Prologue
April 22nd, 1192
Robin and Much trotted into Knighton in silence. Carrying his fallen comrade's sword. Peter of Knighton killed in the same Saracen attack that nearly took his own life. He had been dreading this moment since he left the Holy Land returning Peter's sword to his father Sir Edward of Knighton the high Sheriff of Nottingham who was also the father of his betrothed the Lady Marian of Knighton.
Robin grimaced as he hopped down from his horse pain course through his side. Much dashed to him to support him. Much "Robin, we should return to Locksley first, you were terribly wounded! You need to rest. '' Robin shooked head repressing a groan "No, Much I needed to do this first" Much sighed taking the reigns of each of their horses and lead them to the hitching post.
"Milady, horses" Marian's handmaid Sarah called. Marian turned to her window and looked out, she couldn't believe her eyes, Robin of Locksley, the Lord of Locksley and Earl of Huntingdon, her betrothed had returned from the Holy Land alive. Robin looked handsome as ever in his white Crusader tunic as he approached the hall maybe a bit older, battle-hardened but still the same Robin who left almost nearly three years ago.
Marian felt as though she was floating as she rushed down the stairs to greet him. All her prayers and hopes were answered. Her love had returned to her. "Marian, wait," Father said Marian now worried "Father what's wrong?" It was then she noticed what Robin held in his arms it was Peter's Sword "No," She immediately broke into tears. Her dear brother was dead. "I'm so sorry Marian" she head Robin entering the Hall. "I'm so sorry," he said again reaching for a chair. Suddenly Marian heard a groan looking up to see Robin clutching his side as pain ripped through it.
Forgetting her tears she rushed to Robin's side and help lower him into a seat. For a second Peter was forgotten her thoughts were for concern for Robin. " Robin are you all right?" It was Much who answered shaking his head "No, he isn't he was gravely wounded in the same attack that took Peter's life" Marian hand covered her mouth this was too much losing her brother and nearly Robin too. She again broke down into tears. "Much, what happened?" Edward asked taking a seat at the table. "A surprise Saracen attack on the King's camp they caught us unaware. Robin saved the King's life despite being gravely wounded" Marian in shock looked to Much than back to Robin.
Edward ordered one of the servants to bring their guests some ale. Much continued explaining how an injured Robin pulled himself up from the ground rushing to the king's tent and saving the king in the would-be assassin before collapsing.
Edward bit his lip and asked "What of Peter?" At this Robin broke in "We don't know exactly he was found among the dead in the aftermath" Robin attempted is to stand only to grimace and pain. "Master, you must rest we've been traveling for months you've overextended yourself"
At this Edward order, the guests' chamber has to be prepared. "Robin you and Much may spend the night carry on to Locksley tomorrow" Robin nodded a thank you. Edward and Marian then went on to explain what had occurred in the Shire during their absence. They covered nearly everything from Edward's removal from office of sheriff to the arrival of Guy of Gisborne who has been running Robin's Estates in his absence.
Edward recommended Robin put on a show of strength tomorrow when he arrived in Locksley. He recommended that he wear his full crusade grab nail and all. Robin nodded and thank Edward for his hospitality again gave his condolences for the loss of Peter. Before standing and making his way to the guest quarters.
Much later as Marian laid in bed her mind drifted back to childhood to the five of them herself, Peter, Robin, Henry, and Eleanor they had grown up together so close in age the oldest 5 years older than the youngest. Running, playing through the fields and woods of their fathers neighboring estates of Knighton, Leaford, and Locksley.
She always accepted it has the possibility that neither Peter, Robin, or Henry would never return home. But now that possibility had become reality she was having trouble accepting her brother was gone. And Robin returning still recovering from a near-fatal wound. "Robin" she whispered.
She had been devastated that day he returned from Richard's coronation telling her that he had joined the king's private guard that he would be going to the Holy Land on Crusade. He had chosen glory over her breaking her heart into a thousand pieces. But she chose to remain betrothed to him hoping for a quick return. She rolled over to stare out into the darkness of night mulling through the jumble of emotions she was feeling right now. The deep heart-wrenching pain of losing her brother Peter to the joy of Robin's return.
She had dreamed of this moment of Robin's return since he left. She dreamed of the children they would have naming the girls after their mothers and the boys after their fathers. She smiled in three weeks' time they would be wed. Father had already said he would post the banns tomorrow. She would write Eleanor tomorrow telling the news of Robin's return and her impending wedding hoping she could attend.
Marian hadn't seen Eleanor since her wedding to the handsome David of Doncaster a year ago. She missed her best friend they had been inseparable growing up. Truthfully if she admitted to herself Marian was also a bit jealous she was supposed to wed first not Eleanor. Jealousy that her father had scolded her for the day of the wedding in Leaford on a beautiful spring day a year ago.
Marian prayed Eleanor could attend. Eleanor could tell her when she could expect in the marriage bed. Something that still slightly unnerved Marian. Sarah Marian's handmade had not been too forthcoming when she had asked her these questions.
She bit her lip turned away from the window. Looking towards where she stored her biggest secret the nightwatchman costume wondering if she could continue her work after her marriage. It was her biggest concern after the marriage bed. She then drifted off to sleep.