Hi there everyone well here is the battle scene, been working on this one longer than some of the others so I hope you all enjoy... Secrets revealed, a deadly fight, an injured friend and a captive maiden what will the outcome be? Read on you know i've caught your attention :) x

As they are uncovered Little John quickly silences the loud and notably ragged vulture all too late, when they heard raised voices behind them, the group descended the stairs at a rushed pace, Robin and Little John keeping the ladies close behind them as they stood protectively in front when the four were headed off. 'Damn,' Little John muttered as he and Robin lunged forward in an attempt to try and break through the largely forming group of bandits who try and tie the four down. As they struggled to break free Robin looked up and seeing a rope attached to an iron ring he instantly reaches over to break the rope, managing to pull Marian out of the way as above the metal ring supporting light to the otherwise dark stone hall fell with an almighty crash, those now supporting it's weight being knocked out and entrapped within the circular lighting. 'Come on let's go!' yelled Robin over the commotion when again they were stopped by two rhinos who were ready for a fierce fight.

'Stand back guy's' Clucky instructed the two heroes looking back in confusion as she barged past rugby tackling the rhino's in a way that was purely Clucky whilst Robin dodged the other charging rhino by swinging across a rope and hitting him squarely in the face. As they fearlessly fended off the oncoming bandits and guards Robin and Little John found it difficult to keep on top of the villains that were trying to bring them down with some extreme force. 'Marian look out' bellowed Little John as the vixen narrowly missed an arrow which was one of many now being shot at them as they managed to find their way out into the "royal rock pile" where they were fast becoming hopelessly out numbered. 'Marian, Clucky get out of here take the rope and go to safety now!' Robin insisted frantically sending an arrow across the rock pile, feeling the tightening on the rope when it was cut cleanly with a sword, 'Robin there's no time we'll be fine,' Marian assured him hiding the fear in her voice as they quickly progressed managing to beat the bandits with more ease.

'You know Robbie somehow I don't think these guys are gonna let up any time soon,' Little John remarked breathlessly as they managed to hide under an archway where they went unseen and unheard by any passers by. 'We can't give up Little John, there's got to be a way of trapping the bandits for long enough for us to get to Prince John and capture him…'

'What about if you pull yourselves to the height of the archway…' Suggested Marian who swiftly worked out their situation, 'that's it' she gasped thankfully looking over at the thickly matted net used to gather the broken stones. 'You put two arrows through each side and send it over the top of the archway then when they come through we have two aside and pull it over them. It won't buy us much time but it may just be enough,' Robin looked at Marian with pride and awe at her plan seeing the success in it as he kissed her passionately taking her hand in his before they went forth and took the netting preparing it as Little John and Robin took to each side, the latter showing his expertise when the arrows wrapped around the arch securely taking the net up with it and leaving two ropes as Marian had explained.

Soon enough there was more raised voices and the group stood side on side awaiting the bandits which unsuspectingly edged under the archway bracing their bows and arrows whilst others were wielding swords. 'NOW' Robin yelled the fox and vixen pulling with similar force as Clucky and Little John opposite them, the net giving the desired effect as it covered the bandits who struggled underneath unable to find an opening. 'follow me,' Robin now said ushering the other three to go around and back into the prisons main hall, looking around for any clue or give away into where Prince John was lurking. With no luck they were tempted to split off knowing time was of the element but little did the reunited friends and lovers know things were to take a turn for the worst.

Whilst the fight had broken out, the ex sheriff of Nottingham and Hiss were sat in discussion over Prince John's plans. 'I swear he's losin' it,' the ex sheriff said confidently Hiss sighing as he nodded his head in agreement, 'I don't even know what this is about?'

'well from what I gather Prince John is out to steal the crown using Maid Marian and her lady in waiting as hostages to make Robin Hood and his accomplice agree to whatever he asks of them in return for the two's safety. Then Prince John planned to use the four of them to make King Richard do as he instructed thinking King Richard wouldn't stand a chance with out Nottingham's "saviours."'

'You've had a lot of time to work on that theory haven't ya hiss?' The snake again bowing its head in reply when they heard cries for help, as distant as they were bringing the aging wolf to his feet the long winding snake close behind as he came out of the door, looking around and out of a nearby hole in the wall where a black mass struggled in the grounds some shouting various threats to the absent people who had trapped them, while others who to the ex sheriff could've easily been relatives of Nutsy called out, 'jail break! Jail break! Jail break'

'There's somethin' funny going on around here,' he said not having time to think as he noticed the tail end of a fox he undoubtedly recognised tearing after it as fast as his fairly big legs would allow, 'stop you fiend's' he roared when Robin stood over Marian blocking her from harms way, when Little John stood in front of them all, an expression of subtle anger across his face as he withdraw a sword and began a long gruelling fight as he attempted to knock the sword from the ex sheriff's hand but this time he was in for a notably difficult encounter.

'Robin!' he said quickly as he didn't lower his sword for a moment, 'go and let the merry men in now! Hurry, find Prince John I've got this covered.' Robin seemed reluctant but was forced to leave his best friend behind hoping for the best when they run to the main gate, Robin pulling back the rusted handle allowing the chain to roll and the gate to pull open, their allies rushing in to help. With the sudden increase on their side Robin set back towards where he had left his friend fighting furiously unaware that Maid Marian was close behind him, when the fox rounded a corner and found himself face-to-face with none other than the lion Prince John. He seemed to have become more sour and bitter since their last meeting and holding up a long thick sword Prince John challenged Robin to a deadly battle.

As Robin withdrew his own this sword the pair circled each other, never once letting their gaze be broken for a second, leading Robin not to see his wife stood watching on in horror as neither dared looked away from their opponent when Prince John suddenly struck, Robin Hood barely managing to fend off this surprise attack so focusing more than ever as they duelled Robin used every technique he used to try and defeat the lion who bore no resemblance to the actual King. For a time Robin found that he quite easily matched Prince Johns fencing type of fighting knowing with the right moment he could take over, winning him both weapons and ultimately ending what had begun. However it wasn't long before something would change the odds adding to Prince John's advances.

Maid Marian wanted to do something to help Robin but fearing she would only get in the way she stood back trying to come up with an answer to end the fight without Robin getting hurt. She knew he had come here for her and before she was kidnapped he went to Lincolne for her to find Clucky and Marian wasn't about to let anything happen to her love, not now, not after they had come through so much… not when she knew that they were to become a family. Fate took a cruel twist as an unnoticed guard came behind and grabbed Maid Marian tightly a terrified gasp escaping her lips as Robin dropped his guard going to run to her aid, when his sword was struck the weak grip he held upon it making it fall from his hand. The lion seized his chance and pinned Robin to the floor, 'one move and I'll have her finished' he spat leaving the struggling fox to give in his only weakness being strongly inflicted upon him. Seeing the blade held against his wife's waist Robin lessened the struggle looking up at Marian with sorrow, scared for her safety 'no fight left in you? Has love softened the great hero? Good because I will finish you and then no one will stand in my way of the crown…' The Prince did not finish his sentence, finding himself cut off by Marian who shocked both the lion and Robin who looked on as she smashed a nearby piece of pottery over her captors head.

Feeling the grip loosen and seeing her captor fall back onto the unforgiving floor dropping the blade, Robin saw his chance and kicked Prince John off him taking a different route to how he had just planned to save himself and Marian grateful however that she had found a way around it. But now pinning Prince John against the wall fiercely for the threats he had made against the vixen that Robin loved more than anyone else, 'please, please don't hurt me I will come along quietly just don't hurt me' the lion pleaded desperately, begging to be spared as Robin Hood saw Little John in the corner of his eye who was holding his hand against a deep gash in his arm. 'I could never kill another, it is not in my nature to hurt but to protect,' Robin admitted 'I will not allow those who I care about to be in danger but I will also not allow you to continue this madness, I also believe you have something of Marians?' he finished holding out his hand sternly as Prince John shakily handed over the golden chain with the shining gold coin hung from it, after receiving this Robin dropped the Prince with nothing good to his name, Little John stepping in and tying Prince John's arms and legs before marching him out to make sure he did not escape.

Turning around Marian threw herself in Robin's arms embracing him as he kissed her softly and holding her close to him, feeling the security of his arms as they stood there, the moment of being together again now at hand. 'I am so glad you are safe my darling,' Robin whispered Marian looking up to her brave husband as she replied 'I knew I was never in any danger my love, you were always there ready to protect and look after me whenever I needed it.' This made Robin well up feeling at ease that she referred to this showing her complete faith in him. Clucky then made them laugh as she came behind them saying, 'not that you did a bad job knocking him out Marian dear' casting one final glance down at the guard with a fast appearing lump through the fur on his head before they made their way out of the prison and taking their horses home to the palace where a warm welcome awaited the four heroes.

'I am so relieved you are all safe,' King Richard remarked cheerfully embracing the four upon their return as they got off the horses, and Marian found she was surrounded by maids and servants. 'I'm okay,' she tried to insist managing to pull away from them all as she found Robin who put his arm around her shoulders, happy to have her back by his side. 'You truly are remarkable Robin Hood your bravery and courage is that which we shall forever be thankful for your actions.'

'Thank you however tonight I'm not the only hero I would like it to be known that without the help of my beautiful wife Maid Marian, Little John my trusted best friend and Clucky who undoubtedly has a strength which seems to know no boundaries,' Marian looking as if she could cry at these words as Little John and Clucky looked on before Little John was taken to be treated for his wounds received during battle.

'Come with me,' Marian asked managing to prise her husband away from the many adoring fans he seemed to have acquired and away from the King and Robin's band of Merry men. 'Where are we going?' he asked smiling as Marian led the way into the palace gardens and over to the tree which bore their initials carved inside a heart. Robin remembered it like it were only yesterday and they were so young the fox having been disheartened to learn Marian was going to London, 'will you promise to come back so we may be together?'

'I shall will you wait for me Robin?' Marian had asked her handsome friend willingly agreeing and vowing never to lose the love he always had for the beautiful vixen. 'I have something to tell you,' she said softly wrapping her arms around his neck as he placed his around her waist in a gentle embrace the tips of their noses meeting as Marian whispered, 'do you think you can handle your next quest?' Robin looking at her blankly as he asked calmly 'what is it my love?' prompting Marian to lean over and whisper in his ear, Robin's eyes becoming wide as he stammered, 'ch…children?!' Marian saying softly 'yes,' only to be held and swept off her feet Robin so thrilled as he kissed his wife passionately, when the realisation sunk in. 'I'm going to be a daddy…'

Yes Robin Hood will be a dad soon enough but this is not the end :) there is still more to come... Please R&R this one especially I'm keen to hear your thoughts on the chapter. Thankyou x Will update soon

PS. If anyone would like to see this fanfic sequeled i.e. a follow on after the birth etc. please say so in your review with your suggestions and ideas all will be considered and welcome thankyou again for reading :)