Book One: The Beginning
This book has 8 chapters. They are as follows.
Edward | Daisy | Robin Hood | Daisy | Marion | Daisy | Edward | Daisy
Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Robin Hood, only my character Daisy
EDWARD
Like Mother like daughter, that blasted saying was exactly what Edward was thinking. His stupid sister had to go off and marry that man, move to Leister and then have a little girl. That girl was spoilt rotten and given many things in life that Edward wished he'd been able to give Marion. Still to be married to such a man, Edward felt lucky that his life had turned out differently to that of his sister.
Who else would want to have died at the tender age of thirty-five, it wasn't exactly good fortune. He suspected that it was the husband who did it. He seemed like a nasty sort, always grumpy and mysterious (of course this was just what Edward saw in his mind, there is no way of knowing if it was actually true or not). Though Edward felt sad that his sister had departed from the world, he was torn between two halves of the same woman. He missed the sister he'd had by his side as a child and not the woman that she'd become.
Many years after the death of his sister, the bereaved husband passed away also. This left Edward in a predicament, their child Daisy was without a guardian and had no husband to call her own. It was to Edward that she was suddenly shipped and Edward found himself cursing the harshness of life. He already had one unruly daughter – Marion – and didn't think he had time for yet another one.
Three months, she'd been at his residence for three months and life had already changed so much. He disliked it, she was almost worse than Marion, though her manners were top notch and she carried herself around like a proper lady should, it was her opinions that worried him. His sister had always been quite vocal and her husband also, apparently those opinions had been carried down to Daisy as well. She was a strong loyal supporter of King Richard which was all well and good but they lived in the realm of the Sheriff of Nottingham and here it was the rule of Prince John that was favoured above others.
Edward thought he had won out though, he'd all but imprisoned his own niece within the house he owned. She was not allowed to wander further than the walls of his garden. He told her that it was for her own benefit, a precaution in case something untoward would happen to her. He tried to project onto her how strict the Sheriff was and how many bandits lurked in the shadows waiting to pounce on her. Edward cared not if she believed him or not, just as long as she continued doing as she was told. He had enough trouble with one daughter, he didn't need another clouding his thoughts. So Daisy became more of a servant in her Uncles home, rather than a guest.
There were bigger fish to be fried, more important matters to attend to and the act of trying to keep oneself alive. Edward was a great believer of self-preservation. Though he loved Marion, he was keen to marry her off as soon as possible. At one time he had planned on Robin of Locksley being her husband but since he'd chosen to disregard the new rules and become the outlaw known as Robin Hood, Edward had lost all hope in him. His new target was Sir Guy of Gisbourne. He knew that Marion held him in little regard and that there was an element of him that was seriously dangerous, he knew he'd make a good match for Marion and keep her in line.
Once Marion was happily settled in married life, he'd see what he could do with Daisy but really he wasn't too bothered on the matter. Daisy wasn't exactly a beauty like Marion and he could easily envision her spending her time by his side, looking after him and tending to his needs.
He was once again in Nottingham, sitting upon a chair with Marion to his side. Other important men sat in other chairs that made up a circle. Of course the Sheriff of Nottingham was sitting in the most prominent chair and Sir Guy of Gisbourne stood off to one side. While Sir Guy only seemed to have eyes for Marion, the Sheriff's eyes were constantly sweeping over everyone, trying to gauge their reactions and anticipate their next moves.
At the talk of higher taxes on the people, Edward could see Marion tense as she clenched her fists tighter and tighter. Edward wished the meeting would soon be over so he could whisk Marion away without her blowing her top but it seemed unfortunate that he wouldn't get his wish today.
"The people are already staving, take away their money and they'll have nothing left! Don't you have any compassion left?"
The Sheriff glared at her and Edward felt his throat turn dry.
"The people are there to be beaten, without taxes the country cannot function. Without money the people will have nothing to rise up against and we will catch out all the thieves. Speaking of, heard of Robin Hood recently…I heard the two of you used to be friends."
"I-I am not, that isn't what…"
"All tongue-tied in front of the Sheriff isn't that sweet. I will not make allowances for you Marion, if you have any information to give up, give it now. Rest assured if I find out you've been lying I will make life extremely painful for you."
Edward sighed, Marion had got herself into quite a bind and while any normal Father would be concentrating on how to free his daughter from her current situation, Edward was focusing more on how he was going to remain alive during this whole ordeal. Of course he did love his daughter – I realise his image isn't painting a particularly nice picture of him but who's to say that history got his character right.
"Are you silent because you're guilty or because you are stunned by my presence? Have you seen Robin Hood? Do you meet with him? Or do you let him into your house at the dead of night? TELL ME"
"I know nothing…but Daisy might." Said Marion victoriously, though inside she was shaking.
Edward tensed, what on earth was she thinking? What was she doing?
"Who on earth is this Daisy person, I swear you try my patience." The Sheriff growled
"My cousin, she moved in with us a few months ago. She spends all her time at the house, if Robin Hood were sneaking into our home, she'd know about it."
Edward tensed, he'd be having serious words with Marion if they made it out of this alive.
"Are you admitting that Robin Hood sneaks into your house?"
"My Lord please, she doesn't know what she is talking about." Said Edward.
"I think she knows plenty of what she is talking about, why have you been hiding this girl away?"
"She is not refined and she has been in grieving, I meant no harm by not bringing her to court." Said Edward.
"Regardless, I expect to see her here tomorrow. I will assess her character myself and then decide what is to be done on the matter."
They were dismissed immediately, all scrabbling to exit the room. Edward glanced back at the Sheriff one final time and was intimidated by the smirk gracing his face. He wondered what tomorrow might bring.
The coach journey back was uncomfortable, tension filled and angry. Marion refused to look at her Father and glared out of the window while she fiddled with her fingers in her lap. Edward glared at his only daughter until he could take the silence no longer.
"What were you thinking? Why bring Daisy into this mess?"
"Self-preservation Father, you always taught me on that matter. Why let myself go down when I can send someone else down. I have other things to be doing with my life, it can't end here." Said Marion
"You realise that if the Sheriff finds Daisy guilty, it will reflect badly upon us. Who knows what the outcome will be now."
"Better her than me."
"You are an unruly child Marion, one day your voice will back you into a corner that you cannot escape from." Said Edward.
"I will always be able to escape when I have Sir Guy standing on one side and Robin Hood on the other. You cannot say it's wrong to have the two of them there. To be such a commodity, to be fought over by two men, do you not find it exhilarating?"
Edward studied his daughter and could only bring disappointment and anger to his facial expression.
"Sometimes I do not even think you are mine. There is too much of your Mother inside of you I fear." He said.
They arrived home and Marion stormed – in a rather un-lady like manner – up the stairs. Despite Edward calling up to her, she did not return. When he called Daisy's name however, she appeared only moments later. Looking down at her Edward realised that she might be worth more than he'd originally thought.