Summary: If it had been different. Ten years on, the world is not as it seems, titles mean nothing, names have been changed, people have gone missing and friends loose friends. A girl calls Robin "father" and two legendary figures are not as they appear.

Characters/Pairings: Robin, Marion, Guy, the Sheriff, Much, Little John, Allen-a-Dale, Will, Djaq. Pairings are cannon.

Rating: T. Angst and themes.

Genre: Drama, Angst, Mystery, Romance (slight), Action/Adventure.

Spoilers: Deviates from the show at the start of "Return of the King". Spoilers for season 1. I live in Australia and will not get the second season until much later, but if I'm still working on it then, I may work in some information we learn in that season. Apologies for any incorrectness due to not having seen the next season.

Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood; the BBC does, nor do I make any profit from writing this story, other than a few reviews that light up my day!

'Mary!' Robin called, unclasping his cloak and hanging it on a hook by the door. He listened intently for a reply, but all he could hear was quiet sobbing.

Instantly on alert, he gripped his sword hilt tightly. He had often been told he was too overprotective of her, but she was only nine years old, and he had that right.

There was a loud sniff from the dark corner of the room underneath the stairs that was obviously meant to be silenced. Robin walked slowly to the shadowy corner and crouched down. The tiny figure that was Mary shuffled deeper into the darkness.

'Mary.' Robin said softly, demanding a response.

'I'm sorry, father.' She answered between sobs.

'What for?' Robin asked, edging closer into the shadows.

Mary limped into the corner, a stiff leg being responsible for her slowness, one she had had all her life. She returned into the light, carrying several sticks and a long string.

'It broke when I tried to string it.' She said, laying the pieces of wood on the ground.

Robin leant forward and rearranged them into the shape it was before it was broken. It formed a perfectly shaped recurved bow.

For a moment, his heart started. Did Mary accidentally break his best bow, the one he had brought back with him from the Crusades? The one that he thought was locked up in a chest beneath his bed, never to be seen again?

But it wasn't. He looked again and noticed that it was smaller, more suited to Mary than him, and made of a darker wood, evidently one that did not bend well.

'Did you make this?' Robin asked her gently.

Mary nodded, stifling a sniff. 'I peeked into the chest under you bed, but I put it back.'

Robin was taken aback for a moment. 'That chest was locked.'

Mary looked to the ground quickly.

'The girl of many hidden talents.' He shook his head and muttered. 'What made you make this?'

Mary looked up at him before scurrying back to the corner. This time, when she returned, she was carrying a small long bow. 'I made this one and it worked.'

Robin gave a half smile and took the bow from her. He held it in his hand, weighed it and ran and finger along it. It had been expertly sanded smooth.

Mary watched intently as he lifted the bow and pulled the string back, letting out an overdramatic groan at the strength of it, which made her giggle.

'This is excellent!' he exclaimed. 'And you made this all by yourself?' Mary nodded smugly. 'Uncle Will would be proud.'

Mary bounded up to him, grinning madly. 'When will I meet Uncle Will and the others, father?' She asked innocently.

Robin stiffened unwillingly. Ten years and the memories still stung. 'Someday.' He reassured her with a false smile. 'But can you fire an arrow from it?' He dared her.

'I so can!' Mary said indignantly as she rushed as fast as her stiff leg would let her into the corner and returned carrying an arrow she had obviously made herself, as it was scaled to her bow.

'Yeah?' Robin laughed. 'Well, can you fire into my bedroom from here?'

Mary wrinkled her nose at him and notched her arrow. After many years of watching him work, she had picked up a few skills and traits from Robin, not all of them good, as she had also acquired a sharp tongue and quick temper. She drew the string back, aimed upstairs towards his room, breathed, and released.

With a twang, the arrow whistled through the air and through the doorway to his room.

Robin nodded slowly, mouth pressed in a thin line.

Mary snapped her head around to look at him. 'Don't pretend you're not impressed.' She said, reading him like a book.

Robin grinned at her. 'Alright! I'm impressed!' He admitted. He crouched to her level and held out his arms to her. She dropped the bow and ran into his arms and a bone crushing hug. 'I'm so proud of you.' He muttered into her midnight black hair.

Mary giggled.

Robin held the flaming torch aloft, ignoring Much's comments about how much he didn't want to use the cave, despite knowing full well he will only complain if he gets caught in the rain. Unknown to the rest of the gang, Robin harboured his own distaste for the cave. The cave only had one entrance, a trait shared with a trap. They had watched the cave for many weeks until they were convinced no one knew of its existence. But Robin was still wary.

Will ran into the cave, carrying the bundle of bread he managed to steal from the guards supply. He ran towards the small fire and dropped the bundle, doubling over, and hands on knees while he caught his breath.

While Much opened and began to eat the food, Robin's eyes stayed fixed on the young carpenter.

'Will?' He spoke, getting his attention.

Will looked up, still breathing heavily. The rest of the gang quietened and shared a look. Will took in another long breath and spoke.

'The King is returning.'

Robin's heart skipped a beat, for a moment, not a thought entered his head.

Will straightened to his full height and looked Robin in the eye. He spoke again, this time softly.

'He is dead.'

Robin felt an ice dagger pierce his heart.

Robin rubbed at his neck. The muscles in his shoulders would cry out in protest when he fired from a particularly strong bow. His knees, back and bottom now ached after a day of horse riding. His sword arm had slowly become shaky, his aim with a bow lessening. He was getting old. Thirty-six now, already nearing expectancy. But he was strong. He had to survive. For Mary.

He sat down on the edge of his bed and tugged off his boots. He went to lie down on the bed before realising he would have skewered himself on a scaled down size arrow that had hit the centre of his bed. He laughed and shook his head, pulling it out placing it on the floor by his bed. He stretched out on the bed and tucked his hands behind his head. He fell asleep almost instantly.

Marion avoided the guards' eyes as she entered the stables. She was not allowed a moments peace. She slipped a horse's brush onto her hand and approached the beautiful chestnut. Starting at its shoulder, she began to brush him down.

A hand grabbed her shoulder and she gasped and dropped the brush in surprise. She spun around, prepared to fight in an instant. But she just found the grinning face of a childish outlaw.

'Fool.' She spat as she forced Robin to kneel on the floor with a hard hand on his shoulder. She nudged him forcefully under the horse just as a guard entered the stable investigate why she was startled.

'I got a splinter from the wood.' She explained to the armoured man, gently brushing a finger, pretending to jerk as she touched an invisible splinter.

The guard nodded and returned to his position outside the door.

'What are you doing here?' Marion hissed.

'I need information.' Robin answered as he stood on the other side of the horse.

'I cannot give you any.' Marion answered quickly. 'Now leave.'

Robin ignored her and continued. 'There is a lone carriage riding from the south, it is not flying any colours. I need to know who or what is being transported.'

'I can't tell you anything, Robin.' Marion whispered harshly.

'Is it goods? Money?' Robin asked, digging for information he knew she could not give. 'My men and I are planning to-'

'Robin!' Marion interrupted. 'Things cannot simply go back to the way they were, it is different now…Guy…' He hand flew to her belly and traced the scar left from the wound he had inflicted when she was the Nightwatchman.

Robin's shoulders straightened and jaw clenched. His blood burned at the thought of Gisborne… He leaned in closer to her. 'He knows?'

Marion nodded; eyes downcast.

Robin let out an angry breath.

Marion quickly met his eyes and ordered. 'You must leave, Robin. He knows you will try to meet me, I'm constantly watched…'

'I understand.' Robin said curtly.

Tears stung at her eyes, tears she would not allow to fall. 'Stay here until I and the guards are long gone.' She instructed. Robin nodded and retreated to the wall. 'I'm sorry, Robin.'

He nodded in response, unwilling to speak in case his voice cracked.

'And please, please, be very, very careful.' She said forcefully, pleading with him to understand.

He grinned at her, and she knew he didn't.

In the depths of Sherwood Forest, two figures, hooded and cloaked huddle under a rock outcrop. In the descending darkness of night, they blend perfectly into the shadows. Their voices are hushed, not for fear of being heard, but because it felt wrong for what they were discussing to even carry on the wind.

The taller of the two bent closer, handing over a piece of cloth. They spoke quietly.

'You cannot even speak. Your voice will give you away.' They warned and received a nod. 'Neither one of us can show our faces, we will be recognized.

'We must become the lie.' The smaller responded, giving a knowledgeable nod.

The other figure nodded in return and lifted a black cloth mask to their face, binding it there.

'Robin Hood has returned.'

My first Robin Hood fanfiction! Thanks to my friend Mushy who forced me to watch the first few and my other friend who lent me the DVD's!

Please, please, please review, what do you think? Should I continue it?