The Secret of Moonacre 2: The Shrouding Darkness

Chapter 18: Digweed's Tale

Maria and Robin were nearly home. For some reason Robin was thinking about Periwinkle. Now he knew how she felt. She had been in agonizing pain. He shuddered slightly.

Maria glanced at him.

“Robin?”

“Yeah?”

“What did the light going through you feel like?” She asked quietly.

“Well the darkness was agonizing. But the light. It was like a hot yet mild burning sensation. It felt good. Like it was filling up all the empty spaces, like it was always supposed to be part of me.” He replied, eyes distant with wonder and memory. Maria peered at him for a long time.

“The light was love.” She murmured. Robin looked at her only mildly surprised.

“Your love Maria.” He said, eyes shining with deep emotion.

“I know. My love fueled my power.” She said. The deeper meaning was there. Right under their noses. She looked at Robin. He understood and was gazing at her intently.

Finally they arrived at the gates. Maria pulled the gate open and left it that way. What was there left to fear but fear itself? They walked up to the castle. When Maria opened the door she was ambushed by Sir Benjamin.

“Where have you been?!” He demanded, hugging the air out of her.

“I destroyed the darkness.” She said, feeling rather squashed. Sir Benjamin stared at her for a long time. Then he smiled.

 “Always off saving the world.” He murmured. Maria looked over his shoulder as Digweed walked into the room. She pulled away from her uncle and walked to Digweed.

“We need to talk.” She said. Digweed looked surprised but obediently nodded.

“Yes Miss Maria.” He answered, following her into the library. The others stared after them, at a loss.

Once in the library Maria closed the door and turned to face Digweed.

“Where were you from before you came here?” She asked. Digweed had a confused and scared look in his eyes.

“From the Valley.” He said quickly. Maria narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Digweed. I think we both know that is not true.” Maria said. Digweed looked nervously thoughtful and slightly trusting.

“Fine.” He finally sighed, the usual cheerful note dropping from his voice. “How much do you know then Miss Maria?” He asked. She blinked.

“I don’t know anything. But I suspect.” Maria replied.

“And what do you suspect?” Digweed asked. Maria looked at him knowingly.

“You came from the De Noir’s.” Maria said. Digweed nodded.

“I was not a De Noir but a villager from their markets and later a De Noir advisor.” Digweed confirmed. “What else?” He sensed there was more that she had to say.

“I also believe that you are Henry’s father.” She said. Digweed looked like he might have protested but didn’t.

“I…I am.” He murmured. Maria nodded.

“Please, please Digweed tell me what happened. You can trust me.” Maria promised. Digweed sighed and squeezed his eyes shut. A moment later he opened them and they were distant and distracted as he was plunged back into the past.

“I was young and foolish at the time. My life long childhood friend had been Carol De Noir. Our families were close you see. I was always in love with her. But I had never worked up the nerve to tell her. One day when I saved her from falling over the side of Paradise Hill however I found my courage and I told her. She said she had always felt the same. I was thrilled. And well…you should know what happened next.” He glanced at Maria slyly. Maria blushed and rolled her eyes.

“So a few years later we were marries. She eventually became pregnant with my child. But it came early and died. It almost killed Carol. Her father, The Coeur De Noir’s older brother Kris, said we were not allowed to have another child. He forbade it. He said if she became pregnant I had best run and never show my face there again. About two years later she did become pregnant again. Kris went into a rage and tried to kill me but Carol begged him not to. He saw how much she loved me and stopped.

“We will wait and see.” He said. She eventually went into labor. I was right there with her. She was getting very weak though. She knew she was going to die.

“Goodbye my love.” She murmured. She heaved greatly and the baby arrived. The maids wrapped him in a blanket and handed him to her. “My Henry.” She murmured. But her eyes slid closed and she breathed her last breath. I cried out her name a few times weeping. Then I lifted my son from her. Kris was away on business, but I knew he would try and kill me when he returned. My heart split as I gazed down into my tiny son’s large eyes.

“Goodbye Henry.” I whispered. “I love you more than life.” I told him before I handed him to the nurse in the room and fled, crying terribly. I ran until I could run no more and found myself at your uncle’s door. He took me in and I worked for him. And I was right. Kris blamed me for Carol’s death. He hunted me for years but Sir Benjamin protected me well. Kris apparently died one night. The Coeur told your uncle the news shortly before you arrived. And so I was safe. I have been working for you uncle for 19 years.” Digweed finished. Maria gazed at him for a long time.

“You need to tell Henry.” She said. “He was attacked and nearly killed by that thing too. He’s fine now but alone.” She added. Digweed hesitated before nodding.

“Alright then Miss Maria. I promise.” Digweed said. He chuckled. “It’s pretty sad when you know more about my own son than I do.” He added. Maria hugged him.

“He will forgive you.” She promised. Digweed looked down at her with a soft and grateful smile.

“I know. He’s like his mother.” He murmured.

“But he’s like you too.” Maria replied softly.