"Wake up! Robin's wounded!"
Djaq awoke, as did the rest of Robin's gang, to Much's anguished cry for help. Climbing quickly from her bunk in the predawn stillness, she was grateful for Will's thoughtfulness in holding a flaming torch for her to see the damage done to their leader.
"It's nothing much," Robin said bravely, grimacing down at an arrow protruding from his upper arm. "I've had worse. And, it was well worth it, to get this." With his good arm, he flung a heavy sack at their feet.
"Gold?" Little John asked, thinking of the poor.
"Silver, but plenty of it," Robin grinned cheekily.
After making certain Robin's wound wasn't serious, Djaq turned quick attention to the two people who would worry most about him. Much, having delivered Robin to Djaq's capable hands, was beginning to relax, but Marian's face was unusually pale.
"Robin, let me help you," she said, needing to be needed.
"That's alright," he said, winking at her, "Djaq will stitch me up. I've seen your embroidery, Marian. Besides, I remember how much it hurt the last time I let you 'help'. Stung worse than the arrow."
"You only got what you deserved," Marian teased back.
Much laughed merrily along with Robin, but Djaq offered kindly, "Marian, I do need your help. Wash the wound for me while I get the needle."
"Thank you, Djaq."
Smiling to herself, Djaq decided locating a needle might prove a difficult task in the darkness, to give Marian plenty of time to wash Robin's wound. She felt wise doing so, pleased to be such a good 'Cupid,' but shortly afterwards, felt stupid for the first time in her life.
Overhearing Marian tell Robin, "You'll have to take off your shirt," Djaq reacted, "No, Marian. That is not necessary. He only needs to push up his sleeve."
Djaq immediately realized her mistake, aided by Marian's look of disappointment and Robin's knowing and naughty grin.
Little John burst into laughter, and Much was consumed with cooking breakfast, but Will was calm and sympathetic.
"I wouldn't have known, either," he said quietly. "Do you suppose that's how Much feels most of the time?"
Djaq smiled and sighed at the lovely young carpenter. At least it was lovely to be understood.