For a few glorious moments, Hermione forgot where she was. She rolled over, clutched her blanket around her and tried to fall back asleep. She heard birds, and could feel sunlight behind her lids - had she left the window open again? She groped around for her cat; if she had to wake up at least she could get a little cuddle out of the deal.

"Crookshanks?" she mumbled. "C'mere, kitty. Crookshanks? Kitty, kitty. Oh fine, sulk why don't you. I'll get up and feed you in a minute." She continued to murmur, still half asleep. "I'll give you some tuna, if you want. We're out of doxy eggs. Harry and Ginny are coming over later, I think, so you better give yourself a bath. I want you looking respectable."

"Uh, Princess?" a voice broke in. "I don't think you're in Hogsmeade anymore. Better rise and shine."

Hermione groaned as the "real" world settled itself back into her head. Suddenly the fact that she was on hard ground with a ragged blanket was abundantly clear again. She looked up blearily to find Allan grinning over her, looking entirely too alert at such an ungodly hour. "Am I really still here?"

"Yeah, but look what you get to wake up to," he answered. "My pretty face."

"I must still be having a nightmare, then " she said, struggling to sit up. As Robin had predicted, she was a trifle sore, but she thought it was more from sleeping on the ground for two nights in a row than from physical exertion.

"Wow, you're chipper this morning," he replied, crouching down next to her. "Who's Crookshanks?"

"My cat," she said, embarrassed to feel tears forming. If she was stuck here forever, not only would she lose her friends and family, but she would lose that sweet kitty of hers, too. Suddenly, it was more than she could bear, and she started crying in earnest.

"Hey!" Allan cried, looking alarmed. He awkwardly reached an arm around her shoulder and she collapsed against him, openly sobbing. Where before she had been having fun and adventure, it seemed the gravity of her situation hit her like never before. Allan patted her back and let her cry onto his shoulder. "None of that now. It's alright, Princess. If you want to go home, we'll help you." He kept his voice even, careful not to let his dismay at the thought show. He was a little embarrassed himself - only two days and he was already finding himself more interested in Hermione than made him comfortable.

"I do want to go home," she hiccupped, finally sitting up and wiping her eyes. "But I can't right now."

"We can even keep Malfoy away."

"No, it's impossible," Hermione said. "Please don't mind me, this is ridiculous."

"Don't worry about it," he said, glad she was calming down. "I'm used to getting that reaction from ladies."

She laughed a little, effectively ending the last of her tears. "I'm sorry. I just want my cat, that's all. Please don't tell anyone I'm acting like such a baby."

"Even Gryffindors get homesick, don't they?" Allan smiled at her. "I can't give you a cat, but I'm sure there's a squirrel around here you can cuddle."

"Much would probably make breakfast out of it."

"Probably. Come on. Get yourself cleaned up - you have more work to do today." He rose, pulling her to her feet as well. He smoothed the hair off her forehead. "Here's Djaq. She can show you where to take a bath - or what passes for a bath out here, anyway. Maybe not what you're used to, Princess, but like you said - you're starting to smell."

She aimed a kick at him that he dodged and allowed Djaq to lead her away. She knew not to expect the prefects bathroom, but at this point, any water would do.

"There is a little stream this way," Djaq told her. "The water is cold, of course, but it is clean. I have got some extra clothes for you - we are about the same size, I believe."

"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully. "I was afraid I was going to stink up the whole camp."

"Have you seen the men we are dealing with?" Djaq asked. "I do not think you will be a problem."

Next to the stream was a tiny patch of mint and some honeysuckle. The bottom looked sandy, all the better to scrub away some of the dirt and sweat packed into her skin. Djaq handed her a small rag before leaving her to her privacy. Hermione quickly stripped out of her sticky clothes, shivering a little. She thanked God it was summer, but that water still looked cold. She wondered again how people (well, her, anyway) could possibly manage without a wand. Hermione picked a few pieces of mint and honeysuckle, grounding it into the rag, then cautiously waded into the freezing stream, bringing her clothes with her to wash out.

"Damn!" she yelled, jumping back out. "God, this forest sucks!" She stepped back in again, making herself stay this time, all the while muttering and cursing to herself. She was wrong. Any water would not do. "Stupid stream! Stupid Robin and his stupid Merry Men. Stupid everyone!" She leaned down and mixed her fragrant rag with the sand, using it to scrub away the dirt and sweat ground into her skin after two days without a bath. She was still colder than she had ever been in her life - in the dead of summer - but at least she was slightly cleaner. She forced herself to sit down in the shallow stream and duck her head under the water so she could wash her hair. The thought that she had neither conditioner nor comb made her cuss again, loudly, and lament the state of her poor hair. Mint, sand and freezing cold water was a poor substitute for warm, soapy water, but when all was said and done, she did feel a little better. She rinsed her clothes as best she could before exiting the stream. She dressed quickly, hating the way her damp skin stuck to the clothes and continuing to curse under her breath. Djaq was right though - her clothes did fit her, and she liked the way they looked on her, rather as if she were already a real member of the gang. She made her way back to camp, feeling somewhat human, if still grumpy.

"That cold water is a sin against man," she announced.

"So sorry, Princess," Allan said as Will and Little John laughed. "How about next time I take you to the castle - you can use the Sheriff's bath. He only uses it once every six months or so, you won't be in the way."

"That would be lovely," Hermione said, thinking honestly that it would be an improvement. "I don't suppose any of you has a comb, do you? My hair is not used to such treatment."

Allan rummaged through a pile of booty and brought her a pretty silver comb. "Don't say we never gave you nothing. Hey," he leaned in close and smelled her hair, sending shivers down her back. "You smell good. Do you think you could give Much some of whatever you used?"

"It's mint and honeysuckle," she said, blushing from his continued closeness. "It's right next to the stream." She moved away from him and sat on a log, working the comb through her long tangled hair. At school, the complete unmanageability of her hair had never really bothered her, but right now it seemed important, like a step towards normalcy. She could feel Allan's eyes on her, but he said nothing. "Where's Robin?"

"With Marian," Will answered. "She came just a little bit ago, and she did not look happy, so they went off to speak in private."

"Lover's quarrel, no doubt," Much said. "Or perhaps they are burying a corpse in the forest."

"What?" Hermione exclaimed.

"It's a euphemism," Much said.

"For what?"

"It's - oh never mind," Much grumbled. "Here they come now."

Robin and Marian came out of the trees; Robin looked both furious and devastated and Marian had clearly been crying.

"What is it?" Much asked, rushing over to them. "Master, what is the matter?"

"Would you care to tell them?" Robin gestured to Marian, not looking at her.

"It is Gisborne," she said listlessly. "He is demanding that I marry him."

"He's done that before," Allan said. "No sweat - we have until the King returns, right? And when that happens he'll be finished anyway, him and the Sheriff."

"No, we do not have that long," Marian went on. "Gisborne announced our impending nuptials to all of Nottingham. He made quite a show out of it. We are to be married in a month."

There was a general outcry at her words.

"What is to be done?" Djaq asked, going over to Marian's and taking her hand.

"I don't know," Marian said. "I am sure the Sheriff put him up to it."

"Right, because good old Gisborne wouldn't do such a thing," Robin said bitterly.

"Marian, why not play along for now?" Allan suggested. "Then when it's time, come to the forest. You're only putting off the inevitable now anyway."

"Do you think he will not double his efforts to find you all, if I were here?"

"Not being funny, but his efforts aren't all that lax now," Allan replied. "Look, he hasn't found us yet, and the chances are good he won't. You either come here with us, or marry Giz. Not much of an option, is it?"

"You would think," Robin said bitterly. "But she's not exactly running to join us, is she?"

Marian rounded on him. "Do you think I want to marry Gisborne? Can you not think of anyone but yourself?"

Hermione hung back, knowing it was not her place to comment, but wishing she could comfort Marian. She knew Robin was worried and angry, but anyone could see this was not what Marian wanted. It was also one more thing for them all to worry about. In addition to her presence and the mysterious visitor to Nottingham, they now had to plot a way to save Marian from her unwanted marriage.

Djaq stepped up and put a hand on Marian's arm. "We will find a way out of this for you. Please do not worry."

"Of course we will," Will put in. "Robin, we can fix this. Don't take your anger at Gisborne out on Marian."

Robin rounded on Will, looking like he was going to punch him, when all the anger seemed to seep out. "Of course you're right." He took Marian's hand in his. "I am sorry, my love. You will not marry Gisborne. We will move heaven and earth to stop it."

Marian gave him a dazzling smile, one so full of love and trust it almost seemed indecent to witness it, as if Hermione had walked in on something very private. Had she ever smiled at anyone like that?

"We have beaten the odds before," Marian told them. "We will again."

"Hear hear!" Little John boomed.

"I had hoped to bring more information about the Sheriff's guest," Marian said. "Present circumstances, however..."

"I think it is safe to say you had more pressing concerns," Robin agreed. "Perhaps one of us can sneak into the castle to learn more."

"I don't think so," Marian said, shaking her head. "She is due in a week. I know that leaves time, but I don't want to you take any unnecessary risks. I will try to find out more and meet you when I can. Gisborne knows I am unhappy, even if I have to pretend otherwise. Perhaps he will be more free with his confidence to make it up to me."

"Be careful," Robin told her. "Do not forget, the Sheriff does not share Gisborne's feelings for you. You cannot raise his suspicions any more than they are."

"I am always careful," Marian said with a smile.

Robin rolled his eyes and exchanged incredulous looks with Little John and Much, who both smiled but said nothing.

"Lady Marian?" Hermione finally spoke.

"Hermione, right? I'm happy to see you looking so well. They haven't been giving you too hard a time, I hope."

"Thank you, they have been very kind. I am very sorry to hear your news. Perhaps you would like to take a walk with Djaq and me? I cannot imagine you have much female companionship at the castle."

Marian looked surprised but nodded. Robin looked like he wanted to protest, but stilled when Djaq gave him a look.

"Ooo, careful, lads," Allan said. "Girl talk never ends well. They're free to say what they want if we're not around to hear it."

"Please don't imagine we are leaving to talk about you lot," Hermione said. "I can assure you that anything I would say to these ladies I would say to your face, and it probably would not be flattering. Go about your hunting and your gathering and leave the heavy thinking to us." She linked arms with Marian and Djaq and led them away from camp. Both women were looking at her oddly, and in truth Hermione was not sure what she wanted to discuss now that they were away from their friends.

"We are not about to trade cooking stories, are we?" Djaq asked.

"I know it's silly," Hermione said, laughing. "I just thought maybe you would like to get away from Robin's judgment for awhile without having to go back to the castle."

"He's just upset."

"Of course, and he has every right to be," Hermione allowed. "Still, he's not the one betrothed to a total ass, is he? You're the one who has to deal with unwanted attention."

"Allan said you were fleeing a marriage yourself," Marian recalled. "I suppose you can sympathize."

"Yes, and it's something they'll never really understand, isn't it?" Hermione said, although of course her own arranged marriage was utter bullocks. "Even strong women such as yourselves have fear from men that they cannot comprehend." Her mind drifted to the werewolf and she shuddered. Greyback still appeared in her nightmares from time to time. "Anyway, it doesn't hurt to keep them wondering."

"I thought we weren't coming to talk about them," Djaq teased. "Who, pray tell would you like speculating about you?"

"Oh - no one, of course, I just meant, you know, in general," Hermione stammered, blushing.

"In general, of course," Marian echoed, exchanging smiles with Djaq. She had certainly noticed Allan's and Hermione's interaction yesterday, and even in her state today, she had seen the way he was looking at their new friend. If anyone deserved a nice girl, it was her Allan. He had helped her keep her sanity when he was working for Gisborne, and had saved her life more than once. She couldn't really say that Hermione was a nice girl, as she did not know her, but there was something about her that she liked. Robin would not have let her stay with them if he mistrusted her. She hoped, anyway.

Hermione was anxious to change the subject away from herself. "Surely you like to keep Will guessing, Djaq."

It was Djaq's turn to blaze red. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, I thought - I'm sorry, I just assumed you and Will - I must be mistaken." Hermione was sure she was not mistaken, not from the way she and Will looked at each other, but obviously it was either secret or had not happened yet. "I'm really putting my foot in it, aren't I? I should just not say things." And here is why apart from Ginny and Luna, I have no female friends. I can't say anything more ridiculous than Luna does, and after all the whining about Harry I listened to, Ginny can't say anything to me when I complain. I'm making Lavender and Parvati look good by comparison right now.

Djaq took pity on her. "Hermione is learning to fight. She did very well with the shield yesterday."

"Really?" Marian looked interested.

"I'm a terrible shot, though," Hermione said. "Robin said he would help."

"You will not find a better teacher," Marian assured her.

"I am sure she could learn a lot from you as well," Djaq said. "I have rarely seen better fighting."

"You're a fighter?" asked Hermione, delighted. Of course Maid Marian could kick ass! Why should the boys have all the fun?

"I can protect myself," Marian said. "Most of the time, anyway. And Djaq is quite the warrior herself."

"I want to be like that," Hermione said. "Damsels in distress are so eleventh century, don't you think?"

Djaq and Marian laughed. Djaq said, "I believe with a little more practice, the three of us could be very formidable. We are easy to underestimate, but it would be unwise."

"Exactly!" said Hermione. "People aren't always what they seem. I know I seemed pretty pathetic when you came across me in the forest, and I was very scared. I feel much more confident now, though. You make excellent role models for me." Hermione wished she could show her new friends some of her talent with a wand, but it was also sort of nice to have a different role to play, apart from know-it-all swot. She was dying for a library, though.

"Unfortunately, I should probably return to Nottingham," Marian said. "I don't want Gisborne sending his guards after me, or they will find I am not where I'm supposed to be."

"Alright," Djaq said. "Hermione, I am sure you are ready for more training."

"If Robin's up to it," she said as they walked back toward camp. "He might be preoccupied."

"I am sure Allan would take over your archery practice, if that is the case," Djaq said with another knowing smile to Marian.

"Maybe," Hermione said, missing their looks. "I definitely need to work on it. I don't want to disgrace the name of Robin's gang."

"Disgrace the name of outlaws?" Marian laughed. "Not hardly. I think it would be wise for you to stay behind for the time being, though, if Djaq and the men go out. The longer you are unknown to the Sheriff, the better."

"Perhaps you are right," Hermione said. "Besides, I want to be able to go undercover at the castle if necessary."

"I thought I had already vetoed that idea," Robin said as the women joined their friends.

"Not today, obviously," Hermione said. "Sometime, however, you are going to need a new spy, and I am tailor made for the assignment. You don't have to decide right now."

"Good, because the answer would still be no," Robin declared. He kissed Marian. "Be safe, my love."

"You too." Marian gave the rest of them a small wave and walked into the forest. Robin watched her leave, looking very concerned.

"She's a big girl, mate," Allan said, clapping him on the back. "She can handle Gisborne."

Robin didn't answer, but turned to Hermione. "Are you ready for practice?"

She saluted. "Ready and waiting, Captain!"

"Oh great," Allan sighed. "Why not just call him 'My Lord' and have done with it. Or 'Master' like Much does."

"Well, he is a nobleman, is he not?" Hermione said. "Now go away, I have to concentrate. I am about to become a brilliant archer."