Chapter Seventeen ~ Returning Home

Simple notes came out the piano as my fingers worked effortlessly. The tune was something Mrs Heliotrope taught me when I was younger. It was one of the first things I learnt to play. Memories came back to me; sitting in my old home back in London with Mrs Heliotrope, playing the piano whilst Father was out. Outside on the street was the busy London day, something that seemed so unusual now I thought of it.

"You're good." I jumped back away from the piano, knocking the bench I was sat on over. I spun around to face the intruder. I froze when I saw Robin stood in front of me, a small smirk on his face. His eyes flickered down to the chair and back up to my face. "What did the chair ever do to you?" He asked innocently, the old Robin I used to spend all my time with coming through. His eyes showed me, though, that he was still wary.

"You scared me." I managed to get out. Robin chuckled slightly.

"Yeah, I guessed that." He bent down and picked up the bench. It was the first time I had been alone with him since that night he stopped talking to me all those weeks ago.

Judging by what he was wearing, I had woken him up. He was wearing night wear and was missing his hat. His brown curls were stuck up on end. I would have laughed at him if I wasn't slightly nervous.

The shirt he was wearing was only half buttoned up, revealing his chest. Thankfully Robin wasn't looking at me, so he didn't notice me staring. A blush crept onto my face, as it usually would when I was around Robin, and I composed myself when he looked up.

"What are you doing up?" I asked, trying to be light-hearted. "Did I wake you?" I felt slightly guilty that I hadn't thought about how the music I was playing would affect Robin and Loveday downstairs.

"No, don't worry you didn't." Robin shook his head. He ran a hand through his hair, brushing it from his face. "I couldn't sleep and I was going for a walk to the kitchens when I heard someone playing up here." He gave me a grin before tilting his head slightly. "Why are you up here anyway?"

"I couldn't sleep either." I admitted, sitting down on the bench. I looked down at my hands in my lap. "I had a nightmare." I heard Robin come over towards me. His face came into view as he sat down, crossed legged, in front of me.

"You alright?" He asked. I shrugged.

"It was just a dream." I met his eyes. All the wariness from before had gone and they were back to normal.

My Robin was back.

"You should have come knocked for me." Robin muttered. "I have some stuff Mrs Harper gives me when I have a bad nightmare. Calms me down."

"I didn't want to disturb you." I said, trying to keep my voice from an accusing tone. "I mean I haven't spoken to you properly in ages and I didn't think you'd want me knocking on your door in the middle of the night." I watched as his face hardened slightly and his eyes narrow. Finally he sighed and his face softened.

"I wouldn't have minded."

"I didn't think you'd want to talk to me."

"Why wouldn't I want to talk to you?" It was my turn to narrow my eyes at him now.

"You've been avoiding me."

"No I haven't."

"Don't lie to me, Robin."

"I'm not lying to you, princess." It felt like ages since he called me that. It probably was. "I've just been really busy. You know why." I watched him for a few moments. Then I prodded him in the shoulder with my toe.

"A simple hello would suffice." I muttered, smiling. He grinned back at me and grabbed my foot. Before I could say anything his kissed it. "What are you doing?" I cried, pulling my foot away from him and standing up. He only grinned at me and shrugged. "You just kissed my foot!"

"Very well observant, princess." He mocked, leaning back on his hands, staring up at me.

"But you just…" I frowned at him, as he just watched me with a amused look on his face. "You just kissed my foot."

"Well I didn't kiss my father's foot, did I?" I shook my head and made to leave. I heard a sound behind me and then felt Robin put his arms around my waist, pulling me away from the stairs.

"Get off…!" Robin put a hand over my mouth before I could say anything else.

"Carry on and you'll wake the whole castle." He whispered softly into my ear, chuckling. His breath tickled me.

"Robin." I mumbled against his hand. It didn't come out very audible but Robin seemed to understand what I meant.

"Yes?" He asked, an amused tone in his voice.

"Get off me." It came out much the same as the last thing I tried to say. My voice was muffled against his hand, which he refused to take away.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that." Robin teased. I groaned mentally. He was in one of his stubborn, mocking moods. Then an idea came to me. I licked his hand and he immediately pulled away. "Princess!"

"I'd quiet down Robin, you'll wake the whole castle." I grinned, turning to face him. He was wiping his hand on his trousers.

"You licked my hand."

"You kissed my foot." We stared at each other for a while before Robin grinned.

"So we're even." He offered. I shrugged and grinned back. It felt like old times.

"I've missed this." I said finally. Robin frowned.

"I don't think we've ever done this!" He cried. I rolled my eyes at him.

"No I mean, us spending time with each other." I watched his reaction. He looked up at me and kept eye contact for a few short moments before looking away.

"Well, I've been extremely busy." He shrugged. His face fell suddenly hard. "And I've heard you've been spending a lot of time with Cousin Henry anyway."

"Who did you hear that off?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

"So it's true?"

"Why does it matter to you? You've been extremely busy."

"I just don't think it's a very good idea." He muttered.

"What isn't?"

"You spending time with Henry." I stared at him. His face had softened, though there was an odd glint in his eyes that I couldn't make out.

"Are you jealous?" I asked. The question took his aback. "You are, aren't you! You're jealous of Henry."

"I'm not jealous of anyone." Robin denied, frowning. "I'm just warning you that my cousin isn't very trustworthy."

"You sound like Loveday." I muttered, folding my arms across my chest.

"Maybe you should listen to us then." He said through gritted teeth.

"I don't see what your problem is. Henry is fine."

"He isn't a nice person, Maria." Robin sighed, running a hand through his hair. I stared at him for a few moments.

"I think he is." I said finally.

"Yes, well, like I've said before, you have a habit of liking the wrong people." He said, in an accusing tone.

"Well, you're too busy at the moment so I don't see why it's any concern of yours." I hated the tone I was using. I shouldn't be arguing with Robin, when this was the first time I had seen him in ages.

"Your safety is my concern." Robin said softly, his eyes burning into me. If he had said it any other time, that sentence would have sent my butterflies into spasm. However I seemed too angry to let it take effect.

"My safety?" I cried. "He won't kill me! Heck, Robin! You're the one risking your life every day and you're concerned for my safety?" He gave me a small smile and shrugged.

"Please trust me, princess." He said quietly. I stared at him for a few moments before shaking my head slowly.

"He's my friend, Robin." I said slowly. "I'm not just going to abandon him like that. And anyway, Loveday and I are returning home tomorrow so I won't have to see him anymore."

"You're leaving?" Robin frowned. I nodded. "What time tomorrow?"

"In the evening."

"At least I'll get to say goodbye." He said quietly. "But in all seriousness, Maria. I don't think you should be…" I held out a hand to stop him.

"I'm tired, Robin. Please don't argue about Henry anymore." I begged. He nodded and opened his arms out.

"What about a hug?" He asked. I smiled and walked over to him, wrapping my arms around him and laying my head against his bare chest. I felt him press his face against my hair. "I'm really sorry, Maria." I heard him whisper.

"For what?" He didn't answer me.

After a while, we broke apart and Robin said it was time we went back to bed. He made sure I was in bed before he headed back to his own room, kissing my forehead before he left.

I then feel asleep carelessly. No nightmares. No monsters.

The day seemed to pass by effortlessly and soon evening came and it was time for Loveday and I to head home. I couldn't wait to see everyone again.

Everyone had gathered to send us on our way, including Jude. She told me her mother had permitted her to say goodbye then she had to return to work immediately. I told her I'd keep her goodbye for last.

Seeing Digweed made me happy. When I saw him, I couldn't help myself I had gave him a big hug, taking him by surprise. He was blushing when I pulled away.

"Thank you very much Father for the stay." Loveday said as she finished hugging Mr De Noir. "We can't thank you enough."

"It was nothing, my dear." He beamed. I said my goodbyes and thank you to Mr De Noir and kissed him on the cheek. Mr Cunningham told me 'farewell' and 'keep safe' then excused himself as he was feeling thirsty. Mrs Harper came out then and told Jude that she was needed so I had to say my goodbye to Jude, giving her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

She skipped away happily.

Henry was next. He smiled down at me before he kissed me on the cheek.

"Your company has been most enjoyable, Maria." He said politely. "I hope we will see each other soon. Perhaps I could come down and visit some time?"

"Of course, that would be lovely." I smiled. Robin was last, he always seemed to be. He regarded Henry with a hard look before turning to me.

"I won't say anything, don't worry." He promised, seemingly noticing the look I was giving him due to his previous glare to his cousin. "I'll see you soon?"

"I highly doubt that." I muttered before hugging him. Thankfully I was safe from any embarrassing blushing as he wasn't revealing his entire torso today.

With one last wave, Loveday and I climbed into the carriage and Digweed set off. I glanced one last time at the De Noir lot before settling back and sighing.

"I can't wait to get home, Maria." Loveday said brightly.

"Me neither." I agreed. For the rest of the journey, I stared out the window, watching the world go blissfully by.

Though at one point, I could of sworn I saw a black shape darting through the trees beside the carriage.

A big, black animal-like shape.

I didn't inform Loveday of what I thought I saw.

Returning home was an amazing feeling. Seeing the Manor appear before us out the window of the carriage caused a large grin to appear on my face. When we pulled up through the gates I saw four figures stood by the main door. Digweed stopped the carriage in front of Uncle, Mrs Heliotrope, Marmaduke and Wrolfe. Loveday climbed out first and practically fell into Uncle's arms. When I exited the carriage, I was bombarded with hugs from Mrs Heliotrope.

"Oh, Maria!" She cried. "We've all missed you so much!" I grinned.

"I've missed you too, Mrs Heliotrope."

Marmaduke had prepared an extravagant dinner for Loveday and I. The table was full of a range of food with so much to choose from. We were made to fill everyone in on what we had been up to in our stay at De Noir castle. Mrs Heliotrope demanded every bit of detail and by the time I had finished talking, I could of sworn I had nearly lost my voice.

"It seems like you had a nice time." Uncle commented. Loveday caught my eye and gave me a hard look.

"Indeed we did." She nodded, her eyes still on me. I looked away and pre-occupied myself with taking a drink.

"Maria, dear." Mrs Heliotrope began. "Whilst you were away, your Uncle and I were discussing your birthday and what you would like to do." I stared at her.

"My birthday is not for another few weeks yet." I pointed out.

"Yes but we need get everything ready." Mrs Heliotrope argued. "How many people would you like to invite?"

"Can't I just have everyone in the room and be done with it?"

"What about Robin and everyone up at the De Noir's?" Uncle asked.

"Fine everyone here and all the De Noirs. I don't want anything big!"

"How about a big party?" Loveday asked, her eyes glinting with excitement.

"Did you not hear what I said?" I asked.

"But a big lovely party would be great." Loveday pressed. "It could be like a ball!" I could see she was loving this. "We could invite people from the village and some of your old friends. We could turn the main sitting room into an amazing dinning room for the evening. Oh please, Maria!"

"Loveday!" I groaned. I could see her eyes pleading with me.

"You're only 15 once, Maria." She reminded me. I shook my head.

"Give me some time to think about it." She jumped in her seat, a large grin on her face.

"Thank you, Maria!"

"I didn't say yes yet!"

"Not yet."

I headed up to bed, completely exhausted. As soon as I walked through my tiny bedroom door a feeling of warmness washed over me. I was back home and back to sleeping in my room again.

I rushed to get ready for bed and scrambled into bed, smiling at the feeling I got being back in my bed. I lay back and stared up at the ceiling. Familiar stars glistened and I drifted off to sleep, peacefully.

(A/N) Another chapter for you all. I hope you like it.

Please bare with me with the progress of Robin and Maria's relationship. It will get better, I promise. I did tell you this story would be long!

Anyway, see you next time everyone! Don't forget to review.

-jemlou-