Disclaimer: Only plot and OCs belong to me. Everything else belongs to BBC (I think...)

Chapter 14: Pursuit

Lilith woke the next morning. Between Sarah and John's quarterstaff, she hobbled to take care of business. "At least it's stopped bleeding," Sarah said, looking at the wound. "We should probably change the bandage."

"Fine," Lilith said as they made their way back to camp. She sat on a stump as Sarah and Djaq tended her leg. As soon as they finished bandaging it, they heard dogs in the background.

"Guy is using dogs again?" Much asked shocked.

"Get the horses," Robin ordered. Within just a few minutes they had all the horses ready.

"She can not ride yet," Djaq told Robin. "She will bleed again."

"We can't leave her," Robin said.

"I can hear you, you know," Lilith huffed.

"They are getting closer," John observed.

"Either leave me or give me a horse," Lilith said. "Personally, I'd prefer the horse if anyone is curious as to my opinion."

"You can not ride yet, it might open the wound," Ashley tried to explain, but she wouldn't hear any of it.

"I'm quite use to bleeding, thank you very much, now get me a bloody horse," she demanded. Robin scooped her up and handed her up to Alan. Sarah pulled herself up behind Will and everyone else got their own horse.

"Why are they using dogs now?" John asked after they had tried to lose them for awhile.

"They are tracking us," Ashley said. "The blood."

"How can we make them stop?" Sarah asked.

"Lead them back around to Locksley," Robin decided.

They rode in a circle and made their way back to Locksley. They followed the tree line along the edge of the forest around the village. "What's the matter with these damn dogs," Gisborne demanded as they arrived back in Locksley. "They have done nothing but lead us in circles."

Obviously frustrated, he barked at the soldiers a little longer before returning to the manor. "Nice to see he has made himself comfortable in my home," Robin said darkly. "We'll ride deeper in for coverage as we go around the village."

They returned and Lilith couldn't help but think that the entire time she was literally sitting in Alan's lap and he didn't say 2 words to her. She couldn't even remember if he had said 2 words to her since her 'abduction/rescue.' Even Sarah and Will looked as if nothing had happened between the two of them. Part of her wanted to slap at him and yell 'it's still me!'

But she remembered the hurt in his eyes and when he lifted her down she didn't say anything. Sarah dutifully re-bandaged the now re-bleeding wound. "At least there is no infection," she said cheerfully.

"Thank the Lord for small favors," Lilith mumbled. "Go," she whispered and nodded towards Will who was taking some of the horses. She smiled when she saw Sarah blush and was glad she didn't have to push too hard. She watched as Sarah walked off after Will who was tending the horses this time.

"You know, it always surprised me how close the two of you were even when we were kids," Marion said taking a seat next to her.

"Why is it surprising? Did you think me incapable of any kindness?"

Deciding to evade yet another argument, she said instead, "I guess I always thought of you as having both a brother and a sister."

"Well, you had a kind, charming father," Lilith said. "It seems to have balanced itself out."

Sarah walked after Will. "That was almost fun," she said.

He grinned. "You sound like Lilith and Robin," he said making her laugh.

"I suppose after so many years it is inevitable," she shrugged. "Your father talks about you constantly," she said.

"Really?"

She nodded. "He was telling me what a fine carpenter you are, especially for someone so young. You seem to have a way with wood he says." she saw the blush at the praise. "I've seen some of your work and it is marvelous." she suddenly had an idea and he saw the light in her eyes. "Do you think you could make something for me?"

"Certainly. What did you have in mind?"

"Do you promise not to laugh?" she asked.

"I promise," he said solemnly.

"I would like for you to make two wooden practice swords, like the one's young boys play with," she said.

She saw the bewilderment in his eyes. "What? Whatever for?"

"For Lilith," Sarah said.

Will wanted to laugh but held it in because of his promise. "You can laugh," she said and he grinned. "I know it is an odd request for the daughter of an Earl, but please?" she asked.

He leaned over the back of the horse as he watched her. "It's simple, I could have them ready by tomorrow morning."

She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. Lilith will be so surprised! Grant it, now I have to find her a real sword, but this will cheer her up."

"A real one?" he asked curiously.

"Well, seeing as how we are now part of this outlaw gang and all, she will want her brother's old sword back. It is currently at the manor in Locksley. I'll figure something out," she said talking to herself. "But in the meantime this will take her mind off things"

She returned the grin. "Why would she want all of this in the first place?"

"When we were little she would sneak in and borrow the practice swords after they weren't in use anymore. She and Luke would spend the evenings playing with them. Sometimes she would wear this old wooden crown one of the villagers made for her so she could be the Princess and Luke was the knight in shining armor. Well, sometimes she let him be a prince if she was in a good mood," she qualified. "They used to play around growing up, and it would be something to cheer her up now that she can't move."

"Did you play as well?" he asked.

Sarah laughed. "Yes. Sometimes I got to be the princess so Luke could rescue me. She said he needed practice rescuing anyone, she wouldn't always be the damsel in distress."

"I can't see either of you being in distress," he teased.

"That's what Luke said. But it was fun. They always had an active imagination, even a blind person could see what they imagined. Everything is always so vivid around Lilith. What about you? What did you and your brother play while you were growing up?" She asked as she brushed down one of the horses.

"We didn't play as much, and we didn't have any damsels to rescue," he said.

"Well, you are certainly very good at it without those years of practice," Sarah teased.

"We played soldiers, knights, . . . Luke (a/n: Will's brother) always played more than I." She nodded. He seemed the more serious type compared to his brother. They walked around as he found what he needed for her swords. By the time they made their way back to camp Lilith and Marion had dinner almost finished.

The night was passed with more storytelling, mainly by Alan and Ashley, joking, and flirting on Marion and Robin's part. Lilith had watched and Alan talked the entire night to every single person except her. It had spoiled even the company of the group. She fell asleep depressed.

"Lilith," Sarah said waking her up in the morning.

"What time is it?" Lilith muttered

"It is dawn, a little after," Sarah said cheerfully.

"Bloody bugger you are too cheerful this morning," Lilith decided. She was still irked by Alan's standoffish behavior. She grabbed John's staff and hobbled past a snoring Much to the stream. "Good lord he snores loud enough to give away our position," she joked.

Sarah laughed. "I would gladly kick him my lady," she teased.

"I'm sure you would," Lilith laughed. She didn't see Alan had woken up and was watching her hobble off with Sarah's help.

"You know, you haven't said more than two words to her in the past 2 days," Robin commented.

"What to say?"

"You never had a problem finding words before," Djaq joked.

"Believe me when I say that if you don't talk to her, she will just corner you. She's just biding her time," Marion added. "What's your excuse?" she asked Robin.

"What?" Robin asked confused how the conversation had gotten to him. Marion gave a huff and went off after Lilith and Sarah.

"What did Robin do now?" Lilith asked

"How can you tell it is him?" Marion asked.

"You have this distinct, annoyed look for Robin. Yes, like that," Lilith pointed with a giggle at the look on Marion's face.

"I am now an outlaw, living in the forest with him, and he still doesn't talk about what we need to talk about. We finally admitted how we feel, and now there is all this business left unsaid between us," Marion admitted.

"Marion, honey, it took him over 20 years to admit how he feels to you, and he thought you were dead at the time," Lilith said. "At this rate, you could very well be dead before he takes the next logical step."

"That makes me feel loads better," Marion mumbled.

"I wasn't finished. You tiptoe in this dance of yours just as much. Stop tiptoeing around the issue and just confront Robin. It's not as if he can run away from you. Where would he go? We are currently stuck in a forest," she said gesturing around her. "And if you are truly afraid of him running off, shoot him in the leg. It's bloody annoying," she added pulling herself up.

"Marion, can I walk back with you?" Sarah asked suddenly and quickly helped her to her feet. Lilith gave her a questioning look but knew Sarah was up to something so she let her scurry off with an equally curious Marion. Whatever it is had better be important to leave the gimp stranded, Lilith thought.

"Djaq said you would be up and about in no time," Alan said walking up behind her.

"I hope so, I hate being immobile," Lilith admitted. An awkward silence started and she decided to head it off before it became too big. She had caused this problem (something she seemed to have a knack for) so she needed to fix it (a skill she had honed over the years). "I believe there are three things you need to hear from me," she started.

"Really?" Alan asked curiously amused. "Three? What could they be?"

She laughed. "Well, I am sure there are more things, but three covers the basics. I'm sorry, thank you, and that was me."

"What?" he asked puzzled.

"I'm sorry for masquerading as a nun and not telling you who I was. I had no intention of any of this. I had hoped to get to Nottingham and never planned on any of this, but truthfully, I think it was the best thing that has ever happened to me otherwise I would never have met you." She saw he made no move to interrupt her so she continued. "Thank you for saving me from the awful marriage to Gisborne and whatever would happen with him."

"And the third?"

"Everything I told you, everything I did when I was Sister Mary Lily, that was me. I was myself, just dressed in a nun's robes. I was as truthful as I could be without exposing my real name. I want you to know that," she said.

"You still don't tell us, any of us, the complete truth," Alan said looking into the woods.

"I will." She wasn't sure what else to say. "Did you . . . well, did you participate in my abduction because Robin ordered it or because of some other reason?"

"I couldn't let you marry Gisborne," he admitted. "It would be hell."

She snorted. "You're telling me," she said laughing.

"Why did you lead me on knowing nothing could come between us?" he asked.

She was shocked. "What? I would never do that to you, to anyone!"

"You knew all along you were a noblewoman and I a peasant, an outlaw as well," he said.

"Things can change, and in case you haven't noticed, I am an outlaw now and I have not been one to strictly follow the mandates of society," she said. She cut him off, "I told you I would fight King Richard for you. I meant it then, and I mean it now even if you have been especially prickly lately."

"It is all of society, all of tradition and rules you would have to fight," Alan said.

She huffed and grabbed the quarterstaff and pulled herself up. "I only am sorry to realize I would be the only one fighting," she said storming off (as best she could with only one leg).

He stepped in front if her. "Don't make me use this on you," she warned.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you could," he said grinning. "I don't like complications and you have to admit this is one big complication."

"You are an outlaw and a former thief, how are those not complications?" she asked pursing her lips.

"Both were fairly simple– Don't get caught," he said with his grin that always made her smile. "This, this is beyond that."

"You were never good at that rule it seems, at not getting caught," she laughed. "You aren't the only one who would be facing the complications you know."

"I would be the one to swing when your father finds out. I'm only glad your brother isn't here to run a sword through me too. He seems highly overprotective," he said.

"He was," Lilith smiled. "But he would have liked you."

"How do you know?" Alan asked.

"You and Robin get along," she said. "And you both are charming, with the ability to talk anything out of anyone. Although he didn't get caught nearly as much," she teased. "What was your brother Tom like?" she asked sitting back down.

He sat next to her. "Well, he was my younger brother, and he was also a talker. Couldn't tell the truth to save his . . ." his voiced trailed off as he thought about his brother's death.

"The sheriff will pay for what he did," she said taking his hand in both of hers. "I'll confess I am half tempted to shoot him myself," she said smiling. "At least you could bury him, you can visit his grave and pay your respects," she said sadly.

He squeezed her hand. "Djaq says they live on in us," he said wanting to comfort her.

"They do," Lilith said nodding. "I know that so long as I remember him, and still love him, then his memory will live on," she said. "I will see him one day, and, thanks to Sarah, not any time soon," she said absently thinking about her brother.

"What?"

"Huh?" she asked confused.

"What happened to you?" he asked and she saw the concern in his eyes.

"I'll tell you when my leg is better," she promised. She didn't want to dwell on it when she was immobile. "For now tell me about Tom." He nodded and talked about them growing up. Lilith laughed so hard at some of the antics they did that she had to wipe away tears. She told him some of the stuff her and Luke got into when they were little that made Alan laugh just as hard.

"I think we lost track of each other a few years ago when our mom died," Alan admitted.

"I'm sorry," she said. "My mother died right before I was ten."

"Must have been a horrible birthday for you," he said.

She shrugged. "I haven't really had a birthday since," she said making him gape.

"How could you not have a birthday?" he asked.

"Obviously I had them, do I look 10 to you?" she teased. "My father just didn't have time or inclination to celebrate them. Luke and Sarah always tried to distinguish the day to make it different than the rest of the year, but nothing big or fancy like you would expect for the daughter of an Earl. Not until I came out, anyways."

"Why not? I thought all of you– you, Robin, Marion, Ashley– all had the glitz and glamour."

"Don't get me wrong, I didn't lack. I had plenty of things, something Marion and Robin use to point out all the time. Actually, they still do," she said. "But my father was to busy to take notice of details such as birthdays. Luke really was the one to look after me."

Alan took a moment to let it all digest. He knew if he didn't sever this now, he wouldn't be able to, and it would be best for both of them later on, especially if King Richard did return.

"I don't see how we can work," Alan said. "I'm glad we can be friends." He wanted to create the distance between them now while he still felt he could. He didn't know how he could fight her charms constantly in the forest, but he had to try. She frowned and gave an angry screech.

"After all that, you are still just giving up? Are you that cowardly?" she demanded. She used the quarterstaff and hit him as hard as she could in his side making him lose his balance and fall into the stream. She gave a 'hmph' and stalked off again.

Everyone saw Lilith walk back into camp with a sour look on her face and found something to keep them occupied. Nobody wanted to be the person Lilith blew up on when the time came. A few minutes later they saw Alan come back to camp, all his clothes wet, and everything became clear.

Alan grabbed his other clothes and stomped off. Marion and Sara walked cautiously over to where Lilith sat, stewing.

"So, what happened?" Sarah said with a grin in her voice.

"Cowardly men who won't fight for what they want," Lilith spat angrily. "He is unbelievable. One minute being the loving hero who will risk his life to save me from a horrible, loveless marriage. But the first chance he has to live happily ever after with me, he runs. Where is the sense in that?"

"Men are notorious for not having sense," Marion steamed glaring at Robin's back.

"Everything will work out. You never settle for less than what you want, Lilith," Sarah pointed out trying not to laugh as she thought of the upcoming events between Lilith and Alan.

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Thank you to everyone who reviewed and PM me! I'm afraid my internet will die before I can respond to everyone, so a big thank you! Any suggestions for how Alan/Lilith's relationship should progress? Review! I love hearing from my readers!