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Here's Chapter 11. Sorry for the wait...I was having a little writer's block. Thanks for the reviews everyone! Enjoy!

The cellar below the barn in the village of Nettlestone was dark, damp, and not nearly large enough to hold the six outlaws and Marian. So, Robin was laid out on cloakes and a small sac of flour to pillow his head, still unconscious, while Djaq inspected his leg. Much hovered over with a torch in his hand to provide light and Marian sat at Robin's side, holding his calloused hand and watching nervously. Allan, John and Will were gone to retrieve the tax money.

Djaq began to clean Robin's wound. Even in the dim light, Marian could see how his leg had been torn apart. Four or five large gashes slashed across his leg, the longest reaching from his ankle to just belo his knee. Djaq was trying desparately to stop the bleeding. Everyone once and a while, she would look up at Marian's concerned and worried face, and feel a small twinge of sadness.

"Djaq?" Marian whispered

"I do not know." Djaq answered to the question that she knew Marian was going to ask. "If I can stop the bleeding, then he should be fine, but if I do not or an infection sets in, things..." she hesitated, "Things could become complicated." she went back to binding Robin's leg.

Complicated, Marian repeated to herself. Things between her and Robin were always complicated. Their was too much history, too much tension, and too much bad blood between them now. It all became muddled into tangles, leaving them both with their hands tied behind their backs. Of course, their last conversation in the cave did not make things any easier.

I never said I wouldn't love you forever.

Marian wasn't sure if she was going to smile or cry at the thought of what he had said to her. She looked at his face as he lay sleeping. He looked so peaceful, but she could see hints of that determination and cheekiness that came forward when he woke. Her face softened slightly and wished with all of her heart that things could be different. As much as she hated to admit it, she was tired of making choices, tired of having to put herself last in everything. For one moment, she wanted to be selfish and let Robin pull her into his arms. Ever since they were children, his embrace made all of her troubles go away.

Time passed and the night wore on. Robin had still not woken up, but the bleeding had slowed and Djaq seemed marginally pleased. Now, Marian sat alone with Robin in the cellar, still holding his hand, now caressing his fingertips. For a while, she ran over possible conversations they would have if he woke up. When, she told herself closing her eyes shut, when he wakes up.

A nervous hand on her shoulder broke her out of her reverie.

"My lady?" Much's voice whispered, "It is nearly dawn, perhaps you should-"

"No." Marian shook her head, "I am not leaving him." she still looking at Robin, silently willing him to wake up.

Much wanted to smile, "But if you were not to return, your father will worry about you. Surely, you do not wish to worry your father."

Marian sighed and her shoulders sagged. It would not do well for anyone if she stayed, no matter how much she wanted to. She finally turned to look at Much and saw that his cheek bore a large red mark, deepening into what she was sure would become a bruise. A small pang of guilt hit her.

"I am sorry for what I did Much." Marian sad sincerely, not being able to hold his gaze for embarassment.

But Much only gave a goofy grin, "That's all right. I've had worse."

Marian also offered him a small smile. She looked at Robin but spoke to Much, "You will tell me if his condition improves?"

"You have my word, my lady." the ex servant said solemnly.

So, Marian got on her knees, let go of Robin's hand and kissed his forehead, "I'll see you soon." she whispered. She then got to her feet and climbed out of the cellar just as hints of daylight were beginning to touch the edges of the sky.

RHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

It was late in the afternoon as Marian sat at her bedroom window that faced in the direction of Nettlestone. She had just endured an insuffrable afternoon with Gisborne. He commented often that she seemed out of sorts to which she attributed to some petty excuse that she could not remember. In her hands she held three rings. The first was from her mother, her wedding ring that her father had given to her. It was a simple gold band with swirls around it. It felt warm in her hand as she pictured her fondest memories of her mother.

The second ring was the betrothal ring from Gisborne. After Robin had tossed the original somewhere in the forest, he had acquired the most expensive ring that he could acquire. It was also the gaudiest. Silver, gold and a cool blue sapphire. "To match your eyes." Guy had told her with a smile and she had been forced to smile back and claim that she loved it. This ring was colder than a steel blade, though she had been wearing it all day.

The last ring was made of cherry wood. It was smooth, round and was a deep brown with hints of red. She ran her fingers along the inside of the ring where the inscription M+R Always was written. It was not their official betrothal ring, that she had thrown at him in fury when he decided to leave. This one was given to her when he first proposed as they lay in a field overlookng Lockesly.

He was eighteen and she was fifteen. They had gazed at the clouds together with their hands barely touching. Then, out of nowhere, he asked her to close her eyes. She felt something slide over her finger so she opened them to find this ring on her right hand. Robin looked at her and said "Marry me?" He truly looked terrified.

Not knowing what to do Marian burst out laughing. Robin's look of terror changed to one of shame. However, being stubborn he changed his look to anger.

"I'm sorry I asked." he said, looking awfully grumpy as he sat up.

Marian stopped laughing and looked at him, "Robin, you just commited two cardinal sins when proposing."

"I didn't know there were rules for proposing." he said angrily

"There are rules for everything." she smirked, "You wouldn't know though, because you are always breaking them." her smirk turned into a smile over her little victory.

Robin snorted and looked up into the sky, trying to control his anger. Finally, he turned his gaze to her.

"Well can you at least tell me what I did wrong?"

"For starters," Marian began, " you had the presumption to put this ring on my finger before I had even answered. Really by the way you did that, it's a wonder you asked me at all."

Robin snorted, "Sorry I asked then."

"And secondly," continued Marian as she sat up to look Robin right in the eyes, "You put the ring on the wrong finger." with that, she switched the ring as she watched him turn a bright red. Then she leaned forward and kissed him passionately. When they came up for air Robin looked at her curiously.

"What was that?" he asked.

"That was part of the rules for accepting a proposal." she answered.

They both smiled.

A knock at the door brought Marian back to reality. "Come in" she called as her father entered the room.

"Marian, Much is here to see you." Edward said as he stepped out of the way to let Much in. Marian stood up to meet him. Much's eyes were red and his face was grave.

"Robin-" he croaked out, "he..."

Marian froze as three rings hit the floor.

TBC.

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