The Secret of Moonacre - SECRECY

Chapter 9

The manor's great door flung open, and the clangs of swords against metal rang throughout the manor. Robin and I perched behind the safety of the balcony. 

"We present to you, Sir Duncan, Lord and rightful heir of Moonacre Valley" Duncan's left hand man stood forward and barged his way into the hall.

Wrolf's feet were planted into the ground and Uncle refused to move one step from his current position.

I suddenly feared for the well being of my mistress and Marmaduke. I had neither heard nor seen any sign of them both. Ms Heliotrope was most likely to be fretting in the corner of a room, with Marmaduke's best efforts to soothe her. Uncle Benjamin must have seen this coming, he wouldn't have put either of them in harms way.

I peered even further over the balcony to see if I could catch a glimpse of them. Robin's hand grabbed my shoulder, pulling me back.

"Maria, we have to go!" He whispered.

"But Robin...!" I protested.

He put his hand over my mouth and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me away from the balcony. He put me down when we reached the west wing and we ran all the way down to the small door. We rushed out onto the green grass and there was my beautiful little white horse. Robin picked me up and threw me on to her and then climbed on himself.

"Have you ever ridden a horse Robin?" I asked him looking behind me.

"Never".

I couldn't help but smile as I nudged my horse on.

I was desperate to know what Robin thought we were going to do now. I knew exactly what I needed to do, and that was saving my family and the valley, once again. There was little chance I was going to sit and allow this valley to be squandered again, I had sacrificed enough for it already, and so had the inhabitants of Moonacre. This wasn't magic though, this was war. 

We finally reached the castle and we dismounted at the huge wooden gates. Robin took my hand in his as we walked up to the great hall. This place always looked the same, I hated how dreary and depressing it seemed, it was more of a prison than a home.

As we entered, the candles that lit up the room were blown out, and the room was engulfed with darkness. 

"This isn't right" Robin said peering round every corner. That morning, the hall had been left untouched, with the chairs neatly tucked under the table and not a hair out of place, but now, they were all over the place, and it looked like so much more had happened. 

Robin paused and removed his bowler hat, and combed his fingers through his hair. "Somebody, or a lot of bodies have been here". It was obvious that he was worried, his face had gone pale and his hands a deep shade of red. 

"Maybe it was the maids?" I suggested rubbing his arm in an attempt to soothe him. 

He shook his head. "They're all home. My father has given them weeks off until he returns to the valley". 

I chewed on my lip and examined the room. I could not think of who could have been here, apart from knights or maids, but the knights were no where to be seen. "I'm sure it is nothing of importance Robin. Maybe they were travellers passing through looking for a rest".

"Maybe so" he murmured. "We should go get you settled". He placed his hat back on and hauled my bag up the wooden steps to the chambers above. His eyes were continuously darting down every corridor and corner. 

I perched myself on the end of Robin's bed whilst he drew the curtains after peering out of the window.

"So," he began "I ought to get you some place to sleep".

"It doesn't have to be a fancy room, or any such thing, even a small cupboard will do" I said modestly. The last thing I wanted was for Robin to make such a big effort to make me feel at home. I was happy being anywhere, as long as I knew Robin would be close by. 

Robin's concerned face broke into a smile.  "What are you talking about?"

I frowned. "A place to sleep, I don't mind where I must go".

Robin chuckled. "You'll be in here with me Maria. That way I can keep an eye on you". 

I sighed with relief. I wasn't really looking forward to having a room to myself anyway. His room did need a good tidy up none the less, at least I would be useful for something. There were clothes thrown into numerous areas and bits of paper everywhere. "Alright then, Robin. Where shall we start?"

"Well there's a bed in the next room and a small chest for your clothes. Could you help me bring it through?"

"Of course. Let me just take my shoes and the bottom of my dress off" I laughed.

Robin winked as he went into the next room and I took my boots and front dress off leaving me in my lighter under dress and socks. I felt more comfortable already.

I skipped into the next room and Robin had taken his heavy jacket off leaving his shirt loose around his chest. I put my head down trying not to stare "My dear Maria, take a hold of yourself" Ms Heliotrope's words interrupted my thoughts.

The bed in the corner had grey iron at the head and foot and was actually very beautiful. "Was this Loveday's?" I ask running my finger tips along the bottom of the bed.

"Yes it was, can you tell?" Robin replies taking the head of the bed.

I chuckle "Yes, it's very pretty and her style"

"And so are you" Bless him, he really was trying.

I blushed again " Come on Robin, lets move this" I picked the bed up from the bottom and Robin gets the top. "I have to warn you that I'm not the strongest person"

"Oh believe me, I know" he smiled. He was obviously referring to the time I challenged him to an arm wrestle in the forest, in which I failed awfully. I've never been able to live it down. 

We quickly shuffle the bed out of Loveday's room and into now mine and Robins. We plonked it down so it's on the other side to Robin's and we both crash on to the bed. 

I laugh "That wasn't quite as heavy as I thought it would be"

"Ha, I'm used to it by now" and he flexes his arm in front of me. He leans his face in closer to mine "I love you Maria. It's taken me so long to realise"

I smile "I love you too" I gently press my lips on to his. I pull away after a few seconds. "Hey you, get my cabinet" I giggle.

"Fine" He yanks himself up and heads out of the room. I was left alone.

 A swift shadow crossed the room and I smiled. The bed bounced. "Robin, I told you to -".

An arm tightly crossed my chest as a foul smelling cloth was placed over my mouth and nose. I could not escape for I was falling into darkness.