"That was completely uncalled for, I know. Please, forgive me. I didn't mean it..." She knelt in front of him. "Today I keep saying the wrong thing to everybody. You'd do well not to take it at heart."

He wanted to reassure her that his guilt wasn't her burden to bear. "Did at least Gisborne get his share of insults?" He forced the words out, trying to sound in good humor.

"I haven't seen him in days."

"Good," Robin said, keeping his eyes to the ground. It was good that she had not interacted with his nemesis. But somehow he had the feeling, fear more likely, that this limited contact between them wouldn't last. Gisborne was a constant threat. She could deflect him, but for how long? While Marian was a skilled fighter and her intelligence could cripple the greatest political masterminds, she appeared to be what every other unmarried woman appeared to be; vulnerable to the schemes and desires of deceitful men. And the question was what he, Robin, could do if, once, the threat would come too close.

For years in the battlefield he tried to get used to the idea that she was married to someone. She had to be! She would be married to a man who wasn't a proud idiot, a man who would never leave her side once he'd be blessed with the right to call her hiswife...

Given the current predicaments, Robin almost wished she were safely married, absurd as that may seemed.

But there she was.

Free and wonderful.

Perhaps it was for the best. Perhaps that meant there was still a slim chance for him -them.

"So, outlaw." The word on her lips wasn't an insult. It sounded more like a title of bravery. And even if she didn't always mean it that way, there was intimacy in that address, in the way ever syllable was uttered. "If I cannot leave, does that mean you take me as a hostage?"

"I cannot be blamed. Not long ago you were ready to leave the shire. Leave me!" The last word lingered on his lips, before it ended in a crooked smile that he couldn't resist.

Marian took one step back to study his expression from some distance. She was familiar with this arrogance. It was his usual way from distress to redress. In no time he was be back to his old behavior, keeping everybody out and it would be a long time before he'd even admit his momentary lapse.

"But you wouldn't, would you?" He said with a triumphant grin.

"Leaving you would imply that I have been with you in some sort of manner in the recent past." She walked away from him. "Should you need reminding, Robin, that is not the case."

"A nunnery, Marian? Really?"

"So you know."

"I do so."

During the interrogation about her doings in the shire, the so-called Abbess had mentioned a Lady's desire to join the convent. Marian was the only one who fit to the description of a young, brave, intelligent, but strong-willed woman who needed a way out of Nottingham's tight noose.

Another scenario where she'd be safe.

Another scenario where she'd be out of reach.

Another failed attempt.

"Convents are ran by strict rules, not to be broken, and there is limited freedom. And let us not forget the vow of silence. You cannot stand five minutes without voicing your opinion. You wouldn't last there more than five minutes." He invited her to his direction with an extended arm. What he'd do if she accepted it, he didn't know. But Robin had always been good at improvisation.

"Unlike you, who would be more than comfortable with all those innocent novices to lure into temptation," she said as seriously as possible, and remained where she stood. "Then again, rumor has it that fake Abbesses are much more to your liking."

Robin believed he was the only one in position to learn things about the people his was interested in and not the other way around. Regrettably, he realised that he wasn't.

"Who...?" He asked in a muffled voice. Suspecting his gang was stupid. None of them could have had the chance to tell her. Even if they had the chance to, would they dare exposing his secrets? A dreadful thought made him shiver; she must had witnessed the scene. It was possible. She was riding through the forest quite often.

Marian denied to reveal anything, leaving him assume the worst. She simply smiled.

His face changed many shades of red as he made his excuse. "That was part of the plan."

"Which was what? Make her kiss the coins goodbye? Save your breath. You'd always had this unyielding desire to keep your lips occupied with either words or kisses. Whom you choose to converse with, or whose kisses you choose savor is none of my concern." She grabbed her bags and moved to the door.

"If you want so desperately to leave, then who am I to keep you, my Lady?" He crossed his arms on his chest. "Leaving is one thing you're good at."

Marian halted at the door, her hand already gripping the bolt. "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?" She cried, forgetting the patrolling guards.

TO BE CONTINUED