Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from this writing.

Chapter 37: Outlaw Bride

"Marion!" Robin called out catching up with her. She turned and waited for him to catch up.

He grabbed her hand as they walked through the forest. "On such a clear, beautiful afternoon it seems so awful to think our King is being held hostage," Marion said sadly.

"Days like today are meant to be enjoyed," Robin said.

She eyed him. "Enjoyed how?"

"In the company of a beautiful woman," he smiled and she laughed.

"Well, this woman knows you are up to something," she said and for a second he looked startled. "So whatever plans you are concocting had better include me," she warned.

He smirked. "Oh, they do," he promised.

They had walked for quite some ways, she realized, and he suddenly grabbed her other hand forcing her to face him.

Her heart sped up hoping that it was that proposition. Knowing Robin, he could just be proposing some new schedule for monitoring the roads through Sherwood.

"Marion …." she raised an eyebrow as she waited for him to continue. He rubbed his thumbs over her hands in his. "We have known each other since we were children."

She nodded.

"That seems like a long time ago," he admitted. "A lifetime ago."

"A lot has happened since we were children," she pointed out.

"You have always been the constant in my life, though," he said. "As children you were the friend—annoying, a girl, one who always knew so much more than me," he admitted, "but I still eagerly sought you ought. You have always been in my life. I want it to stay that way," he said. "From children to adults to now," he said. "And if we are lucky enough to have decades more together, I want them to be with you. Always with you," he said.

She was speechless for a moment. He reached into his pocket where he had placed the ring he had got for her. He had held on to it all this time.

He slipped it onto her finger. "Be with me, Marion. For now and always," he asked. "Marry me," he smiled.

She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. "How soon can Father Tuck get here?" she asked, smiling. "We have waited long enough."

"Sooner than you would think," Robin admitted with a mysterious smile.

If all had gone according to plan—he would owe Lilith a huge favor—Father Tuck should have arrived in camp a candle mark ago.

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"Here," Sarah said as they practically shoved Marion into the camp, stripped her of her pants and tunic, and pulled the dress on. With so many people helping she was ready before she realized what was going on.

"Now I am nervous. What is going on?"

"You just got engaged, Marion, you have to look nice," Lilith said.

"That is absurd."

"No, it's not," Eve said as they opened the door revealing the camp.

Directly in front of them several yards, in front of the camp fire, stood Father Tuck—bible in hand—with Robin before him. Much was standing up with Robin and the other outlaws were lined up after him.

Esther stood off to the other side holding Agatha with Sir Edwards looking nervous but proud.

Marion just looked at everyone in shock and awe. "What is this?"

"It isn't as grand as you deserve," Robin said, "but we have waited long enough," he repeated from earlier.

Marion smiled up at him, glowing. Sir Edwards walked over to the doorway and offered his arm. Marion tucked her hand into his arm. "Wait," Marion said looking back. "Lilith," she said turning towards her. "Stand up with me," Marion smiled.

"Truly?" Lilith asked in slight shock.

"Of course," Marion smiled. Lilith kissed her cheek. "Whatever you wish," Lilith said happily. Lilith walked down in front of the other men until she stood across from Much. The other girls took a place behind her.

Sir Edwards escorted Marion up the makeshift aisle. Her gown of golden brown accented against the green of the forest.

Sir Edwards kissed the top of Marion's head as he handed her over to Robin and Father Tuck began the ceremony.

He finally blessed the rings Robin had and then the couple exchanged them. "You may kiss the bride," Father Tuck announced. "Finally."

Everyone chuckled as Robin reached forward and kissed Marion hungrily. All of the outlaws, Sir Edwards, and Esther applauded. Sarah and Lilith looped their arms through each others. "Reminds me almost of yours," Sarah whispered.

"Hardly, there was none of this emotion at mine," Lilith said. "You can feel the love radiating off Marion and Robin," she said. It was enough to nearly make her jealous of her new, old friends.

"Well, conveniently we are all on patrol tonight," Allan said with a wicked grin. John and Will had left to escort Esther and Edwards back to Nottingham as well as Father Tuck who was staying at the manor house for the night with Edwards. Sarah, Ashley, and Lilith were taking a watch duty over by the road while Much, Eve, Djaq, and Allan were closer to Nottingham.

"I can hardly believe they are finally married," Sarah said as she, Lilith, and Ashley were making camp further away.

"I heard about them in court," Ashley brought up. "Your brother would talk about them," he added.

Lilith smiled. "Luke always thought Marion would be good for Robin."

"I have to say he was right," Ashley said. A rustle had them grabbing weapons, but they were joined by Allan and Will. "Everyone got to Nottingham alright," Will said taking a seat in front of the fire next to Sarah.

Djaq, Eve, and Much soon arrived so that everyone was back together again with the exception of Marion and Robin. "Robin only wishes they could have had a proper wedding and honeymoon."

"Please, Marion is so happy with how it went, it was perfect for her; simple, outdoors, outlaws," Lilith smiled. "I don't think she would have changed a thing."

"Especially the groom," Eve laughed. She saw the way Much had been eyeing her the last few days and was wondering what had happened since Allan had stopped the flirting.

"Well, it will be a beautiful night under the stars," Djaq predicted laying back to look up at them.

Ashley laid down next to her and soon the two of them were pointing out and discussing different constellations they had studied and other astronomy facts.

Which of course led to a good natured argument over who was correct over some fact or other. Lilith had the impression neither really cared who was correct or not, they just enjoyed the banter.

Lilith looked around at the outlaws enjoying each other's company when she noticed two were missing. "Where did Eve and Much go?"

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"I might not become the Earl of Bonchurch," Much said as he and Eve took a walk that evening.

"You do not have faith in our King or Robin?" Eve asked surprised.

"So much could happen," Much sighed. "Richard is entitled to change his mind, or we could fail him…"

"Much, after everything you did in the crusades for Robin and King Richard, if they deny you Bonchurch I say down with both of them!" Eve defended. "It is absurd for either of them to deny you what is yours."

"What if I am just Much?" Much finally asked.

"What is wrong with that?" Eve asked.

"I don't have much to offer you, Eve," Much finally spoke up. "You see what my life is like; tending after everyone. I am naught but a servant."

"That is your station," Eve said. "Much the man is so much more than that. Why can't you believe in yourself like you do in Robin?"

"Could you accept me without my title?" Much asked. "If I never become the Earl of Bonchurch?"

Her head snapped up to look at him closely. "You must not think very much of me, either, Much, if you think all I care about, the only way I judge a man, is by whether or not he has a title," she said storming back off to camp.

She stormed and took a seat between Lilith and Sarah. They shared a look and started up an amicable conversation about absolutely nothing of consequence. It gave her the chance to ponder over the whole conversation she had with Much. Just when she thought he was finally going to open up, be his own person, be himself with her, he goes and says something like that.

"Why are men so stupid?" Eve finally asked glaring at all the men in the camp.

Poor Allan, Will, and Ashley looked sheepish.

"It is the way they were made," Lilith drawled, winking at Allan who coughed to cover up his laugh.

Eve nodded in agreement with Lilith, missing the interaction between Lilith and Allan. "Well, I hope Richard is rescued soon, and then we can figure out the next stage of our life," she huffed and took to her sleeping spot for the night.

When her back was to the camp, everyone turned to glare at Much. "Now what did you do?" Sarah whispered.

Much stammered, but didn't have an answer. He knew, but he couldn't defend himself. He certainly hadn't meant it the way Eve had interpreted it; it was his insecurities about himself, not her.

Sarah sighed and sat closer to Much. Something that didn't happen often. "Look, Eve is a proud girl, Much," Sarah started. "You care for her," it was a statement, but she waited for him to confirm it.

"Of course I do!" he said in outrage. "I mean, she is one of the smartest woman I have ever met, she is even smarter than most men I have met, and she knows how to take care of herself, and she is brave, and beautiful, and … she wasn't part of this, wasn't part of the cause, but once she took it up as her own she has given it her all. Even though she is afraid we still hold a grudge against her from before."

Sarah nodded in approval and even went so far as to squeeze Much's hand. He looked at their hands, then at her, in shock. "Eve is all you have said," she said. "Which is why I know if you want to prove to her your feelings are strong and genuine, I know you are going to have to do something to surprise her, Much," Sarah said, feeling very much like Lilith. "Show her that you have complete faith in her; disprove her own insecurities over our trust in her."

She got up and went back over to her sleeping spot between Lilith and Djaq. Much stared into the fire trying to think of what he could.

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Because I had so many wonderful reviews, I thought I would post the next chapter since it is the one everyone has been waiting for. Next chapter will be short, but hopefully a surprise.

Special thanks to llohur (Ah, thank you! Hopefully this one is exciting too) ScarlettPrincess (Ah, I love Lilith too, and she is one of my beta's favorites. I had to make someone as mischievous as Allan : ) Sharnay (THank you! I loved writing that bit!) Lazy A. Nutter (Ah, that is such a huge compliment! My beta told me the same thing the last time she watched lord of the rings,lol. Glad to see you back!!) Genevieve (Thank you! I think it always happens, as my stories pick up the writing gets better : ) Reviews also help, lol.