your hat is too fancy for me, anyway." He tossed the offending accessory off to the side. Maria began to give him his hat, but then she stopped.

"Fix your hair first," she ordered.

"What's wrong with my hair?" he demanded.

"It's out of sorts. Just kind of…" she pantomimed brushing his hair one way. He brushed it the other way. "No, not like…" she sighed. "Oh, just let me do it." She ran her fingers through his unruly curls, trying not to meet his eyes. His hair was soft in her fingers. "There," she whispered.

"Thanks," his voice was husky. Maria blinked slowly, and for the briefest moment allowed herself to look at his eyes. They were a deep liquid brown, warm and familiar.

No.

Maria stepped back. She should not have done that.

"So," she said, clearing her voice, "how does one ice skate?" He chuckled.

"If you'd give me my hat, I'd tell you." Blushing, Maria handed him his hat. He settled it in its rightful place atop his curls. "There. Now, all you have to do is slide on the ice. It's that simple. But you have to keep your balance."

"What if you fall through the ice?" Maria's lower lip trembled. "Is it strong enough to support us?" Robin waved her concerns aside.

"It's strong. Don't worry about that. Do you want to try?" Maria studied the pond. It was so beautiful…

"Yes," she decided.

"Good! Now then, follow me." He took one step out onto the ice. Nothing happened. Maria stared at his feet. He was standing on the ice. She had never stood on ice before. This was so foreign. Robin held out his hand. "Here, hold on to me. Careful with your first step." Maria gripped his hand and placed one foot down on the ice. "There, see? Nothing to be afraid of." He said. So she brought her other foot down—but she was not prepared for the slickness.

"Oh!" She almost fell, but Robin caught her and held her up.

"There you go, Princess. I told you, the first step is the hardest. Can you stand?" She steadied herself, still clutching his arm.

"Y-yes. Yes, I can. Robin, I'm standing on ice!" she almost squealed in delight. What a delightful, singular sensation!

"Yes you are. Now, can you slide?" He began to slide away from her, but she held on to him.

"Wait, don't leave me yet. Remember, I'm a beginner." She shifted her weight uneasily.

"All right. That's good. Move around a little bit. Just like that. Now take one baby step." She slid her foot just a little bit. "Good! There, see? Nothing to it." Maria slid a little bit more. It was a strange kind of gliding, smooth like wearing a silk dress. Robin dropped her hand and slid off by himself, weaving intricately with his feet. Maria watched spellbound. Robin was almost…graceful. As he looped back around toward her, she laughed.

"What?" he said defensively.

"Nothing. I just…you never seemed the graceful type."

"I can dance well, too, you know."

"How would I know that?" Maria returned. Robin considered.

"I don't suppose you would. We should have a Christmas ball."

"Yes, we should. I can dance pretty well. But this…" Maria threw up her hands. "I'll never be able to do what you can do." Robin grinned encouragingly.

"Sure you will! Here, let me show you." And so he began to teach her how to maneuver on the ice. As it happened, he was not a half bad teacher. Maria couldn't ignore their closeness as he guided her along. Neither could she deny that she enjoyed it. Soon she was able to float across the ice rather well. It was a sort of flying, as though her feet had wings. She sped forward, vision blurring as she gained momentum.

All of a sudden, she ran into something solid.

"Oof!"

"Oh!" Maria slammed into Robin with force, knocking them both to the ice. For a moment, all was quiet. Then they began laughing.

Then they heard a crack.

They inhaled sharply.

"Off. Now." Robin's voice was low and grave. Maria knew what it meant. The ice had cracked. She struggled to get to her feet, and Robin leapt to his. In her panic, Maria could see the fractures in the pond growing, spreading underneath her. Robin seized her hand and dragged her away just as the ice broke. He gathered her up as though she were a child and darted off across the pond, the cracks following him rapidly. At last he leapt for the bank, Maria in tow.

They landed in the snowbank safely. A collective sigh of relief escaped their lips. Maria tried to roll over, but something heavy was on top of her. Feathers tickled her neck.

"Robin. Robin, let me up."

"Sorry, Princess," he rolled onto his side, brows furrowed apologetically. "I'm really sorry. The pond is usually frozen solid. I should have waited. I was so excited to show you, and I—"

"Robin," she broke in, sitting up in the snow.

"No, really, Princess, I am sorry, and—"

"Robin. It's all right." She smiled. "You saved me." He cocked his head.

"Huh. I guess I did."

"Yes, you did. We're both safe." She sighed. "But I should probably head home. I've had enough excitement for one day." Her eyes glinted with amusement.

"I suppose you're right. I'll walk you home."

"I'd like that." They rose to their feet and Maria picked up her hat. So they began to walk, cheeks pink and smiles dazzling. Somehow, Robin's hand found its way into Maria's. But she didn't mind. What an exciting morning it had been! Of course, there never was a dull moment she was with Robin De Noir. No indeed…

A/N: Beloved reader,

Thank you for reading this fourth chapter of Peace on Earth! I hope you've had as much fun reading it as I had writing it! I thank you so very much for your reviews. It truly encourages me to know that there are at least a few people who take the time to read these little stories I love to write. May you have a blessed day!

Your faithful

Ponygirl7 :)