The Secret of Moonacre

Colonel George

Herbert Merryweather...

ashes to ashes...

dust to dust.

Aah, Miss Merryweather.

This being the last

will and testament of

Colonel George Herbert

Merryweather of London.

He... he...

lost it all?

Including the house?

No!

No, Papa can't have been in London.

Why, he wrote to me and

said that he was coming home,

he wouldn't arrive and not...

Aah, well...

Your father did leave you this book...

as your inheritance.

"The Ancient Chronicles

of Moonacre Valley"

I know it's hard...

but you know I...

I'm sure that your father did...

did love you.

He just... um,

and... and you know,

everybody does have to go out on

their own at some point in their...

lives.

Miss Heliotrop, I'm fine!

Really!

Yes...

"Once upon a perfect time...

many hundreds of years ago...

when the old magic called

Moonacre Valley...

there was a young woman whose

skin glint as pale as the star...

and whose heart was

as pure as a meteorite's...

such was her bravery and goodness...

she was beloved by nature...

as if she was their daughter.

One fateful night...

the moon blessed her

with an extraordinary gift...

with a tinge of the

magic of the valley...

forever!

The moon power!

From that day forward...

she was known...

as the Moon Princess!

Two ancient families lived in harmony

at the edge of the valley...

sharing nature's bounty.

Daughter to the De Noir clan...

the Moon Princess

was deeply in love

and was to be married

to Sir Wolf Merryweather.

Her father,

Sir William De Noir,

blessed the union by presenting

the couple with a rare black lion.

For my daughter's bridegroom!

Thank you, father!

In turn,

Sir Wolf gave his bride a unicorn.

Littered from the

wild white horses of the sea.

Only an animal of such beauty and purity

could be the companion of the Moon Princess.

Her heart overflowed with happiness!

The Moon Princess revealed

the magical powers to both families.

This was found deep

in the heart of the ocean.

This pearl was given to us

by mother nature herself!

Promising untold riches to us all.

Look!

They have a unique power!

They can reveal the truth

in man's heart!

Legend told of their unique powers,

so strong the pearls

will grant every wish.

Both good and evil!

Good bye...

Good bye...

You be Miss Maria Merryweather?

My man!

Quick!

Madame...

Get on with you!

Good bye...

yes, yes, yes...

Miss Heliotrop?

Maria...

When your dear mother died,

I promised her faithfully

that I'll take care of you.

So I'm not going to abandon you now!

If you're going to live with your uncle,

or in the middle of the country-side,

then I shall be there with you.

Where are my charcoal tablets?

These are doing nothing

for my indigestion.

How can I possibly go

live in the country?

It's like a camp-site!

Maria, there's only one thing

that can save us now.

Clever girl,

French,

needle point.

What's happening?

Have we arrived?

Is he deaf or something?

The man is obviously a half wit.

Who are they?

What do they want?

Don't worry my dear,

Sir Benjamin will protect us, I'm sure!

Miss...

Welcome to Moonacre!

Unfortunate circumstances.

There we are, nothing to be done.

I'm pleased to meet you, Uncle.

Miss Heliotrop.

Oh, Sir Benjamin.

Oh, what a journey we had!!!

Not one hour from this

very door we were accosted by

a bunch of ruffians.

Madame, please!

- It...

Tell me your fascinating story

some other time if I may.

His name is Wolf.

There are those

who find him alarming.

He can kill in an instant.

But you're a Merryweather.

He very probably won't harm you.

Miss Heliotrop,

your room is over there to the right.

Oh, thank you, Sir Benjamin.

Well, come along Maria.

I'm sure that your room...

will be next to mine.

No, Maria's room is up in the tower.

But, I'm kind...

You have to inspect the room first

before you turn your

nose up at whatever it is.

Good night, Uncle!

Charmed, I'm sure.

What on earth is this?

Oh, no!

No, I think not.

Young lady.

We're taking breakfast in here.

Where did you get this from?

Oh um, papa left it to me.

Well, he had no right...

This belong here.

But, that's mine!!

Miss Heliotrop!

Help!

Help, tell him he can't

take my father's book from me!

Maria!

Good question!

Why don't you just speak...

That he can't just go and...

Maria!

Don't worry.

I'm sure that he's just keeping

it safe somewhere for you.

Sit down.

Have your porridge.

Miss.

There be your breakfast, Miss.

Maria, you really must

try this delicious omelet.

Hum,um, a dish best

enjoyed in silence, I'm told.

Uncle, when can you return

my father's book to me?

Now,

you certainly have a very,

very good cook, Sir Benjamin.

Have you... have you had her long?

Madame, no woman has stepped

in this house for years!

And believe me,

the silence has been blissful.

Now, I must say, this country food is

doing wonders for my trapped wind!

Madame, please! Can't a man enjoy

a meal in his own home in silence?

Well, do tell us Uncle...

Why did you invite such

irritating and noisy females

into your nice quiet house?

I'd love to know.

My useless brother died in debt

and it fell on me to take you in.

The man was a... cowardly

good for nothing.

Sir Benjamin!!

How dare you say that?!

My father was a Colonel!

Yes.

And he died in debt owing money

to half the regiment.

He fought for his country!

And got himself killed

in a backstreet gambling den.

Borrowed money once too many times

from the wrong sort of money lenders.

He wouldn't take money from me,

would he?

Oh no.

Damn, all his pride.

You're a Merryweather, Maria...

And this is where you belong.

Here, at Moonacre.

There we are.

Nothing else to be done.

Library is private

and my study prohibited.

And in here...

The East wing, closed...

the West wing, out of bounds.

There we are.

- And here...

- Uncle, about that attack yesterday.

Can't something be done?

Yes... keep your little nose out.

I beg your pardon?

Just keep out of the forest.

But why?

Who are they?

There's a band of ruffians in the woods.

The De Noir clan.

You mean like the "De Noir"

from the story book?

No, no, no... these are real enough.

Poachers, bandits, plunderers, robbers.

Ladies.

This should suit your needs.

And this will be your classroom.

(Speaking French)

Digweed...

Bring me my whip.

You weren't expecting me to...

She can ride, can she?

Oh, Sir Benjamin,

it's a matter of fact

that a lady should never be

allowed to sit on a horse!

They're unstable and

they're vicious creatures.

I think, Sir Benjamin, it might be an

appropriate moment for me to retire.

Take care!

Come, Maria.

Every Merryweather rides.

It's in the blood.

This is Peririco... she's a little

feisty but she's a loyal stead.

Just hold out your hand.

I give you my word,

it'll stay attached to you, Miss.

You see, Miss?

She knows.

- You're getting on well with Peririco...

- Yes, Uncle.

We should be heading back.

It's getting late.

Uncle, I'm really enjoying this.

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