Richard sighed and his huge shoulders sagged. “Leave me,” he ordered. “It has been a trying day.”
The five of them watched in silence as the king climbed the steps to his throne and slumped down into the seat.
“Come, children,” Nyneve herded them out of the room and pulled the door shut. “I need to return to the forest. You may come along if you wish.”
“I believe Bea and I shall stay here,” Father said. “It has been a long day for all of us, and I think Robin and Marian could use some time to themselves.”
Mother nodded her agreement, much to Marian’s shock. “Your father and I will begin packing. If I know Richard, he will want us to stay, but I am ready to return home. Court tires me.” She winked at Marian, who bit back a giggle. “I know you have missed the forest, Mari. Go and enjoy yourself.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine:
Robin and Marian strolled along behind Nyneve. It was only when Robin veered off the main path that Marian realized they were not going back to the heart.
“Where are you taking me?”
Robin smiled. “I thought we could celebrate our betrothal where we first met,” he glanced at her. “And, even though it is completely inappropriate, I have the overwhelming desire to kiss you.”
Marian’s heart fluttered wildly. “Why let inappropriateness stop you?”
He laughed and held a branch out of her way. “Oh, Marian du Luc, I do love you.”
She gulped, suddenly nervous. “I—think I love you, as well.”
Robin smiled at her. “Was that so difficult to say?”
“Y—yes, I mean, no! No, of course not!” She flushed. “I sound like a fool.”
“You sound wonderful,” he corrected. “Follow me, it is through here.” He stepped through a tangle of green ferns and brown grasses and she followed.
The pool was directly in front of her, only a few feet separated her from the water. “Here?” She smiled. “Why not the in the clearing where we dueled?”
“No, it had to be here,” Robin bent low, picking something up and twisting it in his fingers.
“I wish I had something to give you, Marian, but until Richard pardons me all I have is my heart.” He knelt in front of her on one bent knee. “And this.” He held out his hand, palm up.
She looked down. There, nestled against his tanned skin, lay a small ring of braided grasses.
“Will you allow me to place it on your finger?” Robin asked.
Tears of happiness filled her eyes. She held her left hand out. It trembled.
Robin slipped the ring on, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. When she sank to the ground, her gown bunched up under her knees. He met her lips with his own.
The kiss was softer than Marian expected. She could hear birds chirping in the oak trees and the small rustle of squirrels in the undergrowth as her eyes slid shut and her lips parted. Her heart began to pound as she leaned toward him, but he pulled away.
“I—cannot, Marian.” Robin sounded breathless. “It would not be prudent for us to continue.”
“I know,” she blushed at what he did not say.
He rose, helping her back to her feet. “We should find Nyneve.”
Marian touched her lips as she followed Robin back through the tremendously tall oaks and onto the main path. They felt slightly tender to her fingertips and only made her want to kiss Robin more deeply. She reddened, thankful he could not see her face.
“You are very quiet,” Robin turned around, facing her while continuing to walk backward. Dry leaves crunched under his feet.
“I was thinking about Dalen, Alair and the rest of the boys,” Marian said quickly. “Do you think they will be able to find peace now?”
Robin smiled, as though he knew she was lying. “The Lady seems to believe it and the ghosts appeared to be happy with Prince John’s punishment.” He stopped in the middle of the path. “Marian, could you be happy living here?”
“You mean in the forest?”
“It may take a while before I can provide you with a roof over your head.” Robin took her hand.
“But…your father was a lord.” Marian frowned. “That title is now yours, is it not?”
“True,” Robin agreed. “And the king will probably want me at court until my father’s duties are settled, but I will ask him for a special dispensation to live here, instead. Court does not suit me.”
“You would live here, with me?”
Robin laughed softly. “Yes, Marian. Here, in the forest, with you.”
“I would like that very much,” Marian admitted. She glanced around, puzzled. “I do not remember this path ending…”
“It normally does not,” Nyneve brushed ferns the same color as her gown out of the way as she stepped through them and onto the path. “I moved the heart here temporarily.”
“You moved part of the forest?!” Marian’s eyes were wide.
“Yes,” the Lady said. “I felt that would be easiest, since Dulcina is really not well enough to travel long distances.”
“She does it more often than she is admitting to,” Robin said. “She has used it to help us confound the sheriff and his men on more than one occasion.”
“Leave it alone, Robin. She will learn more of my secrets soon enough. In the meantime, come in and be welcomed to my home.” Long, bell-like sleeves brushed the ground as Nyneve gestured. “We have been waiting for you.”
Marian smiled as she stepped through the massive ferns. Pink blossoms littered the ground below massive dogwood trees. Marian’s eyes narrowed when she saw them.
“So this is where you got the dogwood,” she whispered. “But what I do not understand is how you got from here to the inn so quickly.”
Robin smiled. “The Lady honored me with one of her favors.”
“The idea of being related to someone so powerful frightens me.” Marian shivered.
“She is not so bad,” Robin said. “Look, she brought someone to see you.”
Marian looked where Robin pointed. Dulcina sat on a moss covered tree stump while Will sat, curled, at her feet.
“Will!” Marian cried happily. She pulled away from Robin and dashed across the clearing. “How long have you been here?!”
Will rose and braced himself as Marian hurled herself at him. “Oof! I have been here long enough to reunite with my mother,” he smiled at Dulcina, whose brown eyes looked clear.
“Did Nyneve heal her?” Marian asked.
“Not completely,” Nyneve said. “But she is better than she was. It will take time for her mind to heal completely, but she should make a full recovery.”
“They have been amazing,” Will said. “The Lady Nyneve told me what happened when I arrived.” He smiled. “I am so glad you are safe, Marian.”
“You risked a great deal to rescue me,” Dulcina murmured. The fingers of one hand traced the brand on the other, over and over; like a talisman.
“I could not have left you there,” Marian said, stepping away from Will. “But where is Lord Aelfred?”
“He had to return to the castle,” Nyneve said. “But he will visit, from time to time. I suspect he is quite fond of Dulcina.”
The other woman giggled.
“Speaking of fondness,” Nyneve said, “can I see your left hand please, Marian?”
It was an odd request, but Marian held out her left hand. Nyneve took it in hers. “It is a pretty piece of braiding.” She brought Marian’s hand up to her lips and blew on it.
Marian inhaled sharply; sure her hand was being doused in lightening. Yanking it away, she stared down in amazement. A green and black swirled braided stone ring encircled her finger where the grass ring once rested.
“I think malachite is a much more appropriate choice for a wedding band.” Nyneve smiled.
“I—thank you,” Marian said. “But we do not know when we will marry, since we have nowhere to live.”
“A ceremony is easy enough to perform,” the old woman shrugged. “When you are ready
, you will know.” She turned to Robin, who had stepped back a pace. “As far as where you will live, do you think you and your bride would be happy here?”
“I was hoping that would be an option,” Robin admitted. He pulled Marian into his arms and rested his cheek on the top of her head.
“Then it is settled,” Nyneve said. She raised her voice slightly. “En’ja, please join us.”
The ferns surrounding the clearing parted and a petite woman, nearly half of Marian’s modest height, entered the glade. She wore a long gown identical to the one Nyneve had on. It shimmered as she stepped daintily toward Marian.
Tiny iridescent wings flowed out from the woman’s back and her delicate face was wreathed in a welcoming smile. Marian gasped in delight.
The fairy’s voice was like musical bells, clear and bright. “Welcome to Sherwood.”
####
About the Author:
Shanti Krishnamurty lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, two sons and dogs of the gigantic variety.
When she’s not busy playing MMORPGs, she attends college online; home educates her children and writes constantly.
She is normally found online via Facebook
www.facebook.com/shanti.krishnamurty,
posting about writing or life in general.
She can also be emailed at
[email protected]
Contents
Chapter One:
Chapter Two:
Chapter Three:
Chapter Four:
Chapter Five:
Chapter Six:
Chapter Seven:
Chapter Eight:
Chapter Nine:
Chapter Ten:
Chapter Eleven:
Chapter Twelve:
Chapter Thirteen:
Chapter Fourteen:
Chapter Fifteen:
Chapter Sixteen:
Chapter Seventeen:
Chapter Eighteen:
Chapter Nineteen:
Chapter Twenty:
Chapter Twenty-One:
Chapter Twenty-Two:
Chapter Twenty-Three:
Chapter Twenty-Four:
Chapter Twenty-Five:
Chapter Twenty-Six:
Chapter Twenty-Seven:
Chapter Twenty-Eight:
Chapter Twenty-Nine:
Chapter Thirty:
Chapter Thirty-One:
Chapter Thirty-Two:
Chapter Thirty-Three:
Chapter Thirty-Four:
Chapter Thirty-Five:
Chapter Thirty-Six:
Chapter Thirty-Seven:
Chapter Thirty-Eight:
Chapter Thirty-Nine:
About the Author:
Maid of Sherwood Page 19
