A Moonacre Fanfiction Roman Holiday

Maria Merryweather was ushered into the private party room, following Robin De Noir. Sir Benjamin had made special reservations at an elegant Italian restaurant not far from their hotel. It was their first evening in Rome, and they meant to dine well. Miss Heliotrope, Loveday, Coeur De Noir, Digweed, and Sir Benjamin had all taken naps in their respective rooms. Robin and Maria had not meant to, but they had fallen asleep on a loveseat. They had been awakened by a smiling Loveday, who informed them as to the supper situation. Like any young man, Robin was immediately eager to find the food, and Maria followed in good humor.

The seven were seated at a long table and given menus to study. Maria frowned as she skimmed over the menu; it was all in Italian. "Good heavens, do they have any simple chicken broth? I'm not very hungry, and I'm afraid I can't read Italian." Robin waved a waiter over, and Maria's brow furrowed. "What are you doing?" she whispered. He only grinned. "Servite il brodo di pollo?" he asked. "Sì, sì lo facciamo," the waiter replied. Robin gestured to Maria. "La bella signora avrà, per favore."

Maria sat paralyzed as she heard Robin converse in an entirely foreign tongue. When the waiter had left, she punched him in the arm. "Hey! What was that for?" Robin asked, grimacing. "You never told me you could speak Italian!" Maria exclaimed, half smiling, half angry. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Princess," Robin said mysteriously. Maria laughed. "Oh. Right." His lips turned up at the ends in a faint smile. The truth was, there was one huge thing that she didn't know about, that she couldn't know about. At least, he couldn't tell her. Not yet.

"Where did you learn Italian?" At least Maria was more interested than upset. "Tony Gallo, an old hunter who lived in De Noir village, comes from Italy. He didn't speak much English. I've sat at his feet since I was a kid, hearing stories about his adventures in the forest. He died recently," Robin ended, lowering his gaze. Maria laid a hand on his arm in sympathy. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "Tony sounded like a good man." Robin nodded, keeping a stiff upper lip. "He was."

"What are we talking about down here?" Coeur De Noir asked. Maria turned, managing a smile. "Robin was explaining how he came to know Italian." Robin's father bore a quizzical expression. "Robin, you know Italian?" Robin sighed. "Sì, Padre, io sì." Coeur De Noir's eyes were blank. "What?" Robin studied his hands. "Yes, Father, I do." Maria was confused. "Wait; you didn't know your son speaks Italian? How on earth did that happen?"

Coeur De Noir looked rather uncomfortable. "Maria, before you came and united our two families…Moonacre was not a happy place. You know that. And Robin and I…well, we had our differences. I suppose I don't know my son as well as I ought." Robin muttered something under his breath. Maria only caught the word 'understatement'. She felt a pang of remorse for Robin. She would have to talk to him later.

The meal was superb; everyone was quite pleased with the fruits of their first night in Rome. Robin had ordered a massive plate of gourmet delicacies. Maria couldn't understand how he managed to consume it all while she merely sipped her chicken broth. Then again, he was a growing boy, and Robin De Noir, no less. That had to account for something.

The conversation was weak. Despite their midday naps, everyone was still worn out from their draining travels. Sir Benjamin made a valiant effort to speak of their plans for the following day. Maria suggested visiting a few of the historical attractions such as the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, perhaps even the Pantheon. This was met with a general murmur of approval, and so it was made the tentative agenda. Loveday made an attempt to excite some conversation about the lovely outdoor marketplaces she had heard about. Maria and Miss Heliotrope chimed in with mild fascination, and so they made a mental note to visit the marketplaces sometime within their stay.

"Well, I must say this has been a splendid meal," Miss Heliotrope declared. "Thank you, Sir Benjamin." A chorus of thanks was given up for Sir Benjamin, who graciously nodded and shrugged it off. "I think I shall retire to my room," Miss Heliotrope said. "Would anyone like to join me in a game of cards?" Digweed, naturally, was anxious to go wherever Miss Heliotrope went, and readily took her up on the offer with an adoring gaze. Maria couldn't help but smile at Digweed's innocent attraction to her tutor; it was so utterly adorable! Miss Heliotrope thanked him with warm eyes.

"I may join you," Coeur De Noir said with a great sigh of gratification. His waistline had probably exceeded its usual limitations, and he was ready to digest. What better way to sit and do nothing than to play a game of cards? His induction into the card-playing society was met with welcome remarks. So Miss Heliotrope, Digweed, and Coeur De Noir waddled out of the restaurant and made their way back to the hotel.

"I believe the hotel gardens are quite nice in the evening," Loveday began. She said it as a general thing, but Maria somehow felt it was directed to her, even though she knew Loveday would want to go walking with Uncle Benjamin. Well, if Loveday and Sir Benjamin could, why could not Robin and Maria? "Robin, would you like to accompany me for a stroll around the gardens?" Maria invited him. He pushed back his chair. "Right gladly will I do so, madame." Maria stood. "Mademoiselle," she corrected him.

"Sir Benjamin and I will go for a stroll also; but you need not wait for us," Loveday said. "Oh, well we could go with you—" "We will stay here," Loveday interrupted Sir Benjamin firmly. Maria almost thought she detected a glint in Loveday's eye. Her gaze narrowed.

Was Loveday trying to set Maria up with her brother? Surely she wouldn't…but she was! As Maria exited the restaurant with Robin, her thoughts whirled. How strange! Robin and Maria, what an odd couple! No, Loveday must be imagining things. Why on earth would she ever suspect Robin and Maria of having feelings for one another? It was inconceivable. Absolutely, totally, and in all other ways inconceivable.

A/N: Beloved reader,

First off, as you well know, the idea of Robin & Maria as a couple is most certainly not inconceivable. That is the entire purpose of this story. If you have ever seen The Princess Bride (one of my favorite movies), you would have smiled at that last line. Anyway, thank you for reading this far. I hope you are enjoying it thus far, and don't forget that reviews are [-greatly-] appreciated. Thanks!

Yours faithfully,

Ponygirl7 :)