Robin laughed as he walked through the forest with his good friend Much. Their gang had just fought with the Sherrif's men at Nottingham and nothing works so well at putting one in a good mood than succeeding in a narrow and risky escape. They'd split up and agreed to meet back at the camp. Sure that they'd lost the few guards left standing, Robin and Much happily walked the last mile or so back to camp.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Robin panted clutching his side, "Lemme get this straight; you knocked him out - by throwing your metal helmet at him?!" "Well it worked, didn't it!" Much affirmed as Robin burst out laughing. "Besides, it was better than hitting one in the face with the flat side of my sword!!" Much continued, laughing himself, referring to how Robin had taken out a guard. "He's probably gonna wake up tomorrow with a bright red racing stripe down the middle of his face!" They both howled with laughter and nearly doubled over trying to stop.
They reached the camp, still chuckling, and walked inside, where they found Little John sitting in a chair. "Is it just you two then?" He asked, peering around them to see if anyone else was coming in behind them."
"Yup, just us." Robin said cheerfully. "Why?"
"Oh, I just thought Will and Djaq might be back by now, that's all."
"I'm sure they're fine." Robin said, nodding for effect "I just saw Will take out two guards single-handedly, right before we split. And we all know Djaq can fight." He grinned thinking of the only female element in the gang. He thought proudly of all the times she'd proved her worth in the gang and proved to others (mainly men) that a woman can fight, and well. The guard she taught that lesson to today won't easily forget it. He laughed inwardly at the memory. He felt like an older brother who watches his younger sister take down a bully. She's a lot like Marian in that way, he thought, refusing to be the damsel in distress. Then he was swept away by daydreams of his love, how she fights, yet still remains so feminine; and of the Night watchman, how he loved that aspect of her, even if it did make him uneasy – her putting herself in danger like that. He was suddenly pulled back to earth with Much's statement:
"They're probably off getting honey." He emphasized the last two words deliberately, and looked meaningfully over to his leader grinning, eyes twinkling to share the joke. Robin had to laugh aloud again; after all those two were so funny! It seemed that everyone in the camp knew of their feelings toward one another – except themselves! He shook his head as he wiped his eyes. Even John was chuckling a bit now, more out of how ridiculously merry the other two were acting, than anything else…
Somehow the air of the camp just wasn't the same two hours later. There was no more easy laughter for one thing. "Should we go look for them?" Much asked anxiously. Robin was lost in thought, starring at the fire, leaning against his two hands- closed in a fist, except for his pointer fingers, which pointed straight up against his forehead. John looked from Much to Robin and back again, as both men waited for their leader's response. They should be back by now. What could've happened?
"I mean… surely, they would be back by now" it was as though Much were voicing Robin's own thoughts "unless…"
"Unless something went wrong." Little John finished for Much gravely.
Robin nodded. They were right, and he knew it, although he wished it weren't so. He sighed. Just as he was about to give the order, that they were to go to Nottingham, a sharp call rang through the camp. "Robin!!"
All three men jumped up and ran to the door of the camp. They saw Marian, out of breath, getting off a horse. Even with his sense of foreboding, Robin still couldn't help reveling in her prescense. She looked stunning in that green top, as she did in everything she wore. Was it really his fault she took his breath away?
"Robin, its Will… And Djaq… They've been …captured!" It was as though a black cloak were suddenly cast over them, as all three were smothered by feelings of dread…