An: were getting closer to the end now. This is the second to last chapter and I'm planning on having this story wraped up by newyear.
In all his glory
The following Tuesday morning was a busy one in Nottingham castle. A meeting of the Council of Nobles was to be held in the great hall.
Marion looked down from where she stood at the railing of the second floor. From her vantage point she had a clear view of the huge wooden doors that barred the entrance of the castle. On this particular morning a rather large group of gallantly dressed nobles had gathered in the entrance hall waiting for sheriff to arrive.
Needless to say, young lady Marion was curious… and she wasn't the only one…
"I don't understand, who are these people?!"
"Eligible bachelors, my lady" a castle maid explained with a curtsey. "They must have heard about you return and now they are curious."
"Curious, of me?! Don't be silly!"
"Sir Edward is a well-liked, highly respected man… and you're certainly pretty enough…. I'm sorry, my lady. I may be overstepping my boundaries here but I'm sure many men would like to court you, if and when you are ready for it."
"Court me?! They don't even know me!"
"Don't worry; I'm sure your father will handle it."
"That's what I'm afraid off," Marion sighed with her arms crossed over her chest. "It's my life, I should have a say in the matter, don't you think?!"
"I — I …yes, as a matter of fact I think you should," the girl nodded and looked at her shyly. "Come, let me show you something."
The maid, who introduced herself as Alice, led Marion through a maze of halls, finally stopping at a non-descript looking door.
"Where are we?"
"Wait, I'll show you," she pulled out a key and unlocked the door. "You, better keep your voice down, my lady," she added as the door swung open.
The room was dark and empty.
"I don't get it," Marion frowned.
"Ssh, the walls have ears," Alice motioned for her to stay quiet as they stepped inside the room. "This is a preparation room for meals and banquets," she explained in a whisper. "Now watch this ," she added as she walked over to the wall opposite the door and drew back a latch that opened a spy-hole. "This is how the servants keep check on the progress of the meal. It's a hole in the wall leading to the great hall."
"How convenient!" Standing on her tiptoes, Marion peered through the peek hole. "Wow, look at that!"
"I thought you'd like it. Just keep quiet and your presence will go by unnoticed."
Marion smiled widely and gave her thumbs up indicating that she understood.
"I'll leave you to it, " Alice nodded, turning to leave. "Have fun!," she added on her way out and with that she was gone.
Now, fun wasn't exactly the word anyone would associate with the Council of Nobles. The earl of this and the lord of that, gathered to discuss politics, law enforcement and current events while the sheriff settled disputes from his throne-like chair.
As the room filled and the doors closed Marian wondered briefly about the vacant chair to her father's right. She figured it must belong to someone of great importance seeing as her father didn't allow anyone else to take the seat despite the fact that the Great Hall was filled to the brim with people. Her musings was answered about fifteen minutes into the meeting when a footman entered the great hall to announce a late arrival
"Sir Robert of Locksley and his son, Robin of Locksley," the servant proclaimed formally.
Now, Locksley, there was a name she had not heard in a long time. She craned her neck to see the face of her father's old friend Robert and his son… Robin, was it?!
Wait a minute….Her eyes sought out the younger of the two men. "Robin" wasn't the most common of names in this part of the country. It couldn't be "her" Robin, the earl of Huntingdon, here in Nottingham. Surely the resemblance was just a trick of the morning light.
She deliberately closed her eyes for a few seconds. Remembered to breathe. Rubbed her temple. Opened her eyes and stared…. because there he was, Robin of Locksley, the earl of Huntingdon in all his glory.