Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood or Robin, Marian, the Gang, et al. I am making no money off of this endeavor. All I've earned is the joy in the writing and the possibility of some nice feedback.
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Marian: Through the Looking Glass, Chapter Three
"Robin, over here," John called loudly through the trees. "Djaq."
John stood over Marian's still body, his flickering torch casting an orange glow over her deceptively serene face.
Djaq dropped to her knees next to Marian and listened. "She's alive. Marian, wake up." Djaq shook Marian gently and patted her face.
Marian moaned in response, her head rolling from one side to the other, but she didn't awaken.
"I have seen this before," Djaq said looking at Robin. "It is a coma, a deep sleep while the body heals or—"
Robin nodded, his face tightening with the ramifications of Djaq's unspoken words. "Or not," he whispered.
"Master, you were in a coma with a far worse wound and you survived," Much offered, although he didn't sound as hopeful as Robin would have liked.
But it was true. Much and the doctors had apparently fretted over him for weeks while fate decided whether or not to spare him. "Aye, Much. We must get her home. Djaq, do you think she is safe to travel in the litter?"
"Let me examine her. Bring the torches 'round so I can see better."
Robin stepped back to give her room, but the other men moved forward and circled her, holding the torches over the two women.
Starting at Marian's head, Djaq began her once-over. She touched Marian's head, pulling another groan from her. Djaq pulled her hands away and held them up. "She has a head wound; there is blood. Not a lot, but enough. She was probably knocked out at some point."
"Is it bad?" Much asked softly, worry tainting his voice.
"We will not know until we can clean it up, but it is a good sign that she reacts to the pain. Her sleep is not too deep," Djaq said, continuing down Marian's body. Djaq inspected each arm and leg. Djaq palpitated and then rolled Marian's right ankle and then her left ankle.
Marian cried out sharply. All the men jumped.
Djaq looked at Robin. "Her ankle will need to be set, and the head wound tended to, but other than that, I cannot find any other wounds. As long as she is not jostled too much, the litter will be fine."
"Right, then, lads—let's prepare the litter," Robin said.
Within a few minutes, they had the litter set up and were rolling Marian into it. Robin's heart stopped every time she sounded out in pain.
Djaq laid a soft hand on his arm. "I know you do not wish her to be in pain, but it is a good thing right now that she cries out. That means her sleep is not so deep that she should not wake up rather quickly."
Robin looked into Djaq's warm brown eyes, saw the compassion there. "Thank you, Djaq. Can you go on ahead to Knighton, and let Edward know we've got her, and then talk to Matilda about Marian's condition so that you can be prepared when we get her there?"
Djaq nodded. "Of course. Be gentle, lads," she called and then disappeared into the darkness.
The men finally found a pace that wasn't so fast that Marian moaned and groaned continually, but was fast enough for Robin. Once they exited the trees, they were able to move a bit faster.
As they approached Knighton, Edward came running from the house. "Oh, thank goodness. How is she?" He scrambled alongside the men as they hurried toward the hall.
"No change," Robin panted. They squeezed through the front door and gently set the litter and Marian on the floor.
Edward knelt by her head and tenderly brushed back a stray dark lock from her forehead. "Oh, my dear..."
"Okay, so how do we get her upstairs?" asked Allan, breathlessly.
"Just undo the sling from the poles. Then we grab the blanket close to her body and go up," said Robin. "John, can you handle her head on your own, keeping her level?"
"Aye." John nodded.
"All right, Much and I will lift her feet."
The men got into position.
"On three," said Robin. "One, two, three..."
With careful and deliberate movements, the men made it up the stairs and into Marian's bedchamber, depositing her gently on her bed.
"Now, shoo, all of ya," said Matilda, closing the door behind them.
Robin, John, and Much clattered back down to the main room where Edward was now pouring some ale for them all. "I cannot thank you, enough," he said.
"Edward, please," said Robin. "You know we would have done the same for anyone—"
"Not Gisborne or the sheriff," said Much, his tone pained at the thought.
"Much..." Robin said, warning in his voice.
Much huffed. "Well, I wouldn't. Not after everything they've done to us—to you."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Much, but we do not leave creatures to suffer interminably, no matter how wild or rabid. We put them out of their misery if needs be."
"Yes, well, I'd certainly like to put the sheriff out of my misery," Much muttered.
Robin cast him a look. Much's expression pinched, but he didn't say anything else.
Marian cried out so loudly that they all heard her and jumped; every head turned to look toward the top of the stairs.
Edward rose and seemed to debate whether or not to go to his daughter.
"They probably set her ankle," Robin said. He wanted to be there with her himself. But she was in good hands, between Matilda and Djaq.
Edward nodded and continued to pace the room.
Robin was ready to crawl out of his skin. No one had said anything for quite some time. The only noise in the room was the crackle of the fire and the creaking of the floorboards as one or another shifted his or her position. After what seemed half the night, Marian's door finally groaned open.
Robin and Edward rose from their seats as Matilda lumbered down the stairs, followed by Djaq.
"How is she?" Edward asked.
"Well, she's got a nasty gash on the back of her head. It's scabbed over so it should be all right, but she's also got a couple of decent sized lumps. So..." Matilda looked at Djaq, who nodded, and then back at Edward and Robin. "...we think that between those two injuries, that's what put her in this deep sleep."
"How long till she wakes up?" Edward asked, now wringing his hands.
"There's no way to know," said Djaq. "But she is young and otherwise healthy, so that should mean she will wake up sooner rather than later."
Matilda nodded in agreement and said, "Her ankle was definitely broken. We snapped it back into place and wrapped it. Even if she wakes up tomorrow, she cannot walk on it for several weeks at least. She will have to be carried or given crutches.
"In the mean time, she can swallow, so she needs to be given water and broth continually, as long as she will take it, to help keep her body somewhat fed so that it can heal itself. Chicken broth is best if you can manage it."
Edward nodded. "Very well."
Matilda turned to Djaq. "It was good to work with you. We must get together sometime so I can learn some more of these Saracen treatments."
"I would like that very much," Djaq said and smiled.
"Edward, I'll be back this evening to check on her," said Matilda.
"John, Allan, Much, please escort Matilda back to Locksley," Robin said. "Then go back to camp."
"Thank you." Edward walked Matilda to the door and handed her a pouchful of coins. The three men followed.
"Will, Djaq, you may as well go back to camp, too. I'll be along in a while," Robin said. The two of them nodded and left as well.
Edward and Robin looked at one another.
"If you have no objection, I'd like to sit with her tonight..." Robin said.
"Of course. You know where to find me if you need me."
Robin nodded and then hurried upstairs. He pulled a small chest next to her bed and sat and then picked up her hand in his. He kissed the back of it. "Marian, you are safe and well now. Please wake up."
He lay his head down and closed his eyes; he was so tired and relieved...he'd just close his eyes for a few minutes.
To be continued...
