A Flower for Guy #Wattys2021

Chapter IX

[My heartfelt thanks to @JeannieGisborne for her invaluable help in correcting this story; pls check her lovely stories about Guy and the Robin Hood BBC fandom, I highly recommend them]

Chapter IX

Chetwood Manor, April 25th, 1194

"Robin risks for good to see his supremacy as the best bowman in Nottingham County challenged!" Marian laughed, watching the three arrows in the dead centre of the target, in a few inches' space. Violet laughed in turn: she, Rebelle and Marian were practicing archery, and it was apparent that Violet was the best archer among them.

Marian bad been staying in Chetwood Manor for several days now; she had settled in the room closest to the unused exit that Violet had mentioned the day she and Robin had come to visit them, and each night her husband came to see her secretly.

"Robin treats you well?" Violet enquired in a grave tone while they were returning to the mansion, holding their still stringed bows and carrying their quivers on their shoulders. Rebelle was suddenly all ears: she knew what her cousin was referring to, but Marian surely didn't.

"Aye. He has always treated me well, but after I risked my life, he fusses even more over me."

"In the bedchamber as well?" Rebelle intervened bluntly. Marian blushed, and so did Violet, who felt caught out; but hers wasn't morbid curiosity, instead it was concern for her childhood friend. If Robin would treat her badly between the sheets, she would take him aside and scold him thoroughly. She doubted there was any need for it, but she wanted to make sure.

"Aye, absolutely", the young bride reassured them both. "On our wedding night, he was so afraid he might hurt me that he almost wasn't able to consummate the marriage", she giggled, even if her blush deepened. "Contrary to what I had always heard, I didn't feel any pain", she frowned. "Actually, Djaq had told me 'twas possible, if the man is kind enough, but I didn't believe her much, as everyone else said that the first time is painful. And now", she flushed even more, "'tis... very pleasant."

"I'm glad to hear it", Violet said, relieved and pleased for her friend. "A happy matrimonial life is what every woman wishes, but not all are so fortunate to have it."

Marian gazed at her with suspicion and Violet repented having mentioned this, fearing she had revealed what, at the moment, only Rebelle knew, that is, her disastrous marital experience. Noticing her expression, Rebelle intervened again to save her cousin from an unpleasant explanation.

"What about going for a ride? Marian, you said you'd like to try Red Amber and this could be a good opportunity."

Marian was too smart not to understand that this was a move to change the subject; guessing there had to be a valid reason, she didn't push and took the prompt:

"Sure! I have not ridden since we set sail for England. We travelled all the way by sea, on foot or occasionally on a cart, but never on a horse. And that red roan is truly beautiful", she concluded smiling.

"Let's keep the bows", Rebelle suggested, "in case we might have a shot at some game."

"Excellent idea", Violet approved.

When they arrived at the stables, Hugh the groom took out Blackfire at once, while Emeric, Maud's thirteen-year-old son and Hugh's apprentice, took care of Snowflake and Red Amber. The three horses were quickly saddled – Emeric received lots of advice from Hugh, but there was no real need as he proved himself up to the challenge – and finally the three young women set off at a light trot.

"Where shall we go?" Violet asked.

"I'd like to go to Knighton", Marian said, "to see how things are and how my peasants are doing."