A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

"Ambrose? Ambrose, come on."

"My head…" Ambrose blinked several times. His head throbbed mercilessly. He was able to make out Jackie's features as she knelt anxiously over him.

"Ambrose, we've got to go before he wakes up. Come on."

"That hurt, blast it." He sat up shakily.

"I know, I know, but we've got to get away. If my uncle wakes up, I don't…he'll…" she stared at the unconscious man on the floor. Then her eyes snapped back to Ambrose. "We've got to go." He sighed, then groaned.

"Right." He hauled himself to his feet. So this was how it felt, to be injured. He'd never experienced such pain. Like little flames scorching his skin. Little daggers being driven in to the bone. Every time he moved, every time he breathed. His head was surely cracked somewhere. Blood ran in rivers down his arms. Jackie's only concern seemed to be getting away; did she not notice his pain? He wished she would express some sympathy, at least.

Jackie did indeed notice his pain, and she felt wretched about it. He wouldn't have gotten hurt if it weren't for her. But it had been his choice to help her get away—a choice which puzzled her immensely. Never had anyone been so noble, so brave for her. Not even Robin. And she had called Ambrose a coward…perhaps there was more to him than appeared. But now was not the time to dwell on it. If her uncle woke up, Ambrose would not be able to beat him twice, and Jackie was not nearly as strong. So she helped Ambrose into a coat and led him from the house.

"We need Coeur De Noir," Ambrose managed to say, once they were in the cold, clean street.

"What for?" She eyed him, troubled.

"You can't live like that, with your uncle. Coeur De Noir can keep him away from you." Her eyes softened at the earnestness in his expression.

"That's a lovely thought; but he's all the family I have. It wouldn't be right to leave him." Ambrose looked hard at her.

"I'll tell you what's not right. He's perfectly capable of working, but he doesn't, so he makes you work, and takes your money, and gets drunk with it. That's not right." He pulled his coat tighter around him. "I'm not an expert on right and wrong, but even I know some things. And you shouldn't have to live like that."

Jackie gazed up at him wonder. The way he put it, it sounded so right. So easy. But was it really? And, she reminded herself, this was Ambrose, who was supposed to be in his cell. Was he only looking for a way of escape? She hesitated. Then she saw the blood stains on his temple and his dark brow bent in determination. She breathed in the cold air.

"Let's go."

They made their way up to the stables.

"Hello? Anybody here?" Jackie called. The pattering of footsteps replied. A boy's face popped out from behind a bale of hay. "Theodore! Good to see you! Would you mind—"

"Blimey! Isn't that the boy who—"

"Theodore, he helped me." Jackie said quickly. "He's good. He won't hurt me." She didn't dare look back at Ambrose. She hoped that by her saying this, it would somehow make it true. "We need…" now she looked back at Ambrose and took in the bloody sight. "We need a sleigh. Can you prepare one?" Theodore still looked a little wary. Nevertheless, he replied,

"One horse or two?"

"Just one'll do the trick, thanks." She gave him a smile. He was, after all, the son of one of her coworkers. A cute kid. But…she walked after him as he marched toward a stall. "Theodore, please don't tell anyone about this; not yet. I know Ambrose is supposed to be in a cell, but he's helping me, and he won't run. We're going to see Coeur De Noir about something important. Promise you won't tell?" Theodore's eyes grew round as saucers. He looked past her down the barn hall. Then a whispered

"Okay."

The sleigh was ready promptly. Jackie knew the basics of driving a horse, though she was not particularly good at it. Still, Ambrose was in no shape to drive, so it fell to her. They settled into the small sleigh, gave an earnest thanks to Theodore, and set off. Ambrose grunted with each jostling the low sleigh received, but they went along swiftly enough. The cold bit their faces as they gained speed, but Jackie would not slow down, not while she still had her nerve. It was about time she did this. She couldn't let anyone else get hurt.

She cast a sidelong glance at Ambrose, who looked absolutely miserable, thought admittedly more appealing with a roughened look than his usual slick charm. He had always been so composed and cool and in control, and she'd hated him for it. Hated him for controlling other people's lives and emotions. But now he was battered and vulnerable and raw. And she liked him all the better for it.

"I'm sorry about your injuries," she said, which was an understatement. "Do you hurt very much?"

"Yes. Very much." She waited for him to say more, but he would not. She trained her eyes on the horse.

"I'd be willing to bet that was the first noble thing you've ever done in your life." He only chuckled raspily.

"I wouldn't call that noble."

"I would."

He averted his gaze to meet hers, and found something unexpectedly warm in her usually fierce eyes. She opened her mouth a little, but no words followed. Ambrose frowned a little, engaged in a mental struggle. She was too pretty. It was too much.

"Whoaaa! Whoa, you!" A female voice sang out. Jackie quickly reined in her horse, narrowly avoiding a collision with a carriage. A male voice bellowed,

"Watch where you're going, you—wha—Ambrose?" The carriage jerked to a stop and two figures dashed off the driver's seat and over to Jackie and Ambrose's sleigh. "Just where do you think you're going?" Robin asked, towering over them.

A/N: Dear reader,

Thank you for reading! And if you've come upon this soon after my updating, merry Christmas! I apologize for the delay [due to the demands of life] and encourage you to review; what are your thoughts on Jackie or Ambrose, or Jackie and Ambrose? How do you think Robin and Maria will react? Do you not like this story at all? Do let me know.

Wishing you a right jolly day,

Ponygirl7