Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, as it is the property of the BBC

Madeline

A 10 year old Madleine stood in her bedroom, plaiting the hair of her closest friend - 11 year old Marian.

Marian huffed,' Come on Maddie! Can't you go any faster! '

Maddie stuck her tongue out at her friend whilst finishing plaiting her hair. ' If you would stop moving I could do this faster. '

A loud bang caused both of the girls to stop their bickering.

Maddie jumped as a 15 year old Much came through the doorway grinning.

' For goodness sake, Much! ' she chided, looking over her shoulder at him,' I told you not to sneak up on me! '

Much shrugged and grinned wider. 'I know something you-'

'-don't know? ' guessed Maddie, tying off the ribbon in the other girl's hair, letting Marian get up.

Then an 11 year old boy appeared at Much's shoulder. He was Will Scarlett - a boy from the village, who had recently started to hang around with the four sometimes.

' Have you told them yet? ' Will asked.

Marian rounded on Maddie, hands on her hips. ' What're they talking about ? ' she demanded.

The younger girl shrugged. Being the youngest usually meant she found everything out last. This time was no exception.

' Boy things? ' she guessed.

14 year old Robin appeared behind Much holding a flower out to Marian. Tuft of hair falling over his eyes and almost passing for innocent. ' For you.'

Marian took a cautious step forward plucking the flower from his grasp. 'What did you break Robin? I can't keep taking the blame. '

Maddie giggled, but was silenced by a look from her brother.

Robin smiled at Marian, his eyes gleaming in the mischevious way they so often did. ' I didn't break anything. I was told I should be nicer at you.'

' Why? ' she asked, raising her eyebrows.

' Because when we're older we're suppose to marry,' Robin informed her.

Maddie clapped a hand over my mouth to stifle the giggling.

Both Marian and Robin glared at her.

Maddie took a step back dropping her hand from her mouth. ' Well, it does make sense. '

Marian's jaw dropped looking indignant. ' How? '

Maddie shook her head, backing away from her brother and friend, and hiding behind Much, clinging to his waist. ' I would explain if you two would stop ganging up on me. '

An amused Much allowed his master's sister - whom he had known since she was 4, and was therefore good friends with - cling to him.

Will nodded at Robin. ' We are supposed to look after her. She is the youngest after all.'

Maddie crossed my arms, side steppuing away from Much. ' You don't have to sound so superior.'

' Well I am older. '

' That doesn't make you smarter.

Robin cleared his throat. ' If you two could pack it in? '

' He started it! ' Maddie protested.

Robin smiled. ' Maddie? '

' Fine. But I am smarter. ' she mumbled. She cleared her throat before Will could talk.

She told Robin, ' The way I see it it's a smart move. Both us and Marian are from good families, and our parents are both really close. You're both really alike, the age is right, and I mean you have a lot in common. You're a smart match."

Marian looked disgusted. "A smart match! Maddie! Who's side are you on? Why would I want to be stuck with Robin! He's so annoying!"

It was Robin's turn to look offended. "And why would I want to be stuck with a prissy little thing like yourself?"

Marian drew a fist back and punched Robin square in the jaw. She started laughing, but Robin kicked her in the shin and they proceeded to roll around the room, fighting.

Maddie jumped out of the way with a snicker.

Much looked at her. ' Proud of yourself? '

Maddie tucked a spare bit of ribbon in her pocket and nodded. ' They proved my other point. They are both the most stubborn people I know. They're a match made in heaven. '

Much shook his head, exasperated.

Later on, Grace Locksley scolded her son for fighting, until she found it Robin's injuries came from Marian. At this, she began laughing so hard, that Robin left the house in a fit.

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