The banqueting hall of Nottingham Castle was festive with banners, music, and excellent food and drink. The sheriff had spared no expense to entertain Prince John, even dressing his table staff in full coats and wide floppy hats, imitating the garb Count Friedrich of Bavaria's servants had worn. Prince John was paying a visit to Nottingham, making sure all was well with Sheriff Vaisey and the Black Knights, after the sheriff had gone missing and the prince's armies had almost destroyed the town.

Seated at a place of honor between a jealous Sir Guy of Gisbourne and the prince himself, Lady Marian hoped to gather information she could pass along to Robin. She was not enjoying herself, despite being dressed in her finest silks...despite the music and the festive atmosphere. Marian had never met Prince John before, and she was put off by his foolish, foppish demeanor and his exaggerated attentions to her. After all, he was a bridegroom of only three month's time, yet he seemed to be trying to woo her with his words and his eyes.

Her own eyes quickly scanned the hall. Soldiers were everywhere, both castle guards and Prince John's own men. She drew a quick, sudden breath when she recognized one particular guard who was not really a guard at all. Much's wide blue eyes stared back at her behind his borrowed helmet.

Marian's gaze immediately searched through the thick wall of soldiers. She found Will Scarlet, dressed just as Much was, on the other end of the hall.

Where were Little John and Djaq, she wondered. And more importantly, where was Robin?

"More wine, milady?"

The voice of the table servant behind her sent delightful shivers through her entire self. Although disguised, it was the warm golden voice of the man she loved...the man she was engaged to...the man she had recently given herself to, body and soul.

It had happened the same night Robin had saved Nottingham from Prince John's army by finding the sheriff and bringing him back. Facing death, hearing Guy's repeated pleas to marry him, along with Will's heartfelt truth that Robin would find her wherever she'd go, had convinced her that she no longer wanted to wait until her marriage to belong fully and completely to Robin. Death of one of them seemed a more likely occurrence than their possible wedding ever taking place, and so, on that beautiful night, she had led him to what had been until that night, her virginal bed.

They had only had the chance to repeat sharing their love one time since. But now, with Robin here in the castle...?

One cup of wine was enough for Marian, but tonight she agreed to a second.

She believed Robin was taking too great a risk appearing before the sheriff, Prince John, and Guy in such a flimsy disguise. The wide coat disguised his form, but the hat only covered half of his handsome face. Getting him away from those who wanted him dead was a mercy, she convinced herself, not just because she longed to feel him within her again.

"More wine, please," she agreed, trying not to smile or even look into his eyes.

As he was pouring it, she deliberately knocked her goblet off the table and into her lap.

"Clumsey oaf!" Gisbourne shouted at the "servant."

"Please excuse me," Marian told the prince. "There's been a slight accident. I fear I must go change my gown."

"Of course!" Prince John agreed. "Return to us soon, my Nottingham Nightingale."

"I fear I cannot, Your Highness. You see, I have a headache."

The prince's smile looked positively lecherous. Too late, Marian remembered Count Friedrich explaining that this was the way trysts were performed. Just to insure Prince John would not follow her, she coughed several times into her napkin.

The prince grew jittery. "Go! Go!" he demanded, covering his own nose and mouth with a cloth.

It seemed an exciting game to Marian, to see whether she could reach her rooms before Robin could. Not detecting him either before or behind her, she wondered sadly if he would even come. But upon reaching her chamber, she was not disappointed.

Robin had arrived first and was waiting for her just inside her door. He had already thrown off his silly disguise, and was clothed in his tattered forest clothing.

"How did you...?" she began to ask, but then didn't care anymore. She cared only for his arms around her, his mouth on hers, his eyes filled with love and longing which she saw when he pulled away just to look at her.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you."

It was still difficult for her to disrobe in front of him. He had no problems removing his clothing, but she still felt shy removing hers. All shyness disappeared as soon as he would begin touching her, but undressing continued to disarm her.

"I spilled wine on my gown," she said, trying to be brave and make a joke. "I suppose that means I need to take it off?"

He could tell she was nervous. Removing all his clothing but his trousers, he pulled her to him and kissed her again, slowly, deeply, with a kiss growing in urgency. She melted into him, and he began brushing his lips lightly over her face...her eyelids, her cheeks, her chinline, her earlobes. His kisses grew firmer and more heated as they travelled down her throat.

Marian didn't even think anymore about her clothing. Somehow, everything was off, and the pair were transported to heights neither had ever reached before.

After they finished, Robin held her for the briefest of moments. It was devastating to leave her bed and miss the tender times he craved to share with her, but they both knew he needed to get dressed to be ready to run any minute.

Fully clothed, he sat on a chest. Marian, wearing her night robe, sat upon his lap. Nuzzling her cheek against his shoulder, she gently warned, "You really shouldn't be here, Robin. You take such risks."

"Prince John's jewels are worth the risk," he told her. "Not to mention, your kisses."

"Only my kisses?"

He chuckled, tightening his arms around her. He was so happy, he couldn't stop smiling.

"You're not thinking of stealing the Crown Jewels," Marian said. "Wouldn't that be treason?"

"Not the Crown Jewels. Just some of Prince John's personal baubles."

"Be careful."

"That goes for you, too. I've known Prince John a long time, Marian. He may act the fool, but he's more treacherous than the sheriff. Well, maybe as treacherous. And he seems to have taken a fancy to you."

"Rubbish. He's still a bridegroom, Robin."

"That makes no difference to him, believe me. This is his second marriage, you know. He divorced his first wife, and married a child."

"A child? Surely not. How old is she?"

"Twelve," Robin answered with a snarl.

Marian felt disgusted, and sad for the girl. Men married young girls, she knew, but it never failed to sicken her.

"I need to go," Robin told her, unhappily. "My men are here."

"I saw Will and Much."

"They'll be waiting for me. One final kiss?"

She readily agreed. It could, in fact, be a final kiss. Every goodbye kiss they shared might be their last one.

As he was about to go, she remembered. "Robin," she warned, "by no means return to Nottingham tomorrow."

"Why?"

"The sheriff's set a trap for you. It's supposed to be entertainment, in honor of the prince's visit. But what else could an archery competition be, other than a trap to catch you?"

A look stole over his face...the look his best friend Much knew only too well. "An archery competition," he repeated. "Have you ever seen me shoot three arrows, splitting each one in succession before you can even take a breath?"

"Robin, no!"

...

(Note: The real Prince John did divorce his first wife and marry a 12 year old girl. He was a notorious lecher, with dozens of illegitimate children by many women. Hope you enjoy this story...don't know where it's going yet...they always write themselves somehow. By the way, I love reviews!)