Hey guys! So I am doing something a wee bit different, and have to write this chapter in two parts because it's just so ridiculously long. So sorry to all of you who prefer Robin's point of views. His will be after the part two of this chapter. So yeah. Enjoy!

Chapter 13

(Part 1)

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My heart froze. I felt Robin's weight as he tackled me to the ground. I heard a groan and saw his face pale, but before I could see what had made him shake he looked at me, his eyes sharp but slowly losing their focus.

"Princess, no matter what, keep your eyes closed." He whispered. I could see sweat beading on his white forehead, and his lips turned a light pink. I nodded and closed my eyes tight.

I was shaking, not out of fear, but out of worry for Robin. I felt his arms lower him to his elbows as he tried to keep his main weight from my chest. Always trying to protect me. I smelt a burning, rotting scent as I tried to figure out what was going on. I heard footsteps and a sickening, sliding of scales on the floor as the creature from my nightmare approached.

Suddenly, the eerie scraping and ominous footsteps were interrupted by Robin's loud, deep voice, though it was strained and cracking.

"FATHER! INTRUDER! FATHER, HELP!"

Then he collapsed. Pounding footsteps came rushing down the stairs. There was a hissing noise that resounded in my mind as Nexxxxt time, Priiiincessss. Your preciousssss Black Heart cannot protect you foreveeeer…

Then it was gone. I felt the weight of Robin's limp body lift from my chest and my eyes flashed open. There were around twenty men, clothed in black and carrying swords and pistols, surrounding the area. But what really caught my eye was the crimson that was pooled next to me, a runny trail leading to where four men were hauling up a mass the same color.

A flash of white made me realize that that mass was a person. And the hat on that person's head marked him as Robin. His entire right side was dripping red, blood spilling. The smell of it was overwhelming. The sight made me dizzy.

But the feeling that affected me most was the feeling in my gut that said goodbye. It was as if an important friend were leaving for good and never coming back.

Robin was dying. The thoughts shattered my heart, my mind and rendered me useless. I wanted to move but couldn't.

I don't know how long I stood, staring at Robin's blood, but I felt a firm hand on my shoulder and I looked up to see Coeur De Noir standing there, his beetle black eyes heavy and sorrowful.

I didn't think. I bolted up the stairs, following the trail of blood down the long corridors, around the maze of the fortress. My heart threatened to burst through my chest, blood pounding in my ears.

"No. No, no, no!" I muttered, the tears nearly blinding me as I reached the closed room at the end of the tunnel. Opening the door, I saw a bunch of new men clustered around Robin, who was lying on a bed. They were pouring water and alcohol over the wound.

Robin's breathing was shallow and nearly stopped a few times.

I shoved past the group, yelling "Let me through! Let me through God dammit!" I made it to the bedside and the sight nearly made me faint.

It was deep, seeping and smelling of rot. The edges were a black hue and I knew that there was poison in the wound.

"Salt water… Quick!" I muttered, breathing from my mouth. "From the sea! It must be from the sea!" I added.

Three burly boys, whom I recognized as Robin's crew rushed out, shoving each other. I knew in my gut what was needed to fully heal him fastest, but that would have to wait until I got him stable. I needed those damn pearls again.

Two of the boys came back in, dripping with sweat and sea water.

"Here, ma'am." The smallest one with freckles said as he handed me a huge wooden pail.

The tallest and skinnier one handed me a sack as well, and muttered, "Seaweed."

The middle, round, red head came wobbling in just after I had used the salt water to clean the wound, the bleeding stopped and clotting.

The boy looked at me with round, pure blue eyes the color of spring water, and with an honest and truthful look, and held his hand out, fingers curled over an object.

"I believe you need these, miss." He whispered. I held my hand out and felt the smooth softness of the objects touch my hands. My eyes widened and I gasped as I saw the white, glowing pearls in my palm.

"How?" I started asking the boy, but he shook his head and pointed at Robin. I hurriedly held the pearls to the wound and closed my eyes, saying a silent prayer that this worked.

"Mother Nature, I seek your power yet again, to save the one I love. Please. Please heal him. Take this cursed evil out of him and let purity seep in." I whispered. I felt my energy drain and smiled lightly, knowing my voice was heard.

Robin sighed in his sleep. His breath evened out and the bleeding had totally stopped, but the gash was still there. I reached for some thread and a needle and sewed it shut, putting medical alcohol over the stitches. I wrapped it in seaweed and gauze.

I sighed and said to those standing in awe around me, "You may move him to his room now." I had to look at them for a moment before everyone surged forward, taking up his or her own job.

"Thank you, madam." The small boy said. I had a chance to study him and saw he was younger than me, perhaps only twelve. He had mousy brown hair that stuck up in many places, and had a peculiar shade of golden brown eyes, only upstaged by Robin's tawny ones, that were rimmed with long dark eyelashes. It made him appear to have natural eyeliner.

The boy had a series of freckles covering his nose that spread to his cheeks. He had dirt on his nose and chin and on his clothes as well. He was dressed in canvas pants that were too short and ragged, and a dark brown jacket with several pockets and patches.

"The name's Chauncy Louis Marshell LeFair." The boy said with a bow. As he rose, he winked at me and said with gusto, "But my friends just call me Mouse."

I smiled and said, "Nice to meet you Mouse." The small boy grinned at the fact that I called him his preferred name.

The stringy red head looked at his shoes. "I'm Christopher Deneil Frauchet. But just call me Neil." I nodded politely at the shy young man, who was older than me by far.

"And I'm simply Swamp." The round boy said. I was taken aback by his abrupt introduction. He cracked a smile. "My real name is an embarrassment to society and men. Come closer and I'll whisper it."

I leaned in and he said, "Stephanie Loid Farmget. And another secret; unlike these guys, I don't descend from the great De Noir clan. Nope, I'm flat out English." He pulled back. His eyes begged me not to laugh or tell the boys, though his friendly smile was enough to fool anyone.

"Well, pleased to meet ya Swamp." I replied.

A clapping resonated around the room from the doorway, and when I looked over, I saw a tall young man with messy straight black hair that dangled in his face, leaving only his left eye open.

He was wearing an outfit similar to Robin's, but was all black. He wore tight black leather pants, combat boots, and a black cotton shirt of some kind. Over this was a black leather jacket full of strategically placed holes. He had his ears pierced and had a cuff and chain hanging down. His bright emerald eyes were accentuated by the dark charcoal underneath. His skin was not quite as tanned as Robin's, but he was not pale.

His finely shaped, full lips curled into a sarcastic smile.

"So you've managed to get the boy's to follow you now, eh, Princess?"

His deep voice was coated with a fine layer of mockery.

"Leave her be, Henry." Mouse said from beside me. He was standing, arms crossed and a stern look on his face. "She's Robin's, and you know how he gets if someone messes with his things." As if to make his point, he popped his finger out at the shadowy Henry, and continued, "You remember what he did to Bauches after he tried taking one of his spoils from the raid down at Primsluer village? Slit his throat before he could even beg for mercy."

This shocked me. Of course I knew that Robin had killed people. But one of his own crew? And the most disturbing was that little Mouse was speaking so casually about it.

"Yes, yes. Everybody knows that Golden rule; Touch Robin's nabs and you get stabbed." Henry replied in a sing- song voice.

Mouse nodded, eyes not leaving the sarcastic, dark boy. "Now imagine what'd he'd do if you touched his Princess… you hear him talking about her don't you? 'Oh, Maria. I'll catch that witch!' in front of his father, but then you see him later, sitting in front of the balcony muttering, 'Princess… why did you have to be born the Moon Princess and a Merryweather?'" Mouse paused and held his gaze firmly. "Do I make myself clear?"

Henry sighed, "Sure, Mousy. If Robin's little Princess is so important he'll kill me…"

I snapped. "Shut the hell up, you annoying prat." I muttered lazily, but glaring at the boy.

"Oh, ho! So Robin wasn't lying then… you do have yourself a bit of spirit. I remember seeing you madder than this though. If I'm correct, you kicked him in the-"

"Henry!" Swamp spoke. "That's enough." He said firmly. "The Mistress has had a rough hour. Let's let her rest before she- Oh! There she goes!"

I suddenly blacked out.

I regained consciousness to a smooth steadiness. I was off the ground and being carried.

"Robin?" I muttered sleepily.

"Wrong." Said a rough voice. Henry.

I sighed and opened my eyes. "Where are you taking me?" I asked. I was slightly annoyed that he was carrying me, but none of the other boys could hold me I assumed.

"To your beloved Robin's room." He replied. He kept his eyes trained on the hallway ahead of him.

"Robin…" I breathed. I couldn't wait to see him. I had to see if he was awake, if he was alright.

"Yes, yes, Princess. I get it. You're desperately, madly, and uncontrollably in love with him. Infatuated with him I'm sure." Henry finally looked down at me, rolling his eyes, a smirk on his face. They weren't menacing. No, just mischievous.

"Is Henry your real name?" I asked. "Everyone else seems to have a nickname or substitute instead."

Henry laughed. "Nope. Actually my real name isn't even close." He looked back down at me.

"Care to share?" I implored.

"Hmm. Not particularly, Prin-" I cut him off.

"Don't. Don't call me that." I warned. Only Robin could call me that. No one else could.

"Alright, alright, how's about… Ria?" He asked, totally serious. What was with him? He was sarcastic and cold not five minutes ago. Now he wants to give me a nickname?

"Sure… if you tell me your real name."

Henry sighed. "Fine. My real name is Camrin Quintius De Noir." We had stopped.

"De Noir?" I asked. He shared Robin's last name. Camrin nodded his head heavily. "Yup. I'm Robin's cousin."

"Then… How'd you get the name Henry?" I whispered.

"Long story. Actually, I was called that after my father gave me up here. Robin's right hand man died and so Uncle Coeur gave me the name of the old fool, Henry. So I've been called since."

I sat still for a moment. I felt bad, in a sense, no one even really knew his real name.

"So, Ria, now you know my sad backstory." Camrin smirked.

"Hmm you gave me a nickname, it's only fair I give you one." I placed a finger to my chin. I smiled and said, "How about Cam!"

Camrin laughed and nodded his head. "Only if it's you Ria." I laughed. He looked a lot better when he smiled.

"Why were you so mean to me before?" I asked. Cam shrugged and replied, "How could I be nice to someone whom my horrid cousin loves?"

"Cam… do you hate Robin?" I asked, shocked.

He laughed a dry laugh with no humor. "Well, obviously." He said.

"How on earth could you dislike him?! He's kind, cute, brave… yes, he is annoying, rude, sarcastic, but he's not at all bad!" I exclaimed. Everyone at the fortress except for Jay seemed to love Robin.

"He took away my mother and my home. He's cruel, too." Cam looked down at me. "He's not always the way he is when he's around you… he puts up a front around people other than you. He only shows you the compassionate side because he loves you."

We were silent the rest of the walk to Robin's room. Cam let me down when we got to the door.

"Hey, Ria. Come find me when you need anything, or if you need to talk. I'm usually in the tower on the other side of the fort… Maybe I can take my front down around you, too… Maybe." Cam smirked, ruffled my hair and strode off, the shadows swallowing him.

In the morning, I was depressed. Robin still hadn't woken up and I felt guilty that this had happened because he cares too much for me. My uncle brought me clothes and gave his condolences as to what happened.

"And, Maria?" he said as he was leaving. "I'm sorry I doubted this young man's love."

I slept the rest of the day, and when I woke that night, I went exploring, needing something to occupy my attention to keep the endless tears at bay.

As I wandered, I heard eerie music drifting through the corridor, vibrating off the walls as a deep bass entered the melody. Soon the music was joined by a sweet, soft, but haunting voice.

Willows weeping on the breeze;

Shallow ponds repeating

The words that my beloved sang

Sweet but oh so fleeting

I hear her voice, high and flying

Whispering the cure

Singing out her heart so pure

Unto me the dying

When I fell I thought all was lost

I hadn't thought of what it'd cost

I did wrong and thought it right

I fought against the mighty light

How I thought I'd win I don't know

But now I reap what I have sown

Wings clipped, my flight disowned,

From Heaven I was thrown.

I entered the circular room and saw, perched on the very edge of a balcony, the tall, lean figure of Cam. He was strumming an instrument that made the beautiful music.

Cam's eyes reflected the moon as his dark lined eyes looked with a remorseful gleam at the black instrument.

Is it possible for me to go back

To change what I have done?

I don't want to be here, amongst the broken

To die, to suffer, to be left unspoken

Oh here my plea my sweet, sweet love

I'm the bad and the wrong

I am the fallen one

I sighed as the song came to an end.

Cam whipped around and said, "Jesus! When did you get here?"

"Oh, um, I'm sorry… I just couldn't sleep and needed a walk." I looked back at the musical instrument and asked, "What is that? It's very pretty."

Cam looked down at his hands and cracked a smile. "It's a guitar."

He looked over at me, saw my look of wonder and held it out. "Wanna try?"

I hesitated, my hand half outstretched. "Is it okay if I do?" I asked. I looked at Cam for reassurance.

"Of course it is. Why would I have asked if you wanted to if it wasn't alright?" he replied, speaking as if this was obvious.

"I was just asking. No need to be rude about it." I huffed. I sure wished Robin were here with me. I missed him and he gave me confidence. Next to Cam, I just felt that I couldn't do anything right.

I took the guitar in my hands and felt it was heavier than Cam made it appear. I almost dropped it and Cam laughed. "Geez, don't break it!" he yelled.

"Sorry…" I muttered. I balanced it on my lap and reached my arm over the top. I had trouble strumming it and Cam had to bite back the laughter.

"Here, Ria…" he said as he stood behind me, one of his large hands on each of mine. He had me hold a triangle shaped object he called the pick and moved my hand up and down across the strings. The sound was pretty, but not as complex as the ones Cam made earlier.

"It sounds different than the song you were just playing." I said.

"Yeah, that's cause you don't know the chords to it yet." He replied.

"Will you teach me?" I asked. I wanted to be able to make the same haunting sound as Cam.

"Sure, if you want to." He replied lazily.

I nodded my head and Cam muttered, "Alrighty then." He leaned in closer so that he was looking over my shoulder at the neck of the guitar and I noticed something strange. He smelled like Robin. Not exactly like him, but very similar. Like the forest. The only difference was that Cam smelled like salt. Like he had been on the ocean or near the water.

"Cam? Have you been at the beach?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Cam jolted from where he was placing my fingers for the chords and his hand stopped making me strum. He looked at me for a moment. "How'd you know?" he asked.

"By the way you smelled. You smell like the forest- same as Robin- but you also had a salty smell." I answered.

"Oh, well yeah. I have… for work." He said vaguely. I looked at his profile and probed a little deeper. "Work?"

"Yes, Ria. Work." He sighed, standing up. "I do have a job, ya know."

"Well what kind of job is it?" I asked, sitting on the edge of my chair now. I set the guitar on the ground.

"You really wanna know?" he asked, his eyes gleaming. I shook my head yes.

"Fine, then I'll tell you. I'm a pirate." Cam said bluntly. "Your love in the next tower takes the villages and forest. He gets praised every time a successful raid happens. I bet you didn't even know that we De Noir handle the ocean as well, eh? I'm the one who's in charge of that, but get not a lick of admiration. I spend the majority of my time on the sea. Of course I'd much rather have the forest, where I can hide or wear black, but that's the leader's job and Robin, of course, is the future leader."

Cam finished with a mocking shake of the head. His eyes were tight and he was now in a bad mood. "I'm sorry… I didn't know you hated it so much." I said softly.

"Hell yes, I hate it! Robin is free to do as he pleases and can get any girl he fancies. I'm away so much that I don't usually get to even see the girl I love." Cam looked at the floor. "And now she's gone, too. Stolen away by the ever present, Prince of Thieves."

I felt so bad for Cam and even worse that I had made him tell me this. I wanted to change the subject, so I asked, "Will you play for me?" and I offered him the guitar. He looked at me and a sad smile pulled his lips.

"Sure, Ria." And he took up the guitar and started to play.

Wishing is a thing for children

Who want to fly away

The moon above is egging them on

Promising it'll be today

That they'll find what they're looking for

Away from the world below

Saying it's in a place that is no more

The fairies have all died

And Pan no more shall fly

Neverland is wasting away

But we promised each other

That'd we'd come back some day

How long has it been

Since I have seen your face?

The image in my head

Is blurry and it's hard to trace

The outline of those rose red lips

Or the blue of your star-lit eyes

The feeling of your fingertips

And though…

The fairies have all died

And Pan no more shall fly

Neverland is wasting away

But we promised each other

That'd we'd come back some day

Cam stopped singing and the elegant, lonely song drifted to an end. The song inspired hope, but also made me sad about the past, though I'm not sure why.

But what most struck me is the fact that I had heard this song before. "What's this song called, Cam?" I asked. He shook his shaggy hair and replied. "It doesn't have one. I wrote it a long time ago and just left it unnamed." I could have sworn I heard it somewhere when I was young… then it hit me.

"Cam! I've met you before! On the docks in London when I was a girl! You were playing by a big ship and-" I looked at Cam who stood next to me, smiling.

"So you've finally remembered me, Ria." He softly said.