Usual Disclaimer to all things RH
So, here's chapter 22. Thankyou so much for everyone's reviews. I'm glad everyone is enjoying the story so far. I'm updating pretty quickly because its Thanksgiving weekend in my neck of the woods. Enjoy!
When Marian opened her eyes again, she half hoped that Robin would not be looking at her with fierce intensity and hatred, but she soon saw that it was a fools hope. She tried to steady herself and stared straight back at him.
"I did nothing..." she began, but that was definitely not the answer that Robin wanted to hear.
"Nothing?" he repeated, looking at her in astonishment. "You mean to tell me that lying to me and telling me that you were going to see your father, only to go into the home of the man who wants to see me swing from a rope is nothing? I mean to think I actually..." here he stopped and threw his hands down in anger.
Marian felt a range of emotions boil within her, but kept her gaze cool infront of Robins fire. "Perhaps you should know the whole story before you throw accusations at me."
"Fine." Robin said bitterly, "What is the whole story?"
Marian took a deep, shakey breath, "The Sheriff told me that I had fake my arrest and allow you to capture me so that I might learn the location of the money we stole that night." here Robin moved away from her and started pacing back and forth. She tried to keep his attention so she spoke louder, "He told me that if I didn't, my father would suffer."
Here Robin stopped and looked at her confusedly, "Why did you not tell me?" his voice now held hurt more than rage.
Marian sighed and held her arms out in defeat, "What would you have had me do? He warned me that if anything happened, if the money was stolen back, my father would still suffer. There was no way out."
Robin moved closer to her and said forcefully, " Marian, listen to me, there is always a way out."
"No, you listen," Marian said, pushing him away, frustration and shame hanging on her words, "Sometimes there is no way out, sometimes a person must submit to what is happening around them. You are not all powerful, Robin."
"Oh, that is rich, coming from you." Robin said sardonically, "This, coming from the Nightwatchman, this coming from the woman who tried to charm her way past guards to get a starving village food." he choked out a dry, humourless laugh that did not reach his eyes.
Marian pursed her lips, "This is different. My father's life was not at stake."
Not this again, Robin thought, earnestly looking for peace within himself. She might as well have killed him before betraying him. Of every single person in the world, she was the last person that he would expect. It seemed that the Sheriff knew that too.
"In any case," Marian continued, squaring her shoulders, "If you would calm down for at least one moment, I could tell you that I didn't tell the Sheriff anything. I still have two more days to figure it out."
Robin was about to retort, but he did a double take. He did not expect that. "What did you say?" he asked, to make sure that he did not dream what she said.
Marian's bottom lip trembled. "I was going to the castle to tell the Sheriff what I knew, but once I got inside...I-I couldn't do it." tears welled in her eyes.
Robin's shoulder's sagged, "I am glad." he whispered, looking at his feet for a few seconds with his hands on his hips. Finally he looked up at her, clearly still distraught, "I'll see you back at the camp." he murmured and went to make his way out in the rain.
Marian blinked for a moment to register what was going on and reached out to put her hand on his shoulder, "Robin, I am sorry."
He removed her hand gently from him and placed it at her side. "No, Marian." he said sadly, "You still lied to me. I tried to give you everything and you played me like you say you play Gisbourne. Every moment that you smiled, you were really planning how to get the proper information from me. Today, which, I might add was one of the best of my life, was based on a lie and that hurts more than anything. I wish it had never happened." here he finished, leaving nothing nothing but the sound of the rain. Slowly he involuntarily leaned towards her and she moved near to him, thoughts of that kiss still flashed across their minds. However, before their lips could meet, Robin pulled away and walked into the heavy rain.
A stray tear fell down Marian's cheek. She wanted to tell him that it meant as much to her as it did to him, but she knew that he wouldn't believe her. His trust in her had diminished and it was all her fault. So, in the space of three days, she would lose her Robin, her father and any pride that she ever had in herself. Slowly, she sank to the floor and buried her head in her knees.
RHRHRHRHRHRH
Back at the Outlaw's Camp
Hidden in a cave, the outlaws heard the repeated sound of arrows hitting a tree outside of the stony enclosure. Will came in from the rain and shook off some of the water from his hair.
"He's still out there?" Much asked.
"He won't come in." Will replied.
"How long's he been at that?" Allan asked sleepily
"An hour." Much anwered, he turned his attentions back to Will, "Did he say anything to you?"
Will shook his head, "No, he didn't even respond when I called his name."
Much sighed, "I wish he would tell us what was wrong." The other two men nodded.
"He'll tell us on his own good time." John said softly, attempting to put an end to the conversation.
"What if he becomes ill from all that rain?" Much persisted. "Djaq, that can't be good for him."
"I think he would rather have a cold than have the matters that he has on his mind." the Saracen said sadly.
"I suppose you are right." the ex servant whispered.
Outside Robin fired arrow after arrow into a tree with long graceful movements.. He only saw the arrows and the target. The rhythm would only cease when he went to retrieve the bundle of arrows. Water ran down his face and made his hands slippery but he did not miss. Sometimes he would half hear someone calling his name through his focused trance, but he just continued to shoot
He was grateful that the pounding rain hid any evidence of tears.
TBC
So...I guess that was a little emotional, eh? Well, hope you liked it. Please Review!