Robin of Locksley had just returned from the crusades. He was bloody and exhausted; but overjoyed with returning to his homeland safely. He had been held prisoner in Jerusalem for more days than he could possibly keep track of. He had narrowly escaped from his imprisonment due to his best friend, nay... brother's noble sacrifice.
Upon his death, Peter gave Robin his family ring and begged Robin to look after his kid sister. As soon as Robin agreed, Peter charged into a mass of guards and lost his life in the name of England.
It was a long journey back to England, but when Robin arrived, he threw himself in the sand and thanked the good Lord for his safe arrival home. The first thing on his mind was returning to his father to make amends after a fight with his father. The head of house had been gaining interest in dark arts, magic, and Satan worship. Robin, being a Christian, was distraught by this and allowed a wedge of hatred to be placed between them. However, while imprisoned, he decided God was not real. After all, how could He allow for so much pain, torture, and death. Robin was ready to join his father at a new type of altar.
Robin arrived to his castle at dusk and ran inside, shouting for his father. He ran throughout the castle noting its condition. There had obviously been a fire - he could still smell the smoke. Items had been flipped over and broken; portraits destroyed. Then, he smelled it before he saw it. Rotten, decaying flesh. He looked up to find his father, locked in a cage high in the sky, covered in peck marks from where raptors had overindulged themselves. Robin immediately paled and fell to the floor with a blood curdling scream.
Duncan, the master's servant, emerged from the shadows. He was hunched over, and slowly made his way to young master Robin with a spastic gait. Robin immediately rushed to the decrepit old man and began shouting, "Why didn't you cut him down?!"
"I would have, master, could I have seen" replied a weeping Duncan.
Robin was now able to look upon the face of the man who had cared for him with his own father emotionally absent for so many years. His face was bloodied, with tear marks clearing a path through the dried blood. His eyelids were puckered closed with crude stitches, blinding the poor man.
"Who did this to you Duncan?"
"Guy-Guy of Gisborne, with the Sheriff looking on."
"But why?"
"Guy captured your father worshiping the devil. He signed a confession before the bishop. Nottingham declared all Locksley lands forfeit." Duncan was desperately clutching at Robin's tunic while openly crying. His tears burned his newly acquired wounds as they struggled to escape his tightly stitched lids.
"No, that's not possible! He was always so careful hiding it! I can't allow our family name to be dragged through the mud. I'll clear our name and avenge my father. The Sheriff won't live past this week, mark me!"
Robin spent the rest of the evening cutting his father down and burying him. He made a blood oath with a slash to his palm to avenge his fathers death. He would lie, cheat, and plunder to make sure the Sheriff lost all loyalty and his father gained sympathy. For now, he needed to rest. In the morning he would go to Marian, tell her of her brother's sacrifice, and hope she would remain at his side as his bride. He wanted to keep his oath to Peter to protect her.
XOX
Robin and Duncan arrived at the Dubois Castle early the next morning. Robin rapped on the thick, wooden door, hoping to gain entrance and seek food and shelter. Behind a small metal window built into the sturdy door, a woman responded.
"No more beggars", she responded coldly and slammed closed the sliding window.
Robin grinned at this response and tried again. Knock knock knock. This time, when the maiden opened the window, he responded rapidly. "Tell the mistress of the house that Robin of Locksley is at her door." "Her ladyship's not here" came the response. She attempted once more to keep the man from gaining entrance, however he quickly placed his hand on the window to prevent it from closing.
"Is the child Marian at home?"
Surely Marian would let him enter. After all, she grew up knowing the lad. She will probably feel blessed and honored that he was offering her protection in the name of her brother.
As Robin was lost in thought, he missed the concerned look upon the woman's face. She was growing uncomfortable and wanted him to leave.
"Maybe she is. Maybe she isn't." And with that she forced the window closed on the man's fingers. He growled at this action. He wasn't used to this lack of respect being provided to him. He was a Lord of the House of Locksley after all.
Damn that Sheriff. He's already slandered the name.
This only seemed to provoke his hatred and desire for retaliation. Anyone who wouldn't respect him would pay dearly for it.
In a huff of anger, Robin grabbed Duncan's arm to pull him away so they could retreat back into the countryside. Then they heard the doors unlock and creak open a crack. "Leave your weapons," the woman stated in a manner that left no room for debate. Robin unsheathed his sword and dagger as a sign of good faith.
"Just you," the woman announced as Robin and Duncan walked closer. Robin left his weapons outside within Duncan and was finally granted entrance.
XOX
Marian and Sarah were listening to the scene outside safely tucked away upstairs. Rebecca, the maid servant, seemed to have the matter under control and didn't require any intervention from herself or Sarah.
Is the child Marian at home? He had asked. Truth be told, Marian was very hesitant to allow Robin to enter her home. She didn't trust him. He was always a cruel boy. But if Robin was here, would Peter be nearby? After Rebecca had slammed the window shut, Marian silently gestured for Rebecca to allow the man entrance.
Sarah would appear to be Marian, and Marian herself would stand close by in armor; prepared to fight as needed. She was very confident in her skills that her brother had blessedly taught her.
"Wait here," Rebecca demanded.
"Here?" Robin cheekily replied. A terrible attempt at playful flirting Marian assumed. Still every bit the smart arse as he was as a young lad she concluded. He was smirking now, obviously pleased with himself. All three women rolled their eyes. As Robin looked around, Sarah materialized from the shadows.
"Who are you?" she questioned.
"Robin of Locksley," he clarified.
"You lie, Robin is dead. Step into the light and turn around."
Robin followed directions but couldn't stop his sharp tongue from responding "Am I to dance next? Who are you?"
When Marian first laid eyes on the man, he looked nothing like the spoiled boy that left 6 years ago. His dirty blonde hair had some length to it now. He wore a brown leather frock tunic with bronze studs across the shoulders and arms with thick leather cuffs stopping at the wrist. He had on tight trousers and knee high boots. He carried a satchel of his few belongings and around his neck she recognized his father's medallion nestled on top of a red scarf. She had heard about his father's untimely demise and had hoped Robin wasn't also a devil worshiper. She didn't need to risk being associated as such while she was interested in courting George. She needed him to leave quickly, if he was caught on her land, the Sheriff would not be pleased.
"I am the maid Marian" Sarah responded in her tenor voice.
"Well then show yourself, child, for we knew each other well".
When Sarah stepped fully into the light, Robin was unable to hide his surprise. He curled his lip in disgust at the woman's buxom body and rounded, plain face. If he was going to wed or bed the woman for protection, he was hoping she'd be at least slightly attractive. This.. this creature... he thought - was not worthy of his time. Alas, he made a vow to Peter.
"The years have... been kind," he stuttered.
She looked down her nose at the scoundrel. "Thank you. With the king away we must guard against villainous outlaws who would kidnap a relative of his. Or perhaps even worse yet, protect against devil worshippers." She boldly decided to pry, to see if he would admit to the latter.
"As you can see, I'm not one of those." He replied calmly but his eyes gave away his ire at the passive implication.
"Perhaps. Now - remove yourself from this house at once."
It was his turn to roll his eyes. "I would, my lady, but I'm sworn to protect you."
"Protect me?! Robin of Locksley was nothing but a spoiled bully."
"Please allow that years of war will change a man. Besides, I won't leave without taking what was promised." As he lunged forward, he felt light pressure stab into his loins which was unmistakably a sword. Robin immediately raised his hands as a false sense of retreat. He yelled out to the fake maiden, however she spun on her heel and walked off.
Robin took this opportunity to pounce on his attacker, throwing them across a table. It didn't take Robin long to overpower the covered assailant; pushing them sharply against the wall. He slammed the sword yielding hand against the hard stone in an attempt to release the sword. When that didn't work, he moved the appendage over an open flame. When the raider let out a feminine yelp, he withdrew immediately and took off her helmet.
"Hello, Marian," he greeted silkily.
She responded with a swift kick to the groin. As he doubled over in pain, a truce was called so he could explain himself.
They chose to sit outside on some rocks so they could hold a civil conversation. Marian decided to inform him of her distrust of most men with the country being at war. He understood. Robin was in a much better mood about his future now that he laid eyes upon her slender waist, beautiful face, and he was quite smitten with her personality. Marian indeed had grown up. He would enjoy taking her as a wife.
Robin described his life with Peter over the last 6 years and gently informed her of his sacrifice. He reached into his pocket and withdrew Peter's ring to present to the expressed his desire to remain in her company to keep her safe. He expressed his desire to court her and hopefully one day marry her to pay Peter some honor and bring his soul peace. She ran off crying.
"Marian," he called after her. "My purpose in coming was not to hurt you. I swore to your brother that I would protect you"
"Robin. You cannot replace my brother!" She exclaimed.
"I don't want to replace him. I've returned home to find it destroyed and my father murdered. The only explanations for it are the ramblings of an old blind man." He gestured to Duncan and wiped the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She recoiled.
"All I remember of you is a spoiled bully who used to burn my hair as a child!" She weeped.
"I have changed Marian. Years as a prisoner have given me a new outlook in life. My priorities have changed."
"Robin... I know what happened between you and your father. Have you come home to clear his name?"
"I'm not sure I want to clear it in the sense you are speaking of. I saw years of death, torture, pain, pillaging, and rape. Where was your God Marian?! Thousands of young men spilled their blood in his name, yet he was nowhere to be found! I think my father was right. I denounce God. Join me Marian. I can protect you against this brainwashing the bishop is causing. Marry me, Marian" he begged. Before she could answer, the thundering sound of hooves and men shouting were heard.
As Robin looked up, he recognized Guy of Gisborne at the front of the pack. As Robin turned to gaze at Marian, he had to decide if he should stay and fight, or escape and return to battle him with a plan.
