"Well, I must say, this is a surprise!" Much told his master, hopping down from his horse to enter Nottingham Castle. "Arriving early, for the Council of Nobles! Sir Edward will probably fall off his seat!"
Robin did not share in his servant's joke. He was pleased to have arrived on time, not only because he did not wish to irritate Marian's father, but because the council would be an important session, with information about the possible outbreak of civil war. He was intensely interested, though conflicted. Part of him longed for the adventure of battle and glory, while another side of him hated to fight against Prince Richard.
His admiration for the prince was limitless. He looked up to him, almost worshipping him as a hero, and longed to serve him. But his conscience told him he must fight for his king, a man he neither liked nor admired, but knew to be a fair and just ruler.
Making his way toward the council chamber with Much at his heels, he was stopped by Martin of Aylesbury and Ralph of Wopping. Neither young man attended the council, though their fathers did. Robin knew them well enough not to like them, though he showed them politeness. Aylesbury he considered a fop and a fool, and Ralph dull and stupid, unworthy of Marian's friend Gladys. Neither had much of a moral compass, showed any interest in manly sports, and worse still, Robin suspected both to be cowards.
"Wockswey," Ralph greeted him. "Guess what we'ah going to do, waiter today?"
Robin merely shook his head.
The two young nobles smiled slyly at one another, conspiratorially. Martin of Aylesbury explained, lowering his voice so he wouldn't be overheard. "Your trainer, Lord Sheridan, took us in hand the night of the banquet. You should have been with us, Locksley, instead of enjoying the chaste kisses of Lady Marian up on the battlements."
"That's wight," Ralph continued. "Word Shewidan took us to the Twip! We all got dwunk together, and afterwards, guess what?"
"He paid for all our good times, upstairs!" Aylesbury finished, proudly. "Women, Locksley! Women."
Robin could almost feel Much's discomfort, even with his servant standing behind him.
"We'ah going back there again today," Ralph continued. "You should come with us, Wockswey."
"Sorry, lads," Robin said breezily. "Can't do it. I'm engaged, remember?"
"So am I," Ralph reminded him. "To Gwadys. Come on! Mawain won't want you ignowant, on your wedding night."
"Somehow, I doubt that will be a problem," Robin boasted.
Martin of Aylesbury looked wise. "Who is she, Locksley?" he asked. "A lass from your village?"
Much could not be silent. "My master is true to his lady!"
Robin mastered his desire to hit Aylesbury for the insult he'd made to his villagers. "There's no one," he told them. "Need I remind you, I'm engaged to the daughter of the sheriff?"
"Are you fwightened Sir Edward will wock you up, if he catches you?" Ralph asked.
"More likely scared of Marian's temper," Martin joked.
"For your information," Much spoke up again, "my master isn't afraid of anything! He's been preparing to go to war, while you have been...have been...nobles or not, you are revolting!"
"Much," Robin said, feeling his servant spoke out of turn, though appreciating his sentiments. "Excuse me, gentlemen. I have a council meeting to attend."
"Tavern girls!" Much exclaimed, as he and Robin continued toward the council chamber. "Unbelievable!"
"They're women, too, Much," Robin reminded him.
"But they're...they..."
"They're feeding themselves. We don't know their stories."
"No, and we don't want to! At least, I don't. You're not tempted by them, are you, Master?"
Robin didn't answer. Of course he was tempted, he thought, tempted and curious, but he wouldn't give in. He was eighteen years old and a healthy young male, engaged to the woman he loved, and he wouldn't sully their love by a romp with any other woman. But he did wish his wedding not so many months away. He felt ready to share his life with Marian now, though he understood her father's wish to hold onto her as long as he could.
If he could have a word with her before the council, he could share one tidbit of his life with her today. Happily, he found her just as she was about to enter the chamber.
For the past year or so, Marian had been attending the Council of Nobles, having an interest in the politics and policies affecting the shire. Her father had allowed her to attend, giving into her pleas, though as a woman, she hadn't a seat around the council table. Like a servant, she was forced to stand behind her father's chair and only listen, but she never missed a session. Robin supposed she would soon be standing behind his chair along with Much, once they were man and wife.
"Marian!" he said now, stopping her.
"Robin! On time? My father will be pleased."
"I respect him. I'm trying to do better, and not run late. You're looking lovely."
"You will be late, if you start down that path."
He grinned. "I have something to tell you. Sapphire had her foal."
Marian's eyes sparkled. "Filly or colt?"
"Colt. You need to come to Locksley and see him. He solid black, Marian, and beautiful. I named him Lochinvar."
"Lochinvar, as in the story of the knight? Lochinvar of Locksley. I like it, Robin."
"The next foal born in Locksley, you get to name."
"I look forward to it."
"And I look forward to the day Lochinvar's grown, and we can ride together on his back. I'll be your husband by then, you know."
Neither could know that he would one day be watching her ride the horse seated behind Sir Guy of Gisbourne, as yet unknown to them...ride away as Robin waited to rescue her from Harold of Winchester, with her only able to mouth the words, "Love you," to him before leaving with Gisbourne.
"I can't wait... I mean, to see him," Marian said now, lifting her eyes after casting them down with a blush and a smile, "but I will have to. I'm in disgrace, for having got back so late the night of Luke Scarlett's party."
Robin had made the long trek with her to the castle that night to see her safely home, then had ridden back home again to Locksley. He hadn't thought that she would be "in trouble," not having older relatives himself to answer to. "I'll speak to your father," he offered.
"I was supposed to sew with my aunt all that afternoon. She's disgusted with me, and thinks the worst."
"Then I'll speak with her."
"Robin, we need to go in. The council's beginning."
Sir Edward gave his future son-in-law a look as his name was announced. Marian followed Robin down the stairs with Much, hoping her father wouldn't notice her tardiness. He did, but he wasn't angry. The news from London was so good nothing would disturb his happiness.
"Nobles," the sheriff began, "you are all aware of the threat of civil war. I have just received word that the war has been averted! King Henry has subdued his sons' rebellion, and remains secure on the throne."
Everyone appeared thankful and relieved...everyone except for Robin. Marian, smiling and blinking back joyful tears, was dismayed to see his face fall.
He wanted war? Surely not! She looked at him again, and this time, his face wore a look of relief, though not of joy.
"And what of the princes," Robin asked, "and Her Majesty? Are they to be punished?"
"That is for King Henry to decide. I know you have a personal fondness for them, Huntington, but you must trust our king, that he will be fair. And now, to other matters. Loughborough, how stand matters of the pestilence that infected your village?"
Marian barely listened. Robin was safe! There would be no war, and the king was safely on the throne. But Robin's face had betrayed disappointment at not being able to fight. She would have it out with him after the council, and make him understand that war was not something to be wished for!
