A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

Maria marched into a large underground room crowded with men in black. Torches cast an orange glow while the few high windows gave a portal to the outside. The men were shouting at someone in front. But upon noticing Maria, a hush spread. They glanced back at the newcomer and, upon recognizing her, grudgingly cleared a path. She stepped deftly through. When she reached the front, she found Coeur De Noir, who had paused in speaking, standing atop what looked like a dais of bones. Behind him was Ambrose, sitting in a small dark cell.

"Ah, Maria," Coeur De Noir said, attempting a grim smile. "How is he?"

"Robin will live," Maria announced, staring daggers at Ambrose. He did not return her gaze. She looked back at Coeur De Noir. "May I enquire as to what the current proceedings are here?" Murmurs echoed off the hewn rock walls. Maria caught the phrase 'no place for a lady', but she kept her eyes fixed steadily on Coeur De Noir.

"We are dealing with the matter accordingly," he said, shifting his weight. A dull white rib cracked under his boot. She lifted an eyebrow, waiting for elaboration. He obliged. "We have always operated on the principle, 'an eye for an eye'." Maria frowned. Suddenly her seething rage toward Ambrose ebbed a bit out of concern.

"Am I to understand that you intend to stab Ambrose?" She looked around at the men. A wave of remarks crashed over her:

"—how it's always been done—"

"—supposed to just stand around like fools—"

"—discourages further disobedience—"

"—Robin's our mate, girl!"

She held up a hand to silence them and was inwardly pleased with the quick efficiency of this movement.

"I know you have little contact with the outside world apart from trading," she began, "but this sort of punishment would hardly be tolerated. In fact, you yourselves could easily be sentenced to prison, and I have no wish for that." Her words left an abrupt silence. Either the men were in agreement (doubtful) or were too shocked by the audacity of this girl to summon words (more likely). Whatever the case, Maria seized the opportunity. She began to pace, thinking. "Usually, Ambrose would be entitled to a trial. I doubt that'll ever come to pass, and I assume he has already confessed to the crime—" she looked at Coeur De Noir, who nodded in confirmation, "and so he is found to be guilty. The method of punishment, however, cannot include stabbing." She addressed the assembly now. "It is not sensible. He did not murder Robin, thank goodness; otherwise, that'd be a different case entirely. You have options, of course." She began to pace again. "You could sentence him to a period of years in here. Or you could bind him to a trade; make him work. I would discourage any lashings or stabbings."

"What does she mean, make him work?" a voice mumbled. But the room's acoustics magnified his query. Maria lifted her chin.

"He is not a productive member of your village if he merely sits day after day in a cell," she pointed out, "and then, when he is released, you have a full-time working citizen. I doubt you'd want him brandishing a knife or arrows going out hunting. He must stay in the village, and he may as well learn a trade." She cleared her throat. "But I digress. Coeur De Noir, you are in charge. I only offer my opinion, and—"

"She doesn't want him hurt, I see now," a man scoffed from the back, "she is trying to protect him." Maria steeled her gaze and turned back to the men.

"I doubt any of you in this room, Robin's father excepted, wants revenge more than I do," she fought to keep her voice even, "but someone must be the voice of reason. It is neither wise nor ethical to stab your prisoner, and I hope your leader will see that." She looked to Coeur De Noir, whose bushy eyebrows were wriggling like conflicted caterpillars. All eyes turned to him. He took a deep breath.

"Until recently, Moonacre dealings have been conducted in a very straightforward but also very severe way." He looked upward as though for inspiration. "We have great pride in our traditions." The men muttered in agreement. "But it is this pride which almost cost us our lives." He looked out over them. "We have long depended on bloodshed, that of our enemies, and that of our own." He gestured to Ambrose, who still would not raise his head. "Our power has rested on fear." A skull fractured under his feet. He looked at Maria, who gave him an encouraging nod. "I believe it is time to establish a new order, one not only of justice, but of mercy." A great stir erupted from the assembly.

"Listen to me," Coeur De Noir thundered. They quieted somewhat. "Last night, we attended a gathering at Moonacre Manor. Previously, we had only visited that place to kill its inhabitants. The valley is changing. The Merryweather family and ours are on good terms now. I have restored a relationship with my son, whom all of you call brother. It is just and right to punish crimes. But let us do so in a way that becomes our new nature. I leave it to you: would you still stab Ambrose and plunge us back into our darkened mindset, or will you lead us forward into this new age?" His challenge hung in the air.

Maria almost smiled. She could see why Coeur De Noir was their leader. But the choice now belonged to the men. She waited.

"I suppose—as long as he works," a voice consented.

"But he stays in the dungeons."

"For now, at least."

"And we serve him my wife's cooking."

"Naw, Jack, that's too cruel."

They began quarreling, but the decision was made. Maria looked over to Coeur De Noir, who was chuckling now. He descended from his platform and walked to her.

"I'm glad you came," he admitted. "Stabbing him did sound good at first—"

"Revenge always does," Maria sighed.

"But I wasn't so sure. They were about ready to overthrow me and go kill him themselves when you showed up."

"I think you would've handled it."

"Well…it's over now." His eyes twinkled. "Nice coat."

"Thank you. I didn't think he'd need it. We put him in one of the guest rooms. The doctor was there when I left, and it seemed there were enough people in the room."

"Ah. Say, Maria," he said tentatively, "Robin didn't come home last night…"

"He slept in the woods," Maria filled in quickly.

"Oh?" The caterpillar eyebrows lifted. Suddenly Maria felt warm.

"We had a disagreement last night. It…we didn't resolve it. I think he may have…um…"

"De Noirs are quick to use the drink as a crutch," Coeur De Noir supplied. "I know it all too well." He frowned for a moment. "Well, I appreciate your telling me. Are you…that is, did he…"

"We resolved the argument," Maria smiled, feeling the ghost of Robin's kiss on her lips. "All is well. Aside from, of course, the dagger wound."

"Yes. Good. Ah—not the wound, of course—but, well…I do think you are good for him, Maria," Coeur De Noir said sincerely, "For all of us." She blushed.

"Thank you. I am very glad to be here in Moonacre." Her gaze traveled up to the high windows. "Oh! It's snowing!" She gasped. "I need to return home! Do excuse me, but I must go."

"Yes, of course. Make haste." Coeur De Noir watched the wisp of a girl dash away, smiling after her. What an improvement to Moonacre she was. He chuckled, shaking his head. She'd be a fine improvement to the De Noir family, too. Maria was a remarkable girl. A scowl crossed his face. Robin had better not mess this up.

A/N: My dear readers,

Thank you for reading! I really enjoyed writing this chapter, and I am thrilled to get it to you so soon after the previous update! Moonacre really was a rotten old pigsty before Maria arrived, and she has a knack for turning things on their heads. Thank you for continuing to share your thoughts with me (*smiles and waves with great appreciative vigor at WhenPigsFly2018 for your thoughtful review!*)!

Yours,

Ponygirl7