1Much opted to stay with Echo again the next time Robin voted to go back to the castle. Robin give him a smile as if he knew something. For all Much knew, Robin did. He'd never been particularly good at hiding things, especially from Robin.

Having Echo in his life gave him hope. Yes, Robin was like a brother to him, but he didn't need Much, not like he needed the others. He needed Will because he was crafty. He needed Djak because she was a healer. Allan was good at coming up with a quick cover story, and Little john was his brute strength. All Much did was attempt to cook and tidy up. At times it didn't matter that Robin loved him because attention was never paid to Much.

Until Echo came.

On today's agenda was the castle, but not on the affairs Robin normally went to the castle for. Djak decided to take Echo down for some clothing (since all she had to wear was a pair of her dad's old slacks and a shirt Will let her borrow). So the two women went into the castle while the men waited just outside. Going all in was too risky in Robin's opinion. But one of them would run in and check on them every so often, just to make sure.

"You are enjoying your stay with us?" Djak asked as she rummaged through boys clothing (they always had pants that fit her). She pulled out a pair of brown ones and held them to Echo, then draped it across her arm.

"Yes I am. Thank you very much for allowing me to stay. And for shopping with me. I've never really been."

Djak eyed her. "Your mother never took you to shop?"

Echo avoided her eyes. "She died when I was young." That much they could know. "Don't apologize, it's alright. Dad and I didn't really have the money to shop, and we had two younger kids to look after. So I always wore his old clothing."

"We should get you a dress then," she replied, "since you only wore your father's clothing."

"A dress?" she asked, skeptical. Her grey eyes found the women's line of clothing. "In the forest?"

Djak finished de-tangling some of the pants, then took her arm and led her to the dresses. "Every young woman should wear a dress. Come, we'll pick a pastel one, eh? Bring out your eyes and your hair."

Echo's hand absently brushed a lock of her brown hair from her eyes. She disliked the honey color it was. "Can we not bring out my hair?"

Djak laughed. "Much will approve of you in a dress."

Echo giggled nervously. "What makes you think I want Much's approval?"

"Alright, play that game. Here." She produced a light green, poofy dress, which received a half hearted shrug from her companion. "No?" she laughed. "Then how about this one."

This one was a dusty pink, like a mauve color. It wasn't a puff, as she had expected. Instead of fanning out at the waist it curved out ever so slightly. The only way one could tell is if she was wearing it. The corset's strings were pearly white, and the sleeves were small, almost non-existent.

"It's beautiful, Djak."

Djak smiled. "Good. Now, you were talking about cooking for us?"

"Oh, yes. I'm not amazing, but, and don't tell him I said so, I am better than Much."

The two laughed. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She grabbed a basket and began putting food inside.

Once everything was paid for, Echo and Djak exited the castle. The boys were off in the distance chucking stones into a small pond. Echo noted that the sun seemed lighter nowadays. With the exception of her siblings, she didn't have anything to worry about.

-- -- -- -- --

Back at camp, Robin began setting an obstacle course up while Much showed Echo where everything in their "kitchen" was. Twenty minutes had passed since Robin had began. He was now finished and was calling to Will to head through first. When Will took his place, Robin ran ahead. The idea was to attack his men with the element of surprise and see how well they did. Once this obstacle was complete, the gang would practice sword fighting.

Echo watched Will begin the small course, which consisted mainly of a few barrels that zig-zagged in a path toward some trees. Robin was hiding there somewhere. Echo smiled when Will looked back at Djak for a split second. It wasn't noticeable unless you were watching the two, which Echo was, but Djak produced a warm smile for him. Then Will was off.

"Would you like a go at the obstacle course?" Much asked, mistaking her amused glance at Djak as an eager look at the course.

"Perhaps," she replied, returning to the stew she was adding spice to. She stirred it methodically for a few minutes before gancing at Much. He coughed quickly and looked down at the stew.

"I've been thinking," Echo said.

"I hope you haven't hurt yourself."

She laughed lightly. "Haven't been thinking too hard on t he subject, that'll be your job."

His eyebrows went up in mock surprise. "What's this? A job for me?" his stomach flipped when she gave him that smile.

"Yes, a job for you. Don't worry, it's not too strenuous." Her eyes went back to the pot. "I want a name," she said softly. "But I would prefer if you picked it. I'm alright at boys names, but the only girl name I've ever given was to Lily, after my mother."

"Naming you will be impossible."

Her grey eyes slyly looked at him. "Due to my wily personality?" she joked.

But Much was being entirely serious. "Due to the fact that any name would look good on you. There are too many to choose from."

"Pick one of your favorites then," she shrugged, continuing to stir.

Much slumped back against the wall. "All favorites have disappeared," he replied. "You don't understand, Miss." He cast a furtive glance at the others to make sure no one was watching. Then his attention returned to her. "See, you can make any name sound beautiful. Like Beatrice. I've hated that name my whole life, but if I apply it to you, the name is the most beautiful name I've heard."

Echo felt her cheeks burn crimson. She quickly ducked her head to taste the stew. "Then I shall be called Beatrice?"

"There is a multitude of names. You would make each sound Heaven-sent."

Though fully aware that her blush still remained, his gentle tone caused her to look up. She took her left hand off the spoon and placed it on his. "I will love whichever one you pick."

He sighed. "I'll have to think about it."

"Much!" Allan called. "Your turn!"

Echo quickly removed her hand from his and returned to the stew. She froze as Much moved behind her, he lips close to her ear.

"Sarah."

The way he said it caused chills to run down her spine.

"Sarah," she repeated. It sounded ordinary when she said it, a plain peasant name. But when her mind called back his voice saying it the name did sound Heaven-sent.

Then he was off to the course only to be replaced by Djak. "Did you say something?" she asked. Djak followed her eyes to Much, who was starting down the course.

She nodded. "Sarah. My. . .my name is Sarah."