Disclaimer: I do not hold any ownership over the BBC's version of Robin Hood.
Author's Note: Thanks again to Neftzer for what must have been a frustrating beta. I am eternally grateful!
o0O0o
The Year of Our Lord 1216
Much was worried. Of course, worrying was what Much did best, but if he had known what being sheriff entailed, he might not have accepted the position in the first place. He had never known many people to say no to King Richard, but he would have found a way. It was nice to use his power to help the poor, and he had the resources to do so. He spent most of his time at Nottingham castle. Eve took care of Bonchurch until they decided to let Arthur take on those responsibilities. Eve now lived with Much in Nottingham, Arthur in Bonchurch. This change in circumstances, and Eve's presence, took a lot off of Much's mind.
But what Much spent most of his worries on was the civil war. There was random fighting cropping up all over England; King John was in the North, trying to raise support. And he was getting it. Those who were whole-heartedly against the King were demanding that Prince Louis of France to become King of England. So when Louis became King of France, he would rule two countries, and two countries that did not necessarily get along. Despite his distrust of King John, Much was more inclined to support the King of England. Much was also worried for Richard, his second son, who was a squire for Lord Verysdale. Verysdale and Richard were members of the King's Guard. Much was no stranger to the peril his son would be facing.
So when Prince Louis marched to London and was declared King of England, Much called an immediate Council of Nobles.
o0O0o
Robin, Marian, Geoffrey, and Peter arrived home from the emergency council. Robin and Marian were already exhausted by what the next few days, weeks, and months would mean. Arriving at Knighton, they stabled their horses for the evening and made their way into the house.
Joan was helping Rachel, the cook, make a stew. Eleanor was upstairs, writing in the journal that Robin and Marian gave her for her last birthday. Robin and Marian called them from their activities and into the Hall. Everyone looked very serious, and no one really knew how to begin.
Joan was clutching her rosary beads so tightly that her fingertips were white.
Marian sighed, "Right. You know what is going on, and what is at stake. We are going to encourage all women and children to go to Nottingham to be protected by the castle walls. You four are going too. Your father and I will go to Locksley to help with the planting, and will remain there to protect the villages the best we can."
"What of Knighton?" asked Geoffrey.
"We decided to leave Knighton; it is best to combine our resources," said Robin.
Marian looked as if she agreed to those terms, even if it meant leaving her family home undefended. She had lost it before, and had rebuilt it. Locksley was more easily defended.
"So we are going to Nottingham castle until…" asked Eleanor.
"Until the fighting ceases," Robin told her.
"Katherine is already there. You will be with her. As she is in confinement, try and make her comfortable. Arthur remains at Bonchurch," Marian explained.
"Why the sudden change?" asked Peter sullenly. "The fighting has been going on all year?"
"Runt, you were at the council. Prince Louis has reached London. Fighting will only increase," Geoffrey clarified.
"Geoffrey is correct," said Robin. They had come to an understanding in the past few days, finally they agreed on something, on supporting the King. Marian was pleased at this turn of events; it was bad enough the country was at war. It would be unbearable to also have her family torn apart.
"Go and start packing," said Marian. "I will be up to help you."
The four made their way up the stairs, but on the way Eleanor paused, "I suppose we should pack our weapons."
"I dare say you should," Marian replied.
Robin sighed and slumped in his seat. Marian rested a hand on his arm.
"This is wrong, everything about this is wrong. We should be able to protect them," he murmured.
"We are protecting them," she pointed out. "They will be less exposed in Nottingham. You know yourself how secure it is now. Since Much has been sheriff, there has not been a single outlaw sighted within the castle walls," Marian tried to joke.
Robin offered her a tight-lipped smile. "I suppose they can protect themselves and each other. We have taught them that much."
"Yes, we have," she kissed his cheek and made to go help the children pack. Robin grabbed her wrist and gently tugged her into his lap. She wrapped her arms around him. He toyed with her dark locks.
"I could not protect you in the castle then, and I fear cannot protect them now."
"Robin," she whispered, "I thought we were agreed? It is the safest place for them, I know it is, and they can protect Katherine and her unborn child there. There are no longer any Gisbournes or Vaiseys to watch for."
He nodded. She kissed him softly. Without another word, they released each other and made sure their children were packing sensibly.
O0O0O
Locksley was too quiet with the children in Nottingham. Many families also went to Nottingham, and the village was absent its usual cheerful people. Marian missed the day-to-day noises that drifted to the manor house. Robin and Marian paid careful visits to Knighton, seeing how the village there was fairing. The planting was in, and day to day tasks were completed as best they could with a skeleton crew of people.
The twentieth of May dawned no differently than any other day. It did not feel like a life changing day. Robin got up and lit a fire, Marian cooked a simple breakfast, they discussed their plans for the day, before going out to help their villagers with the day's work; milking, weeding, collecting eggs, feeding the livestock.
At noon, a horseman came riding up to the manor, seeking the Earl and Countess, and he was sent to the fields to find them.
Robin looked up from his weeding and watched his son ride from the end of the field. "Marian," he warned.
She looked to where Robin's gaze fell. "Peter!" she dropped her tools and took off running towards him, Robin soon behind her. "What news, Son?" she begged him.
"A great battle has started in Lincoln," Peter began, and then did something he had never done before; he told on his brother. "Geoffrey has ridden north this morning to join Lord Verysdale and Richard."
Robin muttered an oath, his mind whirling with plans to go recover him. Peter must have sensed this because before his father could leave, he continued, "and about an hour ago, Katherine began her labors."
It was Marian's turn to mutter an oath. "Tell me Djaq Scarlet is there?" she beseeched Peter.
"She is," said Peter, looking paler at the memory of his sister's pains. "But Katherine was yelling for Arthur and for you."
"Does Arthur know?" Marian asked.
"Eleanor rode out with me, but she went on to Bonchurch to tell him," answered Peter.
Robin looked enraged, "And neither of you saw fit to stay in the castle?"
"Robin, do not fret. I shall leave this instant. Peter will change horses and come with me. I will find Eleanor before we set out for the castle," Marian said.
Robin sighed and kissed her. "Take care."
"You too. Do not go after Geoff. He is too much your son. God will keep him. It is too late, and we are needed here," Marian reminded Robin.
Robin kissed her again, and helped her up behind Peter. They rode to the stables for two fresh horses. Marian got her bow and quiver, and from thence went to a meeting point that Eleanor and Peter had agreed upon, on one of the trails in Sherwood. After a few uneasy minutes, Eleanor reached them.
"Is Arthur not with you?" Marian asked.
"He could not be spared, but prays for a quick delivery," Eleanor answered.
Marian nodded grimly and they wasted no more words. Marian prayed the whole way to Nottingham for her eldest children, both of whom were facing death today.
They had reached the castle. Eleanor and Peter took Marian's horse as she sped off towards the apartments her children were using. She paused outside of the room for a moment to catch her breath and smooth her hair and (filthy, muddy) dress. Just then, Joan slid out of the room.
"How does Katherine fare?" Marian asked, clearly agitated.
"Well enough, so says Djaq Scarlet," she replied. Casting an eye over her mother's attire, she added, "There is a clean dress in our room that you may use. I must fetch more water."
Marian nodded. She opened the door to the room Eleanor and Joan shared and found the dress in question. She washed her hands and face and put on the clean dress. Feeling calmer, she went in to comfort her daughter.
Meanwhile, Joan gathered the water the kitchen maids had set to boil, and set off to her sister again. Peter and Eleanor burst through the door, as if they knew she would be in the kitchens.
"Joan, how does Katherine?" Peter asked.
"For now, well, Djaq does not seem worried," Joan responded in her calm manner.
"Djaq Scarlet never worries," Eleanor pointed out.
Joan sighed. "Trust in God. I shall tell you what I can, but this water is needed before it cools."
They let her go, then went into the Hall to play princess and outlaw, where they discovered Sheriff Much and Eve, and their daughter Ellen, a red-headed girl about Joan's age.
"Did Arthur come back with you?" Much asked, worry evident on his face.
"No, my Lord," Eleanor said gently. "He could not be spared today." She knew that Much wanted at least one of his sons near him today. Richard was in battle, so was Geoffrey, now. And Katherine was in the throes of labor. There was not much to be done. Except, as Joan had recommended, trust in God.
Lady Eve tried to comfort her husband. "Do not worry, Much. Katherine has the best help she could want."
"Let us play a game," said Peter. "It may distract us from, well, everything…"
"Tenpin?" requested Ellen.
"Yes," said Eleanor encouragingly. The children ran to get the pigskin and the skittles and set up the game, and so the five tried to ignore their panic by bowling the skittles over. Light meals were brought, but no one had any appetite for them.
After a time (a very long time, indeed, to pass the time playing tenpin and waiting for news), Marian entered the hall looking tired, but happy.
"My Lord Sheriff and Lady Eve, we have a grandson," she said, sitting heavily on a chair.
"Oh, Mother!" Eleanor squealed in delight. Marian smiled at her. Much and Eve left to go meet the baby with smiles on their faces.
"May we go see?" asked Ellen.
"After a time. She is resting now, and should not have too many visitors," Marian told Much's daughter, smoothing her red hair.
"Very well," Ellen agreed.
"What is his name?" asked Peter.
"Malin," said Marian. "It means 'little warrior,' which Katherine thought appropriate."
"Shall I go tell Arthur?" Peter offered.
"No, I shall find a page to tell Arthur and your father. Ellen, will you fetch me some parchment?"
"I shall tell them," said Djaq who came into the room.
"You are leaving Nottingham? It is safer here," said Ellen hospitably.
"That may be true, but Will is in Locksley," Djaq replied.
Marian nodded. "Please tell Robin I shall be home as soon as I may, but I want to spend a few days with Katherine if there is no need for me in Locksley."
"Of course," said Djaq, kissing her cheek and leaving for Bonchurch to deliver her messages.
O0O0O
It took a bit longer for news of the battle to reach them. Geoffrey sent a missive, apologizing for his abrupt departure. The barons had lost what ground they had gained in Lincoln, and were now on the run. He planned to stay with the King until the end of the war.
Katherine was doing very well, so Marian left her children and new grandchild and went home to Locksley. Robin had been able to get away to meet the newest member of his family, but with the countryside still in an uproar from battles playing out too close, they were needed at home.
Spring turned to summer, and in July, news came from Rome that Innocent III had died and Pope Honorius III had been elected. However, the new Pope did not change anything in England, the civil war was still running rampant all over the country.
The summer was hot and uncomfortable for all involved. News of fighting came infrequently, which only added to the tension.
It was slightly broken in August. Two Scarlet children were married in a touching double wedding. Sophie married Gilbert Wythhonde, a dyer from Lincoln who fled the fighting in May. He lingered around, set up a shop in Nottingham, became famous for his "Lincoln" green dye, and finally asked for her hand in July. And Isaac, Will and Djaq's eldest son married Bess the dairymaid, which surprised absolutely no one at all. As Locksley's lord, Robin was more than happy to give his consent, and for one weekend, Locksley was again full to the brim with people, including all his children, save Geoffrey. Nothing could have made him happier, except the end of hostilities and the return of Geoffrey and Much's Richard.
Summer turned to autumn and the harvest was brought in. It was a small harvest, the crops had not done very well with so few caretakers. Knighton especially suffered because of their Lord and Lady's absences. Marian and Robin were aware of these shortages and tried to help supplement their villagers.
One October day found Marian in her garden, getting her roses ready for the winter ahead. One of Much's pages galloped at full speed into the yard, calling for the Earl or the Countess. Marian stood, questioningly, while the boy demanded that they assemble in Nottingham as quickly as they could for a Council of Nobles.
Marian took off her gloves and ran into the house. "Robin!"
He was polishing his sword at the table. Seeing her urgency, he asked, "What has happened?"
"We are required in Nottingham," she said, rushing up the stairs for a better dress. Her skirts were covered in dirt from her gardening. Robin tore after her for his better clothes. They dressed in a matter of minutes. Marian fastened a veil over her hair and tucked a dagger in her boot as Robin fastened his belt and sword around his waist.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yes," she said, rushing out of the room.
They silently prepared the horses, both afraid to speak their thoughts. Making sure their bows and various other weapons were firmly in place, they galloped off. It was late in the day and the sun was warm on their faces. They were careful not to tire their horses. Halfway through Sherwood, they met up with Arthur, who joined their company.
"Do you know what this is about?" Marian asked Arthur.
"I do not. I pray for good news."
They reached Nottingham in good time, the stable hands put up the horses. Peter was waiting outside the Hall. Robin nodded at him, granting him access. They settled in, and soon, everyone was present.
Much began, "I have just received word. King John died on the 18th. Henry is being made King. His coronation is in a few days. The barons have been fighting amongst themselves, they do not know who should be king, France's Louis or young Henry. That is all I know."
Everyone was quiet for a moment, and then Marian said, "You know, they shall probably change over to support Henry."
There was some rumbling over this. Marian ignored it and went on.
"Think about it, who is easier to control? Prince Louis at thirty, or near it, Prince Henry at nine."
Most admitted they had to agree.
And as the year drew to a close, it looked as if that was where things were heading. In November, the Magna Carta was reissued, this time eliminating clause 61 (the one that had allowed the Barons to override the King). This relieved the people of Nottingham.
There was still random fighting, but not nearly to the degree that there had been. Marian and Robin brought Peter, Joan and Eleanor home with them. Many of the other villagers also returned.
Most happily, Geoffrey and Richard were home for Christmas, which they celebrated in Knighton. The Locksley soldiers (who were both knighted for their valor over the summer) got to meet their new nephew and were delighted with him, claiming Malin as a good luck charm for all supporters of the King.
