Marian found her father sitting in front of the fire. He looked up when she ran in the house instantly worried from the look on her face.
"Marian, what has happened?"
"The sheriff knows that you led the lords. He is coming to arrest you in the morning. He intends to torture you into talking then hanging you as an example to the other lords. I knew it was too risky to move against him"
"I did what I felt was necessary." He took a close look at his daughter. She was hiding something. "What aren't you telling me?"
She was really hoping to avoid telling him the rest. She could solve her own problems thank you but since she was caught… "The sheriff will use me to capture Robin. Then he intends to give me to Gisbourne to...do as he wishes with me." She couldn't help the shudder that went through her body at the thought of what he would do with her.
Edward sighed resignedly. He could really only see one way to keep them, and everyone who would be hurt if he was tortured and talked, safe. "So it has finally come to this." He looked up at his brave, outspoken daughter knowing she would not like this idea. "We will have to leave Nottingham tonight, stay away until it is safe."
"And go where exactly?"
"I have long had an agreement with your Aunt Sylvia that if got too dangerous we would go to her. I know you don't wish to leave but there is no other way."
Leave Nottingham? Leave Robin? And who knows when she would see him again. The thought alone was agonizing but what other option was there? If they stayed her father would die and that thought was more painful. He would only be safe outside Nottingham and she could hardly leave him alone in his weakened state. Life really wasn't fair. She had to see Robin. She looked up at her father. "You are right. We will leave but first I have to take care of something."
The gang was sitting around the evening fire enjoying the relative peace their lives had been lately. Allan commented on how good things were. "Here we all are healthy and happy- Robin and Marian, Much and Eve, Will with Djaq, and even my love life is good."
Everyone one looked at him questionably. Allan feigned offence. "What I can't have a love too? I have a girl over in Nettlestone –Emily. Lads, let me tell you she is filled out in all the right places if you know what I mean."
Much looked at him disgusted. "You are revolting"
"What? I didn't say that was all she had going for her"
Everyone laughed then fell silent as Will froze.
Robin tensed. "Will, what is it?"
"Marian. She looks upset."