"So," Robin murmured later, leaning up on one elbow to kiss the inside of Marian's elbow, her wrist, palm and then, one by one, her fingertips, "we're agreed then. No more riding."
Marian's deep sigh of contentment turned to a yawn, for she'd been up all night long. "Unless," she added, drowsily quoting his words, "it's absolutely necessary."
He couldn't help but grin, loving her stubborn streak, for it matched his own.
"Not even then, Marian," he coaxed, his voice intimate. Rolling onto her, he kissed the hollow of her throat, her chin, and lastly her mouth. "Give me your word."
She might have protested, but she was far too tired and content, not to mention completely swept away, to put up any resistance. "No more riding," she smilingly agreed, snuggling against him with closed eyes.
She had no more fear for him. At this moment, just before drifting off to sleep in his arms, she felt sure he could accomplish anything.
Robin smiled, satisifed. They shared their own private joke, that "a promise made under duress is no promise at all, but a promise made under caress is binding." She would keep her word.
...
The following morning, while Marian slept, King John ranted and raved at discovering Locksley's disappearance.
"Where is he?" he shrieked, throwing his breakfast dishes against the wall. "Where is Locksley?"
"Right before you," Robin's voice boldly answered, astonishing the entire group assembled in the King's presence by striding openly into their midst.
Isabella hid her surprise behind a cold, regal sneer. He'd done it again...somehow managed to escape the dungeons. But why would he then present himself before her husband? In any event, he looked delicious!
"Locksley!" the king cried, completely astounded. "Do you dare play games with me?"
"As a matter of fact, King John, that's precisely what I'm proposing to do!" Approaching the king in the manner of one man of the world to another, Robin said pleasantly, "We both know the charges against me are false."
"So?" the king demanded, wearing a spoiled pout.
"I'm proposing you win the love of your people and pardon me, just as your late brother did."
John laughed mockingly out loud. "Indeed? Why would I want to imitate my brother? I am my own man!"
"Like I said," Robin continued, undaunted, "pardon me, and you win the people's love. You know I'm innocent. You've seen my wife. Do you really think I'd stray, married to such a woman?"
King John, forgetting his own wife sat beside him, closed his eyes blissfully for a moment, picturing Lady Locksley. "Ah, yes!" he cooed, "the lovely Miriam! Is she here?"
"I've just come from her," Robin smiled, hating himself at this moment nearly as much as he hated the king. "But she's sleeping, I'm afraid, all tired out."
King John chortled, leering and licking his lips. "What, then, Locksley, is this game you propose? Surely, not just my pardon? Bored now!"
"Certainly not, Your Majesty! No. I propose you let me win my freedom, with a shooting match."
"His Majesty has no interest in your tricks, Hood," Isabella sneered, sounding uncannily like her brother.
King John flung up a hand. "Don't be so hasty to judge me, my dear," he warned her. "Go on, Locksley."
Robin continued ingratiating himself with the king, reminding himself he was doing it for Ellie. "Tonight, at your banquet, I could entertain your guests with an archery demonstration. Select the targets yourself; the more impossible, the better! If I hit everything you suggest, I am pardoned. If not, well, I'm again your prisoner."
A moment passed, a moment that felt like an eternity.
"Yes!" the king cried at last, clapping his hands in glee. "A shooting demonstration! Oh, and you must bring Miriam. She can sit beside me, on the royal dais. And better yet, I will come in costume! You, too, my dear," he told his furious queen. "And I know just the costumes we will wear. I will come disguised as Robin Hood, and you, my pet, as the Nightwatchman!" Rising to his feet, he told all his nobles assembled, "And I expect each of you to come with your purses heavy laden. You, too, Locksley! After all, Robin Hood would never miss an opportunity to rob from the rich!"