“Are you fucking with me right now?” Marion asked and Robin smiled, shaking his head.
“No," he said and Marion embraced him again.
“Of course I’ll marry you. I’ve been waiting to marry you for a long damn time!” Marion said laughing as tears of joy filled her eyes.
Chapter ten: The more you gain
Friar Tuck stood in Sherwood Forest, watching as an arch of vine and flowers was hoisted into position in a beautiful open area in the centre of the forest. He drank from a canteen, belching loudly and laughing as he mumbled to the men doing all the work, his cheeks a jolly red in colour.
“Yes it’s perfect! It’s perfect and... It’s... I’m very drunk!” Friar Tuck said, laughing merrily.
The ceremony setup for the wedding was simple. Robin and Marion were beautifully dressed – Robin in a black tuxedo and Marion in an elegant white dress, her dark hair braided and her head crowned with a small wreath of flowers.
John Little was the best man and Friar Tuck would marry them, despite being drunk the man was surprisingly articulate. Robin and Marion stood beneath the arch facing each other in front of Tuck who spoke with a gentle voice. Robin Hood’s men and followers gathered around them to witness.
“Today, it is my great pleasure to join these two souls in Holy matrimony. Love is a gift that comes with many responsibilities. When two people fall in love, a bond is made. A bond that, if nurtured can last a lifetime. I watched as these two wonderful people fell in love... and I knew this day would come. So today, before you all and before the Lord our God, I am privileged to perform the sacred ceremony of marriage,” the friar began.
“Marion Clorinda? Do you take this man, Robin Hood of Loxley to be your lawful wedded husband? To serve and protect you, honour and obey you until death do you part?” The friar asked Marion.
“I do," Marion said, smiling as her face beamed.
“And do you, Robin Hood of Loxley, take this woman, Marion Clorinda of Sherwood to be your lawful wedded wife? Will you honour, protect and be faithful to her until death do you part?” Friar Tuck asked and Robin nodded with a smile.
“I do," he replied.
“Then by the power invested in me, by the good Lord himself, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride," Friar Tuck said, wiping a tear from his eye as Robin took Marion in his arms and kissed her passionately. A cheer ringing out from his men which was followed by applause.
*****
Reynold Greenleaf had been one of the men who had joined Robin’s band and helped build the village in the trees. He joined Gilbert Whitehand and Will Scarlet in congratulating the newlyweds during a small dinner party that evening. Tiny fairy lights had been woven around the trees and a large bonfire crackled as three men played acoustic guitars, singing classic love songs as Robin and Marion danced.
A large table had been dressed with wonderful foods such as cooked chicken, roast lamb, baked potatoes and salads of every kind. There was plenty to eat and a great deal of wine being poured as the celebrations went on into the night.
The Ranger approached Robin as the dancing ended and Marion ran off to get some wine. The dark man with the kind eyes smiled at his friend, embracing him.
“Congratulations my friend! I never thought I would see the day," Ranger laughed and Robin smiled.
“Nor I! Yet here it is. I am glad you are here, Ranger. You are always welcome to feast with my men!” Robin said.
“You have something so special, Robin. A gift so precious. Now you have a wife, no doubt she will bare a child... your life will have more purpose than you’ve ever imagined. But be careful, for while these things make a man great, they also make him dangerous," Ranger said and Robin raised an eyebrow.
“How so?” Robin asked and Ranger slapped him playfully on the back.
“The more you gain in this life, my friend... The more you have to protect... and to lose," Ranger replied, picking up a drink from a nearby table and drinking it down before walking off to join Will Scarlet and the others. Robin nodded his head. Ranger was right. Before, Robin had nothing to lose. If he died, he would have been forgotten. Now he had every reason to make sure he stayed alive. Not only that, but he would have to ensure his wife was safe, no matter what the cost. Robin could only imagine what he could become if he lost Marion. It would drive him mad.
Robin walked over to the bonfire, staring into the flames as one of the men played a tune on a pipe and another man played a small drum. Robin sang along. It was a song he had sung many times during the war;
I think of you so very far away
I hear the sound of metal on its way
The rain it falls, the heavens call
But I will not die on this day
The men sang along in low voices as Marion watched in awe...
The drums are loud, my men stand proud
No drums are louder than my heart
It beats for you, beyond the moons
No war will ever break us apart
The men fell silent for a moment and Marion sat next to Robin. She placed an arm around him.
“I’ve never heard you sing a song," Marion said and Robin smiled. Ranger
