I watched as they came closer and closer. They kept trying to calm our horses by saying things like, "Calm down, little horsy," or " It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you." The closer the people came, the more feisty Periwinkle became. It's like she could tell that these weren't people to trust.
Robin was still talking to Will. I tried to focus on what they were saying but couldn't because someone touched Periwinkle, and she started jumping. That's when I saw Will signal with his hand again. Someone put one hand around my mouth and, with their other hand, pulled me off of Periwinkle.
Periwinkle and Atlas made a run for it, leaving us behind. I tried kicking and screaming nothing seemed to work. I looked around, but I couldn't find Robin or Will! I tried calling Robin's name this time, kicking and hitting harder and trying my best to get loose. I felt a sharp pain in my side. I hear a loud thud, and the person who tried to kidnap me fell to the ground releasing their grip on me.
I scampered up, and I saw Robin. He pushed me out of the way just as someone was about to get me from behind. Then I see Wrolf racing towards us as quickly as he can.
All but five ran from the sight of Wrolf. Will was one of the five remaining, but he lingered behind everyone else. Will started yelling and winning at the others, but they stood there and watched Wrolf with fear.
Then when Will realized that they weren't going to move, he stomped his feet toward us, and Will started punching and kicking Robin, but Robin could carefully dodge them. Will resembled a small child having a temper tantrum.
I stood still, stunned, swallowing heaps of laughter until Will finally gave up since he had no backup as long as Wrolf was with us.
Will dashed away, face turning red as he murmured to himself, and after a few seconds, the remaining four started sprinting to catch up to Will. I had to admit that it was so weird, and I felt like crying and laughing at the same time. My body ached all over, but everyone's faces when they saw Wrolf was priceless. Then when Will tries to get us alone, it shows how helpless he is when alone.
I could have handled Will alone if it hadn't been that earlier. I put all the strength and effort left in my body to try to break out of the person's tight grip. Now it was just me, Robin, and Wrolf. Robin and I shared a look of bafflement before dying of laughter, but I felt a piercing pain every time I laughed. I couldn't tell where the pain originated but I started getting light-headed. Everything started to spin. I took one step forward, and everything became dark.
Robin's POV: Maria and I were laughing. She looked to be in pain. "Maria, are you alright? Maria? Maria!" She took a step forward and collapsed.
I hurried by her side Wrolf on her other side. I shook her, trying to wake her, but it didn't work. I started to worry. I looked around, trying to see what we were near. The manor and the castle are too far away. Wait, Loveday's cave is nearby. I remember visiting her after Father had kicked her out.
It would be too challenging to carry her there. Wrolf started to try and lift her onto him. When that didn't work, he nudged me, and I realized he was willing to carry her on his back. I gently picked her up and laid her on Wrolf's back.
As we hurried to Loveday's cave, I prayed that she would be there and could help Maria. We walked through the entrance of her home. She was helping her snake. She looked up at Maria with a look of worry and confusion.
"What happened, Robin?" Loveday exclaimed as she hurried to get Maria off Wrolf's back and onto a chair. I explained everything from the second Father had arrived to discuss peace as she rushed around and looking for something. She got a rag and placed it under cool water. "Here, Robin, place this on Maria's forehead."
"Okay, how will this help her?" I said while gently placing the wet rag on her head.
"It should help her gain consciousness," Loveday said while looking for something else. I looked at Maria, and she was still unconscious. "It'll take a while, Robin, before she awakes. You'll just have to be patient."
"Yeah, but I just feel dreadful. I was supposed to protect Maria, and scarcely an hour in, and she is already unconscious! What will Maria think when she wakes up? What will Father or Sir Benjamin say?"
"Robin, you tried your best, and I'm sure Maria appreciates your help. As for Sir Benjamin and Father, who said they had to know of this little incident, we must tell them about William. Still, as long as Maria is fine, which she will be, we don't have to say about the attack. We can say William gave a few threats, and we might have to watch out for him. Everything will be fine, Robin. There is no need to fret."
I took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I trust you." I sat beside Maria, waiting for any sign that she is waking up.
"Good, do you remember where my garden is? I need you to get these few things."
"Yes, I remember," I said, standing up while Loveday handed me a list. Wrolf accompanied me to the garden.
Maria's POV: I slowly opened my eyes. "Where am I?" I barely managed to say. Everything hurt for some reason. I felt as if I couldn't move.
"Oh Maria, you're awake!" I felt someone give me a big hug. It was Loveday. All the memories started flooding into my mind, and I started crying. It was all so overwhelming, and I was in so much pain. "It's okay. You will be alright." Loveday said while stroking my hair.
"Loveday, why am I in so much pain? Everything hurts." I managed to say. Loveday pulled away from the hug and sat down beside me.
"Well, when someone grabbed you off of Periwinkle, they might have tried to stab you, but it wasn't deep. I've already put some medicine on it to help prevent any infections and to help it heal faster. How bad is your pain right now?"
"Thank you, Loveday. It hurts a lot everywhere, but especially when I try to move. Where are Robin and Wrolf? Are they okay?" I said while looking around to see if they were there too.
"They are okay. Robin and Wrolf brought you here. I sent them to get me a few things from my garden. Here follow me, and let's change you out of those clothes." I looked down at my clothes and noticed blood all over them. Loveday got up and started to head to a room.
I tried to stand up but couldn't pull myself up. Loveday looked back, realized I couldn't get up, and hurriedly returned to help me. She put one of my arms around her neck and helped me walk to her room. Loveday put a dress on her bed for me to change into and gave me a bag to put my other clothes in. She said that she would be in the kitchen if I needed her. Loveday left and closed the door behind her so that I could change.
As I changed, I heard someone walk in and say, "Here, Loveday, I got everything from your garden. Where do you want me to put it?" It was Robin.
"Just over there would be fine. Where's Wrolf?" Loveday said.
"After I walked back through the entrance, he returned to the manor. Where did Maria go?" I laughed to myself. He didn't know that I was already awake yet.
"She woke up a few minutes ago and is in my room changing out of her clothes."
"Oh, okay. How is Maria doing?" Robin sounded really concerned, which surprised me in a way.
"She will be fine soon. She is hurting a lot though she can barely move, that poor thing. I figured out what caused her to pass out, though. It was because of a lack of blood. When the person pulled her off Periwinkle, I believe the person attempted to stab Maria, but the cut wasn't too deep but profound enough to cause her to bleed out. Which, after a bit, led her to lose consciousness. I was able to slow down and then stop her bleeding. I put some medicine on her wound to help prevent infections and heal it faster."
I just got my dress off. I remembered that it is rude to eavesdrop, and I focused on trying to get this dress on while moving as little as possible. It's very complicated and took me quite some time, but finally, I'm done. Now I have to open the door and walk back into Loveday's living room without falling or tripping. It can't be that hard, right?
I stepped forward and felt that my legs would give out on me. I took another step and another. I made it to the door without falling. I slowly opened it and closed it behind me. I took a few steps down the hallway holding onto the walls. Robin noticed me down and hurried by my side. He put my arm around his neck and helped me to the chair I had sat in.
"Thank you!" I said with a sigh of relief. Walking is getting more manageable, but it still proved difficult.
"Of course, Princess." Robin gave me a sly smile while I rolled my eyes and laughed. He sat in a nearby chair and started messing with some flowers in a vase beside him.
"Here, Maria, drink this tea. It should help you regain your strength." Loveday said while walking in. "Robin, leave those poor flowers alone." She said, laughing to herself.
"Thank you so much for everything, Loveday!" I said while sipping from the tea, already feeling much better.
"Of course, dear! I just remembered I must stop into town today to get a few things from the shops. Robin, will you go into the kitchen and make sure my new petite spider friend doesn't get into my things." Robin stood up and headed into the kitchen. "Maria, do you think you will be fine here alone for a little bit? Robin will only be in the next room if you need him."
"I'll be fine, Loveday. Be safe." I said while finishing my tea and setting it on a nearby table.
"Okay, I will, my dear," Loveday said as she got her coat and headed out.