Maria sat beside Loveday in the carriage as they headed towards De Noir castle. Ralph was running alongside the carriage like he was their guard. Maria looked out the carriage window and spotted a flash of white in the trees. She had asked her uncle what had happened to the unicorn last night but he had told her he didn't know. Maria watched the pure white creature trot through the shadows of the trees, keeping pace with the carriage. Maria leaned back in her seat and sighed. Ever since Loveday had suggested she came with her so she could see Robin, Maria had been extremely excited. She didn't know why but she was.

"It's been so long since I've been home. I wonder how the place has changed."

"It's drab and dreary and scary," Maria stated without thinking.

"Yeah but it was like that before I left. I can't wait to sit down and chat with Father and Robin like when I was younger. Robin's become such a man."

Mari began to feel slightly bad as Loveday spoke. Loveday hadn't seen her father or brother in ages and she would undoubtedly want to spend the whole day with the both of them but here she was, coming along to intrue on the family reunion. Loveday must have read the look on her face because she stopped talking and gave the girl a tight hug.

"But as much as I want to just talk with them both Robin will probably get bored quickly and knowing our family he will want to escape into the woods. But if I let him go alone I won't get to say goodbye when it's time to leave so I'm hoping that you might go with him. then he'll have no choice but to come home before I leave."

"I don't think he'll want me following him around everywhere. He'll probably see me as a nuisance," Maria said a little disappointed.

"Trust me sweetie, from the way he held you last night he will welcome your company. You are my present to him for today."

Maria giggled and they chatted with each other until they came to the De Noir castle. Loveday got out first followed by Maria and they stood before the large iron gate. Instead of a guard in front of the gate, Coir De Noir was standing there. When he saw his daughter he quickly moved forward and enveloped her in a hug. When he released her he turned to Maria and did the same.

"I'm so happy to see you my daughter and Maria what a wonderful surprise. Robin will be thrilled to know you're here. Please, let's head inside."

As they walked into the old castle Maria noted how much Coir De Noir had changed. He had gone from trying to kill her to giving her a hug and welcoming her inside his home kindly. she tried not to think too much about it but it was kind of unnerving. Coir De Noir led them inside and towards the large dining hall that Maria had found the casket it when she had last entered the dark castle. Though she noticed as she walked that the castle seemed a little brighter than what it had been. It was cleaner and not as gloomy but it was still darker than Merryweather manor.

When they entered the dining hall, Maria spotted Robin almost immediately. despite how he blended in well with all the black his bowler hat gave him away. He was sitting down at one of the large tables surrounded by a group of boys around his age. Maria recognized a few of them from when they had chased her in the woods. His head was bent and he looked like he was explaining something to the group. He didn't look up until Coir called out to him. They were halfway across the hall when Coir called to his son.

"Robin, look who's come to visit," he said gesturing to Loveday and Maria. Robin looked up from the table and at first he only saw Loveday. She stood partly in front of Maria blocking her from his view but when she moved over Robin's eyes immediately landed on Maria and he stood up. He quickly made his way over and stopped in front of Maria. He wore a lopsided grin as he looked at her. Maria gave him a small smile.

"Didn't expect to see you here," he said. "I thought you'd still be asleep drooling on your pillow," he laughed.

"I do not drool in my sleep," Maria gasped and went to slap his arm but he caught her hand and laughed.

"My apologies princess," he chuckled. Maria blushes at the nickname. She looks down and realizes Robin is still holding her hand which only serves to deepen her blush.

"Um.. R-Robin.. My hand," Maria whispers.

Robin looks down and drops her hand blushing slightly.

"Well I never," Maria hears Loveday say a little ways away. "I haven't seen him since he was little and as soon as i come to see him he runs over to Maria." Maria blushes at this even though she knows Loveday's only teasing them. Robin clears his throat and turns to his older sister.

"Hey sis," Robin says giving Loveday a stiff hug. Loveday flinches at the sound of 'sis'.

"No, no, no," she says pulling back. "That just sounds too weird. Call me Loveday. Loveday is fine."

"Okay... Loveday."

"Good now as much as I would like to sit down with both you and father and catch up that really wouldn't be fair to dear Maria," Loveday said looking over at Maria with a mischievous smile on her face. She turned to Robin. "Why don't you take Maria around the castle and show her everything," Loveday suggested.

"Sure," Robin replied with a smile on his face. He turned and grabbed Maria's hand. "Let's go." With that Robin dragged Maria out of the dinning hall.

Thanks for reading

rxr