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Normally, Marian didn’t mind being woken up by birdsong, but this late summer day, she could have used the extra sleep. She and her husband of just over a year, Robin of Locksley, formerly Robin Hood, had hosted a party at their castle in Nottingham for their friends and the couple hadn’t gotten to bed until almost dawn. Marian personally blamed Little John – the bear was always good for another song and had no qualms about starting a talent show in front of the ballroom’s grand fireplace.
Marian rolled onto her back with a groan and dramatically threw a pillow over her head to block out the bright sunshine. It didn’t stifle the chirping as much as she would have liked. It was at that moment she realized the other half of the couple’s quite large bed was empty. She reached over and felt around on Robin’s side, just to be sure.
No Robin.
Even worse: waking up early and no one to cuddle with.
Marian sighed. She wondered if Robin had stumbled to the kitchen to fetch coffee, a new drink brought over from the New World via Spain that they both adored, or if he had a meeting she forgot about. That was highly unlikely, since Marian was the one who ran the castle and scheduled meetings with the townsfolk and court officials. She would have remembered if she’d done something as downright stupid as schedule anything after a party.
When King Richard offered Marian and Robin the castle as a wedding present, Marian wasn’t sure how Robin would feel living in such a grand place after his years in Sherwood Forest. Marian would have been content in a townhouse in London, but she didn’t want to seem ungrateful. Her uncle had done so much for the young couple, and really, how hard could it be to run a castle?
Incredibly hard, actually.
Over the past year, Marian had scolded herself countless times. She should have paid more attention to how the stewards and head housekeepers ran things in the various castles she had lived in throughout her young life. She’d been Richard’s ward since she was five years old when her parents died of the pox. She had been passed around from castle to estate to country chateau, learning the skills rich young girls were supposed to attain, but shockingly none of them included many details about how to run your own household. Or at least not to this scale.
Perhaps her teachers assumed she’d be married off to a rich prince or king in a faraway kingdom and she’d have staff to do everything for her. Whatever the reason was, Marian had sorely needed some guidance. Lady Kluck could only help so much; her skills lay as a companion for wealthy young women, not running an estate. She was, at least, very encouraging of Marian’s efforts. It was too bad she’d gone to stay with a family further north whose young daughters needed someone to keep an eye on them. She had promised Marian she would come stay for Christmas; Marian was counting the days.
Marian flung the pillow away and rolled onto her side where the fireplace in their chamber resided. On the mantle rested a clock. Sweet Jesu, how was it almost time for the midday meal?
She tossed back the covers and got to her feet as quickly as her still-sleepy body allowed. Her old chamber from when she lived in the castle with Prince John had been turned into a guest chamber. The couple had decided to convert the second-best chamber into their space, leaving the grandest for King Richard, if he decided to visit. Marian liked this one better anyway; the view was nicer, and she wouldn’t have to think about Prince John every time she went to sleep.
Marian yawned as she grabbed her robe and tied a knot to keep it in place. She really should dress properly for the day, but her staff wouldn’t be surprised to see her in such attire. Marian always made sure to look presentable when dignitaries or her councillors were expecting her, or if she had important guests staying overnight, but this was her home and she should be able to be as comfortable as she liked when not acting as a representative of King Richard’s court.
The castle was quiet. As Marian came down the winding staircase from her chamber to the main level, she didn’t pass any of the servants. She could hear the distant clatter from the kitchens so at least someone was up making food. Marian’s stomach gurgled in anticipation. She made a beeline for the warm, sweet-smelling space. Next to the library, the kitchen was Marian’s favourite place in the castle.
“Good morning, Jacqueline,” Marian said. “Or rather, good afternoon,” she added with a cringe.
Head cook Jacqueline, a black bear a decade older than Marian, chuckled as she poured a serving of soup in a bowl. Fresh bread awaited on a plate. “Good morning, Maid Marian. I’m surprised you’re awake.”
“Blame the birds.” Marian sat at the table normally used by the staff, its long benches able to fit quite a number of workers. “I assume you haven’t seen my husband today.”
“I think I heard rumblings he went out with Little John and Frier Tuck on some business. Should be back by supper, if Frida and Tom heard correctly.”
She was impressed Robin was up and about already, but at least Frier Tuck would keep him and John out of any serious trouble. Marian thanked Jacqueline for the soup, bread, and fresh pot of tea before digging in.
“You did a wonderful job last night, as always,” Marian said in between slurps of soup. “Even Little John complimented the spread, and you know how tough he is to please.”
Marian took great pleasure watching the cook’s cheeks flush underneath her dark fur. She’d been trying to play matchmaker with those two for months now, and while incremental steps had been made, Robin always waved away her efforts.
“John is a lifelong bachelor, darling. You won’t see him settling down anytime soon.”
The same could have been said of Robin, if Fate hadn’t had another life planned for him and Marian.
The two chatted as Marian finished her meal and Jacqueline got to work on prepping for supper. Even if the castle wasn’t a bustling place like the London castles, it still had many mouths to feed, and any leftovers went to the poorest in Nottingham. Thankfully, the village was much more prosperous than Prince John’s time. While there would always be people down on their luck, Robin and Marian made sure their castle was a place they could go to for aid, not somewhere they would be thrown in prison for unpaid taxes.
Marian finished her tea and got up from the table. “I’m heading to the village to drop off some clothes to Mother Rabbit and the children. I don’t have any meetings scheduled but if someone asks –”
“You’ll be back for supper,” Jacqueline finished.
Marian went over and kissed her cook on the cheek. “You’re a gem, Jackie. I’ll see you later.” With that, she left her bemused cook to her tasks as the rest of the kitchen staff returned from their break.
~*~
Now that she was fully awake, the birdsong and sunshine weren’t so bad. Marian had forgone her usual headscarf and instead stuck a wide-brimmed hat on to protect her eyes from the sun’s glare. Her pale blue dress was wispy enough to let a breeze cool her off; she’d chosen it specifically for its lightness and shorter sleeves. It was too beautiful a day to be bundled up in propriety. It wasn’t like any of the villagers cared much about what Marian wore, anyway. They were just happy to see her and have a chat. They were especially pleased when she came bearing gifts.
Her basket of clothes was overflowing. Mother Rabbit was always in need of clothes for her rapidly-growing children, and Marian was happy to help however she could. She knew Mother Rabbit’s pride kept her from asking for other aid. At least this trip gave her an excuse to visit the children.
It took longer than expected to get to the tree where the Rabbit family lived, for many people were out and about and wanted to chat with Marian. Some had concerns about the heat and how it would impact their crops, while others just wanted to ask how the party went the night before. By the time Marian got to the hovel, it was getting closer to midafternoon. Most of the Rabbit children were playing in the front yard and immediately crowded around Marian once she entered.
“Good afternoon to you all! My, Matilda, what a fun game you’re playing! Make sure you don’t kick the ball over the fence!” She kissed Tilli’s cheek and ruffled Alfred’s hair. When Tagalong Rabbit came tumbling over, her favourite doll still in hand, Marian swung her up into her arms and gave her a tight hug. She had a soft spot for the little girl. “And how are you today, Tag? Not naptime yet?”
The youngest of the Rabbit children shook her head. “Mama said you were coming over today, so I could stay up until you got here.”
Marian grinned. “And I’m very glad she let you! Come, let’s go inside so I can give her these clothes for you all.”
Sis, the eldest girl on the Rabbit children, and another girl who held a special place in Marian’s heart, offered to help. Her orange bow was a little askew from playing.
“Mama said you had a party last night! Was there lots of dancing?” Sis asked as they went inside.
“So much! Next time, we’ll have something in the afternoon so you and the other children can come.” Marian liked the idea of a midsummer gathering outside the castle, perhaps at the fair grounds? She’d had to talk to Robin about it, he loved planning a party!
“Mama, Marian is here!” Sis said, shutting the door behind them to keep the cooler air inside.
Mother Rabbit came from the kitchen, her apron damp with dishwater. Marian suspected the woman was finishing the lunchtime dishes while her children played. Her eyes lit up when she saw Marian. “How good of you to come, Maid Marian. Would you like a cup of tea?”
Marian put Tagalong back on the ground and picked up the basket. “No thank you, I just had a pot and am still full! I brought the clothes I discussed earlier this week. I hope at least some of them will fit.”
“Oh, they’ll be wonderful, thank you so much Maid Marian! Are you sure I can’t interest you in anything? Sis, get your nose out of that basket! I told you, you can’t go through it until you finish drying the dishes.”
She’d tried telling Mother Rabbit to please call her just Marian, but Mother Rabbit was all manners, so Marian had given up the fight ages ago.
Sis pouted. “But Mama, Marian brought so many neat things! Can’t I just have one peek?”
“Yeah Mama, can’t we?” Tagalong added, not wanting to be left out.
Marian stepped forward. “I have an idea: I’ll help you with the dishes and the girls can have a look at what I brought. When we’re done, I can get Tagalong down for her nap and we can sort the clothes properly.”
“I couldn’t impose on you like that, Maid Marian! You must have a full day planned, I can’t take up all your time.”
“Actually, with Robin off with John and Frier Tuck, my day is free. You’d be doing me such a favour.”
“Skippy went too!” Sis added.
“And Toby Turtle,” Tagalong said.
“Well, that settles it! If the boys can go off and have fun, we can amuse ourselves here,” Marian said.
It was hard for Mother Rabbit to argue after that.
Once in the quiet of the kitchen, a dish cloth in hand, the busy work on cleaning up loosened Mother Rabbit’s tongue. Marian knew she was a widow, her husband having joined King Richard’s crusades and died overseas, but other than that, she knew very little about the woman whose children had wormed their way into Marian’s heart. Over soap bubbles and clinking plates, Mother Rabbit informed Marian that she and her husband had been childhood sweethearts like Marian and Robin.
“My Harold didn’t carve our name into a tree, but he brought me several bouquets over the years,” Mother Rabbit said with a chuckle. “Daisies are my favourite. He learned that early on. I showed him how to make daisy chains and flower crowns with them.”
Marian smiled. “I haven’t made a flower crown in ages! I loved doing it as a child.” She grabbed another plate. “How long were you married before he went off with the king?”
“Five years,” Mother Rabbit said with a sigh. “Feels like a lifetime, and no time at all, wrapped into one. Skippy and Sis barely remember him. The rest,” she shrugged, “I try to keep his memory alive with stories, but for a time, it was impossible to talk about him at all. I still get a lump in my throat sometimes. Prayer helps, but the loss is always there.”
Marian put the cloth down and placed a comforting hand on Mother Rabbit’s shoulder. She gave it a gentle squeeze. “I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I lost my parents quite young, and I still miss them, even now. But it does get easier. Life . . . grows around the grief, if that makes sense. I miss them the most at Christmas.”
Mother Rabbit swiped a tear quickly from her eye. “Easter for me. Harold loved hiding eggs for the children. He’d always get me a bouquet of lilies.” Mother Rabbit met Marian’s gaze. “I’m sorry for rambling on like this, my lady. You didn’t come here to listen to me natter away about Harold.”
Marian smiled. “You have nothing to apologize for. If you ever need to talk, I’ve been told I’m a good listener.” She picked up the cloth again and the last plate. “I hope that perhaps, in time, you will think of me as a friend. I don’t have many, at least not true friends.”
Mother Rabbit didn’t respond at first, and Marian didn’t expect her to. She knew the woman was quiet by nature and it may take time for her to truly warm up to Marian, but today was a good start. “I’d best get Tagalong to bed before we run right into suppertime!” Marian said. She’d almost fully turned around when Mother Rabbit’s still damp hand rested on Marian’s arm, stopping the woman in her tracks.
“Perhaps you could come over tomorrow for tea. The children will be at the church for school,” Mother Rabbit said.
Marian felt her heart would leap out of her throat. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “I would love that, Mother Rabbit.”
“Tabitha,” Mother Rabbit said.
Marian nodded. “Tabitha.” She winked at the woman. “Just Marian.”
Tabitha chuckled. “Marian,” she agreed.
It was dangerously close to suppertime when Marian got out of Tabitha’s home. The clothes were put away, Tagalong just waking up from her nap, and the children marching inside to help get the table set and supper ready. Sis was complaining that Skippy wasn’t there to do his part, when around the bend came the boys. Skippy, still wearing Robin’s old hat, sat on Robin’s shoulders. Little John and Friar Tuck were close behind. Toby’s home was further away so Marian assumed they had dropped the young turtle off first.
“Marian my darling! What a surprise to find you here!” Robin said as he opened the gate. He was in his usual green attire, suggesting whatever it was the boys had been up to didn’t require his nicer suits. Robin bent down so Skippy could climb off and give Marian a hug.
“Hi Marian! Mama said you were coming today. Sorry I wasn’t here.”
Marian chuckled. “Nothing to worry about, Skippy, I’m sure you had lots of fun with Robin Hood.”
“We did! He took me to Little John’s cabin and taught me how to use a sword!”
“A blunted, wooden sword!” Robin quickly clarified. “Just a few moves. Nothing serious.” The last thing Robin wanted was a tongue lashing from Tabitha.
“Ol’ Rob here went easy on him, Marian. Nothing to get excited about,” Little John added.
Frier Tuck’s rolled eyes suggested otherwise, but the less Marian knew, the better. She ushered Skippy inside instead. “You’d best help your mother with supper, Skippy. I’ll see you another time.”
Once the Rabbit home’s front door closed and all the children were tucked inside, Marian went over to her husband and accepted the offered kiss on her cheek. “You look lovely, my dear, as always.”
“And you smell of sweat and grass,” she teased. “Do I want to know what you were up to today?”
“Just some fun with the boys,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Shall we head for home, darling?”
“We’d best, or Jacqueline will be most displeased. Will you join us for supper, John? Frier?”
The badger bowed his head. “Thank you for the invitation, but Sexton Mouse and his wife are expecting me. I’ve got to get started on my Sunday sermon, too.” He bowed to his friends then departed down the lane.
“Well, Little John? Jacqueline is making your favourite quail egg dish tonight,” Marian asked, a humours sparkle in her eyes.
Little John gulped and rubbed the back of his neck. “Ah gee, uh, well that’s nice and all, but – I should be getting home. Enjoy those quail eggs for me!” With that, John spun around on his heel and dashed off, a little terror in his gaze as he fled.
The foxes laughed at the retreating bear. “I haven’t seen him move that fast since the Sherriff of Nottingham was after us!” Robin said, shaking his head. “Face it, Marian, your Cupid’s arrow has not landed.”
“Not yet, but give it time. There’s hope yet for those two,” she said with a chuckle. “Come then, it seems it’s just you and I tonight.”
“I couldn’t imagine anything better, Wife.” Robin’s arm slid from her waist and he held her hand as they headed for home. “From how happy Sis looked, it seems like you had a good day with the Rabbit family.”
“I did! Tabitha and I got quite a bit accomplished. Did you know her husband?”
“Not well, no. I wasn’t really ‘Robin Hood’ then so I didn’t interact with them much. Harold was a good provider for his family, they didn’t need much in the way of financial help. It wasn’t until the Crusade and Prince John that I really entered their life, and by then Harold was gone. Tabitha’s had a rough go of it, but she’s a strong woman. Capable. Like you.” He kissed her cheek.
“I don’t know, I think she’s handling things much better than I ever could. I’d fall apart if anything happened to you.” She squeezed his hand tight.
“I don’t even want to think of my life without you in it, Marian. Say, why don’t we stay at the castle tomorrow and just relax in the library? It’s been ages since we had a ‘do nothing’ day!”
“Oh, that sounds lovely, Robin, but I’ve got plans with Tabitha that I just can’t break. Perhaps the day after?”
As the young couple made their way home, the summer sun still giving Nottingham a warm glow, Marian knew she was a lucky woman indeed.