The Secret of Moonacre 2: The Shrouding Darkness

Chapter 17: Since The Moment I Met You

Robin, Maria and Henry goofed around, joking and teasing one another for awhile before Robin spoke.

“Where’s David and Nolan?” He asked.

“Last I saw they were goofing off in the games room.” Henry replied. Robin hurried out of the room leaving his best friend and the girl he loved most behind.

Maria turned to Henry.

“You really like Diana?” She asked. Henry nodded.

“You really do love Robin don’t you?” He asked. Maria nodded ever so slightly. Henry smiled.

“Welcome to the family sis!” He chuckled. Maria laughed, rolling her eyes. Then she thought for a long time, something suddenly occurring to her.

“Do you have a mother or father?” She asked suddenly, surprising even herself. The question was both rude and invasive. But something inside of her forced it out. Something desperately groping in the back of her mind. Henry was silent for a long time, caught off guard and plunged into memories.

“My mother died when I was a baby and my father ran off. I was raised with Robin.” He said. But something in his words had triggered something in her mind…something clicked into place and she blinked, mind racing.

For some reason all she could picture was Digweed. The way he got nervous and stressed out whenever Henry was around. It can’t be. She thought.

“Oh.” Was all she said to Henry. He gazed at her with an unreadable expression. Maria was still thinking. She would speak with Digweed when she got home…

Suddenly there was a loud clattering in the hall.

“Come on Nolan!” That was David’s voice.

“Yes! Let’s play capture the Princess!” Came Nolan’s playful and cheerful reply. Then an irritated and protective voice broke in.

“NO! Let’s not play any such thing!” It was Robin. Maria’s eyes widened. Footsteps pounded down the hall and a moment later David and Nolan burst into the room, charging straight towards her. Robin was right behind them and when he saw Maria he put on a burst of speed and looped around them, coming to a halt right in front of them. They barreled into him, falling into a heap on the floor, while he stood and glared down at them, not budging an inch. The pile of Nolan and David began laughing uncontrollably.

Robin huffed, rolling his eyes before moving to sit next to Maria on the foot of Henry’s bed. Maria rolled her eyes, and stared up at the roof with a huff, listening to their laughter. The sky had brightened and warm sun shone through the window, brightening the room and casting warmth on whatever it touched, including Maria. The room was warm yet a cool refreshing breeze blew through. The breeze brought in the numerous outside scents from the market, like weapon cleaner, fresh fruit, fresh bake bread and the smell of a large pig roasting in the square, yet it didn’t steal the scent of the room. It was a lot like the rest of the castle, heavily smelling of leather and cinnamon, as well as lemony leather scrub, but with a woodsy earthen aroma that these four boys carried. The smell of the woods. Rich black earth, brilliant green trees, animal scents, and the wind itself, mixed with their pleasant boyish smell. The bed sheets were soft against Maria’s hands and she listened to the quiet buzz of working servants and guards, as well as bird song from the woods in between each of the two ‘floor monsters’ bouts of laughter. All would be well.

David and Nolan eventually rose and walked over to them laughing. Robin muttered something under his breath as the two jostled everybody into a hug. Maria was squished between Robin and Nolan.

“Look at that!” David announced cheerily. “The gang is all back together!” He glanced mischievously at Maria. “Yep! The whole gang, bandits, plunderers, trappers and ruffians. Plus a little Princess.” Maria glared playfully at David.

“Don’t forget about what you are.” Robin instantly moved away from Maria, and Henry followed his example. This made Nolan back away instinctively. It was like a herd movement. David laughed.

“What?” David said low and growly. Then he chuckled. Maria launched herself at David. She shoved him off the bed, landing hard on top of him. She dug her knee into his stomach, keeping her other leg on his legs, and held his arms down. David’s face flushed, first with shock and then anger. He thrashed about wildly but he couldn’t seem to escape. He glared up at Maria and she laughed.

“You’re trapped.” She replied. She got of David and sat on the bed again. Robin walked back over, smirking and laughing at David. He sat on the bed next to Maria.

“Five Princess, zero the trapped.” Robin teased. David glared at him. Maria stood with a smirk and walked out of the room. Nolan practically leaped out of his shoes and away from her as she passed. Maria laughed. She walked into the hall and Robin got up following her. Henry, David and Nolan watched them go, heads tilted slightly to the side. In the hall Robin passed Maria and led her towards his room. She followed curiously and when Robin opened the door she walked in.

Robin’s room was painted with various shades of robin egg blue and robin breast read. On the far wall was a painting of two robins caught in flight. The larger robin had dark tawny-brown feathers and a vibrant red breast, and the smaller, a dusky brown with a paler shade of red on its breast. They wove around one another. Maria stared in wonder. It was amazing. Even the roof was a pale shade of blue. The room’s windows were open, letting in the warm summer breeze and pour sunlight over the floor. A large red sheeted four poster bed stood against the farthest wall. A fireplace stood across from it and the mantle was decorated with various pictures and clay figures. Maria was surprised to see lovely drawings pinned to the wall and a few scattered in front of the fire places. It was filled with the most powerful scent of Robin, mixed with the smells of leather, cinnamon, lemony leather scrub, fresh parchment, and the faintest trace of apple wood smoke. The scents of the market wafted in as well. Maria smiled. It wasn’t at all as she had imagined it.

“This is absolutely amazing!” She breathed.” Robin smiled happily. He went ot his closet to get some clean clothes. Something blue within his black and dark brown clothing caught her eye. Then she realized it was the dress she had been wearing and lost the day she had escaped from the castle. She smiled in sly amusement.

“Why is one of my dresses in your closet?” She asked. Robin looked at her.

“What? You expected us to throw it away?” He asked. Maria was silent for a moment.

“I expected your father to burn it actually…” She paused as realization hit her. “You loved me that soon after you met me?” She murmured. Robin glanced at her out the corner of his eye, but said nothing. Maria smiled softly and Robin went back to what he was doing. She thought he wouldn’t answer.

“I loved you from the moment I met you.” He eventually murmured softly. Maria walked up to him and hugged him. Robin wrapped his arms around her, resting his cheek on her forehead. He breathed in the sweet smell of her hair. Maria stared at the picture on the wall, picturing her and robin flying together. Flying away from everything but one another.