Marian had to admire Robin's thirst for adventure. No sooner had they returned with Bat to camp, then Robin was ready to fling himself into his next daring exploit. That is, she admired it until she learned what that exploit involved.
"Much," Robin called. "Are you ready?"
"Ready?" Much appeared flustered, pleased, excited, yet wary, too, at Robin's question. "Ready for what?"
"You and I need to be off collecting taxes."
"Me? You and me?"
"Of course, my friend! It'll give us a chance to talk."
Much was so flabbergasted, he could barely spit out any words. "T-t-taxes?" he sputtered. And then, even more surprised, "TALK?"
"Taxes we do not like," Little John bellowed.
"You'll like these," Robin said, grinning wickedly. "These come from Gisbourne's coffers, and will go straight towards freeing the King."
At the mention of Gisbourne's name, Marian felt her back tense. "Robin, you can't be serious," she said, holding his arms and looking up desperately into his eyes. "Not Gisbourne. No."
"Oh, yes!" The smug proud gleam in his eyes softened as he noticed her distress. Gazing lovingly down at her, he gently spoke, "Don't worry about me, Marian. I promise not to take any unnecessary risks. I've too much to lose, now that you're mine."
"You don't know how to avoid risks," she objected, not realizing he could make the same accusation against her.
"That's why I'm taking Much along," he said gently, looking at her adoringly. "Besides, I promised you I'd have a talk with him, and this will give me an opportunity to keep my word. I always mean to do that, you know, except when it involves you being naked." He winked, then smiled as if she was the most precious thing in his life, which he felt her to be.
"Grow up."
She wasn't really angry; she was worried. But her fear for his life took the form of anger, and Robin felt stung by the venom behind those two little words.
His smile faded, and he stepped away, hiding his hurt behind the determined set of his jaw.
Watching from her bunk, Kate thought she saw an opportunity to ingratiate herself with Robin. "Go do your brave deeds, Robin, and free the King! Long live King Richard!" she cried.
"Long live King Richard," Robin echoed, hollowly.
Still, his king's name on his lips bucked him up, and he threw Kate a grateful smile. He didn't see her stick her tongue out triumphantly at Marian.
"Come on, Much," Robin said again, dashing off up the ravine. "You heard Kate. Let's go do our brave deeds!"
"For the King!" Much cried loyally, following his beloved master.
...
Much swatted away yet another fly, as he and Robin sat atop the hill overlooking Locksley.
"I like this," Much said, his voice warm with enthusiasm. "Just like old times! Remember how we used to sit up here, as boys, with nothing to do but spin dreams? Well, you spun the dreams. I listened."
"You talked!"
"I listened, too! You have to agree, I'm a very good listener. Unlike some people!"
"Pardon? Did you say something?"
"I said, unlike...Oh! Very funny!"
Robin snickered, and Much grinned back, good naturedly.
"Well, Much," Robin began, treading carefully to avoid crushing his friend's feelings, "since we do agree you're such an excellent listener, I need you to listen to something that may upset you. But it needn't!"
"I can't have Bonchurch! I knew it! I knew you'd change your mind, once you married Marian! Women always want all the property they can lay their hands on! Makes them feel secure! It's a nesting thing! I knew it!"
"No, Much. Bonchurch will be yours, if it's ever mine again to give."
"Really?"
Robin nodded his head, and Much breathed a deep sigh. "Well," he said, "I must say, I am relieved! But, if it's not Bonchurch, what, Robin? You're not kicking me out of your gang! What do I have to do to prove my worthiness to you? I'll chop off both of my arms! Well, only one arm, because-"
"No, Much," Robin said, unable to hide his amusement. "Keep your arms. And your legs. And your tongue. You might cut your hair, though. It's really past the point of shaggy."
"Done!" Much withdrew his sword and started to slice through a lock of hair.
"Not now!" Robin cried, laughing. "Just settle down, Much. I'm only trying to ask you to give me some time alone with my wife."
Much's wide blue eyes bulged even wider. "Your wife?" he sputtered. "Marian?"
Robin nodded, grinning.
"Unbelievable! All you ever do is spend time alone with her! And you're asking me for more time? Unbelievable!"
"That's not all I ever do," Robin objected, completely baffled at his friend's accusation. "We hardly ever get any time alone, with my gang surrounding us!"
"Please! What about all those long walks alone together? And your going to bed early, and rising late?"
"That is what I'm trying to talk to you about! You won't let me rise late. You're always hovering just outside where we sleep, clearing your throat, and calling me to come to breakfast. I don't need you to do that anymore. Alright, Much?"
Much sniffed. "I was only letting you know when breakfast is ready. I didn't think you'd like eating your food cold. It's revolting, cold pottage!"
"Nothing you ever cook for me is revolting, alright, Much?"
Much stared at Robin, amazed. "You don't really mean that?"
"I do. Everything you set before me is a feast, fit for King Richard himself."
Much laughed pleasantly. "Now I know you're lying! Still, some of my special concoctions are quite tasty, if I do say so myself! Of course, if I had salt, then! Oh, then, just think what I could cook up! You wouldn't hear Allan mocking my food then!"
"Salt? Is that all? Why didn't you say sooner?"
"You never asked! You never talk to me any more, you know!"
"Much, stop. We're talking now, aren't we? And, I don't see why we can't help ourselves to Gisbourne's salt, as well as his money. After all, it's on my property. Come on, it's time."
Much gulped. "Time?" he asked anxiously. "Time for what?"