Authors note
Sup guys :) just wanted to say sorry for not updating yesterday, I had college all day and then was working till 12, and when i got home all i wanted was sleep :P
Just wanted to thank my 2 followers and my reviewers.
So anyway, on with the next chapter :) Enjoy
Locksley Village
A year later, Marian had reached 12 now and Robin 14. Her father had told her that she was too old to play with the villager's children now, so in order to stay friends Marian chose Melissa to be her personal maid, just as Robin had chosen much to be his man-servant. They rode into Locksley one day. "Good morning master Robin." Marian smiled as Robin came out and placed a hand on her horse.
"And now what a wonderful morning it is." He smiled with an alluring grin on his face.
"Well I have to agree." Marian said. "So what can me and Much do for you today?" He said as Marian dismounted her horse.
"Well my father is at the castle, my servants are busy packing for my trip and well we were rather discontent. I thought we could come and play with you and Much one last time before we leave." Her face was playful yet sad as she lead the horse into the stables before turning to face Robin. "Do you have to go?" He said, Marian was more than a friend to Robin; he cared for her although he would never tell her until she told him, through the fear she didn't feel the same, she sometimes annoyed him but she was lovely and challenged him.
"Im afraid I do, my father seems to think that going to Middlesbrough to stay with my aunt will turn me into a young lady and that I will pick up the roles required in a home."
"Then he really does not know you very well at all." He laughed and they walked out of the stables to their friends.
"Well I have to agree with you for once but still I cannot argue with him that would make things worse." She said.
"Well we will just have to make this the best day ever then. So what are we all thinking?" Robin said. They all looked to each other and smiled. "Sherwood it is then." They all ran off in the direction of the tree line but were stopped by someone shouting.
"Lady Marian! Lady Marian!" The gang turned to see Thornton stood at the door, she ran back to speak with him.
"Yes Thornton." She said.
"I think you should put some of Master Robin's old clothes." He said ushering me inside the house. Robin had seen and ran back to the house after Marian.
Marian emerged at the top of the stairs in some of Robin's old clothes. She had to hold the trousers up. "Thornton do you have a belt the trousers are too big?" she asked trying to run down the stairs. The squire reached into a draw and pulled out a belt. She reached out and took it with one hand whilst still holding the trousers with the other.
"Im impressed Marian." Robin said leaning against the door frame.
"By what?" She questioned as she pulled the belt through the loops in the trousers. She pulled the belt tight and looked up at him.
"By the fact that you know what a belt is and how to use one." Robin said walking out of the door.
"I am a young woman not a fool." She answered as she followed him out of the door.
"I did not say you were a fool, I said I was impressed, therefore paying you a compliment, therefore you owe me a compliment."
"I will give you one when you earn it." She said smiling and they ran off to catch their friends.
Some time later, the group walked back towards the manor to be greeted up raised voices coming from Marian's father and Robin's father. "They have to know before she leaves. You cannot cart her of for years and expect me to do nothing it was an arrangement." Lord Carty said trying to remain calm.
"That was before I realised your son would have such a negative influence on her. She has to go to learn what it is like to be a young lady. She is not going to learn that with your son around." Edward retorted.
"How dare you? My son does not influence her. She makes her own choices and if you even paid her the slightest bit of attention you would see that."
"Do not lecture me on how to raise my daughter." Edward yelled slamming his fist on the table. Robin led the way through the door with Marian following close behind. Both fathers looked at their children who had confused looks spread across their young faces.
"We have to tell them." Lord Carty had obviously calmed down and spoke coolly.
"Not until she has changed and looks like a respectable young lady once again." Edward replied, scorning his daughter.
"Yes father." Marian said quietly before running up the stairs of Locksley manor. She returned a few minutes later, in her dress once again. She took a seat next to Robin at the table while their fathers sat opposite. "Marian…Robin…since the day Marian was born there has been an arrangement." Lord Carty began speaking softly. "When Marian turns 18 you to will be expected to marry, you can choose when you marry but marry you must."
"Pardon?" Robin asked shocked.
"You and Marian have been betrothed since she was born." Edward said. She glanced across at Robin who had a slight smile on his face.
"And when I turn 18 we will marry." Marian asked.
"Yes, but whenever you like to, you will not be forced when to marry." Lord Carty continued. Robin met her gaze and smiled, they rose from their chairs and hugged. Robin was a lot taller than Marian so he leaned back slightly causing her to rise from the floor.
