'Marian?'
She could her it, but yet her mind would not process it...
'Marian?'
She tried to speak, to reassure the caller that she was going to be fine, but no sound came out...
'Marian? Are you there?'
She heard it again, why can't she speak? She couldn't open her eyes, it was like they were glued shut, protecting her from the world.
'Marian...'
It was a whisper this time, from a voice she recognised but she couldn't decipher who's it was. They sounded worried, hear-broken, distraught...
Marian felt like crying out, she was getting angry that she could not move. She felt so useless.
'Master Robin, please come down to eat. You must eat something, she will be fine'..
Who was that?...
'Master Robin?'
She felt like screaming out!
'In a moment Sir Edward'
It was her father! And Robin!
He was crying... Robin that is... Her father didn't sound very happy but still, Robin was next to her...
She felt him move closed to her and for a spilt second her pushed his lips to her forehead and kissed it softly, his thumb caressed her cheek gently and then he left her.
It was then, her lips began to work again, like clockwork that had jammed and now become clear.
'Robin...' She whispered, breathlessly. Lord she was exhausted...
He spun around and practically flew to her bedside, she'd never seen him move so quick!
'Marian!' His eyes brimmed with tears.
'I'm alright' She lied, truth was, she was in agony. But he couldn't know that...
'Marian... I was so worried... I thought... I thought I'd lost you' He whimpered, squeezing her hand.
Marian hushed him to be silent. 'Help me up'
'I don't think that is wise, carry on resting' He replied frowning with concern.
'Robin, I won't ask again, help me up... please?' She said sternly.
But to her annoyance, he laughed...
'There cannot be much wrong with you?'
Marian scowled at him. 'I'm serious, help me'
In return, her rolled his eyes but obeyed her wish.
Marian sucked in air and flinched as he lifter her back up off the bed for her to sit.
'I'm so sorry Marian'
'It's not your fault, I have no idea what happened out there...' She smiled falsely.
He groaned lightly, 'Well, I mean... for storming off earlier, I should have been there when you fell... But when I heard, I came straight away'.
'Shhh, Robin it's fine, I'll be fine, when have I ever lied to you?' She smiled, properly this time.
He grinned, 'That time when we were 10, we were sitting on a fallen tree in Sherwood and you threw a twig at me but you pretended it wasn't you and said the tree threw it' He laughed.
Marian burst into giggles, 'That doesn't count! I was only 10 and it was funny!'
Robin moved to sit on the bed next to her...
'Robin! Shoes?!' She lifted her eyebrows up in disgust.
Robin rolled his eyes and slipped off his boots. 'Sorry, sorry'.
He crossed his legs and turned to face her, he looked down at his nails and started to pick at the bed cover.
Still looking at the bed, he began... 'Umm, have you heard about the masquerade ball that's going to take place in the main hall of Nottingham Castle?'
He sounded nervous...
Marian looked at him and her eyes lit up, a smile engraving across her face. 'Nope, I love them!' She squealed. 'When is it?'
Robin smiled at her, she was so beautiful... 'Tomorrow night' He hesitated. 'Will you do the honours of being my acquaintance?'
Marian smiled again, 'I'd love to' And with that, she leant into him and wrapped her arms around his neck, breathing in his adorable scent.
They peeled apart after a few minutes and Robin stood to pull his boots back on.
'Where are you going?' She questioned him.
He turned to face her again. 'Hunting, I'll see you tomorrow night'
'Okay, Goodnight Robin'
Robin smiled, 'Goodnight' he paused... 'My Lady' and he left the room.
Marian listened for him to say goodbye to her father and mother and she crept out of bed, she motioned towards the window and stood by the edge of it, she watched him mount and leave Knighton Hall.
Marian pulled on a robe and made her way downstairs, she felt so much better now, he'd made her amazingly happy.
'Marian! My beautiful daughter!'
She heard her mother call as she cupped her face and kissed her on the forehead.
'Morning mother' She smiled and hugged her tightly.
'Awh, my poor, poor darling! What are we going to do with you' She laughed, 'Come, eat something. You must be starving'.
Marian pulled up a chair and sat up the table, she glanced at her father, then back at her food which her mother had just plated for her.
Pork and salad.
'Thank you' She thanked and began to eat.
She felt her father move and cough. 'Marian, how are you?'
She looked up to see his face.. frail..
'I am quite well father' She smiled.
'I was so worried when I saw you fall...' He said with a worrying voice.
'Don't father, I told you I'd be fine, just a bit stiff with a small cut on my head is all'
Her father moaned in reply and her mother stepped up.
'What's put you in a good mood then deary? Usually when you take a fall your all upset?' She raised her eyebrows.
Marian grinned and started to blush inappropriately.
'Nothing'
Her mother gasped, 'What's Robin said to make you so happy? I saw him practically skipping out the house once he'd left you?'
Marian gave in, her cheeks flushed a bright pink. 'He asked me to the Masquerade Ball as his acquaintance' She giggled, embarrassed.
Lillith gasped and started to grin but her father frowned but smiled eventually.
'That's so sweet! What a coincidence because me and your father brought you a small present' She grinned and stood up, going into a cupboard bringing out a large box.
'Mother, father, you shouldn't have!' She was smiling in such delight..
'Here' Lillith handed her the large white box and Marian hesitated then carefully pulled the lid off.
Marian felt like fainting when she saw what was inside, she gasped and her eyes widened...
'It's... it's beautiful...'