Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, nor do I profit from this writing.

I have a poll in my profile for this story. Please vote! It is about whether or not Marion should die at the end of season 2. (Please vote! Right now I have a tie)

Chapter 2: Marion's Introduction

"Eleanor," Mrs. Griswald, the head housekeeper, cried out making everyone stop and Eleanor turn around. "We have yet another guest in the castle, you have been assigned to her quarters as has Sarah. This is her first morning, have breakfast prepared."

"Yes, ma'am," Eleanor nodded and scurried to get a platter of breakfast prepared. Most nobles would be up in half a candlemark. She found Sarah also rushing into the kitchen to prepare.

Eleanor carried the platter laden with food and drink as Sarah carried the bucket of hot water and warm towels. Sarah was able to juggle her load around enough to have a free hand to knock on the door. They heard a female voice mutter 'come in.' They curtsied as soon as they entered the room. "Good morning, my lady," Eleanor and Sarah both said in tandem.

"Really, this is more than adequate," Marion said seeing all the food.

"We were not sure what you prefer and didn't wish to offend," Sarah explained. "I am to be your personal maid, if you require anything please call on me my lady. Eleanor works everywhere, she is also at your disposal," Sarah added.

"Thank you, both," Marion said. Eleanor wasn't sure what to think of the lady Marion. If the rumors were true, she had both the hearts of Guy and Robin Hood in her hand. She was weary of a woman with that kind of power.

She was thankful that Marion wasn't as demanding as Davina had been, though. After ensuring the lady had everything she needed for breakfast she left Sarah to tend to dressing her.

"Well?" Gretchen whispered as Eleanor arrived back in the kitchens and they began the laborious chore of fetching water for the washing.

"I have no opinion of her yet," Eleanor decided. "My only impression so far is that she isn't as demanding as Davina was," she explained.

"Be thankful. Knowing my luck, I will get someone who is worse," Gretchen said as they hauled more water to the cauldrons they already had over the open fire in the back courtyard. "While you were upstairs Mrs. Griswald gave me a dozen dresses to have altered for the lady. It seems Gisborne burned Knighton Hall when he brought her here," she whispered.

Eleanor frowned. "Men," she huffed. "All they know is violence," she said angrily.

Yelling and applauding caught their attention as people from the square cheered and guards rushed out the gates. "Robin Hood," the two women shook their heads. Thinking of Robin Hood and his men being in the village made Eleanor think of Allan. She realized she was hoping to catch a glance of him just to ensure herself that he had healed alright; after all, it wasn't as if he could explain how he truly came into the wounds without coming clean to the gang about how he received them.

And you shouldn't care, she reminded herself. He was an outlaw, a traitor, and a scoundrel.

And a man.

And she had yet to meet a decent man.

She used the wooden stick to lift the wet laundry and, after what felt like several hours, they were finally ready to dry the laundry on the lines. They went to finish their afternoon chores and left the clothes to dry.

Sarah found her in the kitchen as everyone was preparing the last of the dishes for the evening meal. "Did you see what the Lady preferred for breakfast?" she asked. Eleanor nodded. "Did you mind I was assigned for her dressing?"

"No," Eleanor said. "I'm glad for you, and it will give you more freedom to see your wee girl Jesse," Eleanor said. She saw the way Sarah's face lit up at the mention of her daughter. It was like a knife twisting in her heart as she witnessed it.

Soon all chatter stopped as everyone made their way from the kitchen to the dining hall carrying the evening feast. Marion was seated at the table, and looking slightly uncomfortable Eleanor thought. Well, most would be, having to eat with the Sheriff, she thought. And the man who burnt down your house.

While dinner was being served a page arrived to hand the sheriff a message. "Ah," was all he said, happy at whatever he had read.

Eleanor and Gretchen returned to the kitchen to start with cleaning up and waiting for their own meal. The sheriff's newest message had created unease amongst the servants—most knew to interpret it as a sign of impending work and gloom. By the time everyone retired for the evening, long after the stars had come out, there was still no news as to what to expect.

Before the sun rose, the staff was scurrying about, building up fires, starting breakfast, and finishing laying out fresh laundry for the castle's inhabitants. Mrs. Griswald, the head housekeeper clapped her hands and called out. "The lord Sheriff is creating a gaming session, we have extra work ahead of us," she announced and set out the extra chores for everyone. "A foreign count is expected, we have only a few short days to prepare for his arrival." Rooms had to be aired, fresh mattresses prepared, clean linens, scrubbed floors. "Sarah, you will be assisting the Lady alone indefinitely until the count leaves," Mrs. Griswald decided. "In addition," she sighed, "the sheriff has set up entertainment for our guest. Gaming tables will be manned by several of our own."

"You, You, and you," she pointed out and drew out the girls that Guy and others have distinguished for the gaming tables.

Gretchen and Eleanor shared a look as they were chosen. They quickly set about finishing their normal morning chores faster than ever before so they would have enough time to complete their new chores and still learn what games they were suppose to work at the gaming tables.

"It never fails," Gretchen sighed as she drew out more water to start scrubbing clean bedrooms for their impending guest. "They never leave enough time to allow us to prepare for their plans. They always expect us to finish in the shortest of times. You can only get so much done in a day," she groaned under the third bucket of water.

"What do you expect? Have you ever seen a noble clean their own room?" Eleanor laughed. "They have no idea how much time goes into the effort."

"You never complain," Gretchen sighed. "That's what gets to me."

"I complain, just silently," Eleanor said. "Most days I am just to glad to be in the castle to care what I have to do. It's a vast improvement."

They were in the middle of scrubbing the second bedroom clean and cleaning out the chimney when another servant found them. "Griswald gave us the gowns; she says we need to finish altering them ourselves."

The three girls shared a look and sighed. Grabbing only a quick bite to eat during lunch they took it to their room and found the gowns on their bed. "We have to wear this?" Gretchen commented as she took her turn on the stool and Eleanor put the pins on to make adjustments on their outfits.

"I didn't realize coming here would be selling myself in this manner," Eleanor said dryly as she and Gretchen traded places and she put herself in the dress and took a stand on the stool.

A whistle at the window made both of them jump and caused Gretchen to jab a pin into Eleanor. "Ouch," Allan winced.

"What are you doing here?" Eleanor asked as she grabbed her apron to cover herself.

He gestured to her apron. "Doesn't that defeat the purpose?" Allan asked with an easy grin making Eleanor glare at him. "I don't know, I think you would be more enticing if you wore less and smiled more."

Gretchen joined in with a glare of her own as Eleanor's glare turned even darker on Allan. "If that is your idea of a woman, why am I not surprised?" she asked. "Simple and easy for you; if only everything else in your life was as simple," she said slamming the shutter close on the window.

She got back on the stool to let Gretchen finish adjusting it. She changed into her serving gown afterwards as they set the dresses aside to hem that night. "You forgot to mention he was charming," Gretchen finally said trying not to laugh as Eleanor shot her a look.

"Charming?" she repeated. When she caught Gretchen's eye they both burst into laughter. "Well, needless to say, if that is his idea of the perfect woman, I most certainly am not it," Eleanor decided.

"He never actually said that that was his idea of the perfect woman," Gretchen pointed out.

Eleanor glanced at her in disbelief as they entered the kitchen to assist in the final preparations for the evening meal. "You are taking his side?"

"I didn't realize there were sides to be had," Gretchen whispered back as she was set to peel and cut the vegetables. Eleanor took another knife to assist her so that they could continue talking. "I just didn't want you to put words into his mouth." She laughed quietly as Eleanor gave a humph. "Alright, I am on your side. You know that. Shame he is handsome."

"Yes, a shame."

"Ha, you do think he is handsome then!" Gretchen grinned.

"Unfortunately. But what does it matter? If I die an old maid, that will be a great accomplishment," Eleanor insisted. Gretchen nodded. She knew that Eleanor would prefer dying an old maid than be tied to any man.

Knowing what she did, Gretchen couldn't disagree with her choice.

Thank you to everyone who read the first chapter! Please review!!

Updates will be a bit sporadic for a few weeks as I have my comprehensive exams soon.