- CAT FIGHT! -

Chapter 27: "Why did you come back?"

The afternoon was nearly gone when the group of women and children returned to Nettlestone. Ten baskets of berries had been gathered, but the juice-stained faces of the children attested that more had been eaten than not. Two of the men would deliver the precious fruit to Nottingham Castle that very night; the Sheriff would have it fresh.

Kate rushed up to greet them, "Welcome back! My…my, look at all those purple fingers!"

"The berries do look delicious." Gillian said, walking up to the group.

Trouble's brewing Owen thought as he watched Gillian glare angrily at the former Lady Fitzwalter. The miller joined his wife and subtly directed her attention toward the village vixen. Before joining the berry picking party Marian listened to all the village goings-on while she was away at Rufford. Kate mentioned Gillian's fondness for flirting and gossiping, minimizing the tale Gillian told about her night with Robin.

"You'll take some to the others," the miller's wife insisted, handing a basketful of berries to Marian. "And never mind that other. It's nothing but talk. We were all out of our heads that night. It didn't mean anything!"

Still, rumors of Robin and Gillian were mentioned by some of the young girls earlier in the day giving Marian a basketful of heartaches to take back with her in addition the fruit. Would his anger and disappointment cause him to seek womanly companionship? Marian did not want to think about the answer. What woman would not want him? He is so handsome, so good…so…Marian started recounting Robin's virtues and falling in love with him all over again.

After realizing Robin left camp during the night and desperately wanting to talk to him privately, Marian left at dawn to search for him. When she stopped at Nettlestone and was invited to join the picking party she decided the outing would distract her from her troubles.

The shadows about her grew darker and she was glad to be nearing the camp, when the sudden sound of footfalls caused her to turn sharply.

"Marian, it's me, Gillian." The red haired woman had a basketful of berries in her hand. "Kate decided one basket wouldn't be enough for all of you."

"Thank her for me." Marian took the basket, immediately suspicious and anxious to avoid further conversation.

"Did they tell you?" Gillian asked with a proud tilt to her head.

"Tell me what?"

"That Robin and I were together when you were gone." She replied snootily.

Marian felt the color rush to her cheeks and quickly turned to walk away, but Gillian grabbed her arm and swung her around roughly; the baskets of berries spilled and forgotten.

"No! You will listen to me! I love Robin and he loves me!"

"Then he can tell me himself." Marian spoke coolly, but her heart was pounding.

"Why did you come back?" Gillian demanded. "You deserted him! I make him happy. He forgot all about you."

"Let me go," Marian warned, pulling away.

But Gillian would not relent and with surprising strength dealt a fierce blow that nearly cost the outlaw her footing. Again she struck her, and this time Marian fell. Gillian tried to kick her in the side, but Marian clutched her ankle flipping her attacker to the ground. Soon both women were rolling on the ground, pummeling each other, wild fists pulling hair and inflicting what damage they could.

Marian felt the thong at her waist give way as the hellcat snatched her dagger from its sheath. Insane with fury, Gillian slashed out and the blade flashed before Marian's eyes. The outlaw grasped Gillian's wrist struggling to gain control of the weapon. Over and over the pair rolled, neither woman able to gain an advantage. Marian tried to pry her fingers from the hilt, while Gillian sought to cut Marian's face.

Though she was smaller in stature Marian was strong and compact; she threw her weight upward. The movement was enough to throw Gillian off balance and with sufficient force to jar the knife from her hands. Quickly getting to her feet Marian seized the dagger and stood over her defeated opponent, defying the foolish girl to move.

Stunned at the sudden turn of events, Gillian remained on the ground, now fully aware she was no match for the outlaw. Without the knife, and the element of surprise, she was at last willing to concede.

"It's over, Gillian!" Finality filled Marian's voice as she spoke.

Gillian stared after Marian as the dark-haired victor walked away. Picking the grass and leaves from her clothes and hair, Gillian called after her. "He hasn't taken you back either, has he?"

Marian felt the blood rush to her face, but she kept walking.

Chapter 28: "Tell me the truth!"