Disclaimer: I own no rights to Robin Hood.
'Indicates a thought'
Chapter 7: Explanations
*Warning* I do use the word Bastard in this chapter, it means illegitimate (born out of wed lock) I apologize if this offends you but that is the word that was used during this time period.
Marian stayed for dinner, which consisted of nearly burnt meat, of origins indescribable, bread, and watered down wine. The others gossiped about what was happening at Nottingham. They plotted the next heists, and who would be delivering food and money to the villages. Marian kept sneaking glanced at me, she looked like she wanted to talk, so when she stood up explaining "I need to relieve myself," and walked off through the woods, I took this as my cue. I moved to the shadows and followed her, an area I was good at although trying not to step on any twigs or leaves was more of a challenge then I was used to.
I walked about fifteen paces when Marian stepped out from behind a tree, "They don't know, do they," she stated. I blushed out of embarrassment and looked at the dirt on my shoes, "if anyone saw you with them… I don't mean to insult you but to them… frankly you are a threat." I looked up at her surprised and confused. "I'm sorry but I can't let them be in danger without knowing it," she walked back to the fire, to the outlaws.
I stood there, in the woods, shivering. 'I should run. Can I bear to see their faces? No I can't run, then they'll think I'm a good-for-nothing spy.' I walked back to camp following the same path as Marian. Marian was watching me when I stepped into the light, she raised an eyebrow, it was as if she hadn't been expecting me to come back.
While I was gone the plans for tomorrow had been made, they would spar in the morning, as they always did, then I would help Allan and John deliver packages to Loxley, while Robin, Djaq, Much, and Will would go to Retford and deliver the weekly packages there.
Marian thanked Much for dinner, the only person to do so, and declared that it was time for her to get back home. She mounted her horse.
"Marian, not that your visits aren't lovely, but why did you come?" asked Much.
Marian looked at me, gaze never wavering as she said, "The Sheriff was issued a ransom for his daughter's safe return from her brutal kidnapping." The word Daughter repeated itself in my head. It drowned out the sound of Marian riding away.
"The Sheriff has a daughter?" asked Will he looked questioningly at Robin.
"I don't know, but I think she does," he replied, staring at me with his arms folded. Anger flooded through me, making my vision hazy, turning my tears red hot, it bubbled through my blood. This was unlike something I had ever felt before; I gave into the need to hit something, anything. I turned to the nearest tree and struck it. All the while 'daughter' chanted like a sick mantra. The skin on my knuckles split, but it felt good to have the anger seep through the wounds, "Why he is finally recognizing me as his child?" I cried.
Allan was the one who moved first. He walked slowly over to me and gently removed my bleeding hand from the tree. He tenderly pulled me into a hug and allowed me to sob on his shoulder and he rubbed circles on my back with his thumb. I pushed away from him and wiped my eyes with my sleeve. Djaq stepped forward and took my wrist in her hand; she lifted it and examined the still bleeding cuts. She led me back to the fire and opened a container filled with clean water. She cleaned the bark from my hand and wrapped my knuckles with a rag.
"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Djaq.
"Why didn't I tell you that I'm the bastard daughter of the Sheriff of Nottingham, the daughter of the man who has ignored me and tried to kill all of you?" I said angrily.
"The little wriggly worm has fire in her," said Little John. I smiled at him suddenly, embarrassed that I had snapped at Djaq.
"Never mind that what are we going to do with you?" asked Robin.
"Why can't everything stay the same?" I asked suddenly shy again.
"Because you lied!" said Robin in exasperation.
"We keep an eye on her at all times. She hasn't done anything to betray us yet." said Will.
After much debating, they settled on tying one of Djaq and my feet together. Much kept asking about my father, what we should do about him. John finally told him to shut up and wait until the morning.
Djaq had the first watch, so I fought of sleep and talked with her in low voices for hours. She explained the special talents and stories behind everyone in the group. How it was amazing that Will defended me because he never spoke unless he truly believed what he was saying. How John never says much, but studies people and judges them after a while. How Much hides how much being treated like a servant, even after all this time, hurts him behind his annoying banter. She never spoke of her own story.
When the time came she banked the fire, shook Will awake, and dragged me to her pallet, where we both fell asleep immediately.
A/N: Hello again everyone! I hope you liked this chapter, reviews are always a good way to show me that you liked it (hint hint, wink wink, cough! cough!)
NOWL- Thank you for telling me about the typo, I'm so glad you caught that!
Erehwona- I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!
Oh! I've decided that this story occurs between Series One and Two!
-Ananimous
