Much found Robin in the garden where Marian and Gisbourne had left him later in the afternoon. Much was hungry and knew that Robin could forget to eat unless he was reminded. Much had a mind to sample as many of the local delicacies as possible once he realised that there was more to try than the sheep's eyes and monkey brains he had feared. He needed Robin to help him find his way around the local food sellers in the marketplace and translate their exotic sounding descriptions. He had hoped to find his master and lifelong friend for a pleasant evening out. What he found was a man broken and wretched, his future torn away from him, wallowing in the misery of betrayal.

"Master" pleaded Much. "What has happened? Are you hurt?"

He looked at Robin's bloodied hands and tunic, then quickly examined him for signs of injury. Robin was so lost in his own thoughts that it was only when Much knelt next to him that he roused slightly. Satisfied that the blood was not Robin's, Much's panic subsided slightly only to rise up again when Robin began to shake and sob.

"Gisbourne" Robin cried , the anguish clear in his voice. "Marian loves Gisbourne. He was here." Robin began to ramble to himself barely aware that Much was there. "Gisbourne, a murderer. Not fit to lick her boots, not fit to live! How could she kiss him like that? What was she thinking? But she is taking him to the King? I should have killed him when I had the chance – I've let the King down again! What if Gisbourne tries to kill the King again? " With tears running from his reddened eyes his distress was more than obvious even to Much who sat helplessly as Robin began to sob uncontrollably.

Much didn't know what to say or do to try and help his Master. Much had suspected for some time that Marian's feelings for Gisbourne might run deeper than anyone suspected.
The outlaws' constant ridicule and Robin's confidence made Much doubt himself at times but there had been signs for anyone willing to see them. Whenever Robin came under threat from Gisbourne Marian always placed herself between them, but Much was never sure who she was trying to protect. Guy apparently had qualities and was obviously besotted with Marian, always ready to risk himself to protect her.

From his time as the Earl of Bonchurch and his meeting with Eve, Much knew how easy it was to become attracted to the wrong person. Perhaps Guy was like Eve, struggling to survive in a world where there was danger at every turn. He had learned in the Holy Land that sometimes you had to do terrible things just to live and that living with those actions was its own torment. He still had nightmares about the massacre at Acre. Gisbourne had survived by working as Vaysey's enforcer yet Marian still saw something in him that was noble.

Looking at Robin now Much knew there was no hope that getting over Marian was going to be easy for his master. It would be up to him again to pick up the pieces. No one ever appreciated the sacrifices he made, certainly not Robin. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Robin looked up, the pain in his eyes suddenly replaced by shock as he gazed into Much's guileless face and said "You knew didn't you?"

Much looked down guiltily, knowing he was all that stood between Robin and the chasm of despair that threatened to engulf him.

"Master, I suspected that Lady Marian had some feelings for Gisbourne, gratitude at least for the protection he gave her. I am sure that Marian loves you. Her Father was very fond of you when we were younger. Your parents were set on uniting your two families for as long as I can remember. Marian would have married you if we hadn't left for the Crusade I'm sure of it."


"But we did leave!" Robin replied quietly. "I left her for a life of adventure and for the love of King Richard. That's what she said. Was she right?"

"Well," Much started cautiously, not sure how much truth Robin could take in one day, "A woman, a Lady I should say, likes to think she is first in her true love's heart. Perhaps she thought you did not love her best?" Much answered as diplomatically as he could.

Robin took a deep breath and gazed steadily at the ground in front of him, too unsure of himself to look at Much directly. "I know it was hard for you when I decided to join the King on his Crusade. You know, when we first came to the Holy Land I felt my life had finally begun. The King noticed me and attached me to his personal guard. To be at the King's side and to be considered his friend was everything I had dreamed of." Robin faltered, his voice breaking with emotion "I won't regret my service to the King."

Much looked uncomfortable but his disquiet was unnoticed as Robin went on. "After the attempt on the King's life, when the King sent me home to recover from my wounds I was not glad to be going back to her. We parted so badly. Marian begged me not to leave but to marry her and fulfil my obligation to her and to the people of Loxley. That was where she said my duty lay. In leaving her we both knew I ended our betrothal. My conscience was clear when we left, knowing that she was still young and eligible enough to marry. I would have been content to call her husband my friend and to play with Marian's children like an honorary uncle. When I came home to Loxley it was not as a conquering hero returning to his sweetheart. I felt rejected and disgraced, too weak to be of any use to the King. Yet there she was still and just as I remembered her. I thought she had waited for me, that we could carry on as before, that we would serve the people together."

"I thought you and I would be together always when we were children" Much replied. "I knew Marian loved you best but I never felt left out when we played. Of course I knew that I was just a servant."

"You were never just a servant Much. " Robin responded earnestly. "I would have given you Bonchurch on our return. I know how disappointed you were when we went into the woods."

"I had dreamed of a life of comfort, that is all." Much answered simply. "If we hadn't become outlaws I would never have met my Eve. At least I know what might have been. I have hope that one day we may be reunited and I will be able to love her as a free man would wish to. "

Much smiled to himself as he spoke and Robin envied him. He had never appreciated how the simple pleasures of life could make a simple man happy. Much was not stupid; he was uncomplicated and knew how to find God's Grace in the smallest of things. He was a true friend and a good man. Much deserved more than Robin had given him, and so did Marian.

"They have gone to see the King and ask for an annulment to our marriage." Robin stated flatly.

Much pulled the cap from his head and twisted it in his hands nervously. "Do you think they will be alright? I mean will Marian be alright taking Gisbourne to see the King? I wouldn't want her to get hurt."

"You are saying we should go after them aren't you Much?" said Robin wryly.

"Well perhaps we could visit the King – after we've eaten?" pleaded Much.

Robin struggled to his feet.


"No, we go now." Robin answered firmly some of his old fire returning.

Much rubbed at his stomach forlornly. He was resigned to his fate.
Food would have to wait.