Disclaimer to all things RH

A/N: I just want to thank all of the people who have reviewed my story. Your comments are much appreciated...so here's chapter 5 with R/M as promised Enjoy!

Marian was in her bedroom at Knighton Hall fussing with her dreaded embroidery. She was a little on edge, wondering what Robin would make of the feather she sent to him. After seeing that he would not even come to Knighton for drop-offs, she knew that he was still angry with her. Well, wouldn't you be? She asked herself. As much as she hated to admit it, he did have a reason to be angry. She knew what it was like to have no one listen. But, that could not excuse him wanting to kill Guy. That much, she would never understand. For being so opposed killing, when that fire entered his eyes, she knew there would be no stopping him. Strange, she thought, that the same arms that folded her into his embrace after Lambert's death, could be capable of taking a life. She sighed and thought more as a rock hit her window.

Speak of the devil. It was Robin.

"Robin." she said evenly, with a small hint of coldness when she got to the window.

"Marian," Robin said back with a formal tone. "Can I come up?" He gave her those hopeless puppy dog eyes.

"I don't know." she answered, crossing her arms. "Can you?" a tiny gleam entered her eyes. She knew how Robin loved to be dared. She watched him grab the beam that was below her window and do two flips around it before making his way to his place beside her window.

Standing there gave Robin a mixture of emotions. It was here that they had their first kiss and said that they loved each other. The thought made him smile a little. They were so young and weren't sure of exactly what they were supposed to do. Then, not so long ago he listened from that same perch to Marian telling Gisborne that she would marry him. He blinked to try and banish the painful scene from his mind.

Marian rolled her eyes, "Are you done showing off?" her face betrayed a hint of a smile.

He smiled, "Only if you're done watching." he looked at her as if to say gotcha.

Marian only laughed dryly, "Grow up." She turned to walk towards her dressing table. She enjoyed these little bits of banter that they had. It made things between them feel semi- normal. However, one look into Robin's blue eyes, she could see that things were still tense between themg The thought of it tugged at her heart. So this is what we have chosen. I will play lady and he will play outlaw. Two worlds that will never meet once Guy puts a ring on my finger. Noticing that Robin was still outside her window, she raised her eyebrow, "Well, aren't you going to come in?"

Robin shrugged "Last time I asked if I could come into your room, you punched me in the nose. Personally, I'd rather not repeat the experience." he involuntarily began rubbing his nose, slightly wincing at the memory. He had been sixteen and Marian was thirteen. When he went home with a bloody nose, he had to lie to his father and say that he had been kicked by a horse.

"I promise I won't hurt you." Marian managed to tell him between fits of laughter. She eventually calmed down and told him seriously, "I am not sure if the house is still watched, I won't risk you being seen.". So Robin clamoured in, less gracefully than he desired and leaned against a piller.

"So, what do you think the Sheriff is planning?" Robin asked, after he had told Marian about what he had learned in Nettlestone.

"I'm not sure, I need time to investigate." Marian told him. She was seated infront of her mirror, tugging at her chocolate curls with a comb. Her hair had grown fairly quickly after it was cut and its dark tresses now reached just past her shoulder. It was both a blessing and a curse because it took forever to comb out her hair now that it was longer. Watching her struggle made Robin chuckle.

"Do you need help with that?" he asked, walking towards her.

"Robin, I'm not four I can comb my own hair."

"Marian, you are attacking it like its an animal." Robin informed her.

"You can't comb hair." she scoffed ignoring what he said.

"Sure I can, it's like grooming a horse." Marian snorted at that. Knowing that Robin would persist until he got what he wanted, she reluctantly handed over the ivory comb. Slowly Robin began pulling the comb down her hair, his hands running gently between the strands. Marian closed her eyes, loving the feeling. She wanted it to continue forever but Robin spoke taking her out of her own little world.

"Why are you combing your hair in the middle of the day anyways?" he asked

She bit her lip, "I am to go to Lockesly to dine tonight." She replied softly.

The comb abruptly stopped in her hair for a moment, but then continued the long strokes. Marian squeezed her eyes shut in fear of what he might say in response but instead he said,

"My men and I are going to look around Nottingham tomorrow to see if we can find any more information." his tone was supposed to be neutral, but Marian wondered, or perhaps she was just imagining it, that there was a little sadness in his voice.

"I'll-I'll" She said hesitantly, distracted by the intoxicating feel of his calloused hands in her hair and slightly frustrated with herself at how things had come to this "I'll see what I can find out from Guy."

Robin hmphed, "He's going to want something in return, you know." he said bitterly.

Marian pursed her lips, "He gets to marry me, that should be enough for him." It came out a bit more harshly than she anticipated.

"It's more than he deserves." If Marian sounded harsh, then Robin sounded absolutely cruel.

"Robin," Marian sighed.

"What?" Robin looked at her through her mirror.

"Don't start." she pleaded, "Can't you just leave it alone?"

"I try" he said, "But you keep bringing it up."

"You were the one who asked me where I was going." she countered.

"Well, I hope you enjoy yourself." he took the comb out of her hair and placed it on her dressing table, "I will find you tomorrow so we can swap information." he didn't even look at her.

"Yes." was all she could say, but she didn't think he heard her as he was already climbing out the window back to the forest. Marian ran her hands through her hair. There wasn't a single knot in it. She smiled sadly and continued to get ready.

TBC

Should I write the dinner with Guy? It's up to you! Please review!