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“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” said Marion as she approached a bench that Robin was sitting on.
It was a warm summer evening; their friends could not have asked for a more perfect day for their wedding.
“I just needed some fresh air,” Robin replied staring at the lake in front of him. The sky was a deep shade of blue fading into bright orange right above the horizon. The twilight part of the evening, when everything was covered in a magical glow. The forest surrounding the lake was dark, only the tips of the trees still illuminated by the last remnants of the light. Swathes of green glowing fireflies visible in the darkness between the trees. Enchanting view.
Marion circled the bench and sat down next to Robin. His pensive mood didn’t escape her attention.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah,” replied Robin staring off into the distance.
Marion raised her eyebrows not entirely convinced. “What’s bothering you?” her voice full of compassion.
“Nothing. Why?”
“I know you. I know that look. Something happened.”
Robin smiled. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”
Marion decided against pushing any further instead she leaned back and joined him in admiring the sky and the lake, watching as the night birds enjoyed their freedom.
“Do you miss living in a castle?” he asked, breaking the silence.
“Sometimes. Do you?”
“Sometimes,” he replied lost in thoughts. “You looked right at home up there today.”
Marion looked at the castle behind her, considering his words.
“Old habits,” she replied.
“Still, you belong there.”
“We both grew up attending these things, it’s a part of who we are. You belong there too.”
He nodded in reply and paused, thinking.
“I can’t give it to you,” he eventually said.
“Give me what?”
“This life.” He gestured with his hand. “The castle, the balls… You deserve all of it and I can’t give it to you.” His shoulders slumped, a far cry from the confident man he usually was. “Even when King Richard returns, I have no lands, no castle, no—”
“And when did I give you the impression that that’s what I want?”
“You deserve what’s best. You deserve a proper home…”
“My home is where you are. I’ve lived in the forest for years. Do you really think I need a castle?”
“No, but you deserve it, and I am not the man who can give it to you. What future would you have with me? People trying to get revenge? Trying to kill me? You? Us? Maybe a plot of land, a small house? Cold winters? Forest?”
“And that’s exactly the life I want as long as it’s with you,” she replied looking at him.
Robin’s eyes unfocused, staring off into the distance.
“It’s not right—”
“Stop with the pity party!”
“One day, you’ll wake up, look around you, and regret the life you chose.”
“That would never happen.” Marion reached out with her hand and placed it on his cheek to get his attention. “Look at me,” she said.
And he slowly turned his head to meet her gaze.
“No one forced me to choose this life. I could have had the castle, the balls, the pretty dresses, the comfort of a warm room in winter. I can still have it. But that’s not what I want if it means life without you. I’d be happy in the forest. I am happy in the forest,” she emphasised. “And you don’t get to make that decision for me. Do you understand me?”
A small smile appeared on Robin’s face, and he nodded.
“Good. Now, you have promised me a dance, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Yes, I have.” His smile grew wider.
“Then you better fulfill that promise, you wouldn’t want it to be known that Robin Hood doesn’t keep his promises, now, would you?”
Finally, the smile reached his eyes and he got to his feet, bent in half, and extended his hand in a gallant gesture toward Marion. “Would you like to dance, my lady?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” she smiled and took his hand.
Robin helped her up and placed his hand on the small of her back and gathered her close to him. They started to sway to the music of nature, the singing of birds, sounds of water. They didn’t need instruments; they didn’t need other people. They were perfectly content dancing alone near the forest illuminated by the magical twilight light. The evening air filled with their laughter as he spun her around. The forest was their home, but their home could be anywhere as long as they were together.