Hey guys. Sorry for the late update. and when I say late I mean it Mand it tooke me way to long to update but i was overwhelmed with work. Any way here it is . I dont own TLWH or TSOM enjoy

After Robin left Maria looked over at the bed set against the wall. The pillows seemed to call to her. She had a few hours until the party and she knew that she should probably get some sleep but she had something she had to finish before tomorrow. Maria walked over to the wardrobe and pulled the doors open spotting the bag Loveday had packed for her. She pulled it out putting it down on the bed and opening it. Although Loveday had packed it, Maria had snuck something inside as everyone had piled into the carriage. She had done it quickly so no one would see. If anyone had seen it it would have ruined the surprise she had planned. Gently she pulled out the bundle of fabric shed been working on every night for a month. It was nearly completed. She unfolded it draping it over her bed. It was a tapestry like the kind that hung in the De Noir castle. Maria had been working on it every day late into the night so that she could present it to Loveday and Sir Benjamin at the banquet after the wedding ceremony. Maria had embroidered the images of the unicorn and Wrolf in his black lion form standing at the edge of the cliff where the story of the Moon Princess took place and where she'd returned the pearls. She had also added the pictures of Loveday and Sir Benjamin between the two majestic creatures.

There was only a few more touches that needed to be made before it was finished. Maria unpinned a bag of pearls that she had kept attached to the bottom of the tapestry as to not lose them. Pulling her needle and thread out Maria began to sew the pearls to the edge of the embroidery around the picture. Maria silently thanked all those years of French Needle Point lessons. Without them she never would have been able to create this. The process was slow but Maria kept her sewing pace so that she would be even closer to finishing. After two hours of non-stop sewing, Maria's eyes grew heavy and her hands began to cramp. Knowing it was time to put it away, she re-pined the bag of pearls to the cloth and folded it up as carefully as possible, placing it back in her bag and putting the bag back in her wardrobe. Without bothering to change she collapsed on the bed and in and instant she was asleep.

Maria woke to a soft knock on her door. She lifted her head feeling as if she had barely slept five minutes letting out a loud yawn. She pushed herself up off the bed and forced her legs to carry her over to the door. Before she opened it she rubbed her face a couple of times and forced a smile onto her face so it didn't look like she was about to collapse from exhaustion. When she pulled the door open Loveday smiled down at her.

"Good thing I showed up a little early," she chuckled when she laid eyes on Maria's rumpled attire. "Come on, lets get you washed up and dressed for the party."

Maria let Loveday in closing the door behind her. She walked over to the wardrobe to retrieve her bag but quickly removed the tapestry hiding it in the corner of the wardrobe so Loveday didn't see. She let Loveday lead her down to a room where a bath was prepared and undressed. After she'd washed her hair and the rest of her body she dried off and sat in front of a large mirror as Loveday combed through her unruly wet curls. As she worked they chatted with each other discussing the party, food, and who all would be attending. While the De Noir's would make up most of the guests and the Merryweather's were the main guests, there would be other guest not related to either family and some distant relatives of the De Noir's that didn't share their name or title. Loveday gushed about how happy she was that her wedding was tomorrow and Maria listened quietly, happy that her uncle would finally be tying the knot with her. Loveday help up the emerald dress from this morning and helped Maria step into it. The fabric really felt like silk against her skin and was so light it fluttered with every move she made. She slipped on the matching flats then once again sat as Loveday went to work on her hair and makeup. She sat for what seemed like ages before Loveday finally backed away allowing Maria to stand and turn towards the mirror. The image of the girl in the mirror made Maria gasp. Her hair hung in soft curls around her shoulders framing her face. A light green eyeshadow blended above her eyes and her lips were painted a light sea coral. Loveday stepped forward and began to sprinkle something above her head and Maria realized it was glitter. The small shimmering substance clung to her hair and skin making her skin glisten.

She turned to Loveday to say thank you but was pulled off guard as she handed her a jewelry box. Maria reached for it opening it up to find a beautiful silver necklace with an emerald tear and matching earrings. Loveday smiled sweetly at her and helped her put them on then turned her back to the mirror.

"You are so beautiful," she said meeting Maria's eyes through the mirror. "Every bit a Moon Princess. You'll be the talk of the party tonight. Every boy will be after your heart." Loveday chuckled. "Robin will have his hands full keeping everyone away from his Princess."

A blushed appeared on Maria's face at the mention of Robin. "Loveday stop it. Tonight's supposed to be about you and uncle Benjamin. Not me."

"No," Loveday said moving away to change into her own gown. "Tomorrows about Benjamin and I. Today's about our families being together and having fun. So I just had to make sure you were the most beautiful one out there tonight. Besides if it wasn't for you, there might not have ever even been a wedding. I need to thank you."

Loveday changed into the blue gown she'd worn the night they'd saved the valley, although this time she wore flats with it. She sat down at the mirror and began to comb through her hair and then tied it back into a beautiful braid. When her hair was done she put on a bit of mascara and blue eye shadow and then a deep red lipstick.

"Loveday you don't need to thank me for anything. I'm just glad you and Uncle are happy."

Loveday stepped over to Maria and pulled her into a hug. "I'm glad you were the one who broke the curse Maria. And I'm so very glad we're friends." Maria smiled up at her and hugged her back. "Now, Benjamin should be here any minute to get us for the party. Are you ready?"

"Does being nervous count as being ready?"

Loveday let out a sweet laugh and took Maria's hand just as a knock came on the door. She and Maria walked over to open the door. Sir Benjamin stood in the hall wearing a dress suit with a white shirt and blue tie that matched Loveday's dress. His eyes immediately went to Loveday and his expression was one of such love that it made Maria's smile widen. Then Sir Benjamin turned his attention to his niece and his eyes went wide. Loveday laughed at his expression.

"Darling your mouth is open, you'll catch flies."

This seemed to bring Maria's uncle back to his senses. He stepped forward offering Maria his hand which she gladly took. He wrapped it around his left arm and Loveday took his right. They stepped together as they walked down the hall towards the ball room.

"You look beautiful Maria," he commented as they walked. "I'm a little worried. You'll be surrounded as soon as the boys see you in that dress."

"That's what I told her," Loveday chimed happily. "That dress suits her perfectly. Oh I cant wait to see the look on all their faces when they see her. And when Robin sees her! Oh my wont his face be priceless."

Sir Benjamin chuckled. "You're quite right. I get to walk in with the two most beautiful women on my arm. And when that brother of yours takes one look at Maria he's gonna be fighting off every male that comes near her."

"Guys," Maria groaned her face becoming as red as her hair. "That's not gonna happen. Can we just get to the party without embarrassing me anymore?"

The two only chuckled at her face but continued to walk through the castle.