Dreams come true

For a long time they didn't say anything, just sat looking at the river, Kate leaning against Allan's chest. They didn't need to speak! Without warning he suddenly started tickling her, she'd never told him how tickly she was (honestly; that's a very stupid idea!) so she wasn't a moment in doubt that Will had. After all, her cousin had always used the tickle trick on her when they were younger. Sometimes simply to make sure she didn't get into trouble. Giggling hysterically she wriggled around, attempting to get free. Instead he threw her around so that she lay on her back while he continued to tickle her.

"I…ha-ha… I surrender…"

"You do?"

Instead of trying to answer she just nodded feverously. Smiling he stopped and pulled her up sitting again, brushing a kiss against her lips.

"Will told you! Didn't he?"

"I'm not being funny but who else?"

No! Of course! Who else than Will knew that she was terribly tickly? For a long moment they were silent once more then she turned towards him.

"What will you do? When all this is over?"

"Don't know… I guess I need to find something to do! If I want to marry you!"

"You what? We've known each other… how long? A month maybe!"

"I'm not being funny but I love you!"

"But you are funny! That why I love you!"

He looked at her for a time, clearly consisting what to say next.

"Kate Scarlett! Will you marry me?"

"I will! When all this is over and the king is safe! I won't raise a family out here!"

When they broke apart from their kiss they rested their foreheads against each other for a moment before he reached out, plucked one of the daisies in the area and tied it around her finger.

"What's that?"

"An engagement ring!"

When they came back to the camp only Will and Much were present. Robin and Marian had gone hunting; Djaq was out gathering herbs and John on a round to the villages. Will looked up from his whittling when they entered immediately spotting the flower on Kate's finger.

"What's that?"

"I'm not being funny! It's an engagement ring!"

"Really? You and Allan?"

"No! Me and Gisborne! Of course me and Allan! Who else?"

"No… of course! And you have been spending too much time with him…"

"Yeah… she's stealing my sentence!"

She smiled at her betrothed, betrothed! She liked that word. Then she turned back to her cousin.

"Will… you told Allan that I'm tickly! Didn't you?"

"Mmm…"

After dinner Will and Djaq had made an excuse (the usual honey one) and left the camp. They knew that the others, mainly Kate and Much, suspected what was going on but they didn't really mind.

"I still can't believe it! Kate, little Kate, my cousin, is going to get married!"

"I think it's great! And… she isn't that much younger than you is she?"

"I think it's great too! After all Allan's my best friend! And… no Kate isn't that much younger than me! To be honest only four days! But she's much more immature than me!" the last was added in order to make it seem more acceptable that he kept calling his cousin "little". Again they were silent.

"Djaq… you… I… I love you!"

"Took you some time to say didn't it Will Scarlett! I love you too!"

"Will you… marry me?"

"Yes! I will!" after having walked around each other shyly for so long the finally admitted their feelings.

"I suppose you didn't find any honey today either!"

"No… sorry Much… we were busy!"

Kate couldn't help noticing that her cousin and the Saracen's hands were firmly locked together. Without a word she looked from Will, to Djaq and down to their linked hands. Realizing what his cousin was going on about Will smiled.

"Djaq and I are engaged!"

The silent in the camp was only disturbed by the natural forest sounds. Finally Much seemed to regain his tongue.

"TWO engagements in one day! That's… well that is unbelievable!"

"Actually it's three! Marian and I are getting married too!"