Nottingham Castle - Great Hall
'Good evening' Marian nods at their guests who are sitting at the large oak table. Food spiralled along the top, chicken, pork, beef, fruits, vegetables, cakes and loads more. Drinks were being filled by various servants who were darting around the room.
Marian sat down opposite a young boy. Marian's mother next to her and her father at the end of the table. The boy's parents were sitting either side of him.
He sat silently staring at his plate and Marian watched him and listened to their parents conversation.
'This is our daughter, Marian, she's fourteen' Her father gestures towards her and Marian smiles a fake smile at the family before her.
The lady is the next to speak, 'Pleasure to meet you my lady' she nods at Marian and smiles warmly. Marian decided she liked this woman, she was french?
'As it is for me' Marian smiles back, a real smile this time.
'And this is our son, Guy, he's 16. We have a daughter as well, her name's Isabella but she is staying at a relatives tonight' Guy's father adds in.
Marian stares at Guy. Is this the boy her father wanted her to marry? In his dreams!
Guy looks up at Marian for the first time and he is in shock. She was beautiful! He thought to himself.
Once Marian noticed he was staring at her she frowned at him. 'What?' She said bluntly to the boy.
'Marian! Where are your manners?' Her father belted across the table.
'Forgive me father, he was staring at me' Marian defends herself, still frowning at Guy. She decided she didn't like him. At all. Never.
Edward shakes his head pitying Marian's decisions. 'Perhaps you could take Guy out into the stables? Help him chose a horse and and take him out for a ride in Sherwood?' He smiles at Guy and his parents.
'I think that's a lovely idea!' Gislaine (Guy's mother) smiles excitedly back. 'You'd love that wouldn't you Guy?' She nudges him to agree.
He looks around at the adults and Marian. 'I'd love to' He replies in a flat tone. He honestly did want to. Or he would, if he was a good rider. Truth was, he was a bad rider, he hoped Marian was worse than him. But he doubted it. Maybe he could get to her, out in the forest with nature... This was good... Very good...
Marian sighed and rolled her eyes. 'Very well, I will change into my riding wear and I'll be down shortly'. Marian stands. 'Pleasure to be in your company my Lord and Lady Gisborne' Marian smiles at them and turns away. She makes her way to her room.
Locksley Manor
Robin and his parents are sitting around the table, for dinner has just been served.
'Robin, I am going away for a while' His father, Malcolm, starts and looks at his son.
Robin looks between his mother and father who are sitting next to each other. 'What do you mean going away? For how long?' He frowns at them.
Malcolm's eyes fill with sadness. 'I do not know how long for Robin.'
'No! Where are you going? You cannot leave me.' Robin says bluntly, scowling at his father. How could he leave his own son?
His father stands. 'I must Robin. It is my duty, I will return as soon as I can my son'. He walks over towards Robin and tries to hug him but Robin pushes his chest, sending him away.
Robin's father looks startled and his mother stands. 'Robin please' She starts but Robin shakes his head.
'No!' He shouts. 'Leave me alone! You never stay here for more than 2 nights. Your always going away, leaving me and mother!' He shouts louder and his mother starts crying.
'Look Robin, look, now you've made your mother cry!' His father scowls at him.
'Stop it Malcolm, it's not his fault, he's just upset. Please stop shouting' His mother stares at him and wipes her eyes.
Robin groans loudly and runs out the door. He runs into the stables and tacks up his horse.
His father walks into the stables and stands by the door. 'Robin where are you going?'
Robin doesn't turn and ignores his father as he does up the girth of his black stallion. His horse was black with a white blaze across his face. He was a thoroughbred with 2 white socks on his front legs.
'Robin! I said where are you going?' He repeats and Robin bites his tongue and turns around. He mounts his horse and raises his eyebrows in a cocky manor, 'Out' and he rides past his father who shakes his head at him.
Marian meets Guy in the stables, he has chosen a chestnut gelding and is tacking up.
She is wearing tight beige trousers with long brown riding boots, a white laced, long-sleeved top with a brown leather jacket.
'You look nice' Guy smiles unnervingly at her.
Marian nods and tacks up her horse. Saddle, girth, bridle and martingale.
'Are you ready?' She speaks, without looking at him.
Guy sighs and walks over to Marian. 'Look, I know you probably hate me already and think I'm trying to get your to marry me or whatever but look, I'm not trying anything on you so can you just relax a bit and cut me some slack?' He raises his eyebrows at her and walks back to his horse.
Marian stands there in disbelief, Did he really just speak to her like that? Maybe he is right though... Maybe she should cut him some slack...
'I'm sorry, My father has been trying to convince me to marry and I do not want to, truce?' She smiles at him.
Guy smiles back, 'Truce' He mounts his horse. 'Shall we make a move?'
Marian follows his lead and mounts her own stead. 'We shall, follow me' She replies and kicks on her horse...