I don't own Robin Hood x

Her hair was still dripping from the morning bath. Marian looked from the top of the stairs outside the large window. The scenery was filled with the dull green of Sherwood Forest that spread through the land and up into the hills of the shallow valley's side and the skies were growing dark with the onset of yet another summer storm.

His locks stuck to his face though the rain eased as he reached the top of the hill and looked down into the valley. The journey had been hard without horses but the feeling of being home filled the empty feeling of hurt in his heart. He slapped his companion on the back and with lifted spirits they descended into the forest.

"I don't see why we didn't take the road straight to the village instead of climbing a mountain" the companion complained

"It's hardly a mountain Much. And everyone knows this is the quickest way into the valley from the south besides, where's the fun in roads?" Robin climbed the nearest tree and scanned the area "do you think Edward will be home?"

"Edward?" Much asked as he unsuccessfully tried to copy his comrade, hanging from a branch by his arms "or the Maid Marian? That is, if she is still in fact a maid"

"Edward" Robin said forcefully as the continued along the pine trail "I'm sure Marian has forgotten all about me and if she does remember me it shall not be fondly"

"You'd be a fool to let her go Robin" Much's words were too late

"I was a fool. Five years ago. Running off to the crusades with you" Robin said bitterly

"I won't take that personally" the pair walked in silence until they were in plain view of the town of Knighton.

"Right. We see Edward then back to Locksley for rest" Robin informed Much of the plan as if going into battle

"Why can't we go to Locksley first and come back in the morning? It's been three days since we have eaten a proper meal" Much complained and savoured the last memory of Robin's mercy of sheltering from a summer storm in a tavern and having a decent meal and bed.

"Think of others before yourself Much. How would Edward feel if his old friends didn't pay a visit as soon as they had returned from war? He is like a father to me you know that" Robin strode on to the manor house and knocked three times on the door.

A servant girl came to the door and opened it only slightly "Name?"

"Robin of Locksley"

"Purpose?"

"To see the lord of this manor"

"Concerning what?"

"I am an old friend of Edward's, he will see me"

The girl looked both travellers up and down "wait here" and the door was closed

Marian lounged in a chair gazing into the sky wondering when the rain would start and what she could do with the day knowing outside adventures would have to be postponed to days with more suitable weather.

Just as she was about to return to her embroidery that lay untouched for some months out of the magnitude of boredom she heard the voices of a servant and her farther down the corridor. Marian arose from the chair and opened the door to her room.

"Father is everything alright?"

Edward moved down the corridor to his daughter and talked as he descended the stairs.

"Oh wonderful day. Robin has returned"

"Robin?"

"Yes isn't it marvellous"

Marian followed her father with haste and found as he opened the door that sure enough Robin of Locksley

"Robin!" Edward declared as he pulled him into a fatherly embrace. Over Edward's shoulder Robin noticed Marian keeping very close to the shadows.

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