Chapter Ten
They rode through the forest, Lily's horse being just as quick as Robin's. Every time he expected her to be behind him, he would turn and she would be matching him stride for stride. Her hood was pulled low over her face, only aiding her in blending into the darkness.
As they rode into camp, he could barely make out the silhouettes of his gang. They had put out the fire, as they had been instructed during the night. Robin gave a cough, and a little laugh. "Come out, friends. It's only me."
Much was the first to draw closer. "Robin. Where have you been?"
Robin dismounted from his horse. He led the animal to a nearby tree and tied the reins around a branch. Lily followed suit. Robin turned to his gang. "Alright. Let's light the fire. We have some things to discuss…" He glanced over at Lily. Her hood was still pulled low; he couldn't even find the outline of her face. She escaped any notice, gliding along towards the fire pit, it appearing as if she floated off the ground.
Djaq quickly brought flames to the kindling. Much and Will brought some nearby twigs and branches, allowing the fire to breath and grow larger. Lily waited until everyone had sat on a stone or a trunk, before taking a seat on a bench, between Much and Robin. She pulled off her hood, and looked up. Her cheeks turned red, as she quickly looked away. Robin looked across the flames and saw Allan gazing intently at Lily.
Allan saw Robin looking at him, and also turned away.
When everyone was settled, Robin coughed. "Well, since we are all here, we have some discussion." He turned to his right. "Lily?"
Lily looked at him then nodded. She pulled her hood back and let the fire brighten her golden locks. "I am here on assignment by the king."
"By the king?" Much muttered. Robin turned to him and gave a shake of his head. Lily hardly noticed and continued.
"I am to find some proof of Prince John's betrayal. Only with some proof will King Richard return from the Crusades. He is of mind to end the wars…" Lily's voice trailed off, but her pause did not last long. "My cousin has been able to convince Sir Guy and the Sheriff to throw a ball in my honor. While I am pleased with a diversion, unfortunately, this prevents me from doing some work. This is where you come in."
She turned to Robin. He nodded, encouraging her to continue. Lily took in a deep breath. "You each will attend the ball, in disguise, of course. While the dancing is going on, some of you must go to the Sheriff's personal area looking for something that may aide us. Others will need to go to Locksley and do some work there."
Little John was the first to speak up. "And what do you mean that we will have to go to the ball?"
Lily glanced over at Robin. "It means that you will dress nicely, and be presented as various lords or servants. It means that you will need to learn how to present yourselves in court. It means that you are to be on your best behavior. And I expect Robin to include all of that in training. You only have three days."
Lily stood to leave and Allan stood as well. "Oye. That's it? That's all you came to tell us? You need some evidence to stop the bloody war and while you're dancing about on the floor, we're supposed to figure out something that will convince the king to come home? What's in it for us?" He crossed his arms about his chest, and glared at her. Lily sighed and rolled her eyes, the whites of her eyes being much more prominent in the fire light.
"A full pardon from the king. Perhaps some land and a title," Lily shrugged. "I don't know exactly, but I will be sure to convey your good works on my behalf."
Allan stepped around the fire, nearing her. "And how do we know that we can trust you?"
Robin closed in on the two of them. "I trust her. That's good enough for the rest of you." He turned to Lily. "Let's get you home. It's late."
Lily was all too quick to oblige and get away from Allan, her cheeks were red—whether it was from the fire or Allan, Robin was not sure, but he could feel Allan's stare at her back as they walked to their horses. He turned to his gang. "I will take Lily home, and then return. We will discuss this tomorrow. I recommend a good sleep for you all."
He turned to aide Lily to mount, but she had already done so and was on her way. Robin grabbed the reins of his horse from the branch, mounted, and took off after her.
It took him a bit of time to catch up to her, and when he finally did they were to the edge of the forest. He reached over and grabbed the reins to her horse and slowed them both to a stop. "Lily. What are you doing? Don't you know there are thieves in these woods?"
Some of her hair had fallen from its loose braid. She reached up and brushed it out of her eyes. "Oh, there are other thieves besides you?"
"Very funny."
Lily stuck her tongue out. She dismounted and rubbed her horse's neck. She began walking her horse towards Knighton Hall. Robin followed. He walked around the horse and began leading the horse on its' left side.
They walked for a few minutes, before Robin finally began talking. "So, did something happen between you and Allan-a-Dale?"
Lily stopped abruptly. She pulled her hood over to cover her face, but Robin noticed her cheeks growing rosy. It was not just the fire.
"I see you do not like talking about things anymore that I like discussing Marian."
She turned to him. "Nothing happened, Robin. Unlike with Marian. You and she were ENGAGED, Robin. Everyone can see you carry feelings for her and vice versa. It is time that you do something about it."
As she walked away, Robin grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him. "I cannot do anything until my name is cleared," he said earnestly. "Do you understand what has happened, Lily? I have no home. No title. I have lost everything. If I were to marry Marian, she would lose favor and that is no life for your cousin to live. She deserves much better."
Lily put a hand on his cheek. "Robin," she sighed. "Robin. You are enough for her. She deserves you." Her thumb rubbed over his cheek, but her eyes glassed over as she looked beyond Robin. He reached up and pulled her hand down. She shook herself to the present. "Sorry, Robin. I apologize. I just . . . Can you not marry in secret?"
He laughed. "And put her in the awkward position of refusing Sir Guy for a real reason? She's been doing so well in thinking of unsubstantiated reasons."
She punched him in the arm. Robin looked up and noticed that they were almost to the stables. "I will leave you, Lily, for this evening."
"Thank you, Robin. Please use tomorrow to prepare your men for the ball. We have three days."
"Lily?" She turned back towards him. "Whatever is going on between you and Allan. . . Be careful. Especially when King Richard is involved."
She nodded and then turned and lead her horse on to the stable.