Author's note: Here is the rated M version of this chapter. This is my first attempt at writing smut so I hope it turned out okay.

Marian had finally decided to go to bed. Robin hadn't come again and she was beginning to worry. Surely he couldn't be that angry could he? Or maybe he was just still that weak. Stop worrying. If something was wrong Much would have come told you.

Just as she was about to close the shudders to her window she noticed him emerging from the forest. She smiled at him making his heart skip a beat. As soon as he had made it in her room she surprised him by hugging him fiercely. He returned her tight hug reveling in the feel of her and breathing in her lavender scent. Glad just to be with her again.

After several moments they drew apart slightly although Robin kept his arms securely around her. He chuckled slightly. "I must say this was hardly the greeting I was expecting from you"

Marian ducked her head slightly embarrassed "Well, I was worried. It's been almost a week since I have seen you."

"I would have come sooner but my leg kept hurting like the devil anytime I tried to walk more than ten feet. That and Much refused to let me leave"

"I thought you were still angry with me"

When he lay on the forest floor wounded he was sure that he was going to die and the last words spoken between them had been angry, hurtful ones. "You should be angry with me. I shouldn't have said those things. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

Marian reached up tenderly caressing his cheek. "We have both done and said things to hurt each other. I think it's time we forgive each other and move on"

Robin leaned into her touch. "Can you truly forgive me for leaving you?"

"I should have forgiven you long ago. I'm sorry I didn't. I love you, Robin."

Robin was speechless hearing the words he had thought he would never hear from her. He responded the only way his overwhelmed heart would allow. He let his lips and tongue tell her everything he was feeling. Marian forgot anything that existed outside his arms and melted against him moaning softly.

God above the feel of her pressed against him, her hands weaved through his hair holding him to her as if she'd never let go, the way her tongue was playing with his, her lavender scent which in of itself was intoxicating. Suddenly the fires that Robin kept carefully under control around her burst to life. He dropped one hand to her bottom pulling her closer bringing her into vibrant contact with his hardness while his other hand closed around her breast. She gasped at the contact.

Robin abruptly pulled back leaning his forehead on hers and trying to regain his control. "Sorry. I didn't mean to touch you."

Marian had always known he was the only man she wanted to be with. At this moment following society's rules didn't make sense any longer. She wanted him and she was tired of having to deny herself for propriety's sake. Her mind made up, she raised his chin to make him look at her. He was surprised to see a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "I want you to touch me. Don't be sorry."

His eyes widened. He couldn't decide whether she had lost her mind or if he was just hearing things. "I really must have been eating too many forest mushrooms this time because you could not have just said that."

She kissed him softly. "I did say that. There has been too much wasted time between us. I love you and want to be with you in every sense."

He had always wanted that but there was so much to consider. "What about your father? If he finds out he will kill me"

"He isn't here and will not be back until tomorrow so we needn't worry about him. We also needn't worry about me getting with child. Djaq gave me something that will prevent that."

That took care of two of his worries "Marian, are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything." She tried to relieve his doubt and the slight tension by teasing him "I'm beginning to get the impression you don't want me"

"Marian, I have never wanted anything more than I want you but I don't want you to regret this tomorrow"

"I would only regret it if we were not together. Please Robin."

He smiled at her "As my lady wishes" He kissed her again. After a moment he picked her up and carried her to the bed his lips not leaving hers. Once he had reached it he laid her gently down and quickly removed his boots and lay down beside her. They lay on their sides his hand on her waist hers on his chest savoring the moment. This treasured girl who had filled his thoughts and dreams for years was finally going to be his. Robin didn't want to rush this. He wanted to remember every look, every touch.

He was also a bit nervous. Contrary to what most people would probably assume he really didn't have that much experience with this sort of thing. There were a few servant girls he'd fumbled around with before he and Marian had gotten together. Then there were a few times in the Holy Land when it all had become too much and he had sought out the comfort of a brothel. Then he had always pretended it was Marian. Now that it was her he was worried about his relative inexperience, worried that he wouldn't please her.

He pushed his worry aside and concentrated on the woman laying beside him. "Do you have any idea how long I have dreamt of this moment?"

Marian couldn't speak she was too mesmerized by the look in his eyes and the slow stroking of his hand down her body so she just shook her head.

"Pretty much ever since I first kissed you"

She smiled and leaned towards him "Well, we had better not keep you waiting any longer then."

He closed the slight distance between them bringing his lips to hers and pushing her onto her back, his body half covering hers. For several moments they kissed enjoying the simple pleasure of just tasting each other and slowing letting the heat between them build.

Finally Robin's lips left hers to trail a path of fire to her neck as his hand drifted up from her waist to close around her breast again. After a moment to let her adjust to the contact, and to make sure she wouldn't push him away, his fingers started toying with her nipple.

Marian moaned and arched up into him. His lips on her neck felt wonderful and his hand felt very hot through the thin material of her nightgown but she wanted to feel his touch on her bare skin.

He must have read her mind because he pulled back and reached for the hem of her nightgown slowly pulling it off her body. The absence of his touch left room for a little fear to creep in. Marian knew she wanted this but being a noblewoman, especially one whose mother died when she was barely two years old, she knew very little about what was going to happen.

Robin noticed her nervousness by the time the gown had made it up to her waist and reached up to touch her cheek forcing her to look at him. "We don't have to do this if you don't want to. I won't be angry if you tell me to stop."

When Marian looked into his eyes and saw the absolute love and concern shining there her fear was quickly forgotten. "I want to, Robin. I'm just a little nervous. I'll get over it if you'll touch me again"

Robin kissed her softly then proceeded to pull the gown off her. After he had removed it all he could do was stare at her for a moment. She was so beautiful, the torchlight making her skin glow. Her blue eyes were filled with love and he was again overwhelmed by the fact that this wonderful woman was his. When he finally managed to find his voice it was hoarse with emotion. "You are perfect and I love you so much"

Marian smiled at him. "I love you too, Robin" She then pulled his head down to meet her lips. His hand definitely felt better on bare skin. As did lips when he trailed them down her chest. She gasped then moaned when his lips closed around her nipple. She never would have guessed that such a sensation existed. A moment later when he turned his attention to her other breast she gave up thinking for the moment and just enjoyed how he was making her feel.

After awhile her desire to touch and please him overwhelmed the pleasure she was getting. She moved her hand, which had been tangled in his hair, to his cheek and whispered his name.

Robin raised his gaze to her his eyes filled with love and desire. "Yes, love?"

She smiled at him. "Not that I'm not having fun here but don't you think it's a bit unfair -you having so many clothes on when I have none?"

Robin grinned mischievously. "Marian, are you telling me you want to see me naked? I'm shocked"

Marian blushed becomingly then regained her bravado. "I guess I am. You have a problem with that?"

"Not at all." He quickly stripped off his clothes and lay back down beside her resting his hand on her waist gently caressing her side to make her feel more at ease. His smile faded as his hand ran across her scar bringing back dark memories.

She noticed his sudden tension. When she raised his chin she was surprised to see tears in his eyes "Robin?"

"When I thought you were dead I wanted to die too. My life means nothing without you. If I ever was to lose you I don't know what I'd do."

Marian smiled lovingly at him. "You didn't lose me though. I'm here now and you're not going to lose me" She kissed him feeling him relax. Growing bolder she trailed a hand down his chest and could feel his heartbeat speed up at her touch. Her lips then followed the path her hand had taken.

Robin at first had trouble believing this wasn't another one of his fantasies but no it couldn't be just another dream. His dreams had never been anywhere near this good. He tried to withstand the sweet torture of her mouth on his skin but when her lips reached his stomach he could tolerate it no longer for fear he might explode from years of pent up desire.

He grabbed her by her shoulders dragging her up to meet his mouth and holding her tightly to him. That hardly helped the problem as the touch of skin on skin was electric. He slid his hand from her waist and in between her legs.

Instinct made Marian reflexively clamp her legs tightly together at his touch. Robin reluctantly broke the kiss. "Trust me, love. I want this to hurt you as little as possible."

Marian forced herself to relax. Robin resumed the kiss while he gently prepared her, his tongue keeping in time with the rhythm of his finger. It did not take long before the pleasure and need was unbearable.

Marian broke the kiss panting "Robin, please, I need you."

Robin didn't budge. "I know. I need you too but I want to be sure you are ready."

Words didn't seem to work so she decided two could play this game. She reached down and rubbed his hardness. That stopped him quite effectively.

"Oh god, Marian. I take your point." He moved on top of her still conscious of the need to take this slowly.

At least that was his intention but as soon as he started to enter her she arched upward forcing him fully inside her. She sucked in breath at the burning pain and tightened her arms around him almost cutting off his ability to breath.

God she felt so good. Hot and tight and better than he had imagined. He forced his mind off how good she felt and onto comforting her. He reached up caressing her cheek looking into her eyes. "The pain will go away in a moment, love. I promise it won't hurt next time."

He waited until her grip on his neck lessened then he leant down and kissed her. When she started kissing him back he began moving slowly inside her. Gradually picking up his pace as the tension built and she began to move with him. He broke the kiss wanting to look in her eyes as came.

Marian felt as though she was being tightly wound. Each thrust brought her closer and closer to the edge of a cliff. Any minute now she would fall off. A moment later the tension inside her burst and it was more like flying and it felt marvelous. She came moaning his name.

Robin smiled and set about finding his own release. It only took a few more thrusts before he threw his head back growling her name before letting his head rest on her breasts.

She combed her fingers through his sweat slickened hair listening to their labored breathing quiet down. The sense of contentment and absolute love she now felt more than made up for the slight pain she had experienced.

Robin finally raised his head kissing her softly. "I love you"

She stroked his bearded cheek thinking she had never seen him look handsomer with his tousled hair and contended smile. "I love you too and that was amazing"

Robin laughed before rolling over and bringing her against him. Her hand was trailing through the hair on his chest and his was combing through her hair both enjoying the moment. A moment both had once thought would never happen. They fell asleep holding each other.

They were awoken by the sunlight streaming through the open window the next morning. Marian was still curled against Robin's side her head resting on his shoulder and her arm wrapped over his waist. Robin was lazily caressing her back enjoying the peace of the moment and thinking how great it would be if they were married and he could wake up with her like this every morning.

Marian finally broke the silence. "It is tomorrow and I do not regret a thing except perhaps we should have thought to close the window then we would not have had the sun waking us so early"

Robin looked down at her a smirk on his face. "Perhaps but since the sun has woken us so early we now have time to usher in the morning properly before I have to leave."

Marian smiled at him "That sounds like a good plan"

"Of course it is. I only have good plans." He kissed her before she could rebuke him and all thought fled except that of loving each other.

Afterwards they lay on their sides holding to each other and hating the thought of parting. Finally Robin sighed sadly. "I should go before your father gets back"

Marian hugged him tightly. "I wish you didn't have to"

Robin pulled back his eyes and voice filled with fierce emotion. "If it was my choice we would never be apart."

"I know." She kissed him softly then started pushing out of her bed. "Now off with you before I get caught with an outlaw in my bed"

After they had both dressed they walked over to the window holding hands. Once there they turned to face each other. He kissed her tenderly. "I love you"

"I love you too, Robin. Go on. We both have things to do."

He started to climb out the window but she stopped him.

"Robin."

He turned back to look at her "Yes, love?"

"Be careful"

"Always." He kissed her quickly then was gone vanished back into the forest.