Hello all… this is the first multi-chapter fic from me…woo! It is pre-show, just before Robin leaves…quite sad and I've taken some interesting liberties with characters especially Robin's parents…so I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think!

Trial of a Different Nature

'What are you doing Robin?' he asked himself as he slumped against the outside wall of Locksley Manor.

'Master Robin come in you will catch your death' Thornton called from the door but realising he was not moving he walked over to the young nobleman.

'Master Robin' he repeated.

'I told her' Robin said quietly.

'I heard' Thornton nodded.

'She didn't take it too well' Robin stated the obvious.

'How were you expecting her to take it?'

Robin shrugged. 'what am I supposed to do? She knew it was a possibility. Its not like she has to go fight in some war thousands of miles away'

'What was that look for?' Robin asked catching Thornton's face flash a look.

'it is not my place Sir' he smiled.

'Please' Robin urged patting the ground next to him.

Thornton hesitated slighty before joining the young nobleman on the ground.

'I truly thought she would support me on this' Robin confessed as soon as Thornton was comfortable. 'it is not like I have a choice'.

Thornton smiled 'everything we do is a choice'.

'You sound just like her, and you know what I mean Thornton, this family…my father…' he trailed off. 'How dare she make me feel guilty?' he said after a few brief moments of thought 'it wasn't me who choose- she doesn't understand. She has no idea.'

'and that is her fault?' Thornton asked.

'No' Robin shook his head 'but- when did everything get so complicated?'

Thornton's eyes twinkled with the kind of wisdom one can only achieve through experience. 'Life was always complicated, Master Robin, but youth hides it.'

'Then I wish I were still a child' Robin sighed.

Thornton laughed gently thinking that the boy that sat beside him was merely more than a child and did not deserve to be in the situation he found himself in.

'You cannot avoid me forever' he told her.

'I can try' she spat as he followed her throw Nottingham town.

'Marian, please' he pleaded with her 'I'm sorry'

'For what Robin?' she smirked 'you said it yourself I knew it was a possibility and you are merely obeying your King, surely I should be proud right?'

Robin knew this was a trick question and remained silent.

'I'm not asking you to be proud, I am asking you to understand' he said a little louder than he has intended. 'I need you to understand'

'I understand perfectly' she met the level of his voice. 'England needs you right? Your King needs you? Well what about the people of Locksley, what about your mother?… what about me?' Marian realised she was full on screaming now and people were begin to take notice.

'It is not forever' he said quietly. Marian rolled her eyes.

'you do realise if you go you may not come back?' she breathed heavily.

Of course he realised it but no one had said it to him so plainly that he truly thought about it.

'Understand that?' Marian asked before turning away from him to enter Nottingham Castle.

'Go to Knighton' Much said sick of his master moping around the manor.

'No, I will not give her the satisfaction' Robin said childishly.

Much rolled his eyes 'do you have any idea how childish that sounds? We are about to go to war and you're sounding like a spoiled infant'

Robin eyes widened in shock at Much's word. He couldn't remember anyone ever speaking to him like that before bar Marian.

'I'm sorry' Robin said sincerely.

'I think I was meant to apologize there' Much confused.

Robin shook his head 'I'm sorry I am dragging you away to war. It is most unfair.'

Much smiled 'I know you will not lead me to harm. I trust your judgement'.

'As loyal as ever' Robin thought.

'Sir Edward, Welcome'. The nobleman stepped in Locksley Manor.

'Thank you Thornton, Is young Master Locksley around?' Edward asked getting right to the point of his visit.

'One moment my lord I will fetch him for you'

'Good evening Sir' Robin began dreading what the sheriff was going to say to him.

'Good evening my dear boy, I suppose I am here to wish you luck and to tell you…we will be expecting you home soon' All Robin could do was nod at his words. 'When do you ship out?'

'Sunday' Robin whispered.

'I know this is hurting you as much as it is hurting her' Edward said suddenly.

Robin looked up into the nobleman's eyes 'she has no idea how much I love her'

Edward smiled. 'They never do. Not many people have the chance to fight for their country with a King as great as the one we have now but not many people have the chance to be with the one they love either, you are most fortunate and unfortunate but know this, there is no one I would rather have fighting for this country nor have marry my daughter'

Robin smiled proudly 'Thank you sir'

Edward stepped forward to touch the young man's shoulder 'Don't let me down'