"Why exactly," Marian asked Robin, laughing softly, "are we doing this now?"

It was the thirteenth of October, the day before Robin's birthday. The air was thick with fog and autumn mists, and Robin had fetched Marian from Knighton Hall, wanting to give her another archery lesson.

They had ridden their horses to the edge of the forest and dismounted. Robin, grinning with boyish enthusiasm, was tying tiny sacks of dirt to the low hanging branches of a tree. Much stood miserably by, shaking off large droplets of water gathering on the hood of his cape.

Much would have preferred to remain indoors at Knighton, where the sheriff had treated not only Robin, but himself, like a son! Well, not exactly a son...Much had not been invited to join Lady Marian and her father at breakfast the way Robin had, but had been sent kindly to the kitchen, where he had enjoyed a second morning meal. He believed the sheriff truly liked him since he was always welcomed along with Robin, not realizing that Sir Edward was pleased whenever Robin brought Much with him, believing the manservant would act as chaperone.

"Today's a perfect day to shoot," Robin said, returning to Marian, his eyes merry. "You can't see three feet away from your nose." He tapped her nose lightly with one finger, finding it adorable.

Robin found her eyes beautiful, sparkling and expressive and luminous, and her mouth tempting and fascinating, but her nose was simply adorable. Her skin was soft and smooth and creamy, her hair rich and soft and luscious, her chin strong and determined, giving her lovely face character, and her body...! Robin, gazing at Marian, was as lost in admiration for her as he'd been in his thoughts last night, tossing restlessly on his bed, unable to sleep for thinking of her.

June could not come soon enough.

Marian returned Robin's intense and loving scrutiny of her with a loving look of her own. "Is Much further away than three feet?" she asked.

They could see Much standing nearby, but not clearly. Grinning amorously, Robin leaned in and for a kiss.

"Uh hum," Much said, clearing his throat, letting them know he was watching. "I may not be able to see you, well, not entirely, but I know what you're doing."

"We're shooting, Much," Robin explained. "At least we're preparing to."

"Please! Preparing...! Preparing for what, I might ask?"

Robin laughed good naturedly, but Marian frowned. She knew that Robin and Much had been the best of friends forever, but she didn't like Much's familiarity toward his master. He exasperated her, always present, always butting in, feeling he owned Robin when Robin belonged to her.

"How can I shoot when I can't see what it is I'm supposed to hit?" she asked.

"You split my arrow with the bow I gave you," Robin cockily reminded her, as if it had been his doing.

"So you bring me out in the fog, to prove you're the better shot?"

"No. To help you improve. You're good, Marian. I've never seen you make a bad shot. And...with the threat of thieves living in the forest, I'd like you to be an even better shot than you are."

"Alright then. What must I do, to hit a target I cannot see?"

Robin stood behind and placed his arms around her, getting her into position to shoot. With his mouth close to her ear, he quietly advised, "Be one with your bow, and one with your target."

Trembling at his nearness while trying to fight off the delicious feelings that were making her tremble, Marian asked, "How, Robin?"

His voice was soft, infused with the same emotions she was experiencing. "When you ride, you're one with your horse, making you both stronger. Others merely ride, but you're one with your horse. You know the feeling, Marian."

She did. She felt it now but differently, believing herself one with Robin at this tender, exciting moment.

"When I hold my bow," Robin continued, his voice growing thick, "I feel one with it."

He felt one with her now, with his arms around her. He didn't want to shoot anymore. He only wanted her, wanted her in a way he mustn't!

They broke apart, unable to understand their mutual pent up longing, and Robin paced back and forth, kicking up damp piles of leaves. Within moments, both were calmer, and they returned to their lesson.

"Alright," Marian said, "but I'd like to see you hit a target you cannot see."

"HA!" Much shouted out. "My master can hit with his eyes closed!"

Robin looked pleased and smug. Marian was determined to shoot well. Lifting her bow, trying to feel "one" with it, she released her first arrow.

She missed the target, of course.

"I suppose you're going to show me how it's done?" she asked.

Robin, loving the annoyed look on her face, nocked an arrow to his bow, turned his back on the target, took three steps, then quickly spun around and fired. His arrow struck the target, but the customary dust did not explode from it, as it was dampened by the heavy mist. They only knew he'd hit it by close inspection.

"I knew he could do it!" Much proclaimed.

Robin looked extremely pleased with himself. Marian was glad her father wasn't here to see him swagger. She rolled her eyes, then immediately softened toward him.

Her father could not understand her feelings for Robin, mostly when he acted as he was doing now. But the thought of anyone's disapproval toward Robin only served to endear him to her more.