A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

Maria dashed to the stables, thick flurries assaulting her face. But she could see through the veil of snow that Uncle's horse was not tied where she'd left him. She dashed inside the barn.

"Theodore? Theodore, where's my horse? Theodore?" she shouted.

"Maria? Is that you?" A young voice sounded from the hayloft.

"Yes Theodore, where's my—oh, I've found him. But—why'd you untack him?" She whirled on the boy who was wriggling down a ladder, golden hay in his hair.

"I thought you'd be a while," he explained. "How'd it go? What happened? Did you see—"

"Theodore, I'm in a bit of a rush. Help me?"

"Help you what?"

"Tack him up! I need to get back to the manor."

"Oh." Theodore paused. He watched Maria run back and forth from the tack room.

"Come along! Isn't this your job?"

"Yes," now he began to move, "but when it started snowing, I took him in and untacked him. I thought for sure you'd be longer. But I guess not. Cleaned out his hooves, though."

"I'm grateful," she said, hefting the saddle up onto the horse's back.

"Say, maybe you oughta stay here. It's going to be hard riding. The visil—the vilib—the—what's it called when you're seeing stuff?" Maria frowned as she cinched up the girth.

"Visibility?"

"Yes, that's it. The visibility is going to be horrendous." He grinned confidentially. "That's a new word a learned from Jackie, Mom's friend."

"Well, the visibility will be bad. But I've got to get back. Grab the bridle for me, will you?"

"You could just stay here."

"Get the bridle, please."

"Yes, but—"

"Theodore!"

"Right." He trudged back to the tack room, emerging again with his mouth going at the rate of a locomotive. "Why do you have to get back? Do you not like it here? I thought you liked me. And Coeur De Noir." He handed her the bridle.

"Of course I do—thanks—but I must get home. I have to see how Robin is faring. Come on, now, I know the bit's cold." This last part was muttered to her horse, who refused to allow her to shove that cold metal bit into his mouth. "Open your mouth—there you are. Good boy."

"Maria!" A much deeper voice than Theodore's caught her attention. Coeur De Noir jogged in, out of breath. "I didn't realize how much it was snowing. Why don't you stay here? I'd be more than happy—"

"Thank you, sir, but I really must go," she led her mount out of his stall. "I promised Uncle I'd be home before sundown."

"He wouldn't want you risking your life—"

"I'm not risking my life; I'm on a horse. His horse. He's trustworthy." She stroked his velvety nose. "We'll make it through all right. And I need to check on Robin." She frowned at a sudden thought.

"Did you leave Ambrose down there without a guard? Didn't all the other men leave?" Coeur De Noir shrugged.

"He didn't seem very inclined to move when I left. Motionless. Can't figure that one out. Don't want to."

Maria wanted to tell Coeur De Noir to leave her and return to the prisoner immediately, that Ambrose was indeed ambitious and seemingly clever, but this was Coeur De Noir's village and he was in charge. So she nodded.

"Very good then. Should Robin—should he take a turn for the worse, we'll send for you. But I think he'll be all right. He must be all right."

"Very good. Safe travels."

"Thank you." Maria led her steed outside, mounted up, and trotted away. On the hill exiting the village, she had to slow to a walk. Since the previous snow had been packed down and hardened, it now served as an icy sheet hidden deceptively by the incoming blanket. Maria tightened her grip on the reins, fingers red and chapped.

"Easy. Good." This was not good. This was not the rate at which she had intended to travel. Unfortunately, little Theodore had been right; the visibility was limited. Maria was familiar with the woods, but she couldn't navigate them blindfolded. If this were Robin, it would be a different case. But regrettably, Robin was not with her. She burrowed her nose down into his coat. A fierce gust of wind clawed at any exposed skin.

Horses hate wind. Everything is moving strangely, causing distractions, and their riders' words are swept up and away by the squall before they reach the horses' ears. Uncle's horse was no different. He jigged nervously. Maria had to make a conscious effort to relax her body, urging him forward with her legs. She couldn't use verbal commands; even if she shouted, she wasn't sure he'd hear. Still, she murmured,

"Good, good. Easy. Take it easy." She wasn't sure if she was talking to the horse or herself. The snowstorm was picking up. Maria gritted her chattering teeth. They'd never make it home at this rate. Well, they were on flat ground now. Could she risk a trot? The horse certainly wanted to let loose. He danced in place, ears pinned unhappily. Maria let out a whoosh of air inside her coat. "We've got to try."

She made inaudible clucks and nudged her mount forward into a trot. The good news: he got the message without her verbal cues. The bad news: he only understood the 'go faster' part. 'Just trot' was a missed memo. He broke out into a wild canter.

Maria was caught off guard. She leaned forward, trying to see through the snow that was coming down so heavily. But she couldn't. She pulled back on the reins. He begged for more. She wrestled with him. Then she saw a dark shape flying towards her. Before she could react, it hit her in the face. She was knocked back. She tumbled off the horse's rump, landing in the snow.

Maria lay still for a moment, gathering her wits. It was a branch. Thank goodness her feet had come out of the stirrups. Better to be knocked off than dragged behind. She sat up groggily. But…where was her horse? She called, but her words were snatched up in the howling wind. Ugh. Her neck was sore, and her face was scratched. Not very bloody, thankfully. But the wind sought out every flaw and seemed to target it. Her face burned of cold.

Lovely. Well, her horse would make it home safely. She had confidence in his abilities. She was not so sure of herself, however. Was she near Loveday's grotto? Honestly, she had no idea. Was she closer to the De Noir village or to her own home? Everything was blown out of perspective. Oh, what she wouldn't give to have Robin at her side! Or to be at Robin's side, safe and sound in the manor, for that matter. Well, she had to start walking. If she stayed in one place, she'd freeze.

And so she walked. At first she tried to follow the hoof prints back to the De Noir village, but they soon became covered over. So she plowed ahead in that general direction. Her toes were growing numb, and her nose was cherry red. Her cheeks were bruised, her neck was stiff, and her courage was dwindling.

Then she saw a figure stumbling toward her in the snow. She blinked, eyes strained. What? No. But the closer it came, the more confused she was. Could it be…

"Robin?"

A/N: Beloved reader,

Thanks for continuing with me! Sorry to leave you at such a critical moment, but it really is best, trust me. Tell me, can you predict what is going to happen next? Your reviews are appreciated.

Love you all!

Ponygirl7