Robin raised his fist in the air as a silent message to the others to stop. At seeing Marian panting for air the others were grateful for Robin's morning runs and training sessions. Robin waited for everyone to catch their breath. He turned to Much and put a hand on his friend's shoulder, "Much, I need you to take Marian to her room to gather some clothes and a few belongings." Much's face turned into a slight frown. Robin never wanted him on missions. Seeing this Robin told him, "You are my most trusted friend. I need you to keep Marian safe." Much looked pleased with this explanation.
Marian became frustrated quickly, "I do not need looking after, and I will not go to my room to pack. I must rescue my father."
Robin lovingly gazed upon his wife, "Marian, my angel, you cannot keep wearing Djaq's spare clothes. They do not fit you, and what will Djaq wear when she washes her clothes. We cannot very well allow Djaq to roam around naked in the woods."
Will blushed as he glanced over Djaq's small frame. He would not mind watching her wander about without her clothing. The others noticed the look on Will's face. Much and John rolled their eyes as Marian smiled at the two. She was becoming a hopeless romantic, and hoped that everything would work out between Will and Djaq, "alright, I will go grab some clothing, if for no other reason then Will is too valuable a member of your gang and he would be worthless to you in the event that Djaq needed to do laundry." Everyone laughed a little too loudly as Will and Djaq turned bright red. Marian would fit in well with this group of merry men.
"Then it is agreed. John, Will, Djaq, and I will head to the dungeon to free Edward. Much, Marian you should be able to escape through the kitchens." Much perked up considerably, "and yes, Much, if it is safe and you have time you can feel free to collect a few groceries."
John stepped forward and said gruffly, "We go now."
Much led the way, playing the valiant protector. Marian could not help but smile at the man's kindness. Unlike other men in her life Much was always sincere. He motioned for her to hide in a corner as he checked her room for soldiers. When he walked in the sight tore at his heart. It was good that his master had not come in here. There was no telling how Robin would react to this scene. Bed sheets were ripped off the bed, Guisborne's lifeless body was sprawled out on the floor, his hand still grasping a piece of what looked like Marian's nightdress. Much quickly grabbed a sheet he found by the bed and covered Guisborne's body. He did not have time to properly clean up this mess for Marian, but he would do all he could to make it less painful for her. He whistled softly and waited for her to enter.
Marian had forgotten how she left her room. A part of her was expecting it to appear as it always did. Her eyes traveled down to the floor until they rested on a white sheet. She knew that Much had done that to protect her, but it did nothing to hide her sin. To hide the blackness that was spreading thoughout her heart. She had killed him. She brought her hand to her chest as her breath came in and out in high pitched wheezing. She felt as though someone or something was grabbing her lungs and squeezing them. Much was at her side immediately. He helped her sit down on the side of the bed encouraging her to place her head between her knees. He slowly rubbed her back, "Marian, you must slow down. You will make yourself sick. Breathe in. Shhhh… now breathe out. That's right. Just keep that up. Slow breaths. You have done nothing wrong. You have done nothing that is unforgivable. You are a good person, and you have a good heart. I am glad you did what you had to do because I cannot imagine a world without you in it."
Much's words brought a sense of calm to her, and she was able to steady her breathing. He sounded far too experienced at giving this speech. She slowly sat up and looked into his soft eyes, "how often did you do that for Robin?"
Much gave her a sad smile, "far more often then I like. The Holy War took it's toll on his soul. I mean every word to both of you. Had you not fought back, you would probably not be with us. Marian, this is no world for Robin or I if you are not in it. Now, why don't we pack some of your things?"
She nodded and walked over to her wardrobe pulling out her Nightwatchman outfits, spair boots, cloaks, and any fabric that had warmth to it. She gathered her hair sticks as well as a necklace that had belonged to her mother, and bundled everything in a blanket. When she was ready to leave Much poked his head out and looked down the hallway. They both snuck quietly to the kitchens were Much began to gather flour, salt, and other ingredients that were hard to come by in the forest. Marian found quite a few meat pies and some ale that she gathered. They were about to leave when Much smelled something sweet. "Could it be?"
"Much, I do not know if we can carry anymore," she pleaded with him. Both of them had their arms full and make shift packs on their backs. She felt like a pack mule.
Much peaked into a cabinet and found the object of his affection, "cakes!" He quickly grabbed them and turned to Marian, "now we flee!"