Till Death Do Us Part
- DO NOT READ AHEAD IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS FOR SERIES 2 -
Summary: Alternate ending for Series 2, because I didn't agree with the finale. I've slipped some scenes into S2 E13, and continued afterwards. Marian-centric, but features the whole gang, as well at the Sheriff, Guy and some OCs. First attempt at fanfiction, and un-beta'd.
Disclaimer: Robin Hood belongs to the BBC and Tiger Aspect, not me. But I do own my OCs, and (as far as I know) this plot.
~ Nia
Chapter 10 – Traitor
In this chapter Marian's slowly recovering and Hassim's finally trying to find the guy who speaks English. I know it doesn't sounds like a very eventful chapter, but just read on for the hell of it and the next one will be better I promise.
DISCLAIMER: As always, I don't own anything to do with the BBC's Robin Hood but I do own Aliah and Hassim – please don't steal etc.
***
As Hassim made his way through the busy street market in Acre he decided to stop at some stalls to purchase a gift for his daughter. His apothecary business – which he ran in addition to his services to his town as a physician - had been excelling since the war had commenced, and it was not often that he treated his daughter to a gift. Besides, what could be more natural than inquiring after common gossip whilst browsing in a market? True, he generally left gossiping to women, placing himself above believing rumours, but in this very different case his eyes and ears were alert to the general hubbub of the town.
Hassim lingered for a few moments to admire a stall selling jewellery. As he had once been apprenticed to a blacksmith he could inspect the workmanship with a trained eye, and now did so with the intent of buying a necklace for Aliah. He picked up a pendant with a pattern engraved upon it with the intention of purchasing it, but upon closer inspection it was made of a cheap material that would last no more than a month. I might as well make one myself, he thought in annoyance, and replaced the tawdry pendant before wandering off again, dismayed that he hadn't picked up any worthwhile information from the stallholders.
Hassim lounged around the communal well for a few dreary moments but picked up no information other than the recent servants' scandal. After these few tedious minutes had passed, he moved to a more dignified area of town where the mosque was. It wasn't very near prayer time, but the building still attracted many people as a meeting point. Hassim had filled up a cup with cool water from the well, which he now drank gratefully as he wandered in the humid shade.
"She was dismissed for turning him in to the soldiers," muttered one young man as he passed with a friend. "Apparently he had been consorting with Englishmen!" These words caught Hassim's attention instantly, and he trailed after the two men in order to catch more of their conversation. Following them back past the market stalls and towards the centre of town, he listened for more information.
"Who was her employer?" asked the second man.
"I heard he works or used to work for the Sultan, and lives on the main street." Hassim instantly detoured to the main street of the town, but when he arrived there a sudden rush of people held him back from advancing further. He craned his neck to peer over the sea of heads and see what was happening, and was surprised to see a large gathering of Saracen soldiers - they never usually patrolled in groups during the day, and certainly never guarded one building so why were they gathered en masse here?
As Hassim eyed the building, he noticed a movement on the roof: another soldier appeared and walked to the edge to address the people.
"People of Acre, we have this day found a traitor to our Holy Land. This abomination of our people has since been executed for treason, and his possessions confiscated. The man was formerly the noble Sultan Saladin's pigeon handler…"
Bassam! thought Hassim with alarm.
***
Dun dun dun! How does Hassim know Bassam? And I'm sorry for killing off a character despite getting many great reviews; it was for later plot purposes.
Thankyou so much to everyone who's been reviewing – as previously mentioned I love all forms of reviews. I've finally decided to answer some of the questions posed by reviewers:
MontyPythonFan: Thankyou so much! Your comment really made my day. But how do you know there will be a reunion scene eh? You never know what I'll do with this plot...
Hanamore: Yes I agree that Marian hasn't been all too happy since she woke up but be perfectly honest: if you had been stabbed by someone you thought loved you, had since woken up in agony, your husband could be dead for all you know, if he's alive he's probably thousands of miles away, you're stuck in a house where you can't understand anyone and have no-one to talk to and you have no idea if you'll ever get home, how would you feel? But I do agree with you and she'll have some good news within in a couple of chapters' time.
I apologise that this is such a short chapter and my author's notes are so long: I told you I get carried away!
Please review anyway,
xxx Nia