Within a week, Aunt Mary left Nottingham, and Marian and her father returned home to Knighton Hall.
Sir Edward lived in Nottingham Castle when it was necessary, but he preferred staying in his house whenever he could. From Knighton, he could commute to Nottingham on business, but he could also tour the rest of the shire on horseback. He planned to visit the nearby villages of Clun and Nettlestone the following day, accompanied by his daughter.
The weather had changed. It was now officially autumn, and the cool crisp air as well as the changing color of the leaves on the trees reflected the season.
Robin was riding his horse to Knighton to have supper with Marian and Sir Edward. Taking a shortcut through Sherwood Forest, he was ambushed by a single man rushing headlong on foot toward him, shouting fiercely while brandishing a heavy staff.
"Get down from the "orse," the man cried, "and give me your purse."
Without flinching, Robin placed a fistful of arrows on his bow, then aimed and released them one-by-one. His first arrow knocked the would-be thief's hat from his head, his second and third pinned each of the man's sleeves to a tree, rendering him Robin's prisoner. His fourth and final arrow lodged in the same tree trunk between the man's thighs, just an inch below his "manhood."
"Missed," Robin said, feigning disappointment.
Robin leaped down his horse and approached the man, the swagger in his step more pronounced than usual. The man's chin was down in an attempt to hide his face, but Robin bent down to have a look at it.
He reminded Robin of Much, but was broader across the chest and a few years older, not to mention far rougher looking, seeming to lack Much's kind, trusting and tender nature.
"What's your name?" Robin asked.
Royston White answered him, "I'm the Sheriff of Notting'am."
Robin chuckled dangerously, then seriously pursued his line of questioning. "Do you make a habit of robbing innocent travelers passing through the forest?"
"What's it to you?"
"If you're hungry, I will feed you."
"Your purse will give me all I need to feed myself."
"I never carry money on my person. But...I'm on my way to the sheriff's house. If you will agree to give up your thieving ways, you shall have all you want to eat, not only for tonight but always. What trade are you skilled at?"
Roy continued with his sarcasm, even while feeling nervous at this young lord's mention of the sheriff's house. "Needlepoint," he answered with surliness.
Exasperated, Robin said, "I cannot help you if you do not trust me!"
" 'Eartbreaking!"
Robin sighed but continued pressing on. "I am Robin of Locksley. I can help you lead a better life. Now, what is your trade?"
"Stealin' from rich nobles, like yourself."
"You leave me no choice. I fear I must take you to the sheriff."
"What? So he can hang me?"
"You will not hang. The sheriff is just. But you cannot be allowed to steal from others."
"What then...imprisonment? I'd rather he hanged me."
Robin heaved out a sigh. He felt tempted to let the man go, but believed that would only harm innocent people this man might later rob. Without another word, he mounted his horse and rode away, to fetch the sheriff.
Returning later with Sheriff Knighton and two guards, they found the arrows broken on the ground and the captive nowhere to be found. There were, however, boot prints on the ground of an enormous size, proving the man had an accomplice with feet larger than any they had ever seen.
...
At supper with Marian, Robin and Sir Edward discussed the attempted robbery.
"Marian, I don't want you riding alone near the forest, until these thieves are caught," Sir Edward warned his daughter.
"But if I take my bow with me?" Marian asked.
"NO." Robin and Sir Edward answered her in unison.
Marian shot Robin an angry look. It was one thing when her father issued her orders, but something else when Robin tried to do so.
"What good is owning a bow, when I'm not allowed to use it?" she asked pointedly. "A piece of jewelry might have been a better present. I could at least wear that."
Robin's face looked stung, and she was immediately sorry. "I love my bow," she said quickly.
How easy it was to express love for an object, but how impossible to say it about the "object" of her desire! If only he would tell her first!
Later that night, after her father had gone upstairs to bed, Marian made it up to Robin. Sitting facing him by the fire with her arms crossed behind his neck, she spoke tenderly to him and kissed him as much as she could, stopping whenever a servant crossed the room. Sir Edward had ordered his servants to enter the room and cross it whenever they heard Marian's and Robin's voices stop talking, so that he could rest easily. It was maddening for the young couple, but their stolen kisses were sweet.
"I could say goodnight and meet you upstairs," Robin suggested.
"No," Marian decided. "As tempting as that sounds, it wouldn't feel right."
A log broke apart in the fire, sending forth a shower of sparks. Robin knew he would have to leave as soon as the fire died down. He didn't want to go, wishing he could stay with her always. He stretched his body and removed her arms from around his neck, then sat behind her, wrapping her in his arms, so they both faced the fire.
I love you, Marian, he was thinking, longing to say it. Instead, he told her, "June isn't so very far away."
Her father had set their wedding date for the first Saturday in June, after she turned seventeen. Her birthday was in May. Robin's was only a few weeks away, in October.
Marian counted the months remaining before their wedding on Robin's fingers. "October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May...June is nine months away!"
It seemed an eternity to both of them. They sighed as one, and watched the fire slowly burning out. They were happy in their closeness, and didn't mind the servants walking through the room, now that it was only their thoughts being interrupted.
At last, Marian's father appeared in his robe at the top of the stairs. He cleared his throat and called down, "I think it's time for you to go, Robin. It is late, and Marian must get up early tomorrow, if she is to come with me to Clun and Nettlestone."
"Of course, Sir," Robin said, rising to his feet and holding out his hand for Marian. "I'll go now. Goodnight."
Marian walked Robin to the door, then stepped outside to enjoy one long, lingering kiss goodnight.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, but they did not notice it, feeling nothing could disturb their present and future happiness.
They could not know there lurked a threat far more sinister than an approaching thunderstorm that would soon tear their world, and the whole of England, apart.
