That evening Robin found herself once again, dressed elegantly, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the ballroom. As she watched the throngs of bodies weaving endlessly in and out over the ballroom floor, Robin carefully observed the blue haired Prince and tried to discern which young maiden had caught his eye. Robin was excellent at reading body language, but she did not see one maid that the Prince favored more than the others.
But her survey was presently interrupted by a deep whisper that spoke so near behind her she could feel the words on the back of her neck. "A super beauty like you should be dancing herself not watching others do it."
Instantly, and much to Robin's chagrin, chills ran down her spine and her heart rate accelerated to an uncomfortably quick pace. The reason her treacherous body plagued her was simply because she'd already danced quite a bit that evening. There was no lack of partners for a well-dressed woman at this ball. Robin had danced at least six dances with six different men and not one of them elicited the same response in her that this man did. Had it merely been the close proximity to a man or the excitement of dancing or the thrill of being unknown, the other men would have turned at least some response in her body. But not one of those men made her heart rate hasten or body tremble the way the man behind her did. She was left to face the fact that it was only this man who could move her so.
As he spoke again, Robin felt her eyes half closing in pleasure at the sound of his voice. "Dance with me. Yesterday you allowed me to dance with you in the moonlight, tonight let me dance with you in the ballroom. Let me be the envy of all the men around us."
Robin could hear his smirk in his voice as he spoke and though caution told her not to dance with him again, her head was already nodding yes and letting him lead her away. When he pulled her to him, he didn't hold her at length as a man might hold a woman he was dancing with for the second time; instead, Cutty Flam pulled Robin close to him so that she was pressed into his broad chest and his right arm strongly encircled her waist. His still held her left hand in his own, but instead of holding it at arms length, he bent his elbow and held her hand to her chest where Robin could feel the rushed beating of his heart. In this position, it was easy for him to bend his head and plant a small kiss on her hand.
As Cutty Flam spun her around, he whispered to her, "It has been less than a day, but I missed you terribly. I could think of nothing except you from then until now."
Every instinct that Robin had was telling her to run, but the large man was too strong and holding her too close. It made Robin briefly wonder if he'd planned to get a good grip on before he said such words. But the easy way he spoke dispelled that theory- this man was simply speaking his thoughts as they came into his head. The knowledge made Robin blush and she looked down to hide the fact and the movement brought her head closer to his chest. Her dance partner took the opportunity to lower his head to hers and breathe in the flora scent of her hair.
When the song ended, Cutty Flam released her waist, but kept the hold on her hand. He said nothing, but eyed her meaningfully from behind his black mask. And Robin knew then that, even if it was straight into danger, she would follow him anywhere. Luckily for Robin, he led her out into the safety of the garden and pulled her down upon a stone bench.
Cutty Flam reached his right hand out and caught Robin's other hand and they merely sat there holding hands for some time. Neither of them knew what to say, maybe or they were both lost in thought, for neither spoke nor made any intelligible sounds. His large hands not only covered Robin's hands but also encircled her wrists. Robin was a tall woman with long slender hands, but being here with him, she felt rather small. As Robin looked down at their entwined hands, and unspoken emotion washed over her and she tried to pull away.
This was fine for other people. Other couples could hold hands and enjoy closeness. Other women could look on a man with lust and passion. But these things were forbidden to Robin- she was little more than a Witch behind her mask. When she took it off again, she'd again be just the Witch. And if she didn't care about this man, she could simply lead him on like this. But the more time she spent with him, the more she liked him with his easy smile and his charming manner. She liked that he said exactly what was on his mind and that he understood when his words were too much for her. He had endeared himself to her with that stupid silly dance the evening before and she admired his free spirit. This man was too good for her; she needed to pull herself away and run back to her cottage. Being here, with him, she began to hope and to wish for impossible things.
Witches don't get to wish or hope.
But when Robin pulled away, Cutty Flam held her fast. He moved both her hands into his left hand and reached his right hand up to touch her face lightly. "Robin," he called gently, "Robin, sweet Robin, look at me."
And because her body found itself unable to deny his wishes, she looked up into his sea-blue eyes and found herself lost once more. She stopped struggling. His right thumb was stroking her cheek and she tried to regain composure. She hated this feeling of being open and vulnerable- his eyes, she was certain, could see right through her soul into all the feelings she'd hidden away over the years. She loved this feeling of connection as he looked into her eyes searching for something that only he could find. The confusion was enough to drive even the most practical woman mad.
At length he spoke, his voice low and serious. "When I look into your eyes I see so much pain there. I want to take it all away. I want to make sure that pain doesn't follow you anymore. Where you are with me, nothing can hurt you. I will chase all of it away! Until there is nothing left but you and me."
If Robin's heart beat any faster it would certainly burst, and despite being a skeptic, she believed his words from the depths of her heart. She closed her eyes and melted into the power of his touch. How had these feelings rushed up upon her so suddenly? Maybe Vivi was right. If he cared about her this much, maybe he wouldn't care that she was just a witch-not even a witch. "Cutty Flam," she started surprised at how breathy her voice sounded and she had no idea what to say next.
But the man before her smiled, "That all I needed to hear." And then his lips were pressed to her cheek just below her mask and then he trailed his kisses down her jaw line and his hand slipped from her cheek to her neck and delicately wove into her hair. He pulled her hair aside and placed a kiss beneath her ear before he moved his kisses down the graceful curve of her long her neck.
Robin's body was alight with feelings that she had never before even imagined. A small moan of pleasure escaped her lips barely audible, but loud enough to make Cutty Flam smile against her neck. Soon his arms encircled her holding her to him and she wound her arms around his broad chest to hold him too. Then he sighed making his ribs expand and contract under her arms before he pulled her even closer. Robin had never been as happy as she'd been in that moment. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she held them back.
Cutty Flam gave another contented sigh and said in a voice full of pleasure, "Now this is SUPER."
There in his arms, Robin laughed. Her laughed made Cutty Flam laugh too and soon they were both unable to stop. Eventually, Robin pulled slightly back to look up into his face still holding onto his jacket at the elbows. Then one of his large hands was on her chin and he looked sincerely into her eyes and confessed the truth in his heart, "You are my happiness."
In a rare moment of boldness, Robin reached up and pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek just at the corner of his mouth. The smile she was rewarded with heartened her and she might have kissed him again, but the clock chimed midnight and it alerted her to how late it was. She soon realized she was losing herself in the moment and that she needed to return home.
"I should go," she said quietly and Cutty Flam nodded.
He kissed her hand once more and asked, "I'll see you tomorrow?"
Robin nodded, lord help her. Something had come over her and she was no longer the isolated being she'd been a few days ago. Tomorrow might be the last day she had with this man and she wanted to enjoy it. Even if her existence was a sin, tomorrow she would have one more day to be just Robin and not the Witch.
The next day when Vivi came to see her, Robin was rather sullen. "What's wrong?" Vivi had asked, but Robin had no words to express the wealth of conflicting emotions within her. But Vivi smiled knowingly, "You really like this guy!"
Too quickly, Robin answered "No!" And it only sent Vivi into a fit of giggles. The younger girl was done with Robin's hair and wrapped her arms around Robin's shoulders in a childish hug. Robin allowed it.
"That you're conflicted just further proves you aren't a Witch. The sooner you stop thinking of yourself as the Witch, the sooner you will stop standing in the way of your own happiness," Vivi intoned as she was looking in the mirror at Robin's reflection.
It made Robin sigh. "Even if I don't see myself as a witch, they still see me as a witch," Robin finished with a wave at the cabin door.
"But I don't see you as a witch and I'm willing to bet that he doesn't either," she said. Her voice was as soft as bells and her smile as sweet as honey. It was no wonder the world rejoice in her Princess-like qualities. In a lofty tone Vivi added, "Beside you won't even be a 'witch' by profession when I talk to Father after the ball. There are a thousand uses and jobs for someone as smart as you within the castle."
At this Robin sat up and turned to face Vivi with large shocked eyes. "What? No one would accept a Witch working in the castle."
But Vivi's face was kind as she said, "That is why you must forget the nonsense about being a witch." Before Robin could object, she added, "And the hordes of people's opinions you agonize over... they will see you walking proudly with me and your man and they will no longer see a witch."
Again, the prickling sensation rose in Robin's eyes- it had happened more in the last three days than in her entire life. To distract herself, she swapped places with Vivi and began to do the other woman's hair. Words failed her. Robin didn't dare to wish or hope for the pretty scenario Vivi had envisioned. She would simply have to wait and see what came to pass.
As Robin worked Vivi's hair, the Princess regaled them both with tales of the Prince's behavior last night and this morning. Chuckling every now and again at the antics she relayed, Robin wondered that the Prince she saw standing demurely in the ballroom surrounded by over dressed and over rouged women competing for his hand was the same as this energetic creature from Vivi's stories. But as Vivi helped her into the white dress, Robin deduced that he must be very shy or knew how to act with the proper decorum in public.
It took Robin a minute to realize that Vivi had stopped talking and was merely staring at her. Robin turned to the mirror to see what the Princess was looking at, and was caught off guard. Certainly, the reflection in the mirror was stolen or borrowed from some other woman- some regal woman with high connections who had never even been to this island. But it was Robin in the mirror staring back at herself as if transformed by some sort of magic spell.
The white dress was beautiful. It was overworked with lace and had a row of pearls at the scooped neckline. The fabric hugged her breast in just the right manner to hint at her ample figure yet not look utterly suggestive. Below her breasts, a thick ribbon cinched her waist and tied behind her back in a large bow that draped itself on wither side of her bottom. The full skirt was lose as befitted a ball gown and the slightest movement caused the fabric to rustle and swish around her. Her arms were elegantly framed by a lace fabric that came down ending in a point just above her middle fingers. There was no doubt this dress was more elaborate than the previous two, but Vivi had dressed more elaborately as well saying it was common for the last night of the ball.
But the dress was not the most stunning aspect of Robin's figure this evening. The face looking back at Robin from the mirror itself was changed. A youthful spark about the eyes that radiated happiness, a set about her lips of a surreptitious smile- one that was put there by her suitor, a new confident tilt to her chin that betrayed the new beauty she even felt within herself, and a relaxed hold in her facial muscles giving her a less apprehensive and more at-ease expression- she truly looked like a different woman than she had three days ago. And Vivi had pulled Robin's raven hair back elegantly, yet simply, so Robin's beautiful face stood out even more.
Had Vivi not been dressed more elaborately than the previous nights too, Robin might have objected. But as Vivi was dressing her she'd mentioned the custom of making everything more extravagant the last night of the ball. So the fact that Robin's dress easily would have doubled as a wedding dress never even crossed her mind.
Later in the ballroom, Robin felt eyes on her from across the room and she looked up into sea-blue eyes set behind a black mask. Cutty Flam smiled at her and Robin was certain her heart had stopped. She watched as he slowly made his way across the dance floor meandering between the dancers never taking his eyes from her once. By the time he reached her, her heartbeat was rapid and her breathing heavy. He lowered his head and kissed her cheek in greeting before offering her his arm to lead her out once more into the garden.
Once they were sat on the small stone bench, he kissed the back of her hands before turning them over and kissing her palms. "Robin," he said with a smile, "You truly are a SUPER beauty. Tonight, I almost don't believe you are real you look so sup...ethereal."
Robin smiled at his statement and whispered, "I'm happy with 'super."
"Ow!" he said speaking even more freely and obviously pleased at her comment. "Then come you are far too super not to dance." So Cutty Flam pulled her to her feet and twirled her around elegantly. Though Robin had never had the occasion to dance before the ball, Cutty Flam was an excellent dancer and carried them both as they danced in the garden amongst the roses and the lilies. They danced song after song, spending hours in each other's arms joking and chatting as they danced.
The fourth time Franky looked at his pocket watch that night, he pulled Robin back over to the bench. It was eleven-thirty and it seemed tonight he was anxious about the hour. "Robin," he started, "I don't have much time, so I will speak freely."
When Robin nodded, Franky grabbed her hands and continued, "I know we've only known each other a short time, but you have to believe my feelings for you are real. I never thought I'd meet someone like you or get a chance to be this happy." He reached up and touched her face, "Now I know that I will be happy as long as I have you by my side." He took a deep breath and said what he'd been meaning to say, "Marry me, Robin."
Completely taken aback, Robin started and said, "What?" Whatever she had thought he was trying to say, a proposal was the last thing she expected.
Cutty Flam held her hand firmly not wanting her to get away, at least not before he finished. He shook his head almost desperately, "I know. It's stupid. Ideally I'd court you for a year or more before asking this, but I took too long to find you. My Father insists on my getting married tonight."
"Your Father?" Robin was struggling to follow where this was going.
"What does that matter?" he pleaded. "You make me happy, and I'm willing to bet I make you happy too." The look in his eyes implored her to speak.
"Yes, you make me happy. More than I ever thought I could be, but marriage after a three-night romance?" Robin didn't know what to think. "Can't you ask your father for more time or simply take it?"
But Cutty Flam sighed and took his hand of her cheek and moved it to his mask removing the mask from his face. His face was everything Robin had imagined-well she hadn't imagined the metal nose, but it suited the strong face before her. But where had she heard something about a metal nose before? Then his hand was in his hair pulling and he pulled it clear off to reveal shining blue hair the same color as Vivi's.
Suddenly, everything snapped in place for Robin and she said, "Franky! You're... you're..."
"The Prince," he finished nodding. "Unfortunately. I wish I had more time, but I don't."
Robin was pulling away, trying to get her arm back. Her voice was raw with emotion as she spoke. A normal man, a normal man she might have hoped to keep for herself. But a prince? A prince was surly far out of reach for a Witch-even a false witch. She closed her eyes against the sting of tears. She would not cry! "I told you I wasn't interested in Princes," she said helplessly.
"No," he said, "you weren't. But you are the only woman here interested in me not in some ideal. I might be a prince, but I'm a man too." Before she knew what was happening, he had reached up and pulled off her mask. His breath hitched as he looked into her face for the first time. "And you are a woman. A beautiful, kind, intelligent woman who makes this man happy." Here he kissed her hand again and said, "It might not have been long, but I love you."
And then the tears did fall from her eyes. "Cutty- no Franky, I'm sorry but... I'm... I..." her voice was lost to her misery, but his hands came up to gently cup her face.
"I know." As he spoke, he rubbed the rough pad of his thumb gently over her soft lips. "I know who you are and what they call you, and I know it's not true. I know what they say, but I know who you truly are. It makes no difference to me. I would love you still no matter what they called you." He pressed his lips gently to hers again and Robin felt lost.
She pulled back, the tears flowing more freely, "Your Majesty, think of your people. They will not accept it. Neither, I think, will your father. Princes don't marry Witches." Taking a few steps back, she shook her head and spoke again, "I'm sorry. I really do love you. That's why I can't... I can't..." having no words left Robin turned and fled the garden, her feet taking her faster than she ever had gone before.
She longed for the safety and obscurity of her lone cottage on the edge of town. Robin was running so fast that she stumbled on the stair losing a shoe. When she turned back to get it, Franky was right there behind here. In a second, Robin forgot the shoe and kept running leaving Franky standing on the stair watching her retreating figure.
Franky reached down and picked up the delicate slipper cradling it in his large palm. He was supposed to announce his marriage and start the ceremony in a few minutes time. With a sigh, he turned back to the castle and went to find his father. Maybe, just maybe he could get his father to give him a little more time.
When Franky approached his father, he noticed Vivi ushering Ingram out of the room. He was now the only prince at the ball.
"Ah! Franky," King Cobra said cheerfully, "have you decided on your wife?"
Franky stood tall and sturdy, and said firmly, "Yes. I have decided and I will have no other. If she will not marry me then I will not marry."
Delighted, the King said, "Alright, then bring her forth. Let's see her."
But Franky shook his head and held up the shoe. "I can't produce her as she ran. She was a bit overwhelmed at the idea of marrying tonight. So she fled. I know with time, she will chose to marry me. But if she will not be my bride tonight then I will not get married."
The King looked long and hard at his son and decided that the day of his marriage could be pushed back slightly since at least his son wanted to marry. That itself was an improvement.
"Alright, where does she live?" the King asked. "I will send the guards to fetch her. Perhaps we can negotiate and arrangement."
"In a small cottage on the very west end of town," Franky said.
The King called out, "Hannyabal, mount a guard. We are going to need you to go down to the town and fetch a woman." He took the shoe from Franky's hand, "The one who owns this shoe. She must be presented before me and brought to reason."
With that the guard began to prepare and Franky left his father and the troops.
Vivi found her brother in an upstairs corridor some time later. "Franky, what's going on? Where is Robin?"
But he merely shook his blue head sadly, "She fled when she learned who I was." After a pause he looked directly at Vivi and said, "She loves me, I know it! The only thing stopping her is the cruel name people call her."
Sighing, Vivi said, "Then let's both go talk to her. She will see that even the people cannot stop what is between you."
"Father sent Hannyabal with a guard to go bring her back. I just don't know what is taking so long."
Vivi sat beside her brother and put and arm comfortingly around his broad shoulder. Then something clicked in her head. "Did you say Hannyabal?"
Franky nodded. "Yes. Why?"
"He's married right? What was his wife's name?" Vivi's heart was beating too fast and a foreboding feeling descended rapidly upon her.
"Uh..." Franky said scratching his unusual chin in thought, "Something with a 'D'... Daffodil? Daraillo? Domino. Yes, Domino. That's it!"
The sinking feeling got worse and Vivi grabbed her brother's hand. "Come on! Robin's in trouble!"
"What?" Franky said springing to his feet. The siblings ran to the duck squad to get a fast mount hoping they could make it to the cottage in time.
By the time the guard had gotten to Robin's cottage, she had already changed into a white shift for sleeping. She was laying sleepless and miserable in her bed when she heard the voices outside.
"The woman is a witch? Are you sure?" the voice was the King's. Well, it wasn't like she didn't know it was coming. She'd been expecting it since Franky revealed his identity.
"Yes, a terrible witch! She was just trying to poison my wife's mind earlier this week and break up my own marriage, Sir. Luckily, my wife was able to see reason and realize the Witch can't be trusted."
So that is how it was then. Robin could easily remember the woman and her sister that visited her earlier in the week. The voice she heard now was definitely the voice of that man she had followed for the Domino woman. Either he wanted revenge or thought his problems would go away with the removal of the witch. It always came down to this.
A chorus of voices agreed with the head guard that this was the Witch's place.
"If the Prince loves her, Sir," the head guard spoke, "Then it must be an enchantment of a powerful time. We must get rid of the witch to free him of her witchcraft!"
The voices went on and Robin listened to them plan her fate. It was for the best. To stay here, so near to the Prince she loved so dearly, would be torture. They decided to cast her adrift in a small rowboat and let her fend for herself. The house would be burned to expunge any evil she may have left behind. Her fate thus decided the guards burst into her house to carry her away.
Vivi and Franky got there just in time to see the King give the long-nosed shooter the instruction to set the house ablaze.
"Robin!" Vivi shrieked as she jumped down off Carue.
Franky it seemed was too angry to speak; he dashed into the burning house looking for her. He popped back out of the house in a dither. "Where is she?" he demanded.
Their father sighed and said, "Cast out to sea in a small boat."
A panicked look overtook her brother's features and he said, "What? She can't swim and it's going to storm!"
"Then that is her fate!" The King's tone was cruel and everyone but his children flinched away. "It is what happens when you put a spell on the son of the Royal Family. It is lucky that Hannyabal told me of her trade before I brought her back to the castle insisting she marry you. When she is gone, either by distance or because the sea swallowed her, you will be free of her spell."
Vivi could no longer hold her tongue. "ROBIN ISN'T A WITCH!" she shouted loudly and every eye snapped to her. Stealing her nerves she said steadily, "Robin isn't a witch and she didn't curse Franky. She had no interest in the Prince and wouldn't even have been at the ball if I hadn't insisted." Vivi turned a cold glare on the guards, "You all call her a witch, but have any of you seen her do magic?" All the guards looked down. "Have you even seen any evidence of her doing magic?" Again they looked down. "Was there even anything in her house to suggest she might use magic?" When they again didn't answer her father spoke up.
"Hannyabal witnessed against her. Said she used magic to attempt to break up his marriage."
By now Vivi was beyond angry, she could only guess at what her brother felt. This time she shouted, "Did he also tell you he was sleeping with his sister-in-law?" There were gasps all around both from shock of the declaration and from hearing the Princess say it. "His wife asked Robin to find out if he was being unfaithful and that is what Robin did. All she did was discover Hannyabal's secret. It's probably the reason he wants her gone so badly."
"Hannyabal, is this true?" the King demanded.
The large guard backed up looking down at his feet saying, "Well you see...the thing is... I mean..."
But Franky wasted no more time. The Prince walked up to the guard and swung a strong right hook into the deceitful man's jaw. Through his clenched teeth he demanded, "Where is she?"
All the guards and the King included pointed off to the point on the shore where they released her. Franky was off like a shot and the King was saying, "Vivi, maybe you better tell me the story from the beginning."
But just then the fire crackled and popped loudly and brought Vivi's attention to the one book Robin couldn't replace. Her feet moved before she thought about where they were headed and she could hear her father screaming her name behind her. Inside the burning house the smoke stung her eyes and burned her throat, but Vivi was on a mission. She had a feeling where the little book would be and she managed to pull it out from under the pillow of the little bed unharmed. Though the book was her motivation, she was also able to rescue the shoe and the casablanca lily.
When she emerged from the burning cottage unscathed but covered in ash, her father immediately rushed to her and relieved her of her burdens. He eyed the objects curiously and called for a glass of water to be brought for his daughter. She was sat upon Carue and given the water- from where she had no idea- and she was glad to see that Hannyabal had been tied up.
Her father was eying the journal with a very interesting look and asked, "Vivi, of all the books in the house why save this one?"
Swallowing to ease the pain of her raw throat, Vivi informed him, "It was her mother's journal. All the rest of the books can be replaced."
There was something strange in the Kings smile, but he said, "Vivi, let's ride to the shore and you can tell me everything you know about this woman. Zoro," her father addressed another guard, "take two other men and bring this traitor to the dungeon. The rest of you quell this fire and then follow us to the shore on foot."
"Aye!" the men said and went to their assigned tasks while Vivi rode Carue and the King rode the duck her brother had abandoned. She told her father everything she knew about Robin and about the blossoming romance between the woman and her brother. They rode swiftly and past discarded items of Franky's clothing as they went. There was a jacket, here a cravat. Shoes, socks, pants, one by one they passed the items in the road. When they reached the shore, Franky was wearing nothing but his white shirt- unbuttoned of course- and his swim pants. Vivi somehow knew he would be wearing those under his clothing.
The boat that was carrying Robin away was quite a way off shore and the waves crashed violently against the beach in light of the storm moving in. The skies were clouded and out over the sea rain was falling and moving in the direction of the island. But that didn't stop Franky from diving right into the ocean and swimming straight for the little boat that was being tossed about on the waves.
The unstable boat was moving aimlessly up and down in the sea in a nauseating manner. Sometimes a wave would burst up and spill over the side into the little boat. The boat hadn't even made it out to the rain clouds, and already Robin was soaked through her skin. She shivered in the early morning breeze her terror of the sea adding to her plight.
They had given her not one oar with which she might hope to steer or any devices to use to float incase she capsized. All the guards had given her was a swift kick to the back of the boat and a snicker of, "Enjoy the storm." The beating of her heart was so heavy that she could feel it in her throat and temples. Her hands shook as she tried unsuccessfully to grip the side of the boat. Another wave pushed the boat dangerously upwards so that it was practically sideways. Robin might have screamed but her voice was lost in her terror.
Just then a wave crowned and dashed her boat sideways against a rock. As the small craft broke into useless planks of wood, the rain started to fall around Robin. The water swarmed up to surround her making her feel week and her fright was so great that she imagined she heard the sound of her voice being shouted over the roar of the storm. But such fantasies only existed to torture her.
The water fought for entrance into her mouth and nose while the rain pelted her eyes making it impossible to see. He limbs flailed wildly trying to find purchase, but there was nothing there to grasp on to. The waves tossed her about as if she were a mere toy and finally she knew that the end had come. There was no hope now, she'd drowned in the sea, but at least she'd gotten those last three days. As the waves began to pull her under, she thought at least those three days had been worth it.
Then Robin accepted, almost willingly, the salty embrace of the ocean as it pulled her further into its fatal depts. Just as she was beginning to sink, two strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her against a strong chest. "I've got you now, Robin," a familiar voice spoke with a gentle edge to the steel determination it carried.
Gasping a sweet breath of the rain filled air, Robin whispered, "Franky," not knowing whether it was really him or some hallucination of her half-dead mind.
"You're safe, Robin. We're together now. Once we get to the shore we won't ever have to be apart again. Just don't give up! You got that?" Franky loosened his grip with one hand to propel them backward toward the shore.
But the sea seemed to be enraged at the loss of its newest bride and it fought forcefully against her removal. The waves crashed over their heads trying their best to pull them apart. Robin held her breath to keep from inhaling the salty water and rendering all of Franky's efforts for naught. She was too exhausted even to fight the sea anymore and she slumped back onto Franky's shoulder trusting him to save them both.
"We're almost there, Robin," he said before a wave rose up and pulled them both under for a moment before they reemerged. "Just keep holding on."
Eventually they moved out of the rain though the waves still fought against their departure. But soon they were close enough to hear someone on shore shouting "Bring the blankets! Be quick!"
And then a softer female voice called out, "Robin!"
"We made it," Franky whispered against her hair as he pulled her out of the sea.
They both collapsed to the beach, sand clinging to their wet bodies. Turning over, Robin expelled a great amount of seawater from her lungs while a large hand rubbed over her back. Turning toward the hand, she looked up into Franky's blue eyes and lopsided grin and felt her heart leap. She hadn't died; she was here on the beach with him. Franky had saved her- pulled her right out of the ocean's watery grasp. Then he pulled her to his chest wrapping his strong arms around her and pressing his lips to the top of her head. She felt her own arms wrap around him as well desperately clinging to him as if her life still depended on it.
"I thought I'd lost you," Franky whispered as blankets were wrapped about their shoulders. "I'm never letting you go again."
Burying her face in his bare chest, Robin only managed one word beset by the shivers that had over taken her since being pulled from the water- her voice was a weak whisper, "S-s-su- su-per."
Franky's grip loosened only enough to pull her up for a proper kiss. His lips crushed down upon hers, and though there was still a tremble in all of her limbs, Robin returned his kiss passionately. But they were soon interrupted but the King who was clearing his throat. Suddenly, Robin realized that she and Franky were surrounded by the guards and the King- the very same people that had pushed her into the ocean. Her fingers dug into Franky's arms holding fast to the only stable rock in the turbulent ocean of her life. Franky soothed her by stroking the wet hair that was streaming down her back.
"Nico Robin," the King said using a name that Robin recognized but had never heard spoken aloud, "it seems I and my men have done you a great disservice. I listened to the word of my guard without even looking for evidence to the contrary. It is my great shame that we acted in such a crazed and hasty manner. Since that time, Princess Vivi has informed me of your circumstances.
"It seems my daughter thought one item in particular was worth saving from your cottage- the journal your mother kept. I am glad she did for it is all the proof I need to see that you are no witch indeed. Everyone knows that the makings of a witch is passed down in the blood and your mother was no witch. I knew Nico Olivia well."
At this proclamation everyone gasped so the King paused before continuing. "It was many, many years ago now, but your mother visited this island for a time studying the ancient scripts and artifacts we have preserved beneath the castle. Six summers she visited us and it was my job then as Prince to show her where to find the materials and fill her in on any colloquialisms she was not otherwise aware of. My father offered her a place to stay in the castle, but she said it was too big and she'd much prefer to rent her own place. The cottage you own was the very house your mother stayed in when she came to this island."
Robin's eyes widened in surprise. There had always been a comforting familiar feeling about this cabin, and now she wondered if it was because of the connection with her mother. Smiling, she realized that her mother probably chose the shabby cabin for the same reason she did: the bookshelves. A strange sort of strained chuckle escaped her lips and Franky squeezed her shoulder with a smile.
The King had continued speaking. "I remember that when she left she told me that she would not be back the next summer because she and her husband were expecting a little one. I was saddened to find out she died and would not be continuing her research. The letter mentioned that her daughter was released into the care of a distant relation, though knowing what I know now, I wish I had looked into it further. My wife often asked after what had happened to Olivia's child. She and Olivia had been quite good friends and Olivia had been such a help with Franky when he was little. The Queen would have been happy to take in Olivia's child. I feel I should apologize for letting that rest too."
At the mention of his mother, Franky's arms tightened around her and Robin noticed the tears streaming down his face. "I'm not... I'm not crying!" The Prince stammered and everyone else carried on as if he really weren't. She loved him even more then.
"I know it won't fix all the damage done over the years, but your cottage will be repaired, though," the King added with a chuckle, "I daresay my son wants you to move in with us at the palace permanently."
At this Franky laughed and Robin found herself laughing as well. It had been an overwhelming day- especially these last few hours, and Robin was beyond exhausted. Without meaning to, Robin slumped against Franky.
Noticing this and the way Franky started fussing over her, Vivi spoke up, "Father, maybe we should get back to the castle and let Robin rest a bit before we start talking marriage arrangements."
The King nodded, "Very well. Vivi, you and Robin can ride back and we will escort you."
With a slight moan, Robin shifted in Franky's arms wondering how she'd manage to find the strength to sit up and hold on. Maybe Franky sensed this or maybe he just really didn't want to let her go because he said, "No need, Father. I will carry her back."
Robin gave him a grateful smile and rested her head on his shoulder as he scooped her up bridal style in his arms. Listening to the steady thumping of his heart, Robin slipped into unconsciousness.
It was well past daybreak when the party reached the castle and Vivi yawned despite her best efforts not to. She was very tired, but she decided not to sleep until she had seen Robin tended to. It was her duty as woman of the house after all.
King Cobra called the servants together when they reached the castle and motioned to the unconscious form of Robin. "This woman is a family friend and very likely my son's future bride. Treat her with kindness and respect as befitted that station. She had had a hard night and needs to be cleaned up and tended to by a doctor."
A few of the maids offered to help with Robin in the bath, and Franky refused to let her go until he had carried her all the way into the bath house. The women said they could manage from there. Vivi was along as soon as she'd found something suitable for Robin to wear. Together the Princess and maids scrubbed the sand and salt from Robin's body and hair and then dressed her.
A cleaned up Franky was waiting to carry her to her room where Doctor Chopper would look her over. After assuring the Royal Family that she was fine and just needed rest, they finally decided to rest as well. It was nearing afternoon and Franky had every intention of staying by Robin's side all night, but Vivi managed just barely to convince him that such a thing was not proper. He didn't relent until she explained that she would stay in Robin's room and that he could come back in the morning after getting sleep.
Rising with the sun, Franky was there first thing in the morning. Vivi left him to watch over Robin, with the door open and supervision of course, and Vivi left the castle with their Father to spread the word about Robin. The townspeople were completely captivated by Robin's sad tale, and once hearing it, it seemed that almost everyone had something to say.
"You know," a little boy said first, "She said some very comforting things to me when my mother died."
"Yes and she helped my senile grandmother find her way home when she got lost."
"I saw her help a dog with a wounded leg."
When all was said and done, it seemed everyone knew someone who had been helped by the woman they'd called Witch. They had kept the stories to themselves thinking them aberrations, but in light of hearing them all together, the people conceded that Robin never was the wicked creature they took her for.
That's when the deliveries started: flowers, candies, soaps, fabric, everyone had something to send to the dark haired woman. When Robin woke three days after the ball, she looked around the room. "What's all this?" she asked.
Vivi smiled at Robin benignly. "Well wishes from your adoring subjects, using the term loosely until you marry my brother of course."
Laughing Robin asked, "You intended that the whole time didn't you?"
With a smile as bright as her hair, Vivi spoke, "I had hoped. I know my brother very well and it was easy enough to figure out whom he would get on with. I only had to hope that you would like someone as... eccentric... as him."
Just then Franky came running to the door. "I heard voices so I... ROBIN!" he called running to her bedside. "I missed it! I wanted to be here when you woke up!"
"He's been by your side since you fell asleep three days ago. I am barely able to kick him out at night for propriety's sake. It was only a few moments ago that I was able get him out of here."
The smile Robin bestowed on her love was one of the most beautiful Vivi had ever seen. "I'll leave you two alone for a bit then," the Princess said slipping out of the room.
"Robin," Franky said bringing her hand up to his lips, but couldn't think of the right words to add, so he trailed off there.
But Robin didn't need to hear words to see the love in Franky's eyes, so when he dropped her hand, she reached up to his neck and pulled him to her for a kiss. His lips were soft and tasted like cola while his hands were rough and slid over her arms possessively. When she felt his tongue on her lips she opened her mouth and welcomed him with a soft sweet moan. Their passion was endless and it was with great pain that Robin finally broke the kiss. The room full of tokens of appreciation was proof enough that the island had forgiven her existence and that no one would think she'd bewitched him any longer.
"Ask me again," she commanded in a voice still quite breathless from their kiss.
Grinning like a tiger, Franky didn't need to ask what question. "Robin," he started, "Will you stay by my side forever and become my bride?"
"Yes!" she answered without a moment's hesitation.
Jumping off the bed Franky called out in a voice so loud that it brought the King, the Princess, the head guard and a hand full of attendants running into the room:
"!"
Robin blushed prettily while the new arrivals looked at the bed ridden Robin and the strangely posing Franky for an explanation. "She said YES!" Franky shouted as he danced about the room. "She said YES!"
The wedding was held at the end of another week and Robin was the most beautiful bride the kingdom had ever seen. In time she became a good Queen and the entire kingdom was thankful to have her. In a few more years time Vivi became the queen of a kingdom on the mainland when she married the Prince Kohza. The Queen never feared traveling to see her sister-in-law, as she knew her King would never allow the ocean to swallow her up. The happiness Robin found with Franky far out weighed the misery of her youth.
Author's note: Okay so this is the longest one shot I've ever written. 41 pages and over 20,000 words! Geez! _ I have no idea how it got so long. So please, if you liked it review! I was going to write Sanji's tale for this chapter, but Robin really wanted me to get this out. ;) I've neglected all my other pieces to write this one so now I've quite a bit of editing to do. Plus I'm sitting on some pieces that I don't think I can post here. Are there any One Piece fiction sites where you can post stories with a higher rating?
I should mention the delay. I wanted this up yesterday and Memory up today, but I got very sick. So I'll need a few more days to edit that one.