The Day I Live For
'Your hair?' Robin gasped, at the first sight of Marian. He had not seen her since that day in Amy's cottage with Aaron, and so much had changed. For both of us I fear, Robin thought. How am I meant to protect the woman I love, when my men need me also? I could not have left Roy, or his mother, to face the wrath of the Sheriff, but by doing so, I was forced to leave Marian vulnerable. Well not totally vulnerable, as she said, she has had to learn to look after herself. Damn my stupid pride.
'I was tired of it, so had it cut. It's much more practical this way,' Marian replied calmly, although her eyes gave away the truth.
Reading her face rather than her words, Robin moved closer to her. 'Marian …' he started, before he was interrupted by the sound of a baby crying.
'I told you to wait a moment!' Much punched Allan on the shoulder as the group of outlaws, accompanied by Annie and Seth, came into view.
'Don't worry yourself Much. It is best to get Annie and Seth away as soon as we can, before they receive any unwanted attention.' Robin turned and spoke to his exasperated friend. 'Although, you should listen to Much more, Allan!' he added, after seeing Allan's smug look, which was soon wiped clean.
Laughing at the antics of the outlaws, Annie handed Seth over, to allow each of the outlaws to say their own farewells.
'Well, little fellow!' Allan began. 'As much as it was great to meet you, I can safely say you have put me off any thought of children for a long while yet! Have a great life, and remember those helpful hints I told you!' After kissing the top of Seth's head, Allan passed him along to Will.
'Word of advice, whatever Allan told you, forget it!' Will joked, safe in the knowledge that Allan wouldn't hit him whilst he held the baby. 'You may not have had the best start to your life, but it's been an eventful one, and I wish you the best. Just make sure you know how to get out of mischief, as well as into it!' he added, as he placed Seth into John's arms, with a kiss.
'I apologise for you having to spend even the shortest amount of time with this bunch of idiots!' John sighed as Allan extracted his revenge on Will for his comment. 'Enjoy your life little man. You, I liked.' With a swift kiss, Seth was handed to the fourth member of the gang.
'Umm, well I don't really know what to say to babies,' Much began. After glaring at Robin, who had failed to hide his laughter, he turned his back to the others and continued, 'All I really wanted to say was, thank you. Thank you for allowing Robin and Marian to see that hope is not all lost, and enabling them to re-capture their dreams they had thought lost. For that, I am eternally grateful, and although I doubt that you will remember, you were the one that helped to save the great Robin Hood. Have a fantastic life.' Much gently kissed the top of Seth's head, before walking towards Marian and Robin, the latter who had suddenly lost any sense of humour, and passing the young babe up to Marian.
'Hey there my little man! Didn't think I would be seeing you again, did we? What an adventure you've had these past couple of days, huh? If the rest of your life is this exciting, you're going to have an eventful existence! Just make sure you don't make any rash decisions, unless they are for the right reasons, like love. Goodbye … Aaron.' Marian finished with a whisper and a soft kiss on each hand and his little button nose. As she gently lowered Seth into Robin's arms, Robin squeezed her hand gently, with the same emotions shining in his eyes.
'So, I guess it's my time to say goodbye then. I'm not really used to this. I haven't had anyone special to part with for a while now, and then two leave in consecutive days. Although you won't remember the unruly band of outlaws, and Marian of course, that you lived with for a few days of your life, believe me, we will never forget you.' Looking round at the men that he had come to see as his family, Robin saw the love and sadness they all had at the departure of Seth, though they would show it to no-one. Glancing at Marian, he recalled their short time as a family. 'Thank you,' he whispered to Seth before placing his own kiss on his head and handing him back to his mother, who seemed shocked by the emotions shown by this group of rough-living, hardened outlaws.
'You best get going, Annie.' Robin said quietly. 'It's quite a way and you don't want to stay in the forest too long, there are some unsavoury characters about!' She chuckled slightly before settling herself next to the driver of the small cart.
'Oh, we've got something for you and Seth. Open it later.' Will added, as he passed up a small pouch to Annie.
'I can never thank you enough for what you have done for me, and for Seth also. I will make sure he knows of those who ensured he had a good start to life. Thank you also, my Lady. Goodbye and you are always welcome in our home.'
As the cart slowly drew away, the outlaws headed back into the forest, wishing for sleep, peace and food.
'Robin,' Marian called out. As he turned to face her, she dismounted her horse and moved towards him. 'I know you know I was lying, about my hair. But please, I beg you, do nothing about it. It will only make the situation worse, and I can not risk my father in it.' As she took his hands, Marian saw the emotions swimming in Robin's eyes. 'Please, don't do anything rash.'
'Not even if it's for the right reason? Not even if it's for love?' Marian turned away, as Robin used her own words against her. 'I'm sorry; I should not have said that. I will do nothing, for now. But you can not expect me to just let this lie Marian. You cannot ask that of me.'
'I would never. Thank you Robin, but now I must return to my father. I'm afraid that my recent actions have caused him greater distress.'
Seeing Marian's own distress, Robin enveloped her in a hug. 'I am here, whenever you need me,' he whispered, wishing he was able to portray all that he really wanted to say.
Feeling herself about to let go, Marian re-checked herself, and drew away from Robin, albeit reluctantly. 'I know, and the same goes for you.'
As they separated and Marian re-mounted, Robin heard the shouts of Much, to inform him that the rabbit was finally cooked.
Allowing small smiles to cross their faces, even if they were tinged with sadness and whole range of other emotions, Marian inclined her head to the road behind her. 'I am going this way.
'And I am going this way', Robin indicated the path behind him, into the forest.
'Always different directions,' Marian replied, as she turned her horse around, and began walking away from Robin.
Watching his love ride away from him, Robin spoke quietly, 'Not for forever Marian. Soon our paths will lead us towards each other, and that is the day I live for.'