Disclaimer: I own nothing

Author's Note: I'm not sure what Much's surname is, so I've called him Much Miller, because he was the miller's son in the old folk tales.

Madeline

The next day, Maddie got up, and almost bounded into the parlour with happiness.

Everything was perfect - after talking to Robin last night, the three of them ended up having a few games of chess, and Robin confirmed that he was fine with their relationship. In fact, he was happy for them, and he saw no reason to fall out with either of them.

Robin was sitting in an armchair by the fire, whilst Much sat cross legged on the floor.

' Morning! ' she beamed, kissing Robin's cheek, then Much's, before sitting in another chair.

Robin looked between Much and Maddie, and rolled his eyes.

' Right,' he said,' I think I've been very generous about you two, so I'm setting some ground rules ... Much, you are courting a Lady and as such, it is a proper courtship. Madeline, no funny business - you act just as you would do if he were a noble. '

Maddie rolled her eyes,' But - '

' No buts,' Robin said,' I don't care who you're seeing, you're still a Lady, and you're going to be treat as one, and act as one. '

She sighed and muttered a "fine" - no matter what happened, Maddie could never win Robin in an argument. They were just too similar.

' Good,' Robin said,' now ... we're going to the council of the nobles today. '

There was a brief pause, before Much cleared his throat and looked at Robin. He asked nervously,' How do you think the nobles are going to react to one of their own going out with one of her servants? '

Maddie frowned,' I don't care about that, you know that,' she told him.

' Yes, but someone might,' Much pointed out.

Maddie shrugged,' Other than Marian and Sir Edward, none of the nobles seem to like me anyway. '

Robin laughed,' That's because they know you don't like them. And you show no interest in any of them. You don't listen when they talk to you. And it's obvious that you don't care for your status. '

Maddie shook her head,' It's not that I don't care about my status - I like the money, the nice house, the power, the respect. I don't like having to be so prim and proper all the time - it just doesn't suit me. '

' I'll say,' Robin muttered.

Maddie shrugged,' I just think that if I were a 17 year old in the village, no-one would care who I did or didn't court. '

Robin gave her a brotherly smile,' Maddie,' he said, looking at Much too,' the thing is, they can't stop you being together. The only person who would be allowed any say is your family - just me, and I don't object ... now, are we going to this meeting then? '

Much looked nervously at Maddie, who nodded.

' Yeah,' Much nodded.

*****

The three of them took a carriage to Nottingham Castle. When the footman who'd been driving the carriage stopped in the castle's courtyard, Robin was first out of the carriage, jumping down. Much got out next, and offered a hand to Maddie.

' Lady Madeline? ' he prompted, grinning that grin that made her heart jump.

' Why thank you, Mr Miller,' she smiled, taking his hand and clambering down from the carriage.

When she was stood next to him, he smiled at her lovingly. She looked up at him - she was a fair bit shorter - and offered a warm smile.

' Are you two coming? ' demanded Robin from the stairs up to the castle.

Maddie looked at her brother and grinned,' Sorry, yeah. '

Much dropped her hand and instead offered out his arm. She slipped her arm through his and they walked into the castle, following Robin.

Once they got to the room where the council of the nobles was meeting, Much and Maddie entered the room arm in arm, but broke away from each other soon.

Robin took Locksley's seat halfway down the table, and Maddie stood behind his chair, whilst Much took their cloaks before standing against the back wall where the rest of the man-servants stood.

Sir Edward started the meeting, and Marian was standing behind her father's chair.

Marian smiled at Maddie, and her friend smiled back. Marian's eyes darted to Much, and to Robin, asking the question with only her eyes.

Maddie tried to stop herself from smiling too widely, and merely nodded.

Marian smiled and gave her a look which clearly said they would talk later.

Maddie barely listened throughout the whole meeting, and when it was over she touched Robin's shoulder lightly and told him she was going to go have a quick word before they went home. Robin agreed and occupied himself by talking to Sir Thomas of Treeton, whilst Much spoke to Sir Edward's manservant.

' C'mon,' Marian said, leading Maddie away from the congregating nobles,' let's go somewhere else. '

They ended up in a secluded corridor of the castle, where no-one could overhear them.

' Well? ' Marian asked.

Maddie grinned,' Robin knows everything, and he's ok with it. '

' Oh my,' Marian muttered.

Maddie giggled,' I know, right? Apparently Robin overheard one of our staff gossiping about it, so he confronted Much who confessed everything. By the time I got chance to talk about it, he'd decided he was happy for me. '

Marian smiled,' That ... that's so great, Maddie. '

Maddie smiled,' I must have the best brother ever! '

' Indeed you do,' said a voice from behind.

Maddie whipped around and saw her brother stabding there.

' Robin! ' she hissed,' were you eavesdropping? '

Robin shrugged,' Sorry, but they were boring me in there. I thought I'd come and find someone significantly more interested,' he said, turning to Marian.

Marian rolled her eyes,' You are wicked, Robin of Locksley,' she said quietly.

Robin shrugged,' I suppose so. We have to go, I'm afraid. I promised we'd go visit the villagers, but I'll come and see you tomorrow. '

Marian nodded, and her betrothed kissed the back of her hand. Maddie resisted the ure to pull a face at them, and instead hugged her friend and said her goodbyes.

Much reappeared, and once again offered out his arm.

All was well.