A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

Maria and Robin went to go find their own food. It was apparent that Miss Heliotrope had been distracted by a certain special someone and had forgotten all about Maria's breakfast, so Maria and Robin made their way back to Marmaduke's kitchen.

"Salutations!" the cook greeted them. Robin frowned.

"He's saying hello," Maria interpreted.

"Oh. Hello." Robin replied. "Does he have to use long words to make up for his shortness?" Maria swatted at his arm.

"He's an intellectual. And he's vertically challenged."

"Due to my close proximity, I am able to perceive the sound emanating from your vocal chords, you know," Marmaduke looked up from his potato chopping.

"That was a bit excessive," Maria chuckled. "Please forgive us if we've offended you." Marmaduke's pointed white cap bounced up and down as he guffawed.

"It is quite difficult to offend one such as myself, Moon Princess. I am short—or vertically challenged, whichever you prefer. But my kitchen produces the best dishes you can find, and I am magical, so I believe most hard critics are simply jealous. As to you, you never meant offense, and Robin…" Marmaduke paused to eye Robin up and down. "I shall chalk it up to your mischievous attitude."

"Thank you…sir?" Robin glanced at Maria, who only smiled.

"Forgive us for disturbing you in your work, but we only came—"

"Your breakfast is on the counter over there," Marmaduke pointed with a foot while his hands blurred over the potatoes.

"Thank you, Marmaduke. You're the best." Maria said.

"You're welcome, and I know."

"And you think I have an ego?" Robin scoffed, carrying the plates as they ducked out of the kitchen.

"I don't see you baking any crêpes," Maria countered.

"So I suppose now you've reserved all your dances at this Christmas ball for Marmaduke?" Robin said with a half grin.

"Not if someone else asks me first," Maria said, her smile showing through her voice. "Now come on, let's go eat. I'm hungry." They wove through the corridors and came to the dining room, where they eagerly dug into their breakfast. Marmaduke had outdone himself. Steamed broccoli, cheesy omelet, watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew balls, and fluffy pancakes with maple syrup drizzled on top. A pitcher of creamy milk was already on the table, diminished by half.

"It's a wonder Marmaduke isn't married," Maria declared, taking a cool drink of milk.

"Hey, I can cook," Robin said defensively.

"Oh?" Maria's eyes danced with amusement.

"Sure!" Robin said, racking his brain for an example. "I can…pick apples. And milk cows. And kill deer."

"Robin, that's not cooking. Can you bake a cake?"

"Well, I mean, last time I tried—"

"Can you make apple dumplings?"

"Can you?"

"Yes. Can make a cherry pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy, can you make a cherry pie, charming Billy?" She sang.

"Is that a song?"

"Oh, you uncultured swine."

"I resent that."

"Does that make it any less true?"

"Well…no. But I'm your uncultured swine."

"True." Maria speared a broccoli with precision. "What are we doing today?"

"I don't know." Robin was attempting to fit an entire pancake in his mouth.

"Oh, Robin." Maria sighed. "Out of all the dashing young hunters in the forest, I get you. Serves me right."

"I find that offensive."

"I find that I don't care."

"A bit feisty today, aren't we?" Robin arched an eyebrow.

"We are," Maria sighed happily, pushing back her plate.

"And why is that, pray, madam?"

"It's mademoiselle, and it's likely because I am terribly happy."

"And why should you be so happy?" Robin stood, pushing his chair in.

"Because Miss Heliotrope and Digweed are—or, might be—engaged!" She grinned up at him as he strode over to her side of the table.

"And?"

"And we may be having a winter ball!" Robin stood directly behind her chair. She tilted her head back to grin at him.

"And?"

"And...I am in love with a very handsome but arrogant uncultured swine." Robin chuckled, but his heart swelled to hear her words.

"I'm going to choose to take that as a compliment."

"As you should."

"Well then, thank you for your generosity."

"I am all kindness, aren't I?" She bounced to her feet. "Shall we go find your father and Cousin Lillian?"

"One moment," Robin looked down at her glowing cheeks and bright eyes. A few wispy copper curls that had escaped her braid framed her face. He tilted his head slightly. "May I kiss you?" Maria's eyes twinkled.

"You may."

And so he did.

Footsteps rang out through the corridor. Robin and Maria stepped back quickly just as Cousin Lillian burst into the room.

"Dears, I think you'd better come; Jane—ah, Miss Heliotrope and Digweed have some news." She glanced back and forth between Maria and Robin, a smile flickering across her lips.

"Yes! Of course! We'll be right there," Maria replied. Lillian nodded.

"Very good." She turned and speed-walked away.

"I told you!" Maria squealed, hopping up and down like an excited bunny.

"Yes, all right, settle down," Robin chuckled, slinging an arm across her shoulders. "Let's go hear it for ourselves before we start any rumors." So they made their way down to the piano room, where everyone was gathered. Miss Heliotrope turned at their arrival, blinking a bit nervously behind her spectacles. Robin and Maria stood behind the couch where Lillian and Coeur De Noir were seated. All eyes turned expectantly to Miss Heliotrope and Digweed, both of whom paled slightly at the attention.

Maria saw Digweed squeeze Miss Heliotrope's hand. She smiled. Miss Heliotrope swallowed bravely.

"I would—I would like to announce, that is, we, Digweed and I—we would like announce our…" She looked to Digweed. He flushed scarlet as a bed of poppies.

"That'll be our engagement. This lovely lady has accepted to be my wife."

Everything was still for a moment.

And then everyone was clapping and squealing and leaping for joy. 'Everyone' being Lillian and Maria. Robin and his father grinned, of course.

"Splendid, splendid," Coeur De Noir repeated, punctuating each word with a nod. Robin laughed and clapped his hands. Maria hugged Robin, then Lillian, then Miss Heliotrope, then Digweed, then even Coeur De Noir. And Coeur De Noir was not a man to hug, most days. Lillian kissed her cousin on both cheeks, smiling dreamily. Miss Heliotrope was blinking rapidly and sputtering, while ruddy Digweed beamed.

"When will you marry?" Maria asked once they had settled down.

"I—I don't know," Miss Heliotrope said, looking to Digweed.

"Soon," was all he could say.

"I know!" Lillian clapped her hands together in delight. "You can announce your engagement at the ball! Then everyone can come to your wedding."

"When is this ball?" Miss Heliotrope asked.

"Whenever you like!" Lillian said.

"Tomorrow," Digweed declared stoutly.

"Tomorrow? But we'd have to…no, actually that's perfect!" Lillian said, eyes shining. "Then you can get married on Sunday; on Christmas! Maria, would it be possible to get Moonacre Manor ready for a ball by tomorrow?" Maria took a deep breath.

"Marmaduke?" she called out. The cook appeared in a blur. Maria explained the situation. "Would it be possible to have a feast ready by then?" Marmaduke waved it off.

"Piece of cake, no pun intended. I shall commence the preparations immediately." And he sped off.

"Well," Maria said, "if Marmaduke can prepare an entire feast by tomorrow, I have no doubt that we can clean and decorate for a ball by then."

"Perfect!" Lillian was practically shimmering. "Let's get to work."

A/N: Dear reader,

Thank you so, so much for continuing with me thus far! I have been out of the country for a while and unable to update. My sincerest apologies for taking *forever* to write. Ah, but aren't you glad Miss Heliotrope and Digweed are engaged? I think it's rather cute, to be honest. They're both rather bumbling and blushing. That said, I thank you again for reading and encourage you to review! I remain ever your

Ponygirl7