Robin stared at the arrow that was now embedded in his left arm. 'Ow', he said quietly.

Suddenly a shower of arrows followed, causing Marian to cry out from below. 'Robin! Quick, it's the Sheriff's guards.' She exclaimed, with a hint of fear evident, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. 'ROBIN!'

Robin sprang back into action, and he and Roy gathered up their bows and remaining arrows and scrambled off the building, towards their horses, tied up to a post nearby.

'Marian! You need to get out of here, now. You can't be seen with me, the Sheriff is already suspicious of your involvement with me. The Outlaws, I mean,' Robin caught himself, as he saw the red flush into Marian's cheeks, and busied himself with untying the horses' reins.

'ROBIN!' Roy shouted as he struggled to control his horse. 'Don't forget the babe.'

Robin silently cursed under his breath, he had forgotten. Now he had someone else to worry about. Robin instantly regretted his silent curse, it really wasn't the babe's fault he was here, it was Robin's. He had volunteered to take him back to his mother after being found in Sherwood Forest. After all he was Robin Hood, and it was what he had chosen to do. He had to prevent himself from thinking, what's expected of me, more like. He looped his horse's reins back over the post, whilst at the same time, tried to sort out the sling, in which he had carried the child before. He ran towards Marian who was cradling the tiny, adorable infant so protectively in her arms, as if he were her own.

She'd make a great Mother some day Robin thought, distracted. Damn it Robin. Get your head together. Now's not the time.

As Robin ran, he extended his arms, ready to pick up the baby. He stopped suddenly when he heard Marian let out a gasp of horror and pain.

'Marian?' Robin didn't even try to hide the worry in his voice. 'What is it? Are you hurt?' He looked round frantically to see if the guards had somehow reached them quicker than expected. Seeing no-one he once again focused his attention on Marian.

'No, but, Robin, your arm,' Marian cried, pointing to the arrow still sticking out.

'Oh, right,' was his reply as he pulled it out, just managing to prevent the cry of pain that was about to escape his lips. He would worry about his arm later; his first priority was the safety of Marian. And of course Roy and the babe.

As he reached for the tiny child and placed him gently, yet securely, into the make-shift carrier, Marian caught his hand. 'Robin, you need to sort out the wound. It'll get infected. Come with me. Let me help.'

'ROBIN!' Roy called again, anxious of the approaching guards.

But Robin forgot all about him, and the guards, even the tiny bundle which he now held protectively against his chest, just like a proud father would. As he stared into her eyes, he was lost. He had always been fascinated by her eyes, ever since they were children and she had managed to get out of any punishment with just one look, no matter what the crime was. It had worked on her father, Robin's father, in fact basically anyone who had reprimanded them, which was quite a few. Robin smiled at the memories. Now though, he saw a mixture of fear, anger, disappointment and a strength that scared even him. He thought he saw a flicker of something else as he reached for her hand and squeezed it gently.

'I'll be fine', he whispered, even though he knew she was right. After all, he knew the effects of an infected wound better than anyone else; it was the cause of his return to England from the Crusades in the Holy Land. 'You could always kiss it better for me though,' he added, with a wink that could dissolve even the most hardened of hearts. With this, he let go of her hand and sprinted to his horse, which Roy was having trouble controlling.

As Robin mounted, and they set off, galloping towards the relative safety of Sherwood Forest, he glanced backwards and saw the guards, some running, others riding, approaching his Marian, who didn't appear to have moved from where he had left her.

Wait Robin thought. Did I just call her 'my Marion'? He shook his head in confusion, checked the babe that was clinging desperately to his shirt, and weaved between the trees, away from the advancing guards.

'SPLIT', Robin shouted to Roy. 'I'll find you. Go, quick!'

As Robin and Roy sped off in different directions, with the majority of the guards staying on Robin's trail, Marian sank to her knees.

Why? How? she thought miserably. Why does he always do this to me? How does he manage it? Well, I don't care what he said, he needs help. I saw it in his eyes, even if he did try to hide it. I know him, he needs me.

As Marian tried to compose herself again, she couldn't stop herself thinking, and I need him. She gathered herself up, unhooked her horse from the cart, now filled with the baskets that were once filled with bread, mounted and set off, determined to find Robin and help him, whether he wanted to be helped or not.