Chapter 55

Following his discussion with his father, Robin decided it was time to talk to Marian. He returned to the stable and got on his favorite mare then headed out to Knighton. When he arrived he found the reason for his heartbeat working outside in the garden. He stopped his horse and simply admired her from a distance. He recalled she had told him that although they had plenty of help for such tasks, it was something she discovered she enjoyed while Robin was away in London. It helped her to pass time and she could see the fruits of her labor with the beautiful flowers that grew from her ministrations. As he peered at her he thought about how lovely she looked in the morning sunlight. He knew without a doubt that what he was about to tell her was going to be the most difficult thing he would EVER have to do, even if he lived to be one hundred years old.

He kicked his horse and trotted up to the manor. She turned when she heard the hoof beats of the approaching horse and smiled when she realized that it was Robin. As he dismounted his horse he turned only to be met with a warm and inviting embrace. When he pulled away slightly, he found his face just a hair’s breadth away from hers. He leaned in just a bit to cover her sweet, red lips with his own. ‘Heaven’ he thought to himself. It cannot get any better than this. When the kiss broke apart, he placed his forehead on hers and whispered, “Hi.”

“Hi back. That was quite a greeting.”

“Mmmmm. I’m glad you liked it Mi’Lady.” He then leaned in for another.

“What are you doing here? I did not know you were coming for a visit today.”

“I know.”

“How is your father?”

He took her by the arm and they began to walk to the outer areas of Knighton. “He is well, thank you. He grows stronger every day.”

“I am glad. Do you think then that we will be able to reschedule the wedding soon?”

Robin stopped. He swallowed hard and looked away as he closed his eyes.

“What is it, Robin? Is there something wrong?”

Biting his lip, he turned to look at her. He held her right hand is his left and used his right one to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

Blushing, she smiled a wide grin and said, “I think so. It’s a lot if it’s half as much as I love you.”

Nodding, he said “Good. Marian, you mean everything to me. I love you more than anything.”

“Robin, what is this about? Do we need to postpone the wedding a little longer? If it is needed in order for your father to recover more, I completely understand. I just hate the waiting. I want to be able to start our life together, that’s all.”

“No, my father would be ready any time.”

“Then what is it, my love?”

Taking a deep breath, Robin stated, “Marian, I will be joining King Richard when he comes through in a few days on his way to the Holy Land.”

With a confused look on her face, she asked “What do you mean ‘joining him’?”

Robin proceeded to explain about the letter he had received. He showed it to her and explained that he needed to show his loyalty to the King.

“You said you wouldn’t go. You said you would stay here. Did you speak a lie?”

“Of course not. But Marian…..”

“You would rather go off to a foreign land and fight than to stay here and marry me?”

“Of course not……………..”

“That is how it appears” she spat out with tears in her eyes.

“Marian………….”

“Have you told your father?”

“I have” he said nodding, not taking his eyes from her.

“What did he say?”

“He said he understood and that he is proud of me.”

“What is it with men and war? Glory and honor above sense and reason?”

Reaching for her with his other hand, she jerked away and stepped back. “Marian, I am ….”

“What? Sorry? Are you sorry, Robin? Sorry for what? Sorry for leaving? Sorry because you had proposed? Sorry for …..” By this time, tears were pouring down her cheeks and she couldn’t finish her thought.

Robin stepped forward and tried to wipe the tears from her face but she turned away and would allow him to touch her. “Marian, you know better than that.”

“Do I?”

“I was hoping that you would understand…..as my father did.”

“Well, I do not. I do not understand, Robin. We should have been married already. How can you want to leave?”

Becoming a little agitated, Robin shouted, “I don’t WANT to leave. I must, Marian.”

Facing him, she said, “Well, Robin of Locksley, you do what you must, and I will do what I must.”

“What does that mean?”

With that, Marian removed her engagement ring and threw it at the young man standing in front of her. “I never want to see you again” she shouted at him and then she turned and ran back to the house and slammed the door.