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Post by Robin Of The Woods on Mar 16, 2011 22:29:27 GMT -5
Robert knew that he could not stand there forever; and that if he was going to act it would have to be soon. The man had betrayed him but no guards had shown up to the locations of their camps since the man's arrest. Which meant while he was willing to turn Robert in for gold, he was not willing to betray the whole. Maybe he wanted to die with honor; or maybe he knew he was dead either way and didn't want to help the sheriff out for nothing. Either way; Robert was going to return the favor.
He was about to push off the wall and try to decide the best way to do so; attempt to for some sort of plan then the light blond of 'her' hair caught his eye. He stood there for a few moments, watching her sit there watching the workers. What was going though that little head of her's. Nothing he'd want to know he was sure. Ever since the cave some week back he had did his best to not think of her. Sometimes it worked; sometimes it didn't. Mostly at night was when it didn't but the days he could keep busy enough that he didn't think of her.
Robert wanted to seek her out but knew better then to leave the shadows. Besides; he'd told her to stay clear of him, and staying clear of him did not mean he could walk up to her as bold as he pleased. Plus he had to find a plan of action; and decide how much of his neck he was willing to stick out for a man who he didn't trust at all. No. There would be no seeking her out! None! At all!
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Post by Marian Cooper on Mar 18, 2011 16:05:22 GMT -5
 Marian yawned, letting her thoughts drift while she watched the workers build idly, all the while wondering whether or not it really had been good to get out...did she really want to watch some guy die? She figured it was just another poor sod who couldn't pay his taxes and had resorted to robbery in order to feed his family...that was when she noticed him. A hooded figure standing in the shadows...it probably wasn't him, though, she told herself, even though she couldn't stop staring. It was too dark for her to make out if really was him, and even though she kept telling herself he wasn't stupid enough to come to the castle, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was him.
Trying not to stare at him, Marian decided that whether it was him or not, it wasn't going to do her any good to sit there staring at him. His last words to her still rang in her head...he didn't want to see her anymore. While usually that would mean less than nothing to Marian --she never cared what other people wanted-- it hurt to know that he wouldn't want to see her.
Even so...she didn't want him to be the one hanging from that rope, she noted as she saw a few guards heading past her, in his direction. She didn't think they'd seen him yet, judging how they were still joking with each other, but they'd notice him soon enough if they kept the way they were going. Well...she'd wanted someone to gossip with. Pushing off from the wall, she approached the two guards with a smile. "Hey boys," they turned their backs towards the shadowy area to face the young noblewoman, bowing as she approached them. "I was just wondering if you knew anything about the man they're hanging today," she asked, brushing her hair back behind her ear and listening as they boasted about the traitor...since they were hanging him today, it didn't matter who knew, after all. [/size] |
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Post by Robin Of The Woods on Mar 18, 2011 22:12:13 GMT -5
Robert saw her turn her face to see him and he couldn't move. Did she knew that he lurked just here or was she just looking around? When she did not look away he began to wonder more if she knew it was him; or worse if she was going to walk over here. However she only looked away. Good girl. He wasn't sure if he could have walked away from her had she came over here to him.
It wasn't til she walked over to some guards and started talking that he broke out of his trance. Not good girl! He wanted her away from all this, not trying to get in the middle of things. Pushing away from the wall, he moved to walk along the wall and around the court yard. Staying in the shadows; while keeping his hood low and his head down. At lest by walking up to the guards she made sure he could not walk up to her; even if it annoyed the hell out of him to see her walking and talking among his foes.
He ducked down one of the halls, so he could walk inside the castle. It was a just a inside hall that ran the length of the courtyard; so nobles could walk with out getting wet when it rained. Little windows ever few feet let him keep her in sight. Stopping when he was parallel to her; he pushed back his cape and pulled out his bow. He knew he could have done this and been subtle but he really didn't like the others that close to her; and he didn't like that he didn't like it. Pulling out an arrow where the tip was covered in some dried grass, he held it up to a candle before turning to take aim and letting it go.
The arrow flew though the court yard; and Robert was running before he could even see if it hit or not. He knew he had to get to the market and bland with the crowd; he had to disappear. He was running toward it as the arrow flew between her and the guard and came to land on the wooden scaffold they had just built! With in a few moments the fire was spreading all over it; making sure that hanging the trader wasn't going to happen; and giving him more time to get him out.
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Post by Marian Cooper on Mar 18, 2011 23:15:56 GMT -5
Marian chatted jovially with the guards, subtly peeking around them to see the hooded man stalk away from where he'd been lurking, and she felt relieved. Maybe it wasn't him, but she didn't like to take her chances. She continued chatting with the guards as he made his way into the castle, getting distracted from the conversation as she wondered just what he was up to. She continued follow him with her eyes any longer, and the guards were still bragging about their heroic endeavors in the war against banditry, so she had to fake her amusement.
A movement caught her eye at one of the castle windows, and her heart leapt up into her throat when she recognized him. So it was him...it was unmistakable now, he had pulled down his hood and he wasn't concealed in the shadows any longer. And he was leveling a flaming arrow in her direction. She stared openly, her eyes going wide, as the arrow leaped from the bow and passed so close that she could feel the whoosh of heat coming off it, before it embedded itself in the freshly constructed execution platform. Still covered with sawdust from the construction, it didn't take long until the wooden structure was roaring in flames, with workers and guards alike shouting and running for water to put the fire out. But not Marian.
Her eyes never left him, and when he started running, she did too. Following him. If he wanted to stay away from her, he shouldn't play games like this! And she was going to tell him that! He couldn't say she had to stay away from him, then shoot flaming arrows at her when she was talking to the guards! Fortunately, with the way the guards were panicking at the sight of fire, she was able to slip out of the castle and head down to the market, aware that she wouldn't be able to blend in like he would, and not caring. She didn't know all the places he might hide, but she did know one...if he didn't go there, she didn't know where she'd look. So she headed to the tavern she knew he'd used as a hiding place before, keeping an eye out on the way. [/size] |
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Post by Robin Of The Woods on Mar 20, 2011 18:07:52 GMT -5
Robert used the stairs in the walk way to get to the outer wall; and from there jump down into a a pile of hay out side one of the stables. That got him almost square in the market; but also out in the open. He pulled his cloak around him; and lowered his hood over his head as he hurried to get to one of the darkened ally ways. He knew that there were local people who'd hide him but getting to them was the easy part; being unfound while there would be the hard part.
Once he got to an small ally that was used for storage of some sort; he stopped to look behind him. It seemed as he thought the guards would be focused on getting the fire out; rather then who set it. He let out a mocking laugh in amusement but it faded when he saw the skirt that was running his way! What was she up to now? And where was she going? Robert knew that nothing but a few taverns and workman shops were down this way. Was she looking for him.
He drew another arrow out and broke off the pointed tip; so that when she started to run right past him he could take aim at the air right in front of her. With no tip on the arrow it would not dig into anything, but it would get her attention. Robert knew he should just let her pass but she was the type to get in over head and who knew what trouble she'd find her self in out here all by her lonesome.
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Post by Marian Cooper on Mar 21, 2011 18:34:35 GMT -5
Marian stopped running when she lost track of him in the crowd, still hurrying through the bustling crowd, eyes raking vainly over the faces and people for a glimpse of him. She swore softly under her breath, maybe she wouldn't be able to find him in all this, she wouldn't be able to tell him off for what he'd done. It was bad enough he'd come to the castle, although she'd always known he wouldn't stay away from it, but he had to taunt her while he was there? She wouldn't admit that she'd been trying to help him, though...she'd just pretend she hadn't seen him...that she was just gossiping, like any noble might.
She had just decided that she wasn't going to give up on trying to find him so easily when something whooshed past her face, just like before, only lacking the heat of last time. She followed the movement to the broken arrow on the ground, then quickly looked to where it would have come from; and of course, there he was, lurking in an alley. Marian scowled, glanced over her shoulder to make sure there were no guards to see her or follow her before she went to the alley quickly. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed angrily, her voice barely above a whisper, as though she were afraid of being overheard in the market hubbub. [/size] |
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Post by Robin Of The Woods on Mar 21, 2011 21:06:56 GMT -5
When she looked at the arrow on the ground he wondered if she was angry with him; she didn't look pleased. By the time she came over to him and whispered he knew that she was angry with him. Robert took a few steps back to make sure there was a distance between them; not wanting to risk him getting his hands on her. The last thing they needed was more embarrassing moments to taunt whatever he was fighting between them.
"Last time I checked, sweet heart, I didn't have to explain my actions to anyone." He wasn't about to let her call him and idiot and fool and worse when he told her that he was helping the man who stabbed him in the back. She was too likely to not hold back her words and he liked his women better quite anyway. Most times at lest.
His voice wasn't as low as her's but he was keeping it down; as he didn't want to join his former friend in the cells. Robert watched her; trying to see if there was more then just anger in her face. "Saw you talking to your friends. They looked impressed at their extreme lack of work in catching someone they already had in their hands."
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Post by Marian Cooper on Mar 21, 2011 22:28:08 GMT -5
Marian's eyes narrowed at his smarmy remark, was that what he thought? That he didn't have to answer to anyone? Clearly, given how he felt that none of the rules applied to him. Marian didn't care that he wanted to break all the rules and make the Sheriff crazy, but he didn't get to play with her emotions like she didn't matter. "Well check again," she growled angrily, shoving his chest, "because when your actions involve me, you most definitely do have to explain yourself."
Marian wasn't going to let him get away with doing whatever he wanted; with telling her to do one thing and then going and making a hypocrite out of himself. She'd stayed out of his woods; he could stay away from her, or at the very least, he could avoid her when they had to be in the same vicinity. Not make an ass out of himself with some big display of his macho-ness.
"I'll talk to whoever I want." She folded her arms over her chest defiantly when he commented on her talking to the guards; why shouldn't she listen to other men boast? "And why should I listen to you? You're just as likely to lie as they are...even moreso, wanted fugitive." All men bragged about their accomplishments; the trick was figuring out just how much they were 'exaggerating' or even outright lying to make themselves look good. [/size] |
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Post by Robin Of The Woods on Mar 21, 2011 22:49:28 GMT -5
"Now now, sweet heart, I think you are talking with out thinking; I've never lied to you!" Had he? He couldn't remember but he didn't just go around out right lieing to anyone so he was sure that he would not have lied to her. With held information; maybe, let her think what she wanted about something; yeah, but not lied to her about her! He wasn't even trying to keep his voice down now; not liking where she was taking this.
"I am not stopping you from talking to them! You want to talk to them! Go on, sweat heart! I am not stopping you! Toss your self at them and then demand they not touch you! See if they are as gentlemanly as I was about it!" He knew that was a cold thing to toss in her face but she was comparing him to them and making him sound like the villain here!
Robert knew he wasn't a saint but he was a hell of a lot better then the idiots she was flirting with! She was a lady any how! Were they supposed to find knights--real men--and not some country half wit guard! "Why are you following me?" he demanded to stop his thoughts.
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Post by Marian Cooper on Mar 21, 2011 23:01:23 GMT -5
Marian honestly didn't know whether or not he had lied to her; she trusted him, but she didn't know if he really deserved that trust, if everything he'd ever said to her hadn't just been a lie. But that wasn't her point, so she didn't care. She scowled at him when he claimed he wasn't stopping her from talking to them; what was he doing then?! "You're not stopping me?! What does it mean when you shoot a flaming arrow two inches in front of my face, then? You were trying to get my attention and you were trying to make a point, you insufferable ass!"
Her voice had risen along with his through the course of their conversation; if a guard happened on them right now, they could be in a lot of trouble. "Maybe I won't make them stop!" She yelled angrily, wouldn't that piss him off? She wouldn't sleep with him, the great earl-turned-bandit, but she'd let some peasant guard have her instead? She was furious with him, so she turned around and stormed away from him; he wanted her away from him, she'd stay far, far away...if only he would do her the same favor. [/size] |
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Post by Robin Of The Woods on Mar 21, 2011 23:12:56 GMT -5
"That was--" He broke off his yell to laugh at the memory of the guard's reaction to his fire before he yelled back at her some more; "--was funny!" He had meant to break up their little group but he wasn't about to tell her that! She was high and mighty enough as it was! The last thing he needed was her to know she held some sort of power over him! "And it was done to get their attention and to burn down that hangman's noose they spent so long making all pretty!"
The she hit just the right nerve! She knew just want to say to really piss him off! As she turned to walk away he head up his bow as if he honestly thought about using it to hit her with it but he knew before he even raised it that he wouldn't. Slipping it over his back he glared at her. She might know just what to say to piss him off but he could return the favor.
Stepping backwards a few times so he started to blend with the darker shadows he tossed out one word at her. "Coward!" Let her walk away and not fight with her! he didn't want her here!--He didn't want to want her here! THIS is why you avoided virgins! Let her go whore for them!
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Post by Marian Cooper on Mar 21, 2011 23:45:08 GMT -5
Marian laughed without any humor when he did, raising an eyebrow at him. "Right, that's why you didn't take the easier shot from one of the other windows! Because you cared about getting a few guards to see who was shooting at them!" He probably was egotistical enough to do just that, even if she hadn't been there, but Marian was willing to bet that she had more than a small role in why he was so willing to risk his life by making it more difficult to escape, if the guards had decided to go after him.
She was just in the process of storming off when he called after her, and she stopped dead. Coward? She was a coward?! He was one to talk! She turned around and stomped back towards him, even as he was retreating into the shadows. And he was calling her a coward? She wasn't the one who demanded he stay away! "That's rich, coming from you. A man whose so scared of losing control that you won't even try!" Marian wanted him, just...not quite so fast. Not that she was going to admit that...at least not intentionally. [/size] |
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Post by Robin Of The Woods on Mar 22, 2011 0:14:48 GMT -5
He watched her spin her little butt around and stomp her little feet over to him. Yeah; he thought that might return the favor of ticking her off. Robert wasn't the type of man who knew just how to play everyone; but he knew how to be as annoying as possible. He knew that little miss-I can do anything you can do and bold as you please; would not like being called a coward. It appeared he was right. Good! he hoped it annoyed the hell out of her!
Her words made him stop walking backwards; "I am not afraid of anything!" He yelled before dropping his tone in a low words and leaning a bit forward to almost growl out; "You said stop and I did as you asked! You spent all damn night playing the bold little minx--playing with my head--and then you told me to stop! I did as you asked, sweet heart! Don't go tossing my control in my face! It's what keep you from having your heels int he air and me in the center of you!"
She was not about to put that sin on him! The hell he'd let her put that one on him! He rather she call him a lair! Afraid of losing control and not trying his lilly white ass! He had tried! right up until she said his name in that frightened little tone and then thanked him for stopping! Had he lacked that control she was tossing in his face now then he'd have done a slight bit more then frightened her!
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Post by Marian Cooper on Mar 22, 2011 9:08:26 GMT -5
"That's right, you did. And then you turned around and told me to stay away from you. So if you're not afraid of anything, then what is it?" Marian both wanted to know and she didn't; because she was kind of afraid of what he would say. But she wasn't going to let him make a real coward out of her, let him be right about her being too scared to ask the question. She was worried he'd say that he just didn't want her, that she wasn't worth the trouble of trying to control himself, which she knew was more likely than him being afraid of losing control.
A part of her knew it would be better if he'd decided he just didn't want her; then she could get over him, move on. It would hurt, she knew he would break her heart if he said that, but she could get over it; couldn't she? Marian had never felt this way about anyone before, she'd never been in a position to have her heart broken, but she had always been confident in her abilities. Why shouldn't she be able to get past this? Another part of her wanted to turn tail and run before he had a chance to answer, so she wouldn't have to listen to those words, to the reason why he rejected her.
But she couldn't let herself do that, she wouldn't be the coward he had dared to accuse her of being. So she stayed rooted to the spot, glaring up at him just as angrily as he was, refusing to back down this time. [/size] |
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Post by Robin Of The Woods on Mar 22, 2011 12:13:19 GMT -5
She thought he told her to stay away before he was afraid of his control? That was rich! "Marian my life is going to go one of two ways. I will either die with an arrow in my back; or a noose around my neck. I'm not fooling my self by thinking that with the king returns I will be welcome as a hero. I've broken too many laws. If I had wanted to stay out of this I could have ran to London after that first man I killed. The prince and I were once friends; he would have waved his hand, and righted things. I wanted vengeance and I am getting it my way." That and at the time he knew that the royals had their own troubles; and owing John was not worth his life. John would have owned him at that point and Robert was no man's lackey.
"I am not dragging you down with me. Your taking risk too damn big; and one day even the idiot sheriff will wonder what your games are." He was protecting her; "You need to stay away from me. Not because of any control you think I am afraid of but because your neck would look very bad with a rope around it rather then some necklace." He reached up to cup her cheek in one hand and then moved it to the back of her neck so he could pull her closer as he put a kiss on her forehead. "It ends here. No more following me; no more helping me. Hell, go back to London; torment the lads there. Get out of Nottingham. I don't care!" he didn't want her somewhere he could not get to her but she was safer out of this game. Letting her go he walked backwards again until his back was to the wall that he was about to climb so he could disappear into the 2nd story of one of the buldings that made the ally walls. "Go."
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