Robin woke an hour later. Marian was sitting beside the bed asleep in a chair holding his hand loosely in hers. She stirred when she felt him move.
"Robin, you're awake." She reached to feel of his forehead. "Your fever has went down a little." She got up and returned with the medicine Djaq had given her. She laughed as Robin made a face at the awful taste of the stuff. "Here drink some water."
"Honestly I don't know sometimes if Djaq's medicines are meant to cure a person or kill them."
"Well if you weren't so stubborn and would have allowed me to get Djaq earlier you may not have gotten so bad to need the medicine."
"I'm not the only stubborn one. You have your moments."
"Name one time I have been stubborn."
"When I first came back. How long did it take you to admit you still loved me?"
"You deserved that and it took you a while too you know."
"Yes but I have loved you every day since have I not?"
"Yes, you have more than made up for your mistakes. You need to rest. I'll wake you in an hour for your next dose." Robin made a face but did as she asked.
The next day he had seemed to be doing better but that night took a turn for the worse. Marian again sent for Djaq who took a look at Robin before shaking her head sadly.
"I'm sorry Marian there is nothing I can do. His lungs are filled with fluid. It is his time. Prepare yourself."
After Djaq had left Marian sat down beside the bed taking Robin's hand. He opened his eyes.
"So this is it then?"
She hid her tears trying to be brave for him. "You're not going to die. I won't let you."
"I have ears you know and Djaq is right. It's my time. I can feel it." He laughed weakly. "What a way for the great Robin Hood to die. Killed by a bloody cold of all things."
Marian laughed in spite of herself the tears rolling quietly down her face.
Robin reached up wiping her tears away before looking at her his heart in his eyes. "I'm sixty years old that's more time than most people get. I'm very glad to have had this life with you. You made me a very happy man. A very lucky one." He picked up her hand and kissed it.
She smiled at him. "We have both been lucky. We have had quite the life haven't we?"
"Yes, we have" They both smiled as various memories floated through their minds.
"I love you, Robin of Locksley."
"I love you too, Marian of Knighton."
She leaned down and kissed him softly her heart constricting painfully at the thought that it would be the last time she did so.
When she pulled back he reached up caressing her cheek. "I will see you in heaven, love."
She smirked at him trying to keep the mood from being so laden with sadness "With all the mischief you have caused they might not let you in."
"They will. You will be there and God would not be so cruel as to separate us for long."
Robin of Locksley died later that night surrounded by all the people he loved. He had achieved more glory than he could have ever imagined as a young man. I'm sure he would tell you though that his greatest accomplishment and happiness had been his family.