"Come closer, my dear. Don't be afraid."
Marian was anything but afraid. Repelled by the King, but certainly not afraid. All the same, she had little choice but to obey. She stepped closer to John's throne.
Much stood nearby, anxiously shuffling his feet. This scene was too reminiscent of the time the King had forced him to wear a jester costume and a dog collar and leash, and serve as the royal dog, "Pudgy." The King noticed his discomfort, and relished it.
"Life can be so unfair, can it not?" King John spoke in a wheedling voice, and Marian wanted to tell him, that if life seemed unfair, it was he who made it so, for most of his people. But he continued his whining, all the while leering at her, undressing her with his eyes.
"Take me, for instance. Oh, yes, do, please! But I speak of serious matters first. Grave matters, Miriam, my sweet. I have been cursed in my choice of wives! Yes...cursed!" He leaned back in his throne, warming to his subject, oblivious that Marian wasn't saying a word, but was only staring at him, her lovely eyes filled with scorn.
"My first wife, Isabella of Gloucester, was a dud, entirely unsuited to mate with my magnificent self! Wealthy, at least! I did so enjoy spending her dowry! But what good is money, when it runs out? All you're left with is an empty purse! She gave me no heir to carry on my illustrious lineage! And so, when I at last became King, as was my Destiny, I thought to do my duty to my people, and marry again! But who did Fate see fit to pair me with? Another Isabella of another 'G,' this time 'Gisbourne!' And, can you believe it...she's barren as well! I shall get no heirs off that barren bitch!"
Marian openly cringed. There was certainly no love lost between her and the Queen, but to hear the King call his wife such names in public was unfathomable. She expected to hear an angry peasant throw out such abuse, if he happened to be drunk, or one of the Nottingham Castle Guard, who were known for their uncivilized ways, but a king? It was counter to everything she believed a man of noble birth should be.
"At least no one can blame me for my lack of an heir! You know that, too, don't you, my dear? You know I have fathered numerous bastards! Why, even Hawkies, the Laundress, for God's sake, has done better than either Queen, and borne me a daughter, useless though that is. But I have sons, too, Miriam, which is more than Locksley has!"
Marian had to look away. She couldn't contain her anger, hearing the King openly discuss his private life, with his disgusting opinions. To call his child "useless," because she was a daughter, ate at her, as if he were devalueing her own little girls for their sex. But the King had stopped speaking and was staring at her, his eyes hard and unflinching.
"You're not attending me, Miriam! Why are you not attending me? By God, you will pay attention when your King speaks!"
"Forgive me, Sire. You were saying...?"
He pouted a while longer, then let it go. There would be time to punish her later...when he'd gotten her at last in his bed. Ah! The coupling of pain and pleasure would be something quite new to her, he was certain! His wife was so used to it, apparently having experienced it for years with her first husband, that its novelty had long ago worn off. She just grimly took it, which was no fun for John at all! But Miriam would be different! Miriam would not be expecting it! Such sport! But back to the subject at hand.
"Where was I? Oh, yes! I need a new wife, for the sake of the Kingdom, you understand. The Kingdom must have heirs! Otherwise, the people will want... Never mind," he said grimly.
"Do you think you can change wives, as readily as you change your shirt, Sire?" Marian asked.
"I can do whatever I please! What's the point in being King, if I can't do to suit myself? God, Woman, you're as bad as one of my ancient dour faced counsellors!"
Isabella of Angloumene had entered the Hall by this time. The girl did not even bow to the King, but simply strutted forward and climbed onto his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she turned her sullen face toward a surprised Marian.
The King turned his spoiled face toward Marian, smiling triumphantly. "You see, I plan to do my duty to my people! Much as it pains me to have to cast aside my beloved wife, I shall marry again, to beget heirs! Oh, yes, Miriam, the Queen's days are numbered!" He smiled at the girl on his lap. "Would it please you, my dear, to change places with your mistress? Would it not be fun to have her be your servant, for a change? Such sport! Miriam, you are dismissed! And take Pudgy with you...take him outdoors, before he lifts his leg and soils my royal furnishings! Adieu, as it were."
...
"He is revolting!"
Much was clearly distraught as he wound his way with Marian toward her chambers in the Tower. He really didn't want to enter her chambers. In fact, he really, really, really, didn't want to enter her chambers. These were Robin's rooms...the same where he had always dwelt when residing within these walls...the very same where Much had been groped by the amorous female ghost one dreadful night so many years ago.
Marian almost had to push him into her rooms. She knew of his fear, but Robin had thought it best not to explain the details behind it. They were both surprised now to see the servants packing some of her things.
"What is going on?" she asked. "Why are you packing?"
She pushed open the door to her daughters' room, to find Robin sitting in a chair, holding both girls on his lap. Grace appeared to be asleep, or nearly so, as Robin spoke in a quiet voice, telling Ellen a story. Both his eyes and Ellen's signaled Marian to remain quiet, so as to not awaken the baby.
"Nearly there," he said quietly, indicating Grace with a nod of his head.
"She's out." Marian lifted her sleeping daughter from his arms and gently laid her in a bed, tenderly pressing her lips to the top of her head first, and breathing in the baby's fresh scent.
"You need to rest today, too, Ellie," Robin said.
"But, Daddy, I don't need a nap! I'm not tired!"
"No 'buts.' We're all going to be up late tonight."
"What is going on?" Marian asked again.
As Robin led Marian to their outer chamber, to join a jumpy Much, he told them, "Soon as it's dark, we head south, to the coast. We have got to get Arthur out of here."