A/N: Hello everyone! Long time, I know. I've been so busy lately with school and rewriting this story that I've put off rewatching the last episode of Season two of Robin Hood. Why is that? Let me tell you. Many people have been wondering what happened in the Holy land to leave both Marian and Richard dead. Well, ask and you shall receive. Since Betrayal takes place a few years after Season two ends (I know, it was only a few months that passed at the start of season 3) so I wanted to follow what happened in the last episode so that when it came to the deaths, I could alter it so that it would fit with the show. The Shadow Hunter Trilogy (Betrayal being book #1!) is supposed to replace Season 3. That of course means that there's no Kate, and no Tuck. Other characters from season 3 may show up but in a different way... That's all I can say ;)
Also, since I was going directly off the episode (with some changes to fit the story) the story switches characters a lot. I apologize about this and hope you will bear with me. This chapter isn't my best work, I'll admit that, but the whole point was to show what happened to Marian and the King.
So now, without further ado, here's the flashback of what happened in Acre! Enjoy!
Five Years Ago in Acre...
Vaisley, his two hired assailants, the rogue crusader, and Gisborne tear through broken archway into the city with Robin's gang and the King in pursuit. Nearing the center, Vaisley pulls up on his reins and slows his horse to a stop. "Stay here" He points to one of the assassins. "We can still get the King." He then points to the rogue and other assailant. "You two, " He calls pointing off in the distance, "over there!" The three of them quickly dismount and disperse to their positions as Vaisley turns to look at Guy. "Gisborne! With me!" They ride off just as Richard and Carter catch sight and start after them. The imposter off to the side aims his crossbow at the King when Much rides up quickly behind the King. The imposter shoots and barley misses him but spooks the horse. Much dodges the bolt and leans too far to the side causing both him and the horse to fall over. He quickly scrambles away as the horse gets back on its feet just as Robin approaches.
Robin dismounts and ducks behind some sacks next to Much. "This is a trap..." Robin says, quickly looking around. He turns to look at his friend. "Are you alright?"
Still in shock, Much nods. "Yeah."
The imposter scowls as he grabs his crossbow and flees as Robin looks around once more, alarmed. "Where's the King?"
"He went after the sheriff!" Much replies. Hearing somebody behind him, Robin turns to see that he's joined by Marian.
"We need to get him out of here..."Robin says as they all look around for the assailant. "NOW!" Much unsheathes his sword as Robin jumps up and runs in the direction Much said the King went. He turns the corner and passes the assailant whom is hiding out in a nearby holding. Seeing Robin run past him, he scowls and silently leaves his hiding place.
Vaisley and Gisborne stand behind a corner. Gisborne nocks an arrow as he peers around the corner to find his target while Vaisley watches behind them. "Keep them pinned down." He says. "I'll go round the back." Vaisley sneaks off as Guy steps forward and raises his bow. He waits until he sees a blonde head peek out from the pillar ahead of him and shoots. Carter ducks behind the pillar as the arrow whizzes past. He looks over at the King who is still mounted on his horse. "Quickly. You must get out of here." He gives the King a nod. "Leave them to me."
Richard rides off and Carter unsheathes his sword and makes a mad dash after Gisborne. He stops as he sees him running away and round a corner, disappearing from his sight.
Alan, Will, Djaq and John run between the dwellings only to stop and look around for any sign of the King or Robin. "This is not right." John frowns. "Split up!"
The gang does as he says and branches off into different area.
Robin pauses to a moment to catch his breath and look around. Seeing the King not too far off, he looks around for a vantage point. He finds one on a nearby dwelling and quickly climbs up as the King towards him, unaware of his presence. Robin readies an arrow and scans the area around the King. Richard looks up and spots him, his sword ready to strike down any foe he sees. Seeing no enemies nearby. He motions to the King. "Come on."
As he says this, one of the assailants sneaks up behind him. Richard sees the man ready his sword to strike and throws his sword. The sword flies through the air and, as Robin turns to look behind him, buries itself into the man's chest. The man falls down and Robin looks over at his King with a surprised expression. Richard motions for him to go find the Sheriff. Robin nods and leaves his spot while the King rides off. As he leaves, the imposter exits a nearby dwelling, and readies his crossbow. Seeing this from a nearby roof, Robin quickly nocks an arrow and shoots him down. The crossbow falls to the ground seconds before he does but Robin has no time to run after the king as the Sheriff's rogue crusader runs towards him from the roof adjacent to his. The crusader jumps up onto the ledge of his roof and, before Robin can draw his sword, punches him square in the jaw. Robin falls onto his back and holds his jaw.
The King continues to trot between the dwellings as Vaisley and Gisborne step out from behind a wall behind him. Bow and arrow in hand, Vaisley dips the tip of his arrow into a pouch beneath his coat and hands the bow and poisoned arrow to Gisborne. "Do it." Gisborne takes the bow and nocks the arrow and aims at the King. "Long live the King!" Vaisley shouts causing Richard to slow down. "Now." He grins. Gisborne pulls back on the string and lets it go. The arrow flies through the air and sinks itself into his left shoulder. As the arrow pierces him, Richard let's out a pained cry. The sound travels through the empty streets.
Frowning, Vaisley starts over to the King but stops near an interaction as he sees Carter running towards him from the lane perpendicular from his. He quickly back petals with Carter in pursuit and ducks behind a wall, pulling out a dagger. Carter swings his sword and follows Vaisley into the dwelling. He barely gets through the doorway when Vaisley turns and stabs him in the gut with his dagger. He doubles over and the Sheriff twists it before pulling it out and pushing him to the ground. Looking down at the bleeding soldier, Vaisley smiles. "Bye-bye, Blondie." He hisses.
Robin is down and the rogue kneels down and grabs him by the neck and begins to squeeze. As he chokes him he slams Robin's head back until, seeing somebody approach he looks up. Much raises his sword with a scowl. "We meet again." He says with a swift slice at the rogue. He cuts the man's neck which makes him release Robin. His eyes go wide as he falls back clutching his neck to stop the bleeding. This allows Much to hold out his hand to help Robin up. "Are you alright?" He asks just as Robin had asked him earlier. Robin huddles over as he takes a couple breaths before nodding. "Thanks Much." He straightens and quickly takes the dead man's sword. "Come on. The King needs us."
Richard slumps over on his horse as pain radiates through his shoulder. As his horse trots near a little fountain, he leans off to the side and falls off, landing on his good arm with a groan. He rolls onto his stomach and, clutching his hurt shoulder with his good arm, tries his best to crawl over to the fountain so that he can try to stand. Aside from the pain, he can feel the blood from his wound trickling down his back and soaking his clothes. As he makes his desperate crawl, Guy rounds the corner and sees the wounded King. Smirking, he starts toward him when Marian appears across the large open space from him. She descends the small set of stairs and runs towards him. "Guy! Stop!"
Guy draws his sword and glances around nervously as if Robin and his gang were hiding in the shadows. She runs up to him and stops just a few feet away, out of breath. "Stop! It's over Guy."
Guy holds his sword out at her and advances. "Get out if the way."
She walks backwards as he continues. "All this time, I've been fighting for England. You think I'm going to let you kill England?"
Guy glances over at Richard who is still on the ground, holding his hurt shoulder writhing in pain. He looks back at Marian. "Marian, get out of the way!" He shouts with a swipe of his sword. Marian steps back a step more even though it was more of a scare tactic than to hurt her. They continue towards Richard and she smirks up at him. "You'll have to kill me first." She knows he loves her and can't hurt her. She knows she's his weakness as he frowns. "No." He says. "We'll get out of this. I'm going to do this thing." He sounds as if he's trying to convince himself. "And then I'll have power beyond measure. And we will be together." Marian's smirk never falters as she laughs. "What?" He demands. "What's so funny?"
"I would rather die than be with you Guy of Gisborne."
He shakes his head In disbelief. "No..."He whispers.
"I'm going to marry Robin Hood."
Guy looks at her in shock. A moment passes as he watches her face for any sign that she's joking. "I love Robin Hood." She realizes what she just said as if she just now realized her feelings. Looking down she bites her lip with smile like a little girl who just admitted her crush. Looking up at him once more. "I love Robin Hood." With every word she says, pain shoots through his chest as if he was stabbed in the heart. Without thinking, he tries to reach out for her but, using his hand with his sword, he stabs her. She gives a pained cry and as he rushes to hold her, his sword sinks deeper into her and she gasps. He holds her, shocked at what he's done and unsure what to do. Her eyes meet his before she falls to the ground. Shaking, he looks down at her just as Robin's voice splits the silence. "Marian!"
Robin runs towards her and Guy just stands there, his locked in a shocked expression until his grief over what he just did finally registers. Behind Robin, the rest of his gang appears as they to run over to Marian. "No!" Much yells. Djaq spots the King who is now lying still and quickly kneels next to him.
Guy is so overcome with emotion that he feels as though he will fall over from the weight of his guilt and grief. "Gisborne!" The Sheriff's voice calls out as he runs over to the King's horse, breaking Guy from his trance. "It's not over, Hood! I will have England!" Guy runs over and hops onto the horse behind the Sheriff and they quickly ride off.
Will joins Djaq by the King's side so that Djaq can look at Marian's condition. The rest of the gang circles around Marian and Robin as he kneels by her side. Guy's sword is still in her and they all look on as Djaq kneels on the other side of Marian. "The King! Where's the King?" Marian asks, hysterically. Robin touches her cheek. "Marian." He says as she continues to ask. "Marian!" She stops and looks at him. "He's alright." He removes his hand from her cheek and cradles her head in his other hand as she looks over at Djaq. "You saved him." Robin says but she cuts him off.
"How's it looking down there?" She asks Djaq. Robin gives Djaq a hopeful glance but receives a solemn one in return. "Am I beyond even Djaq's amazing talent?" She says with a lighthearted laugh.
"Hang on." Robin soothes. "We'll think of something."
"Well, can you at least get this out of me?" She says with a slight whine as she touches the sword. "It hurts."
Robin loks at Djaq who violently shakes her head. Trying to hold back the tears, at least for Marian, he closes his eyes for a moment before turning his attention back to her. "Marian." He pauses a moment to control himself. "Marian, we can't take it out just yet."
Robin watches as the fear fills her eyes. "Why?" She asks. Her breathing quickens as she looks at Djaq. "Why?" Djaq gives her a saddened look but remains silent. "Will I die when it comes out?" Robin looks away for a moment and a tear spills down Djaq's cheek as she gives a slight nod. Marian leans her head back as this sinks in. She looks at Robin. "Then we haven't got much time, my darling."
His lower lip trembles as he takes her face in his hands. "We have forever, my love."
She looks away for a moment as her eyes well up with tears. "I hope we have forever in heaven because we didn't have enough time on Earth." Her bottom lip trembles. "Not nearly enough time."
"We were busy." Robin says, trying to funny as he tries not to cry.
"We were fighters and I am proud." Marian says. Robin looks away for a moment until she lifts her head slightly. "You keep fighting for me, Robin."
A tear trickles down his cheek as he fights against it. "I can't fight without you." He replies. Marian smiles and chuckles.
"I'd love to argue with you, but we haven't got the time." She reaches up to caress his cheek. "You promise me, you keep fighting." She nods and so does he, making her smile.
"I will." He whispers.
Letting out a sigh, she closes her eyes for a moment. "Now, where were we?"
"What?" He asks, just above a whisper. She smiles at him.
"The last time we were dying, we were getting married." He closes his eyes as more tears emerge. "Can we carry on, please?" She asks, sweetly.
"I can't remember." He smiles.
Marian laughs. "That's the last time I marry you, if you can't remember!"
"Robin." Robin looks up as he hears his name. The King, who is now on his feet, slowly walks over and hands him one of his rings. Robin takes it before kneeling back down next to Marian. He places the ring off to the side as he strokes her hair. With his other hand, he holds hers and looks into her eyes. "I, Robin, take you, Marian, to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, in sickness, or in health, to love and to cherish," 'Til death do us part."
She smiles up at him. "I, Marian, take you, Robin, beautiful, beautiful lord of Locksley, to be my wedded husband." Robin smiles at her and she continues. "I promise to love you and to cherish you, on Earth and especially in heaven for now and forever. 'Til death do us part." Robin smiles and nods as he holds back his tears. "Kiss me."
Robin leans in and she turns her face away with a chuckle. "No." She closes her eyes and smiles. "Give me the ring first." Robin lets her hand go for a moment as he grabs the ring. "Make an honest woman of me, Robin." She smiles. Robin slips the ring on her finger and kisses her hand. "You may kiss the bride." She smiles.
Robin leans in and gives her a kiss. As he pulls away, she looks up at him. "I love you, my husband."
"I love you, my wife." He whispers back. Smiling, he touches her cheek and gazes into her eyes. While he's distracted, Marian's hands inches towards the sword and, with one quick pull, she lets out a pained cry as she pulls it out and sets it aside.
"Shhh." Robin tries to sooth her. Feeling the life start to drain out of her, she looks up at him and gives him a weak smile. "That's better." Suddenly feeling very tired, her eyes fluttered shut and her hand, which rested on Robin's arm, fell away and she was gone. Robin looks down at his wife, frowning.
"Marian." He whispers. Her eyes remain closed and he knows for sure that it's over. Marian is gone. Stroking her cheek, he sniffs. "Marian." He whispers again. His lip trembles and he leans down and presses one last kiss to her lips while everybody looks on, saddened.
"I'm so sorry, Robin." Djaq offers. Silently, Robin scoops up Marian, like a sleeping child being carried to their bed, and stands. "There's no way we'll be able to return to England with Marian... she will have to be buried here in the Holy Land." Much starts to say something but John looks over at him, solemnly, and shakes his head. Robin turns and starts his long walk out of the city. His boots move automatically as if on their own. His heart feels heavy with his grief and the memories running through his head only makes the journey feel longer and harsher. His gang follow him into a small clearing where he stops. "We'll bury her here." Robin says quietly. Will and Allan quietly come forward and begin to dig the grave.
Once Marian is laid to rest, the gang huddles together to offer their condolences to their leader.
Suddenly, Richard let's out a pained cry as he grabs his shoulder. Robin looks over at him just as he falls to the ground. "No." Robin whispers. He looks around. "Djaq!"
Djaq quickly kneels next to him. "What's wrong?" She asks. He doesn't answer but continues to hold his shoulder. With help from John, Djaq removes the King's cloak. Gently rolling him onto his side, examines the opening in his clothing where the arrow was. "Pardon me for this..." She rips the blodsoaked fabric of his tunic and surcoat to better examine the wound.
"What is that?" Much asks, as he leans forward to see. "What is that yellow stuff coming out of his wound?"
Djaq looks up and over at Robin. "The arrow was poisoned."
"Poisoned arrow? Who would do that?" Alan asks.
"Gisborne." Robin fumes as he strokes Marian's hair. "He was the only one near him when Marian showed up." He glances at Djaq. "Can you identify the poison? Is it curable?"
Djaq glances at the wound once more. "This is a strange type of poison. Most poisons I know of kill their victims quickly... But this..." She pauses for a moment. "Did the pain just start?" She asks.
Richard winces. "I felt something earlier but I had assumed it was just the pain from being shot."
Robin looks over at his men. "Alan, go with John to find Carter. He needs to know about the King's condition." He looks down at the King helplessly as they quickly leave. He looks up at Will. "Will, the King's camp shouldn't be very far from here. Alert them of the King's condition and bring them here." Will nods quickly runs off in the direction Robin pointed. As soon as he's gone, Robin turns his attention to Djaq. "Djaq, there's got to be something you can do..."
"Robin..." The King winces as he puts his hand on Robin's arm. Robin looks down at him helplessly. "Robin, my time is up. My men will come and get my body." He winces. "Go home and grieve your loss."
"No, your majesty." Robin shakes his head. "For every man there is a purpose for which he sets up in his life. We will save you so that yours will be the doing of all good deeds."
Much looks over towards them. "That's from the Quran..." He whispers.
"Then do those deeds in my name." Richard says before letting out another pained cry.
"We'll save you, your majesty. Djaq will come up with something."
He looks back at Djaq expectantly. "Djaq..."
She looks at the wound and shakes her head. "I can try to make something to extract the poison... There should be some ingredients around here..." Another pained cry from the King makes her look up at him, worried. "Collecting what I need will go faster with some help. We need to hurry..."
"I'll go." Much volunteers but Robin shakes his head.
"No. I'll go." He and Djaq stand up. "Much, watch the King until we get back."
"But Master..." Much starts to object but Robin and Djaq are already running off. Much kneels beside the King and looks off at in the direction Robin ran. "We will save you, Your Majesty. Djaq is very talented." He smiles down at the King but his smile falters as he sees the King's eyes shut. "Your Majesty?"
As he leans down to check to see if he was still breathing, a bolt flies past his head, just grazing the tip of his ear. Turning to look behind him, he sees as the man who shot at him earlier glares at him as he readies his crossbow once more. "Hey!" Much yells. The man takes off and Much quickly stands but looks back at the King, whom is still, before looking after the man. He curses under his breath and pulls out his sword. Kneeling, he holds the blade close to the King's mouth and sees that he is still breathing. Removing the blade he leans close to his ear. "I will be right back, Your Majesty." Standing, he sees the man turn a corner. "I won't let him harm you." With that, he runs after the man.
As Much turns the corner, he is elbowed in the stomach by the man. He stumbles backwards but manages to block as the assassin strikes at him. "You won't save the King." The man hisses. "The King is dead!"
Much strikes back at him. "No he's not. There's still time!"
Ingredients in hand, Djaq and Robin quickly run back to where the King lies. "Where's Much?" Robin wonders aloud. Djaq quickly gets started slicing and grinding what she needs using her dagger and some stones as Robin kneels beside the King. "He's unconscious!" He exclaims. "He's still breathing."
"We don't have much time." Djaq says.
The sound of clashing swords echoes from nearby. Robin and Djaq exchange worried glances. "Much!"
Robin quickly stand and unsheathes his sword. "Djaq, continue what you're doing. I'll be right back."
Taking off in the direction of the sounds, Robin finds Much battling it out when two other men appear from between the buildings. He runs over to them and punches one and blocks as the other takes a swipe at him. The other man starts to get up and Robin kicks him back down.
The fight goes on until 2 of the three men are killed and the assassin flees. Having no time to feel bad about letting the man escape, Robin and Much quickly return to find a grim looking Djaq knelt next to the King. She looks up at them as they approach. "I'm sorry, Robin..."
Will returns and hunches over as he tries to catch his breath. "Will." Robin says. "Where are the King's men?"
A moment passes before he straightens. "They're on their way. I ran as fast as I could to check up on the King." He looks over at Richard's still form and frowns. "Is he...?"
Robin nods. "The King is dead." He looks out at the dwellings around them. "I hope Carter is alright. He won't be happy to hear about this."
Allan and John quietly look down as their fallen ally. "Go get Robin." John says.
Without a word, Allan turns and runs towards where they buried Marian. When he spots Robin, he calls out to him and motions for him to come.
Djaq rises and buries her face in Will's chest as he wraps his arms around her. Robin is motioned over by Allan and he turns to face them. "Let's go. We'll all go and try to intercept the King's men to direct him to where the King lies..." His voice catches and he turns away. The rest of his gang follow Allan. As Robin sees Carter, a fresh layer of grief washes over him. His Wife, his King and now his friend. The sheriff and Gisborne really knew how to break him. "John, bring him to where we buried Marian... it's time Carter is laid to rest."
As they start to walk back to the burial site, one of the King's men rides up to them. "Robin, we heard about your wife..." The man frowns. "We are sorry for your loss."
Robin nods but says nothing. "The King was shot by Guy of Gisborne shot the King with a poisoned arrow. We tried to save him but..." His voice breaks and he pauses for a moment. "But he didn't make it."
The man nods. "My other men have gone to collect his body while I came to speak with you. Will you be heading back to England?"
"Soon we will... First we need to lay Carter to rest. He fell trying to protect the King."
The man looks at Carter's body as he's being carried by John. "He was a good soldier. " He turns his attention back to Robin. "Safe travels, Robin and thank you." He turns his horse around and gallops away.
After Carter is finally laid to rest next to Marian, the gang returned to Djaq's friend's home where they were wedded. Although, numb with grief, Robin gave the happy couple his blessing to stay. After the gang wished them well, they quietly began the journey back to England.