Arguments and Talks (Closed to Robin)

[not_a_maid]

Who: Robin and Marian
What: a long needed talk
Where: camp
When: December 12th, during the night

Comments

[robin_hood49]

...footsteps running through the sand outside of his tent...

...running out, taking down one--
--two--
--three--
--then a shadow, a sensation of cold pressure, and pain like he had never known...

...a failed shot-- he never missed in such a critical moment...

...Much was going to get help, but it would be too late; it was up to Robin to save the king... who knew standing could hurt so incredibly much? Then, a surge of adrenaline, a narrow point of focus, and fending off the Saracen with the tattoo--

--winning, and then the pain won--Robin woke with a start, his breath coming fast, the remembered throbbing in his side fading as he came back to the present. Running his hands over his face, he cursed under his breath. While his stay in the dungeon had temporarily reawakened the nightmares, they had faded away again quickly, and it had been some weeks since they had come back to him; not at all since Marian's arrival, in fact, and he had begun to think they would leave him altogether

[not_a_maid]

Her eyes stayed on him until he woke, concern never leaving her eyes. But not just concern. She was slightly annoyed that he didn't tell her that this may happen and she just knew, deep down, this wasn't the first and only time something like this had happened. He didn't seem to realise at first that she was awake too and she didn't blame him. Nightmares were no stranger to her either and she was far too aware of how it can feel to wake from one. When their eyes met, she wanted to give him a calming smile but she couldn't. She was too worried

[robin_hood49]

He gave a slight nod at her explanation; he had experienced that before, as well. Her accusation, however, brought him up short, and his jaw set as a feeling of defensiveness joined the vulnerability he was already experiencing.

She deserved an explanation-- he was aware of that-- especially now that they were to be wed. But, the dream had unsettled him and her tone had got his back up, so he decided to get out and cool off for awhile before discussing it further. And that was beside the fact that they could not really have a conversation in camp just then without waking everyone else.

Turning, he sharply replied, "Yeah," and then walked out of camp, into the Sherwood night.

[not_a_maid]

Marian sighed when he left camp, sitting up and shoving her feet into her boots before going after him. It had started snowing rather heavily recently but she didn't have time to search for her cloak in the dark so the shirt and breeches she favoured for sleeping would just have to do. It was dark of course, but it was a clear night and the moon made it possible to at least follow his tracks. He could walk fast when in a mood, but she wasn't exactly slow at walking most times never mind now.

"And what is storming off going to solve?" she shouted at his retreating back once she caught up with him. "Have you ever stopped to think that the reason you are haunted by this may be because you refuse to let me in! For once would you please just talk to me!"

Maybe it was the later hour or maybe it was because they were alone but she wasn't willing to tread easily here. She was hurt that he did not talk to her and the hurt turned to anger. Perhaps it was her own way of keeping her vulnerability hidden and it is easier to be angry.

[robin_hood49]

Robin was not sure what to say when she confirmed knowing about the skirmish outside the cave. In truth, his nightmares had not been so frequent anymore before that day, but had come back with a vengeance for awhile after it

[not_a_maid]

The way he was looking at her was sure to kill her. She wanted nothing more than to hold onto him, tell him it doesn't matter and just put it to one side but that wouldn't help. Not in the long run. He had to get this out, he had to unburden himself so he could begin to heal. Or at least try to heal. She didn't want this haunting him for the rest of his life, following him wherever he went. She knew what it was like to try and walk away from killing someone. She had never killed in cold blood but she knew of occasions when she simply meant to knock a man out and it had ended in death, and she would never get away from that guilt. But Robin's was on a much grander scale, many more lives and she would be a fool to think differently. But she was to marry him and she would not stand by and let him be hurt by this more than he already was

[robin_hood49]

He had never thought he could speak of that time, had not even been able to think of it... but suddenly, he was. It began as a defense, trying to explain what had happened and implore her to understand the choices he had made there, but that was an untenable purpose-- there was no defense, no understanding-- and his words soon became a confession. He was not in search of absolution, and hated hearing what he was saying

[not_a_maid]

She listened to every word, trying to stay strong for him. But instead of faltering it seemed that once he had started to talk there was little stopping him. She had not expected him to be so honest so quickly, and as honest as he was with such ease. But then she stopped being amazed at the fact he was talking and really listened. Listened to what he had experienced, what he had done, and the entire time she was with him. She was there, in the Holy Land and she could almost feel every weapon he used in her hand. Could feel the blood, the flesh.

It wasn’t until then she realised she was crying with him.

He had been through so much, and now she had heard the entirety of it she wasted no time in moving to him. Her arms wrapped firmly around him, pulling him close as she pressed her face against his neck. She wanted to say something, reassure him just something. But she couldn’t, not yet. He needed this time and she didn’t trust herself to speak until her own tears had calmed. But for now, her focus was entirely on Robin.