Nocturne, Chapter 2
Original Post
Summary: Robin and Marian work out a plan.
Characters/Pairings: The Outlaws (now including Marian and Edward); Robin/Marian
Rating: PG
Spoilers/Warnings: Starts the morning after 1x13 ends; AU from there. Serious R/M'ing within this chapter... and many more. :D
Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the show Robin Hood, nor with anyone associated with it, and make nothing but (with luck) happy R/M fangirls from this.
Previous Chapter
~2~
When the gang reached camp, it was starting to drizzle, so they quickly grabbed their things and headed for a small cave system nearby. It was not quite as well-hidden as the one they had gone to earlier, but it was across a pair of streams and north a bit; so, if dogs were sent after them, they should lose the scent. The outlaws freed their horses after crossing the second stream, near enough to their destination that they could complete the journey on foot without much trouble.
Robin was not pleased when Marian insisted on walking, still concerned that she was more injured than she was letting on; however, she seemed to be holding herself normally and the bleeding was not bad, so he held off on any further debate. Meanwhile, he found himself thankful anew for Little John's strength. The big man was keeping up with the rest of the gang while carrying Edward, a burden which would have greatly slowed anyone else down. For Edward's part, he was apparently doing his best to be quiet, but a groan would escape him every now and then. Being moved when one was injured was unpleasant at best, an experience with which Robin was more familiar than he cared to consider, and he was impressed with Edward's fortitude.
When they reached the caves with no signs of pursuit as yet, Much laid out some of the furs and blankets he had collected at camp, making a bed for the wounded man, and Djaq quickly tended to Edward. Fortunately, Vaizey's dagger had missed everything of import, and after Djaq got him sewn up, she tended to Marian's belly. As Marian had thought, it was her stitches, nothing internal; while it hurt, it was not serious.
Once he was reassured and everyone was starting to settle in, Robin wandered outside to have a quick moment to himself. The brief rain had turned into a mist, and the sky was desperately attempting to lighten despite the lingering heavy, grey clouds. Propping his hands on his hips, Robin tilted his chin up, breathing deeply of the fresh morning air. He tried not to think about the sight of Marian tied to the block, seconds away from death. That was the third time he had almost lost her within a scant couple of days; momentarily dying due to the actions of that traitor Pitts, a handful of words away from marrying Gisborne, and now, nearly executed at the order of the sheriff. They said that things came in threes, and Robin hoped that was true. But, in case it was not, he was glad that she was away from the castle and everyone associated with it.
Now, it was time to let those thoughts go. He had just closed his eyes, when he felt, rather than heard, someone come up behind him. Glancing over, he returned Marian's smile.
"I'm not disturbing you, am I?" she asked.
"Not at all," he assured her. Their smiles melted away as they regarded one another, and then she stepped up and slid her arms around him, as he embraced her in return.
"How did you know?" Her voice was slightly muffled by his shirt, but she did not seem bothered, making no attempt to move.
Resting his cheek against the top of her head, Robin replied, "Clara, a castle maid, came for us as soon as she heard. It's a good thing Will was up early, or we probably would have missed her." The thought chilled his blood, but he focused on the fact that Marian was alive and well and cuddled against him, and managed to shake the feeling.
"I shall be certain to thank her."
He pulled back enough to look at her. "When?"
With so much going on, he was not surprised that she had not had time to realize the significance of what had happened. Seeing the knowledge dawn in her eyes, he held her close again as she murmured, "I can never go back. Not freely, that is."
"No," he said gently. "Not as long as Vaizey, or any other lackey of Prince John, is sheriff."
"That used to be my home, as much as Knighton. I grew up there, too."
With a soft laugh devoid of much humor, Robin replied, "I understand."
"I guess you do," she remarked with a laugh of her own, after a startled moment. They stood there for awhile more, and then she asked, "What should I do?"
"You could stay with me. With us."
Sighing heavily, she stepped back, taking hold of his hands. "You know I cannot; Father can't live in the forest, and I will not abandon him."
Robin had expected that, but he was disappointed, nonetheless. "What are your other options?"
She swung their hands slightly as she thought. "A convent, perhaps? They take in the infirm."
"Some do. But, if you go to a convent, you would be more restricted than ever in where you went and what you did." And I could not see you as easily, he added silently, but this was not the time to express his own concerns. That was the same reason he had neglected to mention something he had learned about the week before. At the time, it had meant nothing to their situation; now, it meant everything. Reluctantly, he told her, "A Crusader passed through on his way home, several days ago. He's called Sir Godfrey of Truro; he's an older man with a large house, and he spoke of wanting to invite intelligent, interesting individuals to stay with him upon his return, so that he would not get restless. He felt that stimulating conversation would be a fair trade for room and board.
"He was a good friend to both the king and myself, and owes me his life, into the bargain. I am certain he will be pleased to have you in his home, and he's influential enough that Vaizey would not be able to touch you, should he even find you." Suppressing a sigh as he acknowledged to himself that this was likely to be what Marian did, Robin continued, "He has daughters around your age, so both you and your father would be more than welcome."
She nodded slowly, processing what he said. He knew that relying on the charity of strangers would not appeal to her, but he also knew that their hands were tied. "It would be quite a journey," she finally replied.
"You would be safe from the sheriff." Stating the fact did not mean that he liked it, but he had to acknowledge that it was a legitimate benefit.
"I do not want to leave." Her words were heartfelt, moreso than she usually allowed, and echoed his own misery at the prospect.
"I do not want you to leave."
"Then, come up with another idea. Help me think of something else."
Robin stared at her, wracking his brain and still coming up empty. He had not even wished to address the idea of Sir Godfrey, but it was all he had. The corner of her mouth curved in a regretful smile, a sad acknowledgement that he could not provide an answer. Releasing his hands, Marian ran her own along his face and then into his hair, pulling him down for a kiss. When it started to become too difficult to hide his desperation at the thought of losing her yet again, he broke it off, but continued to hold her for awhile.
"We should get out of the rain." Her hair was starting to get laden with the mist, and his own could be no better; and, that was not even to mention their clothing.
"We should," she agreed, taking his hand once more, lacing her fingers through his as they went back into the cave.
Much had set up a small fire near the entrance, and was beginning to cook breakfast. The gang had not eaten, and Robin doubted that Marian or Edward had, either. Fortunately, they had something good to offer; along with news of the impending execution, the maid Clara had also brought ham and some eggs from the castle kitchens.
Giving Robin's hand a squeeze, Marian let go and went to check on her father, who was pale, yet sitting up. After they had quietly spoken, Allan asked, "So, what happened back there? I thought it all worked out pretty well yesterday."
Leaning against a fairly smooth portion of the rock wall, arms crossed over his chest, Robin quietly said, "It worked out too well."
Marian gave him a nod, but Edward frowned. "I do not know that I would put it that way."
That earned him a confused look from his daughter. "What do you mean? The sheriff was utterly humiliated; we could not have asked for a better end to his scheme."
"We could have asked for you to exercise more restraint," he told her severely. "If you had done as you intended, and gone through with the wedding--"
"You would be dead," Robin interrupted him, not liking the expression on Marian's face, which hovered somewhere between hurt and furious.
Clearly, she did not appreciate that statement, either. While she scowled at Robin, Edward's irritation was directed away from her, so it was worth her ire. "Perhaps," the older man acknowledged, still not appeased. "But, Marian would be comfortably situated at Locksley now, instead of outlawed and hiding in a cave."
Marian was nearly breathing fire. "How would I be 'comfortably situated' if I were married to a man who had taken part in the deception which cost my father his life? A man who also tried to kill the king?" she demanded. Robin felt a surge of satisfaction at that; finally, she believed him. He wondered what had changed her mind, but was not overly concerned with finding out.
"You would not have been nearly executed, and in danger of facing that same fate if you are again caught," he snapped. "You had to willfully defy the one man who could protect you from the sheriff."
The gang was visibly uncomfortable at witnessing the argument, although only Much had something to keep him occupied, as the scent of food began to fill the cave; and Marian seemed equally conscious of their presence. Robin did not like that Edward's outburst was alienating the very people who had helped him, nor did he like hearing that Edward apparently still saw Gisborne as a source of protection, after everything that had happened. "Are you referring to the man who was standing beside the sheriff, ready to watch as Marian lost her head?"
"That situation would never have come about, if she had just done what she was supposed to do," Edward replied testily.
"But, I did not," Marian said with exasperation. "And, I am glad that I did not." She met Robin's eyes, and returned his small smile.
Edward sighed heavily, and everyone relaxed when it seemed that the quarrel was past.
"I still don't get what happened yesterday," Allan finally said, when there had been silence for a minute.
"As we were leaving the castle, when the sheriff was being let down from the ceiling"-- there was a moment of collective amusement as they all recalled that sight,-- "he ordered our arrest for associating with outlaws, since Robin rescued Father from him," Marian explained.
"And because reports came in from Locksley that you rode off from your wedding with him," Edward added dourly. "One of the guards from the west gate reported in, as well, while I was being interrogated." Embarrassed at what must have been reported, Marian glanced away from him; but he had Robin's full attention now.
"Which one?" Robin asked. He had known both guards, since their families received assistance from the outlaws, and would never have kissed Marian in front of them if he thought they could not be trusted.
Edward shook his head. "I do not know them. Does it matter?"
It was Robin's turn to sigh, as he admitted to himself that it did not. Both of those guards had wives and children to care for, which was the whole reason they had taken the employment that they could get, and the gang would not allow their families to starve.
Will spoke up. "We should get more supplies today, blankets and clothing, and things."
It was evident that he was referring to supplying the new outlaws, and Marian glanced at Robin once more, this time appearing distinctly uncomfortable. Edward also looked taken aback.
Robin turned his head, watching Much cook without really seeing anything. "That's a good plan, but we will not need a lot. What we do need, is someone with a cart who is willing to make a long trip." Looking back to the others, he said, "Edward and Marian are going to Cornwall."
"What?" the startled former sheriff asked his daughter. After she explained, he agreed, "That may be our best bet." He was as hesitant to admit it as any of them, but they were left with little choice.
Robin realized that Will was watching him, and briefly looked to his friend; seeing sympathy in the younger man's eyes, Robin quickly glanced away again.
Pulling bowls and spoons out of his pack, Much dished up breakfast and began passing it around. When Marian came over and sat down beside him to eat, instead of by her father, Robin was pleasantly surprised. There was not much to say, but merely sharing one another's company was enough.
It looked as though there would be little of that in the days and months ahead.
Next Chapter
*
Summary: Robin and Marian work out a plan.
Characters/Pairings: The Outlaws (now including Marian and Edward); Robin/Marian
Rating: PG
Spoilers/Warnings: Starts the morning after 1x13 ends; AU from there. Serious R/M'ing within this chapter... and many more. :D
Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the show Robin Hood, nor with anyone associated with it, and make nothing but (with luck) happy R/M fangirls from this.
Previous Chapter
~2~
When the gang reached camp, it was starting to drizzle, so they quickly grabbed their things and headed for a small cave system nearby. It was not quite as well-hidden as the one they had gone to earlier, but it was across a pair of streams and north a bit; so, if dogs were sent after them, they should lose the scent. The outlaws freed their horses after crossing the second stream, near enough to their destination that they could complete the journey on foot without much trouble.
Robin was not pleased when Marian insisted on walking, still concerned that she was more injured than she was letting on; however, she seemed to be holding herself normally and the bleeding was not bad, so he held off on any further debate. Meanwhile, he found himself thankful anew for Little John's strength. The big man was keeping up with the rest of the gang while carrying Edward, a burden which would have greatly slowed anyone else down. For Edward's part, he was apparently doing his best to be quiet, but a groan would escape him every now and then. Being moved when one was injured was unpleasant at best, an experience with which Robin was more familiar than he cared to consider, and he was impressed with Edward's fortitude.
When they reached the caves with no signs of pursuit as yet, Much laid out some of the furs and blankets he had collected at camp, making a bed for the wounded man, and Djaq quickly tended to Edward. Fortunately, Vaizey's dagger had missed everything of import, and after Djaq got him sewn up, she tended to Marian's belly. As Marian had thought, it was her stitches, nothing internal; while it hurt, it was not serious.
Once he was reassured and everyone was starting to settle in, Robin wandered outside to have a quick moment to himself. The brief rain had turned into a mist, and the sky was desperately attempting to lighten despite the lingering heavy, grey clouds. Propping his hands on his hips, Robin tilted his chin up, breathing deeply of the fresh morning air. He tried not to think about the sight of Marian tied to the block, seconds away from death. That was the third time he had almost lost her within a scant couple of days; momentarily dying due to the actions of that traitor Pitts, a handful of words away from marrying Gisborne, and now, nearly executed at the order of the sheriff. They said that things came in threes, and Robin hoped that was true. But, in case it was not, he was glad that she was away from the castle and everyone associated with it.
Now, it was time to let those thoughts go. He had just closed his eyes, when he felt, rather than heard, someone come up behind him. Glancing over, he returned Marian's smile.
"I'm not disturbing you, am I?" she asked.
"Not at all," he assured her. Their smiles melted away as they regarded one another, and then she stepped up and slid her arms around him, as he embraced her in return.
"How did you know?" Her voice was slightly muffled by his shirt, but she did not seem bothered, making no attempt to move.
Resting his cheek against the top of her head, Robin replied, "Clara, a castle maid, came for us as soon as she heard. It's a good thing Will was up early, or we probably would have missed her." The thought chilled his blood, but he focused on the fact that Marian was alive and well and cuddled against him, and managed to shake the feeling.
"I shall be certain to thank her."
He pulled back enough to look at her. "When?"
With so much going on, he was not surprised that she had not had time to realize the significance of what had happened. Seeing the knowledge dawn in her eyes, he held her close again as she murmured, "I can never go back. Not freely, that is."
"No," he said gently. "Not as long as Vaizey, or any other lackey of Prince John, is sheriff."
"That used to be my home, as much as Knighton. I grew up there, too."
With a soft laugh devoid of much humor, Robin replied, "I understand."
"I guess you do," she remarked with a laugh of her own, after a startled moment. They stood there for awhile more, and then she asked, "What should I do?"
"You could stay with me. With us."
Sighing heavily, she stepped back, taking hold of his hands. "You know I cannot; Father can't live in the forest, and I will not abandon him."
Robin had expected that, but he was disappointed, nonetheless. "What are your other options?"
She swung their hands slightly as she thought. "A convent, perhaps? They take in the infirm."
"Some do. But, if you go to a convent, you would be more restricted than ever in where you went and what you did." And I could not see you as easily, he added silently, but this was not the time to express his own concerns. That was the same reason he had neglected to mention something he had learned about the week before. At the time, it had meant nothing to their situation; now, it meant everything. Reluctantly, he told her, "A Crusader passed through on his way home, several days ago. He's called Sir Godfrey of Truro; he's an older man with a large house, and he spoke of wanting to invite intelligent, interesting individuals to stay with him upon his return, so that he would not get restless. He felt that stimulating conversation would be a fair trade for room and board.
"He was a good friend to both the king and myself, and owes me his life, into the bargain. I am certain he will be pleased to have you in his home, and he's influential enough that Vaizey would not be able to touch you, should he even find you." Suppressing a sigh as he acknowledged to himself that this was likely to be what Marian did, Robin continued, "He has daughters around your age, so both you and your father would be more than welcome."
She nodded slowly, processing what he said. He knew that relying on the charity of strangers would not appeal to her, but he also knew that their hands were tied. "It would be quite a journey," she finally replied.
"You would be safe from the sheriff." Stating the fact did not mean that he liked it, but he had to acknowledge that it was a legitimate benefit.
"I do not want to leave." Her words were heartfelt, moreso than she usually allowed, and echoed his own misery at the prospect.
"I do not want you to leave."
"Then, come up with another idea. Help me think of something else."
Robin stared at her, wracking his brain and still coming up empty. He had not even wished to address the idea of Sir Godfrey, but it was all he had. The corner of her mouth curved in a regretful smile, a sad acknowledgement that he could not provide an answer. Releasing his hands, Marian ran her own along his face and then into his hair, pulling him down for a kiss. When it started to become too difficult to hide his desperation at the thought of losing her yet again, he broke it off, but continued to hold her for awhile.
"We should get out of the rain." Her hair was starting to get laden with the mist, and his own could be no better; and, that was not even to mention their clothing.
"We should," she agreed, taking his hand once more, lacing her fingers through his as they went back into the cave.
Much had set up a small fire near the entrance, and was beginning to cook breakfast. The gang had not eaten, and Robin doubted that Marian or Edward had, either. Fortunately, they had something good to offer; along with news of the impending execution, the maid Clara had also brought ham and some eggs from the castle kitchens.
Giving Robin's hand a squeeze, Marian let go and went to check on her father, who was pale, yet sitting up. After they had quietly spoken, Allan asked, "So, what happened back there? I thought it all worked out pretty well yesterday."
Leaning against a fairly smooth portion of the rock wall, arms crossed over his chest, Robin quietly said, "It worked out too well."
Marian gave him a nod, but Edward frowned. "I do not know that I would put it that way."
That earned him a confused look from his daughter. "What do you mean? The sheriff was utterly humiliated; we could not have asked for a better end to his scheme."
"We could have asked for you to exercise more restraint," he told her severely. "If you had done as you intended, and gone through with the wedding--"
"You would be dead," Robin interrupted him, not liking the expression on Marian's face, which hovered somewhere between hurt and furious.
Clearly, she did not appreciate that statement, either. While she scowled at Robin, Edward's irritation was directed away from her, so it was worth her ire. "Perhaps," the older man acknowledged, still not appeased. "But, Marian would be comfortably situated at Locksley now, instead of outlawed and hiding in a cave."
Marian was nearly breathing fire. "How would I be 'comfortably situated' if I were married to a man who had taken part in the deception which cost my father his life? A man who also tried to kill the king?" she demanded. Robin felt a surge of satisfaction at that; finally, she believed him. He wondered what had changed her mind, but was not overly concerned with finding out.
"You would not have been nearly executed, and in danger of facing that same fate if you are again caught," he snapped. "You had to willfully defy the one man who could protect you from the sheriff."
The gang was visibly uncomfortable at witnessing the argument, although only Much had something to keep him occupied, as the scent of food began to fill the cave; and Marian seemed equally conscious of their presence. Robin did not like that Edward's outburst was alienating the very people who had helped him, nor did he like hearing that Edward apparently still saw Gisborne as a source of protection, after everything that had happened. "Are you referring to the man who was standing beside the sheriff, ready to watch as Marian lost her head?"
"That situation would never have come about, if she had just done what she was supposed to do," Edward replied testily.
"But, I did not," Marian said with exasperation. "And, I am glad that I did not." She met Robin's eyes, and returned his small smile.
Edward sighed heavily, and everyone relaxed when it seemed that the quarrel was past.
"I still don't get what happened yesterday," Allan finally said, when there had been silence for a minute.
"As we were leaving the castle, when the sheriff was being let down from the ceiling"-- there was a moment of collective amusement as they all recalled that sight,-- "he ordered our arrest for associating with outlaws, since Robin rescued Father from him," Marian explained.
"And because reports came in from Locksley that you rode off from your wedding with him," Edward added dourly. "One of the guards from the west gate reported in, as well, while I was being interrogated." Embarrassed at what must have been reported, Marian glanced away from him; but he had Robin's full attention now.
"Which one?" Robin asked. He had known both guards, since their families received assistance from the outlaws, and would never have kissed Marian in front of them if he thought they could not be trusted.
Edward shook his head. "I do not know them. Does it matter?"
It was Robin's turn to sigh, as he admitted to himself that it did not. Both of those guards had wives and children to care for, which was the whole reason they had taken the employment that they could get, and the gang would not allow their families to starve.
Will spoke up. "We should get more supplies today, blankets and clothing, and things."
It was evident that he was referring to supplying the new outlaws, and Marian glanced at Robin once more, this time appearing distinctly uncomfortable. Edward also looked taken aback.
Robin turned his head, watching Much cook without really seeing anything. "That's a good plan, but we will not need a lot. What we do need, is someone with a cart who is willing to make a long trip." Looking back to the others, he said, "Edward and Marian are going to Cornwall."
"What?" the startled former sheriff asked his daughter. After she explained, he agreed, "That may be our best bet." He was as hesitant to admit it as any of them, but they were left with little choice.
Robin realized that Will was watching him, and briefly looked to his friend; seeing sympathy in the younger man's eyes, Robin quickly glanced away again.
Pulling bowls and spoons out of his pack, Much dished up breakfast and began passing it around. When Marian came over and sat down beside him to eat, instead of by her father, Robin was pleasantly surprised. There was not much to say, but merely sharing one another's company was enough.
It looked as though there would be little of that in the days and months ahead.
Next Chapter
*