4 years Maria thought to herself. So long. She remembered it vividly, as if it had been yesterday. But it wasn't. It had been four years ago. She closed her eyes as she remembered.
~~~~~~~~~
It was their 50th date and Robin had told her it would be special. He had devoted his day to spend time with her. The had talked and had a picnic. Although it sounded small, it meant a lot to Maria. It was the little things that made her life with Robin sweet. He had told her that before he went home, he would take her on a moonlight walk. It had been so blissful. Then she wrecked everything. She knew better. He had told her that some of his men still put traps in the area. But she didn't listen. She playful ran ahead, teasing him to chase her. She had gotten quite a head start. Then, with a rush of wind and dead leaves, she had fallen into a pit about 7 feet wide and 8 feet deep. It had happened so fast she hadn't had time to scream much. One short scream was all that escaped her lips. She hit the ground with a sickening thud. She heard her ribs crunch and knew she had broken some. She lay there for a moment trying to remember how to breath. The, someone put a dirty, smelly hand over her mouth and dragged her through several tunnels and passageways until she was shoved into a dark prison cell underground. The man spoke for the first time.
So. You are the famous Moon Princess. Not much to ya. I suppose you are wondering why I kidnapped you. See, what you and your ignorant bird boy do not know, is that there is much more to the story of the Moon Princess then the Pearls. She knew that someday someone would break the spell. So she blessed the Moon Princess. She foretold that the Moon Princess, with a De Noir at her side, would defeat a great evil, bringing peace to the valley and take her place as Queen of the valley.
The man said.
What evil? Why do you need to kidnap me? What do you want?
Maria asked.
No evil has arisen yet. But it will. I need you because I am going to be the De Noir at your side. I will rule Moonacre the way it was meant to be ruled, by a De Noir. And if you are wondering how I am going to rule, the answer is this. Every Queen has a King.
He said
I will never marry you!
Maria spat.
Suit yourself. But I am a man used to getting his way. Like it or not I will be King of Moonacre.
And with those words he left. Maria was left in that cell for three years waiting for evil to come to Moonacre. She never had much to do. She was given paper and a pen and some books. But that was it. Every night, the man came to see her. He would ask her to marry him but she would always say no. He never revealed his name. She kept her sanity only by exercising and practicing fighting techniques so that if she ever had a chance, she could escape. Twice a day she was given ample food and water and taken to relieve herself up on land. That was the only time she saw sunlight. Every day she tried to escape and every day she failed. But one day when she was taken out of her cell so that her captor could ask her to marry him, she kicked him in the shins. Hard. A long fight ensued. She had not counted on his size and muscle. She finally knocked him unconscious. But she came out with many wounds. She knew some ribs were broken and she knew her wrist was not supposed to bend that way. She had several bruises and lots of deep cuts. She looked terrible. But she was free.
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That had been hours ago. She was still trying to find the castle when she stepped in a trap. With a rush of rope, she was scooped up and dangled six feet off the forest floor in a rope net. Her captor stepped from behind the tree. She gasped. It was.........
Who do you think it is? Ideas? Thoughts? I love it when you comment. This is a nice long chapter. Hope you enjoy lovelies.
