Ivy blinked her eyes open, surprised to find that she was back at the camp. Her thoughts were blank for a moment, and then she remembered the attack in Nottingham. She sat up, wincing as her head gave a painful twinge. She remembered being hit with something hard, and then everything had gone black. She looked around for Robin, frantic to know if he was safe. It was night, and everything was pitch black. Her small cot was positioned in a corner of their secret camp, next to Djaq's. Robin's cot was across the camp. She stumbled over to where he usually slept, but the cot was empty. Ivy walked to the entrance of the camp, looking out across the dark woods. She could see nothing, so she opened up her other senses.

She could hear an owl to the south, hooting in short increments to another owl that answered from a distance away. There was a slight breeze, and the leaves swished like softly falling rain. The air was still warm and touched her skin like the gentle touch of a blanket. All around her the woods smelled wild and fresh.

Ivy heard someone approaching her. Without being able to see, she knew it was Robin. "I thought I might find you out here," she said to the darkness. She felt Robin come up beside her and could hear his slow breathing.

"What are you doing up? You should be resting," he said softly, his words tickling Ivy's ear as he leaned close to whisper.

"I woke up and couldn't find you. I didn't know if you'd been hurt or not." Ivy's eyes had begun to adjust, and she could just make out Robin's figure to her left. She turned to face him, looking up into his eyes.

"I'm not hurt. I'm sorry that you were." She could feel the raw emotion on his voice and knew he blamed himself.

"Robin, it's not your fault." His arms were crossed, but Ivy reached out to him, placing her hands on his arms. "You can't always protect me. It was my choice to live this life, and I'm responsible for being able to protect myself."

Robin leaned down to press his forehead against hers, unfolding his arms and wrapping them around her. "I just don't know what I would do if I lost you," he said, his breath tickling her face as he spoke.

"You're not going to lose me. It was just a little bang to the head. I'm alright now." She put her arms around him. He pulled her into his chest, holding her close. She breathed in his familiar scent, folding herself within the warmth of his embrace. The pain in her head was now a dull throbbing, but she was able to forget it for a moment.

"I'm glad. You can take care of yourself, I know that. But I'm always here to watch out for you."

"What excitement do we have planned for tomorrow? How will we get past the Sheriff's men?" Ivy asked after a pause.

"I'm not sure just yet. I'll admit, this plan of his surprised me. I never expected a needy villager to turn out to be a well-trained assassin. We need to figure out what the Sheriff is up to. We need someone on the inside."

"Marian?"

"If anyone can find out what the Sheriff is planning, it's her."

"Yes, you're right. I know Guy had taken a liking to her…." Ivy trailed off, realizing that this was up until she had come along. "Still does, probably," she added in a rush. She hadn't had the nerve to tell Robin about Guy's feelings for her.

"Yes, probably." She could hear the disapproval in his voice.

"Don't worry, she's too smart to fall for someone like him," Ivy assured him, her voice a little too cheerful. Who was she talking about, she wondered. Marian? Or her?

…

Marian heard a rustling behind her in the yard as she tended to her horse. She knew it was Robin without turning around.

"Sir Guy was just here, you know," she said.

"So I saw. Vying for your attentions, was he?" he asked.

Marian looked over at him, rolling her eyes. "Just a friendly visit."

"Did he mention anything to you about the new toys he and the Sheriff just got in?" Robin asked casually, running a hand over the horse's neck.

Marian looked up at him. "I don't know what you mean."

"Swords. Good ones. They're stronger than any sword I've ever seen and he's equipped people around the villages with them – decoys who look like normal villagers. I'm not sure if there's a way to tell them apart before they draw their swords. My band was attacked yesterday. I barely escaped with my life and Ivy was knocked unconscious."

"That's terrible." Marian was dismayed at this news. Not only would it prove impossible for Robin and his men to deliver food to the poor safely, but it also meant that she was not safe delivering food as the Night Watchman either. Not that this would stop her from trying.

As if reading her mind, Robin said, "Marian, I don't think it's safe if you ride out tonight. Or any night soon for that matter."

"Robin, the people need to be fed. If not by us, then who?" Marian looked at Robin determinedly. "I'm going out tonight."

"Marian, you're just setting yourself up to get caught. Do you know what the Sheriff would do to you if he caught you?"

"I've already had my hair chopped off and been humiliated." Marian did not like to recall that memory.

"He'll do more than that if he catches you again."

"I can't just let the people starve," Marian said. "You're not going to stop me." She could see his anger and frustration reflected in his eyes.

"Marian, you cannot put your life in danger like that."

"You do every day."

"Yes, but now we've got to figure out a new plan. Just give me a little time. I'll figure out something."

"By then it could be too late. The Sheriff is already talking about increasing taxes on food."

"No, it's too dangerous. Promise me you won't go out tonight," Robin said pleadingly.

"I can't promise that."

"Then promise me you won't get caught."

"I won't get caught."

Robin looked torn, but Marian wasn't going to change her mind. "I'm come back later tonight to make sure you're alright."

"I'll be fine. No one will even see me. You said Ivy was knocked unconscious. Is she alright now?" Marian changed the subject.

"Yes, she's fine, but it was close." He frowned.

"I'll be fine, Robin," Marian promised him.

She watched him disappear a few moments later, knowing he would be keeping a watchful eye on her. She would ask Guy about the men stationed in the villages as soon as possible. Whatever the Sheriff was planning, it wasn't good. She knew that much. Even still, the Night Watchman would be riding that night.