Sherwood Shenanigans, Part III of III

[queenofmay]

It takes all her will power not to run. Every faintly quickened, but not running, step toward her room. Which she knows anyone she passes will take as her running away from the Sheriff's hands. When it is far more directed in running to.

To the door of her room, which she locked without slamming. To the pile of clothes hidden under her mattress, the candles not even lit. To her Night Watchman costume, which goes on, as the dress gets thrown on the bed. It could be dealt with later. Coiling her hair quickly, as her mask dangled from a strap between her pressed lips. Her hair might end up far more knotted, but that could be dealt with later, too.


Then Marian was back at her door, beginning to push the mask up past her chin, as she looked down the dark hallway to the left.

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[queenofmay]

Marian reached up the hand that had been on Lineave, to the bottom of the silk she'll have to pull back up shortly, curled her fingers against the silk. Not toying with it, only holding it. Soon she'll have to head back across the dark castle, to her dark room, to whatever short sleep there was to be had before the search would be called for or Vasiey sends for her.

She offered him a smile, tired and a little short of serious, rather than any other number of reactions that were considered, collected and rejected in the barest pause. "I'll be fine. You'll see me soon enough."

She hopes, for both their sake, it isn't a lie.

He's safe. That's the most important part.

[the_seafarer]

There's nothing left to do or say, but he lingers a moment, trying to read her expression, wondering what it is the new day will bring her, whether she'll be all right.

Her smile is small, but there, and it tugs an answering one from him, a faint flicker of lips into a one-sided curve before his face turns serious again.

"Aye. I hope so."

Lineave nudges at his arm, asking for attention, and he half-turns to her, but his eyes remain on the figure on the other side of the door until she closes it between them.

When he pulls it open again, there's nothing but night sky and the stars he's grown familiar with, and the breath he lets out is soft but deep.

"Come on, then," he says, turning to the newest arrival. "Let's find you a home."

[queenofmay]

She does, have to close it, closes it. Giving herself only the leave of a few seconds to lean her shoulder against the door, as the stalls are suddenly quieter. When it is suddenly only her. No Caspian. None of the three horses. No Robin.

There are only horses shifting and shaking their tails in lazy circles, and Nottingham Castle. She doesn't try the door, even if she looks toward it. If only letting her self get as far as her shoulder, before she stops indulging the urge.

He's safe. They are all safe. It is the most she can ask for.

Marian shook her head, tugging the silk back up, over her mouth and her ears, reaching back behind her head to tighten it, before pulling the cloak hood back up over her hair, as well. Giving a last look toward the horses, and making a note to come back here tomorrow night. To see if Sorely is here, as well, and consider other plans that might open up.

Then she's only a shadow, making her way back through the stables and across the darkened hallways and stairs of her once childhood home.