Maid of Sherwood (18 page)

Chapter Thirty:

“The passageway has been cleared,” Robin stated, “but it will not stay that way for long. We need to get to the chapel.”

“Where is the sheriff?” Marian asked.

“He left for Sherwood Forest after informing your parents of the ‘kidnapping’.” Robin said.

Marian could only imagine Mother’s reaction to that. “Mother did not say anything—”

“She was quite distraught, as you c—can well imagine.” Aelfred said. “Then she sent for me and told me to bring the Lady Nyneve t—to her. The historian is a force t—to be reckoned with. She informed me I was t—to go int—to the forest and find Robin of Locksley. I had no int—tention of doing so, but then I found myself exactly there, doing exactly that.” His voice was wondering.

“You have no idea,” Marian muttered under her breath.

“Keep your head lowered when we reach the more populated areas of the castle,” Robin instructed. “We will not be out of danger until we reach Sherwood.” He belatedly pulled his cowl back up and Aelfred followed suit.

They hurried down the corridor, the dust from the floor rising into their nostrils. Marian stifled a sneeze as they emerged from the dim passageway and into the castle proper.

“Friar, you startled me!” A serving girl squeaked at the sight of Robin. Then she saw Dulcina in Aelfred’s arms. “Oh, do you need me to summon a surgeon? Is she all right?”

“She is well enough,” Aelfred said, walking forward until he blocked her view of Robin and Marian. “I was walking with her and she fainted unexpectedly. I am taking her up t—to  her—her rooms.”

The girl’s eyes widened and she blushed. “Her rooms? Oh, yes, milord.” She scampered off.

Robin quirked an eyebrow at Aelfred’s back. “You are taking her to her rooms? Do you realize that girl will spread the gossip far and wide?”

Aelfred shrugged as best as he could with the silent Dulcina in his arms. “I had t—to say something.”

“We are to be married,” Dulcina said. “A soft bed would not be amiss.”

“I c—could never do that,” Aelfred said. “It would c—compromise you unbearably.”

Dulcina unwound one arm from his neck and patted his cheek. “You are sweet,” she said. “Are we going to your carriage?”

“As soon as we c—can, my dear,” Aelfred said. “I promise.”

 Robin strode past Aelfred and Marian. “The castle is deserted, if we move quickly we should be able to reach the chapel without incident.”

It didn’t take them long to reach the chapel doors. Robin pulled them open and gestured Aelfred and Marian inside, bolting the doors shut once they had entered.

“Why are we here?” Aelfred set Dulcina down gently in a pew. “I do not see how this will help Dulcina.”

“We are waiting for someone,” Robin said. “Once he arrives, we can leave.”

“Leave and go where?” Aelfred demanded. “I will not put Dulcina through the st—tress of hiding in the friars quarters.”

The door at the back of the chapel swung open and Tuck walked through it, straightening his robes. “The forest is overrun with guards,” he greeted them. “Nyneve wants to know if you can travel unseen to the heart.”

Robin shook his head. “I cannot, not with Dulcina’s injuries.”

Tuck frowned. “Then we will travel as best we can for as long as we can. Lord Aelfred, I can take Dulcina from here. Your part in this need not continue.”

The red-haired man gazed down at Dulcina, who was swaying gently in her seat, her eyes closed and a half smile upon her lips. “I would prefer t—to st—tay with her,” he said. “She needs me right now.”

“You are a good man, Aelfred. I am sorry Prince John never saw your value.”

“If he had, I c—couldn’t have helped him.” He pointed to Robin. “Or Dulcina.”

“Is it time to go?” Dulcina glanced up at the sound of her name.

“Yes, it apparently is.” Aelfred lifted her and she snuggled close to him again.

“Marian, your parents are eager to see you again,” Tuck said. “Allowing you to remain in the dungeons was—difficult—for them.”

“I can imagine,” Marian said. She began to hand Aelfred his sword, then paused. “Uh, do you want this back?”

“My arms are full,” Aelfred said, “and it appears you c—can handle one just fine.”

“It is not the same as Ex—as mine, but it is well balanced.”

“Enough chatter,” Robin said. “Tuck, we will follow you.”

It did not take them long to reach the end of the chapel corridor and open the door.

“I must return to the chapel,” Tuck said. “I will meet you later.” He pushed the door and as it slid shut Marian could see him trotting back up the dark expanse.

“About damn time you arrived,” Nyneve stood, arms crossed, at the edge of the small clearing.

“My Lady, I am heartbroken at making you wait,” Robin said with a grin.

“Step aside, Robin, and let me see to Dulcina. Things are progressing more rapidly than we had anticipated. The sheriff is approaching the heart of Sherwood.”

“You are allowing that?” Robin sounded surprised.

Aelfred spoke from behind Robin. “How is it up to a hist—torian t—to allow anyone int—to Sherwood? I thought the forest was the king’s domain.”

Maybe it was the trick of the light, but Marian was positive the historian became taller and somehow more regal in the white tunic and leggings of soft doeskin.

“The heart of the forest has always belonged to me, Lord Aelfred.” Nyneve’s granite colored eyes glowed eerily in the reduced light of the forest. “Come, children. Dulcina needs help and we have a man to murder.”

“Wait, what?” Aelfred protested. “I did not agree t—to murder anyone!”

“It is not up to you,” Nyneve said. “And it will not be done by your hand.” She pointed at Robin. “He will do it with Excalibur.”

Chapter Thirty-One:

Robin raised one eyebrow. “For someone intent on keeping that blade secret, you are suddenly quite unconcerned about who is listening.”

“Aelfred will not say anything about it,” the Lady said blithely. “Once we reach the heart, he will understand.”

“But how can we reach the heart if the heart is in us?” Dulcina mused.

“The sheriff has a great deal to pay for.” Nyneve said grimly. She walked through the grasses, the blades growing thick and lush around her ankles, some daring blades even reaching up to clutch at her calves as she passed by.

Aelfred paled and his arms tightened involuntarily about Dulcina. “Do the plants here normally behave that way?”

“They like me,” Nyneve said shortly. “Quickly. We do not have much time left before he arrives.”

“Is he hunting Robin because of me?” Marian asked, breathless.

“It is not that simple,” Nyneve replied. “The kidnapping scheme was but an excuse to do what the prince has been denying him permission to do since Richard left.”

“I thought Prince John
wanted
Hood brought to just—tice,” Aelfred stuttered.

“He does, but John refused to give him permission to actively hunt Robin,” the Lady said. “With Marian’s kidnapping, that ban was lifted.” She stopped suddenly and raised one hand. “Quick, into the trees!”

They scrambled to obey her, the urgency of her voice spurning them on.

“Clear the path,” a deep voice stated.

“This is the king’s domain,” Nyneve stated calmly, “and I do not believe you are here on his business.”

“We are here on the sheriff’s business,” the voice answered.

“Which is not the same as the king’s,” the Lady replied.

“The sheriff charged us to find his bride and return her safely to him.”

Nyneve snorted her amusement. “Is that what he told you she was?”

“Why are we listenin’ to her?” A different voice asked. “She be nothing more than the historian.”

“Wrong,” Nyneve snapped. Thunder rumbled.

The men glanced up. “The sky was clear when we started…” one of the men said nervously.

“It is the beginnings of a thunderstorm, nothing else,” the first voice replied.

“I heard about what lives in the deep woods. If we search, will we be allowed to leave?”

“Why would you ask me?” Nyneve sounded amused. “According to your man there, I am only the castle historian.”

Marian felt something touch her ankle and stifled a squeal. It was the fronds of a giant fern, caressing her in a way that was wholly unnatural for a plant. Robin reached out and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“The villagers say you be something else.”

“King Richard allows me the use of this forest, and all its paths. If you wish to search, I will not stop you, for that is your right. But it is my right to refuse to…how did you put it?...‘clear the path.’”

 “Come on, we can find another way,” the nervous man said.

“I will tell the sheriff of your disobedience,” the first man stated.

“Tell the sheriff
this
!” Nyneve snapped and Marian felt the air grow heavy seconds before a flash of lightning nearly blinded her.

“The sheriff can search for her himself!” One of the men cried out. “No woman is worth bein’ struck!” Heavy boots retreated the way they had come.

“You can come out now.” The Lady’s voice was calm.

“What in all the hells was
that
?” Aelfred was the first to emerge from the tree line, his arms empty.

“Where is Dulcina?” Nyneve demanded, not answering his question.

“I c—could not hold her indefinitely,” Aelfred said. “She is braiding grass int—to rings.” He shrugged at the Lady’s surprised look. “It k--kept her occupied and quiet. Now, will you t—tell me what happened?”

“I sent the sheriff’s guards away with a message,” she said.

Robin’s mouth quirked to one side as he stared at the lightning struck tree. “That was quite a message.”

The Lady shrugged. “They annoyed me, and it bought us a bit of time. Aelfred, if you would collect Dulcina, we can be on our way. We are scant feet from the heart.”

 “You will hardly keep your identity a secret if you flaunt your power.” Robin still held Marian’s hand in his and he tugged her forward to stand by his side.

“Richard already knows who I am, as did his father before him.” Nyneve started along the path once more, the overhanging trees pulling their branches away as she passed underneath.

“And I am unconcerned with either the sheriff, who will be dead shortly, or John, who should be more concerned with Richard’s return than wild tales told by a handful of cowardly guards.”

The path ended and the Lady turned to them. “Wait here until I come get you. I cannot guarantee your safety otherwise.”

Marian turned to Robin. “What does she mean by ‘guarantee your safety’?”

Robin shrugged, but there was a small smile tugging at his mouth.

“If you do not wish to tell me, then just say so.” Marian tried to tug her hand free of his, but he refused to let go.

“That is not it, Marian,” he said. “But the forest holds secrets that are not mine to tell and the heart is the nexus of Sherwood.”

“Aelfred, bring Dulcina in,” Nyneve’s voice carried through the tangle of underbrush and trees in front of them.

“And us, Lady Nyneve?” Robin asked. “Are we welcomed, as well?” Marian began to walk forward. “No, Mari, wait. It is not safe yet.”

“Yes, you two may enter as well.” Nyneve stated. “Your parents are here and eager to see you.”

Tears welled up in Marian’s eyes at the thought of seeing Mother and Father again. “Oh yes!” This time Robin released her hand when she pulled it free. She hurried forward, entering the underbrush behind Aelfred and Dulcina who were directed by Lady Nyneve deeper into the heart.

Marian’s immediate impression of the clearing was dulled by seeing Mother and Father, rising to their feet from their seats on a large stone.

“Mother!” Marian rushed into Mother’s open arms.

“I am so happy to see you!” Mother stroked Marian’s golden, tangled, curls. “Are you well? Did he hurt you?”

Marian shook her head. “Yes and no. He did not hurt me, but I do not know what might have happened if Robin and Aelfred had not arrived.”

“We owe them a great debt of gratitude,” Father said, “that can never be repaid.”

“This might not be the best time,” Robin said, “but I cannot think of a better one, considering our circumstances. Alan, Beatrix, would you do me the honor of giving me Marian’s hand in marriage?”