"Marian? Who is Marian?"

Rachel turned her dark eyes upon Much, needing to hear, but dreading his explanantion.

"Marian?" Much colored and stammered nervously. "Well, that's difficult to explain, really. She's just, um...just...just...Marian."

"Marian," Robin croaked hoarsely from his bed, crying out desperately for her.

"It's alright. I'm here." Rachel felt willing to say anything to ease his discomfort. He seemed to relax, and even smiled the slightest bit. "My love," he sighed again, his damp hair matted by a fevered sweat against his brow.

"Tell me who she is, Much," Rachel pleaded, holding Robin's hand.

Much uttered a long, loud groan, pulling at his hair. "I knew this would happen! I knew it! And I knew it would fall to ME to have to do the explaining!"

"Is she someone from his home?"

"From our shire, yes. His childhood sweetheart...And more."

"How much more?"

He paused before answering.

"Everything more."

Rachel didn't know what to say. She fought back the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. "But I thought...I thought...he liked me."

"He does! It's just...he'll never stop loving her."

Much hesitantly explained Robin and Marian's history...their childhood friendship, their blossoming romance, their deep affection and love, their betrothal, with its abrupt ending. He explained how, while in the Holy Land, Robin had received word of Marian's betrothal to another, omitting the details of his behavior afterward...namely, his obnoxious outing with Legrand. He told her how Robin kept trying to forget Marian, but couldn't, and how he often spoke her name in his sleep.

Rachel guessed, "And if he never saw me again, I suppose he wouldn't even miss me?"

Although he hated being the bearer of bad news, Much was painfully honest. "He likes you, but he would be...just fine."

Rachel shut her eyes in pain. Drawing upon her courage, she opened them and said, "Take care of him for me, Much. Goodbye." Releasing Robin's clammy hand, she stood and walked slowly away. Neither Much nor Robin ever saw her again.

...

Back in England, Edward of Knighton worried over his daughter's future.

Men, worthy and unworthy, had come to present their suits to her, but Marian coolly sent them all away, much more politely than she had dismissed Sir Roger of Stoke. She regretted allowing her emotions to get the best of her when Roger had come calling, and she never lost control of herself again. She seemed determined to remain single, and calmly but firmly told her suitors so, claiming she was "not the marrying kind."

But now, she found herself besieged by another suitor who refused to be so easily dismissed. Sir Guy of Gisbourne had recovered from his fever, and paid frequent visits to Marian in her home, much to her chagrin. He pressed her to visit him at Locksley Manor, but so far, she had been able to put him off, stalling him with clever refusals.

Gisbourne's presence was so threatening, he scared away every other man who dreamed of calling upon the blue eyed beauty. Soon, he was the only man pursuing her, which he felt was his right. Although Marian was glad the other suitors had given up, she privately balked, annoyed by Gisbourne's sense of ownership.

"Be careful," Sir Edward warned his daughter. "Gisbourne is a dangerous man. We cannot risk offending him. Remember my friend, Sir Lawrence of Lincoln."

"Yes, and countless others, who have suffered at his hands. Never fear, Father, I will be careful."

And she was, smiling at Gisbourne and taking his arm when he offered it, though she couldn't dissemble so greatly she wouldn't remain quiet when she spotted injustice. Her father cautioned her her words couldn't change anything...they only drew the Sheriff's displeasure...but she refused to remain silent. She still believed her words meant something, and she used them to fight for justice. Sadly, she was the only person in the shire to speak up.

One day, she was in her yard practicing her swordsmanship when Sir Guy arrived, riding his black horse. Quickly hiding her sword, she greeted him.

"Sir Guy, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

He made a mental note to remember her phrase..."the pleasure of your company." He must remember to use that when he spoke with her. It showed breeding.

"Come to see you. Since you and your father moved from the Castle, I do not know whether you are well, or ill."

"We are quite well, thank you. And I am certainly glad you have recovered from your long infirmary."

Gisbourne sniffed. He wasn't sure what to say now. He hated feeling inadequate, especially because he found himself more and more drawn to the daughter of this house. Words were not his tool to wield when it came to winning a woman. His tools, always so effective with women of low birth, consisted of his appearance, his presence, and his dominance. But he couldn't very well use them on this noble maiden. But she was speaking.

"Is there anything else, Sir Guy? Could I offer you something to eat...or drink?"

"No. Come with me to Locksley. Get your cloak. We can eat there." Commands came naturally to him.

She struggled to think of an excuse to refuse him, but he clearly expected her to obey.

"We need to ride there now," he said.

"On your horse?"

Her dreadful surprise at what she believed he suggested was evident by the alarmed expression in her voice.

Why had she assumed he meant together on his horse? She must have been used to riding so. She must have ridden so in the past...with Locksley. A wave of jealous anger washed through him.

"We'll each ride separately. I believe that is custom."

Her relief at riding Vesper, while Sir Guy rode his own black charger, eliminated her objections, and they arrived shortly in Locksley village. There was a commotion, as several of Gisbourne's guards forcibly held Will and Luke Scarlet, while their father Dan pleaded for mercy.

Marian leaped from her horse.

"What is happening here?"

Gisbourne's Sergeant ignored her, addressing his master instead.

"These boys were caught stealing game. They're each about to lose a hand."

"No!" Marian cried. "You cannot cut off their hands! It is barbaric!"

"It is the law, milady." Gisbourne's Sergeant was businesslike.

"Go inside the manor," Gisbourne instructed Marian. "This is not for your eyes."

"They cannot lose a hand! You must stop this!"

Gisbourne's steely eyes looked at her, cool and detached. "They have no right to the king's deer. The forestry laws were put in place by the Conqueror. You know that. Only the king and his peers are entitled to hunt deer."

"But they are hungry! Surely, you can show them some leniency!" She paused, then admitted, "Besides, they are accustomed to taking what they need from the forest."

Gisbourne and his guards froze at her words. "What?" Gisbourne asked.

She gulped. "Robin's family was granted the right to hunt whatever they wanted on their own lands. But Robin himself allowed his people permission to hunt here, as well."

There was silence at her words. At last, Gisbourne spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "Do you mean to tell me, Huntington let his peasants hunt the king's deer?"

"He thought it ridiculous to deny them. Why should he be the only one allowed to eat, when the forests teem with deer?"

"Because," Gisbourne stated, his voice growing stronger, "it is the law. He broke the law. I will inform the Sheriff, and when Huntington returns, he will be punished accordingly."

"Really? So you plan to cut off his hand, too? I dare you to try it."

Marian bit her tongue. Her anger and challenge would not help Will and Luke.

"Sir Guy," she continued more softly, "please. Show mercy to these youth. They are fine young men."

"Please, Sir Guy," Dan begged. "My sons need their hands!"

Gisbourne looked from the young men to Marian. Why should he show mercy? The Sheriff had taught him mercy was weakness.

He would not disappoint the Sheriff, especially now that he was "under probation" for having failed his mission to kill the king. Only Prince John had kept him from being executed for his failure. When the Prince had learned it was Locksley who had spoiled their plan, he seemed to understand, claiming to have expected as much.

But now, hands must come off, and it wouldn't do for Lady Marian to witness it.

"Justice must be served, milady," Gisbourne stated. "Go inside the manor."

"Take my hand instead," Dan pleaded.

"Dad, no!" Will cried.

"Please...I am old. Sir Guy, show some mercy, for Lady Marian's sake!"

Dan was desperate, but intelligent. He could see Gisbourne's weakness. Gisbourne clearly wanted to impress Lady Marian. Dan felt sure she would not mind letting him use her as a bargaining chip, if it would save his boys from losing their hands.

Gisbourne seemed to consider. The Sheriff wasn't here. He need not know. And surely, Lady Marian would be moved by his mercy.

"Very well," he stated. "Take the old man's hand instead. But next time they are caught stealing anything, the penalty will be severe." He offered his arm to a stunned Marian. "Come, milady. Shall we dine?"