(A/N) I'm so sorry everyone! I've been neglecting you all. But the updates should pick up from here. Please drop a review! PLEEEEEAAASE.

From that day forward everything in my happy little world changed. I stopped coming downstairs for meals, requesting them instead, in my tower room. They had explained this away as after-effects of my night in the forest, sure that sooner or later I would come bouncing through the door, smiling ear to ear. Nothing could be further from the truth. Eventually I would not even leave my room. Time became strangely lucid, everything seemed to merge together in one long blur of monotony and blandness. Hours became days and days became weeks, the summer slipped slowly by. I barely noticed.

In fact, I barely noticed anything anymore. I hadn't moved from my bed. At my insistence, drapes had been placed over the windows to block out the light and the room was only lit by a few small candles. It was as if my energy supply had been punctured and was leaking out onto the floor. Hour after hour I lay beneath the covers, numbness pinning my limbs to the mattress. I barely spoke, visitors came and went. Some sat by my side and tried to coax me into speech. Others simply watched me, grim expressions on their tired grey faces. In either case I rolled onto my side with my back to the visitor and fell into a doze.

But no one from the De Noir castle ever visited. Never him. I wondered idly if my stupid behaviour had shamed them somehow, driven them away. Thoughts like that only plunged me deeper into my lethargic state.

The Doctor returned a few times to check up on me at Lovedays insistence, but medically I was in perfect shape. He shook his head in bewilderment before patting me on the shoulder with a sad smile and leaving the room, Sir Benjamin following swiftly behind. I knew why I wasn't getting better. Yes, my body was fine, but not my mind. My mind was broken. He broke it. No, no I can't blame him for it. It was my fault. It was all my fault.

The nightmares started up that first night, then every night after that. Always the same dream, always terrible. When it begins, I am floating above myself. Then somehow I am both in my body and watching it as I run through the forest, desperately following the sounds of an animal in pain. Strange roars and whines. It's unbearable, I must find the creature and help it! But I can never find it. I simply stumble around in the dark feeling weak and useless. Then I wake up with tears streaming down my face.

I'm not entirely sure how long I had been there, when I got my first De Noir visitor. I didn't hear him come in, I don't even know how long he was standing there silently observing me before I rolled over and saw him. His usual smirk was gone, mop of dark hair falling listlessly into his eyes. We regarded each other calmly for a few moments, him leaning carelessly against the wall, arms folded. Me, propped up on my overstuffed pillows, hair unbrushed and not looking overly friendly.

"Conan?"

"Hello Maria." He said finally.

"What exactly d'you think you're going to accomplish sat in bed?" He asked bluntly.

I didn't know what to say, instead I stared hard at the floor and tried to ignore him.

He quirked an eyebrow. "Don't do that."

I frowned, what on earth was he talking about now?

"Don't sit there all cool indifference. You're better than that."

Well this was unexpected. I was unsure exactly how to respond, half of me wanted to send him away, nose in the air and go back to sleep. The other, quieter half felt a undeniable tug of interest.

"Sit down" I said. Pointing to the plush armchair at my bedside.

He ignored me and plonked himself down rather unceremoniously on my bed, near my feet.

"Did Sir Benjamin let you in?" I asked, trying to break the heavy silence.

"Nah, no ones supposed to know I'm here." He answered.

I was taken aback.

"How on earth did you get in without them seeing you?"

He shrugged.

"Your window."

I spluttered.

"Why do you all insist on climbing in my window when there is a perfectly good door?"

A half smile caught his lips.

"Well, there is that bloody huge tree outside, it's too tempting. Surely you noticed?"

"You're supposed to be nice to me. I'm sad." I pointed out, rather childishly.

"And you're supposed to be a Moon Princess." He replied, lazily examining the backs of his hand.

I could have hit him. My mouth hung open in a most unladylike fashion, at least he wasn't smirking. His face was dead serious, eyes fixed on mine. I had the nagging sensation I was being tested.

"The last time I checked I still was." I said quietly. Hating how small my voice sounded.

"I S'pose." He murmured. Green eyes not leaving mine. "But really Maria. You've been in bed, how long now? A month? The lads all miss you." My heart leapt. Was it possible that he missed me too?

"He misses you most of all Maria." Conan's voice broke through my thoughts. He must've read the expression on my face.

"Then why hasn't he come?" I asked, trying not to sound bitter.

It didn't work however, his eyes reprimanded me.

"He thinks he's the cause of you getting lost in the forest. Blames himself for it all. In his own stupid way he's trying to protect you."

"I know, he told me."

He pulled his legs up onto the bed, boots caked in mud.

"But anyway, this isn't about Saint Robin, this is about you half pint."

He leaned forwards, eyes full of sincerity.

"You need to pull yourself together. We need you. The valley needs you. You're family is distraught, Lovedays being a nightmare."

I giggled quietly, he went on.

"I know something happened in the woods," His voice grew darker, "Something you're not telling us. You don't have to tell me what, but we can't just ignore it."

I chewed on my lip, unable to look him in the eye.

"So what do you say Princess?"

His echo of my nickname caused a tightening in my chest.

"I- I'll try, I can promise you that."

A genuine smile broke across his face.

"Good girl. See you tomorrow then?"

Before I could get a word out he was on his feet and striding towards the door. As he swung it open the face of a startled Mrs. Heliotrope carrying a tea tray.

He tipped an imaginary cap to her and disappeared down the stairs.

I couldn't help the smile that nearly split my face in two as I hurried down to Mrs. Heliotrope to stop her from fainting.

A/N Reviews. Reviews are good.