A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

Walking into the ballroom, Robin and Maria delved into the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas. Cinnamon and nutmeg wafted tantalizingly over from the buffet tables. The musicians in the corner made up for their diminutive size by volume, bows bobbing up and down merrily. Already couples had flooded the dance floor, while others stood to the side to eat and laugh.

"What do you think?" Maria looked up at Robin.

"I think I'd like some food," he declared.

"About the ball, I meant," she specified, chuckling.

"It's good. Very nice. Very…bright."

"Please, stop, you're making me blush." She rolled her eyes at his vague compliments.

"Well, obviously it has rendered me speechless," Robin said. "I am unable to express my awe at the extravagance and splendor that mine eyes now behold."

"Better." Maria laughed. "Now we can go get food." They skirted the outside of the dance floor, sidling up to the buffet table.

Robin took up a plate and began filling it with delicacies of every kind. Maria cleared her throat in disapproval.

"What? I'm hungry." He grinned impishly.

"It's not that; a gentleman is supposed to provide a plate for his lady."

"Oh." Robin's brow wrinkled. "Well, why can't you…ah, nevermind. All right then." He picked up another plate, balancing it precariously on his arm. Maria caught him muttering under his breath something about confounded rules and how did anyone ever expect him to keep them straight? She pretended she hadn't heard him. So she watched in amusement as he used inventive albeit perilous ways to balance the two plates whilst filling them. He managed until he came to the drinks. Maria could see his mind working as he screwed up his eyebrows.

Then he seemed to come to a conclusion. He set one plate on top of his bowler hat and the other on his shoulder. Then he took two glasses and filled them with apple cider, slowly but carefully. He turned evenly, offering one glass to Maria.

"There you are, my lady," he said, "And here's the rest." He presented her with the plate from his hat then took up his own plate and glass. Maria let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"You know, Robin," Maria said, trying to conceal the giggles that threatened to spill over, "Some young men just get one plate and glass, give it to their lady, and then get their own." He assumed a lofty air.

"Well, some young men just don't have the skills to get it all at once."

"Whatever you say," Maria yielded, sipping her cider. Mm. Marmaduke was in top form. "Let's find a spot to sit, shall we?" So they found a small table and, at Maria's instruction, Robin pulled out a chair for her and helped her in. Sitting down himself, Robin popped an entire cream puff into his mouth, chewing jauntily. Then he seemed to realize that perhaps gentlemen didn't eat an entire cream puff in one piece…but he couldn't very well spit it out. So he chewed slowly while Maria watched in hilarity.

"I haven't forgotten what you said the other day," Maria said, "About your being able to dance well." He swallowed with effort, then considered her thoughtfully.

"Did I say that?"

"You did."

"I see." He took a long draught of cider. Maria wondered what this meant; had he been only jesting about his skill? Or was he truly a good dancer and had simply forgotten about mentioning it? Well, time would tell.

"Your father looks happy, doesn't he?" Maria asked. The man in question was speaking with Lillian, both sporting wide smiles. "Oh, he's asked her to dance!" She nearly squealed.

"Why should you be this excited? It's my father, after all."

"Robin," her gaze followed Coeur De Noir and Lillian as they began to twirl, "just because I am not their flesh and blood does not mean I can't be happy for them! It makes me glad to see two people find each other in the other."

"What?"

"Oh, nevermind." She turned back around. "Robin, your napkin goes in your lap. I'm sure Miss Heliotrope has told you every time you come to eat here."

"Yes, but it's Miss Heliotrope speaking. Do you really think I'm listening?"

"Robin!"

"Easy," he held up his hands. "I meant no harm."

"I just hope she doesn't hear you talking like that," Maria skimmed the room for her tutor. "She already disapproves of you enough as it is."

"Why should her disapproval matter? She's not your mother."

"No, but she's close enough. If we're going to be any kind of…" she searched for the right word, but didn't find it, "…any kind of anything, you'll need Miss Heliotrope to like you. Or at least not hate you."

"Any kind of anything?" He repeated, eyes twinkling.

"Oh, you know what I mean!" She said, exasperated.

"Yes, I know," he said, sobering. "And I don't think Miss Heliotrope hates me. I don't think she hates anyone, not right now. She's happy to be engaged to Digweed. Maybe now's a good time to…oh, Maria, do I need her permission?"

"And Uncle Benjamin's, ideally," Maria added, "which shouldn't be a problem, because you're his brother in law now."

"So I am." Robin frowned. "Do you think I ought to—to ask them now?" Before Maria could answer, he said, "No, I'd better. Better do it now while they're all happy. Right?" He was already standing up.

"Well, I suppose—but don't interrupt their conversations if they're talking, and don't talk to them if their mouth is full, and, oh, Robin!" She stood quickly, snatching up her napkin. "You've got cream on your—oh, I'll get it." She dabbed at his chin, hoping he would use proper etiquette. He smiled down at her.

"Don't worry," he promised. "I'll be a proper young man." He leaned down slightly, but Maria backed away.

"I can't very well kiss you in public before you've asked their permission," she explained, chewing her lip in regret. He sighed.

"All right. Off I go to win the hand of my fair maiden. And hopefully the rest of her, too."

"You think you're so funny."

"I do because I am."

"Whatever. And when you come back—if you succeed—then I shall be able to bestow upon you a kiss."

"Very good, fair maiden." He bent in an exaggerated bow. "Until I see thy shining face once more." He gave her one final smile, dark eyes determined, and went off to slay his dragons. Maria watched him, whispering after him,

"Oh, do be polite! Please be polite." Then she sat back down to finish her cider and await with trepidation what may come.

A/N: Dear reader,

Thank you for reading the twenty-fourth installment of Peace on Earth! Thank you also for your patience. And your reviews (they truly make my day!). I hope you know that none of this would be possible without you! At any rate, I bid thee good day.

Yours,

Ponygirl7