It was the first time in weeks she had not cried herself to sleep.
She thought that none of them had heard her and she had been nearly right. Only he had heard her, for the sounds she made had been barely audible. One had to have been sleeping next to her, and listening intently to her breathing (as he was) to hear them.
The fact that she had not woken him or told him of her tears told him that she didn't want him to know, so he didn't mention it to her. He did not take this as an insult to her trust in him, as he knew that she didn't quite understand her feelings herself, so was in no state to discuss them with him.
At night, once she had finally fallen asleep, her subconscious betrayed her. She moved to be as close to him as possible, to feel his body heat spreading to become hers, to feel his form enclose her, protecting her from the chill of the night air, if nothing else.
Tonight she was lying on her side, facing him, her head tucked between his shoulder and his chin. He could just see her face. Her hands were trapped between their chests, grasping at the front of his tunic in a way which he knew, had she been awake, she would not have allowed them to.
Although he hated to see her upset, he took a selfish pleasure in her want to be close to him. He could not pretend that the thought of taking advantage of this want had not crossed his mind, but he had taken it no further than that, a thought. She was in mourning and he understood her need to be protected.
He felt her stir beside him and quickly shut his eyes. Too late.
"Robin?" she whispered. "Robin, I know you're awake."
He opened his eyes.
"How long have you been watching me?" It didn't cross her mind to question why they were so close.
"I have watched until you fell asleep every night Marian" he told her softly.
There was a silence between them for a few minutes before she mumbled,
"Thank-you Robin, for everything" her voice shook slightly.
He shushed her gently, rubbing a hand up and down her spine to soothe her.
He felt her tears fall onto his shoulder and he drew he nearer to him. It tore him apart to hear her crying, especially when he knew he could do nothing to comfort her or prevent the cause of her tears.
His initial thoughts had been wrong for she cried herself to sleep that night, although tonight, for once, her burden was shared.