Hello readers! If you are just tuning in, I have changed the story! It would be best to go back and read from Chapter 1! Enjoy!
My days at Locksley Manor went by excruciatingly slow. Everything there felt so wrong. It felt wrong to be there without Robin. The majesty that I remembered from that one visit was gone. The whole castle felt empty.
I had to get out of the haunting manor so, one morning, I made my way to the small church on the outskirts of the village. Lord knows I could use the spiritual guidance.
Mass didn't start for a little while, so I had a few precious moments of silence to myself. I closed my eyes, absorbing the sweet silence, praying for my country, my sweetheart, and myself. All was at peace until the door to the church suddenly flew open, banging against the stone walls and causing me to nearly jump out of my seat. A short, round man with thinning gray hair donning the robes of a friar hurried down the aisle, mumbling fiercely to himself. It was hard to understand everything he was saying, he was talking very quickly, but I did manage to catch something about the Sheriff, his taxes, and the poor along with some colorful words that probably should not have come from a man of the cloth.
I loudly cleared my throat to subtly notify the friar of my presence. He started at the sound, whirling to face me. He looked confused and seemed just about to say so when the Abbott walked into the room. He was tall with silver hair and angular features. Something about his grin reminded me of a wolf.
I did not miss the sharp glare he turned on the friar before looking to me.
"Welcome, my child. I pride myself on recognizing every face in this parish, though your's seems to be escaping me. What is your name?" the Abbott asked, sitting in the pew in front of me.
"I'm not from here. My name is Marian," I smiled politely, silently wishing he would move on. Something about him made my skin crawl.
"Well we are happy to have you here," he nodded before eyeing the friar and heading to the back of the church to get ready. The friar lingered for only a moment before following. I said a silent prayer of both thanksgiving for his leave and penance for wanting the Abbott to go.
The mass went by peacefully. I couldn't help but notice both the lack of people as well as the lack of money offered for the poor box. These truly were trying times. After the final blessing, I went to find the bulbous friar. I had some serious confessing I needed to do.
"Excuse me, Friar," I said quietly, tapping his shoulder. He turned to face me, wide smile on his face that was already beginning to fade. I saw he had been talking to some children. It is amazing the way a child can seem to melt the troubles of the world away.
"Yes?" he asked expectantly, already returning to his standoffish demeanor.
"I need to take Confession," I murmured. He looked around before finally nodding and leading me to the Confessional.
In the dark little room with the screen between us, I finally felt alone. I took a few moments of silence to relish in the moment before beginning my confession.
"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been a month since my last Confession," I began. Had it really been that long?
"Go on, child," he encouraged in a soft voice, one that I never would have thought him to possess. Where was I to begin?
"I aided in the sin of stealing. I was cruel to those most dear to me. I took pleasure in the failings of those in power," now that I began, I couldn't seem to stop.
"And I am in love with an outlaw," I finished. I gasped. I hadn't planned on saying that, but now that I had, it felt right. My chest swelled. I loved Robin, both of Locksley and of the Hood.
"Well, it seems I should be the one praying for you, my dear," the Friar said after a moment. We both let out nervous laughter.
"These are trying times in England," he continued, "Up seems to be down and wrong turns into right."
He trailed off at the end, as if lost in his own thoughts.
"I am giving you three Hail Marys and two Our Fathers for penance," he mumbled hurriedly after a moment. He then absolved me of my sins and rushed out. I wanted to go after him, but instead I knelt in a pew and said my prayers. I prayed for forgiveness, but mostly I prayed for Robin's safety and that of his men.
Who is this mysterious Friar? Is he friend or foe? R&R!