Chapter 9

Accomplishments

'Why do people always make a big deal out of lying?' Marianna thought to herself as she replayed the day's events in her mind once more. She was resting on her small bed staring at the brown flaps the tent created. She always lied. It was simply the easy way out. Marianna created dark shadows with her slender hands and watched as they danced on the brown cloth. She rested her head on one hand and sighed. Robin's beautiful face had been distorted with anger when he yelled at her about Normans, her people. She loved her people. Even when they gossiped about her or teased her they were still very important in her heart. She was a Norman through and through and nobody could snatch away what she believed in. But she had to keep on working for this Saxon-lover fool or else she would die. Marianna was beginning to regret running away from the home where she could at least have a small amount of freedom. Now she was a slave to a person that she hated. It was ironic how the good Lord worked. She blew out the small candle resting on the dirt floor beside her. The candle flickered at first then died out, just like her freedom.

The next morning Marianna was prepared. She was ready to face the day with determination and pride. She shoved open the tent flap and stepped outside with an audacious look on her face. But all of the courage melted away when she saw Robin standing in front of her with his arms folded. He looked every bit like an intimidating bandit.

"You will wash every dish with your very own hands Norman," he spat the word Norman viciously and continued, "No breakfast will be served due to your behavior the day before. I hope that you actually know how to wash dishes." Marianna nodded weakly and grabbed a pile of dishes lying on the ground beside the fire. She walked towards the stream she went to yesterday and scrubbed the dishes with a small cake of soap. She scrubbed the bowls violently, pouring out all of her anger through her work. She muttered to herself angrily, but was interrupted by the loud sound of twig snapping in two.

"Who's there?" she asked fearfully, her eyes darting from side to side. Robin Hood stepped into view and he strode towards her, his face a mask of coldness.

"Little John told me a little bit about you," he said sharply. Marianna replied with a curt nod of her head.

"He says that you were a lady at Prince John's-the boar- court." Marianna nodded again hesitantly. He stroked his chin thoughtfully and murmured to himself, "Yes, we could use this to our advantage." Marianna's eyes slid towards Robin Hood and she almost wished that she hadn't said she was a lady at Prince John's court. Even though this man was evil, he was still quite clever.

"We will be leaving tonight so you must stay in the tent." He glanced at Marianna's expression and said with a cruel smile,

"And don't even think about running away. Not all of the men are coming with me. There will be some here who will be guarding you." Marianna's shoulders slumped with defeat and Robin added, "You will now clean your quarters and someone will teach you how to cook." Marianna glared discreetly and picked up the dishes lying on the ground beside her.

"Yes master," she grumbled.

"Do not mock me Marianna," was Robin's deep reply. Marianna walked swiftly towards the camp site ignoring the dirty looks given to her by the members of Robin's band. She straightened up her "quarters" and went outside sitting miserably on a gray boulder waiting for her food instructor. To Marianna's dismay the big man walking towards her was the scarred one she served food to. He seemed as unwilling to see her as much as she was unwilling to see him. Marianna rose immediately and brushed off the brown dust that had settled on her dress. The man rubbed his forehead and said gruffly,

"Let's just make this quick." He grasped the huge black pot with a hand the size of a piece of meat and shoved it towards Marianna.

"The name's Will Scarlet."

"I'm Marianna," she said back pathetically. He began to give her instructions in a clipped sharp tone, occasionally looking at her to see if she understood. Marianna did everything she was instructed and was surprised at the result. She had made porridge. It was nothing to be that excited about, but through all of her life she never really accomplished anything. She was just a woman after all, where she was simply expected to gossip and lounge around like her mother. The fact that she made something useful was quite exhilarating and she actually smiled for the first time she had come here. It seemed that Will Scarlet was also surprised that a woman of such class actually did something and he began to think twice about this girl, Marianna.

At night, Marianna heard the sound of muffled footsteps and men talking to each other with low whispers. Torches of light scuttled across the tent material and Marianna pressed her ear to the tent surface at a futile attempt to hear something. The temptation of learning what these men were doing was so great, but she knew the consequences. Friar Tuck was sitting on a wooden chair watching her with a calculated gaze, but said nothing. In defeat, Marianna stared at her hands and noticed that they were becoming raw and pink. Her hands were not used to hard work and responded quite painfully. It seemed that blisters were forming and Marianna shut her eyes with disgust. She prayed silently to God and then went to sleep.

Robin Hood was giving orders to his men as they slipped out of the protective cover of the forest and into the dark night. Tonight he was going to kill a fat lord name Isaac Huthbert. Supposedly he was supplying King John with a lot money by making the serfs work harder and harvest more food. He was now sitting at his Study table with a content smile on his face. His belly was dripping below his belt and he counted coins with greasy, stubby fingers. The window had been opened quite easily and now Robin was pressed against the wall, his body a mere shadow. He stealthily moved towards the fat man and grabbed a dagger with his right fist. He was now right behind the large man, but before he did anything, he thought of Marianna. What would she think if he killed one of her Norman people? He was quite surprised when he thought of this and immediately cursed the girl for disturbing his plan of action. The men outside were moving their hands anxiously for Robin to hurry. He stabbed the man in the back in a swift motion. Dark red blood spilled onto his hands and Isaac stiffened, but immediately went limp. His head slumped on the table. Robin grabbed a piece of paper and wrote his name with a blood soaked hand:

Long live King Richard

-Robin Hood

Author's Note: Ok, I finally updated. I slowly began to loose interest in this story, but decided to update. (Everybody clap there hands and cheer wildly). I'm really sorry to all of those dutiful reviewers (luckyracer). Please forgive me. I will most definitely continue this story from now on. I know this chappie is really short, but bear with me. I think that I probably have a lot mistakes too because it's like night time right now and I'm really tired. I finally gave perfect Marianna a flaw and I'm quite pleased. I think I should get a trophy. Just kidding. If there is anything you dislike about this story then please REVIEW. I don't really mind flames either.