Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, Robin, Marian, et al. I have earned nothing from this endeavor but the joy that comes from the writing and the possibility of a nice comment or two.
Marian: Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 25
The servants treated Marian like royalty and catered to her every whim.
But otherwise her first day back in her real world dragged. Her mind raced while her body barely moved. She hated the forced inactivity, but her body was too weak. Tomorrow, however, she would start moving about, regaining her strength and stamina no matter what it took.
She'd gotten used to a certain routine and she longed to talk with Claire and be amused by her three-year-old observations of the world around them. She wanted to hold baby Ellie and just revel in the joy only an infant can exude. She mourned the loss of the freedom and authority she had as lady of Locksley.
But she had Robin, although not during the day. Their time in this reality would be severely limited. At least until she regained her strength and could walk or ride to the forest. She looked forward to spending more time with him and really getting to know him again. Of learning the details of his life in the forest, learning about the rest of the gang. Of learning the secrets of his heart since his departure to the Holy Land five and a half years ago.
But nights spent in his arms were over. At least for the time being, and sadness filled her at the thought.
Now, how was she going to break her betrothal? After the last four weeks spent as Robin's wife in every sense of the word, there was no way she could ever marry Guy. Unfortunately, the danger to her and her father still existed and perhaps one of the only ways to escape it was simply to leave.
Guy would come in search of her, of that she had no doubt, but surely if they went far enough away, the sheriff would have little authority, much less the burning desire to track them down and threaten them or force them back to Nottinghamshire—they'd no longer be a threat to him and he'd no longer be a threat to them.
It all sounded so simple and easy, but it wasn't. Marian sighed.
Would Uncle Bertram and Aunt Sabina welcome them, even have room for them? And how would she convince Father to leave? If she couldn't, at what point did she cut the apron strings and move on with her own life?
And moving on with her life had everything to do with Robin. So what about him, then? And their relationship? He would not abandon the people nor the cause of justice for love. And she would not ask it of him. Perhaps Father could go to Lincolnshire and she could join the gang in the forest. She'd resisted until now, but if Father were out of harm's way, would she, could she live in the forest?
If it meant being with Robin, at this point she'd do just about anything.
Well, that was good know. She knew what she wanted to accomplish, now she just needed that pla—
"Marian..."
Marian blinked and gasped in surprise. "Huh...?"
Sir Guy stood in front of her wearing a gentle smile. "A daydream... of our wedding, perhaps?"
"What? No... sorry..." She shook her head.
Disappointment replaced his smile and the smallest kernel of guilt rolled in her stomach, although she had no reason to feel so. "I was thinking of... my mother."
A lie. A big fat lie. Lord have mercy on her soul.
Sir Guy nodded, a tender expression returning. "You must miss her."
Marian nodded. "Yes..." She forced tears to her eyes and then dabbed at them. "I do not wish to speak of her. I'm sorry. I am quite ready to return to my chamber and prepare for bed." She hoped he'd take the hint and not linger.
"Very well." He leaned over and scooped her up. She looped an arm around his shoulders for balance, but otherwise tried to avoid touching him. Well as much as possible considering he carried her.
He ascended the stairs easily, even with her weight, and settled her gently on the edge of her bed.
"There you are," he said, hope in the low tone of his voice. He seemed to wait with expectation.
Hope and expectation for what she did not know and had no wish to speculate. But she offered him a half-smile. "Thank you, Sir Guy. I know my father could not have managed it."
His face fell and his lips thinned in disappointment—or displeasure. She could not tell. Nor did she care all that much.
"Shall I call on you tomorrow then?" he asked.
Her stomach dropped. She did not wish to entertain Guy every day. Not when her goal was to rid herself of his presence in her life altogether. She sighed and gazed at him. "If you don't mind... I think I'm going to spend the day in bed..." Another lie. "Today has taken more out of me than I expected and if I am to regain my strength, I must rest."
He offered her a jerky nod and she could see he was not pleased by her words. But he accepted them. "Then I shall return the day after next to see how you fare."
Flashing him what she hoped was a wan smile, she said, "Then I shall see you Wednesday."
A moment later he was gone and she breathed a sigh of relief. She listened as his booted feet pounded down the stairs, his spurs jingling almost merrily in contrast to the sudden desperation she felt. She had to figure a way out of the betrothal and soon.
"Wednesday, is it?"
Marian started and looked toward the window. Robin's face appeared, quickly followed by the rest of him as he climbed inside.
"You scared me," she admonished.
"Apologies," he said, sitting next to her on the bed, although he didn't sound the least bit contrite. "So Wednesday?"
Marian huffed. He certainly hadn't changed any in the last month. He was still so caustic when the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head. But... That meant he cared for her. A lot. More than he had so far admitted to. Matilda's words returned to her, 'Even if he doesn't always say it, that man loves you deeply.'
She looked at him, at his dear scruffy face, his gray-blue eyes that bore into hers. The veiled worry and, yes, there it was... the love. The urge to kiss him, to establish the closeness and intimacy she'd so enjoyed in that other reality, filled her.
Until now, she'd held her grudge against him for leaving her. After her recent, albeit unbelievable, experience, she realized life was too short not to grab hold of happiness and hold on with both hands.
And she planned to do just that.
Reaching out, she cupped his neck, her fingers remembering well the softness of the curls there. Simultaneously, she leaned forward and pulled him toward her, pressing her lips to his.
She heard his surprised gasp and took advantage of his now parted lips to deepen the kiss. His response was instant and exactly as she'd hoped. His tongue swept her mouth and caressed hers. All those delightful feelings she'd come to enjoy rushed through her and she sighed in happiness.
When the kiss ended, he looked at her, surprise written all over his face. His astonishment made her laugh.
"I am surprised and pleased," he said, "but what brought that on?"
"I have changed, learned some things, realized some things. While I was unconscious... I... dreamt." How was she going to explain what had happened? Did she need to? Perhaps calling it a dream was sufficient.
Robin raised a brow.
"Of us... as a family... with daughters..."
But then his grin faded and her stomach dropped in foreboding.
"Speaking of dreams..."
Something in his tone caught her attention and she swallowed back the ball of nervousness that rose in her throat.
"On several occasions you... you moved about, you made noises as is, as if..."
Marian's face burned and she knew exactly where he was going.
He dropped his voice to a whisper. "As if you were being made love to. You even called out my name once." Beneath the scruff, Robin's own face took on a pinkish hue, as if he, too, was embarrassed. She found it endearing and sweet.
But what could she say about that part of the dream?
"My dreams were so very real," she said, not exactly sure how to explain further. "One cannot control one's dreams."
"I understand that, but we have never been... intimate. How can you dream of something of which you have little or no experience?"
"I... I do not know." She shrugged, helpless to find an adequate explanation.
"The only thing that kept me from killing Gisborne was the fact that you called out my name and not his."
Now heat bloomed in her cheeks, but for a wholly different reason. "How dare you? I would never compromise my virtue with Guy."
"Guy is it now?"
"Oh, please. Stop acting like a child. It's you I love, you I want to be w—"
Her eyes went wide at her admission, as did Robin's.
She covered her mouth with her hand.
"Do you, Marian? Do you really love me?" He was so shocked and surprised and almost disbelieving.
Tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her face. She nodded. "More than life itself," she said before throwing herself into his arms.
He buried his face in her neck and slid his arms around her. They stayed wrapped around each other until a clearing of a throat separated them.
"Oh... Father..." Marian sniffed back her emotions and laughed a little. She wiped the tears from her face.
"Is everything all right?" Edward asked looking from one to the other, a bit concerned.
She smiled. "Yes, of course. I have inadvertently declared my love for an outlaw."
Edward frowned. "Wh-what? You are betrothed to Sir Guy. You cannot love Robin Hood."
Now it was Robin's turn to frown, although he avoided meeting Edward's gaze.
"I cannot help it, Father. Surely you understand that. Robin and I, we—"
"What I understand is that if you do not marry Sir Guy, we will both suffer for it."
"Father, I have no intention of marrying Guy, not now, not when the king returns, not ever."
"Marian—" he said low and quickly. Then he turned to Robin. "Perhaps you had better leave."
Robin's eyes snapped to Edward's, sparking heatedly, "But Edward... I have sat here by her side, every night for the last four weeks. And now you want to throw me out?"
Father had the good sense to look chagrined. "I apologize. It's just that apparently Marian and I have some things to discuss."
"There is nothing to discuss," Marian said. "I will not marry Guy."
"I shall return on the morrow," he said stiffly. Robin stood and then leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. "Good-bye, my love."
"Please come back," she whispered in his ear.
He nodded and slipped out the window.
Once he'd gone, Marian scooted herself up onto the bed. "Father, please. I do not wish to discuss this now. I am tired."
"That's very convenient."
"'Tis true."
"Do not think we will not finish this conversation."
She sighed. "I know. May I please have some supper?"
Edward nodded, looking displeased. "Very well." He pulled the door closed behind him.
Marian sighed in relief and grabbed her nightgown. She slid from the bed and hobbled to the window. Closing the shutters, she changed from her day dress into her nightgown and then opened the shutters back up.
"Spoilsport," she heard from the loft.
She smiled and her heart fluttered. As soon as she ate her meal, she would feign exhaustion.
Father brought fish and vegetables. Her favorite smoked fish dish and she asked for more. Not because was still hungry, but for Robin. And as it was her favorite, a second helping would not be suspicious.
Finally, she was rid of dirty dishes and her parent. And any further delays. Father blew out all candles and bid her goodnight. She listened for the creak on the floorboards, which meant Father had reached the stairs, before whispering loudly for Robin to re-enter.
"Come, lay beside me," she said, schooching down to a prone position. She was feeling tired now. Walking to the window and back and undressing had taken more out of her than she'd anticipated.
"Marian?"
"You heard me. I want to lie in your arms. In my… dream... we were married. We shared a bed. I want to experience it with my real Robin, not my dream Robin."
Moments later, they lay on their right sides, Robin spooned in behind Marian, his tucked around her waist.
She sighed. "This is lovely. I wish..."
"Did you really mean it?"
"That I would not marry, Guy?" She nodded. "Yes. Now I just need to figure out how to break our engagement."
"Then we will think of something, now go to sleep." He kissed her shoulder. "Marian?"
"Hmmm?" she intoned, sleep already overtaking her and making her voice soft and slurry.
"I love you, too."
Robin awoke as the cock crowed beyond the window. Something was wrong, but he didn't know what nor why he felt that way. Marian slept beside him, snoring softly.
He sat up and glanced around the chamber, but everything seemed to be in place.
Rising, he tiptoed to the dressing chamber and donned his clothes but the feeling of foreboding weighed heavier and he decided to remain home today. It was probably nothing, but he didn't want to take any chances.
He inhaled deeply and tried to release his worry along with his breath. Once more. Inhale... exhale. Shrugging, he rolled his shoulders. Better.
He shucked his clothes once more and climbed back in bed with Marian. Scooting up behind her, he slid his arm around her waist, cupped a breast, and buried his face in her neck and hair.
He loved cuddling with her these days. She was more relaxed and playful and open about sex. More, he thought, than she'd ever been. And he never wanted that to change.
Suddenly, she stiffened in his arms. Her breathing became rapid and shallow. And then she leapt from the bed, turning to look at him with wide panicked eyes.
"My lord husband," she said, her chest rising and falling beneath her white gown.
"Welcome back, wife..."