Maria's POV
We were now inside the castle, and found Coeur De Noir sitting at the head of his dining table.
'You have returned! Is there any news you have brought?' The Coeur jumped up from his seat when he saw our current state. I collapsed into a chair, I was so tired after all the running we had done. I felt as though somebody had forced me to run through the entire valley eight times. Robin looked better than I did.
Robin gestured for his father to return to his seat, and took a place next to him. He explained everything, from our theory, to our run-in with Terriwell. He left out our 'moment' though, and I wasn't surprised. I nodded throughout his story, adding little details here and there. Whilst Robin was talking, I noticed how tired he looked. I also saw how the candlelight in the room flickered through his dark eyes, making it appear as though they were alight. With the flame in his eyes darting and dancing, and the glow on his face making him appear older than he was, I had never admired Robin like I had then.
I had admired him before, for his cunning skill and the way he knew the forest better than anybody else, but I had never seen him like this. He was worried, but strong. He was nervous, but confident. I just sat there, staring at him like a giggly school girl. Pathetic, really, as I had known Robin for years. When he finished talking the Coeur sat there; just taking in Robin's words.
Robin glanced over at me, and plastered a smug little grin on his face. He must have noticed how I was looking at him. I quickly turned my head down to face the table, and then raised my head to look at Coeur De Noir.
The next few hours passed in a blur. Coeur sprang into action, and had starting making orders and putting every guard out on duty and giving everyone jobs. I was taken to a room somewhere in the castle, and had to guards outside my door. I sighed; my job was to 'stay safe.' Really, they should know I have some sort of magnet to danger. I had no clue what to do!
I heard the door creak open and, because it was dark outside now, saw a shadow slip inside my room. I was sitting on my bed, in some clothes a maid had brought to me that once belonged to Loveday. It was a lovely dark blue, with gold swirls on the neckline. The neckline itself hung low but not too low.
I still wasn't sure who was in my room, but whoever it was still hadn't said anything. I began to get nervous, and stood. I began to back away, when I heard a soft chuckle. I stopped, and the figure moved towards me.
'It's just me, Princess.' I heard the person say. I smiled to myself, and moved to a little table on the other side of the room. I lit a candle that was sitting on the table and turned to see Robin leaning against the wall. I smiled, and he grinned at me.
'You were drooling a little bit at the table. I was wondering whether to get you a napkin or not.' He smirked. I raised an eyebrow at him.
'I wasn't looking at you. I was thinking about dinner.' I said with my arms crossed.
He laughed and walked towards me. 'Funny that, I didn't say you were looking at me Princess. What would make you come to that conclusion? Do you drool over me often?'
I blushed a deep red, and went to turn back to face the table. Robin grabbed my hand and laughed again.
'I'm just kidding!' he turned me to face him. I couldn't help when a small tear trickled down my face. His face immediately switched from a playful smirk to concern.
'Maria, what's wrong?' he asked gently. I shook my head, and another tear escaped. I felt like a leaking tap; I couldn't control my tears. He wrapped me up in his arms and started whispering into my hair.
'It's okay, I'm here. I'm here.' He pulled me close, and I wrapped my arms tightly around him.
'I'm so scared, Robin.' I whispered. I was trembling. He took my hand and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling me onto his lap. We sat there for a while; me crying gently and Robin holding me tight as he tried to comfort me.
Soon I stopped crying and looked up at Robin. He was so devastatingly handsome; I couldn't understand why he returned my feelings. I was ordinary, plain, and nothing special really. At least that's what I thought.
Loveday was always telling me otherwise, and so was Mrs. Heliotrope. Robin grinned at me, making my stomach release the butterflies that were in there. I returned a small smile.
'Do you feel better then, Princess?' he kept the grin on his face. I nodded slightly, and smiled again.
'Thank you, Bird Boy. You've made me feel a little bit more at ease.' I stood. Robin stood next to me, and I took his hand in my own.
'I think we should pick up where we left off in the forest today.' He said quietly. I looked at him, his eyes staring deep into mine. It was as if they went straight through me. I didn't know what to say, how to start.
'What… what do you want me to say?' I inquired. My voice was hardly a whisper. I heard Robin laugh quietly.
'Not by telling me, Princess. Don't tell me that you love me,' he lifted my chin with his hand, so I was looking back into his eyes.
'Show me.' He said softly. I blushed, and bit my lip. I knew exactly how I wanted to show him; I wanted to kiss him with the passion I had felt for him. But I couldn't do that! Not here! He sensed my hesitation and smirked.
'I dare you.'
That was it for me; Robin and I had always had a thing with dares. If I was hesitating about something, like jumping off a waterfall he had shown me once, he would dare me. And I couldn't resist. If he was hesitating about something, like playing me something on the piano, I would dare him. And he couldn't help himself either.
I stepped forward. I smiled at him before leaning forwards and whispering into his ear, 'I love you so much, Robin De Noir.'
He pulled away and smiled at me. I guess that meant it was time for me to show him, and by this stage I was more than eager to oblige. I leaned in and gently, ever so gently, pressed my lips to his. I pulled away slightly, saw him smile, and kissed him once more.
We pulled away and he smiled wide, showing me his amazing De Noir grin. It got me every time, and I wrapped my arms around him quickly before stepping back again.
'Your turn.' I poked him gently in the arm, and he chuckled.
'Maria Merryweather, I love you more than anything. If I was asked to shout it to the whole world, I would only have to whisper it in your ear; because you are my everything now.' He put one of his hands up to my face, and I covered it with my own. I was stunned by his words. A tear of absolute joy slid down my cheek, and his thumb brushed it away whilst he smiled at me with a smile that I had never seen before. It was a smile filled with love.
'Oh Robin.' I muttered. I was trying to calm down the butterflies that seem to all have taken off at once in my stomach. He leaned in and kissed me so beautifully I thought I might die. He started gently, like he was hardly touching my lips at all. Then he got more forceful, ad parted my lips with his own. I didn't mind his force; it was gentle force and it filled me with joy. I was so surprised when he deepened the kiss, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. His hands fell to my waist, and our lips moved in perfect unison.
When we pulled away, we couldn't hide the smiles from our faces. I laughed as he lifted me and twirled me around, and sighed as he put me back down.
'I love you.' We said simultaneously.
Robin's POV
I couldn't believe how happy I was; I couldn't even begin to describe it! Feeling Maria in my arms, knowing she loved me and that she was mine just filled me with utter excitement and joy.
She was mine, mine, and nobody else's. Of all the boys and men in the valley, she chose me. I couldn't believe it. It was by far the best moment of my entire life.
Now back to the matter at hand, she was in danger and so was the entire valley. I remembered this and felt my face drop. This made her panic and I quickly reassured her.
'No, no Princess! I'm fine I'm just…I remembered our situation.' I explained. Her face relaxed, but not for long as she also remembered. She groaned.
'What can we do!?' she cried out. She left my embrace and began pacing, running her fingers through her hair. I shrugged. I sat back down on the edge of her bed and watched her.
Her face lit up. But not in the way that makes people think 'she has a brilliant idea!' no, no this was the kind of lit up face that Maria often got. It ever meant anything good, I knew that much.
'Maria…' I was wary. I knew she was up to something.
She looked at me with a smug look on her face. I groaned.
'Oh no' I sighed.
'I have an idea.' Her eyes were filled with danger.
We're gonna die.
