The Troubles from Monsters and Men (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

Reunited, Remembered, Retreat, Respite

A/N: For Mature readers, there is a rated M version of this chapter between Robin and Maria that can be found on Archive of Our Own (AO3). Due to Wattpad policies, I've kept this PG. It was my first time writing something spicy, so please have mercy and I appreciate any helpful feedback. Thank you!

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"You almost got us killed!" Robin was furious with Maybelle.

Her arms were crossed. She held her head up high as she met Robin's glare with her own bloodshot and swollen eyes. She remained silent. She knew what she did was reckless, but she didn't regret it.

"All for that bloody twat no less," Richard mumbled.

"He was my brother!" Maybelle yelled. "He was the only one who ever cared about me!" She looked to the side, where Charles' body laid covered by a white blanket. "I couldn't leave him with those monsters! I had to bring him home."

"We could have come back for him another day!" Robin scolded.

"I somehow doubt you, or any of your friends, would have been too keen to come back with me."

Their silence confirmed her belief.

"At least we all survived to fight another day, right?" Bast tried to lighten the mood.

"Just barely," David snapped, he was growing pale from seasickness. "We almost lost the strongest one here."

They turned to look at the captain's quarters where Henry and Jane were coming in and out with medical supplies. Minerva was badly injured during Maria's rescue and remained unconscious. Her collarbone and shoulder broke upon impact with the gate. The slash across her clavicle continued to eat at her skin due to Althea's venom. Fortunately, Lizzy had vials of Marmaduke's remedies she used on the elderly witch while Maria cast her healing magic.

Off to the side, Cat and Jane were busy treating Will's wounds. Like Robin, he suffered excruciating pain while being possessed. The more he resisted, the greater the retaliation. He was left with a couple of broken ribs, a broken arm, many strained and sore muscles, and a concussion. However, unlike Robin, he didn't have a magical pearl to heal him and was fully aware the entire time.
To Will though, the pain from his injuries paled in comparison to the mortification he felt of his behavior with Maria and her friends. Despite not being in control, he saw and heard everything. What's more, it was all his uncle's fault. He was so ashamed he couldn't look anyone in the eye.

As the ship sailed into the open ocean, Maria and Lizzy managed to stop Minerva's wound from growing and seemed to finally stabilize her. Their nerves slowly began to seep away, making room for their exhaustion.

"We should all rest," Henry said from the hallway. James, Richard, and Jane had already beaten them to it. They fell asleep sitting against some crates, Jane wrapped in Richard's arms.

"We have some hours until Moonacre. The men will sleep down in the crew's area, the ladies can take the passenger rooms."

Maria ushered her friends out of the room, promising that she was fine and wanted to watch over Minerva some more.

Still, Will remained in the room. He didn't make a move and sat as still as a stone in the armchair.
His head was downcast.

Maria watched him as she took a seat by the bed. Crossing her arms over the bed, she rested her cheek on her arms while she continued to observe him. Eventually, he raised his sorrow-filled eyes to meet hers.

"I'm incredibly sorry," his voice cracked.

Maria managed a small smile. "You have nothing to apologize for. You had no control," she said softly. "It'll be alright."