A/N: We are now in season 1 episode 5.

Chapter 4

Lady Marian's Interference

Vaisey and Guy went off to check on the mines. I was left here to care for Nottingham. I did not mind at all. With them gone, there was no one to wake me up early for a change. Today, I enjoyed my rest.

When I got up, I threw on a simple dress and walked down the hallway, passing a girl walking towards the kitchen.

"What's for breakfast?" I asked her.

She appeared puzzled and muttered, "It's midday, My Lady."

"Oh right," I responded with a sigh. "Perhaps some bread then. I need something to eat."

"Yes, My Lady," she replied with a nod, before carrying on.

"Lady Laceyna," A male voice called from behind me.

I let out a disgusted groan. I hated it when people referred to me by my full name.

I turned and saw it was one of Vaisey's advisors.

"What?" I demanded.

"Lady Marian is here to see you," he informed me. "She's waiting out in the main hallway."

"Oh right," I grumbled, as I almost forgot she was supposed to come today.

Needless to say, Guy was pretty sour at me for not making it to Marian's the other say. I tried to tell him Robin and the other outlaws attacked me. However, other than the few scratched on my back from the tree bark, I appeared perfectly fine so my story was not quite convincing. I promised Guy I would attempt to reach out to her again.

I walked into the main hall and found Marian standing alone. She wore a simple red skirt and her now short hair rested neatly by her shoulders. She held her hands together in front of her. If she was nervous, she hid it well.

"Marian," I said, simply, not bothering with formality, "welcome in."

"Thank you, Lacey," she replied, looking down, "I appreciate your invitation, but I fail to understand why."

Marian was never one to shy away from the point. I can't say I don't admire that about her.

I hesitated to consider my words. "I… was hoping we could talk."

She tilted her head and looked at me, curiously. "Talk? That's all?"

I huffed. "No, that sounds way too dull when you put it that way. How about some archery?"

Marian appeared mildly startled by my suggestion but I still caught a smile for just a moment. However, she merely responded, "If that's what you wish to do."

We went out to the back behind the castle, where knights would sometimes practice. There were three target boards nailed against the trees.

I found that Marian turned out to be quite skilled, more so than me I daresay. She must practice on her own time. I never would have guessed.

"So," Marian began as she positioned her arrow. "We are alone now. What do you wish to talk about?"

She took a shot. The arrow pierced the center of the board. I held up my arrow, ready to shoot.

"I was wondering if you considered the idea of marriage," I began, letting go of my bow.

The arrow hit close to the center.

Marian sighed. "I know my father wishes it, but it seems there is no one nearby suitable for me."

I took in a breath. "How about Guy of Gisborne?"

Marian looked at me sharply for just a moment. However, she replied with avoiding eyes, "I did not think he was interested in me that way."

My jaw almost dropped. It could not be clearer Guy has feelings for Marian. She must be lying to me.

I pulled out another arrow, ready to shoot.

"Besides, I thought he and you were already arranged to be betrothed one day."

At that moment, I shot the arrow straight up at the tallest branch.

I turned to Marian in shock. "What do you mean? Are people saying that? It's not true!"

"Perhaps it is merely a rumor," Marian said, quietly.

"It most certainly is," I gritted, annoyed, before pulling out another arrow. "Anyway, I could not help but notice Guy's eyes seem to fall on someone else lately."

Marian's eyes did not move when she asked, "Oh really, and who might that be?"

I shrugged and answered simply, as I shot my arrow, "You."

I found I hit pretty close to the center with my shot. I turned back to Marian but found I could hardly read her expression. She still had the same stiff, controlled face, but she seemed to be at a loss for words.

Finally she responded with, "How can you be sure."

I merely giggled. "I think it's pretty obvious with the way he looks at you."

Marian did not answer.

"Would you ever perhaps consider becoming his wife?" I pressed on. "He's not that… I mean, he's really…"

As I fumbled my tongue, Marian stated clearly, "I'll admit he does have certain… qualities, but I am not planning to marry at this time."

I found that odd. Most girls of Marian's station marry younger than her for their families. Perhaps she simply doesn't want to marry. I supposed I could relate.

"As I was saying, Guy would be a great husband to you and make sure you are well off from this point on," I continued hopeful.

Now Marian let out a soft giggle. "If you think he's so great, perhaps you should marry him."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. This was getting me nowhere. How was I supposed to convince Marian that Guy of Gisborne had charming qualities but insist I don't want to marry him myself? I decided to call this off. If Guy want to take Marian for his wife, then he's just going to have to pursue her himself.

vVv

On the day of the archery contest, I sat to the left of Vaisey while Guy sat on his right. Marian positioned herself on Guy's other side as his honored guest. I glanced other and watched Guy awkwardly hold his hand out as an attempt to woe her. He did not seem to be getting far. I sighed and looked back to the archers.

Just as the next archer shot, a large man came tumbling up the stage in front of the board. The arrow barely missed him. He rushed up in front of us in violent coughs, frantically waving his hands.

"M… m…" He tried to say in between coughs.

I looked at Vaisey as he attempted to interpret.

"I think he wants us to follow him," Vaisey muttered.

"MINES!" the man finally got out.

"Mines! ROBIN HOOD!" Vaisey roared in realization, spinning his head. "Gisborne, Lacey! Let's go!"

Guy started to follow, but I only stood up. "Wait! One of us has to stay and continue the contest."

Vaisey rolled his eyes. "You do it then if it's so important!"

As the Sheriff and Guy rode off, I could not help but smirk. I get to be in charge of the contest. Whatever Robin Hood did to the mines, actually worked in my favor.

I sat myself in the Sheriff's chair, sitting boldly, and looked over to Marian. "Lady Marian, why not sit beside me in Guy's chair?"

Without a word, she merely nodded and slid over beside me.

I stood up and announced, "People of Nottingham, the competition will continue. I will decide who takes with them, the silver arrow. Perhaps if I decide I like you, the victor will get even more from me…"

I sat down and waved my hand for the contest to continue. I glanced behind me and realized no one even bothered to bring out the sliver arrow. That's what happens when Vaisey's in charge.

I leaned over to Marian and whispered, "I'm going to go get the silver arrow quickly. I'll be back."

She looked at me curiously. "Why not send for it?"

I shrugged. "I just think it would be better if it stayed in my grasps until a winner is announced.

I went inside and found it in the room I know Vaisey left it in. There was no guard and no lock whatsoever. I'm surprised no one stole it. It was merely sitting on a red square pillow.

Just as I placed my hand on the arrow, I heard a voice from behind. "Don't move!"

I put my hands up and groaned, assuming this person had a weapon.

"Can I at least turn around?" I asked him.

"Slowly," he huffed.

As commanded, I gradually turned my body and saw a young man, barely out of boyhood, positioning a bow and arrow, directly at me.

I tilted my head behind me, nodding towards the silver arrow. "I suppose that's what you want? If you're so confident in your shooting, why not enter the competition? I'll let you have the next shot if you like."

He did not answer so I continued, "Look, with the Sheriff gone, I'm in charge of the contest. I can assure you win if you let me go now. As long as I declare a winner before he gets back…"

"I don't care about some ridiculous contest," he uttered darkly.

I kept my arms raised and asked, "What do you want?"

"Gisborne," he gritted. I could see angry tears start to accumulate in his eyes.

I shrugged and replied, "Well, go after him if that's what you want. I won't stop you."

"I want him to suffer!" he cried out, "Just like I did?"

I took a step back and quietly asked, "What did Guy do to you?"

"He killed my father!" the boy declared, pulling his bow back, "Now, I will make him feel the same pain I felt!"

When the realization crept up my spine, my jaw dropped. "By killing me? That won't hurt him."

"Yes, it will!" he insisted. "You're his betrothed, the one he truly loves!"

I shook my head in disbelief. I might actually die because of false gossip in this town. I could not let that happen.

"Listen," I stated, trying to suppress the mixture of shaking and rage in my tone. "I'm not the one Guy wants to marry. If you kill me, you will be doing him a grand favor! I'm the only thing that stands in the way of him becoming the next Sheriff of Nottingham, and under his rule, more people just like your father will die! Is that what you want?"

He started to lower his arrow, but still appeared doubtful. "But I heard Gisborne was in love and intended to marry… Well, if it's not you then who is it?"

"It's…"

I started to speak but could not bring myself to finish. I don't know why I struggled to simply say Marian. It's not as though we were friends at any time.

"I'm the one Guy of Gisborne intends to marry."

Lady Marian emerged causing the boy to whirl around and point the arrow at her instead. I could quietly creep away but my feet did not move.

"Wait…" I started to say but was soon interrupted.

"Make one move and she dies this instant!" the boy raged.

"Your father died in the mines, didn't he?" Marian asked him.

"How do you know that?" he demanded, still pointing his arrow at her.

Marian looked down. "I can't really say, but I can tell you he would not want you to throw away your life."

The young boy repeated the same words he spoke to me about vengeance and making Guy suffer. Instead of fighting back or begging for her life, Marian quietly suggested he win the silver arrow and use it to help people. To my surprise, she actually seemed to be getting through to him.

This was my moment. I reached my hand behind to quietly take the arrow and make a getaway. However, right as my hand was about to touch to silver, I felt someone grasps my wrists and twist my arm.

"Going somewhere, my lady?"

"Damn it, Robin Hood," I grumbled starting to struggle, until he pulled a dagger to my neck.

"Listen carefully," Hood went on. "This is what's going to happen. Before the Sheriff returns, I'm going to shoot for Rowan, and you're going to announce him as the winner and…" he tapped my finger with the silver arrow, "personally hand him his prize. Do you understand?"

I struggled to break free but his grip tightened.

"Robin, let her go," Marian said, exasperated. "I'll talk to her."

"No," Robin Hood said to her. "I want to hear her agree, right now."

Marian moved her eyes to me. "Come now, Lacey. You have nothing to lose by this. After all, you wanted to elect and announce the victor yourself. Neither the Sheriff or the people will know Robin Hood had anything to do with your decision."

I huffed and nodded. "Fine, I'll do it. You have my word."

Hood placed the silver arrow in my hand and patted my cheek. "There. That's a good girl."

I rolled my eyes and made my way back to the Sheriff's chair, desperately hoping he and Guy would not return soon. Marian sat beside me. The next man to shoot wore a hood and announced himself as Rowan, but Marian and I were the only ones that knew very well it was Robin Hood.

Just as he shot his arrow, Vaisey and Guy came thundering in. Just as expected, the shot was perfect.

"That's Hood!" Vaisey roared, pointing at the man. "That's Robin Hood! Somebody get him!"

I stood up, still clutching the arrow, and argued. "That's not him! I saw his face."

Vaisey ignored me and ordered his men the grab the archer. I rushed over to them, trying to think quickly.

"Let him go!" I ordered. "It's not Robin Hood. This is our champion."

"Take off his hood!" Vaisey shouted over me.

The guards did as ordered and pulled back the man's hood. It turned out to be Rowan. I let out a relieved breath.

I turned to Vaisey and said, "I told you. Now, can you release him so I can award him his prize?"

Caught off guard, Vaisey merely nodded. "Yes… uh, congratulations young man."

The Sheriff stormed off with Gisborne behind him. I shrugged and announced Rowan as the winner and handed him the silver arrow.

"Good luck with whatever you plan to do with this," I said to him. "I hope since I helped you out here you don't plan on trying to kill me again."

"You have my word," Rowan insisted. "You could have easily joined the Sheriff since he returned and had both me and Robin Hood arrested. Instead, you kept to our agreement. I won't forget that."

After he walked off, Marian stepped beside me.

"You know, you did not have to announce yourself as the one Guy intended to marry back there," I pointed out to her. "That only put your life in danger instead of mine."

Instead of responding to that, she reminded me, "Back there, you said to Rowan that if Guy becomes the next Sheriff he will only continue his work."

I shrugged. "Yeah… probably. What of it?"

"You also said, you were the only one that stood in the way of that," she reminded me. "Does that mean, if you become Sheriff, you will start doing things differently?"

I looked at her, thrown off by her question. "I… um… I guess I never really gave it much thought."

"Well, you've seen now, how the people suffer under the current Sheriff's rule," Marian continued. "You do have the power to put a stop to it and make this town a better place for the people who live in it. If you show you care about them, they in return will support you out of devotion, rather than fear."

I was at a loss for words. I never realized just how insightful Marian until this moment. I did not know what to make of her advice.

Could I really change this place? Do I even want to?

A part of me knew, I really should take to heart what Marian just said. After all, if not for her, I may not even be alive right now.