Chapter twenty-nine:
Robin's POV:
Marian stood in front of Katy and I, who were sitting on her bed, like naughty children about to be scolded by their mother.
We exchanged a quick glance; her expression was easy to read: "here we go!"
"Marian, dear, just how long do you think you were going to be able to keep up this double life of yours?" Katy asked, leaning back slightly, showing she was at ease in this situation.
I, on the other hand, was sweating profusely! My head was hot, my heart was thumping and my hands were clammy! I never feel this way going into battle; a little anxious yes, but that's always overpowered by the adrenaline.
So why did I feel like this now?
Marian's shaky voice broke the silence, "I nev-" she held a hand to her head, feeling its temperature.
"Marian, are you feeling okay? You look a little pail…" I stood up from my spot on the bed, just in time to catch her and the box she was holding before they both hit the floor. Avery flew from Marian's hand and into her cage; smart bird.
Gently, I laid her down on her bed, and felt her heated forehead with the back of my hand. Looking up, I asked Katy if she could go and get some cool water and a clean cloth.
Seeing her like this made my heart sigh, she looked so peaceful. Perhaps she was in a world where she didn't have anything to worry about. Maybe she was back in Sherwood with me and Much when we were little. She was back at home, her mother was still alive, and she was happy.
Pressing a quick kiss to her brow, I heard "A little help?" come from behind the door. Opening the door, I saw Katy had spilled half of the water from the basin because of the splash marks on her dress. "Katy, if you needed a bath, you could have said!" I joked, taking the basin over towards Marian and dipping the folded cloth in.
"Hey, you didn't have to all the way down to the kitchens and then all the way back up with a very heavy basin!" She exclaimed, and closed the door behind her.
"There was no water in your bedroom? I figured your hundreds of maids would have an unlimited supply ready for you."
"Are you always this annoying?" she asked, sitting down next to Marian.
"Only when the situation calls for a little humour." I replied, concentrating on not getting any water in Marian's eyes.
She lifted Marian's head slightly and swept all of her hair to one side of her face to it was off of her neck. Noting my quizzical brow, she said "her neck will overheat if her hair is suffocating it, she calls it-"
"Her lion's mane." I finished for her, smiling at the memories of Marian sneaking up on Much from behind and roaring at him as ferociously as she could. That's what earned her the nickname "Little lion girl", it's what her mother used call her when she ate too much meat at dinner.
Dipping the cloth back into the water, I dabbed it onto her forehead.
"Her chest is overheating too, lover boy," Katy giggled from the side of me.
"I'm sure I can trust you do to that, Katy." Getting up from my knees, I passed the cloth to her.
After she raised an eyebrow at me, I looked around "What?"
"You have no idea, do you?"
"I'm not sure what you're talking about."
"You know, Marian was my first ever real friend. She taught me that life is about more than seeking approval in other people. From her, I learnt that I should never base my own worth on the opinions of others, or listen to any bad things they may have to say. Marian is the kindest, most generous person I know, but she's also the saddest." Katy dabbed the side of Marian's neck with the wet cloth, her eyes a little glassy.
"Sometimes, I catch her looking into the distant with a look so heart breaking, I don't know what to say. Her eyes shed tears, but she doesn't even realise she's crying! Ever since she arrived here, it's like she so, so sad, but she can't remember why, and if she does, she spends the rest of the day trying to forget. Marian's waiting for someone to walk up to her and say; "It's okay, I'm back and you're safe and you'll never be alone ever again!" I think I know who that person is now." Katy's eyes were filled with tears now, as she continued to dab her friend's face.
"In the first week that she arrived here, we'd sleep in the same bed because I didn't want her to be alone. In the middle of the night, I would hear her mumble names in her sleep, and then she'd wake up in cold sweats! The pure fear in those eyes of hers was like nothing I'd ever seen before! But of course, she wouldn't tell me what they were about, or who was in them! She'd just tell me not to worry about her and to go back to sleep. I never knew the right thing to say, or whether to say anything at all! When I met her, I was probably one of the most vain, self-centred, egotistical, arrogant, people in England, possibly the world! But the kindness she showed me, and other brought me down from the pedestal I placed myself upon. Marian Fitzwater of Knighton saved me, in every way a person can be saved. Purely by being near her, she makes me a better person, every single day. I truly, don't know what I would so without her." Katy wiped a tear from her cheek and looked up at me for the first time in a while.
Her eyes were misty and her face was red. I didn't know she cared for Marian this much. I'd stupidly assumed she was only friends with Marian because she was getting something out of it, but I stand corrected. Katherine had been Marian's only true friend for the past four years. When Much and I couldn't be there, Katy was.
"I was wrong about you, Katy" I announced, looking her in the eyes. "I wasn't here when Marian needed me the most, and I am forever in your debt for looking out for her. You were, and are a true friend to her, and I thank you for that."
"No need to get all sentimental, forest boy, we don't want me sobbing too hard and waking her up!" Katy laughed, smiling.
Marian's eyes fluttered open, gently.
Marian's POV:
"Oh, sweetheart! How are you, are you okay? Let me get you some water, no I'll stay with you! No, how could I be so stupid, you need fresh air! Wai-" Katy's voice, though attempting to care for me, made my head split with pain
"Katy, stop fussing, you're making my head hurt!" Holding a hand to her head, I tried to sit up, before deciding it was too much of a struggle.
"Sorry!" Katy whispered, her hands over her mouth.
"What the hell happened?" I looked at Katy, still holding my throbbing head. "I had such a weird dream! You were here, and you," I paused, picking my next words very carefully, "Well, you were sitting next to…" beginning to giggle, I couldn't help it at the thought of Robin meeting Katy!
"Robin, are you sure she didn't hit her head before you caught her?" Katy asked innocently, turning to look towards the foot of my bed.
My eyes widened as I took in the muscular form sitting on the desk from my chair opposite me. His boots, muddy as usual, weren't spread out of resting on something like they normally would be- clearly, he was worried about something.
The world started to spin again, and Katy's voice sounded distant.
"Woah, love, you're all right now! You fainted before, but that was just from the shock of seeing my ruggedly handsome face again!" Robin rushed to my side, sitting my upwards gently.
"Robin, stop messing around!" Katy hit him on the arm, playfully.
It took a few minutes to get me back in the room, without me dropping back into my subconscious. But Katy assured me that everything was fine, and no one was hurt.
"I'd have it out with him, but we didn't know when you'd be back, so we didn't want you to walk in on my beating him up!" Katy laughed.
"Hey! I'm still free for a fight! You, me; outside!" Robin joked along, making a big show of flexing his bulging biceps. Katy stood up, and made a big show of curling her hands into fists. Even though it would be practically impossible for her to punch anyone without her long nails digging into her palms too!
Rolling my eyes, I took a sip from the cup of water at my side. "You too are both six-year-olds, you know that right?" I couldn't help but smirk a little at the sight of two of my best friends, old and new, getting along so well!
Katy mimicked knocking Robin out, who the fell to the floor very theatrically! Katy the paraded around the room, announcing "Victory is mine! It is all mine!" Robin chuckled, standing up from the floor and coming over to sit next to me on the bed.
The look in his eyes when I noticed he was here was full of so many different emotions. There was hope, worry, happiness and something that made his eyes absolutely gleam.
"I'm really glad you're here, Robin." Smiling, I placed a hand on is arm and looked back to Katy who was now talking to Avery through the cage.
"And I'm very glad you're alright, I was really worried about you!" He looked me in the eyes, and put a hand on top of mine.
"You don't have to worry about me, Locksley!" Joking, I laughed at his serious face.
"No, but I do so love to see your face when I do!" he kissed my hand, smirking at the bush arising on my face.
"You can't resist the urge, can you?"
"Who would I when the prize is so worthwhile?"
I didn't realise just how close our faces were to each other's now. One little movement and our lips would be interlocking, and it wouldn't take much to close the gap! From here, I could see the little specks of gold in his eyes, his pupil was dilated and I couldn't hear him breathing. It was a good job because I didn't think I was either. Before I knew it, my eyes began to close, and I swear I could feel his skin on mine…
"Alllllllright you two love birds! If I wanted to vomit, I'd go ask the Sheriff what his views on women are!" Katy was looking at us, instead of Avery now. Her hand was on her hips and there was a bemused look on her face.
Robin and I scrambled to other sides of the bed at once, looking at our laps. We shot each other a quick glance, both of our faces glowing bright red.
"Uh, I should probably…head back to the camp…" Robin stuttered over his words, obviously caught off guard. "…They'll be kissi- I mean looking for me!" he jumped to correct himself, turning fuchsia.
"Well, my new friend, it has been delightful!" Katy laughed at his pink face and clapped him gently on the back.
"It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, soon to be Princess Katherine!" Robin took a deep bow, in an attempt to regain his usual composure.
Standing up from my seat, I approached my old friend.
Taking the cue, Katy muttered something about needing to be somewhere and left the room in a hurry. I had a feeling she'd be back before long!
Robin faced me, his faced locked in a gentle smile. His evergreen eyes shone like the morning sun, and looked deep into mine. "I-"
"Th-" we both began at the same time. "You go!"
"No, you, I insist!" He held his hands up in surrender.
Giggling a little, I started again. "I was just going to thank you for coming to see me today, I wish we had more time to talk before you have to go back!" I rushed out, not wanting this to end; his eyes looking into mind, our hands interlocking, without either of us realising.
"It's my pleasure, really! I wish for the same, it's a shame we both have responsibilities…" his voice trailed off, towards my open wardrobe. "What you did, for Meg," he smiled at my raised eyebrows, "…it was really courageous of you, Marian."
I needn't have thanked him, I'm sure my face said it all!
"What were you going to say before I interrupted you?" Again, I had to remind myself to inhale and exhale.
"I… I was going to say…" he tried, still slipping over his words.
The butterflies in my stomach felt like they were going to come out of my mouth when I let go of his hands and wrapped my arms around his neck.
His toned arms wrapped around my waist, while my head nuzzled into the crook of his neck.
"I've missed you too, Robin…" I muttered into his warm skin. His arms tightening around me was the only reply I needed.
His embrace felt like the comforting summer sun shining on my skin. I could stay right here for the rest of my life! In this moment, the only thing I thought about was the feeling of Robin hugging me. Too soon, infinitely too soon, we pulled away from each other. After a few minutes of gazing into those gorgeous, evergreen eyes, Robin opened his mouth. "You know, what you said about having more time?" He asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yes, if only we both had more time…" I muttered, still holding his callused hands.
He gently lifted a hand to cheek and tilted up my head so I was looking right at him. "Well, what if we… met somewhere?"
Hope filled my heart and shone through my eyes. "Where, though? The castle is guarded, you have much more practice at scaling walls me and where would be a safe place to meet?"
"We'll figure something out, don't worry about it, darling." He brushed his thumb against my cheek. "I'll be back here tomorrow at…"
"…How about one o'clock at night?"
"A little late, isn't it?"
"True, Katy doesn't usually leave my room until then. Maybe I can make an excuse?"
"Why bother, she's already met me now?"
"Good point, we'll think of something, I'm sure. We're very smart people!" Laughing, I hugged him again.
"See you tomorrow, at one." Robin said into my hair, pulling me a little closer before letting go and kissing my hand. "Until then, M'lady!" He walked over to my bed, and collected his mask and hood, from where he must have been left earlier.
"Always a pleasure, Locksley!" I curtseyed, giggling. He bowed in return.
Saluting me, leapt out of the window. "Robin, careful!" I shouted, running to the window, just in time to see him laugh before pulling his mask and hood back over his face. Leaning on my window sill, I watched the man I loved run back into the forest which he calls his home. The stars shone in the sky, and the moon eliminated the path ahead of him.
The box Guy had given me earlier caught me attention. I would deal with that, and him later. For now, all I wanted to think about was Robin, and the way his skin felt on mine.