The Secret of Moonacre...Another Time

Summary: Maria Merryweather...a thirteen year old orphan comes to live with her Uncle Sir Benjamin...all over again. "This can't be possible...I already did this! It's done!" A voice whispered in her ear, almost unheard. "You lost your chance...do it again...don't let him...fly away..."

Movie: The Secret of Moonacre

Pairing: Maria/Robin

Rated: T – M (Most likely T for Teen, but we will see where things go in later chapters.)

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(Taking Confidence by its Reins)

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Waking up to the familiar smell of a cookie, Maria turned her head and smiled before picking the sweet snack up, sitting straight, she took a bite of the cookie before setting it down and taking a few sips from the glass of mild beside the small plate which had held the cookie.

A little bit further from her reach, lying across a chair, lay one of Loveday's dresses, one of many to come. She stood and picked up the velveteen material and let her eyes run over the simple design. She hadn't much fancied it the first time she'd come to the estate, but after having tried on another of its kind, and loved the light and soft material, she wasn't so much against the dresses of Lovedays' collection. Letting fall the negligee from her shoulders, Maria pulled on the softer and much daintier dress. Its colors of purple and burgundy running over her shoulders and down her lean figure. Still young in age, she hadn't much of a curve to her body, but the dress was one of its own tellers of truth, it showed her in a magnificent vision to any who viewed her.

The gold stitching which wrapped itself finely along the edges of the sleeves, and around most other portions of the dress, such as the midsection and down the v line of her neck to her bust, tassels of golden thread dangling past the middle of the dress and just past her waistline. Looking at the dress now, it was really quite exquisite. "How could I have ever considered this gown to be ghastly? Such straightforward medieval beauty." She twirled carefully in the dress and smiled before grabbing the book and taking from the confines of the book, the casket key. "It'll be little annoyance if Uncle takes this book now. As he said, it belongs at the Estate...carefully tucked away in the library."

Taking her leave of her bedroom, she made her way down the spiraling staircase, stopping only long enough to stare at the painting of the Moon Princess before her. "I won't mess up...I can't...not again." She smiled and left down the steps where she was not surprised to find her Uncle waiting for her as she stepped out of the stairway.

"Young Lady, we're taking breakfast through here."

"...yes Uncle, here." She held the book of their Ancestry out to him, smiling a little at the surprise she caused him. "Papa left it to me, but I feel it best belongs within the library."

"Indeed it does, thank you." He took the book with cautions hands before nodding his head at her and walking off. She watched him with a moment's humor as he disappeared through the door off to her right. Making her way through the dining room doors, she settled herself down across from her Governess and smiled as Digweed placed a bowl before her.

"There be your breakfast, Miss."

Maria began adding cinnamon and sugar to her porridge, a spoon of butter followed as her Uncle stepped in and settled himself at the head of the table. Her Governess went on to speak, encouraging her to try the dish she herself was enjoying, a speech that Maria was all too familiar with.

"A dish best enjoyed in silence, I'm told." Sir Benjamin said with an air of contempt.

Maria smiled, she now understood her uncle, but she knew well that many hurtful things would be needed to be spoken and very necessary in order for him to open up to her.

"Well, you certainly have a very good cook, Sir Benjamin. Have you...mm, have you had her long?"

"Madam, no woman has step foot in this house for years, and...Believe me, the silence has been blissful."

"...well...I must say, this country food is doing wonders for my trapped-"

"Miss. Heliotrope...I do believe silence is best served with breakfast."

"Ah, well..." she glanced to Sir Benjamin who looked equally surprised, and yet...pleased with his nieces voice of command and pleasantly spoken request. "It would seem I'm outnumbered."

Smiling, Maria returned to her meal and finished with more pressing thoughts on her mind. "Uncle, if I may be excused, I'm going to pay the stables a visit."

"Hn? Do you ride?"

Miss. Heliotrope looked horrified by the idea, "She is a lady Sir. Benjamin! Of course she does not ride."

"I know how to, if that is what you mean," Maria smiled in kind, the shock upon her Governesses face was mildly anticipated, and greatly enjoyed.

"Then let us be on our way, I shall accompany you through the way and show you the boundaries. I needn't see to an escort later on if you are to ride without me, yes?"

Choosing her next words carefully, Maria spoke in a confidant tone. "I believe I already have an adequate knowledge of Moonacre Valley, but I don't believe that I'd be entirely against you accompanying me on a ride."

Nodding his head, pleased with how well-spoken she was, and how well brought up she seemed, he finished his breakfast and dabbed his napkin upon his lips before standing to leave. "Digweed, grab me my whip."

"Yes,"

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Me: Here is the long awaited chapter four, I hope you all enjoy! Please leave a review, and I'll try and get the fifth chapter out in a much timelier manner. That said, I do intend on there only being about fifteen chapters, so it shan't be too long a story~