218John approached the camp as Marian started working on Djaq's hair. Marian had braided Djaq's hair when it was wet which caused it to curl nicely once dry. Marian's fingers were deftly pulling bits of hair back and pinning them when John cleared his throat loudly, "are you all decent?"
Marian laughed, "yes, John, we are all dressed. You are safe to come in."
He ducked into the old camp. Thankfully Will had made the new one a bit taller. The old camp always left him with neck and back cramps. His eyes slid from the ground over to Djaq's small form causing tears to sting in his eyes and puffing out his chest in fatherly pride, "You look... you look lovely, Little One."
Djaq's eyes began to water as she wrapped her arms around John and hugged him leaving Marian chasing behind her trying to pin down a curl. With everything going on in the camp recently she and John had not been spending the time that they used to with one another. His use of her nickname reminded her of just how much she meant to this group, and how much they meant to her as well.
Marian was struggling with an unruly strand of hair while Djaq and John hugged, "well if you two are just about done for the moment I would like to finish the bride's hair before the wedding is over."
They two of them smiled at Marian and separated. John sat back and watched Annie and Marian prepare Djaq for her big day, and he couldn't help but notice how much Marian had changed in the past weeks since her confinement and torture. When she was first returned to them she had seemed like nothing more than a shell of what she used to be. She lacked her spunk, her fire as she mourned the possible loss of her child. Now however, something had changed. Slowly she had become the stronger, vivacious woman she had been. She made the plans and preparations for this wedding, when the men had obviously not thought about it, and gave each person orders. She was smiling again, teasing Robin, and keeping them all in line. She was positively radiant.
Marian finally finished Djaq's hair and secured the viel in place with a few pins. "Djaq," she said softly, "close your eyes."
She looked up at her friend with confusion, "as you wish."
John watched as Marian walked over to a corner and uncovered her surprise for Djaq. She slowly crossed the room, holding the blossoms delicately as not to crush them. Once she was standing in front of Djaq she lowered it onto the young woman's head and retrieved a mirror.
Djaq had been nervous and unsure about what Marian was up too, but knew it couldn't be anything too embarrassing with John in the room. She listened intently to Marian's footsteps as they approached her and felt the slightest weight on the top of her head. Her eyes were still pressed tightly closed as tears slid down her cheeks. She brought her hands up slowly and carefully touched her fingertips to the flower petals.
Marian was beaming at her friend, "go ahead now. Open them."
Djaq did as she was told and found herself staring at her own reflection. She was speechless. The last time that she truly felt beautiful had seemed like a lifetime ago. She hardly recognized herself. Her hair that had grown to about shoulder length and was curled nicely with various bits pulled up on top of her head. Her veil was very simple but on top of it was a delicate wreath of orange blossoms. "Marian," her voice was barely more than a whisper, "how did you? How is this even possible?"
"It was simple," Marian said shrugging, "we only get married once, my friend, and I wanted to make sure yours was perfect. So Robin and I just broke into the Sheriff's personal gardens and picked a few pretty flowers."
"You are the best friend I could ask for. Thank you so much," she hugged Marian tightly.
"Well you best stop crying before you soak your dress," Annie said as she brought Djaq a small cloth to wipe her face. "You are a lovely bride, and I am so happy that you are joining our family."
Will was standing in the clearing that they had chosen for their wedding nervously carving away at a piece of wood. It really was quite lovely. Marian had outdone herself, and worked the other outlaws to complete exhaustion . Marian wove her left over orange blossoms all over the small section of Sherwood making it resemble a beautiful paradise. Will had also been surprised to see various people that he had known since childhood. He really needed to thank her for all of her hard work.
"I'm not being funny mate, but don't you think you have made enough toothpicks," Alan asked sarcastically, playfully punching Will on the shoulder.
"What is taking them so long," Will whined sounding a bit too much like Much.
Robin smiled at him knowingly, "Will you have been really lucky with Djaq thus far, but you should know that most women take forever to get ready. It's even worse on their wedding day."
"Did Marian make you wait nervously," Will asked. Everyone gathered around at this question. No one really knew the story of Robin and Marian's wedding.
"Actually no," Robin laughed to himself thinking back fondly, "I showed up to the castle one evening to talk to her about the new tax collector, and found her in this amazing gown. Then she told me that I was running late to my own wedding. After the shock subsided we rushed to Friar Tuck's."
Much gave Robin an odd look, "well Marian has always been a bit different."