Hello my readers! How long has it been? Too long I must say. Let me apologise (greatly). Look, here is my hand, ready for you all to slap in turn! I've finally got back into writing this, having written 3 chapters in a row into the early hours of this morning. For the delay and your patience, I'm updating two of these in the hope you'll all forgive me. Thanks for everyone who's reviewed so far, and the advice you all give me. I'm extremely grateful!

The door opened, and the Sheriff glided in, followed by two guards. He was a handsome man. Marian scarcely let herself admit it. Deep blue eyes were set into a face which some people had said could have been carved by angels. Every feature was perfectly formed, his skin smooth with no bristles and hair as sleek and black as oil. Many women found him irresistible. Marian found his large ego and inward thinking barely tolerable, and as he told the guards to stand watch outside, she felt her stomach dropping to the ground. The door clicked and he turned to face her.

"Well, Marian. You certainly know how to hurt me." She did not look at him, though she could feel his eyes burning into the back of her head. If he meant her knowing where to kick him to her advantage...

"You must know ever since I laid eyes on you, the most handsomeness creature in all of England that I have admired and loved you. If only you would return this, I could save you from that creature Locksley."

So here they were again, him pouring out his supposedly dieing love for her and trying to persuade her to marry him. Her heart was beating against her chest rapidly. When would he cease to insult Robin? Did he believe she would admire him more so?

"Even after all this pain you have put me through," he continued, pacing around her room, "I am willing to give you another chance." He bent down in front her, his eyes staring into her own. "I can help you, Marian," he said, taking her hands. "I can save you from the outlaw. He can bring you nothing but danger and a peasant filled life." He stared even harder at her, not blinking once. "I can offer you security and happiness."

She did not reply for a while, instead keeping her eye contact and suppressing the urge to hit his perfect face.

"Do you know something?" she said, tilting her head to one side. "Nothing would give me more pleasure than hurting you. You are the last man on this earth who could ever make me happy. If you honestly believe I could love a man who's own head is placed firmly up his backside then you know very little. Your blown up ego and your selfish disdain make you the most disgusting man I have ever known." She continued to glare at his bewildered face as he slowly narrowed his eyebrows at her.

"That sinner has filled your mind with things only the path of the Lord can save you from." And before she could think, he lept forward and began to kiss her. She pulled away, but he grabbed her and continued, pushing her down on the bed. No matter how hard she tried, she could not push him off. He was too heavy against her frail body. His tongue entered her mouth. She was sure she would wretch.

"Get off me-"She tried to speak, but every time she did, he wrapped his lips even more around hers.

"I will make a deal with youMarian," he whispered in her ear, still holding her against the bed. "We have a little competition we would like you to attend."

"As long as you get your filthy body off me-"

"And it involves a friend of ours," he said. "A certain outlaw."

She froze.

"I can stop them from killing him under his majesties command," he said stroking her cheek. "Under one condition. You become my wife."

Him! How could she marry someone like him? But she couldn't let them kill him. She felt her eyes turn wet as he continued to stroke her.

"Well?"

She sighed. She had no choice. She already knew the answer.

'God, help me' she thought.

"All set?"

Robin nodded. He was wearing a dark brown hat and a brown cloak. With his dark clothes, he was unrecognisable, apart from his round, brown eyes. He swung his arrows in their case over his shoulder and picked up his bow.

"Remember Little John where everyone is to stand. And if they catch me, you must go."

"But Robin-"

"John, you must." Robin said firmly. "One of us dead is better than ten of us."

His friend sighed. "What will I say to Beth then?"

"That I love her very much."

"You're mad, absolutely mad."

"I know. But that's what love does to you mate."

The Sheriff continued to kiss her, his hands wandering uninvited. Marian bit his lip and pushed him away. He touched the cut where blood was escaping.

"That sinner-"

"Is twice the man you'll ever be," she hissed. He stood up and walked towards the door.

"Just because you're back home doesn't mean you're free," he said menacingly. "And our first lesson begins tomorrow. The Bible."

She looked in disgust at him as he walked through the door.

"Goodnight my future bride."

There we have it everyone. It is a short chapter, so perhaps it's good i'm updating two! See you at the next page!