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never see you again, good-bye!" Marian was very sad when she read Robin's letter. She cried all day long. At last she decided to go to Sherwood Forest and look for Robin.
It was a long way to Sherwood Forest and Marian was afraid to travel so far alone. She dressed herself like a knight1 and went off to look for Robin. One day Robin dressed himself as a Norman knight and went to Nottingham. On his way through the forest he met another knight.
"What's your name and where are you going?"
They could not see each other's faces because their heads and faces were covered by their visors2. Marian (for it was she) was afraid to answer.
"Ah," said Robin, "you do not want to answer. Then fight." Robin was taller and stronger than Marian, but she fought bravely. Marian got a wound3 in one arm, Robin got a wound in his cheek. Robin felt sorry for the young knight who was fighting so well.
"Stop! Stop!" he cried. "You will be one of my men." Robin forgot that he was dressed like a Norman knight and spoke in his language and in his voice. When Marian heard Robin's voice, she took off the visor. Her face was pale* but she smiled. They were happy to see each other.
All the time they were laughing and talking. She told Robin how unhappy she was, and put on a knight's clothes and came to look for him. •
"My dearest," he said when she finished her story, "I do not know how I will live in the forest when you go away." "But I'll not go away. I'm going to stay with you," she said. "You must not. This life is not for you."
"Oh, Robin, do not say that! The sun does not shine and the birds do not sing when I am not with you. Let me stay."
So Robin let her stay. They were married in the forest and the Merry Men made a good dinner and were happy to greet Robin's wife. Robin and Marian lived in Sherwood Forest for a long time and were very happy.
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