A/N: Hey guys! Just to address a reviewer's comment about Robin being a bore. I don't think he is. I mean, based on the TV show, his character was never really developed. You can't really blame him though since it was the writers who never really dot in depth with him, or the other characters for that matter. I believe they had the potential; however the potential was never used. This is why I am writing this story :) Cheers!
Previously…
Everyone snickered. After a little squabbling the group agreed to share each of their stories. Not all the details of each other's past were known, so might as well bring it into the open.
"Allie, do you mind going first?" Robin asked.
"Not at all," Allie responded, grinning.
She had finally found a place to call home.
Chapter 4
Before Allie could say another word, the alarm for intruders went off. Everyone looked at Robin, who signaled for them to stay put. He grabbed his bow and arrow and headed off to see who it might be.
Minutes later, he returned grinning with a disgruntled woman trailing behind him. Allie recognized her as Lady Marian. Allie and Marian had a close relationship. Her father, the former Sheriff, was close friends with Allie's father. Whilst they were younger, Marian would come over and teach her things, like hair-styles and how to use a sword. Before her brothers had taught her, Allie had taken lessons from Marian.
Marian had known that Allie's mother did not care for Allie, so Marian brought it upon herself to teach her all that she had to know. Sadly, the relationship ended when Sir Edward was overthrown. It had become too dangerous for Allie and her brothers to visit, and likewise with all the shady things Allie's father had going on. They had been out of touch for five years, so Allie did not know if Marian knew what had happened.
Marian greeted everyone in the camp cheerfully, before her eyes settled on the newcomer. He eyes widened in astonishment.
"Alyson!?" Marian gasped.
"You know her?" Robin asked, disbelievingly.
"Yes, our fathers knew each other, but we have been out of touch for quite some time," she explained, walking over to hug Allie. "What happened? Why are you here?"
"She was getting to that part, before you came," Allan said.
Marian glared at him, "Well how do you expect me to know that? I have not seen her in five years, let alone know what she was doing five minutes ago."
Allan held his hands up in surrender, before sitting back down again, waiting to hear her story.
Everyone was looking at Allie expectantly. She sighed, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing.
"I'm fourteen, if you haven't already guessed, and as you know, my parents are dead. My father was not the most honest man. Sure, for a while he had a lot of money, but it became apparent to my siblings and I that he was in deep trouble. We had this grand house, but my mother stayed at home, and my father worked only rarely. One day, I had come home early; my brothers had stayed behind at school because they had gotten into trouble with the teacher. They had gotten caught while trying to rig a prank."
"Wait," Allan interrupted, "you have brothers?"
"Well, yes," Allie said.
"Who are they?" Robin asked gently.
"I have three brothers. The eldest was Darren; he would be twenty-three this year. Next is Thomas, although we all call him Tommy. He will be twenty-one. Lastly is Frederick, or Freddie. He'd be nineteen."
"And where are they now?" Will asked.
"They're gone," Allie said sadly.
"Gone? What do you mean they are gone?" Marian questioned, startled, "the last time I saw you, your father still had a great deal of wealth, and your brothers were perfectly healthy."
"Yes, well as I said before, my father was not honest. He had borrowed money from some bad people. I still do not know who they really are, but from what I gathered, my father owed them a lot of money. Anyways, when I had gotten home, I overheard my father in an argument with my mother about how they would repay them. My mother was suggesting that the boys would go find work and help support, but my father was stubborn. He had built this image that they were rich. If the boys had gone to seek work, then it would show that we had money problems. That was when I was around seven years old, so I thought nothing of it.
"Eventually, those people grew tired of his excuses, so they began to make threats. My mother was frantic; she began working, even though my father was against it. She tried to pay it off, bit by bit. She lessened the amount, but it was still a fairly large one. She also began to get Tommy and Freddie to work. Darren had already gone off to fight in the crusades a year before, so he couldn't help. My father grew angrier; he felt that my mother was defying him. In recuperation to the anger, she began to make me work. In truth, she would have done so either way, but she used my father as an excuse to make me work."
"What happened then," Marian asked troubled. The last time we had kept in touch was around this time. She had known we began working again, but she didn't have time to figure out why. Her father had been overthrown at that time as well, so she was caught up in her changing lifestyle as well.
"My father ordered to stop us all from working. However, while he was lecturing us, those bad people had gotten into our house, demanding the money. When my father could not hand any over, they got a hold of my mother, threatening to kill her if he didn't. In truth, my mother knew that we did not care for her, since she did not care for us. Her only remaining hope in the world was her dear husband, but my father refused to give in. They slit her throat and commenced to kill him. During that time, Tommy and Freddie grabbed my hand and we ran it out of there.
"We had to begin living by ourselves, Tommy and Freddie always looking for work. It was not until a couple years later, when I was eleven, had Darren come home. He was sent back to help aid a crippled friend find his way home. He was confused at first, as our old house was abandoned and could not find anyone. Then he grew concerned, and then angry. We reunited eventually and it became just the four of us.
"Months later, however, the people that my father had owed money to began targeting us. Since we were the only heirs left from him, technically we can still pay the money. Money was scarce, and we needed it for clothing and food and my schooling. Soon, my brothers left, deciding to lead them away from me. They left me in the care of some our most trusted friends. To this day, I do not know if they are still alive.
"I had lived with my friends for a while, but then those vile men found me, and it had not become safe for my friends if I were to stay. It saddened me, but I had to leave. That was about six months ago. I've been living in the forest ever since."
The camp became immerse in a deep silence. How could they compare to the loss and tragedy Allie felt? It was cruel, for such a young girl to be cursed with such a terrible fate. Marian reached over to hug her friend. Allie embraced the hug quietly. She enjoyed it, for it had been a while since she had a sisterly figure to help her.
"That-that's sad," Much said, breaking the silence.
"Well it is life, isn't it?" Allie replied.
"Well yeah," Allan said, "I'm not being funny, but your life sucks."
"Thanks," Allie replied, sarcastically as everyone shot glares at him.
"What do you think happened to your brothers?" Marian asked.
"I dunno," Allie said, shrugging, "they could be dead or hiding in some other village. Maybe the Sheriff even got to them. Anything is possible, really."
"Well, there's still hope then," Will said, "I mean if we've learned anything from our time as outlaws is that there are many possibilities."
"Will's right," Robin said, "we've achieved so many things. The least we can do is find out what happened to your brothers. Did they leave any clues to where they were heading?"
Allie shook her head, "No, they were very specific to not let anything happen to me. So they were very secretive to where they were heading. They knew I would try and follow them."
"We'll keep our eyes and ears open," John assured her.
Allie forced a smile in response. For being here for a short time, she already felt right at home.
"Do you need to get your things?" Djaq asked, "I mean you must have more than that small bag."
"Yes indeed, I should go get them," Allie agreed.
"I'll come with you," Marian said, standing up, "Father thinks I am out taking a walk. If anyone unexpected came to visit and went out looking for me, I would think they would appreciate it if they actually found me."
"Alright," Allie accepted.
Robin had wanted someone from the gang to go with her, but he knew that Marian would like to catch up with Allie. He had never met Allie, but he distantly remembered Marian talking about her during their teenage years.
"Don't be too late back, alright?" he call out.
Allie nodded in response and left the camp with Marian.
"What things were you able to keep?" Marian asked, curious.
"Oh, this and that, some trinkets to remind me of my brothers," she replied, nonchalantly.
"Well how has it been with you? Anyone special?" Marian queried teasingly.
Allie snorted, "Mind you, I have been living in the forest for a while. Before that, I had very close friends, but not in a romantic sense."
"Ah, well do not be wary, you are still young yet."
"What about you?" Allie asked, slyly.
"What about me?" Marian asked.
"Do not think that I missed the looks you and Robin exchange," Allie retorted, while Marian blushed, "and if I remember correctly, you used to go on and on about Robin."
"Yes, we are lovers, but cannot be so public about it. It would not be good for my father in case the Sheriff might use it to the advantage and kidnap him. Also, I highly doubt Sir Guy would take it well if he sees."
"Ah yes, I have been meaning to ask you about Guy. First Robin and then Guy, how many more men are you thinking about being engaged to?" Allie laughed as she dodged Marian's punch.
"Oh be quiet, mind you I am older and so you shall show respect towards me," Marian said a matter-of-factly.
They both went in a fit of giggles at the comment.
Allie sighed, "I missed this."
"I know. Me too," Marian said, "the other lady nobles are far too stuffy."
They reached the hidden alcove where Allie kept her things. Reaching in, Allie pulled out the bag she had gotten earlier and gave to Marian to hold. After grabbing another bag, Allie and Marian began heading back to the camp. Marian was curious with what was in the bag.
"Can I take a look in here?" Marian asked.
"Sure, go ahead," Allie said, waving at her, "I'm pretty sure nothing is a secret to you anyways."
Marian began shifting through the things. She noticed two swords, a couple of knives, a bow and arrow among some other things. Marian noticed the forest green dress and grinned. She had it sent as a gift to Allie a while ago. Allie had one when she was younger, but Marian knew she had grown out of it, and persuaded some guards to send the package to her around her 13th birthday. When Marian had learned that Allie had been gone from her former home, she wondered if she ever got it. Turned out she did.
A small box caught her eye. It suspiciously looked like it would fit for a ring. Curious, she opened the box, and indeed there was a ring in there. She looked at Allie sharply, who was just up ahead. She said she was not betrothed to anyone. Why would she lie? Unless…Marian looked at the ring closely. She would recognize it from anywhere! It belonged to Allie's mother. However, Marian knew her mother was never going to give it to her. Marian racked her brain, but could not remember when Allie's mother had parted with it.
"Allie," Marian began, albeit a bit hesitantly, "when did you get this ring?"
Allie turned around and noticed the ring in Marian's hand. She sighed.
"My mother had given it to Darren, in case he would ever get betrothed. She wanted him to give it to his future wife, although traditionally it was supposed to go to the eldest daughter in our family. Before my brothers left, Darren had given it to me. He said he wanted it to be with its rightful owner," Allie explained.
Marian was touched by Darren's gesture to his sister. Marian had always wanted siblings like them. She had been practically their sister, so she was content. Now with the ever danger of Sir Guy and the Sheriff, she wished she had someone to rely on. There was Robin, but he was not always able to be there.
"That was really kind of your brother," Marian said, closing the box.
"Keep it," Allie said suddenly.
"Pardon?" Marian asked, astonished.
"Keep it. I have no use for it. You can keep it, and if I live long enough to marry, you can give it to my future husband," Allie said.
"Are you sure?" Marian queried.
"Yes, I have no use for it as of now, it would be safer with you anyways," Allie said.
"Alright, if you wish it; I will guard it with care, don't you worry. You will make it to your wedding day, alright?" Marian said.
"Alright," Allie echoed softly.
Marian slipped the box into her pouch she kept at her waist. A couple minutes later, they arrived back at camp. They noticed the gang shifting through bags as they came in.
"Took you long enough," Much commented, shifting through the bags.
"We were only gone for forty-five minutes," Allie shot back.
"Well in that time, we were able to ambush a wealthy cart. It was heavily guarded," Robin said, grinning.
Marian rolled her eyes, but began helping Robin look through the inventory. Allie stood there awkwardly, not sure where to put her stuff.
Will looked up and said, "You'll have the extra bunk over there. You can put your stuff underneath it."
"Thanks," Allie replied.
"Not a problem," he gave her a smile before sorting through his part of the inventory.
"Oi, Allie!" Allan called, "come over and help me with my inventory, yea?"
"Allan!" Djaq scolded, "that is your job. Do your own work."
"Well at least I tried," Allan grumbled. The gang laughed at that.
Allan shifted through his bag and picked up a funny looking ring.
"What's that?" Robin demanded, taking an interest in the ring.
"It was the lady's ring," Allan replied.
"Hang on," Robin said, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of his stomach, "that's the Sheriff's insignia."
"What does the lady have to do with the Sheriff?" Marian questioned.
"So what?" Allan replied, nonchalantly, "we robbed a friend of the Sheriff."
"She's more than a friend if she shares the Sheriff's insignia," Robin replied.
"I wish I could be more of a help, but I highly doubt I would be welcomed at the castle at this time," Marian said, frustrated.
"That's alright," Robin reassured, "I don't want you near the castle anyways. I would be too dangerous."
"I can look after myself Robin," she said tiredly. They had this conversation many times over.
"Well it's for the best," Robin said, "you should be heading back, before any suspicions arise."
"Alright," Marian said, "do you mind if Allie comes with me? I really have a few things to discuss with her."
"As you wish," Robin said. He went back to mulling over the ring. What significance is that lady to the Sheriff?
Allie once again left the camp, and she and Marian began their way to Knighton.
"What did you want to discuss?" Allie asked.
"It's about your ring. I fear that Sir Guy and the Sheriff will quit becoming patient and come after my father and I soon. God forbid if they ransacked the place, I cannot bear the thought of you losing it. I will put it in a safe hiding place near Knighton. I just thought of telling you, so you would not be worried."
"Alright," Allie said, although she feared of what could happen to Marian.
"What are you going to do now? Once you live with the outlaws, you will become one. Granted, the King will pardon you once he comes home, but until then, will you be able to handle it?"
"Yes, I will be perfectly fine," Allie said, grinning as her eyes twinkled in mischief.
"I know that look," Marian said teasingly, "and don't try to deny it. Your puppy dog eyes were lost on me the day we met."
"Oh this and that," she replied grinning.
"I swear, sooner or later you won't be able to bat those pretty sea blue-green eyes of yours out of a situation," Marian retorted.
"And until then, I will keep using them to my advantage," Allie joked cheerfully.
"So, what are you doing?"
"Oh," Allie said, mischievously, "I think I'll go to Nottingham tomorrow and find out who the Sheriff's visitor is."
A/N: Ah, finally done. This took a bit longer than the other chapter because I had to actually go to the episode and incorporate a specific conversation into here. See if you can figure which part it is :) Thanks for reading!