Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter Seven
When Madeline woke up the next morning, her argument with Robin was still fresh in her mind. She was an early riser, as was he, and when she got up and got changed, before going into the camp, she found that he was the only other person awake.
She stopped when she saw him sat around the burnt out fire on his own.
" Oh," she said, looking at him, not sure what to say, " Morning. "
Robin half smiled when he saw her, " Truce? " he asked, standing up and offering out his hand, " I don't want to argue, and I know I shouldn't have got angry with you. "
Madeline smiled, moving forwards, " Don't say anything else," she said, " we don't need to talk about it. It's done. "
Robin smiled broadly and instead of offering her his hand, withdrew his hand, and opened his arms. She laughed and hugged him warmly - her big brother's embrace was like nothing else, and it always made her feel safe.
" Now," he said when they broke apart, " time for your fighting lesson. "
Madeline rolled her eyes, " No," she said, " for God's sake, Robin, I'm not a child. Why do you have to teach me how to fight - it's ridiculous. "
" It most certainly is not," Robin said, looking around for the little supply of weapons they had - most of which they'd taken from the few guards they'd fought with. He took a sword and picked up the one he'd decided was best for Madeline.
" I don't want to be taught how to fight, like some child," Madeline said.
" Maddie," Robin started.
" Madeline," she corrected.
Robin shook his head slowly, " My darling sister, you will always be Maddie to me, and I wish you'd accept that. "
They stared each other out in the way they often did, each waiting for the other to relent. Madeline was the first and she even smiled as she gave in, " Fine. I suppose this is a new life. Therefore I might let you call me Maddie. Just like old times. "
" Just like old times," Robin agreed, " now," he said, taking on an authoritave tone as he adressed her, " I know you don't want to go through fighting lessons, but you need to know how to fight, as I keep telling you. Rule number one, you're not using those little knives you strap to yourselves. Not as your primary weapon at least - you need a sword, or a staff, or a bow and arrow. I think your best bet is a sword. "
He tossed the sword to her and she took hold of it, lifting it up and testing out its weight.
" I've already seen you fight, and you're good - obviously comes from me - but your problem is, whenever have to fight, you'll be up against grown men. All over 6 feet tall, all a lot bigger and stronger than you. Not neccessarily cleverer though. With a bit of practise, you'll be better than them. Now come on - if I swing the sword at you, you block it. I'll go easy on you. "
They started clanging away with the swords and didn't even wake the other men up - it appeared that they could sleep through anything.
" Good," Robin said, as they stopped for a minute to catch their breath, " now, when we're all out in a group, you're probably safer, because there's always going to be one of us nearby, so there's more chance of someone coming to help you. When you're on your own, however, it's all down to you. Let's go again. "
Robin managed to make some progress with her, and he was sure that she'd be alright, as long as it was a mild fight. He intended to keep on making her fight until he was certain she could defend her against.
After an hour, he held his arms out, " C'mon then," he said, " Locksley against Locksley. Make it a proper fight. "
" This is so unfair," Madeline said, gritting her teeth, " you fought in the war - you'll easily beat me! "
" I know," he smirked, " I'll go easy on you. "
Madeline could only think of her brother as arrogant as he started to move slowly. He moved in for the kill, slashing his sword through the air, and Madeline deflected it. After a few similar moves, Robin slowly started to circle her with a smirk and she did the same.
She wasn't expecting it, when he darted in and started the full on swordfight. She grinned, loving the combat, and soon found that she had a delicate, dance-like movement that meant she could spin under him or around him without him even looking.
The more they spent fighting, the more fun it was, and the more competitive they became. Madeline was certain that Robin would have been able to overpower her if he tried, but he was taking a different approach.
She didn't even realise it happened, but Robin seemed to be getting too confident, certain he'd be able to win his sister easily, and she managed to knock the sword from his hand.
She grinned triumphantly at his disappointed look and she pointed her sword at his chest, walking forwards, and forcing him to walk backwards. His back his the nearest tree with a thud, and she smirked at him.
" I win," she said.
" Jesus Christ," a voice from behind them said, " I know your brother and sister and all that, but do you really need to kill each other? "
Madeline looked over her shoulder to see Allan looking at them in suprise and then she looked back at the sword she was pointing at Robin's heart.
" Oh," she said, tossing her sword down on the ground, " this? " she asked turning around to look at Allan with a mischevious smirk, " this is nothing. Just a bit of sword practise. "
" Jesus, love, remind me never to practise sword fighting with you," Allan said, shaking his head as he sat down and Robin and Madeline came to join him
" On the contrary," Robin said, throwing Madeline a cheeky grin, " she can do with all the practise she can get - I don't want any chance of this one getting herself killed. "
" I don't know," Allan said with a lecherous wink at Madeline, " I reckon she can handle herself. "
" Allan A Dale! " Madeline said, with a smirk, pretending to be scandalized, " how dare you speak about a bethrothed woman that way, you lecherous man. "
" That's me," he shrugged.
When everyone was awake, they all sat around the camp, stringing together plan that Roy had suggested, while generally bantering.
The roles were already established within their group - Robin was the leader, John was also a voice of authority and everyone listened to him, Allan was a sneaky trickster who liked to joke around, Will was the honest one who made things for them, Much was the cook, and the one they made fun of, Roy was the slightly thick one though he came up with some good plans, and Madeline was the female. The one nobody with any sense dared to make fun of, because they'd seen her argue and knew she'd probably kill them.
Robin listened eagerly to Robin's plan, while Madeline payed slightly less attention, as she was distracted by Much running his hand up and down her arm lightly.
" Are we all clear? " Robin asked, looking around at everyone, " Maddie? "
" Yes, perfectly," she said, getting to her feet along with the others and taking the sword that Robin held out to her.
Once they all started walking through the forest and to wherever they were going, Madeline looked at Will, who was walking at her side (Much on her other side). John was the only one who stayed behind, keeping a fire going for when the others got back.
" So what's the plan? " she asked him innocently.
" You're impossible," Will said, shaking his head at her with a fond smile. " Roy's going to lure the guards into a chase in the forest, where Robin will set up a ropre that will knock them off their horses. Then we'll fight them, beat them, and end up with a load of horses which we'll sell and get lots of money for, to give to the poor. "
" Right. Good," Madeline said, before frowning, " but ... fighting? Not so good. "
" I reckon you'll be fine, judging from what I saw this morning," Allan piped up from behind them.
Much, who wasn't at all keen on Allan, turned and gave Allan a dirty look before draping his arm around Madeline's shoulders. Madeline couldn't understand why Much didn't like Allan - she knew the man was a sneak and a trickster, but she thought he was good hearted and funny, and she was already getting on well with him.
Once the plan was set up, everyone except Roy was waiting for the guards, since Roy was the one leading them in.
" Just remember everything we did this morning," Robin said, touching Madeline's shoulder lightly as they heard the quickly approaching footsteps.
Once they came, Robin stepped into view, hands on hips, motioning for the guards to come forwards. When they did so, they were thrown off their horses by riding straight into the rope and the outlaws sprang from their positions and launched into battle.
Madeline swung her sword around and suprised herself by knocking one of the guards down with the hilt of it. She moved past and the guard, who was still conscious, grabbed her anke and pulled her over.
She rolled over and before she had time to fight the man off, someone else had hit him hard.
" Up you get," a voice said, and a hand reached out and pulled her to her feet. Much gave her a stern look, " will you please watch what you're doing? I'd rather you stayed alive. "
" Duck," Madeline said, her eyes widened as she saw one of the guards come up behind Much, " duck! " she repeated when he didn't. When Much ducked, she swung the sword, hilt end first and knocked him out with it.
As the man collapsed, Much drew himself up to full height, " That is," he started, " that is ... unbelieveable. "
Madeline put her hands on her hips, " Are you saying you didn't think I saw capable of taking care of myself? "
" As if I would ever dream of saying such a thing," Much replied. Looking around them, they both saw that most of the fight seemed to be over. They moved over to the others at the same time that another horse rode into view, with Gisbourne sitting astride it.
Madeline hadn't seen Gisbourne since that day they'd been outlawed - or hadn't spoken to him at least - and she was the first one he looked at when he came into the clearing.
The others started to mount the horses they'd stolen, and Robin saw the way Gisbourne eyed his sister lecherously, as if he wanted her for his own. " With me," he said simply, shoving her hastily towards one of the horses. She got up behind him as there weren't enough for everyone to take one each, and they all hurried off, before Gisbourne could get to them.
Gisbourne didn't even come after them, to their suprise.
They all stopped riding once they were a sufficent distance away, and Robin waited for Madeline to dismount first, worrying he'd clumsily kick her otherwise on his own way down.
Much got down from his own horse before Madeline did, and he came over to where Madeline was sat astride the tall black horse.
" May I? " he asked.
She laughed and slid off the horse and allowed him to catch her, as she threw her arms around his neck. He caught her easily and put her down with a quick kiss to the cheek.
Everyone was thrilled that they'd gotten away with what they'd done, and everyone started congratulating each other, slapping each other on the back and hugging each other.
Madeline hugged Robin, who picked her up and spun her around happily. She also hugged Will briefly, and when she broke apart from him she turned around to see Allan, and hugged him too, though she noticed Much glaring from the corner of her eye.
" What do I keep telling you abut being jealous? " she grinned, walking back over to him, " there is absolutely no need. "
Much shrugged, " Sorry, angel. But you would feel the same if you had such an attractive partner. "
" I do have a very attractive partner," Madeline said, laying her hand on his chest, " in fact, he's a very handsome man - unbelieveably sexy. "
Much blushed bright red and Madeline could only laugh at him. " That is not appropriate language for a Lady, Madeline," he said firmly once he'd recovered.
Madeline shrugged and gave him one of her most flirtatious smiles, " I might be a noble, darling, but I'm not quite a lady. "
Much didn't have an answer, and realised it was coming to something when he was the innocent one, and she was the flirty outrageous one.
As everyone continued to shake hands, Much went off to shake Roy's and Roy withdrew his hand and stuck his tounge out, making everyone laugh at Much, except Madeline, who knew Much too well, and suspected that this could upset him.
Much frowned and moved away from Roy, turning his back on everyone else.
Roy laughed and pointed at one of the horses, " Since it was my idea, I get to keep the nag, right? " he asked Robin.
" The nag? " Robin asked incredulously, " this, my friend, is a fine war horse ... of course you can keep him! " Everyone else, who had fallen silent, laughed loudly, before Robin turned his attention to Much.
" Much," he said, " do not be so easily wounded. "
Madeline however, scowled at Roy - he was a good enough man, but she wished he'd leave Much alone every once in a while.
There was a small crying noise, and Roy laughed, " Well you have the damned horse if you're going to cry about it! "
" I'm not crying! " Much snapped, turning around to face them.
Everyone fell silent, and they all listened to the crying noise, exchanging confused and suprised looks. The maternal instinct in Madeline took over, as she'd always craved a proper family since having her son. She'd always been good with children, and she had a natural caring quality.
She recognised the sound of a baby crying and moved forwards curiously, but Will got there first.
He knelt down and when he moved up, he was cradling a tiny baby. Madeline moved closer and was horrified at the thought of a baby being left in the forest, she pulled back the folds around the child's face, and smiled as the little baby looked at her.
" Oh wow," she breathed quietly, " that's ... that is beautiful. "
" What is it? " Much asked as Will bounced the baby up and down gently, trying to make it stop crying. Madeline watched Much carefully, deciding this might be a good time to gage his reaction to children, " I mean, I know what it is but ... "
" It's a boy," Madeline said smiling and stroking the little boy's cheek gently.
" We rode straight past him," Allan pointed out, " we could have trampled him. "
" Where's its mother? " Much asked, looking quite terrified at the thought of a baby.
" His mother," Madeline corrected, feeling protective of the little boy, and hoping to hold him for herself to fill the hole she felt whenever she wasn't with her own son.
" This little one's cold," Will said, as Madeline noticed how much of a natural he was - first to the baby, " his mother is long gone. "
" Can't you stop it crying? " Roy demanded, stood furthest away from the baby, while Will, Robin, Much, Allan and Madeline all crowded around.
" Give him here," Allan said, moving closer and suprising Madeline by taking the baby ever so gently from Will. The next thing he did was stupid, however, as he kept hold of the baby and turned him upside down.
" Woah! " everyone cried in unison, each moving in closer.
" What? " Allan demanded as the poor baby cried even louder, " that's how you're supposed to shut them up! "
" C'mon, leave him, let's go," Roy said, shaking his head.
" No! " Madeline protested, touching Allan's arm lightly and forming a cradle out of her own arms. Allan gently placed the baby into her arms as Madeline glared at Roy, " you can't just leave a baby here! "
" We're outlaws, not wet nurses! " Roy snapped.
Madeline rolled her eyes and rocked the baby up and down, smiling at him. The baby's eyes were locked on hers and within seconds of bouncing him in just the right way, he'd grown quieter.
" Hey, how'd you do that? " Robin asked, as they all looked at her in amazement.
Madeline shrugged, " He likes me, don't you baby? Yes you do," she cooed, looking at the others, she shrugged again, " what can I say? Amazing, aren't I? "
Allan shrugged, his gaze travelling to where Madeline held the baby, to her chest, " Probably because she's a woman ... got ... you know, breasts, and that. "
Robin swiftly slapped Allan around the back of the head for daring to glance at Madeline's body, while Much threw him a quick glare. Much turned to look at Madeline and looked faintly suprised and terrified that she should be such a natural with the baby.
" Here, let me hold him," Robin said eagerly, " if he likes you, I think he'll like me too. "
" Always so competitive," Madeline said, smiling tenderly at the baby and slowly moving him over to Robin. Robin naturally arranged his arms into a cradle for the baby and Madeline settled the baby down in his arms carefully, her eyes never leaving him.
Madeline glanced at Much, who was looking at the baby with interest, though she could tell he was utterly terrified at the thought of a baby - she sighed and wondered how on earth he'd react when she told him he had a child. True, Robert wasn't a baby, but he was still a child, and Madeline saw him as her baby.
The little baby remained silent for Robin, who grinned and bounced him up and down at which point the baby began to cry out, making everybody laugh.
" Shhh," Robin said, bouncing the baby more lightly.
Madeline laughed, " You wont believe how peculiar you lot look with a baby," she said.
" Then have the thing back," Roy said loudly and impatiently. Looking at Robin, he said, " give her the kid back - she's the only one it will shut up for. Let's just shut it up and leave it. "
Robin, who had been looking around, held the baby to his chest firmly and knelt down to the ground, holding up his other hand to silence everyone.
Madeline's eyes shifted from the baby to her brother and then to what he was inspecting.
" Ah," she grimacing, sharing his same eye for detail.
At the others looks, Robin elaborated, " These hoof prints are marked. No noise, no movement. Gisbourne is not the fool he looks like. He will track us. "
" You didn't think of that, did you? " Much asked Roy, throwing him a hateful look.
" Not bein' funny, but shouldn't we be moving on? " Allan pointed out, " Gisbourne and his lot could be coming already. "
" They could be here already," came the familiar smooth voice, and Madeline looked around at once. Gisbourne was stepped out of the trees on his horse, having followed them on the horse they'd stolen, and his men started to surround them.
Everyone looked around in panic as Gisbourne's armed men stepped out.
Robin cradled the baby to his chest more tightly, while Much tried to reach for Madeline's arm. She appreciated the gesture but knew she'd have to take care of herself.
" What do we do? " Much hissed.
" What can we do? " Robin sighed, " we do not believe in harming man or beast. " The others all looked at him in outrage, but then he smirked and pulled out his sword, " Vermin ... on the other hand. "
He unsheathed his sword loudly, and Madeline was the first one to mimick his action, closely followed by the others.
Just as before, a fierce battle begun, and Madeline got more inot it and felt like she could really get somewhere - the guards didn't expect a noble woman to be much good, but they were forgetting the fact that Robin - such a naturally skilled warrior - was her flesh and blood. She moved with a dance like grace and elegance and soon became more accostomed to the weight of a sword.
She saw Robin keeping an eye on her while trying to fight his own men, and she knew he was mentally storing each of her triumphs and failures to throw back at her in their next little lesson.
" Robin! " she screeched, as one of the guards came up behind him. Robin turned and quickly ducked, still clinging to the baby. Madeline spun around and slashed at one of the guards before turning back to Robin's direction, " For God's sake mind the baby !" she shouted, " and watch what you're doing - never mind me!"
As she easily dodged another man's attack, Robin started to realise he was going to have to let his sister grow up and fight her own battles. Then another second later, he decided that that would never happen - he would always have one eye on his own fight, and the other on his beloved sister, because he couldn't live with himself if anything happened to her.
The fight continued to rage, and it became more and more fast paced.
Without even seeing what had happened, Madeline heard Robin shout Roy's name and turned to see two guards dragging an unconsious Roy away with them - she wasn't particularly keen on him, but he was one of them, nonetheless.
After this, it seemed the fight was over, and the other guards began to leave, following off now they had what they wanted - a hostage of sorts.
Will, Robin, Allan, Much and Madeline all gathered together. The ever-protective Robin tried to move towards his sister, but Much got there first.
" Are you alright? " he asked, looking at her carefully.
" I'm fine," she said, before a wicked grin flashed across her face which was so much like one of Robin's, that it startled Much, " In fact, I think I rather like this fighting thing. "
" God help us all," Robin said dryly, narrowing his eyes at her.
She shrugged and gave him an innocent sort of smile, and he shook his head, distracted from saying anything else by the baby in his arms, who promptly started crying.
" Oh give him to me," Madeline said impatiently, looking down at the poor little baby.
Robin smiled at her, " When did you become such on expert on childcare? " he asked as he gently passed the baby to her, teasing her.
" Well, I don't know," Madeline shrugged, cradling the baby to her and wondering how anyone could possibly leave such a beautiful creature in the forest, " but at least he doesn't cry for me, like he does for you? "
" That is because you scare the poor child into silence," Robin said as they all started walking back.
" Of course," Madeline said, shaking her head, " whereas you scare him so much that he feels the need to cry very loudly. Dear me, Rob. Seems we've found someone who doesn't like you ... "
Robin huffed and they all started to walk back to the camp. The others were thinking of Roy, and how they were going to tell John, who was a good friend of Roy's. The capture of a friend put a dampener on everything, but Madeline was too busy thinking about the baby - and her own son - to think much of an outlaw she barely knew.
" Much," she said, looking over her shoulder for Much, as the baby did nothing but stare at her, " come and look at the baby - look! "
Much looked uncomfortable with this, " I don't think I'd be any good with a baby," he said, shaking his head, as they fell behind the others, " children don't tend to like me. "
" Rubbish," Madeline said, " when was the last time you were around a child, to test this theory? "
When Much didn't reply, she added, " exactly. You have been away for five years, and before that, you were barely out of childhood yourself. "
" I was 22," Much rerted hotly, unable to stop himself.
Madeline raised her eyebrows, thinking about this, " Really? In that case you're getting old now. "
Much sighed, " And the last child I was around was you," he pointed out, " I spent your childhood and mine keeping an eye on you so you wouldn't get into trouble. "
" And look how well we turned out," Madeline said, " we always get on very well. So that disproves your idea of "children not liking you". " She paused and then smirked at him, " although on second thoughts, we get on too well. Maybe I shouldn't let you near the baby after all. I don't want any competition. "
" You," he told her firmly, " are ridiculous. "
" And you," she replied, " love me in spite of my ways. "
" I love you because of them," he corrected quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. He drew to a halt and so did she. Much continued, looking at the ground rather than his beloved, " I love everything about you, and I especially love how I feel when I'm with you. You make me into a better man. "
Madeline didn't know what to say - the man had a way of stunning her into silence by being so impossibly nice to her. She looked at him for a moment, her lips slightly parted, and he laughed and moved forwards
" Nice to see you being quiet for once," Much said, " I should like to see this more often. "
He put one hand on her waist and leaned in to kiss her before realising the baby was in her arms. He looked down at it and then leaned in a placed a quick kiss on Madeline's forehead.
" Oi! " Allan shouted from ahead of them, " are you two coming, or not? "
" Alright, alright! " Madeline replied, sighing and grabbing Much's hand with her free hand, the other clamping the baby to her chest. She moved forwards, pulling a suprised Much with her.
They slowed down as soon as they caught up with the others, and Much rearranged his hand so his fingers locked perfectly between Madeline's.
He couldn't deny that he liked the thought of eventually marrying this beautiful woman and having several children with her, though the baby in front of them made the thought of children absolutely terrifying.
He couldn't stop himself from stealing the odd glances at the baby in interest, realising how beautiful the baby was, and not missing the fond looks Madeline gave the little thing. He still felt too scared to hold the baby himself - certain he'd drop it, or it would scream bloody murder.
Once they got back to the camp, John stood up to look at them, and didn't look too impressed as Much and Madeline - the last ones into the clearing - appeared, but there was obviously one person missing.
Everyone suddenly felt awkward - they hadn't gotten used to John yet, and he was an imposing character.
Robin and Allan stopped in front of John, and Allan threw his hand out in exasperation, " They got Roy," he said, " we're sorry. "
They moved past John, as did Will, and Much was the next one to pass the large man, " The horses were marked," he explained, " they tracked us. " At the pointed look John gave the baby, Much pulled Madeline closer and added, " It's a baby. "
" Congratulations," John muttered bitterly, before staring at the others. Robin looked extremely guilty, and this made John angry, though he spoke quietly and controlled, " We go to Nottingham," he said.
Madeline ignored John and as she moved past him, she took a seat on a tree stump in the middle of the clearing, and settled the baby in her lap, looking down at it. It stirred and looked up at her, and she smiled and bounced it lightly.
" Where's your mother, little one? " she asked gently, though she knew the babe wouldn't answer, " why were you all alone? Where's your Papa? "
" We go to Nottingham," John repeated, this time more loudly.
Madeline rolled her eyes, never one to hold her tounge, " Yes thank you, we heard you the first time. If you don't mind, you'll upset the baby. "
Robin smirked at his sister's ways and told John, " We will work through this. We need information. " He looked at Allan, " take one of the horses and ride to Nottingham. See what you can find out about a way in. " He looked at Will, " You can go with him. " He then look to John, " You can stay here and calm ... Maddie, Much ... looks like you're looking after the baby. "
" Excellent practise," Allan smirked, setting towards one of the horses.
" Excuse me? " Robin asked sharply, glaring at Allan.
" What? " Allan asked, fed up of being told off all the time, " Alls am saying is, they're engaged to be married. They'll have their owns kids one day, won't they? "
" Not while they're living out of wedlock in the forest they won't. Not unless Madeline wants to ruin herself," Robin said sharply, as if to warn Much not to dare try to bed Madeline out of wedlock, while Madeline winced at his words.
" We're already ruined," she pointed out, " we live in the forest Robin. "
" Not when King Richard returns," he said gently, to which she shrugged. Then he frowned and added, " and I don't care where we live. Any sister of mine is going to live respectably. "
Madeline sighed.
A while later, they were all stood in the clearing, dressed in their travelling cloaks, awaiting Allan's return. Madeline was having trouble quietening the baby and it seemed the baby wasn't even willing to be quiet for her, even after taking a liking to her.
Allan and Will came into the clearing soon after, and both swung down off their horses.
" Central courtyard. All covered in guards," he said, shaking his head.
" The east wall? " Robin asked.
" Teaming," Allan replied, dismissing it.
" There's the South Wall though," Will suggested, " no-one there. "
" Because it's too high," Robin pointed out.
" Look, even if we do get in," Allan said, as Madeline desperately tried to shush the baby, " I've heard the new door to the dungeons if two feet thick. "
" I've heard that too," Will nodded with a frown, " but I also heard that Richard of York made it," he added, as if this were supposed to mean anything to anyone.
" And? " Madeline prompted.
" Richard of York can't make a hinge to save his life," Will added with a slightly superior smirk, " the lock side'll be strong as an ox, but the hinge side ... weak. Especially with the weight of two foot timber. "
The others nodded, considering this, and the only noise was the baby crying.
" Oh for heaven's sake," Madeline said after a moment, " will someone please do something about this baby? " She appealed to her brother and as-good-as-brother with a pout, " Robin? Will? "
To her suprise, it was Much who said, " Oh, come here," and moved closer. She was hesitant, but he slowly and carefully took the baby from her arms and held it in his own, with a proud sort of smile on his face.
" Huh," he said quietly, " he's not so scary after all. Shhh little man," he cooed, beginning to pace up and down with the baby, rocking it gently from side to side. This seemed to have some sort of soothing effect, and Madeline stared at him - there was something that was adorable and sexy about her betrothed cradling a baby.
" No need to look so suprised," he told Madeline with a smile, " I managed to shut you up when you were young - maybe not this young, but, still ... it is only a shame I can't shut you up these days."
" What way is that to speak to a lady? " Madeline demanded, with a playful smirk.
" I thought we'd established that you aren't a lady," Much said.
" Much! " Robin hissed sharply, " Madeline is a lady, and she is to be treated as such. And back to the plan - we go to Nottingham, and we get Roy out. "
There was no repsonse at first, and then Allan was the first one to argue, " Not bein' funny," he said, " but why should we all go and risk her lives. " He looked around at the others, " Robin, you've got a sister and this idiot relying on you," he said, to which Much narrowed his eyes and took offence. Allan continued, " Will's got family - they'll be crushed if anything happens to him, if anything happens to Much, we'll have no food - "
" And I'll be devastated," Madeline added.
Allan continued, " And if anything happens to Madeline, you'll be upset, Much'll cry, Will'll be upset, and I won't have no pretty woman to eye up. Is it really such a good plan? "
Madeline shrugged, " We all knew what we were getting into by agreeing to live in the forest and fight the Sheriff, Allan. That's what we're here for. " She then smirked and added, " and thank you for the compliment - I suppose I am rather pretty. "
Robin leant up against one of the trees with a shadow of a smile on his face, " For every man there is a purpose for which he sets up in his life - let yours be the doing of all good deeds. That's us, lads, my dearest sister. "
Madeline smiled with pride and decided that that was something she liked the sound of.
" From the bible? " Will asked, as Much reached out and pulled an arm around Madeline's waist, while holding the baby tenderly.
" It's the Qu'ran," Robin corrected.
" What's that? " Will asked in confusion.
" Turk Bible," Much said, " he read it in the Holy Land. "
" Why? " Allan asked in confusion, though it didn't suprised Madeline that he should have read it, at all.
" I wanted to know what we were fighting," Robin said with a shrug.
Madeline gave him a smile, and as everyone pulled their cloaks around them and prepared to leave, she turned around to look at Much. He was taller than her and stood behind her, one arm around her, and the other cradling the baby.
" You look good like this," she told him.
" Like what? " he asked in distraction, too busy looking down at the baby - Madeline was thrilled that he seemed to have taken to the baby and wondered how he'd take to the news he had a child of his own, though theirs was older.
" Family man," she said with a fond smile, " you ... a woman ... a baby. "
" All in good time, my future bride," Much said, leaning in and kissing her cheek softly, making her giggle.
" We really should get going," Robin said, looking at the horses - there was one horse less than there were people, so Madeline knew she'd end up sharing one, and because Robin was such an overprotective idiot, she also knew she'd be sharing his - she was glad of it really, because she knew if she rode her own, she'd never be able to keep up to him, nor the other men.
" May I? " Robin asked, moving closer and gesturing towards the baby, while everyone else started to mount their horses. Much handed the little baby over carefully, making Madeline smile, and Robin proceeded to use a piece of cloth to fashion some sort of carrier around his body for the baby.
" You can't take him with us," Madeline pointed out.
" We can't leave him here! " Robin said, shaking his head at her.
" I could stay with him," Madeline suggested, " you can hardly give him a little bow and arrow! Little dagger? He's a baby, Robin, and you can't just take him into battle! "
" You're not staying behind," Robin aid, once he'd firmly strapped the baby to him, " we are all going to Nottingham together, and we're going to save Roy. That's final. "
Madeline opened her mouth to argue, but at Robin's simple look, she knew she had no choice and she stayed silent as he mounted the horse. Once he was settled, she approached the horse - which was much larger than she was used to, and she frowned once she realised it was too high for her to climb on easily.
Then she frowned deeper, " I can't share your horse," Madeline told him, " because I've no-where to hold onto. I can't put my arms around your middle, because you've got the baby around your front. "
Robin looked down at himself and then shook his head, " Fine then," he said. He looked across at the others, and his eyes flickered over Allan, whom he didn't trust with his sister, Will, who he did, and Much, whom he did, though he was wary of.
Before Robin could speak, Madeline shrugged, " Well, it's settled then. Much, I'm sharing your horse. " At Robin's glance, she added, " What? I'm a respectable betrothed woman - I can hardly share the horse with some other man. "
She walked over to Much's horse, and he mounted it before she did. She then sighed, looking up at it and realising she was too short to clamber up easily.
" Come on, angel," Much said, reaching one hand out to her.
She smiled and very ungracefully climbed onto the horse with the help of his hand pulling her up. Once she was seated behind him, Robin nodded at her from his own horse, and once it was clear that everyone was ready to go, he gave the orders.
As the horses started, Madeline leaned forwards and gently wrapped her arms around Much's waist as he rode the horse. They got faster and as they went over a bumpy patch, Madeline was worried she'd fall off, and immediately tightened her arms around his body.
" For goodness sake hold on," Much said, turning to look over his shoulder, " the last thing I want is you to fall off and be trampled. "
" I am holding on," Madeline said, leaning forwards even more so her lips were at his ear, " If only because I like holding onto you. "
Much didn't reply, though his blush told her he'd heard - she pondered the fact that he was so innocent, and she could easily embarrass him.
They rode to the edges of the forest until they were overlooking Nottingham. Robin stopped first to gather everyone around to talk, and the others followed his lead.
As Much drew the horse to a halt, Madeline loosened her grip on him and sat up properly, though she didn't remove her arms, and left them loosely around his middle. He, in turn, removed one hand from the reins of the horse and laid it over hers.
Before Robin could speak, John pointed out to the road which left the walls of Nottingham, " Roy! " he shouted.
Robin started forwards on the horse, hoping to get Roy's attention, " Roy! " he shouted, moving forwards to meet him, " over here! "
Roy was being chased out on horseback by some of the castle guards, apparently having made his escape, and he looked over to where Robin sat, waving on arm at him. Robin disappeared into the trees and the rest of the gang followed, Roy at the back of them.
They kept going into the trees until they were far out of the way of the guards, who had lost them. Madeline slid off the horse easily and smiled slightly as Robin embraced Roy and told him how good it was to have him back.
The others dismounted their horses, and all welcomed Roy back to them.
" Hey how'd you escape? " Allan asked, seeming impressed, as he patted Roy's arm, and Madeline moved over to Robin, helping him untangle the crying baby from the sling he'd fashioned.
" oh ... you know ... " Roy shrugged to Allan, " showed the Sheriff some of my moves, didn't I? Reckon he was impressed. Reckon he was gonna ask me to join his side. "
Those gathered around him laughed, and once Robin had unwrapped the baby from him, he handed him to Madeline, who smiled and bundled him up in her arms tightly, pulling him to her chest.
" How many did you take down? " Allan pressed, while the men all gathered around Roy to listen, but Madeline paced up and down, lightly bouncing the baby and smiling to herself as she did so.
" Yeah, quite a few," Roy said, " um ... "
He continued to talk, but Madeline didn't hear him as she was bouncing the baby up and down and smiling tenderly at it. She came to a halt and reached into the folds of the baby's shawl to stroke its cheek. She was lost in the moment of looking at something so beautiful that she jumped in alarm when a gentle hand touched her waist.
" Shhh," Much said softly, tracing the curve of her waist with his hand, his palm fitting perfectly.
Madeline smiled and looked down at the baby, " Isn't he just gorgeous? " she said.
" He is," Much agreed with a nod.
Madeline sighed wistfully, and Much tried to analyse the sigh, though he wasn't sure he was any good at things like that. " Whatever's the matter? " he asked her with a slight smile.
" Nothing," she said, rather too quickly.
He smiled even wider, " Don't worry about it," he said, pulling her back a little so she was pressed against him, " when the King returns, we will be married and have Bonchurch. When we have each other and a home, we will have a family. "
Madeline drew in a breath as she looked at him, " You .. you want a family? " she asked him.
He shrugged, " Doesn't everyone? "
" Hey! " Robin called over to them from where he stood with Will and Roy, " the baby's name is Seth. "
Madeline whipped around to look at Robin, and she walked over the join them, Much following after her. She wondered what Roy knew aboout it, and hoped the little one would go to a good home, though she knew she'd be sad to see it go.
" How do you know? " Madeline asked Roy, flicking her hair out of her eyes.
" I met the father in the castle," Roy said, telling Robin more then her was telling Madeline, " he was in the dungeon. Just for stealing bread. It looks like the mother," he shrugged, " the thought of raising the child on her own ... she must have panicked and brought the baby out to the woods. ... "
" How could anyone get rid of their child like that? " Much asked, shaking his head.
" People make difficult decision when they feel they've no choice," Madleine told him, looking down at the baby, " not that I'm condoning what she's done," she added.
" The mother lives out in Nottingham," Roy said, before pointing at Robin, " you and I, we should take him home, and give her some money to keep the child. "
" Right," Robin said, looking around at everyone and one he had everyone's attention, announcing, " meet at sunset at the Longstaff. Roy and I are taking the baby home. "
Robin moved to take the baby from Madeline's arms and she sighed. She didn't want to let the little thing go because he reminded her so fiercely of her own little boy when he was such an age.
" We're taking him to his proper home," Robin reminded her gently.
" Of course," Madeline said, shaking her head, " he should be at home, shouldn't he? " She smiled sadly and stroked the little one's cheek with her finger before handing him over to Robin very carefully.
" Shall I come? " Much asked - he'd been Robin's best friend for as long as either of them could remember and longer and he hated the way this Roy had swooped in and stolen his best friend from him just like that.
" Nah," Roy said, as he and Robin started to move away, " more than two and we attract a crowd, don't we? "
The pair of them had already walked off when Much said rather dejectedly, " I'll stay here then ... ort things out ... thought we could have rabbit for supper. "
Madeline pouted - she hated seeing him sad and she never knew what to do with him when he was in such a state. She absolutely adored him and he didn't want to see him upset.
" Much," she said quietly, moving closer to him, while the others said nothing. He didn't respond at first as he was sulking, and she stood right in front of him and she was hard to ignore. She reached out and laid a hand on his chest lightly.
" Much," she repeated with a smile.
When Much finally looked at her, having cooled down, she smiled, " There we are," she said, " don't you worry about him. Robin knows what a good friend he's got in you, even if he doesn't always value you like he should. You'll always come first with him. "
" Or maybe second," Much corrected, " I don't think anyone comes close to his precious sister. "
" I dont know," Madeline said lightly, " he loves you. You're as good as his brother. Case closed. " She reached up on her toes to plant a kiss on his lips and he grinned and put both of his hands on her waist, pulling her in and pressing his hips to hers. As their kiss deepened, he ran one hand through her hair and groaned hungrily.
Will cleared his throat and it made them break apart, at which point he gave Madeline a pointed look, " Do you have to do that? " he asked her, " I don't fancy Robin coming back and telling me off for finding his sister being ... " he struggled to find the words, " unrespectable. "
" Unrespectable," Madeline scoffed, moving away from Much nonetheless, " who cares about being respectful anymore? And don't give me any big brother rubbish, William Scarlett, because as much as I may love you, you are not my brother. I have enough with the one. "
Will said nothing but gave her a look which told her that they needed to talk. She met his eyes when no-one was looking at them, and nodded.
They went back to the camp and sat around for a while, before the sun started to sat. There wasn't much to say, and while Much started to cook the rabbit for supper, Will sat at the other end of the camp, chipping away at a piece of wood, idly with his knife.
Madeline went over to join him because she knew he had something to say to her, and she knew he tried to look out for her as a brother would do. She appreciated it greatly and knew she couldn't have gotten through Much and Robin's absence without such good friends as he and Marian.
" Darling," she told Much, " I think I should go collect some ort of herbs for the food. Don't worry about me, because Will will come with me. "
Much accepted this as he trusted and liked Will, and he kissed her hand with a cheeky smile as she stood up, which suprised her because she thought he must have picked up a thing or two from Robin.
Once she and Will were a safe distance into the forest and away from everyone else, he turned to her and asked, " Well? "
Madeline sighed, knowing exactly what he was getting at, and shook her head, " You know I haven't told him. I ... I don't know how to do it Will. He's going to go mental, and Robin's going to kill us both - I mean, I laid with Much out of wedlock. You know what Robin's like! He's gets all protective! He's going to kill Much for "ruining" me. And Much might hate me. "
" Why would he hate you? " Will asked, his eyes boring into hers, " you could hardly help it once the deed was done and Robert's a fine young boy. "
" But ... I don't know," Madeline sighed, " he's not ready for a child. "
" Neither were you," Will said, " but it happened. He needs to know that he's got a child, and you can't hide it. He's been back in England almost three weeks and you must tell him. "
" I know," Madeline sighed, her eyes welling up with tears at the possibility of Much arguing with her, and possibly breaking up with her, when she was so desperately in love with him. Not to mention how mad Robin would be.
Will said nothing, knowing to comfort her at once. He put one arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him, where she clung to his chest, keeping herself together and refusing to fall tp pieces, even though Will's embrace made her feel comfortable.
There had been many times over the past few years when she'd been upset and he'd hugged her after a panic about her beloved brother not returning, or after Gisbourne had been particularly awful to her.
" Much adores you, and you know it," Will told her as they broke apart, " the sooner you tell him the better. It's not doing you any good to keep it quiet and he has to know. "
" I know," Madeline said with a sign, shaking her head. She smoothed down the front of her dress, " I will tell him," she said, pulling herself together like a lady.
" He'll be fine," Will promised her as they started to walk back, " it's going to be a big shock to him, but that's to be expected. Much is the sort of man who'd love a family. You've seen him with the baby. Once he adjusts, he's going to love Robert. "
Madeline smiled as she thought about her son meeting his father for the first time - Robert deserved his father, and Madeline was hoping they'd be able to meet each other and get on, because they were the most important things in her life.
She only hoped that once Much knew, and they told Robin, Robin wouldn't kill either of them.
" How are you so wise, Will? " she demanded, " you seem to have developed the ability to know exactly what I'm thinking about, and exactly how to solve things. "
Will shrugged, " I'd never say I know how to solve things, but I spend enough time with you, and enough time watching everyone and taking things in, to know a little bit about things. "
Madeline rolled her eyes and wondered why everyone thought they knew better than she did, and everyone though they could look after her better than she could look after herself. Not that she didn't appreciate it, but between Robin, Much and Will, it seemed like lately, there was always someone else checking over her.
They went back into the clearing, and after a while, they knew it was time to meet Robin. Madeline clambered up behind Much again and wrapped her arms around his waist, dangerously lower than they should have been.
They were to meet him outside one of the cottages in Clun, and while they waited outside for him, they were each suprised to see Marian walking out, not looking too impressed.
Marian looked equally suprised to see them and actually awarded Madeline a smile as they'd been particular friends for a long time, " Good evening, Madeline," Marian said.
Madeline smiled, " Marian. How lovely to see you. "
Marian glanced from Madeline to Much and it was obvious that she wanted to ask about Robert - she'd often visited the boy with Madeline and considered him her nephew, but she knew Madeline would worry about telling Much and Robin.
Marian didn't stop to say anything else because Robin exited the cottage next with the baby Seth still cradled in his arms, and it was obvious that they'd argued, because Marian got onto her horse and rode away without a backwards glance.
The woman who owned the cottage was a young woman who Madeline recognised vaguely but didn't know particularly well, and she looked at them all in interest.
The baby started to cry, and Robin looked pleading at Madeline as he approached her. Madeline smiled and took him into her arms, where he settled down and she awarded him with a satisfied smile.
" A storm's coming from the east," the owner of the cottage said, as Much came to stand behind Madeline, reaching out to touch baby Seth's cheek gently, " the forest is no place to have a baby. You stay here tonight. "
" Thank you," Robin said graciously.
" No, no we can't," Roy said, " we need to move on - get this little one sorted out. "
" We can do it tomorrow," Madeline said, not lifting her eyes from the baby, " it makes no sense to do it now. "
" Exactly," the woman said, " now get inside, all of you, and I want you gone before dawn, because I'll be in big trouble if they find me housing outlaws."
" We are very grateful to you," Madeline said, as Much moved her hair away from her neck for her, exposing the skin and kissing her neck gently. She smiled - he was such a romantic, though doing it outside in front of her brother, surrogate brother, John and Allan, wasn't such a wise move.
She swatted him away with one hand, playfully, and he shook his head at her.
Robin led them into the barn, and the baby was bundled into the arms of the woman, who said she would not have the poor thing sleep in the barn. The barn was large and covered in way, but looked felt cold.
Madeline shuddered involuntarily, and Much automatically started to shrug out of his cloak, handing it to her. She smiled and he wrapped it around her shoulders gently, his eyes never leaving hers.
When they tore their eyes away from each other, they saw that the Will, Roy, Robin, Allan and John had claimed parts of the barn for their own beds. Madeline smiled shyly at Much and slid her hand into his. He looked at her and simply nodded.
Madeline looked around the barn and saw an empty area in one corner, on a pile of hay, and made her way to it, tugging Much along behind her.
" What do you think you're doing? " Robin asked, rolling over onto his stomach to face them both.
Madeline shrugged innocently, " It's cold, Rob," she pouted, " I might ... freeze to death or something. "
" That pretty little pout does not work on me, sister," Robin warned her, " and you are going to act as a lady should - is it appropriate to share a bed with your betrothed before you are married? "
Madeline shrugged, not letting go of Much's hand, though Much was trying to back away. Much didn't meet Robin's eyes - he knew Robin was his friend, but he worried that Madeline's forwardness and modern attititude would get him into trouble.
" Technically, there is no bed," Madeline said, as Allan laughed out loud at that one - he had to admit that he found Madeline of Locksley to be a fine woman, and enjoyed her company.
" That makes no difference," Robin said, " if you are worried that you will e cold, then come over here. What better source of warmth than your big brother? "
Madeline didn't reply and Robin grinned cheekily, " C'mon," he said, " come over here. I suppose it is rather cold in here. "
Madeline sighed and turned into Much's chest. He placed a gentle, loving kiss on her forehead and then settled down into the hay while Madeline went to join Robin.
She laid down beside him and he reached out to wrap an arm around her shoulders.
The others all went to sleep rather quickly, and Madeline and Robin both lay awake. Madeline was nestled into Robin's side quite comfortably, and for the first time, she really felt like he was back from the Holy Land, and she had her big brother back.
" Do you know what this feels like? " Madeline whispered, catching Robin's attention.
" No, what? " Robin murmured, glad of the quality time with his sister.
" When we were children, and I'd have some sort of nightmare, and I had my big brother to look after me. I ... I really missed you, while you were gone," she said, " I'm so glad you're back. "
" Me too," Robin said, " I missed you too. " After a pause, he added, " I know you think I'm being strict with you about Much and the way you act around him, but I don't konw any other way. I want to look out for you, and I'm trying to think about what it ... best ... for you. "
" I know," Madeline said, " but it's not as if we're nobles now, living under the eyes of everyone else. He's a good, respectable man, who loves me. And thanks to the stupid sheriff making us outlaws, I'm not even going to get to marry him any time soon. "
Robin sighed, " I know he's a good man," he said, " and I know he more than loves you. He completely adores you. I will try to be more lenient with you, since I know I can trust the pair of you not to do anything ... stupid. I will try and be more lenient, but I struggle to imagine my baby sister more grown up. "
" Do not worry about me so much," Madeline said, " I've had Will to look after me, and I'm actually quite capable of looking after myself, though no-one will ever let me. " After a pause, she added, " you're a good brother, you know that? "
He sighed vainly, " It has been said before," he shrugged.
" Good night Robin," she muttered, rolling over and trying to get comfortable
She fell asleep soon after that - Madeline was a clingy sleeper, and usually ended up clinging onto her bedcovers, the nearest person, anything for support and warmth. Robin slept sprawled out on his back, making little movement, and making the perfect arrangement for Madeline to fit under his arm and nestle up to him.
In the night, Madeline felt something brush against her, but assumed she was dreaming. Her dream became more vivid, and she dreamt of someone pulling her away from Robin and trying to get to him.
Her flew open suddenly when she felt a hand on her arm roughly and she gasped loudly as she saw Roy hanging over she and Robin with a knife. She slapped Robin's chest very hard and hissed his name, while Roy tried to shove her out of the way. She was adamant that no harm would come to Robin, and she couldn't believe she'd woken up to Roy trying to kill him.
" Robin! " she shrieked when he didn't wake up at first, moving over him to try and protect him.
The next thing she knew, Robin was awake and he was shoving her away from him to safety, before trying to wrestle Roy away from him. Madeline watched in terror, and Much and the others woke up very quickly when they heard what was going on.
" What are you doing? " Robin demanded, as he managed to overthrow Roy, and he flew into a rage, darted forwards and trying to lay his hands on the man who had just tried to kill him.
A hand was on Madeline's arm and she was wrenched to her feet forecefully, firm hands on her shoulders as she was looked up and down for any signs of injury - not that she was injure,d but merely upset and shaken up. She looked into Much 's panicked eyes, and then reflected on her suprise at how strong he was, to yank her up so easily.
John and Allan both tried to pull Robin away from Roy before either got hurt, but Madeline saw no reason why Roy shouldn't be killed, even though she didn't condone violence.
Roy was now cowering on the floor, and Madeline and Much both moved forwards, flanking Robin, while the others lingered nearby.
" Robin," Madeline breathed, not even sure what she was going to say.
" We came to rescue you! " Robin roared, pointing a finger at Roy, while Madeline crossd her arms over her chest and watched Roy with a glare, " everyone was willling to risk their life for you! " It was obvious from Roy's face that he was in some sort of turmoil, but Madeline found herself not quite caring - no-one was allowed to do anything to her beloved brother.
" I'm sorry," Roy sobbed.
" What the hell is going on? " John asked, as he, Will and Alan had only woken up in time to see Robin and Roy fighting.
" This one tried to kill Robin !" Much roared, pointing furiously at Roy.
" No," John said, unable to believe such a thing of his friend.
" Yes! " Madeline countered, almost shrieking, " I woke up to find that ... that ... him .. hanging over me and Robin with a damned knife in his hand! He was trying to shove me out of the way so he could kill Robin! How dare he? "
John was outraged and moved forwards to stand in front of Roy, who had pulled himself to his feet, though Will and Allan carefully stood on either side of him - everyone was confused by why Roy had tried to do that, and no-one quite knew what to say.
" No," John said, his voice rising, " you were like a son to me! "
John raged and shouted at him and tried to move forwards to hit him, but the others held him back until they had wrestled him to the ground with great difficulty.
While the men were on the ground keeping John down, Madeline's eyes wandered to Roy - he'd given her the scare of her life, and she couldn't believe what he'd just tried to do, but as she watched him stand there crying to himself, she knew there must be more behind it. He must have been forced into it.
Once John had calmed down and been let up, everyone tried to calm themselves down, sitting in silence and trying to think their way through it.
Robin's breath was coming out in heavy jagged puffs, and as he stumbled across the barn, going to sit on one of the barrels of hay, Madeline laid her hand on his arm and guided him to a seat.
He sat down and took a moment to compose himself. Madeline was stood up beside him and he looked at her helplessly, which terrified her, because if Robin was struggling, what the hell would she do?
" I know," she said quietly, reaching out and laying a hand on his head as if he were a child, guiding his head, which as he sat down and she stood, was level with her upper stomach, to rest there. He sighed and she ran her hand through his hair gently, as she had done so often with her son.
It struck her how much young Robert had taken after his Uncle Robin in looks, and it pained her to think of it.
Once Robin had calmed down, he sat up straight to glare at Roy, " What have I ever done to you to make you want to kill me? " he demanded, " or my sister? You could have killed an innocent woman! " he voice rose to a roar when he thought of the injury that could have happened to his sister.
" My mother," Roy sobbed, " they've got my mother. "
This changed the whole tone of things, and eveyrone looked at each other, not quite sure what to say.
" And they will kill her," Robin said, understanding at once, " unless you kill me first? "
" She will hang at dawn," Roy said, shaking his head, cearly feeling sorry for what he'd done. Robin hung his head, faced with a difficult situation and trying to figure out what they could do about it. "
This changed everything, and they all looked at each other in a panic as they thought about what could happen next.
" I hate the Sheriff," Will spat.
Robin stood up and moved forwards towards Roy, but Madeline automatically reached out and caught onto his wrist. He gave her a reassuring look and went to kneel in front of Roy, who was now sitting on the ground.
" And the baby's mother? " Robin asked, " that was a lie too? "
" Gisbourne is the father," Roy announced, " the mother's a kitchen girl. She thinks Gisbourne's gone to take the child to Kirklees Abbey to be raised there. "
" Gisbourne? " Madeline sighed, shaking her head - it would be just her look to care for and form an attachment to a child which belonged to Gisbourne - a man who would try and pursue her the first chance he got.
" I hate Gisbourne too," Will said firmly.
Much shook his head, pointing at Roy, " That doesn't mean that this one can go around killing my master," he said harshly.
Robin turned away from Roy and moved to get his weapons, " We have two mothers to rescue before sunrise," he said firmly, pulling on his cloak without another word.
The others knew they had no cnoice and all agreed to it at once.
Robin didn't make a plan as such, but Madeline's instincts told her to follow him, and everyone else also followed. As they started off down the road to Nottingham, Madeline stuck close to Robin, worried for him, and throwing the odd glares at Roy. Much walked on Robin's other side and they were both terrified of leaving him.
The plan seemed to work pretty quick once they were in Nottingham, and they got into it easily.
Will and Allan took out two guards at the castle courtyard doors and then let the others in by simply opening the doors. Once in the castle, Will started to chip away at the lock of the castle door, since he knew it had been made by a bad blacksmith. John succeeded in knocking the door clean down once they'd messed with the lock, and then they were in the dungeons.
They crept around, Roy leading the way as he looked for his mother in the cells, he called out for her, and John called her name too.
" Mary, Mary," came another quiet whispering from behind them.
They all turned at once at the unfamiliar voice, and saw the Sheriff, Gisbourne and several guards had followed them in without them even noticing.
" Where is she? " Roy demanded, charing forwards, at the same time that Much tried to pull Madeline out of sight, half worried that Gisbourne might try and steal her.
" Gisbourne, what do you think? " the Sheriff asked, pointing a finger at Gisbourne, " does that look like the first light of day? "
Gisbourne looked out of the high hole in the stone wall and shrugged.
The Sheriff shrugged at Roy, " I kept my side of the bargain, you must keep yours. " The Sheriff then turned to his guards, " take them to see "Mary, Mary" ... swing! "
The Sheriff stormed out, and the guards each moved forwards to grab one of Robin and the gang to drag them out and watch the woman die, as per the Sheriff's orders.
Gisbourne strode forwards as the guards picked out who they thought were the biggest threats and took them away, two guards to each man. Gisbourne stopped in from of Madeline and he smirked, awarding her with a slight bow, " Might I have the pleasure of your company, Lady Madeline? " he asked, mocking her.
" You may not," Madeline said stubbornly, though he grasped her arms and dragged her off along with the others anyway - he was much stronger than she was and she knew she had little or no chance of escaping from his clutches. She noticed her brother and fiance looking at her in concern and she kept her chin up, certain to prove that she was fine.
" Very naughty of you to go running off and getting yourself outlawed, wasn't it? " Gisbourne asked her in a low voice which she supposed he thought was sexy. He spoke close to her ear and send nasty shivers through her.
Once they were outside, he added, " If it were down to be you'd be severely punished, and not neccessarily by hanging ... I'm sure we could come to some sort of ... arrangement. "
" I don't think so," Madeline hissed, " I'm engaged to be married. And even if I wasn't ... I'd never want you, Guy. "
" Dear me," Gisbourne hissed in her ear, " trying to be so respectable. You're no better than a kitchen girl these days ... not now you're in the forest. That means I can treat you how I want. "
" And how do you want? " Madeline taunted.
Gisbourne smirked a little, " I like a woman who can hold her own ... so long as she doesn't go too far. You need to find the line between smart and pure cheek, Lady Madeline. "
Madeline smirked at the way he called her Lady Madeline, which showed he still held her in some regard, and he didn't think of her as he did the other outlawes. Gisbourne seemed to realise he was straying into revealing his feelings for her, as he grabbed both her arms and foreced her to face the gallows, without saying a word more.
Roy's mother was standing with a noose around her neck, and the Sheriff insisted she wore no hood.
As the rope was tightened around her neck by the guard, Madeline felt the force holding her arms loosen and Gisbourne groaned.
" Murderers! " shrieked a voice, as everyone whipped around to see Annie, the kitchen girl, with whom Gisbourne had fathered the child they'd found in the forest. She was holding a knife to his neck and gripping his hair tightly.
It was only as Madeline looked around that she realised Allan wasn't with them, and she wondered if this was some sort of theplan, something only Robin and Allan had agreed upon.
" Annie," Gisbourne growled.
" Do not move! " Annie shrieked at Gisbourne, " you left him in the woods! You said he would be safe! You left him to die! Our son! Our baby! "
" Gisbourne," the Sheriff said with a tut.
Gisbourne flung Annie away from him with a sharp blow to the face, and this caused chaos as she tumbled into a few of the guards and sent some of them flying. This gave chance for the outlaws to break free and in typical fashion, a fight broke out.
Weapons were out, swords drawn, and everyone man was out for themself.
Madeline wanted to know what was happening to Annie, and to Roy's mother, but she had no time to find out as she neeed to be on her game throughout. She moved with the ways Robin had taught her, and when he shouted for everyone to go to the horses at the gates, she started running. She was at the gates when the Sheriff shouted loudly for them to stop.
Looking back, they all saw the Sheriff had grabbed Roy and held a knife to his neck. Everyone stopped to look at it, each worrying.
Madeline wasn't especially fond of Roy thanks to recent events, but he was essentially a good man, and once she knew he was fighting to save his mother, she couldn't blame him.
She knew that if she'd been given the choice of killing someone she'd only known a couple of weeks, or seeing her beloved Robin or Much die, she'd kill anyone.
" Why so much haste? " the Sheriff demanded, " if you lot leave, this one gets it. "
Robin pulled out an arrow at once and moved forwards, the arrow in his bow, waiting.
" No! " Much protested when he saw what Robin was about to do, " you cannot give youself up every five minutes! "
Though Madeline had a tendancy to agree with Much, she knew on this occasion, there was no better outcome. Either way, someone was in trouble.
" Don't shoot him," Roy said, " leave it. "
Madeline couldn't believe that the man was telling Robin to leave him to die, and this made her realise he was a better man than she'd realised. Which meant she desires to save him increased - she knew Robin would not leave if there was a chance of saving someone.
" Let him go," Robin demanded, " or we all die here today. "
" You're not a killer," the Sheriff said, starting to cackle, though this was cut off by Roy hitting the Sheriff in the face and moving away from him, backing up against the castle door.
" Run! " he shouted at Robin, ripping the dog tag which Will had carved for them all and tossing it out until John caught it, " run for my mother! For the baby! "
The guards advanced on him, and Madeline gasped and covered her mouth in utter shock as Roy was backed up against the castle door, and the guards drew up the swords.
" My name is Royston White," he shouted defiantly, groaning as a sword cut into him, " and I fight for Robin Hood and King Richard."
The guards were ruthless, and Madeline didn't think she'd ever seen such a display of violence, and they cut into him with their swords again and again and again, when he was already dying.
She was completely shocked and she knew Robin would feel awful about it. They heard Roy cry out and repeated the names of Robin Hood and King Richard. No-one seemed able to move, even though they all knew they should go.
No-one knew what to say as they were chased away from the castle, and Roy was let to die a horrible and painful death.
Hours later, the outlaws stood around the campfire, along with Annie, who had been reunited with baby Seth. They were each staring into the fire and thinking about the man they had lost, who in the end, when it mattered, had shown a gret deal of loyalty to Robin - he had sacrificed himself to the Sheriff so Robin wouldn't kill the Sheriff and be killed himself.
" Him," John finally said after a long silence, " I liked. "
Roy's mother threw a rose into the fire and there were no more words to be said. They all spent a while around the fire reflecting, and they all knew when the natural end had come, and it was time to go.
It wasn't long before they needed to meet Marian and the crriage she'd brought for Annie and Seth, on the North Road. They all went, and Madeline was shocked to see Marian with a new, short hair cut - she had a suspision that it was some sort of punishment though she didn't know why.
Annie clambered onto the cart Marian had brought, and hugged her son to her chest.
" I have found you a new mistress," Marian told Annie, " and you will be well looked after. And Seth too. "
" Thank you all so much," Annie said, looking at each of the outlaws. Her eyes settled on Madeline, who was sad to see the little one go, and she smiled and held Seth out, " do you want to say goodbye? " she asked, " I hard my little one took a liking to you. "
Madeline grinned and took Seth from Annie's arms. She held him gently, and planted a little kiss on the baby's forehead. " You know," she said, looking at Much, who stood beside her, stroking the boy's cheek, " even though I know who his father is, I'd never be able to tell. This one's so beautiful. "
Much smiled and wrapped an arm easily around Madeline's waist, trying to reassure her and trying to convey what he was feeling - that one day, he wanted one of his own. He wanted to be normal - wife, land, children he adored.
" You should be going," Madeline said, trying not to dwell as she handed Seth back, " you'll have a long journey ahead of you. " She tried to avoid both Will and Marian's knowing eyes on her.
" One thing though," Will said, stepping forward " we um ... " he held up a bag that was tied together, " open it. "
Annie took it away with her, and the others were all thinking of the little bow and arrows Will had lovingly made for the baby - like Madeline, Will had easily bonded with the baby.
" I have to say," Much said, as Marian disappeared off on her horse and Seth and Annie went the opposite way, " I ... I'm not going to miss that baby. " It was obvious from his voice that he was, but everyone chose to ignore it.
" Me neither," Will said, though his eyes told a different story, " peace. "
" Sleep," Allan groaned, sounding much in need of it, as was everyone.
They started off towards the camp, and no-one quite knew what to say after such a difficult day.
Breaking the silence, Allan said, " Who needs a baby around anyway? Let's face it, none of us knew what we were doing with the possible exception of Madeline. Nah, raising kids isn't for us ... not when we're outlaws. "
" Yes," Madeline said quietly. She was hand in hand with Much and she felt something was missing (other than their son). She looked back at Robin, who was watching Marian disappear off into the distance on her horse.
" Rob," she said softly. He looked up and when he laid eyes on her he smiled. He reached her side and took the hand that she offered him - it's wasn't going to be easy, they knew, after Roy's death. His death showed that any of them could die any time they went into battle
" I think we could all use some sleep," Robin said, to which everyone agreed.
Author's Note: I'm planning on having the revelation about Madeline's son very soon, and am also considering Gisbourne's feelings towards Madeline and Marian in this.
The way I'm thinking is, Gisbourne likes Marian because he sees the respectable lady who follows the rules and that's what he wants, but he likes Madeline more because she's got a rebellious streak which jarrs with him, and they'd have a spark. I think he sees her as more of a challenge, because he'd have to take her away from the gang and turn her to a completely different side.
I'm considering if anything could happen between Gisbourne and Madeline, (in any shape or form) though I'm not sure yet. Any ideas on Gisbourne and Madeline would be appreciated.
