Word traveled to Marian quickly regarding the Sheriff's injuries. Sir Guy sent men to inform her of his potentially mortal wounds, whilst he summoned a doctor and priest, rushing George back to his private quarters.
Marian anxiously waited for her love to arrive, she was thankful her chambers were beside his, allowing her to remain at his side. It took several men to carry the Sheriff's pale, limp body through the castle, a trail of dark red blood flowing behind them. They placed him on his bed as gently as possible, as Marian rushed to his side. Sarah was the next to arrive, squeezing the maiden's hand in solidarity. Neither woman had ever seen an injury this severe before and they were anxious about the outcome. There was so much blood leaking from his gut, and his face looked disfigured from the slash.
Marian felt tears spill as she looked at her love. His breathing was slow and shallow, his complexion was pale and almost gray. He was clammy and feverish by the time the doctor and priest arrived. A blessing was cast over the man, hoping God would be merciful and spare him. The priest retreated, allowing the doctor to work.
The physician immediately ordered the Sheriff's tunic to be removed, to allow him to view any and all injuries to his abdomen. One of the men unsheathed his dagger and immediately sliced through the fibers of his shirt, allowing it to fall open. Marian was upset that she allowed herself to take a lustful glance across his body. His chest was firm and tight; ropey muscles lay beneath the skin with sparse hairs sprinkled throughout his pectorals. His torso was thin, yet athletic, narrowing to his slender hips. He had a trail of black hair beneath his navel which disappeared beneath his trousers.
She found herself aroused until she took a second, longer look at his abdomen. She saw the tight abdominal muscles that she had always imagined beneath his dark clothing, but what really drew her eye was the amount of blood pouring out from the large, jagged wound. She gasped, turning into Sarah's embrace. She felt like she would faint at the sight of the doctor cleansing his wound.
XOX
George was lucky that he was a Nobleman, for if he were poor, he would likely die from his wound. Instead, he was blessed with the best medical care possible. The doctor called for his jar of maggots, using them to clean and debride the wound. He would allow them to feast until they were portly with blood and necrosed flesh.
The Sheriff would toss and turn over the next few days, soaked in sweat and suffering from fever dreams and pain. He would be offered opium to minimize the pain and the maggots were continuously switched out to keep the wound clean.
It took several days before he was alert enough to realize that his beloved was at his side. The doctor could sense she needed an occupation to relieve her of the burden of idle hands. He would allow her to drizzle fresh honey in the wound, allowing its natural antibacterial qualities to prevent infection. George found the honey time to be his favorite part of the day, even if he was too weak to offer her anything more than a small smile or a squeeze of her hand. They would hold hands throughout the day, even while he slept. Marian never left his side, fearful that he would succumb to his injuries if she left.
It had been 2 weeks since he suffered the end of a Robin's blade until he was strong enough to sit up in bed. He looked to his side and saw Marian, sleeping with her head resting in her arms on top of his mattress. He smiled as he reached out a gentle hand to brush the hair from her face. She stirred and fluttered her eyes open. Marian was greeted by the dark irises that locked onto hers.
"Good morning, my love. I've missed you," rumbled the Sheriff. His voice was raspy from thirst and disuse. Marian immediately leapt into his bed, cupping his face, carefully avoiding the row of stitches across his cheek, and pulling him in for a passionate kiss. His hands found her waist as he pulled her closer. He winded easily and had to break off their kiss, running his finger across her bottom lip. His eyes twinkled as he gazed upon her. Marian became overwhelmed with her emotions, crying out and hugging him. He winced as she brushed past his healing scar, causing Marian to pull away and return to the safety of her chair.
"George! I was so worried about you...I... I was afraid I would lose you before our life could begin. I... I couldn't bear it. I love you, George. I love you". Marian wiped the tears from her eyes as she attempted to settle.
The Sheriff gathered all of his strength to pull back the covers and swing his legs over the side of the bed so he could face her. He was thankful they left trousers on him as he healed, although he still remained shirtless to allow the stitches to heal with fresh air, Slowly, he eased himself off the mattress and onto the floor between Marian's knees. He laid his head in her lap as she stroked his hair, twirling some of his black, silky tendrils as she continued to weep.
George looked up at her suddenly. Swallowing nervously, he asked the most important question of his life. "Marian, of the house of Dubois. Marry me. Do me the honor of joining our noble houses. Allow me to protect you and love you for the rest of my life, for if you say no, my life will surely be over. I cannot bear to be without you any longer. I love you, my fair maiden. What say you?"
Marian slid out of her chair and into his embrace. "Yes my love! One thousand times yes!" The couple kissed passionately as they celebrated privately. Marian allowed her hands to caress his bare chest as he massaged the back of her skull with his dexterous fingers. Before things got too heated, they were interrupted by visitors. The physician chuckled as he saw the couple on the floor, elated to see that his patient had improved so much, and the Sheriff's cousin grinned lewdly at the couple's now public display. Sarah, however, was not impressed. Huffing her frustration, she stomped over to Marian and cleared her throat, cocking an eyebrow disapprovingly when her maiden flushed and returned to her chair.
"Honestly, Milord! Your first conscious act is to couple with my maiden? How very... expected of you," the handmaiden trailed off with a bit of laughter, causing the Sheriff to return an amused smirk. Sarah had missed the knave and was excited to see him back to normal, even if it meant she had to return to babysitting.
"Ah! Sarah! I've missed you," the Sheriff returned, gently rising to his feet with the assistance of his cousin. "But I must warn you...your maid Marian has just agreed to become my wife, so your... supervision.., will not be required for much longer," the Sheriff offered a mischievous wink at the woman, who turned and embraced her friend, offering tears of joy and muttering praise to the happy couple.
The celebration continued for a few minutes within the sheriff's chambers until he expressed his fatigue and desire to return to bed. Sir Guy helped his cousin lie down, and excused the rest of the visitors, asking them to leave. George requested Marian stay behind, but once he saw the look in Guy's eyes, he reluctantly allowed the maiden to leave.
"What has happened since I've been away, cousin?"
"Robin of the Hood, My Lord. He has pillaged and is attempting to build an army to overthrow you. Many have died by his hand but he is manipulative and blaming the destruction on you. We must bring him down, cousin, Or we will suffer".
"Bring me my clothing, and my knights. It's time we set up a plan of action. I want this brigand found. Starve them out! Slaughter their.. no! Take their livestock. I want Locksley's own people fighting to bring his head in. I've been too soft for too long. I want him dead by the next full moon!"
XOX
Robin had been busy since his attempted murder. Immediately upon striking the Sheriff down, he escaped the castle, stealing the Sheriff's prized mare. Many knights and townspeople chased after the man as he made his way through the court and towards the gates. Robin thwarted all attempts of capture and was able to escape to the woods, having first stolen food off a cart while escaping.
He was unsure if he killed the Sheriff, but he genuinely hoped he would live - he needed the Sheriff alive long enough to see his people turn against him and suffer the downfall Robin had planned. He would even need to torture the Sheriff into a confession to revoke the satanic stain on his family name.
Robin rode the horse deep into the woods, greeted by John Little and his followers. Robin dropped the bread and fruits into the ground in an offering before striding over to a fallen tree, standing on top of it as a makeshift podium.
"You've stolen the Sheriff's horse?!" Exclaimed will.
"You've stirred up a bloody hornets nest now!" Cried out John.
"Are you afraid John?" Robin laughed maniacally.
"Yeah, a little".
Well, so is the Sheriff, if he is even still alive. Today I gave him a sting he'll not soon forget".
Will rushed to his side angrily. "You fool! You've started a war!" Will ran his hands through his thick, dirty blonde hair. He was fearful for his friends and family that were now at risk due to this unstable man.
Robin turned and snapped at the man, having heard enough. "We're already at war! I say we strike back at the very man who takes our homes, and who would hunt our children and raise our taxes!"
John Little smiled, in disbelief of the gall Robin had just offered. "We? Are you planning to join us then, matey?"
Robin turned to face John now. "No. I plan to lead you". Robin crossed his arms over his chest and widened his stance. His body language would not allow for any rebuttal. The smirk was instantaneously wiped off John's face. Robin walked away, forcing the rest of the woodsmen to follow behind him.
XOX
The Sheriff made good on his word. He found the village that hosted the remaining family members of the woodsmen. He took their livestock - he would return them safely to his castle, allowing the milk and wool of the animals to shelter and feed his townspeople who were suffering from Robin's wrath. He made sure the elderly, the women, and the children were all safely outside of their houses before they were burned. He offered asylum and assistance to any that wanted to come under his protection, however, few would take him up on that offering.
The Sheriff needed them to know he meant business and was not a force to be reckoned with. However, he would never hurt the elderly, women, or children that were under his care, defective or not. He would allow those who denied his asylum to escape to the woods, to warn Robin and his men that the Sheriff meant business. Robin had awakened an ire in the nobleman that needed to be quenched. An eye for an eye. The kind, gentle Sheriff died that Sunday. In his place was a man who would do anything to protect his future wife, and his townspeople from criminals, no matter what the cost.
