Part 10
Tuck met Robin and Richard at the usual meeting place after dark that evening.
"What news is there from Eleanor?" asked Robin to Tuck who was looking serious and not particularly happy.
"You are going to need to move quickly, there is not a lot of time, a few weeks at the most," he told the duo.
"What did you learn?" asked Richard, coming straight to the point.
"Eleanor, she said that the meeting involved the Wolverine Movement all the members at the house bore the tattoo, some had been in the Holy Land, some had not, but they are aiming to double cross the Sheriff and Prince John with a plan of their own to rule the land. Prince John and Vasey are calling for anyone to oppose their plans in a battle. The Wolverine Movement will appear to be on the side of the Prince but will turn at the last moment declaring independence of their own and overthrowing those they declare less worthy than themselves."
"Where is the battle assuming to be undertaken?" asked Richard.
"Vasey wishes to defend the castle, but Guy thinks they should fight on the land beyond the city walls. I am thinking he will make his stand there. Can you get an army together?"
"I brought some of my men over with me, they are located a day or two ride away. I will go and fetch them to the forest but I will need a guide to take me back to your camp." The King announced.
Robin sighed. "Take John, he knows the forest better than any man I know; meanwhile I have to figure out a way to get Allan out the dungeon."
"Ah Allan," said Tuck. "Yes, Guy spoke of the prisoners, they are holding at least thirteen nobles and a dozen or so freemen who refused to join the Sheriff's schemes."
"That my friend is a big rescue mission," Richard said, patting Robin on the shoulder "I know you will succeed."
"Humph," Robin uttered in response.
"I will leave immediately."
"God's speed your Majesty," Tuck said earnestly with a heavy sigh he spoke to Robin. "Well?"
Robin shrugged. "I am not in charge here, the King is. We wait for the King's command. He knows what he is doing," he added with a smile.
"One further thing when this is over, or perhaps before would be a better time, I am here if you want me to Christen the baby."
Robin looked pensive. "Before this is over you say?"
"We do not know what the outcome will be."
"We do not."
"War brings many casualties as you well know, take 1066 for example."
"It will not be such a great or vast battle as that," Robin told him.
"Still a lost loved one stays with the family that lost that person forever, whether it is a battle of few or many."
"Yes, I will think on it."
"Talk to Marian?"
"Yes."
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Back at the camp Robin conveyed the conversation he had shared with Tuck and Richard to the remaining members of the gang which was a pitiful sight with one in jail and the other aiding the King.
"I have one idea that would blast the Sheriff from dreaming about sitting on the throne," said Djaq a sly smile flitting across her features.
"No," exclaimed Marian. "I thought the book was destroyed?"
Robin looked between the women and said to Djaq. "You still have it; it was not singed when you took it from the fire?"
"Yes I still have it, I still study it. I know I can make it, we can blast a hole in the wall by the dungeons and rescue the prisoners that way."
"We would definitely be noticed," said Will. "You like for us to be noticed," he added to their leader.
Robin pondered. "How long will it take you to make it?"
"It depends if I can get my hands on the components."
He nodded his head thoughtfully ignoring the criticizing stare of his wife. "If you think you have time make some, but not as much as we destroyed, just as much as we need to get the prisoners out of there."
He looked up to see not only Marian, but Much also frowning.
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Marian still cross with Robin over his decision to support Djaq with the creating of Greek fire took Alexander down to the blue pool alone early one morning a few days later. She placed her bundle of cloths and clean clothes within the shack and removed her shoes, hitched up her dress to her knees. Sitting with her back against a tree she let her feet dangle in the cool water and placed Alexander on her lap, his head resting just below her knees and smiled at him.
"You know," she said to the baby. "Your father makes me very out of sorts at times, but remember I will always love him, no matter how stupid, stubborn and inflexible he can be, do not let yourself end up like that….However I am stubborn too, so you might be landed with that trait whether you want it or not."
A chuckle came from her right and Marian looked and noticed that he was standing there, leaning against a tree with his arms folded casually as he stared down at them.
"How long have to been there?" she demanded.
"Long enough," he replied still chuckling and she glared at him in response. "Could not resist my charms I see?"
"I am here to bathe Alexander and myself, you can bathe another time."
"It would be a pity since I am here and have torn myself away from my men and my duty," he continued still smirking and annoying her purposefully. "And you did say that you loved me even though I irk you at times."
"At times!" she exclaimed.
He ignored her and sat down at her side. "So I can not stay?"
"I did not say that," she replied haughtily.
"We need to talk."
"About the Greek fire decision?"
"No that was final; there is no change of plan."
She gave him her best. "You displease me,' look and focused on Alexander.
"It is about Alexander," Robin went on regardless of her temper or mood, not knowing when they would have a chance to be alone again in the foreseeable future.
Marian instinctively picked the babe up cradling him against her chest still with a look of distain in Robin's direction.
"Do not tell me …."
"Stop! Tuck, said perhaps we should have him christened."
"Oh," she replied, and laid the infant back down again, then paused offering Robin a cuddle with their son instead, which he took. He sat as she had done with the baby looking up at him and made silly faces and cooed before turning his attention back to Marian.
"Before all this is over?" she queried.
"Yes," he replied, holding her gaze steady. "Before then."
"Yes," she nodded, "we should do that, even if Allan and John will not be present."
"Indeed," Robin replied solemn.
While she had the benefit of the baby being held by someone other than herself, she prepared to bathe first, when she was sitting in the water Robin passed Alexander across to her and watched the tender scene with an intensity of one who thinks they might not witness such a beautiful and innocent sight ever again. Marian looked up after a while and without thinking Robin handed her the drying cloths. She went to the waters edge and dried Alexander, swaddling him again in clean clothes and shawl, Robin took him and laid him in what remained of the shelter. Marian sat at the water's edge partly clothed at watched Robin closely as he returned and sat on the grassy bank.
"Well?" she asked after a lengthy pause during which they both stared at the other, yearningly.
"What?"
"Are you bathing or not, because he will not sleep forever you know and will be craving my attention before you know it."
Robin looked back at Alexander sleeping soundly and knew exactly what she was talking about anytime since he had been born and wailed Marian went immediately to see to his needs, their needs, which might only be conversation; their want to spend time alone together was now even rarer than it had been before. It was a quick move on his part but soon he sat in the pool with her, she did suggest he went in fully clothed to give his attire a cleansing but he opted to leave them on the bank and washed under the scrutinizing gaze of Marian.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing," she replied shaking her head but smiling at him.
"You are staring at me."
She laughed and replied. "It is the way my eyes are pointing."
He stared at her his trying not to smile but the corners of his lips let him down. "That is my line."
"Does it work?"
"I do not know, what do you think?"
"No it did not work on me, does it work on other women?"
"I would not dare try now I am married; you would cut my head off sooner than the Sheriff."
She laughed and said. "Good answer."
Before he could reply she flicked a handful of water in his face and he spluttered as he wiped it away from his eyes.
"What was that for?" he asked indignantly.
"You missed your face, I thought it needed cleansing," she replied casually.
His eyes narrowed as he watched her waiting for her next move carefully and preparing himself for an onslaught. He was not disappointed and the next wave of water caught him on the head and she moved swiftly behind him, he thought to get out of her firing line but her hands dunked him under the shallow water. Returning to the surface he turned looking for her and pinned her beneath him, her hair flowing around her like a flower in full bloom and brought back memories of the previous summer when they had frolicked here alone.
Robin's lips were cool as they moved across Marian's she gave a swift intake of breath; she had not been expecting him to kiss her. Rather she had thought he would tickle her until she begged for mercy. His hands framed her face as they sought the contours of her cheeks and the kiss became more urgent, more demanding. Marian pulled away suddenly and for a moment Robin didn't move bewildered by her action. She pushed his weight off herself and his eyes followed her realising with a sigh that it wasn't him that she had rapidly found fault with….. Alexander needed feeding again.