This isn't my story to tell. However, I am part of it. Well, a big part actually, I am the one he fell for after all. My point is, it might not be my story to tell but it is one that should be heard. So, sit back, if you want to know how the greatest archer of all time, the ruler of the woods, king of the outlaws and owner of my heart came to be, then read on.
Chapter one:
Marian's POV:
It was a normal morning, nothing out of the ordinary. Doing my chores, I hummed to pass the time. I walked towards the washing line, to dry the freshly washed clothes. My eyes drifted towards the back of my garden, which opened out onto Sherwood Forest.
The forest always had an ominous feel, as if even if you knew the forest like the back of your hand, it would still find a way to surprise you. I longed to spend more time in there, but my mother didn't like the idea of me, a girl, running around the forest when there were so many dangers hidden in its depths.
Even though I thought that was a stupid reason to keep me from it, I didn't want to disobey my mother so I listened, and kept out of it. Well, only when she was looking!
"Marian!" My father's call interrupted my thoughts.
"Coming!" I put the washing down, and ran to the voice of my father.
Father was in the meeting room, the room where my parents gathered with other nobles. Father used to be a knight, before he hurt his knee, by falling off of a horse in battle. King Richard kindly let him come back to Nottingham as the sheriff. Mother is a distant cousin of King Richard, and so is considered to be of noble blood.
My breath caught in my throat when I walked in and saw none other than the infamous Sir Gregory of Gisborne and his conniving son, Guy. They were both sitting opposite my parents, Sir Gregory with an angry expression on his face.
"There you are, sweetheart. Say hello to Sir Gregory, and Guy." Mother urged.
"Good morning, Sir. Good morning, Guy." I curtsied, just as I was taught and gave a false smile.
Guy's father was a tall man with greasy, black hair. His face was cleaner than his hair, but I've never seen it not wearing a sly expression. He was a sneaky man, always looking for a way to take something from you. In today's case, it seemed to be my happiness.
"Why don't you go and play with Guy, while your parents and I talk about adult things?" He uttered, patronizingly.
What twelve-year-old still "plays"? Does he think I'm 5?
Knowing full well it wasn't a question, I replied,
"Yes, Sir. Let's play in my bedroom, Guy." I was already leaving.
Guy beamed at me as he stood up, and walked with me.
Ugh why did he have to come today? I thought angrily. What does Guy's father want with my parents anyway?
"I have something for you, Marian" Guy announced, passing me a little grey box from his back pocket.
Hesitant, I opened it up and took in the small fortune inside of the box.
A ring.
Why is he giving me a ring? I pondered, thoroughly confused.
Looking up at Guy for and answer, I was met with his expectant face.
He was only a year older than me, but I could already see that he was going to look like his father when he grew up. They shared the same black hair, but Guy's facial expressions haven't fully morphed into his father's evil ones. Although, Guy is more like his father every time I see him.
Unlike his father though, Guy got his blue eyes from his mother. She died when she gave birth to Guy, which is why Guy takes after his father so much I suppose. He's all he has left. I never met Guy's mother but my parents told me she was very kind, but was forced to wed Sir Gregory, much to her dismay.
"It's to symbolise our friendship, Marian. May it always be this strong!" He grinned.
"Oh, thank you, Guy. That is very kind of you." I remarked.
His blue eyes moved to my hands, as he began to reach over to presumably put the ring on my finger. But he was stopped by his father's shout.
"Guy, we are leaving!" Gregory shouted from downstairs.
Guy looked at me like he wanted to say something but his father's shout hit ours ears again.
"GUYYY!" He yelled, and Guy sped off down the hallway and down the stairs to met his monster of a father.
I heard mumbled voices and a loud door slam. Remembering the box in my hands, I took a better look at the ring. It was a thick, sliver band smothered with diamonds. It hurt to look at and gave me a headache, much like Guy and his father, I mused.
Slamming the box shut, I hid it under my bed and prayed I never had to actually wear it.
At least they're gone now, hopefully they distracted my parents enough that I could sneak out to the forest. Target practice sounds brilliant!
Listening carefully, I knew my parents were in the dining room talking. Which would probably give me enough time to sneak out. They were always in the dining room for ages after they have a meeting.
I grabbed my bow and arrows and headed out to the forest, which always welcomed me with a gentle breeze.