Chapter 4
"Maria!" Robin called out after her.
He saw her skirts whip round the corner and she was gone. He tried to run after her but he felt a grip on his arm.
"Robin leave her!" cried Posy.
Robin had known Posy for a while and it was common knowledge amongst the DeNoirs that she had taken a liking to him. Robin forced her hand off his arm.
"Posy, I am sorry I have to go after her. I love her".
He ran away from Posy, his single thought was Maria. He raced all the way up the stairs of the tower where her room was and burst open the door. The room was empty. He clattered down the stairs again and nearly tripped over Wrolf, the black lion.
"Hello Wrolf, do you know where Maria has gone?" asked Robin desperately.
Wrolf rapidly led the boy to the stables, where one horse was clearly missing and there was a pearl on the ground. Without hesitating, Robin sprinted into the forest, closely followed by Wrolf. It was dark but Robin had grown up in these forests and knew them like the back of his hand. Also it was comforting to have Wrolf there.
Suddenly a horse clambered out of nowhere, galloping in the direction of the Merryweather castle. Robin just had a chance to glance at its saddle. It had the emblem of Sir Benjamin.
Robin was extremely panicked now. His single thought was Maria; he was so worried about her now. He kept mulling over the events of the evening in his mind: how he had childishly run away when Maria was sharp to him about marriage. How he had only run into Posy and how she had nearly forced herself upon his lips. Then he remembered the look of upset and betrayal on Maria's face when she saw them. He felt like his heart was being cut in two.
But he had to find her, make sure she was safe. Whilst he was thinking, he nearly tripped up on a root of a large tree. As he stumbled, he caught a glimpse of some red hair. Shocked, he climbed over the root to find Maria, lying on the ground. Her dress was messy and there was a little blood on her forehead but luckily she was still breathing.
"Come on Wrolf, we need to bring her back to the castle" Robin muttered.
He was so relieved that they had found her, but she was unconscious. Surely she would awaken but perhaps with injuries? The prospects were too difficult to tell so he knelt down and gently picked her up. She was extremely light. As he started walking, he felt her head slightly nestled in his chest, which sent warm shivers down his spine.
They had nearly got to the castle when Maria appeared to be mumbling something. Robin slightly tilted his head so he could make out what faint word she was whispering.
"Bird Boy".