The Secret of Moonacre 2: The Shrouding Darkness

Chapter 10: Ride Swiftly Henry

Maria walked into the piano room humming happily. Mrs. Heliotrope saw her first.

“Oh Maria! Where….where did you get that?” Mrs. Heliotrope gasped, one hand on her heart exaggeratedly. Loveday however grinned wide and her eyes softened.

“Well I think he’s adorable!” She crooned.

“I got him from Robin. His name is Wiggins.” Maria said, beaming.

“Hmm…I think I have a…” Loveday began but Maria interrupted her.

“An ancestor named Wiggins De Noir.’ Maria interrupted. Loveday nodded and Maria handed her the book.

“Well…I didn’t know your uncle had a De Noir book.” Loveday said. She opened it and read it.

“Just like your puppy.” She stated when she had finished.

“Yep! Perfect name if I do say so myself.” Maria grinned. “And it is proof that our families have both Merryweather and De Noir blood.” Loveday nodded in agreement with a smile.

“I bet Robin will love it.” Loveday said with a sly smirk. Maria felt herself blush and quickly took the book, turning away with a small huff.

“Yeah I guess so.” She murmured. “Bye.” She quickly retreated and Loveday laughed. Mrs. Heliotrope just sat watching them with an amused and goofy grin on her face.

As Maria walked towards the dining room she fidgeted with her locket, thinking, but as she entered she let her hand fall to her side.

“Good morning uncle, good morning Robin.” Maria greeted.

“Good morning Maria.” Her uncle replied.

“Good morning Princess.” Robin added. He took a bite of his toast. “So you come up with a name yet then?” He asked.

“Chew with your mouth closed Robin De Noir!” She chided him before rolling her eyes. “And yes. His name is Wiggins.” Maria added. Robin stopped chewing and stared at Maria for a long time. Maria met his gaze evenly. Sir Benjamin looked back and forth between the two in confusion. Finally Robin spoke.

“That’s a good name.” He murmured, still gazing at her with and unreadable expression. Maria simply nodded.

“Let your dog down.” Sir Benjamin said.

“Ok.” Maria let Wiggins go. The puppy waddled under the table. Sir Benjamin’s eyes followed it, narrowed slightly.

“No doubt begging for…Hey!” Sir Benjamin’s eyes widened. Moments later Wiggins tottered out from under the table, dragging one of Sir Benjamin’s slippers. “Gads teeth.” Uncle Benjamin muttered.

“Wiggins! You naughty thing you!” Maria scolded while trying not to laugh. She took the slipper and thwacked him gently with it. Sir Benjamin looked on with apparent approval. Maria walked over to him and handed him his slipper, before moving back around the table.

Suddenly there was a clatter at the front door and Digweed’s fretful voice echoed throughout the halls. A moment later Henry, one of Robin’s boy’s walked into the room. He was walking briskly and walked straight into Maria.

“Oops. Sorry Maria.” He apologized. Without waiting for a response he strolled over to Robin. Maria huffed in annoyance.

“Robin! Where have you been? Your father just got back and he is furious!” Henry declared. Robin’s eyes meanwhile were distracted and wide with worry.

“Henry? How did you get here?” He asked urgently.

“Through the blooming forest of course!” He replied with obvious irritation.

“Listen, I’m fine. I will be staying at the Merryweather castle for a while. Henry you must ride swiftly home and warn father not to let anyone into the forest! You and the boy’s must stay out as well. There’s something in there. Something dark. It attacked Maria and I and I was nearly killed. If it hadn’t been for Maria I would have been.” Robin said urgently, with a glance towards Maria. Henry stared at Robin then Maria.

“Please tell me you’re joking?” Henry groaned, facing Robin again.

“No. I am glad to see you and that you are ok but you need to go home now. Warn my father and be careful.” Robin instructed. Henry looked at his leader for a long moment then nodded.

“Alright Robin. Goodbye.” He nodded to Sir Benjamin and started out. However he paused by Maria. “I actually am sorry about running into you.” He said.

“It’s alright.” Maria replied. He gazed at her for a long moment then stepped close to her.

“Thanks for saving Robin. I don’t know what we would do without him.” He whispered into her ear. Maria nodded and peered up at him with a small honest smile. After a long pause she spoke.

“Neither do I.” She replied.

“Goodbye.” Henry said, stepping back before leaving. Robin gazed at Maria strangely for a moment then shrugged. Benjamin was pretending he wasn’t watching.

“Come eat Maria.” Robin said. Maria nodded and walked over to her seat next to Robin. She sat as Digweed walked in. He looked stressed. Maria rose from her spot and walked over to her uncle.

“I think something is wrong with Digweed. Perhaps you should give him the day off.” Maria suggested quietly into her uncles ear.

“But Maria…” He began. She narrowed her eyes.

“Uncle!” Maria said sternly. Sir Benjamin sighed.

“Very well…Digweed!” He summoned. Digweed walked briskly over and Sir Benjamin saw what Maria meant. Digweed had bags under his eyes, his forehead was scrunched in disrupted thoughts, his skin was paler than usual, and he seemed tense and distracted.

“Digweed, this day is yours. Go and relax.” Sir Benjamin ordered. Digweed was caught off guard and blinked.

“A…Are you sure sir?” He stammered. In all his years he had never been given a break.

“Yes Digweed. Go and rest.” Sir Benjamin said. Digweed glanced at Maria and she nodded and smiled. Digweed seemed to visibly relax and returned her smile.

“Yes sir.” He said walking off. He nodded gratefully at Maria when Sir Benjamin was distracted before strolling away.

Maria turned to her uncle with a triumphant grin.

“I told you so.” She said. Her uncle sighed, rolling his eyes.

“Fine.” He huffed. “The Moon Princess wins again. Nothing to be done.” He spoke grudgingly but good naturedly. Maria sat down in her spot again, enjoying her breakfast. Robin looked distracted.

“You think Henry will be alright?” He asked quietly after a long pause.

“As long as he rides swiftly he will be fine.” Maria replied. She knew that since the boys had begun riding often Henry had become the best rider. “I know he will be fine.” Maria repeated firmly. She blinked and settled into her breakfast…Privately she was very worried…One thought repeated in her mind.

‘Ride swiftly Henry.’