Niece to the king.
By Rain of Mystery
Many years before Prince John took over and ruled over England when his brother left to fight in the crusades, and all of Nottingham was under the tyranny of King Richard's brother, this was before all of that, and when times where simpler and King Richard ruled over the land, and everything was just and good. King Richard was married to Marie of Champagne, a vixen of a noble household, as she was a member of the royal court, and they both fell in love, as he loved her company during the days of their youth, he never loved another as much as her. His beloved Marie was a wonderful queen, smart, caring, and was loved by all.
One day everything changed.
Queen Marie, was sitting at her throne as her husband was sitting on his, as the day continued with royal duties, what seemed to be like an ordinary day, and wanting the royal court to come to a close, a messenger stormed inside, panting, and panicked. Marie recognized him from her family's home, she gasped and wondered what could have happened, he clasped on the floor, to weak to take another step while he had a bundle wrapped in his arm. She hurried to him, causing Richard to stand from his throne, Lady Cluck was in shock.
" Oh my dear William, what happened? " she asked concerned.
" Your majesty, your home in Champagne is no more, your sister and your family are... gone..." he groaned in pain.
She gasped in shock.
" Your sister in her final act, your sister entrusted me to bring you, her daughter." he said handing over the covered swaddled bundle to her and he collapsed.
" William! Please take him to a room and send for the physician at once." Marie commanded as she took a step back allowing the guards to help and carry William out to get him help.
She held the bundle in her arms, and approached Richard, who placed a concerned arm around her shoulder, as she revealed the sleeping little fox cub. Marie sniffled and gave in to tears, this little innocent cub was all that was left of her family. She knew very well her sister would do anything to protect her child. Marie sobbed and held her niece closer to her. She remember hearing the wonderful news when her sister was expecting, to the experience of the birth and what name she called her new born daughter.
" Oh my sweet little Marian, your safe now, and everything is going to be alright." Marie sniffled once more.
Lady Cluck approached Marie, and looked over at the baby. "Oh what a bonnie lass." she said adoring over the little sleeping Marian. Queen Marie and King Richard retired to their chambers, while the maids were preparing quickly a nursery for little Marian who was still sleeping in her aunts arms. She didn't want no one to take her, not for a moment, she had lost her family, and Marian was all she had in the world. Of course she loved Richard but knowing all those she loved from her childhood home was gone, broke her heart, thankfully she had her niece who survived all thanks to William, and he will be shown the greatest of gratitude for saving Marian.
" She will be my ward." Richard said looking outside from the window, gaining the attention of Marie.
"Hmm?" she said not catching what he had said.
" Marian, I will make her my ward." he told her.
" But Richard, she is your niece after all."
"That may be, but if I was to make her my ward, she will have all the title and protection of the crown. No one will dare harm her under my protection, and when she becomes of age she will gain whatever title I see fit to her stature when she is old enough." Richard said walking to Marie's side, as he placed a caring hand on her shoulder. She looked at him with a smile, and she couldn't believe at his generosity. She nodded and smiled back at sleeping Marian.
" You are so kind my beloved." she told him. " I just want her to be safe from harm, or any one who means to harm her or any of us." she sniffled.
From then on Marian, grew into a lovely young Vixen, who would have known in time would find herself in love with a outlaw.
The end.