Some time ago on Tumblr I promised a story with Bates as Robin Hood. I almost finished it in the summer, but then S4 happened. After that I couldn't get a single word on paper. I didn't want to think about our couple again. And still, Downton will never be the same to me.

Fortunately,... Lalizi - who edits my stories - kept trying to motivate me to write that last chapter. She shared with me the new fic she is writing and that helped me to get some enthusiasm for writing back.

So, today we start with chapter one . There are nine chapters in total. I suggest to upload one every week, I hope you all agree.

This has been a 'fantasy' for some time and I just decided to write things down. I don't think it's my best story, but it is just sweet and fluffy. I rated it low, but maybe there will be a little sexiness and violence later on ;-)

I don't have much more to say, so ENJOY!

- Chapter one -

Anna walked into her small bedroom, shared with the redheaded Gwen. It was already pitch dark and Anna was looking for a match to light the candle on her little bedside table. Gwen turned around in her bed. A cold wind blew around Anna's bare legs while she changed into her nightdress.

"Late night again?" Gwen murmured from under her blankets.

"Yes, Lady Mary didn't feel like sleeping and she kept talking. Then I had to make her hair ready for bed and had to mend one of her dresses she suddenly decided to want to wear tomorrow", Anna told her.

Gwen sighed in compassion.

"I like her, but sometimes I wish life was a bit simpler. All this mending, helping to put on corsets, the latest fashion on hair, I'm so tired of it. I should have been born in a different time, when women didn't have to mind about all of these things," Anna went on, with a bit of irritation.

"Women always have to worry about something. Let's be happy we have safety, food and a nice bed to sleep in," the other girl tried to cheer her up.

"You're right of course," Anna gave in. "But I wouldn't mind to live easier. Like back in the days when knights and soldiers swept women off their feet."

"Anna, go to sleep, you have read to many novels. Knights weren't romantic, they were rough and rude," Gwen said with a laugh in her voice.

Anna laid her head back on her pillow. She shivered under the blankets, which felt cold as ice. She pulled her knees up, close to her body to stay warm. Then, she blew out her candle.

"Goodnight," she said to Gwen. But Gwen didn't respond; she had already fallen asleep.

Anna envied her roommate; she was happy about her lot. Anna had been too, until recently. Even with many other people in the house, her time with the Crawley girls and the many hours together with the staff downstairs, she felt lonely. She could always talk to Gwen, but Anna was her superior. She had to be an example for the other girls and couldn't trust anyone with her true feelings. She wanted to scream, but kept everything in. Oh, how I wish someone would save me, she said to herself. But she knew no one would hear her thoughts.

Anna woke up with a jump. Someone had pinched her.

"Anna, time to rise and shine, girl", a woman with a familiar voice said to her. Before she could see if it actually was Mrs. Hughes, the lady already had left the room.

"Oh, it's too early,…" she moaned, while blinking her eyes. It took a few seconds for Anna to take in her surroundings. It was like she was still dreaming. Nothing looked like her room at Downton Abbey. She shook her head to make sure she was awake. Anna took in some air through her nose but almost directly stopped it. Something smelled really bad. Something started to sink in. She wasn't in her own bed. She felt at the mattress, but in her hands found only a thin layer of fabric with straw underneath. It made her skin itchy. Anna scratched at her arms and with that, noticed how dirty her fingernails looked.

She took in a deep breath – through her mouth – because this was nothing like her.

In total shock, Anna stepped out of bed, up onto the cold stone floor, and almost tripped over a heap of clothes.

Immediately after that, someone knocked on the door. "Are you ready dear, he's waiting! There's no time to stay in bed like a lady! There's enough work to be done," the same voice startled her while she tried to stay on her feet.

"Mrs. Hughes?" Anna asked confused.

The woman she knew as Mrs. Hughes stepped into her room and looked at her with her hand on her hips. "Well, dress yourself and come into the house," she pointed to the clothes on the floor. "The other girls are already up and about."

Anna didn't understand anything but did what she was told. She changed herself into the long frock and the cloth that looked like a dirty apron. She would never have dared to dress herself like that at Downton. She opened the door to find a deserted hall, built of wood and stone. She was welcomed with a breeze of fresh air, which was a big relief for her lungs.

Anna stepped out of the room and slowly walked into the area where sounds came from. She saw a few girls chattering about, carrying some food and stone jugs. They were wearing the same clothes as her, but maybe even filthier.

"Here Anna," Mrs. Hughes came up to her and handed her a tray with some bread and a water jug upon it. "Bring this to his Lordship, he is cranky this morning and I know he prefers your presence. It will make up for you being late," Mrs. Hughes looked sternly at her.

"Mrs. Hughes, please tell me what's going on here. What is happening? I'm not supposed to be here," Anna said, getting more confused as the minutes passed.

"Darling, are you feeling alright? Nothing is happening; everything is the same since you were found. Except for….." it was like all the blood drained from Mrs. Hughes' face, "Well,… Lord Grantham is waiting for his breakfast in the house. Cheer him up, will you?"

"But Lady Mary…?" Anna began.

"You are really still dreaming darling," Mrs. Hughes caressed Anna's cheek. "I know you miss her, so do we all. But she's dead and I'm sure she watches over us now."

Anna almost started panicking; this couldn't be real! But before she really lost her mind , one of the other maids pushed her through a door. Anna entered a bigger hall. Pillars carried the high ceiling. A soft light entered through the windows and filled the room with a golden gleam. A mist of dust fluttered through the air. This place needs some dusting! ran through her mind. She couldn't understand how Mrs. Hughes hadn't noticed this. Anna almost had to sneeze!

"Anna?!" she suddenly heard a voice shout. "Anna, is that you?"

It came from another room, which she had to enter through a high wooden door. The door creaked at its hinges while she pushed it open.

"Come in girl, I'm waiting for you," the voice went on, in a softer tone. "Did Mrs. Hughes scare you by telling you about my mood? I'm only like that with others…. You know I wouldn't dare to scold you!"

With that, Anna finally dared to enter. She was welcomed by the heat of a warm and blazing fire, which was burning on the opposite side of the room. Between the fire and her was a long and heavy looking wooden table. It was completely empty except for a man at the head of the table who looked slightly familiar.

"Anna, don't be afraid to speak up. It's not like you," the man said while shifting in his chair. He had curly, dark blond hair and a long beard that was getting grey.

"Milord…?" Anna hesitantly asked. Was it really him? He looked quite thin and sick….. and old!

"Ah, it is you! You know I can't see properly these days! Make yourself known next time. I like to know who is sneaking up on me so I can have my sword ready!" He sounded quite harsh.

"Is everything alright, your Lordship?" Anna asked to make sure it was really him.

"Yes, yes, I'm hungry. Hand me my bread, will you?" he slammed his fist on the table, but laughed loudly.

Anna closed her eyes. I am dreaming. This can't be Lord Grantham, yet I see him here before me! I must be mad!

Anna wanted to walk away to catch her breath, but before she could take two steps, his Lordship stopped her.

"Wait!" he said clear and firm. "I want to talk to you,…"

"Yes Milord," Anna said nervously.

"First, stop calling me that. Last week I told you, you can call me Sir Robert." He sighed deeply. "….and secondly, I decided you can have Mary's room,… and I want you to have supper with me every night," he said fast, but looked pleased with himself.

"But Milord…, I mean.. Sir Robert,… I think you make a mistake. Mary is.." but Anna couldn't continue.

"Mary is no more, and since I have no other daughters – or sons, for that matter -, you have to keep me company. You are the only one I can tolerate in this house… and you were Mary's best friend and maid, and she would have wished for you to have comfort. In exchange I will not allow you to see or marry any lad you might fancy. I will find you someone who I can make a good business deal with and who will be able to provide for you. It is what I would have done with my daughters.

This engagement only stands for as long as I'm alive… which may be only until tomorrow. There aren't any men around anyway,… so take this opportunity Missy. If anything happens to me; you're on your own." he told her plainly with no possibility to reject his offer.

Anna couldn't object. She didn't know what he was talking about, and there wasn't much comfort around, as far as she could see.

"Thank you," he said eventually, because she didn't respond to his request. "I'll see you for supper then."

With that, she was dismissed to leave the room. The cold hit her as soon as she stepped back into the big hall. The golden morning gleam had gone and the clouds had gathered above the house.

Anna walked back to the servant's hall. How could everything be so strange? Her head was spinning.

Mrs. Hughes handed Anna a piece of bread. "You look like you carry the world on your shoulders, girl."

"Oh, Mrs. Hughes,… I wish I knew how I've ended up here," she looked at the housekeeper with tired eyes.

"Oh sweetheart! I'm sure I've told you that many times. Count yourself lucky that Lord Grantham found you along the road when you were an infant and Lady Mary begged her father to have you as a maid. Don't think about it too much, my dear. You could have died right there and then." Mrs. Hughes looked sadly.

She continued, "Be thankful for still having enough to eat every day, while people in the village barely have one meal a day. It's a blessing to live at this house. I too, wish the king would stop his endless and useless wars: we would have men working in the fields, and could keep our food and livestock instead of handing them over for tax! The crown spends more and more money, while the people starve! It's unheard of, if you ask me!" she huffed.

Anna told her what Lord Grantham had requested from her. Elsie seemed pleased that her employer wanted to see people again. Even, if it was only Anna.

"You know, he sees you as some kind of daughter as well. Well,… as close as can be. You're the closest thing to family now."

After a short conversation, Mrs. Hughes ordered Anna to go for a walk around the village and take a bath later. "It's a good reason to finally have yourself some fresh air and clean yourself thoroughly. You don't get that chance very often," she winked at her.

"I'll tell the maids to prepare the hot water."

Anna walked along the fields.

She just had passed some village people, who clearly recognized her. They had looked quizzically and had pointed to the small forest, when Anna had asked for directions.

She looked back over her shoulder. In the distance stood the big house, surrounded by some smaller stables and farmhouses. It was beautiful; she had to be honest. But she already missed the warmth of fires and she didn't look forward to a night on straw. Her body itched at the thought of it.

She reached the edge of the forest when she heard some strange noises. A loud clattering of horses' hoofs and yelling men was coming closer. In precaution Anna stepped back, and just in time, she hid behind a large, old tree.

A handful of men on horses passed her in a hurry, screaming loudly at their horses to run even faster. They carried large swords on their sides and headed to the house Anna had just come from.

Somehow, it left Anna with a dark feeling. She was standing rooted to the ground. She wondered how dangerous it was for women to walk out on their own, but she didn't have much time to give it a longer thought. Just as she was ready to move, three men on beautiful brown horses appeared from behind. They had been very quiet. Anna hadn't heard them coming at all.

"Excuse me, girl…", one of the men almost whispered.

Anna jumped and looked back at him in shock, with her big blue eyes.

"…we are on our way to the Downton-house, but the men on horses that just passed you have but one goal, and that is, to kill us," he looked serious.

Anna didn't say anything to the man, so he took that as the opportunity to explain some more.

The man, with messy hair and beard, began: "We have here, Sir Robert's cousin, but he is severely wounded after a French ambush. We are travelling for two days now," he nodded to a man who lay on his horse, his head resting on the horse' neck. He looked poorly and blood was dripping from his trousers.

Anna nodded to hear more.

"Can you please have a look too see if they've gone to the next village and then come back for us?" he asked her. "I'm sure Sir Robert would appreciate your help."

Anna looked at the bleeding man, and then back to the younger one in front of her. He was towering high above her, sitting on his muscled horse.

"Sure,…" she decided. The man had a kind and friendly face, unlike the men that had just passed her. "I will tell him you're here, and he will sent someone for you. What's your name,… Sir?" she asked, a bit hesitantly.

"Oh, I'm no Sir, young woman. My name is just Tom and I'm bringing with me his Lordship's cousin, Sir John. The other boy is our friend William," he explained.

A young man, with a strong chin bowed his head to her. His clothes were also covered with mud and dried blood.

"I'll hurry", she said while turning around. She ran back to the house as fast as her feet could move.

I love reviews! so please let me know what you thought of this first chapter:-)