Chapter 21

"How are you feeling?" Marian asked sat beside her father's bedside.

"I am quite well thank you Marian." Edwards smiled. "There will be consequences of both our actions." He stated.

"I know." She sighed. "But we will be ready, and we will face them together." She gave him a weak smile.
"I am glad you did not marry him Marian."

"As am I."

"I only assume that this means your heart truly does belong to Robin."

"I am not sure, but I know I never stopped caring for him."

"You will do as you wish you always have done. Just promise me you will be careful."

"I promise."

"Good."

"Get some sleep father; I fear our next few days will be trying."

"Goodnight Marian."

"Goodnight Father." Marian left her father's room and headed down the stairs. The front room was quiet, she wanted to find Adam. She headed to the servants quarters where she found Sophia. Sophia opened her arms and Marian gladly accepted the offer of a hug.

"I am so proud of you Marian."

"What for? I have done nothing but put all our lives at risk."

"Yes but you showed courage and bravery. You followed your heart instead of your head that takes a very brave person indeed."

"Thank you Sophia." Marian smiled. "Where is Adam?"

"He and Mark are building a fire. There were some old things that needed burning."

"Good, I have something else I need to burn." Marian sprinted up the stairs to retrieve the crumpled dress that was on her floor. She dragged it behind her not caring whether it tore or got mudded. She found Adam and Mark behind the house about to light the fire.

"Do you mind if I join you?" She asked. Adam and Mark's faces both lit up.

"Not at all." Mark chirped. Marian smiled and waited for the two men to light the fire.

"You are sure you want to burn this?" Adam asked. "It's a lovely dress."
"As lovely as it is, I want to remember nothing about this day." Marian said throwing the dress onto the fire.

"Nothing at all?" Came a voice from behind her. "I find that hard to believe." She turned to face the familiar voice with a smile on her face. "Now come on Marian, there must be something you don't want to forget." He grinned at her.

"Same old Robin." She smiled.

"Take a walk with me?" He asked extending his hand.

"Of course." She took his hand and followed him back to the treeline. Once they stopped Robin leaned against a tree and pulled Marian into his body. She rested her head on his chest listening to his steady heart, whilst his hands made small circles at the bottom of her back. "I never thanked you for today." Marian spoke breaking the blissful silence.

"What for?"

"Everything, for saving my father, for coming to my rescue." She smiled.

"I would do it all again for you Marian." He said and lifted her chin with his hand. "I would do it all again." He whispered before placing his lips onto hers, she bought one of her hands to his face, running her thumb across his beard and cheek. It felt right to be kissing him again, after all those years it still felt the same, the same amount of love, emotion and joy, like they had never parted. Robin was the first to pull away.

"You know, I think it is Much that deserves your thank you. He is the one who figured it out." Robin said.

"Mmm who would have thought Much would save the day." Marian whispered, replacing her head back to his chest.

"He is rather clever when he wants to be." Robin chuckled.

Marian laughed, "Good old reliable Much." Robin looked down at her and smiled, he finally had her back and he couldn't be happy. The only thing that would make his life perfect would be to have his home back. But he felt he didn't need it, he had the women he loved and he was helping the people he loved. "I had better go." Marian sighed.

"Alright." Robin said releasing Marian's waist.

"Once again thank you." She smiled before walking back towards her house. She couldn't help but smile the entire way back and it felt as though she was walking on air. She was sat in bed and her mind was drifting this was the most peace she had felt in a very long time.