I am sooooo sorry for not updating for so long, it's just that I've been kinda upset about the lack of interest in 'Finding Home' and 'Missing Too Much'. Also I've had assignments and school and sport and drama and stuff.

This chappy is really short, and the most pathetic excuse for writing that i ahev created yet, so I'm apologising in advance.

Disclaimer: BBC owns BBC Robin Hood... I'll bet you couldn't guess that.

Marian sat alone in her room, a pair of knitting needles before along with a ball of fine wool

Marian sat alone in her room, a pair of knitting needles before her, along with a ball of fine wool. She sighed, reaching out a hand and picking up one of the needles as if it were a dead animal and dangling it in front of her eyes.

"Why am I doing this?" she murmured to herself, glancing to the open door behind her in case someone had heard.

Looking forward again, she let her gaze wander to the partly open window before her, looking out to Sherwood Forest past the walls of Nottingham. A cool breeze blew through the window, lifting her hair off her face and making the ball of wool roll around on her table. Outside she could see traders in their carts, trundling along the rough cobblestone road into town for the markets. Children played on the grass, their parents watching on with worried expressions as the youngsters neared the forest.

Rich noblemen galloped along the edges of the trees, showing their bravery and courage in straying so close to the dangerous forest. Marian laughed to herself. Her and Robin braved that forest almost everyday to visit each other, and he had taken her there one of the first times that they'd met. Now they spent as much time together as possible in the small clearing that gave a beautiful view of the sunset. Marian had been taught to use and bow and sword there, to defend herself and fight back. Yet no one thought she was brave.

"Lady Marian?" A voice from her doorway made Marian start and turn to face the young servant girl who stood there. "Your father wishes to see you."

"Thank you," Marian answered, motioning for the girl to leave.

She stood, shooting a sour glance at her knitting needles and the ball of wool, still rolling around as the wind pushed it and moved to go downstairs. Halfway to the door, however, Marian paused and went back to her table. The ball of wool was still now, as the wind had died down for the moment. Smiling, she tapped the wool gently, causing it to roll off the table and onto the floor. Another gust of wind whistled through the window frame, pushing the wool further along the floor, unrolling as it went. Deciding to let the wind decide the fate of the wool, Marian then left, smiling back at the unwinding wool.

"Well master," Much began as Robin settled into one of the couches in his room. "That went well, did it not?"

Robin nodded slowly, his expression drawn and apparently deep in thought.

"The baby was very cute. Jeffery's son, I mean. Obviously."

Robin nodded once again, still not paying any attention to his manservant's rambling.

"And that's very good of Dan, you know, fixing the fences for no fee. He's a good man, I think. Very respectful. And wise. He knows you well. Too well even…"

"Do you know me well?" Robin cut in, looking up at Much with a piercing expression.

"Uh, um…" Much delayed, wondering the best way to answer the question. "Yes," he decided, "I'd say I know you well master."

"Good," Robin said, his expression warm. "It's only now that I realise you've been serving me for ten years, the longest any servant in this house has."

Much smiled, trying not to look too proud.

"Do you remember when we used to play together as boys?" Robin continued, his eyes glazing over with the memories.

"Yes master, I do remember."

"We'd pretend that we were in a war with the king, fighting off the enemies to protect our country."

Much laughed. "If only that needed doing, we'd've been sure to go."

"Yes," Robin replied, the glaze falling as he looked down. "If only."

"What is it, father?" Marian asked, looking at the man before her.

"I have a request for you," he answered quickly, skipping the prerequisites. "I need an errand run, to Locksley." It was almost too natural, the way in which Marian's face lit up when Robin's home was mentioned.

"Yes," she asked, more to be polite than anything. She wouldn't care if it were to pick up a prisoner or to shovel manure. As long as her errand was in Locksley, she'd be glad to go.

"I need you to deliver a message to Robin," Edward continued, keeping his expression straight as Marian's eyes widened still, and a smile crept on to her lips.

"Of course, father," the girl answered, bowing slightly and beginning for the door.

Her father chuckled, though, and, before his daughter could disappear, slipped a letter into her hand, bearing his seal. "This letter is very important Marian, it must reach Robin safely, unread." Marian nodded, curiosity at the letter's contents outweighed by her want to be with Robin. Surely he'd tell her what the letter said, anyway.

"Take your horse, and don't go near the forest, I want you to go the long way around, to avoid any chance of outlaws."

"There are outlaws everywhere, father," she answered, rolling her eyes. "And I can escape them better in the forest anyway."

"Marian, as your father and your Sheriff I am telling you not to go through the forest." He pushed, authority ringing in his tone.

Marian sighed. "Yes father, if you say so."

Starting once again for the door, she was already outside when her father caught up with her again.

"And Marian," he said, motioning for the servant who was bringing her horse to stop. "Robin can no longer come for dinner tonight, it explains it all on the letter."

"Can I stay at Locksley for dinner?" his daughter asked, walking to her horse and mounting it.

"I would rather not," was all Edward said before Marian nodded and urged her horse forward, trotting out of sight.

"We cannot go to the Sheriff's for dinner tonight," Robin cut in, interrupting Thornton's plans for what was left of his day.

"Why on Earth not?" asked the other man incredulously. It wasn't often that Robin was to deny a chance to see Marian.

"Because of this," Robin answered, pulling a roughly folded piece of parchment from his pocket. Frowning, he looked hard at his advisor before sliding it across the table towards him, watching in silence as the older man caught it and opened it slowly, continuously shooting glances at his master.

There silence as Thornton read, his eyes widening more and more as they took in what was on the paper.

"The King has sent that message to all the nobles in England, and every one of them is to send back an answer by next month."

"Then Edward will know." Thornton confirmed for himself, looking up at Robin, who nodded. "What about Marian?" His answer came as his master dropped his head to his hands on the table. "Will you answer it?" Thornton pushed.

"I have to," Robin muttered, his head sill in his hands and his voice muffled.

"Will you tell Marian?"

Raising his head, the expression on Robin's face made him look much older than his mere nineteen years. "I have to," he repeated, already grieving.

Have I previously indicated Robin's age? I really hope not. So just so you know, Robin is 19 and Marian is 16.

Bleurgh... I really am sorry