Since their first play date, Marian and Regina have gotten together the past three Sundays with their boys and much to both brunettes' surprise, they had enjoyed their little time together whether it was a day at the park or going to the movies; either way Roland made sure he at least tried to get a taste of ice cream before the day ended. This particular Sunday they didn't have anything planned though, so when Marian was woken up by her son shaking her, she grumbled something incoherent first, turning onto her stomach and burying her face into the pillow.
"Mommy, wake uuuuup." The five year old whined and finally her eyes slowly fluttered open and she lifted her head, gaze squinting as she studied the body next to her bed. "Roland?" She asked, voice raspy with sleep. Without invitation he climbed into her bed and curled up beside her, sniffling softly. That was all it took for the young mother to fully wake up. "Sweetheart what's wrong?" Marian sat up, scooping him into her lap.
Roland buried his face into her shirt, tiny fists clutching tightly to her, "The bad men got Papa." He now had her undivided attention and then some, her heart racing so fast she could hardly hear herself think, "Roland, look at me." She tilted his head up and wiped the few tears on his face, "I need you to be a big boy and tell mama what happened, okay?" Nodding, the five year old took a big breath, trying to calm himself long enough to tell her what happened.
Robin and his men were starting their Sunday like any other, with a big breakfast followed by some archery training, which Roland was always excited for. As the Merry Men were finishing up their eggs and toast, Robin heard something that didn't sound quite right and he quickly hushed his men, alerting them to pay close attention to their surroundings. "Papa?" His son called out, coming from behind a tree and immediately ran toward him. "Roland, what is it?"
The Prince of Thieves stood up, picking the child up, "I saw a man over there!" Narrowing his gaze, he turned to look where Roland was pointing but couldn't quite see anyone. Just as he turned his head to face his son, an arrow whisked by, missing his ear by two centimeters. Everyone jumped up, grabbing their bows and loading an arrow before a word could be uttered. Still holding Roland, Robin was beginning to seethe with anger. How dare someone put his child's life in danger!
"Whoever you are, I suggest you show yourself now or suffer the consequences!" He shouted so that anyone within a 2 mile radius could hear. A deep, dark chuckle came from within the woods, "Oh come now, Robin. Is that any way to greet an old friend?" Setting his child down slowly, he moved to step in front of Roland, making sure he shielded his body. "You are no friend of mine!" Then the body that produced the voice walked forward, presenting himself as well as his army of 40, surrounding their entire camp. "Are you sure about that? You know, you and I go way back, Robin Hood."
The thief scoffed, "The Sheriff of Nottingham has never been any friend of mine. How can someone claim to be a friend yet try to steal their friend's wife!" Shaking his head, he glanced to his side where his faithful friend Little John was and gave him a look paired with a nod. The biggest Merry Man understood and started taking small steps toward Roland while the other men kept their aim. "I suggest you tell your men to stand down. We have you outnumbered and I plan on personally escorting you back to the King at once." But Robin had no intention of paying his foe any mind, "Edward, shoot the big one!"
The words reached their ears just a second later than the arrow had flown through the air, hitting Little John right in his left arm, causing him to groan out in pain while Roland screamed from being terrified as he watched his uncle fall to his knees. Robin, on the other hand, reached to grab his own bow but the Sheriff caught his hands and had one of his stooges tie them behind his back. The five year old was caught between a hail fire of arrows while trying to figure out what he should do next, hazel eyes still on Little John and his wound as two of the sheriff's men carried him away.
Big hands reached for one of his arms but Roland bit him to break the grasp, "You little brat! I'll teach you to respect your elders!" The Sheriff reached back and slapped the poor child across the face, making him fall to the ground where he instantly began crying his eyes out, his cheek stinging was too much to bear in silence. "I'll kill you!" The leader of the thieves screamed as he was being pulled away as well.
"You'll regret ever putting your hands on my son!" Reluctantly standing up, facing the evil man once more, instead of screaming at him, Roland swiftly kicked him in the shin and ran home as fast as he could. He could hear Sheriff's groans of pain in the distance, along with the shouted words; "Forget him. We have what we need."
Still crying, upset for more reasons than one, he managed to get back to the apartment thanks to his mother teaching him how to find it, and with the spare key in the flower pot by the door, it took some fumbling around before he got it unlocked. Yes, Roland was a smart little kid. He locked the door once he was inside and put the spare one by his mother's purse.
It was safe to say that at this point Marian was boiling over with anger and the only word on her mind was vengeance. She didn't care to know how the Sheriff had gotten to Storybrooke, all she wanted to do was make him pay for striking her child and get Robin and the Merry Men back. Regardless of their union being split, she still loved him as a person; he was her child's father, she was always going to love him. Peppering kisses all over her son's face, she held him protectively in her lap, soothing his tears until he fell asleep. Laying him down in her bed, she let him rest while she showered and got dressed, trying to keep herself as calm as possible so she could decide what to do next with a rational mind. But that rational thought never really came.
In her closet she kept her bow and arrows up high, away from her curious son, and she grabbed them both, strapping them both to her back. The sleeping five year old stirred slightly and then that rational thought finally came, her maternal instinct reminding her that she had lost her son once, neither of them could handle being separated again. So with a heavy sigh, she picked up her cell phone and called Emma, taking a few minutes to inform her of what's transpired this morning and that regardless of any warnings, she needed to go find and rescue Robin. Emma said she would meet the maiden at Granny's in ten minutes, giving them both enough time to get there. Marian agreed, hung up the phone and picked up a sleeping Roland, nestling him in her arms and packing him with her to the diner.
"Are you sure you don't mind watching over him, Granny?" Marian asked, laying him down in one of the empty booths in the back. "Of course not. You know he'll be safe here anyway. My crossbow is always loaded." The older woman was right, if there was anyone she trusted would take care of Roland aside from Robin and oddly enough Regina, it was Granny. Since her return, the former wolf had taken Marian under her wing, making sure she settled into Storybrooke safely and basically, Granny was like a grandmother to her as well.
Plus Roland had taken to her as well, always hugging Granny and giving her a kiss on the cheek when given the opportunity. Yes, there were some really loving people in this town and she was more than grateful for them and their assistance. "Hopefully I'll be back by nightfall but if not, hide him for me, please?" Granny was about to protest and tell her not to go if there was a chance she wasn't coming back but the look in the maiden's eyes said more than words could. "I will. But you better come back or I'll come hunting for you myself."
Granny gave Marian a pointed look but cracked a half-smile, earning a chuckle from the young mother. "Yes ma'am." Ruby came out from the back, dressed in her signature red, grinning from ear to ear, "Let's get this search party started, shall we? Emma said she was waiting out in the bug." Kissing Roland on the head, Marian followed Ruby out the door. "If you catch him, bring him back alive and I'll skin him for you!" Granny called out just before the door closed, giving the maiden the spark of confidence she needed to get this done. Just like Ruby said, Emma was parked out front but there was someone else in the car with her. Ruby didn't say anything about it, just kept walking two steps ahead of her and opened the door.
When Marian got close enough, she removed her bow and arrow, bending down to get inside and was finally able to see just who it was. "Regina?" The former mayor turned around to face the brunette, "Yes?" She immediately started shaking her head, "No, no, no. You can't go." Quirking a brow, Regina was taken back a bit, "And why not?" Trying to find the right words to convey her feelings without making the situation even more awkward, because clearly Regina seemed a little offended by her first statement, the maiden sighed deeply, "Because I can't risk you getting hurt by trying to help me. You've already saved my life once. You shouldn't have to be in danger."
The olive-toned beauty chuckled darkly, "I find it sweet that you're concerned about my well being but if you don't get your archer ass in this car right now so we can go save the thief, I will magically buckle you into this car." And without another word, she did just that, grumbling under her breath about being bossed around. "Grumbling isn't cute, dear. And unless you want your face to remain in a pouting expression, I suggest you change it."
Meanwhile Ruby and Emma were staring quietly, mouths dropped in shock at the interaction between the two women, whom in another time would be at each others' throats, act like….hell there wasn't even a word for it yet but it was definitely something to witness.