The Troubles from Monsters and Men (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

A Boy or a Wife

"How's the sleeping beauty?" David asked Jane with a smirk.

"I believe he's finally recovering. I'm hoping he'll awaken soon. I can't stay for much longer."

"Perhaps he's the one who needs a true-love's kiss more than Robin."

Jane snorted, "I'd hate for my first kiss to be while he's unconscious."

"But you wouldn't mind kissing him then?"

She blushed. "I never said that either," she defended herself.

David shook his head. "If only the git was awake to hear that, it would've been a dream come true."

"Oh, stop teasing, otherwise I'll have to go after you. You won't be anywhere near a kiss if you keep side-stepping Cat."

David began to splutter a weak retort when Cecille stepped into the room with newly laundered bedsheets. "What's going on here?" She asked.

"Nothing," he quickly answered. "Jane was just saying she'll have to leave soon."

"Oh, why's that?"

"James needs to get back to Bristol," Jane answered.

"Is his family waiting for him?" Cecile asked just as James entered.

He snorted a laugh, "No! Not many ladies want to marry a man that spends most of his time at sea."

"Is that so? Doesn't seem too difficult for us."

James leaned towards Cecile and asked, "Are you making an offer?" Her eyes grew wide and she excused herself, leaving the room in a hurry.

David laughed while Jane gasped and smacked James in the back of his head. "You scared her off! It's not your job, but your immaturity that turns women away!" Jane scolded. Then she sent them both away from the room, admonishing them for disturbing the patient's sleep.

After closing the door, she took a deep breath and mournfully studied Richard. He was still heavily bruised. His gashes, though stitched shut, had only started healing once Maria used her magic. She quietly moved to sit by the bed and rested her elbows on the mattress, bowing her head to her knuckles in silent prayer. She understood Maria's anger the most. Had Maria known from the start, she could have helped heal Richard sooner. She was certain he was only alive due to Marmaduke and mercy from the heavens above. Jane shook her head, it wasn't fair. He didn't need to suffer the way he did. It made her angry just thinking about it.
Jane was so lost in her thoughts, that it took her a moment to realize someone was stroking her hair. She looked up. Richard was awake and staring at her with a smile, "Have I died and gone to heaven?" His voice was strained, and it looked like it pained him to speak.

She slowly shook her head, her mind struggled to understand what she was seeing. She was speechless.

"I swear I am looking at the most beautiful angel in the world."

She blinked a few times before breaking down into laughter and tears of joy. She leaped over Richard, taking care not to crush him as she hugged him.

"He's awake!" She shouted. "Richard's awaken!"

"Blimey, what's the big deal?" He asked bewildered by her outburst.

"It's been weeks! You've been unconscious for almost a month."

Richard was stunned. The thumping of his heart was loud in his ears but it was quickly drowned out by a rush of people as his friends and family burst into the room.

Once his family left the room, his friends wasted no time recounting all he missed and their new plan. Lizzy and Cat were to return to school the following day, escorted by Henry and David.
Maria, now feeling immensely relieved, was to travel with Robin to Le Havre in search of the old woman. She was still ignoring her family and easily lied to them that she would be returning to school with her friends and come back during Easter to see how Richard was doing.

Maybelle was to forge another letter to Mrs. Watson, informing her that Maria was staying in Moonacre until Easter. Maria and Robin only had a week to find the old witch.

Later that night out on her balcony, Maria paced in circles, her mind busy with her upcoming trip. She pinched her brow, she needed to get back inside and finish packing. She forced her feet to move towards the doors, but she couldn't help the glance over her shoulder. She wistfully studied the edge of the forest. She was about to turn back when she noticed a figure on horseback emerge from the trees' shadows. The figure galloped towards the manor. Jumping over the hedges, the rider drew closer, it was Robin. He came to a stop at the base of her tower. It was too dark to make out his face, but Maria didn't miss the tightness of his shoulders as he quickly climbed up to her."What are you doing here?" She asked in a loud whisper.

"We have a problem," he said as he leaned on her balcony and removed his hat to fan away the beads of sweat that rolled down his temple. He removed his jacket, revealing his white nightshirt that had been haphazardly tucked into his leather trousers before continuing, "Our ships are under maintenance and can't embark for another two days. We can either wait or find passage on another vessel."

"Then we'll board another vessel."

"But we'll need identification and passports to board—"

"—We can bribe our way without paperwork," Maria interjected.

"It's not that simple," Robin groaned. "You're a lady and a noble at that. No 'proper' lady travels alone without a companion and the papers to prove it. There's always guards and escorts, much like your travel to Bristol."

Maria bit her lip, Robin was right. "Perhaps I can dress as a boy?"

His eyes began to trail down her face, but he quickly glanced away and cleared his throat when he realized she was in her nightgown.
"You're petite, reckon you can pass off as a boy, but, erm your hair is very long, and...I reckon your—your chest may be hard to hide."

Maria gasped and wrapped her shawl tightly around herself. "I'll have you know there are plenty of ways to hide my feminine features! They are of none of your concern!" Turning away from him, she grumbled, "Is there an alternative?" Though she could easily bind her chest, it was uncomfortable for long periods and left her bruised. She had no desire to cut her hair.

Robin rubbed his temple, there was one other way he could think of, but the idea sent his heart into a flurry. "Er... it's common for women to travel alone with a man whose family."

Maria snorted, "Forgive me, but you and I look nothing alike. We could never pass off as relatives."

"Not like that," he said with mild annoyance.

Maria furrowed her brow. It was late and she didn't understand.

Robin huffed, before mumbling, "Theres..m..riag..."

"What? I can't hear you."

He turned away as he gritted his teeth and said rather loudly, "I said there's marriage. Like husband and wife."

She gaped, speechless.

With every second that passed, Robin grew warmer and warmer with embarrassment. He loosened his scarf as he turned to face her with mild annoyance. "It's just an idea!" He said exasperatedly. "We are supposed to set out at sunrise and don't have much time to prepare a disguise! I want to make sure you'll be safe."

"No, no...you're right," Maria finally said. "That could definitely work. Either I dress as a boy or...as your wife." The butterflies in her stomach fluttered at that word.

"Then...Which will it be?" he dared ask after a few more painfully silent seconds.

"I have no idea...," she inched a few steps closer. "What do you want me to do?"

Robin furrowed his brow as he studied her, trying to gauge her feelings. After everything he put her through, he didn't think he deserved the right to be her husband, even if only pretend. "I want you to do what makes you comfortable. It may be dangerous, but no matter your choice I'll keep you safe."

Maria bit her lip, she too studied him carefully, trying to learn if there was a hidden meaning—his preferred choice, in between his words. "It seems I have a lot to think about then. I believe you'll find out tomorrow."

Robin nodded. He wished her a good night, then after a second thought, placed a swift kiss on her cheek before dashing over the balcony and back to his horse. He rode away as fast as he could, as though trying to leave behind his wistful feelings for a particular choice, but instead only left a flustered princess in his wake.