Part 4

Still hidden in the undergrowth the gang listened to the speech Guy had prepared and rehearsed for his populace. "Today is a day of joy for me…"

"That sounds familiar," Marian said dryly and Allan winked at her.

"Today is the day I present to you my wife……"

"How could she?" Much said shaking his head. "And how could he?"

"I do not think she had a choice, I know her well remember?" Robin said his voice like a double bladed sword.

"Then we must find out why, why he forced her to marry him," Much added.

"I think that is clear," said Marian having almost been his wife herself.

"It is?" put in Will.

Robin took a look at Marian and reached for her hand, none of the gang could give him the support he needed right now like she could; she squeezed his arm gently to let him know she understood him entirely. He did not trust himself to speak and not sound like some half crazed animal, he looked at her again and she nodded in response.

"He must know something and used it to his advantage to ensure her only choice is marriage…to him," Marian explained.

"But Robin," persisted Much. "She is your cousin surely she could have gotten word to you."

"I don't think so," Allan replied, "I mean Gisborne would know that she would probably try that. I think the situation would be impossible for her."

"And her only way out was to marry Gisborne," Robin replied through gritted teeth.

"If it is any consolation she does not look happy about the arrangement," offered Djaq.

"Can you blame her?" Much said. "This is Gisborne we are talking about."

"And," said Marian wistfully. "This can not be easy, she knows this is Robin's home and now she has to live out her days here, knowing that it is really not Guy's at all….Knowing that it was as good as stolen from him. I can not believe she loves him and I hope that the thought or the actual act of being with him in their marriage bed, does not repulse her as much as the thought of myself living with Guy in that way did."

No one said anything but she felt Robin's thumb caress her hand slowly, reassuringly, soothingly, comfortingly and then she remembered to breathe.

Clearing his throat Allan asked. "What now?"

"Now," said Robin slowly, carefully. "We find someone who will be able to talk to her on our behalf."