Maid of Sherwood (21 page)

Chapter Thirty-Eight:

 “His Majesty will see you now.” The guard at the throne room door gestured and pulled the doors shut once they entered.

Marian expected to see the king seated on his throne. Instead, he was sprawled across the steps leading up to the ornate chair. He had changed from the leather armor and into a dark blue doublet and leggings. A thin gold circlet sat on his red hair. He looked every inch a king.

A door behind the throne itself swung open and Nyneve, so steeped in shadow ghosts that her white gown appeared to undulate an inky blackness, stepped into the room.

“We are here,” she said, “to see justice done.” The shadows eddied and swirled, never leaving her clothing.

Marian shivered.

Richard nodded to Nyneve and Marian got the impression he was acknowledging the ghosts’ presence, as well. “I will not fail you, or them,” he promised. “Alan, Beatrix, stand with Nyneve. Robin, you and Marian join them.”

The enormous ornate doors to the throne room opened and four guards entered. Marching between them, pale and shaken, was Prince John.

“John.” Richard walked the few feet separating him from his brother. He reached out and pulled him close. “It is good to be home.”

The prince stood stiff in his brother’s embrace. Finally, reluctantly, he patted Richard on the back. “I am glad you have returned safely, brother.”

The king stepped away. “Unfortunately, this cannot be a simple homecoming. There are things which must be resolved. First of all, do you remember this man?” He pointed to Robin.

“I recall seeing him at court some years ago,” the prince said. “But I have not seen him in some time. I thought the Locksley household moved away.”

“I find that fascinating, considering it was your orders which consigned him to the life of an outlaw.” Richard said.

“I—did what??” Prince John’s eyes widened. “I did no such thing!”

“It was your signature on the orders,” Richard said. “As the regent to
my
throne, it was your responsibility to surround yourself with good and trustworthy men, instead of signing any random piece of parchment thrust beneath your nose.” He began to pace the marble floor. “Instead, you put your childhood friend in the position to wreak utter havoc in my absence!”

“I did not know,” the prince began to protest, but Richard cut him off with a wave of one large hand.

“I shall assume, for the moment, that you are simply too trusting.” His voice lowered. “Care to explain something else to me, John?”

“Richard, I swear I did not know. I thought his family left court,” the other man shrank backward.

“I am not referring to what the sheriff did to the Locksley household,” Richard said, “but to what happened on the battlements.”

Prince John blanched. “N—nothing happened.”

“Wrong,” Richard said flatly. “You murdered children, John.”

“Rumor,” the prince said. “That is pure conjecture.”

“It is the truth!” Richard roared, his voice echoing off the high ceiling. “Not rumor, not conjecture! It is the truth!”

The prince turned, as though to leave, but the guards stepped close.

 “There is no escaping this, John.” The king’s voice dropped low and deadly. He glanced at Nyneve before continuing. “I have brought you here to face your accusers.”

The Lady of the Lake stepped forward and the shadows began to separate from her clothing.

“You killed us,”
the boys’ voices startled Richard, who watched the darkness, a curious expression on his face.
“You hung us and sent us to die, alone and afraid.”

Prince John stepped backward as the shadows surged toward him.

“Wha—what kind of trickery is this?”

“No trickery,” Nyneve said. “You have heard them before.” She held out her hands, and more darkness flowed from them to pool on the ground in front of her. While everyone stared, the two ghosts Marian had met on the battlements; Alair and Dalen formed, no longer transparent, but completely solid. Like living boys would be, dressed in their nightclothes. They stared at the prince, faces expressionless, while the shadows oozed across the floor.

The prince’s eyes widened until Marian was sure they would roll out of his head and onto the floor. “I—no. Do not allow them to touch me.”

Laughter erupted from Dalen and Alair’s broken throats. It spiraled up the ceiling and vibrated off the tapestry covered walls.

Marian shrank back against Robin, her hand finding his and holding it tight.

Richard stared silently at his brother while the shadows raged all around him. The guards shifted nervously from foot to foot, but maintained their circle around the prince.

“Enough.” He raised one hand and the two boys stopped. “They want answers, John, as do I. Why did you kill them?”

“I did no such—” the prince said. “It was the sheriff.”

Nyneve snorted scornfully. “It is easy enough to blame a man who is already dead and buried.”

Prince John’s eyes widened. “Who killed him, and why?”

“That should not be your primary concern,” Richard said.  “You should be more concerned with the dozens of spirits here and now.”

“W—we were hostages,”
Dalen floated forward. Brown hair curled over his forehead and the beginnings of a mustache danced across his upper lip.

“
Yes
,” the shadows agreed. “
We remember that
.”

“
Our fathers sent us here. The prince demanded it.”
Alair spoke, his voice harsh.

Richard looked around the throne room, at the shadows clinging to nearly every available surface. “…every one of these shadows is a ghost?”

Nyneve nodded.

The king glared at his brother, who shrank back. “You took
all
the Welsh lords sons? John, why would you do such a thing?”

The prince straightened. “You never took hostages, Richard? Never killed them when forced to?”

Richard clenched his hands into fists. “I never killed
children. You
effectively wiped out the entire royal Welsh line, expect for that of the throne. What were you trying to accomplish?”

“I thought to expand our lands!” John roared. “I thought you would appreciate my ingenuity, not punish me for it!”

“We were innocent
,” Dalen said. “
Asleep in our beds when the guards came.”

“We want the justice you promised us,”
the shadows whined.

Richard nodded. “And you shall have it.” He turned to this brother. “For your loyal service to the crown in my absence, I hereby grant you the well earned title of Earl of Nottingham, with all the privileges and rights contained therein.”

Prince John’s face flushed and he opened his mouth. Richard held up one hand. “Do not thank me yet, brother.” His mouth twisted. “Your duties to your new province demand that you remain within Nottingham Castle for a time period of no less than eight months per year and you must spend two of the remaining four months in London, with me. If I am not in London, then you may do as you wish until it is time to return here.”

“But—but the ghosts,” the prince protested.

“The ghosts will be glad to keep you company, John. After all, you are the reason for their existence. But—” the king held up one cautionary finger. “None of you are permitted to actually
murder
my brother. He is indolent as well as insolent, but he is still of the Plantagenet line.”

“
Those terms are acceptable
,” the shadows replied.

Dalen winked at Prince John before slowly fading out. Alair waved in Marian’s direction before following suit. The shadows sank into the marble flooring until the entire room was free of darkness.

“Richard, you cannot mean to do this,” Prince John said frantically. “I have been nothing but loyal to you…”

The king laughed bitterly. “Loyal? You plotted to over throw me, allowed your
friend
to imprison not one but
two
women, and could not be bothered to raise enough gold within a year to ransom me from King Leopold’s dungeons! That is not loyalty, dear brother. That is incompetence at best, treason at worst.”

“I do not believe you.” The prince stood a bit taller. “My friend would never have imprisoned anyone.”

“Lady Marian, please enlighten my brother on his misconceptions.” Richard commanded.

Marian released Robin’s hand and stepped closer to the throne.

“The sheriff held Dulcina Scarlett in his dungeons for five years,” Marian began. “I learned of her presence unexpectedly.” She continued with the story of her kidnapping. The prince’s shoulders drooped further with each sentence.

“I did not know,” he finally said. “Richard, you cannot believe I would condone such actions!”

“You should have known, John. That was the point.” Richard said sadly. “But it does not matter. You shall live by what I have decreed.” His face was sober. “The only reason I am not having you killed is because you are my brother. Do not forget my generosity.”

It was a clear dismissal. Prince John bowed his head and, under the escort of the four guards, stalked out of the room.

Nyneve smiled. “Well done, Richard. Your father would have been proud.”

“Robin, I wish you to see you back within the week, at which time you will receive a formal pardon for your actions.” King Richard said. “I will extend the same courtesy to your band of, what do the villagers call them? ‘Merry Men’? You all have our eternal gratitude.” He smiled. “On a personal note, I wish to be invited to your nuptials, whenever they take place.”

Marian blushed while Mother and Father chuckled.

“Stop it, Richard, you are embarrassing the child,” Nyneve admonished. She peered at him. “You look tired. Have you slept at all?”

Richard bit out a bitter laugh. “When was I supposed to sleep? Before I dealt with John and the possible demise of my kingdom, or maybe before the ghosts that my brother murdered demanded retribution?”

Nyneve stiffened. “You need rest,” she said. “And do not take out your temper on
me
, Richard Plantagenet. Remember, I knew you when you were in the cradle!”

Richard sighed and his huge shoulders sagged. “Leave me,” he ordered. “It has been a trying day.”

The five of them watched in silence as the king climbed the steps to his throne and slumped down into the seat.

“Come, children,” Nyneve herded them out of the room and pulled the door shut. “I need to return to the forest. You may come along if you wish.”

“I believe Bea and I shall stay here,” Father said. “It has been a long day for all of us, and I think Robin and Marian could use some time to themselves.”

Mother nodded her agreement, much to Marian’s shock. “Your father and I will begin packing. If I know Richard, he will want us to stay, but I am ready to return home. Court tires me.” She winked at Marian, who bit back a giggle. “I know you have missed the forest, Mari. Go and enjoy yourself.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine:

 Robin and Marian strolled along behind Nyneve. It was only when Robin veered off the main path that Marian realized they were not going back to the heart.

“Where are you taking me?”

Robin smiled. “I thought we could celebrate our betrothal where we first met,” he glanced at her. “And, even though it is completely inappropriate, I have the overwhelming desire to kiss you.”

Marian’s heart fluttered wildly. “Why let inappropriateness stop you?”

He laughed and held a branch out of her way. “Oh, Marian du Luc, I do love you.”

She gulped, suddenly nervous. “I—think I love you, as well.”

Robin smiled at her. “Was that so difficult to say?”

“Y—yes, I mean, no! No, of course not!” She flushed. “I sound like a fool.”

“You sound wonderful,” he corrected. “Follow me, it is through here.” He stepped through a tangle of green ferns and brown grasses and she followed.

The pool was directly in front of her, only a few feet separated her from the water. “Here?” She smiled. “Why not the in the clearing where we dueled?”

“No, it had to be here,” Robin bent low, picking something up and twisting it in his fingers.

“I wish I had something to give you, Marian, but until Richard pardons me all I have is my heart.” He knelt in front of her on one bent knee. “And this.” He held out his hand, palm up.

She looked down. There, nestled against his tanned skin, lay a small ring of braided grasses.

“Will you allow me to place it on your finger?” Robin asked.

Tears of happiness filled her eyes. She held her left hand out. It trembled.

Robin slipped the ring on, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. When she sank to the ground, her gown bunched up under her knees. He met her lips with his own.

The kiss was softer than Marian expected. She could hear birds chirping in the oak trees and the small rustle of squirrels in the undergrowth as her eyes slid shut and her lips parted. Her heart began to pound as she leaned toward him, but he pulled away.

“I—cannot, Marian.” Robin sounded breathless. “It would not be prudent for us to continue.”

“I know,” she blushed at what he did not say.

He rose, helping her back to her feet. “We should find Nyneve.”

Marian touched her lips as she followed Robin back through the tremendously tall oaks and onto the main path. They felt slightly tender to her fingertips and only made her want to kiss Robin more deeply. She reddened, thankful he could not see her face.

“You are very quiet,” Robin turned around, facing her while continuing to walk backward. Dry leaves crunched under his feet.

“I was thinking about Dalen, Alair and the rest of the boys,” Marian said quickly. “Do you think they will be able to find peace now?”

Robin smiled, as though he knew she was lying. “The Lady seems to believe it and the ghosts appeared to be happy with Prince John’s punishment.” He stopped in the middle of the path. “Marian, could you be happy living here?”

“You mean in the forest?”

“It may take a while before I can provide you with a roof over your head.” Robin took her hand.

“But…your father was a lord.” Marian frowned. “That title is now yours, is it not?”

“True,” Robin agreed. “And the king will probably want me at court until my father’s duties are settled, but I will ask him for a special dispensation to live here, instead. Court does not suit me.”

“You would live here, with me?”

Robin laughed softly. “Yes, Marian. Here, in the forest, with you.”

 “I would like that very much,” Marian admitted. She glanced around, puzzled. “I do not remember this path ending…”

“It normally does not,” Nyneve brushed ferns the same color as her gown out of the way as she stepped through them and onto the path. “I moved the heart here temporarily.”

“You
moved
part of the forest?!” Marian’s eyes were wide. 

“Yes,” the Lady said. “I felt that would be easiest, since Dulcina is really not well enough to travel long distances.”

“She does it more often than she is admitting to,” Robin said. “She has used it to help us confound the sheriff and his men on more than one occasion.”

“Leave it alone, Robin. She will learn more of my secrets soon enough. In the meantime, come in and be welcomed to my home.” Long, bell-like sleeves brushed the ground as Nyneve gestured. “We have been waiting for you.”

Marian smiled as she stepped through the massive ferns. Pink blossoms littered the ground below massive dogwood trees. Marian’s eyes narrowed when she saw them.

“So
this
is where you got the dogwood,” she whispered. “But what I do not understand is how you got from here to the inn so quickly.”

Robin smiled. “The Lady honored me with one of her favors.”

“The idea of being related to someone so powerful frightens me.” Marian shivered.

“She is not so bad,” Robin said. “Look, she brought someone to see you.”

Marian looked where Robin pointed. Dulcina sat on a moss covered tree stump while Will sat, curled, at her feet.

“Will!” Marian cried happily. She pulled away from Robin and dashed across the clearing. “How long have you been here?!”

Will rose and braced himself as Marian hurled herself at him. “Oof! I have been here long enough to reunite with my mother,” he smiled at Dulcina, whose brown eyes looked clear.

“Did Nyneve heal her?” Marian asked.

“Not completely,” Nyneve said. “But she is better than she was. It will take time for her mind to heal completely, but she should make a full recovery.”

“They have been amazing,” Will said. “The Lady Nyneve told me what happened when I arrived.” He smiled. “I am so glad you are safe, Marian.” 

“You risked a great deal to rescue me,” Dulcina murmured. The fingers of one hand traced the brand on the other, over and over; like a talisman.

“I could not have left you there,” Marian said, stepping away from Will. “But where is Lord Aelfred?”

“He had to return to the castle,” Nyneve said. “But he will visit, from time to time. I suspect he is quite fond of Dulcina.”

The other woman giggled.

“Speaking of fondness,” Nyneve said, “can I see your left hand please, Marian?”

It was an odd request, but Marian held out her left hand. Nyneve took it in hers. “It is a pretty piece of braiding.” She brought Marian’s hand up to her lips and blew on it.

Marian inhaled sharply; sure her hand was being doused in lightening. Yanking it away, she stared down in amazement. A green and black swirled braided stone ring encircled her finger where the grass ring once rested.

“I think malachite is a much more appropriate choice for a wedding band.” Nyneve smiled.

“I—thank you,” Marian said. “But we do not know when we will marry, since we have nowhere to live.”

“A ceremony is easy enough to perform,” the old woman shrugged. “When you are ready, you will know.” She turned to Robin, who had stepped back a pace. “As far as where you will live, do you think you and your bride would be happy here?”

“I was hoping that would be an option,” Robin admitted. He pulled Marian into his arms and rested his cheek on the top of her head.

“Then it is settled,” Nyneve said. She raised her voice slightly. “En’ja, please join us.”

 The ferns surrounding the clearing parted and a petite woman, nearly half of Marian’s modest height, entered the glade. She wore a long gown identical to the one Nyneve had on. It shimmered as she stepped daintily toward Marian.

Tiny iridescent wings flowed out from the woman’s back and her delicate face was wreathed in a welcoming smile. Marian gasped in delight.

The fairy’s voice was like musical bells, clear and bright. “Welcome to Sherwood.”

####