After many days of travel, the gang at last arrived at Tegernsee in southern Bavaria, where Marian remembered Count Friederick saying he had a summer home. The town was breathtakingly beautiful, nestled on the shore of a clear alpine lake, surrounded by mountains.

Robin was pleased to discover a Benedictine monastery.

"What are we stopping here for?" Allan asked. "Not bein' funny, but the count sure didn't seem like a monk. Did he, Marian?"

"He was most definitely not," she answered.

Robin gave her a questioning look, then explained. "The monks will know which house is the count's. Then, if he isn't home, they will offer us shelter, and something to eat."

An English speaking monk assured them Count Friederick was indeed currently staying at his summer home, then pointed it out. It happened to be the largest, most grand house in all of Tegernsee.

They arrived at its doors, only to find a lovely and elegant young blond woman about to enter a coach to depart. She was weeping, but tried to stop when the outlaws approached her.

"Forgive the intrusion," Robin told her gently. "I am Robin of Locksley. This is my wife and these are my friends. We have travelled from England to visit Count Friederick."

She burst into fresh floods of tears.

Robin's kind heart was distressed to see a lady cry. "Is there anything we can do to help you?" he asked.

"Nothing," she answered. "I weep because I must leave here. My family needs me, and I do not know when I will be able to return."

Without another word, she entered the coach, which rumbled away.

"Who was that?" Much asked. "Do you think she was Count Friederick's wife?"

Robin shrugged.

"He isn't married," Marian answered, determinedly. "At least, he wasn't when I knew him."

For the second time since they'd arrived in Tegernsee, Robin looked questioningly at her.

"What?" she asked back.

Allan was impatient to go inside. "Look, we won't find out standing here, will we? I say, we knock."

Robin did, and the doors were opened by a manservant dressed in the clothing Robin and his men had once borrowed as a disguise, after stealing the money from the sheriff's strongroom. Upon introducing himself and the others, Robin and his men were ushered inside.

The house was grand, though surprisingly cozy. Will's eyes grew wide, noticing all the wooden carvings. The bannisters on the wide wooden staircase ended with the carvings of lions' heads. Indeed, lions carved from wood seemed to be a prevalent theme in the decoration of the house.

"Does he see himself as a lion?" Allan asked, laughing.

Jealousy made Robin snicker. "More like a pesky spaniel, sniffing around Marian's skirts, hoping for things far beyond his reach."

At that moment, Count Friederick entered the room, having clearly heard what Robin had said. "Welcome, welcome!" he said, delighted at making his way to Marian. He looked her over, appreciatively. "You are even more beautiful than I remember," he told her, bending over her hand to kiss it. "And wearing a French gown, I see!"

"It is French," Marian said, pleased to see him. "How did you know?"

"I know fashion. But this ring? Do not break my heart and tell me you are engaged?"

"She's married," Robin answered, somewhat rudely. "To me."

"Lucky Robin Hood! Welcome! I see there has been a change in your fortunes. I did not expect when I heard your king was imprisoned, to find you all so richly dressed."

Robin lost his jealousy. "You know about the king?" he asked eagerly.

"Of course. He was captured at an inn in Austria, after the ship carrying him home from crusade wrecked. He knew he might face trouble, so he disguised himself as a common traveler, but was recognized by his height and his proud carriage as being your king."

"Do you know where he's being held?" Robin asked.

"I do not. Is this why you have come? And I thought it was because the lovely Lady Marian missed me."

"She's the lovely Lady Locksley now," Robin reminded him.

"I can speak for myself," Marian said. "Rescuing King Richard is the reason we are here, but seeing you again, Count, is an added sweetener."

"So charming, as well as beautiful! It is a sweetener for me, to have you again under me. I mean, under my roof."

"What did you mean, 'under you?' " Robin asked, suspiciously angry. He knew Marian had been a virgin when she had given herself to him, the night after the sheriff had gone missing and Nottingham had nearly been destroyed, but the count's implication was too much for him to ignore.

"A mere slip of the tongue," the count answered. "And speaking of such, permit me, Robin Hood, to kiss your bride, with her permission, of course. Ah! The benefits of tradition! A French kiss to go with your French gown perhaps?"

Before Marian could answer, Count Friederick took her in his arms and dipped her backwards, then kissed her lips, foregoing the liberty he implied. "Ah!" he said, releasing her, "Just as I remembered. You are a lucky man, Robin Hood."

Marian was dizzy from being dipped and kissed, nearly upside down. "I'm lucky, too," she managed to say.

Robin put his arm possessively around her waist. "Now, about the king?" he snapped, returning to business.

"Later," Count Friederick urged. "I will tell you all I know, and help you as well, for Lady Mar-Lady Locksley's sake. But first, allow my servants to show each of you to your quarters. You all look tired from your journey."

"Thank you," Robin said gratefully. His hopes were high, hearing the count agree to help them. And he knew his men were tired...tired and hungry.

The count seemed to read his thoughts. "We dine at eight. That should give you time to rest and bathe. We will talk then, Robin Hood."

Robin and Marian were led to the finest suite of rooms in the house, other than the count's own suite. The rooms, however, were decidedly feminine in their décor.

As soon as they were alone, he took Marian in his arms and kissed her with passionate longing. "I've missed you," he told her.

They had not been alone for days upon days of travel.

Wanting him just as urgently, she kissed him, too, while pulling at his clothing to remove it. Locked together in a tight embrace, they sank onto the bed and enjoyed a few moments of bliss that ended far too soon.

"I'm sorry, Marian," Robin apologized, embarrassed. "I couldn't wait. Let me-"

"It's alright," she assured him, happy he had been satisfied, and pleased he had wanted her so intensely. "All I wanted was to be close to you again. I love you, my husband. I'm perfectly content. Why don't you rest? I think I'll ring for a bath first."

Robin fell immediately asleep, and Marian got up and looked about for something to wear. She was surprised to find a large assortment of beautiful gowns in various sizes. She wondered, then was pleased to discover a robe she could wear to summon a maid servant.

Closing the door to the bedroom, she entered a room with a bath within her suite. She rang a bell and a maid appeared, who agreed to fill the bath.

While the bath was being readied, Marian asked the servant about the young woman they had seen leaving the house.

"Ach!" the servant answered. "That was Lady Helena, the count's latest mistress. She loves him very much."

"Really? How long have they been together?"

"Five years."

"Five years?"

"With the count, it is either five years, or five days."

"Has he had many mistresses?" Marian asked.

"Of course! He is a famous lover. As famous for love, as he is at winning at the gaming tables."

"Then all the dresses in these rooms, of various sizes...?"

"Left by his lovers. He told me to tell you to choose any you like. Your French gown will be laundered for you."

Marian wanted her dress cleaned, but she had no interest in wearing something belonging to some cast off lover of the count's. "That is kind, but I'll wear my own gown, thank you," she decided.

The bath prepared, she sank gratefully into its warmth. Sweet smelling soap was provided, which made the bath as luxurious as the one she had taken in the French court, though far more lonely. She sank completely under water, her thoughts a jumble of the king, Count Friederick, and Robin. Resurfacing from under the water, she sat back and nearly fell asleep.

Her hair and body washed, she left the bath, dried herself, and put on the robe. Opening the door to the bedroom, she smiled to see Robin sleeping so soundly, then climbed into bed to join him in slumber.