The Other Merryweather ~ Robin De Noir [1]

Chapter 10

Rose awoke. She moaned as she opened her eyes to gaze around the room, she was in her bedroom. Everything was where she left it. Rose began to sit up, but collapsed back onto the pillow in pain. "Ahh", she cried, but just then the door opened to reveal Maria. "Rose! Thank goodness you're awake!" She cried, and began to weep into Rose, "Ow Maria", Rose laughed as Maria was hugging her a little too tightly. "I'm sorry!, I thought I lost you, and it was all my fault!" Maria cried as she released her grasp on Rose. "What do you mean it was all your fault?", Rose questioned calmly, and raised Maria's head to look at her.

"If I hadn't of run off so fast, I might of been able to help you!", she wailed as her uncle, Miss Heliotrope, Marmaduke and Digweed crowded in. "Maria!" Miss Heliotrope cried, and immediately went to her side, and began fussing. "Maria, I'm so glad you're alright, I thought I'd lost you!" Her uncle started, this was the first time he had ever been so sentimental with her. They all went over to Rose, she saw her uncle had a teared stained face, he did care!

"What happened?" Maria asked, but was soon silenced by Miss Heliotrope, "Rose, will explain when she is ready".

"It's alright, I don't mind explaining". Rose told them about how she hurt her ankle so struggled to keep up, then was caught by Coeur De Noir, the food fight, the roses, the secret passage, the horse chase, the sword fight and Wrolf saving her. She told them everything, other the deep conversation with Robin. She'd rather she kept it between them two. Robin, it's like she saw behind the arrogant, self centred act for a moment. After she finished explaining, and everyone fussing over her, she began to rest. She dreamt of Robin and his cheeky smile, and curly hair. Why couldn't she get him out of her head!

When she awoke again, it was near lunch time, and Rose attempted to get out of bed. She tried to place a little bit of weight on her foot, but it still hurt. She saw some wooden crutches in the corner of the room, and Rose managed to hop over to them. She was still in her night clothes, but she was clean, so decided to make her way downstairs.

"Rose", Maria smiled as she was climbing the staircase. "You're awake!, I must tell you something," Rose saw she was in a beautiful red medieval dress. "You look beautiful Maria, what do you need to tell me". Maria smiled and explained to Rose about Loveday visiting, and their uncle being in love with her, and Maria's plan to get them back together. "That's a great idea!" Rose exclaimed, "oh wait, I believe Loveday left you a dress as well", Maria said, and helped Rose into her room. Maria shut the door, and held up the most beautiful pale blue dress, with flowing sleeves all the way down to the floor.

"Oh Maria, it's beautiful!", Rose cried as she held it up. "Go on try it on", Maria giggled excitedly. Rose changed into the beautiful dress, and swirled the skirt round, "it's glorious!" Rose cried. Loveday left it for you, it belonged to the first forest princess. "Thank you Loveday", Rose thought, this gift was so thoughtful.

Rose and Maria made their way to the kitchen next, as Rose was quite hungry, however when they stood outside the bedroom, Maria gasped as she looked upon the lady in the painting opposite. "Wait here", Maria said as she ran off down the stairs. Rose could swear that painting hadn't been there before. Maria soon came back up with Digweed, Marmaduke and Miss Heliotrope, "there she is, showing us the pearls", Maria pointed out, and sure enough the woman in the picture held the pearls, and revealed them to be in a very distinctive hollow in a tree, covered by enormous roots.

However the others didn't seem to see it, "perhaps wherever the pearls are, maybe they'll lead us to the diamond." Rose added, "agreed, but Maria are you trying to say the Moon Princess took the pearls and diamond?" Marmaduke questioned, "yes and she hid them in a tree somewhere!" Maria replied.

"Well that's helpful", he added, but Maria retaliated saying, "it's very distinctive, I would no it if I saw it".

"There is only one person who would know where it is, who knows the woods, it's in his blood", Marmaduke began. "You mean Robin, oh no, we can't, he's an arrogant, self centred oaf, it's a matter a honour a matter of...", Rose started but Marmaduke cut in, "pride", he smiled, silencing Rose. Maybe Robin could help, I mean she saw I slight different side to him, when she was in the cell.