The cool morning came early upon Nottingham. Many of the glorious county's inhabitants were gathered abroad outside the castle, but still remaining within the walls. The weekly Sunday mass had just ended, and the inhabitants were aimlessly wandering back to their homes, and off to their daily chores. The richest of inhabitants were in the front courtyard, surrounded by servants carrying silver platters of finger foods and, most importantly, George, the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Somewhere nearby, near the entrance of Sherwood, Lady Marian, and her cousin, Ember Belli, were readying to ride off. Ember was already in the saddle and was waiting for Marian, who was hesitant to lift herself up. Gorge took no notice to this at first. But when he saw how beautiful the Lady Marian was from a distance, he found himself drawn to her, and had to get a closer look. But, he had to rid of the annoying nobleman before him.
"Excuse me, sir, but I'm afraid that I have some business to care to," George swiftly said to the man before him, before taking his leave. With his astonishing good looks and fancy doublet, he made his way down the stairs toward them. He saw a hooded figure atop of a brown horse at her side, their backs facing toward him. Not knowing if the hooded figure was male or female, he approached Lady Marian. He was rather nervous about this, he had never met her in person but, he knew exactly who she was.
As he approached them, he cleared his throat, rather loudly, at Lady Marian's back. The lady gasped loudly, and whirled around from fiddling with her stirrup. The hooded figure turned its gaze down upon them, revealing that it was a female child. The girl was beautiful, as was Lady Marian. She had the greenest eyes George had ever seen, a cute pixie-nose, and long, red tendrils that rested on her shoulders. Her hood had slipped off of her head to her back when she turned to look at him. Gorge admired how her dark blue cloak brought out her eyes.
For a moment, George was captivated at how beautiful the young girl was. He turned his gaze back toward Lady Marian. "Please excuse me for frightening you."
"Oh, that's quite alright, I was just busy adjusting my stirrups," she replied, gesturing toward the horse beside her. She reached up, and patted the horse's neck.
"Do I know you, milord?"
"Perhaps not but, you should."
The red-headed girl atop the horse giggled. "Silly Marian, he's the sheriff of Nottingham," she laughed.
"She's right, milady Marian," George replied. He moved to the girl's side, and kissed her offered hand. "And you are?"
The girl giggled. "Ember, milord. Ember Belli, Marian's cousin."
"Are you here visiting Marian, Ember?" George asked.
Ember shook her head. "I live with her. I've lived with her for four years," Ember replied. "My parents were killed when I was ten. Marian was the only living relative of mine willing to take me in," she explained. Her face saddened a bit, before adding: "Besides the King."
"What a lovely gesture, milady, Marian. Taking in a relative when she needs you most," George observed.
Marian shrugged. "I had to do something." Marian mounted her mare. She had some business to care to, after Robin of Locksley's former visit; she was deprived of two horses. She turned her mare toward the mysterious man in black.
"Milady, you shine like an eclipse. Please, allow me to present you with a small token toward my devotion for you're safety," he said, reaching to his side, and unsheathing a dagger.
"Oh!" Marian gasped. "Oh, how sweet. King Richard will be glad to hear of you're concern for my welfare."
George giggled a bit seductively. "Mmmhm, yes. But I fear for the King's safe return. It seems that he has just as many enemies at home as he does in Jerusalem."
"Oh, fear not, dear Sheriff. He shall return, and when he does, he shall reward his faithful subjects," Marian said, tucking the dagger away in her boot. She turned her horse a bit to the slight side, toward Ember. "I'm sorry, dear Sheriff but, I'm afraid I have to collect a few horses for the manor."
George got a look of surprise across his face. "Right! Lady Marian, my cousin tells me that Robin of Locksley has deprived you of some horses."
"Yes, a most disagreeable experience," Marian replied, pulling her yellow hood over her head.
"If you would consider moving your household within my walls, I could provide your needs to my personal attention," he explained. How he was falling for her already. If only he could persuade her to move in.
"I do thank you, milord but, I do prefer to stay in my family's home, for now," Marian admitted. "Besides, I think that Ember and I would be a burden for you."
"Nonsense, you and Ember are quite the young ladies," George soothed. "I would enjoy you're company."
"I thank you again, dear Sheriff but, I'm afraid we must go," Marian said.
She turned her horse toward Nottingham gates. She flicked her head at him, before riding through the gates, behind Ember. George said nothing more to them, he just watched them go. He knew he would end up having her. He just had to get her first.
Hello, I'm Katlynn and welcome to my official Sheriff/Marian Novel! There are many people that I would love to thank but, I really want to thank Donna, my best internet buddy. Thank you Donna and this story would not exist if you hadn't introduced me to this pairing! Ok, so I know that the prologue was short but, the real chapters will be much longer, promise!