Part 10
The cave was still, the only noises, the constant rain pattering down outside and the soft emitting sounds of Much snoring, as they all lay on the floor of the cave, scattered here and there.
"You should be sleeping" his voice penetrated the darkness, and across the gap Marian .looked at him.
"As should you" was her humoured reply.
Robin shifted position and propped his head up with the palm of his hand to regard her at a preferred angle.
"So tell me, why are you awake?" he asked not letting up.
"I have been thinking….. and the ground is not as comfortable as my bed" she admitted.
"No, you get used to it"
"Robin…."
"What?"
"Me…here, it seems unreal and yet…."
"You told me, a while ago you wanted more, you wanted to do what you felt you should do, what you wanted to do, but were restricted by men, me included I suppose, but particularly Gisborne and your father. Now, now you can"
"And you are not going to try and stop me?" she raised her eyebrows as she studied him carefully, the cave only lit by the dim glow of the dying embers of the fire.
"That depends"
"On what?" she asked, instantly bristling.
"On how foolish you schemes are" he laughed,. She glared at him, "I am not laughing at you….not like that"
"Then refrain from laughing at all" she uttered back, not surprised they were arguing already.
An awkward tension sat between them and he turned and looked at the roof of the cave, pillowing his arms behind his head. He sighed heavily and she mentally kicked herself for jumping at him with harsh words.
They turned at the same time and said simultaneously "Sorry" then laughed.
"You really should get some sleep" he suggested, her eyes were heavy and he half expected her to snap back for telling her to do something .
"Perhaps you are right" she agreed.
He raised his eyebrows at her in surprise and smiled before rolling onto his back once more shutting his own eyes. Ten minutes later, he opened them again, the noises in the cave had not changed as he stole a glance at Marian. She was sleeping, he squinted too see and then got up, fumbled about, stubbing his foot on an unseen rock and cursing. He lit a candle, set it down and watched her sleep. The way her eyelashes swept down across her closed eyes, the way her mouth was almost upturned in a smile, the way her hair fell across her cheek and he wanted to sweep it back and tuck the tendrils behind her ear, but didn't. He did not want to wake her for one thing, or be caught by the gang for another. Robin continued to stare at Marian until his vision blurred and he too fell into slumber.