Chapter One: A Birthday Surprise.

Italics usually mean thoughts, dreams or notes. If there is anything else I will let you know.

Robins P.O.V.

"ROBIN!" growled a pretty little redheaded girl. "I SWEAR IF YOU DON'T GET BACK HERE I WILL PUSH YOU OFF A CLIFF!"

Robin De Noir was teasing the poor princess. He was showing off his prowess and abilities to 'disappear' into the forest. OF course, he would never leave the beautiful maiden alone. She was too important to him. He was her self-appointed protector and guardian. She considered him her best friend. Just as she was his.

"Don't worry so much, Princess. I wouldn't leave you."

"I know you wouldn't. I just have a surprise for you, is all." she scoffed in what he called her 'I'm up to something and you are my victim' tone.

"Oh really?" he drawled in a sarcastic voice, "and what might that be now, highness?"

He had suspected she was up to something. She beckoned him closer. He came closer.

"Closer," she whispered.

He barely heard her, so like she asked, he came closer. Now the two were just a few inches apart. She stood up on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. He blushed.

"What's that for, Princess?"

He noticed she had taken off running. With his hat.

"YOU SNEAKY LITTLE WITCH! GET BACK HERE!"

The routine and conversation may vary, but this was almost a daily thing. Except the kiss.

Why did she kiss me? I mean sure it was only the cheek, but that is not something she has done before. Am I reading too much into this? It's just a kiss, right? I've had kisses before. Sure the girls at home don't exactly have the feather soft lips Maria does, but they were still kisses. Damn! I need to stop thinking about this.

He shook his head and cleared his thoughts. He knew exactly where his Little Moon Princess was heading. She is going to their special place. Maria called it their Get-Away Hollow. No one really knew about it. Sure those two guards had found it when Robin was considered a traitor. They had long since forgotten it by this time. Robin caught up to Maria in no time. She ran harder.

"Run faster, Birdie Boy! You are getting slow in your old age."

She beat him to the hollow under the tree by a few seconds. Granted she did have a good head start as well. What he saw when he entered the underground quarters surprised him.

"Happy Birthday Robin." she whispered when he came in.

He smiled at the girl who was slightly blushing. She had turned the entire room into a little birthday celebration for the De Noir Heir. There were a few decorations, a wonderful looking cake, no doubt Marmaduke Scarlet's work and a present wrapped up neatly by the cake.

"Oh Maria, I told you not to worry about my birthday."

"Robin, 21 is a big birthday. Soon your father is going to announce you as the De Noir Heir and then you will have the rite of passage into true adulthood. You know this bird boy."

"I know Maria. Thank you, for thinking of me."

"I figured you would be embarrassed with all the attention you will be receiving at your ball tonight, so I thought to give you my gift now."

"Thank you, Maria. You didn't have to go through all this trouble to save me a little more embarrassment tonight."

"Are you going to open that or not, Sir De Noir?"

He laughed, "Why of course my lady Princess," while giving her a sweeping bow.

He opened the wrapping paper to see the box. Inside the box was another carefully wrapped package. He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"What can I say, even on your birthday, I love giving you a hard time."

He laughed. After the third box was another that wasn't wrapped. This time, it was what he had been searching for. He carefully opened that box. Inside it was a necklace. The necklace had a small black lion with ruby eyes. The lion himself was black tungsten carbide. He hung on a delicate chain.

"I know that men don't wear jewelry, but when I saw this, it reminded me so much of you. Read the inscription on the back."

To My Wonderful Protector, and Best Friend. Happy Birthday. Love Maria.

He looked up at her and smiled.

"I love it, Maria. It's the best present I have gotten."

"Oh, Pish Posh. You haven't received your other birthday gifts."

"I know, but it came from you. That makes it the best."

He watched as her face glowed with embarrassment. He laughed at her again. He saw her smile up at him and he almost went delirious. Until he realized she was still wearing his hat.

"Maria, I think you forgot something though."

"Oh, and what, pray tell, is that?"

"Well, it's black, round, and on your head."

"Honestly, Robin, I think it looks better on me."

"That may be true, Princess, but I can't be seen without my trade mark hat. It makes my trade mark scowl look less impressive."

She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. Instead, she sighed and replied,

"I suppose I could give you back your hat. You are rather funny looking without it."

"Hey! I'm not funny looking."

"Have you seen a mirror?"

He stuck his tongue out at her. She decided to call a truce. It was his birthday after all.

"Let's slice the cake now. If we come back without having eaten it, Marmaduke will be upset. I wouldn't want to harm his feelings."

"Indeed you are right, Princess. Besides, Marmaduke is the best chef around."

They cut into the cake and ate in silence.

He was walking her back home to Moon Acre Manor and decided to strike up conversation again.

"So, the ball tonight."

"What about it?"

"It wouldn't look right for the guest of honor to show up without an escort."

"And your point, Robin?"

"I would like you to go with me."

"Are you asking me to accompany you to the ball?"

"Um…Kinda?"

"Dear Robin, it's a yes I am, Maria, or No I'm not, Maria kind of question."

"Alright then."

He stopped walking and pulled her to a stop as well. He made another of his deep, sweeping bows. This was one held no mockery in it, unlike the last.

"Maria Merryweather, Moon Princess and Savior of Moon Acre Valley, would you accompany to the De Noir Ball tonight?"

"Sir Robin De Noir, Heir of the De Noir Clan, Savior of Moon Acre Valley, and my Protector, I would be most honored to accompany you to the ball tonight."

She said everything with as much honesty as he did.

"Thank you, Maria, but I didn't save Moon Acre. You did."

"Robin, I couldn't have done anything without your help. It's because of you I was able to fulfill my duty. You are just as much the Savior of Moon Acre as I am."

He blushed at her words.

"Come on, then, Princess. I have to get you back to your Manor if you are to escort me to the ball tonight."

She smiled at his shyness.

"Why of course, how foolish of me."

They walked back to the Manor house side by side.

A/N That's it for chappie one. I will be updating here soon. J