Darkness came over Sherwood quickly that night. The wind shook the trees more now, and the air cooled. The outlaws and their families enjoyed the feast of food Robin had managed to find, and now were dancing to the most talented musicians in the camp at the time. Robin, Lady Marian, and Ember sat above the scene in an open tree hut, looking down upon the simple happiness. Marian and Robin were still sitting awake but, Ember was fast asleep. Her head lay peacefully in Marian's lap. Marian sat with her back pressed upon the wall, stroking Ember's head with her hands.

"Does a man such as you find it amusing to live with the salts of the earth?" Marian asked softly.

Robin gave a short, deep, quieted laugh. "No, no. Believe me, Marian, all of this is just my welcome home party," he teased. "I have my plans for the future."

"What, a grander scheme than this?" Marian asked, laughing a little too loud. After she finished her laugh, Ember gently moved her head in Marian's lap, but, the girl stayed asleep.

"No, no. I mean, a home, a family, love," Robin explained.

"Oh, men speak conveniently of love when it serves their purpose, and when it doesn't, tis a burden to them. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, is he capable of love?" Marian asked herself quietly out loud.

Marian bent down and kissed Ember's forehead, then, cuddled the girl's head close to her.

Robin smiled down at her. "Sweet kid," he said. "How did you ever come by her?"

"The King sent me a letter four years ago explaining that I had an aunt and she had a daughter. Unfortunately, both my aunt and uncle were slaughtered by Moors at their estate in the Highlands of the North," she explained.

"You mean that Ember is from Scotland?" Robin asked, puzzled.

"No. She's from England. Her parents moved to Edinburgh shortly after she was born, the war was just beginning, and it drove them north." Marian told Robin about how men on huge warhorses delivered Ember to her doorstep on that cold, rainy night. Robin reacted to this story softly. In her sleep, Ember sighed. Marian and Robin gave her a strange look.

"FATHER!" a voice suddenly rang out from below.

After hearing this, Ember quickly snapped awake. "Mar-Marian what is it?" she asked loudly.

The three atop the scene, turned their gazes below.

Wulf charged through the crowd, until her approached the man, Little John. The boy had a worried look upon his face. "Father, it's mother, she's dying!" he pleaded. Suddenly, everyone made their way to John and Fanny's hut. Ember, Wulf, Robin, Azeem, John, Friar Tuck, and Marian entered first. Azeem was the most medically skilled. He got to work examining the heavily pregnant woman.

"Fanny," he said. "Your baby has not turned. It cannot be born without help," he explained.

"NO!" Tuck spat. "Do not listen to him, he's a devils seed, he will kill her."

Azeem tensed, then, turned to him. "If you do not listen to me, she will certainly die, and the child."

"NO!" Fanny screamed, causing Marian to tremble.

John turned to his son. Wulf looked very frightened. "Wulf, I want you to go outside," he said.

"But father!"

"GO!"

Marian began to tremble; she was frightened. Ember grabbed Marian's hand, trying to comfort her.

"Ember," Marian began. "I want you to go outside with Wulf. I think he could use your kind words and company."

Ember did not fight her; she just kissed her forehead, and bolted outside. Ember found Wulf crying onto a tree. Ember offered what comfort she could toward the boy. "Nothing is accomplished through tears" she whispered. "Are you alright, Wulf?"

He sniffled.

"Wulf, I know you're afraid for your mother. I know what you're going through, I mean, I'm worried about Marian all the time," she explained softly. "I know how you feel."

"I just don't want anything to happen to her, I love her so much," he cried under his breath.

"I know you do, Wulf. I understand everything," she said softly.

Wulf wiped his eyes on his cape, then, turned to her. "What's your name, darling girl?" he asked. He approached her, and kissed her hand, even though his eyes were still soaked with tears of pure innocent sadness.

"Ember," she replied. "Lady Marian's cousin."

Wulf immediately stopped his crying; he didn't want to appear a baby before a noblewoman. He smoothed his hair from his face. He then led her down the path, toward two huge boulders. They sat upon these, enjoying one another's company. Ember was a bit homesick but, she had a feeling that a friend like Wulf would be able to fill the void. She had a feeling that her and Marian would leave tomorrow. She looked at Wulf, a special twinkle in her eyes. She looked past Wulf, into the darkness for a moment. She had always wanted to ride a horse at full gallop through Sherwood at dark.

Wulf looked over his shoulder, and into the patch of forest Ember was so drawn to. He then glanced up at the moon-a beautiful crescent- as did she.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Wulf asked Ember.

Ember nodded. "Beautiful is as beautiful does," she replied.

They sat for about another hour like this, until the sound of a newborn filled the air. Ember and Wulf glanced at one another, then, they joined hands and bolted for the hut. As they scooted up the path, John bolted from the hut, with a baby in his hands.

"My son!" he cried.

Everyone cheered.

"Well done, John, he's beautiful," a man announced.

Ember allowed Wulf to charge into the crowd after his father, while she waited for Marian. Everyone exited before her. Robin was wiping his bloody hands onto a piece of cloth he ripped from the bottom of his shirt. Marian exited finally, except, she didn't have dirty hands. As soon as Ember saw her, she ran up to her and hugged her tightly. "Is Fanny alright?"

"She shall be sore for a while but, she'll be fine."

Ember got a look of surprise across her face when everyone began dancing. Will Scarlet approached Marian, a flower in his hand.

"Would you care to dance, milady?" he asked.

Marian took the flower, and sniffed it.

"No," a voice rang out from behind. It was Robin. "This lady is already taken."

With that, Robin swept Marian away in his arms. While Will walked away, and Ember stood in her own jealousy.