"Lady Marian!"
Count Friedrick of Bavaria looked up from the snowy road to smile in delight at the beautiful woman on horseback he had journeyed more miles than he cared to tally, specifically to see.
The count snapped to attention and executed a little foreign bow, nearly bringing a giggle to Marian's lips. He stood in the road with his attendants beside his carriage, which appeared to be stuck in a muddy rut and refusing to budge despite the count's orders to his men to "push harder."
"How long have you been stuck?" Marian asked, pleasantly surprised to see her old friend.
"Longer than I care to admit."
"We're not far from Locksley. Ride with me. We can send help and have your carriage and your men out of here in no time."
"That is most kind. But how am I to ride? My horses are supposed to pull my carriage...not host me on their backs."
Marian released her giggle at last at the count's expression. Sliding down from Tannin's back, she approached one of Count Friedrick's horses, stroked its mane, and asked, "What's his name?"
The count watched her intently, wishing for the first time in his life he could trade places with an animal.
"He is called 'Grane,' but why do you ask?"
"Because, Count, with your permission, I could ride him to Locksley, while I offer you my horse Tannin."
Count Friedrick uttered a surprised gasp. "But, Lady Marian, my horse has no saddle! You cannot ride him unsaddled!"
Marian smiled proudly. "Can't I? You forget, Count, I was once an outlaw. I cannot begin to tell you the number of times I was forced to 'borrow' an unsaddled horse to make an escape. At least Grane here is wearing reins!"
Smiling, the count lifted her gloved hand, pressing it to his lips as he bowed over it. "You are, as I recall, a remarkable woman, Lady Marian."
"Thank you, Count Friedrick. But I'm afraid you must call me 'Lady Locksley' now."
"Afraid? Oh, dear! Is your husband Robin Hood so horrible, then?"
It was Marian's turn to gasp. She had not meant to imply anything against Robin! Why had she said that?
Flustered and slightly angry, she tried to explain. "No. He's not horrible. He's..." Better tell the count the truth. After all, Robin wasn't here to listen and get all puffed up with pride.
"He's magnificent," she answered, flushing with love and pride.
The count's face betrayed no change in his response toward her answer. "Well, then, I gladly accept your generous offer, Lady Locksley. Lead me to your village!"
...
Arriving at Locksley, they found Marian's family, accompanied by the faithful Much, inside the manor. The girls had changed to warm dry clothing and were playing together by the fireside, while Robin paced the room, comfortable at trying to quiet his crying son whom he held in his arms.
Recognizing Marian's guest, he nearly dropped their child.
Removing her gloves and cloak, Marian happily acknowledged the delighted greetings of her little girls, offered her cheek to Robin, then took their hungry infant from his arms.
"Excuse me, Count," she said, taking the baby up the stairs, leaving her astounded husband to make conversation with their surprise guest.
"Well, well, well," Robin said to his daughters, not taking his jealous smiling stare off Count Friedrick's face. "Look what your mother found in the forest."