'Yes, father. I just did' She smiles back innocently at him.
'What is that?' He motions towards the accessory that lay across Marian's chest.
Marian and Robin smiled at the same time, but just before Marian could explain, Robin jumped in...
'I brought it for her as a friendship gift. I think it suites her'
Sir Edward nods. 'Thank you Robin, I'm sure Marian loves it'. He hesitates, 'Right, I'll go back to the guests, your mother's over there with the bride and groom'. He turns and leaves shortly after Marian smile and nod of approval.
Robin takes Marian's wrist in his and he starts to walk in the opposite direction, towards a back door in the chapel.
'Where are we going? We must stay here!' Marian whispers vibrantly.
'Shh, don't be such a spoil sport Marian' He replies grinning cheekily.
They are two metres away from the 'secret' exit when someone calls to them.
'Marian! Is that you?'
Robin stops. 'Don't turn around, carry on walking, I'll deal with this'
Marian frowns at him. 'Who is it? Is it father?'
Marian decides to turn around to find out for herself and sees Guy jogging up towards the couple.
'Where are you going?' He hesitates when he sees Robin but turns his attention back to Marian.
Urrg, why must he always be with her? I'll never be able to win her over with that stupid boy here... I'm older than him, surely he should respect me more? I mean, he's 16... I'm 18! Well, I'll be 18 in two weeks actually.
'No where, Robin wanted to ask me something didn't you?' She twirls owards him for support and signals for him to play along.
Robin looks up and down at Guy, examining him.
No way! No way is he going to take Marian away from me! She's meant to be my best friend... If only she was more than his best friend, Guy would surely back down then? Hmmm...
'Um, yeah, I mean yes, I wanted to speak with her. In private' He emphasises the 'Private'.
Guy frowns and rolls his eyes, 'Well I want to speak with her so learn some respect and loyalty' He jeers at Robin who instantly gawks...
'What did you just say to me?!' Robin takes a few steps towards Guy, his eyes glowing darkly.
Marian had never seen him get so angry... In this sort of way anyway...
Guy stands forwards again, only about thirty centimetres of air separating them.
'I told you to get some manners!' His voice raising along with Robin.
Robin is about to say something when Marian ran in between them and put her hands on their chests, pushing them away.
'Stop it! Both of you!' She looks at Guy and then to Robin, glaring, she carries on.
'Your acting like a pair of complete buffoons!'
She hears Robin groan and he stands back, Marian thinks that he is stepping down but instead, to her surprise... Surprise? What... Nothing Robin would ever do would surprise her...
He moves around her hand and pushes Guy onto the floor.
'Don't you ever talk to me like that again! Now you stay away from me and Marian! Next time I see you snooping around her like a spaniel, I'll kill you!'
Marian gasps and rushes towards Robin, she takes his hand and yanks him away from Guy. She slaps on on the shoulder and glares at him. 'Robin! How could you be so selfish and arrogant? You should know better to just walk away than lash out! Apologise to Guy now!'
Robin whips her hand away from him and huffs, 'Will I hell'
And Robin storms past, out of the back exit.
Marian sighs and shakes her head. 'I'm so sorry Guy!' She moves towards him and pulls him off the ground.
He dusts himself off and smiles wearily. 'Don't, it's not your fault. I wanted to ask you if you would attend a party in Gisborne Manor? I will be there.'
Marian smiles but disapproves of his invitation.
'I'm sorry Sir Guy, but I cannot take up that offer, you see my father is running a summer fair and there is going to be show jumping, dancing, games and tornaments! I can't wait... Especially for the show jumping and racing' She smiles sneakily and her cheeks blush a rosey pink colour, illuminating her smooth, creamy skin.
Guy smiles sadly, 'It's alright, I'll ask my mother and father whether I can come and enjoy the fair as well.'
'That sounds great Guy' Marian smiles and leans towards him, she wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him a warm and friendly embrace.
Guy starts smiling sheepishly and lowers his eyes down at her.
'I better go' He barely manages them few words without getting too embarrased and showing it.
She smiles again and replies, 'Ok, take care, and try to stay out the way of Robin, again, I'm terribly sorry!'
Guy turns and starts walking away, he calls, 'I'll try, goodbye My Lady'.
Marian's smile spreads across her face and she starts giggling to herself.
Robin would never call her 'My Lady'. It sounded so... so... What's the word? Ahh yes, formal and sweet.
She collected herself and hid away the giggles. 'Why is Robin so vain...' She mumbles to herself, she is about to exit through the back door to try and talk, to reason with Robin when another voice calls her name.
Marian turns to find her father and mother striding together towards her.
'Darling, we're going home now, are you coming? We need some help setting up the fair, ready for Monday. You coming?' A woman of around 29, long brown hair falling across her shoulders, with bright green eyes came striding towards her in a satin blue gown with silver lace across her chest which spread over her arms for sleeves.
Marian rubbed her neck, and her fingertips brushed against a cold chain. She sighed full of saddness and then quickly smiled at her parents incase they thought that she didn't want to leave.
Boy, did she want to get out this place, she loved weddings but with the events that had just happened, which she certainly was not going to mention to them, she couldn't wait to leave and calm herself. But how was she going to calm herself?
Hmm, That's it!
'Father, can I go over some of the jumps for the show jumping tomorrow for practise?' She beamed and her voice was like candels, lighting the storm from her brain.
Her fathers expression changed into a grim, unpleased emotion. 'No' He said simply, expecting her to withdraw and come home with them with nothing more to do with riding, but...
'Father please!' She cried.
'No'
Her mother sighed, 'Go on Edward, don't be so cruel, you know how much she loves her horses, let her, just think, she could be the first ever lady to finish the jumping course! That's a great accheivement!' Her mother winked at Marian and she nodded, holding back a burst of excitement.
'Yes please father! It means so much to me!'
'Well... if it mean so much...' He started.
'It does, it does!' She practically shouted with joy.
'Fine, but if you injure yourself, you won't be riding again. Ever' He turned at indicated for his mother to follow.
Her mother smiled warmly and Marian mouthed, 'Thank you!'
'Let's go home then...'
'Gladly' Was the last thing that was said, as they exited the chapel after saying their goodbyes and climbed into a purple and red covered carridge...