[Episode OOM -- "Ducking and Diving" 2.05 (4)]

[queenofmay]

Time was up. More than up. She had make her way back as quickly as she could. She needed to cut him off. She had to reach the castle before he did.

She needed at least the allusion, if by seconds, she'd listened.

That she hadn't entirely blown through her first freedom.

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[queenofmay]

Marian pulled back, realizing her words and reaction, if far more real than she wanted to admit to, were far more than he'd expected in confronting her.

Her breath still caught, eyelashes flickered, she dipped her face, holding back on the impulse to shake her head, as she glanced up at him. She could only go back now, quickly, earnestly. "Forgive me. You were right."


To what he'd assumed. "I disobeyed you."

To what she'd said earlier. "I just wanted to spend time with you."

[landlesslord]

Marian is playing at something, he is sure. What that is exactly? Guy has no idea. The woman is as unfathomable as ever.

"Really?"

[queenofmay]

"Yes." It has to waver a little. To be uncertain. Honest, and yet her mouth was near to trembling. Still not quite to believing she won't be punished, her father won't be further impugned for her disobeying.

[landlesslord]

There's an element of disbelief to Guy's short, exhaled breath of acceptance, but with Marian he'll take what he can get.

And if this is what he can get today...there is no question of refusing her offer.

"Well, I'm honoured Marian..."

Her faint smile of...is that relief?... urges him to push her a little. That he steps even closer (perhaps a little more close than would be proper) and leans to speak more intimately with her, is only half to emphasise his point.

This close, he only has to whisper.

"...but I told you I was on business."

[queenofmay]

She holds still, expecting at first glance that when he leans in to her, this is when it will come. The need to hold perfectly still, when he'll say what he'll take for her audacity of flouting the freedom he'd given and its one rule.

The last time he did, he told her to fetch coins, like a dog.


But it is only words. Only a cool reminder. Leaving her uncertain and unsettled, glancing at his face. Trying to figure out what is happening, what the angle is here. Because she could be punished. Would be again if the Sheriff knew.

It had not been long since she'd been gone half a day.

Or....since he'd let Caspian go free.


"Well." She struggled, something awkwardly uncertain coming out, as she tried not to move. Knowing the words were lie, but uncertain about the assumptions and feelings beneath it. "It won't happen again."

[landlesslord]

She had already disobeyed him, with her wilful disregard for his instruction, but for now, Guy is satisfied enough with her response.

Enough to smile and offer her his arm, at least.

"Shall we?"

There is, of course, the promise of a pleasant stroll in her company back to the castle.

[queenofmay]

Marian continued to search his face for brief seconds.
Before she answered with the only way she could now.



Her gaze glancing down, as she slipped her hand into his arm.


(At the very least now she wouldn't have to find a way to sneak in.)