Chapter 4 "Why Didn't you tell me?"
I hear the door open all of a sudden, disturbing our private moment. It's a guard−no, wait, it's Robin! He closes the door carefully behind him sending me a boyish smile.
"Robin, you came!" I say, trying to keep my voice down. "I was so worried about you when you didn't show up at the council of nobles."
"Oh, yeah, about that…I assume Guy's explained everything."
"Perfectly," replies Guy. "Do you have a plan to get my wife out safely?"
Robin nods. "It should work just fine." He withdraws a rope he had been carrying underneath his armor. He meets my eyes, remembering how he had tied me up in the tree to distract Guy.
"Robin, do we really have to do that again?"
"Do what?" Guy asks, taking a moment to catch on. "Wait a minute," he says, turning to Robin, "Did you tie her up in that tree on purpose?"
I fear things might get a bit tense between them again. "Actually that was my idea, Guy. I'll explain later."
I've never seen Guy look more confused. Turning to Hood, he warns, "The people will hate you for 'kidnapping' her."
Robin shrugs. "I've done worse things. The most important thing is to convince Prince John you are on his side and will kill me to get Marian back. It's our best chance to make a run for it."
"Robin where is the rest of the gang?"
"Waiting in the shadows as usual for my signal, now, if you'll excuse me Lady Gisborne," he says, tying up my hands and with my permission he gags me. Guy watches, perturbed at Robin's idea.
He grabs Robin's arm suddenly, threatening, "If Marian gets hurt at all…"
"Guy," Robin tries to assure him, "I won't let anything happen to her, I promise."
Guy meets my eyes one last time, before he leaves the room alerting the guards of Hood's presence.
"Ready?" Robin asks. I nod in return. Everything happens so fast. One moment Robin pulls me out of the tower window with sheets before racing with me to the castle courtyard, a dagger at my neck. The guards stop dead at the sight of us. Suddenly I see Prince John racing out with Guy and Allan through the entrance with more guards.
"Oh, Hood," Prince John smiles, despising the sight of him, "I see you've stopped trying to play hide-and-seek."
"One more step," Hood threatens, "And Marian dies."
"You will not lay a hand on her, my wife!" Guy shouts, withdrawing his sword.
"You have no idea what I'm capable of!" Hood replies.
Prince John shrugs. "How kind of you to make the people love me Hood. After this, they'll have every reason to hate you. Guards, after him! Close the gate! I want him dead!"
"We'll see about that!" shouts Robin, signaling for his gang to reveal themselves underneath their guard disguises. Lost with Robin in the chaos of the fighting, he races with me out of the castle. His gang is quick to disperse throughout Nottingham as the gate comes crashing down, Djaq making a last minute dive to escape. I watch the people in the marketplace, shocked at seeing me gagged and bound by their own hero. Robin steals Guy's black horse, riding with me out of Nottingham. How he loves to test Guy's patience!
"See," I hear Robin say to me, "I told you it would work." When we make it finally to the forest, he unties the rope and ungags me, "You alright, Marian?"
"What a question, Robin!" I reply, frustrated at the course of events. "I am sick of playing the damsel in distress."
"But you're so lovely when you do," Robin teases me as he used to.
"Shut up," I snap, pushing him away.
It's not long before his gang arrives, Kate embracing me. "Marian, I'm glad we got you out safely."
"Thanks for that," I murmur, "I thought I had everything under control, that is, until Prince John strolled in. Robin," I ask, turning to him, "do you think he knows the king is coming home?"
"I don't know," Robin replies, "but let's hope he's ignorant of it. The longer he is the safer England will be."
That evening I stay with Robin's gang in Sherwood, uncertain if I should tell them about my pregnancy just yet. If I do, that means having to stay behind at camp, missing the action. I try to hide my growing belly beneath my cloak and fine dress. It doesn't matter. Djaq is the first to notice. As everyone is preparing to go to sleep at camp, she pulls me aside.
"Marian," she asks in a whisper, her face lighting up with a smile, "why didn't you tell me?"
"Djaq," I sigh, resigned that my secret is out. "Is it really that obvious?"
"Well you do seem more moody than usual," she says, embracing me. I hear her whisper in my ear. "Promise me, you'll be careful."
I hate keeping promises. I nod. "I'd prefer everyone didn't know just yet."
Djaq bids me goodnight, respecting my decision. There's no way I can go to sleep. I hope Guy and Allan are safe. It's the people I feel bad for too. Their sheriff, Gisborne has no control anymore now that Prince John is here and their lady has been stolen away by Robin Hood. I fear they may have no idea who to trust. Prince John will take advantage of their uncertainty. I want to assure them their king is coming home, but the news would surely reach Prince John.
Wandering outside of the camp, my hands move to my belly. If only our child could be born after the king returns home. Soon it will be impossible to hide my pregnancy and I might have to go on bed rest. Damn it. I can't stand being stuck in a position where I can't change anything. If only I could go back to my home rather than having to be on the run again. If only it were that simple. Thank goodness, I kept Guy's dagger close. It certainly can come in handy. I stiffen at the sound of hoof beats on the underbrush. We're being tracked. I crouch behind a tree, ready to defend myself. They're getting closer. In one swift movement, I pull the dagger out ready, only to feel Guy grab my arm stopping me.
"Guy." I lean against the tree, relieved. His sudden presence calms me. "I thought you were one of Prince John's men."
"I was looking for you. How did you get a hold of my dagger?"
"Easy," I murmur, "I found it in your desk when I tried being sheriff. You should have put it in a less obvious spot. What else was I supposed to do?"
Guy sighs, "It doesn't matter. I'm just glad you're safe." His arms wrap around me, a source of comfort in the darkness. His eyes move to my belly. "How is he?"
"Guy, for all you may know he may be a she," I say, sensing a smile cross Guy's face. I can barely see him fully in the darkness. "Do we really need to argue about that?"
"No," Guy whispers. He is silent for a moment, making sure he isn't being followed.
"Guy, what is it?"
"Prince John has taken Allan. He'll only release him when I bring Hood back dead."
"No!" What if he is tortured? He could be forced to reveal Hood's whereabouts and after all he's done for me, I fear for him. He's strong though. "We have to get him out as soon as possible, or Prince John will find out where Robin's camp is."
"I can't do that yet, Marian."
"What? Guy," I plead, my hand grabbing his arm. "He's your right hand man, a loyal friend to me. He doesn't deserve this. Don't tell me you're turning your back on him?"
"Marian, listen to me!" Guy's voice is tense, full of inner anguish. "I need to help find Archer before they kill him. That's my most important priority right now."
A part of me is hurt by that. He won't bother to save Allan yet, or stay with me during this time. I need him now more than ever. I struggle to find the words. "So you're going to walk away from me right now to save a half-brother you've never met and turn your back on a man whose sworn loyalty to you?"
"I didn't mean it like that," he murmurs, sensing my hurt. "I'm sorry…you're shivering."
"Oh." There was a chill in the air tonight I had been trying to ignore. "Stay with me."
Guy takes off his cloak, wrapping it around me. His hand moves to my cheek, stroking it. "Marian, of course I will. Besides, it's not like I can go anywhere else."
This is true. We would both be in danger if we returned home. I lead Guy by the hand back to camp. No one stirs. I fall asleep that night this time knowing he is near, and that he lies close to his unborn child.
