Perhaps you know the legend of Robin Hood. Perhaps you know me. I'm the one he fell for. His story was never mine to tell, but I can tell my story, one that will forever be entwined with his. I'm the Maid Marian and this is the story of me and my Robin Hood.
"I didn't realize Gisborne had taken such a liking to you," my father mumbled angrily as we each sipped new, fresh cups of tea. Guy's unexpected visit had taken a visible toll on the both of us, but I managed to calm down enough to tell my father about Guy's advances at the castle.
"Yes, well, I assure you none of it was my doing," I said, more disgustingly than I intended. We fell into silence.
"I'll tell him he does not have my blessing."
"It won't matter."
More silence.
"You could run," he said quietly. I stared at him.
"What makes you think he would not catch me?" I asked seriously. My father smiled.
"We both know you are more clever than that. Something tells me you have friends in low places."
I thought on it. Maybe I should go to Robin for help.
"I don't want to put anyone in danger," I replied.
"You mean you don't want to put him in danger," my father shot back immediately. I had nothing else to say. He was absolutely right. I couldn't bear to put Robin in danger just for me, he had enough to worry about. It would be selfish on my part.
"I'll handle it," I assured him.
We finished our tea and I bade my father goodbye, deciding I should return to Locksley sooner than anticipated to prepare as much as I could for Guy's return.
"Don't be a stranger," he said, kissing my forehead.
"I won't. I love you father," I hugged him. I don't know who had a harder time letting go, but eventually we parted ways. I gathered my things onto my horse and made my way into Sherwood.
Riding through the dense woods, I found myself feeling anxious, not to get through the forest, but to be interrupted on my journey.
"Well look what we have here," a playful voice came from behind me, as if on cue. I felt myself smile as I turned to face Robin Hood.
"I was wondering if you'd show," I commented, facing my horse in his direction.
"Don't you know it's not safe for a lady to travel this forest alone? It's practically infested with outlaws," he warned, sauntering up to me.
"Then I must be quite lucky to have happened upon you," I teased back.
"Yes, it is I, your knight in shining armor," Robin bowed with a flourished. I couldn't stop myself from laughing. He smiled, clearly pleased with the outcome of his joke.
"In all seriousness, what are you doing out here, Marian?" he asked once my laughter subsided.
"I am returning to Locksley from visiting my father," I replied, the somber nature of my journey returning to me.
"You alright?" Robin clearly picked up on the sudden shift in mood.
"Yes, just tired," I lied, "Are you alone?"
"As a matter of fact, yes, and I could use a lift back to camp if you don't have to return immediately."
"You got yourself out here, surely you can get yourself back," I continued to tease.
"I could, but then I would lose the company of a beautiful lady," he gazed at me. I was joking, but he was serious. Perhaps a detour was exactly what I needed.
"Very well. Lucky for you that I have come to your rescue, hop on." He gave me a funny look.
"Oh, if you want a ride, I'm steering," I assured him. This time he laughed and climbed on behind me. I swallowed butterflies as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"No blindfold this time," I stated.
"No blindfold this time," he agreed, guiding me through our home, our Sherwood forest.
Quicker than I expected, we were at his camp. I supposed it was closer to Locksley than Nottingham.
The camp erupted into a cacophony of heys and hellos when they saw us.
"Marian! So great to see you again!" Much hugged me once I dismounted.
"You as well, Much!"
He looked like he was about to say more when someone screeched his name.
"MUCH! You're burning the food! I give you one job and…"
A round man in friar's robes stomped into the middle of the camp. He stopped his rant once he saw me.
"Don't I know you?" I asked him the same time he gasped.
"Maid Marian?!"
"You're the friar from the church in Locksley!" I exclaimed.
"What are you doing here?" the friar more demanded than asked.
"You know Friar Tuck?" Robin asked.
"We've met, yes," I continued to gaze at Friar Tuck. What he had said to me during Confession made so much more sense now.
He continued to avoid my stare.
"It's wonderful to see you again," I gave him my most winning smile in an effort to ease his nerves.
"You as well, Milady," he smiled back, "Now where is that boy?"
Friar Tuck stomped off, as Much had conveniently disappeared.
"Those two…" Robin chuckled, "Always something."
Busy staring after the friar, I didn't notice Robin had left my side. I searched around until a whistle caught my attention. Robin smiled down at me from a ladder leading into one of the tree huts.
"Well? Are you coming?" he called down expectantly.
I was in no way dressed to ascend into a tree, but, being the stubborn maiden I am, I rolled up my sleeves, hiked up my skirts, and climbed after him.
Once he had made it to the top, he stretched his hand down to me and helped pull me the rest of the way up. Gazing over the fragile railing, I was glad I did not look down as I climbed. I absently grabbed for Robin to steady myself. The height was dizzying.
Robin held my hand tightly as he led me across one of the rickety bridges.
"Where are we going?" I asked. My squeaky voice was embarrassing, but, if Robin noticed, he did not let on.
"I want to show you something."
He opened the door to one of the larger huts. Two men and a women were working inside. I recognized Davey, but not the other two. Glancing away from the workers, the contents of the hut stole my breath away. There were jewels of all shapes and sizes, gold encrusted chests filled with coins, crowns, jewelry, and all manner of royal apparel. The riches in this room had to encompass a solid portion of the royal treasury.
"Robin, where…" I don't know if I couldn't or didn't need to finish the sentence.
"The rich prey on the poor, Marian. The system isn't helping them. We've exercised every option. This is the only way to even the odds," Robin's explanation came out all at once, like he was desperately trying to get me to understand his situation.
"You steal from the rich...to feed the poor," I commented, noticing that Davey and the other two workers were deliberately separating the loot into bags for delivery.
All at once, I was faced with the morality of it all. Stealing was wrong, but look at how twisted England had become. Thieves were celebrated heroes and those in power wielded it as a child would his father's sword. We have become what our situation has demanded of us, and that was unsettling for me.
"Are you disappointed?" he whispered so only I could hear. I gazed into his emerald eyes, contemplating my answer.
"I think," I began, walking out of the hut, "I think that these are desperate times. We do what we must to survive."
A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. He seemed satisfied with my answer, and so was I.
"Oy, Rob, look at what we caught today!" someone called from down below. We both peered over the railing, meeting the gaze of John Little, Much, and three other companions I had yet to meet. Robin let out a cheer. The five men had two bucks, three rabbits, two squirrels and a net full of fish.
"This ought to feed us for at least two weeks!" Much shouted.
"It would seem you have brought us luck, darling," Robin murmured into my ear. Then, to my surprise, he kissed my cheek. Before I could respond, he was already descending the ladder to the ground.
Part of me was thankful. Hopefully, from this height, he couldn't see me blush. A larger part of me wished he was still by my side, so, after composing myself, I followed my outlaw.
Has Marian officially chosen a side with the outlaws? What of her feelings for Robin? Will she tell him about Guy's proposal? R&R!