"Goodness, Marian, tell me you have chosen a gown for tonight," my friend, Charlotte, demanded. She was the Sheriff's niece and moved into Nottingham Castle indefinitely when I arrived. We were from two ends of the spectrum but somehow we got along.

When I had first arrived at the castle and was shown to my room, I stayed locked in there for days crying. I cried for my mother, for my father, and for my village. All the tears I had held in from that night came pouring out for the next three days until a knock came at my door. It was Charlotte; I had told her to go away, but she wouldn't leave. She threatened to have my door broken down and me thrown into the dungeon, so I finally gave in. She marched in, took one look at me, and left. She returned an hour later with a plethora of dresses all different styles and colors. As she was putting my clothes away she chattered on and on while I blatantly ignored her until she finally told me that I needed to get off my butt and do something with myself. She obviously didn't understand what I was going through, but she was right. She told me exactly what my father would have. Our hesitant acquaintanceship evolved into a surprising friendship. Charlotte became my rock in the prison that was Nottingham Castle.

I glanced at her from my perch at the window. Her golden blonde hair cascaded down her back all the way to her waist and her tall, dainty figured towered over me. Her baby blue eyes stared at me with disbelief. I shot her an innocent smile.

"You don't have a gown yet?!" she cried despairingly. I couldn't help but laugh. She could be a real drama queen sometimes.

"Calm down, Charlie, I'll just wear one I have," I explained, walking over to my closet that had gradually grown over the years. Every time I opened it, a wave of nausea swept over me. How could I have so much while the masses had so little?

"You're not serious, are you?" she asked.

I rolled my eyes, bracing myself for the lecture I knew I was about to be served.

"Goodness, you are! Marian! This is the BIGGEST night of my LIFE! It's my birthday, AND I'm officially being introduced to the world. I WANT to find a nice suitor!" she whined, dragging me out of my room and down the hall no doubt to the tailor's room. Funny how everyone seemed to do that to me, drag me around I mean. I might as well be a child's play thing.

My assumption was correct; moments later we were in the castle tailor's room.

"Hello," she smiled, "My friend here needs a dress for tonight. I was thinking a deep purple with long sleeves and a flowing skirt. And gold! Lace gold into there somewhere!" she exclaimed. The tailor nodded as Charlotte left, mumbling quietly about colors and dresses and how clueless I could be.

"And don't forget the mask!" Charlotte called. Charlotte's birthday ball was a masquerade.

"Thank you," I nodded to the tailor before following Charlotte out.

We spent the rest of the day talking and walking about the castle. Well, Charlotte was really doing all the talking as I pretended to listen. Since I was taken to Nottingham, I was slowly given more and more freedom. At first, I was able to leave the castle as long as I did not leave Nottingham. Then I was allowed to visit my father, but I always had to return to Nottingham, my prison.

For all of my complaining, life in the castle wasn't completely unbearable, but it was close. As the years passed, my faith in Robin's promise began to fade. Eventually, I moved the ring to my other hand, but I kept it on the same finger. For some reason, I couldn't bear to part with it. To my dismay, Guy, who had come to take his father's place after his "sudden" death, began to show interest in me. I couldn't let him know about Robin's promise to me; it could be dangerous if Robin did return. The less Guy knew of me, the better.

I found myself wondering about him, Robin I mean, as I stared out into the distant Sherwood. How I missed the forest. I longed for its earthy smell, the sounds of critters in the underbrush, the feel of freedom and peace. How I missed the freedom. No matter how much freedom I may have been granted from my imprisonment, I would always feel like a prisoner here, always.

"Um, Marian, are you alright?" Charlotte asked me.

I came back to reality.

"Yes, I'm fine," I smiled.

"Well, your dress ought to be just about done," she smiled, "Let's go see!" She began to run through the corridors. I followed.

Minutes later, I was fitted into my gown for the evening as Charlotte circled me like an animal, making quiet comments now and again. It was a deep, practically ink purple as she had ordered. Gold was laced through the corset, shining through the dark fabric. Tiny golden jewels also bedazzled the dress like stars in the night sky. The sleeves were long and came to a point at my middle finger and the mask was made of the same fabric as the dress. It too was bedazzled with jewels. Gold feathers shot up on the left corner like sparks from a fire. My brown hair fell into curls down my back. With everything on, I looked truly beautiful, and I hated it.

"Okay, what's wrong?" Charlotte asked. I turned away from the mirror to face her.

"Nothing," I smiled, fidgeting with my hair.

"Come on, Marian, I know you better than that. What's the matter?"

I shrugged.

"I just, really want to give you your birthday present!" I lied. Well, it wasn't a total lie; I did want to give my present to her. It was a beautiful midnight blue scarf that I thought would bring out her eyes.

"Oh, well, I guess if you really want to, it would be alright…" she tried to make excuses as I walked over to my bureau. I opened one of the drawers and pulled out a neatly wrapped present. I handed it to her.

Charlotte immediately ripped into it. As she uncovered the lid, her eyes grew wide. There was a certain shine in them as she held the scarf up to her face.

"Oh, Marian, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed. She ran over and hugged me.

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome," I giggled.

"Well, I have to be going get ready! The party is going to start soon!" she laughed as she skipped out. I waved after her. I had about an hour until the party started, and I couldn't change out of my dress, so I was pretty much stuck. I decided to talk a walk outside. I needed some fresh air.

The castle had a beautiful garden filled with various trees and the most beautiful flowers. There were little benches and even a small pond. Rows and rows of fruit trees lined pathways, so it was easy to stay out here all day. I often came out here alone to think.

Unfortunately, today I was not alone. As I sat on one of the larger rocks near the pond, I could feel eyes watching me. I turned and met the dark gaze and slack jaw of Guy of Gisborne.

"Hello, Sir Guy," I greeted before turning back to the pond. I silently wished he would leave. I could feel his gaze burning my back. Finally, I had enough. I rose and turned to face him as he continued to stare.

"You know it's rude to stare," I informed as I walked into a row of cherry trees. Guy followed.

"Forgive me, milady. But, your beauty…has me mesmerized," he explained. I faced him.

"Thank you," I replied, feeling rather uncomfortable. I looked up at the orange and purple streaked sky. The sun was just beginning its descent; it was almost time for the party.

"I must go, Sir Guy. Charlotte will be expecting me," I excused, trying to make my escape.

"Marian," he caught me hand. I glanced down at it, and then up at him.

"I hope you will save a me a dance…"

I sighed.

"Of course, Sir Guy, now I must go," I curtseyed before returning to the castle; glad to be free of him. I made my way to Charlotte's room. She was just putting the finishing touches on her hair when I walked in.

"Wow," I breathed, "You look beautiful."

And she did. Her gown was an ivory color. Her sleeves were puffy and flowed slowly and gracefully every time she moved. Silver embroidery was sewn throughout the dress. While my dress hung loosely from me, hers covered a hoop. Her blond hair was braided down her back and it, too, was laced with silver. Her mask matched her gown like mine. My best friend was glowing.

"Thank you," she grinned. Trumpets blared somewhere in the castle announcing the beginning of the party. Charlotte squealed, grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the ballroom.

The ballroom was decorated beautifully. Ivory tapestries hung from the ceiling. Gold and silver glittered throughout the room, from glasses, to plates, to champagne and more. It was as if someone lassoed the stars and painted them across the ceiling. It was dazzling, and matched my dear friend perfectly.

People already filled the beautiful space. Colors spun through the room as couples danced to the lively tune. Everything seemed perfect.

Charlotte danced the night away with suitors from all across the land. I danced as well and had a surprisingly good time until the tempo of the music slowed and Guy approached me. I had been avoiding him all night apparently in vain.

"Lady Marian," he bowed slightly, "Might I have this dance?"

He offered me his hand. I nodded and took it. He led me through the slow dance. We stepped and turned and began again. We twirled and twirled around the floor with the other couples. I caught a glimpse of Charlotte who was smiling and laughing with some duke.

All of a sudden, in the midst of the twirling and dancing, someone screamed.

"Thieves!" the feminine voice shrieked. I could see people being pushed around. Before I knew it, three men shoved passed me. I could've sworn I heard one of them laugh.

Seconds later, chaos erupted. Guy called out to his men, charging after the bandits and leaving me in the middle of the dance floor, alone. That was perfectly fine with me.

I managed to slip out of the ballroom and into one of the corridors. Guy and his men were shouting in the distance. I inched toward the sound. This was the most action I had seen since I arrived; I wasn't going to miss a moment.

I entered the hallway near the garden. The shouting of Guy's men began to fade. I ran to try to catch them, but to no avail. Amidst my disappointment, I heard soft footsteps just in front of me. I froze, glancing around. There was a large candelabrum lighting the hallway. I grabbed it, sank into the shadows against the wall, and waited.

A man appeared moments later. He was dressed fairly nicely; he could've easily blended with the crowd. But a closer look revealed the formal wear of a commoner. I recognized the similarities between his and the clothes I used to wear.

He was also wearing a mask, so I couldn't see his face. He was, however, carrying a small chest I recognized as Charlotte's jewelry box. I couldn't let him take that, not on her birthday!

As soon as he passed me, I stepped out of the shadows.

"Excuse me!" I called sweetly. The thief stopped in his tracks. Cautiously, he turned to face me. I studied him carefully, my hand resting on the candelabrum.

"Good evening to you, milady," he bowed mockingly before turning to go. As if he would get away so easily.

"Where are you going with that?" I asked, gesturing to the chest. We were both quiet for a moment, only staring at one another. He gathered his thoughts, and I waited for an answer I knew wouldn't come.

"Look, people are starving. They need this money! Of course, I don't expect you to understand," he spat. I was taken aback. I didn't understand? Of course I understood! Did he think I could not see what was happening to England? I knew people were starving! I knew people were poor! And I did everything in my power to help them! I did what I could within and without the walls of the castle to at least try to alleviate some hardships on the people. I, unfortunately, was one woman, and could only do so much. It pained me more than this outlaw could know that I could see first hand the damage the Sheriff was inflicting on Nottingham and all the surrounding towns. I saw what Prince John was doing to England, and was powerless to stop it.

"I do understand," I muttered, clearly surprising him.

"But I can't let you take that," I finished pulling the candelabrum from its place, ready to strike. I still practiced my fighting skills as my father and Robin had once taught me. Practicing in a small room was very different compared to a large forest, but this outlaw didn't need to know that.

"And why not?"

"Because that belongs to my friend," I explained.

"Well then," he smirked, entertainment evident in his voice, "I guess we're going to have to fight for it."

"I was hoping you'd say that," I smiled. With his invitation, I swung the candelabrum, nailing him in the stomach. He keeled over…laughing.

Almost immediately, he recovered and grabbed the candelabrum. He flung me around against the hard, stone, wall. I think he thought I would be that easy to beat. He had another think coming.

I jumped up and kicked him. This time, though, it hurt. Using this precious time of confusion, I brought his head down on my knee and then moved to punch him when he caught my hand.

His nose was bleeding and his lip had been cut badly. Good, he'd gotten what he deserved. I wasn't finished just yet, not even close. I hadn't felt this alive in years.

He twisted my arm behind my back, so I kicked him in the shin. He fell to the floor and I was about to finish him off when I heard more footsteps. Guy and his men were here. Fantastic. How was I going to explain this?

I grabbed Charlotte's chest and ran. Now the footsteps were coming from both directions. What could I tell him? That I was just passing through and got lucky? That some guard swooped in and saved me?

Fortunately, it was not Guy that I had to answer to. Unfortunately, it was the elusive band of thieves. There were more than I had counted at the ball; I was surrounded.

"Well, what have we here?" one of them snickered, circling me.

"You alright there, Alan?" another laughed.

"What'ya got there, love," still another gestured to the box in my hands. That voice. That voice sounded somewhat familiar.

I was about to answer them with something awful when shouts sounded in the distance that could only be Guy and his men.

"What do we do?" one of the men asked the guy who'd asked me about Charlotte's jewelry chest. All eyes looked to him. He had his hood down, so I couldn't make out any of his features.

"The girl," the guy I had just beaten, Alan, suggested. Everyone turned to him for an explanation, including me. What could they use me for?

"We keep her as a hostage for our ticket out of the castle."

My throat suddenly felt dry.

"No, we don't do that," the leader I concluded, said.

"You got a better idea? We can make it up to her later! Right now, we need to get out of here!" Alan exclaimed as the shouts continued to grow louder. The leader seemed torn. He didn't speak for moments that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Finally he nodded.

"Alright, we take her. But no harm comes to her," he ordered. I immediately whirled around to run, but one of the outlaws, an extremely large and burly one, grabbed me. I struggled against his strong grip. I cried out, but his big hands covered my mouth before any sound could escape me.

The five thieves jumped into the garden with me in tow. At the far wall, there was a rope ladder waiting. One at a time, they nimbly scaled the wall. My captor heaved me up onto his back and began the climb. He was strong; I'd give that to him.

Once everyone was over the wall they took off running and didn't stop until we were in a dark place.

The smells, the sounds, the feel, even in the dark of the night I knew exactly where they'd taken me…Sherwood Forest.

Marian's back in Sherwood! What secrets await her there? R&R!