Nocturne, Chapter 5
Original Post
Summary: Marian and Edward attempt to get to safety.
Characters/Pairings: The Outlaws; Robin/Marian
Rating: PG
Spoilers/Warnings: Starts the morning after 1x13 ends; AU from there. Serious sweetness within this chapter. &hearts
Disclaimer: It should be evident by now that I had nothing official to do with the show Robin Hood. If it's not, read on... all will soon be clear... ;)
Previous Chapter
~5~
Marian could not sleep. Part of it was the excitement of the successful adventure, but another part was that she had no idea when she might return. As long as Prince John was running Nottingham, she and her father were not safe. And, she could not endanger him simply because she and Robin had chosen now to rekindle their romance. They had been apart for nearly six years; they could wait awhile longer.
Or, so she told herself. However, the reluctance she felt at that was only slightly less than what she felt when she steeled herself to marry Guy. She would very much appreciate if she did not have to be strong about things someday, and just have an opportunity to enjoy her life. It felt like ages since that had been the case.
It had been nearly six years, as it happened. Considering she was not quite twenty-two, that was a fairly significant portion of her life. Although, she amended, she had not been all that very strong at the outset. Still, that was what had taught her to buck up and deal with what came her way. She had become so ill, and while the reason behind it was not her fault, the actions which resulted in it were. Never again could she allow that to happen, and if that meant marrying Guy, so be it. If it meant moving to Cornwall, very well. She would survive, and even better, would find some way to thrive.
It would be so much easier to thrive here, even in the forest, with a cause she believed in, and whatever this was turning into with Robin, to work towards.
She turned again, trying to get comfortable. Well, she would mostly thrive. Robin's gang might be used to sleeping on the ground, but she was not; and most of the furs and blankets had been arranged for her father, so her makeshift bed was even less comfortable than it otherwise might have been.
"Still awake?" Robin's voice, from where he was lying on the other side of the fire, was quiet enough that he would not disturb anyone who was sleeping. Since she was not among those lucky few, she rolled so that she could see him.
"Yes."
He got to his feet and gestured with his head for her to follow him over to the cave entrance. Wrapping her blanket around her shoulders, she went over to join him, and smiled when he took her hand before walking a couple of yards from the cave. Her other hand kept hold on the blanket, glad for the protection from the air, which was becoming chilly.
That reminded her of something she had been considering lately, as fall approached. "Where will you and the others go when it gets cold?" she asked abruptly, as they came to a stop by some large rocks.
Clearly, he had not been expecting that question. "Maybe here. Or, there are other caves and such in the forest."
Glancing doubtfully back at where the others still rested, she remarked, "That will not be good shelter. It's too damp."
"It is more than some people have," he pointed out quietly. Giving her hand a squeeze as he eased onto one of the rocks, he peered at her. "Why the sudden concern?"
Marian bit her lip. "Because... I thought I would be here. I thought I could help."
His voice was close to teasing, but was still slightly troubled when he said, "I thought you were going to accept your lot in life."
Taken aback, Marian hesitated. While she had confessed her plans to Djaq, she found that she could not quite admit them to Robin. Partially, it was retribution. She was still upset that he had walked out on that conversation at Knighton the day before her wedding, giving up on her; telling him that she had hoped to get out of the marriage was a satisfaction she had not forgiven Robin enough to grant just yet. Mostly, it was because that might give him false hopes about how this could turn out. For that matter, it might give her some. "My lot in life would never have included allowing you and the others to freeze, or starve."
The hint of jealousy dropped away, and his smile was real when he replied, "I am glad to hear that."
She smiled back, pleased that the conversation was not turning into an argument. Normally, she would not mind all that much, but this was the last time they would be together for an unknown amount of time, and she wanted to spend it well. Still holding his hand, she dropped down on the rock beside his. A silence descended, albeit not an uncomfortable one, and it was several minutes before Robin admitted, "There is so much I want to say to you right now, yet I cannot think of how to put any of it."
"I am in a similar way," she said softly. "We do not have to talk."
His smile now was sadder, but he nodded in agreement. The rock he was sitting on had barely enough room for them both, if they were very close together. So, she moved over to join him on it, and leaned against his shoulder when his arm went around her, and they sat together. Eventually, the horizon began to lighten; by then, she had been sitting on Robin's lap for some time, and his arms tightened around her just a bit when the sun came into view.
Her voice a bit scratchy from not having been used in awhile, Marian said, "I should go wake Father."
"You should," Robin agreed.
At first, neither one of them moved. Then, he suddenly pulled her into a tighter embrace, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, their faces buried in one another's shoulders.
I do not want to go, Marian wanted to say. Instead, she murmured into his neck, "I will be back as soon as I can."
"I will be here, or somewhere in Sherwood," Robin murmured back, with a short laugh that ruffled the hair behind her ear. If it sounded suspiciously like, Don't go, Marian doubted she was imagining it.
"You have much to keep you busy," she commented.
"True." He hesitated. "I would not mind being busier."
Marian leaned back to see his face. She started to speak, but found she could not continue the banter, and kissed him, instead. Once, she had the thought again to go wake her father, but she could not bring herself to stop what she was doing. That was, until the sound of a wagon clattering down the road reached her.
"I need to get Father ready."
He nodded. "I should greet Brian."
She got to her feet, and he did as well, but he held onto her hand as she started to move away from him. Tugging her back for a quick hug, as he let go, he bent down so his mouth was next to her ear.
"I love you." Then, with a sweet kiss to her cheek, he turned and went to cross the river.
Marian stared after him for a moment, finally realizing that her mouth was hanging open a little. Snapping it shut, she turned and began walking toward the cave. However, her mind could not have been further from where she was physically moving; her thoughts remained back by those rocks, still hearing Robin's voice, still feeling his breath warm on her skin.
Not once had he ever said that before. Even when they were courting, and then betrothed, he had been so busy showering her with absurd compliments, ridiculous sentiments, and flowery poems, that he had almost never said anything that true. Once or twice, he had let something slip, but not about how he felt. She had suspected, of course; but then, it was difficult to tell, when he was always so frivolous, or constantly on the move. And, there was a difference between caring for someone, and loving them.
Robin was many things, but careless with saying such words was definitely not among them. He loved her.
When Marian walked into the cave, she was beaming.
She kept going back to that as she, Will, and Much gathered the things she and Robin had retrieved from Knighton. She was still thinking of it as she followed John, who was carrying her father, and Djaq outside. But, she did not need to reflect back to it when they neared the wagon, because it was plain on Robin's face as she looked over at him. Suddenly struck by an uncertainty as to how to handle it, Marian merely smiled, and was glad when he helped get them loaded up without saying anything more.
However, there was not much to load, and introducing her and Edward to the merchant did not take long, so it was only a matter of minutes before they were ready to leave. To all three of them, Robin said, "We got a rumor started that you were going to use the back roads to get away, so the Great North Road should be clear going for you. And, if not,--" he turned and took a bow and quiver that Much was handing to him, and set it next to Edward while glancing at Marian,-- "there are also a couple of swords, wrapped in that blanket."
"Thank you," said Edward, to the group at large. The statement was a strange combination of stiff reluctance and sincerity, and Marian did not look forward to the first leg of their journey. Perhaps, the first several legs of it.
Brian headed toward the seat at the front of the wagon, and after some almost shy goodbyes, the gang started back toward the cave-- except for Robin, who offered a hand to help Marian up. Apparently, he also had no idea what to say now, which was just as well; she did not want an emotional farewell.
She did not want a silent farewell, either. Instead of accepting his hand, she took his face and gently pulled him down for a kiss, which she tried to make express everything she could not say. She was vaguely conscious of her father sitting a few feet away, but could not care less right then. When she ended it, she whispered, "I love you, too."
Resting his forehead against hers, his cheeks still in her palms, he said, "Take care of yourself, Marian."
"You do the same."
He let out a small sigh, and she kissed him quickly once more. "I need to go."
Stepping back, he replied, "I know."
This time, she did use his proffered hand to climb up beside her father (who was studiously staring at the side of the wagon across from himself), and Robin gave the signal for Brian to get the horses in motion. She could not look away from Robin as they began their trek, and neither did he seem inclined to move. Then, the wagon went around a bend in the road, and she lost sight of him.
"What was all that?" Edward asked, after a few uncomfortable moments.
Suppressing a groan, Marian answered, "Exactly what it looked like."
"He's an outlaw, Marian."
Shooting him a disbelieving look, she reminded him, "As are we."
"He is far too reckless."
"Being cautious has not exactly served us well," she shot back.
They eyed one another, before Edward said quietly, "He saved your life, and mine."
"And many other lives, besides," she added.
The corners of his mouth turned up. "I admit to being glad you are here, instead of back there. I was not so certain that would be the case."
Marian's frustration melted away, and she moved over to sit beside him. Patting his hand, she said, "As long as you need me, I will be here."
She did not see the frown that sentiment brought to his face.
* * *
With the rain having passed, the outlaws set out to find a new camp. No one said much, as there was little they could think of to say; and besides, they were all tired from being up at dawn two days in a row. Once they were situated, they retrieved some supplies from their stores and set out to do deliveries. John and Allan headed toward Clun, Much and Will took Nottingham, and Djaq went with Robin to Nettlestone.
"I like her," Djaq declared, as she strode alongside him.
Surprised both at the unexpected conversation, as well as the statement, Robin found himself smiling despite his fairly all-encompassing disappointment. "I like her, too."
Djaq paused, and then admitted, "I did not think I would. She has been too ready to defend Gisborne. But, she runs much deeper than she seems."
Listening carefully to her analysis, he laughed at her final observation. "Yes, she does. Her ability to hide it serves her well."
"Perhaps, most of the time. But it can likewise work against her."
Robin's eyebrow went up as he glanced at her. "It sounds as if you know something."
The look she gave him bespoke exactly how slim his chances were of learning anything from her. "I know that she is not the only one with that particular ability." Turning her attention back to the road ahead of her signaled the end of the exchange.
Robin got the message, and was not certain he liked it. If whatever Marian had neglected to tell him-- and yet, had shared with Djaq,-- was serious, he had no doubt but that Djaq would let him know. She was not the type to be sworn to secrecy on principle, if there was not a good reason behind it. But, there was still something she knew about Marian which he did not, and the thought nagged at him.
Puzzling it over took his mind off of his discontentment, which may or may not have been Djaq's goal in bringing the whole thing up. Either way, Robin was grateful for it, and was somewhat improved as they neared the camp after having made their deliveries.
That was, until Will and Much came tearing up. "We have to go back to Nottingham," Will announced, an unusual amount of worry on his face.
"Why? What's happened?" Robin demanded.
Out of breath, Much nonetheless cut in. "They've got Marian."
"What?" That was impossible; he and John had planted the rumor of the supposed route very carefully. And Marian could handle it if a couple of guards happened to have been left along the main road. Unless-- had she been injured? Had she aggravated her wound?
"The sheriff's announcing that they've caught the Night Watchman," Will explained. "He hasn't announced her identity yet, but I think he's saving it for the execution-- which is this sundown."
Robin peered at the sky, trying to think clearly. They had a few hours before then, but a plan was in order, after the relative ease with which the gang had rescued her the day before. Vaizey would be prepared for them this time. Then again, what if he intended to carry out the execution early, as he had done with Allan's brother?
Hoping to come up with something along the way, Robin gestured for the others to follow. "Come on." They were only a few yards down the road when Allan and John came into view.
"What's going on?" Allan asked, falling into step with the rest of them.
Looking from him to John, Robin borrowed a phrase from the bigger man. "We go to Nottingham."
Next Chapter
*
Summary: Marian and Edward attempt to get to safety.
Characters/Pairings: The Outlaws; Robin/Marian
Rating: PG
Spoilers/Warnings: Starts the morning after 1x13 ends; AU from there. Serious sweetness within this chapter. &hearts
Disclaimer: It should be evident by now that I had nothing official to do with the show Robin Hood. If it's not, read on... all will soon be clear... ;)
Previous Chapter
~5~
Marian could not sleep. Part of it was the excitement of the successful adventure, but another part was that she had no idea when she might return. As long as Prince John was running Nottingham, she and her father were not safe. And, she could not endanger him simply because she and Robin had chosen now to rekindle their romance. They had been apart for nearly six years; they could wait awhile longer.
Or, so she told herself. However, the reluctance she felt at that was only slightly less than what she felt when she steeled herself to marry Guy. She would very much appreciate if she did not have to be strong about things someday, and just have an opportunity to enjoy her life. It felt like ages since that had been the case.
It had been nearly six years, as it happened. Considering she was not quite twenty-two, that was a fairly significant portion of her life. Although, she amended, she had not been all that very strong at the outset. Still, that was what had taught her to buck up and deal with what came her way. She had become so ill, and while the reason behind it was not her fault, the actions which resulted in it were. Never again could she allow that to happen, and if that meant marrying Guy, so be it. If it meant moving to Cornwall, very well. She would survive, and even better, would find some way to thrive.
It would be so much easier to thrive here, even in the forest, with a cause she believed in, and whatever this was turning into with Robin, to work towards.
She turned again, trying to get comfortable. Well, she would mostly thrive. Robin's gang might be used to sleeping on the ground, but she was not; and most of the furs and blankets had been arranged for her father, so her makeshift bed was even less comfortable than it otherwise might have been.
"Still awake?" Robin's voice, from where he was lying on the other side of the fire, was quiet enough that he would not disturb anyone who was sleeping. Since she was not among those lucky few, she rolled so that she could see him.
"Yes."
He got to his feet and gestured with his head for her to follow him over to the cave entrance. Wrapping her blanket around her shoulders, she went over to join him, and smiled when he took her hand before walking a couple of yards from the cave. Her other hand kept hold on the blanket, glad for the protection from the air, which was becoming chilly.
That reminded her of something she had been considering lately, as fall approached. "Where will you and the others go when it gets cold?" she asked abruptly, as they came to a stop by some large rocks.
Clearly, he had not been expecting that question. "Maybe here. Or, there are other caves and such in the forest."
Glancing doubtfully back at where the others still rested, she remarked, "That will not be good shelter. It's too damp."
"It is more than some people have," he pointed out quietly. Giving her hand a squeeze as he eased onto one of the rocks, he peered at her. "Why the sudden concern?"
Marian bit her lip. "Because... I thought I would be here. I thought I could help."
His voice was close to teasing, but was still slightly troubled when he said, "I thought you were going to accept your lot in life."
Taken aback, Marian hesitated. While she had confessed her plans to Djaq, she found that she could not quite admit them to Robin. Partially, it was retribution. She was still upset that he had walked out on that conversation at Knighton the day before her wedding, giving up on her; telling him that she had hoped to get out of the marriage was a satisfaction she had not forgiven Robin enough to grant just yet. Mostly, it was because that might give him false hopes about how this could turn out. For that matter, it might give her some. "My lot in life would never have included allowing you and the others to freeze, or starve."
The hint of jealousy dropped away, and his smile was real when he replied, "I am glad to hear that."
She smiled back, pleased that the conversation was not turning into an argument. Normally, she would not mind all that much, but this was the last time they would be together for an unknown amount of time, and she wanted to spend it well. Still holding his hand, she dropped down on the rock beside his. A silence descended, albeit not an uncomfortable one, and it was several minutes before Robin admitted, "There is so much I want to say to you right now, yet I cannot think of how to put any of it."
"I am in a similar way," she said softly. "We do not have to talk."
His smile now was sadder, but he nodded in agreement. The rock he was sitting on had barely enough room for them both, if they were very close together. So, she moved over to join him on it, and leaned against his shoulder when his arm went around her, and they sat together. Eventually, the horizon began to lighten; by then, she had been sitting on Robin's lap for some time, and his arms tightened around her just a bit when the sun came into view.
Her voice a bit scratchy from not having been used in awhile, Marian said, "I should go wake Father."
"You should," Robin agreed.
At first, neither one of them moved. Then, he suddenly pulled her into a tighter embrace, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, their faces buried in one another's shoulders.
I do not want to go, Marian wanted to say. Instead, she murmured into his neck, "I will be back as soon as I can."
"I will be here, or somewhere in Sherwood," Robin murmured back, with a short laugh that ruffled the hair behind her ear. If it sounded suspiciously like, Don't go, Marian doubted she was imagining it.
"You have much to keep you busy," she commented.
"True." He hesitated. "I would not mind being busier."
Marian leaned back to see his face. She started to speak, but found she could not continue the banter, and kissed him, instead. Once, she had the thought again to go wake her father, but she could not bring herself to stop what she was doing. That was, until the sound of a wagon clattering down the road reached her.
"I need to get Father ready."
He nodded. "I should greet Brian."
She got to her feet, and he did as well, but he held onto her hand as she started to move away from him. Tugging her back for a quick hug, as he let go, he bent down so his mouth was next to her ear.
"I love you." Then, with a sweet kiss to her cheek, he turned and went to cross the river.
Marian stared after him for a moment, finally realizing that her mouth was hanging open a little. Snapping it shut, she turned and began walking toward the cave. However, her mind could not have been further from where she was physically moving; her thoughts remained back by those rocks, still hearing Robin's voice, still feeling his breath warm on her skin.
Not once had he ever said that before. Even when they were courting, and then betrothed, he had been so busy showering her with absurd compliments, ridiculous sentiments, and flowery poems, that he had almost never said anything that true. Once or twice, he had let something slip, but not about how he felt. She had suspected, of course; but then, it was difficult to tell, when he was always so frivolous, or constantly on the move. And, there was a difference between caring for someone, and loving them.
Robin was many things, but careless with saying such words was definitely not among them. He loved her.
When Marian walked into the cave, she was beaming.
She kept going back to that as she, Will, and Much gathered the things she and Robin had retrieved from Knighton. She was still thinking of it as she followed John, who was carrying her father, and Djaq outside. But, she did not need to reflect back to it when they neared the wagon, because it was plain on Robin's face as she looked over at him. Suddenly struck by an uncertainty as to how to handle it, Marian merely smiled, and was glad when he helped get them loaded up without saying anything more.
However, there was not much to load, and introducing her and Edward to the merchant did not take long, so it was only a matter of minutes before they were ready to leave. To all three of them, Robin said, "We got a rumor started that you were going to use the back roads to get away, so the Great North Road should be clear going for you. And, if not,--" he turned and took a bow and quiver that Much was handing to him, and set it next to Edward while glancing at Marian,-- "there are also a couple of swords, wrapped in that blanket."
"Thank you," said Edward, to the group at large. The statement was a strange combination of stiff reluctance and sincerity, and Marian did not look forward to the first leg of their journey. Perhaps, the first several legs of it.
Brian headed toward the seat at the front of the wagon, and after some almost shy goodbyes, the gang started back toward the cave-- except for Robin, who offered a hand to help Marian up. Apparently, he also had no idea what to say now, which was just as well; she did not want an emotional farewell.
She did not want a silent farewell, either. Instead of accepting his hand, she took his face and gently pulled him down for a kiss, which she tried to make express everything she could not say. She was vaguely conscious of her father sitting a few feet away, but could not care less right then. When she ended it, she whispered, "I love you, too."
Resting his forehead against hers, his cheeks still in her palms, he said, "Take care of yourself, Marian."
"You do the same."
He let out a small sigh, and she kissed him quickly once more. "I need to go."
Stepping back, he replied, "I know."
This time, she did use his proffered hand to climb up beside her father (who was studiously staring at the side of the wagon across from himself), and Robin gave the signal for Brian to get the horses in motion. She could not look away from Robin as they began their trek, and neither did he seem inclined to move. Then, the wagon went around a bend in the road, and she lost sight of him.
"What was all that?" Edward asked, after a few uncomfortable moments.
Suppressing a groan, Marian answered, "Exactly what it looked like."
"He's an outlaw, Marian."
Shooting him a disbelieving look, she reminded him, "As are we."
"He is far too reckless."
"Being cautious has not exactly served us well," she shot back.
They eyed one another, before Edward said quietly, "He saved your life, and mine."
"And many other lives, besides," she added.
The corners of his mouth turned up. "I admit to being glad you are here, instead of back there. I was not so certain that would be the case."
Marian's frustration melted away, and she moved over to sit beside him. Patting his hand, she said, "As long as you need me, I will be here."
She did not see the frown that sentiment brought to his face.
* * *
With the rain having passed, the outlaws set out to find a new camp. No one said much, as there was little they could think of to say; and besides, they were all tired from being up at dawn two days in a row. Once they were situated, they retrieved some supplies from their stores and set out to do deliveries. John and Allan headed toward Clun, Much and Will took Nottingham, and Djaq went with Robin to Nettlestone.
"I like her," Djaq declared, as she strode alongside him.
Surprised both at the unexpected conversation, as well as the statement, Robin found himself smiling despite his fairly all-encompassing disappointment. "I like her, too."
Djaq paused, and then admitted, "I did not think I would. She has been too ready to defend Gisborne. But, she runs much deeper than she seems."
Listening carefully to her analysis, he laughed at her final observation. "Yes, she does. Her ability to hide it serves her well."
"Perhaps, most of the time. But it can likewise work against her."
Robin's eyebrow went up as he glanced at her. "It sounds as if you know something."
The look she gave him bespoke exactly how slim his chances were of learning anything from her. "I know that she is not the only one with that particular ability." Turning her attention back to the road ahead of her signaled the end of the exchange.
Robin got the message, and was not certain he liked it. If whatever Marian had neglected to tell him-- and yet, had shared with Djaq,-- was serious, he had no doubt but that Djaq would let him know. She was not the type to be sworn to secrecy on principle, if there was not a good reason behind it. But, there was still something she knew about Marian which he did not, and the thought nagged at him.
Puzzling it over took his mind off of his discontentment, which may or may not have been Djaq's goal in bringing the whole thing up. Either way, Robin was grateful for it, and was somewhat improved as they neared the camp after having made their deliveries.
That was, until Will and Much came tearing up. "We have to go back to Nottingham," Will announced, an unusual amount of worry on his face.
"Why? What's happened?" Robin demanded.
Out of breath, Much nonetheless cut in. "They've got Marian."
"What?" That was impossible; he and John had planted the rumor of the supposed route very carefully. And Marian could handle it if a couple of guards happened to have been left along the main road. Unless-- had she been injured? Had she aggravated her wound?
"The sheriff's announcing that they've caught the Night Watchman," Will explained. "He hasn't announced her identity yet, but I think he's saving it for the execution-- which is this sundown."
Robin peered at the sky, trying to think clearly. They had a few hours before then, but a plan was in order, after the relative ease with which the gang had rescued her the day before. Vaizey would be prepared for them this time. Then again, what if he intended to carry out the execution early, as he had done with Allan's brother?
Hoping to come up with something along the way, Robin gestured for the others to follow. "Come on." They were only a few yards down the road when Allan and John came into view.
"What's going on?" Allan asked, falling into step with the rest of them.
Looking from him to John, Robin borrowed a phrase from the bigger man. "We go to Nottingham."
Next Chapter
*