Chapter 4: Issue

Silence reigned in the council room as all twelve dukes and duchesses who were tasked with guiding the country alongside Sherwoood's monarch stared at Robin. A few smiled at him and seemed genuinely happy but most were frowning. One duke, Lord Jonstone, was starting to turn an alarming shade of purple.

Lord Ellis sat the closest to him and Robin felt the anger radiating off him but it was the Duchess of Langston who uttered the first protest: "You can't agree to such a treaty without our approval!"

"I discussed it with law experts," he replied, prepared for that very argument. "They agreed that it fell under Sherwood's marriage laws, which you recall means only my approval and Lady Regina's are necessary."

"No monarch has ever married a foreigner, Your Majesty. The bloodline is pure," Lord Ellis said at last.

Robin frowned. "Such talk is dangerous, Lord Ellis. And I will not tolerate it in my court. Do you understand?"

They murmured in acknowledgement before Langston continued her protests. "Still, I don't see how a marriage contract works the best for Sherwood. For all we know, this Lady Regina is being sent by King Leopold to be a spy!"

"There must be those in King Leopold's court who believe the same about my uncle," Robin replied. "We must trust, though, that Mist Haven is our ally as they must trust the same about us."

"But a marriage? Certainly there had to be another way," she pressed.

The Duchess of Wellingsbury rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Let's not pretend that your objections are from diplomatic concern but rather borne from the fact you have a daughter only a year younger than the king, Louisa. All your dreams of seeing her on the throne are now just that…dreams."

"Thank you, Lady Wellingsbury," Robin said. He scanned the council with a hard gaze. "Does anyone else have any objections to my marriage? Or do you think you could possibly wait to meet Lady Regina before passing judgment on her?"

Most looked away from him but they murmured their agreement. Robin sighed, figuring it was the best he could get for now. "Good. Now, onto other business…"

"Your Majesty? Might I have a word?" Lady Wellingsbury hung back after the council meeting, standing by Robin's chair. She was a rather short woman who didn't even come up to Robin's chin when he was standing. But she made up for it by carrying herself with dignity and confidence, always holding her head up high. Her blonde hair was almost white, which added to her regal bearing, and her blue eyes shone with wisdom. Father had often relied on her counsel and so had appointed her Robin's tutor in matters of ruling. He valued her knowledge and wisdom even more now.

He nodded, motioning to a chair next to him. She sat down and he studied her. "Is this about my marriage?"

"Yes," she replied. "I think you're doing the right thing. A foreign queen will not only strengthen our ties but force some of the more narrow-minded members at court to expand their horizons."

"I sense a 'but', though."

She nodded. "Lady Regina is going to face a hostile court. Are you certain she can handle that?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "But I'm not throwing her to the wolves. I will be there by her side and I'll do my best to protect her."

"It may not be enough."

Robin squared his shoulders. "The people will come to love her. I know it."

"I believe so as well. But I wanted you to be prepared so you can help her." She sighed. "And there's more."

"Of course there is," he sighed. He hadn't been king long but he learned there was always more.

Lady Wellingsbury leaned closer. "There will be the issue of, well, royal issue."

Heat rose to Robin's cheeks as he realized he hadn't even thought of children or being intimate with Lady Regina. "I'm certain there will be plenty of time for that."

"There may not," she replied.

"Why not? Regina and I are still young. I planned to wait a year at least so we could get to know each other and settle into married life before we started to focus on creating an heir."

She smiled. "A very sound and mature plan, I assure you. However, I doubt my fellow council members will let you actually do that. They will most likely insist on an heir as soon as possible."

"And what will their reasoning be?" he asked her.

"They'll claim it's to secure the throne after the uncertainty we faced waiting for you to come along," she said, teasing him a bit. But she grew serious again. "However, it'll really be a test. I advise you to really study our marriage laws, especially when it comes to the royalty."

He gave her a cheeky smile. "Is that my assignment, Madam Tutor?"

"Yes, it is," she replied, standing. "Be very thorough."

Lady Wellingsbury left the room and Robin rubbed his forehead. He then reached into his breast pocket, pulling out the miniature he carried everywhere with him now. Looking into Regina's painted brown eyes, he sighed. "Come on, Regina. Let's go do some research."

Robin tossed down the books he took from the library onto his desk and groaned. He hadn't expected there to be so much about Sherwood's marriage laws and it looked like he had a lot of reading ahead of him. But first, he thought he might take a nice bath to relax.

As he entered his room, he found a sealed letter waiting for him. He picked it up, his heart speeding up as he recognized Regina's neat handwriting. This was reading he was interested in right then. He broke the seal and eagerly opened it, ready to read Regina's latest letter.

Dear Robert,

Thank you for accommodating my father. He is the one person who has always loved me and I couldn't bear to be parted from him. From what your uncle has told me, I believe you understand how I feel.

I also thank you for being honest with me as I was honest with you. So far, I think our marriage is off to a great start.

Since you expressed a desire to get to know me, I feel I should talk about horses. This is not about Daniel, either. I've loved them longer than I've loved him. My own horse is named Rocinante and I hope you have room in the royal stables for him. He is a beautiful brown color and I love to brush his coat when I need to calm myself down. Rocinante is also a very good listener and keeps my confidences quite well.

When I'm on him, I feel like I can fly away. Go anywhere and be free. It's why I love riding him as much as possible. Because I've been a prisoner in my own home. Mother never let me go too far from the house and I call only my horse my friend. I realize now she was grooming me for a life as a queen, preventing me from falling in love with someone who was not the person she intended as well as the acquaintances of those who may try to loosen her grip on me. Riding, though, riding is mine and she never could take that from me. It is the only happiness I have ever known.

Well, I must've thoroughly depressed you by now. Please, take my mind off these thoughts. Tell me about archery, about your palace…even your favorite foods. I care not just as long as it is light, airy and can let me focus on you rather than myself.

I await your next letter.

Yours,

Regina

Yours, Regina. His heart soared as he reread those words over and over, his face hurting from his smile. It was something so small and yet it meant so much to him.

"Someone's smitten," Mother side, entering the room. "What does the Lady Regina have to say?"

He chuckled, setting the note down. "How did you know that was from Regina?"

She sat down next to him, raising an eyebrow. "Because it's obviously just 'Regina' now. And because you take after your father. You have chosen her and made a vow to her. Like your father, you honor your vows. So I doubt you'd be exchanging love letters with another woman so soon after pledging to marry Lady Regina."

"She wrote me about her horse," he said, keeping her dark and troubling thoughts to himself. He would excise them from her once she was in his arms and he could call himself her husband.

Mother chuckled. "How romantic."

"We're trying to get to know each other, Mother," he replied. "So we're not going to start with grand romantic statements. Well, she's not. She's practical like you, I think."

"If that's true, then you two will be very happy since you're just like your father. She'll balanced out your overly romantic nature like I did his."

He gave her a look. "You were just as bad as Father."

"He brought it out in me," she admitted before patting his leg. "I'm glad you and Lady Regina are trying to build a solid foundation. It's smart."

Robin set aside the letter. "Is there anything else you wanted, Mother?"

"Just to talk," she replied, motioning to the books. "What is that?"

"Lady Wellingsbury gave me an assignment. My education is never complete."

Mother shook her head. "No, it's not. What's your lesson this week?"

"Our marriage laws."

"Ahh. And what does Diana want you to learn?"

He frowned. "Something in regards to why Regina and I may be pressured to produce an heir quickly."

Understanding filled his mother's eyes and she nodded. "I advise you to read those laws very carefully. They almost destroyed your father and me. And I'm not a foreign-born queen."

"What do you mean? What haven't you and father told me?" Robin grew curious, having believed he knew all his parents' stories.

She shook her head. "All in good time. But I won't let you use me to skirt your assignment. You best read those books, just like Diana wants."

"You never did let me do things the easy way. Thank you for that, Mother." He kissed her cheek.

"I hope you relax first, though. I am certain that assignment came about because the council was already hard on you," she said.

Robin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Were they this hard with Father?"

"At first, yes," she replied. "But things changed once you came along."

"How?"

She sighed. "That is for another day. Why don't you go to the baths?"

"You read my mind," he said, standing. "Will I see you at supper?"

"Will it be a state dinner?" she asked, looking hesitant. His mother had been avoiding most of the court as she continued to mourn his father's passing, not yet ready for their pity and platitudes.

Robin shook his head. "I've had enough of those for now. Tonight will just be us, Uncle Joseph and Aunt Eleanor. How does that sound?"

"It sounds good. Thank you, Robin." She stood and kissed his cheek. "Have a good bath and relax. Don't let them get to you."

It took Robin several days to read the books he had taken from the library as well as moving on to a few in his father's private collection. For the most part, it wasn't due to interest in the subject—as he read on, he found himself more intrigued—but interruptions which came as king.

After tossing the last book down, he wandered the palace as he tried to get his thoughts in order. He turned on corner and found Friar Tuck walking toward him, smiling as he spied the young man. "Your Majesty!" he boomed.

Robin stopped, trying to look stern. "What have I told you? There's no need for such formalities between us."

"Of course," Tuck replied, jovial. "I will do my best to remember that."

"Good. Now, do you have some time to counsel a poor confused soul?" Robin asked.

Tuck nodded. "I always have time for them. Come, let us walk together and you can tell me what troubles you."

Robin nodded, grateful that the man was willing to head back from whence he came as they headed down the corridor. "Lady Wellingsbury gave me an assignment."

"And you feel like your studies have ended now that you are king?"

"Not at all," he replied. "It's just that the topic is giving me cause to be concerned."

Tuck nodded. "And the topic?"

"Children."

"Do you want children?" the friar asked.

Robin nodded. "Of course. I want to be a father."

"Then what is the problem?"

"The problem is that I don't want children because I need to secure some throne that's not even in danger of leaving my family's grasp," he replied. "Nor do I want the council to use it against Lady Regina."

Friar Tuck stopped. "How would they do that?"

Robin sighed. "Apparently, there's a law that allows the council to set a time period in which the queen must give birth. If she fails, she must set aside her husband for a new one if she's the monarch. If her husband is, he must set her aside."

"And you think they'll set a time period for you and the Lady Regina?"

"An unreasonable one at that," Robin said, nodding. "I feel I may be forced to impregnate her while we're still strangers to each other or be forced to set her aside, allowing them to toss out the foreign queen and campaign for a daughter of Sherwood, not caring for my feelings at all."

Nodding, Tuck motioned to a large window with a seat. "And you would like my counsel regarding these concerns."

Robin sat, feeling the sun warm his back through the glass. How he wished he were outside instead. Maybe things would make more sense out there. "Yes, Tuck. I don't want to put pressure on Lady Regina. She's coming here for a fresh start, not fresh problems caused by people I would hope would be above pettiness."

"Do you think it is pettiness?"

"I do," he said with a sigh. "How do I explain that to a council that already dislikes her because she's not one of their daughters? Who already suspect she's a spy because I'm marrying someone who is not from Sherwood?"

He nodded. "All very good questions that I'm afraid you're going to have to answer for yourself. May I offer a suggestion?"

"Always," Robin assured him.

"Try to delay any conversation regarding your heirs until after the Lady Regina is here. She deserves to be a part of the decision as your wife and the future mother of your children."

Robin nodded, pulling out Regina's portrait from the pocket where he always kept it. He ran his finger over its smooth surface. "Wise counsel, Tuck. I shall take it under consideration. Thank you."

After consulting Lady Wellingsbury and his mother, Robin felt more confident when he next met with his council. Lord Ashbury opened the proceedings, asking about the royal coronation. "The two-month mourning period is almost complete, Your Majesty," he said. "We should plan your official ascent to the throne."

"I've thought about it and I would like you to consider waiting a bit longer for that," Robin said.

Lord Ellis frowned. "And why is that, Your Majesty?"

Robin took a deep breath. "I would like to combine my coronation with my marriage. There is precedent that I can cite."

"There is plenty of precedent," Lady Wellingsbury agreed. She then prompted: "Perhaps if you tell us your reasoning?"

"I want to impress on the people that Lady Regina is the queen and has all the powers our laws give the queen. Having her crowned with me shows that we are equal rulers," he explained. He held their gazes as he then stressed: "It will also show all that I have chosen her."

They stared at him and he expected them to argue with him, to challenge him. Instead, Lord Ellis leaned back. "That seems reasonable. And it will be easier on our treasury to have one large ceremony instead of two."

Robin hoped his surprise didn't register on his face. He had been expecting a long and loud fight but was pleased it was going well. It did put him on edge, though. They were probably being amiable before taking a hard line on an issue. Robin worried it was the issue he was not ready to compromise on yet.

"I am glad you agree, Lord Ellis," he said, glancing around at the others. "Are you all in agreement?"

They murmured their approval and Robin nodded. He tensed as Lord Ellis shifted in his seat, clearly preparing to say something else. The duke drummed his fingers against the table. "Your Majesty, in our last meeting, you brought up our marriage laws. Are you acquainted with the laws governing the monarch?"

"Yes, I am," he replied, treading carefully. "I find them contradictive with our other marriage laws and find it wrong that a monarch should be told in one breath that he may choose his bride but his council can manipulate the situation so that they can tear the two apart should she not please them."

"We, the council, disagree," Ellis replied.

"Not all of us," Lady Wellingsbury interjected. Robin was pleased to see there were a few other members frowning.

Lord Ashbury nodded as well. "We've been trying to change those laws since the problems with King Edward and Queen Catherine."

"If I recall, the campaign to null those laws was a failure," Ellis snapped.

"It was suspended," Lady Wellingsbury clarified, "because the queen conceived and gave birth to His Majesty. We can certainly discuss it again."

Lady Langston leaned forward. "What is there to discuss? The council is well within our rights to ensure the security of the throne. After waiting almost a decade for King Edward to have an heir, we do not want to chance it again."

"Lady Regina and I are both young though, Lady Langston."

Ellis jumped in. "It's not about age. It's about fertility. While I am certain Your Majesty is quite virile, we know nothing of Lady Regina. There's a good chance she isn't as fertile as say…"

"As say a woman born of Sherwood blood?" Robin crossed his arms. "Do you think that only our women are fertile, Lord Ellis? That children in Mist Haven just appear by magic?"

"Of course not, Your Majesty," he stammered out.

Robin didn't know if his frown could deepen anymore. "Lady Regina and I are not my parents and should not be compared to them. We should be evaluated for our own merits."

"What exactly are you suggesting, Your Majesty?" Lady Langston asked, leaning forward and looking intrigued.

"Or is it more like demanding?" Lord Ellis wondered, his eyes narrowed.

Holding up his hands, Robin tried to placate his agitated councilors. "I am not demanding anything yet, merely stating my position for now. It is my position that since marriage is a partnership, we should save the rest of this discussion until my partner is here to participate."

"That is fair," Lady Langston agreed, to his surprise. "I know I would not be pleased to find out my future had been planned for me without my knowledge given our laws."

The others agreed and Robin ended the meeting before something could go wrong for him. He watched as they filed past him, except for Lady Wellingsbury. She sat down next to him, smiling. "Good job, Robin. You've won the battle without having to become a tyrant."

"Have I?" he asked. "Or have I just delayed it? Because I do not plan to be parted from her and I will fight until my dying breathe to make that so."

She nodded. "Well, you'll see when Lady Regina gets here. I hope you've chosen the right partner to fight for and with."

"I believe I have. I just hope I'm the right partner for her. I can't help but feel like I've rescued her from shark-infested waters just to pull her into a viper's nest."

"I understand that. But marriage doesn't mean everything becomes easy. You two will have to work. This is a good first test." Lady Wellingsbury patted his hand before leaving.

Robin sighed, pulling out the miniature again. "I'm sorry, Regina," he whispered. "I am failing you before you are even here. But I vow to make it up to you. Somehow."

A couple weeks later, Robin fidgeted in his chair. He longed to leave the room, knowing that if all went to his uncle's plan, this was the day Lady Regina was to arrive at the palace. Robin wanted to go and stand on the steps until the carriage carrying his bride arrived, to be the first person to welcome her to her new home.

His council, though, had other plans. They had spent a better part of the afternoon in an argument that had started about the irrigation systems and became about land boundaries. Accusations of stolen land, broken agreements and finger pointing flew from both sides of the table. Robin felt like he was overseeing a group of children.

The arguing had been punctuated by knocking that grew more persistent with each attempt to enter the room. At last, Robin instructed his man to open the door. One of the servants entered and bowed. "I apologize for the intrusion, Your Majesty, but your uncle's carriage arrived along with Lady Regina's several minutes ago."

"Thank you," Robin said, standing right up from his chair. He glanced around his now silent council and smiled. "You are free to continue your arguments, but this session is over. You have kept me from my bride long enough and I am going to meet her."

Before anyone could protest or think of new issues that required his attention, Robin turned and left the room. Once he was out in the halls, he ran through them toward the front entrance. His heart beat faster and a smile broke out on his face.

She was here.

A/N: Here's chapter four! I know, I know. You all probably think I'm mean teasing you. Regina is in Sherwood but has not yet met Robin. And after this, I will be posting every other week as I will be alternating this story with the sequel to "The Prince of Darkness." So next week will be the first chapter of "The Dark Legacy." I hope you enjoy that one as well!

A big thank you to Starscythe, who made a beautiful manip inspired by this story. You can check it out at her tumblr or reblogged in mine under the "Crown My Heart" tag.

Have a great weekend!

-Mac