When we arrived at the castle Robin and I split up, gathering everyone to the main sitting area so that Robin could discuss with them what he had just told me. He wanted me to help him, so that he wouldn't have to deal with my reaction, only with everyone in the room at once.

I went to the kitchen first, telling Marmaduke that he would have to leave his beloved kitchen for a little while as we were having a very important meeting. He didn't seem very excited, but of course he came anyways.

Then I went to find whoever came to me next, which happened to be Loveday and Uncle Benjamin. They were sitting out in the garden lounging on the grass with the sunlight streaming down on them. It almost looked like it was a painting. When Loveday offered for me to join them I almost accepted, it all looked so nice. But then I remembered the current situation and had to not only turn down their offer but convince them to come with me.

"Loveday, Uncle, a very important meeting is being held in the main sitting room, and your attendance is mandatory. As a matter of fact, everyone's is."

Uncle Benjamin did not look very excited about this new information. He looked as though I was being a nuisance and wished that I would go away and leave him and his beloved Loveday alone. Well I wasn't going to be having any of that.

"Now! Come on! We. Have. To. Go." I will go get Wrolf and make him drag you to the sitting room if you make me. Do not put it past me."

They could tell I meant business. So Loveday agreed for the both of them that they would come right away and Uncle did not look as reluctant as he had 5 minutes ago.

Uncle, Loveday, and I all headed to the sitting room after that, where Robin was standing tense at the fireplace, Marmaduke was sitting in the middle of the couch and Mrs. Heliotrope was clinging on to Digweed on the loveseat looking worried and frantic.

Loveday and Uncle sat on either side of Marmaduke, and I joined Robin after he gestured for me to come over. I was not expecting to be explaining it with him, but it seemed as though that was what he had in mind.

It seemed as though everyone except Mrs. Heliotrope took it better than I had. Uncle was not surprised in the least, as he had dealt with them before, though he was very upset at the fact they were coming again after such a short amount of time (apparently they had been there in the past few years.) Loveday was looking forward to them leaving already, she despised them more than anyone she said and said she was not afraid of them in the least, leaving me worried that she may get herself harmed along with Robin, in trying to protect me to a foolish amount. Digweed and Marmaduke didn't have much of a reaction to it at all. Marmaduke shook his head and excused himself immediately grumbling about everyone being such awful people these days and that this valley had been through enough and how we should have a right to live in happiness a little while longer after everything that has happened. Digweed was a bit pre-occupied trying to calm Mrs. Heliotrope who was practically in hysterics and going on about us all moving to London for a while to evade this situation and come back in a couple of years. We all knew she didn't mean it and that even though she would probably deal with this situation the worse while they were here, she would move on, and get a better handle after a good night's rest and some of Marmaduke's cooking, which seemed to solve all her problems. (Including her indigestion.)

After Robin (and unfortunately myself) explained everything to them he took me outside to walk around in the forest.

"I figured we best do it while we can."

He reached out and took my hand. I let him take it and we walked on into the forest. We spent hours in the forest running around like little children and joking about. Robin would run away from me and hide and then make strange noises until I could find him, usually about 10 minutes later. Sometimes if he got bored waiting for me he would pop out and nearly give me a heart attack, so I would yell at him for a few minutes, very mad, but it never seemed to stop him.

After hours of what I thought were wandering aimlessly around, we arrived at the top of the cliff I jumped off of. I should have known better, Robin always knows where we are, he must have been taking us here all along. I was again struck by how beautiful the view was from the top of the cliff. The first time I was here I wasn't really all that interested in the view, and I hadn't been there since. I was looking out at the scene when Robin spoke, breaking my trance.

"I thought I'd take us here as a sort of last trip, since I don't know when they'll be coming, we can still go in the forest, but we cant go far, so this will be our last real trip until after they leave."

"Thank you Robin, I never really realized how beautiful it was until now."

"Yes well you were a bit preoccupied the last time you were here. Jumping off cliffs and what not."

"Robin, if I ask you something do you promise to answer honestly? Please."

"Alright Princess I suppose…what is it?"

"When I jumped off the cliff, were you worried at all? I know you said you weren't and I figured you were joking, but now I'm not so sure, were you worried about me Robin?"

I tried to ask as playfully as I could but I think he could tell I was genuinely curious because his expression lost that joking look it so often carried and turned a lot softer. He turned around and started walking away, back into the forest. What was he doing?

"Robin! Wait!"

He had to answer my question, he promised he would! Why couldn't he just answer the question like a normal person? Oh this boy confused and agitated me on a regular basis.

"We have to be heading back now Princess, it's nearly supper, and though it won't take us nearly as long to get back as it did to get here, it could still take a while with that ridiculous dress you're wearing. It's a wonder you can move around in those at all!"

With that I stormed off in front of him, determined to find my own way home. Of course though, Robin kept up with me easily, he practically grew up in the woods of course he would be able ot keep up with me, he could probably run backwards with his eyes closed and keep up with me. This dress really was slowing me down what with all these roots and branches jutting out of the ground.

I could finally see the opening in the trees to where the opening to my place was, when Robin grabbed hold of my arm and stopped me. I was quite upset at him right now, not only for making fun of my dress (even if it was slightly unsuitable for the forest) but also for not answering my question! I would not forget this. I could tell he wanted ot say something, but I think he could tell I was too busy thinking to myself to listen.

"Yes Robin, what is it?"

"Well, I have to go back to the De Noir castle now, but I will be back tomorrow to check up on everybody and give them updates of when we think our relatives will be coming, and then of course we can go on a little outing, if you please?"

I nodded.

"Though we will have to stay closer to home this time, as we still don't know exactly when they'll be arriving. So I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright Robin, goodbye."

I started to leave, but just as I was about to go, he grabbed my arm again. I was about to ask him what the matter was, and if he was planning on escorting me straight to my door, or if he would let me go now when he pulled me into a hug. Well that was a pleasant surprise.

"To answer your question Princess. Yes I did worry for you. Very much so."

He whispered in my ear. When he let go I hugged him again in thanks, and then headed back up to the castle. As I was waiting for the gate to open I looked back and saw him running around through the woods, back to his castle, about twice as fast, as we had been going today.

Supper was quite uneventful, and very quiet, Loveday seemed to pick up on this and afterwards, joined me up to my room. She didn't say anything at first but I had a very strong feeling that wouldn't last long…sure enough.

"How was your trip in the forest with y brother today Maria? I hope he was kind to you, he was right? If not I'll have to have affirm talking to with him when he comes over tomorrow."

"It was very nice Loveday, and of course he was nice to me, why wouldn't he be? Why are you asking me this, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Oh no, no mind at all, I was just curious as to you why you seemed so quiet and distracted at supper today."

Oh, so she had noticed, well then, I guess I may as well tell the truth.

"I was just thinking about something that I found out today, with Robin was all, nothing important, I hope I wasn't rude at the table."

"Oh no, not at all Maria, now what was it that you found out with Robin that has you so interested?"

Of course Loveday would try and make a big deal out of nothing.

"it's really nothing Loveday I promise you, I simply asked Robin a question I had been wondering about, and his answered just surprised me a bit, that's all.'

All of a sudden Loveday's face perked up a significant amount, what on earth did she look so happy? You'd thin I had just told her that her relatives were no longer coming, I really didn't see how what I had said was worthy of that reaction.

"What did you ask him Maria? And what was his answer? Tell me now Maria, then I promise to leave you alone for the rest of the evening to think by yourself."

"I do not need to be left by myself t thin Loveday, I can tell you that, and well I just asked him if he was actually worried when I jumped off the cliff, and he told me that of course he was, that's all really . Nothing else to it."

Why did I feel embarrassed telling her this? Probably because it looked as though her cheeks were about to split form the amount of smiling she was doing.

"Oh! My little brother told you that! He never admits anything like that to anyone! Not even me!"

Now I could see why, I had to remember not to tell Loveday anything from now on, she could nothing into a whole lot of discussion.

"Do you fancy him?"

DO I what? Oh she has got to be kidding me? Of course not! Robin is a friend, nothing more, I'm mad at him so often, I don't think it would even be possible ot make it anything more! Not that I would even want to in the first place! Oh no, of course not. How did she get such ridiculous ideas? Me and Robin, that is the strangest thing I had ever heard.

"You know you do, I can see it in your eyes, even if your not admitting it to yourself yet, you do you quite fancy him in fact, and I know that it will only be a matter of time before you see it, Robin on the other hand, he's probably already figured it out! Which is why he admitted he was worried! Oh my !Yes, how exciting! But that boy, oh he's so stubborn, it will take him ages ot admit it aloud to anyone, though I'm sure you can make it happen. You certainly do bring out the best in him."

Did she run on battery power or something? How on earth was she still talking? And she was speaking absolute nonsense as well.

"Loveday, Loveday? Loveday!"

"Oh yes, sorry what was that?"

"Ugh, I was trying to get your attention so that I could tell you that I do not fancy your brother, he odes not fancy me, there is nothing going on, and you need to please stop making such things up, if someone here's about this I will be ever so embarrassed, and I'm sure Robin would be as well. There is absolutely nothing going on between us, it's impossible, he's a friend of mine and I am a little girl he shows around, that's all there is to it. Okay?"

"Whatever you say Maria, but you know that deep down, that isn't true, and if you don't see it now you will soon, just you wait and see. I'll leave you now, have a good night's rest Maria, good night."

With that she left, closing my little door behind her. Leaving me ot think about all that she had just said. But, really, there was nothing to think about we were friends, no more, there was nothing else to look into. That was all. With that I changed into my night gown and fell asleep in my nice comfortable bed….