Chapter four:
Robin's POV:
The next morning flew by, I patiently waited for eleven o'clock to arrive, trying to fight the butterflies in my stomach. I had told my parents that Much and I might bring a friend home with us, and they seemed curious.
"What is his name dear?" My mother asked, exited that I had found another friend.
"Oh, um… it's a surprise!" I shrugged, smiling.
Just imagining their faces when they meet Marian was making me chuckle. Closing the door behind me, I caught sight of Much, who had a huge bag on his back, presumably full of food and drinks.
Much and I were buzzing with excitement to see Marian again. I hadn't told Much about last night, it would just be between Marian and I.
We were very close to coming up to the clearing that we played in yesterday, when we heard a soft thud. An arrow had imbedded itself on the ground where my foot had been. Much let out a small whelp and I looked around, to see where the arrow had come from. But there was no one around. Until, I heard a distinct giggle from above us, and then it hit me!
No one ever looks up.
Tilting my face upwards, I was met with a stunning pair of eyes and an angel-like face. Suddenly, Marian was hanging upside down right in front of us, her legs were wrapped around the thick branch she had previously been sitting on.
"Hello boys." Marian said, with a smirk.
The butterflies in my stomach started to rise again, but I was no longer fighting them.
Marian's POV:
Untangling myself from the tree branch, I gracefully landed right in front of the two boys. Much had his mouth hanging wide open, with a giggle, I reached out with my hand and closed it for him. Robin just shook his head and chuckled as Much's cheeks turned the same colour as a ripe apple.
We all agreed to go back to Robin's home and practise archery there, as he had an archery court. While we were walking back to Robin's home, I asked Much what he had in his massive pack. Sheepishly, he opened his bag to show me the contents.
Food, it was all food.
"I thought that we were going back to the woods, to play. So, I packed lunch." Much admitted, rubbing the back for his head.
"Would you like me to help you carry it for a bit, it looks like very heavy." I offered, holding my hand out for the bag.
"No, no I will be fine!" Much said and waved his hand, wheezing slightly at the heaviness of his bag.
We arrived at a village bustling with people, there were children running and playing games, while their mothers fussed over the dirt and mud on their faces.
Robin chuckled, softly at the look of disgust on the child's face, as his mother spat on a handkerchief and proceeded to wipe his face with the wet piece of cloth.
We kept walking through the village, a number of children waved at Robin and Much as they walked past. Looking at Robin, I raised my eyebrow in question. He just smiled, and shrugged.
"I'll explain later" he whispered.
Eventually, we arrived at the pathway, leading to a grand manor. I went to walk past the gates and onto the houses beyond the land, as I was certain that Robin lived in one of those. But, before I could walk any further, a gentle hand grabbed my wrist and pulled my closer towards the gates leading to the manor.
"Where are you going, Marian? My home is this way." Said Robin, slightly confused.
"Y-you live in t-there?" Surprised, I pointed up the path.
Robin gave an affirmative nod and started jogging, to catch up with Much, who was walking up the long path. As I caught up with them, Robin turned to me and pulled the hood of my cloak up, over my face. My eyebrows furrowed, confused.
"Just trust me" said a smirking Robin, in answer.
Nodding, I and fell in line next to Much, slightly behind Robin. The guards at the gates nodded to Robin as they opened them for him.
We carried on walking up the grand doors, Robin didn't appear to be a common boy from a normal village, like I thought he was.
Who was Robin really?
Robin's POV:
Once we had entered my home, my gaze was only upon Marian however, her gaze was everywhere, almost as if she was trying to take it all in at once.
"Marian, are you alright?" Much inquired.
"Uh, what?" She answered, her mind elsewhere.
Marian was eyeing up a particular family portrait, which was sitting just above the fireplace in the hallway.
"It's just, … your house is massive!" She said, grinning wildly.
A servant ran towards us, dipping her head slightly towards me. She started to scold Much for being late for a job he was given.
"B- but Rob- Lord Locksley, told me that I could have a day off!" Much rushed, defensively.
"It's true, I did say he could have a day off." I added in, receiving an incredulous look from the servant, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth heaved a great sigh before she walked briskly towards a particularly dusty bookcase.
Much and I began to take Marian on a tour of my home but, we heard horse shoes smacking against the driveway.
As Much, Marian and I went to the front doors to catch a glimpse at the visitor, I suddenly remembered the weapons which Marian was wearing.
Weapons had become illegal for children to use, unless the child was a son of high nobility. Much must have just realised the same thing, because just as a carriage door slammed on the other side of the doors. Much and I quickly stripped Marian of all her weapons and hid them in a chest next to the sofa. Marian tried to protest but we said we would explain later.
Who was arriving at my house? Normally my parents told me when we had guests, so who were they?