Please remember to take my poll =) And if you already have, thanks so much! Thanks ginnyweasley777, it means a lot to know it was good, I was so worried it wasn't! =); gatewatcher: yea I don't know why I added that, but to me it felt like something that could happen; Rebecca: if my story goes the way I want it to, Carter will appear again =) I'm glad you liked the fight scene! I'm so glad you guys still enjoy this! =) But I'm sad because I think I lost a few fans by killing off Gisborne.. I'm sorry, but I value Much [a lot] more than Gisborne.

~*~

"What do you suppose is going to happen?" Djac asked, eyes wide and a grin playing at her lips.

"I'm not being funny," Allan stopped and allowed a laugh to escape his throat. "Actually, I think I am being funny. I think they're going to get married."

"What? Now? No, not here. Robin knows better, Marian would never go for it, she's always wanted to get married in that old church at Locksley. They can't get married now, we aren't even dying."

John grit his teeth. "Oh, shut up."

They watched as Robin took Marian in his arms. After a moment, she started smiling and they could tell she was relaxing. She raised her arms to hug him back. Djac was the first to turn away, quickly followed by everyone but Much who she had to hit to get to move.

~*~

"So the king has agreed that after he is well enough, to come to Locksley to give me away and watch us be married before returning to the Holy Land."

"Yes my love."

"Thank you."

"Everyone who's ever known you, knows you've always dreamed of a Locksley wedding."

Marian controlled her happiness as she gave his a small kiss. "I don't know how I would feel if you had just gotten the king's approval to marry us this instant."

"Now why would I do a thing like that?" He held back a smile, but the corners of his lips were twitching.

"Vaysey!" they turned and looked as a young guard ran up to them. "The Sheriff Vaysey, he's disappeared!"

"Slippery, that rat." Robin's mood was instantly dashed.

"What should we do about it?"

"Warn everyone, all the guards, all the soldiers. He will not stop until either he or the king is dead, that I am sure of."

The Sheriff's sudden disappearance was alarming, but they had to think of the king's safety above all. The gang and the guards surrounded the king like a mass wave of muscle and iron. Shortly after the battle, they continued, and made it to the port with no further interruptions.

Capitan Thomas was smiling widely when they appeared. "Homeward, my king!"

~*~

"It is a strange thought," Marian began when she and Robin were alone in a stateroom. "We will be home soon."

"Why is it strange?"

Marian looked up at him from a downcast face. "My father is gone. What has become of my life is now gone, and most of all, I thought we would die making our vows, and live in heaven to finish them. Home is simply a strange concept to me."

Robin nodded his understanding. "We all thought we would die, but I am glad we are headed home."

"I am to." She spoke up, slightly louder than she needed to. She smiled. "I was glad we were together during our final hours, a romantic thought, I know. But I was glad to be married to you."

Robin grinned. "We are still getting married, sooner than you think."

"I know." She said happily. "I've never been married." She took a deep breath. "I do wish so many changes would be made over a longer period of time." Robin walked to her, and taking her hand, he pulled her off the bed to take her in his arms.

Above deck, Much was watching the sunset and it's reflection on the sea. He could just imagine himself with a woman, someone to love, but in his heart he doubted he would ever find Eve, even if he did he doubted she was still available. He had no hope that any other woman would be stupid enough to fall for him. Hearing a giggle, he looked over and saw Djac encircled in her husbands arms.

Now why can't I find happiness like that? It just isn't fair! He turned back to the ocean, and stared out. A voice startled him almost beyond repair.

"You will find her." He jumped and spun around, to see the strange gypsy woman.

"W-who do you mean? Eve?"

She shrugged, a helpless smile on her lips. "I know no names. I know she is beautiful, and you will soon find her."

"Soon?" He looked perplexed, and gave her a confused look. "How soon?" he looked eagerly around, but he only saw two woman on deck. The gypsy and Djac. He gave up. "Who are you?"

"Tristessa." she stood straight, as if proud, then turned and disappeared below deck.

~*~

Days later, they docked on English soil.

"Oh dear England! Home!" Much ran off the ship when it finally docked, finding the first bit of land he could find, and kissed it constantly until he realized something, and groaned. "There's a pile of poo here! Is life never fair?!"

Little John was the closest one to him, who just stood shaking his head. Marian was off next, with Gizzy in tow. Next came the king, who was now able to walk, surrounded by almost all of his soldiers as well as Allan, Will, and Robin.

"Robin," King Richard beckoned for him.

Robin went to his king quickly and bowed. "Yes, your majesty."

"I feel well enough to travel with you to Locksley today. Would you like to talk to your lovely Marian?"

Robin smirked shyly, but shook his head. "Marian will want to settle in. And I would like to reclaim my land before hand, so I can offer a roof over her head."

The king waved his hand, and one of the soldiers handed him his sword. "Kneal."

Robin's gang, the soldiers, and Marian gathered around to watch as the king dubbed Robin Earl of Huntington and Lord of Locksley. Then he beckoned to Much, who was on shaky knees and almost fell three times on his way to the middle of the circle. King Richard dubbed him Lord on Bonchurch. Much, after being dubbed, jumped up in the air and twirled to the cheers and catcalls the gang was giving him.

Robin took his dear friend aside. "So, how does it feel to be a Lord? And this time, for real."

Much laughed, in the happy way. "Master-"

"No, I am no longer your master. I am simply your friend."

Much grinned. "Robin. I am so.. Pleased!" And he danced, right then and there.

"Excuse me." They turned. A beautiful maiden was standing before them, but after seeing them look at her, she clumsily bowed. She had tattered clothes, long auburn hair, and large, hopeful green eyes. "I saw the ceremony." She looked up through very long lashes, then stood. "Do either of you Lords require a maid in your home?"

Robin looked at her in empathy. "Where is your family?"

She looked at the ground. "Prince John.. I was with my aunt in Kent, and the prince ordered that my home.." she covered her face, and attempted to compose herself, half succeeding. "They are dead."

"Much," Robin cleared his throat. "Lord Much, do you suppose you could take this girl in?"

Much tried his best to stand like the noble he now was, but found it difficult since his knees were still shaky. He looked at her. "What is your name?"

She managed a small smile. "Sparow."

~*~

"I can offer you a bed in my manor." Robin offered his fiancée.

"And how would that look?" They were seated at his newly re-claimed table, just finishing their first meal since they had arrived. "I cannot, I will stay at the castle these last few nights before our wedding."

"Everyone knows your house burnt to the ground, they would not dare think anything other than I am helping a friend."

"A female friend who happens to be your fiancée? No, Robin, I do not want the chatter to turn towards me." He became downcast and she realized why he wanted her to stay so badly. "You're lonely, aren't you? Don't give me that look. Now that Much has a place of his own, and you are without your gang, you are lonely." She put her hand on his. "Invite Allan, or Little John."

He shook his head. "They are staying in John's old house. Will and Djac are staying in the camp in Sherwood before they build-"

He was interrupted by a knock, soon followed by the steps of Thornton and the creeking open of the door.

"Ah, hello. I'm looking for Robin of Locksley."

Robin looked up and a wide grin spread across his face as he recognized the voice.

"Carter!"

~*~

Sorry for two things. For taking forever in publishing this chapter (I'll spare you from my excuses), and sorry it's a bit dry - I believe I'm nearing the end of my little tale, and I don't want to confuse you with too many death threats while the King is home. "The Absent King" Did you know: King Richard was born in France, like his mother, and he spoke very little English. During his 10 year reign, he only spent 6 months of it in England. Ok 3 sorrys.. I don't mean to ruin the story with a history lesson..