A/N: This chapter picks up on the same night that the last two left off. Actually, this chapter is only half of Chapter 12. It got way out of control (shame on me! I should be shot for always writing such long chapters, I know!) so the other half will follow, probably this week.

Once again, any conversations between Djaq and Rashid are to be understood as having been spoken in Arabic. (Although, obviously, I have written them in English.)

akhawaat = an Arabic word meaning sister.

Here we go...

Nighttime Conversations

At the camp

"So she wasn't captured?" Relief flooded through him as he tried to steady himself and recover from the shock of hearing that the woman he loved was stuck in the castle.

"For the last time, no!" Allan practically shouted, forgetting to keep his voice down for safety's sake. They were still standing a few paces outside the camp entrance, facing one another.

"But Robin just left her there?" Will asked incredulously.

How could he do that? Will could certainly understand why she would offer, but why would Robin go along with it? Surely they could have gathered information without her actually staying in the castle!

"It's like I told you. He says that she knows the guy and she thought she could get to the bottom of everything if she could have a private conversation with him. He's like a relative or something. So when he offered her a room for the night, she said yes. Robin says he tried to sway her but she was determined." Allan provided.

He was aware that he actually sounded like he was defending Robin's decision now, and he mentally kicked himself. He was still as angry over Robin leaving her there as he had been when Robin had first come out of the castle without her and told them the plan.

"But what about the Sheriff? I mean, he knows Djaq! He's seen her up close and he knows she's with us. She might as well be walking around with a target on her back. Why would Robin agree to something like that? Couldn't they have met with this guy some other way? She's just not safe there." Will fumed.

"Yeah, well maybe if you had been around and done your part like you were suppose to, you could've talked her out of staying." Allan said pointedly, his hostility bubbling back to the surface.

Will just nodded. His earlier panic was now being replaced by his guilt over driving her to such a desperate act. She clearly wanted to be as far away from him as she could after the way that he'd spoken to her earlier. He hadn't even meant for their conversation to take such a turn, he just hadn't been prepared for the way that her voice and her eyes had pleaded with him to try to find some common ground. That was something that, despite his greatest efforts, he still seemed unable to do.

He absently plopped himself down on a stump near where he'd been standing and exhaled deeply. He hated what their relationship had become. Everything had gone so wrong since that night in the cave.

He had really thought that she'd loved him that night. She said she did, and he'd believed her. And the look in her eyes had confirmed it. She had kissed him and let him touch her and hold her and he had honestly been happier than any man ever had a right to be. He had wanted to spend his life with her, every day of it. It had never occurred to him that she wouldn't want that too. And when it turned out that she didn't, it had broken his heart.

He had always loved her so much before that but he had been content to adore her in silence, from afar. He would probably have gone to his grave without ever having acted upon his feelings because he would never have wanted to make her uncomfortable or feel like she could no longer be herself around him. But once they had started down that road to love and intimacy together, he had known that he could never go back.

And when she'd kissed him and told him that she loved him too, he had just taken for granted that it was the beginning of something truly special. He'd assumed that she'd been thinking the same. Now he knew that he had absolutely no idea what she had been thinking that night. He didn't think that she did either. Perhaps she hadn't been thinking at all. Perhaps that was the problem.

Maybe she just got caught up in everything and things had gone way too far. But he would never have allowed things to go that far if he would have known that she was unsure. He would never have even considered it. Not only because of the embarrassment and regret that it would mean for her, but also because of the risk to his own heart. He couldn't give himself to her halfway. He simply didn't know how. So if he would have had any indication that being with her that night was going to hurt them both so very much, he would never have given in to his feelings. He would have kept them to himself forever.

But now, that just wasn't an option. He thought that it was kind of like those stories that Djaq told around the fire sometimes at night. The ones about the magic man, a genie is what she called him, who was released from an oil lamp and then granted wishes. Will had let his feelings for her out on that night and he had allowed his heart to wish for the one thing he had always been so careful never to hope for...her. And now he simply had no idea how to force it all back in, to bottle it up and put it back on a shelf and out of the way of both of them.

That was exactly what he'd been trying to do for months now. To push it all back down inside of him and go back to the way things used to be. It was impossible, but he had to do it. It's what she wanted. She had told him so on the morning after their night together and he'd had no choice but to comply. He couldn't force her to love him then any more than he could now. And even when she told him that he was going to be a father and that she would stay and raise the baby with him, she had let him know in no uncertain terms that she wanted nothing but his friendship and support.

Comrades, was what she said they would be. He still remembered her exact words. We will not share a bed. We will be comrades only. That's what she said and that was what he'd agreed to give her. So no matter how confused he became over her behavior towards him, no matter how sweetly she smiled or softly she spoke or how often she looked at him in a way that his heart wanted so desperately to believe matched the longing that he felt, he just had to keep reminding himself of one thing.

Djaq was a woman who always said what she meant. She had no trouble telling you what was on her mind. If she had any romantic feelings for him at all, she would have said so. Without a doubt. She knew what he felt for her and how he'd been struggling with it. If she wanted intimacy, she would have told him. Instead, she told him that she wanted his friendship and he had no choice but to honor her wishes. And he'd been trying!

But then today things had gotten all mixed up. He'd wanted her so badly. He had only really intended to press his body close to hers and maybe breathe in the scent of her. It wasn't right, he knew, but they had been in such an awkward position, stuck behind that bookcase, that he thought he might be able to take advantage of their closeness.

But he'd really expected her to stop him. To push him away or call him on his behavior or even stiffen her body to let him know that he was crossing a line. But when she didn't do any of those things, he'd thought that maybe he could get away with pushing things just a little bit further. But he'd never meant to go as far as he did. He got carried away. It was just...she...well she hadn't really seemed to mind.

If fact, he had felt like they were finally connecting. Like maybe, if he could kiss her and touch her body and make her feel the way she had that first night, that she would be his...all his. But it had been wrong of him to ever put her in that position and frighten her that way. And it was even worse for him to admit to her that he'd failed her. That all of these months had been a lie. That he couldn't and would never be what she wanted him to be. What he'd promised her he would be.

That's what had hurt her the most. He could tell. He saw it on her face before he'd left her. It was that look that had kept him away from camp and from taking his place on their mission. And now he'd left her exposed and in danger.

"Is that it, then? You just gonna nod and sit there?" Allan asked, hoping for a confrontation.

He didn't even know why. He had just been so frustrated lately. Nothing was right! Will and Djaq and him used to all be so close. They had always had so much fun together. And he wasn't jealous, exactly. At least he didn't think so. He just hated the way that everything was now.

When he had first found out about the two of them and the fact that they were going to be having a kid and getting married, he'd thought that it was going to be kind of hard for him to get used to seeing them together. That watching them grow closer without him was something he would have to learn to live with but would never really adjust to. But this was so much worse. Neither of them were happy and they were anything but close. And he couldn't, for the life of him, figure out why.

"Well?" He prodded angrily after a moment went by without a response from Will. But, as he walked over to stand in front of where Will was sitting, he caught sight of the look on his friend's face. "Hey. Come on. I'm sure she's fine. And I know it ain't your fault she's there. You know how she is. She would have volunteered for this whether you'd have been there or not." He tried in a friendlier tone.

"Yeah. I guess. I don't know." Will responded weakly, not looking at Allan.

Just then the hatch swung open and Robin, stepping out, said, "I thought I heard you out here, Will. Nice of you to join us. I'm guessing Allan's told you about Djaq and I suppose you will want to add your outrage to that of everyone else? You may as well come inside. You too, Allan. Let's get this out in the open now, while we're all here and Djaq isn't." And he motioned them to enter, which they did, and he followed them inside.

At the castle

Djaq's eyes snapped open as she heard commotion outside in the corridor. She hadn't meant to fall asleep and had no idea how long she'd been that way. She sat up, immediately alert, and rubbed her face, trying to erase any sign of slumber.

From the shuffling of feet and the murmur of softly spoken Arabic, she knew that the party downstairs had finally reached its end and that Rashid's people were filing down the hall and settling into their rooms for the night. She stood up, straightening her robes and veil as she did so, then stretched, marveling at the difference in the way her back felt after waking from an actual bed rather than the bunk to which she'd grown accustomed.

The tiniest smile slid across her lips as she felt a small flutter in her abdomen. "Go back to sleep now, Little One." She whispered in Arabic as she ran a hand over her tummy.

She quickly crossed the room and withdrew one of the lit candles from its holder, using it to relight the ones she'd extinguished earlier. Then she unbolted the door, knowing that it would be best if, once Rashid arrived and knocked, she was standing across the room and could simply call out to him to enter. That way, if there was trouble or any sort of threat, she would not be caught unawares.

Although, after considering the matter, her now somewhat-more-rested mind agreed with her earlier assessment of him. She didn't believe that he meant her any harm at all. In fact, he'd appeared to be so genuinely overjoyed at the sight of her earlier in the evening that she could not help but think that getting him to share his reasons for being in England would not be so terribly difficult. However, she decided to employ the practice that had always served her so well during her life, Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst.

Just then there was a light knock at the door and Djaq recrossed the room in order to stand clear of anyone entering.

"Enter." She called calmly, with her right hand beneath her robe and resting on the hilt of her sword. She was incredibly thankful for the bulky fit and numerous folds of her Saracen attire which allowed her to easily conceal not only her weapon, but also her slightly bulging belly.

"Saffiya?" Came the quiet voice of Rashid as he peeked around the door and scanned the large room for her. When his eyes settled on her, he asked considerately, "Am I disturbing you?"

"Not at all. I was expecting you. Please, enter. Has the party finally concluded, then?"

"It has. Only just now though, actually. I am very sorry to have kept you waiting. I feared that you had, perhaps, fallen asleep." And he stepped through the doorway and turned back to softly close the door.

"Oh no." She lied easily. "I knew how urgently you wanted to speak with me. Let us sit down and you can tell me what has been troubling you. And how you feel that I may be of assistance."

"Are you certain that you do not mind sitting up a bit longer? I know that the hour is late and I am sure that you are tired. I can discuss these matters with you in the morning, if you would rather." He offered.

"Not at all. I am very anxious to speak with you, Rashid. Please, sit. And thank you for the lovely room as well as the meal. You needn't have gone to so much trouble, however." She said sincerely.

"Nonsense. It was nothing. Truly." And he took a seat as she did the same. "I wish I could have offered more. You cannot know, Saffiya, how seeing you, especially here, has lightened my heart. I cannot help but see it as the work of Allah himself. I have been struggling for so long now with such grave matters that I confess I had all but given up hope."

She once again felt that little twinge of guilt over misleading him in this way. But she would not compromise her friends nor this mission over some foolish sentimentality.

"Can things really be that dire? Are you in some sort of danger, Rashid?" She asked him.

"Indeed, they are dire. But it is not my life for which I fear, it is my soul. I find myself involved in matters that can surely come to no good end. There are things underway here that I fear would shock you terribly. You are probably unaware, being so very far from home, but there is some discussion of peace between our people and the European Crusaders. The English King wishes to bring matters to an end because he has received numerous reports that his brother plots to steal his throne." He told her carefully.

He was correct, she was not aware of any peace talks. Could it be possible that Rashid was, in fact, on some sort of peace mission then? No. Prince John and the Sheriff would never participate in anything that would result in the English King returning home. So was the man before her lying? His eyes said otherwise. She must hear more in order to make a determination.

"I was not aware of that. That is good news then and I am glad for it. Our people have been at war for far too long. I do not understand your anguish, however. Do you not rejoice over the possibility of peace?" She asked, ready to gauge his reaction.

"Oh, Saffiya, peace is my greatest wish! I have never had a taste for war, as you may recall. Not the way that some men do." He spat out this last part with such contempt that it took her by surprise. He had remained completely subdued and soft spoken up until that moment. "I am actually here on a matter concerning my father. May I confide some things in you that you will, undoubtedly, find shocking and disgraceful?" He asked her carefully.

"Of course you may." She spoke just as cautiously.

But even as she answered him, her active mind was already putting the pieces in order. Rashid's father, Basil abd-al-Muhaymin, was a great and powerful war-general who owed his wealth and his status to his savagery in battle and his usefulness to the Sultan. He was the kind of man who was, in fact, only needed during times of war. During times of peace, such a man would be swept aside to make way for other men. Statesmen, scribes, negotiators. Men of peace and learning who were skilled in the art of diplomacy.

A man like Basil would stop at nothing in order to preserve what he had worked for and built over an entire lifetime. And who better to have as an ally than the only other man on earth who stood to lose as much as he did if peace were declared. So he and Prince John were seeking to thwart the peace effort, were they? Hmm. Everything made a bit more sense now. But where did Rashid fit in?

"My father has sent me here to settle the terms of an alliance with the prince of this land. I have been at his castle in London for months now waiting to finalize an agreement between the two. This will be very difficult for you to believe, I am sure, but my father has no wish to see peace triumph across our great land. He is actually working against such measures as we speak, Saffiya!"

Djaq had to marvel at his naiveté, regarding both his father and her.

"In fact," he continued, "he risks bringing not only great danger, but also great shame on our entire family by doing so. He has secured the support of many of our officials and generals, they ask only a substantial payment from him in order to act upon his orders. It is my understanding that the English King's brother has much the same understanding with some of his own people. But securing not only their support, but their silence as well, has proven to be a very costly undertaking. My father has sent me here in order to collect additional funding from this prince and then transport it back home."

"I see. So you have been in this country for so long because Prince John does not wish to pay?" She asked.

"Oh no. He is as anxious to move ahead with the plan as my father is. It is I who have been...dragging my feet, so to speak. I hate what my father is doing. It is terribly wrong! It is against Allah and the Sultan, and I want no part in it!" There, again, was that spark of passion. He looked down at the floor as if ashamed of his participation thus far. "So I have been pretending to enjoy England so much that I am unwilling to part from here just yet. It is a weak attempt at best, I know. And it will serve to do no more than delay the inevitable, I am certain. But I can think of no better or more permanent method for stopping this madness."

He sighed deeply and seemed lost in thought. Djaq decided not to prod him to continue and, after a moment, he went on.

"So this lie about enjoying my stay here is what I tell them whenever they press me to finalize our transaction, and they are so afraid of alienating my father that they do whatever they can in order to ensure my contentment. They have yet to realize that my father's interests and my own do not coincide in this matter. Now they have "politely" offered me hospitality here in Nottingham with this man, Vaysey. It will now be his job, I am certain, to convince me to accept the money and leave for home. I know not how much longer I will be able to feast and smile and pretend to be entertained and charmed by my surroundings. Do you understand my dilemma?" he asked her with pleading eyes.

"I'm beginning to, yes. But why, if you are so vehemently opposed to what your father is doing, did he send you here on his behalf? He must have some idea of where your thoughts lie, even if Prince John does not. And, I mean no offense, Rashid, but would not your brother, Zafir, have been better suited to such a task? If I recall correctly, he was always much more...enthusiastic...about war than you were."

"Ah, you have not heard. Of course you have not. Zafir was killed in battle. Nearly one year ago now." He said solemnly.

"Forgive me, Rashid. Indeed, I did not know. You have my most heart-felt condolences. I know the

deep and never-ending pain of such a loss. A beloved brother is a cherished gift. I am truly sorry for your grief." And she was. Never a day passed when she did not grieve for her own brother, when her heart did not ache for the other half of itself.

"No no! Please, Saffiya. Do not compare my loss with your own. I am saddened by the death of my brother, yes, but we were never close. We did not have anywhere near the sort of bond that you had with your brother. Zafir and I never shared our childhood in the way that you and Djaq did. Surely you remember that." He told her. "But you are right. He would have been better suited to my father's plans than I am. I certainly take no offense at that observation."

"So you have been stalling Prince John for all of these months? That certainly explains why you traveled here with so large a staff and so many of the fineries of home. It was your plan all along, then, to attempt to delay matters for as long as possible? Even before you set sail for England?" She asked.

"I could think of no viable alternative, I'm afraid. I did attempt to discourage my father from this course, but, as you may well remember, he is a man who has never made any allowances for weakness. And that is how he has always viewed me...as weak. He would have sent someone else if he could have taken the risk. But, as it stood, he had to trust that the ties of blood would outweigh the pull of my conscience and that I would do what he deems necessary for our family."

"And so you agreed to do as he bid?" She questioned.

"I am afraid that I was too much of a coward to openly defy him, as usual. When my elder brother lived, my father paid me little or no attention, thinking me worthless as far as sons go. But he now attaches all of his hopes to my ability to successfully complete this task for him. But my honor will not permit me to do such a thing, Saffiya." He bowed his head, shaking it slowly back and forth as if defeated. "You must forgive me for burdening you with this. But when I saw you, I was so terribly relieved at the prospect of having someone to listen to my plight and who would keep my counsel. I do not dare trust any of my own staff completely."

Djaq knew that she needed to speak with Robin. She pitied the position that poor Rashid found himself in, stuck between his conscience and his domineering father. Not to mention the fact that he seemed completely unaware of the very real threat he was facing once the Sheriff and Prince John grew tired of playing his waiting game.

She knew that Robin could and would come up with some way of getting his hands on this undoubtedly substantial payment that Rashid's father awaited from Prince John. She must make certain, she decided, that Rashid was kept out of harm's way as much as possible. He was clearly not a young man who was cut out for politics or espionage, and she felt a certain responsibility for him and his safety in this matter.

"Rashid, I have heard all that you have said and I want you to know that I pass no judgments upon you. You are caught in a very complex and dangerous web. Perhaps more dangerous than you realize. But, and this is the important part, I believe that I can, indeed, be of some assistance to you. And not only as a friendly and sympathetic ear. I know someone who can sort this matter out and see to it that the right thing is done. Will you give your consent to me involving him? You have my word that neither he nor I will do anything to compromise either your safety or peace in our homeland."

She had every intention of sharing what she had learned with Robin one way or the other, but she decided that she felt much more comfortable having Rashid be aware of what was going on than she was working behind his back.

"Who is this man? Is he to be trusted? Was is your relationship to him? If Prince John hears of my efforts to delay his plan, all that I have done thus far will place me in grave danger as well as render all my efforts in vain." He looked at her, wide-eyed.

"Rashid, do you trust me?"

"I do." He said with out hesitation, and she was touched and saddened by his innocence. Such a person should not be involved in such things.

"Give me the morning to speak with this man and then I believe that I will be able to answer all of your questions. Again, you have my word that I will do my best to see to it that you are kept safe." She assured him.

"I do trust you, Saffiya. And thank you. It seems that I was correct in recognizing you as an answer to my prayers. I will leave you to rest now, if you wish. It sounds as if you will have a busy morning." And he rose to take his leave of her.

"If you are not opposed to staying for a short while, there is much I would like to ask you of home." She said hopefully.

"Oh, of course! Please forgive my selfishness. Yes, yes. Let us stay up and talk. I see you have not touched your supper. I confess, I was so anxious to speak with you that I ate very little at my own feast. I shall have something brought for us and then we may converse with full stomachs. Thank you again, akhawaat. For everything." He smiled at her as he walked to the door in order to call for a servant.

Hearing him refer to her as his sister, even as nothing more than an honorary title, made her chest tighten the slightest bit. Djaq was, obviously, the only person who had ever called her that, and she would have preferred that it remain so. Still, she found that she could bear him no ill will over the slip. She was just glad that things had turned out so well thus far, and she only hoped that she could be true to her promise to keep him safe.

At the camp

"Right." Robin began after the lads were all gathered inside the camp. "Anything you want to say to me, Will? Allan, Much and even John have already told me exactly what they think of my leadership skills tonight. What would you like to add?" He asked, forcing himself to speak as if they were discussing nothing more important than the weather. He was getting sick and tired of having to have a similar discussion every time something involving Djaq came up.

"Now, Robin. Nobody said you weren't a good leader." John admonished, shaking his head. Did this have to turn into some big dramatic display?

"No? Well it was certainly implied. And that's fine. Really. We are all entitled to have a say here. And I understand everyone's frustration. Djaq is at the castle and you all are worried about her. I am too. But, as I told you a hundred times tonight, it was her choice to stay. In fact the entire thing was her idea. She promised me she would be careful and I believe her."

"But the Sheriff! How could you leave her right under his nose like that?" Will finally demanded angrily.

"And you said she's not coming home until tomorrow! You don't even know when tomorrow. So we won't even know if anything has happened to her until she doesn't show up. By then it could be too late!" Much tossed out. Sometimes he just didn't understand Robin. How could this ever have seemed like a good idea to him? Or to Djaq?

"No it won't be too late because we're not waiting until tomorrow. We're going to march back to the castle and search every room until we find her. Even if we have to check under the Sheriff's bed." Allan responded heatedly.

"Under the Sheriff's bed? Come on, Allan! You too, Much. She's fine. And besides, Will, weren't you the one who walked into camp a few months ago and demanded that every one of us agree to treat Djaq just as we always have? That despite the fact that she was with-child, she expected to be treated as one of the lads and be sent on missions and such? Isn't that what I've been doing? Honoring her, not to mention your, wishes?" He asked.

"Robin, this is not because she's a woman or even because she's with-child. It's because staying in the castle like this is stupid and dangerous. And it would be no matter which one of us it was." Will answered with desperation.

He couldn't help but be aware that Djaq would never have taken such a risk if it hadn't been for their difficulties earlier. She was always brave when there was something dangerous that needed to be done, but she was also very careful. This was not the sort of thing that she would just decide on a moment's notice.

"Well that's what he says." Allan added. "But I say that it is because she's pregnant! I mean, come on. Are we all just gonna keep walking around here pretending like nothing's changed? It has! She has and everybody's gonna have to face it sooner or later." Allan shouted at no one in particular.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Much asked.

"What is it with you lately? I mean, I get why Much worries about her. He worries about everything. That's just Much. But what is this thing you have with Djaq all of a sudden?" Robin asked Allan.

"What thing? I haven't got any sort of a thing with Djaq! What are you implying?" Allan questioned defensively.

"Every time there's something for her to do or someplace for her to go you have to stick your nose in where it doesn't belong! Like the other day when, for reasons I still can't figure out, I let you talk me into sending Will into the castle with Djaq instead of you. And you see how that turned out!" Robin said, trying to remain as calm as he could.

"You did what?" Will glared at Allan. "Why?"

"I just thought that you guys needed some time alone together. That's all. I was just trying to help." Allan answered.

"That's just what I'm talking about." Robin told him. "You're always trying to help. You want to help Djaq and Will spend time together. You want to help by telling me not to send her on missions that may be dangerous. You want to help Much be careful when he spars with her.--"

"You told him that?" Allan asked in disbelief, turning toward Much.

"You...you threatened me!" Much replied.

"The point I'm making is when did you suddenly become so helpful to Djaq? When did you appoint yourself her guardian and protector?" Robin wanted to know.

"Somebody has to be!" Allan shot back.

"What?" Will asked angrily.

"What does that even mean? We all care for Djaq, Allan. You know that and so does she. She would not like everyone worrying about her this way. I notice that none of you ever act this way when she's around. And, for the last time, she's fine!" Robin told him.

"Is she?" Allan challenged.

"Isn't she?" Much asked, genuinely curious now.

"Of course she is." Will answered Much.

"Really? She's not herself. That's for sure." Allan huffed.

"She's expecting a child. There's bound to be some adjustments." John said reasonably.

"Adjustments? What adjustments has she made? Have you ever even heard her refer to the baby? Or being a mother?" Allan asked all of them. Could they really be so blind?

"The child is not even born yet, Allan." John said.

"Besides, she refers to the child." Robin answered.

"Yeah, of course she does." Much chimed in.

"When? What did she say?" Allan asked the group.

No one answered. They all thought it over.

"Well I can't actually recall. But I'm sure she has." Robin finally answered. Although not very convincingly.

"Maybe she talks about such matters with Marian. You know, women's talk." Much offered.

"Actually, Much, Marian said something similar to me not too long ago." Robin said in a voice now tinged with concern. "She said that Djaq doesn't like to talk about the baby. Only the pregnancy, but not what comes after. I told her she was being silly worrying over such matters. I told her that a woman like Djaq had her own way of dealing with things."

"She's fine." John reassured them.

"No. Allan's right." Will said solemnly. "At least about this. I've seen it too. But Robin's right too. She does have her own way of dealing with things. I really think that she'll work it out. She just needs us to be here for her, but not get in her way. That's what she said she wanted. For us not to try to keep her from doing what's important to her."

"That's what I've been saying. She wanted to stay at the castle tonight so that she could try to get something useful out of this Saracen guy. If we go storming in there and undermine her, she will not take it well. Anyway, this young man is someone she knows from home. Don't you think there are things she'd like to ask him. Things she'd like to know? About the family she left behind?" Robin tried to reason with his men.

"We're her family." Much said. "And what if the Sheriff catches her?"

"She is way on the other side of the castle in a very nice room all to herself." Robin said exasperatedly.

"How do you know that? I thought you said you last spoke with her outside the Great Hall. Maybe there was no room. Maybe it was a trick. Did you think of that?" Allan asked.

"I know because I followed her up to the room. I waited until a servant showed her to her chamber and I quietly trailed behind, without her seeing me, just so we'd know where she was." Robin answered.

"Why didn't you say that when you first came out of there?" Much wondered.

"Because no one gave me much of a chance, did they? You were all too busy telling me how I don't care about Djaq's safety and that if it were Marian I would feel differently. Isn't that right?" Robin asked the group.

No one responded.

"And," He continued, "just so you know, Marian is also staying at the castle. And no, I don't like it, but she and her father were ordered to do so by the Sheriff, seeing as there are so many feasts and parties planned at the castle in the next couple of weeks. So I can do nothing but trust that she can take care of herself."

The others all nodded. But Robin didn't want to let on that he was actually extremely worried about Marian's safety. In fact, he was starting to wonder why he hadn't been more worried about Djaq's. Was he fair to her? If what the lads and Marian said was true, Djaq had been struggling with something serious lately and he hadn't even noticed. She always seemed so capable of taking care of herself. And she was.

She and John were the two of his men that he worried about the least. Well, truthfully, he never worried about them at all. They didn't need him to and he was always glad. It was one less thing to occupy his mind. But did he disregard Djaq because she was so steady and reliable? He depended on her help and support. She would offer him her ideas when he asked, but she never really questioned his orders. She was the only one. She always obeyed him. Regardless of what he asked of her.

Would she have knowingly put herself in danger with this man at the castle just to further Robin's cause? Because she thought it was expected of her? He didn't know. But he should know. She was one of his men. He should have been paying more attention. He just always assumed she could handle anything. She told him she could and he'd found it easy to believe her. Was that wrong?

Even when Will had shocked them all with the announcement that Djaq was pregnant and he was the father, he hadn't really been worried about Djaq. He had worried about Will and how he would cope. Robin hadn't even realized that there had been feelings between the two. How's that for not paying attention?

He had a vague recollection of Will alluding to caring for her at some point last year, but Robin hadn't thought it was anything serious. But once he knew that they were involved, he had worried that Will was not mature enough to be with a woman like Djaq. She was worldly and focused. Will was idealistic and passionate. Robin had been concerned that their relationship might cause conflict within the group. He'd thought that Will might be protective or clingy with her. Or that Will might be pressuring her into marriage. But he had never worried about Djaq not being prepared to handle it.

Now he chastised himself for not being more aware of what was happening in his gang. Maybe they'd needed this talk tonight in order to clear the air. Maybe they were all thinking a bit more clearly now.

"I'm going to head back to the castle and make sure that both Djaq and Marian are alright. I'll be back in a while. Don't wait up." Robin told them, directing the last statement to Much.

"We're all going." Allan announced.

"No, Allan. Please. Trust me. It will only make her angry if she thinks we don't give her credit enough for being able to do this on her own." Robin answered.

"But you're going." Much responded.

"I will just tell her that I'm there to find out what, if anything, she's learned so far. Trust me. It's better this way. And if anything at all seems amiss, I will insist that she come back with me. You have my word."

"But..." Much began.

"At least take Much with you." Allan pleaded. He was incredibly relieved that Robin was going to check on her, but he had no intention of spending the next couple of hours listening to Much whine about Robin being gone so long. No way.

"Yes, take Much!" Will and John agreed at the same time.

"Alright. But we have to be quiet." Robin said to Much. Then, turning to Will, he said quietly, "What about you? I cannot stop you from seeing your own wife."

"She wouldn't want to see me right now. You go. Make sure she's alright." Will answered in a defeated and troubled voice.

Robin nodded and he and Much set out on their way to the castle.