After a week of laying half in and out of a coma in the little building, Marian was finally well enough to move to the house. She held tightly to Djaq as they made the journey through the garden. The pain in her side was excruciating. Djaq tried to support her as much as possible, but Marian was still very weak, almost limp. It was like trying to push along dead weight.
"How much farther, Djaq?"
"Just a few steps." Djaq said through gritted teeth as she braced her shoulder.
When they got to the little shaded patio, Djaq gently lowered Marian into a chair, and then collapsed on the floor beside her.
"Next time, I get a servant to carry you."
"Agreed. That was awful. Who knew walking a few steps could be so difficult?"
"Then again, not everyone does it after receiving a near fatal wound." Djaq got to her feet. "I will get us something to eat and to drink. No more mush for you. You need to start really building up your strength."
Marian nodded and then leaned back in the chair, looking out at the garden she had not been able to appreciate a few moments before. She was full of questions to ask Djaq, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know how Robin was doing, or force Djaq to think about Will.
A short while later, Djaq returned with two plates of food, two cups, and a jug of water.
"Couldn't you have gotten someone to help you?" Marian asked, noting the juggling act as Djaq struggled not to drop anything.
"It is all right." Djaq put a plate in Marian's hands, and then set down the rest on a nearby table. She poured a cup of water and handed it over, and then sat in the opposite chair with her own. "I am not used to having servants anymore. I don't think I ever will be again."
The two ate in silence, Marian ravenously hungry, and Djaq pensive. When they had finished they still sat in silence, then Marian broke the quiet.
"How did they take it?"
"Not well. I mean, they think that you are dead."
"No. I meant you staying."
"Oh. That…not so good. Some of them understand. Others…do not."
"Will?"
Djaq nodded. "He barely even said good-bye to me. Just turned around and walked away."
She brushed away a tear.
"Oh, Djaq, I'm sorry. This is all my fault!"
"No, do not ever say that! We are here because you need help and I want to give it. You did not stab yourself if I remember correctly."
"I know, but it's not fair. We're both separated from the ones we love when we need them the most."
"Yes, but, we have each other, do we not? I have found that I sometimes prefer the company of friends in my most dire hours."
"I have never had many…any…real friends." Marian looked away. "At least not any close female ones."
Djaq smiled. "You do now."
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"It looks like we'll be in England within a few days." Robin announced to the gang where they sat around on the deck. "But as soon as we get there, we must lay low. The Sheriff will be pulling every dirty trick in his book to keep Prince John in power, now that the King is aware of the plot."
"I don't think we should go back to Sherwood right away. Maybe skirt the coast for a bit." Allan put forth, looking around at the others. "I wouldn't be surprised if they set the forest on fire trying to get us out."
"You are right. We can stick to the South of England for now, where they do not know who we are and that we are outlaws. We could start spreading the word about the traitorous actions of the Sheriff, and Gisbourne."
Robin looked to Will, who had said nothing. "We will return to Sherwood in due time. I am sure we will get home before Djaq does."
"Djaq's not coming home." Will got up and walked away.
Allan sighed in exasperation. "See, I made some headway with him a week ago. Got him to understand that Djaq's probably doing something to help us. He was fine and dandy for a few days, but now he's all moody again."
"I have no doubt in my mind that she will return. I just wish I knew what she was hiding from us."
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