"In the Holy Lands my Master had dreams. He said your name."
It was a challenge; leaving home and all that went with it. Robin knew it would be some time before he saw the village of Locksley or the Forest again, before he would speak with his Father, before he could touch Marian. Robin was fine on the over land journey south. It was on the boat from Italy to the Holy Lands that the dreams started...
The sun cast a harsh glow that illuminated the church door were he stood waiting with his father and the Father. A rustle caused Robin to turn his head to the church yard where he saw walked through the parted crowd the Sheriff... and Marian.
"She has flowers in her hair." was the only thing Robin could think.
Marian smiled at Robin as she stepped to the left side of the door. The Father open his book and spoke in a strong voice, "If anyone know of a reason why these two should not be conjoined I charge you on your soul to speak now."
Robin felt as if he had been bundled in several think blankets, sights and sounds were muted, all except Marian. Robin saw her in perfect clarity. Heard as she said, "I, Marian, take thee, Robin, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."
Robin felt the Priest place something into his hand, looking down Robin saw it was a ring. Robin took Marian's hand and slipped the ring onto her finger as he said, "With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
The first night this dream came to him Robin awoke with a start, causing his hammock to sway wildly. When he had calmed he dismissed it as a fancy.
The second time the dream came to him Robin awoke suddenly, but lay still. When he had calmed he cast his thoughts back over the day to see if there had been some reason for the dream to return.
The third time the dream came to him Robin slowly opened his eyes, savoring the way Marian had looked as she vowed herself to him.
The fourth time the dream came to him Robin stayed asleep. After that the dream changed...