The following day, Marian began her morning praying Robin would stay away from the archery competition.
He was a leader of men, more bold and brave than anyone she knew, kind and thoughtful, intelligent and wise...a serious man at heart, though he loved fun and adventure. Then why, she wondered, did a simple mention of an archery competition turn him into a smug, spoiled child?
Yesterday, she had pleaded with him to stay away...told him he had nothing to prove. But he'd only grinned back at her, his eyes gleaming with the daring plans forming in his mind.
Despite her pleading and her prayers, she knew he would show. At least she could arm herself with a dagger in her hair, in case he needed her.
Leaving her bedchamber, she found Guy of Gisbourne waiting in the corridor.
"Marian," he said, "I would like you to accompany me to the sheriff's games today."
"Of course, Guy," she answered readily. "I would be honored, and delighted."
He was becoming more and more manageable, especially since she'd returned from the forest. She had some qualms about deceiving him, knowing his feelings for her were genuine, but deep in her heart, she despised him for all his cruelties. She still clung stubbornly to the hope of his redemption. Hadn't Saint Paul persecuted and killed the earliest Christians, before he was redeemed? He had become a leader in the church. What wonderful things could Guy do, if she could help him switch sides?
"I was remembering how you accompanied me last year, to the sheriff's fair," Guy mentioned.
She remembered it as well. Her arm had been bleeding from the wound Guy had given her as the Night Watchman, and she had had to talk her way out of Rowen wanting to shoot her. Robin had shown up then, won the silver arrow for Rowen, and had barely escaped because he couldn't resist bowing to claim the glory for his perfect shot. What would he do today?
"We have come a long way since then," Guy continued. Suddenly, he grabbed both her arms and turned her roughly to face him. "We have even shared kisses," he reminded her breathlessly, referring to the time she had distracted Guy from slicing Robin's throat, the time Carter led his seemingly lifeless body to the sheriff. "Marian, why do you not kiss me again? I saved you from Hood!"
"Yes, and I'm grateful. But I told you, it was a mistake, that afternoon. I'm still grieving."
She was, but her grief had greatly lessened over time. Her mind dwelt now on all the happy memories she had shared with her father.
"You don't know what you do to me," Guy told her, his voice thick with passion. He pressed his face down toward hers, trying to force a kiss. She shuddered, and pulled herself away. "Guy," she told him gently, "this is neither the time nor place."
Marian was grateful when Allan a Dale strode toward them. "Sorry," he said, referring to his interruption. "Sheriff wants you. The competition's set to begin."
...
"Believe me, Your Highness," the sheriff told Prince John, "Hood will appear today. There are three things Little Robin Redbreast can't resist...making a rescue, helping the poor, and competing at archery."
"He had better show," Prince John complained. "I'm bored!" His boredom disappeared when Gisbourne led Marian to the dais and seated her beside him. "My Nottingham Nightingale!"
Gisbourne fumed. Marian was his, he believed, and no one, not even the king's brother, regent of all England, would take her from him.
Marian took a quick inventory of the contestants. She was sure Robin was not among them, even disguised. Breathing a quick sigh of relief, she scanned the crowd.
No. She spied all his gang spread out among the crowd, fully armed and ready to defend him. He was here. But where?
Trumpets blared, signaling the start of the contest.
The sheriff leaped to his feet. "Good people of Nottingham," he called. "In honor of Prince John's visit, I give you the start of our competitions here today. Now, the rules for this, our first game, are simple. Each contestant will shoot five arrows, with his best shot counted. The one who shoots closest to the center of the target, wins!"
"Milord Sheriff," Marian asked quietly, "what is the prize?"
"Oh, no prize, Missy, unless you count the one we're going to win! I want Robin Hood's pretty little head on a platter, and his pretty little body on a spike!"
"I want his head," Prince John whined. "I want it on a plaque in my trophy room!"
"Ooh," the sheriff cooed, "very good! Very good!"
The first contestant was announced, and the prince squirmed in his seat with boredom as all who competed performed poorly. The target had been placed too far for anyone to come close to the center ring. Almost anyone, Marian thought anxiously.
Once all had shot five arrows, and even the sheriff was giving up hope of Robin appearing, three more arrows buzzed through the air from above, hitting the very center of the target, then splitting each arrow before it in a matter of seconds.
"He is here!" the sheriff announced excitedly, leaping again to his feet. "Hood!" he shouted, searching the castle battlements. "Show yourself!"
Robin appeared, standing on a battlement at an impossible distance from the target. Even so far away, Marian could see the pleased, proud, smug look on his face. "I have two more shots, I believe, Sheriff," he called down.
Prince John cowered behind Marian. "Huntington," he shrieked. "Even you wouldn't dare shoot your prince!"
"And you can't shoot me, Hood," the sheriff called up, even as guards began closing around Robin. "You know what will happen if you do. Am I frightened? A clue...no."
"Five shots you said, Vaisey," Robin called back. "I only want a chance to compete, fair and square." Lifting his bow, he quickly fired off his last two shots. Gisbourne was terrified and furious when each arrow landed on either side of him, pinning his coat to the wooden bench he sat upon. "Hood!" he bellowed.
"Missed," Robin called down, laughing.
Marian's feelings echoed Guy's of terror and fury. She was terrified Robin was about to be caught, and furious he was risking his life for folly. She had not truly believed him a fool when she'd called him one in the past, but today he was earning that title.
"GET HIM!" the sheriff screamed.
Marian's eyes sought out Much. But Much did not appear overly upset, simply alert. What, she wondered, had Robin planned?
