The Moon Beyond the Mist

1. The world at her fingertips

On days like these, Maria Merryweather felt she had the world at her fingertips. In late afternoon, the sun had passed its highest point and the warmth beat down in rays which bathed the girl in golden light. She sighed and turned onto her back, digging rivulets into the soil surrounding her blanket. The sunshine had baked the earth throughout the morning and the heat ran from her fingers and flushed her skin.

Months had passed since Maria had saved Moonacre Valley from its demise, yet nothing much had changed. The young girl often reminisced upon the harmonious stretch of time following the marriage between Loveday and her uncle, Benjamin Merryweather. Their wedding day was painted clearly in her mind, a whitewashed lattice and arbour set up in the forest, decorated with lace and wildflowers. The scent of lilac had been in the air as Loveday walked down a carpet of woven foliage, her delicate white train seeming to float above the tapestry of leaves below. The people of Moonacre had celebrated long into the night, with wine and music and dancing and laughter. Maria had never experienced such elation as she joked with Miss Heliotrope and ate every food Marmaduke had to offer. 

As the black blanket of night was drawn across the sky and the stars emerged to join the festivities, Robin de Noir had advanced towards her, holding flowers of the same vivid red as her loosened hair. She had no idea how long they had danced in each other's arms, but as the sun rose everyone began to return to their own homes. In the flourishing dawn, Robin had reached down and swept long strands of hair away from her cheek, bending his head until his lips had found her ear to whisper sweet farewells.

Maria felt a shiver run down her spine at the recollection. She shifted and drew up her legs, brushing the dirt from her skirts as she gathered the worn blanket from the ground. That time was long since gone, no more festivities had been held and the Merryweathers and the de Noirs did not communicate. Tensions had risen following the two family's reunion. There were items and knowledge each individual did not want to share with the other and as their words became laced with poisonous intent, the households found themselves at odds once again.

A familiar voice cried out, "Maria, where have you been?"

Miss Heliotrope had been waiting at the front door, her blackened boot thrust against the heavy mahogany.

"You are perfectly aware that you must return to the manor before the sun has gone down, are you not?"

"Of course, Miss Heliotrope, I was only down at the edge of the forest, it took me time to make my way back up to the house," Maria sighed, walking past her governess and into the silent, musty corridor.

It was not five in the evening and already the sun was ducking behind the tops of the trees. The light, casting golden strands before Maria's eyes only moments ago, was quickly being subdued by purpling shadows. It had been happening for weeks now, each day becoming shorter than the last. The nights had become shrouded in mists and fog, curling from the forest and creeping across the manor grounds. Nightfall in Moonacre no longer held the peace it once had, rather it felt oppressive and formidable.

"Your uncle and Mistress Loveday are in the dining room. Be quick, my dear, and prepare for supper," Miss Heliotrope was saying as she rushed about the room, picking off twigs caught in Maria's hair and tutting at the state of her dress.

Maria had heard Benjamin and Loveday discuss the strange happenings of the valley with increasing fervour each night. Her uncle had been frequently leaving the manor on horseback, riding into the forest at daybreak and returning with the mists still clinging to his jacket. Whenever Maria had entered while they were deliberating, the room had always fallen silent and a new subject bought up hastily by Loveday. But as Maria walked into the dining room today, candles flickering against the dusky gloom, she felt a change in the air.

"Ah yes, Maria, do take a seat," said her uncle, indicating the chair beside him.

Maria took her place and looked uncertainty about the room. Benjamin seemed oddly solemn and was staring at her with a rare intensity. Loveday, on the other hand, was twisting and pinching at her fingers, nervously glancing at the door every few moments.

"I am sure you are aware, Maria, that we have not been completely... forthright with you over the past few weeks," Benjamin started, but was quickly interrupted by Loveday.

"It is only because we wish to protect you, my girl," she said softly, gazing at Maria and then casting her eyes towards the window.

"You see," her uncle said again after a pause, "we believe that Moonacre is once again going through some troubling times. The nights grow longer and the fog expands and advances each evening without fail. I have been looking for answers in the forest and Loveday within the books and histories of Moonacre, yet we feel that we are missing a key component... the Moon Princess."

Maria felt herself go hollow. Moonacre Valley was in danger once more? How could this be? Surely her role had been completed with the return of the moon pearls, a danger she had never wanted to face again.

"We think a solution may be found within the depths of the forest," continued Loveday, "so I have tried to contact my father, but he will not respond. We need somebody to help us who knows the woods as well as the de Noir's and fortunately my brother-"

"Robin?!" Maria gasped, colour rising to her cheeks due to her sudden outburst and the thought of the de Noir heir she had not seen in so many months.

Abruptly, there was a knock on the door and Miss Heliotrope entered, looking uneasy as she made her way into the room. Loveday clutched her hands together once more, holding her breath as everyone's attention turned to the governess.

"Your visitor has arrived, Mistress Loveday," said Miss Heliotrope, widening the door as the sound of heavy boots across the stone floor echoed within Maria's ears.

Leather and feathers flashed into sight as a bowler hat ducked beneath the low door frame. Robin de Noir raised his head, curls falling across his forehead as his eyes immediately sought out Maria. The girl felt her pulse quicken as a familiar smirk emerged on the young man's lips.

"Well, well, well, Princess, looks as though we've been reunited."

❧

Thanks for reading!

Please note: This fiction was based on 'The Little White Horse' which was written by Elizabeth Gouge and published in 1946. I highly recommend that you give it a read if you haven't already!