A/N: So here's the deal…I haven't written anything in, like 3 years. But this little idea keeps popping into my head so I'm just going to start it and we'll see where it goes or how long it keeps going.

Plot: AU – What if Robin never left on the crusades? What if he and Marian were happily married in Locksley? What if Vaisey still showed up?

(I know this seems to start pretty slow, but that's how most of my stories go. I do have this whole plot in my head, so believe me when I say this'll pick up quickly and hopefully be entertaining. )

Oh and ps. It's going to have a LOT of Robin/Marian…cause I love them, lol.

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There Will Be A Day

Chapter 1

The loud rapping at the door would have startled a hibernating bear, but Marian of Locksley was not surprised when she rolled over to find her husband still sound asleep, breathing heavily, with an adorable pout on his face as if in a bad dream. When the knock sounded again, she turned her head towards their bedroom door which was providing little help in muffling the sound of whoever was banging on the door of their home. Quick, quiet footsteps followed, most likely Thornton's, and the knocking stopped as she heard the front door open.

Turning back to her pillow, Marian tried to ignore the muffled voices of people talking below. It irked her to no end knowing that Robin could sleep through a storm if he was properly tired, whereas she tossed and turned when light rain fell. She lifted her head slightly to gaze at him once more, her hand still lightly rested on his chest, moving up and down as he breathed peacefully. Over a full year of married life and she still loved watching him sleep.

Lord and Lady of Locksley. The thought made her smile wider, and she quite forgot about the voices downstairs that had so rudely woken her up early.

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"It really is quite unorthodox of you to be calling so early, sir."

Thornton rubbed his hands together nervously, eying the stranger who had invited himself into the Locksley Manor before the sun had even rose. Even now the first rays of light were barely beginning to peak over the horizon. Thornton knew that the Master probably would not have been woken due to his late night previously, but the Lady of the house was sure to have woken and he hated disturbing what little sleep she could get.

The stranger, who had shortly introduced himself as the new sheriff's Chief of Arms, seemed unconcerned with Thornton's scolding and he stared distastefully around the manor. Clad mostly in black, he was a commanding sight, tall, and thoroughly unimpressed with the sights he saw.

Finally his eyes landed back on Thornton, a slight edge in them that showed he was not up for pleasantries.

"You will inform your *Master*," the title dripping with disdain, "that the new sheriff has called a council of nobles this morning. We expect him at the castle within the hour."

With one last glare around the room, he left as quickly as he had come, slamming the door behind him.

Thornton rolled his eyes at the dramatic exit, worry creeping in at he heard the man gallop away. Movement from upstairs shifted his attention back to his duties and he hurried up the stairs.

Sir Guy of Gisborne…Robin was not going to like this.

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A knock at the door startled Marian once more just as she finished slipping her dress over her head. It was a quieter knock this time, and Marian knew at once that it was Thornton, probably coming to get Robin to see to whoever had come to the door.

"Is the sun even up yet?" A muffled voice moaned from the bed behind her and she smirked as Robin pulled the covers over his head like a child.

She hurried over to the door, opening it slightly, enough to see Thornton standing there expectedly. She offered him a smile and he bobbed his head once to her.

"My Lady, forgive me for the early intrusion."

"Not at all, Thornton," she pulled the door open wider to give him a glance of Robin refusing to get out of bed. "You perhaps will have better luck at getting him out of bed."

Thornton gave her a pointed look. "I doubt that, My Lady."

"I can hear you," Robin scolded from under the blanket.

Marian giggled and Thornton stepped a little bit into the room, speaking louder. "Master, there was a messenger sent this morning. You are summoned to a council of nobles within the hour."

Frowning at the though, Marian turned to see Robin suddenly sitting up in bed, his expression mirroring her own as he looked at Thornton.

"Is this for the new Sheriff?" His words were darker then they had been before, all trace of teasing gone. Marian knew Robin had been up into the morning hours last night with Much, traveling through the villages, trying to gather information about the new Sheriff. It seemed no one knew much about him, only that he was appointed specifically by Prince John…and that was not something to celebrate.

Marian's own father, Edward, had only recently been "removed" of his office. Marian thought "removed" was far to kind a term for exactly what had happened, but not even Robin and her own wealth combined could have met the Prince's demands. Her father had been shattered after the loss, devastated that he could not care for his people. There had been little time to mourn, however. The new Sheriff was here already, not even a week after her father was unseated.

Lost in her thoughts of worry, Marian barely noticed Robin getting out of bed and moving to the door to talk with Thornton.

"…I couldn't very well detain him, now, could I?" Thornton looked contrite but there was an edge of scolding in his voice, reminding Marian that Thornton sometimes treated Robin like a disobedient son rather than his Lord and Master. Marian could not blame him for the fact. Robin was not the most distinguished Lord in the lands, especially because he had taken the title so young and inexperienced. But Marian knew Thornton meant well. Most of the time he was the only one Robin would listen to for advice.

"Guy of Gisborne…" Robin rolled the name off his tongue, looking deep in thought.

"You know him?"

Looking back at Thornton, Robin pursed his lips. "Let us hope not…"

Marian frowned, touching his arm so that he would look over at her. "What is it?"

Robin looked a bit pained but tried to hide it. "Nothing, Love." He leaned forward, kissing her forehead. "I'm sure it is nothing…"

As his words trailed off he moved over to the wardrobe to dress. Marian nodded to Thornton who quickly bobbed his head and left, closing the door behind him. She turned back as Robin was pulling a tunic out, slipping it over his head, his face still marred with a frown.

"Robin?"

He didn't stop dressing, pulling a scarf out to wrap around his neck and buttoning a tunic on as he refused to look at her.

"What's going on?" Marian's voice was laced with worry now, she couldn't hide it. Over the last week Robin had been getting more and more quiet, loosing himself in his own thoughts when he usually kept nothing from her. She walked slowly up to him, laying a hand on his as he finished buttoning his vest.

Turning toward her with a sigh, he managed a lopsided smile. "Really, it is probably nothing."

She said nothing, letting her eyes tell him that she didn't believe a word he said.

Getting the message he just chuckled at her, leaning down to kiss her quickly on the lips before brushing past her.

"I'll be back later," he said on his way out. "Say hello to your father for me."

And just like that he was gone, Marian glaring at the door he had just shut on her

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"Much!"

Robin scolded his servant and friend, whacking him lightly on the shoulder. Much, who looked like he had fallen asleep while standing, jumped at the noise and quickly tried to rub the sleep out of his eyes.

"Sorry, Master! It's just…" he tried in vain to mount his horse, obviously too tired to muster up the strength, "Why must the council meet so early?"

Robin rolled his eyes, an action he was often prone to do around Much, and mounted his own horse easily, signaling Thornton to go grab something for Much to stand on. "There is a new Sheriff, Much," he warned his friend in a serious voice, "there will be a lot we do not understand for a while."

Remarkably, Much did not argue and after a little help from a stool and Thornton, Much lazily sat on his horse as they galloped off towards Nottingham.

Robin's thoughts flew as they rode. He too was quite tired from the lack of sleep the night before, but knowing that he was riding to meet the new Sheriff seemed to dissipate his weakness. For a whole week they had been trying to learn about this man and suddenly he appeared out of nowhere…it was not a situation to Robin's liking.

His thought strayed back to Marian, who he had so rudely left in the house. She was probably already preparing a scolding for him when he returned…That or she was mounting a horse and coming to chase after him. He hoped not, though. The last thing he wanted was for Marian to get mixed up in whatever political nonsense was happening today. The last thing she needed was more stress right now. Especially since…

"Master, look!"

Much's startled exclamation jolted Robin from his thoughts and he noticed they were coming close to the gates of Nottingham. The sun was fully up now, usually signaling a long line of customers and shopkeepers starting to wind in and out of the gates.

Instead of the usual sight, two armed guards stood stiff and tall on either side of the entrance. There was not another soul in sight.

Their horses slowed to a walk as they went to cross the bridge and Robin finally looked over at Much, who's face now held more worry than weariness.

By unspoken consent they were silent until they reached the castle gates. Their stroll through the town had lifted neither of their thoughts.

Nottingham looked deserted.