Part 19

In the kitchen Much remained at the table still chewing on a piece of meat, he looked up as Robin appeared. The kitchens were grand for their day and possibly the most modern that Much had had the pleasure to sit in.

"Hungry?" he asked pushing a plate of leftovers in Robin's direction.

"No I ate in the great hall," he replied, sliding onto the bench opposite his manservant and his best friend. "Where are the others?"

"Sleeping," said Much with a mouthful. "Except Djaq, she went to see Marian."

"You should sleep too, we are leaving early to intercept this money."

"I will but this food….it is wonderful to eat again."

"Do not eat too much you will regret it and I need for you to keep up with us in the morning."

Much looking sheepish put the remaining meat down, "I'll save the rest for Djaq."

"Good idea," said Robin with half a smile "By the way; I have a hot bath sitting in my chamber."

"You smell like you have used it." Much told him, sniffing the air.

"I did, but I also know how fond you are of keeping yourself clean and wondered perhaps you would like to use it."

"But you have been in it," Much said, turning up his nose.

"Yes," Robin said. "But…it is hot water and when will you next have an opportunity like this?"

"True but the room is yours to sleep in I do not think it is appropriate for me to…"

"Much!" said Robin cutting him off mid-sentence. "I have to see Marian you have time to bathe."

Much smiled. "Very well, thank you master I will….will do that right now."

Robin gave him directions to the room which had been provided for him to use during his stay before heading in the direction of Marian's. Just outside the kitchen he bumped into Djaq returning from the very place.

"How is she?" he asked, trying to keep the concern out of his voice without succeeding.

"The weapon obviously had been used recently and not washed. I cleaned the wound, thoroughly, applied the poultice and dressed it. There is more poultice left. I have left instructions with one of the house servants. I do not think she is well enough to be travelling with us further. She still has the fever, but is not delirious." Djaq shrugged. "It could one of two ways, she could start to improve or deteriorate before she gets better."

Robin who was well aware of what could happen nodded grimly and said. "You have done well, go, eat there is still some food in the kitchens, and sleep," he patted her on the shoulder before continuing on his journey.

There was no reply to the soft knocking he offered so he lifted the latch and slowly entered the room. The chamber was about the same size as her room had been at Knighton, the bed larger, room for two he thought. Her eyes were closed and her hair lay splayed across the pillow. After watching her from the doorway for some minutes she startled him as she spoke.

"Are you going to stand there all night?" her voice was soft with an amused lilt to it and he ruefully approached the bed and sat upon the counterpane, facing her.

Marian's face was still alarmingly pale, with a fine sheet of sweat glistening on her brow despite the cold night. She smelt of lavender and he supposed she had bathed too. They stared at each other for what seemed an eternity looking deep into the other's soul. Finally Robin spoke.

"How are you feeling?" his voice seemed gravelly and he coughed to clear it as he reached for her hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of it soothingly.

"As I look I expect," she told him. "You still leaving, tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Without me?"

"Yes. I do not think you are in a position to object."

"Perhaps not. I would slow you down."

"Yes you would," he offered gently.

"It is late should you not be sleeping?" she asked him raising one eyebrow in a questioning glance.

"I wanted….. I needed to see you….. I needed to see that you were alright. Marian this is too close to what happened in Sherwood…I could not bear it again"

"I am fine, nothing a few days recuperation will not benefit from."

"Having you here, is good too," he added.

"Good for Alistair and Aubrey?"

"If the Sheriff comes….and Gisborne."

"I will take the men here and we will make a stand, you know that," she told him.

"I have told Alistair how dire the situation is. I do not think he quite believes me but the time will come…"

"And we will be here for him, we will fight for and with him, we will succeed, we have to believe that, as I believe in you," she implored, he looked weary, more than that he looked exhausted, she also knew had not finished what he needed to say and waited for him to continue.

"Marian," he cupped her warm face between his hands, his thumbs caressing the soft skin of her cheeks. "I can give you no wealth, nor security. I have no home, no name; my lands are in the hands of those I despise. All I can give you is my heart."

"You have already given me that; I hold your heart in mine."

"Marian," he said, his voice husky with emotion. "Will you be my wife? Will you marry me?"

"Yes," she whispered. "I would marry you tomorrow if we had the opportunity."

Robin leant down and brushed his lips across hers deepening it slightly as she responded. She gave a soft sigh and closed her eyes, he not wanting to leave her shimmied up the bed and leant back against the pillows letting her use him as a pillow of her own. Robin wrapped his arms lightly around her, wriggling beneath the counterpane. He entwined their fingers and fingered her ring finger tentatively, before sleep claimed his overtired body.