It was an unusually sunny day on Saturday. It was midday. Robin of Locksley and his men were engaged in target practice using their longbows. Robin was just taking a moment to show Wolf how to better aim at the makeshift stuffed 'man' that was secured to the tree ahead of them when suddenly an arrow whirred through the air and pierced the ground in front of Robin and several of his men.
"Robin!" The voice of his best archer, Clement called. "We have company!"
"Great. Probably Gisborne and his men again." Will Scarlett spat.
"That's a load of codswallop, boy! Ye are so full of piss and wind!" John Little scorned. He was also known as 'Little John' – a moniker given as a term of endearment by Robin.
Azeem Edin Bashir Al Bashrim, Robin's Moorish companion, better known simply as Azeem, rolled his eyes.
"Come on." Locksley bade them to follow him.
The men led by Robin approached the clearing outside of their outlaw camp. Clement, the average sized, dark haired man who was the best archer besides Robin, was there with a husky, average sized man with blond hair the colour of wheat to his collar, and piercing blue eyes. He was dressed much like Robin and his men were, but had a very fine equine by his side despite that.
"Who are you?" Robin asked suspiciously. "And how the hell did you find us?" He demanded as he raised his loaded bow, aiming it toward the man.
"I am a servant of Lady Dubois. She told me to be persistent until I found you." Mordrid, the Sheriff's soldier replied, never taking his eyes off the blue eyed, sandy haired infamous outlaw.
"What is your business with us then?" Robin demanded.
"I have a message for you, Master Locksley. The lady insisted I bring it, delivering it straight into your hands, for she has taken leave."
"Leave – where?" Robin asked.
"It is all in this document, my lord." Mordrid said, pained to address him as such. He produced the scroll the Sheriff gave him from the pocket of his coat and handed it to Robin.
Robin sighed and lowered his bow. He moved forward and took it from him. He quickly broke apart the wax seal and unfurled the document. He began to read…
"Friday 9th September, 1194 Anno Domini,
My Dearest Robin;
All is well. I am writing to inform you I must travel to London. My mother has taken ill and so I must go. I am taking Duncan with me. I feel it is best. Truthfully I believe this to be a blessing. It is not safe to stay here, and it is not safe to ally myself with you at this time, until things are settled. You must understand.
Do not worry about us. We shall be protected.
- Marian Dubois."
Locksley shook his head, his eyes downcast.
"What is it, Christian?" Azeem asked, immediately sensing trouble in Robin's demeanor.
Robin ignored him for the moment and looked up at the messenger.
"Did she say when she will return?" Robin asked.
"No. She didn't, Master." Mordrid said. He was loathed to have to stand here and converse with this man rather than draw his sword. Had the Sheriff – his true master – gone mad?
"Are ye going to tell us what this is about, matey?" Little John demanded.
"Marian left to go to London. She took Duncan with her." Robin said.
"So, what's the problem, Locksley?" Will huffed, pushing a long dark brown, greasy strand of hair from his eyes. "Maybe she needed a getaway – from you!" He snorted.
Robin ignored the insult and shook his head. "No, there's something about the tone of this. It is not like her." He turned to the messenger. He squinted his eyes as he studied him a moment, indeed the man did seem familiar to him in a strange sort of way.
"Do I know you, sir?" Robin asked, with an eyebrow quirked. "Have we met before?"
"We were not formally introduced but, aye, I was there the day you paid a visit to Lady Dubois and borrowed two of her horses." Mordrid said never missing a beat. He was glad he was present at the town council meeting when Gisborne made this point of mention to the Sheriff that day.
"Really." Robin said with one eyebrow quirked over his blue eyes.
"Aye. Are we finished here?" Mordrid said a little too quickly.
Robin nodded. "Go."
"If you do not trust what is written in the scroll, Christian, why did you let him go?" Azeem – ever the voice of reason, asked as the blond haired stranger galloped off on his fine black horse.
"That man matters not to me, whether he is her servant or not." Locksley replied.
"So what will you have us do now?" Will demanded impatiently. "You have prepared us for war. We are ready now to defeat Nottingham. How do you know he won't lead Nottingham and his army straight to us?" He challenged as he pointed in the distance to the man upon his horse.
"You're not quite ready… yet. And he won't." Robin said calmly.
"You do not know for certain, Christian!" Azeem pointed out.
"I have a hunch." Robin said.
"Do you think it's the Sheriff, mate?" Little John asked.
"I am not certain if he's behind it, but he may be the reason she left. It is certainly not I – as she says in this message." Robin sighed. "I need some time to think on it. For now, we just bide our time. Continue with our preparations." He advised them.
The men nodded and made their way back to camp. Robin stood there a moment and glanced at the letter again. He shook his head. There was something about it, but he couldn't yet put his finger on it.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On Monday morning Lady Marian was just about going mad. She was cooped up like a caged animal in these rooms. Nowhere to go. Nothing to do. Nothing but wait. Yet she had no idea what she was supposedly waiting for? The only thing she was curiously beginning to look forward to was her brief visits with Hecate, who brought her a tray of food and refreshments at regular intervals each day, as well as other items she may need. It was not because Lady Marian liked her. It was only because it was a break in the monotony. She glanced out of the window. The sun was up. Hecate should be here soon. She hoped she would bring the ale with her. Marian was beginning to like it.
Just then the door opened and Hecate appeared as if by magic. She stood holding the familiar tray. She smiled at Marian, then looked behind her. "Come on, honey. Right this way." Hecate directed.
Hecate came into the room and a young lad with blond hair who appeared to be a page followed closely behind carrying several garments draped over his arms.
"What is this?" Lady Marian asked, her eyebrow raised in suspicion.
Hecate placed the tray on the table. She quickly poured some ale in the goblet and passed it to Marian. Four days she has been taking this potion. Funny – I don't see anything different about her! Hecate sighed and controlled the urge to roll her eyes.
"We have some new gowns for you, milady." Hecate said with her hands upon her hips. She looked to her right at the page and pointed to the chair placed by the fireplace opposite the foot of the bed. "Put them there, honey. And be careful with them. Do not wrinkle them!"
"What?" Lady Marian asked, astonished as she walked closer to inspect them, sipping the ale from the goblet. "These are not my clothes! What is the meaning of this?" She demanded.
"A gift, milady. From the Sheriff." Hecate smiled as sweetly as she could possibly force herself to. She really was trying hard not to regurgitate in her mouth a little.
"What?" Lady Marian exclaimed, her eyes wide in horror. She quickly turned and strode to the chair. She picked up an emerald green velvet gown and quickly advanced to the fireplace. Before Hecate could react, she watched in horror as Lady Marian cast the beautifully crafted fine garment into the fire.
"You wretched woman!" Hecate shrieked. She ran toward her and attempted to restrain Lady Marian, but Lady Marian was easily resisting.
"Get the damned guard!" Hecate barked to the page. He scurried running to the door.
"You fool! You just cast a gown created by Madam Oberon into the fire. You foolish, foolish wretch!" Hecate screamed.
"He will not buy me! Who does he think he is? Just who in the devil does he think – "
"Interesting display of gratitude, my lady." The smooth as melted chocolate, familiar baritone voice interrupted her puerile outburst.
He walked with his hands clasped behind his back. His shiny black boots clicking confidently along the stone floor as he strode toward the fireplace. He shook his head then turned on his heel to face Lady Marian, who stood there horrified as Hecate restrained her with a satisfied smirk upon her face. The Sheriff nodded to Hecate and dismissed her from the room.
The Sheriff slowly walked toward her. He clicked his tongue against his palate a couple of beats before he continued. "Do you have any idea how many hours Lady Arianna laboured on that gown that you cast into the fire?" The Sheriff asked with his left eyebrow raised.
Lady Marian stood staring at him. She refused to offer an answer.
"Surely a different gown couldn't hurt. Could it?" The Sheriff asked.
"What is the meaning of this? Who do you think you are?" Lady Marian suddenly blurted. She began to pace back and forth in front of him, and speaking so rapidly he feared she would lose her breath. "Why am I here? I must get back to my manor – my family's home! My lord, why am I here?" Lady Marian finally stopped dead in her tracks and stood facing the Sheriff. She never took her eyes from his.
She looked so sensual in that moment. Her eyes, wild with anger, piercing into his – challenging him. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"You do not remember me telling you, my lady?" The Sheriff asked, slightly bewildered by her question.
"No! You said nothing. You did not tell me why you sent your men to abduct me by force out of my manor and bring me here. I am being kept like… some sort of imprisoned princess! This is twisted!"
"You are here for you own protection." The Sheriff repeated. "I can offer you more protection than you could ever want. I told you this already the night you were brought here." The Sheriff said with his eyebrow raised.
"No. You did not. You didn't say anything like that. And for your information, dear Sheriff…" She emphasized his title facetiously. "I was not brought here! I was restrained and dragged by force, and before that I was nearly violated by one of your cursed soldiers!" Marian shrieked.
"Whom?" Nottingham demanded gruffly, suddenly filled with rage. "I demand you tell me!"
"I do not know the swine's name!" Marian shouted. "Why should I wish to know him? Or you for that matter?"
The Sheriff swallowed. He should just let her go now. This plan was clearly failing.
"What is it that you do remember of my visit with you on Thursday night?" The Sheriff asked.
Marian paused a moment and looked off to the right, peering out of the window.
"I remember… you put your hand on my cheek and…" Marian paused and looked downcast. She was blushing and she didn't want him to know it.
The Sheriff moved forward and reached out to her. He put his gloved hand on her chin and tilted it up to meet his gaze. Her face was flushed. Was she… blushing?
"And? Continue, my lady…" The Sheriff prodded her.
"You said: 'You think you know me', and you asked what Robin had said of you." Marian said.
"That is all you remember?" He asked.
"Indeed. That is all." Lady Marian said. Her mouth was dry. She raised the goblet to her lips that she still held in her hand.
"Marian, it is safest if you stay here for now. The property surrounding your home may be a battleground in the coming days." He said. For it was true, the battle against Locksley and his men could take place anywhere.
"I wish to go home." Lady Marian said. "This is loathsome! I am a prisoner!"
"You are not listening – "
"Then prove to me I am not your prisoner. Prove it!" Lady Marian demanded.
The Sheriff pointed toward the chair where the gowns were draped on. "I just did. Indeed, take a look at your surroundings. If you were my prisoner you would be chained in my dungeon."
Marian moved closer toward him. She took a breath and reached up, slapping him across his face.
"No! Prove it to me you sick…twisted…" Her cries echoed in the distance as she beat upon his chest.
"Marian?" The Sheriff said as he grabbed her shoulders and tried shaking her.
"Prove it to me! Prove to me that I am not just a prisoner to you!" Marian shrieked, and even as she said the words she couldn't believe they uttered beyond her own lips.
For a moment their eyes locked. Then his arm snaked around her and he roughly pulled her toward him and bestowed a kiss upon her soft lips. His kiss was soft and gentle, unlike anything she imagined it would be. Just as she was beginning to like it, he pulled away from her.
"I just did." The Sheriff said quietly. Then he slowly turned away and walked out of the room, leaving Marian standing there breathless and confused.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Later in the day Marian was amusing herself by rifling through various items in the chamber. There was only so much one could do kept locked inside of a room. She thought about the last time she saw Robin. He tried to tell her something then, about the Sheriff and his plans, when he showed her his treasures. What was it he had said then? She remembered the very brief kiss they shared when they bade goodbye at the water's edge at dawn on Wednesday. Their lips barely touched. But the kiss she shared with the Sheriff spoke of passions unknown. She bit her lip and closed her eyes attempting to suppress the heat that suddenly crept into her body.
She sighed and went to the window gazing out of it. What was Robin doing now? Was he coming?
The door opened and Hecate appeared again. She walked swiftly into the room holding the tray. She looked over at the chair by the fireplace. "Glad to see you finally listened to reason, milady. For you shall be needing one of those." Hecate remarked. She put the tray down on the table beside the bed.
"Whatever do you mean?" Lady Marian asked.
"You have a dinner engagement." Hecate announced. She reached into the pocket of her gown and extracted a folded parchment. She passed it to Lady Marian. "From him, milady." Hecate said.
Marian took it, eyeing her curiously as she did so. She unfolded it and glanced at the message.
"My Lady Marian;
I hope you still have at least one gown to choose. Tonight I request your company, if you would do me the honour of dining with me.
Choose a gown. Hecate will bring you to me at dusk.
- Nottingham."
Lady Marian shook her head. "Is he serious?" She asked, incredulous, even though she knew the answer.
"Oh, yes, milady. Dead serious. You best decide on a gown. I shall prepare a bath for you." Hecate said.
"I do not wish to primp for him!" Lady Marian snapped.
"Milady, you have been wearing the same garments for four days. Surely a bath will not hurt?"
"Oh, alright." Lady Marian relented. "But I won't be fussing much on my appearance, I can tell you that!"
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
"I'm telling you, that cursed potion of yours is not working!" Hecate lamented to Mortianna. She had just finished preparing the Lady's bath. In an hour it would be dusk. She didn't have much time.
"I couldn't overdo it, child. It is a dangerous seed." Mortianna cautioned.
"He wants to dine with her. I'm to take her to the balcony at dusk." Hecate announced.
"Hmm. Will you be serving?" Mortianna asked.
"No. But I can arrange it with Hildith." Hecate said.
"Good. You will serve our master and his lady, and you know what you must do." Mortianna said knowingly.
"Taint her ale…wine – whatever it is they will be drinking." Hecate winked.
"Indeed. This shall work. You must believe it. Now make haste. You haven't much time. Take this vial with you. There is enough here to taint two goblets of whatever she shall be drinking. Conceal it in your pocket." Mortianna instructed. She held out a small glass vial to her.
The serving wench took it and went on her way.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lady Marian walked with Hecate down the long torch lit corridor of the second level of the castle. Finally they were nearing the end of it. At the end of the hall was a door. Hecate opened it and led Marian out onto the balcony. Several candles burned brightly. There was a table there draped in fine silk linen with more candles upon it. The Sheriff stood beside it watching her. She swallowed. Everything about being here was so surreal. Sometimes she couldn't tell if she was caught up inside of a good dream, or a nightmare?
The Sheriff gasped and tugged at his collar to loosen it. He felt a heat course through him as he looked upon her. Lady Marian was dressed in a revealing navy silk gown that was trimmed in a delicate cream coloured lace that embellished the edges of the sleeves and the bodice. The bodice was fitted and forced her breasts upward. The sleeves were fitted and flared out at the wrists in a trumpet style. Evenly spaced along the outer aspects of the sleeves were delicate bows in the same colour as the gown. The skirt of the gown flared out into a small train behind her. Her shiny curly auburn hair was fashioned in a loose chignon, some tendrils framed her milky skin and waved gently in the autumn breeze.
Hecate led her closer toward him.
"My Lady Marian, you are as radiant as a full moon." The Sheriff said silkily as he picked up her right hand and gently kissed it.
Lady Marian tried not to swoon. Instead she sighed. "What is this? A date?" She smirked.
The Sheriff chuckled. "Well, since you're here, you might as well eat something." He said.
"Do you always dine amidst such finery?" Lady Marian asked sarcastically with her eyebrow raised.
"All of the time, my lady." The Sheriff grinned. "Come. Be seated now. I have a very fine chef preparing dishes for us, and Hildith, my serving wench shall be serving us this evening." The Sheriff said as he pulled out a chair for her. She took it willingly.
Hecate cleared her throat. "Actually, it will be me who shall be serving, my lord. Hildith had a family crisis again." Hecate said.
"When doesn't she have a family crisis!" The Sheriff huffed. "Fine. Then you had best go and do your serving. Start with the wine." The Sheriff ordered. He was uncomfortable at the thought of his part time courtesan serving them but it was clear there was no choice. He sighed and took a seat opposite Lady Marian.
She looked at him curiously. His piercing hazel eyes glowed behind the candlelight in front of him as he gazed into hers. Suddenly she felt intimidated. A heat coursed through her. She bit her lip and looked downcast. He folded his arms and rested them on the table and leaned in closer.
"My lady." He said calmly. "I do not bite."
She looked up. "Why are you doing this? Why are you being… almost… sort of… kind to me?" She stammered.
He squinted his eyes as he regarded her. "I have a compelling need to protect you. I know not why that is, it just is." The Sheriff said unblinking.
"Interesting." Lady Marian muttered.
"What is?" The Sheriff asked.
"You certainly have a strange way of courting a lady." Lady Marian blurted.
The Sheriff's left eyebrow shot north. For the first time he was unsure of how to respond. He heard footsteps approaching behind him.
"Some wine, my lord?" Hecate asked. She held a tray in her hands. The Sheriff nodded at her toward Lady Marian. Hecate held the tray in front of Lady Marian. Marian took the goblet closest to her and began to sip.
Hecate grinned and offered the other to the Sheriff. He took it and waved his dismissal.
"You know you don't have to do this to get my attention." Lady Marian said after taking some generous sips of the curiously bitter wine.
The Sheriff quirked his eyebrow. "What's that, my lady?" He asked.
"This." Marian said as she put the goblet down and waved her arm gesturing at their surroundings. "If you would change your ways I might take notice." Lady Marian said.
The Sheriff sighed and shook his head.
"Take Robin for instance. If you would pardon him and remove him from your wanted list – "
"Must we ruin our evening by mentioning… him?" The Sheriff huffed.
Marian looked away and rolled her eyes. He has some nerve! How would he like to have his evening ruined as I did – being taken by force from my own home!
"Marian?" The Sheriff spoke.
She looked toward him. He was looking at her that way again. Why was it so difficult to look into his eyes? Why did looking into Robin's eyes as up close and personal as this never make her feel like this? So stripped. So vulnerable. So desired. So… more like a woman than she had ever felt before?
"Fine. We will not speak of him." Marian said fidgeting in discomfiture. She felt warm again.
She reached for the goblet and took another long draught of the wine to calm her ragged nerves. Just then Hecate appeared with a tray. She placed dishes of roast pheasant and vegetables in front of each of them. She looked into Lady Marian's cup. "Aye. You need a refill. I shall bring some more." Hecate said. She turned and exited the balcony.
Lady Marian hadn't eaten anything appealing for days. The Sheriff watched as she hesitantly stabbed a piece of the pheasant and gingerly took a bite, then picked up speed until she baffled him by polishing the meat off in moments almost as if in a feeding frenzy.
The Sheriff smiled. "My, such an appetite, my lady. Has nobody been feeding you?"
"Yes, but I wasn't interested in eating. Nobody ever brought me anything like this." Marian blushed.
Hecate came back again holding a tray out in front of Lady Marian.
"Wine, milady?" Hecate smiled.
Marian nodded and took the goblet from it. She handed Hecate the empty one and began to sip the wine.
"Is everything to your liking, my lord?" Hecate asked as she turned to face the Sheriff.
"Fine." The Sheriff replied as he waved her away.
Marian looked up to her left into the sky. It was well beyond sunset. Indeed, except for the stars glinting it was black as pitch. And here she sat on this balcony – aglow with the light from myriad candles burning around her, when outside of this makeshift world the castle offered, it was indeed a dark night. She took another sip of the bitter tasting wine. It warmed her more quickly than the variety she occasionally sampled. She looked across at her would be suitor. The Sheriff smiled at her. Dressed in his black leather finery studded in silver. His raven black hair danced in the breeze and glowed from the candlelight. He was like a black knight seated across from her. A knight because in some strange and peculiar way, he knew how to treat a lady. She closed her eyes a moment. She couldn't believe that thought just entered into her mind! But indeed – he was trying to impress her. He was making some sort of crazy attempt at courting her. But he was the Sheriff. He was a black entity.
"My lady? Are you quite yourself? You are trembling." The Sheriff suddenly asked breaking the silence.
"Oh, I'm fine, my lord. It is nothing." Lady Marian lied. For just then she felt a shiver of excitement but she hated to admit it, even to herself. She looked up at him. Suddenly it was difficult to focus. She squinted her eyes and blinked a few times. Her vision became blurred. She closed her eyes and grimaced slightly.
The Sheriff stood and went to her swiftly. He put his hand gently on her shoulder. He leaned down into her, concerned for her. "My lady? What is it?"
She stiffened slightly at his touch. She sighed. She wanted him to remove his hand from her shoulder. Or was it that – she wanted him to hold her to him and kiss her instead? She couldn't tell anymore. She could sometimes not even remember all of the things she thought she once disliked about him? She put a hand to her forehead, for she suddenly felt very light.
"My dear Sheriff, perhaps you should escort me back to my room, or my manor preferably." Lady Marian remarked coyly.
"I shall take you to your quarters, my lady." The Sheriff said. "Come." He beckoned. He offered his arm and she took it willingly as she stood. He led her slowly from the balcony, down the long winding corridor and to her quarters.
He opened the door and led her inside to the bed. She sat upon it and looked up at him.
"Thank you for dinner." Lady Marian said even though she wondered why she said it.
The Sheriff smiled and knelt in front of her. "Are you quite yourself, my lady? I could send for my physician to examine – "
"No! That is the last thing I need!" Lady Marian exclaimed as she stood up abruptly and began to move away from him. The Sheriff stood observing her.
"So he can offer me some kind of medicament to dull my senses? So I will cooperate with you? To further restrain me than I already – " Suddenly she began to sway and was breathing faster than normal.
The Sheriff went to her and held her to him to steady her. She pressed her cheek next to his chest and inhaled the scent of his leather. She tried to resist it but couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, her brown eyes glistening.
"My lord?" She murmured suddenly. She knew where this was leading and she was caught between a mixture of terror and excitement.
He smiled and touched her cheek. She closed her eyes and sighed. He leaned down and kissed her then holding her close to him.
She felt things she couldn't identify when their lips touched. When he kissed her languidly and passionately, tasting her tongue with his. She felt that familiar heat again, it rushed through her body and then it settled. It piqued her curiousity over this dark knight who was kissing her.
She couldn't believe she was permitting him to do this but he felt so good to her. The soft whiskers of his beard tickled her skin as he kissed her. She realized she had no control over her limbs because she was surprised just then to find her arms were around him and running up and down his back. What was making her feel this way? Was it the wine? Why was it she had no wish to do this that night she was at Robin's camp? If she really wanted to – wouldn't she have found a way to be so… close to him?
Her hands ran over the Sheriff's strong arms then found their way to his chest. She stopped kissing him, breathlessly leaning her forehead against his. She fiddled with the buttons on his doublet and began to unbutton them…
The Sheriff closed his eyes and sighed. Was this really Marian Dubois doing this to him? As much as he wanted this, he was puzzled by her behaviour. He wanted her, but not if she was drunk. Indeed, she was almost behaving as some of his men did when they partook of too much mead! He gently took her hands in his and pulled away from her. He looked down into her eyes. She searched his eyes with hers, surprised he stopped her.
"My Lady Marian." The Sheriff whispered. "This is unlike you. You have to want this." The Sheriff said as he held her gaze with a smoldering glance of his hazel eyes.
"I… do." She stammered.
He put his hands upon her cheeks. "Tell me you want this or I will not proceed." He whispered gruffly.
"I… submit to you, my lord." Lady Marian said.
"No. That is not what I want to hear. That tells me nothing. For all I know that could mean you submit to torture! Tell me you want this!" The Sheriff demanded.
Lady Marian took a breath. She reached up and took his face in her hands. Oh my God, Marian, what the hell are you doing?… What is making me do this? Why is he suddenly so… irresistible? He's the Sheriff for God's - "I want this, George." Lady Marian whispered.
The Sheriff closed his eyes and smiled. She called him by name. For the first time in years she finally called him by his Christian name. He opened his eyes and smiled at her. Then he swiftly swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed.
Lady Marian's heart was beating fast. She felt anticipation mounting at the thought of his touch. She still could not believe she desired him. This was dangerous territory she was entering, but for some peculiar reason, almost as if she was under the charm of a spell, she couldn't control it. Suddenly, she craved danger. And the crazy thing about it was she was forgetting the things she disliked about him. All that mattered was now, this moment in time. The way he made her feel. He stretched out on the bed beside her.
"I've never been with – "
"Shh… it's okay, my angel. I will be gentle." The Sheriff soothed.
"Will it hurt?" Lady Marian asked tentatively.
"I think so, perhaps a little but it's momentary."
"Oh… hold me." Lady Marian breathed as she looked into his eyes.
"It's alright, my lady." The Sheriff said as he held her to him. "We can just stay like this then." He said.
Lady Marian closed her eyes. Didn't she used to think of this man as evil? He was behaving like an absolute perfect gentleman? He was charming. He was smooth. She sighed. He smelled so good to her.
"No. I want to. Just… give me a minute." Lady Marian murmured.
The Sheriff held her to him and kissed the top of her head. Her hair smelled so intoxicating to him, the scent of wildflowers. She closed her eyes and took a breath. She felt a chill travel the length of her spine. Her hands found their way to the buttons of his doublet again and she began to unbutton them. She looked up at him. Their eyes locked and then she moved up toward him and kissed him.
They began to tear at each other's clothes and explore each other's bodies gingerly at first and then with an intensified hunger as their passions mounted. Lady Marian rested against the silken linens and the soft down pillows as he looked down upon her. She lay there before him – naked, open to him, and ready for his touch.
He leaned down and kissed her as he entered her. He was gentle and stopped when she let out a soft cry. She bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut a moment, looking away until the strange pain subsided. The Sheriff kissed her cheek, then her lips and began to move slowly inside of her.
She held onto him tightly and soon began to relax into it. She was surprised to find she was beginning to enjoy it after some time had passed. She twined her legs around him and pulled him in close to her. She arched her back and pressed her perfectly firm breasts into his smooth chest as he took her to new heights, new places. And then she felt a bliss come over her unlike anything she ever felt before. The Sheriff collapsed on top of her and kissed her sofly. Both of them were breathless, their bodies damp with perspiration.
"Was I… okay?" Lady Marian suddenly asked when she broke the kiss.
The Sheriff smiled. "You were perfect, my angel." He said with another kiss.
A little while later she was nestled against his chest in the afterglow of it all just before sleep. She was content to be there in his arms, but the pangs of guilt were beginning to tear away at her soul. Oh Robin… what have I done? She looked up at the Sheriff before she closed her eyes. His eyes were closed. All was quiet. She guessed he might have fallen asleep. How is it possible to care for two men at once? But would I wish to be intimate with Robin? No. I am fond of Robin. But… what is it I feel for George? What – is this love? No! It cannot be!
Suddenly she wasn't sure if she would be able to sleep. She didn't wish to hurt Robin, yet she probably just did. Even if she never breathed a word of this to him, and she already decided she would not, she would be hard pressed to look him in the eye again. Yet, at the same time, despite the mounting guilt, she felt a ripple of excitement run through her, wondering when next the Sheriff would wish to ravish her again? She sighed. Oh Marian, this is a fine situation you have gotten yourself mixed up in…
