Disclaimer: Hi-diddle-dee-dee, No ownership for me.

10 points to anyone who gets the reference.

I slowly opened my eyes hearing the creaking of the floorboards. I hesitated for a moment thinking it may have been another stay cat. The creaking increased and the sound of footsteps was prominent in the otherwise quiet night. I sat upright grabbing the knife from beneath my pillow.

Rising from bed I went toward the small archway that separated my bedroom from the rest of the cottage. I swung my knife at the shadow, a flash of steel meeting my own.

"Siobhan, it's me." Will moved his face into the moonlight, keeping his hatchet against my blade until I relaxed my arm.

The knife dropped from my hand as I wrapped my arms around his middle. "Never scare me like that. I might have hurt you. Are you well? Do you need food?"

Will shook his head, kissing the top of my own. "I have only been gone a few hours. Surely you cannot have missed me that much?" His teasing voice let me know he was fine.

"I simply worry about you that much." I drew back suddenly away I was only wearing a thin nightgown. "You should not be here."

Will noticed what I had and gave me a mysterious smile. "Afraid I will take advantage of you my Lady?"

I turned toward the window, face hot. "No, I just do not think it is safe for you to be here."

His hands brush my hair away as he held my shoulders. "You wish not to see me?"

I turned my face to his. "Of course I wish to see you, but I do not wish you to be arrested just for visiting me. I would never forgive myself if your visit to me was what got you caught."

Will's hands traveled down my arms, burning my skin through the fabric. "Perhaps if I were to be arrested I would rather it be during waking hours seeing you than asleep beneath dying trees." He rested his cheek against my temple as I looked back out the window. "Did you like my present?"

I lifted my face so our cheeks touched; my head leaned back against his shoulder. My eyes briefly shut as my cheek brushed the soft hairs on his face, the scent of his skin overtaking me for a moment. Never before had Will and I stood like this. Held hands? Yes. Embraced? Yes. But this was something entirely different. I had never felt something like this before today. When he pulled me in Nottingham and our bodies touched it was as if a fire erupted inside of me. I should have felt odd with these new emotions emerging, but I didn't. Even now as we were pressed this close, standing without any type of formalities it felt right.

I blinked once to think clearly. "I had not opened it. I thought it was something you needed me to keep safe while you followed Robin."

Will brushed his lips across my cheek releasing me. He moved to the small desk where the box he gave me was located. Picking up the box he placed it in my hands with a smile. "This was a gift for you years ago. I started it one day but never finished. I found it a few weeks ago and thought I could still give it to you. I finished it last night when you were still in the forest. I was looking for you to finally present it."

I sat at the edge of my bed with Will looking down at me like an eager child awaiting praise. Inside the box I withdrew a heavy object wrapped in cloth. As I pulled back the cloth I gasped. A rose lay in my hands, carefully carved from dark wood. The petals were smooth and bits of a lighter wood could be seen inside. I brought it up to my face for a closer look and was surprised to find it had a beautiful fragrance.

Will laughed at the surprised look on my face. His eyes were bright and warm as he knelt beside me touching the rose. "It has infusions of redwood, those light pieces there, for fragrance. I added oil everyday while I was carving letting it soak into the wood. That's why the smell is more than just a passing scent. The wood is tough so soaking the oil did not damage it. There is one other little part I know you will like."

Will pushed one thorn up and another down. The rose went into full bloom; revealing the hollow stem, save for a note rolled tightly inside. Tipping the rose on its side the note slowly fell out onto the bed. Moving the thorns back, the petals returned to their original places.

I held the rose to my heart as I knelt beside Will. "It is so beautiful. You did this all for me? I am," I was at a loss for words. "I am so grateful." My eyes returned to the rose questions bursting into my head. "How could you possibly make this? It is so strong and yet so delicate."

Will gave a quiet laugh. "It is just like you."

I lowered my eyes moving on with my questions. "How have you managed to make it a hiding place? This is something you only hear of in tales. The secret object two lovers use to hide their notes and messages."

Will smiled placing the rose upon the bed and taking my hands. "It is something I built myself. Father once told me about a jewelry box he once made mother. There was a hidden compartment inside she used to hide all the letters they had written each other. I studied the box and made it my own. I will not lie to you. It was very difficult, especially considering the size and shape. For a while I did not believe I would be able to make it, and then when I did I did not think it would work."

I touched his cheek with the tips of my fingers. "How is it I could be so blessed as to have you in my life?"

Will's smile slipped, squeezing the hand on his face. "I fear we shall not be together until our king is back form the Holy Land." His voice turned angry. "What kind of man am I who cannot provide for you, or even defend you and claim you as my own? I fear one will try to force you to marry. As jealous as I would be I am not sure where or not it would just be for the best."

"Will, your words are foolish. You have taken care of me. I know I am yours so what does it matter if others do not understand? Besides, I am not of a high enough class for those high up to worry whether I marry or not. In any case, I would go against the rules and fight any arrangements." My voice softened to an intimate tone I did not know I possessed. "I will fight for the one who has my heart."

Will pulled me towards him by my waist. One hand crept behind my neck drawing my face to his. His breath was hot and his lips took mine in an instant. It was as it had been this afternoon. A fire erupted in my chest and with one hand I ran my fingers through his hair kissing back fiercely, the other clutching at his chest.

Will broke the kiss and I took a dizzying breath. His lips found mine again for the softest of kisses. "When I go into Nottingham with you I see the looks others give you. I grow so jealous it feels as if a lion has emerged from inside of me. I worry about letting you go and I worry now about not being around."

I untangled my fingers from his hair, pressing myself against him again. "You are the only one who will ever hold me like this, and kiss me like this. You need not worry."

Will nodded combing my hair with his fingers, eyes lingering on my lips. "Don't forget the note."

I turned feeling his hands move with my body as I reached for the note on the bed. I unrolled the small note recognizing the handwriting. At the top a younger Will had written sloppily.

Siobhan.

Mother and Father have told me we're to be married some day. I thought you might like a present. You told me you like roses, so here's one that won't die.

Will.

Beneath it the older Will's handwriting stood, neater and thought out.

My dearest Siobhan,

You've said many times before we should all be allowed choices. I hope you are reading this with me, as I should be kneeling before you.

Do me the honor of becoming my wife, even if we must wait for our King to return from the Holy Land.

Yours forever,

Will.

I could feel the tears falling down my cheeks as Will's thumbs wiped them away. "You mean this?"

Will nodded with a small smile. "I remember being younger and going to Robin for help to write this. He laughed and wrote it for me telling me to copy it. Marian showed up and read the letter smiling at me and hinting to Robin that he should follow his own lessons. But I do mean this, with all of my heart I do."

I nodded unsure exactly of what to do and settled on pressing my face against his neck, tears still streaming down.

Will lifted my face eyes bright. "I will take care of you to the best of my abilities. I must leave shortly to get back to camp. We are not far from here, so Robin told me to send you a message. Well, he knew I wanted to see you but wanted me to bring you word of where we are now. We will still be coming into the village to take care of the people. We just hope you will set up some kind of sign at your house so we may know if we are walking in a clear village or if Sir Guy and his guards are here." He smiled. "We will come either way, but we must know what kind of defense to have."

I nodded letting Will help me to my feet. "I am trying to think of what I have in my house that will not look suspicious if it is outside." I moved toward the table where an old butcher knife was held. I picked it up walking outside with Will. In the back of my yard I surveyed the roof then looked at the woods behind me. Raising the knife I threw it into the support beam and turned to Will. "I believe you'll be able to see that?"

Will nodded waiting for me to continue.

"If all you see is this knife than it shall mean guards are in the village." I reached behind him and grabbed my cloak for travel and hung it on the knife, tying the inner strings together to keep it secure. "If this is up it means the village is clear, but I am not around. So you must still stay cautious if this is up. I will not have it hand on the butcher knife in case of wind. I will probably use a smaller knife, but you see what I mean."

Will stared at the cloak. "And how will we know if you are here?"

I touched his shoulder lightly. "I will be out here mending clothing. No matter I used to do so in the front, I have no one I will to wait for to walk by in front anymore."

Will took my hand. "And what if it rains? Will you still wait out in the rain to tell us?"

I shook my head. "Will, do not seem so nervous. If the knife is alone in the wood, it means the guards are here. If the cloak is up, it means the village was clear last I was in it. I will either be on my way from or to Marian's. I will come into the woods before I go to Nottingham so I can find out anything you may need know. If there is no knife or cloak I am here, safe. If you are so worried about rain I promise there will be a fire burning to let you know I am here, if no fire the cloak or knife will still be outside."

Will kissed me lightly before drawing back. "I must get back to camp. I will give Robin your message."

"Wait." I ran into the house and came back out with a bag filled with bread. "This is for you. People wanted to show support. Do not refuse it. People do not wish you to starve in the woods."

Will nodded pulling the bag over his shoulders. "You will take care?"

I nodded giving him one last kiss goodbye.

His arms moved around me pulling me close, I once again felt that fire inside me.

Will drew his lips away but seemed reluctant to move his body. "I long for the day when I will not have to sneak to see you. When I can openly show my affections."

I looked up into his face slightly breathless. "And I. But you must go; I will not have you caught before we can be together."

Will smiled and ran quickly into the woods.

Before I went to bed I tucked Will's note into my own jewelry box. Just incase Will did show up tomorrow I wanted our rose ready to receive any note.

I felt bleary eyed rocking in the back of my cottage mending a cloak. Suddenly I heard hoof beats outside and yelling. I had just enough time to throw the knife into the beam when a guard burst into the cottage intent on dragging me out.

I was thrown to the ground with the others while the Sheriff stood before us sneering.

He stopped before me and bent down. "And here is, Siobhan, our little seamstress. I trust my clothing has priority mending."

I raise my eyes counting to ten before I spoke. "Yes, sir. The cloak you wanted done first would have been completed had your guard not grabbed me. I fear the stitching may have ripped."

The Sheriff sighed waving me to stand. "Go fetch it, I fear we will be here some time. I need that cloak mended quickly." He looked around and sniffed. "On second thought just go back and mend it. I do not want it dirtied by these roads."

"I shall bring it to the castle when done sir. The rips in the pants were small and should not take more than a day."

The Sheriff looked to the sky. "Do I want to wait a day? A Clue: No." He sucked his teeth and nodded his head. "Finish it in the day and you will have extra pay for your work."

I bowed my head turning back toward my cottage muttering curses under my breath. What was he doing here? Nearly out of ear shot I heard the Sheriff begin his speech about finding Robin Hood.

There was absolutely no way anything good could come of this. The question was how could I get word to Robin without drawing attention?

I froze by my door hearing voices outside. I had been home for a little over an hour now and had just finished the Sheriffs pants. I knew I could have finished them in under a day but I needed to give myself time to figure out what to do.

"The guards and Sir Guy, possibly even the Sheriff, are here. You must believe me."

"Aye and how would you know that lad?" The voice was gruff and unfamiliar.

Will's voice came again. "I know who lives here. She has set up a code for us. That knife in that beam there, it means the village is not clear. I swear I am not lying."

I kicked open the door knives at the ready. "He is not lying. Now I ask you what you want."

My eyes took in the fact Will, Much, Robin and the other hanged man were tied together. Four guards stood above them, all now pointing weapons in my direction. Right. I really needed to remember to start listening for multiple voices.

The largest man looked me over with a raised brow. "I did not say the boy was lying, girl. I know full well the Sheriff, Sir Guy, and many guards are down there. Now if you would put your silly knives away."

I glared. "I do not like being called a girl, and I will not put my knives away when you are on my property. I will also not let you turn in the true lord of this manor until he can figure out a proper way to save the villagers. If you have lived under the Sheriffs rule you will know he will not stop even when he gets what he wants."

The condemned man who had nearly been hanged with Will smiled at me. "I like her."

Will glared at him. "Shut up Alan."

Robin quieted them both. "What is going on Siobhan?"

"They are cutting tongues in the village. One every hour until someone reveals your whereabouts. They should be cutting another one in minutes. I was on my way there to try and stall time. I have mended the Sheriffs clothing, I thought maybe I could talk him into special stitches until one of you came across the knife in my house."

Robin nodded. "That may as well give us time. We will go behind the houses, take the main road so we can keep you in sight."

I nodded grabbing my basket and hurrying along the road, sending up a prayer we were not too late.

The Sheriff was standing and saw me approaching. I had slowed down, knowing he was waiting to inspect the clothes before proceeding.

I nodded my head opening the basket so he could inspect the clothes. "The pants were thankfully torn at the seams so they were easily mended. I ask you to inspect the cloak, and was wondering if you would want any kind of pattern or design embroidered onto it."

The Sheriff looked thoughtfully over the cloak. "That may be a good idea. This is my favorite, I use only for special occasions. Yes, I think I might. But first," He laid the cloak on his chair and turned to the crowd. "Another tongue I think."

I turned my eyes to a cottage where I could see the men waiting. I gave an apologetic look for not being able to allow them more time.

I watched at the scissors approached the woman's tongue. An arrow shot through the air cutting the steel in half. Well. That was something new.

How I knew it I didn't know, but Robin played along with what my mind thought and turned himself in.

He gave me one of his 'It's the right thing to do' smiles and was dragged off toward Nottingham.

The Sheriff took up his parcel of clothing and nodded to me. "I will send for you, maybe tomorrow about the additions to the cloak." He reached a hand into his saddlebag and pulled out a pouch of money throwing it at me. "There's your pay, now if you'll excuse me," he rode off.

I weighed the money in my hand. I was going to have to see Marian about this. I don't know how, but I would have to help her find a way to help.

I traveled with Much to Marian's house. He had appeared at my door a few hours after Robin had been led off. I gave him food and we made our way. If there was only one thing I had remembered about Much it was that he was always hungry. Apparently five years had changed nothing.

I stood by the door rubbing the bridge of my nose. I was still terse with Marian after her words about letting Will die the other day. I knew she cared about the village as a whole and hoped a few deaths would not matter, but it gave her no right to forget exactly who she was condemning. She was friends with Will once also. It was not fair she should have said that just to spite Robin. Now that it was her love's neck on the line I was waiting to see how she'd react.

My head moved up as Marian stared at me. "Tongues?"

I nodded pushing myself away from the door. "A tongue every hour until someone revealed his whereabouts. As far as I know only one tongue was lost. Robin arrived in time to save Alice's tongue from being snipped off. After destroying the scissors he turned himself in so no one else would have to suffer. Let us be serious, my Lady, Robin does not let himself get caught."

Much nodded and stood. "I hate the Sheriff and I hate you, if you are not going to help Robin."

Marian's father stood after exchanging a look with his daughter. "I will do all I can to speak on his behalf, but even now my words do not carry much. Your Master has doomed himself."

Much stood by me looking lastly at Marian. "In the Holy Land my Master had dreams." He paused, voice lowering. "He spoke your name. Goodnight."

Much opened the door ahead of me and I bowed myself out.

Much walked ahead of me in a huff. "Well that… That was just..."

I touched his shoulder. "Relax a moment. I saw the look in Marian's eyes. It usually comes before she has a plan, or does something very stupid. She's probably going to think of a way to help Robin escape. Of course she won't do it until morning knowing her; she is smart in that way."

"We cannot just let him stay in the cell all night, surely?"

I blinked at Much. "And what would you do tonight? There is nothing to truly get accomplished. Plus even if I was with you we would be arrested. Around Nottingham, at night? That is more suspicious than being around there during the day. Think clearly, Much. Even Robin would have you remember that."

Much grunted as we approached my cabin. "Than you stay behind and help your Lady. I will go and see what I can do now."

"You do not get the help of your merry band?"

Much stood up straighter. "I can do this on my own accord thank you." He marched off never looking back.

I shook my head and went inside to grab the three rabbits I had saved just incase. Like Robin I too could motivate people to do my bidding. It was even easier when I brought with me the promises of food.

All I needed was to think of a plan on my walk into the merry little camp.

As I passed into the woods I met with the gruff man I had spoken to earlier. We stared at each other for a few beats.

"Girl, what are you doing?"

I sighed pointing to the sack over my arm. "I come bringing an offering of food and a preposition to help Robin."

He nodded. "I am John. John Little. You may call me Little John. I will help you."

I was taken aback. "Alice's John? But, we've all thought you to be dead!"

Little John frowned. "You know of my Alice?"

I nodded sadly walking with him. "She's a wonderful person. She and my mother used to embroider together. She moved into Locksley while still with child. She said the child's father had been killed. It must be nearly eight years now."

Little John again nodded. "I will do my part to help Robin. He saved my wife, he has cared a great deal for his people."

I touched Little John's shoulder. "You went to see her?"

He shook his great head. "I heard her singing."

I smiled. "She has a beautiful voice. She sang to me once when I was ill. Always made me feel better."

As we approached the camp I heard one of Little John's men arguing with Will. "We do not do town. We're outlaws! We're on the run."

"And what happens to loved ones you leave behind?" Will's voice rose but stayed steady.

"Town is dead."

"Have you seen what happens to a family when there is only one breadwinner, 'cause I have." Will last words chilled the air.

"Heartbreaking. Are you deaf? We do not go to Nottingham!"

Little John's voice boomed from beside me. "We go to Nottingham."

Everyone stared at us and Will jumped up. "Siobhan…"

I threw the pack of rabbits to him. "Heat those up. You will all need your strength if you wish to save Robin."

Alan walked over to me taking my hands. "You are a beautiful person."

I moved my head back a second before a hatchet whistled between us landing in a tree.

Alan turned his head to see Will glaring at him. Everyone froze watching.

I gave a small laugh bringing Alan's attention back to me. "I should mention he can become very protective."

Alan promptly dropped my hands nodding an apology to Will. "I did not know she was," he looked at me then back at Will, "your sister?"

Will glared some more. "My wife."

Alan's face paled. "I'll go make those rabbits for you shall I?"

Will walked past him taking my elbow. "What are you playing at coming here?"

My lips twitched into a smile. "Since when did we marry?"

Will lowered his eyes. "Well, I mean…we are betrothed."

I lowered my head to meet his eyes. "I was merely joking. I know what you meant, but you have to be lighter with your own men. Don't scare them so. As for why I came here, it should be obvious. I needed to make sure someone helped Robin."

"You'd help a man you've only just been reunited with for a day?"

"And you would take off the head of a man who spoke kindly to me."

Will and I stared at each other, neither speaking. It was a trait we both shared, this stubbornness.

Little John walked over looking us over with a smile. "You must not be married yet or one of you would have thrown something."

I took a look at Will's surprised expression and burst into laughter. "You are right in that aspect. In another I think we've had enough of throwing things. You see how he is with a hatchet. He is just as good with his axe."

Will's lips twitched into a smile as he crossed his arms. "And she is quite dangerous with her 'little knives' as you called them."

Little John shook his head still smiling. "Young Love. And you are not yet married?"

Will's smile slipped. "No. Another good reason to rescue Robin."

Little John looked confused, so I continued. "The Sheriff oversees all the marriages in Locksley. Only those who can afford to pay or who are in the Sheriffs favor may marry. He is too cheap to let anyone who is old enough to serve in the Crusades marry. If they die the King stated their wives should be compensated to help raise children. Even though they are not taking anyone at this moment, the Sheriff hasn't been allowing the lower class to marry."

Will's voice lowered watching me. "And for us right now it is too late."

"Or too soon since the King is not back." I met his eyes daring him to say something. I did not like how he was acting.

Alan came over cautiously. "The rabbits are done if you would like to eat." He looked between Will and I. "Not married."

I shook my head smiling. "And how can you tell?"

Alan smiled. "He is neither yelling at you to leave the woods nor had he dragged out off further into them."

I felt my cheeks grow hot and watched Alan's eyes twinkle. "Perhaps we should just eat? The way to Nottingham is long and if we are lucky we should catch Much before soldiers do."

"No." Will took me by the arm. "I am taking you back to your cottage. You go to Nottingham in the morning. Do not argue with me for once. Please?"

I turned with a sigh. "If it will please you I suppose. Try not to do anything stupid."

Will smiling kissing my hand. "I will try. Now go. I shall see you tomorrow." His voice lowered catching my eyes. "I promise."

"Marian. May I ask why so early?"

Marian turned to face me on her steed with a sigh. She had woken me up less than two hours after I returned to my cottage for sleep. "I need to save him."

My lips twitched. "Well this is the second-"

She glared. "I asked you to come, but I must ask you not to speak. I need to figure out a plan. Please, Siobhan. No speaking."

I nodded lowering my head. Two rescue attempts. Now it was to see who succeeded.

Marian drew something from her sleeve as we passed into the gates. Dismounting, she said something to the east gate guard and slipped coin into his palm. He nodded and returned to his position.

I led the horses to the post tying loose knots. For some reason I had the strangest feeling we were going to be leaving in a hurry.

I followed Marian up the stairs without a word, hood up just incase.

As we entered the tower, the dungeon master got into an argument with Marian about being in the room.

He finally nodded out of the room and Marian and Robin began their bickering. Some of it was becoming uncomfortable for me as it was obvious Marian was talking about Robin leaving her behind. It only sped up the fighting and I finally had enough.

I threw back my hood. "Would you two please shut up?"

They both paused staring at me.

"We are trying to make an escape not draw attention to ourselves. We all know you both are still in love so please just silence yourselves."

Both looked shocked at my statement and frozen in place. Marian was first to snap out of it giving instructions for Robin to stand by the door when I noticed something was missing.

"Uh, by the by there a second rescue-"

The door opened and the jailer fell over, Much standing behind him. "This is a rescue!" Much passed Robin his bow and quiver smiling around. "And we are undetected."

I rose an eyebrow at Will who was raising his axe. "Why do I have a sudden bad feeling?"

"INTRUDERS IN THE HALL!"

I nodded my head putting my hood back in place. "That would be why." I went to follow them but Robin held me back. "Oh no. You stay with Marian."

"I think not."

We both turned to Marian who was dragging the unconscious dungeon keeper to a chair. She thought for a moment then nodded. "Siobhan, go with them. Try to keep them out of trouble, you know the back ways out of here better than I think they do. There is a suit of armor outside the door; you can just yank off the sword."

I gave Marian a great smile. "Yes, my Lady." I turned to Robin who was giving us both scathing looks. "She is right, you know it. Now we must hurry if we are to get you out of here."

As we hurried down the steps Will tried taking the sword form my hand. "I see no reason for you to fight. This is not just one of our little practices Siobhan."

I pulled the sword away from him. "I am no fool Will. I know what this is, and I refuse to let you have all the fun."

Will's face relaxed slightly seeming to remember exactly who he was talking too. As we made it down the steps we met up with Little John and his other man, Royston.

Robin turned to us all. "Please give me just five minutes; there is something I must do. If I am not back in five minutes you may all just leave me here." He pointed a finger at me. "Especially you. Will, make sure of that." He turned to Royston. "I will need your help."

Royston nodded and followed Robin as the guards approached.

Will gave me a look. "Make sure your hood stays in place."

I gave a small laugh holding my sword at the ready. "Of course. I know better than to taunt guards into knowing they were defeated by a woman."

The fight began as if a face paced dance. A guard took a swing at me and I ducked, taking the morning star from his belt and knocking him out with it.

I watched Will swing his axe around knocking two guards to the ground and blocking a third's strike with his axe and his francisca. He kicked the guard in the chest and nodded to the morning star. I nodded tossing it to him and went down on a knee, extending my other leg to trip a guard headed at him.

I fought alone for a few minutes before feeling someone behind me.

Will met me at my back watching as Alan took out two more guards. "You know, you fight well."

I moved back so I was at his shoulder. "I had the best practice partner."

Will smiled clashing swords with another guard. His face changed and he pushed me behind a wall as we heard the Sheriff's voice.

From the tower above us the Sheriff stood rigid as if someone held something to his back, and I was betting I knew who it was. "Stop! Those men are free to go. I have an announcement to make. I, Vaysey, Sheriff of Nottingham, in recognition of my…" His face darkened. "In recognition of my illegal actions yesterday in Locksley, do humbly apologize to all the people I have done wrong. I promise to pay…" A look of utter shock crossed his face and he turned around in anger. A moment later his face reappeared calling his guards to capture us, but he was too late.

Will threw the morning star back to me, sticking to his axe and francisca. His arms moved with grace as he battled the remaining guards. Alan and I turned around each other, at one point are backs pressing at the pressure of the guards.

Alan moved his head slightly. "On my count move to you right as I move to mine."

"Right."

"One. Two. Three!"

We rolled to our side standing up quickly as the guards fell into each other in a blur of steel and motion.

Alan laughed. "You are a quick learn."

I took a mock bow. "One of the few things I pride myself in thank you."

Robin threw a rope to Much to tie it off to Little John. I ran to Little John relieving him of his quarterstaff.

He looked at me skeptically. "You know how to use that, girl?"

I shrugged. "I can improvise."

Two guards advanced, one toward Much, the other toward me. I took a running step slamming the quarterstaff into the ground, lifting myself in the air high enough to kick the guard in the head. He fell in slow motion as I landed on my feet.

Little John struggled with the rope but managed a laugh. "Aye, that works just as well."

Two guards aimed arrows at Robin. From behind them Will gave me a wink and shoved them both to the ground with a well aimed hit from one of their own poles.

Robin landed with the rest of us, pushing us back toward the gate. He turned once, "Go!"

In a mass we pulled back Will taking me by the hand. "You are to go back inside the castle in the side entrance. Do not argue. We will be waiting for you by your cottage when you return."

I nodded throwing off my cloak and reversing it so the exterior was now black while the inside was tan. Will's face held a look of surprise causing me to laugh. "I am not the High Seamstress just because I am the only one around Will."

He shook his head hurrying off as I slipped through the passage, meeting Marian with a smile.

She looked me over shaking her head. "If the Night Watchman did not work alone, you would be an admirable ally."

I grinned following her step as we went to announce our departure. "The Night Watchman does not need to work alone if only she would realize that. Especially since she receives air kisses from the wonderful Robin Hood."

Marian's face blanched and she ran after me just as she had done when we were girls. Sometimes reliving the past was an excellent thing.

After I turned my horse loose into the community barn I made my way to my cottage finding it empty. I gave a sigh and headed to the back, pulling the cloak out of the beam. An arrow shot inches from my fingers causing me to jump back. Laughing could be heard behind me. I turned throwing a knife by Robin's feet causing him to stumble into Much.

Robin's laughter continued. "Okay, now we are even. May we use your house to cook our food? You are welcome to eat what we have."

I rolled my eyes grabbing a log from the stack, motioning for the group to come over. Robin, Much, Ala and Will had been joined by Little John and his friend Royston. It seemed for once my little cottage would be filled with friends. Although space may be tight it would be nice to be filled for once.

While the others went inside Will took my hand leading me further away from the cottage. At my confused look he picked me up by my waist and spun me around with a laugh.

Placing me back down, he turned me around wrapping his arms around my middle, chin resting on my head. "This is a new beginning. I've never felt as alive as I did today, finally able to properly fight the guards." He rocked us from side to side the cool night breeze playing across my face and running through the branches of the trees nearest the forest.

I turned my head hearing footsteps approaching.

Alan stood right behind us, a smile playing along his face. "And would the two lovers like to come inside for dinner."

Will did not snap, merely released me, leading the way inside.

I gave Alan a questioning look and he smiled. "We resolved our differences, which was mainly myself apologizing profusely." Before entering the door he drew near to my ear, voice a whisper. "If there is one thing I can see, it is you will have your fairy tale ending once this had all ended."

I smiled giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for that." I pushed him forward mock sternness in my voice. "Now get inside before the food gets cold."

A/N:

You have no idea how much fun I am having with this.

Honestly.

JustQuinn: Thank you for your review, always appreciated.