The weeks flew by since the tax collection and the weather was improving greatly as winter was now passed. One particularly warm morning Sir Guy rode to Knighton Hall unusually cheerful. Edyn quickly excused herself not wanting to be in his presence unless absolutely necessary. Sir Edward later entered the house to announce that Sir Guy had requested Marian go with him back to Locksley Manor.

When Marian returned much later she seemed quite shaken and pale. "Sir Guy has informed me that the King is returning. He has already landed in Hull and will be here within a few days' time," Marian said quietly. Edyn closed her eyes and repressed a sigh. Her fondness for Marian had influenced how she felt her pain as her own. She knew Marian was holding on to the thought that it would be quite a while before the King would return but it had come much too quickly than expected. "My- Our wedding," she corrected, "takes place in Locksley. On Saturday," Marian finished.

"So soon?" Edyn blabbed before she could stop herself. Sir Edward gave her a dark stare; she had spoken out of turn. "Sorry, my lord," she muttered uncomfortably.

He simply nodded his head and turned back to Marian. "Yes, why is it being so rushed?"

Marian shrugged her shoulders. "I do not know. I'm simply holding my end of the deal." She paused. "If you'll excuse me," she said in a small voice and exited the room.

As the day drew to an end Edyn busied herself in the stables grooming her horse. Lately whenever she had felt down she had escaped here away from the kitchen. She had become quite fond of the bay horse she had accumulated while she had worked at Knighton Hall and as strange as it seemed she got the feeling the animal enjoyed the company as much as she did. Like most beasts he had not been given a name and Edyn had soon found herself thinking of what she would call him if someday he were to be hers. She had recently decided on Duke, though she didn't know why. She just felt he deserved a name.

While she gently ran a brush along his soft red coat she could hear a low thud sound coming from outside. She knew it was Marian practising her sword skills against an old post at the front of the house. She paused from her work and wondered how Marian was feeling. Since she had announced the day of her wedding she had been silent from the moment she had excused herself. It was not like her to simply shut herself off from people, especially not her father. Setting the brush aside she went to move outside to her mistress when she heard another voice. Glancing to where Marian continued to strike at the wood she could see Robin leaning casually against his bow talking with Marian. Finally he got a response out of her and Edyn left them to it returning to her non-important task. Maybe Robin would be able to cheer her, Edyn hoped.

But the longer they talked the louder their voices became to the point where Robin was yelling at Marian who tried to match his pitch although she seemed to become much more worked up trying to convince herself her marriage was not the worst thing that could happen to her. Shaking her head Edyn moved outside. "Robin!" she warned. He barely glanced at her arrival and continued to pressure Marian who stood uncomfortably avoiding eye contact. "Robin, I think you should leave," Edyn said firmly as Sir Edward stepped outside to investigate the commotion.

Robin continued to ignore her until Marian finally looked up at him. "I will deal with this!" he promised her before she turned and headed into the house. Edyn followed while Sir Edward remained outside to make sure Robin left. Inside, Edyn was shocked to see Marian with tears welling in her eyes. Robin had touched on a subject she wished not to think about. He had put forth every bad fact about her marriage that she wished to ignore. And as rude as it all seemed Edyn knew it was his way of trying to show his love for Marian, though he was going about it the wrong way. He should be comforting her, not criticising her.

"Edyn, can you please leave," Marian said as her father re-entered the house. Edyn did not take it to heart as Marian was, in a way, grieving; she was losing her freedom as well as her chance to be with the man she loves.

The following day Edyn helped Sir Edward to pack and leave for Merton and Marian had only left her room to bid him goodbye. She sat down glumly at the table and Edyn brought her a plate of food, which she simply picked at, only eating a little. "You will come with me? To Locksley I mean, when I am married?" Marian asked her in a soft voice.

"Of course," Edyn replied. "I already agreed when you asked me a while ago."

"I know," Marian said, "but then we were both under the impression it would be quite a while before the King would return. This is just so out of the blue. I just- I don't know how I should react. I keep trying to tell myself of all the good things that will come out of this marriage. But Robin's words keep circulating around my mind. How dare he say such things to me, I'm only trying to protect myself," Marian said obviously trying to defend her situation.

Edyn sighed. "In my opinion, he is saying such things because he is hurting just as much as you, my lady."

"What? How on earth would this hurt him as much as me? He is not the one being forced into a marriage," Marian retorted.

"Yes, but you cannot deny how much he loves you. If you marry Sir Guy then he really has lost everything he truly cares for. And all of it to the same man."

Marian was silent and Edyn was worried she had too much. "I'm sorry, my lady," she said bowing her head in guilt.

"No," Marian spoke up. "I fear you may be right. But there's nothing I can do. I must hurt him in order to protect my father and myself, no matter how cruel it sounds. There is no way we could ever be together so maybe it's a good thing I am to be married. Put an end to our feelings before they become too strong."

Edyn nodded her head to please Marian although she didn't agree with what was said; she knew it was already too late. Their feelings couldn't possibly become any stronger than what they were now surely.

That night Edyn watched as Marian snuck from the house dressed as the Nightwatchman, her last bit of excitement before her life would be controlled for her. Edyn had left the candles burning for when she would return and sat herself down at the table in the main room while she fixed the stitching on some of Marian's gowns. She would never say it to anyone but Marian always made a mess of the fabric whenever she tried to fix it herself; her heart was never in it, always longing to be something much more exciting and adrenalin pumping.

She then thought she could hear something outside; footsteps. Quietly she set her sewing aside and hesitantly got to her feet. Then she heard another sound upstairs in Marian's room. She sometimes hated herself for being so fearful but she forced herself to move to the door and pull it open. She gasped at the sight of Robin's men all standing to the side of the door and Robin himself climbing down from Marian's window.

She let out a breath of relief. "What are you doing?" she demanded.

Robin grunted as he landed on his feet. "Where's Marian? I need to tell her something."

"She went out. I don't know where though," Edyn replied.

"Some maid you are," Allan scoffed. "Aren't you supposed to know everything she gets up to? I thought it was a maids business to know everyone else's."

"Well this is Marian we're talking about. Not exactly an open book is she?" Edyn said.

Allan grinned at her. "So you have no idea where she would have gone?" Robin said.

Edyn shook her head. "She was dressed as the Nightwatchman so I'm assuming she's enjoying herself before she has to wed Sir Guy."

"Well, let's come back tomorrow," Much said.

Robin stared into the darkness in thought. "We can wait," Allan said to him. Edyn couldn't ignore the sudden excitement she felt at thought of them waiting with her for Marian's return.

Robin head then suddenly snapped up. "I know where she is. She's stealing Gisborne's money!"

"Oh, good work," Allan complimented.

They all went to leave when Edyn called them back. "Wait! I'm coming," she called as she pulled the door closed behind her.

Robin stared at her questioning. "Edyn, we don't need your help. It's best if you stay here."

"I'm coming! If anything happens to her I'll blame myself for not stopping her," she replied.

"You're making it sound much more dramatic than it really is," Robin said echoing similar words that her brother used to say to her often.

"I'm coming!" she repeated firmly.

"Fine! But you have to stay hidden; otherwise Gisborne will work out who the Nightwatchman is."

Edyn nodded her head in agreement and followed them. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Djaq give her a sidelong glance; both of them were still strangers after all. To her she probably seemed like an annoying girl who wanted to join Robin's gang of outlaws. If only she knew some of the situations Edyn had helped Robin with before Djaq had been with them.

As they approached Locksley Manor they could already here a commotion and several guards stood surrounding the building. Robin gestured for Edyn to hide amongst the trees on the outskirts of the forest. From where she crouched in the scrub she watched them burst into Robin's former estate weapons already raised. They wouldn't have been in there for very long but the few minutes felt like hours as she waited for them to emerge. From the commotion she guessed Marian had been spotted but she didn't know if she had been identified. She prayed that she was all right. What would she tell Sir Edward if anything were to happen to her?

Finally, they all emerged. Thankfully Marian was among them clinging to Robin. "Split up, into pairs," she heard him call to his gang. Her heart sank slightly as she watched Will run in the opposite direction with Allan. What did you expect? A little voice in her mind said. Marian and Robin disappeared together with Much and Djaq close behind them. Little John was now running in Edyn's direction.

"Up, quickly," he said to her and they both ducked into the trees of Sherwood Forest. After running for a while Edyn began to lag behind John. He was much older than her, which she found irritating but she reminded herself he had to be fit in order to survive. She was no longer as fit as she once was since she had been living at Knighton Hall. It was dark and she struggled to find her way through the denseness of the forest. Thick rain clouds covered the moon and stars and she hoped the rain would hold off until they reached shelter.

When they arrived at the outlaw's camp the morning sun was already beginning to rise making it much easier for Edyn to see what was in front of her. She got the feeling John had become a little frustrated by her lagging pace as well as having to help her back to her feet when she had fallen or slipped from not seeing what lay on the ground in front of her.

She had to admit their recent camp impressed her. The entrance to the cave was almost completely hidden if you were to just simply pass by the rock face. Inside Much and Djaq were both huddled next to a small fire. She glanced around looking for the others but they seemed to be the only ones there. Edyn had been sure John and herself would have been last due to her slowness but it appeared she was mistaken.

Hours dragged by and still no one else returned. Not long after John and Edyn had arrived the rain began pelting down breaking the uncomfortable silence. Agitated, John leapt to his feet claiming he was going to see if the others were close. He returned soon after dripping wet and worried. What could have delayed the others so much? She could hear Much beside her muttering anxiously and she tried her best to ignore him.

They then all heard another voice. "John!" Robin yelled as he came into view from the cave entrance. "John!" The light then hit his figure and Edyn saw to her horror Marian's limp body clutched in his arms. Little John leapt to his feet to take her from Robin and Djaq was close behind him. "Gisborne stabbed her," Robin announced. Edyn walked slowly behind them and Much still stood stunned rooted to the spot.

They soon had her laid down on a makeshift bed and Djaq quickly undid Marian's jacket to inspect the wound. Edyn gasped when she caught sight of it; she had no head for blood and gore and this wound was a mess. Djaq sent her a warning look. They all quickly had a job to do and Edyn remained standing awkwardly staring in horror. As Djaq prodded the injury Marian cried out and flinched away from the pain. Although Robin tried to hold her down he only had one free hand as he clutched Marian's hand in the other. Djaq turned to her. "Edyn, could you?" she jerked her head beside her. Numbly Edyn climbed up next to Djaq and held Marian's shoulders as Djaq closed up the wound. Marian's screams would haunt Edyn for as long as she lived, she knew it.

Edyn remained by Marian's side even after Robin left to sit nearby and sharpen some arrowheads. She had been so worried about her. In all the months she had lived with and worked for Marian she had never seen her hurt or vulnerable, it was terrifying to witness it now. When Djaq left she nudged Edyn and indicated that she should leave also. She glanced in Robin's direction and took the hint. No matter how anxious and worried she had been feeling she knew it must have been ten times worse for Robin.

Moving towards the campfire they were stunned that Will and Allan were still not there. "Do you think something may have happened to them?" Edyn asked trying to cover the worry in her voice.

"They'll be fine," Djaq muttered. Strange how all the outlaws were annoyed at their absence rather than concerned for them. Edyn reminded herself that they had to be tough to survive the way they lived; they couldn't spend every waking moment fretting over each other.

Finally Marian succumbed to sleep and as night fell Edyn tried her best to make herself comfortable on the hard cave floor. She wished she had been more intelligent and picked up her cloak as she left the house the night before. It would have been nice to snuggle into now, she thought to herself.

Morning came and Edyn poked her head around to check on Marian. She was still sleeping soundlessly with Robin slouched next to her. She felt her heart warm slightly at the thought of Robin refusing to leave her side as she slept, not many men would do that. She then remembered Sir Guy and how Marian was being forced to become his wife rather than Robin's. She doubted he would be this caring to stay with her. Hell, he was the one who had done this to her in the first place.

Outside she found Much leaning over a pot of boiling water trying to fuel the small fire while talking quietly with Djaq. As Edyn approached them Djaq suddenly got to her feet and rushed back into the cave. Edyn began to worry that her presence was becoming a nuisance. But she got comfort from Much who began babbling about what Marian liked to eat and she knew at least she didn't annoy him.

When Djaq returned her face was stern and she kept her eyes low. Again, Much asked his usual oblivious questions and Edyn tried to block out his voice.

"Djaq?" she asked.

Her eyes briefly met Edyn's and she glanced down towards Much who still hadn't registered the tension in the air. "Pray to your God," she said suddenly. "And to mine." Her eyes flickered up to Edyn's again and she said, "She is going to die." There was silence and Edyn couldn't make any noise escape her throat.

"Die? What do you mean die?" Much asked.

"Her face, I've seen that look a thousand times before," Djaq replied.

"N-no," Edyn finally managed to say. "Maybe you're mistaken. She- she can't." Djaq looked at Edyn once more, surveying the young woman's expression. How young and naive she was. "Please?" Edyn begged her as if Djaq had control over Marian's fate. So innocent this girl was, trusting that nothing bad would ever happen if she held onto hope.

Nervously Much began to babble and Djaq gave him a list of tasks she needed to be done as she was going to re-open Marian's wound and try to fix the damage. She went to leave when Edyn suddenly caught her arm. "What about me? What shall I do?" Djaq remained silent. "Please?" Edyn begged her again. "I want to help."

"Okay, here." Djaq passed her the instruments to be used for the surgery. "I need these to be sterilized in boiling water."

Edyn nodded her head and accepted the tools held out to her. As she worked her eyes lingered on the strange utensils. They scared her, looking more like instruments of torture rather than healing. She blinked furiously when she felt her eyes begin to prickle. No! She was not going to look like a scared child. She was determined to put on a brave face as Marian always did. She wasn't going to die, there was no way Djaq could be positive.

As Edyn made her way through the cave with the clean instruments she paused when she heard Robin talking with Marian. He was admitting how much he regretted going to the Holy Land, leaving Locksley, but most importantly leaving Marian. She could hear in his voice he was holding back tears, the agony of watching Marian suffer was finally becoming too much for him.

"Marian," Robin said, "I never should have gone."

"Robin…" Marian's weak voice followed.

"I–"

"I love you, you love me, we all love each other. Drink the wine!" Djaq's voice suddenly interrupted Robin's voice.

As Edyn emerged from where she had been hiding she desperately wanted to scream and yell at Djaq. She could understand the urgency to help Marian but surely waiting a few moments for the two lovers to admit their feelings wouldn't be her death. She kept her eyes down so her scowl would not be seen but the others. It had taken the two of them so long to get to this point only to be interrupted.

Edyn resumed her spot beside Djaq at Marian's head and held her shoulders as Djaq re-opened the wound. Marian let out a horrific scream and when her cries died down the only sound that could be heard was her blood dripping from her skin onto the rock surface beneath her. Edyn diverted her eyes away from the gore feeling the last meal she had eaten begin to rise up her throat. She took a deep breath through her nose which didn't help at all as all she could smell was the sickening metallic smell of Marian's blood.

Occasionally Marian would let out a pathetic moan or whimper as Djaq fiddled around inside of her until she finally passed out, her head rolling to the side and resting on Robin's arm. He let out a sigh of relief; at least she wasn't in pain anymore. It was then that Djaq began to stress and ramble angrily. Her training was minimal and Marian's injury was serious. Mixed with the fact Djaq did not have the proper equipment to use for surgery she began to doubt her skills.

By now Robin had his own finger pressing on the leaking blood vessel while Djaq tried to inspect any other damage the dagger may have caused. Djaq continued to become more worked up and Robin finally had had enough calling Much to take his place while he went to get another physician.

"Robin, hurry!" Edyn cried over Much's complaints. Marian was fading fast and the physician Pitts was their last hope to save her. While Djaq continued to work Edyn leant forward and gently took Marian's hand in her own. "Please don't die," she whispered ignoring the look she received from Djaq.

Time seemed to drag as they waited for Robin. Determined there was nothing further she could do, Djaq got up from where she sat to rest by the fire; she had exhausted herself with the stress. By now Edyn had moved her free hand to softly stroke Marian's dark hair.

It was then that Much became distressed that he could no longer feel Marian's heartbeat. Instantly Djaq leapt back to where she had sat before and inspected Marian. When she got no response from her she sighed heavily and rested a hand on her chest right before she slammed her fist on top of it causing Marian's whole body to shudder. Edyn gasped and Much grabbed Djaq's hands to stop her.

"Trust me, where she is she cannot feel a thing!" Djaq reassured them as she pulled her wrists from Much's clutch.

Djaq continued to slam her fist onto Marian's chest and Edyn later found out she was trying to shock Marian's heart to beat again. Edyn felt her eyes prickle once more and she wasn't sure if she going to be able to hold the tears back as she brought Marian's hand to her lips and gently kissed it before resting it against her cheek. Words could not describe the relief that washed over her when Much announced that Marian's pulse had returned. "Allah be praised!" Djaq had yelled loudly, which both Much and John mimicked out with relief. Edyn let out a huge sigh; that had been much too close.

Finally, Robin returned with the physician Pitts. He instructed Djaq to give Marina a drop of his draught before he merely glanced at Djaq's job at sewing up the leaking vessel and nodded his head at her suggestion for her to close the wound. Edyn frowned as his abrupt attitude and Djaq herself looked a little taken back. "Do you have a clean needle? Thread? Cloth?" Djaq asked.

"Oh, yes, of course," he muttered before digging through his large bag. Edyn caught sight of Robin's suspicious expression as he peeked a look inside the physician's bag. His eyes followed Pitts' hands as he handed Djaq the equipment she needed before he excused himself. Edyn was tempted to call after Robin but decided it was better to remain silent.

When Djaq finished the last stitch they both looked at each other with relief. Over the last few hours Edyn had gained a lot of respect for Djaq, even if sometimes she was a little too severe, she was still a good person. Edyn watched as she got up to clean her hands and Pitts came closer to Marian, leaning over her before a smile crossed his face, for some strange reason his smirk seemed unnerving. When he moved away Edyn protectively moved closer to Marian and brushed the hair from her face. Something wasn't right. Marian was still, too still. Placing a hand on Marian's chest she waited for it to rise and fall with her breathing. Nothing happened.

Robin's raised voice could be heard as he re-entered the cave and Much left to see to his master but Edyn ignored all else that was happening, her focus was on the fact that Marian had suddenly stopped breathing.

"Djaq!" The Saracen looked up at her puzzled. "Djaq, she's not breathing!"

Within a second Djaq was leaning over Marian, her hands fumbling as she checked her pulse and for any signs of life. Edyn watched in horror as she gently removed her shaking hands from Marian's body. She looked up at Edyn with wide eyes and shook her head.

"No, no, no…" Edyn rambled as Djaq turned to Pitts who simply watched the spectacle with the same smirked painted on his face. He gave a small satisfied chuckled and left them. "Djaq, please? There must be something you can do?" Edyn asked desperately. When she got no answer she continued. "You revived her before, you can do it again. I know you can! Djaq, please?" She felt a warm tear slide down her cheek but she ignored it.

Djaq slowly shook her head. "I- I cannot. She's gone, Edyn. I- There's no way I can bring her back from where she is now."

Edyn let out a sob and looked down at her mistress while shaking her head in disbelief. How peaceful Marian looked in death. She sniffed pathetically and glanced up at Djaq. She was surprised to find the strong-willed woman with tears welling in her eyes. They both looked up when they heard footsteps approaching. Robin stood staring at them in doubt. "Robin… I'm sorry," Djaq said softly as she slowly began to walk towards him away from Marian's body. Edyn then followed, understanding that she needed to give Robin time to say goodbye to the woman he loved.

Once away from Robin she felt the lump in her throat grow in size and when she caught sight of Much's confused expression she let out a sob. Another soon followed and she brought her hands to her face trying to hide herself. How foolish she felt crying like a child. Out the corner of her eye she noticed Djaq had her sword held up to Pitts' throat. She took a deep breath and tried to control her emotions. She could hear something outside. Horses whinnying, hoof beats approaching and equipment rattling but what terrified her the most was the Sheriff's voice which yelled gleefully, "Oh, Robin Hood! Come out, come out wherever you are." His malicious chuckle seemed to echo around the cave they hid in.

Edyn sent John a questioning look and she heard Much say quietly, "They're here."

A:N/ Ooo! My first cliff-hanger! Even though we all know what happens so it doesn't really count haha. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'm really bad when it comes to portraying emotions. Whenever I've been in a horrible situation I can never think of words to describe how I'm feeling so I hope I didn't do too badly with this chapter. I have to admit I surprised myself when I was editing it, I didn't think it was going to come out as good as it did. Yay!

I was asked if I'm going to finish at the end of the first series or continue on… And so far I've decided that I'm going to continue this until the end of the second series. I've been thinking it through and I can't think of a way of keeping Edyn involved in the story after everything that happens in the Holy Land without her becoming a member of the gang and I really don't want to do that. But I have an awesome build up and ending in mind so I hope you'll enjoy it =) And her mothers necklace may or may not make a reappearance… you'll have to wait and see.

Thankyou my lovely reviewers, you are the best! Mwah! Keep them coming so I continue to write with a stupid smirk on my face hehe.