The target was several yards ahead, its bright red centre glowing in the midday sun. The wood of the bow felt cool and smooth in her fingers. Marian raised the bow with the arrow loaded, the feathered quiver shaking in her unsteady grip. She could feel the tension in the string tighten all the way to her stomach as the wound stretched over her muscles. She ignored the stretch of skin as she aimed, pulling the string taut, and finally released the arrow with the slip of her finger. She let out a gasp as her muscles relaxed. The arrow landed on the bottom ring of the target.
Marian closed her eyes as if to block out the poor result. Not yet.
"Marian!" She whirled around at the notes of worry in that familiar voice as Robin rushed across the field to her side. "You shouldn't be this far out in your condition." He gently turned her to face him with his hands cupping her elbows.
"I'm fine!" she scowled back. She glanced at the target, with the lone arrow so far from its mark. "I just wish this silly bow would know that."
A playful smile replaced the furrowed brow on Robin's expression. "You've got to give it time," he said as he pulled her close, resting his chin on her hair. Marian leaned into his embrace, though her arms rested at her sides, one hand still clutching the bow. He whispered into her hair, "This is the second time you've come back from the dead. Your strength was never going to return overnight."
Marian pushed away from him. "But it's been weeks!" she cried. Her frustration grew as Robin continued to stand there, just smiling at her as if she was a little girl and not the woman of nobility who had saved the king in the Holy Land.
She took a deep breath as another familiar stab came to her stomach when she pushed herself too hard. It traveled through her core straight to her back. Robin cradled her elbow as she instinctively put her hands to her stomach, dropping the bow to the ground.
Maybe it was too soon. It was always too soon.
She knew the injury was still healing. Djaq had performed magic as she skillfully sewed up the wound left by Guy's sword. Still, though the red had faded to a deep purple, the scar had not changed much beyond that. She was so tired of being cooped up in Locksley with so little to do—and being able to do so little.
She looked up at Robin, his eyes full of concern. She could tell he was not deeply worried, though, and she had to smile back. "I'm alright," she breathed. "You're right, I should not be outside so far from the manor. Shall we go back?"
They walked arm-in-arm back to the house. Marian's hand clutched the crook of his elbow and she felt his strength through his richly embroidered tunic. Gone were the grubby hooded shirts from the forest. Instead he wore clothes befitting the restored Lord of Locklsey, dyed with rich shades of nobility. It didn't quite suit him, though. Despite the garments being perfectly tailored, Marian always thought Robin preferred the loose hoods of his outlaw days. She smiled to herself, picturing his unkempt hair that was his regular style only months ago.
"Oh, a smile, now? Only moments ago you looked like you were going to bite my head off!"
Marian swatted at him with her free hand. "I was not that bad!"
Robin smiled back. "No," he said, as he led her to the wooden bench he had had brought outside for her. It overlooked Nettleston village and gave Marian another place to rest, rather than being stuck inside the manor. As they sat, Marian was glad for her loose tunic. It would be awhile yet before she was ready to wear corsets again, let alone any fine dresses appropriate for the Lady of Locksley.
"I know how much you want to be back to normal," Robin said as he put his arm around her. Marian leaned her head back against his shoulder and murmured in contentment. Robin kissed her temple and then rested his head upon hers as he continued.
"I've received word from King Richard. He'd like me to join him in London."
Marian sat up and turned to look at him. "London? For how long? What need does he have of you there?"
Robin pulled Marian back into his embrace, and she sat back again with little resistance. "I'm not sure, entirely. I know he is trying to restore order to his court, and reinstating the nobles whom his brother cast out is the first step. Perhaps he will create new titles," Robin added.
Marian could hear the glimmer in his voice. "And what makes you think you might be worthy of such a title?" she teased. "Barely back at Locksley, and already you want more. I've always said you just wanted the glory." Marian felt the squeeze of his arm around her shoulders in reply.
"I can't refuse," Robin continued. They both knew that the invitation was a thinly veiled command from the king. "I can delay my travel, though." Robin's free hand took Marian's left hand, and he rubbed the ruby ring on her fourth finger with his thumb. The king's ring.
"I am not so weak that you need fear leaving my side," Marian protested.
"Always so vain, out to prove yourself! And you say I want all the glory," Robin laughed. "No, I don't doubt your strength. Despite your premature target practice"—Robin nodded towards the field—"I fear more for myself than for you." Marian smiled, knowing that was the closest he would come to a sentimental confession of love. The truth was, they had not been apart since their return from the Holy Land and King Richard's restoration to the throne. Since they were technically married, they had both moved into Locksley manor, now that Guy and Sheriff Vaisey were no longer in power. Knighton Hall had been burned, so there was nowhere else for Marian to go. They still wanted to have a proper wedding, with a celebration for the village, but it would have to wait until Marian was in good health. And so, Robin and Marian enjoyed the few weeks of quiet at Locksley before the chaos came of restoring Nottingham, and the rest of England, to a time of peace under King Richard. The whole country seemed to be in a state of healing before the time of true celebration and change.
"I'm not saying I want you to leave," Marian said as she caught his hand with hers and intertwined their fingers, "but there is not much to be missed here. I can surely look after the villagers, and there are not any wedding preparations to be made any time soon. This might be the best time to see what the king wants." Marian sighed. "In all honesty, it's so quiet around here. You could write me all the excitement that's happening at court. Admit it, you'd love to see what's happening in London. So far the life of a lord has not been nearly as dramatic as the life of an outlaw or a crusader."
Robin drew Marian into his arms in a full embrace and smiled. "Perhaps not, but the life of a husband has been by far the best." His scruffy chin scratched her cheek and Marian drew back enough to turn her head and allow his lips to find hers.
