JNTBL 10

Marian's heart broke with each step the horse took moving deeper into the forest. She had to tell Rbin. Her secret husband that she was to marry another man. A Prince. Tonight she would break his heart. Yet she would have to act like he had never held her own. She loved him, needed him, and the people needed him which is why she would have to let him go.

'Well well. A lady in the forest at this time of the night.'

Marian closed her eyes tightly in pain and looked down as his voice cut through dead night air. In some way she had hoped that she would not be able to find her. But he was Robin. And he would always find her. She didn't know if she could face turning and looking at him. So see his amazing eyes and the cocky grin that she knew was already plastered upon his face. But she had to. Because at the same time, she had to see his perfect face one last time.

'Robin.' Marian said formally.

Robin looked at her in confusion but then smiled. 'So you want to play proprieties Marian.' He smiled.

'Robin-'

'No no if you want to play that is fine. So I would call you Lady Marian I suppose.' Robin said carrying the so called game on.

Marian sighed sadly, why was he making this so hard? She watched as he continued to ramble on about how lady like she was and how he was a mere forest dweller. She would have liked this game if it had not been for the weight that sat upon her shoulders of the burden she had to destroy this night.

'Robin I am engaged.' Marian blurted out.

Robin stopped half way through his sarcastic rambling. 'What?' He asked shocked.

'Prince Vladimir, has asked for my hand in marriage.' Marian said sadly.

'And … you accepted him?' Robin asked the hurt evident in his tone.

'I if do not wed him he will torture and hang my father.' Marian stressed her voice rising.

'But you…and me.' Robin said softly as he tried to see sense.

'We are married to each other yes. But not in the eyes of others or the church.' Marian explained.

Robin looked at her. His eyes turning cold with hurt and betrayal. 'So that meant nothing to you? That night was just… a coincidence?' Robin shouted.

'Robin you are not making this any easier.' Marian snapped frustrated.

'Well I am sorry. Did I make you uncomfortable? Did I hurt your feelings?' Robin bit as he walked away a little.

'Robin it is what has to be done. There is no other way.' Marian stated as a tear glided down her face. She wiped it away quickly before he could see.

'No Marian. It is not the only way. The gang and I could rescue your father, like we were going to do to begin with. But you stopped us. You left with Gisbourne. Perhaps you would prefer living in the Castle.' Robin shouted.

'Robin you know that is not true.' Marian snapped. 'I hate being there. I want to be here with you. But my father comes first Robin.'

'Why? Why am I always second? I love you.'

'So does my father.' Marian contradicted.

'He was going to allow you to marry Gisbourne, so he could meet the King!.' Robin shouted outraged.

'Yes. But he was going to abandon me for one day. You abandoned me for five years.' Marian bit. She watched as Robin's eyes became cloudy and filled with a different kind of hurt. It was over now. He had given up the fight. Now she had to forgot. She had to leave and never look back. 'Goodbye. Robin Hood.' Marian said sadly as she turned her horse and rode quickly out of the forest as she allowed the tears to fall like a river of sorrow.

Robin watched until she was not even a mere shadow. He had lost her. He wasn't good enough for her. He was a mere forest dweller. How could he compare to a Prince. She would be better with him. He could offer not even a home but a Castle. He would easily support her, and everything she craved for would be at her feet. She may even be Queen one day. What would she be here? In a forest. Queen of the tree's. I don't think that would be comparable against Russia. Robin looked sadly down the road once more where Marian had exited.

'Goodbye. Lady Marian.' He whispered before turning and walking back towards the camp.