As the group walked back together they fell into line. Sir Benjamin and Loveday walked in front with Miss Heliatrope and Digweed behind them followed closely by Coir De Noir, Marmaduke, and Robin. Maria brought up the end, Ralf still in his lion form, walking on her left and the unicorn on her right. She watched as Coir wrapped an arm around Robin's shoulders as he talked with Marmaduke and she saw Robin stifen at the touch. He must not have been familiar with a gentle touch from his father. This thought saddened Maria. Just then Robin turned slightly and his eyes met Maria's. He slipped out of Coir De Noir's grasp and slowed his pase till he was walking beside Ralf. Ralf took one look at Robin then moved out from between them to walk on Robin's right. Robin looked down at the large lion then up at Maria who was staring at her feet as she walked.
"Are you feeling okay," he asked, concern clear in his voice.
Maria looked up and gave him a small smile. "I'm fine. Just really tired is all. Today's been exhausting." Maria sighed and dropped her head back down. They walked in silence after that.
After a while, Maria's began to weaken and she stumbled forward but instead of falling flat on her face, a pair of arms wrapped around her petite figure and kept her upright. Maria looked up to see Robin holding her in his arms. He held onto her while she steadied herself but he didn't let go completely. He kept an arm wrapped around her waist.
"You okay Princess," he asked looking down at her.
"I'm okay Robin. Don't worry." She pushed his arm away and started to walk again. She didn't make it five steps before her legs gave out again and she was back in Robin's arms.
"You are anything but okay Princess. You can barely stand. You're too tired." With that said, he scooped the young girl into his arms and started walking again. Maria was too tired to protest and instead decided to let it be. She could yell at him tomorrow. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and relaxed against him as he walked. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep.
When Maria woke she was lying in her bed. She stretched and yawned and threw back the covers. She found that she was still wearing the red Moon Princess gown from the night before. She smoothed her hand over the wrinkled fabric. Memories of the events from last night came flooding back to her as she smoothed the dress. It was all a bit fuzzy but Maria remembered everything that had happened. Her talk with Robin, her run-in with Coir De Noir, finding the pearls, and jumping into the sea to return them to Nature. She still couldn't believe she'd actually jumped. She remembered waking up on the back of the unicorn and Ralph standing beside it in his lion form. She remembered the walk back to Merryweather Manor and how she collapsed and how Robin had carried her.
Maria got out of bed and looked around her room. She smiled when she spotted the dress laid out for her by Loveday. Today it was a dress similar to the red one she currently was wearing except this one was a dark emerald green with the sleeves only reaching her elbows and delicate designs of vines curling up from the bottom of the skirt and down the arms of the sleeves. Maria changed into the gown and slipped on a pair of matching emerald green slippers. She brushed her hair and put it into a braid down her back before exiting her room. She stopped when she found the portrait of the first moon princess hanging on the wall. she gave a small smile before hurrying down the steps to breakfast. When she reaches the bottom of the steps Ralph looks up from his place by the fireplace. He's turned back to his dog form, not that Maria minds. He can take whatever form he wants, he's still Ralph, her protective companion.
Maria walked into the kitchen and was greeted with a good morning. She smiled and sat down beside Miss Heliatrope. Sir Benjamin sat at the head of the table as usual, the only difference today was that Loveday sat on his right. They were chatting happily together as they ate their breakfast. Maria grabbed a piece of toast, buttered it, and took a bite out. She had just finished it when Loveday spoke up.
"How did you sleep," she asks looking over at Maria.
"Like a log," Maria replied. "Did Robin carry me all the way back from the cliff?"
"Yes," Sir Benjamin said taking a drink from his tea. "I offered to take you the rest of the way when we reached the edge of the forest but he wouldn't let you go. He took you all the way up to your room and put you to bed. We decided to let you just sleep and didn't worry about changing your clothes."
"I'm actually going over to the De Noir castle today to spend some time with my father and little brother," Loveday said standing up from the table followed by Sir Benjamin. "If you like, you can come to. You can hang out with Robin so I can speak to my father."
"Maybe I should. I still have to thank him for his help last night." Maria looked over at Miss Heliatrope as if to ask permission.
"Go on. After the ordeal yesterday i dare say you could use a break from studies but we'll pick up again next week."
"Thank you Miss Heliatrope," Maria said giving her teacher a kiss on the cheek and jumping up from her seat.
Thanks for reading
rxr