A/N - Here's the next chapter as promised. Please let me know what you think. Chapter two is already written and will be up soon.

Fine Lines

Chapter 1: The Return of Robin

Marian lowered her bow as the door thudded shut behind her. The look in Robin's eyes had been… No, she could not think of that; there were more important things to worry about.

'Why has he returned do you think, Father?' asked Marian. 'Why now?'

'I do not know,' he replied, 'but it felt terrible to send him away like that.'

'It was for the best - you know how the Sheriff's men watch us.'

Her father nodded. 'I know, but I still need to speak to him - his return could make or break things in Nottingham.' He looked at Marian. 'I think you need to speak to him too.'

Marian gasped in shock. 'No! I cannot tell him about Jennifer.'

'You cannot keep her a secret from him, Marian! He iwill/i find out sooner or later.'

'You are right,' agreed Marian at length, 'and I will have to tell him, but in my own time. He has not even been back five minutes and he is already causing trouble.'

Her father frowned at her but was saved from replying by a little girl bounding down the stairs.

'Have those men gone now, Mother? Who were they?'

'Yes, they have gone.' She looked at her father. 'They used to live nearby but went away to fight in the war.'

Marian crossed to her daughter and picked her up. ' It's nothing for you to worry about, I promise.'

Jennifer stared at her with Robin's eyes. 'All right.'

center***/center

Marian took a deep breath as Robin walked down the castle corridor towards her and she was determined to remain cooly aloof with him. She reached out and roughly stopped him with her hand as he went to walk past her. 'My father seems to think he should see you.' She looked around carefully and then lowered her voice. 'Our house is watched, come after midnight tonight.'

'Very well,' replied Robin, looking her up and down intently with a smirk on his face. 'You're looking…striking. And if you still live with your father, that must mean-'

You have no idea what it means, thought Marian. 'Take care not to be seen.'

'Don't worry, I can look after myself.'

'I don't care about you; I care about my father.' And daughter, she added silently. 'Are you really as naïve as you seem? You think you can pick fights with these people and get away with it? You think you can slight them in public? You're a fool.' She turned to leave but Robin stopped her.

'Marian, wait. Now is not the time, I know, but I must say you are…'

Marian felt Robin's gaze warm her skin as he looked at her, even as she tried not to be softened by his tone and words.

'More than ever…your eyes,' continued Robin.

Marian smiled reluctantly, unable to stop herself.

'And when you look at me in anger, I feel you.'

Marian rolled her eyes. Really, Robin would never change.

'I believe you can still…'

Robin reached out to caress her cheek and Marian scowled; she knew she shouldn't let Robin get to her but it was practically impossible.

'…even after all this time…you can see into my soul.'

Robin moved to kiss her but Marian put her fingers to his lips. Inside, her heart trembled. 'Five years, and you're still peddling the same old drivel.' Robin leaned back against the wall and Marian was glad for the space between them. 'Does it ever work?' she asked.

'You'd be surprised,' replied Robin, the cockiness returning to his voice.

'Amazed,' said Marian as she pushed past him. She resisted the urge to look back over her shoulder as she walked away, and if her breathing was a little fast then if was from fear of being overheard by the Sheriff or, God forbid, Sir Guy.

center***/center

Knighton Hall was quiet when Jennifer drifter off to sleep. Marian sat by the bed and watched her daughter. In the four years and three months since she had been born, Marian had done her best to protect her. She had tended her needs and nursed her through a period of sickness. She had defended her against the Sheriff's comments, but she didn't know if she could protect her now, no matter how much she tried.

Robin's return would surely bring about change in their lives. Jennifer thought her father had died a hero in the Holy Land. Such was the length of time Robin had been away that Marian had thought it true too.

The way Robin had looked and spoken to her in the castle earlier had made Marian believe that she could see into his soul, and she was all too afraid that he would be able to see into hers if he looked hard enough. Just those two meetings were enough to bring all the feelings from the night they had shared together back to the surface. But she hated him too - for leaving her, for missing out on the first part of Jennifer's life, and for returning. His return meant she would have to deal with things she didn't want to deal with. Oh, she was no coward though, and would hold her head high when she told him.

center***/center

Hours later, Marian waited anxiously with her father for Robin to arrive.

'Are you going to tell him tonight?' he asked.

Marian rose to peer out of the window. 'I do not know,' she replied, 'I hardly think and secret meeting about war is the right time to tell him he has a daughter, do you?'

'Marian, there will never be a right time for you,' said her father gently.

She turned around. 'It is difficult and-' A knock at the door cut her off sharply.

She walked across to open it and stepped out, looking around. Robin stared at her. 'Well? Don't just stand there. If the Sheriff's men see-'

'What? You might give them the pleasure of your company?' he said mockingly.

'Grow up!' exclaimed Marian as she stepped back inside.

Robin and Much followed her in and shut the door. Robin moved across the room and sat in front of Edward near the fireplace. Marian stood at her father's side, determined not to let Robin get to her.

'Forgive me,' said Edward, 'I could not welcome you before.'

'How did this monster become Sheriff?' asked Robin.

'I did not watch my back. Prince John gives out the shires in his brother's absence... My bid was not accepted.'

'What can be done?'

'I can do nothing. I am watched, and I must think of my daughter.' Marian shifted uneasily at her father's words. 'When I do speak out, no one listens. Robin, it is down to you, my friend.'

Robin's shoulders fell at the news and he rested his chin in his hands.

'Well, what can we do?' asked Much.

'Play Nottingham's game,' replied Edward. 'Speak to the lords, slowly you can turn them.'

Marian wrung her sleeve in her hands, she could see the tension and anger building in Robin.

'Do not make the mistake I and others have made and make your dissent public. Consolidate your position quietly.'

'I do not have time!' exclaimed Robin. 'Tomorrow I am to order the hanging of four of my own peasants.'

'It will be the long game, I'm afraid.'

'Will and Luke Scarlett cannot wait. Benedict Giddens, Allan A Dale.'

'You must let them die,' said Marian. 'It is a test, fail it and there will be consequences.'

'Perhaps!' retorted Robin.

'Definatly!' Marian glanced at her father. 'This is not a game!'

Edward held up his hand. 'My daughter speaks when she should not.' Marian stepped back in disgust. 'But she is right. You have not choice, Robin. Hide your temper, bide your time well until you can act decisively…or kiss your lands, if not your life, goodbye.'

Robin rose to pace the room. 'I cannot stand by and let innocent people die while I do nothing! I did not go to war to allow this to happen to my own people! I will not-' A loud clatter from upstairs cut Robin off. 'What was that?'

'Nothing,' replied Marian, moving toward the stairs.

'Marian,' said Robin warningly.

Jennifer appeared at the top of the stairs, her hair tousled and her cheeks tear stained. 'I had a bad dream.'

Marian made to ascend the stairs but her father out a hand on her arm. 'I'll go.'

Marian waited until her father and daughter had disappeared from view before she turned around. She met Robin's gaze as he looked at her with questions in his eyes.

'Marian?'

Carefully, Marian broke Robin's gaze and walked to stand in front of the fire, her back to him.

'You have a daughter?' asked Robin incredulously.

'iWe/i have a daughter,' corrected Marian, staring into the fire.

'What? How?'

Marian turned around and arched a brow at Robin. 'Do not tell me you have forgotten?'

Robin blinked in surprise. 'No, but…'

'I found out I was with child after you left. Jennifer was born in January 1188.'

'Jennifer,' repeated Robin.

'She thinks you are dead,' said Marian, avoiding Robin's gaze.

'Why?' asked Robin in surprise.

'It seemed the best thing to say… and I thought it was true,' replied Marian honestly.

Robin hung his head. 'I'm-'

'Please go,' said Marian coldly.

'But, Marian-'

'It is late, and I am tired.'

Robin nodded and walked to the door with Much, who had thankfully remained quiet. 'I want her to know who I am,' said Robin firmly.

When Marian didn't reply he and Much left, shutting the door quietly behind them. Marian steadied her breathing as she composed herself. It hadn't been easy at all to tell Robin, but at least it was done.