There are characters that do not belong to bbc which are sprinkled throughout the story. For example Matthew…Edward Mann…and now Stephan of Locksley Robin's brother…I wanted to give them a past…so the majority of this is about their past…please tell me what you think….i'd really appreciate it….trying to make guy a good guy is also difficult do you have suggestions?? thoughts?? read and enjoy I love you all

Chapter 8

Guy might have been feeling happy but Robin, sailing for France, certainly was not happy. He did not believe that marriages ought to be annulled. When a priest blessed a marriage there should be no going back. That was what he had been taught to believe. But he had also been taught to believe that the laws were always just and true.

It had been two days since Much's question about his brother.

Stephan…oh Stephan.

Robin looked out on the sea and closed his eyes. He thought of his lost older brother. Lost, because Robin had been taught to see Stephan as a traitor to his family, to his country, and to his king.

Stephan was five years older than Robin. He had blue eyes and brought beaming smiles to his mother and father. The little Stephan was a delight to watch as he learned to crawl…walk…and read. Stephan devoted himself to the scriptures from an early age. By the time Robin was two and Stephan was seven he could quote passages of the New Testament and the Old as well. But…when it came to sports, Robin smiled at the memory…Stephan was never so good with a bow.

Just relax your aim and concentrate. Robin at twelve had told his seventeen year-old brother. He was trying to help Stephan with archery. Though he enjoyed lending a hand to his brother Robin looked up to Stephan.

Robin remembered how confident and serene Stephan was. Robin thought of that strong stance and the ever-even strides of Stephan. Robin also recalled that late Friday night when he and Stephan had sat outside and stared up at the stars.

What do they mean? Robin had asked. Stephan knew everything…

Stephan, the calm and cool eighteen year old sighed deeply. There was something he wanted to share with his little brother. His adorable, sweet, little brother. How would he be able to tell him?

I do not know exactly. Stephan took a long gaze at the stars. People have many different theories on the subject of stars.

Tell me what you think Stevie.

Stephan, fondly Stevie, raised his eyebrows. What I think…is that the stars are the souls of the dead. Every time someone dies his soul goes to Heaven and he adds to the beauty of the night sky.

Robin had scrunched his face. He liked Stephan's theory. But something didn't seem right…

Everyone? Robin mused. What about the non-Christians? The Turk for example?

Everyone's mind was on the Turk these days. The Crusades were beginning. Every father wanted his sons prepared to join and fight for king and country. The boys' father was no exception. The hours of sword practice…the archery contests…it all came down to protecting the Holy Land. It came down to claiming what was rightfully theirs.

But, as Robin recalled that night so many years ago, not everyone seemed to agree to that.

Stephan had answered simply Everyone Robby. Everyone goes to Heaven.

This is what confused Robin. This statement. But surely, surely those who do not accept our religion do not alight the night sky as well?

Stephan chuckled. Then he grew serious. Robin, there's something I ought to tell you. It is very important.

Robin sat up and looked at his brother. He nodded and let Stephan continue.

You know that in Nottingham there are all those soldiers of King Richard looking for new men to volunteer and fight in the Holy Land. Stephan did not look at Robin while he said this. His eyes remained fixed on the stars.

Robin smiled, misinterpreting Stephan's words. Did you join Stevie? When do you leave?

Stephan shook his head. I am not going to war.

Robin's eyes widened. But Father said…father said that it was our duty. Why is it not your duty Stevie?

Stephan closed his eyes. Because I…I will not…I can not…kill.

Robin rolled his eyes. Of course you can…you just need more practice with your sword. Tomorrow we will go over it again. He had not wanted to believe it true.

Try to understand Robby…I do not find killing to my liking. The thought of killing another individual just…just…I will not go to war.

Robin's stomach had begun to ache. Because he had learned that the Crusades were sacred whoever did not go to war…was a traitor. Robin bit his lip. Was Stephan a traitor? How could someone as good and kind as Stevie be a traitor?

Robin stood up and looked down at his brother. A brother, whom Robin had admired, and cared for, and loved, was now turning his back on everything.

You are weak. Robin's feet had trembled while he said this.

You do not believe that. Stephan at last sat up and looked at Robin.

Robin shook his head. No, I do believe that. I…hate you! Robin ran back into the house in a rage. He stormed off to his room. He could hear Stephan enter and talk to his parents. Robin could not understand what Stephan was saying but the shouts from his father were perfectly clear. Neither Robin, nor his father, understood Stephan's unheard of decision.

Two weeks later Stephan arranged passage for himself to go to France. He explained to his parents, though they did not hear him, he would become a priest. Stephan had corresponded with a priest in France and the priest was willing to teach him. He begged Robin to see him off. Robin did so but would not speak to Stephan. When the ship arrived Stephan kissed his brother on the forehead. Robin would not acknowledge him. Stephan put his hands on his brother's forlorn face and stared at him.

I love you. Stephan had said.

Leave already. Robin tried to release himself from his brother's grip.

Listen to what I say, Stephan implored. I understand that you are angry with me. Though you may never see my side…

Robin was about to cry. Though he hated his brother. He realized that tears were about to start flowing. He could not stand for Stephan to see him cry. I will never see your side. I hate you.

Stephan released Robin and boarded the ship. He waved goodbye to Robin. Robin just looked on as the ship sailed away. That was the last time he had see Stephan.

Now Robin was going to France. He was heading in the direction that his brother had taken so many years ago. Stephan had left feeling unloved. Robin left to find his love. Robin sighed and shook his head. He wondered how Stephan was getting along in his new profession. Though Stephan had written to him often of the fellow novices and friends at the church, Robin never replied.

Ironically now Robin saw the point that Stephan had been trying to teach him all those years ago as they had gazed at the stars. War and killing did not show devotion to one's king. The Turk had every right to the holy land as the Christian. But would Stephan accept him?

Robin turned his thoughts to Marian. He thought of her long flowing hair against his face. He thought of her smile, which could brighten the world. He thought of…everything about her. Could he somehow express to his brother that annulment…was right?

Suddenly he realized that Much was right. Much was right to remind him of Stephan…the brother he had spent too long hating. The brother he refused to understand. He turned around and sighed deeply. His mind was made up. His happiness with Marian depended on Stephan. Robin would move Heaven and Earth for Marian. And Robin…though it went against nature for him…was prepared to annul marriage and annul a sacred seal of two people.

Not so sacred anyway.

He gathered his gang together and told them of what was to come. He told them that once they reached port they would go to the Abby of Cîteaux in Burgundy. Robin still remembered the name even after all those years.

The gang seemed to be agreeable to the plan.

"I told you he could help us," said Much. Though Much, more than any of the others understood the complicated history of the two brothers.

"Sounds like a plan," said Djaq.

"We go to the Abby," said John.

"I'm not being funny but I thought this was my plan," laughed Allan.

But Will was silent. "Robin," he said, "can I speak to you for a minute?"

Robin and Will left the gang to discuss what was bothering Will. What had been nagging Will since the beginning of this voyage was the same thing that had been nagging at him since Marian had left.

Will never forgave himself for letting Marian marry Guy. He had told Marian that marriage was not truly binding. He had told her that Robin would move Heaven and earth to find Marian. But he had still let her leave.

"Robin," began Will, "I am truly sorry for letting her leave."

Robin sighed. "Will, you are a good man. You did what you thought I would have wanted. I thank you for that my friend. Do not let this worry you."

Though Will smiled and nodded, it still bothered him.

Though Robin smiled and told him not to worry, it still bothered him too.

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It bothered Guy that the land around his estate was not well cared for. Obviously he knew it was not well cared for because it had not been tended for many years. But now that Marian was pregnant Guy wanted his child to have a father who did something.

Besides killing. Besides meaningless killing.

So now Guy was here, on his knees, on the ground, pulling up weeds. Guy sighed and lunged at a tall weed. He still did not truly understand how on earth he had convinced himself to do this. A farmer? A peasant farmer? Was that what he was now?

No. That was not all. He was also going to be a father. He had had a hand in creating new life. That tiny being was currently inside of Marian who was currently standing over her husband with shock on her face.

"What are you doing?" she asked him.

Guy looked up from his struggle against the earth. "Farming."

Marian cocked her head to one side. "Sorry, I did not catch that. Did you really say farming?" She smiled slightly.

"Yes, what off it?" Guy said angrily feeling stupid.

Stupid and womanish.

"Nothing," Marian answered.

Guy squeezed his dirty hands into fists. "What?"

"You're doing it wrong."

Guy released his fists. "What?!"

"You do not just pull the weeds that are on the surface. You go underneath the earth. I'll show you." Marian bent down beside Guy and demonstrated how to really pull weeds from the ground.

"Where did you learn that? A lady would not have learned that from her mother?" Guy was surprised.

Marian shrugged her shoulders. But Marian knew where she learned it. Back in England, before she was officially the Night watchman, she would lend a hand to her servants' farms. Sara, her beloved maid, had taught her how to care for the earth and plant seeds. Michael, her father's personal attendant had instructed her how to pull up weeds properly.

But she realized that would be too much to share with Guy. Though she could see herself happier with each day there was still so much to keep from him. There were still things she could not share. And she had been wondering…if there were people, in the village near Guy's estate, who could use someone like the Night watchman to help them.

"I suppose," she said to Guy, "I must have many hidden talents."

Okay so this is another attempt….will Marian be the night watchman in france?? odd thought?? will Robin's brother help them? or not? after all Robin never accepted his brother's decision…how about will will he finally be okay with what he did? or will there be a big blow up between him and robin?? Guy and Marian?? bonding?? hmmmm please tell me if you think any of what I've written is good….if im going in the right path or not I love you thoughts