Till Death Do Us Part
- DO NOT READ AHEAD IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS FOR SERIES 2 -
Summary: Alternate ending for Series 2, because I didn't agree with the finale. I've slipped some scenes into S2 E13, and continued afterwards. Marian-centric, but features the whole gang, as well at the Sheriff, Guy and some OCs. First attempt at fanfiction, and un-beta'd.
Disclaimer: Robin Hood belongs to the BBC and Tiger Aspect, not me. But I do own my OCs, and (as far as I know) this plot.
~ Nia
Chapter 14 – A gift for a gift and a life for a life
Set one week after the previous chapter and Will and Djaq have been staying at Hassim's house during this time.
***
"We cannot leave yet Marian. You will do yourself more damage than good." Marian turned away from Djaq in exasperation. "Listen to me Marian! Until I say you are well, we stay here." Marian turned back to Djaq angrily. "Do not argue!" Unused to this fierce side of Djaq, Marian finally relented, disappointed. Upon seeing this dismay, Djaq changed track. "I'm sorry. But if you hurry, you will only make this worse for yourself." Marian finally saw sense.
"Very well. But if I do have to wait then will you teach me something?" Djaq regarded Marian very cautiously.
"What?"
"Arabic. Not the whole language, just enough to talk to Hassim and Aliah a bit and say thank you."
"Agreed. First I need to speak with Hassim."
***
"When you found Marian, what was wrong with her apart from the wound?" Djaq had found Hassim tidying his medicines.
"She remained unconscious for over a week. Is that what you mean?" Djaq took in the information but couldn't think of any relevance. "And she had some symptoms of poisoning, but she wasn't poisoned."
"Did you identify a poison?"
"I think it was hemlock, but it can't have been because it would have killed her for sure."
"Hemlock?" Djaq asked in surprise. "Surely not? But how did it get into her body in the first place. It's a poison after all and… Of course! It's a poison! The Sheriff must have been poisoning, or trying to poison her. But in the wrong dose it stopped her blood flow for a while when she was stabbed, causing us to think she was dead, and then she came back again!" Elated, Djaq left the bemused Hassim in order to explain to Marian.
***
"Am I well enough to leave yet?" Marian asked for seemingly the millionth time.
"Yes." For the first time in the week that had passed since Djaq and Will had arrived, the answer had changed. Expecting to hear another pitying denial, Marian initially resumed her usual nonchalant stance, and then she realised what Djaq had said.
"Really? I am fine to go?" Djaq nodded.
"I have told Hassim that we will be leaving soon. He has packed up food to get us to the King's camp, and given me marjoram leaves with which I can make a poultice for your wound if needed."
"I should go thank him for all he has done for us. Without him, well…" Marian left the sentence hanging in the air as she and Djaq went to find Hassim and Aliah.
***
"Thankyou for your help," Marian managed to say, remembering Djaq's instruction over the past week. "Thankyou for saving me, thank you for hiding me, thank you for everything." After Hassim had gotten over the initial shock of hearing Marian speak Arabic (hesitant though it was) he gestured to Aliah, who handed Marian a small wooden box.
"This is for you Rose," she said as she passed it over. Marian lifted the lid of the small box, to find under the thin fabric covering it, a necklace. It was not of traditional eastern design, but a gold heart-shaped pendant no bigger than a thumbnail, with several minute roses carved in precise detail into the necklace, surrounded by a tiny vine of leaves engraved into the metal. Marian held the precious necklace tight in one hand for a few moments, touched by the gesture, before undoing the clasp on the delicate chain and fastening it around her neck. Meanwhile, Aliah had whispered a few sentences to Djaq.
"My father made the necklace. He didn't want me to say, but I think you should know." In awe at Hassim's skills, Djaq then picked up on one word Aliah had said earlier:
"Why did you call Marian 'Rose' when you gave her the necklace?" Djaq asked. Aliah flushed a pinkish colour in embarrassment, and quickly muttered a couple of sentences.
"Before we knew her real name, we decided to give her a temporary name. I found her next to a rose, a rose is a beautiful English flower like she is, and when she was close to death she looked as fragile as a flower. I thought the name suited her perfectly. And so my father has carved roses into the locket to represent her, and has placed leaves around her to represent this Sherwood Forest you told me of which is where she will find her husband." Djaq smiled at the meaningful symbolism, and then translated the conversation for Marian to hear.
"They call you 'Warda'. It means 'Rose'. The roses on the locket represent you, and the leaves represent Robin and Sherwood Forest. It is time to go home."
Marian was so moved by the meaning of the gift that she wordlessly put her arms around Hassim and embraced him, and then did the same with Aliah, tars of gratitude forming in the corners of her eyes. Her wordless but emotional thanks said more to Aliah and her father that any words could.
***
That evening Djaq found Marian gripping the locket tightly with a look of immense concentration and frustration on her face.
"What is wrong?" Djaq asked as she lowered herself onto a chair.
"They have been so kind to me, and I cannot think of any way to repay their kindness."
"They do not expect anything in return – this is not a trade Marian. An act of kindness does not need or want payment."
"All the same, there is a war on, they do not have much in any case, I feel as though I am taking from them and have to give back. But all I have of value is the King's ring… the King…maybe he could try to ensure that they are protected – that English soldiers will not harm them at least. I could ask him when we go to the English camp."
"That is a gift anyone would be glad to receive," agreed Djaq.
***
When Djaq told them of Marian's plan, Hassim and Aliah were overwhelmed. They had not been expecting anything in return for the necklace – the look of thanks from Marian had been more than enough – and so they were stunned and extremely grateful by Marian's statement that she would ask her King to give them the sanctuary of their home and each other, and offer them protection. Hope of a normal life. A gift for a gift and a life for a life.
***
Four weeks after Marian's 'death' and she was back on the road again. Their packs were full, with baskets of food and a pigeon-case to be carried by hand. Undercover of dusk they had crept out of the town after saying goodbye to the father and daughter who had cured and housed them (for weeks in Marian's case). Marian was wearing a full veil to avoid recognition, Will also sported a headscarf, however Djaq's hair was still just short enough for her to pass as either male or female should she need to. Now however, they were lost. And being quickly caught up by Saracen soldiers.
"This is not good," said Djaq, casting worried glance over her shoulder.
"Clearly. We are walking our fastest but they have no heavy packs while we have one each and even more to carry. They will catch us up soon." Not to put too fine a point on it, Will's words were not helping the mood.
"How soon?" Marian asked.
"Very. Ten minutes and we'll be fighting, replied Will solemnly.
"Then we fight. We have done it before, we will just have to do it again," said Djaq, still anxiously casting glances towards the advancing soldiers.
"We should gain ground while we still can – so if we do survive we have less to go," suggested Marian.
"Shouldn't we save our energy for fighting?" Will asked. Suddenly Djaq noticed another shape coming closer – a horseman leading a second horse in the direction of the soldiers.
"I do not think we will be able to gain any ground," said Djaq, pointing out the horses. However, rather than reaching the soldiers, the rider suddenly veered away and galloped towards the three pursued. As the rider drew closer, it was evident they were unarmed. Their face was covered by a light scarf so it was impossible to make out the figure, but once within earshot they called out.
"It's me, Aliah!" Instantly Djaq relaxed, and so did the other two when she told them.
"What are you doing here? And why are you dressed as a man?"
"I'm here to help. There was no way you could outrun soldiers on foot with all that weight you are carrying. I'm dressed as a man because if they see who I am and that I'm a girl, I'll be killed. You should know that of all people Safiya." True, Djaq had revealed her male persona to the eagerly listening Aliah. "Climb on, I am to lead you fast to your King's camp and then return home with the horses before I can be caught." Once Djaq had translated, she and Will climbed on one horse, Marian onto the other behind Aliah. Their packs they still wore, and they still carried the extra items, slowing the horses but not enough to be caught.
The speed of the horses meant Marian had to cling tightly to her veil in order to stop it flying off, and it also meant that the four did not need travel for days in order to reach the camp undetected. It was nearing dawn when they finally arrived, and despite protest that she should stay and rest, Aliah insisted on leaving at once to return to her father. After another found of farewells, Djaq, Will and Marian scrambled down the sand dune into the camp.
They were immediately apprehended by night guards, who, not recognising Will with longer hair and in Arabic clothes, not seeing Marian's face (which was veiled to avoid recognition in case any of the Sheriff's men were still around), and not trusting the Saracen Djaq, detained them under close guard.
"Please sir, my name is Will Scarlet. I was here a few weeks ago with Robin Hood's gang."
"Then why didn't you go back with him then? I'm not stupid and you don't look like one of Robin Hood's men to me." It was hopeless arguing.
"How are we going to get to the King?" Djaq asked. "Until we do, we cannot be recognised, and until we are recognised, we cannot be trusted and cannot leave." Marian racked her brains to think of a way to get to the King, running her left hand through her hair as she did so. Will noticed a glint of red light reflecting onto the wall of the tent, and searched for the source: Marian's ring.
"The ring!" Will cried. "Surely the King will recognise his own ring? That would get his attention at least." Immediately, Marian removed the ring and handed it to Will who spoke to one of their guards. The soldier took the ring in his hand, inspected it in the light or a torch and then satisfied, proceeded to his general's tent. This general took one look at the ring before advancing to his King's tent.
***
Despite the horrendous hour, the King was awake and discussing tactics and battle plans with his advisors. When the general (Nicholas Granger was his name) entered the tent and presented the ring, the King was instantly confused and curious. The last time he had seen that ring was when Marian had died.
"Who gave you this?" he asked.
"One of three people we found sneaking into the camp, sire. One of them claims to be one of Robin Hood's men, another is a Saracen and the third is a veiled woman. I do not know their names."
"Bring them here."
"Is that wise, your Majesty?"
"I gave this ring to someone who saved my life. I think it would be very wise for you to fetch them here."
Will had taken to throwing a piece of fruit in the air and catching it during the long wait of tedium they were now enduring. As soon as he caught the fruit, he would throw it back up in the air and catch it again, over and over. Needless to say, the endless cycle was getting on the others' nerves.
"Please do not do that Will," asked Djaq. Will stopped, and instead bit into the fruit, before spitting it back out again in disgust. As it was unripe the fruit had a sour taste, causing Will who was unused to it to screw up his mouth in repulsion. This caused a bit of entertainment for Djaq and Marian, who until then had been sitting in silence awaiting news. As they were laughing quietly, their guard entered the tent.
"You will come with me." The attempt at a pompous air by the young soldier did not work; it only left Will sniggering at the young lad once his back was turned before he regained his composure in time to be ushered into the King's tent.
"Will, Djaq! This is indeed a surprise. I hope you have a good reason as to why you are sneaking around my camp in the dead of night," joked the King. The other three respectively bowed to the king. "But who might your mysterious companion be?" As the other two hesitated, Marian removed her veil and headscarf. "Lady Marian? But how is this possible? How can you be alive?"
"With a little involuntary help from the Sheriff and a wonderful local family," said Marian, intriguing King Richard further. Remembering his position, he regained his noble stance and authority, which he had dropped in his utter astonishment at seeing her alive.
"Marian, without you I would not be here right now. I wish to thankyou for laying down your life for your King, or intending to anyway."
"For England, your Majesty, it was worth it." The king handed back the ring to Marian.
"This belongs to you now, remember?"
"Thankyou," she said, noticing that the king had taken on board the knowledge that she was alive a lot quicker than Will and Djaq had. Then again, he was a king and so probably used to surprise, especially in a war, and he had barely met her before she was stabbed. She couldn't help but notice his stunned glances at the living miracle that was her.
"If there is anything I can do for you in return…" offered the king, after one such glance.
"The father and daughter that cared for me. Could you try to ensure they remain safe and well and have the haven of their home and each other?"
"I will do my very best." Marian curtseyed – to be a woman bowing to her king would have seemed uncomfortable. "Tell me, when Robin was impersonating me before the fight and Much was about to answer my question of a reward when you stopped him. What was he going to ask for?" Marian could not remember for a few moments, but then she thought of what Much was always asking for apart from food.
"I believe he was about to ask for the lodge and estate of Bonchurch near Locksley. Robin was going to grant it to him but then his lands were confiscated."
"Then he shall have it." Turning to Will and Djaq, he continued. "And how about you two? Is there anything you would wish for as an apology for wrongly condemning you to die in the desert?"
"Thankyou your Majesty, but the knowledge that you think us to be innocent, and returning to England is a gift enough for us," replied Djaq.
"Then I will make sure you do so as safely as possible."
***
The four discussed through the night how to get them home, the King suggesting that one of his retiring soldiers go with them, and that they stop in France to take a message to Queen Eleanor. They others felt they could not refuse.
"My soldier's name is Nicholas Granger. He is an experience soldier who will be both a guard and a guide to you for the journey. He knows the way to England very well – you will not get lost with him." King Richard called for Nicholas to enter, and made the introductions. After more planning which ran well into the late morning, Djaq decided to hang over Lardner and Zahra.
"Your Majesty, I think you are expecting these two pigeons. Bassam gave them to us to give to you before he died." After offering his condolences, King Richard suggested that they take Lardner with them in case of emergencies.
"After all, you never know what will happen tomorrow until it comes."
Tomorrow for the exhausted Will, Djaq and Marian meant rest and food in moderate safety, and then the gift of horses to get them home. The offer of a cart was refused on the understanding that it would attract too much attention. With their belongings strapped into the saddlebags, and fresh food and water, Will, Nicholas, Marian and Djaq began what would be a long trip back to England. The start of a long, painful, tiring, wonderful journey home.
***
So, quite a long chapter (the longest so far I think) because I've squeezed two into one. The reunion of the King with Will, Djaq and Marian is the reunion I was referring to a couple of chapters ago, I know it's not the one you all wanted, but it's the first physical step to getting Marian, Djaq and Will back to England so I felt I need to include it.
I also realise that this story doesn't quite fit with historical timelines – this point in the fic is set in about November/December 1193, at which time King Richard is held captive by King Henry VI of Germany (between December 1192 and February 1194), however as the BBC have been a bit evasive of historical timelines, I've had fit my story in with their timelines (so I am ignoring the whole King Richard is captive in Germany thing).
Thankyou so much to all my reviewers (thepiemaker, Abeep, gatewatcher, Robin of Nottingham, Hanamore, candyflossgirl, MontyPythonFan, Wendy, RHLvr4Evr, rainblian-child, Tortall Tribe Freak, nikkiole, Genevieve05, ReaderADV and xoxcallie18xox) – without all this encouragement I would never have had the patience to get this far in my fic. You guys are all amazing – muchas gracias!)
xxx Nia