The sun rose to light up Sherwood forest, the Sherwood Grove was sleeping peacefully people were snoozing comfortably, some in their treehouses and others were passed out in piles of comfort after drinking and partying too late into the night until keeling over into the blissful oblivion of sleep. Torches and fireplaces were barely blazing an ember as light emblazoned the quiet village. However, people were waking up quickly as horrible news was starting to spread through.
The sun arose enough it bled through an open crack in the tiptop treehouse walls illuminating the inside and shining on Marinette's eyes delicately.
"Mmmm." She moaned as she awakened rubbing her eyes and block the light, she turned over to find the blonde outlaw of a prince laid against her body, his shirt and pants still highlighting his muscular and toned body as he continued to sleep, she felt that her dress had gotten stiff and it clung to her body uncomfortably. he still slept with an arm over his eyes but he laid regally as he breathed gently in his sleep.
Marinette marveled at the blonde God that laid before her and with gentle fingers moved his arm from his face directly to her waist and pulled him close to her feeling his body enrapture her own.
"Hmm." He moaned pulling her close slowly waking up after he was moved, he slowly opened his eyes and both of them gazed at each other with loved filled sleepy eyes loving the morning company.
"Good Morning." She lightly sang rubbing her temple along his chin.
"Morning." He replied with a smile before pressing his lips to her temple.
But their sweet bliss wasn't meant to last as a sudden voice rang out as it was coming closer and closer to the treehouse.
"CAT NOIR!" They heard making him groan in annoyance and her concerned but also annoyed.
"CAT NOIR EMERGENCY." They heard again making both of them jump up quickly. She grabbed her cloak and slipped on her shoes in haste as he threw on his coat and quickly slipped on his boots. They came out of the treehouse in a hurry like bats out of a cave, Adrien was buckling hos coat together as Marinette was braiding her frizzy morning hair.
"What's going on?" Adrien said grasping Marinette around her waist then grasping the rope to bring them down seeing that a crowd of worried citizens were already gathering around worried about the news. The small boy was breathless as he watched them touch the ground and more people gathered around in haste and fear.
"The King sir, he has his men raiding town looking for the Princess," He said in a huff making people gasp and whisper while Adrien looked pissed and Marinette looked scared. Alya stood next to Nino pulling her own bedhead to a ponytail while Tikki was tieing her dress laces and standing next to a well-rested and sparkly-eyed but very concerned Plagg.
"They are destroying gardens, burning houses, and killing animals. They are hell-bent on finding her." He continued after catching his breath enough to speak.
Marinette slowly began to tear up in fear but she was fearful for only a moment before she looked around and fully saw the people, the forlorn outlaws who were still waking up and rubbing sleep from there eyes as their hangovers were dragging them behind but they were all determined as well as they all started gathering their weapons. Thena at the regular citizens who were sad and afraid but still tired from the early morning and who even had breakfast yet to fill up on energy. None of them were in any shape or form to fight today.
"Men gather your courage its time we move," Adrien shouted but he was stopped by a delicate hand.
"Wait, please." They all heard making them turn and see Princess Marinette.
"They are only looking for me right?" She asked looking into Adrien's eyes that grew in fear.
"Marinette, NO. We will fight for you, you will be safe." He said reaching out to bring her in for a hug, but she stepped out of his reach making him look hurt and confused.
"No Chaton. Your job is to protect the people." She said looking out at the people who were matching Cat Noir's concern and confusion.
"Princess we can fight we're all ready for this fight," Plagg said coming up to her and making most of the men shout in agreement.
Marinette grabbed her skirt and stood up on a log in determination.
"EVERYONE PLEASE!" She shouted making them all look at her.
"I hope you can forgive me but none of you are ready to fight today." She said making them all groan in disagreement as Adrien looked at her with betrayal.
"PLEASE!" She shouted with pleading as they all calmed down slowly.
"Look around at yourselves." She stated motioning around and making them all look at each other.
"Your all still waking up and most of you have hangovers and are starving as well." She said with great concern as they all hung their heads in shame as the realized that she was right.
"Not to mention King Gabriel has hundreds of soldiers out there and you all barely reach one hundred. Please forgive me but today is not the day to fight." She explained carefully.
"So what do you have in mind?" Adrien asked calmly and straightforward.
"I will go ahead and lead most of the guards back to the palace this will give you all more time to prepare. When they are gone you all can jump in and salvage who and what you can. Bring them back here, they will be safe, they can start over, and you will have more people to fight when the time comes." Marinette said looking around to everyone before finishing back at Adrien who looked disappointed but agreeing.
"Marinette I promised I would keep you safe," Adrien said coming up to stand below her and stare up at her with wide and sad eyes.
"I know Mon Chaton, but look at them," Marinette said ruffling his unruly blonde hair before motioning to the people, Adrien looked behind him at them all to see them all look tired and forlorn.
Marinette grasped his shoulders making him hold her delicately to help her down and stand before him.
"These people look to you as their leader to protect them and do what is right for them." She explained holding him close as he looked at her with puppy eyes.
"And as their future Queen as you announced last night then I have to do the same." She told him dejectedly bringing him into her embrace with squeezing him with affection.
"Gabriel is out thee hurting so many people just for me, its best that I will be a sacrificial goat and give myself to him for the safety of the people." She explained solemnly.
"I can't argue with your logic no matter how much I may want too." He said dejectedly as he just held her as close as he could. Marinette took his face in her hands and pulled him down to a loving, longing, and affectionate kiss, both wanting more but neither able to have.
"Everyone prepare yourselves for a raid on the burning city, salvage crops, food, animals, anything you can find and search for as many survivors as you can. We leave in half an hour, this will give the Princess and her Ladies time to pull the soldiers and my father back to the palace." Adrien shouted, no one spoke up against the idea but most agreed with it with all-around 'Yeah's'.
Marinette went back to Adrien and hugged his torso as they silently cried, Plagg and Nino came up behind Adrien as Alya and Tikki came up to Marinette. She pulled away slightly to look at his eyes but still held him around his waist.
"I know you will come and get me when the time is right." She said touching his forehead with her own then pressing her lips against his with longing and sealing this promise. They enjoyed their close proximity for only a moment before she pulled away they stared at each other with loss as they grew further apart until all that was left was their hands being held they enjoyed each others touch for the last moment and possibly the last time because neither knew when would be the next time they would see each other again or if at all.
"Alya, Tikki. Let's go." Marinette said as they looked at each other before their hands broke apart for the last time and the 3 ladies ran off.
"Battle stations," Adrien shouted with anger and determination quickly turning around to prepare for battle.