Marian sat on her stool, in front of her mirror. She ran the brush through her
hair.
Her uneven, short hair.
Instead of the raven waves that stood her out from all the other maids, the hair
that she spent hours fixing until it was perfect after one of her longs rides.
But now it was gone.
She could still feel the cold metal of the shears on the back of her neck, could
still hear the scratching they made as they cut.
The sound of the Sheriff's words.
The people staring up at her, confused though transfixed.
It was a horrid day.
And yet she had merely shrugged him off when he asked her about it.
It had been a nuisance to wash.
A nuisance!
Marian sighed, and studies her reflection in the mirror. There was nothing she
could do.
She climbed into bed, and relaxed into the pillows.
Then she heard a loud thump, and a curse.
"Robin," she said simply.
"Do you think your father heard that," he whispered, sitting on the bed next to
her.
"No, he's gone to Lural to discuss business with the lord there. I doubt he'll be back
tonight."
"Good," Robin said cheekily, "So we can be as loud as we want."
Marian rolled her eyes, and turned away from Robin.
"I heard what happened to you today," he continued softly, "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"It... It wasn't important. You had to help the woman, and the baby. You didn't need to wor-" Marian didn't finish, but she still wouldn't meet his eyes.
"I'll always worry about you," he twisted to the side, and slid himself under the blankets. "Even if there's nothing to worry about."
They were silent for a moment.
"You look good this way too," he added, breaking the silence.
Marian sighed.
"I mean it, you'll always be beautiful to me," Robin kissed the top of her head.
Marian turned, and snuggled into him. She felt a bit better.
"How's your arm feeling?" she inquired.
"Fine," he hesitated before answering.
Marian sat up, and Robin whistled.
"What?" she asked confused.
"I like what you're wearing," Robin defiantly wasn't looking at her face.
She slapped his arm, and he flinched and cursed again.
"Take your shirt off," she directed.
"Happily," he muttered, pulling his shirt off.
Marian checked the wound, and the stitch work. "It doesn't seem to be infected," she noted, "But I'll check again in the morning. Make sure Djaq doesn't to do anything-"
"You say that as though I'll be staying here all night," Robin hinted. She lay down again, and he pulled her in close to her.
"Robin," she warned.
"I just want you to be close to me," he said, "I promise you I won't try anything you don't want me to."
"That's reassuring," she grumbled.
"Hey," Robin lifted her chin, "I don't want to hurt you."
She smiled up at him, and opened her mouth to speak.
"Well, if you really insist..."