Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood

Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood.

A/N: Thanks to all of you for your amazing reviews! You rock!

Marian looked up from her book, glancing at the three bowed heads. After they’d come in from the garden, the children had come straight to the library and begun their homework. After some looking around, Marian had found a book that she’d been meaning to read and settled down to do just that. The library was large, with rich, mulberry carpet and dark wooden paneling on the walls. A fireplace was in one corner, and a roaring fire had already been blazing when they’d arrived. The children were sitting at a table near it, studiously working. Marian sat in the window seat that overlooked the garden. She resolutely avoided looking out the window for fear of seeing that gardener. What had Faith called him? Robin. Shuddering at the thought of him, Marian returned to her book.

Suddenly, a bell rang from downstairs. Marian looked up as the children put down their pencils and stood.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Dinner,” Nathaniel answered. Marian nodded and set her book aside, following the children down a long hallway that had several suits of armor lining it, down a staircase, and into a large dining room where Guy Winthrop and another older man were already seated.

“Ah, so good of you to join us,” the old man grunted as they sat down. None of the children said anything or looked at him. Marian nudged Nathaniel and then nodded towards the old man. Nathaniel rolled his eyes. Marian sighed and smiled at the older man. He studied her.

“You must be the governess my son hired to take care of the children,” he commented. “He went to the local agency, didn’t he?” Marian looked away, stung. She looked at the children. Nathaniel was glaring at his plate, Ruth was looking at her hands, and Faith gave Marian a sympathetic look. Then two maids came in and set dishes out on the table before once again vanishing into the kitchen. Marian reached her hand towards a dish, but Nathaniel grabbed her arm and wordlessly shook his head. She drew her hand back and looked at him curiously. What is it? Guy and the old man are already eating. She wondered aloud, looking at the two men. Ruth cleared her throat.

“We usually pray first,” she said quietly. Guy froze in midbite, looking somewhat horrified. The old man didn’t stop, shoveling in another bite of mashed potatoes before speaking.

“Hm. Well, things change,” he merely commented. Guy looked at him.

“Perhaps we should,” he said uncertainly. The old man looked at him and then let out a huge sigh, exasperated.

“Fine!” he snapped, throwing down his fork. “We’ll pray,” There was a mocking tone in his voice. Guy set down his fork and took Faith’s hand and the old man’s. Marian grasped the old man’s and Nathaniel’s. They all bowed their heads.

“Bless this meal, Father, and take care of all of our family everywhere.” Faith prayed. “And thank you that we’ve got nice, kind people like Uncle Guy to take care of us. Amen.” Everyone else murmured their “amen’s” and then began – or resumed, in the old man’s case – eating. Marian dished out her own food and then looked on as the children ladled out their portions. Faith strained to get a dish of beans, her short arms barely reaching the center of the table. Before Marian could move to help her, Guy picked up the dish and helped his niece get food. She smiled gratefully at him and started eating. Marian chewed silently, wondering if anyone would say anything. No one did. The entire meal was in silence, except for requests for food or drink. Finally, the old man wiped his mouth, tossed his napkin on his plate, shoved his chair back, and walked out. Marian stared after him, shocked. How could he have just walked out like that? Didn’t he have any manners? The children continued eating calmly, not saying anything. A few minutes later, Guy finished his meal. He stood up, excused himself, and then left. Marian rolled her eyes. No wonder these children needed a governess: so they wouldn’t end up like their elders! Marian finished eating and then set down her fork and waited. Soonafter, all three children had finished, and they went back to the library, with Marian following.

“Who was the old man?” she asked once the door had been shut.

“Grandfather Victor,” Faith answered.

“Is he always like that?”

“If by ‘that’, you mean only talking to insult us, not praying and generally making everybody dislike him, then yes,” Nathaniel said scornfully.

“Nathaniel!” Ruth hissed. Nathaniel didn’t say anything as he sat back down to finish his lessons. Faith sat down beside him and Ruth, after poking the fire back to life, joined them. Marian sighed and returned to her book. For a long while there was only silence, except for the crackling of the flames and Faith’s voice occasionally asking for help, a thing that her siblings gave her without hesitation.

The hall clock bonged suddenly, startling everyone and causing the three children to instantly close their books and gather their things. Marian got up and followed them down the same hall and then to the left, where there was another, shorter hallway and four doors. Each child went into one. Curious, Marian followed Faith into her room. The girl set down her books beside her schoolbag, grabbed a nightgown from the closet, and then went into the bathroom to change. When she came back out, she climbed into bed and looked at Marian.

“Your room is the spare one,” she said. Marian nodded, but didn’t move.

“Is there anything I should do before going to bed?” she asked. Faith looked thoughtful.

“I don’t think so,” she said slowly. “Aside from saying goodnight, the only thing you need to do is know that we need to be up by six thirty tomorrow morning and that if you need anything, ask one of us or a servant. Oh, and if you go exploring, never go into the east wing.”

“Why not?” Marian asked curiously.

“Grandfather lives in the east wing with Uncle Guy, and they’ve forbidden everyone from going up there without permission,” Faith explained.

“Ah,” Marian said, nodding. “Good night, then. Sweet dreams.” She wondered if she would be required to hug the girl and tuck her in, but Faith just looked at her. Marian smiled and hurried out of the room, nearly bumping into Guy on the way. “Oh! I’m so sorry!”

“It’s fine,” Guy said reassuringly. “I was just coming to see if you needed anything,”

“No, thank you,” Marian said, smiling. “Faith explained to me the basics.” He nodded and then smiled at her.

“Good night.”

“Good night,” Marian said, sliding past him and heading towards her room. She considered saying goodnight to Ruth and Nathaniel, but their closed doors made it clear they would prefer it if she left them alone. Sighing, Marian entered her room and shut the door.

There you go! Another chapter! Enjoy!