A/N Maid Marian's surname in this fic differs from the film Robin Hood: Prince of thieves, which I decided to base most of the fic on (after realising how much information there was on Robin Hood). Anyway, after looking into her official title I realised the name in the film is not referred to that much throughout Robin Hood folklore so I have chosen the name which appeared most common. Just thought I would let you know!

Also, in response to Sassytoo's review, I'm sure there will be! If I don't write it into this story, don't worry, I'll do a sequel! Though who knows where the story will go… (ok, I do have a vague idea, but maybe a review will make me alter its course).

Anyway, on with the show…

Chapter 4

At that moment, Sam was contending with a wedding dress. Her hands were tied behind her back after she had tried one too many times to hit the guards. The lady in waiting was desperately trying to get Sam to put it on, whilst being watched by two guards in the doorway.
"I'm not putting on a dress. Any dress. That dress in particular. I want to speak to someone of authority. Now!" She glared at the guards, who just smiled back.
"Please miss, you must put on the dress. The sheriff will be angry if you don't. He'll shout," the maid finished weakly.
Sam sighed and looked at the woman. She looked weary and hungry, her large frightened eyes and pale face giving her a frantic, panicked appearance. Sam felt sorry for giving her such a hard time, she really did, but it didn't mean she was going to back down.
"I want to be taken back to my team mates." She stated firmly. The maid tried to approach her with the dress again, but Sam dodged her movements.
"No, I am not putting on that dress!"

One of the guards shifted from his position next to the door.
"The way I see it, Lady Fitzwalter, you can either put the dress on now with no fuss, or" he sniggered, "my personal favourite, me and my friend here," he gestured to the other guard, who winked, "can help you. Or of course, we could go and fetch the sheriff, but I don't think you want that. He ain't nice to feisty women like yourself."
Sam rolled her eyes at the guard. "I don't think you'll be helping me lads, sorry. And yes, fetch the sheriff, that's what I want!"
The guard walked up close to her and the maid back away, intimidated.
"You know," he whispered in her face, "I'm not going to fetch him. You are going to put on that dress and then he'll deal with you. You may as well give up now, m'lady; he will break you down eventually. He'll take pride in it. Any man would." His eyes roamed over Sam's body and he smiled appraisingly.
Sam sawthe guard'seyes drift downwards and yet again thanked the Air Force for the design of combat gear. Then she spat in his face.

The guard hissed angrily and knocked her round the face. Prepared for the blow, she stood her ground and glared at him, a red welt rising on her cheek. The second guard moved from the doorway and stood behind her, holding the rope round her wrists.
"John 'ere didn't like that, miss. He would like to see you in that dress. As would I. As would the sheriff. If 'e's 'appy, then we're 'appy. Which means," he gestured to the guard in front of her, who had now finished wiping spit off his face, "this clothing has got to go."

Sam struggled as the guard named John ran his blade down her T-shirt and pulled away the black material. His hand drifted lower but paused as a shout came from the corridor. The maid hurried forward and whispered to the guards, her eyes averted.
"Please, sirs, the sheriff would like to speak to you."
The guards sighed as one and pushed Sam roughly. "When we get back you'll be in that dress." They turned and stalked out of the room, smirking at each other.
The maid pleaded to Sam, "I'm sorry ma'am, if you would please just put on the dress… Where are you going miss?"
Sam gestured at her to be quiet and continued to tiptoe forward towards the door. She stood next to the entrance and listened for any noises. Hearing none she crept forward and looked round the doorway.

Sweeping her eyes upwards, she found herself staring directly into a pair of dark, expressionless eyes. The sheriff smirked as she stepped back, momentarily afraid. The eyes looked down at her, mocking behind their dark exterior.
The sheriff pushed her back into the room and followed her in.
"So, Lady Marian Fitzwalter. You decided to join that band of outlaws in the forest. It's a shame they will die tomorrow and there will be no one left to save you.
My guards tell me you gave them a bit of trouble." He gestured idly to her tied hands and half-dressed appearance. "Perhaps an evening of no food will make you more welcoming." He walked to the maid and brushed the dress with his hand. "In the mean time, you can try on this dress. And I want you ready when my guards come for you in the morning.
I shall present you as my bride-to-be, and the people of Nott'am will see how great I am as their leader!" He turned to leave as two different guards entered.
"And if I say no?" Sam queried, not ready to give up just yet.
"Well my dear, you won't." He walked up to her and pressed his lips hard against hers. Sam bit his bottom lip and smirked as he pulled away thoughtfully.
"You won't do that again." He gestured to the maid. "Make sure she tries on that dress. I want it to be perfect." The maid nodded mutely.
"And you two," he walked up to two guards. "Perhaps later you should teach her some manners. Not too much though – I don't want her ruined before my wedding night. And no touching her face – I want a pretty bride so that Nott'am can see my power and wealth." He stalked out of the room and the two guards turned to watch Sam.
'He is going to be disappointed,' she thought to herself, if he thinks I'm still a virgin. In fact, he will be anyway. I am not hanging round to get married to him.' She shuddered at the thought.

The maid cleared her throat and glanced at the two guards. Sam weighed up her options. 'Try on dress, get beaten up. Or; get beaten up, put into dress, beaten up again. Hmmm.'
"Fine." She said aloud. "I'll try on the bloody dress. Not in front of those two though. And I want these ropes undoing."
The maid smiled gratefully and gestured towards a large screen. Sam stalked towards it and disappeared behind, much to the disappointment of the guards.