Hi everyone, this is my first fanfic, so be nice! Reviews would be very much appreciated, I thrive on feedback.

THE ABBEY

Robin was sitting on the grassy hill behind Knighton Hall, spinning an arrow idly between his fingers. His stomach was churning with excitement and relief – the King was coming home, the Sheriff and Gisbourne were months away from being hurled into their own dungeons, and he could finally marry the love of his life. Marian. He could see her now, she was hurrying up the hill towards him, long chestnut curls bouncing down her back to her waist. She looked radiantly beautiful, as always, but her face was grim. He stood up.

"My love, Marian! I bring you wonderful news."

He reached out his arms and she ran into them, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist, face buried into his chest. Instantly he realised something was amiss, because instead of the cheerful greeting he was used to, Marian was crying.

"Marian! What's wrong?" he said, pulling back to look at her face. Her pretty face was screwed up, she wouldn't meet his eye. "Are you ill?"

At this she laughed. "Yes, I guess you could say that. Robin, I'm having a baby."

Robin wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side, kissing her as he did so. "That is…amazing. The best thing that could possibly happen."

She looked up at him, with a strange expression on her face. "Robin, this could not have come at a worse time!"

"But the king is coming home, the Sheriff and Gisbourne will be ousted, and you and I can marry and return to Locksley Manor!"

She pulled away from him. "That is why it is bad timing! This period of time, the time before the king returns will be perhaps worse than all the others. The Sheriff is aware of the king's imminent return, and he is planning all sorts of dastardly schemes. Gisbourne's grip is tightening around my neck – I fear that any day now he will force me into marriage once more."

Robin's bubble of happiness popped. "But you are carrying my child – he cannot marry you!"

Marian looked away. "No one knows I am pregnant. Save the physician who diagnosed me, and now you. I have already decided what I should do."

"Tell me?"

"I am going to Kirklese Abbey."

"WHAT?"

She gave a derisive laugh. "Do not tell me it is not a good idea, Robin. I will tell Gisbourne and the Sheriff that I am taking holy orders to learn obedience – no one can deny that I need them, and I nearly did a few months ago. I will go for a year, until the king is home, then I will return." She turned to look at him, love lightening her eyes. "As your wife, with your child in my arms."

He moved forwards and kissed her long and hard. "You are brave, much braver than I. I love you."

She pushed against him, her body against his, their hips nudging. "I love you."

Desire erupted in him. He pressed against her again, his hands moving down her sides. "Where can we go?"

She kissed his neck. "My father is away, we can go to my chamber."

They ran down the hill and into the house, through the back door. Stumbling up the stairs, heady with desire and lust, they burst into Marian's bedroom and locked the door behind them. Robin gathered her up in his arms and laid her out on her bed, where they made love until exhausted. Then Marian rolled over and dressed quickly.

"Where are you going?" Robin asked, sitting up. She looked back at him fondly, lacing her boots.

"I'm going to break the news to Gisbourne and the Sheriff."

"You're really doing this." He said sadly. She nodded and kissed him on the forehead. "It is the best thing, for all three of us."

He nodded. "When will you leave?"

"Tonight."

"So soon?!" he gasped. She looked down and laced her fingers over her firm belly. "I cannot wait much longer."

*

"Lady Marian to see you, my lord."

"Send her in," Vaizey said lazily. "You see Gisbourne, that is respect."
He pretended not to see the infernal man sneering, and stood as Marian entered.

"Ah! Marian. What can we do for you."

She moved a little closer. "I come to break news to you."
"What news?" Gisbourne said quietly moving close to her. Vaizey saw her flinch and smirked. Gisbourne would never get her like that.

"Yes Marian, what news? C'mon, pip pip, I haven't got all day."

Seemingly emboldened by his brashness, Marian stepped forward and said loudly. "I am taking holy orders at Kirklese Abbey – I wish to learn obedience and servitude. I will stay for a year at most."

Vaizey raised his eyebrows. "You are an unlikely nun."

"I wish to learn to be docile, so that I may better serve my father, and you my lord."

Gisbourne made a strange noise. "Marian, no!"

She did not look at him. "I leave tonight. I would prefer not to be visited."

Vaizey laughed. "Oh don't worry, I had no intention to. You may go."

Marian turned and strode out the door. It slammed shut behind her, and Vaizey chuckled. "Excellent, I don't have to see the leper's face for at least a year."

Gisbourne turned to him, his face screwed up in anguish. "How can you say that? How can you let her go?"

Vaizey stood up and slammed his fist on the table. "I can do what I want! And you can put up and shut up. I don't want to hear another word about it."

*

Robin went with her to the abbey, but left her outside the gates at her wish.

"Are you sure?"

"I think I need to do this alone." She reached down from the horse and cradled the side of his face with her palm. He grasped it and kissed it.

"I love you, so much. I will miss you like mad."

She smiled, tears brightening her eyes. "I will not be able to sleep for missing you. I love you, Robin, never forget. I'm doing this for us."

She took his hand and lifted it up to her belly. "What do you think, a boy or a girl?"

He shook his head, tears spilling down his cheeks. "I have no idea – I don't know anything about babies."

She laughed. "Nor I! We will learn, together."

He nodded. "Together."

She bent down and kissed him, passionately. "I love you," she whispered, and cantered through the abbey's gates. Away from Robin.