Servants came and went inside the stately manor carrying platters, tables, chairs, and decorations. Every now and then one would dodge the scurrying figure of a young boy of age thirteen followed by a rather angry seven-year-old girl. Narrowly did the cook lift a cake up out of harms way. Inside one room a frustrated maid pleaded with her master about her young mistress as an older gentleman stood beside the window watching the youth chuckling.

On the hills outside the castle three boys stood elbowing each other and rough housing. The tallest a young man whom did not quite fit in his own skin yet. At only fourteen all held him in respect as the Crown Prince. Richard however wished more than anything that his life were always as carefree as it was right now in this moment. However he knew his duty and that his brother Prince John could never rule.

Prince John was small for his age of twelve. All the things he could not do Richard did best. Most of the time he spent indoors pouring over books. Secretly he was envious of his brother and the pride he held with the family. One day he hoped that he could make the family proud and give him the attention he deserved. He watched for the boy and girl while the other boy Jonathon of Sherwood and his brother Richard wrestled.

Jonathon kept one eye out for his seven-year-old sister. Albeit he was six years her elder they were close. He warned Robert not to insult her because she was a girl. He himself taught her how to wield a bow and shot better than he. It was only time until her hands and body could support a longbow. He gasped as Richard tackled him to the ground in sport. Only the other day they had dueled and he lost. Now while waiting on his sister to return Jonathon attempted to one up his older cousin.

Marian of Sherwood ran in her deep scarlet velvet party dress. At one point it was trimmed in rabbit fur, which now adorned a rose bush in the gardens. In her seven year old mind she was furious. She wanted to catch that Robert and teach him a thing or two about a girl being able to keep up with the boys. Tripping she slipped in some mud sending a brown streak down the front of her dress. Jumping up she ran after Robert catching up fast. She saw him ahead standing in front of the boys leaning down breathing hard. She went around the hill and snuck up the other side.

Robert of Locksley had his hands on his knees gasping for breath. Grinning he looked up at his friends and distant cousins, "I…finally….lost…her…when did she get so fast?"

Richard ducked his head to hide a smile. He spotted a red figure just below them on a hill creeping up. For a moment he debated on warning his friend. Deciding against such he opened his mouth to speak, "Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned Robert. Never underestimate a furious female."

Robert straightened up and looked at Richard as if he had gone mad, "Female? She's only a little girl…barely one at that."

Prince John whom also spotted the creeping figure, "Robert you really shouldn't say things like that."

"Say what? It's only Marian. Not like I am insulting anyone important. She cannot beat me anyway." Robert puffed his chest slightly bragging on himself.

Jonathon just laughed and pointed, "Rob….turn around"

At the moment Robert turned Marian lunged for his knees. The two went rolling back down the hill scrapping and their companions following close behind. Within moments Robert forgot that he was not supposed to hit a girl and fought to protect himself with all his might. Anger rushed through him as the area around his eye began to sting and swell.

From the window inside the castle an older gentleman stood chuckling. He turned to the other two, "Matthew you'd best go and pull Marian off of Robert and find her a new dress."

"Bloody demon child why could she not act more like a girl?" Matthew lord of the manor said running outside with Robert's father quick behind him.

The good king came up and stood behind his father to see out the window. He guffawed to see the scene outside, "Things will never be dull with that group of scamps around will they?"

"Son, you have no idea. Do not worry though Richard has a good head. Let him be a boy for now a little more. His carefree days are numbered," the older gentleman said to his son.

Outside the two men ran to where their children were. Robert lay on the ground trying to push Marian off from her sitting position upon his stomach yelling for him to apologize. Tearing the two children apart Matthew had a harder time holding Marian's squirming figure still, "Good God girl. Look at yourself. Ruining your best dress, giving a boy a black eye, and half the court due to arrive within the hour what do you have to say for yourself?"

Marian glared at Robert, "He started it!"

Matthew jerked his little girl slightly his tone grew even more grave, "Marian! You are going up and getting yourself cleaned up. Afterwards, you are to go to your room and think about what you have done and the money you wasted. If your Mother had lived…"

"Now Matthew, I am sure your daughter was not provoked. What have I told you about your mouth Robert?" the other man known as Henry of Locksley shook his rogue of a son.

Matthew took a deep breath and began to lead his daughter forward muttering about the celebration tonight. Marian paused and looked up, "Father, you never did tell us what the part was for."

With a sigh Matthew looked at Marian her dress torn and muddy to Robin with his bruising eye, "Well actually it's to announce an upcoming betrothal."

"Who's Father?" Jonathon stopped seeing where his father glanced guessing before the answer came.

"Your sister's and Robert's that's whom." Matthew said as Marian made a face.

"Marian and I? No way I wouldn't marry her if she was the last pig on earth!" Robert exclaimed.

Marian's face turned red as her Father let his grip go slightly looser. Some say he let his daughter punch Robert again. Others only know that that night it was much talked about young Robert of Locksley's unfortunate black eye. The story was that the boys were engaging in swordplay. However the rumor was the young bride to be dealt the blows.