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Chapter 12

Holy land – 9 months later, December, 1189

The Holy Land couldn't be further away from England at this particular moment for Robin and Much, as they lay on their bunks in their tents, they thought back to Christmas in England. Acre was so different to England, in the day time it was boiling hot, you could barely breathe, and walking was a difficult task let alone trying to fight someone. That day the king had ordered a massacre of the Saracens in a town they had taken hold of. Robin couldn't get the images out of his mind. The screaming, the women and children begging for mercy, his mind would not let go, but then neither would his body, everything ached. He felt heavy. He wished he had never come, as much as he loved serving his king, he was being to realise would he would have to live with for the rest of his life. "Master. Do you remember that Christmas where you and Marian disappeared?" Much asked he too was trying to shake the horrors of that day away.

"We did not disappear." Robin sighed, smiling slightly at the thought of Marian.

"You did, I looked everywhere for you. Your father had told me to keep an eye on you and I turned away and you were gone. To this day I do not know where you went."

"Do you really want to know?" Robin asked leaning to face his best friend.

"Yes."

"She went up to the battlements and I followed to make sure she was ok."

"I see." Much paused. "Master?"

"Yes Much."

"We will see England again wont we?" Much asked soundly very similar to a frightened child. Robin swallowed, he knew that every day was a possibility that they would be cut down.

"Of course we will Much." Robin sighed, "Now get some rest we leave early morning."

"Yes master," Much sighed somewhat contently and rolled over in his bunk.

Nottingham castle

Meanwhile in Nottingham, Sheriff Vaisey had thrown a Christmas party to promote how he could be generous. Marian was just glad she had been stealing his money. Every week she would go out once or twice. But now that was becoming increasingly difficult, 'The Night-Watchman' as the villagers had now named her, had been making a name for himself. Marian had taken a lot of money in the past months and now the sheriff was mad. He was offering 10 pound reward. Marian was surprised that no one had turned he in, then she realised that why would the people she was helping wont to turn her in, sure 10 pound would help but that would run out. The help The Night-Watchman was giving would last until he died. Marian was so lost in thought that she hadn't noticed a young man come and stand before her.

"Hello mi'lady." He said, taking her hand a planting a gentle kiss. Marian smiled.

"Hello." She smiled. He was a lot taller than her and she could tell that he wasn't any higher than a lord, but he was handsome and appeared to be very gallant.

"So am I going to be made to call you mi'lady all evening, or would you do me an honour and tell me your name."

"I am Lady Marian of Knighton."

"I thought I recognised you, I am Lord Ashley of Leighton, and you are Robin of Locksley intended right?" Ashley asked.

"I was." Marian corrected. "But that was a long time ago, is that the only way I am own?"

"Depends on who you ask, but I also remember that you father was the previous Sheriff."

"That I would prefer to be known by." Marian sighed, wounds of Robin leaving opening once again. She shrugged away the feeling and smiled.

"Well how about I just pretend to know nothing about you and all I know is that there is a beautiful young women stood before me who is called Marian." Marian blushed slightly.

"I think that sounds like a plan." Marian smiled.

"May I have this dance?" Ashley asked holding out his hand. Marian smiled.

"Of course." She took his hand and he led her to middle of the room.

"I have had a wonderful evening thank you Lord Leighton." Marian smiled as she stood in the stables with her horse, Leighton was stood leaning against the frame similar to how Robin used to. She cursed herself for comparing the two again.

"Please call me Ashley."

"Very well, Ashley, and since we are on first name terms you may call me Marian." She smiled mounting her horse.

"So what time should I be at Knighton?" Ashley asked with a sly grin across his face. Marian looked confused. "For our ride, remember?" Ashley laughed.

"Oh yes, sorry I forgot." Marian turned slightly red. "Ermm how about mid-morning?"

"Sounds wonderful, until then Marian."

Leighton rode into Knighton the following morning, greeted my Lady Marian saddling her horse. "Hello Ashley." Marian smiled.
"Lady Marian." Ashley nodded sliding from his saddle. "So where would you like to go?"

"I was thinking through Sherwood. There are some wonderful tracks and fallen trees make excellent jumps."

"Sounds wonderful." Ashley lied; in truth he had no interest in the girl just that she was the sole heir of Knighton estate, one of the largest estates in Nottingham. He had no interest in riding horses and really was hoping that wooing this young girl would not take long. She was only 19 and at that age they are so predictable, that and she had already been abandoned by a man surely she would do anything to please another. Well he would wait, if it meant he would sample her beauty and take her lands then it would surely be worth it.