Here goes chapter 4! I hope you like it. And please re-view after..because reviews are very encouraging.
I don't not own most of these character but I do own a few and all their personalities and the plot.
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I stood at the boundaries of Sherwood, I was saying goodbye to the Outlaws. Will, Lara, Allan, John and of course Robert. We'd spent nearly the whole evening catching up on the past few years, obviously not at the Outlaw camp. I remember it vaguely but they don't trust me enough to refresh my memory. After all, if it was the other way round I wouldn't trust me either, not yet anyway.
"So, I'll see you soon?" I asked while tieing my cloak back up. The sun would be setting soon and if I was not back before the gates would close and I would not be able to sneak in.
"Within the next moon," promised John. Lara grumbled, but I just treated her with a smile. She had never really known me and did not think it was good to meet me in the first place. Finally I turned to Robert, "It was good to see you again Robin." Last time we'd parted I'd have expected him to treat me to a cheeky comment and maybe a friendly hug if we parted on good terms. Then I would not have been disappointed, but this time Robin smiled and took my hand placing a light kiss. My mouth almost dropped open but I stopped myself in time. Rob did a mock bow and turned away, soon they had all disappeared into the trees.
I stared after them for awhile then shook my head slightly, my chestnut locks swayed slightly and so I turned homewards. Though the only thing that made it home was my family, otherwise I would think about running away with the outlaws very seriously.
A light but cold breeze swept around me till I was chilled to the bone, autumn had set and winter would come after. I had arrived as the harvest season started, every hand would be needed and I doubted I would see much of my outlaw friends. Ahead of me I heard someone shouting, I ran faster until I came in view of the gates of De'Holt manor.
"M'lady Marian! There you are," called Edward, he was the manor steward. Edward Boulton but we just called him Edd or Eddie. He shook his head when he saw me, "Charlotte, she's back." My old maid came rushing through and between them they pulled me through the gates and into a side-door nearby. It happened to be in the kitchen and after a minute I was already sweltering.
"Now now Marian, lets get you to your room and into hot water before you catch you death!" Charlotte forcefully pushed me through the busy kitchen and up the long winding stairs. Before I knew what was happening she had me in my room and being undressed then unceremoniously into hot water. I let out a little yelp as I dipped in but before I could take a deep breath I was being scrubbed and my hair washed I knew better than to resist and after only a little splashing Charlotte won over and got me cleaner than I even thought possible. But I didn't complain, since I'd got back she was the only one who did not treat me like a stranger.
"Now Lady, you look presentable. I don't know what they though up there in Reveali Manor but look at you! Your skin and bones and how on earth could you walk in that dress. I saw it on your bed after you left, it must way a ton!" Charlotte rabbited on but I realized that she was nervous. She bit her lips and yelled at the serving maid fir the slightest thing.
"Lottie!" I raised my voice "What's wrong with you? I need to speak with my father an I have not seen my brother and sister all day. I wish to speak with my family." The moment I said that I knew something was wrong, Lottie bit her lip then took me into a bear-hug. She was a middle-aged woman and had been my sister's wet-nurse but had the temper and body of a bear. She was kind and caring in a rough kind of way.
"Your father needs to speak to you, in his study with the Sheriff." Charlotte spoke softly. I simply nodded and let her lead me away. Several staircases and corridors later I was outside my fathers study. The door was of a thick pine wood and as I knocked gently I heard the deep sound.
"Come in," I heard my father say and so I entered. Immediately I knew something had happened, my father was sitting with the Sheriff. Both had grim faces on as I sat down.
"Good evening Father, Sheriff" I said calmly. "I take this is not just an invite to supper and pleasantries?" When neither answered I decided to ask the question that had started to nag me. "Father, where are my sister and brother?" When that too was greeted with silence I felt panic rise in me. Finally the Sheriff spoke;
"My dear, there has been a terrible tragedy. Three weeks before you returned your brother an sister where found..murdered." I sat there, hearing but not understanding. "We did not tell you earlier because you did not feel well and we, your father and I, decided not to trouble you. But you had to know."
"But..but why? Where?" I looked at my father who was staring blankly. "Who?" I whispered. The Sheriff spoke next, "We do not know why or what could possibly kill two innocent children. They where found in Sherwood, both where shot by arrows. We know only one who hides and kills in the forest. Robin Hood and his outlaws." I let out a small gasp, tears trickled down my cheek. The Sheriff took my hand nodding sympathetically.
But he seemed surprised, I did not bury my head in my hands sobbing uncontrollably. No, in fact I did not even cry out or sob. All I did was look at him, tears where running down my face but you could tell it was not the reaction he expected. Inside my whole body and mind where sobbing, crying out but not on the outside. That wasn't how I worked.
"Marian," he spoke softly using my first name. "We know that you know or at least knew the outlaws, isn't that right?" Normally I would shake my head denying it but now I was breaking down inside if not on the outside. To this day I look back and see how I fell right into the trap.
"Are you sure it was him?" I asked not wanting to believe it. Lord Sheriff nodded but wasn't paying attention, he was looking at my father who seemed to snap out a day-dream.
"Yes daughter, its true. But what is more we think that they will not stop there. We think that they will carry on, striking here killing there. Secretly till they have the serfs under their power, till we all fear them. The they will attack. But we must stop this, and you can help Marian." This I was not expecting and did a double-take.
"Me?" I asked in surprise. "How can I prevent it?" Though deep down I already knew what they wanted me to do, and already I had decided. And I was right;
"Marian," the Sheriff spoke. "We would ask you to just bring us the outlaw, it would save you pain but it would not stop them all. They would break him free and carry on. My lady, we need you to join them. To live with them and give us their secrets, I hate to put you through this but you are our only hope. When we have enough information we will devise a plan to capture him."
"But what about the others?" I cried out. I could not believe kind-hearted John or young Allan would ever do anything like that.
"I am sure there are many that are blind to the wrong Robin Hood is doing, he must be feeding them lies. Some I'm sure are good people, and if they admit to their wrongs we shall try to get them a pardon." I nodded, it was a good plan. My family and the poor souls of my siblings would get revenge, Robin would get what he deserved and the others would not be harmed. How young and innocent I was.
"I shall do it. But I cannot just leave like that. I need a reason and I wish to say goodbye to my friends here." I spoke with more confidence then I felt. If they outlaws found out neither John or anyone would stop Robin killing me. But I was playing the hero, how I wish I had been a coward and said no, said that it was to dangerous.
"We have made a plan." My father announced. "I shall betroth you too Lord Sheriff here and if you act like the idea repulses you, as if you could not bare it then they will believe you, hopefully take you in." The Sheriff laughed slightly, "You, my dear, are a run-away bride."
Please review and tell me whether I should carry on.