Belonging part 4

By Leah

Summary

Marian has left the outlaw camp. Will she go to Gisborne or will she be forced to return to Robin?

Disclaimer

I do not own a thing! Bugger!

Rated M for sexual references and a very pissed off blobbin boy-That's Robin btw!

On the road to Locksley.

Marian left the camp early the next day giving Robin no chance to think she was leaving him for greener pastures.

Along with a horse and a thicker cloak, she stole a wine skin, some pieces of bread, dried rabbit, and a generous chunk of strong cheese.

She felt a little ashamed for stealing the items and horse but was quick to remind herself that Robin and his mob were more then capable of feeding themselves and stealing mounts.

After a few hours of hard riding, she came to the hill over looking Locksley Manor and village. A lump grew in her throat as she looked upon its tranquil beauty and strange, but not wholly unpleasant, shivers made their way down her spine.

Where were these curious feelings coming from? This sadness and happiness all rolled into one.

Marian shook her head, smiling ruefully, dismounted, and shooed her horse away with a smack on its blood bay rump.

"Come on feet," she declared as soon as the equine had faded from her sight in a cloud of dust.

Locksley Manor

A stable lad saw her approaching and ran over to greet her.

"Lady Marian!" he exclaimed breathlessly, "What brings you here?"

"Sir Guy," the girl answered, a little surprised that the boy had recognised her especially since her appearance was so scruffy. "Can you find him for me, please?" she added. "Or perhaps lend me a horse so I may ride to the castle?"

"No need for a horse, milady. Master's with his squire around the back, I can take you to him," the boy offered.

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She was escorted around a corner to a large, round yard usually reserved for training yearlings. Guy and Allan were in the very centre of the arena having a mock battle with wooden swords.

Marian's lips parted in awe as she watched them. The knight and squire were glorious to behold. Sweat soaked their masculine bodies, causing them to glisten in the sunlight like gemstones. Dark and light hair plastered to their skulls and neck.

Marian noted the almost feline grace Gisborne had in his swordplay. He danced around Allan, snaking his weapon out when he thought he could catch his opponent off guard. The reason Gisborne did this was due to the fact that he was he was older, heavier. Therefore it was logical for him to try to tire and frustrate Allan rather then risk being gutted by barging into the fight like an incompetent oaf.

Allan wasn't fooled by Gisborne's tricks. He blocked and parried with ease, smirking with smug satisfaction when he managed to give Guy a hard whack on the leg.

Gisborne grunted in pain, stumbled clumsily backward then regained his footing. He sprung forward, smashing his blade against Allan's, using his weight to force the younger man to lose his footing and fall onto his arse.

"Clapa!" Guy taunted playfully.

"Fuck my bum hurts!" Allan cursed.

A giggle escaped Marian thus causing both men to look in her direction.

Guy blinked before staring at her in confusion.

"Marian?" he said, testing to make sure his eyes were not deceiving him.

She smiled shyly.

Dropping his sword, Guy walked over to her. Muscles rippling in the sunlight.

Marian felt the colour rising in her cheeks and cursed herself for her folly.

"You're here," Guy said. "I thought …"

"I had ample time to think," Marian told him. "And your message gave me something to think about too." She licked her lips. "I accept your offer to live with you as your guest … As your friend."

Gisborne's lovely rosy lips curled upward, forming a small, yet warm smile.

"We will tell the sheriff the good news after you've had a decent meal and rest. You look terrible, Marian. Where have you been?"

"I have been travelling all day," Marian told Guy a little coldly. "Forgive me if I did not arrive in my finest silks and dripping with gems!"

Before a quarrel could erupt between the man and girl, Allan decided to intervene.

"How about another round, Giz?" he asked innocently. "This time we make it interesting. Winner gets a kiss from the fair lady."

Butterflies fluttered madly in Marian's stomach and tightened her grip on the fence.

"I don't think so, Allan. Marian's far too high born to subject herself to such frivolous behaviour," Guy told his lover somewhat slyly, all the while giving the girl a goading smile. "Aren't you, milady?"

Marian returned Gisborne's remark with a face full of stubbornness.

"If you think I am so high born I cannot take part in this little game you are very much mistaken, Sir Guy. Please, by all means, fight. And may the best man win."

The lopsided grin Sir Guy flashed in her direction was most wolfish. Marian bit her lip, lowering her eyes till she was certain his back was to her.

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"Cheat and there will be no kiss at all," Marian called out as the men circled each other.

"That takes the fun out of it a bit, doesn't it?" Allan asked Gisborne who replied with an annoyed. "You going to fight or are you going to whinge?"

Allan chuckled.

The two men circled each other, gazes locked, waiting like cats ready to spring.

After a few moments, Marian sighed in exasperation.

Why were they not fighting?

Bored, she raised her mug to take a sip of ale.

Without warning, Allan leapt forward, swiping his sword at Gisborne who jumped backward in alarm.

Marian gave a yelp of surprise, dropping her mug to the ground.

Laughing, Guy regrouped and began to dance again.

This time Allan was missing less. Marian cringed at each grunt or exclamation of pain Guy uttered.

Jesu, was Allan trying to kill him? Well if he was, Guy was not going to die unhappy. The master at arms was laughing and taunting his squire despite the pain he was putting him through.

The fight continued till Gisborne, surprisingly, admitted defeat.

Muttering his congratulations to Allan, Guy waved him to Marian's direction, panting heavily and leaning against the fence.

"I suppose I must kiss you?" Marian asked, not bothering to move from her side of the fence.

"Yeah," Allan affirmed.

"Very well. Come and get it."

Throwing an extremely smug grin at Guy, Allan swaggered over.

"Shall I pucker up?" he teased.

Marian rolled her eyes,

"No need," she replied. Reaching out, she cupped Allan's head between her hands, planting a chaste kiss upon his sweaty forehead.

'Jesu, he smells amazing,' she thought, pulling away. 'He has been fighting like the devil and yet he came to me smelling so ... good!'

Marian walked away from the fence, heart fluttering like a little bird in her breast.

"Will you dine with us this evening, Marian?" Gisborne called out to her retreating form.

"Yes," she managed, too afraid to look at Gisborne, fearing her face would betray the sudden lust she felt for Allan. "Yes … I will."

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The next day they rode into Nottingham together in Gisborne's carriage.

During the journey, Gisborne noted Marian's unease and wondered if she was worried about Robin.

Had she told Hood that she was leaving him and Sherwood behind for his archenemy? Guy doubted it. As enigmatic as Marian was, he could still read some of the pages of her book.

"There is no need to be afraid," he murmured to her.

Marian frowned at him.

"Pardon/"

"Of the sheriff," he explained. "I will get him to release you to me. There is no cause for anxiety, Marian."

"Thank you. But I won't get my hopes up," Marian told him with the faintest of smiles. "The sheriff has never wished me well."

Vasey's quarters

"Ah, the lady hath returneth," Vasey greeted.

"My lord sheriff," Marian replied, bowing her head.

"So …." Vasey went on silkily, sliding out of his chair and advancing toward her like a snake would its prey. "You stayed at Ripley Convent the entire five months of your absence from the castle?"

"Yes my lord." Marian answered, all the while hoping she sounded meek and trust worthy.

"Hmmm …." the sheriff drummed his fingers against his chin. "How do I know you weren't prancing with outlaws, little lady?"

"I received a message from Ripley Convent, my lord," Guy intercepted smoothly. "The mother superior assured me that Marian was safe and well within her walls."

"Thank you Gisborne, but I was not asking you, I was asking Marian," Vasey growled softly, shooting his lieutenant a warning glare. "So Marian! If what dear ol Gizzy tells me is true …. If I have my physician examine you, will he, A-tell me that the merry band of earslings have whored you, or B," Vasey clapped his hands together, continuing his interrogation in a sickly sweet, patronising tone. "Find you as pure as summer rain?"

Marian raised her head, hard blue eyes meeting Vasey's hazel.

For a brief moment Guy fancied that the sheriff was somewhat intimidated by the girl for the grey haired man took the slightest step backwards.

"No man has known me," she answered in the coldest of voices. "I can assure you, my lord. I am still a maiden."

Vasey wrinkled his nose then retreated to his great oak table. Sitting behind it, he helped himself to a plate of fat purple grapes.

"Very well, Marian, very well," he conceded, mouth full of fruit. "You have my belief and you shall have your old chambers back." He paused to spit out a few pips in her direction. "But any mischief and I shall have you sent back to the convent feeling very, very sorry for yourself."

"My lord. I have a request!" Guy said abruptly.

"Request away, Gisborne," Vasey muttered dryly, stuffing more grapes into his gob.

"It is my wish for the Lady Marian to be moved to Locksley and placed under my care."

"Request denied."

"My lord?"

"The only way the lady Marian can leave this castle is either by coffin or marriage!" Vasey snapped irritably. "Since she is clearly alive and kicking it is rather obvious that she will not be leaving via coffin. Moreover, we do not have need of a peace cow so your little leper friend will not be leaving with a husband either!"

Marian watched Guy's shoulders slump and felt a sudden urge to comfort him but dared not try.

No. She couldn't do it. Not in the same chamber as Vasey who seemed to be enjoying Gisborne's moment of defeat.

"That will be all," the horrid little man told the group. "Cheerio chaps!"

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Outside Vasey's chambers, Gisborne was bristling with fury.

"How dare he," he seethed. "After all I have done for him … How dare he!"

"Guy, it is alright," Marian assured gently. "You did the best you could.

"Don't be so naïve!" Gisborne snapped at her, raking a hand through his hair. "My best was not good enough!"

Marian reached out to touch his arm.

"Be it as it may … It meant a lot to me," she murmured, squeezing his arm. "Thank you,"

Guy offered a weak smile in return, covering her small hand with his own.

"I'm sorry I could not stay true to my word," he told her gruffly after a bout of silence.

Marian shrugged.

"We both know the sheriff is unpredictable. Who knows … Perhaps he will release me tomorrow?"

Guy, despite his disappointment, laughed softly.

"I doubt it … But thank you for being so very optimistic, Marian." He pinched his nose then added. "The sheriff had your belongings destroyed. You will need to go into the town."

"Very well. Is Allan free to be my guard?"

Guy offered her another smile this time it was a little stronger.

"Of course."

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As soon as Marian was out of sight, Guy sought out Allan.

"Do you still remember the ingredients to your potion?" he asked his lover.

"What about it?"

"I think it's time for Vasey to take a little sick leave," Gisborne revealed darkly. "See to it that he's shooting out shit from all directions before the end of the week."

"Will do," Allan replied.

"Also," Guy added. "I want to know if Hood knows where Marian is. She has asked you to be her companion whilst she looks for clothing; therefore, I want you to be a friend to her. Let her know you are on her side till the day you die."

"Will she fall for it?"

"Hood makes her heart bleed and she wants it to stop," Guy told the squire smoothly. "She'll fall for it. Now go and heal her wounds."

Nottingham Market place.

The market place was alive with activity as Marian and Allan waded through the vast ocean of nobles and peasants.

"I'll visit the seamstress and then I want to go to the stables," Marian told Allan, adjusting her cloak.

"Righto," Allan told her casually.

"Why don't you go to the shop and buy pastries and some sour ale for us?" she suggested when they came to the seamstresses stall. "I think I shall be here for quite a while."

"Are you sure?" Allan answered hesitantly. "I can wait outside. Giz did tell me to make sure …."

"He told you to make sure ….?" Marian echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Allan sighed.

"I want to ask you about Robin. Why did he let you go?"

Marian's face darkened with anger.

"Does Guy know about-"

"No, no!" Allan lied. "But I'm concerned." He stepped closer to her, touching her elbow. "Tell me Maz. How'd you end up leaving him? Did you even tell him you were going?"

Marian bit her lip, staring at her boots.

"Maz?"

"Ah! Lady Marian! How nice to see you!" exclaimed a pretty young woman, obviously an assistant to the seamstress. "Sir Guy sent word that you were coming. Do come in and we'll take a look at the available materials."

Marian gave Allan an apologetic smile and followed the girl into the house.

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A few days had gone by when Gisborne visited Marian in her chambers.

He knocked at her door and frowned in confusion when he heard her swear furiously before inviting him in.

"What happened?" he asked when he noticed that she was obviously in some form of discomfort.

"I pricked my finger with the needle," Marian explained, bringing the bleeding digit to her mouth and sucking on it.

Gisborne had to look away from her for a moment for the sheer sight of her sucking that finger made him instantly imagine she was sucking a very different part of the human body.

Boy was he stiff!

"Oh bother!" the girl exclaimed. "That's not going to stop. I'll need to wash and cover it."

Marian walked over to her washbowl to bathe and clean the wound.

"So to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" she asked, dunking her finger.

"I am planning on holding a banquet at Locksley three days from now," Gisborne informed.

"For your birthday?" she asked, reaching for a cloth.

"Yes. I would be grateful if you were to attend."

"Will the sheriff allow me to do such a thing, Guy?" Marian asked warily.

"He will," Guy replied smoothly. "He has taken ill again. I do not think he will care where you go for at least a week or two,"

"I see."

"So … Will you come?"

Marian hesitated. Saying yes to Guy of Gisborne would not bode well with Robin.

Robin … Surely he knew that she had returned to the castle by now unless Much decided to protect him by creating a falsehood.

'Stuff Robin! What about you? What do you want?'

"I will come," she said at last.

Guy was most pleased.

"Good, I'll have a carriage ready for you. You will stay at the Manor and return to the castle the following day."

"Thank you," she told him softly. "It would be nice to leave the castle, even if it is just for one day."

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On the day of Guy's birthday, Marian thanked the servant girl then rose from her seat to admire herself. She wore a figure hugging velvet dress. The fabric dyed to match her eyes. Surrounding her throat was a multi layered silver necklace with moonstones hanging off each chain in a raindrop fashion.

A single tear seeped down Marian's pale cheek and she smiled happily. Blushing, she gave an out of character giggle of delight, twirled, and then giggled again.

For the first time in her life she felt like a princess.

"Milady," a servant called from the other side of her door. "Sir Guy has sent me to tell you that he and the carriage are waiting."

"Coming," Marian said, face still as red as a rose.

"Do you love him?"

She swung around to find a very ominous looking Robin Hood moving from a patch of shadow.

"Robin," she greeted uneasily. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question," Hood replied coldly. "But that would be pretty redundant, wouldn't it?"

Marian bit her painted lip, saying nothing.

Robin walked toward her, face disturbingly devoid of emotion. His normally cheeky green eyes held a cold sheen which, and as much as she hated to admit it to herself, scared her very, very much.

"You … You shouldn't be here," she stammered. "Guy is waiting outside to take me to Locksley. Please go Robin. Go-"

"Why didn't you at least have the decency to tell me you were leaving me for Gisborne, Marian?"

Marian's nails dug into her palms. She squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head.

"I am sorry for that. I was confused and angry. Yes. I should have told you, Robin. I know I should have, but I thought if you did know that I wanted to be with Guy you would try to change my mind. That things would get out of hand."

Robin snorted.

"You lying … Frigid … Bitch," he sneered.

Slap!

The outlaw instantly put a hand to his suddenly smarting cheek and stared at her, astonishment written all over his face.

"You slapped me," he said, eyes widening in surprise.

"How dare you!" Marian seethed. "How dare you, Robin!" She clenched her fists and took a deep, shuddering breath. "I have stood by you. I have loved you! I have shed tears, blood for you! And instead of thanking me. Instead-instead of seeing me as your equal, you cast me aside! You make me feel lonely and inadequate. That stops right now!"

She pivoted and marched purposefully to the door.

"Get out!" she ordered.

Robin did not move.

"Get out!" she shrieked. "Get out! Get out!"

"Marian?"

"Guy, Robin Hood is here! Help me!" Marian yelled from the top of her lungs.

Robin, realising the damage he had done, gave the now crying Marian a look of extreme anguish.
Chest heaving, Marian stared back at him.

"You brought this on yourself!" she rasped, hot tears ruining her painted features.

"No," Robin protested under his breath then bolted for his escape route.

The door burst open and Gisborne bounded into Marian's chamber, sword drawn, eager for battle. When he realised that Robin had escaped he replaced his sword and walked over to the distressed Marian.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked grasping her arms.

The maiden shook her head vigorously, wiping a hand across her eyes.

"He was angry," she muttered. "I don't know why he chose to come here. I-" She took a deep breath and sniffed. "I am very sorry Guy, but I do not think I will make good company this evening, Leave me here please."

"Nonsense. You need cheering up," Gisborne told her bluntly.

Marian hesitated. She worried her bottom lip, debating on what to do.

"Have your servant girls fix your appearance," he told her giving her a rare sweet smile. "I want to take you to Locksley and show you off,"

Marian smirked ruefully.

"Please?"

"Why not," the girl said at last.

Locksley Manor

The celebration was already in full swing when Guy and Marian arrived. Allan had been keeping himself entertained by chatting up a rather buxom doxy but spared a few seconds to glance up to see the arrival of Guy and their lady and then wave cheerfully at them before asking the delectable woman if she wanted to go into a dark corner and canoodle for a while.

Gisborne led Marian to a table away from the crowd where they could have some space. Marian was still sad and obviously somewhat shaken from Hood's visit to her chambers, so Guy took it upon himself to get her hot spiced wine and slivers of honeyed swan from the table whilst he tucked into stewed squirrel.

Marian smiled wanly at a jester as he entertained the nobility and on one occasion laughed when the trick the man was trying to perform failed miserably.

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Guy found it difficult not to stare at the girl sitting beside him. Little by little, she was growing happier. Her blue eyes sparkled occasionally with mirth, the misery of earlier fast fading away.

It was then Gisborne realised that he had fallen in love with her. He had claimed to be in love with Marian in the past but now he knew beyond all doubt that his heart was hers.

A warmth he had never felt before spread through his body. It was so gentle he thought he would weep.

'I love you,' he thought looking away from his guest. 'I truly love you,'

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The manor was in uproar. Robin Hood and his rabble had invited themselves to the festivities.

Guy was livid with anger. Marian had been so at ease. Why did the mangy cur have to ruin everything?

Bastard.

Marian was on her feet, her gaze affixed on the outlaws. Guy put his hands around her waist and shoulder, holding her to him.

Robin saw this and gave both his enemy and former love a look of pure contempt.

"Stay behind me," Guy told her, pushing her gently. "I won't let him hurt you."

Marian said nothing, her recently pink cheeks had been drained of colour and she was biting her lip anxiously.

"This is getting a tad repetitive, Hood," Guy snarled, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Just come to pay my respects, hope you don't mind," Robin answered, bowing mockingly before turning to Marian.

"Hello Marian," he greeted coolly. "Enjoying the party?"

"Leave her be," Gisborne seethed. "She has nothing you want."

"Oh, but she does," Robin sneered back. "I wager that necklace she's wearing would feed the populace of Locksley for a whole winter."

Gisborne snorted.

"Is that so?" he rumbled sarcastically. "Well you can gaze upon it all you like but you can't have it!"

Robin scowled.

"I can have whatever I want," he spat and lunged forward.

Marian jumped, one pale hand reaching up to guard her neck whilst Guy was forcefully shoved aside by Robin, grunting in pain as he fell to the floor.

"Guards!" he hollered.

"This I do not like," growled Little john to Djaq.

"We'd better leave," Will added uneasily.

"What about Robin/" Much cried, full to the brim with anxiety. "We can't-"

"He'll find a way out, he always does," Djaq interrupted, pushing her fellow outlaw toward the escape route. "We've taken enough from these people; let's go before the guards arrive."

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Robin had Marian backed against a wall and was looming over her in a menacing manner.

"So, Gisborne's slut, have you got Sir WhatabigsausageI'vegot wrapt around your little finger yet?" he taunted, his voice so soft only Marian could hear him.

Marian's small nostrils flared with anger.

"Get away from me!" she seethed, "Or I swear I will scratch your eyes out!"

Robin snaked out a hand, tearing the necklace from Marian's throat, smirking cruelly as the girl gasped in pain.

"Gladly," he told her.

He turned around, coming face to face with Gisborne, Allan and ten of Guy's men.

"Drop your weapons and the necklace, Hood," Guy ordered, the tip of his sword pointed directly at Robin's throat.

Marian felt her body begin to sway. She pressed herself against the wall, not daring to look at Robin as he was dragged out of the Manor.

End of part 4

Authors note

Ohhh. Marian and Guy are getting closer and closer and the gorgeous lady is also developing a liking for dear widdle Allie boy!

What happens next? Possibly a pissed maiden, not an angry pissed Maiden btw.

I decided to make Marian a bit miserable and defenceless because I wanted to establish how bad she feels about leaving Robin. She is going to go back to being the amazing Maz, but first she needs some TLC from Guy and Allan.

Hope you've enjoyed this chappie. If not, oh well.

:)'s & Hugs. Leah.