Chapter twenty-eight:
Marian's POV:
A few days after my birthday had passed, I woke up to see that a letter has been slid under my door. The envelope had my name entitled in big, blocky handwriting. It wasn't anyone's I could immediately recognise, and I didn't tend to receive letters anyway.
Curiosity took hold of me and I opened it, to find a piece of paper littered with instructions. The letter read;
"Dear Marian,
I trust that you had an enjoyable birthday, and I apologise for this being late."
Who was this? I wondered, reading on.
"Meet me at eleven o'clock, where the birds rest."
There was no signature at the bottom of the letter, which only made me want to know who it was even more! There was definitely one particular person I wished it was, but he had already given me a stunning gift. Then again, Robin was always full of surprises!
Quickly, I got dressed into a simple, light green dress, brushed my hair and read the letter again.
"Where the birds rest" Now what on earth does that mean?!
Avery began to chirp incessantly.
"Avery you've already been fed," I told him, still trying to figure out where to go.
"Birds… rest…" Mumbling to myself, I paced the room and pondered.
Avery continued to chirp and tweet loudly. This wasn't like him, I thought walking over to check on him. I'd cleaned out his cage yesterday, his seed tray was full, and fresh water was in his bath.
What was the problem?
"What is it, little one?" Asking, I opened up the cage door and let him perch on my finger. He looked perfectly healthy and happy, so that wasn't what was wrong.
"This is so confusing! Why couldn't they have just said exactly where to meet them?!" Exasperated, I lifted up the paper in my free hand and threw it to the other side of the room.
Avery flew straight from my hand, to the part of the floor where the letter had landed. He stood on the letter and began to tweet again.
"I'm sorry, Avery, I still don't understand," Sitting down next to him, I looked again at the paper. It had landed face-up, and the little bird was sitting on top of the location part.
"C'mon Avery, let me read it again!" But he still wouldn't move.
At once, the idea came into my head!
"Of course! You can show me where the birds are most likely to rest, you're a genius, Avery!" Laughing, I picked him up and put him on my shoulder while he chirped happily.
Judging by the light, I'd say it was about half past ten in the morning, that gave me thirty minutes to find this person and the location.
Stepping out of me bedroom and into the hallway, I nodded to Avery, who flew forwards. Butterflies fluttered around in my stomach, urging me to go on and find my surprise.
Avery flew on ahead. My clever little bird, what would I do without him?
Katy's POV:
It had been a quiet morning when I woke up. No guards stomping about in the hall ways, no sheriff shouting loudly at the servants and no guard dogs barking.
Stretching, I sat up in my bed to see that last night's dress had been put away and the curtains were open. Warm sunlight shone in through the window and gentle bird song reached my ears.
"Good morning, Lady Katherine." One of my maids, greeted me.
"Good morning, Betty," looking around, I couldn't see Marian anywhere. Which was odd, she was normally waiting for me to wake up so we could ask for some breakfast to be brought up. "Has Marian not shown up yet?"
"No, M'lady, I presumed she was still sleeping and did not want to wake her." Betty brought forth a breakfast tray and set it on my lap. "Should I go check on her?"
"Thank you, but don't worry, I'm sure she's just catching a few extra minutes of sleep."
Betty nodded, and curtsied before exiting the room.
This wasn't normal for Marian; she was never still asleep when I woke up! The last few days had been exhausting for her though, what with this mystery man of hers returning from the crusades, and her birthday bringing back so many memories of her past! I had tried to be there for her as much as I could, but knew that the only thing which would really aid her suffering was to see her family again.
I had begged and pleaded with the Sheriff and Guy to let her see her father and brother again, but it had come to no avail. They wouldn't listen to what a woman had to say, even if she was high in station, like myself!
Finishing up breakfast, Jennifer, another one of my maids, helped me to get dressed. Today's dress was a simple, light purple dress with white accents on the trimming. Purple made people think of royalty, and high power. The lightness of this shade would still give the desired effect but without it coming off as too aggressive. My shoes were a matching shade of purple, the same ones I had worn the night we broke Meg out of the dungeon. One had a slightly broken heel, from where I had stabbed that man in the stomach, but they still worked enough to walk in. Jennifer put my hair up into a complicated braid, which I could never have achieved myself, and I finished off the look with the necklace my father had given me two months ago. It was a silver key pendant, attached to a delicate chain. It brought the look together by accenting the white trim of the dress and matched the silver earrings I had also put on.
It didn't matter if I didn't leave the castle, I would still always look good enough to meet a future suitor!
Heading to Marian's room, I was surprised to feel a breeze coming in through the bottom of the door. She wouldn't sleep with her window open while she was sleeping, in case Avery flew out.
So why was a breeze coming through?
Knocking on the door gently, I asked "Marian dear, are you still sleeping?"
No answer.
Knocking again, louder this time I heard a muffled gasp.
"Maybe I've just missed her…" I mumbled loudly, and pretended to walk away by stomping me feet. A sigh of relief sounded from inside the room.
Immediately, shoved open the door and exclaimed, "I knew you were in here! Are you trying to sneak o-"
My breath was cut short.
I'd looked up midsentence expecting to see Marian trying to climb out of the window or something of that sort. Instead, my eyes were fixed on a man! He was standing next to Marian's wardrobe, and scrambled to put his mask and hood back on his face, not that it mattered, I'd already recognised him!
Robin's POV:
My desperate need to see Marian had taken over my every sense. All I saw was her name in clouds, her eyes in the sky, her auburn hair in the fire, her laugh on the wind and the feel of her lips on my cheek as I drifted off to sleep.
Managing to find a spare moment, I snuck out of camp and climbed my way up to her bedroom window. The room was empty- not exactly what I was expecting this early in the morning!
Marian's little canary, who had warned her of my presence last time, was not in his cage. Avery must be with Marian then, but where was she?
Still desperate to see her, I decided to wait here until she came back. Taking the time to look around, I noticed she didn't have any of the possessions she'd had in her old bedroom. This wasn't surprising as she was taken here by force and without any prior notice. She had nothing compared the furniture in her friend's bedroom, when we had broken into it!
Scanning the room, a piece of dark green fabric, hanging in an open wardrobe caught my eye. I recognised it from somewhere, but I couldn't place it!
My face felt stuffy from being behind a mask for a while, so I took it off and put my hood back. Fresh air graced my skin and it was very welcome.
Turning back to my task, I approached the wardrobe and lifted the fabric out. It was a cloak that I had definitely seen before, but I couldn't recall seeing Marian wearing it. Odd, but I'd probably just seen another version of this cloak on someone else.
Putting the cloak back in the wardrobe, I heard a dreaded voice at the door.
"Marian dear, are you still sleeping?" A female voice sounded from behind the door. It must be her friend!
What was her name?! For the life of me, I couldn't remember!
In the hope that silence would deter her, I said nothing and didn't move a muscle. After another knock, I heard footsteps fading away. Breathing a sigh of relief, it looked like I was in the clear. I put my mask and hood back on though, just in case.
Suddenly, the door was flung open and the girl barged through! She stopped talking midsentence when she saw me. Not wasting a second, she took off one of her shoes and pointed it at me!
Her face stuck me with an overwhelming sense of familiarity; and then it all clicked!
The shoes, and the way she immediately went to use them as a weapon, her face, the cloak in the wardrobe, and I knew I'd heard Avery's warning call before!
Marian and her friend broke Meg out of the dungeons!
It appeared we certainly had a lot to catch up on, all over again!
Marian's POV:
Avery performed little loops as he flew, happy to get out of my bedroom for once. As I followed him, we travelled deeper, into a corner of the castle I hadn't been in before.
"Where are we, Avery?" I mumbled, hoping we weren't lost.
Avery only chirped and flew towards a door, which led to a spiral staircase. The ancient oak door was well used, and looked a little grimy. The circular doorknob had rusted with age and the bottom was worn away by many scuffing boots.
This must lead to one of the guard's turrets! Normally, these doors were sealed shut, with only guards granting access. But now, it was propped open by a large rock at the base.
Either Robin had knocked out a few people, or this person was not at all who I thought they were.
Avery flew through the crack and beckoned me to follow. Following his instructions, I climbed tentatively up the stairs. The butterflies in my stomach now turned to pebbles, weighing me downwards. I had a bad feeling about this, and just as I was about to turn back around, I deep voice stopped me.
"Marian!" My name sounded sour in his mouth. As if, by acknowledging my existence, he was tainting me.
This mystery person was definitely not who I'd wished it was!
Guy, the gorilla or Gisborne, stood too close to me for my liking. He clutched a narrow box tightly in his hand, and smiled maliciously at me. I felt Avery nuzzle my hand, opening it, I felt him settle in.
Even my bird knew Guy was bad news! I should have listened to my gut before.
"I'm surprised you figured out my riddle so easily!" How stupid did he think I was?!
"I take pride in knowing you have so much trust in my intelligence, Sir Guy." A flash of what looked like guilt flashed on his face.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to insult you, Marian!" Now he was ordering me to forgive him?!
"No harm done," brushing it off, I hoped I could slip away before his breath could ruin the sweet smell of pollen in the air. "But I really should be getting back to Lady Katherine!" Turning to go, I felt an iron grip on my free wrist.
Guy clearly did not know how to be gentle, or even the least bit polite. But this was hardly news to me; the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
Realising what he had done, he released my wrist, leaving a red mark on my pale skin.
"I- what I meant i- st-," the oaf stumbled over his words continuously. "Stay, I would like to give you something" he managed to get out, after a deep breath.
"My birthday was days ago, Sir Guy, I really have no need for anymore presents, thank you though. Katherine will be waiting for m-" he thrust the box into my marked hand before I could turn and reach the steps.
In an attempt to keep from shouting at him, I lifted the box open.
Inside, was a hairpin. Judging by the countless diamonds and crystals, all carefully placed to form a flower, it must have cost a fair few coins! The same coins which were no doubt taken from numerous starving families!
"For you, I thought it would look nice in your hair." He smiled, making my insides turn.
Placing the pin back into the box, I forced a smile. "Thank you, Sir Guy, it is stunning." I said, through clenched teeth.
"Again, I offer my apologies for not being her on your birthday." He took another step closed to me, and towered over me. "I was in London, with the Sheriff…conducting business."
What on earth did that mean?! Anything to do with the sheriff couldn't be good!
"Not to worry, Sir Guy, I had a wonderful day!" Without him, it was simple! "What sort of business were you conducting?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"Oh…" my question had obviously caught him off guard. "Just, you know…" he stuttered; I clearly wasn't going to get the answer I desired. "Nothing you need to worry about, Lady Marian!"
I didn't know whether to feel insulted at the blatant blow to my intelligence, or to feel relieved he was no longer just calling me by my first name. Either way, I wasn't spending another second near someone so foul!
Coming up with a quick excuse, Avery and I sped down the stairs, and didn't slow our pace until we had reached Katy's door. The room was completely empty. She was most likely in my room, so we headed there next.
My brow furrowed at the sight of my door being cracked open, I had definitely closed it before I left! Brining my ear to the crack, I listened. To my horror; heard two voices.
I recognised both of them!
Katy's POV:
The man just stood there; his jaw was hanging open, from what I could see under his mask, and his eyes were wide.
When I finally thought he was going to pull out a weapon to defend himself with; clutched his stomach with a scarred hand, and began to laugh!
"Your stomach won't be the only thing you'll be clutching when I'm through with you! I demand to know what you are doing here!"
"Sorry, love." He managed, while his laughing ceased for a few seconds. "Just give me a minute…" he wheezed, the laughter turning his face red.
"I'm still confused as to why you think laughing will get you out of this situation, I have you right where I want you!"
"Oh, I'm sure you do, Katy!" The strange man knew my name?! Calm down Katy, he's probably just a poor villager, looking for something worth enough to feed his children. Play it cool.
"It's Lady Katherine to you," I knew I sounded like a stuck-up aristocrat, but I had to play the part so he would leave! "If you're just a poor man, looking for a piece of jewellery to sell, in order to feed your family with, I feel very sorry for your situation, and offer my sympathy. If that is the case, I will let you go free, with some food from the kitchen. Does that sound like something you could agree to?"
Marian had told me since the very day she came that the world outside the castle walls was not all sunshine and rainbows, as I had previously thought. She told me about the children whose bellies were constantly rumbling. The parents who worked from dusk till dawn and still barley earnt enough to feed themselves, let alone their families! Growing up in such a privileged position had evidently blinded me to such matters.
"Oh, I'm not some poor villager, Lady Katherine" he uttered my name, mockingly.
"Then what exactly are you?"
"I'm a big, scary outlaw!" he announced, proud of his illegal actions.
"Well, you don't scare me!"
"I'm not surprised, given the fierce weapon you're holding!" He chuckled. How arrogant can someone be?!
"You wouldn't be laughing if you'd seen what happened to the last unwanted guy I ran into!"
"Funny you say that actually…" he laughed, beginning to take off his mask and hood.
A cold wave of shock ran over my body.
"You…I-it can't be!"
The unmasked man pulled up his shirt, to reveal a purple and green bruise on his stomach area- left from my heel.
"Robin Hood, a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance!" The outlaw bowed; he had obviously not always lived among the poor.
Not only was he the same man I had stabbed with a shoe a few days ago, but also the very same man Marian had been in love with since she was twelve! Her drawing definitely did his eyes justice, I should have recognised him before!
"I reckon we have a lot to clear up," Robin laughed, noting my shocked expression.
For once; I was at a loss for words.
Later on…
Sitting across from him, on Marian's bed, I saw how at ease he was in her room. "Apologies again, that bruise looks so very painful!" I felt a pang of guilt the moment I saw my damage.
"Don't be; you've got killer aim!" Robin gestured to the shoe, which was now back on my foot- where it couldn't hurt anyone's abdomen. "If your whole royalty thing doesn't work out, which I'm certain it will by the way!" he hurried out the last part. "I'm sure I could find you a place among my ranks!"
"Thank you, I'm flattered!" I chuckled, "But I'm not sure the forest life would suit my tastes", I crinkled my nose at the image of my sleeping on the dirty floor! "What were you trying to do down there, that night, anyway?" It was a question which had haunted me every moment since.
"The same as you I suppose; rescuing Meg," he shrugged, taking off his mask and hood fully.
Having been raised to hate anyone who didn't obey the law, let alone anyone who was proud to be a "criminal", I would never have expected an outlaw to be so…kind. Father always told me they were hateful to anyone above them, and were bloodthirsty creatures! But here I was; standing and talking to one. He didn't seem all that dangerous; he could very well have knocked me out cold by now!
With his coverings off, I could take in his facial features better. His eyes were of a stunning green, and his tan skin was littered with little scars. He had a broad, muscular build, and was taller than me by a long shot. Although he could clearly do some damage with those callused hands, he had a gentle demeaner. His clothes were those of someone who spent a lot of time trying to be invisible, and his boots were caked in mud.
"She's told me about you, by the way," I announced, noting the look of curiosity in his eyes.
"Ah," he regained his composure quickly, probably hoping I hadn't noticed. "All good things I hope!" He chuckled lightly.
"Well…" his eyes widened at that. "I'm joking! Don't worry!" I couldn't help but laugh; he really cared that much about what she thought of him! "You really like her, huh?"
He tried to protest, sitting up straighter and turning away in order to hide his blushing face. I held up a hand to silence him, "You two are about as good as hiding your emotions, as me pretending I don't like diamonds! It's impossible; it simply can't be done!"
"I'm really that obvious?" He rubbed the back of his neck in bashfulness.
"I could tell by the way your eyes light up whenever I say her name," He smiled at that.
"Please, Kather-"
"Ah," I stopped him short, "call me Katy, we're friends now!"
"Okay then," he started again, "Katy, do you know if she feels the way I do?!" the desperate look in his eyes was pure, almost childlike!
"As far as I know, s-"
The door swung open, suddenly.
"Ah, speak of the devil!" I laughed, leaning back slightly.
"So glad you eventually decided to join us!" Robin joined in.
Marian crossed her arms, a bemused look crossing her face. "You two have a lot of explaining to do!"