Maid of Sherwood

by Shanti Krishnamurty

  Marian drew in a breath to protest, but released it at a glance from Father. She nodded her agreement instead.

  “Well, since we are going to Nottingham, I need to finish my ballad,” Father said. “I am hoping the castle historian will be in attendance when I perform.”

  “I did not know Nottingham still had a historian.” Mother said. “I know there was one when I was at Henry’s court, but it could not be the same woman. She was ancient when I knew her.”

  Father shrugged. “According to what I have heard, she would rather live near the forest than in the castle itself. She is rumored to be rather eccentric.”

  “Why did you leave King Henry’s court, Mother?” Marian dipped her bread back into her soup before eating it.

  Mother glanced at Father before answering. “After Henry died, I had no desire to stay. I had grown tired of court and Richard allowed me to leave to pursue my own interests.”

  “And marrying me was one of those interests,” Father interjected.

  Mother blushed. “Stop it, Alan.”

  “How did you two meet, anyway?” Anytime she had asked the question before, Mother had always deflected the conversation toward something else, but Marian hoped this time would be different.

  Father laughed. “When I first saw your mother, she was standing knee deep in a pud—”

  “Alan, this is hardly the time,” Mother interrupted. “Marian, rather than ask unimportant questions, maybe your focus should be more on the meal in front of you.”

  “Yes, Mother.” What could Mother possibly have been doing when they met? It was obviously something she was not proud of, and absolutely did not want Marian discovering, which made the mystery of it all the more intriguing. She pushed her bowl aside, half empty.

  “May I be excused? I promised Will I would meet him after supper.”

  Mother raised her left eyebrow. “Not in Sherwood, I assume?”

  Marian shook her head. “No. I am meeting him at his aunt’s.”

  “Be sure you both stay in town,” Mother said. “It is not safe in the forest after dark.”

  Marian’s thoughts roamed back to the man she’d met; Robin. No, in this case, Mother was right. The forest was not safe, though not for the reasons she was likely thinking of.

  “We will not leave his aunt,” Marian promised. She cleared her bowl off the table and carried it into the kitchen. Leaving it on the long wooden table, she hurried out the kitchen door before Mother could change her mind.

  “So,” Will leaned against the doorjamb of his aunt’s home. “You met a man in the woods, too. Did he invite you to a secret meeting, or am I the only one the outlaws are interested in?”

  Marian sighed. As much as she loved Will, sometimes she detested his sense of humor. “I met one of the outlaws, as I told you. He did not say anything about secret meetings or—or much of anything else.”

  “Did he tell you he was one of Hood’s?” Will picked a piece of wood off the edge of the door.

  “No, but he did not say he was not, either.” She frowned. “Come to think of it, he did not actually say much of anything.” Except for learning his name, she did not know much about him, other than the fact that he lived in the woods. The prospect of finding out more was suddenly more important than learning Mother’s secrets. “When did Little John want you to come back?”

  Will narrowed his eyes. “What are you planning?”

  Marian smiled. “I think Little John deserves a little ‘surprise’ for startling us, do you agree?”

  “You and I have been friends since birth, Marian,” Will started. “And how many times have you gotten me into trouble with Aunt Constance?”

  “More times than I can count,” Marian admitted. “But this is important, Will. I cannot tell you why, but I just know it is. Please let me tag along. I will be as silent as a grave. Little John will not even know I am there. I promise I will not get caught.”

  Will lowered his head for a minute as he thought. Looking Marian in the eyes, he finally spoke. “Be sure you do not. Neither of us knows what that man wants. What either man wants,” he amended.

  Marian released the breath she had been holding. “Thank you, Will. You will not regret it.”

  “I am pretty sure I already do,” her friend said ruefully.

  Marian smiled. “It will be fine,” she promised. “Little John wants the same thing we do; freedom from the sheriff and Prince John. I doubt he will be angry at my intrusion, even if he finds out.”

  “Is that why you came over?” Will asked. “To get me to let you tag along?”

  “No, actually I came to tell you about Mother, but I got distracted,” Marian said.

  Will frowned. “What about your mother? What’s she done now?”

  “That is it,” Marian said. “She has not done anything. But we received a summons to court this afternoon and she began acting differently afterward.” In a few succinct sentences, she told him of the incident at the dining table. “She was terrifying, Will. For a split second, I was sure she was not my mother at all, but someone completely different.”

  “I do not know of a single person who was not mad when Prince John hanged all those children. I am sure your mother’s reaction was normal. I think your imagination is getting in the way of reality.”

  “You do not have to believe me,” Marian snapped. “But it is not just my imagination.” She turned her back to him and crossed her arms across her chest.

  “Marian,” Will spun her back to face him. “Please, do not be angry.”

  She sighed. “I am frustrated. Something is going on, but I have no idea what.”

  ‘Then we will solve what we can,” his brown eyes stared earnestly into hers. “Little John and your mystery man first; your mother afterward.”

  “You are always so agreeable,” Marian grumbled. “It makes it very difficult to stay mad at you.”

  Will grinned. “That is the point.”

  “How are you ever going to find a wife if all you do is wander the forest with me?” Marian was only half serious; she knew Will’s heart lay in discovering what had happened to his mother at the sheriff’s hands.

  He shrugged and refused to meet her questioning gaze.

  “You have found someone?” She knew she sounded eager, but she could not help it. This was Will, her best friend, and if he had found a measure of happiness, then she was happy, too.

  “There is someone in town,” he mumbled under his breath. “Can we please not talk about this? Aunt Constance doesn’t know and I am not ready for her to find out.”

  “You have not told her? Why not?”

  Her friend looked uncomfortable. “I want to find out about my mother first, that is all.”

  Marian squeezed Will’s hand briefly before letting it go again. “I will see what I can learn at Nottingham.”

  “Marian, is that you?” A woman’s rasping voice came from deep within the room at Will’s back.

  “Yes, Ms. Constance,” Marian said. “I just came to ask Will a question.”

  “It is after dark, dear. Why are you not home and in bed?” The querulous voice continued.

  Marian rolled her eyes before answering. “My mother knows I am here, Ms. Constance.”

  “Well, you are far too young to be out so late. I do not know what Beatrix is thinking.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I am about to go home now.” She touched Will’s arm again. His aunt had not been right in the head since his mother, Dulcina, had vanished from the castle.

  “Come by tomorrow, at a more decent hour.” Constance said. “Will can come out and play then.”

  “Good night, Mari,” Will said. “Come by and play tomorrow!”

  “Shhhh…” Marian stifled her laughter. “That is unkind. It is not your aunt’s fault she is the way she is. Besides, I cannot come tomorrow. Mother wants to take me shopping. She claims I need more gowns.”

  “You do.” Will shrugged when Marian wrinkled her nose at him.

  “Good nig
ht, Will.” Marian walked down the nearly empty street. The only people left were a few shop owners, locking their doors behind them as they left for the evening. It always amazed her how quickly the town turned silent once night fell, but she knew that would change within the next two days, as people from surrounding towns and villages gathered to celebrate May Day.

  Chapter Three:

  “Are you ready yet?” Mother knocked on Marian’s bedroom door. “We need to leave soon if we are to purchase all our fabrics.”

  Marian pulled the door open. “I am ready.”

  Mother gasped. “Oh, no you are not.” She gestured to the breeches and tunic Marian wore. “You will not go into town wearing those, Marian du Luc!”

  “None of my gowns fit,” Marian protested.

  “Then we will make one fit,” Mother said. “I will not allow you to disgrace our bloodlines by parading around in those.”

  “I have worn them in town before, Mother.”

  The look on Mother’s face was implacable. “But not now. Not when everyone knows we are purchasing materials for court gowns.”

  “But—”

  “No, Marian. Change. Now.”

  Marian grumbled under her breath, but did as instructed. The soft blue wool gown she chose was beautiful in its simplicity. Too bad, she thought, it does not fit. She drew in a deep breath and released it slowly once Mother had lowered it over her head.

  “I. Cannot. Breathe.” Marian gasped.

  Mother tugged at the sleeves on the gown. “Stop exaggerating. It is a bit tight, but you will not faint.” She bent down and helped Marian into her shoes. “There. Now you look presentable.”

  And uncomfortable, Marian thought but did not dare say aloud. Her breasts strained against the fabric with every short breath she took and she felt as though her ribcage was trying to escape the confines of her body.

  “We shall visit the seamstress last,” Mother said. “That way, we can give her all our fabric choices, fit you for all your gowns, and see to your final May Queen fitting.” She smiled at Marian, her eyes sparkling. “It will be a fun day, Mari. You will see.”

  Marian was fairly sure it wouldn’t be, at least not for her, but she smiled and nodded her agreement. Mother was a force of nature and once she made a decision there was no changing her mind. Whether Marian enjoyed it or not, her day would be spent looking at fabrics and being poked and prodded.

  “You will need jewels, as well.” Mother said, following Marian into the hall. “Be sure to include Guinvere’s hair comb. Not only will it garner the proper attentions at court, but it is truly one of the loveliest pieces you own.”

  The instruction was unnecessary. The jeweled comb was one of Marian’s treasures and she prized it highly.

  “On second thought,” Mother continued. “I think we shall have to purchase those ready-made gowns Vernice’s shop carries. Three days will not be enough time to ensure you have the necessary gowns to make the correct impression.”

  “Who am I supposed to impress?” Marian huffed. “I thought we were going simply to show our support.”

  “Even so. There are always those at court who wish to undermine in hopes of gaining royal influence.” Mother shot Marian a penetrating glance over her shoulder. “Did something happen to you in the woods?”

  “Why would you ask that?” Marian stalled answering.

  “You are not arguing.” Mother smiled to take the sting from her words, stopped walking and turned to face her daughter. “If something happened, it is important you tell me,” she said.

  It was the most serious Marian had ever seen her. “No, nothing happened,” she lied.

  Mother nodded once. She pulled open the front door and gestured to Marian. “Oh, good, the carriage is waiting.”

  “Do we really need a carriage?”

  “Yes, we really do. You may be used to walking into town, but I am not. And we will have too much to carry, even with Anna accompanying us.”

  If she could have, Marian would have sighed. While Anna was a competent maid, she was also a notorious gossip. Whatever transpired between Marian and Mother would be broadcast over every inch of town within a day. She did not understand why Mother had hired her.

  “Ma’am, Marian, sorry I am late!” Anna hurried up to them, her face wreathed in smiles. “I can hardly stand it! Court!”

  “Wait, what?” Marian looked at Mother in disbelief. “She is going to court with us?”

  “Naturally,” Mother said. “You need a ladies maid and Anna is more than capable.”

  The young girl turned wide green eyes on Marian. “Y-you do not want me to come?”

  “No, that is not it,” Marian said. “It is just—well, this whole thing is so sudden. I do not even know what court entails.”

  Anna sniffed. “Oh, all right. I unnerstand that.”

  “Anna, get into the carriage. Marian, a word with you?” Though she worded it as a request, Marian could tell it actually was anything but.

  Once Anna was in the carriage, with the door shut, Mother spoke. “Marian, you will need a maid while you are at court. Not only would it be inappropriate for you to be without one, you need someone capable of doing your hair and helping you dress.”

  “I can normally dress myself,” Marian stated.

  “Court gowns are not similar in any way to the simple ones I have allowed you to wear here,” Mother said. “They require more—attention—and care. This is not something I will discuss with you. Anna is joining us. The rest of the maids we can borrow from someone at the castle.”

  “Rest of the maids?” Marian said weakly. She was not sure if it was the tightness of the gown, or the idea of multiple maids that made her feel light-headed.

  “Of course. There will be at least six. One maid cannot do everything, Marian. It would be unsuitable.”

  “Mother, I feel odd,” Marian swayed as she tried to climb up into the carriage.

  “Do not take such deep breaths,” Mother instructed, helping Marian onto the seat next to Anna. “You are too used to breeches and tunics. When we return from Nottingham, that will change. It is past time for you to embrace your lineage and leave your childhood behind. Now, what colors do you prefer?”

  Marian shrugged. “I do not know. Green, maybe? Or red?”

  “Do not shrug, Marian. It is unladylike. Well, it must be the proper green,” the other woman mused. “One emerald and silver, I think, and the other one red with gold shot threads. I will loan you my circlet, as well. Once your hair is done properly, it will look lovely on you.”

  Marian felt the carriage begin to move. “It all sounds perfect.” Her eyes began to drift closed.

  “Now is not the time for you to sleep, Marian!”

  Marian heard Mother’s voice, but it sounded as though she was speaking through a pillow and no matter how hard she tried she could not focus on what Mother was telling her.

  “Marian! Marian! Anna, slap her!” Mother’s instructions faded as the world around her faded and grew black.

  A soft tapping on her cheek slowly penetrated her consciousness.

  “Not like that!” came Mother’s harsh voice and Marian heard, just for an instant, a thread of fear in it. “Move!”

  The next slap rocked her head to the left and her eyes shot open. She met Mother’s concerned deep blue eyes. “Marian, can you hear me?”

  Marian nodded slowly. “I—what happened? Did I fall asleep?”

  “You fainted, ma’am,” Anna said. “I tried to wake you, but you wouldn’t.”

  “You—hit me,” Marian accused, looking at Mother.

  The older woman nodded. “Yes, and I would again, given the circumstances. Anna,” she instructed the maid, “she needs her ties loosened. Not enough to be immodest, but enough so she can breathe.”

  “Yes’m.”

  Marian leaned away from the maid. “I can loosen my own ties,” she protested, proving her words as she said them.

  “You need to allow Anna to help you,” Mother
said.

  “When we reach Nottingham, I will. But it cannot make any difference in a carriage.”

  Mother raised one elegant eyebrow and Marian subsided, choosing instead to change the subject.

  “How long will it take us to get to the castle?” Marian asked.

  “We will stop overnight at an inn halfway between town and there,” Mother said. “It will take us most of two days to reach Nottingham, then another half day to get to the castle itself.”

  Marian bit the inside of her lip. She had hoped to see Robin again before she left, but did not know how that would be possible with the rush of the Festival.

  The carriage ground to a halt.

  “Feeling better?” Mother asked. She sounded genuinely concerned.

  Marian took a deep breath in and slowly released it. “Yes,” she said.

  “Then let us get you clothing which actually fits,” Mother smiled. “Anna, if you would...”

  The small maid rose from her seat and opened the door, waiting until both Marian and Mother stepped down and onto the road before joining them.

  Mother looked critically at Marian. “Vernice’s shop first,” she said. “We must get you out of that gown and into something more fashionable.”

  It was as though the woman who had slapped her awake did not exist anymore, Marian thought. That idea stayed with her throughout the day, as she was fitted for gown after gown after gown. It was not until they were on their way home, Anna loaded down with new gowns of every shade and variety, that she brought up what was really bothering her.

  “Why have you never taken me to court before now?”

  “Marian, this is not the proper time to speak of such things.” Mother said.

  “It is never the proper time!” Marian objected.

  “You and I will speak of this later.” Mother’s eyes flicked to Anna, who was listening, eyes wide.

  Marian’s mouth snapped shut, too late. By the same time tomorrow, the entire town would know of the arguments between her and Mother. She had not been thinking of the consequences when she spoke.