The Secret of Moonacre 2: The Shrouding Darkness

Chapter 12: Dreading Uncertainty

Maria was walking downstairs with Robin when she saw something in the mirror again. She froze, her breathing growing fast and shallow.

Maria saw the place where they had been attacked. One tree had a small horse head on it. A dark shape on the pale bark. The head turned black and the horse’s eyes lit up red.

 

Maria snapped out of it.

“Robin. I know where the dark pearl is!” She gasped. Robin stared at her.

“Ok so what do we do?” He asked. Maria hesitated…She’d pulled him in this far…There was no turning back now. Besides he would just follow her anyway.

“We must make a plan to get it.” She walked briskly down the stairs.

“That tree you were leaning on had a small horse head shape on the bark. It’s a secret passage.” Maria said, still walking. Robin blinked, taking this in then nodded.

“Ok. So what do we do?” He asked. His eyes flashed with determination. She didn’t want him too.

“Ok. I need to go there. But I…” Maria began before she was cut off.

“Wait! You?” Robin asked, pulling her to a stop. She nodded.

“Robin it’s too dangerous for you.” She said. Robin wrinkled his nose slightly.

“No. We are doing this together.” Robin replied firmly. Maria sighed. It was worth a try. She shrugged angrily.

“Fine. We need to figure out where exactly that passage is.” Maria finished. They both started walking again and soon reached the piano room. Maria crossed the room and sat on the window sill. Robin sat across from her. Their toes nearly touched. Maria sighed, hugging her knees and resting her chin on them.

She remembered that she had been sitting right here when she had been about to admit to Robin that she loved him. Maria peered out the window.

“We need to find it then I need to destroy it with whatever power was in me before.” Maria said.

“How do you know?” Robin asked with worry and uncertainty.

“I can feel it.” Maria replied. She frowned suddenly.

“What’s wrong?” Robin asked. Maria looked up at him.

“Where exactly were we? When we were attacked?” She asked. She seemed slightly distressed.

“It’s ok.” Robin soothed. “I remember where we were.” Maria instantly relaxed.

“Ok. So when do you think would be a good time to act?” Maria asked. Robin thought for a moment.

“We should act quickly.” He said finally. Maria nodded in agreement.

Maria sighed and returned her gaze out the window. Robin’s mind was whirling. He was scared for Maria because he knew that no matter how long or hard he tried to protect her in the end she would have to face this thing alone. He remained quiet, his mind reeling.

Maria glanced at Robin. He was fidgeting and a mixture of fear and worry shadowed his eyes. Maria rested her hand briefly on his knee, the gesture meant to comfort him, but he looked up at her, eyes growing more fearful. Maria realized that he knew she would have to face it alone in the end and they both knew that Maria might die.

Maria met Robin’s gaze with quiet understanding and determination.

“I will be fine.” She assured him. Robin looked up at her with uncertainty in his gaze and Maria smiled faintly. He only offered half a fake smile in return before it fell and he looked away, eyes grim.

Maria sighed and rose, walking to the piano. She began playing the Love Waltz. Robin turned to look at her and listen to her play for a long moment. Finally he rose and walked over to the piano. He sat at the end and carefully wove his notes into hers. It was lovely and stunningly amazing. The music vibrated the still air and anybody close enough to hear paused in their activities and chores to listen. Maria played wonderfully, putting all she had into it while she thought of Robin. Robin let his grief flow through his fingers and his previous sloppiness had disappeared, leaving him to play with every ounce of passion, feeling and effort he possessed. Together the two made the whole castle vibrate with emotion. Every person listening had tears in their eyes. Wrolf even raised his mighty head and pricked his ears.

Maria’s fingers played perfectly across the keys and even Robin’s finger movement was quite graceful for a boy.

Robin was in a very emotional state at the moment. He played as brilliantly as she did. His mind was locked on one subject. Maria. He might never see her again after tomorrow. Robin was torn and helpless. He loved Maria. A lot. Not just a lot but it was as if she was the sun and his world orbited her. He had never told her that he loved her but he would when he was ready. And it seemed that he might be forced into it sooner than expected. He would hive his life for her and he hated this dark pearl for making things so impossible.

No matter. He would help her as long as he could. Maybe even longer. As he thought about all this he also thought of his family. The feud between the De Noirs and the Merryweather’s seemed like a thing of the distant past. He sighed slightly as the song ended.

Maria and Robin sat in silence for a long time. Finally Robin stood and walked out of the room. Maria followed him. He walked out of the house and towards the creek. When they reached the edge Robin sat down and stared into the gently flowing water. Maria sat next to him and dangled her bare feet in the cool clear water. It felt good on her sore feet and she sighed. Robin pulled off his shoes too and stuck his feet into the creek. Maria looked up at the person she love most in the world.

“We will get through this Robin. I know we will.” Maria murmured.

“I hope you’re right.” Robin replied quietly, meeting her gaze. The two stared at one another for a long moment before Maria blinked.

“Have faith Robin.” She murmured.

“I’ll try.” He replied.