"What's this muck?" Allan a Dale asked, wrinkling his nose in disgust at the gooey contents filling the bowl Much handed him.

"It's a special pottage," Much declared, defensively.

"Smells like horse*#%*," Allan scowled.

"I'll thank you to watch your tongue around my wife," Robin warned, half stern, half thrilled to be married and have Marian living with him at last.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. Not bein' funny, but she's heard worse, right, Marian?"

"The sheriff employs some colorful terms," Marian agreed, rolling her eyes as Much handed her her breakfast.

Robin didn't enjoy his men criticizing their food, when so many people went hungry. Still, he was annoyed that Much had disrupted him this morning for a foul smelling bowl of pottage, when things had been so exciting between him and Marian. But then again, even if Much had prepared a King's feast, it wouldn't have been worth the interruption.

The thought of a king's feast reminded him of his plan to collect more ransom money to free King Richard from the German Prince of Bavaria, Henry Hohenstaufen.

"Well, lads," he said, finishing his breakfast, "I think I've eaten enough."

"Enough horse*#%*," Allan complained.

Robin threw him another warning glance.

"Robin doesn't like you swearing in front of me, you son of a whore," Kate whined.

Robin threw back his head and groaned. Marian pressed his forearm, whispering, "It's alright, really. My ears can take it, Robin."

He smiled at her gratefully. "Right then. Work to do."

All of his men gathered round expectantly, as Robin assigned duties.

"Where are we going today, Robin?" Will asked.

"Djaq, Kate," Robin began, "stay here and fletch arrows." Djaq, having married Will in the Holy Land, was expecting a baby, and neither Will nor Robin thought it wise to expose her to any unnecessary danger. Kate was simply a nuisance, who always seemed to get herself captured. It would be safer for everyone if she stayed behind.

"What about us?" Much asked, bustling over to his master's side.

Robin handed a purse of money to Little John, and another one to Will. "John," he instructed, "take Much and Marian with you to Clun, and distribute that money to the poor. And Will, you and Allan come to Nottingham with me."

Much appeared crestfallen at being denied Robin's company, but Marian voiced her objections aloud. "Why can't I go to Nottingham?" she asked.

"Because, my love," Robin smirked, "it isn't safe for you to show your gorgeous face there."

"And I suppose it's safe for you to show yours?"

"My gorgeous face? That's right! The 'Wanted' placards featuring my face don't look anything like me."

"Stop being smug. I'm serious."

"I'll wear a disguise. Now, do as I say, just for today. Please, Marian."

Marian paused to think, and then agreed. "Alright. But at least tell me what you're up to."

"Yes!" Much chorused. "We need to know your plan, Robin!"

"Will and I do," Allan insisted, "since we're part of it. What sort of disguises do we have to wear? Can you make mine the rich clothes of a lord, instead the usual beggar gear?"

"You and Will aren't wearing disguises, only me," Robin explained. "I need you two to deliver that purse to an old friend of mine, who'll be having a tankard at the Trip."

"The Trip?" Allan cried. "Nice!"

"But, Robin, isn't Allan well known at the Trip?"

"I'm a regular legend among those girls," Allan bragged.

"Well known, and well loved," Robin agreed.

"Very well loved," Allan boasted.

"No one will turn you in, I'm sure of it."

Robin supplied Will and Allan with the details concerning the man who would take the ransom money they'd collected to Germany. But Marian still was not satisfied. She waited, tapping her fingers impatiently on Robin's arm.

"You haven't mentioned your part in today's schemes, other than saying you'll be wearing a disguise," she said, once Robin had finished his instructions. "As your wife, I have a right to know your plans."

"As my wife, you do." Robin, unable to resist, turned to her and took her in his arms. Marian struggled for an instant, then relaxed and leaned comfortably against him.

"The sheriff's planning to entertain some very wealthy friends this afternoon, at a banquet honoring the Black Knights," Robin informed her. "And, I plan to be in attendance, which is why I needed to save my appetite, in spite of your excellent breakfast, Much."

"Thank you!" Much cried, pleased. And then, realization dawning, he objected, "You! You plan on dining with the sheriff?"

Marian pulled away. "Robin! You're not serious!"

"Oh, yes I am. But don't worry, he won't recognize me."

"How can you say that?" Much demanded. "What sort of disguise can hide you from the sheriff? If you were covered from head to toe, like some religious zealot in the Holy Land, the sheriff would still recognize you by your...your...well, you know how he stares at your behind!"

Robin cringed. Vaisey did indeed cast leering glances at his behind, something Robin desperately wanted to forget.

"My disguise will be so simple," Robin explained, "neither Vaisey nor Gisbourne will suspect a thing. That's the beauty of it!"

"Alright, Handsome," Marian said, impatiently, "enough bragging. Enough evasions. What are you planning to wear?"

Robin exhaled slowly. "I haven't exactly decided," he admitted. "Right now, I've only got half a plan. But when the other half strikes me, it'll be brilliant!"

Much and Marian looked at one another in disbelief.

"I do believe married life is stealing away his reason," Much told Marian. "Maybe you two shouldn't spend so much time alone together."

"Excuse me?" Marian asked.