Thanks for all your feedback, there will be a sequel soon.

Part 21

The gang stood round a small fire that little John had prepared, for the farewell ceremony to Sir Edward. They all stood evenly spaced apart, Robin's gazed fixed on Marian rather than the fire. She had been silent, ever since they had dragged her back to the forest. Back to a life with them , if she wished, he hoped she wished that, but sometimes with Marian you couldn't be sure.

There was a long reflective silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally one by one they spoke.

"Him we liked" said John, starting it off.

"Him we respected" added Alan.

"And trusted" Will offered.

"He was a good man" said Djaq.

"A man I am proud to call my friend" Much said, taking off his cap in a manner of respect.

"A man who believed in the truth to the end and died fighting for freedom" Robin added, glancing at Marian again.

"My Father, whom I loved" she simply finished.

They all remained where they were for a while and then one by one, off John's lead walked away, until Marian was left alone with Robin.

He stayed rooted to the spot, frantic to think of the right words to say to her, but coming up with nothing, finally he uttered "I'm sorry"

She nodded as she turned to him, the tears still unshed, forming pools in her eyes and she swallowed hard as she stepped forward and reached out to him. And Robin , he was there, his arms encased her in a haven of safety and surety, of understanding and of love. She wept, finally letting go of the dam which she had built up inside and as the tears wracked her body he felt his own eyes water at the pain of her loss.

The light had faded and Robin sat propped up against a tree with Marian still in the shelter of his embrace, the gang were within sight, their camp fire glowing in the dusk. She turned and they reshuffled to get comfortable once more.

He cleared his throat then said quietly "You know you can stay here with me, with us in the forest, if that is what you want?"

She sniffed and buried herself within his arms, arms of hope, of strength and of a love she knew she would not find anywhere else.

"I want to be near you" she replied, almost inaudibly and he smiled into the top of head

"It will be different, but everything will be alright" he said, enjoying the moment and knowing that there would be time for her to argue with him in the future, their future. It seemed almost impossible to think that perhaps they now had a future together.

"It will be different, perhaps I can be who I want to be"

"With no more foolishness, I advised you against going to Knighton hall for a reason"

"I know I was just.."

"Stubborn?"

"Perhaps a little, I do not like being told what I should be doing"

"If you are to live here with us, you might have to get used to it" he replied with a small laugh.

"If I agree, if not, I have a tongue in my head I will use it and give my opinion"

"I am sure you will"

"What do you mean by that?" she asked indignant and looked up at him.

But he wasn't mocking her, there was a tenderness in his eyes that made her reach out and trace the contours of his face.

"Marian" he whispered as he caught her mouth with his in a kiss that spoke of his love, sometimes words were not needed and there was always tomorrow, perhaps he would tell her how much he loved her then.

The End