Part 18
"Happy Birthday Master," Much said brightly to Robin and he groaned as he opened his eyes. "Do not just lie there, get up, you need to bathe, or wash at least." Robin moved from his cosy bed on the floor and stood, stretching as he did so. "Come on, you need to be ready." Much prodded.
"What have you planned a birthday surprise?" he asked with a smirk.
"No. I have not. You told me yesterday that you and Marian would be united by hand fasting today." He said. "Have you changed your mind?"
"Of course not. Where is Marian?" he added looking round the little cottage and seeing no sign of anyone else at all.
"Never you mind about that, just concentrate on smelling better and change your shirt."
"I do not have a spare shirt." Robin protested as Much walked him down to the stream.
"Yes you do," he told him, producing a very fine shirt indeed.
"Where did you get that from?" asked Robin, double taking at his friend when he smiled a secret smile.
"It is a birthday gift. Here, it is for you."
"So it is a birthday surprise after all?" Robin said giving Much an unexpected hug.
"I suppose it is," Much replied, secretly flattered. "Can I say something?"
"Even if I say no I have a feeling you will say anyway." Robin said amused.
Much took a deep breath and said. "I hope you and Marian…will be very happy."
"We will," he replied quietly. "We will."
The day was a mix of cloud and sun which wasn't bad weather of mid October. Djaq and Will had decorated a little sun trap by the side of the cottage with late summer blooms and it looked pretty, just right for the occasion.
The previous day Little John and Djaq had taken Marian to a nearby village and borrowed a dress which befitted the ceremony, as well as purchasing another for her to return to Sherwood in as her green one was beyond repair. While they were there Will and Robin met with a peddler on the road and secured the ribbons they required for the ceremony, choosing a different colour for each of them.
Little John led Marian from the house and they all stood in a small group under the flower canopy.
"New shirt?" Marian said a little nervously to Robin and fingered the fine fabric, as her hand coursed down the front of his clad chest; his hand covered hers and he smiled.
"And he washed," added Much. "That was his birthday present to the rest of us." And they all laughed a little.
"Ready?" Marian asked Robin whose expression was similar to the day in the woods when they buried McLellan.
"Yes," he replied quietly.
"Go on then," she replied smiling encouragingly to him.
He swallowed, she simply took his breath away, wearing an unadorned dress with flowers woven into her hair and he wondered if he was going to be able to speak. Their hands met somewhere between their bodies and Robin gripped firmly to her good hand and with the utmost gentleness to the unbound but damaged one, her fingers not really curling round his but her thumb did. They faced each other and both smiled.
"Marian. I take you to be my wife. I promise to protect and honour you all the days of my life." He vowed his voice audible after all but soft.
"Robin, I take you as my husband, to love and cherish, from this day on." Marian promised in a tone which echoed his.
"The ring, the ring…." muttered Much, handing it to Robin.
Robin released her hand momentarily and slipped on a simple band of gold that he had bought the previous day, kissing her hand to seal the promises they had made. The ring had been bought from the peddler from whom Will had purchased the ribbon. No doubt at some time it had belonged to the wife of a nobleman like himself who had either been robbed or fallen on hard times. She fingered it gently, knowing that she would have to wear it around her neck with the engagement ring and tag, until her hand healed more thoroughly. Then they took hands again to complete the hand fasting ritual.
Djaq stood forward first, tying a red ribbon about their hands. "For your
love for each other," she told them.
Little John went next and tied their hands with a green ribbon. "For prosperity and hope," he told them.
Will followed and tied a ribbon with yellow tones and said. "For joy."
Lastly Much tied a blue ribbon and uttered. "For faithfulness."
Robin and Marian looked from the ribbons which hand fasted them together to unite in a bond of marriage to one another.
"Go on," urged John. "Kiss the bride…"
"If it helps," added Will, standing up straight. "I pronounce you man and wife,"
"For a year and a day at least," added Much. "You do realise we will have to find a priest this time next year?"
"Much shut up!" Djaq scolded. "Let them enjoy the here and now, tomorrow will take care of itself."
Much shot her a look, slightly hurt but held his tongue from other comments. Robin and Marian leant forward and shared a brief kiss and the party of gatherers cheered.
0o0
In the cottage burned one lone candle illuminating the couple who lay sated beside the fire. Robin traced the line of his wife's body with his hand, teasing and tantalising her at the same time and she turned to face him. He propped himself up with his elbow and looked down at her and sighed.
"What is wrong?" she asked, tracing the line of his beard and then cupping his face with her right hand, her left one laying limply at her side.
He shook his head and replied, "I was just thinking…."
"Do not think about what 'ifs'," she replied as if reading his mind. "Think about us."
"Oh I am thinking about you," Robin answered with an irresistible smile, drawing closer until they were mere inches apart. He felt like he was going to drown in the blue pools of her eyes which reflected honesty, love and hope.
Marian's world began to spin as he lowered his mouth to kiss hers with deep endless kisses. Then with infinite gentleness he made her his all over again.