'Robin slow down!' Marian screams, hanging on for her life as the horse gallops across the grass, loose mud flies up into the air as the solid black hoofs thud into the ground. The sun is setting and there is a pinkish haze around, filling the sky beautifully. The trees and surroundings blur into a greeny - brown blur as the horse gallops on faster.
'Robin!' Marian calls again. 'I'm going to fall off' She shouts and Robin's horse comes to a stop.
Robin laughs, 'Your the best female horse rider in the whole of Nottingham and your complaining about falling over in mid canter?'
'Yes Robin! I don't want to fall off tonight, especially since my father will probably argue with me about spending time with you when I'm meant to be out with Guy' She shakes her head at him and dismounts, she walks forwards and emerges through the trees to a hill above Locksley. She admires the sunset and smiles tiredly.
'Marian..' Robin begins but Marian hushes him.
'Listen' She adds softly and quietly as she turns to look at him, still on his horse, he was staring at her, his eyes sad.
'What?' He questions looking around.
Marian shakes her head still smiling. 'You are so dopey sometimes' She laughs. 'I was listening to the church bells. I have been invited to Lady Katrina and Jonathan of Clunt. It's tomorrow you know? Are you going?'
Robin dismounts and walks towards her, he slumps onto the ground on the hill and rests back on his elbows looking at her. 'I am yes, my father is not though, it will just be me and my mother attending'.
Marian sits next to him on the hill. She crosses her legs and picks daisies. She stares at the lush green grass for a while and then looks up at him. His eyes were failing at keeping the sadness and upset hidden. She could always tell when he was hiding something, whether it be a good surprise or a bad one...
'What do you mean he's not attending? Does it not like weddings?' She gives him a confused look.
Marian watches him as he looks at the ground and stares at it for a while. He lets out a long sigh and Marian shuffles towards him and ducks her head to look up at him.
'Robin what's happened?' She questions carefully. 'You can trust me?'
He sighs again and looks up at her and he smiles hopelessly. 'My father is leaving us, to go away. I do not know why, I think he may be seeing another woman'.
Marian gasps in shock. 'Robin that's terrible! I do not believe Malcolm would do that? Would he?...' Marian swivels her head back to look at the ground. She looks back up at him again. She looks up at him wistfully and leans towards him.
'I'm so sorry Robin' She wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him. 'If you ever want to talk, I'm always here' She smiles at him.
Robin smiles back. 'Thank you, what are you wearing to the wedding?' He asks her and starts grinning.
'Why are you smiling like that?' She smiles at him and raises her eyebrows. 'Robin what are you thinking of wearing?' Her eyes grow wide in surprise.
Robin's grin becomes massive and he laughs. 'Just my normal clothes'
Marian gasps again and slaps him gently on the cheek. 'Robin you cannot wear normal clothing to a wedding!'
He pulls away laughing. 'I'm joking, I'll probably wear some jacket and trousers with my best black boots. What are you wearing?'
'I do not know yet, I will have to take a look when I'm home' She replies and smiles as she stands and pulls Robin up after her.
He smiles at her. 'Come on, let's get you home'.
Robin trots into the castle courtyard through the North Gate with Marian behind him.
The guards nod and smile. They chorus, 'My lady Marian, Master Robin'.
Marian returns a smiles and nod and they arrive in the middle of the yard. Robin dismounts and holds his hand out to Marian and helps her down. They walk into the castle and Marian finds her father in the main hall.
She knocks on the door and her father answers, 'Enter'.
The pair enter and her father looks up at them, Marian glances over towards Guy and his parents who were in company with Edward.
'Marian? Robin?' He frowns at them both. 'I would like to have a word with you two' He raises his eyebrows and stands.
'About?' Marian questions and crones her neck, rolling her eyes.
He scowls at Marian. 'Follow me, you'll find out soon enough'.
Marian glances towards Robin and raises her eyebrows again, she mouths, 'Sorry!' but Robin just grins and mouth back, 'I have a plan'
She grins back and they follow her father out of the hall and around the corner.
'In here' Edward gestures them to enter the room first and they do so.
He closes the door and walks towards the two.
'Marian.' He begins. 'I asked one small thing of you today, you show Guy around and be kind.'
Marian nods.
'You showed us up young lady! You tosses him out to see Robin instead, Guy fell of his horse and is wounded, you could of rode back to him! You can see Robin any day' He glares at Marian and shakes his head. 'Why Marian?'.
Marian sighs and is about to speak when Robin cuts her off. 'Forgive me Sir, it was my fault. Marian did take Guy out into the forest and when he fell off, Marian helped him up and took care of him but I intruded on them since I was upset with my father, I needed to see Marian because she calms my mind as she listens and understands'. He finishes and smiles softly at Marian and then looks back to Edward.
'I see, and why were you so upset that you needed to speak to my daughter for?' He raises his eyebrows and questions him, not believing the story.
Robin sighs and his eyes fall sad again. 'My father is leaving, he's going away for a while. I was upset because he keeps leaving me and my mother'
Edward hesitates and walks towards the young boy. 'I'm sorry Robin.' He pats him on the shoulder.
Robin nods and replies. 'Thank you for understanding'
'And as for you missy, I want you BOTH to apologise to the Gisborne's and then Marian I want you up to bed because the wedding is tomorrow and Robin, go home and sleep as well. I trust you are attending the wedding?'
Robin nods again. 'Just me and my mother' He turns away and bids Marian goodnight.
Marian gives him and quick hug and walks away with her father...