Chapter 5: Tour De Castle

This chapter was actually supposed to be Chapter 4 but this story writes itself and tells me what to do. Hands High is how tall a horse is. Periwinkle looks approx 12 or 13 hands high so Bravoure has to be taller. He is a battle horse. If memory serves, the tallest horse in the world was measured at 18 and a half hands high.

Robin's Point of View

The sun came through the only window in his room.

Dammit. I knew I should have not chosen a room facing the East. Well, I guess it's time to get up.

Robin got up and got dressed. Shaking the last bit of sleep from his head, he walked out the door. Normally, he was up before the sun, but after last night, he would have been glad to sleep in. He looked down the hall and noticed Maria was not too far in front of him. He smiled.

"Surprised to see you up this early, Princess."

"Surprised to see you up this late, Sir De Noir."

"Well, I didn't sleep very well last night. I kept having strange dreams."

"Really? What about? I had a strange dream to but it was enjoyable."

"It was nothing. Just thoughts keeping me from sleeping well. What about your dream, Princess?"

"We were in London and I was showing you all of the sites to see. Like the opera house, though I don't think you would much like opera. It's still a beautiful building."

"How is that strange?"

"You being in London….with out the intent of kidnapping me. That is strange."

Can't help but to agree with that. It would be a funny sight. I know I definitely wouldn't it in with her posh friends and peers in that society.

"Well, you got me on that one, Princess."

"Though, I would love to take you to London. You have shown me where you grew up, I would like to show you my old home."

"Wouldn't you be embarrassed though? I'm not exactly going to fit in with society there."

"Robin, that was the best part of the dream,"

Here it comes. She is going to say I was dressed in all those ridiculous fashions.

"We were dressed just like we would be here. I was wearing one of my Moon Princess dresses and you were in your usual leather."

"Really?"

She didn't expect me to change?

"Yes. It was really funny. Of course you know how old biddies are. It's worse in London but we were having so much fun, we didn't care. I didn't care because we were together."

Robin couldn't help but blush. He knew there was something she wasn't telling him. Something that made her blush when she thought of her dream. Though he had no right to call her on it. He wasn't going to tell her his dreams.

Well, maybe I should tell her part of it. She would love to…That's it!

"Lady Princess?"

"Yes, Sir De Noir?"

"Would you like a formal tour around the castle and its grounds. I don't think the last tour you had was…fitting for a woman of your stature."

"Why, Sir De Noir! You flatter me! I would love a tour."

"Great! Let's start in the Great Hall. I'm starved."

Maria giggled and Robin patted himself on the back for making her laugh. Robin lead the way to the dinning area and pointed out little things on the way. When they passed the stairs to the dungeon Robin pointed out,

"And these stairs, I believe, you may remember from your last Tour De Castle. These lead to that pleasant little room that we gave you for your last stay here."

"But of course, I believe I was properly introduced to the cockroaches to make friends with."

"Sorry about that."

"Oh, don't be silly. I was just teasing. I forgave you for that a long time ago. Besides, if I remember correctly I believe I wounded your knee."

"And had all my friends laughing at me."

"Wounded your knee, and your pride."

That said, Robin held open the door that contained their breakfast.

"After you, My Lady."

"Thank you, kind Sir."

They went and sat down to breakfast beside his father. Robin to his right and Maria to his left. On invitation of course.

"What are you going to do today?" asked the Lord De Noir.

They knew he was truly trying to make up for his past indiscretions. Maria, of course, readily forgave. Robin was still a little harder to convince. Coeur didn't blame him of course. His son did have to put up with it all for many years now.

"I figured I would give Maria a tour of the castle and later, the grounds. Loveday had Periwinkle sent over so I thought we would go riding through the grounds. Her last tour was a little lacking in…hospitality."

"That sounds like a grand idea son. Perhaps, you may take some refreshments with you. How did you fare last night, Maria?"

"I slept well. The room was beautifully decorated. I loved it."

"Well that's good because Rr," at this point Robin kicked his father under the table, "Our decorators did it especially for you."

"Tell your decorators they did a wonderful job. I loved the colors," this time Maria smiled at Robin, "and the dress that was laid out for me is beautiful. I do love how much more practical it is for wondering through the woods."

Robin looked down at his food and started shoveling it into his mouth again. His father merely grinned. His son had never been this way before. He was never shy around a girl. Maria though, she was something different.

"Well, I must be off. I have some paper work to attend."

"Father/Lord De Noir."

"Maria dear, I told you. Just call me Coeur."

She just smiled at him and replied, "Habit."

Maria and Robin finished up the last of their breakfast and Robin concluded his tour, ending in the stables. Now it was almost lunch time and Robin knew the perfect place for a picnic.

On the way to wherever Robin was taking Maria, (she didn't bother to ask because she trusted him) she was discussing all the things she would love to show Robin. He couldn't help but laugh at how talkative she was being today. He decided then to shush her.

"When we get back, I will have father discuss with Sir Benjamin the prospect of us vacationing in London."

"Really?"

"Would it make you happy?"

"I would love it Robin."

"Then it shall be."

"Thank you."

"It's nothing, Princess. I kind of want to see London without having to be sent on a kidnapping mission."

"I meant for the room and for the dress."

"Oh. That was nothing."

Maria just smiled at him. He pushed his horse onward with Maria following behind. Robin didn't take her to the waterfall. No. That was waaay to close a time span with his dream. He didn't want to make an ass out of himself in front of her…Again. He settled for a spot he liked to go when he needed to think. It was near the very same cliff she threw herself off of. It didn't jut out to the ocean like the other one did, but it still had a breathtaking view. He knew she would love it. She loved anything to do with the forest and surrounding area.

"Not to much longer now."

"Good. I think Periwinkle needs a rest. She isn't used to these long treks."

Robin stopped Bravoure. Maria stopped Periwinkle. He dismounted and helped her down.

"We will let the horses rest a moment."

Periwinkle was glad for it. She and Bravoure snuffled around in the brush for a quick snack. Maria giggled as she watched the horses antics. Robin just smiled and watched as Maria was enjoying herself. Robin said it was time to mount up again if they wanted lunch. He helped Maria to mount up and did the same himself. It didn't take much longer for them to reach his hideaway.

"Wow. This view is simply amazing."

"I thought you might like it princess. Now, I believe it is time for our picnic, yeah?"

"Of course. Can't have you growing hungry."

I can't believe she really wants me to go to London with her. Surely she is jesting. Compared to her society, I am just a bandit, a ruffian. The store keeps there would probably take one look at me and assume I'm trying to steal, or pay them with stolen money.

"Robin, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Princess. Are you enjoying your lunch? Our cook is nothing compared to Marmaduke, but she is still a good chef."

"Don't you Nothing Princess me! Tell me what's wrong, Robin. That's what best friends are for."

Maybe I don't just want to be best friends anymore, Princess.

"I'm just a little nervous about London, is all. It's nothing."

"Robin, I won't lie to you. They are going to talk. In fact, I'm positive that when anyone sees us together, they are going to think you are a rogue. I don't care what any of them say. I will march right up to everyone I used to know and introduce you as my best friend ever. Let them think Maria Merryweather associates with bandits. I don't care. You mean more to me than any of that."

"That's kind of you to say. But how are you to get a potential suitor associating with rogue bandits?"

"Robin, you're being silly. I don't care. If no one can accept my friendship with you, I will die an old maid."

"We best be getting back. It will be getting late soon."

Robin was glad that she didn't see his blush. Never has he ever blushed so much in his entire life, that is until he met her. They cleaned up their picnic and mounted their horses.

The trail ride was silent for a while. Periwinkle stepped on something and it broke her shoe. Immediately Maria and Robin dismounted to see what was wrong. Robin checked her hoof and saw that the shoe was cracked and she had something lodged in her foot. He dug the dirt clad metal out of her hoof.

"You will have to ride with me. Periwinkle is not going to be able to carry you like this. It will only injure her more."

Maria, concerned for her beloved steed's well being, agreed. Robin hefted her on to the 15 hands high Bravoure. She was really nervous about it. She held onto the saddle horn and waited for Robin to tether Periwinkle to Bravoure's saddlebag. After that chore was finished, Robin remounted and grabbed the reins.

"Nervous?" he breathed in her ear.

It sent shivers down her spine and she felt something in her stomach react a way it never has before.

"A little. I have never ridden other than Periwinkle."

"I won't let you fall, Princess."

"I know."

She snuggled down into his chest and let him steer the horse. Maria found his smell enticing, the slow trot enchanting and found herself falling asleep. It didn't take long for her to be out. Robin just smiled. He knew for her to do that, she was trusting him with her life. He enjoyed the slow trot back to the De Noir Castle. The whole three hours.