“It’s not a song. It’s a battle hymn. It is sung by men who are missing their loved ones at home while they fight in war,” Ranger said and Marion nodded, looking at Robin.
“You sung that song during the war?” Marion asked Robin and he nodded his head.
“Every day. My heart never stopped beating for you, Marion. Sometimes, the war drums were so loud, but I swear to you my heart beat was louder. I’m telling you this because the war drums are beating again... but they are not as loud as my heart. Whatever happens... Whatever it takes... I will protect you, Marion," Robin said as Friar Tuck burst into hysterics, sitting down next to the fire.
“You think she needs protecting, Robin? Ha! You better watch this one! She’s a bloody fighter herself! I saw her punch a man in the head once for grabbing her arse! Laid him out! Poor bugger never knew what hit him!” Tuck said and Marion smiled.
“I can definately take care of myself. I married you because I love you, Robin... but I want to join you as well. There’s nothing for me in the city now. I can fight. I don’t need saving. I’m as much a part of this as you are now. You said it yourself, if I go back there they’ll kill me. Like it or not, we’re all in this together now,” Marion said, throwing down a glass of wine, the men around her cheering.
“Bloody hell! She can drink too!” John Little said and the men laughed, even Robin cracking a smile.
“This isn’t going to be like getting into a brawl at the bar, Marion. This could lead to war. The sheriff is more powerful than ever and he and his army of machines will hunt us. Are you ready for that?” Robin asked and Marion smiled.
“I’m ready for anything,” Marion replied and the men around her cheered. Robin shook his head kissing his new bride on the mouth. For better or worse, they were married and for better or worse, she was one of them. Robin just hoped she wouldn’t have to do too much. After all, if he lost her he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.
Leading Marion to their cabin in the trees, Robin carried her over the threshold, laying her on the bed. The light of the moon shone in from a large open window and they made love, long and passionate.
Chapter eleven: dawn of the machines
Marion and Robin awoke the next morning to the sound of wild panic. They sat up in their bed getting dressed as quickly as they could, both of them dressing in green tunics with hoods. Ranger bolted into the room sweating profusely.
“The perimeter has been breached! They are coming!” Ranger said and Robin rushed to Ranger’s side.
“Get all the men you can that we don’t need and take them to the bunker. Grab as many weapons as you can carry and bring them back here!” Robin instructed, Ranger bowing and leaving the room. Robin looked at Marion, who was already charging up a blast rifle.
“You can use that thing?” he asked and Marion gave him a look that asked him if he was kidding.
“I worked in a bar, Robin... not a convent. Of course I can use it!” Marion insisted. Robin packed his quiver full of emerald arrows, each of them serving different purposes. He kissed his new bride, pulling on his ski mask and hood before leading Marion out onto the platform balcony of the tree house.
Trees were being pulled apart and knocked down in the distance as massive metal tanks loudly rolled towards them, the distant sound of metal feet marching on earth adding to the suspense. Robin looked through his binoculars and saw hundreds of walking robot soldiers, cannons mounted on their shoulders and leading them, a massive man in metal armour wearing a leather mask.
“My God! It’s an army,” Robin said, Marion snatching his binoculars to have a look.
“Who is that giant guy leading them?” Marion asked and Robin sighed.
“If Will spoke true, that’s the Sherriff of Nottingham," he replied.
“It can’t be! He’s massive,” Marion said and Robin nodded.
Suddenly, a powerful blast rang out through the forest – blowing right through the middle of the treetops. Men went flying as one of the central huts in the trees exploded, rocking the village and causing the ground to shake. Robin and Marion fell over the balcony, Robin grabbing onto the railing and grabbing Marion’s hand before she could fall.
“Hold on!” Robin exclaimed, Marion climbing onto him as he fired a rope from his grapple gun, swinging them to the ground to safety as another explosion destroyed their hut.
Robin and Marion were safe on the ground, their weapons drawn; Marion holding her blast rifle and Robin aiming his bow and arrow.
The robotic army marched towards them, silhouetted by the rising morning sun. Trees around them fell and were decimated to kindling as they stormed towards the towering trees and the burning tree structures.
Robin aimed an arrow, firing it straight towards the oncoming metal men; a single shot catching one of the soldiers straight in the chest plate. The soldier stopped, his internal processors trying to compute the strange object protruding from his chest. Then... it detonated, causing a massive explosion that not only took out the soldier, but three others like him. Robin took another arrow from his quiver, his fingers moving fast as he loaded another into his bow. He fired again, ripping through another two soldiers, the explosion an impressive sight.
Marion fired from her rifle, great streams of laser energy blasting from the muzzle as she
