Chapter 22

Loughborough

Marian and Carter rode into Loughborough, the town was particularly busy. They had been travelling for a few days after finishing their work in Leicester. Marian pulled down her hood. "What are you doing?" Carted gasped, grabbing her arm.

"Look around you Carter," Marian said. "He hasn't been."

"Yes, but what if someone recognises you. I thought you didn't want Robin to know just yet."
"I don't. But it's fine. I need to visit a family." Marian sighed. "As Marian. I have something to give them." Marian headed in the direction of the manor house at the top of the little town. "Wait here." She said as she dismounted. Carter nodded and took his hood down to avoid being noticed.

Marian walked up to the house she remembered from her childhood. She hadn't seen the family since the tragic event all those years ago. She knocked gently on the door. It creaked open to reveal an elderly woman.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

"Lady Loughborough, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Who are you?"

"I'm the daughter of Lord Knighton,"

"Lady Marian?" Marian nodded her head. "We heard you were dead."
"Alas many people did, may I come inside? I will explain all." Just as Marian went to step in through the door, a man the same age as Marian came running past.

"Maxwell manners." Lady Loughborough shouted.

"Sorry mother, but there is a draught. We need to start pulling water from the well." Maxwell said stopping to turn around.
"A draught?" Marian asked.

"Yes, we aren't sure why. But people need water."

"We will help," Marian said. "Carter." She shouted and nodded her head in the direction of Maxwell.

"I'm on it," Carter shouted.

"Thank you for your help today," Maxwell said as they walked back to the house with the sun setting.

"Your welcome." Marian smiled.

"You know Marian," Maxwell started, "I now understand why my father had such respect for you." He smiled "And why Robin held a torch so tight for you."

"You know Robin?" Marian asked.

"I do, we attended court together, I was supposed to go to the holy land under his command but I had a nasty fall from a horse shortly before we were due to depart." Maxwell said, "I also was supposed to be presented as one of your suiters."

"Really?" Marian asked.

"Yes, a little after you returned from Middlesbrough. However your engagement with Robin continued so, I was left without."
"Well, I do apologise," Marian said uneasily.

"No need, I love my wife and family now. I couldn't ever think of being with any other women."

"That is good to know." Marian smiled.

"Come on, let's go get some food."

Marian sat talking with the Loughborough family for hours about the late Lord Loughborough and recent events.

"So the prince hasn't passed through at all?" Marian asked.

"No, we haven't seen him, although I can't say I'm surprised. Compared with Nottingham we are quite a poor county." Lady Loughborough said.

"I guess he went through Melton instead." Carter shrugged.

"Would you two like to stay tonight? You can travel back to Nottingham in the morning. It's getting late."

"That would be most kind. Thank you." Marian smiled.

"I will get the maid to make you up a room." She smiled back at the young women.

Sherwood Forest

The outlaws sat around the fire, Robin was sat in his boxers as the rest of his other clothes dried out.

"I cannot believe the price would shut the well off like that." Much said.

"Well after all he is evil, Much," Alan said.

"Well yes, but still."

"I have to say we do have something to celebrate today." Adam smiled.

"What's that?" Much said. "The only thing I can think of is Robin didn't die or drown."

"Well, I think that Robin getting rid of Isabella is definitely a good thing." Adam smiled. Robin smirked at Adam.

"You really didn't like her did you, Adam." Robin laughed.

"Hey, it wasn't just him. None of us liked her Robin." Allan said seriously.

"She was trouble," John said.

"Well, the good news is, we don't have to worry about her from now on," Robin said.

"Robin?" Much asked.

"Yes Much."

"You don't think she's going to give us any trouble do you?"

"She's a grown woman Much, I'm sure she can handle rejection."

"I hope so," Much mumbled. "I hope so."