SHERWOOD FOREST
Sun settled over the forest.
It would soon be dusk, and the sun would sink lower in the sky, peer through the trees casting long shadows that seemed as endless as days.
Robin sat a distance from the camp, looking down at the Trent as it sparkled in the setting sun.
He fiddled with a blunt arrow in his hands, randomly drawing shapes in the dirt.
His bow and quiver lay at his side, as well as his cloak.
He wasn't sure how long he planned on sitting their pondering and dwelling over the events of the day…
He wasn't sure how long it was going to take him to build up the courage to face Marian.
It wasn't as though he didn't think he needed to apologise, he knew he had to…
He had been easily lead astray from Isabella's real motives simply because she was woman…
He felt so low about everything, having done such a thing when he had Marian, who he loved more than anything as his wife…
And what he had said to her, although it was flippant ale infused comment, regarding children.
It stung just to think about it.
He sighed and leant back against the tree he sat in front of, resting against the bark, knees pulled up towards him, elbows resting on them as he fiddled with the blunt arrow.
The soft snap of a twig to his right made his eyes snap up.
His eyes met a pair of blue ones that he would know anywhere.
His insides twisted.
"Marian…"
She stepped closer, fiddling with her wedding ring on her finger.
"Much tried to stop me coming…" She murmured as she walked towards him, "He said that you wanted to be alone… but I told him, that you probably wanted to be alone because of me, well us… and I thought that you probably were waiting for me, as I was for you…"
Her voice trailed off and he stared at her as she sunk to sit beside him.
They sat in silence for a few moments, staring out over the water.
Robin ached to put his arms around her but he thought it was better not too.
Marian so wanted to be held by him, to lean against him, share his warmth and feel his heart beat only for her…
But she would not be that weak.
Robin, being the complex being that he was, needed his own time to apologise.
She was waiting for him to say it, for she already knew that he was.
He just angered and infuriated her so much when he was heroic unnecessarily…
"I am sorry Marian." He murmured, eyes still staring forwards.
She smiled sadly and glanced at him.
"I know you are." She whispered.
His eyes looked to hers and he swallowed, "You aren't angry?"
She looked away, "I was… I was very angry, and hurt."
Her voice sounded almost distant.
It made him want to hold her closer even more.
"I was so angry at you for not seeing her for what she really was; only what she wanted you to see… but you see it now don't you?" She moved her eyes to stare deep into his.
"I see her for what she is." He murmured, "And I will never do anything like that again… I promise."
She smiled sadly and both their eyes went forwards over the Trent again, the bright sun sneaking under the tree tops to cast warm shadows on their face.
Robin watched her as she let her eyes flutter closed, a contented smile on her face at feeling the sunlight over her skin.
He stared at her.
"You are so beautiful." He murmured.
Her eyes opened and she almost flushed, "You are a fool you know that."
His face dropped as his voice did.
His eyes turned back over the water.
"I knew it today."
She sighed and shuffled closer to his side so their hips and shoulders were touching.
"Robin…" She whispered.
"Can you forgive me?" His eyes stared into hers.
He needed to know.
"I already have…"
"Then say it."
With a sigh, her hand lifted his to hold it tight in both of hers.
She kissed his knuckles and moved it to her cheek, holding it there.
His thumb moved over her jaw in a familiar caress.
She felt she had wasted to much breath on Isabella, and especially when talking to Robin about her, she no longer wanted to speak about it.
"I forgive you."
She knew he had learnt his lesson.
She knew he could see the error of his ways.
He stared at her, hoping it was true.
He felt awful, for making her feel awful, as if he valued Isabella more…
He felt so low, as well as that, for what he had said to her regarding children.
"You must believe me Marian… what I said last night, about children, I did not mean it to come out that way, I had drunk too much, I promise…"
She hushed him and leant her head on his shoulder, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and holding her to him.
His eyes stared on what he could see of her face, hers followed the flickering ripples of the sun lit river.
"Let us not think of her anymore, and only of each other."
His lips were abruptly on hers as he tilted his head to capture them.
She leant further against his shoulder and he held her tighter.
She was only pleased when he did.
He murmured around her mouth.
"I think that that is a very good idea."
NOTTINGHAM CASTLE
Isabella stood before a desk in a chamber, dropping her wedding ring in the overflowing basket of jewels she had acquired over the years.
She had no use for it now.
Guisborne stood a little way away near the door.
"The Sheriff has agreed to let you stay here until you can make arrangements to go back to Shrewsbury, now that Thornton is dead you may find a need to marry again." He said firmly, "I trust you will be comfortable."
He turned to leave when she swallowed.
"Why did you do it?"
"Do what?" He demanded.
"Why did you sell me to Thornton, a girl of thirteen your sister?" She spun to face him.
"You know why." He snapped.
"Yes but I want to hear it from you." She raised both eyebrows.
"Because he offered a good price for you is why." Guy shouted over her, "If I had not done what I did we would both be living in some god forsaken corner of France without a penny to our name…"
"Better that than his wife." She screamed.
"No." Guy thundered, "It is not my fault that you failed to make the best of it…. You leper, naïve woman…"
He turned to storm from the room when she called after him.
"Is that what you think of Hoods wife, Marian?" She demanded.
Guy froze.
"I have seen the way you look at her, the only time I have seen you look like that at anyone…" She hissed, "You love her don't you, you love her and it hurts you because she is his… because she does not love you… your weakness Guy."
"You know nothing." He spat, angry because it was true.
"Perhaps one day we shall both have what we want." Isabella hissed, "You her, and me him, free to take pleasure form another at our own command… but Guy…"
She lifted her eyes to sneer at him.
"I pity her, for having to bear the affection of a man like you."
Guy said nothing, but glared at her and slammed the door behind him.
THE CAMP
"Cheers!"
The gang had finally got around to toasting their new camp.
They all clinked flagons of ale, and congratulated Will on his handiwork, it was larger than their old camp, with a separate bedroom for Robin and Marian, and one for Will and Djac.
But Robin and Marian were both confused when they were grabbed by other gang members and blindfolded before being pushed and steered out of camp.
"What is going on?" Marian demanded.
Robin to was unsure, "This had better not be your idea Alan…"
Alan was almost wounded, "Why me, this was an entirely group decision…"
"Much!" Marian appealed for help.
She hated surprises.
"No." He said almost smugly, "I am not saying anything."
She was stopped from walking.
"What…." Marians blindfold was removed soon after, and as Robins was removed, they both stared at the scene in front of them.
John clapped them both on the shoulder.
"Another of Wills creations, a little something from us, to say thank you to you both… seen as we never did get you a wedding present." He chuckled, and it was the most Marian had ever heard the giant speak.
"Thank you." Marian whispered, "Thank you so much."
Robin and she hugged each gang member in turn before turning back to their present.
Will laughed, "It was no problem."
Djac grinned, "We will let you look around, see you back at camp later."
"Yes…" Alan laughed, "Later…"
Robin and Marian ignored him as they all walked away.
Before them was a small cave, tall enough to stand in, but as small as a large room at Knighton.
It had a wooden door boarded over it, and was covered and perfectly hidden with leaves.
"A house." Marian whispered.
Robin nodded and put a hand on her back to steer her forwards.
They entered, and Marian nearly burst into the tears.
It was small and cosy and warm.
It had a carved Bed by Will in the centre, a small fire pit, two chairs, and the walls were covered with leaves for warmth.
It was lit by candles.
"Wow." She whispered.
She laughed as Robin scooped her up into his arms and carried her over to the bed.
Marian giggled as he pushed himself to hover over her and kiss her hard.
When they pulled apart gasping for breath he stared at her softly.
"I am sorry for today." He said after a moment.
She smiled, "I know you are, and I forgive you… you will just have to remember to put me first before any other women in future…"
His lips were on hers again.
"I will."
Her legs and ankles pushed into the small of his back, driving his closer as they gripped onto one another.
"I love you so much." He said around her mouth.
She clung to him impossibly tighter.
"I know my darling."
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