AN: Admitedly the simplest and most believable way to get Marian back with Robin would be for Edward to die but I just couldnt do it that way. I'll admit I'm not so good at writing Edward but oh well. Only a few more chapters left of this story. I'll have nothing to obsess about once it's finished.
Miles away from Sherwood Marian was faring little better than Robin. Days were easily enough filled with helping around Aunt Sylvia's estate or caring for her father. The nights though and whenever she could not find some mundane task to do her thoughts were always on Robin.
She would not have thought it possible to miss him so badly. There were times she cursed the unfairness of it all – them finally being together again only to be ripped apart. There were rare times when she thought how much simpler her life would be if she didn't love him. Mostly she just ached to be with him again, to see his smug grin, to see the love that always shined in his eyes, feel him holding her. With each day that passed she grew more depressed. She hated being so weak where he was concerned but she knew she couldn't help it. He had long ago become an integral part of her and that wouldn't change even if they never were together again.
She did a good job of pretending she was alright and hiding her heartbreak. At least she thought she was until one evening when she and her father were sitting in front of the fireplace. She was quiet her thoughts as usual on Robin when her father's voice broke her out of her memories.
"What is the matter, Marian? It is not like you to be so quiet."
Marian looked up at her father and tried to smile for him. "I guess I just miss home more than I expected to"
Edward looked closely at her and gut instinct made him ask "Miss home or miss Robin?" Marian gave him a shocked look and was speechless. "You think I do not know my own daughter or that I do not know that you were seeing Robin before we left?"
Marian decided to admit the truth. Talking about it might make the ache in her heart lessen. "Yes, I was seeing him. I love him more than I ever have but it so useless. We may never be together."
Edward had never seen her look so vulnerable before. Robin was one of the few people he knew who could affect his strong daughter – hurt her as no one else could but also make her happier than anyone else could. It hurt him greatly to see her so unhappy and growing unhappier by the day.
Maybe he had made a mistake bringing her here. She and Robin had always belonged together. Even as small children it had been near impossible to separate the two. She was not his little girl anymore much as he wished she was. "Then maybe you should be with him. Go live in Sherwood if it will make you happy."
It was a tantalizing thought. She would be free to live as she chose. She could help the people as she wanted to and most importantly she would be with Robin but…"I can't leave, father. Who will take care of you?"
Stubborn as always Edward thought. "Do I honestly look like I need taking care of? I feel ten years younger and if I do Sylvia is here."
It was true he did look a lot healthier. Apparently being away from Nottingham's stressful political climate was doing him a great deal of good. Still could she leave him?
Edward noticed her hesitation. "You have taken care of me long enough. It's time you had your own life. You've always had a wild spirit like Robin's. Your place is with him now."
"Are you sure you will be alright here?"
"Yes. For once will you do what I tell you to? It's for your own good. I want you to be happy." Edward could tell she was thinking about it and knew she had decided to leave when she smiled. "If you leave first thing in the morning you can probably be in Sherwood by nightfall"
Marian got up and kissed her father on the cheek. "I better get packing then."
The next morning Edward was waiting outside to see Marian off. She came out of the manor looking radiant making any doubt about his decision disappear. Still this was not easy to do. "Be careful. Write me occasionally so I know you're alright. Come visit your old father now and then. Tell Robin if he does not take care of you I shall come after him"
"I will I promise and I can take care of myself."
"I know but I'm your father it's my job to worry about you. You better get going."
Marian hugged her father. "I love you."
Edward hugged her tightly. "I love you, too. Now go on. I imagine Robin is worse off than you have been" He watched as she rode away thinking there goes my little girl off to lead the life she was destined to. He would miss her.