Upon returning to Nottingham Castle, I tried to sneak quietly back to my room in an attempt to avoid a certain blonde. My efforts, however, were in vain; I was discovered by Charlotte moments later.
"Come, I must speak with you," she pulled me away to the garden. She wove through the maze of trees, bushes, and flowers until we were finally so entangled in the bushes and rows of trees that even I didn't know where we were. Which begged the question of how Charlotte was going to get us out.
We finally sat on a couple of large rocks.
"Marian…I am so sorry!" she began.
"Whatever for?" I asked a bit confused.
"For leaving you! I didn't mean to! My horse, it just took off, and I was so scared, and," she was babbling. I smiled and placed my hand on her knee.
"It's not your fault. And I'm fine!" I reassured her. She gave me a small smile.
"So, did anything…happen?" she asked after a moment.
I thought about it. She had no idea how heavy that question was. Yes, I suppose a lot happened. I got to see Much after years of missing him. I met a band of outlaws. I'd somewhat reconciled with Robin Hood, but there was no way I could tell her that.
I simply said, "They just questioned me is all."
"About what?"
"The Sheriff's plans and whatnot. Nothing of importance."
"Did you tell them anything?" she asked me warily. I chuckled.
"Of course not! The moment they left me alone, I escaped and ran as fast as I could to Nottingham!" I was enjoying making up such an elaborate story.
"Marian, you are so…brave," she breathed. I rolled my eyes in a very unladylike manner.
"Oh, Marian!" she shrieked suddenly. I jumped up, thinking something bad was about to happen. She merely laughed.
"Guess who came by to see me today!" Oh, that was all. I let out a nervous laugh and sat back down. I suppose my kidnapping did have an effect on me.
"Who?" I asked, even though it didn't matter if I'd asked or not. Either way, she was going to tell me.
"The Duke of York!" she squealed. I laughed and hugged her. That was great! Personally, I wasn't fond of him. I found him arrogant as well as ignorant. But he was charming, nice looking, and wealthy; a truly worthy suitor for my dear friend, Lady Charlotte.
"Charlie, that's great!" I cheered with her.
"Yes, he asked me to come visit him this summer! Isn't it just amazing! Imagine, Marian, I could be the future Duchess of York!" she sighed with a faraway look in her eye. I giggled.
"A worthy title for you, my dear," I curtseyed. She laughed and pushed me over. We continued our fit of giggles. Eventually, the laughter ceased and her blue eyes turned on me.
"I see that's the second time our dear Guy of Gisborne has saved you from the outlaws," she smiled slyly. I rolled my eyes again.
"What?" she asked innocently, "I'm just saying that it would be nice for the both of us to settle down! We could even have a double wedding!"
Somehow a double wedding was not something I had in plan for the near future, or even the future at all for that matter. What did I need a man for? All men do are make promises they can't keep and leave you the moment something better comes up. They are not reliable. No, I was perfectly fine relying on myself.
"Marian," Charlotte's face was somber now, "I meant what I said when we were riding. You can't wait around forever for whoever it is you keep thinking about. Eventually, you'll have to accept that and settle down. Why not just do it now when you have someone that cares an awful lot about you?"
She was talking about Guy, I knew. He did care about me. He was stable. He was wealthy. He would take care of me. But I didn't want to be taken care of, not yet anyway, and not by him. I didn't care about money. I didn't care about Guy in that way.
To suffice my friend, I simply nodded in agreement. There was no sense in fighting with her when I couldn't honestly back up my reasons. I didn't even really know them myself.
Somewhere in the distance, a church bell rang. The bell kept dinging until it showed that it was already five o'clock. I must've stayed in the forest longer than I'd thought. I bid Charlotte goodbye saying that I had to get ready for dinner. She followed me out, and we went to our separate rooms.
One hour later, I was dressed in a long midnight blue gown with elbow length sleeves. My hair was pulled into a side braid. I walked into the dining hall and took my place next to Charlotte. One by one, people began to file in: visiting nobles, servants, guards. Finally, the Sheriff and Guy walked in, and once they sat, the meal was served.
I sat quietly eating while the men discussed politics and what not. That was fine with me. I preferred to speak as little with the Sheriff and his guests as possible. It left me less of a chance to say something I'd end up regretting.
Which is why when the Sheriff turned to address me, I was a bit surprised.
"Marian, I hear you've been having some problems with the outlaws."
I glanced up from my meal.
"Oh no, they just have a bit of trouble remembering their place is all," I smiled. Surely he would appreciate my condescension and disapproving tone regarding the outlaws. As predicted, he smirked.
"Well, fear not, my dear, we have something planned. They won't be a bother to you much longer," he assured. Something planned? That did not sound good.
"With all due respect, my Lord, what is it you have planned?" I asked cautiously.
"You will see in due time," he answered.
"I do not like surprises, Sheriff," I shot back a little too quickly. Charlotte whispered for me to be quiet, but I kept staring at him. He stared right back. After what felt like centuries, he let out a chuckle.
"We have captured one of his men. We plan on hanging in tomorrow," he explained. I gasped. Charlotte did the same. Neither of us was fond of hangings. I always thought it quite unnecessary, the way the Sheriff seemed to overuse the threat. People didn't need to die for things like stealing a loaf of bread. Desperate societies create desperate people who do desperate things.
"Brilliant plan, Sheriff," I managed to reply before turning my attention back to my dinner. Somehow, it seemed a little less appetizing.
After I'd finished, I excused myself and went to my room. I sat at my windowsill, thinking. I had to do something. I'd only just met Robin's men. I couldn't watch one of them die.
As I sat there and watched the sun sink lower and lower into the sky, I realized I could not simply do nothing, but what could I do? I couldn't very well search for Robin. I had no idea where he was and by the time I found him, it might be too late. The moon rose, and an idea came to me. Not a particularly good idea, but it was better than nothing.
At around midnight, when I was sure everyone was asleep, I lit a candle. I slipped out of my room and made my way down the hall. It was dark, and the various statues and suits of armor that flanked these corridors cast eerie shadows on the wall. I had half a mind of to turn back, but a voice that sounded a lot like Robin's pushed me on. I could be this man's only hope.
After what seemed like an eternity of walking, I descended the steps into the castle jail. As I rounded the corner, I saw the cell I was looking for…guarded. I should've thought of that! Suddenly, something caught my eye. It was a jug of some liquid. I lifted it and smelled it: rum, perfect! It must have been left there from an earlier post. I grabbed the jug and walked over to the guards.
However, as I approached, I heard the soft snores of sleeping men. They'd fallen asleep at their post! Thankfully there was no reason for the rum, but I kept it with me anyway. The guards could still wake up and something told me I'd need a little liquid courage to accomplish my mission.
As they snoozed I searched their belts. When I found the key, I slipped it off its hook. The guard shifted a bit, but his breathing remained rhythmic and steady as he continued to doze.
Keys in hand, I approached the door. There was a figure crouched in the corner. I knocked quietly. I didn't know what to call out, and I didn't want to wake the guards. The figure moved a bit.
"Hello," I called very softly. Finally, he opened his eyes. They looked at me curiously. I gestured for him to come. He moved cautiously towards me. If we kept this up, I was going to get caught!
At last, his face emerged from the shadows. I noticed a gash above dark eyes. It was Will Scarlet. How did he get caught? It didn't matter. I hadn't the time for meaningless questions. Right now, I had to get Will out of there.
"Will, it's me."
"Marian?" he asked in a gravelly voice, "What are you doing here?"
"Here," I tossed him the keys, turned on my heel, and walked away. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. Everything he needed to escape he now held; it was up to him to use it.
I passed the guards on my way out, sending up a prayer of thanks that they were still sound asleep. As I crept out of the prison, I heard the faint clicking of a key in a lock.
What will be the consequence of Marian's actions? Will she be found out? R&R!