A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

"Thanks," Robin muttered as Maria draped the blankets over him.

"Shall I take off your boots?" she asked.

"No, I can—"

"No, don't try—ROBIN!" The force of her voice pushed him back against the pillows. He looked up at her, blinking. She took a shaky breath. "If you lean forward like that, it could cause more bleeding. Just stay still, and I shall remove your boots." She did so, placing his boots carefully on the floor. After looking at them blankly a moment, she lifted her gaze to meet his. "I didn't mean to shout," she said, which was as close to an apology as she would yield at the moment.

He grunted in reply. This lack of response sparked Maria's animosity.

"I needn't guess why you're in the same clothes as you were last night," she began to pace the room, anxious to channel her nervous energy. "They're drenched, too. It's a wonder you didn't die of the cold."

"Look at me, I'm a living miracle," he mumbled drily.

"Didn't you hear me? You could've died." She turned on her heel to face him, eyes burning. "Do you know how idiotic that was?"

"I felt as though I'd already died," he murmured. She stared at him as he continued quietly, "Didn't seem like I had much to live for." His statement crashed down on her like a tidal wave. Maria tried not to sway on her feet. Her jaw dropped involuntarily. A moment of silence passed. Then,

"How inconsiderate of you!"

"Inconsiderate? Of me? How—"

"People care for you, you bloody oaf!" She began to pace again. "It's not your own life, don't you know that? You can't just decide you don't want to live it anymore, and—"

"Oh, who'd mourn for me? My father? The man who only recently seemed to notice that he actually had a son?"

"How can you even talk like that? Why do you need a list of people who would mourn your death? Why does your stupid pride govern every aspect of your life?" She paused and turned to look him dead in the eye. "Tell me, do I need to lock you in your own dungeons to keep you from doing yourself harm? Are you going to slit your throat with that dagger? Do I need to start disarming you? Did you truly stagger off into that snow intending to die?" Her eyes burned fiercely, and pools began to form in them. Robin's gut wrenched.

"No—no." He sighed. "I don't intend to take my life. I—I didn't mean for you to think—"

"Here's your food," Loveday swept into the room, placing a tray on Robin's stomach. "It smelled like Marmaduke had made some bread, but I couldn't find any. I suppose the biscuits will have to do. Is there anything else I can get you?"

"No, thanks. I appreciate it." Loveday nodded.

"All right. Oh, good, Maria, you found the blankets. Well, Robin, if there's anything you need, you can ask Maria or have her come get me. The doctor will be here in a little while. But if you start feeling worse, do have Maria retrieve me." She cocked her head sympathetically. "I am sorry, darling. And almost Christmas, too." She left the room, shaking her head.

Robin sighed. The tray on his stomach rose and fell. His eye fell on the biscuits. Bread. Cranberry bread. He remembered. He looked up at Maria, who was busily swatting at her eyes.

"You made the bread? For Marmaduke and Lillian and my father?"

"This morning." She nodded, straightening her shoulders. "I told you I was going to."

"I'm sure they'll like it," he said cautiously.

"I'm sure they will." She replied. Her throat hurt. There was a hot, heavy weight in it. She sat down in a chair that faced the foot of the bed. She crossed her legs and leaned back. Robin studied her.

"Don't you want to know why we fought?"

"Who?"

"Ambrose and me."

"No."

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't, Robin." Her voice bore an edge.

"Well then, you don't," he said, "But I'm going to tell you anyway."

"Please don't."

"He insulted me."

"Robin—"

"But that's not what made me throw a punch. He taunted me. He said he danced a lot with you last night."

"He did."

"I know," Robin looked down. "I know. And I can handle the truth. But I can't stand lies. And then he said you kissed him, and that's when—"

"He said WHAT?" Maria uncrossed her legs, bolting forward suddenly.

"I knew he was lying," Robin said, inwardly relieved. "And I knew you wouldn't want him saying that." Maria closed her eyes, leaning back.

"No. No, I wouldn't. But you didn't have to punch him, Robin—"

"Princess, I did." His words tugged at her heartstrings, but she kept her eyes closed as he went on, "You should've seen him, all smug cockiness—"

"You are always smug and cocky," she reminded him.

"But not like this," Robin explained, frustrated. "He looked so pleased with himself—and yes, I know I'm usually pleased with myself, but he took such pleasure in making you seem like a—like a—I don't know. He made you out to be easy, simple, ordinary." She opened her eyes.

"And I'm not ordinary?"

"Anything but."

"Well," she said slowly, "I believe you did what you thought was right." She stood. "And I thank you for defending my reputation." He shut his eyes angrily.

"You're so—so composed." She frowned. He opened his eyes, and in them she saw pain. "You thank me for what I did, but you disregard me. What about me? What about us?"

"What about us?" she echoed hollowly. They looked at each other, willing the other to speak. Maria dropped her gaze. "I think it was stupid."

"What was?"

"Our argument. Last night."

"I agree."

"But we haven't resolved it."

"What do you mean?"

"You were jealous," Maria crossed her arms over her chest. "You thought it was your right to dictate to me who I could and couldn't dance with."

"Yes."

"Yes, what? Yes, you remember, or yes, you still agree with what you said yesterday?"

"Yes—no—I mean, I—" he broke off. He took a deep breath to clear his thoughts. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be jealous. But you've got to understand—"

"What? What do I have to understand?" Maria was getting aggravated.

"Maria, please. Let me explain." He watched her, and she didn't explode. He took this as a good sign. "I know Ambrose. I knew him before you did. I know what he's like. He is charming with women, but you should hear how he talks when he is only with men. He is…he is ambitious. He is a coward, but he is ambitious. He wants to flirt his way to the top. And he could do it, too." Robin gritted his teeth. "I didn't want you to have to find out the hard way. He's just in it for the money. I mean, it doesn't hurt that you're really pretty and smart and—no, but he wants to live in luxury. But he'll never be content, I know it. If he married you, he'd take the money and leave and Maria, I didn't want to see you hurt."

Maria absorbed this. She frowned.

"Why didn't you tell me this last night?" Robin blinked.

"I tried." Maria eyed him.

"Hm. What you said was different from what I heard." Her frown deepened. "But I suppose that is true of most conversations."

They were teetering on the edge of something, and they both felt it.

Then they spoke at the same time:

"I'm sorry."

Robin chuckled. Maria smiled. Maria's smile was the sun breaking through all of Robin's gloom. They beamed at each other for a moment.

"You know, we'd argue a great deal if we courted," Robin said, a shadow crossing his face.

"What do you mean, if?" Her eyes danced.

"You know, we're going to argue a great deal since we're courting." Robin said, his grin spreading.

"Yes," Maria said, nearing his bedside with a smile, "but we'll also kiss a great deal too, and I think it'll all balance out very nicely."

A/N: Beloved readers,

Thanks for reading! Writing this chapter brought me great satisfaction. Consider it my Easter gift to you. Please share your thoughts with me in your reviews!

Love,

Ponygirl7 :)