Chapter One

Marian knelt on the cold stone floor, her knees were numb from kneeling in prayer but she daren't move. She daren't open her eyes for fear the tears would slip down her cheeks and betray her. She could hear the bishop's voice droning on as he said mass to her, but his voice sounded as if it came from far away. As if they stood on opposite ends of a field.

"Corpus Christi." Something in her mind registered that she was to answer and Marian forced her eyes to open and she stared blankly at the bishop before her.

"Amen." Gracefully she stood up, sweeping her skirts behind her as she turned to leave. It was growing late, perhaps late enough for her to steal away.

"My Lady Marian," a wave of pure loathing swept through her, starting in the pit of her belly and soaring up to her heart where it squeezed tightly. She could barely breathe as she found herself staring into the dark eyes of the Sheriff of Nottingham, a small smile tugged at his cruel thin lips.

"By what right do you keep me prisoner?"

"You misunderstand my intentions," Nottingham seemed hurt by her accusation and Marian's green eyes narrowed.

"Protection from whom?" She drew herself to her full height, although she was still at least a head shorter than the man in front of her. She refused to look away from his gaze.

"From yourself! It seems you have been consorting with outlaws." Marian laughed but she could tell it only added to her guilt, she saw the flicker in his eyes and knew that whatever she said he would know of it as a lie.

"Where do you hear such lies?" She had worried that her voice would come out as a whisper, but it came out strong and convincing. But as the Sheriff reached into his cloak she knew what he would pull from it, her throat went dry as she stared at the letter which was not even meant to be in England now.

"By your own hand, my Lady." Her eyes flicked over to the bishop, she had trusted him! A man of God! If she was not safe to put her trust in him…then who could she trust? Where is Sarah? She didn't doubt for a second the loyalty of her maid, but then what had become of her? Tears pricked at her eyes once more but she blinked them away as Nottingham seized her arm to tug her from the chapel.

"Come!" He tugged her more forcefully as she put up a moment of resistance. She followed him outside and peered down the castle walls, her stomach clenched painfully at the scene below them. Nottingham's gloved hand released her arm and she could feel his eyes watching her intently. "It is over! Today I return justice to this land. I shall have to hang the leaders of course, but I would like to be generous and give you the lives of the woodsman and their families. The children!" He called suddenly causing her to jump, she was horrified as a horde of children were pushed forward. Surely he would not be so callous as to kill small children? The innocent? She looked at him, but his cold black eyes were fixed firmly on the scene below, she was sickened to see him smiling still. The thought of an execution seemed to please him and she braced herself against the low wall to stop herself from crumpling. "And of course your traitorous lady in waiting," Marian's eyes sought out Sarah's and she felt her knees weaken. What had she done? "As a wedding gift…" Marian closed her eyes for a brief moment, she knew what he was leading up to but she would never accept his wishes.

"And just who am I supposed to marry?" Her voice was as hard as the stone of the castle wall and offered no warmth. She forced herself to look at Nottingham, but he had stepped back to allow the bishop to take his place.

"Search your heart my child. Why not a union with the house of Nottingham, and heal the wounds in our land?"

"There is only one man who can heal the wounds of this land. Robin Hood." Hope flared in Marian's eyes as she spoke, he would rescue her – he would rescue them all! Perhaps then they could flee the country and seek out her cousin. Robin will come for us, she told herself, there is always hope as long as we have Robin. Nottingham stepped up to her, a look of grief upon his face, but his black eyes were smiling and the sadness in his voice was tinted with laughter. Marian's eyes flicked down to the object in his hands, it was burnt and battered but she recognised it straight away. The tears she had been holding back for so long broke free with a choked sob.

"I am truly sorry my Lady, he wasted his life." Marian pushed past him desperate to escape but his words only followed her. "How many more lives would you waste?" Intending to flee to the chambers she had been given, Marian's feet halted as the children were led up. They looked up at her, their eyes filled with fear and hunger. She felt a hand brush against hers as Nottingham strode past and knelt beside a small girl, the child recoiled from his touch as he gently stroked her cheek, but she didn't dare step away from him. "What a beautiful child, so young. So…alive. So unaware of how precarious life can be." He turned to look at Marian, no longer smiling. "I had a very sad childhood, I will tell you about it sometime." His voice became conversational and as he stood up Marian stepped away from him. "I never knew my parents; it is amazing I am sane." Marian shook her head, he was far from sane!" He stepped closer to Marian; she stopped trying to step away from him and instead stood limply. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see the deep red fabric of her dress; chillingly it began to remind her of blood. Nottingham's hand rose gently and moved as if to cup her cheek, to stroke it gently with his thumb, but he paused with only a fraction of space between them. "Marian, our bonding would allow these children to grow up as my allies. You understand I cannot allow them to grow up as my enemies." Marian's eyes took in the sight of the cowering children; she could not contemplate another answer. She could not become a monster like him.

"I have no choice." Her voice was surprisingly calm, yet devoid of any emotion. Nottingham's gloved hand cupped her cheek, she didn't flinch away but instead met his eyes. She was frightened to see the almost tender look flickering in his eyes, and the smile playing on his lips once more.

"That's true." He waved his hand that didn't hold her face and Marian heard the sounds of feet shuffling. "Come. Dine with me." His hand trailed down her cheek, her neck, shoulders and finally clasped her hand. Marian pulled it away sharply.

"No, my Lord." She shook her head and took a step back, "I find that I have no appetite, I would much rather retire for the night." Her voice was empty and she felt numb, she stared blankly at Nottingham half-expecting him to fly into a rage.

"Of course," his lips brushed her cheek, the softness of his beard felt warm against the coldness of her skin. He turned to stride from the room; passing a guard she heard his muttered instructions. "Place a guard at her chamber, ensure no one enters or leaves. And send a serving wench to my chambers with food. The pretty brunette will do."