Thanks again for the reviews! Sorry for the wait! Okay this is it…the final chapter! Let me know if you enjoy it! I still own nothing!

Trials of a Different Nature

It was the most rain-stricken morning in the memories of the majority of the villagers of Locksley. Rain clouds covered every inch of the grey sky as the rain continued to fall from the heavens. Robin stood pensively looking out the hall window on to the village of Locksley.

'…but for now' she smiled. 'I do love you…and I am proud of you'

Robin nodded unknowing how to say what he was feeling.

'you should go' Marian stood up 'before I'm unable to let you.'

They both stood in the open door way silently during the other to say something.

'Stay safe' Marian smiled encouragingly.

'I'll try' Robin said sounding suddenly down-trodden.

'It is not forever' Marian repeated his earlier words to her.

'I may not come back remember' Robin said looking out into the early morning light.

Marian shook her head dismissing his words 'Do not worry, I have had a few words with God…he will keep you safe'

'What would I do without you to look after me?' Robin joked.

Marian shrugged sadly 'I don't know, what are you going to do without me?'

Robin turned his head away, unable to meet her gaze, to look out the door and into the dawn once more. Thoughts of Locksley Manor waking to find him missing filled his head.

'Go' Marian encouraged, giving him the slightest of pushes out the door.

He immediately turned his head back at her touch. He looked at her as if for the first time…and the last time.

'You don't suppose I could…' he very nearly whispered as he felt himself draw her nearer to him.

'I don't think that's a very good idea Robin' Marian said calmly, resisting the urge move closer to him.

'Of course, you are right' he smiled. 'if I were to kiss you now, I doubt I'd be able to stop'

This was her undoing as she reached for him in one swift motion and kissed him in a way that would make the ladies at court blush. He reacted within seconds but she pulled away all too soon.

'Go' she whispered once more.

'Son' a strong voice called from behind him. 'We are ready to leave'

Robin exhaled deeply and turned to meet his father's beaming face. 'As am I' he lied.

'Your mother is in her chamber' his Lord Locksley stated formally.

Robin's eyes shifted 'She is not accompanying us to London?'

'She doesn't feel able for the journey' Lord Locksley said dismissively.

She was already crying before he entered the room. In truth she had been crying since last night, since she had heard him gallop off in the direction of Knighton.

'Mother' he whispered softly closing the door behind him.

'Did you say goodbye last night?' she asked trying to control her tears.

Robin opened his mouth to ask who his mother was referring to but found himself simply saying 'Yes'

'Good' she smiled sadly. 'You'd best be going. You don't want to keep the King waiting'

He wished to run to her but he knew he could not. He wished that he were a child again and her touch alone would make me feel better, safe, loved.

He opened the door once more and stood still for the briefest of moments before turning back towards Lady Locksley 'I love you mother' he smiled.

She smiled back 'I love you too, my boy'

Much, having said his final goodbyes was waiting patiently by the door. Thornton was standing at the end of the stairs with his hands held tightly behind his back.

'Your father is waiting in the carriage' Thornton explained as Robin stopped beside him.

'I…' Robin began hoping that the words he wished to speak to the man he regarded as a mixture of father and brother would simply gather in his mouth.

Thornton sighed and pulled the young nobleman into an embrace. 'Take care of yourself, I expect to be seeing this house full of your children some day'

Robin smiled warmly and turned to his manservant. 'Ready?'

'If you are master' Much nodded his head with dignity.

The rain had stopped people from filling Locksley to bid him farewell but he could feel dozens of eyes on the carriage as it made its way through the village. And he found himself staring back. Would this be the last time he'd see it?

They passed by Knighton as he knew they would but he had not prepared himself from what he felt as he saw Knighton Hall across the flooded field. His eyes wondered to the window that he knew belonged to Marian's chamber and for a brief moment he could swear he saw the lace curtain move from inside. Then and there he silently swore to himself he would return…he had to return.

At first, Marian visited Lady Locksley often, as she said she would. They would talk of everything but what they both wanted to but sometimes, very rarely, they would give in and talk of him. Over time it became too difficult for both of them. Marian knew she had to move on and this connection with Lady Locksley was hindering her ability to do so.

By the time Lady Locksley had fallen ill, the visits had all but stopped. Her death made Marian feel a pain she had not felt since that rain-stricken day almost two years before. She was not only mourning her loss of a friend and confidant, she was mourning her on Robin's behalf. She sometimes wondered if he knew, if he felt different, less.

By Lord Locksley's death a year later, Nottingham was a changed place. The new sheriff was ruthless with greed, pride and power and the people were suffering in a way no one had predicted. In the deepest of her thoughts, in the middle of the darkest nights, she would lay awake wondering if he were to return perhaps they could change it back. Together