A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

"We needed to find you," Jackie explained hastily, squirming under Robin's gaze, "well, not you, but your father—"

"What happened to you?" Maria directed this question toward Ambrose, who looked like an uncomfortable cornered cat.

"He—he helped me," Jackie broke in, defending him, "Saved me, actually. That's what I wanted…that's what I wanted to…" She trailed off. How could she explain it? She was betraying her own flesh and blood. It couldn't be right. Uncle had always told her that he was all the family she had. It was true. How could she give up on the man who'd given her a home?

"It's her uncle," Ambrose explained. "He can't be taking care of her anymore." Maria looked from Jackie to Ambrose, copper curls blowing across her confused expression.

"I don't understand. Why are you all bloody? What happened?" Both looked reluctant to share information. Why, Maria couldn't tell. She huffed, pulling her coat closer around her. "Let's continue this conversation at the manor." She took a long look at Ambrose before saying, "You ride up on the carriage with me. It'll be much less bumpy for you. Robin, can you drive her in the sleigh?" Robin did not look at all pleased with her suggestion. Perhaps because he had an aversion to this serving maid, though it was more likely he didn't want Ambrose anywhere near Maria. Nevertheless, Maria's eyes told him she would not stand for an argument right now.

"Of course." Though it went against every bone in his body to do so, Robin offered his hand to help Ambrose up. Ambrose warily accepted. He then climbed up on the carriage, and Robin settled into the sleigh. Maria started off on the carriage, and it sped on down the road. Robin reached for the reins, but Jackie held on to them.

"Thanks, but I'd rather do it myself." It'd give her something to do. She tried to keep her voice from shaking, remembering the last time she'd seen Robin. How she'd dreamed of situations like this: alone in the woods with him. But something was different now. Now she wasn't sure what she wanted.

He grunted in reply, still a little miffed with Maria. Well, maybe she'd been anticipating Ambrose's trying to escape, and that was why she'd split him and Jackie up? He didn't know. But what was Jackie doing with Ambrose anyway? Wasn't he supposed to be locked up?

"Did he escape?" Robin finally asked.

"Ambrose? No. I let him out." She looked straight ahead.

"Why?" She paused.

"Well…it's Christmas."

"And he stabbed me."

"He didn't mean to! I mean, I know he's a coward, but he wouldn't hurt someone on purpose. He probably just saw it as self defense."

"You have a high opinion of him," Robin noted, eying her shrewdly.

"Not really. That is, not until…he's not entirely bad. Just lazy. And greedy, I think. But I also think he could change."

"Hm." Robin wasn't so sure. But looking at her determined expression reminded him of the last time he'd seen her. He'd danced with her recklessly, influenced by spite and alcohol. He ought to apologize, give an explanation.

"Listen, I don't know about Ambrose. But I…at the ball, I wasn't…" How to put it delicately? "I was drunk. I shouldn't have behaved the way I did. I shouldn't have danced so much with you. Not that—I mean—you're a good dancer. But before—Maria—"

"I think I understand." She said quietly. Her insides ached with a hollow pain she couldn't quite understand. "I understand." A wave of rashness overtook her. "Do you know that I loved you for years?" Had she really just said that? Red peeked up into her cheeks, but she couldn't stop just then. "Dreamed about you constantly. I resented Maria." She glanced at him. "Don't look like that; I don't now. Which is strange. Strange how people can change. I guess that's what I'm saying. If I can change, why can't Ambrose?"

"I'm not the best at these things," Robin began slowly, "but I would hazard a guess that Ambrose had something to do with this change of yours." Her grip tightened on the reins. Well, there was no denying it. Not to him, or to herself.

"Yes, I think so." They pulled up to the manor. Robin tied up the sleigh and then led Jackie inside. Everyone was gathered in the front room, waiting. Ambrose was seated on a small couch, looking intensely ill at ease. His expression cleared when he saw Jackie. She saw next to him, feeling very much as though she were in an interrogation. Which, in a sense, she was.

"Now then," Coeur De Noir spoke up with authority, "tell us what happened."

And they told him. They took turns, though they did leave out some things that seemed irrelevant and a little private. When it came to the encounter with Jackie's uncle, Lillian and Loveday gasped in horror. Maria reached out and took Robin's hand. She knew Coeur De Noir had not always been kind to his son.

When Jackie and Ambrose finished, everyone held their breath, waiting for Coeur De Noir to respond. And, at length, he did.

"I will deal with him accordingly." Coeur De Noir stared at the carpet, not meeting Jackie's eyes. "And I shall find you another place to stay. That kind of behavior cannot be tolerated. As for setting Ambrose free—" he looked up, but his gaze came to rest on Lillian. He swallowed. "As for setting Ambrose free, I cannot condone that behavior either. He is a criminal, and he was serving part of his sentence." Jackie tensed. "However," he went on, still looking at Lillian, "his role in assisting you against your uncle was…mildly heroic." He raised a doubtful eyebrow in Ambrose's direction. "You've proved to have some moral fibers in your being. I am removing you from your cell. You shall still learn a trade, but we will settle that later." Coeur De Noir saw Lillian smile at him. He tried to keep from smiling back; he had to maintain a stern profile before this young criminal. But his attempts to suppress this beaming only resulted in a strange looking expression which made Lillian chuckle. That in turn made him blush scarlet.

"Right. Thank you, sir," Maria interjected, grinning a little. "Robin and I will sort everything out. Why don't you go enjoy some music?"

"Yes," Loveday added brightly, "I've found some new sheet music for you to try, Lillian." The adults filed out, albeit a bit hesitantly on the gentlemen's part.

"You ought to be glad my father's in a good mood," Robin said. He had to admit, Ambrose had showed a little more courage than Robin would have liked; he had been determined to dislike him. It would've been easy, since the boy did stab him with a dagger. But now, regrettably, Robin had reason to think well of him. It was frustrating.

"Come to the kitchen," Maria said, already leading the way. "Marmaduke is taking his break. We'll clean you up." Jackie and Ambrose stood. Robin waited for them to follow Maria, then brought up the rear. Odd, how things had changed in the last few days.

A/N: Dear readers,

My goodness, I'm so pleased you've come this far with me! We're beginning to wrap things up, just so you know. My guess is, you'd figured that much out. Please tell me what you think. I'm not really sure how I feel about this story at the moment; help me decide, will you? I have a general plan for conclusion, but tell me if there's something you want to see happen. Thank you for your constant support and many reviews!

Your

Ponygirl7