By nightfall a heavy rain had forced the outlaws into the cave again. Aside from Much's usual complaining about how much he hated the cave he also worried about Robin.
"He wouldn't stay out in this. Something must have happened. We must go find him."
Djaq spoke up first "I'm sure he is fine. You worry too much"
Allan spoke next "I'm not being funny but he is a big boy he can look after himself you know."
Will chimed in "He probably just wants to be alone for now. He'll be back."
Finally John spoke "We sleep now. If Robin isn't back by morning we go find him"
Much quietly lay down having been clearly outvoted but he couldn't stop the sinking feeling that something was terribly wrong.
By mid-morning the gang had to admit that for once maybe Much wasn't worrying for nothing. John issued orders. "Djaq you come with me. Allan, Will, Much you search that way. We meet back here in 2 hours. If anyone finds him give the signal."
The two hours had almost passed when John and Djaq spotted Robin. Their leader lay crumpled on the forest floor. They rushed over to him immediately seeing the wounds on him- a stab wound on his right thigh that was bleeding heavily and a smaller wound to his left shoulder. Djaq kneeled down beside him frantically feeling for a pulse. John stood back and let her work.
"Is he..?"
Djaq looked up at John. "No. He is alive. Barely. He has a lost a lot of blood. We need to slow the bleeding and get him to the cave get him dry. Pray to your God and to mine we have not found him too late" She took the scarf from around Robin's neck and tied it tightly around his thigh. Then John picked him up as gently as possible.
Robin moaned with the movement the pain having brought him out of his unconscious state. He looked at John. "This is embarrassing."
Djaq spoke up "Robin, don't talk. You need to save your strength."
When they made it back to the cave the others were waiting. They all rushed forward.
"What happened?" Much asked.
Robin groaned "Gisbourne"
John laid Robin on the same place where Marian had almost died. The outlaws gathered around their leader deep worry written on all their faces.
Much walked over to Djaq as she gathered her supplies. "Will he be alright?"
Djaq looked at him and was honest as always. "I do not know. He has lost a lot of blood. If we don't stop the bleeding even if we do he still has to survive the fever he is going to take." She paused then looked Much squarely in the eyes" You should go get Marian and quickly"
Much's heart sank reading the meaning in that statement clearly. Fetch Marian because Robin's chances were slim and he would likely die very soon.
Much had never ridden so fast in his life. When he reached Knighton he found Marian in the stables readying her horse.
She noticed him enter and spoke over her shoulder "You do not have to convince me further, Much. You are right. I was on my way to see him now."
"Let's hope my convincing was not for nothing."
His words as well as the complete sadness in his voice made her turn around. The look on his face was hardly reassuring.
"Why?"
"Robin is wounded. Badly."
He didn't get the chance to say more Marian was on her horse and out of the stables before he knew it. He had to rush to catch her.
When they entered the cave they found Djaq still tending Robin trying desperately to stop the bleeding on his thigh. "This is useless."
"Is there nothing else you can try?" it was Marian who asked this. Her heart had froze with worry when she saw her love barely conscious. Any lingering doubt she had about her decision vanished.
Djaq looked at Marian and was a little shocked to see the lady so vulnerable. Marian was a strong woman something Djaq could relate to. She suddenly realized with a little shock she would feel the same if it were Will lying there instead of Robin. When had she started feeling that way towards him? There would be time to analyze that later right now she had a life to save. "There is one thing but it will make his fever worse."
Allan spoke up "Do we have a choice? As is he will bleed to death."
Djaq took her sword and placed it in the fire until it glowed red and walked over to their leader who was barely conscious.
"Hold him down" She then placed the sword over his wound and the leader let out a howl of pain as the smell of burnt flesh filled the cave.
Robin had lost consciousness completely and Djaq looked at the others. "If he can fight the fever he will live"
Marian spent the rest of that day kneeling beside Robin and praying. She stayed by his side that night sleep eluding her. This cannot be happening. I will lose him and I haven't even told him I loved him. All this time wasted holding a grudge over something trivial. I need you please Robin don't die and I swear I will make it up to you.
Come the next morning Much had persuaded her to step outside and take a break from her vigil. Much had put a comforting arm around her and the tears she had managed to keep at bay so far burst loose. Much put his other arm around his friend and quietly listened to her.
"I can't imagine my life without him, Much. If I hadn't been so blind I would have realized before now how much I need him. I love him and he's dying and I may never get the chance to tell him that."
Much smiled he couldn't help it "You know he said pretty much the same thing when he thought you were dead. We haven't lost him yet."
As if on cue Will stepped out of the cave and informed them Robin's fever had broken.
They both breathed a sigh of relief as Marian pulled out of Much's embrace. She headed for her horse but Much stopped her.
"Aren't you going to stay until he wakes up?"
"No, he's probably still angry with me. When he is better and wants to see me he will"
Much watched her ride away shaking his head. Sometimes it was difficult to determine whether Robin or Marian was the more stubborn one.
