A little ways from Knighton Robin stopped by a small stream to rest and gather his thoughts. He was more than a little nervous about seeing Marian. He knew their relationship had changed over the last few days but he didn't know exactly where he stood with her and part of him was afraid he imagined today. That maybe he longed so much for it that he had read more into things than were actually true.

He looked around his surroundings. He and Marian had spent a lot of time here back when the world was right and they had no worries. Those were happy times. They had been the best of friends then. His little tomboy and he'd adored her from the first time they had met. He loved her quick mind and feisty spirit. The two had managed to stir up quite a bit of trouble together in their younger years.

If he remembered correctly that tree there was where they had first kissed. She had been fourteen at the time; he seventeen and they were having a picnic on a spring day. He'd been increasingly drawn to her over the past year but afraid to do anything about it sure she would punch him if he tried anything.

After their meal they were sitting on the blanket just enjoying the day and each others company. In truth he hadn't noticed the beauty of the day much being too absorbed in her beauty. After a while she had noticed he was staring at her.

"What?" She had asked him nervously and in a mildly irritated voice.

"What?" He had affected his most innocent expression all the while thinking that if he was making her nervous that was surely a good sign.

"You were looking at me" She sounded a little perplexed. She had never had quite understood the effect she could have on a man even then.

"That's just the way my eyes were pointing." He couldn't help the grin that had appeared on his face. He loved how flustered she seemed. It certainly made him wonder how she would react if he kissed her.

Before he had a chance to act on the urge she playfully pushed him and had taken off running daring him to catch her. What followed was a nice little chase around the meadow with him finally catching her by the big oak.

He had his hands on her waist, hers had fallen on his chest and they were laughing at what he didn't know. Then suddenly their laughter died and they were just looking into each others eyes both overwhelmed with these new feelings they were having. The next thing he knew they were kissing. He didn't really recall which one of them had started it maybe both had acted at the same instant. He could recall very clearly the way she had felt in his arms, the slight breeze that had blown her hair making it tickle his cheek and the fact that she had smelled like lavender. To this day anytime he smelled lavender he thought of her.

The kiss didn't last long. She quickly broke it and promptly headed for home leaving him with tingling lips, a strange fluttering in his heart, and wondering where their relationship was headed.

He had waited a week before going to see her. They had quietly started courting then each taking time to get used to this new phase of their relationship.

It was four months before her sixteen birthday when he had finally got up enough courage to ask Edward's permission to marry her. The old lord seemed very pleased with the idea and had happily consented.

He was even more nervous the next day when he asked her. It was a wonder he could talk at all he was so scared. She had said yes after she had recovered from the shock. He had been quite overwhelmed that a girl as wonderful as her would want him.

The next few months were the happiest of his life. He and Marian were madly in love and the future looked very bright. Then news of the war came and he had made the foolish decision to follow his king. At the time he had thought it was the right thing to do. He, being so full of youthful bravado and the thought of glory, hadn't stopped long enough to really think about what he might be giving up by leaving.

Now he'd give anything to go back and undo his mistake. There was nothing he wanted more than to have her love again. He knew it would take time to regain her trust. Truthfully he knew he didn't deserve either. She had never spoken of it but he knew he must have hurt her badly by leaving.

She still cared for him her earlier actions were any indication. Never again would he do anything that might damage her affection for him. He would show her how much she meant to him.

Getting up he noticed a patch of beautiful flowers. She had once, during one of their many arguments about Gisbourne, challenged him to bring her a gift. Its true flowers weren't much but then again Marian was never a woman that really cared for material things. Smiling about his brilliant idea he picked the flowers and quickly walked the rest of the way to Knighton.