"Jasper will not be swayed"
I said as I walked back into the great hall,
Marian turned to face me.
Seeing the worried look on my face she spoke softly.
"There's still time."
I turned to look behind me to see if anyone was there.
Thankfully no one was so I turned my head back to look on the love of my life and held a hand out to her.
'She won't do it'
"No there's still time for you to get away"
Straight away her reply was no.
'Told you'
"I'm not leaving you in trouble."
She stated firmly.
My hand lowered as I walked closer towards her.
Marian's point of view
Did he really think I was just going to leave ?
'He just wants to keep you safe'
I know.
He stopped only with a step away from me.
Why not come closer ?
"Well then….we must prepare to defend ourselves"
He said calmly and I nodded in reply.
Finally he took the last step to close the remaining distance between us and slipped his arms around my shoulders.
Pulling me against his body.
I slipped my arms around his waist and closed my eyes.
Resting my head on his chest I just cherished this silent moment with my betrothed.
Perhaps that's all we will ever be ?
Just betrothed.
Never becoming husband and wife.
'Be silent'
For a while we said nothing.
Didn't bother me to be honest.
It felt nice.
Until the moment was broken by Guy removing his arms from my shoulders.
I thought he was going to hurry off somewhere but I was wrong.
Instead he gently cupped my face and stared into my eyes.
"Marian…my love.
I don't know how today will end..
For either of us."
My arms moved from around his waist to the back of his neck.
Gently I pulled his head down just enough so I could place a kiss on his lips to silence him.
Once we ended the kiss he didn't say another word.
Placing a tender kiss on my forehead his hands dropped from my cheeks before he turned and walked away from me again.
Does it seem strange that I am used to seeing him walk away from me now ?
'No'
Exactly.
'Perhaps you are just excepting the things you find annoying about him ?'
Maybe.
At least I can let my eyes gaze at his buttocks.
'What did I say about waiting for the wedding night ?'
My maiden head is still intact isn't it ?
'Well yes'
There you go then.
Besides on that night..
When or if it does come.
I can taste it myself and not just stare at it.
'Marian there is a time and place for this'
….
Guy's point of view
When I left Marian again in the great hall I was both happy and worried.
All I was trying to say was that I will make some sort of plan for her.
Give everything I own to her.
So she can be provided for.
If I weren't to survive this event.
'Things will be fine'
..
Now my task was to find Alan.
Low and behold he just turned round the corner and nearly bumped into me.
"Alan,
I need to talk to you."
Alan's face for once looked serious.
Which is good for this particular subject.
"Look things are getting serious now.
The sheriff is still no where to be seen and we have only little time left.
I ask one thing of you.
Well two things really."
Silent Alan.
What a shock to behold.
"Go and watch over Marian for me,
She won't tell me what Sir Jasper said to her which tells me it's something I'm going to want to kill him for."
Alan interrupted.
"But finding the Sheriff is more important right now."
"I know but I do not trust him Alan."
"Is it him or really Marian that you don't trust ?"
Not amused Alan.
Not amused.
Which I'm guessing showed on my face for he quickly dropped the teasing to ask me what the other thing was.
"If I should die…can you look out for Marian for me ?"
I said calmly to him.
"Ok"
Was all Alan said.
"I need to believe you,
Please..I need to know and trust that you will do this one thing for me ?"
Alan nodded confidently in reply.
"Thank you.
Now I never thought I would say this but let's hope Hood comes through for us all."
I replied as I began to walk away from him.
With just a couple of steps taken I turned back to Alan to say.
"Be careful"
My lips formed a half smile before I turned and walked away.