The Beginning of All Things

Rating; K+

Summary; Fluffy, future fic. I love alliteration! Anyway… Robin/Marian, and I suppose Will/Djaq, but you can ignore it if it's not your deal.

AN/Disclaimer; I own nothing. Don't sue me, I'm a poor college student.

Inspiration came from a fluff explosion. I have no idea how it happened, or why, but my beta, Matriaya, liked it so I posted it. Enjoy!

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things- wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." Eda J. Le Shan

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Marian laid in bed, her sleeping form curled into his. It was a form that she did not have a year ago, when they married, six months ago, Robin thought, or even a form that she did not have yesterday. He smiled lazily, and rested his hand on her swollen belly. The one that carried their child.

He had thought that she was beautiful before he left for war. Hers was the face that carried him through many battles and raids. Though it was a Holy War, a Crusade for God, He did little to comfort him after battles when he washed the blood from his body. Marian of Knighton was always in his thoughts.

He had thought she was beautiful when he returned from the Holy Lands, when she stood in the doorway of Knighton Hall, carefully aiming an arrow at him. She had remained young and whole, while he felt aged and tired. And there she was, full of life and energy that again gave him courage and strength.

He had thought her beautiful when they fought the Sheriff; the day she nearly died but came back to him. Those precious weeks she was in his camp, tempting him with her chaste form. The many times she was in trees, signaling him, helping him, asking him to help her.

He thought he knew true beauty when she entered the Church on their wedding day, clad in white and glowing with happiness, love, warmth, and trust. She was all he noticed that day, stunned by her maidenly charm.

But he was wrong.

True, she was a pretty girl. Even Guy of Gisbourne noticed that. But nothing could compare with this stunning, gorgeous woman next to him. Her full breasts and belly became her; she was shining with a secret that everyone else knew too. Even the shadows under her eyes suited her, making her blue eyes look bigger than normal.

He smiled as the babe kicked his hand, always in the same spot, near the top of the womb on the right side. Djaq took this as a good sign, that he or she was positioned for a good delivery.

Robin's thoughts drifted back to the day she told him she was expecting the child. He had returned from London, from business with King Richard. Marian was supposed to come with, but she had been feeling poorly.

Night had fallen as Robin rode up to Locksley, Much riding on to Bonchurch. He left his horse in the stables and met Bridget Thornton, the housekeeper, at the door.

"Welcome home, Master. We did not expect you until tomorrow."

"Thank you, Bridget. Lord Much and I decided to leave early. Where is Lady Marian?"

"Upstairs, my Lord. I believe she is asleep. Will you be requiring anything?"

"No, thank you Bridget. I will also be retiring for the evening."

Her answer was lost as he climbed the stairs. He entered the room quietly, built up the fire a little, and undressed. As he neared their bed, Marian awoke quickly, pulling a knife out from under her pillow. Upon recognizing him, she laughed.

"Well that's a fine welcome home, I must say."

"I am sorry, Robin, but too many years of uncertainty have taught me to be paranoid." She put the knife on her bedside table. He crawled into bed. "But now you're home, and you can protect me long enough for me to find a real weapon."

He gently kissed her lips, and pulling back, took her in.

"Marian, is that my tunic?"

"Yes."

"May I ask why you're wearing it?"

"I missed you, and it smells like you. Or it did. Now, I'm afraid it smells like me."

He took her into his arms. "How are you feeling, my love?"

"Better, but I am afraid I will feel ill again tomorrow. But Djaq assures me that this is only temporary. By then we will have new worries."

Robin's heart was suddenly full of fear.

"Marian, my love, what is wrong."

She drew back and looked him in the eye.

"I am with child."

In her eyes he could see fear and joy conflicting for dominance. He felt his own heart do the same. Both their mothers died giving birth to them. That was not a good record to go on.

He kissed her, and said reassuringly, "You have made me so happy…."

They had spent the entire night talking and hiding their fear from each other. They agreed that Djaq would be the one to deliver the child, and that Robin should be present. Robin had shifted uncomfortably when she had asked him to stay, after all, traditionally only women who had conceived themselves could be present. Marian pointed out that it was hardly a law, and if she died, she wanted him to be there to comfort her. Her frankness had scared him into agreeing.

Now, her time was nearing. Djaq was in and out every day, insisting she take this root with breakfast, these berries with dinner, take walks in the evening, and a million other things that they had to write down to remember. Will had made them a beautiful cradle, and they received many other generous gifts from peasants and nobility alike, including a small suit of armor from King Richard in hopes that the child was a boy.

Marian and Bridget made practical things, like clothes and diapers that filled an entire chest of drawers, leaving Robin wondering how many diapers the babe would need. And of course, they picked out names that they refused to reveal to anyone else.

And even though he still feared for Marian, the truth of it was, he was incredibly happy. He trusted Djaq, especially with her muttering 'an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,' and so many other proverbs and litanies, often in Arabic that he could not translate. He felt like the luckiest man in the world, even though it sounded cliché when voiced to Marian. He was looking forward to holding his wife and child (boy or girl?) in his arms.

Marian stirred and her eyelids fluttered open.

"Good morning," he said, kissing her forehead.

"Mm, well it is morning." She shifted, uncomfortable. "Would you like to know a secret?"

"Yes," he said, grinning boyishly and ducking his head. "Will you tell me?"

"You had better send Bridget for Djaq, I am sure that today is the day…."

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What do you think? My beta demands a sequel. If I get another fluff attack, we'll see. Please review and tell me your thoughts!