And for those who did not know, I edited the chapter before this one, just a little bit so you don't have to read through it but I will be giving an imaginary, invisible prize to whoever notices the difference.
Review or my trusty readers-that-don't-review-eating sporks will eat you!
skrblr: Yes we will be seeing more of each character in the chapters to come. And I advise you all to pay attention to the small details in the last chapter that will become important in future chapters. And Marian will develop more in the next few chapters. you can see what spoilt, posh little snob she really --- Oops. Said to much :zips mouth:
IsLaNdMoChAgUrL: Thank you thank you thank you. I am updating as we speak/type.
Hmm...I'm not to proud of this chapter, not sure I like the way their characters are going. Tell me how to improve please!
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Rain pattered on the glass windows. The light from the candles in my room cast strange shadows against the soaking window. I sat at my wooden desk, my journal and quill in hand. The moon shone strongly outside. In a few days it would be full, and then I would finally be free. I closed my journal and placed it in the small drawer at my desk, then locked it with my silver key. No one could get into my desk, I made sure of it. For if someone found my journal, then the whole plan would be ruined, and I would be forced to live my life in this cage. Locked away by the likes of Gisbourne, or my Uncle. As I stood up and looked around my richly decorated room, I began to think about my life, my future.
Robin had sent me back to Locksley Manor to the morning after our talk. He wanted me to get some information about Gisbourne before they came to collect me. Just little things - his most loyal, most trusted friends, his servants and what people thought of him. I often sneaked up to my Uncle's study where he would sit and talk to Gisbourne about their plans. Sometimes they would sit for hours, just talking. But I never heard anything worth hearing, though plenty was said of my wedding. My Uncle had not mentioned my marriage to me since that night, almost a moon ago. I had walked home the morning afterward, accompanied by Jon. He had simply whispered a word to the guards and they stepped aside. No one alerted my Uncle. I was astonished, and only beginning to see just how many servants were loyal to the outlaws. As Jon and I parted, he to the kitchens and I to my room, I met my Uncle. He looked me up and down, taking in my still damp clothes and un-brushed hair.
"Marian, where have you been? I was looking for you last night. Surely you have not been outside this whole time. Wherever would you have gone?" He stared at me with a fierce look in his eyes. I hesitated for a moment. I had never been very good at lying.
"I...I just went out for a walk this morning. Last night I was in my room..." I trailed off. He raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing more, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.
The candle by my bed suddenly went out, and my room was plunged into darkness. I could see nothing. For a moment I glanced round wildly, my mind panicking at the blindness, when I spied a glimmer of light. On the window sill sat one candle, burning brightly. I let out a sigh of relief as I walked across the room to get it. I placed it on my small bedside table and climbed into my bed. The covers engulfed me, warm and comforting, like a mother's touch. I had caught a slight cold from my mini adventure to the outlaws, and was still sneezing at random. For a moment before I settled down into a restless sleep, I paused to wonder how I would manage to survive among the outlaws. We would be sleeping outside in the summer, underground in the winter. Spending almost all day outside, hunting and cooking for myself. The idea repelled me, but not as much as the thought of marriage to Gisbourne. Just thinking of him frightened me, and as I blew out the candle I found myself wishing I could be as brave as the outlaws. They were so carefree, like a bird in the skies. Little did I know how wrong I was. Life among the outlaws was harsh in more ways the I could have ever imagined.
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The sun was setting as I stood outside my Uncle's study; I had been there only a quarter of an hour and already my legs were aching. As usual, I started to get distracted. The faint glow of the dying sun shimmered through the window down the corridor, casting rays of splendid light on the polished wooden floor. Suddenly a deep voice from inside my Uncle's study made me pay attention. It was Gisbourne's voice. He rarely spoke - most of the time he simply listened as my Uncle told him of this plan or that person.
"That is all very well. But I have more important news." Gisbourne's voice sounded a touch impatient, for a moment I thought I heard a glimmer of excitement.
"What? What did you hear? Is it about--" Gisbourne must have nodded or something for my Uncle stopped mid-sentence.
"Yes. They are coming for her, tomorrow night." At that exact moment I felt myself grow cold, a fearful shiver running down my spine. The very air that I breathed seemed to be poisoned. They know, I thought bleakly. Oh lord, they know. My head was churning as I struggled to clear my mind. I have to get out of here, and fast. Without further thought, I got up and carefully made my way down the corridor. Someone had told Gisbourne about the Outlaws plan, but who? I was so deep in thought that I collided with a short stocky soldier who had just turned the corner. We both jumped backwards, as if bitten by a snake, and stared at each other for a few moments. Then suddenly he reached out and grabbed me by the wrist; no matter how much I struggled I could not free myself. I shook my head, trying to think why this strange soldier would attack me like this. I looked up and realised that I did not recognised him. He was not of my Uncle's guards. He dragged me towards the door, I heard raised voices echoing through the corridor.
"We cannot let them escape alive. They will wait outside the gates and Marian will go to them. But if she doesn't come, they'll know something is wrong. They will send someone inside, he said that they have a spy in the castle. But the stupid boy wouldn't say who," Gisbourne's voice grew darker and I heard a hand slam onto a table. "He's protecting them! He's still protecting them even though he is about to betray them. I have a feeling that he only bears any ill will to Robin of the Hood and a few others. He also seems to have a grudge against your niece."
"A grudge against Marian? Who on earth could hold anything against the girl? She's too stupid to offend someone personally, especially an outlaw," I heard my Uncle scoff.
"I do not know the reason. Nor do I care. We pay him well, get him a pardon. As long as I can have the pleasure of tying a noose around that bastards neck, I am satisfied." My Uncle cackled and I heard the tinkle of wine pouring into a glass. Then Gisbourne laughed. It sent shivers down my spine, freezing me to the spot. It was not a laugh, it was the sound of evil. This man, Gisbourne, was the most vulgar, inhumane person I had ever met, or ever would meet. It was at this point that the guard that held me pushed open the door and threw me in; I fell onto the stone floor and knelt in the dust. The anger in my Uncle's eyes frightened me, but not as much as Gisbourne's. He looked down at me serenely, but his eyes betrayed him. Full of malice, just looking into them set me trembling. Any brave, fearless hero would have fought them, or at least ran. But not me. I was frozen with an unadulterated fear. The soldier who dragged me in stood proudly before Gisbourne. As I glanced from one to the other underneath shadowed eyes, I was surprised to see how alike they looked.
"I found her sneaking 'round outside. Who is the wench?" he asked, staring at me with a hungry expression. Gisbourne smiled down at me, his eyes bearing down on me. From his sly grin, I guessed he was very pleased, and that could not bode well for me.
"'Tis Lady Marian, Lord Locksley's niece. And she'll have naught to do with a young rascal like you, Eric. Take the traitor down to a cell, but keep your hands off her." Eric looked alarmingly disappointed but grabbed me by the arm and dragged me down the corridor with two of Gisbourne's personal guards.
I was hauled into a small cell in the lower part of the castle. Eric looked longingly at me, staring at me before throwing me into the cell. I stared back with pure disgust through my eyelashes with pure disgust. When at first I had thought he was very much like Gisbourne, I now saw I was wrong; he was of a medium height, with hair so pale it looked silver. While he had some of the ageless look that Gisbourne possessed, one could tell he was quite young. His eyes were cat-shaped but watery-green, pale and insignificant beside Gisbourne's sharp emerald ones. And his chin quivered; he had a weak chin and seemed to be weak not only in body, but mind as well. Like a poor copy of Guy. But I was still scared of him, though he was more arrogant than powerful. Cruel in crude ways, not sly like Gisbourne. And not as dangerous, I thought hopefully to myself as I settled myself down on the cold, stone floor without even my cloak to shield me from the chill.
--- --- ---
I paced the short space in between the two trees impatiently. "Stop that Robin," Rebecca whispered to me. "'Tis getting annoying. She'll be here, if Jon says they will come, then they will come." As I continued to pace, Rebecca shook her head and turned back to Locksley Manor. Suddenly a movement in the bushes caught our attention; we both jumped up, blades at the ready. A tall figure strolled in, followed by a shorter one.
"'Tis only us. Put those swords away, before you poke someone's eye out," Jon called out to us. But I was not in the mood for jests.
"Where is she? Where is Marian?" I asked, concerned. Jon exchanged a worried glance with Much then looked back at Locksley Manor, avoiding my stare.
"We don't know Rob, no one's seen her all day. But you know she wouldn't miss this, something's happened..." his voice trailed off. Rebecca sighed and stood up, stretching her arms before sliding over next to Much; he wrapped an arm around her waist but stayed silent.
"Well, we'll have to help her then, won't we?" I said, but it was not a question. "It shouldn't be that hard. Jon, you work there, and the guards are not exactly loyal to Lord Locksley; we could slip in easily." I looked round at my friends, my brow furrowed firmly. I had made up my mind. I was known to be extremely stubborn. Rebecca lifted a delicate eyebrow and looked directly at me, her blue eyes boring into me.
"Robin," she paused. "Why must we do this? Is she not just some Norman lady? Why must we risk our lives for her? Will she not just run home in a fortnight, tired of our way of living? I think I am starting to see what Will was saying." Will had bluntly refused to accompany us that night when I told him of my plan.
"Jon knows her and says she is a decent woman, and I promised her. Robin of the Hood does not break his word easily. However, if you do not want to risk your life I understand." Rebecca sighed heavily and shook her head at me, but she made no move to leave. And so it was decided. We were to steal into Locksley Manor, Jon would bribe a few trusted guards, then we would just inquire after her from some loyal (to us, that is) servants. Well, it sounded simple at the time.
And so we slipped through the gates. Jon stayed a few moments, whispering with the guards. He hurried back, his face pale and worn with concern. "What is it Jon?" I asked.
"I am not sure, Robin. I heard from the guards that Marian has not been seen all day. He heard from the gardener who heard from the message boy who heard from the cook who heard from her sister's friend's cousin," Jon paused to take a breath before carrying on, "that he had not heard from his sweetheart all day, and she was one of Marian's handmaids." I raised an eyebrow, copying Rebecca's infamous gesture, and shook my head at him.
"You worry too much Little Jon, though maybe your message has some truth. We must stay alert." Much rolled his eyes, as if we would do anything but. Jon just nodded, but there was doubt in his face; he led us on. We followed him in, through the kitchens and down the deserted corridors. Everything was going simply enough, but it seemed too easy. Something at the back of my mind was whispering, trying to be heard; but what, I did not know.
We finally reached her room on the third floor. All was silent. Jon lay a large hand on the heavy wooden door and opened it slowly. I tightened my grip on my bow as we peered in; there was nothing there. I sighed with relief and relaxed. Too soon. Several men jumped from the adjoining rooms, their swords drawn. Much cried out with surprise as he drew his daggers; but I knew we could not fight and win. I grabbed him by the shoulder and yanked him out of the room. But not in time. An arrow came flying through the air and embedding itself in his thigh. I quickly helped him up, one arm under his shoulder and the other fending of the men. We half-ran, half-limped down the corridors, but more men were pouring out of every room. I looked to Jon, for he knew the manor better than we did; for a moment the tall man hesitated, then he pushed us down a side stairway. We followed him blindly, Rebecca slightly in front of Much's small figure and me at the rear. Jon slammed against a small door that led off into a bedroom. We looked around wildly but Jon knew what he was doing; he showed us to another adjoining room and down a small staircase.
We leapt down it, running as if the devils' dogs were snapping at our heels, though some would have said that was true. Finally we reached the bottom where a small, plain door stood before us. Rebecca, who was at the head, pushed it open and a cool breath of fresh night air greeted me. We froze, hidden in the shadows, and stood straining our ears for the slightest sound. We heard none.
"What do we do now?" Much asked, his face flushed and contorted with pain. I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration, my mind in a whirl, trying to think of something that could get us out safely. The guards would be ordered to lock the gates and shoot anyone unfamiliar, and while we had a few friend in the guards, we did not know if they would be so loyal as to risk their jobs, and punishment for them and their families. I would not ask it of them. Suddenly an arrow came whistling down from the guards tower and landed two feet away from Jon. It looked like I might have to ask them after all. We could see the soldiers running towards us. Any closer, and they might not miss their mark.
"Listen, I have a plan that may let us survive," I whispered urgently. "You run for the gates. The guards are the same ones that let us through. Make it look as if you have over-powered them and escaped, that way they do not get in trouble." Jon eyed me suspiciously. "Go! Now, quickly!"
"You're coming too!" Jon told me while Much kept glancing over his shoulder at the approaching guards.
"No! They'll be after us in moments, I'm going to fend them off. Now go!" I pushed them gently in the direction of the gates but they did not shift. "Now is not the time to be stubborn! Only you, Jon can carry Much, and Rebecca will have to fight, for you cannot do both." I tried to sound confident but in truth I was shaking inside, scared to death. There were too many men for me to fend them all off and escape. But I had no choice if I wished my friends to have a chance of survival.
Jon took one last look at me. I stared back with what I hoped was a confident face, though I know the fear showed clearly, then he took Much into his arms and ran off into the darkness with Rebecca at his heels. I turned and faced the men and prayed that my hands would stay steady. I put an arrow to my long bow and drew the string, carefully taking aim before I released it. I did not have many arrows, and I was planning on taking as many as I could down with me.
Soon they were too close for me to use my bow so I dropped it and drew my sword; finally they reached me. I jumped forward, forcing them to focus on me and not my escaping friends. A few had gone after Jon, Rebecca and Much, but Rebecca's arrows soon stopped them in their tracks. I was not so lucky. Within moments they surrounded me; I fought with all my might. My sword became part of my arm. As I fought, slashing, parrying and dodging, the blade seemed to awaken and have a life of its own. Whether it was that, or just basic instinct, I automatically knew where to place my blade. However, my blade and I could not stand against ten experienced men. Three already lay on the ground, their life blood spilling over our feet, when they over-powered me. A sword came out from behind and stopped at my throat; we all froze. I did not even dare to blink as I watched the blade mist over with my breath. I glanced round at the other soldiers, wearily, wondering if they were going to kill me. Out of the corner of my eye I searched for the tall figure of Jon or the smaller shadow of Rebecca; I could not see them. Maybe they've escaped, I thought. But at the back of my mind, a false hope would not be pushed out: Or maybe they came back for you. I could not help but hope, even though it was not very courageous of me. I did not want to die.
Suddenly a shadow loomed over me. I looked up and came face to face with a heavily-bearded man. Flame-like hair sprouted from his head while equally red bristles covered his face; his eyes scrunched up, scrutinising me. He was so close I could smell the faint stink of ale on his breath, see the dark bags shadowing his eyes.
"Is this him?" he asked, spit springing from his fat lips. One of the soldiers nodded nervously. "Well well well. Listen boy, you're going to come with us now. And you're going to come quietly." Or else. His voice trailed off, the silent threat following it. "And we are going to take you down to the dungeons. Later, when his lordship has awoken and is comfortable, he will see you. 'Til then you may keep Lady Marian company." He stared at me, his mouth forming an unpleasant sneer. I made a great effort to stop the quaking in my lip, and raised an eyebrow. But inside my mind was churning. He is talking to me loud enough for every man from here to the gates to hear him. I lifted my eyes so they met his, and for one fraction of a second I could have sworn he had winked at me. But by the time I looked properly, he was sneering again. With the wave of a hand he dismissed us, and I was dragged off into the castle.
The guards were none to gentle and were obviously not of the Locksley household. As I was forced down the long corridor they all began to merge into one; one long corridor and one blurred crowd of soldiers escorting me through the never-ending hall. Eventually we reached the cells in the very pit of the castle, the belly of the beast.
I was thrown unceremoniously into a cell, the door closing with a heavy thud while I was still scrambling up. Suddenly I felt a hand on my arm, helping me up. I snatched it quickly away and glanced up. Long locks of thick auburn hair fell over one shoulder, grey eyes looking down at me, frightened and slightly bewildered. I grinned hesitantly and was rewarded with a small smile of her own. I stood up, carefully brushing off the dust that fell onto the floor tinged with red; I noticed Marian glance down at the blood trickling from my left shoulder but I shook my head. "'Tis nothing," I told her.
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I sat on the small pile of straw that had been thrown into the corner of my cell. My cell. I still couldn't believe what had happened. In a matter of moments, the plan had fallen to pieces, along with my future. No one had come to see me the whole day except for one guard who had brought me a plate of bread. Stale bread at that; it still lay in the corner where I had left it. I do not think I could have eaten anything. My stomach was whirling as was my mind. "What is going to happen to me?" I wondered aloud to myself. There was only a small window set into the wall with bars fixed across it, but it was enough to show me that the sun had set not an hour ago. I had already tried pulling at the metal bars but to no avail. They were set firmly. I sat with my head in my hands, locks of auburn hair falling over my fingers and face. Then I heard a sound. The door creaked open as I jumped to my feet. But I held back, frightened. A small figure was thrown inside before the door was slammed shut. The streak of light that had flowed through was cut off brutally. The waft of dark curls covered his had as I knelt down and offered a hand, helping him up. Robin swiftly pulled his arm away from me, and struggled to stand up for himself. He brushed a small cloud of dust from his clothes. It fell to the floor, stained with blood. A few droplets of blood trickled from his shoulder. "'Tis nothing," he spoke softly to me. I nodded and decided to keep my distance from him, After all, I barely knew him.
"What happened?" I finally managed to dig up the courage to ask. Robin did not seem to hear me as stood, examining his wound. I stood as well, trying to keep still and silent, though inside I was ready to scream and claw at the bars across the windows that stood between me and the freedom of the outside. A cold breeze wafted through the window, caressing my hair as it grew more violent. Within minutes I was shivering from the cold, goosebumps appearing all over my arms. I must have let out a shudder or some other noise for Robin turned towards me and shook his head quietly.
"I'm sorry my lady," he stammered. "I have not been very...comforting." He paused, sighing slowly before continuing. "It was a trap. I think the others got away." He glanced towards me, before saying, "I am sure that you will not be harmed, M'lady." I stared, open mouthed at him. He was so polite compared to how he had acted towards me just a fortnight ago. Dangerous times must make people change, I thought. I was also amazed that he was so brave, to fight a whole group of armed, grown soldiers to defend his friends. It was like something from a legend.
A few more minutes passed in silence as we both studied each other with occasional, sly glances. He looked almost exactly as he had a fortnight ago, though he was covered in cuts and bruises, and seemed exhausted. I nodded absently and took my place in the corner of the cell, trying to fight the cold that seeped through the cloth and into my skin. Robin started to pace up, down and round the small cell, as if on patrol. He paused by the window, then walked on; he paused by the door and listened, then walked on. It became an infinitely looping routine that you could almost tell the time with; walk, pause, walk, pause, walk, pause...but it was strangely soothing. My heart started to settle. My eyes drooped as my body realised that it had not slept well that night. My mind started to drift as I finally relaxed, comforted by the thought of another human being nearby, no matter how un-sociable and distant he was.
The door swung open, letting a chilling breeze storm through the tiny cell and pull me from my thoughts. In burst three heavily armed guards. One was the soldier named Eric, and the other two were wearing heavy helmets, only their eyes showing through the small, dark gaps. After them two other figures entered, Malus Locksley, my Uncle, and Guy of Gisbourne. I jolted up as if an electric charge had run through me. Robin simply stopped and stared at the men coolly. If only I could be so calm, so collected in the face of danger; I was always the one who would run if I could or even worse, freeze to the spot. My Uncle and Gisbourne carried on their conversation, as if unaware of the fact that we were standing less then two steps away from them.
"It shall be done," my Uncle spoke softly. It was obvious that he was about to add 'My lord' to the end of his words, but he hesitated and stopped. I remembered Gisbourne speaking to me the first time I met him, "I am no Lord, Lady Marian, I am a knight." He had spoken with disgust then, and now glared at my Uncle with the same contempt.
"My lady Marian," Gisbourne suddenly turned to me, his voice rumbling through my thoughts. "I hope you have not found it too disturbing to share a cell with an outlaw for a few hours." I could not draw my face away from his eyes, sparkling with malice and joy at our suffering. Thankfully Robin spoke and Gisbourne's gaze was ripped away from me.
"What will happen to us?" he asked bluntly. My Uncle started to speak angrily, but Gisbourne cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"You, my good outlaw, will be hung tomorrow morning. I hope you appreciate the timing." Robin smiled bitterly and said nothing. Gisbourne then turned slowly back to me. "Plans for you, my lady, will not be changed. The day after tomorrow we shall be wed, and you shall live with me in my home." I started to shake 'til tears trickled down my cheeks. Robin delicately ignored my tears. I was thankful for that at least. With those final words, Gisbourne bowed mockingly to me and left, with my Uncle in his shadow. Eric hesitated for a few moments as he sneered at us.
"And don't even think of escaping. We know your plans. We know what you do not. We know who the traitor is, the spy." He glanced down at me. "My sweet, sooner or later Gisbourne will be bored of you, and when it happens I will be waiting." With that he left, staggering arrogantly out the door and leaving us with the two guards.