Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I love the movie desperately, but I don't own the copyright to it. I do, however, own the lovely Lilian and her adorable son, Richard.


Lilian sat with the men around the fire at first with a peaceful Richard cradled in her arms. The men were jesting and laughing. Some of the cruder jokes had Lilian's face burning with embarrassment. Lilian tried to block their words from her ears. She was doing well at it too. Or she was until she heard one of the men calling her father a devil worshiper. Her anger rose in her and she eyes the accuser angrily. He was lanky with dark brown hair and something about his being that reminded her of someone.

Anger boiled in her and she eyed her brother pointedly. If he didn't say something, she would. And if she did, no one would be pleased. "My master was a good man!" Duncan shouted angrily looking around blindly. Lilian felt her heart touched by the old man's loyalty and her anger dimmed a little.

"My father was no devil worshipper," Robin said calmly touching Duncan's arm to calm the old man. "And I'll have words with any man who says otherwise." The challenger stood up and stalked away and Lilian let out her breath with a sigh of relief that conflict had been avoided.

"That there's Will Scarlett," John Little informed them. "He's full of pissin' wind." Richard stirred drawing Lilian's attention to her young son. She stood up quietly and moved away from the men.

Lilian sat away from the men and the fire to nurse Richard. She liked the peace of this place. It reminded her of her dreams as a girl not so long ago. She had wanted to live in a place like this with a handsome knight who loved only her. Their children would fill their home with laughter and happiness. Such a sweet dream. A dream that had been killed along with her father. Now her only desire was to see that her son was kept away from his father. If she could succeed in that, she would be eternally happy.

When Richard was full, she covered herself and burped the baby. She sang a lullaby to him as she rocked him to sleep. "You have a lovely voice as well Lilian."

"Th-thank you Azeem," Lilian managed not to jump in surprise, but only just. "I usually don't sing in front of other people."

"It is a pity then. They miss such a beautiful thing."

Lilian's face turned bright red at the compliment. "Y-you lavish far too many compliments on me I fear Azeem. One day they shall all go to my head and I shall see myself as far more than I really am."

"I think it is merely that no one has ever told you the truth of these matters and you have been deluded for far too long my lady." Azeem said gently. "I once believed that my land could only claim the most beautiful and intelligent women of the world. I suppose all me have such arrogant notions of superiority. I now know that I was wrong. This land of inhospitality and poverty has few claims to glory. I see them both now."

Lilian stared at Azeem in wonder as he reached out and gently touched her cheek. A thrill ran through her body. She had never been touched so lovingly…so intimately. It was such a beautiful feeling. It was beautiful and precious. Was this what it meant to be cared for. The only time Guy had ever touched her was to claim ownership or perform his husbandly duties, both in the bed and as her master. Lilian had never felt love from her husband. Now that Azeem touched her so gently, so longingly, she wanted it. She desired it. She needed it. But more…she knew it would never be right with any other man but Azeem. This dark-skinned Moor. This barbarian as he was called by so many of her people. She could feel her heart being given to him little by little. The thought scared and excited her.

"Sleep well my lady," Azeem's voice was a beautiful gently whisper. He didn't touch her again as he stood up. Instead her bowed to her and then left. Lilian couldn't bring herself to touch the tear that rolled down her cheek as she watched him rejoin the men in silence. He was one of the greatest men she had ever met, and she was afraid…she loved him. But what was worse…she could never have him.


Robin was gone when they woke up the next morning. Lilian had to feed Richard and made sure that he was wrapped securely in his blanket before she could search for him. Duncan sat leaning against a tree unseeing. "Duncan?" The poor old man was sitting seeming so lost that it broke her heart. "Where is Robin?"

"I don't know Lady Lilian," Duncan confessed touching her arm to assure himself of her location. "He spoke to me this morning of the day and the offerings to the poor."

Lilian groaned as she remembered that today was Sunday. "He's gone and done something stupid." She muttered under her breath.

"Now Lady Lilian, you should not say such things. Robin wouldn't do anything risky. He's a smart boy," Duncan said with a confidant nod.

Lilian bit her lip. She didn't have the heart to contradict the poor old man. "Of course Duncan. You're right. I should not speak ill of my brother." Lilian said gently touching Duncan's hand.

"It's alright my lady, I know you would never mean ill of your brother," Duncan assured her by patting her arm.

The sound of a horse riding into the camp drew Lilian's attention away from the older man. Lilian saw Robin ride into the camp on a magnificent horse and Lilian had a bad feeling about the situation. "Christian!" Azeem roared angrily storming to Robin. "How can I protect you when I do not even know where you are?" The Moor demanded.

"You hardly even lift a finger when you do know," Robin jumped off the horse and gave a soft loaf of bread to Duncan. "Here you go Duncan. Eat this." Robin gently put his hand on the older man's shoulder and made sure that he held the bread securely.

"What were you thinking Robin?" Lilian asked wringing her hands. "You could have gotten yourself killed."

"But I didn't," Robin pointed out. "You shouldn't worry so much little sister," her brother kissed her forehead and ruffled her hair playfully.

"You've gone and done it now," John Little growled.

A thought came to Lilian as she recognized the horse and she groaned. "You didn't Robin. You stole the sheriff's mount!"

Robin grinned boyishly. "And I gave him a mark he'll not soon forget."

"Of course he won't!" Lilian shouted angrily upsetting her son. She rocked him fiercely. "Robin you've made him hate you. He will find a way to do damage. He will try to turn everyone against you. It shan't be you that suffers for this slight, but everyone else that cannot defend themselves."

"Not if we press the forest enough," Robin said shaking his head.

"I pray God you're right brother," Lilian whispered sadly shaking her head. "Because if you're not there'll be hell to pay."