**Review and tell me what you think! I might have to go back to only typing parts because I don't have a lot of time with school work and stuff so yea. Thanks for reading! Hope you like it! Suggestions and comments of any kind are welcome.**

Turk Flu

I opened my eyes, blinking at the early morning sunlight that streamed through the trees. Robin was looking around at us boredly from his perch atop a big rocky platform. He played with his bow, looking around and pacing at the same time. I knew what he was so hyped up about; the competition in Nottingham that was supposed to take place today. Suddenly, a mischievous grin made it's way onto his face and he glanced at me and then to a sleeping Much. I grinned as I watched his antics.

He pulled back the bow with an arrow notched and aimed at Much, who was just beginning to stretch. The arrow embedded into a tree in between Much's fingers with a bit of breakfast stuck on it. Much jerked before realizing it was just Robin.

"I knew you'd be like this." He announced, and I stood up, looking around at our camp. Allan's still sleeping form was lying between some rocks a couple yards away. John was just starting to wake as Much continued, "If you're so bothered about the archery competition."

"I'm not!" Robin protested indignantly, earning a look from Much.

"If you're so bothered," Much continued, ignoring his protest and yanking out the arrow, "We could always have a little competition here." I perked up at that idea.

"Yea, come on, Robin, that sounds like fun." I agreed with Much's idea.

"I don't want to be in the archery competition." Robin denied, notching another arrow, this time aimed at John. John started to bend forward only to have the arrow whiz by centimeters from his face. Allan shot up at the noise of the arrow hitting the wood next to him. He looked around before taking the arrow and eating the sandwich off the end. I rolled my eyes. "Even if there is a silver arrow for the winner."

"Just as well, because by the time we've done a little hunting, and had ourselves a decent feast. They'll be no time to go to Nottingham and get ourselves hanged."

"Come on, Much," I broke in. "We've always made time in the past." I stretched and yawned briefly. Robin laughed and notched an arrow aimed at me. "Robin, don't you dare." I threatened and he grinned.

"It's only breakfast, Clara." Robin shot the arrow, but he made sure to give me a wide berth. I walked over to the arrow a few feet away and tore off the sandwich. I was a bit hungry and this tiny square of a meal wasn't particularly satisfying.

"Where's Will?" I asked suddenly, realizing the outlaw's absence.

"Checking the traps." Robin answered, shooting a bell twice and then laughing at his own skill. I rolled my eyes and grabbed a dagger from my bag, cutting through the rope that held the bell. Robin looked at me with a small, boyish pout that made me smile.

"Robin, if you really want to go to that competition, I could create a diversion to draw the Sheriff and Gisborne away." I offered and Robin looked at me quizzically.

"Like what?" Allan spoke up and I looked at him with a slight grin.

"Something clever." I told the guys. "What?" I asked as I saw a panting Will sprinting down the hill.

"The trap worked; we caught one! A cart. Let's go! Let's go!" Without even bothering to change, I strapped my swords to my back and grabbed my bow while slipping on my boots.

When we got close, the sound of grunting and yelling could be heard. The group split up and I followed Allan around to the right side of the horse and cart. There were no guards; only one man desperately trying to get his wheel out of the ground. We both had arrows drawn and pointed at him in case he made a move. Robin approached him and the guy slowly straightened and turned; a look of exasperation darkened his features. Taking a small sack from the carriage, he threw it on the ground in front of Robin.

"Here. It's all I've of value." He was a bit shorter than Allan with short, curly brown hair and a grizzly beard and mustache. His chubby face was accompanied by a pot belly and he looked used to the easy road. All in all, a slimy toad that would take candy from a baby if it benefited him. "Take it." Much jumped off the small, rocky ledge and took the bag off the ground while Allan and I shared a glance and cautiously lowered our bows. Much held up a magnifying glass curiously and looked back at Robin.

"Pretty." Much stated, examining it. "Not very appetizing."

There was a small groan and my eyes were drawn to the covered carriage. The man tilted his back and jutted out his lower jaw in angry annoyance. I cautiously approached the covered carriage with Allan behind me.

"Livestock?" Robin questioned as I slowly lifted the tarp a bit to see what was inside. My eyes widened in shock and then darkened in anger as my body went rigid.

"Let me-" The man started.

"Slaves. Saracen slaves." my quiet voice held so much anger and seemed to carry throughout the clearing. I walked around the carriage to get a good shot at the man. I drew my bow and notched an arrow.

"Clara!" Robin snapped and Allan came around to put a hand on my arrow gently. I glanced at him and then glared at the man before slowly lowering my bow. Robin came forward and swept the tarp off the carriage, or prison rather.

"New men for the Sheriff's mine." A young Saracen in the front caught my eye and I studied him closely, or rather her. I quirked my eyebrow but held my tongue.

"Slaves?" Much repeated in a mixture of horror, sympathy, and shock. White-hot rage was coursing through my veins and I was pretty sure I was quivering a little. I forced myself to breath deeply and followed Allan around the horses to stand next to Much.

"I never thought I'd see this again." Much admitted.

"I hoped I'd never see this again." I added darkly, throwing a hateful glance backwards at the slave trader, who sat sipping wine with his back against a tree.

"Outrageous." Much became quieter as he became lost in his memories.

"Disgraceful." I added, matching his tone as my own memories flooded into my mind. "Trading people." Much shook his head slowly. I felt Allan's hand on my shoulder and broke out of my thoughts.

"Would you like some more wine?" Robin offered and the slave trader accepted with a stupid smile on his face. Robin walked over to us, screwing on the top of his flask.

"I'm not being funny, but you brought him here for a picnic?" Allan asked Robin while I threw another glare at the trader and then a questioning look at Robin.

"We need him." Robin told us, glancing from my eyes to Allan's and back. "He's our way into the mine." Robin's eyes begged me to trust him.

"There is no way into the mine." Much argued and I gave a sigh of surrender.

"There's always a way in." Robin threw me a grateful look and smiled slightly.

"I know this is hard for you, Clara," Robin looked into my eyes and put a hand on my shoulder, close to my neck as I shifted uncomfortably."but we are going to stop this. This is a gift." Robin continued, dropping his hand and looking at Allan and Much. "We are going to close the mine once and for all. We will stop this human trafficking." I opened my mouth to reply, but was cut off by the hoarse laughter of the trader.

"I thought you were going to slit me throat!" He laughed again. "Or worse." My hand tightened on my bow.

"We don't do throat slitting." Robin dismissed and the slave trader grinned.

"It's too messy." I couldn't help but add with a glare that caused the trader to shift nervously and his smile to falter.

"Now you've eaten, I would like to feed you prisoners." Robin continued, trying to hide a grin at my words.

"Not meat. It makes them spirited, see. Oh, and, keep your distance. Don't let them breathe near you. Disease." Disease. I furrowed my brow as the word triggered an idea in the back of my mind. Well, half an idea. "Some of our soldiers dropped dead after getting too close."

"Dropped dead?" Will asked disbelievingly, but his voice was tinged with nervousness as he shifted away from the cage slightly. There was something that was tickling the back of my mind, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"Ay, one minute it stood there strong as you; the next, brains dripping from there nostrils." The trader let out another one of his horrible laughs that turned into a hacking cough. Will looked disgusted and nervous. "Water. That'll do them. They had some scraps earlier." Robin tossed a jug of water to Will who caught it deftly. "Used to be a decent living to be made by selling folk. Then the port goes and bands trading Christians. Thank heavens King Richard likes his wars abroad." My hands shook in anger and I tightened my grip on my bow. Instead, I focused on Will's nervous face as he glanced from the Saracens to the water and back.

"Will, aren't you going to give them water?" I called to him and Robin turned around to look at him.

"Yeah, I'm on it." I walked over to him with a questioning look. "You don't actually believe-"

"No!" Will denied quickly. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow.

"Then let them drink." He didn't move. "Can't you see they're thirsty?" I tried a different tactic.

"I notice your not doing it." Will countered, looking at me.

"Listen, there is no disease. They're just people." He was scared of dying by the disease the trader talked about. I bet if we weren't here he'd have- Oh. Oh that was brilliant. I threw an arm around Will's neck and kissed his cheek and his eyes widened a bit. "You are a genius." I announced, grinning widely at him as he stuttered out a thanks. "John have a drink with our friend, would you?" Everyone looked to me in shock. John looked at me questioningly.

"What?"

"Come on, John! Show him some of that outlaw hospitality you showed us when we first got here." His dark eyes brightened in understanding and he gave me a small nod and a smile to the trader before knocking him out and taking a swig of wine. He looked at me and smiled. Robin headed over to stand by Will and I.

"Clara what is it?" He inquired, but I shoved my bow into his hands; I'd be faster without it. I grabbed Will's wrist and started off into the woods. "Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back. Make sure they don't get out." I called over my shoulder as I jogged into the woods, hearing Will's footsteps following me.

"So what is this plan?" Will asked when we were a ways away.

"You were afraid of getting too close to the Saracen because of the disease." I told him.

"I wasn't afraid." His protest just made me raise an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Sure, you weren't. Anyways, your smart, and if the disease could make someone like you afraid, imagine what it would do to the guards." Will's eyes widened as he caught on.

"It would terrify them. That's brilliant." I gave him a small smile as I bent down to pick the right plant roots.

"I thought so." I grinned and stood back up. A silence settled over us, and I found myself wishing I'd brought Allan along too. Allan always had something to say or made me laugh. Lord knows, I could do with a laugh right now. What with the slaves bringing back unwanted memories. I looked up to realize we'd almost reached the trail. I jogged ahead of Will and walked over to Robin. I explained my plan to everyone and showed them the roots. Robin grinned and shook his head at me.

"What?" I asked, catching his look.

"How do you come up with that?" Robin asked and I gave him a grin.

"Easy, I'm a genius." He and Much started laughing.

"We need to get rid of the guards at the mine. One of you has to travel in the cage as a prisoner." Robin's words were met with silence from all the men. "We need a man on the inside to start the rumor of Turk Flu!" Much fingered the roots.

"This is stupid, we should just draw straws or something" I told Robin with an eye roll.

"I volunteer." Much announced, looking up from the root, and I glanced at him in surprise.

"Yes, Much." Robin gestured to him. "Thank you."

"Allan." Much finished and I felt a small prick of worry in my stomach, but I ignored it. Allan took the root and smelled it warily.

"And, what, I eat this do I?"

"No, just chew." I told him seriously and he glanced at me and started to smile before looking away quickly.

"There is nothing to fear. Once the guards believe that the prisoners have a disease they'll run for they're lives."

"Oh, surely only the stupid amongst them is goin' to fall for it." Much argued and I grinned.

"So, all of them, then." Everyone grinned at that.

"But, come on, Turk Flu?"

"People fear what they don't understand." Robin explained my plan.

"I wasn't scared." Will protested again and I rolled my eyes, smiling fondly, and joined in John and Much's laughter. Allan's head snapped up and looked into the woods. He caught my eye but quickly averted his gaze and my heart sunk a little. He crept into the woods while everyone was talking. I took one step in his direction and then stopped; he clearly didn't want me to follow.

"No." Much was stating sarcastically.

"Will, you proved my point." I gave Robin a pointed look which he ignored. "If even you had doubts, the Sheriff's men; they'll be a pushover."

"It'll never work. I have another suggestion. Instead of relying on the Sheriff's men being as stupid as this one." Suddenly, the girl from the prison grabbed the flask out and yanked it out of Much's hands. "Hey, let go!"

"It's mine." The Saracen snapped. "Stolen."

"You speak english." Robin noted. There was a whistle that belonged to Allan, who had just reappeared through the trees. The trader started to wake only to have John knock him out again. We ran silently up the hill and stopped on the edge of the path.

"You're not going to like this Robin," Allan spoke, "but I think that's Marian in Gisborne's coach." I threw a glance at Robin to see his confused face.

"She must be going to Nottingham." Will added.

"The Sheriff's fair." I realized. The silver arrow. Great, now Robin would really want to go and win. Actually, that might not be such a bad idea. When Gisborne and the Sheriff ride out to the mines, Robin would easily be able to get away, but he already knew that. We walked back to where the wagon with the prisoners and John were waiting. I walked up to Allan, who tried to walk away but I stepped in front of him.

"What's going on?" I hissed at him.

"What d'ya mean?" Allan asked and I shook my head, turning away.

"Never mind. Forget I said anything." I started walking away only to have Allan grab my wrist. Turning, I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You, um, you and Will. Are you…?" He stammered and trailed off. It took a second to realize what he was implying and a look of horror crossed my face. Will? He thought…?

"Me and Will?" I laughed, slapping his shoulder with the back of my hand. "He's like my little brother, Allan." I shook my head still laughing lightly. "Go get Much. I'm gonna round up John and the others." I told him, jogging over to John and Robin. We unstuck the wagon and pulled it to the edge of the forest nearest the mines. Robin took John and Will to scout and put the final touches on the plan while I stayed behind with Allan to give him a few tips about the root.

"Just don't eat it and you'll be fine." I told him, temporarily loosening the horses harnesses so they could breathe.

"Why? What happens if you swallow it?" Allan inquired with a tinge of nervousness.

"Just don't." I told him cryptically and before he could reply, Will, John, and Robin came jogging back into the small clearing.

"Now," Robin started, taking a seat on the ground. "This is what we do, you sell your prisoners to the Sheriff just as you planned. Allan will be right behind you disguised as a prisoner." Next to me, Allan grinned up at the trader. "If you give us away, be warned, we may have to review our policy on throat slitting."

"Fire!" John yelled on my other side and ran towards the rope that held the cage shut. I bolted after him and reached the flame that had seemingly started on it's own, but I knew better. The Saracen woman disguised as a man looked a little too pleased with herself.

"Punishment from God!" Much exclaimed while everyone else just stood there stunned. "It's all my fault." Much continued as Will and I ran to untie the knot so the rest of the cage wouldn't catch.

"Much, will you shut up." Allan spoke my mind. The woman grabbed my sleeve and yanked me into the bars and I bit my lip to keep from crying out. I slipped my other hand threw the bars unnoticed and grasped the magnifying glass from within the sack on the floor of the cage. Shoving the glass up my sleeve I yanked my arm away from her grip and stepped back.

"How did you light that fire?" Robin inquired harshly and the woman looked at him defiantly.

"With this." Everyone looked at me and I held up the magnifying glass. The woman lunged with one hand through the bars, but I stepped back.

"That's mine." She snapped at me, "Thief!"

"You can channel the sun's heat." I explained and saw a look of realization pass over some of the guys faces.

"Give it back! Let us go!" She snarled angrily.

"We are trying to help you!" Robin exclaimed.

"You've stolen us to sell to another and taken our things! You're no better than him."

"Please, let me explain, then if you do not wish to help us your free to go. You have my word. What is your name?"

"Djaq." She said shortly.

"Djaq, we will help you escape, but if you leave now the Sheriff will still need workers for his mine. More prisoners will arrive next month. People like you. We are going to destroy the mine, but we need your help."

"How will you help us escape?" She questioned, and I could see her weighing her options.

"The Sheriff will pay for you, and we will give you the money, and we will guide you to the people who will find you a safe passage to the port."

"You made us the enemy, and now you play protector? And ask for our help." She had a point there, and I could see Robin was beginning to get frustrated. He opened the door for them.

"Let them decide. If you want to take your chance with freedom now, then go." The man to the right of Djaq talked quietly in Arab. I only caught bits of what he said, but it was enough to get the gist of it.

"What did he say?" Allan asked Robin.

"He said if you do not let us go, he's going to kill you." Djaq answered, and I couldn't hold back my laugh. Everyone looked at me in surprise.

"That is not what he said. He said Nousalle. That means to pray. Wash and Pray."

"Is that what you want to do? Wash and Pray? Pray. Nousalle?" Robin gestured out the door. "And then will you help us?" Djaq gave me a long glance and I threw her a smirk that caused her eyes to widen fractionally. She knew I knew she was a girl, though my guess was she'd figured it out a while ago. "Please." She glanced at Robin before nodding minutely. The prisoners unloaded and went off to wash and pray.

"I didn't know you spoke Arabic." Allan whispered jokingly in my ear and I shrugged before grinning.

"I picked up a few words in the Holy Land."

"Why were you there, anyway? You never told me." Both John and Will looked up, waiting for my answer.

"My, my mother sent me on an errand for her and I ended up staying longer than expected." I answered truthfully. "After a few weeks, I joined the King's private guard and stayed there for a few months before returning to England." All of them stared at me. "What?"

"I thought you worked as an advisor or something." Will admitted and Robin laughed.

"Clara? An advisor? She was almost as headstrong as the King himself. Got us out of a lot of bad situations."

"Only because you kept endangering the missions with your antics." I retorted, grinning.

"When did I ever endanger the mission?" Robin argued causing Much and I to exchange a glance.

"Let's see, Namalee Hill for starters." Robin looked incredulous and Much laughed at the memory.

"That was not my fault! The Saracen came at me!" I laughed, and then, seeing everyone's confused looks, decided to explain.

"We had been setting up camp near Namalee Hill when there was a night attack. There was a battle and the Saracens began to flee. Robin thought it was a good idea to engage one just outside of the camps perimeters. Nearly got himself killed." I shot him a scathing look.

"So you really fought in the Holy Land?" John asked with something close to admiration.

"Front lines for seven months." I grinned.

"Djaq has been gone a long time." Robin suddenly changed the subject. I looked around at the Saracen who were starting to come back. "Will, go find him and tell him to hurry up." Will got up and strode through the trees before I could protest. Allan adjusted the fabric around his head and neck before looking at me with a grin.

"Be careful." I said softly and he grinned widely. I wasn't used to showing concern for anyone but myself and occasionally Victoria.

"I'm touched by your concern." He joked and I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide a grin. I looked up at him, noting the concealed nervousness in his eyes.

"Yea, well, don't get used to it. Besides, nothings going to go wrong. This is my plan, after all." He grinned, a bit relieved. I pulled out a dagger from my pant pocket and handed it to him. "Shove it up your sleeve. Just in case something does go wrong."

"Thanks. I'll be fine." He added seriously and I smiled at him before stepping backwards as Djaq walked out of the forest and into the cage, Allan following her. I looked after the carriage, not sure if he said those words to reassure me or himself.

"Come on, Clara!" Robin called and I jogged after the other outlaws to the edge of the forest and crouched down to watch. Allan was roughly unloaded along with the other Saracens. There was a bit of a problem with Djaq which caused the Sheriff to smack her and I tensed in anger. Suddenly, my head snapped up as I heard a twig snap. There was a boy on top of the hill with a rock clutched in his right hand. I followed his dark glare to where Gisborne was standing. No! If he murders Gisborne the plan will go to ruin.

"Allan." I whispered worriedly and shot off in the direction of the boy. When I got near I put a firm hand over his mouth and one trapping his arms by his sides. The boy struggled and I threw him to the ground at Robin's feet. Robin easily pinned him down and I regarded him quizzically. "Who're you?"

"I'm Rowan, son of Dhun." He spoke with a thick accent. Will and John came up behind me, weapons at the ready. "And I'm gonna kill Gisborne." He made an attempt to throw Robin off, which failed miserably.

"If you do that now, the mine will stay open," Robin explained. "You will sabotage our plan and you will put one of my men's life in danger."

"They're leaving." I announced quietly as the sound of hoof steps could be heard. The boy strained again.

"I cannot let him get away."

"If the Sheriff or Gisborne dead would've helped Nottingham, Clara or I would've killed him months ago."

"They deserve to die!"

"Wouldn't you rather see them loose the things that mean everything to them?" Robin questioned and I knew he had the boy's attention.

"Like what?"

"The mine. Iron ore is their strength. Their power." The boy stopped struggling and Robin cautiously let him up. I turned my attention back to the scene by the mines. The guard had pulled Allan's cloth down so he could see his face. They seemed to be conversing and the guard bought right into all of Allan's lies.

"Just get to work." The guard said loudly, shifting away from Allan while handing him a hoe. He was shoved down the ladder and out of sight. The next two minutes seemed like eternity to me as I crouched in the leaves next to Will, hardly daring to breathe. Finally, a Saracen crawled out of the mine groaning and clutching his stomach. "Lord, take me!" He cried pitifully, slumping to the ground.

"Kill him, quick!" The guard yelled, pointing to the man on the ground. Allan crawled out after the Saracen and put his hand up.

"No! His blood will poison the air!" Allan warned so dramatically I couldn't help but grin. "If you're going to kill someone, kill me please! I can feel it starting!" He reached out his hand as the black liquid from the root started dripping out of his mouth.

"What's that?" One guard called and there was a chorus of disgusted noises as everyone looked at the black goo. Allan slumped to the ground after a big show of suffocating. "Let's get out of here!" The guards started running hurriedly away and before the trader could follow, Allan grabbed his foot and tripped him. I sprinted out of my hiding spot with Will right behind me. Allan was tackling the trader to keep him down.

"Hey! John!" Robin yelled. "Keep him conscious."

"Clara," Allan called around the mouthful of root. "Clara!" I knelt down beside him. "What is this stuff? It tastes weird."

"Allan, whatever you do, don't," He made a face as the disgusting goo slid down his throat. "Swallow it. How many times did I say, don't swallow it!" I finished. He was in for one hell of a night. He looked at me with worried eyes. "You'll be fine. Stay here." I reassured him, putting a hand on his cheek as he nodded.

"Lay fires! Around those beams and inside!" Robin was ordering. I stood up swiftly, picking up my bow.

"Let me light 'em! I'll burn the place to the ground." Rowan pleaded.

"No, I don't think so, we'll do that." Much said.

"No, let Rowan. For his father." Robin nodded. John restrained the trader as I ripped the money bag from his grip and tossed it to Robin.

"Can I not keep the money?" The trader asked and I glared at the fool.

"You are a despicable, heartless, soulless slave trader." Robin spoke my mind."Lucky to escape with your life."

"That's a no." Much informed him.

"Perhaps a hell no." I added, grinning.

"Now go." Both me and John looked incredulously at Robin.

"Go?" We asked simultaneously. Robin gave John a pointed look and understanding dawned on me. I gave a scoff of disbelief and Robin looked at me.

"What?" He asked as the trader ran off. I cuffed him behind the head playfully.

"This is exactly what I was talking about in the Holy Land, Robin!" I scowled. "You cannot risk everyone's life just because you want to enter an archery competition and get the silver arrow!" Robin looked away. "It's not about the arrow at all is it? Oh, I get it." I laughed and shook my head. Of course.

"Get what?" Will asked.

"As much as it saddens me to drag Gisborne away from his wooing-"

"Gisborne's wooing?" Rowan asked.

"Marian." I told him, shaking my head slightly at Robin's obvious jealousy.

"Remember the road I told you about?" Robin asked, now looking at Djaq and the other Saracen. She nodded. "When you get to the Abbey-"

"Mention your name." Djaq finished, nodding. Robin gave her the money sack and nodded again. "Godspeed Robin."

"Djaq." I called, tossing the magnifying glass to her. She caught it deftly and smiled at me. "Good luck."

"Godspeed, Clara." I nodded to her.

"Much, what's going on with the pilot fire?" Robin asked as Much looked incredulous. I walked back over to Allan, helping him stand.

"The effects will start in about an hour." I told him. "Until then, you should only feel a little odd." Will worked on the fire while Allan and I headed over to Robin and John.

"Well," Robin started as I fell into step beside John. "I think we deserve an outing to Nottingham. Such a smooth and successful operation, in fact besides Allan's ingestion of a certain plant root,"

"Yea, which will do what to me exactly." Allan cut in and I looked backwards, giving him a smile.

"I would say the days gone rather well." Suddenly, I felt the ground give way beneath my right foot and heard my yell of surprise echoed by John's. I felt a giant hand grab my arm and suddenly I was screaming and free falling before everything went black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3rd Person~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Clara!" Allan screamed desperately into the hole at the same time as Much and Robin. "John!" Robin and Much yelled. "Clara!"

"When are we going to burn the mine?" Rowan asked unfeelingly. Allan's head snapped up in anger and he started toward Rowan threateningly only to get restrained by Robin. "The Sheriff will be coming!" Much looked hopelessly into the hole, rubbing the back of his neck.

"We can't until we rescue Clara and John!" Robin snapped with an air of finality, releasing Allan.

"I'm going down there." Allan announced.

"To do what?" Much pointed out. "Get stuck down there with her. To help her!" Allan snapped, taking off his Saracen costume to reveal his simple outlaw getup.

"We broke up the ladders for firewood." Much pointed out mournfully.

"If we can't pull her out-"

"They could be bleeding to death!" Robin yelled and Allan rushed at him only to get hauled back by Will and Much.

"Maybe they just can't breathe properly." Will suggested hopefully, but his voice was laced with worry as he bent over the pit.

"Then they suffocate, will that suit you better?" Robin yelled.

"I'll go down there." Everyone turned to see Djaq. "You need someone smaller."

"You couldn't lift both of them. Thank you but-"

"I'll help them lift themselves." Djaq cut Robin off.

"They could be bleeding-"

"Or suffocating! I heard!" Djaq interrupted again. "My father was a physician!"

"Oh, great!" Allan said sarcastically, running his hands through his hair worriedly. "My father was a blacksmith; doesn't mean I can make a horseshoe." Djaq threw up her hands in defeat and turned away.

"No, Djaq, wait, please!" Robin called, unwilling to let any chance of Clara and John's safety go. "If there is something you can do."

"I can stop the blood. Bring him round. Then he can lift the girl, Clara."

"Then do it." Robin said.

"I need silver." Djaq announced. "Look over there. There must be some along with the iron ore."

"Silver! He wants paymen' now!" Allan exclaimed, annoyed. None of this was helping her.

"Traces of silver! Not coins!" She gave a curt order to the Saracen who dispersed quickly. "And water quickly!"

"Do as he says." Robin nodded and the outlaws ran off.

"Sorry, Lord," Much spoke seemingly to air. "I will fast for a day and a night, just please let us get out of this alive!"

"Silver and this. Acid!" Djaq explained to Robin what she was doing. "Together make a liquid. Stop the bleeding. You don't need to understand."

"Fine!" Rowan finally snapped angrily. "Save Gisborne's mine, I'm going to go tear his art. Let's see him woo a dead woman." He spun around and jumped onto a horse and rode away.

"It's witchcraft." Allan announced as Will poured the crushed silver into a vial.

"Because we don't know what it is?" Robin countered. "We made him trust us so we have to trust him. Just, drop a second line down." Robin ordered.

"Lower me down." Djaq ordered.

"I'm not being funny; we should have gone after the broker." Allan tried his best to remain calm and think of anything besides Clara. "He'd have told the Sheriff by now."

"Much!" Robin yelled to a frozen Much, who hurried over to the end of the line.

"Three days and three nights; not a morsel will cross my lips." Much promised. "Just get us out of here." Djaq was lowered into the dark, dingy mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Clara~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I felt lightheaded and groggy when I came to. After a quick mental check that revealed nothing broken or bleeding, I attempted to stand but fell back down. My left ankle was crushed under John's body and my guess was it was probably just asleep. Taking a deep breath, I immediately started coughing and realized the source of my lightheadedness. With that realization came another epiphany. John couldn't get enough air; that was why he wasn't waking.

"John?" I hissed, shaking his limp form, trying to roll him off my ankle with limited success. I heard movement to my left and quickly groped around for anything that would be of use in a fight.

"Clara?" I relaxed when I heard Djaq's voice.

"Djaq! Over here!" I hissed, not sure who was listening or was with her. She came into my vision and quickly knelt by John, trying to wake him up while I worked on trying to wriggle my toes.

"Come on, big man." I bit back a laugh at Djaq's nickname for John. "Wake up." Djaq took her necklace and unscrewed the top of the vial. Instantly, white, misty smoke overflowed from the top. I stared from Djaq to the potion in her hand. "Please, wake up. " John groaned as she put the potion near to his face and cupped her hand over the top so more of the mist poured onto his face. "Here, smell this, it will help you wake up." She put the thing directly under his nose and he jerked up.

"What is that?" I asked in wonder. "You have to make me some of that." She grinned at me, and I hissed in pain as blood suddenly flowed into my leg. It felt as though a million tiny pins and needles were stabbing me at the the same time and sweet Mother Mary did it hurt. John got to his hands and knees, coughing.

"Here, put this over your foot." I looked up to see four relieved faces. "Clara, sit here, they'll pull you up." I grabbed the rope and hauled myself onto my good foot, limping over to the seat before sitting down and waiting to be rescued. The seat lifted quickly and I faintly heard Much yell something about the Sheriff. Oh, no! I forgot about him. I vaguely heard the sound of hoofs on grass and I reached up with one arm and hooked the ledge. I pushed off my seat with my good leg and a hand reached out and pulled me up. As soon as I put weight on my left foot, I stumbled only to be caught in a hug by Allan. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him back, breathing easier now.

Suddenly realizing what I was doing, I stepped back and saw John had just gotten over the edge and was attempting to stand up. The Saracen had started running the minute the Sheriff's men had approached, and Much and Robin had drawn their swords. Will helped Djaq with John as Allan slid my arm over his shoulders and we headed towards the woods. We stopped just inside the tree line and I sat down on a rock breathlessly.

"Are you okay?" Allan asked worriedly.

"Yea," I nodded and looked up to see his disbelieving look. "Allan, I'm fine, really." I reassured him, gingerly taking off my left boot and stretching my foot while rotating my ankle, biting back cries of pain. It was faster to get the blood flowing again quickly than to wait for it to heal on it's own. Robin ran into the clearing and gave us a satisfied smile.

"Where are the others?" Robin asked, his smile fading a little.

"Gone." Djaq answered shortly.

"Rowan will be sorry he missed the blades." Allan stood up from his crouch next to me and I slid on my boot.

"Him?" Djaq asked and from the tone of her voice, something was wrong. "He's gone to take revenge on his enemy." "Why?" Robin was exasperated. I stood up slowly, using the tree as help. "Gisborne is here."

"His woman." Djaq explained and I groaned. "To tear his heart out by killing his woman."

"Gisborne doesn't have-"

"Robin." I snapped, cutting him off and giving him a meaningful look. His eyes widened in horror.

"Marian." Much breathed. Robin took off at a run with Much and Will behind him. I turned to Allan and placed a hand on his chest to keep him from following. He gave me a curious look and I shook my head.

"Your hours almost up, Allan. John, bring him back to camp. You may need to tie him up to keep him from hurting himself or anyone else."

"I feel fine!" Allan protested but I shook my head.

"But in a couple of minutes you won't be. John?" I asked, and John restrained him from behind, wrapping his massive arms around Allan's torso, pinning his arms to his sides while Allan kicked and struggled.

"Clara!" He begged, looking at me pleadingly and I almost gave in but held strong.

"Don't worry. You're going to be fine. It'll just last for one night." I told him reassuringly. "No food or water." I added to John before turning and running after Robin, Will and Much.

I pulled my hood up as I entered Nottingham and passed the guards. Where would I find Robin? Knowing him, the center of all the action. I walked over to the arrow competition and, for a moment, I actually debated whether I should join. It would be fun, right? But I couldn't do that to Robin and his attempts to woo Marian. I laughed a little at the thought as I made my way over to the archery sign up desk, thinking that's where he might go.

"Robin Hood! Seize him!" I turned to see the Sheriff and Gisborne on stage and a fleeing figure in a cloak. I pushed through the townspeople to reach the hooded figure just as the Sheriff pulled back his hood. It wasn't Robin. I did a quick scan of my surroundings and saw Robin climb up from a table. I made my way over to them silently.

"That arrow will feed the miners for a whole winter." Robin told us, sounding too pleased with himself.

"Marian's alright?" I asked causing all the boys to jump as I fell into step besides Will.

"Yea. Come on, let's go." We ducked into an alleyway and made our way back to camp. That whole trip was for nothing. I would've done better just to stay with John and help take care of Allan like I had wanted to.

When we arrived at camp, Allan was already tied to a tree, his face wet with sweat and his eyes glassy. He made heaving sounds and leaned his head back against a tree in exhaustion.

"This one," John said and then spun his finger around his ear. "Just like you said." Robin laughed and I smiled a little as well.

"No food or drink for a day and night, then, he'll be fine." Robin said.

"Just as well since there's hardly any venison left." Much reached for the meat only to have his hand slapped away by John.

"Hey!"

"Well, you're fasting too aren't you?" Robin asked and I looked at Much in disbelief.

"Did I miss something?" I asked and Robin told me about Much's pledge. I laughed

"You couldn't have given up something easier, Much?" Much continued to walk.

"You made a promise, to God." Robin exclaimed, glancing upwards.

"You don't know it was him who got us out." Much reasoned. "We might have got out of there anyway." Robin looked away in disbelief. "And…and if it had been him, there would've been a sign. And there was no sign."

"What happened to good old fashioned faith, Much?" I asked quizzically, sitting down next to Will.

"There was no sign." He insisted. "So I am going to build a fire, cook some food and there's nothing any of you can do about it." He proceeded to gather some firewood and make a small circle of stones. He gathered the fire making stones and squatted by the firewood. That's when I noticed Djaq behind a boulder not ten paces behind Much. I nudged Will and nodded to Djaq. We laughed as the fire seemingly started itself and Much jumped back in surprise.

"A sign!" Much yelped, pointing. "Which means I have to fast." Djaq threw a rabbit that landed next to Much, causing him to jump. "Except God wants me to eat." Another rabbit and another jump. "Quite a lot." I laughed quietly with Will.

"Djaq!" Robin called. "Come and join us!" Djaq stood up from her hiding place.

"For good?" She asked, hiding a smile.

"Well, I was thinking just for dinner, but"

"And I was thinking for good." Djaq said and I grinned at the idea. I stood up and walked a few paces forward.

"Come on, Robin. She did save John and my lives." I pointed out. I felt a sudden weight on my leg and looked down to see Allan's head resting against it. I hid a smile and turned back to the issue at hand.

"That's true." Robin contemplated.

"Perhaps I should have let your big friend here die and only saved Clara." Then, there would've been a vacancy."

"It would be fun, Robin." I defended her. "To have a-" I cut myself off, glancing at her questioningly. Robin raised his eyebrows at me, but I didn't finish.

"It wouldn't be safe, for you to join us." Will interrupted.

"For us? Or for him?" Robin questioned and Will and I shared a glance, mine a bit threatening, daring him to say it.

"For her." Will finished and I raised my eyebrow at him. Robin started laughing and John just stared with wide, shocked eyes. "I guessed as much. What's your name? Your real name?" Robin asked.

"Saphia." She admitted.

"Saphia." Robin tested the name.

"But, I prefer you to call me Djaq." She waved a dismissive hand.

"Djaq. Well, your expertise did help us save Clara and Little John's life for which we will be eternally indebted."

"Robin, come off it." He looked at me and I knew my face held a small half smile that refused to leave.

"Anyone have a problem with another woman joining the gang?" He asked loudly and I looked around the clearing, daring anyone to argue. No one did. Good, another woman in the gang. I could use all the help I could get. Allan suddenly leaned the other way and let out a heave and then another one before his head flopped tiredly back to rest on my leg. I looked down at him in sympathy, but I did tell him not to swallow it.

"If the fire thing was Djaq, and not a sign, then does that mean I can eat, or…?" I heard Much mutter to himself.

"Just eat, Much." I told him. There was no way I was listening to his whining for the next three days. He put a piece of venison in his mouth and began chewing. Just then, a roll of thunder rumbled causing Much's eyes to widen and he quickly spit out the food; I laughed at him.