Spirit – Chapter 10

-----Knighton Hall-----

"Is Will agreeable for Ann to go to Scarborough?" Marion asked slightly taken back by Robin's proposal.

"Yes, it was Will's idea and he has offered to take her there." Robin tried to explain.

"That is generous but I worry of her ableness to take on a journey such as that."

"You worry too much, it is not as it once was, "Robin continued,"she is perhaps a little weak but I believe for her to stay would be more detrimental to her health."

"And your men?" Marion asked raising her eyebrow at Robin all too aware of Ann's effect on the gang especially on Allan.

"Marion I do not do this for selfish reasons but yes she is a distraction and if we are to beat the sheriff we must concentrate on only that goal." Robin replied becoming exasperated at Marion's questioning.

"So when you sneak off to see me it is for the principle of defeating the sheriff." She asked trying to lighten the mood.

"No Marian." He replied flatly.

"Robin, you must allow your men some freedom to chose their own paths, "she continued seeing the irritation on Robin's face, "you cannot have one rule for yourself and another for them. You are not a noble now and are all equal."

"I am aware of that Marion, I have led men into battle and you need discipline and complete trust" Robin tried to explain, "I do not mean to be strict or humourless I just want us to stay alive."

"I know that." Marion replied softly moving towards him and holding him tightly.

"What was that for?" Robin asked surprised.

"Because you need it." Marion replied.

"Ann can stay here tonight, it is too late to be travelling through the forest and it would be cruel to wake her up." Marion said looking down at the huddled form of the girl.

"Does that mean I get to stay too?" he asked the cheeky grin finally appearing.

"Certainly not." Marion replied turning away from him unable to to prevent the grin forming.

"I need to go back to the camp to let Will know what is going on but I will come back." Robin said, "It would not be right to leave you here when Ann is not fully recovered and your Father is not at home."

"So you come for my safety?"

"Of course." He replied seriously.

"And what of my honour? "Marion asked, "I mean what would people say if they knew I let a man in my house when my Father was not home."

"Marion." Robin pleaded.

"Very well, now can you help me move Ann to my bed?"

Robin gently lifted Ann and began to carry her up to Marion's bedchamber.

"Careful Robin." Marion whispered as she watched him.

Robin placed Ann on the bed and watched as Marion removed Ann's boots. She quickly placed her hand on Ann's forehead as she began to stir, "Shh now, just sleep you are safe here." The girl looked at Marion and closed her eyes again. Ann could no longer fight the exhaustion and she finally let herself fall into a deep sleep.

Marion raised her hand and signalled for Robin to leave the room and she followed him. "When will you be back?".

"I will go straight there and back." He replied

"Take care Robin."

Robin smiled and gently brushed her lips with his own.

"And that's all you will be getting." She smiled.

"Spoilsport." Robin replied as he pulled the door shut behind him.

-----Sherwood Forest-----

Robin returned to the camp and he immediately noted Djaq firmly holding Allan as they sat around the campfire. Robin looked at Allan and saw that he appeared upset.

"Will I need to speak with you?" he whispered signalling for Will to follow him away from the campfire. Will immediately followed Robin.

"Will, I don't know how much you know?"

"Allan mentioned some things that had happened to Ann but to be truthful he hasn't really said much." Will informed him.

"Will you ride with Ann tomorrow to Scarborough?"

"Robin," Will replied slightly taken aback,"What about Allan?"

"Things have happened tonight Will and Ann has agreed to stay with your Father, if that is still okay?"

"Yes of course Robin," Will stated,"Is she okay?"

"I do not know Will," Robin continued, "She is very upset and Gisbourne how I hate that man."

"What did he do Robin?" Will asked trying to understand what could have happened at Knighton Hall that would have caused such upset amongst his friends.

Robin looked at Will appearing almost unsure in what to say, "Gisbourne destroyed her family Will." Robin stated.

"This can't go on." Will replied unable to control his anger, his hands instinctively moving towards his axes.

"I know Will, we will deal with Gisbourne in good time." Robin replied placing his hand on Will's shoulder trying to help compose his friend.

"Robin I worry for Allan, he has become very attached to Ann and he was almost inconsolable last night." Will informed.

"I know I have seen them but she needs to move away from Nottingham." Robin explained.

"Do you think Allan should come with us tomorrow?" Will asked aware of what the effect Ann leaving may have on his good friend.

"No." Robin replied sharply.

"But Robin." Will tried to explain.

"Will, please, the decision is made I must return to Knighton but I will return with Ann tomorrow," Robin said, "Please can you keep this to yourself until Ann returns and we confirm everything?"

"Yes Robin, good luck." Will said as he watched Robin remount his horse and gallop away.

Will looked over at Djaq who was still trying to comfort Allan.

"What did Robin want?" Allan asked.

"He came to say that Ann would be resting at Knighton tonight but she was returning tomorrow." Will replied sitting down on the other side of Allan unable to look at him but he glanced at Djaq who knew straight away that something was being hidden from Allan. Djaq moved her hand behind Allan and Will quickly placed his own within hers. Will quickly gained the strength he needed to be his old self despite the feelings of betrayal that gripped him.

-----Sherwood Forest-----

Will slowly opened his eyes and pulled back slightly when he noticed how close he lay to Djaq. He remembered being cold last night but he didn't recall moving from his resting place next to Djaq. He felt his cheeks go slightly red as he shot up on his feet and stepped back. The sound of a slight laugh shifted his attention.

"You need to learn to enjoy the moment mate."

"Allan, I didn't, I mean," Will stuttered glancing at Djaq and then back at Allan.

"I know Will." Allan replied.

Will wandered over to Allan who sat by the campfire.

"Did you get any rest?"

"Not really." Allan replied diverting his attention back to the fire as he slowly prodded it.

"You need to speak to her Allan."

Allan looked directly at Will, "And say what? Terrible man that Gisbourne, murdered your family, destroyed your village and well how about it?"

"Allan," Will almost scolded, "Not like that obviously."

"You should say something before," Will hesitated before he corrected himself, "before you lose the chance."

"No, there's too much going on and he has enough to think about." Allan replied.

Allan looked at his good friend, he had only know Allan for less than a year but he was like a brother. It hurt Will to see him look so sad but it hurt even more to not be able to say what Robin had told him yesterday. Time was ticking by and he so wanted Allan not to regret this day.

"What about your own advice? To enjoy the moment and cease the opportunity." Will said.

"Please Will, I need to think."

Will and Allan looked up as they heard horses approach. The sound of the horses quickly woke up the rest of the camp.

"It's Robin." John shouted back to reassure the rest of the camp. Will looked over at Allan knowing full well what news Robin woould bring.

Will and Allan immediately held the horses of Marion and Ann as they came to a halt.

"Welcome back." Allan said to Ann.

"Thank you." Ann replied.

Allan immediately noticed how tired she looked and she leaned slightly on him for balance as she dismounted from her horse.

"Much, can you tell John, Allan and Will that I need to speak to them along with yourself?"

"What about Djaq?" Much asked aware that Robin had left her out.

"Marion will speak to Djaq."

"Yes Master." Much replied.

Marion walked with Ann towards Djaq who immediately embraced her friends.

"Why are you sending her away?" Allan asked pleading with Robin.

"You know why Allan, we are at risk whilst she stays here and we can't afford her to attract the Sheriffs attention." Robin replied placing his hand on Allan's shoulder.

"She needs our help Robin, she needs help from people she trusts." Allan informed pushing Robin's hand off his shoulder.

"Ann has agreed to go to Scarborough and it will let her recover properly." Robin told Allan.

"Allan," Will interupted, "This was my idea and Marion agreed Ann would benefit from this."

"You too Will, I thought you were on my side." Allan snapped.

"There are no sides to this Allan." John said trying to calm the situation down.

"Would you have been so happy to send Djaq away after she was captured?" Allan said directly at Will, "You saw how that affected her."

"Allan I" Will tried to reply.

"Allan, Ann will go to Scarborough. This has been agreed and at the end of the day her wellbeing is the most important." Robin said with a raised voice stepping in front of Allan.

"You sure about that." Allan replied angrily as he walked away from them towards where Djaq and Ann sat.

Will looked desperately in the direction that his good friend had just departed. "Have we done the right thing Robin?"

"Yes Will, this was ultimately Ann's decision and we must respect that." Robin replied aware of how Will was feeling.

Will nodded in agreement with Robin but could not ignore the worry he felt for Allan. Will was aware that Allan had not been himself for a while but with Ann around he had been more like his old self. Will watched as Allan sat down beside Djaq and Ann. If anyone could get through to Allan he knew it would be Djaq, she had an amazing ability to know when you were down and to be there to pick you back up again. Will couldn't imagine what life would be like without her around him.

Allan sat down beside Ann. Djaq aware of their need for privacy casually turned her back to them and proceeded to sort out the herbs she had collected.

"So you go to Scarborough." Allan said masking the confusion and pain he felt.

"Yes, I go tomorrow." Ann replied.

"Tomorrow but," Allan stopped himself he was so used to people leaving him. He had watched his Mother struggle to keep her family together after their Father had disappeared and then his micheavous Brother would steal from him and leave him with nothing. Allan thought of his Brother a lot and had become to realise that he had never allowed himself to fully grieve. Allan was fed up just being know as the funny one or the rogue. He thought being part of Robin's gang would give him the security he craved and the sense of belonging. However as time had moved on he found it hard to take instruction and to be known as one of Robin's men. This had changed when Ann appeared he had finally found something to keep him focused but now she was leaving him too. He needed to be sure he had a secure future and his next step had to be something to made sure this happened.

"I'm sorry." Ann said noticing Allan close up.

"What for? you did nothin," he replied, "you take care of yourself in Scarborough and have a safe journey."

Ann sat in shock when Allan got up and walked off, she thought they were good friends. She buried her face in her knees when she saw him speak to Robin and Marion and then disappear back into the forest.

"Are you alright?" Djaq asked turning back around to Ann. "I don't understand Djaq, I thought he would be pleased to see me doing something to sort myself out."

"I think he would have been if you had stayed here." Djaq replied not fully believing Ann could be so ignorant of Allan's feelings towards her.

"What do you mean?"

'Perfect for each other, both can't see something until it hits them in the face.' Djaq thought to herself. "He has feelings for you Ann, I think he feels he should protect you and he wasn't prepared for you leaving." She said gently.

"Do you think so Djaq?, I've never even thought of someone in that way before and I do care about him." Ann tried to explain.

"I am sure of it, "Djaq smiled, "for now the best thing is to make sure you get well again."

"I will miss you Djaq." Ann said resting her head on her friends shoulder.

"And I you, it has been nice having another woman around." Djaq replied placing her arm around Ann.