Hey all...this is going pretty well so far its been every day...sorta and thank you all for your reviews candyflossgirl....willowDrake BethGisborne....thank you all from the bottom of my heart if i could i'd hug you all...i have been watching some youtube vids of robin and marian so i decided to give them a moment...even if it wasnt quite reall...sniff...anyway i do not own Robin Hood BBC but i do own the characters that obviously were not mentioned in the series such as one Gabriella who you will meet shortly again read review enjoy

Chapter 10 Uncomfortable Situations

Robin could feel her lips upon his own. His tounge expertly roamed around her familiar mouth. Her hands were wrappd around his neck and all over his bare back. His hands were intertwined around the locks of her long brown hair. Marian was his again…he was holding her, caressing her soft skin. If only the moment could have gone on forever.

If only Robin was not so rudely awakened.

"Robin?" asked Much timidly.

Robin slowly opened one eye and found that Marian was gone and in her place stood Much standing over him. It did not take long for Robin to close his eye again and try to continue the dream.

Much rolled his eyes and put his hands to his head.

"Just wake up master."

"Why should I when fantasy seems so superior to reality?" groaned Robin.

Much sighed but at the same time smiled slightly. "Because we are here."

That information got Robin's attention. Robin sat up and shook his head from side to side. Then he looked up at his faithful servant and best friend.

"You are sure?"

Much nodded and bade for Robin to follow him out of his cabin to the deck of the ship. Robin slowly followed Much and had to blink against the brightness of the sun beating down at his tired eyes. He saw that the rest of the gang was already up and were smiling mischievously at their leader.

"What's so funny?" asked Robin.

Will sniggered and Djaq rolled her eyes at him. Allan hid his laugh with a cough and John remained silent. Much decided to be a man and explain what had happened while Robin was asleep.

"Well…you see the thing is, the thing is…" Much faded off and turned red in the face.

"You should shut the door while you are sleeping mate," blurted out Allan.

Robin's eyes widened. "What did I say?"

Djaq tried to be a lady and step in to fix the uncomfortable situation. "It is not important Robin. Do not worry about it."

"Yeah," concurred Will. "It wasn't so much what you said but how you were saying it." Then he burst out into a giggle with Allan.

"More moans then anything else audible," mumbled John with a slightly amused smile.

Robin rubbed his temples and sighed. He was miserable without Marian and now she was invading his dreams. But she was more than invading them—she seemed to be taking an active role in his dreams. Robin scowled.

You know there is something wrong when your subconscious is getting more action than your conscious self is.

"Much," said Robin, trying to return to normalcy, "you mentioned something about landing in France. Otherwise I can just go back to bed so you can continue laughing."

I would like to finish that dream…

Much pointed in the direction of a very close port. Robin smiled. He beamed. He could have gone and kissed the captain of the ship—that's how happy he was. But he did not. Instead he took a very deep breath. He was mentally preparing himself for the next part of the journey.

Finding his brother.

He did not realize that the captain was behind him and coughed to get his attention.

"Hello," said the captain. "We hope that your trip has been a smooth one. We apologize that the journey took a bit longer than expected. But even with the storms and the lack of wind for some days, we have still arrived in France."

"I could have done with a little less storms thank you very much," muttered Much.

"Thank you sir," said Robin to the captain. Then he dove into his pocket and took out a couple of coins. "Thank you for your services."

The captain shook hands with Robin. "Pleasure doing business with you."

It did not take long for the ship to dock safely and even less time to leave the ship. Once the gang got adjusted to their sea legs they made sure each had his (or her) personal weapon of choice.

Robin had enough arrows and his signature Saracen bow.

Will had his recently sharpened axe.

John held his staff steadily in his right hand, while Allan put his sword in its sheath.

And Much, last but not least, made sure that his shield was not damaged in the crossing.

Once everyone had finished Robin called them to attention. "All right, do any of you understand French?" Though it could be assumed that noblemen and women of England, such as Marian and Guy, understood French and most of the other Romance languages. Robin knew a bit himself, but he could not assume the same with his gang of English woodsmen.

John shook his head.

Much mumbled, "No."

"You're kidding right?" asked Allan.

"Arabic would not be useful I guess," said Djaq.

But Will nodded. "I know a bit."

The gang stared at him in wonder. Will shrugged his shoulders. "My mother was French. She taught us a bit."

Robin nodded. That was definitely good and helpful because otherwise the gang relied on his own battered French. He had never been good with his lessons. And then another memory of Stephan came to haunt him. It had been Stephan who had tried to teach him the language all those years ago. If he had stayed, maybe Robin would speak French better. If he had stayed…

I am such an ass of a brother.

"Could you ask someone where Burgundy is?" Robin asked Will.

Will nodded. He wanted to tell Robin it was the least he could do for his friend after convincing his friend's fiancé to leave with his friend's greatest enemy. In short Will was riddled with guilt and practically jumped at the chance to help.

Will ran off to ask a shop seller and the gang waited for his return anxiously. John tried to break the silence. He hated unnecessary and uncomfortable silence, though he often was silent.

"What is your brother like?" The question was directed to Robin. It would not have fit the others too well. Djaq's brother was dead though she held onto his name. Allan's brother was hung last year by the sheriff. Much did not have a brother.

"I have not seen him for many years John," said Robin. "I do not know what he is like now."

"But all those years ago…what kind of boy was he when you knew him?" John persisted.

Robin sighed. "He was taller than me. He was awful with a bow, and you needed to make sure that you stood back when he held a sword."

Allan chuckled.

"But," continued Robin, "he was brilliant when it came to the Bible. He could quote passages."

"Hey," Allan said, "you did that with the Qur'an once…I don't remember what you said exactly. It started with something like… 'For every man there is a purpose which he…' and then I forget the rest."

"…sets up for his life and which he pursues. Let your be the doing of all good deeds." Robin finished.

"It looks like both brothers knew religious texts." Djaq observed.

"I just wish I had been able to understand then what he had been trying to hard to tell me." Robin sighed.

By that time Will returned with a smile on his face. He was quite proud of himself. Though he mumbled a bit and had embarrassingly stuttered his way through his French, the man had understood him. And he now knew where they had to go next.

"Burgundy," said Will. "Is about a week's ride from here."

Robin smiled at Will and thanked him, but inwardly happiness was far from his thoughts.

A week? An ENTIRE week?

"We need horses," said Robin. "Where are we going to get horses?"

Will smiled again. "The man said that there are stables where we can purchase a couple of horses. Don't worry…they are not very expensive…I checked that too."

Much clasped Will on the back. "Well done."

Djaq smiled lovingly at him.

"Thank you my friend," said Robin. "Lead the way."

So Will, feeling less guilty with each step, led his friends to the stables. Little did they know that the owner of the horses, the individual who ran the stables, was a girl. Not just any girl. A beautiful girl with long blonde hair, who had danced out of Much's life not too long ago was about to waltz back into it again.

*******************************************************

"You do not love him."

Marian raised an eyebrow. She was, at the moment, learning how to mix herbs together and thereby lessen her constant cramps. Gabriella, the medicine woman had been teaching Marian how to make remedies for the past month and a half. After Gabriella first met Guy and Marian nearly two months ago she had taken a liking to Marian.

She first introduced herself. Hello my name is Gabriella. What can I do for you?

Guy had spoken first. We need your help. Do you have anything to help her?

Gabriella looked from Guy to Marian and then looked back to Guy. What is the ailment?

I'm pregnant. Marian explained.

Gabriella had laughed. How odd that you should refer to it as an ailment. But anyway I cannot help you. I haven't the right ingredients to the sort of mixture I am sure you are in need of. Tell me, are you experiencing headaches?

Marian had nodded.

Nausea?

Another nod.

Cramping?

A third nod.

So I thought, I cannot help you.

Guy groaned. But Marian had a thought.

Can I help you gather the ingredients and make the mixture? An extra pair of hands could be useful to you.

Guy looked curiously at his wife. Marian, what are you doing? This is crazy, we shall go to another doctor.

But Gabriella shook her head. She was intrigued. Wait! I accept your offer. In fact, as you thought, I welcome it. My bones are not what they used to be and I could use some help. There was one condition though. Your husband needs to leave.

Guy had crossed his arms. After the nightmare he had had, there was no way he was about to leave Marian alone with this witch of a woman. No.

Marian had pleaded. Guy, do you really want to be within earshot when we discuss women issues?

Guy had realized that no. No, he did not want to be in earshot of such conversations. He was about to leave when he looked at Marian and told her, If she starts bothering you, just yell. I'll be back.

Ever since that day Marian had been regularly visiting Gabriella. She helped pick out the herbs and ingredients necessary for herself. But Gabriella was so impressed with how fast Marian learned that Marian began to help Gabriella make medicine for others of Anigcourt.

Gabriella did not have any shame bringing Guy into the conversation. She had witnessed every action the two of them had upon entering and exiting her shop. She had some thoughts about the situation.

"You do not love him," she said again.

Marian ignored her the first time she asked but the second time she looked up from her work. "What?"

"I know you are not deaf." Gabriella smiled.

"What gives you that impression?" Marian asked.

"When you kiss him," Gabriella shook her head and smiled. "When you kiss him you close your eyes too tightly. You do not smile at him regularly. And, my personal favorite, you called your pregnancy an…ailment."

"What of it?"

Gabriella sighed. "You are too young and too much full of life to marry someone who does not fill you up with life. Fill your life with joy." Then she was silent before she added, "Was it for his money?"

Marian shook her head. "He does not have money now."

"So," said Gabriella standing up and stretching, "you did not marry him for money. You did not marry him for love…obviously. Why then?"

"It is a long story," said Marian.

"I have plenty of time," said Gabriella sitting back down. "Tell me."

So Marian told her story. She explained what had happened in Nottingham. She recounted how Guy had proposed to her and she had accepted to save herself from total destruction. She explained everything…but left out one thing.

Marian did not mention Robin. Marian did not mention that the reason she married Guy was for Robin. He wanted her to live…so she was alive now.

Gabriella nodded. "See," she said, "I would believe you. Really I would. But you close your eyes too tightly when you kiss Guy. Like you are not picturing him…like you are picturing another."

Marian shook her head. "It does not matter. I am married now. Even if there was someone else…it just does not matter." Marian wanted to keep it to herself. If Marian spoke of Robin aloud, it would be the first time in four months that she said his name.

If she said his name, feelings, memories, desires, which she tried to keep locked would jump out again to attack her. So she kept her mouth shut.

Gabriella shrugged. "Whomever he is, Guy probably does not stand a chance against him."

I don't want to talk about it. Why does she so want to talk about it?

"No, Guy is sweet and kind. You just do not know him very well. He is a good man and a…good husband." Marian tried to defend Guy. But she was beginning to see a different side to Guy. Though it was very difficult to accomplish this…she was beginning to appreciate his presence in her life.

"I still did not hear the word love in any of those praises. If you really loved him, you would not be so hesitant."

Marian stood up. She took a deep breath. "I'm going to go now. I've finished the mixture and I'll be back tomorrow at the same time. Okay?"

Gabriella nodded. "Tomorrow I'd like to hear Mystery Man's name."

Marian walked out the door with her medicine in hand. Guy was waiting for her outside of the shop. He was sitting on a bench and looking at the ground. Marian did not know that Guy had heard her conversation with Gabriella. Guy had heard Gabriella's instance that Marian did not love him. And he was about to rip down the door with his bare hands and scream.

But he stopped himself because she did not deny it. Though that witch Gabriella had accused Marian of loving another Marian did not once admit their truth.

He took Marian's hand in his and kissed her cheek. He tried not to pay attention to how tightly her eyes were closed. Instead he calmly asked her about how she was feeling and what the new medicine was for. But all the while in his head he kept on hearing one sentence.

Even if there was someone else…it just does not matter.

Guy wondered…Guy wondered.

okay....so heres the current situation...Robin cant stand being seperated from Marian...poor man has such loud dreams...Will knows french?? and that blonde girl waltzing into much's life....hummmmm hey i know it might not be logical...but dont you think much deserves happiness (smiles) and Gabriella is being a good friend to Marian even though shes making her speak about her feelings...but Guy overheard...thats soooo not good because what's guy going to now?? is he going to retreat into old angry grumpy no good very bad guy?? maybe maybe not and how are the sheriff and Edward doing??? please read review and i hope you enjoyed