Walkabout Rewrite

Original scene and dialogue in italics.

Takes place the Thursday following Marian's return to the castle.

Gisbourne and Allan are in the great hall of Nottingham Castle. Marian enters

"I heard about the Sheriff. Any news?"

"Nothing" Gisbourne responds.

"What do you think?"

"Well if the Sheriff hadn't left of his own accord, I would think this was Hood's work"

"No,no,no - If Hood knew of the Sheriff's arrangement with Prince John, he wouldn't let Nottingham be destroyed."

Gisbourne scoffs.

Pacing along the length of the table, Marian continues, "On this occasion I don't think Hood is the problem, but he might be the solution."

"How?"

"Well, Robin knows Nottingham and the forest better than any man alive. If the Sheriff is out there..."

"Hood's not going to help us."

"Well, have you asked him?"

"We do not deal with outlaws" Gisbourne starts to stalk out of the great room.

Marian, getting desperate, "This could be our only hope. If I could get a message to him, if I could bring him here to the...

Gisbourne turns slowly back to face Marian with a suspicious look on his face.

Marian realizes that she may be over playing her hand but finishes desperately, "to the castle."

You, could bring Hood here to the Castle?" he asks with suspicion

"I think so. He will not want Nottingham razed to the ground. Same as you."

"Very well. Do it." Gisbourne turns and continues out of the hall.

Marian signals the waiting Allan with a look.

(end of scene as aired)

Allan approaches Marian, quietly, "I'm not being funny, you know Robin isn't going to listen to me. He'll probably shoot me on site."

"Come with me to my room. I will give you something to ensure Robin will listen to you." Using the opposite door from the one that Gisbourne exited, Marian turns and walks out of the great hall, heading for her chambers. She just assumes Allan is following her.

Once to her chambers she turns and finds Allan a pace behind her. "Wait here until I tell you it's all right to come in."

"Don't want me seeing your secrets, is it? Allan says with a chuckle.

"Just wait here!" Marian is urgent, knowing that time is of the essence.

Marian enters her chamber, makes sure the door is secured behind her and walks over to the fireplace mantle. Once there she pulls away the stone and retrieves the pouch that contains her tag and engagement ring. She then replaces the stone.

Outside her chamber Allan lounges casually against the wall next to Marian's door. While his pose is casual one can tell that he is keeping a watch out. He certainly doesn't want Gisbourne to see him waiting outside Marian's door for many reasons.

The door cracks opens and Marian grabs Allan's arm and none too gently pulls him into the chamber and closes the door firmly.

"So how are we going to get Robin to listen to me? I don't fancy being shot on sight, you know"

Marian opens the pouch she is holding and pulls out her gang tag. She starts to hand it to Allan. "Show him this…" she tapers off and puts the tag back into the pouch. Reaching further into the pouch she then pulls out her sapphire engagement ring.

Allan's eyes widen and take on an avarice gleam upon seeing the ring. He just can't quite help himself.

"Allan, I am seriously trusting you here. You had better not let those sticky fingers of yours get the better of you."

"If you don't trust me with it, then give me the tag instead." His feelings have been mildly piqued by Marian's distrust.

"I thought about it, but if you are caught with the tag, we are both done for. There is no way you could explain it away. But for a thief to have a ring, which does not have any identifying marks, that could be explained hopefully without loss of life. And it's not traceable to me." Marian's cunning brain has clearly been working overtime.

Reluctantly Marian drops the ring into Allan's palm. "Robin will know that I would never give this to you unless it is urgent. So help me, Allan, if you lose it between here and giving it to Robin, I will go back on my promise not to kill you. Now hurry, Robin should be at or near the camp."

"And what will you be doing while I am risking my neck to get Robin here?" Allan wants to know as he tucks the ring into his pocket.

"I will be trying to keep Gisbourne from losing it and doing something really stupid. Maybe I can get him to think about evacuating the town, just in case…Now go!"

Marian literally pushes Allan out of the door, closing it firmly behind him. She then returns to the mantle and hides the pouch again. The last we see of her she is slumped in her chair with her head in her hands. One can imagine that she is praying and gathering up her strength for the coming ordeal.

Allan strides down the corridor muttering. He is headed towards the castle stables and then on to find Robin. By his pace, one can tell that for once Allan is not only aware of the urgency of the situation, but is concerned about how they are going to get out of this if the Sheriff is not found.

Scenes continue as written up until after Gisbourne tries to convince Jasper to give him more time.

Marian is in the main hall and Gisbourne enters with a purposeful stride. "Jasper will not be swayed"

"There's still time." Marian replies with a bit of a desperate edge to her voice.

"No, there's still time for you to get away" Gisbourne looks behind him out the door, as if to check to see if anyone is listening and then turns back to Marian, holding out his hand.

"No, I can't just run out on the people to save myself."

"Marian, you can't…"

"I'm not leaving with everyone in trouble." Marian cuts him off.

With a sign of resignation, Gisbourne moves closer to Marian, "Well then, we must prepare to defend ourselves"

Marian nods in agreement.

Gisbourne exits the hall calling for Allan.

Marian sighs heavily and drops her head, unconsciously rubbing her thumb over her ring finger of her left hand, missing the ring that she has not been able to wear. She can tell by the light in Gisbourne's eyes and his manner towards her that he thinks she is staying in the castle for him. Despite all of her efforts to keep him at an arms length, he clearly still has hopes for a romantic relationship. Taking a deep breath to shore up her emotional defenses she exits the great hall to help with the preparations.

Episode continues as aired until the scene where Will finds Marian in the castle courtyard.

Will rushes to where Marian is handing out weapons. Marian turns towards him, "Will! Any word from Robin?"

Will shakes his head in reply "But I know he will die before he stops looking."

Marian glances up to check the position of the sun in the sky. "Time is running out…"

Marian hands out some more weapons

"Marian, the one person who can't die is you." Will reaches into his pocket

"There's no way out."Marian replies.

"I promised Robin you'd be safe." He holds Marian's ring out in front of her.

Marian takes the ring from Will with a worried look. As Will walks away to continue helping, Marian looks at her ring wistfully and tucks it in the hidden pocket of her corset.

Episode continues as written until:

Great Hall of Nottingham castle:

Townspeople are preparing for the siege, Marian and Will among them. Gisbourne enters from the upper level and looks over the railing seeking out Marian. He makes his way down the stairs to Marian and puts his hand on her back. "Marian."

Marian turns towards him and puts her hand on his arm. She is trying to create some distance between them, but Gisbourne misinterprets the gesture as one of affection. "Has he changed his mind?"

"No, but I've managed to negotiate a concession." Using her elbow, Gisbourne steers Marian towards a windowed alcove and speaking in Marian's ear from behind her, "Nottingham can not be spared, but he will spare me and my family."

Marian turns towards him stopping them before they reach the alcove and says with exasperation and a bit of disbelief, "You're abandoning us!"

"I've no intention of abandoning you, Marian." He takes her arm again, pulling her into the alcove. "You can become my family. We can leave together if…"

"What…" Marian says breathlessly. She is stunned at what he is saying and at the fact that he is really considering taking her and leaving the people of Nottingham leaderless. Unconsciously her hand goes to her corset, where her engagement ring is hidden.

Oblivious to the distress on Marian's face Gisbourne continues "…you marry me." The distress on Marian's face finally registers with him, "Is it such a difficult choice, between death and becoming my wife?"

"It's not that simple! How can I abandon them?" Marian is desperately trying to think of a way to get out of this without completely alienating Gisbourne.

Gisbourne drops to one knee taking Marian's hand in his two. "Marry me and live!" he pleads. "It has to be before sunset, that's when I leave."

Marian is speechless as Gisbourne gets up and exits the hall.

This last statement clenches it for Marian. He is going to abandon the people, the ones that, by working for the Sheriff and the Black Knights, he has helped put in this position.

(Will notices what's going on in the alcove and comes to the accurate conclusion that Gisbourne is proposing to Marian.)

Episode continues as written.

In the castle corridor, Gisbourne seeks out Marian and grabs her by the arm to stop her, "Marian, we're out of time. What's your decision?"

Marian turns to face Gisbourne and says with intent, "Well, I'm not going to walk out on these people."

"So you're going to stay?"

"Yes, Guy, I can't ever marry you – I'm sorry. Too much has passed between us and I can't abandon these people"

Visibly upset, angered and disappointed Gisbourne all but shouts, "Woman! Your willfulness will kill you."

Gisbourne turns and storms off with Marian looking after him and then looking pensive and worried.

Episode continues (no changes in dialogue, but a little bit different in emotional realization.)

Jasper on horseback and soldiers with torches are ringing the perimeter. Gates open and Gisbourne rides out and stops in front of Jasper, who inquires, "And the woman, Marian, is she leaving with you?"

Gisbourne looks decidedly unhappy with the question. "She will not abandon Nottingham"

Jasper chuckles mockingly, "Imbecile"

"And without her, my world may as well turn to ash." Gisbourne has started to realize how his alliance with Vaizey has cost him in human relationships.

Guy bursts back into the Great Hall through the upper doors, "Marian!"

Marian who is on the main floor looks up with shock and a bit of amazement, but absolutely no smile!

"If I'm going to die, it will have meaning." Gisbourne declares.

Will, who is standing behind Marian, draws his sword.

"To arms!" Guy pulls his own sword and turns back towards the doors.

Episode continues: Soldiers riding in with torches, Allan running into the castle and closing the gates, Robin riding towards Nottingham with unconscious Vaizey, etc.

The scene continues and Marian comes up to the upper level landing to stand next to Gisbourne but about an arm's length away with a double grip on a short sword.

Gisbourne looking out intently, "This may be the last thing we do."

Marian hears him and gives a small rueful smile.

Just when it seems that the soldiers' attack is imminent we hear Vaizey's shout, "Gisbourne!"

A stunned Gisbourne runs out to the Sheriff.

Now Marian smiles and relaxes her posture in relief. Robin has found Vaizey in time. Everyone is safe for now.

Rest of episode finishes as aired.

(Scene between Marian & Will takes place as Gisbourne and Vaizey discuss the situation and the pact.)

Marian takes advantage of Vaizey's reprimand of Gisbourne to get lost in the crowd and seek out Will.

"Will!"

Will pulls the hood of his cloak up as he turns towards Marian. He doesn't think he will be recognized in all the chaos, but still doesn't want to take any undue risks.

"Can you get a message to Robin for me?" Marian inquires

"Of course."

"Tell Robin that I will be at the old oak in Knighton at moonrise."

"Are you coming back to Sherwood then?" Will wants to know.

"Not just yet, Will. There is something big being planned between Vaizey and the Black Knights. I need a few more days to get more information. But after today, I just need to see Rob…" she trails off, realizing that she is revealing more than she intended. "Just give the message to Robin, please."

"You know Robin would tell you that you don't have to do this, stay at the castle." Will is coming to realize that their separation is wearing on Marian as much as it is on Robin.

"I know, but if we have any chance of stopping the Sheriff, then we need the intelligence I can gather. Will, you need to get out of here before somebody recognizes you and realizes that one of Robin's men is still here. "

Will turns to leave but Marian catches his arm. "Will, thanks for being here today," she tells him with a small sincere smile.

Will returns her smile and then slips out with the crowd.

Marian watches him get safely out of the gates and then slips through the people herself and taking the long route to avoid Gisbourne, heads to her room.

Once in her room, she quickly messes the bed and places pillows and blankets in the covers to suggest the shape of a body. She then goes to a chest and burrows under her dresses to pull out a small bag that looks to be filled with sand and has dark fine yarn attached to it like a wig on a doll. This she lies on her pillow with the hair facing out and arranges the covers a bit more. All of this is done in an efficient manner that suggests it's been done many times before. When she steps back, we can see how on a quick glance in the darkened room, one would think that Marian is asleep in her bed. She then dons her dark Nightwatchman's cloak and slips her mask and a small pouch with coins in it into her pocket. Going to the door she cracks it open and checks the hallway. Seeing that it is empty, she quietly slips into the darkened corridor and heads through the back corridors to the stables. Fortunately, the castle staff and guards are all in the great hall and main corridors, dealing with the aftermath of the day's events.

Nottingham Stables

From an overhead view we see Marian talking with a groom. She has the reins of a saddled horse in her hands and is slipping the groom a few coins. She puts her pouch back in her pocket and mounts up. With her dark cloak and the cover of night, anyone observing can't ascertain the sex of the rider, let alone identify a particular individual. After she has ridden out of the gate, the groom closes it behind her and heads back into the stable. Again, the audience is left with the impression that this is not an unfamiliar occurrence for either person.

Knighton:

The burnt out shell of Knighton Hall is illuminated by moonlight. Marian is standing under an oak tree just up a small hill from Knighton. Her horse is tethered to a low reaching limb and is contentedly grazing on grass.

Marian is lost in thought as she looks down on the remains of her childhood home. She has her arms protectively crossed around her middle and by the light of the moon we can see tear tracks on her cheeks.

From the shadows, Robin slips up behind Marian and wraps an arm around her shoulders. Marian doesn't flinch at all, whether this is because she is that lost in her thoughts or because her spy senses are that developed we can't tell, but maybe it is a bit of both.

"I'm sorry about your home. I should have stopped Gisbourne." Robin murmurs into the hair just over Marian's ear.

Marian slips her hand up and covers the hand that Robin placed on her shoulder, the moon causing her engagement ring to glint in the darkness. "No, then I would have lost you, my father, and Knighton." Dropping her arms and turning into Robin, she places her hands on his shoulders and looks into his eyes, "It's just a building and can be replaced but you can't be brought back from the dead."

Robin has slipped his arms around Marian's waist. "Still, I should have found a way…" He noticed the glint of her engagement ring and his heart warms with the knowledge that it is back where it belongs, on her hand.

Marian's arms slip around Robin's shoulders as he pulls her in for a comforting hug, resting his cheek on the crown of her head. After a moment Robin murmurs, "Come back to Sherwood."

"I want to, Robin, you don't know how much." Marian says as she pulls back so the she can look at Robin. "But the Sheriff is planning something big with the Black Knights. Just give me a few more days to see if I can find out what they are up to."

"You don't have to do this. We can find another way." Robin responds.

Marian chuckles, "That's what Will said you would say. But Robin, if I hadn't been at the castle today, Gisbourne would never have asked for your help and all of Nottinghamshire would look like Knighton Hall. Admit it - it's useful to have someone on the inside!"

"Yes, it is. A few more days, I think that is all your cover story can support before Vaizey gets too suspicious or Gisbourne too hopeful about your presence in the castle. Actually, from what Will told me, it's too late for that."

"He told you then…Robin, I could never marry Gisbourne, regardless of the reason. Surely you know that by now!"

"Marian, you marrying Gisbourne is better than dying. I've already thought you dead once and it nearly destroyed me. As long as you are alive, I will find a way to work things out. We will be together." As if to affirm his vow, Robin leans down and kisses her.

Marian responds back with all the emotion of the day overflowing. What started out as a solemn kiss quickly turns a passionate lover's kiss with hands caressing necks and backs. Before their kiss gets way beyond controlling, Robin pulls away and resumes their former position with his cheek resting on her head but this time his breathing is rough.

Marian burrows into his shoulder and Robin can feel fine tremors running through her body.

Several moments later, when they have both regained their composure, Marian pulls away from Robin. "Robin…there is one other thing…the information I've been able to get…it's mostly come from Allan. Gisbourne seems to have wised up about discussing his plans with anyone other than Vaizey but Allan is usually in the room when they do talk."

Marian feels Robin tense up and about to protest so rushes to continue, "He really wants to make it up to you and the gang! Passing me information is his way of doing this. He knows you won't take the information from him but will from me. Everything he's given me so far has turned out to be accurate. Maybe you could consider taking him back?"

"I don't know, Marian…what if he changes his mind again and exposes you to save his own hide?"

"He won't! He knows he owes me his life! Just consider it, please? I'd better get back while I still have the cover of darkness."

Robin nods in reluctant agreement. "Promise me you will get out immediately if you think you have been compromised in any way."

"I promise. I love you, Robin."

"I love you too! Go before I kidnap you and take you back to Sherwood!" He is only half joking about this.

Marian reaches up and gives Robin another quick kiss then turns and walks back to her waiting horse. Robin watches as she walks away from him, unties the horse and mounts up. He only turns to head back into the cover of Sherwood once she has ridden out of his sight completely.