A Moonacre Fanfiction Roman Holiday

"Here we are!"

Robin awoke from a light nap; hunters hardly ever dare to venture into the deep sleep we too often take for granted. Never had Robin heard more welcome words than those which Digweed announced in a weary but triumphant voice. They had been traveling for more than a day, non-stop. Robin was starting to wonder if Rome would be worth it. He didn't really know much about Rome at all; Maria was his walking encyclopedia, thanks to her many lessons with Miss Heliotrope. Robin did, however, have one secret that he wished to reveal upon their arrival in Rome. He grinned at the thought.

Now Robin decided that Maria had better be wakened; she had drifted off to sleep beside Robin and ended up resting her head up against him. Although he would never admit it, Robin found it to be rather sweet and endearing. Maria was so trusting, so open, so affectionate. He smiled down at her unruly copper curls. After a long carriage ride, even the tidiest of girls in the way of appearance can be reduced to an unkempt state. This too, Robin thought, was winning, as it showed that a girl need not always be a prim, legs-crossed-at-the-ankles kind of girl.

Reluctant to wake one with such an angelic expression of peace, Robin gentle blew onto Maria's face and roused her quietly. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she awoke to see Robin's warm, dark eyes resting on her. "Good morning, Robin," she said with a little yawn as she sat up. "Good afternoon, Princess," he returned with a grin. Maria frowned. "Have I really slept so long?" He nodded. "Oh my," she declared, "I feel like Rip Van Winkle! Do Uncle Benjamin and Loveday have children yet? Have you married and gotten a beard?"

Robin couldn't help but laugh. "I'm afraid not a one is true," he said, "Although I have gotten married," he added, with a sly twinkle in his eye. She raised an eyebrow and played along. "Oh? And she is…pretty?" he shrugged. "Rather." Maria cocked her head drolly. "That's hardly how one would describe the love of his life," she reproached him. "Oh, I beg your pardon," Robin said. "Her eyes are the Venus of a moonlit sky, her hair is as spun gold, and her smile is that of a radiant goddess who shines her fair countenance down upon me."

Maria was, needless to be say, taken aback. "Good heavens, Robin! I never knew you could be so poetic!" he smirked. "There's a lot you don't know about me." Maria laughed airily. "Oh, I don't think so," she disagreed mildly. Robin said nothing, but smiled inwardly. "Anyway, we're here. We're in Rome." He told her. Maria's entire being seemed to illuminate. "Oh! Why didn't you say so? Can we get out?"

It seemed that yes, they could get out. They climbed over Miss Heliotrope, who had been snoring across from them, and stepped out of the carriage. "Ah," Maria said satisfactorily, stretching her legs. "How wonderful this is!" Robin looked around. This wasn't much unlike any other city, he thought. Hotels. More hotels. Restaurants. More restaurants. Maria noticed his frown. "Oh, this isn't really Rome," she explained, "We'll get to see the real sites tomorrow. This is just the tourist side of town. Today I think we'll just rest. Isn't that right, Uncle?"

Sir Benjamin, Loveday, Coeur De Noir, and Digweed all came up behind them. "Sounds fine to me," Sir Benjamin concurred, "Where is Miss Heliotrope?" Maria nodded over the carriage. Digweed smiled shyly. "If I may," he began. Sir Benjamin concealed a smile. "I'd appreciate it greatly if you would care to awaken Miss Heliotrope, Digweed," he said. The bumbling butler bowed and scurried over into the carriage.

Robin gave Maria a knowing look, and she blushed slightly. While the affair between her tutor and her butler was undeniably adorable, there were moments when she felt placed in something of an awkward situation. But Loveday smoothly covered over the silence. "Now then," she said brightly, "Why don't we all take up our luggage and check into the hotel? I'm sure we all will be wanting a rest."

So they unloaded their baggage and the gentlemen carried them into the hotel. As Robin and Maria were first to step into the hotel, they marched straight to the counter to check in. The thin, pale woman who stood at the counter blushed slightly as she said, "Reservations for two?" Maria looked up at Robin in alarm, who burst into laughter. "Robin! It's not funny," she reprimanded him, flushing hotly herself. "Sorry, Princess," he grinned. Then, to the waiting woman, he said, "No, you see, we're not a…um, we're not a couple. We have reservations for four rooms. There are more of us coming." As he spoke the remainder of their relations stepped into the lobby. The thin woman blushed again, this time in embarrassment. "Please forgive me," she said. Maria forgave her, but flashed a sharp glance Robin's way. He couldn't help but chuckle.

The Moonacre party was led up two flights of stairs during which the men struggled under the weight of their parcels and the women climbed with limbs sore of fatigue. Their rooms were on the third floor and faced across from one another. Loveday and Maria would occupy the room adjacent to Sir Benjamin's and Digweed's. Robin and his father would stay across from the young ladies, and Miss Heliotrope's room was across from Digweed and Sir Benjamin's.

The elders (Miss Heliotrope, Coeur De Noir, and Digweed) all retired to their respective beds to sleep soundly. Those remaining congregated in Loveday and Maria's room where they sat and talked amongst themselves. Robin couldn't resist a good chuckle, so he told Sir Benjamin and Loveday of how the hotel worker had presumed Robin and Maria to be a couple. Maria laughed gaily but Loveday's keen eyes caught something else. Maria was putting on a show, and Loveday saw right through it. With a little smile, she said laughingly, "Imagine that! Robin and Maria. What a far-fetched idea."

Maria grew solemn and would have said something, but Robin beat her to it. "Stranger things have happened," he said defensively. "I don't think people should criticize others' relationships. After all, they don't know what is really going on." Loveday lowered her gaze sedately. "You are quite right, Robin." She let out a great yawn. "Oh, my! I declare, I didn't know how tired I was. I think I'll go rest my eyes. I'll use Miss Heliotrope's room so I don't disturb you. Do excuse me." Eyes twinkling, she quit the room, leaving Sir Benjamin with the two youths.

"Well," Sir Benjamin said awkwardly, "I think I may retire too. We all will most likely have dinner later tonight, but do get your rest. You'll need it." He arose, groaning as he stretched his sore legs, and exited the room. Now Maria and Robin were left alone. They looked at each other. Robin's dark eyes glinted mischievously. "And then there were two," he said. Maria blushed, but was rather glad they were alone. She always had the best conversations with Robin when it was just he and she.

A/N: Dear readers,

Thank you for reading the third installment of Roman Holiday! I'm trying to keep my chapters about the same length, so I'm afraid I had to end it here. Do not fear, however; the conversation between Robin and Maria will provide the primary substance for the next chapter. Forgive me if the next chapter is not uploaded as soon as this was; my busy schedule is horrendous. Thank you once again for taking the time to read my little story, and do remember that your reviews are heartily welcomed.

Your rather exhausted,

Ponygirl7 :)