Whenever Robin was away from camp, it was understood that Little John would serve as leader. Tonight, however, Will and Djaq felt they would need to assume command, as Little John was petrified with fear and in no condition to lead.
One by one, beginning with Much, members of the outlaw gang had seemed to vanish. Following Much, Marian had left and had not returned. Now, Robin, too, was gone, and Little John was convinced it was the work of dark demonic forces.
While the gang worried, Isabella slept soundly in Robin's bunk, breathing his scent which lingered on his blankets, and savoring erotic dreams of him. Kate cried hysterically, Allan's superstitious fears bubbled to the surface, but Little John was most frightened of all.
John sat under a tree, "protected" under the image of a cross he had painted on its trunk. He refused to move, just as he had two years before, when they had found a Saracen mask in the forest.
"What should we do?" Djaq asked her husband. "They've been gone too long. We need everyone to think clearly so we can decide what is best."
Will nodded his head in agreement. "Can you get Kate to stop crying? I can't think with all her wailing." He gazed tenderly at Djaq. "I'm so thankful you're not like that."
Djaq thanked him with glowing eyes and her calm smile. She approached Kate slowly, and gently touched her arm, assuring her that everything was fine. She was rewarded for her kindness by Kate angrily throwing her off.
Will tried to reason with the men. "There's nothing to fear. We need to pull together to find and help the others."
"No!" Little John shouted. "Not with Lubberfiends and Spectrebeasts haunting the forest!"
Will and Djaq exchanged a look.
"Lubberfiends? Spectrebeasts? John, you're not afraid of anyone! You once took on an entire squadron of Gisbourne's men single handed! What makes you think there are unreal creatures out there? Allan? Surely you don't believe it?"
"They're real!" Allan insisted. "John's right! My dad told me about them years ago! They've taken Much, and Marian, and now Robin! That's how they work…one at a time. Whoever leaves the camp next is done for! They'll eat you, and use your bones to pick their teeth!"
Kate howled even louder at that, waking Isabella from her increasingly naughty dream. Isabella sat up and glowered at Kate.
"Must you always screech, you blond ignorant foul mouthed peasant? Robin was just about to-" She stopped herself, realizing it had only been a dream. She huffed, frustrated and dissatisfied, and rolled over on his hard bunk. "Saracens and peasants," she muttered to herself. "Some gang."
...
Meanwhile, the time had come for the third watch of Lady Marian in Nottingham Castle, which Robin, disguised as a guard, had allocated for himself. His friend Lady Jane arrived, and was locked with Marian in her rooms, as the lady who had the second watch returned to her own chambers to sleep.
Robin was waiting for the guard who held the previous shift to join the other three in sleep, as all five guards were required to remain outside the chamber all night. Before the guard fell asleep, however, he tried to make conversation with Robin.
"You're an idiot," the guard began.
"I'll take that as a compliment, coming from you."
"No, you really are. You had a chance to grope all that fine fair flesh, and you passed. What an idiot! To think, she's just on the other side of that door, and we've got the key! What I wouldn't give for a piece of her ass right now!"
His lewd talk was stopped as Robin's fist made contact with his jaw. He fell to the ground, and Robin laughed to himself how easy it was.
Quietly unlocking Marian's door, Robin hastened inside. Marian and Lady Jane were sitting on the bed, speaking together in hushed voices. When they saw Robin approach, Lady Jane rose and stepped away from the bed, but Marian climbed to her knees and reached out her arms to him.
She looked beautiful and alluring in a gossamer nightdress, and Robin forgot everything else. He tossed aside his helmet before hurriedly joining her on the bed. Locked in each other's arms, they kissed over and over again, and Lady Jane realized they must have forgotten all about her presence. Marian's hands grasped Robin's hair and caressed the back of his neck, while his eager hands stroked her body with tenderness and passion. They fell from their kneeling position, and Lady Jane heard Robin whisper, between kisses, "I'm sorry," and she heard Marian respond breathlessly, "I know...I love you."
Lady Jane cleared her throat, embarrassed to witness their desire. The lovers immediately sat up and appeared even more embarrassed than she.
"I have to stay," Lady Jane apologized. "It's my watch."
"Apologies," Robin said, flustered. "It feels like forever since I've held my wife."
Marian somehow managed to recover her dignity. Robin was right...it did feel like forever. Had it really been only last night when Much had serenaded them in the forest? So much had happened since then! "Lady Jane," she said, "We're sorry. We forgot you were here. We're...we're newlyweds."
Lady Jane knew how many years they had been in love. She guessed their "honeymoon" would last the rest of their married lives. She sighed, and looked at them wistfully, longing to be in Marian's place, but knowing it could never be so.
She brought Marian a robe, since Robin was clearly distracted by the sight of his wife in the sheer gown. Jane was distraught about their upcoming escape, having many unanswered questions.
"You said you could get us out of here. How can you do that? And I'm...I'm supposed to play your lover?"
"Trust me! I have a plan, I think," he said. "Well, half a plan."
Marian waited expectantly, but Lady Jane was frightened.
"First," he said, "you both need some practical clothing. You can't escape the guards stationed all over the castle looking like..." He grinned sheepishly at Marian. "...looking like angels."
Marian rolled her eyes, but appreciated the compliment nonetheless. The clothing Prince John had furnished for her did not even remotely resemble anything angelic. "There's nothing practical to wear in this room. Jane, can you bring us some clothing?"
Jane was very timid. "I don't know where to find any."
"Looks like that job falls to me," Robin said with a grin.
"What else?" Marian asked, eagerly. "How will we get Much out?"
"That's the missing half of my plan," Robin replied. "He sleeps in Prince John's rooms, and I can't figure out how to get him past all the guards who watch over the Prince at night. I think we'll have to wait for morning, and get him out after the joust."
"Robin," Marian accused, "you want to wait! You're just dying to compete!"
"I'm not!"
"You are! There will be more guards at the joust than there are here tonight!"
"Yes," he said, "but we'll be in an open field outside Nottingham! Besides, what I really want, Marian, is this case of jewels!" He thrust his hand into the jewel case Prince John had placed in Marian's chambers, and lifted a handful of glittering gems. "There's enough wealth here to feed all of Locksley for an entire year."
That reminded Marian of something she had been thinking ever since she had set foot in the castle.
"There is one more jewel I would like to get, before we leave here."
Robin looked at her expectantly before she resumed speaking.
"I want my emerald engagement ring," Marian said, determinedly. "Unless my former rooms were ransacked, it should be hidden under my mattress."
"Very well, my Love, you shall have it!" He gave her cheek a quick kiss. "Seems I'd better be off. I've got clothing and a ring to find before my watch is over!" Before he replaced his helmet and exited her door, he threw her a wink.
Marian smiled warmly at the closed door, but Lady Jane was troubled.
"We don't know the plan! How will he help us escape? Tomorrow, after the joust, while the entire town is watching?"
"He'll find a way," Marian sighed contentedly.
Lady Jane wondered whether they were both just a little bit crazy.
...
About thirty minutes later, they awoke as Robin unlocked the door and reentered the room. He grinned at Marian's sleepy eyes, and tossed two pairs of boy's trousers onto her bed.
"There!" he said cockily. "Those should fit, more or less!"
"Where did you get them?" Lady Jane asked, bewildered. She didn't believe it would be proper to wear boy's clothing.
"Where's my ring?" Marian asked.
"There's gratitude for you!" Robin laughed. "I hope our children don't inherit your-" He stopped abruptly, realizing his mistake. He looked away for a moment, gathering himself together, then turned back to Marian.
"I'm sorry, Marian," he told her somberly, "I searched every inch under your mattress. Your ring wasn't there."
Marian nodded her head. "Well then, Robin of Locksley," she said, trying to lighten the mood, "I suppose you'll just have to get me a new one."
He grinned again, and she returned his smile. "Now," he said, "work to do. Fill these bags with jewels, as much as you can easily carry. And I mean 'easily'. They're not worth taking if they slow you down, understand?"
Marian agreed. She was already out of bed filling the small bags.
"Good," Robin continued. "Now, carry them under your skirts, and wear the trousers underneath, as well."
"That goes without saying, Robin," Marian replied. "I can't be the 'Queen of Love and Beauty' dressed like a stable boy, now can I?"
Lady Jane stood by, watching in dismay. These two were teasing each other and moving so quickly, seeming to enjoy themselves! Shouldn't they be taking this more seriously, and escape now, while he was wearing a guard uniform and most of the castle was asleep? Why couldn't he return for Much later? Much was just a servant, after all. And why did they have to steal bags of jewels? Why was he going to make her wear dirty trousers? Marian said they were the trousers of a stable boy! Stable boys cleaned out horse dung! What else did he expect her to do?
When Marian finished filling the bags with jewels, and Robin was satisfied the bags would not hinder their escape, he undid his belt and handed Marian the knife he wore on his back. His eyes were deadly serious now.
"Wear that somewhere you can get to it in a hurry," he told her.
He faced Lady Jane. "How do you feel about wearing a dagger?" he asked.
Lady Jane fainted to the floor.