Marian awoke from a dream of blood-soaked sands. The dream of the Holy Land that had haunted her for months after Robin left had apparently decided to put in an appearance after several years absence.
She rubbed her eyes tiredly. It had been almost dawn when she returned from Clun after dropping off several food packages. It didn't appear to be long after that now. Her double life was taking a toll on her, she realised, as she rolled herself out of bed and glanced in her looking glass. One and twenty, she thought, but this morning she looked far older.
She looked outside, admiring the way the village and surrounding lands looked in the early spring light. There was a Council of Nobles meeting tomorrow. No doubt her father would require that she remain in Knighton today. Behaving herself. She wondered sometimes whether he knew of her night-time excursions to the villages?
Without a doubt there would be another lecture today on how she should conduct herself when in Nottingham. She should not expect her wilfulness to be tolerated because her father had previously held Vaisey's position.
Sheriff Vaisey was, in Marian's considered opinion, a monster. And an insane monster, at that. And Sir Guy was not much better.
*
As she had expected, her father did lecture her. He did so over the midday meal, talking while Marian pushed the food around on her plate.
'I want to go out, just for a ride into the forest,' Marian said.
'I need you here,' Edward replied. He regarded his daughter thoughtfully. 'Truth be told, Marian, I think you spend far too much time on horseback. You seem stiff today, daughter.'
Marian sighed and returned her eyes to her food.
After several moments there was a knock on the door. Edward rose and went to answer it.
After several moments, Marian heard
Marian rose and picked up the bow that rested against the wall by the front door.
'Edward it is us!'
Marian froze, she knew that voice. When her father did not welcome Robin she shook herself and stepped out behind him, fitting an arrow and raising the bow.
'You heard my father. Leave.'
Robin and Much stood staring at her father incredulously. As Marian came around the door, Robin's attention immediately shifted to Marian.
'Marian, it is me. Robin.'
Marian glared at him, schooling her features to ensure they betrayed no hint of recognition. 'Congratulations. Leave.'
But Robin, as ever, refused to be discouraged. 'How are you? I thought of you.'
'Leave,' Marian said flatly.
She and Edward retreated into the house. Edward moving inside the room while Marian remained by the door.
She caught some of the conversation taking place outside.
'Well,' she heard Much say in an injured tone, 'that was-'
'Interesting.' That was Robin.
'Interesting? That was unbelievable! He used to treat us like...well, like sons!'
'She is still unmarried.'
Marian could picture the look on Much's face. 'Oh! I thought you came to see the old sheriff!'
… and the look of injured innocence on Robin's. 'I did!'
'Marian?'
She turned her attention to her father. 'Did you know he was back?'
Her father looked puzzled.
'You have been in Nottingham today,' Marian said, 'and you did not look surprised to see him.'
'I heard a rumour.' Edward said. 'We must be careful who we ally ourselves with, Marian. According to rumour Robin was not very happy when he met Gisbourne at Locksley. He made his displeasure obvious. He could be a dangerous ally if he does not learn quickly.'
'I know, father,' Marian said, joining him at the table.
'You must not allow your feelings for him to cloud your judgement.'
'I have no feelings for him, father.'
*
Minutes later, Marian was in her room. The same thought kept playing through her mind over and over. Robin was back. And the first thing she had done was aim an arrow at his chest. Fitting, Marian thought bitterly.
He looked good, she realised. Very good. Too good, for someone who had left her over five years ago. Thin, but that was really to be expected. Odd that Much did not look so thin, the part of Marian's brain that noticed such things mused.
She felt as though a weight that had been pressing down on her chest for the last five years – Five years! Has it really been that long? – had dissipated. Robin was home. He was alive, he was whole and he was home.
And he seemed to be interested in the fact that she remained unmarried. It was just a shame that he meant nothing to her now. She rose and walked to the window. Robin and Much had elected to walk their horses to the edge of the village. She watched as they mounted up and rode for the forest.
Nothing at all, she reminded herself, watching as Sherwood Forest swallowed him.
* * *
