Credits/Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, etc. except for Sir Jerval and Akil. Sadly (for the series and the legend) RH belongs to Tiger Aspect and the BBC.

A/N: A triptych (pronounced "trip-tick," from the Greek tri- "three" + ptyché "fold") is a work of art (usually a panel painting) which is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which are hinged together. The central panel is the most important one, and this is flanked on either side by two lesser but related paintings (excerpt from Wikipedia).

I hope the above explains the story layout. :)

I really enjoyed researching this story and I hope you enjoy reading it! As far as possible I have fit the series timeline into the historical one but have left some difficult areas (e.g. Robin's first couple years in the Holy Land) deliberately vague. Pretend poor Robin and Much are hopping between the Christian cities and somehow avoiding the horrific battles, starvation, and pestilence that occurred at the time. Oh, and all the Saracens too.

"Deus Vult": God wills it. The rallying cry for the First Crusade.

----------Scene A----------

"About time, Marian! Mind the brambles, they're fierce today."

The dark-haired girl grimaced at the slender youth sprawled at his ease on the fallen tree. Smoothing back curls ruffled by her run across the fields, she nudged his boots until he swung his legs down. She settled beside him, careful to keep him between herself and the bristly bush, and sighed. "I am sorry, Robin, but it is very busy up at the castle. It is no easy task overseeing a hall full of self-centered, demanding knights more fixed on eating and posturing than showing some consideration to their host. Between their demands and his duties as sheriff my father is tired. I shall be glad when his guests leave next week to return to the continent."

"But such entertaining weeks they have been," Robin drawled. "I have never before had such good competition in feats of arms. And did you not hear Sir Jerval's tales about his deeds as the captain of Prince Richard's personal guard? Such adventures he has had."

"Nursemaiding quarrels between kings and princes," Marian murmured. "Ooh, yes, how utterly thrilling."

"And his sword! It has a splinter of the True Cross in the pommel!"

"Really?" Marian widened her eyes in mock awe. "Pity our poor Lord, forced to bear a cross so great that it could provide all the splinters carried by pious knights."

"Tut tut, such a cynic for one so young and fair, Marian. You shock me!" Robin scolded with a grin, his eyes alight with the deviltry that he knew could never fail to make her laugh just as much as it could infuriate her. Today she laughed and Robin paused to admire the sunlight glinting in her hair and the dark sweep of her eyelashes against her cheek. Catching his eye, Marian blushed a little but coolly raised a questioning brow.

Practical but passionate – that was the intriguing mix that was Marian. She was naturally inclined to seriousness and Robin delighted in disrupting his betrothed's self-possession and provoking her into following her heart more than her head, for when stirred by what she cared for she was fire. Still –

He sighed inwardly. He knew himself to be an open book where she was concerned – likely everyone from Nottingham to London knew where Robin of Locksley's fancy had forever lain – but despite all their years of friendship and affection there were still times when he wondered as to his true place in her heart. For all her passionate outbursts, for all the heat with which they argued, she did not seem to burn for him. He had been the one to openly, eagerly pursue; the one to urge his father to approach hers as soon as she had turned twelve; the one to cajole her into a future together. To be sure she was almost as susceptible to his charm as other girls, and was fond of him and content with the match, but he wondered.

At least she likes me, he consoled himself. She holds men in general in such contempt. I will miss her while I am gone. He nudged her shoulder with his. "Come, Marian, your guests haven't really been so bad, have they? They are brave men in a brave cause."

"Fools," she replied flatly, all amusement gone from her young face. "Each has promised enormous sums to King Henry to buy favors for himself and his men, money better spent on keeping those at home safe and fed."

"You are so against those who urge us to defend the Holy Lands?" Robin asked, surprised at her vehemence.

"Oh, Robin," she answered, "that is not it. I do not think it an unworthy cause. It is merely that I do not see why they choose to go when there is as much if not more need here at home." She bit her lip. "It is so much money that some of them have promised; their families will feel it for years."

Robin frowned. The conversation was not going the way he desired. "Troubling rumors come from there. The Saracens seem to be growing restless and even Jerusalem may be at risk. Better to stop it now before they get a strong foothold. Think of it, Marian. The Holy Lands! To push back the infidels from the place where our Lord lived…"

"And where good Christians are pleased to die so they may earn a quick entry to heaven without otherwise working for it," Marian snapped back. "One can worship just as devoutly at home."

Robin laughed. "Well, I am not so good a Christian then since I have no mind to die out there, not when I have dear ones waiting for me. And you would wait, wouldn't you, Marian?" he wheedled, sure of his answer.

Marian rolled her eyes. "'Tis a pointless subject; let us not argue about this. Why did you ask to meet this afternoon, Robin? We would see each other at supper as usual anyway since you are so in thrall with Sir Jerval's spoutings. And I truly am very busy today." Her lips curved in a small but unexpectedly intimate smile and she leaned toward him so that her breath warmed his lips. "After all there is the little matter of our wedding in one month's time."

Robin's eyes half-closed and his lips parted as he too leaned forward. His Marian was not so free with her kisses that he ever turned down those opportunities she allowed – but reason returned and with a grimace he pulled back.

"We'll get back to this – but first that is exactly why I wanted to see you. Well, everything we've been talking about, really."

Marian blinked. "Robin, you are making absolutely no sense."

Robin wriggled around on the tree trunk until he faced her. His face was earnest as he caught up her hands and twined his fingers with hers.

"I know my timing is not so good, but, please, hear me out. You are right; I have been enjoying listening to Sir Jerval. And in turn he has been most impressed with my skills. We have spoken a great deal about how he has need of a good right hand man and he thinks that I show great promise. Have you not wondered why he is here with knights bound for the Holy Land, instead of with Prince Richard?"

Robin paused but Marian only looked at him. He frowned a little at the faintly unnatural fixedness of her gaze but continued, "Sir Jerval says the prince has heard rumblings that a crusade may be called. Richard is also eager to go to the Holy Lands but – well, you know how he and King Henry are. But he has given Sir Jerval leave to go ahead and prepare for when Richard himself can join.

"Sir Jerval is willing to take me with his retinue so that I do not have to pay the usual moneys to the king to join. When the time comes I need only take the cross under Sir Jerval and I will be a crusader, as part of the prince's guard!" He grinned at her. "Isn't it splendid? I know it is little warning, Marian, but this is too fine an opportunity to deny myself. And this is why I had to see you, since I do not know how much time I will have free in this last week before I must go with him."

Marian stared at him blankly, her hands limp in his.

He frowned and bent to peer into her eyes, squeezing her hands gently. "Hello? Surely I haven't bored you to sleep?"

"Are you jilting me, then?" she mumbled at last, her gaze still unfocused.

"Of course not!" Robin cried, offended. "I am only telling you that we must wait, though not for long – I cannot imagine it should take us more than a year or two, perhaps three at most, to roust the infidels and save Jerusalem, for they are surely not as well-organized as we and have not so great a stake. Once it is done I shall come back to you with honor and settle down at Locksley. That is not asking for so much, is it?" he cajoled, raising a hand to stroke her cheek. He frowned when Marian jerked back, keeping her face averted. "What?"

"Better you were just jilting me," she muttered.

"What?" Robin frowned in confusion.

"Do you ever think before leaping into the next flight of fancy that captures you? Think about who else is affected? You have a duty to your – your people. A manor does not run itself." Marian stumbled up and stepped back from where he sat. She swayed a little as she turned away.

Robin leaped up as well. "Unfair, Marian! You know I have worked hard and done a good job with Locksley this past year since my father died. My home is in fine shape to leave with Thornton until my return, especially since your father will keep an eye on it as well. Truly, I have thought hard on this and have it all well in hand." Robin threw back his arms, looking pleased with himself. "Really, Marian, what is wrong with my plan?"

"A plan, is it? That? I would not even call it half a plan. You've been planning this all the weeks those knights have been here, haven't you? Without telling me. Just like that, all so easy to arrange."

At last she turned to face him and he looked into her pale face – so white that her eyes burned like blue ice.

"Now, Marian, I did not tell you until now because I didn't think I had to," Robin said, raising his hands in a placating way. "You have always understood me so well – that is, once you get over being angry at me."

"You? Think? I think you do not know the meaning of the word."

"What? It is an honor to be even given the chance to defend the Holy Lands."

"Robin, men die fighting in the Holy Lands! Many, many good men, many good soldiers. You are hardly a seasoned warrior like Sir Jerval."

Robin smirked at her. "Marian, you wound me. I am quite good with a bow, you know, and not so bad with a sword, either."

"You conceited fool!" She slammed her hands on his chest and pushed with all her might. Paying him no further heed she turned and fled.

"Marian, wait – owww!" Arms flailing, Robin tripped over the tree trunk and tumbled back into the bramble bush. "Yeowww!"

Robin cursed as he struggled free. Swearing, he examined his scratches quickly before catching up his bow and quiver from where they lay and racing in pursuit of Marian's rapidly receding figure. She ran well but was no match for him and he easily caught her as she ran up a small grassy hillock. Grasping her arm he swung her around. "What was that for?" he shouted.

Marian jerked free. "To let out some of the hot air in you!" She leaned toward him, her fists clenched at her sides. "Do you think me idiot enough to believe your pious bleatings about a higher purpose?"

"I am not lying!" Robin snapped back, stung by her words.

"But not telling the whole either. Truth, Robin!"

"Very well, then, I also admit that being master of Locksley does not challenge me enough. A man must do more. I do not wish to be a placid old goat before my time!" he muttered angrily. "Is that so wrong?"

"The most foolish goats are seldom the old ones, I find," Marian retorted. "How can you even think of abandoning your life here for something so uncertain?"

"Because my life is dull and I am bored, with nothing to look forward to save more boring days overseeing Locksley!" he shouted back. Immediately appalled at his unthinking words, he clamped his jaw shut.

"Ah, so you confess at last." Her dark hair tangled about her flushed face, her body quivering with suppressed fury, Marian had never looked finer to Robin. For a reckless moment he considered telling her so but prudently refrained. "And how long have you been brooding on this, m'Lord Earl of Huntingdon? How long until you would have told me how dull you thought the prospect of life at Locksley with me? You did not have to scuttle off to war to avoid that disastrous fate."

"I did not mean that! Do not put words into my mouth." Robin clutched his hair and took a deep breath. Intemperate words were inevitable in an argument with Marian but this situation was spiraling dangerously out of his control. He paced in thought for several moments, and then in a softer voice he said, "All right, Marian – then let us get married before I leave. If we hurry and get everything arranged we can be wed before I must depart in seven days' time. I will have you moved to Locksley and make sure Thornton is comfortable with you in charge – he'd do anything for you anyway – then I will turn the keys over to your keeping, and still be ready in plenty of time to leave with Sir Jerval. That would work very well indeed – you run the castle excellently and a manor such as Locksley will be as nothing to you, particularly as your father would be happy to advise you." He smiled and held out his hands. "Well?"

Marian stared at him. Slowly, she shook her head as she began to laugh.

Robin grinned in return as he sidled up to her. "Now, how about that kiss you were about to give me?"

"You really don't understand anything," Marian gasped. She squeezed her eyes shut and Robin was startled to see the tears sparkling on her lashes when she reopened them. "You do not want to understand. All you see is what you want – the dazzling visions of kings and popes and stupid boys. Go, then, and may you get exactly what you desire."

She again punched him on the chest and with a startled gasp he tripped over his feet and tumbled down the hillock. "Not – ow!" he yelped as an errant thorn from his earlier tussle with the bramble bush pricked him.

Marian ran toward the castle. Robin rolled over and gloomily watched her disappear in the distance. With a sigh he sat up and stared at the sky.

"Marian has a tender heart," he informed the clouds as he pulled the thorn from his pants. "And she does not stay angry or hold grudges – well, not that long in any case. She will come about because she does like me and thinks me a little more worthwhile than most other men, and she knows I will always come back to her. I had best give her a little time and then she will see the sense in my plan." He scowled. "Half a plan, huh!" His face grew thoughtful and he scratched his chin. "She never did answer my question about the wedding, though. I will have to see Sir Edward to arrange things, I suppose." He sighed again and rose. "Must tell Much to start packing, too."