Twelve-year-old Marian of Knighton tried to sit still and sedately, as befitted a young maiden of her station, as she and her father, the Sheriff, rode in their carriage from Knighton Hall to the village of Locksley. Today was May Day, and Marian was too excited not to bounce whenever the carriage hit a bump. The day had dawned fresh and clear, and the scents of flowers, humming of insects, and twittering of birds only added to Marian's sense that today would be a perfect day. She loved the games and festivities of May Day, she loved how pretty and grown up she looked in her new green gown, and she loved…well, she thought her friend Robin of Locksley was really handsome and strong. She was excited to be able to spend the entire day outdoors with him.

Arriving in Locksley, she stepped from the carriage and admired the Maypole, which the young men of the village had acquired and set up on the village green. Robin had risen early with the other youths this morn and helped to cut down the tree from Sherwood Forest, chop off its branches, and bring it back to serve as the village Maypole. Marian was looking forward to taking part later in the Maypole dance. Now that she was twelve, she would dance in the outer ring with the young ladies, instead of the inner circle with the younger girls. She hoped that Robin would notice.

She had only just taken a quick look around, before Robin himself approached her, with Much following at his heels. Now that Robin had made Much his manservant, they were together even more than when they had merely been boyhood friends. As usual, Robin was courteous and respectful towards her father.

"Sir Edward," he said smiling, "Welcome to my village. Locksley is honored to have the Sheriff grace our May Day festival."

Marian wondered if he had rehearsed his little speech. She stifled a giggle. Robin turned to her with that pleasant smirk he so often wore. "And, Marian, you are looking …well." He thought her father could not see, so he winked at her. Edward, however, did notice the wink, and was torn between being pleased at the affection between these two children, or perturbed by it.

Although they had not yet been told, they had been betrothed since Marian's birth. It was an extremely good match for her, and not bad for him, either, since she was Sir Edward's sole heir. They had always been the best of friends, but Edward sometimes had trouble sleeping at night when he contemplated Robin's influence on his daughter. Marian adored the outdoors, and Robin and she had run wild together as children. Marian's mother had died birthing her, so Marian had never had a mother to object to her climbing trees or, heaven forbid!, swimming in streams. (Edward had not known about the latter until two years past, when Much had blurted out the information in front of him. Had he known, he would have forbidden Marian from playing with Robin outdoors at all). They still loved racing on horseback, and Edward had once come upon Robin instructing Marian how to wield a sword. Yet, in spite of all these boyish activities, his daughter still managed to remain very feminine and maidenly.

Still, they were growing up fast, and Edward was beginning to wonder how soon he would need to worry about all the time alone they spent together. Well, not exactly alone. Thank Heaven for Much! He would prove to be an excellent chaperone, for he never wanted to leave Robin's side, and he could never keep a secret.

The day progressed, and Marian couldn't have been happier, unless she had been allowed to compete herself in some of the boys' games. Robin shrugged off the fact that he was winning nearly every competition. The only one that really mattered to him was the archery competition, which would be the final one of the day.

The Queen of the May was crowned. Fifteen-year-old Bette, the baker's daughter, made a charming queen, with her blond curls and lovely figure. As Bette sat proudly on her flower strewn throne upon the dais, Much told Marian, matter-of-factly, "She's not as pretty as you." Marian smiled brightly, and hoped that Robin had heard . But he was intent on his bow, and in choosing just the right arrow. The archery competition was about to begin.

Two years before, when he had been a mere twelve, Robin had entered the archery competition for the first time. The villagers had laughed indulgently. Robin was almost never without his bow, and seemed to be forever practicing with it. But he had been just a boy, and was dreaming if he thought he could beat the older, stronger, and highly experienced men. Yet Robin had surprised everyone that day…everyone except himself, Much, and Marian, who all knew how good he really was with the bow.

The reward for winning the archery competition was a small silver arrow, and a kiss from the Queen of the May. Robin had not kept the arrows he won the past two years…he generously had the silver melted and used to help his villagers . As for the kiss…well, both years, the kiss had been an awkward peck from a red faced boy.

As usual, the archery competition was highly exciting. Word of the Wonder Boy with his Bow had traveled, and expert archers from distant villages had arrived in Locksley to try to unseat the current champion. But, when the contest was over, Robin's arrow was the only one to truly hit the bull's-eye in the target. Amidst the cheers of his villagers, Robin received the silver arrow. He handed it to Much, who stood behind him on the dais, and then he smiled at Bette.

"And now, " Robin announced, "For the real prize!" Much's jaw dropped open, and he was heard to mutter, "Oh, please!" Robin grinned at Bette, who smiled confidently back. They leaned in together, and the villagers cheered.

For this wasn't the same kiss of the past two years. This was a real kiss…a kiss that lasted longer than it needed to. Marian watched in dismay as Robin of Locksley kissed another girl before the entire village, and acted like he not only enjoyed it, but that he actually knew what he was doing!

Marian's cheeks felt hot, and tears stung her eyes. But her torment didn't end there. Robin was making a speech.

"You are all very gracious to award me First Place again this year, but I am not satisfied."

"How much MORE satisfied do you expect to be with MY daughter, My Lord?" called the baker in jest, amidst ribald laughter from the crowd.

"I have a proposal!" announced a cocky Robin. "If I were to beat my own shot, could I claim another kiss?"

"Unbelievable!" uttered Much, rolling his eyes.

"You hit the bull's-eye…how do you expect to beat that?" one of the other archers asked.

"You'll see," grinned Robin.

Nearly everyone there was curious to see just what Robin of Locksley planned, everyone except for Much and Marian. Much was tired of standing high on the back of the dais. He hated heights, and besides, this was delaying the very best part of May Day…the feast! As for Marian, she felt her girlish heart was breaking.

Robin's face completely lost its cocky grin as he lifted his bow. It was now a study in concentration and control. He took aim, took a breath, and loosed his arrow. A gasp of amazement rose from the crowd as his arrow perfectly split the one already lodged in the bull's-eye. For a moment, there was silence, and then, a universal cheer erupted.

A stricken Marian watched as her friend Robin of Locksley bowed to the crowd, then turned and smiled at Bette. Marian hated Bette at that moment…hated the way she gazed with admiration at Robin. That was all he needed! Wasn't he conceited enough already, without having people cheer for him, and forward girls throw themselves at him?

She wasn't going to watch him make a fool of himself in public a second time! Marian lifted her skirts and ran towards the forest. She wanted to get as far away as possible from the cheers of the crowd.

Several moments later, Robin approached Sir Edward, carrying a plate of food in each hand. He was surprised to see Sir Edward scowling at him.

"I would be honored, Sir, if I could eat with your daughter? I took the liberty of preparing a plate for her." Robin looked around. "Where is she?" he asked, sounding less formal and more like himself.

Much stood at Robin's side, gnawing happily on a juicy leg of lamb, and wiping his mouth with his sleeve after every bite. At last! The best part of May Day! The feast!

"That is a good question," replied Edward dourly. "You seem to have upset her, young man."

"Me?" asked an astonished Robin. "What have I done?"

"I suggest you find her and ask her yourself." And Edward walked away.