Robin immediately stood and walked over to her. "Marian, what's wrong?" He knew it had to be something big. It took a lot to upset this strong woman.
Marian looked up at him and swore to herself she would not fall apart. Not yet but it was hard not to. "Not here."
Robin led her away from the gang to a small clearing in the forest and waited patiently for her to speak.
Marian was trying to avoid meeting his gaze so filled with concern for her. It would only make this more difficult and her heart was breaking as is. "You aren't going to like this." She took a deep breath before continuing. "Vaysey knows it was my father that led the rebellion. He is coming to arrest him tomorrow. He intends to torture him until he reveals all those involved then my father will hang if can survive the torture that is. He also knows about us. I am to be arrested too"
Anger flashed in Robin's eyes. "I knew we should have been more careful. He will use you to get to me?"
"This isn't your fault, Robin. We both chose to be together. My double life was bound to catch up with me eventually. Just be glad the sheriff does not know I'm the nightwatchman. And yes he intends to use me to get to you. After you have hanged he will give me to Gisbourne."
Robin started pacing barely able to control his anger. "I will kill them both for this." Slowly and painfully.
Marian walked over to him taking his hand. She could feel him calm a little at the touch. "No, you cannot. That would not help the people and you know it. If you killed Vaysey, Prince John would just send someone equally bad if not worse. We have to think beyond ourselves here."
Robin sighed realizing she was right. She was always right. "So what do we do then? I will not allow you or your father to be harmed."
This was the hard part. She reminded herself this must be done. "We won't be harmed. We are leaving Nottingham tonight. We will stay with my Aunt Sylvia until it is safe here. The fight must be left to you and your gang."
Robin walked away from her stunned by this turn of events. What would he do without her? "Leave?"
She could hear the pain in his voice. It echoed her own. She spoke as much to convince herself as to convince him. "Robin, I have no other choice. This is the only way to protect everyone. I cannot leave my father alone. I am all he has. He needs me."
Robin turned to glare at her. "I need you too but I guess I don't matter."
"Of course you matter. Do you think I want to leave? This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Please, do not make it any more difficult than it already is."
The anger abruptly left Robin upon hearing the tears in her voice. He walked over to her drawing her into his arms. "I'm sorry. I'm not angry at you. I understand why you must go. It's just that I thought things were finally going good for us and now…"
Marian had her head on his chest listening to his steady heartbeat and silently crying. "Different directions again. Maybe someday"
Robin hugged her tighter. "I would wait a lifetime for you"
"As I would you"
They stood there for several more minutes just holding each other. When the sun started setting Marian reluctantly broke the silence. "I should go. There is packing that needs to be done." She pulled back to look at him. "I love you, Robin. Don't forget that."
"I love you too." He bent down to kiss her and could taste both their tears as he did so.
After a minute she broke the kiss and walked off holding his hand as long as possible.
Robin stood there and watched his love leave but this was not the time to dwell on his pain. There was work to be done. There were times he really wished he wasn't the hero.