(Untitled)

[morethanlegend]

Who: Marian and Robin
When: Early morning
Where: Their cottage
What: Marian's been ill but Robin's the only one who knows the truth

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[lordofsherwood]

Robin woke to the smells of breakfast drifting up from the kitchen. Part of him was pleased by that, since Marian was apparently feeling well enough to deal with it this morning. The other part of him did not want her bothering with cooking-- or anything else, really.

Not that she was likely to appreciate that sentiment, no matter his reasoning.

Climbing out of bed, he slid a pair of pajama pants on and made his way down the stairs. As he reached the kitchen, he saw her standing near, but not at, the stove, sipping a glass of water and looking a little pale. How could she not know? It was so obvious to him.

"'Morning, my love." He would have liked to embrace her, but reckoned that it would not be that pleasant a gesture for her at the moment. Instead, he settled for kissing her on the head and taking the spatula from her hand. "Why don't you sit? I have this."

[morethanlegend]

She turned as she heard Robin and gave him a little smile. She knew he would be likely to wake up but part of her had kind of hoped she could surprise him. At least he was awake though so she didn't have to worry about it getting too cold before he had the chance to eat it. The kiss was welcome but him taking the spatula was not entirely. She didn't mind him helping with breakfast when he wanted to but the way he told her to sit because he could do it wasn't exactly what she liked to hear.

"I was doing a fine job, Robin."

But she was feeling rotten and if she stayed close to that food much longer she worried that for the first time she would actually empty her stomach rather than just feeling that she was about to. Sighing, she sat at the table though made sure it looked like she wasn't exactly happy about it.

[lordofsherwood]

"You were," he agreed. "And I appreciate that you did it, though you did not have to."

Everything was just about ready, so he dished them up; Marian probably was not going to want any, but she would at least have the opportunity. Robin did hesitate before setting it in front of her, however, the look he gave her a question as to whether or not she wanted it. If she declined, he would set it elsewhere on the table.

Taking his seat, he asked, "Are you all right?" He already knew the answer, yet wanted to hear what she had to say.

[morethanlegend]

"I know I didn't have to. In future I will not if I am going to get this response."

So perhaps her illness was going to make her feel a little worse when it came to her anger. She was finding it all too easy just to snap at him a lot more than before. She would apologise at some point but she didn't exactly think now was the time. Not when he was being as annoying as he is.

"I'm fine," she replied, sipping her water. Though her eyes did glance at the plate he had put together for her and she could feel a fresh wave of nausea hit her.

[lordofsherwood]

He raised an eyebrow at her, but it was in fair humor. Still, he could not help replying, "Forgive me; next time, I'll keep my appreciation to myself."

Her expression had him setting the plate well away from her. Taking a bite from his own, he chewed it thoughtfully and, after he had finished it, asked, "Are you sure?"

[morethanlegend]

His response had her eyes hardening in his direction but she couldn't keep it up as she had to take a sip of her water in the hope that it would settle her stomach. It may not work but she could keep trying. It was going to work at some point.

"Perfectly sure," she replied, leaning back in her chair. She could tell that he knew. He was looking at her in a way that made it clear that he was aware of how rubbish she felt right now. But that didn't mean she had to tell him easily what the truth was. That she wasn't feeling great and it had been happening on and off for a little while. It wasn't something she had been worrying about. After all, she had never been sick and it wasn't every day just on occasion and usually it was the smell of something which would trigger her. Not always but most of the time.

Part of her knew what it was in the very back of her mind but she had long pushed it aside. She refused to get her hopes up and now she really simply ignored what it could mean and focused on the other aspects.

[lordofsherwood]

Robin pushed his plate aside and leaned forward. "Marian, you may be able to lie to some people, but you cannot lie to me. I know you're not feeling well."

He reached over and laid his hand on hers. "I also know that's been true for a little while now. Is there a reason you decided not to mention it to me?" The question was gentle; he was not trying to be confrontational. Rather, he was trying to give her the opportunity to piece it together herself, or voice her suspicion if she had already done so. He really was dying to have it out there, excited as he was.

[morethanlegend]

The moment he pushed his plate away she knew she was not going to get away from this. She wouldn't mind being able to just get up and go and avoid the situation but she had no choice now. He was determined to get the truth from her. She should have known it would happen eventually given just how her husband was. She avoided his gaze until he touched her hand.

"Because it has come to nothing. I have felt nauseous but little else. Had I been violently ill then of course I would have mentioned it." And she didn't want to get his hopes up as she wanted to avoid herself. It wasn't possible and was definitely just some sort of bug.

[lordofsherwood]

"'Come to nothing'?"

Robin's thumb ran over Marian's hand as he considered his next words. He really did want to give her the chance to come out and say it, but it was quickly becoming evident that she had no intention of doing any such thing.

"How do you know it is 'nothing'?"

[morethanlegend]

"I have not been violently ill, I have just felt unwell. There is no problem there."

Her heart was racing and it was like she was begging him to say it even though her head had long told herself it couldn't be possible. She didn't want to hope. Which was strange given how hopeful she had tried to be at times in Nottingham. She glanced down at their joined hands.

"Therefore it cannot be anything worth worrying about."

[lordofsherwood]

"I'm not worried."

Was she? He suddenly was worried, that she had changed her mind. Not that he would argue-- their initial reasons for deciding against it all still stood, and if she had reconsidered, he would respect that-- but it might be too late, at this point. Was that why she was so hesitant?

There was only one way to find out. "Was it not the plan to have a child?" he asked quietly.

[morethanlegend]

God he wasn't worried then maybe he would leave the subject matter alone. Marian looked away from him and then picked up her glass of water to sip from once again. She would have to get some more soon though the nausea seemed to be very slowly calming. Enough to make her feel able to carry on with whatever she had to do today and not have to worry about having the bathroom near by.

But then Robin was saying something which had her head snapping up to him. That little thought she had had in the back of her mind was screaming at her to listen to him but she just couldn't. Not yet.

"What?"

[lordofsherwood]

So, it was a lack of certainty, rather than indecision, that had her avoiding the subject. Thank God.

Robin's brief concern melted away, and (unbeknownst to him) his eyes danced as he said, "Time might be difficult to keep track of here, but not so difficult that I would not notice when you have missed your monthly time." That was an awkward subject to broach, really, but facts were facts.

[morethanlegend]

That was not something she heard him mention much. Or ever really. No on discussed their monthly cycles with others unless it was a close knit of women really. The only person she had ever discussed it with had been Matilda when things were just starting and she was a little unsure. But now that he had mentioned it she began to think. It really had been some time since she last had that problem. And if she put that with the nausea together then that hope she had buried away was able to come to life again.

"You think I am?" She had to hear it.

[lordofsherwood]

She did not seem unhappy, just uncertain, and Robin allowed himself to give her a wide smile as he said, "I think you're with child, yes."

Giving her hand a squeeze, he continued, "There is apparently a way to make certain. Something to test it was delivered to us." In truth, that was a little disturbing, that whoever was behind all of this knew either that they were trying, or that she could be expecting soon. All the same, he was hardly going to discard the items out of spite, when they were truly handy.

[morethanlegend]

When he confirmed it she grinned back at him. And with those simple words that part of her that had pushed away the hope let it all go again. The nausea was suddenly worth it all. She returned the squeeze and found herself laughing slightly. She might be expecting and heaven knows how far along she perhaps may be. If she definitely was.

"When did that happen?" And how could they test it? Finding out was more important though. "Shall...Shall we test whatever is is then?"