Marian joined her father outside the manor at Knightley, where he stood, with Sir Guy. Who jumped off his jet black stallion and shook her fathers hand respectfully.
"I hope you're not thinking of taking my daughter to the castle on the back of a horse now," he laughed.
"Not at all Sir, I have a carriage following, if I may leave my horse in your stable?" he said bowing his head.
"Be my guest, I shall have someone take care of it for you," he said. "Ah Marian, I was wondering where you had got to."
Guy strode over to her and bowed low, on one knee, taking her hand and kissing it softly. "My lady," he said in his deep husky voice. She couldn't help but recoil a touch, and she was unsure if he had noticed. But that was what Robin had used to call her.
"It's a pleasure Sir Guy," she said, curtseying as he straightened up, forcing a smile onto her face, she hoped it didn't look to much like a grimace.
"The pleasure is all mine, you look... incandescent," he complimented her. She was wearing her hair down, so it fell around her waist, but pushed back off her face with a delicate gold head band. With a long blue dress which matched her eyes. She thanked him and the carriage he promised trundled into the yard.
"Goodbye father, I'll see you later," she said, with a smile. He going to the Locksley celebrations, rather than those at the castle.
He bid her farewell, and Sir Guy held her hand as she ascended into the carriage. The journey did not take to long, and soon enough they were entering the castle walls.
Sir Guy was a handsome man, but he was not loved by his villagers, as Robin had been. He was tough on them. But Marian did not believe that he was cruel, she believed the sheriff was cruel, and that the Sir Guy didn't have a choice but to obey him.
She did not like visiting the castle nowadays, when she lived here, with her father as sheriff, it was lively and everyone was in good spirits. But now it was gloomy, and the peasants resented the nobility, except her, they regarded her with a mixed sense of pity, and fondness. The old castle still looked the same as when it had been her childhood home, but it had lost something, the atmosphere.
She feasted in the banquet hall, to Guy's left side and talked with many important nobles. After they had eaten it was the custom to dance. The tables where moved and a band started to play.
"May I have this dance," Sir Guy said with a bow. Marian curtseyed and consented.
Half way through the first dance the heavy oak doors, flew open.
Everybody in the hall froze, silent. The band stopped playing and everyone stood in awe.
Except Marian, she felt a knot of resentment form in her stomach as she recognised the two men. Her former fiancé and his man servant.
"Well I was expecting a little more of a welcome, I must confess," one of the two men the doorway said. His eyes sweeping across the crowd, and lingering for a second longer than necessary on Marian. "Where is the sheriff?"
"Who the hell are you?" said the sheriff stepping forward.
"Robin of Locksley, Earl of Huntingdon." he said. "Where is the sheriff."
The sheriff said impatiently through gritted teeth. "I am the sheriff."
"What happened to Sir Edward?" he asked, frowning.
"My father went into retirement three years ago, and for your information he is in Locksley. You are welcome to go and find him," she said, glaring, still in Guy's arms.
"Marian..." Robin breathed.
The sheriff intervened and started to talk to him about Locksley. The crowd started to talk and eventually the band started to play again. Marian could feel it was about her and Robin. But she didn't mind. Dignity, was all that mattered to her in this situation.
Sher finished her dance with Guy and and then danced with other noblemen.
"May I have the next dance Marian," someone whispered in her ear.
She spun round and saw Robin, smirking just like he used to.
"No," She seethed.
"I'm not sure you heard me," he whispered again. Then he raised his voice. "May I have the next dance Lady Marian." People looked round to see her reaction, it would have been highly ungracious to refuse, so she had not choice but to agree.
He led her by the hand to a less crowded space. Holding her closer than necessary.
"How are you?" he asked slowly.
"Fantastic." She said curtly. Looking over his shoulder and not at him.
"Not very courteous this evening," he remarked. She didn't respond. "I've missed you," he murmured.
"You've said that to me before," She said.
"I remember," he murmured again. "Please look at me." She turned her head a fraction and looked him straight in the eye.
"I've said that once before her," I stated. He stiffened.
"Why was I threatened with swords every time I tried to see you," he asked.
"Because I didn't want to see you," she said. Deliberately missing out the part about her weeping, and trying to change the subject. "Get your glory in the holy land?"
He laughed slightly, "I was part of King Richard's private guard, sent home with his special honours."
"Congratulations, I'm glad it was worth it," she said, slightly spitefully.
"Why are you so hostile towards me? I mean other than the obvious?" he whispered in her ear, so not to be overheard. His lips brushing her hair.
"Because whilst you have been gone on your own glory hunt, people here have been suffering. The people of Locksley have been starving, Robin. Without your protection, so many people have been hanged for trivial matters. My father was usurped, the remaining nobles killed or bribed, and the new sheriff is a callous murderer. All of which you could have stopped." She murmured back, making sure no one else could hear their whispered conversation.
"How can I make it up to you, to the people?"
"You can't," she whispered. "It's too late, the only thing you can do now is conform to the new sheriffs orders and keep your head down or you will lose your lands and your title, and then what use will you be?"
"I will make it up to them, and to you. I promise," he whispered, gazing down at her.
"Do you mind?" said the deep voice of Sir Guy.
"Can I help you?" Robin said, frowning.
"You're getting quite close to the woman who is accompanying me to this event," he replied, eyes narrowed.
"I think you'll find, we are betrothed."
"Pardon?" he spat.
"Excuse me?" She demanded. He just grinned and gave her a wink. She turned, "Sir Guy will you please take me home. I am suddenly finding the company here intolerable."
"Of course, I shall go arrange the carriage," he said, giving Robin a glare.
She rounded on Robin. "You made your decision, and trying to humiliate me in public will not lessen the offence you made against me."
She turned to leave, but Robin grabbed her arm. She did not turn.
"You look absolutely beautiful," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear again. "My apologies for being... improper."
She left without a looking back at him.