Ch2

Marian had dismissed the maid for the day. She had not thought it fair that the poor girl should have to witness the cold and harsh hostility shown between husband and wife. He had not slept at all. Instead she had layen face in the pillow and sobbed. How could he have done that. So easily have deystroyed everything that they had together. It was strange how one event can ruin your whole life. You can live twenty three years and yet one moment can make you hate it all. He had given her her life and now he was harshly taking it away. Not only had he abandoned her in the early stages of their marriage he had committed adultry within them. He had told her he loved her, and like the gullable fool she was she had believed him and what a fool she had turned out to be.

'Marian.'

It travelled to her ears as an empty whisper. She refused to acknowledge him and continued on her task which happened to be sorting out the kitchen.

'Marian.' He repeated.

'I am busy Robin.' Marian said coldy.

'Where are the maids?' Robin asked as he watched her work.

'Why should they have to bare our cold presence.' Marian answered without turning to him.

'You have not forgiven me then.' Robin sighed sadly.

'Why should I forgive you at all nevermind after one night.'

'I do not know in truth. All I can give you is love.'

'You seem to be able to give a lot of women that.' Marian bit.

Robin knew she was in no mood to talk with so he left her to her thoughts. He had really made a mess of things this time. And in truth he was worried. Worried that she would not accept forgiveness, but it was Marian, and he and Marian always pulled through, always. He could not imagine life without her. He had experienced life without her and found it unbearable. But then he had committed the worse crime possible. He had broken her heart. And he may never get it back. He walked to the stables and saddled his horse and rode into Sherwood.

Marian sighed as she heard the hoof beats and threw a wooden spoon across the kitchen. How dare he expect her to forgive him after just one night. Did he think her to be so easy and forgetful.

RHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

Robin kicked his horse faster. He knew he should be careful riding through these woods. An unknown root or stone on the path may rule his downfall. But he did not care. He shouted and roared to make the horse run to its maximum speed. He pulled in the andrenilan that the speed and danger gave him. The pictures of his beytrayal spinning in his head. He could see her face, the woman whom he had bedded. He saw pictures of their nights together. How could he have been so foolish, to think she would so easily forgive him.

RHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

'My Lady.' Much called as he entered the Manor.

'Much. Your back.' Marian smiled as she exited the kitchen and brought her friend into a tight hug.

Much had married a serving girl at Bonchurch and they had been to Italy for their honeymoon.

'How are you my Lady. I here that Master Robin is back. That must make you happy.' Much beamed, but his smiled faded when he saw Marian's sad face. 'My lady what is the matter.'

'Come Much. We have known each other to long for formal titles.' Marian smiled as she sat down.

'What has he done now?' Much sighed as he took a seat next to her.

'He...he replaced me Much.' Marian gasped as fresh tears came to her eyes.

'Replaced you my lady?' Much asked frowning confused.

'With another woman Much. He bedded another woman.' Marian shouted in frustration.

'He did what!' Much squeaked.

'He spent his nights not alone. He spent them with another woman on a number of occassions.' Marian whispered wiping tears away.

Much looked at Marian sadly as he lay a comforting hand on hers. He knew that this was the end for the both of them. Robin had deystroyed it for good this time.

RHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

Robin entered the stable and dismounted his horse. He patted it on the neck before starting to unbuckle its saddle. He heard footsteps crunching against the ground and turned to find his old friend Much walking up to him.

'Much! Your back.' Robin laughed patting him on the shoulders. 'How is Eve?'

'Do not speak to me.' Much said raising his head as he walked over to his own horse.

'She has told you.' Robin said has he hung his head.

'Yes. And I must say I am very disappointed in you Robin.' Much said coldly.

'You do not understand Much.' Robin said raising his voice in anger.

'There is not much to understand. Although it is amazing how Marian never went to war, yet it was the war that killed her.' Much said as he kicked the horse into a gallop and left Robin standing with his own thoughts.