A Moonacre Fanfiction Roman Holiday

The grandfather clock in the hotel lobby chimed four o' clock. All was quiet in Rome and all were sleeping, lost in their wistful felicities and dreams of hope and promise. The horizon was a dark velvet sky with sprays of diamonds showered across it. Loveday slept soundly in her bed. Across from her was Maria in her bed, sleeping with equal soundness.

Only one creature was stirring at this hour. He cautiously closed the door behind him, careful not to wake his snoring father. Then he crossed the hall to the door across from his own. His experience in the forest now served him well; a hunter must be sly and silent, making nary a sound. Now he employed that talent, as well as his ability to pick a lock. One of his smaller knives worked very well, and soon the door was opened. He stepped in, closing the door behind him.

He walked smoothly around the beds until he came to where Maria was sleeping peacefully. He covered her mouth with his hand; he didn't want her to make a noise. Then, ever so softly, he whispered into her ear, "Maria." Her eyes opened immediately in alarm, but she relaxed when she saw who it was. He removed his hand from her mouth, and she sat up. "Robin? What is it?" She could just barely make out his faint smile. "I wanted to show you something." Maria frowned in confusion. "At this hour?" Robin grinned. "There is no other time. Are you decent?" She nodded. She always slept in a pretty white nightgown that, while it was still a night shift, it was suitable and not inappropriate to be seen in.

"Good. Follow me." He stood, and she slid out of bed, fitting her little feet into the delicate slippers that she had placed beside her bed. Robin led her out of her room and down the hall. Maria wondered what on earth Robin could be doing, but she trusted him. He led her to the stairway, still omitting an explanation. Maria was just a little nervous about walking around in a hotel in her nightgown with a boy at such an untimely hour. Why, people might think…

Maria found herself sliding her hand into his. Robin would keep her safe, no matter what peculiar notion he had conceived. That much, she knew.

They climbed flight after flight of stairs in silence, Robin privately smiling to himself and Maria's wonders growing with each passing step. At last, at long last, they came to a door. Maria reasoned that they must be going up to the roof of the hotel. But why on earth?...

They did indeed ascend to the roof of the hotel, a warm breeze caressing their faces and whispering through their hair. Robin led Maria to the edge of the hotel. She shuddered as she looked down, far, far down at the dark street below them. "Don't look down; look out." Robin advised. Maria lifted her gaze to the horizon, where she breathed in awe. Now it all made sense; Robin was not crazy, after all.

The sun was just beginning to peep shyly above the skyline, where the heavens kiss the earth. A few brilliant rays shot out, illuminating Rome and gilding it with a blanket of muted light. The sky itself was turning to a breathtaking masterpiece of watercolors streaking across the once dark canvas, drowning out the hushed splendor of the stars and heralding the coming of a new day.

"Oh, Robin," Maria gasped, clutching his hand. He smiled. "What do you think?" he asked. "It's…it's…" there were no words to express the beauty. "Come over here, then," Robin led her over to the other side of the roof, where they could see the Mediterranean. Sunrays glistened on the glassy, mirror-like waters, creating a gossamer sheen almost mystic.

"I thought you'd like to see it," Robin explained. Maria averted her gaze to meet his, and nearly lost herself in the depths of his dark eyes. "I—I'm glad," she said. "Robin, I love—" she caught herself. "I love the sunrise." Her cheeks tinged a rose shade, and she looked back at the sea. "Princess," Robin's voice was low and quiet. He couldn't help himself. He swallowed hard. He must say it. "Princess, I love you."

Maria's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head sharply to look at Robin, whose eyes pleaded with her, begging for a word, a sign, anything. "Oh, Maria, I—" but he got no further, for she silenced him with a kiss, soft, sweet, perfect. When she pulled back, her eyes danced. "I love you too, Robin De Noir." And, slowly but surely, a smile dawned on Robin's face until it outshone the dawn itself. Could it be? Maria's smile assured him that it most certainly could.

What happened in those next couple hours we shall remain unspoken, but you may rest assured that many questions were asked, many glowing answers given, many smiles beamed, and, yes, more than one kisses exchanged. The world was blushing in rose and gold, everything was joy and bliss and blazing with love.

At last, somewhere around six o' clock, a noise disturbed them. It was the rooftop door, and Maria realized with a start that she was only in her nightgown. However, this didn't matter much, as it was only Loveday who ascended the steps to find her brother and his darling Maria quite close together. "There you are," she smiled knowingly. "I thought perhaps you'd be here. But you must know, Robin, that our father is concerned for you—" she halted when she saw Robin gently kiss Maria's forehead.

"I see more has happened this morning than a sunrise," Loveday said, eyes twinkling. "You could say that," Robin replied, lacing his fingers through Maria's. Loveday was pleased that her brother had finally been honest with Maria. "All right. Well then…do come down for breakfast. And change first, perhaps. Oh," Loveday said, suddenly remembering, "Coeur De Noir has arranged for us to go to the Villa Borghese gardens with Pastor Russo and his children." She turned quickly and left. Maria smiled up at Robin. "Don't worry about Francesca. I won't leave your side." And she knew that she never would leave his side, for better or for worse.

A/N: Beloved readers,

Thank you so much for reading Roman Holiday thus far! I think there will only be a few more chapters of this, and then I shall wrap it up. I'm really not sure how long to make my chapter stories, but I hope this will have been satisfactory. Your reviews are warmly welcomed, and I appreciate any ideas for more Moonacre fanfics to be written [after this is finished, of course]. I do have one story that I am planning on writing, but after that, who knows? Thank you for all your support. I try not to disappoint.

Faithfully,

Ponygirl7 :)