Roy pulled his horse up. Somehow he'd managed to lose the guards. You'd have thought they would have learnt by now! Roy thought smugly. Like they stood a chance! Even when Robin's got an arrow sticking out of him! Wonder if he got away.
He turned his horse around and headed back in the direction in which he'd just come, trying to find Robin. After a while without any sign, Roy let himself hope they'd got Robin. He felt guilty at having allowed this emotion to arise. But he tried to reassure himself, better the guard than me. Roy hated having to choose, especially something like this, his own mother or his leader, his friend.
The sound of a twig snapping brought Roy from his thoughts. He swung round, sword out, ready to defend and attack.
'Relax mate! You'll have someone's eye out if you're not careful!' Robin smiled, more relaxed now that the danger had passed and he was reunited with his fellow outlaw. 'All right?' he added as he checked the baby strapped to his chest. Asleep! How is that even possible?! Robin wondered. That's one very chilled out kid! He smiled.
Roy replied with a short 'Yeah', too pre-occupied with yet-again faced with making the difficult choice.
Robin didn't appear to notice the anxiety or desperation in Roy's voice, as he was busy trying to stem the steady flow of blood from the gaping wound the arrow had left.
'Hate to say it Robin', Roy finally said. 'But Marian may have been right. You do need to get that seen to. Just in case.'
'Of course I was.' The reply caught both men off guard. Marian came into their sight, pulled her horse up, and added, with a sparkle in her eye, 'So much for being 'men of the forest'! You didn't even hear me coming!'
'Course I did', came Robin's reply, maybe a little sharper than he would have liked. How the hell does she know the buttons to press? Damn she's good Robin expressed to himself.
Marian chuckled. Yep, still got it! He's so predictable! she thought.
'Anyway, Roy only said you MAY have been right. So you can wipe that smirk off your face,' Robin added, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, no matter how hard he tried to conceal it.
'Funny, Robin! How's the little one? Hope you were extra careful,' Marian scolded, jest and worry apparent in her voice.
'Naturally' was Robin's reply. He jumped off his horse and strode over to her just to prove his point.
'OK, I believe you!' Marian smiled as she saw the protective arm Robin had around the tiny child.
As a bystander, Roy observed this exchange and saw clearly what Much had been trying to tell them. Love shone bright and clear between them, and no matter how hard they tried to hide it, their eyes revealed their true feelings and desires. Someday, they might even tell each other Roy thought. Knowing Robin though, maybe not for a while. But, perhaps some good has come from this day. They seem more comfortable with each other; they even look like a real family. How can I break this up, even if it isn't real?
He watched as Robin passed the now-awake child gently up to Marian, whose eyes shone even brighter than her amazing smile. The look didn't last long, as Robin grasped his arm in pain.
'Robin', Roy and Marian exclaimed at the same moment. 'You really need to let me sort that out', Marian said with such a tone that even Robin admitted defeat.
'Fine' Robin sighed. 'I'm all yours' he added, with a slight smile on his face.
Marian rolled her eyes and shook her head at him. As she took up her reins, she glanced at Robin, who sent her a secret wink. Smiling, she asked where they were. 'There's a village just up ahead', Roy informed them. 'I'm sure someone'll help the infamous Robin Hood!'
So they set off, Roy in the lead, followed by Marian who was having trouble trying to control her horse and hold on to the wriggling child in her arms. Robin rode up alongside her, laughing silently at the sight. He expertly took the baby and settled him back down into the sling.
'How'd you manage to do that, especially with one arm?' Marian asked, impressed. He just smiled in response and motioned for her to catch up with Roy. How could they have known, let alone be prepared, for what lay ahead for each of them?
