Will You Tolerate This?
Honestly! Don't think it could really get much worse! I mean, there I was, just relaxing by the fire, waiting for tea, when all of a sudden out pop some rather unsavoury characters! OK, so I'm in the middle of a forest, but come on! Give me a break! If I'd have known this was the welcome I was gunna get, there would be no chance the King could have sent me home.
Although, Marian is still unmarried, which, I must say, was a very pleasant surprise! The only one since my return home. That's a strange word that is. Home. I mean, is home where you live, where you sleep and eat? Is it a place or a person? 'Coz Much is always with me, so I'm guessing home is where Much is. That sounds kinda corny really!
Wait, why am I talking to myself while the above mentioned guys tie me up and take my clothes?! Why am I talking to myself at all?!
Poor Much! Maybe I should have let him eat something at Locksley. I did say he didn't have to come with me to see Edward, but don't think he would trust me enough to go out by myself, especially with anything connected to Marian!
Aah, Marian! Boy has she gotten pretty! Sorry, prettier! She was already pretty, now she's gorgeous! Can't believe she's still not married. Would at least have thought she would have suitors. Didn't think Edward was the type to stop any courting, within reason of course. Maybe there just hasn't been any. Well, a guy can always hope! And dream! Jeez, I wonder if Much remembers the dreams. Hope not! Man, were they embarrassing, but also quite comforting, in a weird sort of way. Who would have thought that Marian would be the one to save Robin of Locksley, Earl of Huntington. Much probably! And our parents, otherwise we wouldn't have been betrothed. I never really got the whole betrothal thing. I mean, how come your parents got to choose who you got married to? That's just a step away from controlling when we have kids!
I never really thought about having children, well not until the Holy Land anyway. It has a habit of making you think about the future, the future that you may not have. Kinda depressing, but it kept me going. And Much too, I think! Imaging his Bonchurch, with all that food and wine and women! Bless him!
Anyway, as I was saying, to myself! Children. Wonder if Marian ever thought about having them. I always imagined us, in a few years time, sitting out on the hill overlooking Locksley, with a few little kids running around. A boy, definitely, something like Charlie or Aaron, and naturally a girl too! Not sure really what she would be called. Perhaps Marian has a few names she would like. Maybe I'll let her choose. Listen to me, talking about Marian choosing the name for our daughter, whilst I'm tied up in the forest, an outlaw. I'd be surprised if Marian ever spoke to me again. Doubt she's forgiven me for leaving her for war, and now I go and disappoint her again. I don't think even I can forgive myself for leaving her the first time.
Maybe I should focus on getting me and Much out of this! And Allan of course. Not quite sure how he came to be with us! Or Will for that matter. Where is Will anyway? Not sure why they would want to follow me. OK, I could if I still had Locksley and my lands and stuff, but now? I'm an outlaw, living in the forest, with no money, land or help! Suppose it's because I saved them. Couldn't very well let them just die though could I? Well, maybe this is my true calling, once I get out of this predicament, I mean! Could use a bit of back-up right now!