The funeral took place that night. It was very important to Marian that her father be buried with her mother, and they could not risk traveling to Knighton during the day. On the journey there Robin had to keep a close eye on Marian. She had not spoken since morning, nor had she eaten. She had a vaguely dazed look in her eyes as she weaved in and out of the trees. Robin found himself again grateful to his little family. While he watched over Marian with concern the others carried their sad burden.
John was carrying the left side of the casket while Will and Much held up the right. Djaq helped clear vines and shrubs out of their way as much as she could. It was not easy for three men to make their way through the forest with such a package.
Robin noticed that the trees were starting to thin out and recognized the path he had followed many times to see Marian. He put his hands up to stop everyone, "I will make sure it is safe and give you the signal."
Everyone nodded in agreement as Robin snuck off into the night.
Marian's mind was still spinning. She could not handle how much her life had changed in two days time. Her father was gone, along with any chance of reclaiming her childhood home. Losing Knighton Hall forever made her father's death even more unbearable. Something she thought was not possible.
Guy knew who she really was as well. She could not return to court. She was no longer Lady Marian who had beautiful dresses, a full stomach, and a soft warm bed. Now she was Marian of Sherwood, common thief and menace to the Sheriff. That thought had once brought a smile to her lips, when it was no more than a distant dream. Now; however, it was very real.
Everything was different, and she was not ready for it. She and Robin had been dangerously flirting with very improper thoughts and actions, and while she was stuck in the castle and he on the outside it was okay. They were never afforded enough time to pursue anything, but now they could be alone in the forest. She did not want to admit it to him, but he frightened her. What if she gave herself to him, and he left again? She could not bare that pain twice. What if she did everything wrong? The embarrassment would be awful. Would he want to marry her now, or would he want to wait for the King's return? Who would even consider marrying them? She shook her head in frustration. She knew what she was doing. She was focusing on her and Robin to avoid reality.
Everyone jumped a little when the arrow shot above their heads. Marian did not move, and the others were not sure what to do. Much glanced at the young woman, "My lady, I know it is hard, but it is time."
Marian held her head up high and gave the kind man a soft kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Much. I was lost in my thoughts, and you saved me." She stepped out of the safety of the forest and onto the land that had once belonged to her. Robin met up with her and took her hand in his as she guided them all to a large weeping willow tree. "My father and I planted it when she passed. He wanted to teach me that everything was connected and that with death there is life."
John nodded, "That is a good lesson."
They all fell silent as the men took turns digging the grave. Marian just stood with her back to them and the tree. Much felt pulled to her. He needed to comfort her, but was unsure what he could do. "It changes people," his voice rang out clear and beautiful in the cold night air, "being orphaned. It does not matter what your age is. There is this emptiness that no one can understand unless they too have lost their parents." The others could hear what he was saying, and they all felt exactly what he was talking about. "My father passed away when I was but a child. My mother became my whole world. She was a peasant, but she was as lovely as any noble woman. When she," he swallowed hard, "when she died. I thought I was lost forever, but you and Master Robin saved me. You gave me somewhere to belong." He put a hand on her shoulder, "I just thought you should know. Those of us who know, who have that emptiness, we must stick together."
Marian looked up at him with sad eyes, "Much, I did not know," she wrapped her arms around him and cried on his shoulder.
The others all wiped their tears and continued their sad task. Each one of them had now lost both parents. Will and Marian were the last, and now within weeks of each other they lost their fathers.
After the covered the casket with dirt Will walked away quietly. They all assumed that the events had just taken their toll on him, but he returned with a beautiful marker, "Marian, it is not stone, but I thought you might want something to place at the grave."
Her big blue eyes gazed upon the piece of art. It was beautiful. The wood was carefully smoothed, and had intricate carvings. In the center you could see both of her parent's names. She traced both names, and then let her fingers travel over the cross that Will had carved. It was amazing. You could see the sun rising behind it, and she almost felt its rays warm her. "It is wonderful Will. Thank you."
Will placed it into the ground at the head of the grave as the others made a circle around it. No one knew who should start. Finally Robin stepped forward, "Edward was a-"
"No words." Marian interrupted, "My father was killed because of an unjust system. I have hidden behind words my whole life to protect myself," she remembered her near marriage to Gisbourne, "to protect him. No more words. Now I act." She placed her hand on the grave marker, and paused for a moment, then slowly walked away. Everyone followed her quietly wondering exactly what she meant.
Will took a few longer steps to catch up with Robin, "If she needs to be alone, the new camp is ready and stocked. We can return and take care of Alan until you decide what to do."
Alan, Robin thought, how could I have forgotten about that. He needed to be there for Marian, but he also needed to decide what to do about Alan. He could not leave the man tied up forever. Still, he was grateful to the younger man for his suggestion, "Thank you, Will. I will ask Marain. If you return without me have Much untie Alan, he and John can keep an eye on him. Give him a chance to stretch a bit, and relieve himself. Make sure he is fed. Tomorrow we will all discuss his fate. I want all of your opinions."
Will nodded and slowed his pace so Djaq could catch up to him. When she did he reached out for her hand. She had to turn her head to keep him from seeing the blush climb up her cheeks. This action was becoming increasingly more common. When they walked somewhere, when they sat around the fire, any chance where they were near each other and had a free hand he would reach for her. It was a simple action, but it made her giddy. She had noticed that she was making small changes as well. She spent more time in the morning trying to tame her short tufts of hair, wishing that she still had her long flowing locks. She had also begun to collect red berries. When she had been Safiah she had often used berries much like these to add a little color to her lips, and she also thought they had a pleasant taste to them. Just in case he decided to kiss her again. Did he even notice these small feminine acts?
Will loved to watch her. She was always thinking, and he felt like he could almost see her mind working. His eyes dropped down to her lips. They seemed different somehow. Fuller. A part of him wondered if he was just imagining it. Since their kiss, he had been paying more attention to those lips. He dreamed about wicked things that she could do with them, and he constantly felt the urge to kiss her again.
She looked up at him and caught him starring. A few days ago this would have made him blush, but now he seemed to have a new confidence in himself and his feelings for her.
