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Meteorite
- Joined
- May 19, 2024
This is from a story I wrote some time ago but my partner and I weren’t able to finish.
The leather boots were broken in. Molded perfectly to the owner's feet. A good deal of mud had been scraped off as she walked with purpose. The soft gray of the skies matched her eyes and yet seemed to contrast the her current disposition.
Cheeks flushed with the exercise, her whole countenance seemed exuberant.
"T'was a man with a muddy 'ood. He told me that it was rightfully mine. Seemed awfully silly 'e didn't take nice clothes for his self. But mind you I keep me business to me self."
The widow Hall had shared with Marian during the weekly visit. Speaking of why her home had felt warm for the first time. A stranger had given her money as well as fine clothes. The widow Hall told anyone with ears the story over and over again.
Speaking with others in the small community about similar interactions. Hope filled the air-to the point it felt tangible. Children laughing, mother's eyes shown. Father playfully laughed with children, each other or gave their wife a cheeky peck on the lips.
Walking back she could barely contain the hope that coursed through her as well, Hurrying stealthily to a bathing chamber she was thankful to have made the visit, even though it made her rushed for the event.
The celebration of her upcoming wedding. Face faltering at the thought. In her heart of hearts, It had never felt like a reality until today.
Marion had waited for Robin. Praying he'd return. And that perhaps they could examine things. And figure out what it was that made her still reflect on their interactions. Had he felt it too?
Bargaining with God in hopes that the almighty would be less deity and more genie. That her Robin, for indeed he had felt like hers, would return to her one day.
Bathing quickly, her lady's maid, Bess attended her. The woman was several years her senior but nonetheless, she was Marian's confidant. Bess had hair pulled back in a knot of a bun. Her skin fair, features sharp. Almost having a bird like look to her.
Bess made Marian's raven colored curls glossy and perfect. Her fair complexion shine, and she even treated the small cuts she'd gained during the visit earlier practically disappear.
"They say the leader wears a hood." Marian gushed. "No one knows his identity. And yet he offers hope to so many." Excitement filled her tone. Elated that the people she helped seemed changed. That perhaps it meant better things to come.
"M'lady, we best get you into your dress for the celebration."
The celebration for her engagement, to Sir Guy of Gisborne. Closing her eyes, tears threatening to fall. Marian refused. Robin had died. Surely, if not he would have returned. Wouldn't he? Or worse had Marian imagined it all? Imagined what the two had shared? Was it merely a dream, the way he'd looked at her? The words that were implicit and never said.
Tonight she would let go of thoughts of Robin. Sir Guy was a good man. A man unlike other nobles. He cared for her-not her station or wealth. But truly for her. And couldn't that be enough? Surely.
"M'lady?" Marian's reverie was interrupted as the woman held up her gown for the evening. She was to be dove. The dress a soft cream. With lace, a mask to match of course. Though no one would be able to guess dove, for nothing distinguished it. And it appeared more virginal than dove.
Her dark curls stark contrast to the dress, and revealed with out a covering of any sort. The cream dress gathering just under her bust and ending in a train. The dress was beautiful, the details all perfect for the celebration. The sleeves widening at the elbow. The mask fitted and in the same scheme as the dress.
"Lady, you look splendid."
As if on cue she heard the knock, and Sir Guy's familiar tone.
Nodding at Bess.
Bess opened the heavy door and she made her way to it. Offering a smile. "We would not want our absences to lead to such a horrific scene." The smile was small. Taking his arm, "Sir Guy, where is your mask? Is this not a masquerade?" Her tone friendly, and teasing.
Making their way to the hall. The murmur of voices present though unable to be deciphered. Finally reaching the hall they entered. Without fanfare. Almost oddly so, guests seemed perplexed at their unassuming arrival. And almost surprised to see the couple in their midst.
Her mind went momentarily to him, to Robin. The boy she'd known. Had it been him, he would have shouted and made her cheeks flush. Shaking off what could have been. Marian attempted to enjoy what was, reminding herself that Robin would only ever remain in her past. She'd given the man too much time and she needed to let go.
The leather boots were broken in. Molded perfectly to the owner's feet. A good deal of mud had been scraped off as she walked with purpose. The soft gray of the skies matched her eyes and yet seemed to contrast the her current disposition.
Cheeks flushed with the exercise, her whole countenance seemed exuberant.
"T'was a man with a muddy 'ood. He told me that it was rightfully mine. Seemed awfully silly 'e didn't take nice clothes for his self. But mind you I keep me business to me self."
The widow Hall had shared with Marian during the weekly visit. Speaking of why her home had felt warm for the first time. A stranger had given her money as well as fine clothes. The widow Hall told anyone with ears the story over and over again.
Speaking with others in the small community about similar interactions. Hope filled the air-to the point it felt tangible. Children laughing, mother's eyes shown. Father playfully laughed with children, each other or gave their wife a cheeky peck on the lips.
Walking back she could barely contain the hope that coursed through her as well, Hurrying stealthily to a bathing chamber she was thankful to have made the visit, even though it made her rushed for the event.
The celebration of her upcoming wedding. Face faltering at the thought. In her heart of hearts, It had never felt like a reality until today.
Marion had waited for Robin. Praying he'd return. And that perhaps they could examine things. And figure out what it was that made her still reflect on their interactions. Had he felt it too?
Bargaining with God in hopes that the almighty would be less deity and more genie. That her Robin, for indeed he had felt like hers, would return to her one day.
Bathing quickly, her lady's maid, Bess attended her. The woman was several years her senior but nonetheless, she was Marian's confidant. Bess had hair pulled back in a knot of a bun. Her skin fair, features sharp. Almost having a bird like look to her.
Bess made Marian's raven colored curls glossy and perfect. Her fair complexion shine, and she even treated the small cuts she'd gained during the visit earlier practically disappear.
"They say the leader wears a hood." Marian gushed. "No one knows his identity. And yet he offers hope to so many." Excitement filled her tone. Elated that the people she helped seemed changed. That perhaps it meant better things to come.
"M'lady, we best get you into your dress for the celebration."
The celebration for her engagement, to Sir Guy of Gisborne. Closing her eyes, tears threatening to fall. Marian refused. Robin had died. Surely, if not he would have returned. Wouldn't he? Or worse had Marian imagined it all? Imagined what the two had shared? Was it merely a dream, the way he'd looked at her? The words that were implicit and never said.
Tonight she would let go of thoughts of Robin. Sir Guy was a good man. A man unlike other nobles. He cared for her-not her station or wealth. But truly for her. And couldn't that be enough? Surely.
"M'lady?" Marian's reverie was interrupted as the woman held up her gown for the evening. She was to be dove. The dress a soft cream. With lace, a mask to match of course. Though no one would be able to guess dove, for nothing distinguished it. And it appeared more virginal than dove.
Her dark curls stark contrast to the dress, and revealed with out a covering of any sort. The cream dress gathering just under her bust and ending in a train. The dress was beautiful, the details all perfect for the celebration. The sleeves widening at the elbow. The mask fitted and in the same scheme as the dress.
"Lady, you look splendid."
As if on cue she heard the knock, and Sir Guy's familiar tone.
Nodding at Bess.
Bess opened the heavy door and she made her way to it. Offering a smile. "We would not want our absences to lead to such a horrific scene." The smile was small. Taking his arm, "Sir Guy, where is your mask? Is this not a masquerade?" Her tone friendly, and teasing.
Making their way to the hall. The murmur of voices present though unable to be deciphered. Finally reaching the hall they entered. Without fanfare. Almost oddly so, guests seemed perplexed at their unassuming arrival. And almost surprised to see the couple in their midst.
Her mind went momentarily to him, to Robin. The boy she'd known. Had it been him, he would have shouted and made her cheeks flush. Shaking off what could have been. Marian attempted to enjoy what was, reminding herself that Robin would only ever remain in her past. She'd given the man too much time and she needed to let go.