It has been ages and I am well aware of the fact. So I am sorry. This chapter is slightly longer then normal to try and make up for it.

Plan

Finish story as quickly as possible as it is dragging on far to long. TRY and update every week - 2 weeks more if possible.

From this point on I shall not be asking/begging/pleading for reviews and they are no longer needed for me to update. Though reviews are still welcome they should in theory not make a difference on the updating time. Though I have to admit they are nice to receive.

HUGE THANK YOU to Mizco for a) the help with ideas for the wedding. I hope I did your idea proud. b) for reviewing (the only review, not that that matters...) and finally c) for being my beta reader.

Sunday. The date rang in Marian's head like persistent bells. Like Church bells, she thought as a smile appeared on her face. It faded quickly as she remembered that is was indeed Sunday tomorrow. The feeling of happiness was replaced by a sense of panic. Today was Saturday and even though Much had confirmed he had sorted out the food and the others had sorted out the venue had no dress and they had found no man who would actually perform the ceremony. Every time she brought up these points with him he would simply kiss her and tell her to stop worrying. He did not seem to understand how important and close the wedding was.

Footsteps forced her mind away from such matters and back to the present. She smiled at the Saracen woman as she approached her.

"Where's Robin?" Marian asked her.

"I have no idea. All he said was that he was on an important mission and that he will be back well before sunset before he dragged Much out of the camp," Djaq said to her. "What's wrong?" she asked as she saw the look on the noblewoman's face.

"Robin," she said simply. "I thought he wanted to get married, but now I am not so sure. What if this isn't what he wants? We have no church, no minister and no dress. Nothing is organized." She took a deep breath, "It's just not the wedding I dreamt of when I was younger."

"Plan's change, people change. Sometimes in life we can not always have what we dream of. We have to adjust our dreams and make the best of it," Djaq said soberly. "But none of that matters Marian. All that matters is that you and Robin love each other and are going to spend the rest of your lives together. Now let's go find a dress." She said as he pulled Marian to her feet and they walked towards the villages.


It was nearing sunset and still Robin and Much had not returned. Marian was sat by herself next to the fire under Djaq's order of not helping her tidy up the camp and get stuff ready for the next day. Allan, Will and John were sorting out the final preparations for the venue and celebration after, not to mention where the newly wed couple would be spending the evening after the ceremony. Marian was just thankful that they would be spending the night away from the camp. As much as she loved the other outlaws she was rather reluctant in spending her wedding night in such close proximity.

A short time later Will, Allan and Little John arrived. Allan joined her by the fire while John went to find something for them to eat. Will went over to Djaq to see if she needed any help. She smiled as she heard him approach.

"Do you need any help?" he asked quietly as he reached out and brushed her arm. Djaq smiled as she felt a dizzying heat fill her body.

"No, I'm done now. I have laid out what you are all going to be wearing tomorrow. Don't stay up too late and don't have too much to drink," she told them as she rattled off a list of instructions to him, "Now I expect you to be all washed and clean ready for the morning because to be honest you all absolutely stink. Ohh and get Robin to shave for tomorrow, here is the razor, oh and you too Will," she said with a quick smile.
Will simply nodded and Djaq flashed him a smile before making her way back
into the main part of camp. By the sound of it, it seemed that Robin and Much had arrived back. They both went to greet their comrades.

Robin was stood with an unfamiliar man by his side. Robin waited till he was sure that he had everyone's undivided attention before he spoke.

"This, my friends is Friar Laurance from Kirklees Abby, he is a family friend and has kindly agreed to marry me."

"Marry you? Well then. I guess this is the end of us," Marian teased as Robin flushed slightly as he realized the meaning of his words.

"It is a pleasure to meet you my dear," the friar said as he stepped forward to greet her. Marian smiled and nodded. Friar Laurence turned his gaze outwards toward the famous outlaws of Sherwood whom he had heard done such goodness for the people of Nottingham.

Will noticed Djaq's figure disappear back into the kitchen. Frowning he went to follow her, before he was stopped by Robin introducing him to Friar Laurence who then delved into a deep conversation about the poor state of the churches in the surrounding villages. The sun was slowly setting, as Marian gathered the last of the stuff together before making her way over to Robin. She pulled him away from the others and out of sight. She pulled him down into a soft kiss as he slowly closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her waist. Marian pulled away slightly and gave him a soft smile as she untangled herself from his grip.

"I'm going now. But I shall see you in the morning," she said as she turned to search for Djaq.

"You are happy with this aren't you Marian?" Robin asked her quietly as he gently pulled her round to face him.

"Yes, all I have ever wanted was to marry you. But are you okay with this Robin?" she said seriously as she looked at him.

"Me?" he asked shocked. "Marian, my darling. You are all I have ever wanted. You mean the world to me. Without you my life would not be worth living."

A huge smile spread across her face, "I will see you tomorrow morning,"
he said and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I love you, Robin."

"You too, my love," he said as he watched her figure searching for Djaq.

Marian found Djaq sitting away from the others, sorting out her already very ordered medical area. Djaq jumped slightly as Marian lightly tapped her on the shoulders. "Are you ready to go?" she asked the Saracen.

Djaq nodded as she made her way over to the others before hesitantly turning back and slipping though the back exit of the camp. Marian saw that this did not go unnoticed by the young carpenter. She called goodbye to the others before following Djaq out of the camp.


The shelter was only half a mile away from the main camp. Another one of Will's creations, perfectly hidden from view, set into a small grassy bank. The structure was meant to be used as a hiding place for two to three people if the main camp was ever discovered. There were places like this all over the forest, thanks to the talented young carpenter.

Marian settled down on the makeshift bed as Djaq lit the fire casting a warm hazy glow around the small camp. Djaq slipped outside as Marian slowly fell into a dreamless sleep.

The air was cool and crisp as the starlight faintly fell into the forest. It was as if the whole forest was relaxed and calm, this made Djaq feel out of place with her emotions flitting and changing like a deer caught in trap. She took a deep breath. Her mind was whirling. That man; that Christian was in their camp. Her mind ignored the fact that all the men in camp were Christians. That man was different. He was supposed to be holy, a man of god. But the only thing she could think of was all the death and destruction he represented. A noise broke her chain of thought. She carefully slipped the dagger out of her sheath and gripped it tightly. Her grip relaxed as she the tall figure that sat down beside her. A comfortable silence fell over the pair. Will waited for her to speak, knowing she would when she was ready.

"That man, that friar, he just reminded me of some things. Some things that I would rather forget," she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. He waited for her to continue.

"All my life I have been taught to believe that the English are my enemy and that Christianity is to blame for everything evil that is happening in the world. But that man, he represents everything Christian but I just could not hate him."

Will simply nodded in some sort of understanding. "So that is why you were hiding,"

"I was not hiding!" Djaq interrupted giving him a slightly glare.

"Okay!" Will said holding his hands up in mock surrender, "So that is why you did not join us, because it brought back bad memories."

"Sort of," she said pausing a moment before continuing, "It does bring back memories but, well, I just didn't know how I would be received."

Will looked confused so she continued. "That man is a Christian a man of God. He would not take kindly to a Saracen in his presence. It would have made things awkward. I didn't want that, especially not now."

"Djaq, how can he hate you if he does not know you? And when he does meet you, I know he will like you," Will simply muttered and pulled her into a gentle hug, slightly amazed at his own bravery.

Djaq rested her head on his shoulder, as they sat in companionable silence. Both caught up in their own thoughts. After a while Djaq stretched a slowly peeled herself away from him.

"I better go check on Marian. She will probably be wondering where I am," she said keeping her eyes firmly glued on the floor unable to meet his gaze. Will nodded and gave her arm a squeeze before heading off in the direction of the main camp.
Djaq crawled carefully into her bunk trying not to wake a sleeping Marian. Sighing she closed her eyes and fell asleep.


"Where is it? Where the bloody hell is it?"

"Robin, calm down mate. It will be here somewhere. I'm not being funny but you're beginning to sound like Much!" Allan said before ducking as Much threw a wooden spoon at his head.

"No!" growled John as he finished fixing his shirt and stomped over to separate Allan and Much.

"Here it is Robin," Will said handing the comb over to the leader while he finished off drying his chest before slipping on the clean white shirt Djaq laid out for them. Robin smiled at the carpenter and began to comb his hair into some sort of style. Just as he was finishing he felt Allan thrust something into his hands.

"For the nerves," he said and patted him on the back. Robin just snorted at the man before taking a swig from the whisky bottle. Secretly glad of the drink to try and stop the butterflies churning in his stomach. He waved to John who was ready and on his way to check on the girls. Robin took a deep breath and carried on getting ready.


"Djaq? Djaq? Djaq where is the mirror?" Marian said looking flustered.

"Relax Marian, take a deep breath. The mirror is here and we have plenty of time," Djaq said calmly.

Marian nodded slowly as she inspected her reflection. She sighed. The dress was simple, plain white all the way to the floor with a tiny bit of lace round the neck. It was no way near as stunning as her previous dress. That dress turned heads, made her look stunning. A bride fit for a lord and not like some poor peasant girl. Robin deserved so much more. Instead he was stuck with her, dressed like this being married in the middle of a forest instead of a nice church. This was supposed to be the best day of her life. As a young girl she had always dreamt of how this day should go. So far it was falling far below her dream. In that dream she had always imagined a beautiful church filled with flowers. She would walk up the isle in a beautifully made dress with her father by her side to give her away. How ironic that dream was now. She knew could not have it all, but now it seemed fate would not allow her any of that dream.

"Marian?" Djaq asked, concerned for the noblewoman. Marian wiped her eyes quickly.

"What's the matter?" she said and put her arm round the young woman.

"When you were younger, didn't you ever dream of what it would be like when you were to get married?" she questioned drying her eyes on a piece of cloth Djaq had handed her. Djaq nodded completely understanding what Marian meant by the statement.

"Robin loves you, you know."

"I know."

"He wants to marry you and spend the rest of his life with you."

"I know."

"You are the only thing that matters to him, you know."

"I know"

"Then all the rest doesn't matter to him. He does not care about the place, or the dress or the food or the flowers. All that matters is that you love him and he loves you and that you are going to spend the rest of your lives together."

Marian smiled slightly, "But I feel as though I am letting him down. He deserves so much more then this."

"Marian," Djaq said seriously, looking into her eyes, "I believe, no in fact I know that Robin would marry you if you were dressed in nothing but a potato sack."

Marian laughed as Djaq pulled her to her feet and added the final wreath of wildflowers round her head

"You can come in now John," Djaq said. Marian flushed slightly as she
the gentle giant had heard every word of their recent conversation.

"You look beautiful," he said as Marian coloured for the second time. Little John was a man of seldom words but each word was carefully planned and worth a thousand of another mans meaningless talk. Those three words meant a lot to her right now. She may not have her father, but she knew she had the next best thing.
"Yes, let's go."


The wedding was to be held in a clearing about a mile from the outskirts of Locksley village. They had already discussed the idea of a church wedding but dismissed it on the grounds of safety and the large risk that would have been involved. Instead a small clearing had been selected. The area had been cleared of a debris and thanks to the remaining outlaws, been decorated for the occasion. Will had fashioned a large cross attached to an old oak tree with a simple yet complicated design which would act as an alter.
Much and the others had hung lanterns and flowers round the clearing and set up a makeshift table where the food would be placed afterwards. Allan had even managed to get hold of some musical instruments, though nobody asked where from, for some music after the ceremony.

Robin stood at the alter with Much by his side who was fiddling with his tunic. Undoing the top button, only to redo it a second later. Friar Laurence stood in front of the cross a smile on his face as he looked at his small congregation. Will and Allan were stood a little to the left of Much and Robin. Everyone turned round at the sound of the others entering the clearing.
Little John entered first as Robin noted the proud look on his face as he lead Marian towards him. Marian! Robin's eye's focused on her and his mind shut down. It could not even comprehend that he was going to marry her. She looked like an angel, dressed simply in white with a ring of flowers tucked in her hair. The simplicity of her outfit only seemed to make her natural beauty stand out even more, making everyone entirely focus on her. Gracefully she walked towards him, the birdsong in the background twittered quietly.
Marian smiled as she reached Robin. Little John and Djaq took up their places either side of Will and Allan as the service began.


"The couple will now show their love for each other by the exchanging of rings," Friar Laurence spoke as Robin and Marian turned to look at Much. Much just stood beside Robin grinning at the couple with a huge smile on his face.

"Much," Marian prompted, as the manservant who just turned and nodded at her, the smile still stretched across his face.

Robin sighed slightly as he shot Marian a look before addressing his best friend. "The rings, Much," Robin said chuckling quietly as the look of understanding that passed across his face. He frantically started searching his pockets.

"In your left hand pocket, Much," Djaq piped up after a minute or so of panicked searching by the cook. Relief spread across his face as he presented them to the couple and the ceremony continued.


"I now pronounce you man and wife!" Friar Laurence said beaming at the couple, "You may kiss the bride." Robin leaded in to give her a large kiss, before breaking away to laugh at the large amount of whooping and cheering coming from his group of friends. Rolling his eyes he gave her another kiss.


Marian felt slightly light headed as she sat in the clearing watching Much attack the food with vigor and try his hardest to force some cake down Will's throat. Claiming that the lad was far too skinny for his own good and needed a bit of beefing up. Allan
was playing on some sort of tin whistle and consuming vast amounts of alcohol. The result being that some of the notes were more then a little off key. Little John and Djaq were talking with Robin who had one arm wrapped around Marian's waist. The light was fading slowly as Robin turned and whispered in her ear. Djaq nudged Little John and they both got up and silently left the couple. Djaq helped haul a very drunken Allan to his unsteady feet, before clamping a hand over his mouth to stop the rude comments from flowing towards the newlyweds. They nodded goodbye before leaving the couple alone in the clearing.

"Shall we? My darling wife," Robin grinned before scooping Marian up bridal style and making his way towards the specially made camp on the outskirts of Locksley.

The candles glowed softly in the cave as the couple entered. A large bed had been fashioned in the centre complete with thick blankets and a small fire glowing in the corner. Flowers placed around the cave giving off a light, sweet aroma.

Marian smiled and put her arms round his shoulders, "Thank you, today was perfect," she whispered as he nuzzled her neck softly.

"Today is not over yet," he breathed in her ear before kissing her passionately on the lips. Marian brought her hands up to run her fingers through his hair and he gently pushed her towards the bed. Sinking down into the soft covers, they let the night take them.

I know a lot doesn't happen in this chapter and I was going to add in some more about the plan to get into the castle for the banquet. But I feel you would have all fallen asleep or tried to kill yourselves before you got to the end. And I really would not like to have murdered anyone with my writing.