Part 10

Robin woke one morning a few days before Christmas with a headache, as usual he had been plagued with dreams, what was now becoming the usual sort, his mother and Marian He stretched realising that Marian was not by his side and opened his eyes and looked around. The truth was he was completely alone in the cave, no sign of life, except he mused probably rats and bats. Outside he found most of the gang, it was sunny despite the season, but chilly and he shivered.

"Oh so you decided to grace us with your presence," Much told him handing him a bowl of breakfast and he joined him, Will, Allan and Djaq by the fire.

"Where is everyone else?" he said as casually as he could.

"You mean where is Marian?" asked Much with a knowing look.

"She went to wash," Djaq informed their leader.

Robin involuntary shivered at the thought of bathing in the stream in today's temperature and replied. "Will, go and fetch her I have plans to lie in wait for money through Sherwood."

"I didn't know any was coming through," Allan commented as John rounded the corner with an armful of firewood.

"Message from Thornton yesterday, which was from Lady Gisborne," Will imparted. "Nobles are visiting Gisborne for Christmas, some new acquaintances he has."

"The plan is, we use my wife to get the party of nobles to stop."

"How do you plan to do that?" asked Allan.

"She is as stubborn as a mule," added Djaq. "She might not go along with this plan."

"I was thinking perhaps using Marian is not the best idea," Much put in.

"I was not asking for opinions. I was telling you the plan," Robin informed them. "Marian will be on the road in need of assistance, they will stop to help a young woman with child and then we will appear."

"What and whisk her off to the forest with us?" Allan commented.

"That is where she belongs," Little John said.

Robin looked wistful and Much barely caught the. "She does not belong in the forest at all."

"May I say Master," Much said and Robin looked at him expectantly. "You are right, Marian does not belong in the forest, but she belongs with you, and if you are here well then…"

"That is something she would tell me."

"Well see, Marian and I talk sense."

"Humph," Allan murmured.

"Talking of Marian, Will, go get her."

"What if she is still bathing?" he asked unsure.

"She can not still be bathing surely?" Robin said. "Go."

Will still looked unconvinced but did as he was bid.

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Marian felt invigorated, the water had been freezing but at least she was clean, there was noise of approaching people coming from behind the bushes and she called out asking who was there, expecting to see Robin or perhaps Djaq, instead she came face to face with a leather clad body.

He looked more menacing every time she laid eyes on the man and today was no exception as he said in a tone mixed with evil humour and delight. "What have we here then?"