A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth
Perhaps it was an hour. Perhaps it was four. Maria had lost track of time. Everything seemed to be cold and bare and still. She sat in the corner for the longest time, watching as Robin downed the whole bottle of liquor with no regard for decorum. Presently her eyelids began to grow heavy. Exhausted, Maria succumbed to sweet sleep, hoping to find a refuge from her trials.
Maria's eyelashes fluttered. She opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the dimness. Where…? Ah, yes. She remembered. The snowstorm. Loveday's cave. Robin. Robin…where was he? Her eyes darted around the room. A dark lump was sprawled across the floor.
Robin.
She stumbled to her feet and rushed over to him. The stupid boy still clutched the now empty glass bottle. Maria pried it from his fingers and flung it across the room angrily. Despite the noise, Robin didn't awaken. Now Maria was worried. She rolled him over, unbuttoned his coat, and felt for a pulse on his neck.
For the briefest moment, she felt nothing, and her own heart stopped.
And then it was there, a slow, steady rhythm. She exhaled shakily—and then wondered at herself. How could she have thought Robin was dead? What a fool she was. Of course, after drinking so much, he was bound to sink into a deep sleep. How long had he been asleep? She wondered. When would he wake up? She knew not.
Well, what could Maria do now? Sitting idle would only make her mood worse. Perhaps it would be best to go check on the weather. She stood and shuffled over to the mouth of the cave. No wind. That was good. Things were settling down. Perhaps they could be out before nightfall. She glanced back at Robin. Perhaps not.
Meanwhile, the adults were distressed. After the piano playing they had congregated by the fireplace near the front door, waiting for the two children to return. They chatted merrily at first, discussing with lively eyes and intrigued minds. Hours passed. Marmaduke brought lunch to them, and though it was a grand affair, Miss Heliotrope did not eat because of her concern for Maria. After lunch, the well of conversation ran dry, an unspoken fear oppressing them all.
Coeur De Noir tried to be optimistic. Surely the children were safe. Robin had no doubt taken Maria to the De Noir Village, where they were safe and cozy, probably sitting by a fire just like this one. He said this much to Miss Heliotrope, but the blasted tutor was not to be consoled. Nothing he could say or do would convince her that the children were all right. It was foolish of him to think he could reason with an old flustered hen such as Miss Heliotrope.
Miss Heliotrope fretted, pacing back and forth before the fire, kneading her hands worriedly. Her poor Maria, stuck in that dreadful storm! It had come up so fast! That De Noir boy should not have let Maria go out in such unpredictable weather. No doubt he knew the storm was coming. He should have brought her back by now. She had been foolish to let her dear child go out with that young ruffian. Everything was wrong.
Digweed stood faithfully nearby, brow knit in concern. His eyes followed Miss Heliotrope almost like an ardent dog, devoted and adoring. But he did not make any move to try and comfort Jane—that is, Miss Heliotrope. Miss Heliotrope. No, he knew his place. He was only a servant, and she was head of the house while Sir Benjamin was gone. It was foolish to think he could be anything else.
Cousin Lillian sat quietly in a high backed leather chair across from Coeur De Noir, gazing hollowly at the carpet. The morning had been going so well! She had visited with her dear cousin and met Maria, whom she'd heard so much about. She'd met…what was his name? Yes, Robin. An eligible young man very compatible to Maria, so it seemed. She had seen, at least, Digweed, the ruddy, clumsy butler to whom Jane had taken a fancy. Yes, Lillian could see the match. If only Jane didn't care about what the public would think of a servant and a tutor! Ah, was not stubbornness always love's enemy? Lillian had also met Coeur De Noir. Such an interesting gentleman; never before had she met anyone like him. There was a refreshing feel to him, something solid and tangible that she found invigorating. Supposing…no, it was foolish of her to think like that after she had known him but a few hours! No. Sense would be her ally.
The howling wind ceased. All at once, the noise was gone, leaving an irresolute emptiness. Everyone looked up. Even Wrolf, who had been moping by the fire awaiting his mistress, raised his black head with a quiet growl of inquiry. The storm had stopped. They could safely go look for Robin and Maria. Yet they almost feared what they might find. Silent prayers issued forth from their heavy hearts. It was time to search.
A/N: Dear reader,
Sorry to end on a rather depressing note! It seems this is not quite the cheery tale I originally envisioned, but what would be the fun in all rainbows and kisses? Conflict must arise somewhere, and what better source than nature itself? At any rate, I thank you for continuing with me on this journey of Peace on Earth. I am fully aware that, at the moment, peace is nonexistent in Moonacre Valley. Rest assured that it will be restored in due time. When that due time is…I cannot say. This leads me to thank you most sincerely for your enduring patience in my slug-speed publishing. You are very gracious, and for this and your kind reviews I thank you.
Your appreciative
Ponygirl7