Firstly sorry that I've taken so long, school and stuff have been hectic. For those who can't remember the story well ill give brief run-over.
Lady Marian has come back from staying at another ladies house for four years to find her bother and sister dead and her father and The Sheriff blaming the Outlaws who used to be her good friends. So they devise a plan to get Marian into Sherwood and to pass information back to her father. They set up a marriage between Marian and The Sheriff and then she runs away. Everything is going according to plan except that John blindfolded Marian when she was taken to the Outlaws camp so she doesn't know where it is and she can't leave it. Marian has started to work with Rosa the healer in the healers hut when suddenly Rob and the other outlaws come back from a hunt and inform her that there is a small band of men on horses coming to attack the Camp.
The last line was;
A voice called from below and we looked over to see a lad calling to us, "Their coming." And in the distance I could hear the thud of horses and men, I paled and looked at the others. Whoever they where we where going to fight.
To my faithful reviewers
skrblr - My chopsticks:weep: They'll be back...Anyway, I'm glad you like it so far. I hope you'll like what I've got coming next. Now the boy, do you mean they boy who Mari is passing messages too? We may see more of him later, I think.
Daydrae - I know they say that Much is the youngest but I've always thought that Allan would be good for the youngest. But otherwise glad you like it. :)
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Now that I look back I can barely remember the battle even though it was my first, but sometimes I can recall the sound of the hooves trampling the delicate grass below and the shout of men's battle cries. Before I could let the fact that we where being attacked sink in Rosa grabbed me and pulled me into the hut, "You have a sword don't you?" she asked whilst rummaging through a wooden chest on the floor. Before I could reply she had pulled out two small daggers and handed one to me, "But I already have a sword." I told her. "Just take it," Rosa paused and looked me in the eye. "Don't disappoint me now darling, and don't disappoint him. Not now after he's given you so much." Only after did I realize she was talking about Robin.
I remember the first arrow that whistled through the air and nearly embedding itself in my arm, it would have if it had not been for Will who pulled me out of the way. Nearby Lara scowled at me but said nothing. Whatever happened next I can never really explain in words, all around me there were men fighting for their lives. The attackers had climbed the ladders before they could be drawn up and where making their way through the camp. There were not many of them but they fought as a team and they where armed as Lara had said, "Armed to the teeth." But the Outlaws had not survived for so long by lacking in fighting skills; soon these attackers were being driven back. Somehow a band of outlaws had circled them so soon these strange men would be surrounded.
To my shame when the battle was thickest I fled, not far but far enough from the battle. Several men armed and frightening had attacked me whilst I was by the huts, I clumsily defended myself and by either luck or fate I survived. Confusion was in the air, at first it was the outlaws that panicked but as they gained control it turned to the attackers to panic. In all this commotion I found myself along the outer edges of the clearing. I leaned back against a tree to catch my breath when I heard the sound of steel close by; I jumped up and drew my sword. Cautiously I approached the noise and found myself in a tiny clearing that led of from the large Outlaw Camp clearing. And in this small area I saw Robin with his sword drawn fighting against a man a head taller then him, the man was stronger and older then him with a reach twice as long as Robins. Not only that but they where obviously equally skilled, I saw Robin struggling to defend himself against this man who fought with such ferocity I'd never seen before.
Their swords clashed together in a complicated dance of death, Robin's opponent's face turned ever so slightly towards me and I could not help but gasp. For it was the man I least expected to see, Guy of Gisbourne, my fathers friend. My gasp distracted him for a moment which was long enough for Robin to catch his breath and attack once more. But Guy was an experienced soldier and a veteran at battle whilst Rob was only a young man, barely out of boyhood. Before I could even think Gisbourne had struck Robin on his sword hand causing him to drop his weapon. Guy kicked Robin on the chest so hard that he fell backwards, with his sword out of reach Robin was helpless.
"M'lady Marian." Guy greeted me as politely as ever. "I did to expect to see you here. A pleasure to see you again " I realized that he was still playing along, as if he did not know that I had gone to join the Outlaws. I was puzzled but manage to keep my voice normal, "Sir Guy, the pleasure is all mine." It was the strangest thing that had ever happened to me, we stood there exchanging comments as if we had all the time in the world yet I was very aware of the tension and indecision in Guy's tone. I knew exactly what he was thinking, he could kill Robin there and then and take me home. That would solve the major problem and I could go back. Or he could let me rescue Robin, then I would be trusted and may learn more about the outlaws.
Gisbourne dragged Robin to his feet and drew a long dagger, he pressed it against Robin's neck. I could see the fear in Robin's eyes, and a fleeting thought passed through my mind, Robin was so young. Did he really deserve to die? But he was a murder, he had killed my brother and sister, two young children. I looked up and into Robin's eyes, I could see that he was struggling inside. Trying to stay strong and not cry out. It was obvious that he thought I had betrayed him, or that I was too scared to attempt to rescue him. And why would I do that? I was Lady Marian De'Holt, noble born. Why would I risk my life for an outlaw?
Guy smiled slyly and pressed down until a drop of blood trickled down his neck, Robin bit his lip and shut his eyes. I knew then that Guy was going to kill him, he had not told me but I could tell. I took a step towards them, Guy didn't do anything. After all I was supposed to be on his side right? In two steps I was next to them, Robin opened his eyes and stared at me out of the corner of his eye. It was that look that he gave me, full of remorse and hurt. I realized that he had genuinely trusted me and thought I was betraying him. For a single moment I felt pity and slight admiration for him, and in that one moment I drew one of the daggers Rosa had given me and in one swift move I slashed at Guy's sword arm. The dagger jarred against his armor but the shock was enough to make him relax his grip. Robin wrenched Guy's arm away from his throat and pushed him away. I looked down at my hand that still held the dagger in disbelief, later when I could think clearly I would tell myself that I had only done it so I could get more information on the outlaws, so my revenge could be deeper and more satisfying. I would tell myself that I could not be sure that Guy had actually meant to kill Robin and that was what I would tell Mitch who was the forester's son, the one that helped me send messages back to my father.
Robin staggered back and nearly knocked me over, I caught him awkwardly. Only then did I notice that he was bleeding heavily from his left hip. I saw a large gash that started from his let hip and ended just above his ankle. I looked back to where Gisbourne stood shaking a few feet away. He looked at me in puzzlement, I checked Robin was unconscious and laid him on the ground before turning and whispering to Guy. "I don't want you to kill him..I mean just to kill him. He...he deserves more then that. For what he's done, a swift death is too good for him." Gisbourne looked me directly in the eye, he hesitated then nodded. "As you say my lady." With that he kissed my hand, it took all my strength not to recoil but I managed it. Soon he disappeared into the trees.
I looked down at Robin and turned his head to face me, he coughed ever so slightly. "Robin," I murmured. "Robin, can you hear me?" His eyes fluttered open and he looked at me. "Marian, I didn't think...for a moment. For a moment I thought you'd betrayed us." I tried to smile but did not have the energy. Within moments Robin had slipped into unconsciousness, I sighed and put my sword back into its sheath then slipped the dagger into my belt. Finally I bent down and picked up Robin, with his heavy weight in my arms I staggered back to the Outlaw Camp.
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By the time I tumbled back into the camp the battle was over, Will had ordered men and women to go amongst the many dead and take their own people from the great mess. The ever righteous Little John had insisted that the attackers where to be cremated and they would hold a funeral for everyone that had fallen in the battle. Fortunately we had only lost twenty or so men whilst every attacker had been slain, but still the loss was too great and everywhere there where people crying for lost ones. Allan, Much and Lara were just about to send a search party out to look for Robin when I arrived.
Just I walked in I could hear loud voices, Lara was having some sort of argument with John which surprised me as he had always been the quiet one. "John!" Lara cried. "None of us have seen him anywhere since the battle began, and that lady wench had disappeared as well. It's no coincidence!" And to my surprise I heard Will's voice rise against Lara's. "Lara, don't go blaming Marian. We don't know that she has anything to do with Robin missing. Have you thought that maybe she got hurt in the battle? Maybe she's lying dead in this clearing whilst you're blaming her for something we have no proof she did."
I was shocked, Will never raised his voice against Lara. He had shouted at everyone at one point or another, John, myself even Robin but he never raised his voice at Lara. The look on Allan and Much's face showed they were just as surprised as me. I thought that that would be the time for me to be noticed. "John! Will!" I called out. They all turned round and when they saw me the came running, "Marian! What happened?" Allan's voice was cut short, he had seen Robin's limp form in my arms. "He's hurt. It was Guy of Gisbourne." I explained. John took Robin from me and felt his pulse. "He's alive." He muttered then stood up and made his way towards the healers hut. Will and I followed him while the others returned unwillingly to their duties, I raced up the ladder and burst into the hut. I noticed Rosa kneeling over someone, "Rosa." I gasped. "Help me send down the stretcher, Robin's injured and John can't carry him up on the ladder."
Together we hauled Robin up and soon John and Will came to join us, Rosa placed Robin on one of the beds and took out her herbs. I was surprised to see that the Hut was relatively empty, only three other beds where occupied. Later I gathered that most where treated outside on the wide platform then sent home, only those seriously injured where given a place on the beds.
After a few apprehensive minutes Rosa sat back, "His leg looks pretty bad but if we keep it clean and look after him he'll live." They all nodded with relief, it was only myself and Rosa that were worried. We both knew how easily a simple cut, not even a wound, could fester and bring on a fever. Rosa stood up, her blonde locks escaping their bounds. "Marian, I need to tend to the others. I'm sure you can handle Robin." I nodded and turned towards the herb shelf to get the right medicines when Lara entered. She took one look around then turned to Rosa. "You're going to let her look after Robin?" she asked with scepticism. Rosa raised an eyebrow and replied, "Of course, I believe she's got the skill to look after him. And I trust her."
It was Lara's time raise her eyebrow, and she did so. "Oh, you trust her. Well then explain why she lied to us about Goy of Gisbourne attacking Robin." All eyes fell on me, "But he did." I replied, for some reason I was shaking even though I was telling the truth. "No he didn't, he couldn't have because the people who attacked us are not from Nottingham. They were a rebel band from beyond the boundaries of England, some say their from France and that the King is having trouble controlling the borders but one thing is clear, they where not from Guy of Gisbourne. So she is lying. I believe she did this to Robin."
I gaped at her, the one time I was telling the truth and she managed to find fault once again. "I swear it was him, and if I had really harmed Robin why would I have brought him back here?" I challenged her, Lara was not happy. "And maybe Gisbourne just followed them?" That explanation actually explained quite a bit. Why would Guy summon a whole army then just give Robin to me? No, if that had been his army he would have taken Robin to the castle and have his fun there.
"You can ask Robin when he wakes if you don't believe me. But for now I'm going to do my job and try to heal him as best as I can." I stalked past her and picked up a few pots from the shelves. When I turned back I noticed with satisfaction that John and Will had steered her out of the hut. Rosa was outside helping the wounded and occasionally came in to get herbs or to check on me.
I spent the rest of the day helping the wounded with Rosa but mostly I looked after Robin, to our surprise he needed much looking after. I would bind his leg and clean his cuts and bruises then leave to help someone else. Then come back ten minutes later only to find that his wound had opened again. Both myself and Rosa where stunned, we could think of nothing else that we could do. It was not till after a whole day and night later did I realized what was wrong.
I was sitting outside on the platform, legs dangling down. The half moon shone brightly in the sky whilst stars twinkled above, we where reaching the end of November and the end of autumn, soon winter would swoop upon us. I knew that it would be the hardest time on the peasants and serfs, that was when people would start dying of pure cold. And food would be hard to come by, we had started gathering about the time I had arrived at the Camp. Even back in late summer every piece of food, every stalk of grain and apple would be stored and treasured.
I took one final look then turned back to the hut, Robin was lying in his cot tossing and turning. I frowned and approached him, the fire was starting to dwindle and soon we would have to build it up again for a fire dying out could mean life or death in these could times. As I bent down I noticed with horror that Robin's face was covered with sweat, actually his whole body was covered in it. I placed a hand on his forehead, then hastily withdrew it. He was burning up, but his skin was cold at the same time and clammy. "Rosa! Rosa!" I called out. When she didn't come rushing in I stepped outside and looked around, she was nowhere to be seen.
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Hope you liked it, theres another chapter coming up straight after this one (i hope) or soon enough, I'm still writing it and htey where supposed to be one chapter but it got to long so their bing split into two. Reveiw or my ninja seals shall get ye! (especially skrblr:) )