Chapter 14: Now We're Even

After I bathed, I returned to my room, walked over to my wardrobe, and opened the door. Reaching to the top shelf of the closet, I pulled down a bundle of soft, black fabric. I ran my fingers across it, closed my eyes, and breathed in. It still smelled like him: Robin. His smell was intoxicating to me. I tied the cloak around my neck and let it fall around my shoulders.

Then, I walked down to the Dining Room and looked around. It was only 5:30, and I knew no one would wake until at least seven o'clock, so I wrote a note for Uncle:

I'm going to find Them, and I'm not coming home until I do. I will save this Valley. Please, don't come after me. I have to do this, and I couldn't bear for you to get hurt.

You're all I have left, too.

~E.

I placed the note in front of Uncle's normal seat and left the Dining Room. I stepped into the front sitting room and whistled for Wrolfe, wherever he was. A few moments later, Wrolfe came bouncing down the stairs and trotted over to me with a low bark. I knelt and pat him on the head.

"Want to go for a walk, Wrolfe?" I asked him. He barked happily and I smiled as his tail wagged. I stood and headed towards the Main Door. "Come on then, boy." He ran after me, and together we walked to the stables. We both stopped at the sight we both beheld. Tied to a post at the center of the stable, was a Black horse with a white mane and tail. She was gorgeous. She was already saddled, groomed, and ready to be ridden. On the side of the saddle was her name: Dawn. I approached her and ran my hands over her mane, causing her to whinny in approval. I smiled and untied her, taking the reins in my hand gingerly. I mounted her and clicked my tongue, coaxing her out of the stable. "Come on, Wrolfe." I pulled my hood on to conceal my face, and we entered the forest.

If the Moon Princess was correct, I was going to need help, much to my displeasure. She had told me I couldn't do this without him, but she hadn't said who 'he' was. Honestly, she didn't have to. I knew she meant Robin. But how could I possibly get him to help me? He hated me. I shook my head, trying to think of how to go about convincing him to help me. I had several ideas, but only one of them seemed to be worth a second thought. It wasn't the best Idea, but it was worth a shot. I would talk to him. Stupid plan, right?

Two Hours Later…

"Go on girl," I said patting Dawn on the side. "Go home." The horse galloped off into the forest happily and Wrolfe looked up at me as if to ask what now? I sighed and stroked the back of his neck. "You should go home, too." He seemed to frown at this, but eventually he left as well, leaving me alone in the clearing where May and I had rescued May's rabbit. I sat down in the on a nearby log and waited, knowing Robin would eventually come by on his rounds. And finally, he did.

He emerged from the forest fifteen minutes after I had. When I saw him, I stood and pulled the hood back. He immediately noticed me and drew his knife. He looked around and then back to me. With slow strides, he approached me. With every step, something inside me caught fire, anger and pain bubbling to the surface. When he finally reached me I did then only thing I could think of: I punched him square in the face.

He let out a loud howl of pain and covered his nose, buckling over. I stood there completely dazed. The hit had surprised me just as much as it seemed to shock him. He wiped at the blood with his scarf and let out a gasp. I didn't move a muscle, didn't even breath. I just watched him. I didn't snap out of it until he finally spoke.

"Dear lord," he cried when the bleeding stopped. "I think you broke my nose!" My face went fierce as I glared at him.

"Well, you broke my heart," I said as-a-matter-of-factly. He looked up at me with a strange look in his eyes. Was that guilt? I didn't care. "Now we're even." He frowned at me and put away his knife. We were both silent for a moment.

"What on earth have I done to deserve that?" he cried.

"Oh I don't know," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "Perhaps kidnapping May, turning me into your father, disappearing without any warning… leading me on?" he looked like he was about to argue, but he froze. I froze, too, not intending to say the last part. He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed.

"I can explain," he said. The anger began to boil up again. How dare he think he can explain this? How could anything possibly justify his actions? "I-"

"No!" I cried, tears threatening my eyes. "How can you even think there's an explanation to this? You can't defend your actions, Robin. End of story. You betrayed me." He watched me, honestly looking hurt by my words. But I couldn't stop myself. "I trusted you." A single tear fell from my eye. Before it could fall any further, he wiped it away with his thumb gently.

"I can explain," he repeated earnestly, his hand still resting on the cheek that wasn't bruised. I instinctively leaned into it. But then I backed away; he was still a traitor. I kept a good five feet between us and gave him the coldest look I could manage.

"I'd like to see you try," I challenged bitterly, crossing my arms under the cloak even though I knew he couldn't see the gesture. My lip quivered and he tried to step closer to comfort me. I matched his steps, backing away when he advanced. He sighed and looked down at his feet.

"I didn't kidnap May," he said. My eyebrows furrowed. "That wasn't me, it was my boys. I had no idea they were going after her, and I don't know why they did in the first place." He ran a hand through his brown curls. "I did turn you in to Father, and I'm so… sorry, Eve. You have no idea how horrible I felt for that. I didn't the he would harm you, and I was a fool for thinking it." He looked up to me, his eyes pleading. "But you must know I never led you on. Every time we kissed, every time we were together, the feelings I had were real. They're still real."

"How do I know you aren't lying?" I asked, my voice cracking more with every word. He acted quickly, before I had time to even think about it. He pulled me into him, snaked his arms around my waist, and our lips smashed together. Electricity ran through my body at the sudden contact and I melted into him. My arms wrapped around his neck as I pulled myself as close as I could. When the kiss was broken, was both had to catch our breath. Robin rested his forehead against mine and held me tighter.

"Was that convincing enough for you?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper. Yes it was, I thought. Instead of saying what I thought, I shook my head, craving his kiss once more. He seemed to catch on, because his lips were immediately crashing into mine once more.

(A/N) Ta-da!

It's not very good at the beginning and i had some trouble with th Robin/Eve drama,

but i did it and i'm proud (:

Don't forget to vote on Maria's dress in RESCUE ME!

R&&R!

~ICanHearThemToo~