*sigh* the Robin Hood series had such potential... and they wasted it! Completely! Oh well, thank goodness for fanfiction!

. . . .

"How very strange!" Djaq exclaimed, looking at the guards that stood right outside the village in plain sight of the forest.

"Why are they erecting a scaffold in such an obvious place?" Will gently placed his hand on her shoulder and peered through the bush at the proceedings.

"It's a trap." John observed, his voice definite.

"Of course," Robin agreed, his brow slightly furrowed in thought, "But why choose such an obvious place? Why not just advertise the execution as taking place in the castle courtyard? Building a scaffold will take at least a full day and we always show up anyways. He must have something special planned."

"Yeah, but what?" Will looked at him quizzically.

"Well," Robin sighed and then grinned, "There's only one way to find out."

. . .

Marian hurried up the castle stairs towards her room. Much knew where she was, but she wanted to be done and back before Robin returned to camp.
She was determined to give forest life a fair chance, but she knew that if she didn't have something clean to wear soon she would definitely NOT be able to stay there much longer.
Reaching her room, she was pleased to see that nothing had been touched, and even more pleased to see that the castle staff had not been informed that her absence was to be permanent and there was fresh water in her wash basin.

The moment that the cool water touched her skin was heavenly and she let out a contented sigh as she finally washed away the grunge that resulted from living and sleeping in a place with dirt below and trees above. The very ability to wash without informing everyone of her intentions and warning them to steer clear (or following Djaq's example and washing at midnight in the pitch black) was an unbelievable luxury. And disrobing with no cover other than the trees or an occasional bush was NOT in Marian's comfort zone (after all - if one could judge from the whispered rumors - it hadn't worked out for Djaq too well either).

After washing and changing into a clean dress, Marian sat down on the bed - intending only to enjoy the softness for a moment. But the feeling of a real bed (so much more comfortable than she had remembered) was too much of a temptation and she lay down with her pillow under her cheek and closed her eyes.

. . .

Guy strode down the hall, disgusted with himself. He had been sure that Marian did not really want to go to the convent and that she would be back before too long. From what he had heard, the nuns kept the place extremely sparse, and he had been certain that she would miss the comforts of home. He had even told the maid to keep servicing Marian's room just in case, but she had not returned and he was tired of the Sheriff's constant jabs. He was about ready to tell the sheriff exactly where he could go (and maybe help him along), and ride to the convent to beg Marian to come back. Or maybe he would just go along with his present plan of sending all of her belongings after her.

Opening the door to her room, he caught his foot and almost tripped as he entered. Looking down the look on his face changed from one of annoyance to one of minor shock when his gaze encountered a pile of recently discarded clothes. A small sigh reached his ears and his eyes flew up to encounter the previously undiscovered sight of Marian curled up on her bed, fast asleep.
Hardly believing his eyes, Guy drew off his glove as he walked slowly over and lightly brushed her cheek. It was warm and soft, and she stirred slightly, murmuring something unintelligible.
He swallowed hard and backed out of the room, closing the door and leaning on it for a moment. A tiny smile crept over his face; the Sheriff could do his worst, Marian had showed that the place she considered comfortable and safe was here - at the castle - with him.

. . . .

I can't wait to find out what happens next! Oh wait, I'm writing? Oh well, I still can't wait to find out what happens next! (Anyone else not bother with outlines?)