Okay, this is dedicated to htbookreader for her birthday but i wont be able to post in the next two days so i am posting it in a two-parter to make sure you guys know I haven't forgotten! :)

This continues from episode 12 of series three AU for episode 13.

He leant his head back against the wall, allowing the cold of the stone to cool his mind.

"Allan," Much was still whimpering, in shock he supposed. "Allan."

"Robin, what are we going to do?" Guy was next to him, looking down at him.

He took a deep breath. "We must talk with the Sheriff," his voice was quiet, hoarse with pain. "Make parley, find out what he wants. But for now" He turned to the wrapped corpse. "We grieve."

Guy sighed but nodded and followed Robin towards John and Tuck, who had just completed the funeral pier.

"Are you ready?" John's tone was soft, understanding.

He nodded. "Much." He called the grieving man over to him. The mousey haired man looked up, his eyes red. "It is time."

Much nodded stiffly and moved towards them.

"Kate." Tuck said, "come."

Kate moved to Robin's side and watched as John and Tuck lifted Allan's body onto the pier.

"Would you like to say a few words?"Tuck looked towards him.

He nodded and moved forwards towards the pier.

"You were good and strong." Robin started as Much and John started to light the pier, allowing Allan's body to be enveloped in flames. "I am so sorry that I," he looked around. "That we ever doubted you. You were loyal, and you were one of the best men England had to offer." He echoed her words from the desert.

"Goodbye friend." As he watched the pier burn he allowed himself to wallow in a shadow of the pain and grief that he had experienced before.

There was a muttering of agreement and silently he threw a rose into the flames. His vision was blurred as he watched the rest of the gang follow his actions.

Slowly they dispersed, moving to their posts, but he stayed, and stared into the fire, allowing himself to become hotter and hotter as the flames grew in strength.

"Robin." A hand rested on his shoulder, but he did not turn. "It is time."

Sighing he turned and looked into the deep, endless black eyes of Guy of Gisbourne. He nodded.

"Can you do this?" The concern in Guy's voice was unusual.

Once again he nodded. Of course he could, he was Robin Hood.

The Sheriff rubbed his hands together gleefully as Blaue Myer ordered the hoisting of the white flag behind him.

"This is fabulous Blaue Myer, I have Hood at my command." He smiled happily and grinned at him.

"My lord, if I could be so bold." Blaue Myer continued wearily. "Where have you been?"

"Holy Land," The Sheriff said cheerfully. "Wonderful business this isn't it?"

"The Holy Land, my lord?" Blaue Myer gaped in shock.

"Yes, keep up."

"And what were you doing my Lord?"

"What do you think I was doing?" He snapped in annoyance. "I was getting back on the King's good side, I spun him a story, and he trusted me completely." He chuckled. "Then, I persuaded him to return. I went on earlier, told Prince John, got back in his favour."

"Extraordinary, my lord."

"Oh, and I picked up a little tit bit in the Holy Land, a little..." He searched for the right word. "Sweetener," he smiled in amusement.

"Sweetener, my lord?"

"Bring out the girl!" The Sheriff commanded to a guard behind him who disappeared instantly and returned with a comrade holding a struggling woman.

Her long brown hair fell lank and untidy, framing her thin pale face. It was streaked with dirt and she wore only a ragged gown but there was no denying the real beauty this woman had once had and still held.

"Blaue Myer, meet, Lady Marian." The Sheriff smiled his gap tooth smile once more.

The gates were pulled open revealing the large plain of rough grass, over which hundreds of soldiers were camped, resting or training, cooking or eating. Movement was everywhere and the shouts they had been able to hear from inside the battlements were louder here. He instantly spotted the Sheriff, standing with his right hand man, Blaue Myer. A large white flag was held above them, signalling a Parley.

Robin pushed his horse into a canter and started towards the old man, Guy following.

The Sheriff and Blaue Myer stood on foot, so he followed their actions, sliding easily from his horse, Gisbourne copying only seconds later.

"Ah Hood," The Sheriff grinned at them, "we meet again. Did you miss me?"

Robin smiled mockingly, "a clue: no."

The sheriff placed a hand on his heart in mock horror. "Oh Hood! I am wounded."

"Good. " He stated blankly. "You are supposed to be dead. Killed by your own lieutenant, oh, that must sting a bit." He grinned at him and turned to Guy. "Good job Guy."

He smiled and nodded at his brother. "Why thank you Robin, it was... enjoyable."

"Oh," Vasey looked from one man to the other, and raised his eyebrows. "First name terms is it? What have I missed?"

"We have become allied, under unusual circumstances." Guy said, glancing at Robin.

"Really?" The Sheriff sneered. "And what of Marian?"

Both men winced in pain at the name.

"Oh, hit a soar spot have I?" He cackled unkindly.

"Do not speak of her." Guy was the first to speak and his voice was icy cold.

"What, do not speak of Marian?" He goaded them easily.

"Stop!" Robin commanded, his voice shattering the silence. The Sheriff's camp was suddenly silent, turning to watch the scene.

"Oh, bit bruised are we Hood?" His smile only increased as he goaded them more.

"I SAID STOP!" His voice was ferocious, causing even the Sheriff to wince and recoil from the volume. It echoed off the silent plains, and there was a scuffle of movement in the corner of his eye. Turning he saw Kate, Tuck and Much riding towards them.

The moment they arrived Kate was by his side, sliding from her horse.

"What's wrong, are you okay?" She looked around frantically.

"All is well." He reassured her easily. "You should not be here." He addressed them all.

"We thought you were in trouble," Kate slipped her arm his waist and he automatically copied the action.

The Sheriff watched this exchange with interest.

"Well, well, well." He drawled. "That is interesting."

"Hood you have been a busy boy." Robin glared at him, teeth gritted. "Didn't take that long to replace then, did she? All those vows of love and the heartache. Didn't mean much in the end, obviously." He cocked his head to one side and frowned mockingly. "You do know she died for you don't you? Oh, she may have been saving that retched old coot, but really, she did it for you."

Robin's lips had been getting thinner and thinner as he continued.

"Poor her, to be so easily replaced, poor Marian."

Robin snapped.

"Don't you say her name!" He shouted, pointing an accusing finger at him. "Don't you let her name pass through your unworthy lips!"

"Robin." Guy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

He shrugged him off, not taking his eyes off the Sheriff, who was obviously enjoying his distress.

"Where have you been Vasey?" Guy addressed him this time, when it was clear Robin would not.

"Well you may ask Gisbourne, I have been in our blessed Holy Land." Robin stiffened again and the Sheriff turned to him, feinting realisation. "But of course, we both have history there, do we not?"

"You have no business talking off that." Guy said firmly.

"Whatever you say Gizzy." The Sheriff smiled sweetly at him.

Then he turned back to Robin.

"But, I have brought something home; I thought you would be interested." He smirked at him.

"What do you mean?" Robin spat.

"Bring out my sweetener."

There was a scuffle around the other side of the tent and the outlaws turned to see what was going on.

Two guards appeared, dragging a bound girl roughly towards them. The outlaws stared at her.

She had long, chocolate brown hair; that was bedraggled and unusually familiar. It fell over her face, her head bent keeping it from view. The slender body was clothed in a plain, tattered dress, that was mud stained and ripped in many places. Hastily sewn in others. She was thin, thinner than was natural, although her body was strong enough still to keep her upright.

She struggled again against the bounds and guards that held her.

The Sheriff clicked his tongue disapprovingly and frowned as he moved closer to the woman.

"Now, now, be good." He swung his fist at her and struck her around the face, with a blow strong enough to surely send her reeling if she had not been held so strongly.

The woman looked around blindly, desperately turning her head from side to side. The reason for this, they soon found, was a piece of ragged cloth covering her eyes.

"Take off her blindfold Vasey." Robin's voice was stiff with rage, to see the poor women being treated as such made his blood boil. The rest of the gang closed in towards him, grouping together in support.

"As you wish." He mocked a bow and pulled out a small dagger, slicing through the material. It fell free of her face and the woman span around, glaring angrily at Vasey. Then she turned again and the gang finally saw her face properly.

The sparkling blue eyes were deep and icy as ever. The full red lips quivering in amazement. The skin pale and porcelain, looking so lacking in its usual colour, it was unhealthy. The face itself was also deficient, the heart shape it had used to grace had almost disappeared; so hollow were the hungry cheeks. The eyes widened in disbelief and she moved her head slightly throwing into light the ugly scar that had not been there when they had last seen her.

It ran half way down her right cheek, following the line of her jaw. It was ugly and red, though it had obviously been formed long ago, it had been left without any treatment and that meant it was not fully healed.

But she had eyes for only Robin, and he for none but her. They stared at each other for several minutes, neither breaking the connection. Both drinking each other in, neither blinking, scared that they would break the spell.

"Marian." Robin breathed softly. "Marian?" This time he was louder and he stared at her.

"Robin," she said in answer, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

Finally it was Vasey that broke the connection.

Deftly, like he had had much practice, he seized Marian's chin and pulled her face away from Robin's direction and stared at her himself.

Lifting his finger he traced her scar and she winced lightly as he pressed his finger in harder.

"Such a shame, of course," He smirked. "But, you had to learn obedience didn't you my dear?"

Then Robin snapped. Breaking away from Kate he attempted to cover the 10 steps of space between himself and the Sheriff, about to launch himself on him. But Much and Tuck grabbed onto him.

As Robin struggled, Guy stared.

Literally. He didn't move, only stared at her, taking in every detail in total disbelief.

He had killed her, he had seen her fall to the ground, hell, he had even been told of her burial. Now, after everything that had happened, to see her here, standing in front of him, alive. It was too much.

"How?" He croaked.

Marian turned and stared at him, immediately her body began to vibrate with violent shakes and shudders as she stared at him with what could only be described as absolute fear.

"I don't know completely. Didn't bother to find out. Something along the lines of an Arabic family finding her and reviving her. They took her in, she couldn't afford the passage back, but when I found her I just thought, well what a fantastic opportunity." The Sheriff smiled smugly.

Marian continued to shake and a broken sob emitted through her throat as she stared at Guy.

Robin finally noticed what was wrong and immediately began to comfort her.

"It's okay Marian, it's alright my love." He began to soothe her gently, "do not fear, my sweet, he is on our side, he is against the tyrant." He turned and glared at the Sheriff, when he spoke his words were punctuated. "Let her go."

"Hmm, a clue: no." The Sheriff frowned mockingly.

"She has nothing to do with this..."

"She has everything to do with this." The Sheriff snapped.

Robin examined him, frowning, before his eyes snapped back to Marian, unable to stay away from her too long, having to check she was still there in case she suddenly disappeared.

"What do you want Vasey?"

"I want my town back!" He spread his arms wide. "Surrender, give me Gisbourne, free Isabella and I won't kill your lovely leper friend."

Robin's lips thinned and tightened.

"You will not hurt her." He stated rather than asked.

"Well, can't say I can guarantee that." He traced the scar again and Marian recoiled from his touch.

"I said you will not hurt her." Robin's voice was a dangerous growl now.

"Come on Hood, I'm tired of playing, I want to finish this game." He sighed.

"I will return in two hours with my decision." Robin said finally.

"Sure, sure Hood, I await your return with anticipation." He turned and leered at Marian, "until then I'm sure the guards can enjoy her."

Robin winced but turned away in disgust, casting Marian one final loving glance.

"I will return." He promised.

Only when they arrived back at the castle did he break down, leaning once again against the cool stone wall he shook in sorrow, he body jolting as the sobs ripped through his chest, small gasps erupting from his mouth.

They left him for a while, until his sobs weakened and only small whimpers came from his mouth.

Gently Much placed a caring hand on his shoulder. "Master?"

His unvoiced question was obvious, but it was not Robin who answered it.

"We cannot give up the town." Tuck stated, with irritating finality.

"Who made you leader?" Much's patience snapped. "To my knowledge I was not asking you I was asking Robin, our leader!"

He turned back to Robin and watched him expectantly.

Slowly he raised his head. "We cannot give up the town." He repeated and Much stared at him in disbelief.

"But master-"

He held up his hand and cut him off. "Let me finish. But we will not give up on Marian."

"What do you suggest?" Kate scowled.

"I suggest we use the cover of night. The Sheriff is expecting us in two hours, we go, say we will not give up the town, pretend he can keep Marian." He shuddered at this thought and continued. "We could pretend we're leaving, then take a guards uniform. Then we could check out the camp and save Marian." He looked around, "any objections?"

There was only silence.

"Good, then that's the plan."

To some the two hours passed faster than they would have liked. But for Robin they seemed to drag on for a millennium.

"Robin, it's time." But he didn't need prompting to go, he was desperate to see his wife once more.

As he and Much mounted their horses, arming themselves a broken voice broke their preparation.

"I'm coming with you." His voice was hoarse, but strong.

"No," Robin snapped.

"Yes, yes," Guy was becoming more and more determined. "I'm coming."

"Didn't you see how scared she was? She doesn't need you." Robin lashed out and Guy cringed but scowled.

"I don't care, I am coming."

Robin opened his mouth to protest but Much cut him off.

"Master, Marian?"

Robin was instantly distracted and turned to the open gates, taking off through them, leaving Guy and Much to follow in his wake.

The grass seemed not a carpet on the earth, but only another obstacle that got in his way as he rode.

This time he stayed on horseback as he arrived, his expression tight with worry.

"Oh Hood," He sneered at him. "You know the guards were glad that you decided on two hours, it's so good of you to give them all so much time together."

Robin repressed a shudder.

"Oh and don't worry, she's here, but she's a little..." He searched for the right word. "Tied up."

He ground his teeth together. Guy and Much had arrived now and took up ranks around his flanks. He steadied himself.

"I have made my decision Vasey," His voice was firm and he stared into the Sheriff's eyes.

"Oh, good. So Hood, what's it to be?" He raised his eyebrows. "Surrender the town, or pretty little leper friend stays with me."

"There is no deal." He forced himself to shrug.

The sheriff's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.

"Why, this is unexpected." The Sheriff smiled slightly. "So I get to keep the leper hey?" He grinned at Blaue Myer. "Good, the guards will be pleased."

"I leave this with you now Sheriff."

Swiftly he turned away before he could lash out, keeping his teeth clenched.

"Until tomorrow then Hood!" The Sheriff called after him happily, before turning away and striding gleefully into the camp.

A few minutes later he hid with Guy and Much behind a large bush a few metres away from the edge of the Sheriff's camp.

"What was that?" Guy hissed the second they were out of sight.

"What else could I do?" Robin snapped, he already felt bad enough without Guy berating him too.

"You shrugged her off so easily," Guy stated, staring at him.

"It's called acting Guy!" He span around to face his brother angrily. "I had no other choice."

"You did though." Guy's voice was soft now, his tone lowered. "You could have given him me, to get her back."

Robin stared at him for a minute, considering. He had an overwhelming erg to slap his hand to his forehead and shout 'well that's a great idea, why didn't I think of that?!', but he stopped himself.

Instead he sighed and sadly shook his head. "This is isn't just about you," He said quietly. "It's bigger then you Guy."

Then he fell silent.

Guy sighed and turned to see Much standing, looking sheepish and holding three guards uniforms.

Robin smiled at him. "All by yourself?"

Much looked affronted. "Yes, I did actually."

He chuckled. "Good work my friend."

"You doubted me." Much accused.

"Never," Robin proclaimed.

Much rolled his eyes and chucked him a uniform. "Just shut up and put this on."

Robin caught it and mock saluted. "Yes sir!"

Still chuckling he pulled on the uniform over his own clothes, turning to find that Much and Guy had done the same.

"Ready?"

"Ready."