Ilara staggered uncertainly across the uneven ground her chubby little legs working frantically to keep her upright. She had a nervous smile on her lips and her arms were outstretched in an attempt to balance.
Across the clearing from her were three men, each with expressions of eager anticipation on their faces. They were all egging her on, coaxing her with enthusiastic voices.
"Come on little Ilara, you can do it!" Much cheered.
"Yeah, move those teeny legs of yours," Allan added teasingly.
"Go on Ilara come to your Uncle Robin. I'll give you a ride on my horse if you do," Robin shouted.
Will just watched the amused, at the battle between his friends for the affection of his daughter. This competition was ridiculous and would no doubt serve to confuse and upset the small girl. However, if there was even the slightest show of tears, the carpenter would be in there like a shot. She may have just reached her first birthday but she was still a baby after all. His baby.
The toddler frowned, bemused at the array of eager faces, each saying her name, calling her to them. Which one was she supposed to please first? Auntie Much gave her biscuits when no one was looking so maybe he'd give her one now, Uncle Allan told her funny stories and made silly faces which made her laugh so maybe he had something planned for her now but Uncle Robin let her ride on his horse and play with his bow. There was so much choice.
Ilara felt the tears welling in her eyes as she struggled to reach a conclusion. It was then she noticed, standing in the shadows almost out of view, the tall, broad statue that was her father. He always cuddled her and gave her comfort, making her toys and stroking her hair when she was sad. She didn't want the others, she wanted him.
Quickly, the little girl changed direction, tottering towards the half hidden man before she reached him in record time and grabbed his large leg.
"Papa!" she squealed in delight and hugged him tightly.
"It seems she's made her choice, guys," Will smiled, feeling slightly smug, as he bent down and tenderly lifted the feather light frame of his daughter off the ground.
"That's not fair, you had the advantage, she's your kid!" Allan moaned.
"I should hope so," Will retorted.
"Mamma," Ilara shrieked again and all the outlaws looked round to see Djaq wandering into the clearing.
"Ah, I wondered where you had all gotten to. I came back to camp and you'd all vanished. The informant wasn't there, by the way." She addressed the last statement at Robin who shrugged, unfazed.
"Maybe I got the time wrong, we'll go back later," the rebel leader said.
Since Ilara had grown a little older Djaq had been able to return to more of her outlaw duties such as conversing with informants and giving out money to peasants. She was happy enough to leave her child in the company of the other outlaws despite their obvious immaturity and lack of parental skills. Practice would make perfect was the view she held. Still, she never left Ilara for longer than was necessary.
The group made their way back to camp at a leisurely pace excluding Much who was rushing ahead claiming he needed to prepare lunch otherwise they would have nothing to eat. The others joked and laughed between themselves, Ilara chuckling along from her perch in Will's arms even though she didn't actually know what was going on.
"How about we make a group trip into Addlestone today so we can do some trading and catch up with this informant?" Djaq suggested, thinking of her depleted medicine stores after the long winter months.
"We could…" Robin began but was cut across by Will.
"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" There was a deep frown lining his handsome features.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I mean we don't want anyone to know about Ilara. They'd recognize us and see her and put two and two together before telling the Sheriff. There is no way I'm putting her in danger. The Sheriff could even be there doing his 'bond with the villagers' routine."
"Ah, don't be daft, Will, why the hell would the Sheriff go to Addlestone? It's the least conspicuous place there is. I mean, I don't even know why we want to go," Allan snorted, his blue eyes filled with incredulity.
"I suppose…" Will thawed.
"Where are we off to today then, Gisborne?"
"Addlestone, my Lord."
"Addlestone? Addlestone? Where the hell is Addlestone?" The Sheriff sat up in his chair looking at his right hand man with raised eye brows.
"Well, my Lord, it's only a mile away from Nottingham itself."
"Oh, alrighty then, off to Applestode it is then!" Vaisey leapt to his feet and began sauntering towards the door.
"Addlestone, my Lord," Gisborne correct wearily.
"Whatever. Where is my horse?"
Robin skipped down off his horse and grabbed Djaq's as it came to a halt beside him. She slipped gracefully down and then gathered her bag from the saddle pack. As she did this they were joined by Allan and John. Much, Will and Ilara had gone to the other side of the village so as to not draw too much attention.
The outlaw leader offered the others his trade mark grin and tethered the horses behind the nearest house. Then he led the small band into the everyday bustle of the village. They past women washing clothes and tending to children; men working with wood and metal to supply the villagers with tools; animals wandering around, roaming the houses for scraps of food. It was nice to come back to such normalcy and to see what their sacrifices were working to maintain.
"So what do you want to get?" Robin queried, his eyes naturally scanning the vicinity for danger.
"Oh, I don't know…things….you go speak to our informant," Djaq waved him off in a flippant manner and headed off into the small market.
"Alright then, obviously you don't need us," Robin laughed and gestured for his men to come with.
Much felt like he was herding sheep – except there was only one sheep and she wasn't actually in fact a sheep but a small girl intent on causing trouble.
"Will, control your child!" he wailed for the umpteenth time as his arms flailed uselessly after Ilara in a feeble attempt to stop her wandering off.
"She's just exploring," the young man shrugged, now he was in the vicinity of other people, normal, safe village people, he didn't feel so paranoid.
"Well, couldn't she just explore a little less energetically and preferably in our sight?"
"Chick?" Ilara let out a tiny shriek and tumbled towards a group of hens who were clucking happily a little way away.
"Obviously not." Will let out a chuckle.
"Now I feel like a mother hen!" the former manservant groaned heading after the escaping toddler.
Ilara swiped at one of the birds who squawked indignantly before fluttering away to continue it's pecking in peace.
"Chick!" the girl called again, persisting.
"My chick," a big shadow fell over Ilara and she looked up to see a rat-faced boy standing over her. He had lank black hair and beady beetle black eyes that glinted with unconcealed malice.
"Uh-oh…" the toddler trembled. She wanted to go after the chicken but the big scary boy was blocking her path.
Much drew up short when he saw the young boy approach, he looked to be about five or six, skinny and mean looking. He was about to jump in to deal with the confrontation when Will put a steadying hand on his shoulder. "Let us see how she handles it."
Much wanted to turn round and say, "She's a year old and that kid is twice her size, what on earth is she supposed to do?" But he didn't because Will was the father.
The tiny child continued to stare open mouthed at her much larger adversary. She considered pushing him but doubted whether that would make much difference. Should she hit him? Mamma taught it was bad to hit unless it was for a very special reason. Could now be one of those reasons?
"Why are you chasing my chickens, girl?" the boy finally said and shoved Ilara hard in the chest so that she fell into the dirt. Usually if she was hurt Ilara would cry but now just didn't seem the time to show weakness. Instead she jutted out her jaw and fought back the tears.
Much jerked forward, letting out a small, almost inaudible gasp, but yet Will still stopped him. The manservant found this intensely odd considering the carpenter had always said he never wanted to see his daughter hurt. Why was he letting this bully of a peasant boy harm his precious offspring?
"I've not seen you around here before. Coming to thieve my Pa's chickens were you? Dirty little scoundrel." The boy kicked dust in her face.
"Chick," Ilara repeated with her limited vocabulary, her sapphire eyes hardening with resolve. Then she turned quick as a snake on the ground, wriggling on her belly and grabbing his ankle in both hands before yanking it out from beneath him. As he was not expecting an attack the child fell like an axed tree, hitting the mud with a heavy thud. "Chick." The petite girl repeated and grinned this time, leaping to her feet and heading for her father.
"Good girl, Ilara." Will smirked, satisfied. Much gawked in astonishment.
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