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Chapter 37

Settling down into a warm embrace, Robin and Marian lay in each other's arms, relishing in the intimate feeling that they had been deprived of for a long time now. They simply listened to the sound of the other's breathing, Marian with her head on his chest, while Robin was drawing casual patterns on her arm.

Slowly and cautiously, Robin broke the silence, "We need to talk."

Suddenly coming back to reality, Marian tensed, remaining silent, knowing that she would not be able to escape her husband.

"Marian, I know something is indeed wrong with you, and I do wish that you were able to confide in me," Robin explained sadly.

Marian, hearing the sound of hurt in his voice, sighed, and reluctantly pushed herself up to face him, leaning on his chest. She brought a hand to his face and gently caressed it, allowing the small bristles from his beard to tickle her hand, sending sensations all around her body.

Robin caught her hand on his face, and tenderly joined it with his lips to place a small kiss on it, all the while looking powerfully into her eyes.

"Please tell me," he whispered, almost begging.

Unable to say it in words just yet, she sat up beside him and took his hand in hers, encouraging him to turn his position and prop himself up on his elbow. She softly rubbed his hand in hers and then carefully brought it so that it rested lightly on her stomach. She then gazed into his eyes to try and understand what he was thinking.

When Marian first placed his hand on her stomach he barely registered at first. Then, realisation hit him and all sensible thoughts running through his brain had vanished as he tried to articulate his thoughts.

"A-Are y-you…? He asked slowly.

"I do not know," She whispered softly.

Her answer brought confusion, which became evident on his face and Marian knew that she would have to make herself clearer if he was to know the truth.

"Then what…"

"I thought I was," she explained simply. "But then…"

She stopped mid sentence, unable to continue. She lowered he gaze so that she was now staring down at their bunk; unable to maintain eye contact with him. Robin seeing the pain in her features shuffled closer to her and sat up facing her. Then, with one hand in hers, he caressed her face softly with the other.

"But then what?" he whispered tenderly, lifting her chin to face him.

"But then I am not sure," he said sadly, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

However, as Robin made to comfort her further, she pushed him away gently and took a deep breath to ready herself to tell Robin the whole story.

"On our journey home, on the ship, I felt sick and queasy; although I dismissed it as part of sea sickness from the journey. However, when we arrived and were riding, my queasiness remained and I felt terrible. I knew I did not have a fever and so when I woke up in the inn that day, I had an idea of what it could be."

"Why did you not say?" Robin asked.

"I could not. I still do not know for sure. Plus it has been concerning me since. My symptoms remain, but I do not know if it is a result from our lack of sleep."

"Perhaps you should see a physician, or even Matilda."

"I am too afraid to," she admitted tearfully.

"Why?"

"Robin, what if I am with child? I want a child more than anything but conditions are not appropriate for us at the moment."

"Marian, look at me," he told her gently, taking her face with his hands. "I know that I am unable to provide for you, but I promise that I will defeat the Sheriff and I will get my lands back."

"But you do not know when," she sighed sadly. "For that to happen the King needs to have returned to England, and from what we witnessed in the Holy Land that does not look like it is going to happen in the near future."

"The King was determined to make peace soon."

"And what are we to do until then? Look at England, look at Nottingham. Do you really want to bring up a child in these conditions? I saw that baby, and I couldn't help but think if that were our child. How would we provide for it?" She spoke softly, almost to herself now.

"I will do my best to provide for you and the baby," he told her, holding her head in his hands.

"I know you will. But England needs you more," she replied wistfully.

Robin did not know how to answer that. As usual Marian had put into words what they both knew was true. Of course he would love a child with Marian; however Robin still had a job to do in England.

Unsure of what to say he tenderly caressed her cheek and told her softly, "I love you."

"I love you too," she replied just as softly, a small smile forming on her lips.

"Now, we do not know whether you are with child at the moment, however we might be able to catch up with the gang to see Matilda, if you wish?"

Marian nodded, and Robin was about to get up from his bunk, when Marian lightly tugged his arm.

"What?" He smiled, turning to sit back opposite her again.

"Do we have to leave right now?" She smiled.

Robin at first did not know what she meant, although the smile that lit up her face gave him a clear indication of what she meant. He leant forward and met her lips in a kiss that was soft and gentle. He caressed her face lightly with one hand and held her neck delicately in his other, arching her closer to him.

Their lips moved skilfully over one another igniting flames within in them. Marian brought her hand to the back of head to run her hand through his long locks. She then moved his head even closer to her whilst lowering herself on the bunk, pulling Robin down with her; both relishing this intimate moment together as husband and wife.

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