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Recap "Does this Lady Lilith have a sister?" Djaq asked

"No," Sarah said.

"Then I believe you are she," Djaq declared. Lilith stopped and stared at her.

Chapter 7: Hasty Explanations

"What?" Lilith practically yelled.

"When I was masquerading as a male and we were traveling in the cage, I know how angry I was listening to the English talk about my people. I saw it on your face when they were talking about you."

Lilith sat down. "You will not tell a soul," Sarah ordered. "I will not risk anything happening to her because you discovered the truth."

"On one condition," she said. "What happened to you after you were married?"

"My lady, you do not need to tell her," Sarah said grabbing her hand. "We will simply leave."

"And go where?" Lilith asked. "I go home, father sends me back to Sir Guy, this time with a full contingent of soldiers and a an escort from John himself. The only other option is to claim myself and go to Sir Guy."

"I do not wish for you to do either," Djaq said. "I would not wish being the wife to Sir Guy on anyone."

"Will you vow not to tell anyone?" Lilith said. "The only people who know exactly what happened to me is Sarah and Lady Bracknell."

Djaq nodded. "Who are they?" Djaq asked.

"This is Sarah," Lilith said gesturing to Sarah. "She is my companion and best friend. Lady Bracknell– it is a fairly long story." She motioned for Djaq to take a seat on the tree log next to her. "I married a week before my husband was to leave for war. It was a good match, we both came from excellent families and The King was pleased as well. Then he left. They all left!" she said. "I remained at my new home, taking over the running of the home. My husband's cousin moved in to oversee the lands and my protection but honestly he is a simpleton. I have never met anyone stupider. His mother, Lady Bracknell, moved in as well. She has no blood ties to my husband and is a wicked, selfish woman." Sarah said a curse at the mention of Lady Bracknell's name.

"A few months after my husband had left, I discovered I was with child," Lilith said ignoring Djaq's shocked expression. "First, I was . . . well, nervous," she admitted. "My husband had gone off, and I was living with virtual strangers in a home that was mine for only a short time. But after a few days I was looking forward to being a mother," she said with a soft smile. "I told only Sarah. She has always known my secrets."

"One of the maids discovered it," Sarah said picking up the narrative. "It was gossip among the upstairs servants that their master would have a son to return to. Lady Bracknell overheard," Sarah said venomously.

"She didn't want there to be an heir," Lilith explained. "Without an heir, her son would have inherited the Kent lands and titles." She stood and started pacing again. "She decided to eliminate the child before it could be born. I don't know what it was, I just know I became violently ill. Doctors were brought in, I was bled, everything. . . I thought for sure I was dying. I was half mad and tempted to carve out my own stomach because of the pain," Lilith shuddered and folded her hands on her stomach.

"I knew who was responsible for it," Sarah said quietly. "I managed to get Lilith out of Kent and back to her father's house. No one said anything at first since she was so violently ill. She slowly recovered, and then we got word Charles was dead."

"It wasn't until a year after that that people began gossiping about it openly," Lilith added.

"Do you know what it was she poisoned you with?" Djaq asked. Lilith shook her head no. "I am sorry," Djaq said.

"I am beginning to agree with you that all Englishmen are bad," Lilith decided. "The only person I trust is Sarah. Even my childhood friends are deserting me!" she fumed. "Marion saying such things. Honestly!"

"She was a lonely child," Sarah said. "She didn't have any siblings or companions."

"That is no excuse," Lilith said. "She is not the lonely child any longer. Just because I spoke my mind from time to time without regard to propriety . . ."

"Who is it you have taken a liking to?" Djaq asked randomly.

"Huh?" Lilith asked confused.

"Alan," Sarah said happily.

"Ah, he has taken a liking to you as well, this is good," Djaq said.

"What? How on earth is this good?" Lilith asked. "Nothing can come of it. Even if I wanted it to, our stations in life are too far apart."

"Surely this can be worked around, right?" Djaq asked.

"I do not see how. Assuming I can keep from marrying Sir Guy, there is still the fact that I can't have children. Not to mention I am the daughter of a lord and he a peasant– I am doomed in life. That is the only explanation for me. Everything always goes wrong."

"Barren?" Djaq asked.

"She believes she is unable to have any more children," Sarah whispered. "I try to reassure her it's not true, but . . . I don't know."

"I don't even have any value then as a wife to a peasant like him," Lilith said. "I should just keep these robes on forever then," she said gloomily.

"My lady, you do not have the makings of a nun."

"You are even more outspoken than Marion. She could not have made it as a nun either," Djaq said. She told them about Marion's attempt at joining the abbey. It made Lilith laugh so hard it brought tears to her eyes.

"I think we have been gone long enough," Sarah said. "You need your rest my lady."

"Do you always watch out for her?" Djaq asked.

"It is my duty," Sarah said. "I am honored I had the fortune to be chosen."

"Yes, out of all the babies born in Canterbury, they brought me my best friend," Lilith said, looping her arm threw Sarah's. Djaq shook her head at the strangeness of these English women. They made their way into camp and took their normal places for sleep.

"Were you truly chosen randomly?" Djaq whispered.

"No," Sarah said, "I was born into a wealthier family, a free family. My mother died in childbirth, but she knew Lady Lilith's mother. They had hoped we would be friends if we were both girls, or if I was a son, a friend of Luke. Lady Lilith's mother took me in to be the companion to her daughter. I think they both would be pleased to know I befriended them both."

"You were like another daughter to her?" Djaq asked.

"To the Lady Eleanor, perhaps," Sarah said. "She was a truly kind woman. But I always knew my place. I was like one of the family as far as the servants were concerned, but I was not born of the Canterbury family. In private we were Lilith and Sarah, but among other nobles it was Lady Lilith and Sarah. Court is a funny thing. They remember my father had money so they don't say anything to me."

"You English have strange customs," Djaq said.

"I know," Sarah laughed. "It seems strange even to us who are subjected to it. At least, it has seemed odd to Lilith and myself," she said. "Did you agree with everything in your country?" Sarah asked.

"No," Djaq said after some thought. "I suppose it is impossible to agree with everything."

"Good night, Djaq," Sarah said.

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The next morning Lilith surprised Sarah by waking her up for a change. "You are never up first, Lily," Sarah said sleepily.

"I know," she said laughing. "I just woke up and saw the sunrise and it put me in a cheery mood. Don't expect it to happen often," she teased.

"I wouldn't expect it to happen twice," Sarah laughed. "Do we have plans for today?"

"Hmm . . . trapeezing through the woods, looking for new victims, cooking,. . . that sounds rather dull."

"So you now wish to make outlaw life more entertaining?" Sarah asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why am I not surprised?"

"If we are here long enough," Lilith said smirking. "You never know, I might. We could all get matching wardrobes . . . since we live in the forest perhaps something in green," she said. "Oh, little hats," she said, "like this!" she said imitating the shape of the hat (a/n: think Errol Flynn).

"Heaven help the outlaws," Sarah said rolling her eyes.

After washing, they divided up breakfast of left over meat. "Go to see Marion," Lilith told Robin as they walked off. "I can tell you want to, especially now that she is a freewoman again."

He gave her a cocky grin. "True. Knighton Hall doesn't seem to be heavily guarded with the Sheriff's men. Odd since he was trying to kill all the lords."

"You know why," Lilith said. He raised an eyebrow. "They are now looking for Lady Lilith. Without marrying her, Gisborne doesn't have a legit reason to hold the lands. I'm sure they are using all their resources to find her."

"All the more reason, then, to keep you from them," Robin said. Lilith nodded. That's what I thought, she told herself. Why else would she be hiding in the forest? "If they found her they would surely get Locksley," he continued.

Lilith fumed. "You think of her no better than Gisborne or the sheriff if all you think of is how she is tied to the lands. To think she might be trying to help you out by not marrying Gisborne, and you are here glad she is safe only for your lands," she said icily. "It seems you and Gisborne are truly more alike than one would think." She gave him an icy glare. "Go to Marion. There are no barriers between you now." She turned on her heel and stormed off. Uh! He didn't give a flying monkey for Locksley as a child, always assumed it would be there for him whenever he wanted, never caring . . . she continued to rant to herself as she trapezed through the woods.

She grabbed the bow and a quiver of arrows from the supplies and headed off to find something to shoot.

Sarah saw Lilith leaving the camps and recognized the look on her face and knew better than to intervene. She decided to take a swim instead and headed to the pond. If they were all lucky, Lilith would find something to shoot and vent her anger without doing or saying anything to blow their cover.

She took off her robes and dove in. It was a lovely day and she enjoyed just floating for awhile and relaxing. Finally deciding she had spent more than enough time doing nothing she started swimming towards edge. She was walking out as Will cleared the trees and ran right into her.

"Oh my . ." Sarah said looking, trying to jump back into a deeper part to hide the upper part of her body.

Will gave a violent shade of red and turned around quickly. "I'm sorry!" he yelled, wondering how this always happened to him. "Bloody bugger," he mumbled. "Robin came back with news, I was just looking for you . . .I'll just let you get dressed," he said completely mortified and hurried back off to camp.

Sarah watched horrified as he practically ran off. When he was gone she couldn't help but burst out laughing. It was mortifying, but his face turned an adorable red shade when he blushed. She thought he might have burst a blood vessel. She quickly dressed and headed back to camp. Will was decidedly not making eye contact with her and still blushing. Alan was giving him a weird look. He noticed the blushing got worse when Sister Mary Rose returned and figured it had something to do with her but Will avoided all questions.

"Fowl?" Sarah asked surprised. "I don't think we have had it in the week we've been here."

"I know. I thought to get some," Lilith said smugly. She felt much better after her hunt and the fact she actually caught something made it that much better. "Uh, what happened?" she whispered looking at Will.

"He, uh, was looking for me," Sarah said. Lilith raised an eyebrow. "He found me," she said, "as I was getting out of the pond." Lilith's mouth formed a perfect O, then she laughed. "How mortifying. Probably telling you Robin has news."

"Yes, he stammered something about that," Sarah said. They all waited for Robin to tell them.

"Marion said that the Sheriff has found another scientist. He apparently wants Greek fire and some sort of liquid that burns through solid iron. I didn't know such a thing existed."

"It is what he took from me when you gave up Gisborne," Djaq said.

"He has him in Nottingham after abducting him. Apparently he was traveling from the northern border after visiting family back to Kent."

"Kent?" Lilith asked quickly. "Was he from Kent originally?"

"I don't know," Robin said. "Why? Is that important? We need to get him out of the sheriff's clutches regardless if he is from Kent or London or Locksley," Robin said.

"Of course, I was not saying anything to the contrary," Lilith said. Heaven forbid he was from Kent and recognized her.

"There was no scientist in Kent before, Lily," Sarah whispered. "He could be new."

"I hope so," Lilith said. "Otherwise, we will have to leave when they rescue him."

"How do we rescue him?" Sarah asked. "He is the castle. How will you get in?"

"Marion told me where he was working," Robin said. "We will have to get in and get to that part of the tower."

"The sheriff isn't stupid. He will have extra guards for this guy," Alan said. Lilith nodded.

"I know, but I know of some people he won't be expecting," Robin said looking at the nuns.

"No," Lilith said. "What happened to not letting Guy and the sheriff find me?" she demanded. "You gave me your word you would not let me get caught." As much as she thought it sounded exciting, she couldn't risk the sheriff or this noble recognizing her.

"And you won't get caught!" Robin reassured.

"I don't know, Robin. It's not like everything always works out according to plan," Alan said quickly. "I don't think we should risk anything happening to her."

"Or Mary Rose," Djaq said. Lilith and Sarah nodded.

"Then how do we get in?" Robin asked.

"You could dress up as a nun," Lilith suggested with a coy grin. "The sight alone would probably blind the guards." Alan laughed at the idea of Robin as a nun.

"We will have to wait for a way in, then," John said.

"Surely a shipment of some sort will come by soon you could sneak in on," Lilith said.

"Hopefully one comes soon," Robin said. He and Will (who quickly volunteered) went to scout out to see if there were any opportunities coming.

Djaq walked up to Lilith and Sarah and the three of them formed a small circle. "Could this man recognize you?" Djaq whispered.

"I desperately hope not," Lilith whispered.

"I do not recall a scientist in Kent," Sarah said. "He was never presented to you during your wedding, nor anytime after."

"If you have to leave, I will help," Djaq said.

"Thank you," Lilith said.

"Hey, what are you three talking about?" Alan asked curiously.

"The catechism," Sarah blurted out, receiving questioning looks from Djaq and Lilith. "We were discussing how we recite it in Latin," she added and rolled her eyes at the horrid excuse.

"Do you think you can get him out?" Lilith asked going to sit with Alan. She had discovered she loved his company and found herself always trying to be next to him whether they were eating, hunting, or spying.

"Robin will try," Alan said. "Hopefully it will go better than most of his plans. Once the sheriff has someone, it is bloody hard to get them back." Alan watched as she leaned back against the tree truck He didn't know why, but he found himself taken with her, more so than any other girl he had come across. He found himself trying to start conversations with her because she was outspoken and intelligent and spirited. He didn't know if he was more surprised by his feelings or the fact she was a nun.

A whistle had them all rushing off. "It seems our nun was correct," Robin said. "A shipment comes to Nottingham now."

"What sort of shipment?" Alan asked wearily.

"Wine, cheese, and fish," Robin said. Lilith and Sarah watched as they prepared to take over the cart.

Alan was the one to step in front of the cart. "We are now commandeering this shipment," he said as the others surrounded the wagon. They watched as John knocked the driver unconscious. "I claim driver," Alan said.

"You have been the driver before," Robin said. "They will recognize all of us . . ."

"Alright, but I am not hiding in the fish barrel," Alan said wrinkling his nose.

Lilith nudged Sarah signaling she had a plan. "I can drive in," Sarah volunteered.

"What?" Will asked. "It is too dangerous."

"They do not know me," Sarah said, "and I am not as valuable as Sister Mary Lily. I can drive in; park the cart where you need it. Just tell me where to leave you."

"What about you?" Alan asked Lilith.

"I will find ways of keeping myself from worrying too much," Lilith said. "Mary Rose, come on. You should change into some peasant clothes," she said. They rushed back to their packs and Lilith helped Sarah to change quickly. The others got in back so they could hide themselves in the barrels when they got closer to the city; they decided John could ride in front with Sister Mary Rose because he couldn't fit in the barrels.

"I shall wait in Locksley. Please find me as soon as you are back," she said. "Then we can decide what to do if this scientist recognizes me or not." Sarah nodded and quickly got up on the seat. She was looking forward to the adventure (after living with Lilith for so long her adventurous spirit rubbed off on her), and she knew she needed to see if this man posed a threat to her friend.

Lilith watched as they rode off towards Nottingham. "Now all I can do is wait," she said kicking a rock. She hated waiting.

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Author's Notes: Special thanks to EP who reviewed! Kept my spirits up.

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