Wow, long time, no post. Serious apology for our long absence with no new Robin Hood stories. Schedules changed with the new school year and the story just took forever to write. Sufficiant excuse? Please don't kill us.

Would you kill us if we followed a possible story idea where...Little John's Alice...would have to...uh...well...er...die? It's not solid yet, but we want your opinion if we should carry on with this dasterly deed, or if it would totally ruin John. Think about it and let us know.

Also, please review! We love, adore, enjoy, excell, and delight under the wonderful influence of your feedback.

Robin Hood

Series 4, Episode 7

Priceless

"Please! Hurry!"

The old woman stood anxiously in the doorway as she watched a young apprentice lead the few members of Robin Hood's band.

Much, Will, and Djaq all raced for the house, the petite Saracen woman running beside the lad who had alerted them of the need in Locksley. She barely stopped at the door when she asked the old woman where her medical skills were needed.

The woman stared at her for a moment, and then shook her head, looking somewhat stunned. She pointed to a room behind her. "My...my husband is back there on the bed."

Djaq hurried past and was followed by other two. The young boy started to pass as well, but the woman urgently laid a hand on his shoulder. "What happened? Where is Matilda?"

"I went for her, like you said, but she wasn't there. I found them walking by instead, and the woman said she could help."

The old wife bit her lip and shook her head troubledly. "Go home to your family, boy." With that, she turned and walked into the bedroom where her husband lay.

Djaq hovered over him, running her fingers flow down delicately from his forehead to his throat, and then to his bare chest. Much grimaced when he saw the dark bruising the covered the man's stomach. "What-what happened?"

The woman held her fingers over her mouth, her expression a mixture of horror and worry. "He was working on our neighbor's roof a day ago and when he started down the ladder, it broke. He fell about six feet, but he didn't seem to be in unusual pain until this morning when I noticed the bruising."

Djaq pressed gently on the swollen area and instantly retracted her fingers when a groan slipped from the man's lips.

"Much, go get clean water." She looked to Will and then at the older woman. "Will you help me?"

Will nodded in wordless agreement, but the woman hesitated. "What are you going to do?"

"I must perform surgery if he is to live. He has severe internal injuries and will bleed to death if I do not do this."

"Is there no one else? Perhaps we can get the doctor from Nottingham. He will-"

"I am sorry, but there is no time for that. It is likely that he would bleed your husband, and that would certainly kill him."

"I don't understand." The woman's eyes flickered desperately from Djaq to Will.

Djaq maintained a patient exterior. "I have medical knowledge which I can use to save him."

"It is not English." The wife watched Djaq with suspicion.

"No. But he will die if I do not do this."

"Please. Let Djaq help." Will stepped forward, placing a hand gently on the woman's shoulder.

"She is Saracen." Came a hushed whisper.

An angry red began to creep up Will's neck. Djaq placed a warm hand on his wrist. "I know that there is much distrust between our countries. But if I do not do this, your husband will die. Even if you go for the doctor in Nottingham, he will not reach you in time."

The woman bit her lip, her eyes flicking between the Saracen and her husband. The injured man let out another moan and his features crumpled into a heavy wince.

She blinked rapidly and sniffed, wringing her hands as she looked down at the ground and nodded slowly. "Alright." She whispered hoarsely, looking up at Djaq. "Do what you have to do to save him."

Djaq nodded. "I will do everything in my power to help."

The man gave a sharp gasp and Djaq snapped into action, moving closer as she told Will to find the correct instrument in her bag.

Much came bursting into the room. "Here's the clean water." He carefully averted his eyes from the concerned woman and focused on the knife in Djaq's hand.

She glanced at the worried wife. "Why don't you wait outside? I will let you know how it goes." she said kindly. "Much, would you-?"

"I'll take her." He quickly said, escorting the woman out of the room.

"Will, pour a portion of this into a bowl and use it to sponge him off. We need to try to keep his temperature down. Put the rest over a fire to boil."

Will nodded wordlessly.

Will tended to the fire as Djaq put a cup of wine to the injured man's lips to help ease the pain. When the water started to bubble, Will quickly pulled it out of the flames and helped prepare the instruments.

Djaq bent over her patient, gently prodding his stomach. "Are you ready to help me, Will Scarlet?"

Will managed a slight smile. "I am."