Spirit

She prepared the bow once again and silently stalked her target. Slowly she pulled back the string and gently angled her bow to follow the path of the young woman. The girl suddenly turned at the sound of a branch snapping behind her. Before she could do anything she felt a heavy blow to the back of her head and the darkness claimed her.

"Got him." Will yelled as he signalled to Robin below who was clutching a relieved Marion. "Bring him down Will,"

Will who had been joined by Allan picked up the body under the arms and collected the discarded bow as they dragged it towards the clearing.

"Now we'll finally get answers," Robin said looking at Marion.

"I do hope so Robin, I do not care for being a sitting duck,"

Allan and Will dropped the figure in front of the group and Robin stepped forward and removed the mask to the sound of a draw of breath from Marion.

"He is a she," Marion exclaimed as she pushed Robin aside and knelt down beside the figure.

"What a woman? that's impossible," Allan replied.

Robin sat opposite Marion and looked down at the girl before him, "are you sure?"

Marion looked at him, "You men have been together too long in this forest, this is indeed a woman." Marion sighed as she watched them all look the girl up and down, "Now give her some respect," she snapped. "Much get me some water and cloth". Much ran off to get the required items without protest.

"Why would she want to kill you?" Robin asked

"I don't know," Marion replied, "I don't recognise her face."

"Maybe she was jealous that you are with me," Robin teased.

"Maybe she was actually trying to hit you," Marion stated grinning sarcastically at Robin.

"Marion here is the water," Much said returning to her side.

"Thank you Much," Marion replied soaking the cloth and placing it on the girls forehead.

"She looks young," John stated.

"Yes, she can't be more than 17 or 18," Marion replied loosening the clothing around the girl's neck.

"She's pretty," Allan said still staring at the girl.

They all looked at him, "surprise, surprise," Djaq stated as John slapped the back of Allan's head, "You, over there," Allan walked to the area John had pointed to without daring to question the man.

Marion continued to place the fresh cloth over the girl's forehead to try and revive her; she stopped to look at Robin who had a puzzled expression. "Robin?" Marion quietly asked.

"I'm sure I recognise her but I can't place her face,"

"Robin, she will need something to eat and water to drink, plus a blanket," Marion stated trying to gain his full attention to the immediate situation.

"Yes, of course," Robin stood and walked towards Much.

Marion noticed the girl start to move and slightly moan. "You are okay," she whispered trying to comfort her.

The girl struggled to open her eyes and she clutched at her head, "hurts," she muttered as she focused her eyes on Marion. "Lady Marion?" she spoke almost jumping up, "don't touch me, keep your distance," she shouted struggling to stand.

Marion noted the girl grimacing in pain, "you are hurt, let me tend to the wound?"

"No," the girl cried as she backed away watching the rest of the group as they walked slowly towards her.

"We mean to help you, not hurt you, please trust us?" Robin tried to reassure her. "I trust no-one," she replied the fear in her eyes apparent to those who stood before her.

"Very well," he said signalling for his men to stand down.

"Robin?"

"Marion, she has chosen to leave, we must abide by her decision,"

"You cannot be serious," Marion replied standing up.

"Thank you," the girl said to Robin as she continued to back away.

She slowly lowered herself to pick up her bow and quiver. Will moved forward to help her as he noticed her groan with pain. "Stay away," she yelled.

Robin noticed the way she stood in an almost pathetic state.

"Robin we must," Marion pleaded

"We will," Robin replied signalling for Marion to look behind the girl.

The girl was exhausted and the group watched as she stumbled more than actually walked away. Robin lifted his hand to make a signal and Alan appeared behind the girl. Robin walked forward.

"Stay away," she yelled struggling to lift her bow and then giving up and letting it fall to her side once more.

"You are hurt; we can offer you food and a safe shelter until you are strong again,"

"No, you don't understand," she replied

"Please let us help," Marion added.

Alan moved forward placing his arm around her shoulders, the girl shrieked and struggled in his grasp, "let me go,"

"You need help," Allan said.

The girl slumped in his arms and Allan held her tighter to prevent her from falling. She finally gave up and began to sob.

"Please don't cry, please?" Allan asked trying to soothe her.

Marion quickly reached the girl and placed her arm around the sobbing girl, "please let us help you, you have my word that you are safe."

The girl nodded her head and Marion embraced the her, "come with me," Marion said holding the girl's hand and slowly walking with her back to the camp.

"Why do you always make girls cry?" Will teased him.

"That's not fair, I was doing what Robin asked," Allan pleaded.

"What do you think is wrong with her?" Will asked.

"Better not to ask, she's a woman," Allan replied.

"And I take it you being so knowledgeable of women know all the answers," Djaq quickly responded.

"Hey wait a minute, would everyone please stop giving me such a hard time," Allan responded.

"Right, you lot over there and keep your distance, not you Djaq Marion needs you." John ordered them. John shepherded them over to the opposite side of camp to allow the girl some space.

Much approached Marion with water and food for the girl and Djaq followed with a blanket.

"Thank you Much," Marion smiled.

Marion passed the food and water to the girl, "please help yourself,"

The girl hesitated staring at Marion and then Djaq who had joined them; she slowly raised the cup to her mouth and took a sip, her eyes always on the lookout.

"You know me but I do not know your name, this is Djaq,"

"I am, please do not show me kindness as I do not deserve it,"

Marion placed the blanket around the girl, "My priority at the moment is to ensure you are well."

The girl looked at Marion and then Djaq, "My name is Ann."

"Well Ann, let us make sure you have eaten and that you are warm," Marion informed,"we can talk about things later."

"Yes my lady, thank you." Ann replied struggling to hold the tears that were forming in her eyes.

"Please eat and then sleep, Djaq will stay by your side," Marion said placing a hand on her shoulder,"You are quite safe I assure you."

Marion nodded to Djaq and straightened her clothes as she stood. Marion saw Robin watching her and moved towards him. "Marion, you must be careful," he advised.

"Robin," she answered continuing to walk past him.

"She tried to kill you," he replied grabbing her arm and forcing her to look at him.

"Yes she did, we do not know why but I do not believe her to be a danger now," she whispered forcefully.

"That may be but you must be cautious,"

Marion grabbed Robin's hand and pulled him further away from Ann and Djaq.

"I will find out what is behind this but for now she must rest, I don't think she has eaten recently or slept," Marion told him as he touched her face.

"It is natural for me to worry about you,"

"I know how you worry," she replied, "I must return home as my Father will be worrying."

"We will watch the girl," Robin informed her.

"Robin, the forest is no place for a woman,"

"And what do you call Djaq, besides it is safer if we watch over her here,"

Marion sighed pouting her lips and the sight made Robin smile," very well Robin,"

Robin moved to kiss Marion and sighed as she bowed her head forcing him to kiss her forehead instead, "Marion," he whispered breathlessly into her hair. She looked up at him, "I must go,"

Marion walked back towards Ann and turned to look back at Robin as he released her hand from his own.