The nation's brief, imposed period of mourning ended, and Robin was summoned to Westminster to take part in the coronation of King Richard I.

Marian spent the days while Robin was away sewing with her aunt and trying to block out the girls' constant chatter concerning the royal family. She knew more than the others, since most of the royals considered Robin a friend, yet she contributed little to the gossip.

"They say the Princess Johanna threw a fit when she was told she had to marry the King of Sicily," Gladys told them.

"Which one is she?" another young lady asked.

"The youngest daughter...second youngest over all. Just one year older than Prince John. She is said to be beautiful! Tall, with red gold hair and eyes like emeralds."

"Don't they all have red gold hair?" Aunt Mary asked.

"All but Prince John, madam. His hair is dark, like Queen Eleanor's. Anyway, Princess Johanna had been secretly in love with the Earl of Leicester, until our very own Robin of Locksley returned to court last year. Until then, the princess had considered him a child, but she looked at Robin with new eyes, and forgot all about Leicester then!"

"Royal princess or not," Aunt Mary snorted, "she sounds a fickle creature."

"But Madam, can you blame her? I mean...Robin!"

The girls let out a collective sigh. Aunt Mary chuckled under her breath and said, "impertinent young man," then sighed as well. Marian's stitches grew bigger as she thrust her needle angrily in and out of her embroidery.

Gently placing her hand on Marian's arm, Lady Glasson reminded them, "Well, she married King William of Sicily and has most likely forgotten all her girlish infatuations. Marian, would you mind trying on your wedding gown again, so I can be certain of the sleeves?"

Marian was extremely grateful. Anything to get away from these gossiping young women! She loved wearing her wedding gown, if only for a few moments. Seeing herself in it made her wedding day to Robin seem nearer instead of months and months away.

She missed him, even though she knew he wouldn't be gone for long. Life seemed so exciting and full of promise when they were together, and so dull and dreary when he was away. Being helped into her gown by Lady Glasson, she wondered vaguely if Robin missed her as well. He probably did, though not half as much as she missed him. He was, after all, in Westminster for the king's coronation, while she was stuck in Nottingham, sewing all day long. If she could only get away for an hour and enjoy a brisk ride astride Vesper, her horse!

Lady Glasson laced the back of Marian's gown then smiled at her. "You look so beautiful," she told her. "It won't be long, Marian. These next few months will fly by, and you'll be Lady Locksley, Robin's wife, and you'll never be forced to sit indoors and sew all day long again."

"I can hardly wait," Marian admitted, before hugging her friend.

...

Robin, with Much at his side, waited with a host of other nobles in the Palace of Westminster, just outside the royal throne room, hoping for an audience with the new king.

At last he was summoned, and ushered into Richard's presence. Much, disappointed yet understanding, was not admitted. "I'll wait here," he told his master, as if he decided it himself.

Robin did not know how he would be received after taking the late king's side over Richard's rebellion. Richard's Angevin temper, inherited from his father, was famous. But Robin had no fear, and was ready to serve his sovereign any way he could. With excellent breeding and supreme self confidence, he entered the throne room, bowed his head and dropped on one knee.

"Robin of Locksley," the new king's voice rang out. "Arise, friend."

"You're late, Robin," Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine fondly scolded. "My son the king summoned you early this morning, and you were nowhere to be found."

"Apologies, Your Majesties," Robin said, standing. "I was in town, at the bow maker's."

"Shopping for a new weapon! And I guessed you were in some lady's bed," Queen Eleanor teased.

Robin grinned sheepishly. He had purchased a new bow for himself that morning, and had struggled to find a special gift to bring back to Marian.

He was delighted that the king and the queen mother treated him as they always had, with pleasant familiarity. But it was odd to see Richard seated on his father's throne, and the queen's throne empty. Queen Eleanor could not occupy that seat any longer, but stood beside and slightly behind her son's throne, just as Marian had to stand beside her father in the Council of Nobles.

"You chose to fight against me, Robin?" King Richard asked now.

"Never against you, Your Majesty. But I could not oppose my king in good conscience."

"I know you, Robin, and would think less of you had you joined my side."

The former Princess Johanna, now Queen of Sicily, stepped forward. "You owe me, Robin," she said, her green eyes glittering like emeralds as they rested on the young Lord of Locksley. "My brother will never admit it, but I was the one who made him see reason."

Robin's smile was genuine, yet gallant. He had not known whether Princess Joan, as he knew her, would be able to attend her brother's coronation, and he was pleased she was here. He considered her a friend, and knew he would enjoy her company at the many festivities following the coronation. But he was less pleased when he noticed Prince John, sulking in the shadows.

"I want you, Robin, as the Earl of Huntington, to have charge of my sword during my coronation," King Richard told him.

"It would be an honor, Sire," Robin said, breathlessly.

"The Earl of Leicester will have first honors holding my cloak, due to your youth. You shall have second, being in charge of my sword. I thought it fitting," the king continued, "as you are so skilled in the arts of battle."

"It means a great deal to me, Your Majesty."

Richard hesitated before continuing. "You may have a chance before too long, Robin, to prove your battle skills."

"Your Majesty?" Robin felt eager and excited, waiting for his king to explain.

"Pope Gregory is concerned about Saladin taking over the holy city of Jerusalem. You know who Saladin is, I trust?"

"The leader of the Turks, I believe, Sire," Robin answered.

"The Saracens," Queen Eleanor corrected. "I know him well, having enjoyed some interesting interactions, shall we say, with him during the Second Crusade. Some claim I knew him too well, if you understand my gist, Robin, but a lady, like a gentleman, should never kiss and tell. He is a noble yet fierce warrior. A worthy adversary for my son King Richard."

Richard took up the narrative, returning to the present situation in the Holy Land. "Saladin refuses to allow Christians or Jews into Jerusalem. He has already slaughtered hundreds, including those who used to have their homes there. The French under King Philip have already sailed to the Port of Acre, in hopes to take that city and open the way for a third crusade, should Pope Gregory bless it. What say you, Robin? If there is to be a holy war, will you fight alongside your king?"

"With all my heart, Your Majesty!" Robin cried, swept up in dreams of glory. A worthy cause, to take up his bow and his sword, and fight for Christ and his king! Nothing would stop him from fulfilling his promise and his duty!

...

(Note: Another tidbit of history...there are rumors that Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine had a romantic affair with Saladin during the Second Crusade. It is unproven, but she was certainly a fascinating woman! In the interest of my stories, I'll pretend it was true.)