A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

"Maria? Maria, wake up, it's supper time."

Maria rolled over—and out of the bed.

"Oh!"

"All right?" Robin chuckled, leaning over the edge.

"Fine, thank you very much." She staggered to her feet, trying to regain whatever composure she could muster. "What time is it?"

"I don't know, but supper's ready. Marmaduke just popped in to tell us." Maria yawned. Robin grinned a little. Maria frowned.

"What are you doing? Don't just sit there looking at me."

"Why not?" A smile played around his lips.

"I—it's unseemly," she stretched sleepily, still waking up, "What is—oh. Do you want your coat back?"

"Keep it for now. You look good it in."

"Hm. Do I really?" She sashayed dramatically across the room.

"No," he answered. She paused mid-step to give him a glare.

"Oh, come now, you always look good."

"It probably looks better on you. It barely fits me."

"Well, everything looks good on me." He crossed his arms.

"Oh ho, a bit full of ourselves, are we?" She linked an arm around his bedpost and swung back to face him. "In that case, I suppose you won't need this." She took his bowler hat and plopped it down on her curls.

"Hey!"

"Now then, didn't you say Marmaduke was waiting for us? Come on, Robin, stop being so rude." She clucked her tongue. "We mustn't keep everyone from their dinner." Robin rolled his eyes and swung his feet out of bed.

"And to think that you'd stoop so low as to steal a hat from an injured man." He shook his head in mock disapproval. Maria stuck her hands in the coat's pockets, not pitying him in the least. Finally she asked,

"How does your shoulder feel?"

"Hurts." He grunted as he stood.

"Any better?"

"Some."

"Hm. Well, don't keep chatting my ear off," Maria lifted her chin, "We're going to be late for supper."

"Right." When he didn't follow her to the door, she turned.

"Do you need help walking?"

"No."

"Well then?"

"I just…" he faltered. She raised an eyebrow. "I just didn't have a strong desire to see Ambrose any time soon. And he's in the dining room."

"Oh." Maria frowned. Then she strode up to him and kissed his nose. "You'll be fine. I'll sit next to you." She had almost made it to the door before she turned again to face him, shoulders squared. "But you don't need me; you're Robin De Noir! You're not afraid of anything. He should be the uncomfortable one. And I have a feeling he's even more nervous about dinner than you."

"He'd better be," Robin grumbled.

"He is," she insisted, "And as my benediction, I offer you this token of good fortune." She placed the bowler hat on his head.

"How generous," he chuckled, feeling its familiar crown, "You have given me my own hat."

"I'll choose to ignore your snide remarks and escort you to the dining room now, sir."

When they reached the dining room, everyone, including the ladies, stood at their arrival. Sir Benjamin was quick to pull out a seat for Robin, while Loveday secured the other for Maria. While Sir Benjamin headed the table, Loveday, Maria, and Robin lined one side and Lillian and Ambrose sat at the other. After everyone had been seated and the prayer was said, Marmaduke zipped around, dishing out the first course.

"I trust you slept well?" Sir Benjamin asked.

"Yes, thank you, Uncle," Maria replied. "No news of Miss Heliotrope or Digweed?"

"No." Sir Benjamin answered. Loveday added,

"We believe they stayed in town. Neither of them are risk-takers, you know."

"Ah yes, that Miss Heliotrope," Robin noted soberly, "Terribly unpredictable. A bold path-forger, that one. Wild as an untamed—"

"Robin," Maria cut in quietly.

"Sorry." He ducked his head, diverting his attentions to the creamy potato soup.

"Thank goodness, the snow has stopped," Lillian said tranquilly.

"Yes," Sir Benjamin agreed, "But it's past sundown. I can't take Ambrose back to the De Noir Village tonight." His words were clipped.

"Of course, there are rooms in the manor," Loveday said coolly to Ambrose. "You will not be without a bed in this house." Ambrose blinked several times, never looking up.

"Thank you."

Maria had to admit, Loveday was being remarkably gracious, granting a bed to the boy who'd just stabbed her brother. She admired Loveday's kindness, for it could not be easy. Maria knew that people often mistook kindness for weakness or gullibility. However, it is the kindest people who are the strongest. It takes a great deal of strength to be kind, especially to those who do not deserve it. Maria pondered this over the next several courses, during which the dinner party spoke little and when they did, the topic was of little consequence.

Finally, Sir Benjamin pushed back his dessert plate in languid contentment.

"Delicious, Marmaduke. Really well done."

"Why, I thank you most kindly, Sir Benjamin. It brings me the utmost pleasure to know that my creations have been enjoyed and appreciated to the fullest, as is their due reward. Or might I say," his eyes twinkled, "their just desserts." A collective groan rose up from the table.

"I think it's time I got some sleep," Lillian stood, "And now seems as good a time as any. Good night, all." She nodded warmly to those seated, then swept out of the room, patting both Maria and Robin on the back as she left.

"I think I'll turn in too," Loveday said, rising from her place. "Benjamin, Ambrose will have the second guest bedroom."

"Yes, darling. I'll settle everything." He stood, kissed her, smiled a secret smile, and let her depart. "Now then." His featured hardened as he forced himself to look at Ambrose. "Let's get you to your room."

"Yes, sir."

"Wait—Uncle? May we speak privately with Ambrose? Just for a minute while you get the keys to the second guest bedroom." Sir Benjamin hesitated, but some confidence in Maria's posture must have convinced him.

"Very well." He left the three alone. Ambrose dared to look up. Maria could see his hands trembling, and she almost pitied him.

"I believe you would like to say something to Robin?" She prompted. She felt very much like a schoolmarm scolding two little boys who got into a tussle at recess. Ambrose's eyes flitted from Maria to Robin, the latter sitting still as a statue.

"Sorry," came the mumble from Ambrose's lips.

"I beg your pardon?" Maria prodded.

"I'm sorry." Ambrose muttered a little more coherently.

"Well, you've got to apologize to Maria too," Robin said, "You didn't talk about her with respect this morning."

"All right, I'm sorry." Ambrose expelled it all in one breath. He then pressed his lips together as though to keep an insect from escaping.

"Thank you," Maria said. "And—I forgive you." Ambrose's brow crinkled in confusion. Maria glanced at Robin, but he did not seem so willing to forgive Ambrose. Well, she couldn't blame him. Then Robin broke the silence.

"Thank you for getting Maria back safely." He grinned. "I know you didn't have much choice; she's clever that way. But still, you got her here." Ambrose nodded in response.

"She's clever, yes."

Sir Benjamin abruptly returned with the keys.

"Ready?" They all stood. Ambrose trailed after Sir Benjamin, leaving Maria and Robin in the dining room.

"Thank you for being…well, thank you." Maria bowed her head. "I know it isn't easy."

"The right thing is hardly every easy," Robin shrugged, then winced. "Ah, remind me not to shrug. Doesn't agree with my shoulder." Maria almost laughed.

"I'm sorry. Get some more rest. Tomorrow we've got to prepare for the wedding on Sunday."

"Right." He glanced around before swooping down and kissing her. She was caught off guard but didn't resist. Finally he pulled back, peace alighting on his tired features.

"Sweet dreams, Princess."

A/N: My dear reader,

Thank you for your patience! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Reviews appreciated!

Love always,

Ponygirl7