The Angel and the Dreamer
Title: The Angel and the Dreamer
Author: robinfanatic
Word Count: 1751
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Marian, Han Solo, Princess Leia; mentions Robin
Spoilers/Warnings: none
Disclaimer: BBC, TA and George Lucas own. I just want to play in their universe.
A/N: a Robin Hood/Star Wars crossover; take place in Nottinghamshire preseries RH and immediately before The Empire Strikes Back
Summary: Marian meets a lovelorn scroundrel from a galaxy far, far away...
>>>-------------->>
The Angel and the Dreamer
by robinfanatic
Han glanced at his surroundings from the ridge. He could barely see through the thickly forested hillside. Leia had been right to suggest he put the Falcon down a few miles from the small city they’d spotted as they made a hasty entrance into this planet’s atmosphere - wherever they were.
Sounds of someone approaching on a nearby road caught his ear and he trotted down the hill to flag them down for information. Wind swept back the rider’s dark reddish cape. She was nearly upon him when she noticed his frantic waving and reined in her horse.
“Why, hello princess,” Han greeted the young woman with a roguish grin.
“I am not a princess. I am Lady Marian,” she said, her gaze moving from his face to the clothes he wore. Marian averted her eyes so as not to stare.
Han cut a handsome figure even if he had to say so himself. He could tell that she was unfamiliar with the Corellian bloodstripes on his trousers and she’d looked closely at the blaster holstered round his hips.
Remaining relaxed, he noticed her incredibly blue eyes, the confidence, despite the slight blush, in her face. She had no blaster, though her boots might conceal a small one or a dagger, and that pin holding her silky dark hair in place could be used as weapon.
“Your ladyship,” Han bowed. He looked back in the direction she’d come then pointed to the surrounding forest. “Well I know this isn’t Endor,” he said, “but it could be with all these trees.”
“Endor? I’m afraid I’ve not heard of that. Is it near London?” Marian asked as she dismounted.
London? Han shook his head. “Could you point me towards town?”
“That way,” she replied, waving her hand, “some two miles to the south is Nottingham. You have business there?”
“Nottingham?” He frowned at the second unfamiliar name. “You could call it that, sweetheart. I need to find parts to repair the Falcon.”
“Excuse me?” Marian glared at him for being so familiar. It truly was not proper.
“My nav computer and the sensors took hits when we tried to outrun a bounty hunter on Ord Mantell--” He paused, noticing that Marian stared at him as if he was speaking Huttese. He glanced at his surroundings again. Where the heck had they landed?
“Look,” he said, “I just need to get some replacement parts for my ship and I’ll be on my way, your ladyship.” He started walking toward Nottingham.
“Your ship?” Marian asked, unable to hide a smile. “You must have walked a long way from the coast.”
Han shook his head. One of them was crazy and he was certain it wasn’t him. He was quickly coming to the conclusion that this was one of those backwater, barely civilized worlds. Come to think of it he’d seen no sign of others ships when they’d flown in; hadn’t been able to contact spaceport comms. He’d just found a nice grassy spot and put the ship down. He chuckled to himself - she thought he’d meant a boat.
“No,” he replied. “The Falcon is just over the hill.”
“Oh grow up,” Marian chided him. “There is no ship there.”
“Why don’t you take me to this Nottingham?” He threw her a lopsided grin that made his eyes brighten. “Let me get my supplies, and then I’ll show her to you.”
“My father would not be pleased to hear I was in the company of a stranger. And perhaps I am a bit rash. But I would like to see this ship of yours.”
They started to walk toward Nottingham. Han wanted to suggest they both ride her bay but he found himself enjoying her company. Leia wouldn’t be happy that he was taking his time but he was growing tired of all the running. For a moment he dreamed of her, wishing they’d strolled together hand in hand in a place like this.
Marian glanced sidelong at him. Sunlight streaming through the tree canopy illuminated her angelic-looking face.
“What planet is this?” he asked.
“Planet? Are you sure it wasn’t you who... took a hit?” Marian teased. “You are in England. And you haven’t told me your name.”
“Han Solo. Captain of the Millennium Falcon, the ship that made the Kessel Run in twelve parsecs.”
Marian giggled.
“What’s so funny?” Han asked.
“You speak so seriously of this ship, and speak odd words,” she replied.
“I might say the same of you, princess, er, Lady Marian. England. Nottingham.” He waved his hand around the forest. “Trees.”
“Have they no trees where you come from?”
“Of course. Corellia has vast green forests and rolling hills like this.”
“Corellia. That sounds exotic.”
“Nah. Just the place I grew up. Haven’t been back in years.”
Marian’s face paled, her hands trembling. “Did you leave for adventure and glory?” she asked, her voice quivering. She straightened, looking ahead at some far off point.
Han recognized her anguish and stopped, placing a hand on her arm. “If you call joining the Imperial Navy an adventure, then yeah, at least that’s what I thought it would be. Joining the Alliance wasn't exactly my idea.” He pushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “Is that what happened to your boyfriend?”
Marian stepped back. “How could you know that?”
“He’s an idiot. Leaving you behind.”
“I think so, too,” she said sadly.
“What’s his name?” Han asked.
“Robin of Locksley.” Marian took a deep breath. It had been nearly five years since he’d walked out of her life. She still prayed he'd not died in the king’s service.
“You love him?” Han asked as if reading her mind.
“I did.”
“Definitely a fool,” Han said. “If I run into him, I’ll tell him that, too.”
“Thank you.” Marian smiled. “And you, Han Solo? Did you leave some poor girl heartbroken back in Corellia?”
Han grimaced. “It’s my heart that’s breaking now, sweet-- er, Lady Marian. Leia,” he sighed. “She’s all business, hiding behind this fight against the Empire, too busy to notice how I feel about her.”
“It does not sound like you’ve told her that you care,” Marian observed.
“We’re always too busy. Running from one secret Rebel base to another. Barely a few steps ahead of the enemy. Strategy meetings with the general and the other commanders occupy most of her time.” He rubbed a hand through his hair. “She’d be dead if it wasn’t for me - well, for me and Luke - rescuing her from that prison cell on the Death Star.” Han grumbled, rolled his eyes. “I know she’s a princess and all--”
“A princess?” Marian eyed him from head to toe again.
Realizing she was wondering how a guy like him expected to attract the likes of a princess, he said, “Too high and mighty for me, you think? Doesn’t matter anyway. As soon as the ship is repaired, I’ll get her to Hoth like I promised and help the Rebels secure the place. Then I’m getting out. Too damn cold there anyway. And I need to pay off Jabba so his goons stop hunting me.”
His words came fast and furious and Marian ignored that they made little sense.
“You’re going to abandon her to fight this enemy alone? Typical,” Marian scoffed impatiently.
“It’s not like that. She’ll have plenty of help. And Luke - he’ll be there for her.” There was a tinge of anger and sadness in his voice.
“You should tell her that you love her.”
Han met Marian’s eyes. “Did Robin tell you that before he left?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ask him to stay?” he asked.
Marian’s memory of that day was etched in her face. “I was a fool,” she admitted. “I pretended to be brave. Pretended it didn’t matter that the man I wanted to marry was leaving and I might never see him again.” Her voice cracked, her breath hitching. Her eyes grew moist. “Make sure you tell her, Han. Tell her how you feel.”
“Han!”
Marian and Han turned at the same time. Leia ran towards them down the steep incline and was barely winded when Han began the introductions.
“Your Highness,” he said with genuine respect, “this is Lady Marian. Marian, may I present the Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.”
“Lady...Marian,” Leia nodded.
“Your Highness.” Marian curtsied. “Welcome to Nottinghamshire.”
Leia turned to Han. “Chewie fixed the nav ‘puter and says the sensors are back online. They should hold ‘til we get to Ho-- to our destination.”
“I already told Marian where we’re headed,” Han said.
Leia fixed a cold stare on Han.
Han shrugged. “She doesn’t work for the Empire, Leia.”
“He’s right,” Marian said. “I support King Richard who must be--.”
“King-- oh nevermind. We need to go, Han,” Leia said. “I promised General Rieekan I’d coordinate the installation of that energy shield.”
“Yes, your worship,” Han replied. “They won’t be able to do it without your help.”
Marian pursed her lips to keep a grin at bay.
Han gave a little bow her way. “See? All business,” he said, cocking his head toward Leia.
Marian leaned forward and whispered, “You have an odd way of showing that you care.”
“She brings out the worst in me at times.” He took Marian’s hand into his and kissed it gently, which prompted a surpised look on the princess’ face. “Lady Marian,” he said, “it’s been a pleasure. May your Robin return soon, healthy and wiser. He has an angel waiting for him.”
“An angel?” Marian smiled.
“And I’ll have my dreams,” he said. “Perhaps we’ll both have need of your advice.”
“Advice?” Leia asked.
Han chuckled. “I’ll tell you later.”
Leia started back up the hill. Han was a few steps behind.
“Good luck, Han,” Marian called.
Han stopped mid-stride and looked back. “An old man once told me there’s no such thing as luck. May the Force be with you, Marian.” He nodded then trotted after Leia.
“The Force?” Marian repeated, a frown wrinkling her brow.
Han turned when he crested the ridge and waved one last time. He watched her mount and spur the bay on.
Marian was right. He needed to tell Leia how he felt. He could face down bounty hunters and Imperial starships. Surely he could find the courage to say those three little words to her. And he hoped that Marian would do the same when Robin of Locksley returned to this planet, this England.
Author: robinfanatic
Word Count: 1751
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Marian, Han Solo, Princess Leia; mentions Robin
Spoilers/Warnings: none
Disclaimer: BBC, TA and George Lucas own. I just want to play in their universe.
A/N: a Robin Hood/Star Wars crossover; take place in Nottinghamshire preseries RH and immediately before The Empire Strikes Back
Summary: Marian meets a lovelorn scroundrel from a galaxy far, far away...
>>>-------------->>
The Angel and the Dreamer
by robinfanatic
Han glanced at his surroundings from the ridge. He could barely see through the thickly forested hillside. Leia had been right to suggest he put the Falcon down a few miles from the small city they’d spotted as they made a hasty entrance into this planet’s atmosphere - wherever they were.
Sounds of someone approaching on a nearby road caught his ear and he trotted down the hill to flag them down for information. Wind swept back the rider’s dark reddish cape. She was nearly upon him when she noticed his frantic waving and reined in her horse.
“Why, hello princess,” Han greeted the young woman with a roguish grin.
“I am not a princess. I am Lady Marian,” she said, her gaze moving from his face to the clothes he wore. Marian averted her eyes so as not to stare.
Han cut a handsome figure even if he had to say so himself. He could tell that she was unfamiliar with the Corellian bloodstripes on his trousers and she’d looked closely at the blaster holstered round his hips.
Remaining relaxed, he noticed her incredibly blue eyes, the confidence, despite the slight blush, in her face. She had no blaster, though her boots might conceal a small one or a dagger, and that pin holding her silky dark hair in place could be used as weapon.
“Your ladyship,” Han bowed. He looked back in the direction she’d come then pointed to the surrounding forest. “Well I know this isn’t Endor,” he said, “but it could be with all these trees.”
“Endor? I’m afraid I’ve not heard of that. Is it near London?” Marian asked as she dismounted.
London? Han shook his head. “Could you point me towards town?”
“That way,” she replied, waving her hand, “some two miles to the south is Nottingham. You have business there?”
“Nottingham?” He frowned at the second unfamiliar name. “You could call it that, sweetheart. I need to find parts to repair the Falcon.”
“Excuse me?” Marian glared at him for being so familiar. It truly was not proper.
“My nav computer and the sensors took hits when we tried to outrun a bounty hunter on Ord Mantell--” He paused, noticing that Marian stared at him as if he was speaking Huttese. He glanced at his surroundings again. Where the heck had they landed?
“Look,” he said, “I just need to get some replacement parts for my ship and I’ll be on my way, your ladyship.” He started walking toward Nottingham.
“Your ship?” Marian asked, unable to hide a smile. “You must have walked a long way from the coast.”
Han shook his head. One of them was crazy and he was certain it wasn’t him. He was quickly coming to the conclusion that this was one of those backwater, barely civilized worlds. Come to think of it he’d seen no sign of others ships when they’d flown in; hadn’t been able to contact spaceport comms. He’d just found a nice grassy spot and put the ship down. He chuckled to himself - she thought he’d meant a boat.
“No,” he replied. “The Falcon is just over the hill.”
“Oh grow up,” Marian chided him. “There is no ship there.”
“Why don’t you take me to this Nottingham?” He threw her a lopsided grin that made his eyes brighten. “Let me get my supplies, and then I’ll show her to you.”
“My father would not be pleased to hear I was in the company of a stranger. And perhaps I am a bit rash. But I would like to see this ship of yours.”
They started to walk toward Nottingham. Han wanted to suggest they both ride her bay but he found himself enjoying her company. Leia wouldn’t be happy that he was taking his time but he was growing tired of all the running. For a moment he dreamed of her, wishing they’d strolled together hand in hand in a place like this.
Marian glanced sidelong at him. Sunlight streaming through the tree canopy illuminated her angelic-looking face.
“What planet is this?” he asked.
“Planet? Are you sure it wasn’t you who... took a hit?” Marian teased. “You are in England. And you haven’t told me your name.”
“Han Solo. Captain of the Millennium Falcon, the ship that made the Kessel Run in twelve parsecs.”
Marian giggled.
“What’s so funny?” Han asked.
“You speak so seriously of this ship, and speak odd words,” she replied.
“I might say the same of you, princess, er, Lady Marian. England. Nottingham.” He waved his hand around the forest. “Trees.”
“Have they no trees where you come from?”
“Of course. Corellia has vast green forests and rolling hills like this.”
“Corellia. That sounds exotic.”
“Nah. Just the place I grew up. Haven’t been back in years.”
Marian’s face paled, her hands trembling. “Did you leave for adventure and glory?” she asked, her voice quivering. She straightened, looking ahead at some far off point.
Han recognized her anguish and stopped, placing a hand on her arm. “If you call joining the Imperial Navy an adventure, then yeah, at least that’s what I thought it would be. Joining the Alliance wasn't exactly my idea.” He pushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “Is that what happened to your boyfriend?”
Marian stepped back. “How could you know that?”
“He’s an idiot. Leaving you behind.”
“I think so, too,” she said sadly.
“What’s his name?” Han asked.
“Robin of Locksley.” Marian took a deep breath. It had been nearly five years since he’d walked out of her life. She still prayed he'd not died in the king’s service.
“You love him?” Han asked as if reading her mind.
“I did.”
“Definitely a fool,” Han said. “If I run into him, I’ll tell him that, too.”
“Thank you.” Marian smiled. “And you, Han Solo? Did you leave some poor girl heartbroken back in Corellia?”
Han grimaced. “It’s my heart that’s breaking now, sweet-- er, Lady Marian. Leia,” he sighed. “She’s all business, hiding behind this fight against the Empire, too busy to notice how I feel about her.”
“It does not sound like you’ve told her that you care,” Marian observed.
“We’re always too busy. Running from one secret Rebel base to another. Barely a few steps ahead of the enemy. Strategy meetings with the general and the other commanders occupy most of her time.” He rubbed a hand through his hair. “She’d be dead if it wasn’t for me - well, for me and Luke - rescuing her from that prison cell on the Death Star.” Han grumbled, rolled his eyes. “I know she’s a princess and all--”
“A princess?” Marian eyed him from head to toe again.
Realizing she was wondering how a guy like him expected to attract the likes of a princess, he said, “Too high and mighty for me, you think? Doesn’t matter anyway. As soon as the ship is repaired, I’ll get her to Hoth like I promised and help the Rebels secure the place. Then I’m getting out. Too damn cold there anyway. And I need to pay off Jabba so his goons stop hunting me.”
His words came fast and furious and Marian ignored that they made little sense.
“You’re going to abandon her to fight this enemy alone? Typical,” Marian scoffed impatiently.
“It’s not like that. She’ll have plenty of help. And Luke - he’ll be there for her.” There was a tinge of anger and sadness in his voice.
“You should tell her that you love her.”
Han met Marian’s eyes. “Did Robin tell you that before he left?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ask him to stay?” he asked.
Marian’s memory of that day was etched in her face. “I was a fool,” she admitted. “I pretended to be brave. Pretended it didn’t matter that the man I wanted to marry was leaving and I might never see him again.” Her voice cracked, her breath hitching. Her eyes grew moist. “Make sure you tell her, Han. Tell her how you feel.”
“Han!”
Marian and Han turned at the same time. Leia ran towards them down the steep incline and was barely winded when Han began the introductions.
“Your Highness,” he said with genuine respect, “this is Lady Marian. Marian, may I present the Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.”
“Lady...Marian,” Leia nodded.
“Your Highness.” Marian curtsied. “Welcome to Nottinghamshire.”
Leia turned to Han. “Chewie fixed the nav ‘puter and says the sensors are back online. They should hold ‘til we get to Ho-- to our destination.”
“I already told Marian where we’re headed,” Han said.
Leia fixed a cold stare on Han.
Han shrugged. “She doesn’t work for the Empire, Leia.”
“He’s right,” Marian said. “I support King Richard who must be--.”
“King-- oh nevermind. We need to go, Han,” Leia said. “I promised General Rieekan I’d coordinate the installation of that energy shield.”
“Yes, your worship,” Han replied. “They won’t be able to do it without your help.”
Marian pursed her lips to keep a grin at bay.
Han gave a little bow her way. “See? All business,” he said, cocking his head toward Leia.
Marian leaned forward and whispered, “You have an odd way of showing that you care.”
“She brings out the worst in me at times.” He took Marian’s hand into his and kissed it gently, which prompted a surpised look on the princess’ face. “Lady Marian,” he said, “it’s been a pleasure. May your Robin return soon, healthy and wiser. He has an angel waiting for him.”
“An angel?” Marian smiled.
“And I’ll have my dreams,” he said. “Perhaps we’ll both have need of your advice.”
“Advice?” Leia asked.
Han chuckled. “I’ll tell you later.”
Leia started back up the hill. Han was a few steps behind.
“Good luck, Han,” Marian called.
Han stopped mid-stride and looked back. “An old man once told me there’s no such thing as luck. May the Force be with you, Marian.” He nodded then trotted after Leia.
“The Force?” Marian repeated, a frown wrinkling her brow.
Han turned when he crested the ridge and waved one last time. He watched her mount and spur the bay on.
Marian was right. He needed to tell Leia how he felt. He could face down bounty hunters and Imperial starships. Surely he could find the courage to say those three little words to her. And he hoped that Marian would do the same when Robin of Locksley returned to this planet, this England.