19So Mira and I haven't updated in forever, but hey we are giving you guys a 3000+ word chapter so that has to count for something.
We really hope you like it.
This one is going out for everyone in the RRA. You guys are all going through way too much stress right now.
As Marian's eyes slowly opened to a new day she felt a stiff crick in her neck. She closed her eyes and stretched, feeling a warm body next to hers. She must have cuddled with Djaq again to keep warm. She froze when she heard a moan that was far too deep for Djaq. Cautiously she turned her head to face her breathing pillow. It was none other than Robin the Ex Lord of Locksley and Earl of Huntington, her ex-fiancée. She bolted up from his side and glanced around the camp, making sure that none of them saw her. Memories flooded her sleep dazed mind. She had been crying, her thoughts had turned to poison as she relived the worst moments of her life over and over again. When Robin had come to her offering comfort she didn't think twice about accepting him and crawling into his arms. She was furious with herself. How could she forget five years of heart ache so easily? It was his damn smile that took her breath away, or maybe it was the way he looked at her like she was the only woman in England, or maybe it was the thought of his strong body holding hers close. She couldn't believe how weak she was. She had promised herself that if Robin ever returned from the Holy Land she would not just run back to him, and what did she do last night? She grabbed her bow and stalked off into the forest. If she was going to be up so early she may as well be of use. She had seen several deer grazing at a nearby pond the other day. With luck the outlaws would be having a large dinner.
Much woke to amazing smells tickling his nose. What were those delicious smells, he asked himself. His eyes darted around the camp until he saw a woman with straight blonde hair standing over a fire. He thought her name was Eve. What a beautiful name.
The gang, minus their leader, gathered round for breakfast. It was one of Eve's favorite meals, and she always went all out for it. She had fixed porridge and had used Djaq's cinnamon for a nice flavor. She had also fried up the last of their bacon and pulled out some of the fall apples.
Robin looked around curiously. Everyone seemed to have their place and did what was needed without orders. They all respected and followed Marian. He felt pride swell up in him for her. She was truly an incredible woman. "Where is Marian," he tried to sound nonchalant.
Everyone shrugged but Djaq. She had watched Marian quietly that morning and had seen the inner war that the other woman struggled with. She loved Robin, but was she willing to be in love with him again? She took a small sip from her bowl, "she went off hunting this morning before dawn."
Robin's face fell slightly but he hoped no one noticed.
"This," Much said enthusiastically, "is amazing." He took another large mouthful, sighing as the flavors rolled over his tongue.
Eve blushed and giggled, "thank you, but it was nothing. Really."
Diana tried not to choke on her bacon. Was this man really going to be so taken by a simple meal? Did men not understand that there was more to women than their skills in a kitchen? She glared at her sister and then at the insufferable man. She was not jealous!
"Do not sell yourself short," Much shook his head at her. "I would have killed to have such a wonderful breakfast over in the Holy Land."
Djaq rolled her eyes, "maybe if you English weren't so quick to kill we would have fed you."
Everything fell into an awkward silence as everyone finished their meals. Finally Djaq stood and began gathering plates. "It is my turn to do the dishes," she explained simply.
Will stood quickly and grabbed the frying pan and what was left of the dishes. "I'll help," he said shyly.
Allan immediately began teasing him only to find John thumping him on the back of the head.
Diana sat off on her own and began sharpening her swords. She liked to work with two. There was something about the extra weapon that made up for her lack of strength compared to her male opponents. Her swords had become extensions of her body. They had protected her countless times and she made sure to take care of them. She dropped a little oil on the metal before sliding a whetstone over the sharp edge. After repeating the process with her other blade she stood and began going slowly through several steps; practicing her technique. She found that the slower and more precise she moved the more it worked her muscles and added to her strength.
As she blocked a make believe attacker she thought back to the morning and Much's response to Eve. She couldn't blame him for being attracted to her twin. Eve was everything a woman should be. She could cook and clean, and her body was soft. Diana thought about her own physique which usually filled her with pride. Her arms were not large, but they were well defined from all of her sword play. Her legs were much the same. Her stomach was firm and tight and her hips were slim. She remembered a guard telling her once that a man wants something soft to burry himself in, and there was nothing soft about her. She shook her head and focused on her training again. There was no reason to worry about some man.
Much watched in amazement as Diana wielded her weapons. Each movement was full of grace and skill. He felt his throat tighten as he watched her pent up strength.
Robin leaned over to his friends, "the strong ones are always more exciting than the meek and quiet ladies."
Much blushed at his master's implication and looked down at his own sword and shield.
"Why don't you offer to spar with her," he suggested. "Not only could you use the practice, it is an excuse to get close to her."
He didn't have to be told twice. He jumped up and walked over to the enchanting woman. As soon as he was facing her he lost all nerve, quickly looking down and blushing.
"Can I help you," Diana asked without missing a move.
"I was thinking… well if you would like," he stuttered, "we could spar."
Diana smiled brightly, "really! Djaq and Marian spar with me, but it would be nice to work with someone new. We girls no each other's moves and it starts to get dull."
Before long they seemed to fall into a steady rhythm, testing the other's skill, before moving onto more difficult moves. Diana was amazed at the way he used his shield. It was not just protection, but another weapon to itself. They spun around each other, Diana moving her blades skillfully only to be blocked by Much's sword or shield. She began to lose herself in the joy of their fight. She had always had to hold back with Marian and Djaq, but Much seemed to match her skill. It was a freedom that she usually only experienced in battle.
They broke apart, both sweating, their breath slightly labored. "Do you give up," she beamed up at him.
"Never," he smiled before pulling his jumper over his head.
Diana swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat. He was standing before her in a thin undershirt and he was much more athletic than he first appeared. His arms were strong and well defined, and his shoulders, his shoulders were amazing. She watched as he stretched his arms for a moment. Two could play at the distraction game, she thought to herself before pulling her own jumper off.
Much thought his eyes would pop out of his head as she pulled the fabric over her head. She reached both hands behind her head and untied the string that had been holding it in place, allowing the soft curls to fall in waves over her shoulders. She picked her swords back up and went after him again; this time very aware of every move of his body as they danced around one another. Much couldn't help but notice the rise and fall of her chest as she fought him.
Everyone slowly gathered around to watch the amazing show. Most people took Much for granted. Few, besides Robin, knew that he was a Master Swordsman. Robin himself had never bested his friend. All eyes watched as they thrust and swiped at each other.
Eve's eyebrows came together in anger. Of course he would want Diana. Diana was strong and could fight and was amazingly fit. She stood up angrily and walked off.
Much couldn't concentrate. He had never been so close to someone so beautiful. It was distracting and intoxicating. Diana finally got the upper hand and pinned Much to a tree. Her body was pressed tightly into his. Her eyes closed slowly as she felt his face lean into hers. As applause broke through the camp they jumped apart. Their faces were bright red, but it wasn't just from the physical assertion of their fight.
Will stared at his companion in disbelief. How could someone be such an amazing worker and fighter one moment, and completely worthless the next? He rolled his eyes before once more focusing on his task. He had decided that their whole robbing from the rich and giving to the poor would be much easier and safer if their victims couldn't attack them. Now his mind was ticking away thinking of different traps and ways to hide them in the trees. He had always thought that traps were an interesting idea, but during their last "charitable collection" Djaq had been hurt, and now he knew the traps were a necessity. The scene still replayed itself over and over again when he closed his eyes. The look of fear that flashed over her face, the knife pressed into her neck with a fresh stream of blood trickling from the wound, the way the man threw her to the floor like she were nothing but a piece of trash. It made his blood boil. How could anyone hurt Djaq? She was amazing. She was passionate and ferocious and beautiful. Everything about her was soothing to him like a cool breeze on a hot day. He shook his head roughly. Even in his head he sounded cheesy and ridiculous. Time to focus, he thought.
"Oi, Allan," Will nudged his friend, "stop daydreaming about Ellen and help me out."
Allan smiled cheekily at his best friend, "what can I say? I have a thing for a lady in a mask," he joked.
Robin's head perked up as he heard his sister's name. He quickly stood and approached the men, "how do you know my sister, and why the hell would you be daydreaming about her?"
Allan held up his hands defensively. He sighed, nothing like a pissed off brother to put a kink in the romance. "No one said anything about your sister. We were talking about Helen," he shrugged. "She's a kitchen girl from Clun." He whistled to himself, "Robin you should see her-"
"Allan," Will smacked him on the back of the head.
"What," he shrugged, "I was going say her eyes."
Marian's eyes moved around their camp quickly before finally focusing on the setting sun. She sighed contentedly; there was something about the dusky sky that always took her breath away. The swirls of orange, pink, and deep purple mixing with the magnificent blue of the sky were majestic. Back to business she thought to herself before turning from the beautiful sight. "Robin will take the first watch," she turned to him and smirked, "if you think you can handle it all by yourself."
He rolled his eyes at the lovely brunette, "I survived five years in the Holy Land and became the Captain of the King's Personal Guard." A cheeky grin appeared over his handsome face, "I think I'll be able to handle guard duty, unless you would like to join me."
"I'll pass," Marian said simply before heading to her bed roll. She was still angry with herself. Last night in a moment of weakness she allowed him to comfort her, allowed herself to be vulnerable near him. She wouldn't do that again. She tried to hide the mischievous glint in her eyes. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. Robin just strolled into her forest without a care in the world. He thought this life was easy; a game. Well, he might find out that it isn't that much fun after all. Poor guy, he really didn't stand a chance.
Robin glanced around the camp. Everything was different at night, everything was quiet and unnerving. The shadows of the trees seemed to hide all of the demons of his past. He closed his eyes and shook his head fiercely. He was no longer in Acre. He was no longer surrounded by blood soaked sands and the moans of the dying. He sighed heavily, no, now he was surrounded by thoughts of what might have been. He had learned more about Marian by talking to her gang. Djaq, Diana, and Will were tight lipped and wouldn't help him at all. He got the feeling that the three felt that they would be betraying Marian, and though they stayed quiet Allan and Eve had told him plenty.
Marian's father had been brutally murdered shortly after his own departure to the Holy Land. Afterwards she began fighting the sheriff. It apparently started as some game with a foolish mask. Really, who hid behind a mask? Only children and cowards, he thought to himself. Then Allan had gotten into some mischief along with Will and Luke Scarlett and they were sentenced to hang. Marian could not stand by and allow it to happen. Since then she had been hiding in the forest and striking when possible. She reminded him of a beautiful cat, stretched out deceptively lazy until her pray messed up or got too close. Then she pounced.
He wondered how differently things would have turned out had he never left. He and Marian would be married, and probably have children by now. Would her father have still been murdered? Could he have stopped the sheriff and his wicked ways? Would they have still ended up in the forest?
Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the slightest flash of movement. Had he not been so well trained he might have missed it, or thought that it was a small woodland creature. He was careful not to move a muscle, not to let on that he knew they were being watched. He waited for the man to move again. There it was, a flash of a cape, the barest rustle of cloth against branches; and that is when he made his move. His sword at the ready, he leapt towards the intruder. Whoever his opponent was he was better than Robin had thought. The intruder blocked each parry and thrust. He twirled and flipped out of Robin's reach with the grace of a dancer. When their swords did meet it was with a teeth clenching force that sent numbing pains through his arm. Damn this guy is good, he thought to himself, too bad I am better. His attacks increased with speed and force. He was relentless no one was going to hurt his Marian or anyone else in the gang.
Robin grunted as the other man's elbow connected with his jaw. He was grateful for the adrenaline that was coursing through his veins. That blow was really going to hurt later. He ducked below his attacker's sword, spinning quickly, and knocking the man from his feet. Before he could get another blow in the man had jumped back to his feet. Their sword arms tangled momentarily before their weapons were tossed to the side. Robin bent over and rammed the other man into a tree and smiled at the satisfying thump. He felt the man twist in his grip trying to get lose, but Robin would have nothing of it. They were going to find out who this spy was. He started to call out for Marian when he felt his opponent's knee rush up to his groin. The air was knocked out of his lungs as he doubled over.
"That is enough Ellen," Marian said as she came out from behind an oak tree. "You wouldn't want to bruise more than your brother's pride."
Robin coughed roughly trying to force oxygen into his lungs, "Ellen?"
Ellen. Just her name was enough to send longing and desire coursing through his body. Guy knew he had to think up something in order to have Robert give him consent to court Ellen. Robert was rather strict when it came to his daughter, and if anything that had increased since her brother had been named an outlaw. He knew that he wasn't exactly trusted by the Lord of Locksley, but figured that the feeling seemed almost mutual. He didn't like anybody who stood in his way of getting what he wanted, and he wanted Ellen.
He had already figured out the plan when he walked over to the Lord of Locksley after the council of Noble meetings, not expecting to be turned down, and for sure not going to take no as an answer. "Lord Locksley," Guy started, "it has come to my attention since your son has become an outlaw that Ellen has been talked about throughout the villages, rumors and such have spread," he finished.
Robert already didn't like the sound of where this was getting to. He couldn't exactly grip why Guy was threatening not only the whole of his family, but Ellen, his only daughter, who meant very much to him. Robert had to force back the glare that was threatening to pop out of his eyes. "And where are you getting with this, Sir Guy?" Robert questioned, already though he had a suspicion that it had something to do with courting his daughter.
"Well, My Lord, if your daughter was to court me, then those rumors would cease to exist," Guy stated.
Robert couldn't fight back the urge to say something any longer. This younger man was threatening his only daughter, and he wasn't about to stand for that. Robert glared softly, and replied to Guy's comment, "I assure you, Sir Guy, that the rumors aren't true and they will die down when the people see that," Robert stated, still unhappy with the younger man.
Guy was livid with the answer he was receiving. He wanted Ellen, he would have Ellen. She would one day become his Lady Gisborne. She would bare his children, and she would be his beautiful, obedient wife. Whatever it took, Lady Ellen of Locksley would be Lady Gisborne. "My Lord, I assure you that it is the only way she will be safe. Not to mention that if I personally am keeping my eye on her, she will not be threatened by outlaws such as her brother and the former Lady of Knighton, Marian," Guy said, with his usual evil smirk.
Robert knew that Guy would persist until he gave his consent. "Very well," Robert stated, a bit unsatisfied that he had to agree to the Sheriff's right hand's request.
Guy smirked as he walked away. He would get Ellen, sooner or later, and he was hoping that it would be sooner. She would be his wife.
Robert let him walk away, wondering how to tell Ellen. He knew exactly what Guy wanted from Ellen. He wanted a wife that had power and even more wealth, and that was what he would get from Ellen of Locksley.
Oh... ending with a bit of creepy Guy. Always fun.
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