I tell you what, I'm quite proud of this chapter, even if it is a little slushy at points. And no I don't own Robin Hood, or any of the multiple characters I've wound from other Robin Hood films and books into my story. But I do own Beth and Madame Dayson. So neh!

The night sky made the lamps stand out that were lit around the table. They had dined on stew with freshly baked bread, still hot and crusty. As the men and women laughed heartily around her, Robin walked over and said to Marian,

"Would you do me the honour of walking with me?"

She accepted, leaving Beth to talk to her friends. They walked together through the clearings, her crimson dress glowing scarlet in the light.

"You have a lovely sister," she said.

Robin smiled. "I know. I'm very lucky to have her."

"It seems like she's even more lucky to have you."

He did not reply at first.

"I suppose it's made us closer, after our mother and father died. We've both had to look after each other. She means more than anything to me."

Marian gazed at him sadly. He was not like the creatures Madame Dayson had told him about. He was so independent..lonely perhaps. She thought how dim her problems seemed compared to his as they carried on walking.

"My mother and father are dead as well," she said. "My mother died when I was very young. I remember her being very loving, and very pretty. She'd hug me and tuck me into my bed at night. My father loved us both very much. But when my mother died, something died in him as well I think. He lost his will to go on. A year later, when I was six, he sent me away to a family friend. She became my governess and taught me etiquette. I returned when I was 14. My father had moved to Bristol while I was away, to escape his troubles Nottingham reminded him of I think. He sold the house, and we lived in Bristol until he passed away."

She stopped, realising she'd told her near entire life to a man she didn't know. There was something about him that had made her trust him. Maybe it was out of sympathy for him. She swore to not let her emotions get the better of her again.

"And I suppose you came here afterwards?" Robin concluded.

"Yes," Marian continued, feeling now she'd started she might as well finish. "I prefer Nottingham, and some of my fathers servants stayed with the Sherriff and the Royal Family in the Castle. That's where I'll be living from now on. He said when he died I was to live there, as him and King Richard were very close friends. Of course, King Richard has not been seen for a long time."

Robin nodded. "And that Prince John will stop at nothing to get the throne."

Marian almost objected, as she thought very highly of the Prince. But for some reason, she stopped herself.

"Yer promise to come on Friday?"

"Yes Beth I promise," Marian said, smiling and hugging her newest companion.

"Bye!"

Marian waved back. Robin opened the door of the carriage and helped her in. He leaned over the closed door and whispered,

"Come to the edge of the forest at sunset on Friday. I'll meet you there."

"Alright," she whispered back. "I look forward to it."

"I do even more," he replied, kissing her hand. He looked into those emerald eyes one more time. "Goodbye my Lady."

"Farewell."

The click of reins, and she was travelling away in the coach, out of the forest and into the lights of the houses further away.

He stood there. How could he even begin to think? He felt a tug at his sleeve, and saw two big blue eyes looking into his.

"It seems like she's even more lucky to have you."

He picked up his little sister and hugged her tight. When she'd saidthat, his heart had skipped a beat.

"Yeh like her don't you Rob?"

He sighed and nodded. It was true. For the first time in 19 years of his life, Robin was deeply in love.

Beth shook her head. "What am I gunna do with yeh?"

He grinned, kissed her on the head and walked back to their home, while he thought of auburn curls, emerald eyes and a clever mind.

Marian walked into her room and landed straight on her bed. It had been a long journey with an even longer interlude. When the Sheriff had asked what the delay had been, she said,

"We bumped into some old friends and were invited for dinner. We could hardly refuse my dear Sheriff."

And that was the truth. She hadn't had the choice. Of course, it wasn't such a bad thing. She'd rather enjoyed herself, amongst all those merry faced men. Whether her servants agreed with her was a different matter. They'd be returning the next morning to Bristol. She'd made them swear not to tell anybody of the meeting.

There was a light knock at the door.

"Come in."

The door opened and a girl Marians age walked in. She wore a plain brown dress. It reminded her of something, that chestnut colour.

"Hello Rosanna!" she smiled at her friend. "How can I help?"

Rosanna grinned. "Good Evening Miss. The Sheriff and the Prince was wondering if you'd like to come downstairs for some wine. Yeh know, to celebrate your homecoming and all."

"I suppose I must be sociable Rosey," she said, "and please, call me Marian. We're too good friend's for all that upper class."

"Right you are Miss!"

Marian gave her an evil stare before she left. She dressed in her light blue dress before departing.

"So my dear," Prince John said, as he put his drink on the table, "how was your journey?"

She drank some wine before speaking. "Very good thank you your highness. We passed through some lovely scenery in Sherwood Forest on the way."

The Sheriff coughed on his wine. "You were not stopped by outlaws My Lady?"

Marian almost giggled.

"No, my dear Sheriff, luckily. I did not know there were outlaws in the forest." She said it as innocently as possible.

"Of course there are, my dear lady. That pest Robin Hood."

Her heart jumped ever so slightly. "Who is he?"

"The worst out of all the outlaws. Filthy, thieving little dog. He lives with his "Merry Men" as they are affectionately called. They steal from those who travel through the forest. Nothing more than common criminals." He took another sip of wine.

"Pardon my asking," Marian said, "but why are they outlaws?"

"Well, because they cannot pay taxes." the Prince said.

"Oh." Marian said quietly.

"Are you alright?" the Sheriff asked, taking her hand. He was gazing with a worried expression into her eyes.

"Yes, I….I have a headache. It must be tiredness."

"Of course," he replied. "We should not have expected you to socialise after such a long journey. Allow me to escort you back to your room."

She bade goodnight to the Prince and walked with the Sheriff.

"I must tell you Marian, it's such an honour to have you here."

"Why thank you," she replied to the handsome man. "It is an honour to finally meet you." She was sure she heard something as she walked into her room.

"The pleasure is all mine," he said, kissing her hand. "Sleep well, my Lady."

She shut the door. Now everything was just a blur of confused thoughts. She really did have a headache. She changed into her nightdress, blew out the lamp and crawled beneath the soft quilts she knew the outlaws did not have.

Robin clambered up the thick branches which grew up the wall. He couldn't see a dam thing. Why the hell was he up here? If he fell, he would fall to his death. Feeling the ledge above his fingers, he pulled himself onto the balcony. He scrambled to the side when he heard voices.

"The pleasure is all mine." He glanced around the wall to see that foul, disgusting man kissing her hand.

"Sleep well my Lady."

As she shut the door, he turned back. He wouldn't be so rude and intrude her privacy. Though it was unbearably tempting. He waited until he heard her blow out the lamp before turning. The moonlight shone on her as she breathed regularly under the quilts. She was even more beautiful when she slept, her hair framing her delicate features. It made her look like some kind of angel sent from above.

Robin wasn't sure how long he stood there, watching Maid Marian fall asleep. Entranced by her spell, he leant over the balcony and picked on of the red roses which grew from the wide branches. He walked over to the sleeping form and lay the rose next to her on the pillow.

"Goodnight my Lady," he whispered, before running softly to the balcony and climbing down the wall.