Hey everyone!!

Sorry for the extremely long wait, but my laptop stopped working for a while, then I had exams to revise for and I've been completely sidetracked with my uni application and ugh!!

I'm just sorry :(

Please forgive me

Now that my January exams are over now I can focus more on this so please review and tell me what you think :D

Again (Like I seem to do with many of my stories) this chapter has been spilt in two - so fingers crossed that the next part of this chapter will be up soon

"Welcome and thank you for coming" Robin forced a smile as he shook the old hand of Lord Merton. He tipped himself back on his heels and titled his head trying his best to see outside the castle doors. Still no sign of Marian, he grumbled inwardly. Then returned his unhappy gaze back to his guests. It's not that he didn't want to talk to his guests, usually he was very chatty, it was just the matter of seeing a certain guest, his Marian. He knew she would be in a foul mood with him; birthday or not it wouldn't make a difference to Marian.

After greeting what felt like a thousand guests into the Great Hall Richard finally relieved him of his duty and aloud him to mingle with the guests. But Sir Edward and Lady Kate hadn't been announced yet, so he didn't venture far away from the door. His mood began to show on his face so clearly that even Much picked up on it.

"Why don't you have some more wine?"

"Much I don't want any more wine" Robin protested pushing the goblet away from his face.

"Master I know your not in the best of moods, but really you should learn to enjoy your self-" He took a large sip from is goblet while juggling a plate full of food "Or are you forgetting that this is a party and not just any party, but your birthday party"

"Bloody hell Much you make me sound like a child" Robin then let out a huge, long sigh, not taking his puzzled eyes from the door. Why isn't she here yet? He questioned himself.

"Master, look their Lady Jessica" Much pointed out from across the room. She was a small, young girl; 13 years old at the most not that Robin could remember much about her.

"Yeah, so?" He questioned, eyes still not moving from the door.

"Well I'm just saying, that it's been what-" He stops for a moment to think "An hour since the party started and her and her family were the first to arrive and since then she hasn't been able to tare her eyes away from you"

"And?" Robin was unmoved by Much insinuation.

"Well I think it would be safe to say that she likes you" Much grinned

"Well of course she does Much, I am after all the Prince and future King of Nottingham" His eyes finally landing on his manservant's.

"That's not what I mean and you know it"

"Much I am the Prince, it's only natural for Lords and Ladies to throw there daughters at me"

"I don't understand"

"Well they want them to marry well and what finer offer is out there than a Prince?" Robin let a small smile play on his lips for the first time that night.

"But what about Marian?"

Robin body began to tense up "What about her?" He stuttered.

"Well I thought Tuck said you were betrothed?"

"That's what he says" Robin tried to play it cool, but Much could see right through his act.

"Master I may only be a servant but I know love when I see it" Much smiled.

"What! You don't know what you're talking about" Robin defended, turning his head back to the main doors.

Much began to pile up a new plate of food "Yes Master I know you don't have to listen to me but still I'm your friend, I've known you for a long time but you-" He turned around and he was gone, not that that was anything new for Much. He let his gaze wonder to the main doors where he could Sir Edward, Lady Kate, Lady Marian and Eve walk in.

"I should of known" Much then put his plate down and followed after Robin who had made it in record time over to the main entrance.

When Robin finally made it over to the front door, Sir Edward had just finished apologising for being late. Robin didn't need to hear a reason to know why they were so late, it was obvious by Marian's expression that she didn't want to be here. After the formal greetings to Sir Edward and Lady Kate, Robin then turned this pleading eyes to Marian, who wore a simple deep red dress that hung on her skinny figure, her hair was tied up loosely letting a few single strands of hair cling around her ivory face and neck.

Judging by her mood Robin decided on a formal greeting "Lady Marian" he slightly bowed, taking her hand and kissed the back of it lightly with his lips. He looked up adoringly, his whole manner just pleading for forgiveness.

Marian forces a smile "Prince Robin" She dips her head into a bow and made a quick exit. Disappointment covers the young Princes face; his father gave his shoulder a light squeeze before guiding him away from the doorway.

"Ok what's happened now" Richard commanded, while Robin just looked confused "Come on son you know what I mean, something has been said between you and Marian and I want to know what?" He pushed.

Robin eyes focus on Marian as she moves gracefully through the crowds of people conjugated in the centre of the great hall "She's still angry at me for what happened the other day"

"What you mean with those Black Knight scum!" Richard's face screwed up tightly in disgust.

"Well, yeah" Robin shuffled, wiping his sweaty palms down his trouser uncomfortably. He knew he could tell his father anything, but this didn't help him feel less uncomfortable.

"Son, I don't think that's the problem" Richard soothed, doing his best to comfort his son.

"Your wrong, what else could it be? I haven't spoken to her since" Robin sighed angrily, his frustration with the situation growing by the second.

"Ok then why don't you speak to her about it" He suggested.

"I'd rather hear your theory" Robin slouched against one of the big dining tables and crossed his arms over his chest.

"You want to know what I think? Ok well it seems to me that Marian wasn't angry until she left you to go home to Knighton Hall, right?"

Robin mumbled his reply "Yes"

"Well maybe she's angry with herself?" Richard smiled playing the friend rather than the fatherly role.

"What? Why? That doesn't make any sense at all" Robin stared at his father a little vexed by his comment.

"Think about it boy, you were angry with yourself because you couldn't prove yourself and protect your friends, maybe Marian feels the same way"

"I don't understand father"

"You may not see it but Marian is very protective over you, just as much as you are to her" Richard grinned.

"Maybe, I don't know" Doubt firmly placed in his head.

"Well I could be wrong but there's only one way to find out, so why don't you be a big boy and go make up" Richard patronised his son, knowing it would push him into action "Besides this is a party, if your not going to make an effort I may as well tell everyone to go home" He added seriously.

"But she looks so angry" Robin complained receiving a cold glare from Marian.

"Stop your moaning boy… look why don't you start off by thanking her for your gift ok, there's a good lad" Richard slapped his son on the back before moving toward a group of old looking nobles.

Taking a deep breath of confidence Robin stood up straight and smoothed down his clothes. He put on his cocky front and began to strut over towards Marian. Allthough he was fully focused on Marian, he spies her maidservant, Eve withher on the other side of the room, both being anti-social by not mingling with the other guests in the crowd. Eve spots the young Prince coming towards them so she quickly gives Marian an excuse to leave before getting caught up in the awkward tension which she knows will appear as soon as there next to each other.

"Hi" Robin smiles cheekily at Marian; he is only permitted with a blank expression.

"Well?" Robin starts but doesn't finish.

"Oh sorry, Happy Birthday" Marian replies in a dull voice.

"That's not what I meant and you know it" Robin grumbles his frustration building once again at her coldness.

"Then what did you mean?" Marian growls back with the same amount of venom.

"Well I was expecting a scowl with some badly chosen words, but to be honest this hurts more"

"Don't try to be funny Robin" Marian rolls her eyes at him.

"I'm not" He looked genuinely hurt "Look I'm sorry for the other day I didn't mean to get you into trouble"

"And?"

"And? So that's what the problem is then"

"Yes and No"

"How so?" He asked losing his patience. He ran a hand through his already messy hair.

"Yes you should feel sorry for putting mine and Eves life in danger" Marian ranted but stopped herself when she saw Robin's saddened expression "And no" He looked up at her, his pale blue eyes could break any girls heart "Because it was also my fault for going along with it"

"Yeh but it's still all my fault… I behaved irresponsibly and put three of my friends in danger, I'm suppose to set an example" He sighed, not letting her take any responsibility "I'm an idiot"

"Yes, you are but you're my idiot" She teased him. He grinned bashfully at her in response his cheeks tinged with a light pink colour, something that Marian rarely ever saw him do "Ok?" She smile hoping to return to there usual teasing banter.

"No" Was his honest reply.

"Now, now don't be stubborn I thought you said that was my job" She smirked closing the distance between them by taking a step closer.

"I don't want to lose you Marian" He replied earnestly, his eyes boring into hers.

"Who said your gonna lose me" She placed her small hand on his chest, but he merely shook his head hardly noticing it "But I could of let my sense of adventure get in the way again, look what happened Marian what those scrum bags were going to do to you, and me powerless to stop it, look if anything happened to yo-"

"Robin… Your father wants a word with you" Was the unmistakable voice of Guy.

Robin sighed he had to admit you could always count on Guy to ruin a special moment. Robin spins on his heels to face Guy before he laughs bitterly at him and in a hushed voice he whispers to him "And you'd thought you'd spend some quality time with my future queen, how thoughtful of you" Robin smiled smugly knowing that that comment would piss off Guy for the rest of the evening. Robin never did understand Guys infatuation with Marian, sure she was obviously beautiful, smart and witty but she had never shown any interest in him, friendship or anything more.

He sends Marian a cheeky wink after promising to speak to her later and then leaves the pair alone unwillingly.

Marian let out a huge sub-pressed sigh, she hated these situations with Guy, she knew how the conversation would go. She pulled her eyes away from Robins retreating figure and tried her best to look at Guy. It was strange how no matter what the occasion he always insisted on wearing black, it was really depressing, this was suppose to be a party not a funeral.

"Marian" His dark, deep voice seemed to echo in her mind.

Snapping out of her trance she did her best to look vaguely interested in his acknowledgment of her "Yes" She smiled pleasantly.

"Would you like to accompany me for a walk around the courtyard?"

"Erm no thank you I'd rather not" She tried not to laugh at his useless advantages.

Guy was well known throughout the villages for his short temper but nothing prepared Marian for the bluntness of his next statement "You don't have to marry him you know!" He half spat.

Genuinely confused at Guys knowledge Marian visibly backwards, breath caught up in her throat. How did he know about that, I only found out a couple of days ago, but I didn't even think it was true "What?" She whispered.

"You have a choice" He grumbled darkly, he was only a couple of years older than her but he still seemed to tower over her like a building.

"What are you on about?" She pretended to play dumb.

"Your betrothed are you not?" If he knew the answer, then why is he trying to be so damn awkward?

Deciding playing ignorant wasn't working she changed her tac tics "Oh… well yes I suppose we are…" But before Guy could say another word Marian blared out "Anyway I know I have a choice… why am I even talking to you about this... Guy its really none of your business" Marian commanded trying to take hold of the situation, standing firmly with her hands on her hips.

"I think it is my business, I would be more suited for you" The look on his face told Marian he wasn't joking, he was deadly serious "You don't even know me" She whispered again.

"Well then maybe we should spend some quality time together" Was he thick? Did he really see his happening? Me and him being friends then courting and then what... Marriage? No! He must be insane!

"I don't think that's really necessary Guy, do you?" She was getting sick of the this, what she really wanted to do was to tell him to stick the offer of friendship up his- but she was too much of a lady to say that, or at least too much of a lady to say it in front of all these people.

"Why do you just push me away, have I done something to offend you" That was it she snapped " Do ya know what Guy as a matter of fact you have, I don't like people telling me what to do, and I especially hate it when you keep badgering me to stop talking or hanging out with Robin... He's my best friend and guess what Guy there's nothing you can do about it, so why don't you do me a favour and leave me alone" She was proud of her little speech, she had even managed to tell him to bugger off without screaming profanities in his face.

Guy stared blankly at Marian who had stormed off in an almighty huff. "All I wanted to do was to save you from a broken heart, but maybe a broken heart is exactly what I need" Guy whispered to himself.

Annoyed that the plan hadn't gone accordingly, he copied Marians departure and storms off towards one of the many exits.

"Patience my boy, patience you will have her soon" Guys father, John seemed to appear as if from nowhere, almost taking him by surprise. He respond to his father calmly "Yeh but she doesn't want me… maybe we should just call the whole thing off-"

John roughly pulls Guy to one side, away from prying eyes "Now you listen to me son, this isn't about you, ok? It's about me and if you blow are cover now I'm afraid I will have to kill you" Guy was unsure if his father truly meant those words, but he knew for sure he didn't want to find out "Sorry father" He said automatically.

"That's better… now go and try and have some fun" His tone laced with sarcasm

The sound of trumpets echoed throughout the court as King Richard stood tall and proud looking down at his guests from the top of the staircase.

Robin swiftly moved throughout the crowd towards Marian who in return was grinning madly at him. Richard lets a small smirk play on his feature and he managed a sly wink at his son before announcing "Now I know I'm well known for my long and boring speeches so I'll make this quick, we are all gathered here to celebrate my son, Robin's 14th birthday" There was a round of applause from the nobles and some inapproiate hooting from some of the servants.

"He's almost a man" Richard comments grinning on his son.

"Oi! I am a man!" Robin protested, while the room filled with giggles.

"Anyway I just wanted to be the first to wish you a life time of happiness for the future to come, happy birthday son I look forward to celebrating many more with you... to the birthday boy!"

Everybody raised a goblet, except the two obvious and chanted "To the birthday boy!"

Robin and Marian both downed the liquid that filled there goblets, he just couldn't get over how beautiful she looked tonight, not that she didn't look beautiful any other night, but tonight she just looked... extra special. Even though she had yet to grow into her womanly curves Robin honestly believed she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

"So what now?" Marian asked.

Glancing around the room, Robin grinned cheekily "Well, would you care to dance with me m'lady" He mocked a bow.

Laughing at his posh snotty voice she replied "Of but of course my lord, how could I possibly refuse?" They both made there way over to the crowd of both young and old nobles dancing, taking Marian hand in his and after some deliberation, putting his other hand on her waist they began to dance. Things were going well until Robin started to tripped over Marians and his own feet.

"Ok now look it's not that difficult" Marian giggled, struggling to keep her balance in Robin's wobbly arms.

"Haha very funny it harder then it looks you know"

"Oh really? How so?" Marian smirked repressing her laughter.

"I have to lead" He looked at her dumbly, as if she should know.

"Ok then let me lead" Being Marian she easily found a solution.

"I can't because you're a girl" Robin replied staring at his feet in a attempt to dance better.

"And what's that suppose to mean?" She raised her eyebrows at him waiting for an explanation.

"Nothing" Robin quickly interjected "Don't make a big thing out of this, its just the way we dance, I don't make the rules" He patronised.

"I don't make a big deal out of everything" Marian pouted, while Robin sniggered.

"What now!" Marian sighed and rolled her head back to look at the ceiling.

"Nothing I just thought it was funny" Robin grinned.

"And what was funny?" She spoke lazily.

"That blatant lie you just told" He chuckled.

She just glared at him, if looks could kill... "Do you know what" She shook her head "It's your birthday and I'm not even gonna com–"

"What… come on Marian what are you not gonna do" He teased testing her patience.

"Lower myself to your level" She bit but still her tone was covered in sarcasm.

"Rubbish!" Robin laughed "You can't keep you trap shut for more then 5 minutes-"

"Just shut it or I wont give you your present" She quipped.

"What present? You and your family have already given me that new bow?" He stated.

"No that was from my parents, I have a special gift for you" She smiled cheekily knowing full well what was coming next.

"Oh…can I have it n-"

"No"

"Now?"

"No"

"Please… now" Marian pretends to think for a second before answering with "… no"

"Oh but its my birthday Marian" Robin knew it would be only a matter of seconds before Marian gave in to his pleading, puppy dog eyes"

Avoiding his eyes was hard but eventually he got to her "Okcome with me" She took his hand and dragged him to the courtyard.

Staring up at the night sky Marian smiled as she processed the beauty of every glistening star. "It's such a beautiful evening" She didn't take her eyes off of the diamonds in the sky.

"Yeh beautiful" But Robin wasn't looking at the sky, he was looking at her. Her skin seemed to glow in the night air, it seemed paler outside but still unblemished, and perfect.

"You ok?"

"Yeh I'm fine... just wondering and waiting for my birthday present, which I might add that you still haven't given to me" He said cockily.

"Patience, my dear friend, is a virtue… Ok now close your eyes" She smiles as Robin frowns.

"Trust me, I trust you and look what happens to me" She taunted, he closes his eyes begrudgingly.

"Ok open them" She handed him a small wooden tag, which was attached to a piece of string.

"My tag! Where did you find this I thought I'd lost it" He cried putting it on and wears it proudly.

"I found it in my draw and I thought you'd might like it back" She smiled coyly.

"Thanks Maz this is great… just like when we were children" He played with the end between his fingers.

"Oh god! Do you remember when we used to run around and play in the river in Sherwood forest!" Marian gasped covering her mouth and began to giggle.

"Yeh I remember that, we used to come back to the castle and are folks would scream blood murder at us for getting too dirty and wet" Robin chuckled at the memories too.

"And all my dresses got torn from climbing those trees"

"Not to mention how many cuts and bruises that would suddenly appear on are bodies as if from nowhere"

"Um excuse me, we'd be cover head to toe in bruises because someone would suggest we'd play a game of survival" Marian exclaimed narrowing her eyes at him.

"It was fun playing outlaws" Robin commented half in a daze.

"It was until you said we need to climb to the top of the big rock next to the oak tree and jump off into the deeper end of Sherwood river" Marian mocked, doing her best Robin impression.

"Yeh that was a nasty fall, did it scar in the end" Robin grimaced, looking at Marian with concern.

Marian begins to lift her dress up just above her knees to reveals a small scar on her kneecap "That was all your fault" She accused.

"No it wasn't"

"Yes it was you shoved me" Marian protested

"Not on purpose I was only joking around and you slipped" Robin stated still with a cheeky grin on his gorgeous face.

"Yeh right into the river onto some sharp rocks"

"Ok I'm sorry… god this sounds like this is becoming a habit" He sighs.

"Well… maybe you should stop doing stupid things" Marian smiled primly.

His glaze turned disapprovingly towards her, and glared at her comment. She smiled innocently and all sudden anger disappeared. Marian moved towards a nearby bench and sat down she was soon followed by Robin.

"It will be my birthday soon" She said quietly.

"Yeh not long now" He replied not noticing her tone of voice.

"I shall be a proper young lady" She shrugs now starting to feel the cold night air.

Robin frowns at her "But you are a proper young lady" Marian expected him to be sarcastic to her but he was being sincere.

"You know you can be really sweet when you want to be Robin" He grins at her a little embarrassed. Noticing her rubbing her arms to keep warm he gently wraps his right arms over her shoulders and pulls her close to his body.

She smiles gratefully at him and snuggles in. A few minutes pass as the couple held each other, although the silence seemed to be unsettling for Marian "Can I ask you something" She asked unsure.

"Sure, why are you ok? What's happened? Was it Guy? Has he upset you?" He takes hold of her free hand and makes her look at him.

"Erm well it's not something he did it was something he said to me, well it was nothing new to me anyway"

"What is it, come on sweetie you can tell me anything" He begged, his chest filling with concern.

"Are we really betrothed?"

What did you think??

Let me know PLEASE!!!

And I will love you forever lol!!

Robyn

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