Chapter 21 – Surprise
The door to the house slammed against the wall as it was flung open. Guy quickly jumped to attention, grabbing his sword, holding it out ready he made his way towards the door.
"Gisbourne!" The Sheriff snapped at him. "What do you think you're doing pointing that thing at me?!"
He put his sword back in its sheath. "I'm sorry my Lord, I did not know it was you."
He shrugged this off with a disapproving noise. "So where is she?"
"Who my Lord?" He tried to remain calm, but inside he was worried; he knew very well who he meant, and she was just in the next room. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword.
"Your leper friend… what was her name? Harriet? Hannah, that's it."
"I do not know what you are talking about, my Lord." He hoped this was a test of some kind, but began to slowly back away towards the doorway of the next room; closer to Hannah.
"Don't play dumb with me Gisbourne. I know she's here, you should be well aware I have spies everywhere. But you told me you hadn't seen her since I caught you two in bed together."
"I lied." He stopped where he was; now close enough.
"I know you lied!" Vaysey yelled at him, obviously very angry.
From the corner of his eye he saw her come to the doorway. "Hannah." Guy beckoned her forward, deciding the easiest way to protect her would be to have her by his side.
"See! I knew she was here! What do you think you're doing lying to me?!"
"I'm sorry, my Lord. But she was injured, I could not let her go." He held Hannah's hand in his own, making sure to keep her behind him.
"I know she was injured! Didn't she tell you how those cuts got there?! I thought that would have been enough, but apparently not. Apparently all it takes is for a woman to throw herself wantonly at you, and then suddenly I am nothing to you. Or is it more than that, do you like her, do you have feelings for her? Do you love the dirty wench?" His patronising tone of voice added to the insults was making Guy more and more frustrated. "Perhaps I need to get my hands on that floozy of yours again. Perhaps then you will see some sense."
Guy drew his sword again, holding it dangerously close to Vaysey. "Don't you ever talk about her like that again! And if you ever so much as lay a finger on her… I'll… I'll…" He struggled to come up with something he deemed a good enough punishment.
The Sheriff didn't even flinch. "Kill me?" He almost offered as a suggestion. "I don't think so Gisbourne; you know what happens if you do." Guy thrust his sword forward, Vaysey turned his back on him. "You need to decide where your loyalties lie, Gisbourne." He left, making sure to close the door behind him. But little did he know, he already had.
Guy re-sheathed his sword, then paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to release his anger. He gently let go of Hannah's hand, then turned to face her. The fear displayed on her face, and so evident in her eyes made him worried; was she scared of him? She slowly shook her head, reading his thoughts. Relief flooded through him; how would he be able to protect her if she was scared of him?
Stepping closer to her, he wrapped her into his embrace, holding her as close as he could, trying to reassure her with his closeness. He held her head to his chest, gently resting his own head on hers; keeping her even closer.
He wrapped his arms tighter around her, needing to feel something, anything but anger; he knew he couldn't let the negative feelings take over. He knew he needed to keep her safe, and so, she had to feel safe. Letting his love for her overwhelm everything else, he cradled her against him.
And waited.
Robin reached out for Marian in his sleep, wanting to pull her close, hold her in his arms, even in his sleep he was fully aware of her absence. He woke; she wasn't there, for a second he reconsidered, thinking she had to be there, but no, she definitely wasn't, because if she was then she would be in his arms. He sat up, where was she? She was always there when he woke, and this, in John's words, he did not like.
Then, as he saw the folded parchment on her pillow, addressed to him in her hand, he relaxed, picked it up, unfolded it and read the note.
My Darling,
Today is the day.
M xx
Robin flashed a grin, jumped out of bed and ran downstairs to find his friends there waiting for him; Marian obviously knew what she was doing.
He wrapped one arm around Much's neck, the other round Will's, hugging them with excitement. When he let go they both stood there staring at him; Much a bit startled whilst Will was a little angry at how close Robin had been to squashing the child that was peacefully asleep in his arms. "Oi! Don't squash the baby!" He exclaimed, rather offended; not caring too much if Harry woke, that could easily be rectified, him being squashed, on the other hand, could not.
Robin laughed off Will's annoyance. "I'm not going to; if I did Marian would kill me!"
"Hmm… so would Djaq." He agreed.
Robin laughed off the idea, too happy to think about such negative things. "Well come on!" He exclaimed to them all. "What are you waiting for?!" He ran back upstairs, a spring in his step.
Much looked at the others, then decided to take charge. "Allan, John you go set up, I'll go help Robin, and Will you can be our messenger with the others, can you go and see how long the ladies need?"
"Sure… but…" He indicated to the baby, Much took Harry from him and they all headed off to do their designated jobs.
Much followed Robin upstairs, bracing himself to find him almost ready and ecstatically happy, but to his dismay found him sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the open wardrobe.
"Master? What is it? I thought you would be happy." He took a blanket from the end of the bed, placed it on the side and then placed Harry, still sleeping, on it.
"I am. Of course I am! I'm getting married to my childhood sweetheart, the love of my life, there is not a word for how happy I am!" He was smiling as he spoke, then his expression dropped. "But… when I look at all the beautiful dresses she has." He looked at the half of the wardrobe with her dresses hanging in it. "And I think about how amazing she will look in her wedding dress, and then look at my clothes, I feel like an idiot; I'm not worthy of her! I was an outlaw, still am at heart. I don't have any smart clothes, I don't own anything good enough to wear at the altar. I should just disappear; she'd be better off without me."
"Master!" Much cut in; it would not do him any good to go further. "Do not say that! Of course you are worthy of Marian, she says so herself doesn't she?! You have been through so much together to get this far. You love her, she loves you, and you have both waited far too long for this day. Just think about how many years you have fought to make it to today. And she has fought long and hard to get you here, and keep you with her in this world. All she is asking of you is to meet her at the altar and become her husband. If you cannot do that then perhaps you are right, perhaps you are not worthy of her."
"Is that what you think? You think I am not worthy?"
"Of course I do not think that! You are worthy of her, you deserve each other." Much let out a sigh. "Do I have to go and get Marian to convince you? I am sure she would come."
Robin turned to look at him, but in truth he was imagining her reaction; he knew she would come, but she wouldn't be angry like a lot of people might think. She would wrap him in her arms, hold him to her, and tell him he was worthy of her, and she would sit with him and tell him all the reasons why he was worthy. And when she was done, and had made him see what she saw, she would tell him she loves him, kiss him and say she'd see him soon, when they would be married. Then, when she left she wouldn't be long, even if she still had everything left to do, because she knew how nervous he was. She would meet him at the altar, just a few minutes after he arrived, and they would become husband and wife.
Then, as he came out of his thoughts, he realised how stupid he was being. If there was one person he could trust in this it was her, and he knew her well enough to know what she would say, and God knew she was right.
His eyes lifted from the floor, and he looked to Much and told him the only two words he could. "She's right."
Much nodded. "She is, because she knows you better than anyone else, sometimes I think better than you do."
Robin knew he was right. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me; thank her once you are man and wife." He paused for a moment. "Now come on." He got up off the bed and walked over to the wardrobe. "We'll pick out your best clothes and make sure your boots are well polished."
"Okay." He still looked displeased.
"You know you could wear anything and she would just be happy that it's your wedding day. Just like you don't really care what she wears."
"I do! I want her to have the beautiful white wedding dress, all part of the wedding she deserves."
"I know… but if it came down to it, you would be just as happy to see her in an old tattered dress, as long as you got married."
"It's the marriage that's important." He agreed.
Much smiled. "Okay, you pick out your clothes, I'll polish your boots, John and Allan have gone to make sure the last bits are set up, and Will has gone to check how much longer Marian needs."
"Nothing." Robin mumbled under his breath.
"What?"
"I said, she doesn't need any longer; she is already as beautiful as she could be."
Much smiled, laying one hand on his friend's shoulder. "See? It is comments like that, that make you worthy."
Robin didn't know what to say to that, but, he supposed, he was right. And then it hit him, he needed to cheer up; this was supposed to be the best day of their lives; their wedding day, he smiled; thinking about how soon they would be married and how stunning Marian would look in her wedding dress. And with her on his mind, he set about getting ready.
Marian sat in front of a mirror at Will and Djaq's. She had sent Djaq off with the others to set up part of her the surprise, the half they knew about anyway, the other half she had told no one about.
She sat in her wedding dress, sorting her hair; separating the curls but otherwise leaving it natural; just like he loved it. She smiled, thinking about the wedding and wondering what exactly Robin had planned for it, but she knew whatever it was she would love it, how could she not when it was their wedding day?
Once done, she moved to the bed, sat herself down on it and waited. She almost felt nervous; sat waiting for the others to come back, she knew she needed to wait for them before she could head to, well, wherever Robin had planned the wedding, not only because she did not know where she was going, but because, of those she wanted at their wedding, there were few that could be there, and the ones that could were her friends; the best witnesses England had to offer. And as she sat there, she thought about her father; how he should be there too, and how she'd always thought he would be, but in a way the fact he wasn't made it more special; now neither of them had their parents, and now in a way, they only had each other left, and to be finally getting married ensured they would always have that much at least.
At the sound of a knock at the door Marian rose from the bed and headed to answer the door. She stuck her head round the door, concealing her body behind it; not quite sure if she wanted whoever it was to know she was getting married today.
"Oh, hello Will, come in." She let him in and quickly shut the door after him. He swiftly looked around the room, wondering where the others were, well where Djaq was really. "Djaq's not here." She could tell who he was looking for.
"You're here alone!" He knew Robin wouldn't like that; he made a personal note not to let him know.
"You sound like Robin." She laughed. "Don't worry, you know me; I'll be fine." She gestured to the sword leant against the wall next to the door. "And there's another one upstairs."
Will relaxed, and for the first time actually focused on Marian. "Wow, you look beautiful… the dress is gorgeous."
Marian blushed a little, not expecting such a comment from Will; but then again he wasn't the innocent boy that lived with his father in Locksley anymore. "Thank you." She smiled. "Do you think Robin will like it?"
"Are you joking?!" He laughed a little, surprised she would even ask that. "He will be stunned, blown away even. Of course he will love it."
"He will love it because it is I who is wearing it." She passed that off as the reason Robin would like it.
"Yes, of course… but he will love the dress, I am certain of it."
Marian smiled a thank you. "So did you just come here to see Djaq or did Robin send you?"
"Actually neither, well a little bit of the first one." Marian smiled as she saw his cheeks redden a little. "Much sent me, to see how much longer you needed… but I guess what I really want to know is how long it is till the others return."
"Not long I think; I sent them off to do something for me while I got ready."
"Something for Robin?"
"A little." She agreed, smiling as she thought of the letter; she still could barely believe what it said. "It's for after the ceremony, a celebration if you like."
"Oh?"
"Djaq will tell you later; I don't want it to get to Robin; it's a surprise."
"Okay… shall I wait for them to get back or…?"
"I'd say wait; I am ready after all and it was making me nervous left here alone."
"You have nothing to be nervous about; he's not about to leave you at the altar; he loves you."
"I know, I know… it's just because we've waited so long and now it's finally here; I don't want anything to go wrong."
"It won't, we'll all make sure of it."
Marian nodded. "When they get back, you return to Robin, tell him I'm ready, and that I'll be there in half an hour."
"I will."
They both turned their heads towards the voices they could hear; they could tell exactly who it was. Will lightly placed a kiss on Marian's check, smiled, whispering to her. "Good luck." Then turned to leave.
Djaq was stood in the doorway, eyebrows raised at him. "Oi you!"
"Oh shh." He leant forward and lightly pressed his lips to hers. "I'll see you soon." He left and headed back to Locksley Manor.
Djaq looked to Katie, and Eve who was holding Megan, then to Marian, her expression questioning. "What was he doing here? And where is he off to in such a hurry?"
"They wanted to know how long I needed. The manor." She stated; answering the questions simply.
"And…?" She inquired as to what message he was passing on.
"In half an hour we head… where?"
Djaq shook her head. "You know that's a surprise; you don't find out till we get there."
Marian let out a faint growl; voicing her annoyance. "He knows I hate surprises." She mumbled.
The Saracen laughed at her. "Don't be like that! You'll love this one I promise."
"If I don't, there'll be hell to pay… what a way to start a marriage." She laughed, then stopped. "I'm getting married in half an hour!" She exclaimed, grin spreading from ear to ear.
Eve, Katie and Djaq all smiled too, moving forward to hug her. Megan made sure to join in too; wrapping her arms around Marian's legs.
"Hey…" Marian gently pushed them all away, pulled Megan's fingers from around her and crouching down in front of her. "You better not have sticky fingers." She laughed at the vision of her having hand prints on her dress.
"Nope. They're all clean, see." The little girl held up her hands for Marian to inspect.
"Good, we don't want dirty marks on my dress now do we?"
"No." Megan shook her head.
Marian smiled, ruffling the girl's hair as she stood. Megan pouted; she was dressed up for the wedding, had had her hair done by Eve and now it was all messed up. "Sorry." Marian smoothed it out for her, noticing the displeased look on her face, Megan then smiled at her. "Wait!" She suddenly looked panicked.
The other women all looked worried; what was suddenly wrong? "What?" Katie asked cautiously.
"Where's Harry?" Marian turned to Djaq.
Djaq smiled in relief. "Anyone would think he was your child." She joked, but Marian's expression didn't alter. "Relax! Will has him… well one of the other men has him." Djaq smiled at Marian's natural maternal instinct; children instantly bonded with her, and her instinct to protect them was so strong. "You are going to be the most amazing mother."
"Okay, don't jump too far ahead! We have to get married first."
"Yes, but you've nearly done that much."
"Don't make me nervous!" She exclaimed, then noticed Eve about to say something. "Don't!" She cut in. "I've already had that from Will."
They all laughed at her over reacting. "Relax…" Katie soothed her, and the banter continued for a while, the three other women trying to distract Marian from being nervous.
Half an hour later, Katie and Eve took Megan and made their own way to the wedding. Djaq grabbed Marian's cloak, draping it round her friend's shoulders. Marian immediately put up a fight but Djaq insisted, saying she'd freeze without it; it was early February and still quite cold outside. Marian relented, agreeing to wear it. "For now." She emphasised.
Djaq then rushed Marian out the door; ensuring she wouldn't keep Robin waiting any longer. She stood for a moment taking in the sight before her; Robin clearly had everything down to a detail, he had had his, their carriage done up especially; in place of the usual curtains were white ones, the light blue trimming and pattern on them giving an indication of their quality and cost.
Marian smiled; even though he knew it wasn't necessary, even though he knew she didn't want him wasting his money on such silly luxuries, he still wanted to lavish such expensive things on her, all in an attempt to give her the perfect wedding. He never seemed to understand, no matter how many times she told him, that it was perfect because it was him, because it was their wedding day.
The two of them climbed into the carriage, luckily for Marian's nerves the ride was relatively short. Soon the carriage slowed to a halt.
"Go on." Djaq whispered.
Marian paused for a moment. "Wait a minute." She pulled her cloak off.
"You'll freeze!"
"I don't care." She wanted Robin to see all of her dress, no bit of it covered up, she hoped he would understand the symbolism; her openness to him, no part of her hidden from him.
She stepped out of the carriage and took a moment to take in where she was.
Knighton Hall. Except it wasn't how she'd last seen it, burnt to the ground. All the remains had been cleared, a wooden floor laid and a basic structure rebuilt, it was different but still the same, and although it was laid out as one large room it still held the same overall shape as the old house had had. The whole place had been decorated; light blue and white drapes around the top of the new structure, and the few chairs for the congregation were decorated with the same material too.
One thing in particular took her breath away though, her smile grew as her gaze settled upon it. A hanging suspended from the framework, a quick glance around the room told her there were three more, placed as if to close the space off a little more. But it wasn't the hanging itself that made her smile, but what was on it. At the top her family arms, his at the bottom and right in the middle what she assumed to be their new one; not quite a mix of the two but still representing them both. It was simpler than the others, simpler than most, yet perfect, that was it, perfect.
Marian switched her gaze to Robin, her smile growing even more; he looked so nervous, yet still happy that she was pleased with it all. She sent a reassuring smile his way, hoping he'd understand, locked eyes with him and slowly made her way towards him.
Robin watched with anticipation as the carriage slowed to a stop. He took a deep breath; waiting for her to come out, and when she did he was blown away, for a moment he forgot to breathe. She never ceased to amaze him, her effortless beauty; from her natural curls to her sky blue eyes. And as if that wasn't enough, seeing her in her wedding dress, so beautifully made as it was, was so much more amazing; the halter neck showing her neckline, inappropriate some might say, but if she didn't care neither did he, he loved the way it showed her independence, her determination not to abide by the usual standards. The way it hugged her curves, showing off her slender figure, and the embroidery on the top half, all so beautiful.
As he watched her his nerves began to fade a little; she was happy, she loved it all. He could see she was pleased, surprised even, and to see her face light up as she took in their family arms, made him smile. He was so relieved that she loved it; he had put so much thought into it, wanting to please her, and he was glad he had.
He smiled as she switched her gaze to his, trying to show he was happy, hide his nerves. She sent a reassuring smiled his way, he smiled a little in response; trying to show he understood. He locked eyes with her as she did with him, and waited for her to make her way towards him.
Marian took Robin's hands in her own, intertwining her fingers with his. She kept her eyes on him, wondering what he was thinking; his eyes dropped to the ground but Marian brought one hand up to his cheek, tilting his head up again. She waited for him to look her in the eye, then asked softly, whispering it. "What?"
He closed his eyes for a brief moment and reopening them, took a deep breath. "Marian." He whispered back just as softly.
"Robin." She returned her free hand to his, holding it tightly, comfortingly. "Tell me."
"Marian." He paused; clearly thinking about what he would say. "You are everything to me, my soul reason to live." She smiled reassuringly as he spoke. "Without you I wouldn't be here today, couldn't… I want to say thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me over the years, from helping me up when I tripped as a child, to being there for me when my parents died, and… for the past couple of weeks. You saved my life, Marian, you never gave up on me, you got me to Locksley so that I could be seen to. If you hadn't been there, I probably would have given up on myself, I would…" He choked on his words. "I would never have survived." He made sure to keep his eyes on hers. "And you stayed by my side through it all… every day when I woke, and found you in my arms I felt lucky, and I always will, because I can barely believe that you are here with me; after everything I've done, everything I've done to you, you are still here. So I want to say sorry; I'm sorry for hurting you, and I hope never to do it again, but I also want to thank you, because without you in my life I would fall apart, I don't know what I would do without you, and I certainly never want to find out. I love you Marian."
"Robin, my darling." She smiled; trying to cheer him up. "You haven't hurt me nearly as many times as you think you have, and for the times you have, you have more than made up for, I assure you. And I promise I will always be there for you, I will always be by your side, I could never be anywhere else… and that is why I am here now; I am standing here with you on our wedding today, because I want to show the world that I am yours, show them all that I will always be there with you. I know you can't do without me, just like I cannot do without you, together we're stronger, Robin, and in a world like ours we need to be as strong as we can. As long as you are here for me, I will be there for you, because I love you, Robin."
"Thank you…"
Marian smiled again, trying to show he didn't need to thank her, that it was all part of her being there for him. "Say the words then, handsome." She squeezed his hands lightly, encouragingly.
"I, Robin, take you Marian, to be my lawful wedded wife." Marian's smile grew as he spoke. "To have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer." His voice faltered a little and he stopped.
"In sickness…" She prompted him, quietly enough so no one else would hear.
"In sickness or in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part."
Marian waited a moment, keeping her eyes on his, before beginning her own vows. "I, Marian, take you, Robin of Locksley, master of the bow, champion of the poor, and Lord of my heart…" She grinned, glad to see him smile back. "To be my lawful wedded husband. I promise to love and to cherish you, for better or for worse, from this day forward, as long as we both shall live."
Robin looked into her eyes, as she looked back into his; lost in the moment until she pulled her gaze from his, turning away to take a ring from Djaq. He in turn took his from Much, then turned back to Marian, taking her left hand in his. He gently slid the gold band onto her ring finger, and she did the same for his. For a moment they stood gazing into each others eyes, hand in hand.
Marian gently moved his arms round her waist, so his hands rested against the small of her back, and lightly placing her palms against his chest, she whispered to him. "You may kiss the bride." She leant up and pressed her lips to his, soon he began to relax, and she brought one hand round to the back of his neck, deepening the kiss as she felt his arms tighten around her.
She slowly pulled her lips from his, and looked up into his eyes. "I love you, my husband."
"And I love you, my wife." He wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulling her flush against him and kissed her lovingly.
Marian broke away, hands drifting down to his arms. She paused for a moment, tilting her head a little and looking him in the eye. "Are you alright now?" She whispered to him.
"Yeah." He smiled, took her hand in his, and lead her quickly back down the aisle and to his waiting horse. He helped her up onto it then climbed up behind her. With one hand he took the reins, and went to wrap the other around her. "You're freezing!" He exclaimed, pulling her closer in order to share his warmth with her more.
"Hmm…" She cuddled up to him a little more, then felt his hand move to her upper arm; gently rubbing it to help warm her up.
"I've got just the thing." He set the horse to trot.
"What?"
"It's a surprise." He whispered in her ear.
"You know I hate surprises."
"You liked the last one didn't you?" He asked optimistically.
"How could I not?" She leant back, trying to get round enough to kiss him. Robin leant a little closer and pressed his lips to her cheek, holding them there for a moment. After a while he pulled his lips away, then set the horse to gallop so they'd reach their destination quicker.
After a couple of minutes he stopped the horse in a small clearing in the forest. Jumping down off it he held out a hand to help Marian down, she took it and gracefully dismounted. Robin led her a little further into the clearing, then letting go of her hand he walked over to a hollow tree at the edge of the clearing. He delved inside the trunk and pulled out a neatly folded bundle. Marian laughed at him. "What?!" He asked defensively.
"Still hiding things in the forest?"
"Only so you wouldn't find it." He raised an eyebrow at her, smiling as he handed her the bundle. She looked down at it then back up to him. "Go on then." He urged. She grinned at him; tempted not to open it, just to see his reaction. She shivered a little; feeling colder again, and moved to cuddle up to him but he held up a hand to stop her. "Open it first." She looked up at him, eyes wide, looking for sympathy and tried to move closer again. "Open it." He said more firmly.
"You are cruel, Robin of Locksley."
"I'm just persistent, my love."
"Alright, alright." She proceeded to unfold the cloth; holding onto the top of it she let the rest unravel itself and took a moment to look at it. An elegant pastel blue cloak with darker edging, and a silver clasp with the family arms inlaid in the centre.
"Oh Robin!" She flung her arms around his neck and held him close, Robin slid his arms under hers, his palms flat against her back.
"So you like it?"
"Like it?! It's perfect." She pushed her lips against his. "I love it… especially the crest… our family arms." She smiled adoringly at him.
"Good, because it's for you… my wife."
"I love you, my husband."
"And I, you, darling… come here, let me put it on you." He reluctantly pulled his arms from around her, took the cloak and draped it round her shoulders, fastening it at the front. He pulled her close again in order to warm her up, wrapping his arms tight around her shoulders. "You're still freezing…" He sounded like he was apologising.
"Well that's your fault! You pushed me away…" She realised she was making him feel guilty. "But you're warming me up now so I'm happy." She cuddled closer to him; resting her head on his chest.
"It's only fair." He swept her up in his arms and carried her over to the waiting horse. Placing her on it he climbed up behind her and pulled her close. "I'll take you home; it'll be warmer there."
"No." She shook her head. "We're not going home just yet." She smiled. "I've got a surprise for you… remember?"
"Oh yes." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm intrigued."
"So you should be." She took the horses reins from him, and began to lead the horse further into the forest.
"Where are you taking me?" He asked optimistically.
"You'll have to wait; that'll ruin the surprise."
Robin sighed. "Fine, how can I fight with you today?"
"You can't! That's the point."
"Oh, shh…" He kissed her cheek.
Marian led the horse on a little way. "Thank you… Knighton Hall…" She almost whispered it.
"That's barely a start what you saw." He smiled. "I intend to have it fully rebuilt."
"Thank you."
"Anything for you, love." He reassured her. Soon Marian stopped the horse, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, Robin looked around questioningly. "Is this the surprise?" He joked. "But since it's from you, I love it anyway."
"No…" She jumped down off the horse. "Get down." He quickly obliged, Marian tied the horse to a tree. "Close your eyes." He looked at her for a moment; questioning, then did so. "Keep them shut." She took his hand and began to lead him through the forest. "Trust me." She whispered; he seemingly didn't trust his footing.
"I do; it is myself I do not trust."
"I will not let you hurt yourself." She checked to see if he still had his eyes shut, led him on a little further then let go of his hand. "Keep your eyes shut." She insisted. "I'm still right here." She moved behind him, placing her hands over his eyes.
"Do you not trust me?"
"Of course I do; with my life." She leant forward and kissed his cheek, then pushed him on a little further. He could hear noises, people, he turned his head a little, trying to hear them better. "No…" She laughed a little at him, he could see why she'd covered his eyes now; wanting the surprise to actually be a surprise. "Okay, stop." She whispered, instructing him.
Slowly Marian took her hands away from his eyes, Robin blinked; his eyes trying to adjust to the light. Resting her hands on his shoulders she simply stated. "Surprise."
A/N: Worth the wait? I hope so... Competition for you lot and the guys at DA: first person to guess the surprise (the bit on only Marian (and I) know) gets a piece for art done by me...