OK so this was just an idea I had swimming about. Let me know what you think.. It won't be a traditional story in the sense that it is a Marion/Robin fic but how they meet and fall in love is different and there is a twist : )
Disclaimer: Don't own none of it
XxxxxX
She moved with grace and ease through the forest. Trees blurring past her as she ran. Almost as if she had done this before. The ground crunched beneath her, snow turning to sludge as it slowly melted. Why she had chosen today to wear a dress she didn't know. The black floor length, long sleeved dress weighed her down as she ran. The cold evening air stinging her lungs and pushing her long mahogany hair behind her as she ran. Up ahead the ground ended and a raging river began. She could swim, quite well infact; but she didn't know how long she would last in the near freezing water. Finding no other escape, she hoped the river could carry her far enough away, so she might be free at last.
She came to the waters edge when she heard the horses hooves and the armour of foot soldiers clanging loudly on the ground behind her. She turned to face her pursuers. She was surround by soldiers, bows drawn and ready to fire on signal. The wind had started to pick up and tiny raindrops fell on her face. Her dress flowing in the bone chilling wind as she could feel the cold water biting at her heels on the waters edge.
"Stop Marion, there is nowhere left to run" the soldier atop the black stallion shouted. The man was tall, well built and very proud looking. Wearing all black as if to intimidate anyone he passed. He was the Sheriffs second in command and an active enforcer of the Sheriffs cruelty.
"Or you shall die like the rest of your family."
"You will never have me Gisbourne." She said with venom. "You have murdered my family and you shall pay for it with your life."
"Well if you had just agreed to the Sheriffs orders, your family would have lived. So it is no fault of mine that they are dead. Only yours Marion."
Gisbourne dismounted his horse and took a step closer to Marion. As he did this Marion stepped back, feeling the full force of the rapidly flowing water pulling at her dress and legs.
"Marion." Gisbourne warned as she stepped back again. Knowing full well that if she jumped into the water, the current would take her too fast for them to catch her.
"Marion, if you come with me now the Sheriff will tell the people that you are no longer an outlaw and you can come home..."
"Come home to what!' She shouted, interrupting him.
"I have no family. My friends think that I'm an outlaw thanks to you and your Sheriff. There is nothing for me to go back home to. Not even a house. You and your idiotic Sheriff made sure of that when you burnt my house down."
In that instant before she knew what had happened an arrow was embedded in her left shoulder, narrowly missing her heart. The force of it threw her into the water and she was forced under by the raging current.
"Fools!" Gisbourne shouted
"Who fired that arrow!" he said drawing his sword on his own men.
He turned to the only man with no arrow in his hand and thrust his sword into the mans' stomach, then drawing it out in one solid motion. The man fell to the ground dead, the other soldiers standing deathly silent, not daring to move.
"What are you waiting here for go find the girl!"
Instantly they were off. Following the river downstream searching for any sign of Marion.
XxxxxX
The fierce current pushed Marion under as she struggled to reach the surface. Her lungs were burning from lack of oxygen, but just as she was seeing black spots in her vision she broke the surface and took in a breath of fresh air. The river was slowing as it widened out and she pulled herself with one arm to the rivers edge. She lay her head on the cold earth to rest for a second when everything went black.
XxxxxX
Robin and Much were walking at the waters edge on their way back to camp after a long day making deliveries of food and gold to villagers in need. The rest of the gang were already back at camp after a long day visiting other villages. A good fairly calm day all in all if you asked any of them. Just how they liked it, no Sheriff, no Gisbourne, the day was perfect.
"I mean come on Robin, don't you think it's just a little strange that we didn't run into a guard or Gisbourne today?" Much asked. He had been getting more and more worried as the day passed that the Sheriff and Gisbourne were not present because they were plotting something against them.
Robin chuckled "Yes Much, I do. But lets just be thankful today went well and we can rest easy for now. We can go to the castle tomorrow if that'll put your mind at ease and see what has been happening."
Suddenly Much grabbed Robins arm and stopped him from walking.
"Much!" Robin exclaimed
"Master look" He said pointing down at the river.
Robin turned and looked at the direction Robin was pointing. At the edge of the water lay a young girl. Robin raced to her. He bent down on one knee and gently turned her over. He gasped when he saw an arrow protruding from her left shoulder.
"Much run and get some supplies ready at the camp. She needs to have this arrow removed, and fast." Robin said bending down and picking the girl up bridal style.
"Ah Master I don't think that's going to be possible."
Before Robin could ask why. There were shouts in the distance.
Robin lay the girl against a tree as he Much were surround by Gisbourne and five of his men.
"Ah Hood, I should have guessed. Lets not make this more painful than needs be, just give me the girl and I might not kill you today." Gisbourne said
Robin and Much stood protecting the girl, weapons ready for a fight.
"Why is she so important to you Gisbourne?" Robin questioned trying to drag the conversation along so he could come up with a plan. His bow was ready, drawn and pointed at Gisbournes heart.
"She's not, but she is a outlaw and I'm sure you are familiar with the laws in regards to outlaws Hood. Now hand her over."
"What's she done wrong?"
"That's none of your concern now hand her over or I will have to use force."
Robin stayed silent, bow and arrow ready
Gisbourne sighed. "Have it your way then. Guards!"
Robin had already fired off two arrows taking down the guards closest to him. Much ran head on attacking another with his sword and taking him down with his first swing. Robin and Much advanced together on the last two guards and took them down simultaneously. Robin looked up pointing his sword at Gisbourne.
"You want to be next?"
"I'll have your head Hood." Gisbourne replied backing up his horse away from the fight.
"And don't think I won't bring more men to come and get the girl." With that he turned on his horse and rode away.
XxxxxX
Marion awoke to the sound of swords clashing and men shouting. She opened her eyes only to see the very men she had tried to escape from. With all her strength she slowly shifted to the other side of the tree without being noticed. The fight seemed to have diverted everyone's attention from her.
Hidden from sight she stood and looked down at the arrow still protruding from her shoulder. She grabbed hold of it with her right hand and with gritted teeth she broke it in half, so at least if she had to walk trough a village to get help, it would not be so easily noticed.
Tears burned at her eyes as the pain tore through her nobody and she felt herself swaying. She put a steady hand on the tree to regain her gravity and slowly and quietly began her escape. She could no longer hear the men fighting so she had to leave. She stuck low and close to the bushes. After a few minutes she couldn't go any further. Her body too lethargic, and the loss of blood making her dizzy and trip over her own feet from exhaustion.
Just as her vision was going black and she could feel herself falling a pair of strong hands caught her from her fall.
"It's alright, you're safe with me." the voice said.
"What's your name?" The voice asked again
Marion tried to clear her blurry vision and look at the face of the man holding her. Squinting her eyes she whispered "Marion." And with that all Marion knew was darkness.
XxxxxX
A/N: So what you think should I continue it?