Author's Note: Hello again! Thank you once again for all of the sweet comments! I'm sorry that it's been so long since I last updated. I had a really busy semester at college, but luckily I'm home for the summer now, so hopefully the next update will be posted soon!
Despite nearly drowning, Maria whirled around onto her knees and faced the speaker. Standing in front of her was a tall boy with sleek dirty blond hair covered by a black hat just like Robin's. Similarly, he was adorned primarily in leather but wore a black scarf instead of a red one and additionally lacked the feathers that were Robin's trademark. The boy peered down at her with blue eyes and an amused expression. After a moment, Maria recognized him as one of Robin's friends. While she was relieved that it wasn't Dulac, she still couldn't be sure that the boy knew that the de Noir's and Merryweather's were no longer feuding. Maria tried getting to her feet but instantly felt faint and stumbled. To her surprise, the boy caught her by the arm and helped her to sit back on the bank as he sat beside her.
"You really should start taking better care of yourself Miss Merryweather. I saw you fall off one of the walls of de Noir Castle and Coeur de Noir told us how you jumped off a cliff into the ocean. I would think you wouldn't be so quick to be back in the water after such a feat," he said as the amusement flowed from his expression into his tone.
"I didn't mean to," Maria started, slightly indignant, "I was climbing across, but something distracted me so I fell off." The boy broke out into laughter and Maria felt herself grow angry in response to her wounded pride.
"I don't blame you for falling, but was it Robin that took you that way?" Taken aback, Maria merely nodded yes.
"That path used to be a secret, but Robin doesn't realize how loudly he talks in his sleep. We slept out in the forest the night Loveday first took him there and me and the rest of the guys heard him blathering about it. We didn't have the heart to tell him in the morning, but I think we've all used that way to get across the forest from time to time since. then"
"Speaking of Robin, I should probably go find him. He had already crossed and watched me be taken away by the river."
"Well, I wouldn't worry too much. He'll probably be here any second looking for you. I don't think he would let you out of his sight if he had the chance." Maria was going to ask him what he meant but instead thought better of it and instead asked,
"Clearly you know me and I know that you're a friend of Robin's, but I don't know your actual name."
"My apologizes," he said, sweeping his hat off and smiling before placing it back on his head, "my name is Richard. I'd give you my last name, but the only one of significance around here is de Noir. Plus, I haven't met another Richard who looked like me so I think the first name will do just fine." Maria smiled and said,
"In that case you can call me Maria." Richard reached for her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it before releasing it.
"It's a pleasure to officially meet you Maria." Maria blushed and cast her eyes to the muddy ground. Suddenly a figure erupted out of the trees along the shore and Maria jumped to her feet prepared to fight or flee. Richard was on his feet beside her and had his hand perched above his knife. Maria breathed a sigh of belief when she recognized the brown eyes peaking out from an unruly mop of dark curls. Robin's breathing was heavy and his expression panicked, but his face visibly showed relief when he saw Maria. In a few quick strides he had crossed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. After her initial shock subsided, Maria found herself smiling at the warmth enveloping her. When Robin released her he looked past her and saw Richard.
"Hello, Richard."
"Hello, Robin."
"Did you help Maria get out of the river?" Richard chuckled and replied,
"I wish I could say that I did, but she is quite capable. I'm merely a bystander keeping her company until you arrived. I knew it wouldn't take long and I wouldn't want to leave her alone with Dulac and his group on the loose."
"Dulac and his group?" Richard's face turned grim.
"I see you haven't heard yet…Dulac arrived back late last night ranting about how your father had fallen to the whims of the Merryweather's." Maria felt Robin tense beside her. "Naturally many of us had our doubts, especially hearing this from Dulac with his well-known, heightened sense of loathing for the Merryweather's. Still, he did manage to gather some followers-the twins and a dozen or so men and one or two women. Including David, surprisingly." Robin's face clouded over and his eyes turned dark.
"Why is that surprising?" Robin said, and Maria noted the obvious edge in his voice.
"Oh don't be foolish, Robin. Everyone knows that you were far more of a brother to David than Dulac ever was." Maria jerked her head at Robin but he stared straight ahead.
"Were." Robin spat, "That's all that matters now. Obviously things have changed." Richard nodded his head solemnly in agreement. "What about Henry?" Robin asked.
"Oh that boy is a loyal as they come. If I hadn't restrained him, I think he would've fought Dulac and probably gotten himself killed."
"Henry has always been a bit on the impulsive side," added Robin. "What happened when my father returned?"
"Dulac and his crew left not long before he arrived this morning. Your father told the story from his perspective. I think it's an understatement to say that we were all stunned. Luckily, the one benefit of Dulac's rant was that anyone who would've challenged your father was already gone."
"And how do people feel now?"
"I'm not sure they know how to feel just yet. A pretty dramatic shift has happened and I think it will take awhile for people to catch up."
"Do you think it's safe to bring Maria to the castle?" Richard's blue eyes turned to look at Maria before resuming their steady gaze on Robin.
"I think so, but I wouldn't leave her alone. The castle is your father's main territory so it's unlikely anyone would be brave enough to attack her there. Still, we don't know for sure if everyone who shared the same beliefs as Dulac left with him. And I wouldn't want Maria to experience the feeling of cold metal pressed against her back."
Maria felt a chill shudder down her spine. It was then that she realized that it wasn't just Richard's warning that had caused her to shiver. Her clothes were still drenched and the sky was beginning to turn a dusty gray. As usual Robin took notice and wordlessly took off his leather jacket and draped it around her. Maria noticed that Richard flashed a smirk at Robin which he pointedly ignored.
"It's not far from here, Maria. I'm sure Loveday wouldn't mind if your borrowed some of her old clothes. They should still be in her old room. Father never was able to get rid of anything in there. See you later, Richard, and thank you again," said Robin.
"Anytime. It was nice spending time with you, Maria. I'm sure I'll see you again soon," Richard said, with a bob of his head and a small smile.
"See you soon, Richard," Maria said as Robin led her in the direction of de Noir Castle. Within a few minutes, Maria could detect candlelight illuminating several windows as the de Noir Castle shone black against the darkening sky. She followed closely behind Robin and was surprised that they didn't run into anyone on the way to the castle. Once inside, Robin led the way down an array of corridors before stopping in front of one. A lone flower that had long since wilted hung on the front of the wooden door.
"This is Loveday's room. Mine's just over there," Robin said gesturing to a door a little further down the corridor. "I haven't been inside since she left-Father wouldn't allow it. I'm sure we'll be able to find you dry clothes, though." Robin gingerly reached out to grab the handle of the door and opened it. With the last traces of light streaming in through a window, Maria saw the silhouettes of a bed, chest, desk, and wardrobe occupying the room. That's when Maria realized that her ability to see in the dark had seemingly disappeared.
"Robin!" she exclaimed excitedly, "I can't see!" She sensed his initial confusion followed by understanding.
"Well I suppose that's both good and bad, but we can talk about that more tomorrow. I'll go get some candles so we can get you warm." Robin turned and left the room and was back after a minute or two. Robin moved to put freshly lit candles in the fixtures around the room, but found candles with fresh wicks already waiting there. He blew out several of the candles that he brought and instead went around lighting the ones that were already in place. The room began to take on a soft yellow glow. While Robin lit the remaining candles, Maria walked around the room, examining it. She smiled upon seeing several stuffed animals lying on Loveday's bed. Her desk still had parchment and ink waiting readily on top of it and a small mirror just to the side of it sparkled in the faint light. It was then that Maria realized that the room was immaculately free of dust, especially since no one had lived in it for a number of years.
"Robin," Maria said as he lit the last candle, "did you notice how clean everything is?" Robin glanced around and nodded his head in agreement. Maria walked over to the bed and gently lifted the covers and saw that the sheets were fresh. She met Robin's gaze. He held it for a moment and then looked down lost in thought,
"After all this time…he kept it ready for her." Maria walked over and gently placed a reassuring hand on Robin's arm. Robin shook himself out of his thoughts and said, "I think Loveday kept most of her clothes in the wardrobe, but a few might also be in the chest. I'll wait outside so you can change." Robin walked swiftly to the door and shut it behind him. Maria first tried the wardrobe, but found mostly ornate dresses that were far too extravagant for her. Next she tried the chest and was pleased to find several dresses with an embroidered "L" on them. She selected one that was a pleasant springtime green. She took off her wet clothes and discarded them across the chest so they could dry and hung Robin's jacket at the end of the bedpost.
"You can come in now Robin," she called softly. Robin opened the door and entered. He smiled lightly and said,
"I always liked that dress, but Father would usually make Loveday wear the fancier and 'proper' dresses. I guess that's another thing you and Loveday have in common-your change in fashion preference once becoming a Moon Princess." Maria smiled and said,
"I guess that's true, although I'm surprised that you noticed a thing like that," Maria said, with a giggle.
"Haha, I'm just observant that's all." They stood in silence for a moment before Robin said,
"Well, it's far too late for you to go back to Moonacre Manor and you somewhat told your uncle and Miss Heliotrope where you'd be. And I know Loveday wouldn't mind if you stayed in here. Plus, I imagine you're exhausted." As if on cue, Maria fought back a yawn. Robin smirked and said, "That's a yes, then. I'll let you get some sleep. Goodnight, princess." He turned to leave but Maria stopped him by saying,
"Will you stay?" Robin turned around and raised an eyebrow as Maria felt her cheeks grow hot.
"What would Miss Heliotrope say?"
"Well, you heard Richard, it's not necessarily safe for me to be alone," replied Maria.
"He's not wrong."
"So you will?"
"For the sake of your safety I will," Robin said stoically, but Maria caught a glimpse of a smile on his face. He turned quickly and left the room and returned with a chair, blanket, and pillow. He placed the chair in a corner opposite the bed and placed the blanket and pillow on top of it. "I've still got to keep a respectable distance," he said with a wink as Maria rolled her eyes and climbed under the covers of Loveday's bed. Robin walked around and blew out the candles. After they were all out and the room was completely dark, Maria closed her eyes and said,
"Goodnight, Robin."
"Goodnight, Maria. Sweet dreams," he replied.
