The Litany

Those who are trapped in the darkest of thoughts
Have much more to gain then lost

Part One:For the Imprisoned

There he was. Trapped like a rat, fetters around his wrists and ankles. The dark prison that held him oppressed his body and spirit. He knew he was needed elsewhere. England needed him, the poor needed him, especially the fair Marian, plump with child, needed Robin hood.

He knew this and it hung heavy on his heart and mind. He searched his thoughts for a plan to escape to those who needed him. Yet the manacles where tight and strong, the walls thick and foolproof. Like the sheriff had said only hours earlier, "The only time you will see the light of day again is when you march to your execution."

He tried again and again to break the chains that held him. But no matter the strength or the will he held within the effort remained futile. He eventually tired out, placed his fate in the hands of chance, and prayed that his beloved Marian would not give birth to a child that would never know its father.

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Forgive those who wounded your heart
In your redemption, they will play their part

Part Two:For the Betrayed

The night was dark, the stars where shy as the moon hid itself in the night sky. The darkness matched that of Gisbourne's heart, as he searched for the woman he loved.

'The rumors cannot be true,' he thought. 'She would never lie, never betray me.'

The harsh words of the rumors he heard still echoed in his mind and pricked his heart with their rough edges. 'They are only simple villagers, what would they know? Marian joined a convent, not Hood in matrimony.'

Sword in hand, he edged through the brush of the forest, seeking to see if the rumors where in fact true. 'Either way Hood will die and she will be mine.'

Through the silence of the wood he heard her. Marian crying out in pain, crying out for someone to help her. She was crying out for her Robin Hood.

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Heart of ice and nerves of steel
The least deserving of an appeal

Part Three:For the Heartless

The sun shone brightly as it slowly came forth from the horizon. The sheriff awoke that morning with the same lightness in his heart and step. To him it was a glorious day. Hood will finally be dealt with properly and the Black Knights will no longer suffer from his charitable acts. His day was only brightened more when Gisbourne approached him, only an hour before Hood's scheduled time of death.

"I have found us more of Hood's friends, two more audience members to watch him die," he said darkly.

"Goody-goody Gizzy," he said with a grin, shoving his studded tooth into his mouth.

They made their way into the courtyard silently. There the hangman readied the noose, guards stood vigilant of every exit, a cart made its way in through the gate, and the most devout followers of Robin Hood stood sadly. They where forced by brutish guards to watch their hero, and for some leader, draw his final breath.

Vaizey smiled gleefully at the scene. Gisbourne however was lost in his own gloomy thoughts. "Why so glum Gisbourne?"

"Its nothing my Lord," he lied.

Nearly skipping into the courtyard with Gisbourne close behind he said," Now where o where are our new audience members? O I can't wait to see them cry and despair!"

"In the cart."

The sheriff quickly strode over to the cart, peered within and his grin widened. "Well well, if it isn't our little leper friend!"

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Through the trials and all of the pain
In the end you will have the most to gain

Part Four:For those in Pain

'Where's Robin?' she thought as another lash of pain pulsed throughout her body. 'He said he'd be here, where is he?'

The world around her was blurring. Her only focus was the birthing pain she endured and where Robin was. She quickly lost track of time. Day became dusk and dusk became night without her knowing. Her knees shook as she shivered in fear. She couldn't, wouldn't deliver new life alone, not without Robin.

"I need you Robin! Where are you?" She was unaware that she was screaming, that she was shouting for the whole forest to hear. She ignored Djaq and Much's efforts to calm her. Only Robin possessed that power now.

The pain only increased as time passed. The baby was coming and quickly. Her hands found the collar of Much's shirt, which she aggressively yanked down to where she lay. "Where the bloody hell is Robin, Much?"

Marian noticed fear and sadness in Much's eyes. "Tell me!" she demanded as more pain surged through her. Before she heard Much answer Djaq told her to push as she felt the head of her baby crown.

She screamed in agony and quickly forgot about what Much had to say. The pain and her child became her only thought as the night wore on.

Just as she heard the wail of her babe and was slowly returning to reality did she see Gisbourne's face through the brush, flanked by no less then a dozen soldiers.

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Do not cower from those who stand tall
When the time comes they will have the farthest to fall

Part Five:For those in Fear

The gates of the courtyard closed with a resonating clank. Marian huddled in the cart, clutching her newborn son to her chest. The sheriff stared down at her grinning. "So I'm guessing the rumors are true?" asked the sheriff.

"What rumors?"

"You know, the ones that say you never joined a convent, that you married Hood instead, and plans to be the mother of his child."

Gisbourne's dark figure appeared behind the sheriff, gazing down at the babe with malice in his eyes. Marian shrank back from the two men, longing for the protection of Sherwood Forest and Robin.

"So are they true?" the sheriff asked again.

Weak from childbirth and scared for both of their lives she gave a small nod, terrified of what would happen next.

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Those who loved and those who lost
The love was worth it, no matter the cost

Part Six:For those who Mourn

"The Sheriff set a trap. It was unlike anything we've ever seen before. They had planned it so only he couldn't escape. Before he was taken he told us to go and take care of you, make sure you where all right. He said he would find a way out on his own and to tell you he wouldn't be far behind. But even then, no certain promises can be made."

Marian let her tears fall as she recalled Much's words. When she first saw the empty noose hanging from the gallows she knew what was going to happen.

'Why Robin? Why do you have to be so selfless?'

The boy in her arms seemed to sense her despair and began to wail on his own, letting his voice echo throughout the courtyard.

Marian held Robin's son close to her chest and gently rocked him back and forth in her arms. She softly sang a lullaby and spoke reassuring words, that she knew couldn't be true.

"It's alright, everything will be okay. Papa will be home soon."