Disclaimer to all things RH

Here's chapter 12. Thanks for all the reviews. I hope I didn't distress anyone too much. Enjoy!

"I need to see him." Marian said evenly, after Much finished speaking.

Much looked at her, shocked, "My lady, is that really a good idea?"

Marian walked towards the door of her room and looked back at him, "I don't care if it's a good idea. It's just something that I need to do. I need to see if it's true." she faught to keep her face neutral. She began to walk down the stairs and out of Knighton Hall to the stables. Much followed her.

"My lady, can you just believe me? Would I lie to you?" he sounded hurt.

Marian, now saddling her horse in the barn, sighed. "It's not that, Much. I just-" she had to bite her lower lip to keep it from tremling, "I just need to see him, alright?" she mounted her horse and galloped full speed towards Nettlestone. It wasn't until she was out of Much's sight, that a tear slid down her cheek.

RHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

When Marian arrived at Nettlestone, the residents of the town gave her strange looks. Clearly, most of them had little or know idea of what was going on in the basement of their barn. She quickly dismounted and walked quickly inside the barn where she found the gang and an assortment of animals. Their faces all mirrored those of Much when he came to tell her the news. Marian looked to Djaq.

"Well?" she asked with desperate hope in her eyes.

"He took a fever from infection." Djaq could not bring herself to look at Marian.

"Can I see him?" Marian asked softly. Djaq nodded and led her into the barn cellar. It was still fairly dark so there were still torches to illuminate the small space. There lying just like he had the night before was Robin of Lockesly, Robin Hood. Marian strode towards him and knelt down to grab his hand, much like she had only hours previous.

It was still warm. Thank God.

"How long has he been like this?" she whispered to Djaq.

"Since midday." she answered.

Suddenly Marian felt angry. It was now hours since midday. Why had she not been informed earlier? "And yet I find out only now?" she tried to keep the anger out of her voice but she could feel the harshness as she said the words.

Djaq sighed, "What could you have done? Now or later, it makes no difference."

Anger and sadness warred inside of Marian's body, "I could have been here with him." she cried.

"Marian," Djaq said calmly, "I know you are a noblewoman and you have your duties. Could you really have dropped everything to see a man whose friendship could mean your neck?"

Marian hung her head. Djaq was right. She thought back to where she was at midday. She was with Gisborne. There would have been no way for her to get away. She closed her eyes and shook her head in response to Djaq's question.

"What are his chances?"

"It could go either way. If his fever breaks before tomorrow, he should be fine. If not..." Djaq trailed off.

"Is there anything I can do?" Right now all Marian needed was to be useful. No, that was wrong, that wasn't all she needed. She needed Robin to get well.

"I have already gave him something for he fever. All that is left is to pray to your God and mine." With that she left Marian alone with Robin.

Marian sat with Robin and watched the faint rise and fall of his chest. She took Djaq's advice and prayed. She prayed for the fever to break. She prayed for Robin to wake up. She prayed for everything to be alright.

Suddenly Robin stirred. Immediately Marian called for Djaq. She could not help but smile. He was waking up. However, as soon as Djaq arrived his stirring turned to tossing and turning, like he was having a nightmare. He began shouting and saying things in a language that she didn't understand. She looked at Djaq whose eyes were wide with fear. Robin was speaking Arabic.

"What is he saying?" Marian asked.

"I'm not entirely sure. It doesn't make much sense." Djaq looked confused

"Do you at least have an idea?"

"They must be phrases he picked up in the Holy Land. None of them have much relation. He said, 'why is there no peace' and 'blood, so much blood.'"

Robin continued rambling for awhile, until he shouted, "Marian? Marian!" Marian froze.

In the Holy Land, my master had dreams. He spoke your name.

"Robin, I'm here." she called back to him, but he didn't seem to hear her. She wiped the hair from his brow, he was still burning up.

"Mother, Mother, where are you?" Robin called this time, causing Marian to look confused. Robin's mother, Lady Elizabeth, had died a year before he left for the Holy Land.

"What should I do?" Marian asked Djaq, becoming increasingly worried.

"They fever is making him delirious." Djaq said calmly, "Just try to appease him."

Marian nodded, "It's alright, dear, I'm here." she tried her best to imitate Lady Elizabeth's calming voice.

Robin seemed to relax a little, "Mother," he sobbed, "It is so hot here. Everything burns. And at night everything freezes. There is death everywhere. I need to get away."

Marian knew he was talking about the Holy Land. "You will get through it Robin, you will be strong. You were always strong." Marian cried gripping his hand a little tighter now, slightly frightened at seeing Robin so broken.

"I am not strong."

"Yes, you are." she said earnestly. "You are Robin of Lockesly. You can survive anything."

But Robin did not seem to hear her. Instead he said, "Mother, I am so sorry. Please forgive me?"

Marian was confused, "What for?"

"For leaving." he told her, distress filling his face, "I should never have gone. And now, she'll never forgive me."

"Who won't forgive you?" she asked, terrified of what the answer might be.

"Marian." he breathed, " She hates me. Mother, you should see her she-she's beautiful and brave and brilliant. I had her and I gave her up. I was so stupid." he closed his eyes.

Marian's eyes began to fill up with tears, "No, Robin, she will forgive you, she has to." Robin shook his head in denial. "She has to because she loves you." Marian shut her mouth quickly. Did I just say that? She thought. She looked at Djaq, whose face was unreadably, as usual. Marian let go of Robin's hand and backed away. He slowly settled down into a restful sleep.

Marian sat down and let the waterfall out tears she had held in for so long rush out.

TBC

There you go! Hope you liked it! Please Review!