One More Chance by Rosa17
PG
Marian was hidden where she was standing, away from prying eyes of any description and even though she tried to weep silently she was unable. Clutching the blue and white dress to her heart she allowed the tears to flow unchecked down her face.
The pain which tore and clawed at her heart felt worse than the dagger wound she endured after Gisborne stabbed her. This was as though someone was ripping out her heart, her soul, her very existence and her reason for living. And at that very moment she began to realise the pain Robin went through when she had recently 'died' herself.
Marian pulled her mask and hood completely off, throwing them onto the floor, followed by the remainder of her outfit, then re clothed herself in the dress that she had whipped from the washing line. It was slightly damp, but what did that matter? As her tears mingled with the dampness that was already there. That done she secured a safe haven for the Nightwatchman's outfit and sat on an empty upturned wash tub to mourn the loss of Robin further.
If only she had done a hundred things and said a thousand more then perhaps Robin would not have lost his life today, in the name of justice. Obviously the diversion plan had not been enough. She was too late; she had failed him when he had needed her the most.
Marian's thoughts drifted back to the previous evening at Knighton Hall. To when she still had a home. Was that only yesterday? When Robin had asked her to join his gang? To leave everything behind, including her father, to live with him and his gang of outlaws in the forest? She had declined his suggestion even though his touch, his presence had thrilled, calmed and slightly annoyed her, she said no. What Marian wouldn't give for one more chance to change that, to be in his arms again, to feel his lips caressing hers and now it would never be.
Marian's heart constricted, in another wave of pain as she pictured him, strung up above the pit in the castle. She knew it would have taken even ounce of strength not to give into death, but it had been too much, he had and as the Sheriff said died. She wished she had the opportunity to plan a proper rescue, entering the room, but even she knew that was too foolhardy to contemplate, for both of them. He had probably been in Nottingham in the first place to rescue her from the Sheriff and Gisborne's clutches, and to know that he had died while she still lived must have comforted his troubled soul.
One thing was certain, for the cause of justice Robin Hood's legend needed to live on, through others like herself who believed in the cause. It was the only way forward, even though she was not certain how to attain that goal.
Marian sniffed loudly wiping her nose on the sleeve of her dress and brushed the stray tears away. With a new purpose in her heavy broken heart she walked from the sanctuary of her hiding place. Her eyes were red and her essence fragile but now willing to undertake whatever lay on the journey ahead.
The linen on the washing line swept back at that moment, startling her for a second and then she threw herself into the arms of the man who appeared. He was alive, a solid form beneath her touch. His expression lit up the flame which burned steady for him in her heart. Even as he asked who had died she knew the vow she had made would remain. The fight for justice, for freedom, for righteousness wasn't just on Robin Hood's shoulders; she would carry the burden too. They would fight together as one, even if sometimes that meant they would be parted.
The End