Episode 4: Begin with a complicated-to-write-out, but easily seen dream/memory sequence of the Season Two finale, as follows; a walk-through the dreams/nightmares of Alan-a-Dale, Little John, and Much, each recalling different parts of the Holy Land story (but sequentially) as they sleep. We know who is dreaming each part, but each dream (intercut with the faces of the one dreaming it) progresses us further through the timeline. Perhaps we even see the dream nightmares of Guy and the Sheriff along the way. Cut to Robins more disturbed sleep where we see the newly 'revised' finale, which the audience will come to know ultimately as the truth. [Until this point, although we see certain actions from new POVs/twists per the particular dreamer guiding us, the story is as we saw in the Season ender.]
'Revised' Season Two finale, as Robin knows it: In the Season Two finale, Marian is injured, beyond badly, nigh unto death. After her injury, which will take months, if not years, from which to recover, King Richard, having just presided over her "death scene" wedding to Robin, quickly and secretly convinces Robin to have her taken, under his Guard's special protection, to a nunnery in South Western France, a particular stronghold of his near Aquitaine.
Here she will recover in complete anonymity and secrecy. Robin and Richard, without telling the others, proceed as though to bury Marian. (Hence the rest of the gang being already at Bassam's house when Robin finally arrives alone.) Utter secrecy is needed to conceal her from the Sheriff and Gisborne at all costs, as well as from others who would wish to injure the now-wife of the outlaw Robin Hood, a list of individuals who likely extend all the way to the King's brother, Prince John. Marian must be dead to everyone, even Robin.
It is not hard for him to feign grief; they have had ever-so-little time together, his five years on Crusade, stolen moments under the Sheriff's nose, and now this. He fears for her survival, and though she's under the King's best protection, Robin cannot quite reconcile handing over what he sees as his duty to another--even his King. Yet, he is of necessity (Gisborne has, after all, managed to "kill" her twice) persuaded.
The faux burial is simple to arrange, Robin is easily left to the final burial task alone--at his request. The Guard appointed to the task of Marian's transport, along with a half-English, half-Saracen nurse, Salima, arrives and takes her into their protection for her coming journey.
