A/N: Summer Vacation!!!! No more school!! I just got my exams back, and I didn't fail!! I actually did really well! Sorry about the late upload, my dad grounded me so I wasn't allowed on the computer. Anyways, enjoy the chapter! - Xox Sunny

Discalimer: Elizabeth Goudge died in 1984, 10 years before I was even born, so I highly doubt that I am her, or that I own the rights to the book or movie...

Flaskback

Maria took a tentative step towards me, and then turned towards the ocean. Somehow, our hands found their way into each other's, and we stood there, holding hands, and staring at the moon.

End Flaskback

A few minutes later, we all made out way back into the forest towards Moonacre Manor. My father was talking with Loveday and Sir Benjamin was talking to Maria. I was walking behind them, feeling a little bit awkward, and debating on whether or not to join in on one their conversations.

Suddenly, Maria collapsed. I caught her in my arms as she fell, cradling her small body in my arms. When Sir Benjamin tried to take her from me, I held on tighter. He looked at me and finally nodded tightly. He must have seen how worried I was about her. I carried her through the forest, stopping when we reached the clearing by Moonacre Manor.

My father left with Loveday to go back to the castle in the woods. My father must have finally bent his pride and asked her for forgiveness for kicking her out when she told him that she was in love with Sir. Benjamin.

For some strange reason, I felt a little uneasy about it. In my entire life I had never known Father to be so easily swayed from a decision. I shook the thought from my mind, focusing on Maria. She was lying in my arms unmoving. She was as light as a feather, and felt tiny in my arms.

I carried Maria into the manor and up the stairs. Miss Heliotrope left with Digweed for their respective bedrooms. Sir Benjamin took me to the stairs that led up to Maria's bedroom in the tower and then went into his own bedroom, shutting the door behind him firmly.

I brought Maria up to her room. I had to duck a bit to get through the door – It was tiny. I placed her carefully on her bed, or tried to anyways. She clutched at my shirt and wouldn't let go. I gently pried her hands from my shirt and laid her down on the bed. Just before I left the room, I gently dropped a kiss on her forehead.

As I left her room, I heard Maria murmur my name in her sleep. It pulled at my heart and made me feel like flying. I mentally reminded myself to talk to Loveday the next day and ask her about it.

I walked back to the castle in the forest, and went to my room. I was exhausted, but for some reason, I couldn't sleep. My thoughts were whirling. I closed my eyes, but all I saw was Maria. Smiling and laughing, spitting with anger – her face flushed. No matter what, the images wouldn't leave. Not that I wanted them to. I finally fell asleep, after about an hour or tossing and turning.

I woke up the next morning and walked down to the great hall for breakfast. Father was there, but Loveday was nowhere in sight.

"Father, where is Loveday?" I asked him. "Didn't she come back here last night?"

"She did come back here, but she left a short while after. She said she had to go home, wherever that is." Father replied, waving his hand dismissively.

"Oh. Did she say when she was coming back?" I asked my father. "I have to ask her something."

"No. She didn't." Father replied "What do you need to ask her about?"

"Nothing." I said quickly, not wanting to let my father know about my problem.

"It's about that Meriwether girl isn't it? I saw the way you looked at her." Father said, a gleam in his eyes.

"No. I just wanted to ask her how she knew we were going to be in the amphitheatre." I said quickly.

"Sure." Father said, looking at me suspiciously. I finished breakfast in record time, and ran out of the hall, shouting back to my father over my shoulder that I would be out all day. The first thing I did when I entered the forest was run to Loveday's house and bang on her door.

"Loveday! Loveday! Are you there?" I shouted, thumping on her door.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Loveday said, opening the door 'What's the big hurry, little brother?"

I slumped down in one of her chairs. "Loveday, how did you know you were in love with Sir Benjamin?" I asked, lifting my head to look at her. She sat down beside me and took my hand.

"I knew I loved him when I realized that he was all I could think about. He was the only thing that mattered to me. I was willing to give up my home, my life, my family, just to be with him. I didn't care about the consequences or what Father might think – I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him." Loveday said, her face softening and her eyes glowing with love. She shook her head and looked back at me. "Why do you ask, Robin?

"No reason at all." I said quickly, turning my head as I felt my face heat up.

"Really?" Loveday asked a teasing note in her voice "Are you sure?"

"Yes." I said, "I'm sure." I sat there for a while longer before standing up abruptly. I made an excuse to Loveday and nearly bolted from the room. I wandered the forest for a while, trying to figure out what the hell was going on with me. No answer came. I mentally matched up what Loveday said to what I was feeling about Maria.

Was she all I could think about? Yes.

Was she the only thing that mattered to me? This one was harder. I cared about other things than Maria, but they all seemed to pale in comparison to her. Nothing mattered to me as much as she did. I suppose that's a yes then. She is the only thing that matters to me.

Was I willing to give up my home and my family for her? If I could be with Maria, then I wouldn't need my home – not that the castle in the forest ever really felt like a home to me anyways. And Father was never a great dad.

Would I give up my life for her? That one was easy. I had already tried, and I would do it again. I would die for her. I would put my life in danger to save her. I would do anything if it meant keeping her safe.

If I could spend the rest of my life with her, would I care about the consequences? Would I care about what Father would think or do? No. I wouldn't care. If I could be with her, nothing else would matter.

I heard a noise behind me. It was Loveday. She had followed me, worried about me sudden departure.

"You're not coming back anytime soon are you?" Loveday said. Noticing my red face she asked me worriedly if I was alright.

"I'm fine Loveday!" I said. "But I need your help." I quickly recounted my findings to her. She looked at me for a second, taking in my anxious expression, and then burst out laughing.

"Robin. You are in love with Maria!" Loveday said, still laughing.

"I am??" I shouted in disbelief.

A/N: Chapter 11! Hope you liked it!This is not the last chapter. I am planning on one or two more chapters and then a sequel! Sorry about the cliffie!
- xox Sunny