Much's fears of an "army" of women attending Annora were greatly exaggerated, for when Robin shoved his shoulder up against the door to open it, there was only one servant sleeping on a small bed at the foot of Annora's grand one.

Much followed Robin's lead by clapping his hand over the old woman's mouth to stop her from screaming, just as Robin had done to Annora. Marian planted herself staunchily by Robin's side.

"Don't be afraid," Robin's golden voice soothingly told the frightened girl. "We come in peace."

He started to remove his hand from over her mouth, but had to clap it back on again when she let out a scream.

"Shut up!" Marian barked fiercely, in no mood to forgive and forget. "How dare you accuse my husband?"

Robin remained kind and calm, believing he could talk sense into Annora. "You're probably wondering what we're doing here," he said with a lopsided grin. "Think back to your Robin Hood tales. When have you ever heard me not break out of prison? And, Annora, when have you ever heard me hurt a woman?"

Her eyes still stared back at him in terror, though with a flicker of doubt creeping in, so he knew his tactic was working. If, he was thinking, he could keep Marian under control.

"Promise not to scream," Robin continued, in a voice so gentle it reminded Marian of the way he said "Goodnight" to Ellie, "and I'll take my hand back. Alright?"

Annora nodded her head, allowing Robin to slowly release his hand.

"That's better," Robin said, breathing a sigh of relief when she didn't try to scream. "Much over there could tell you, I've never been much for one sided conversations."

"What?" Much gasped.

Robin waited for Annora's response, but she didn't speak a word. Her eyes were drinking him in, her heart pounding. This was just like being in the middle of a Robin Hood story, except she wasn't a damsel in need of rescue. He was the one who needed to be rescued, and all because of her!

"I don't want to be on the wrong side, Robin Hood," she breathed, more smitten by him than ever.

"I don't want that, either," he answered, kindly. "I'd like us to be friends."

"Friends!" Marian huffed, angrily.

She wasn't jealous, just furious that this blond haired wisp of a woman had put her husband's life at risk with her foul lies. "Why did you lie about my husband?" she demanded angrily.

"I was scared!" Annora answered, reaching for Robin's hand, not taking her eyes off him. "My husband made me say it!"

"Why?" Robin wondered aloud, then asked her, intently, "You're not in danger, are you?"

She wanted to claim, "Yes!" and be rescued by him. But a spark of reality reminded her how much more trouble that would bring down on her head.

"I'm not sure," she truthfully answered.

"Has he hurt you?" Robin demanded, growing more and more angry at her husband.

"No." Her response came out reluctantly, for she'd fantasized James had, and that Robin Hood had come to her, just like tonight, and stolen her away, to live as his own true love in Sherwood Forest. "But he might," she added.

"That still gave you no reason to accuse Robin!" Much exploded, realizing for the first time how serious the charges were.

Annora burst into tears. Robin signalled to Much to release her waiting woman, who heaved her heavy body out of her bed to console her weeping charge. "There, there, child," she soothed. "It will all be alright, you'll see."

Robin was trying to think. How could he allow Annora to put herself at risk, by clearing his name? There had to be a way to save himself, without harming her! And he didn't believe Daniel was the answer. If King John wanted him dead, no jury would believe the testimony of a stableboy.

"You're not to blame," Robin assured Annora.

She wished they were alone, without the cold cruel eyes of his wife watching their every move! He was all the dream she'd ever imagined him to be, and so much more!

"Don't worry," he was saying, so handsome and alluring, she could scream. "I'll think of something. Goodnight."

Much and Marian stood rooted to the spot, amazed. "We can't go, just like that!" Much exclaimed, and Marian agreed.

Pulling Much's sword from his scabbard, Marian held its point against Annora's chest and ordered, "Take back your lie! Go to your husband, now, and admit the truth!"

"Put the sword down, Marian," Robin ordered.

"Not until she agrees to make the right choice. Much may not be able to threaten a woman, but I can."

"You make the right choice, and for once, obey me!"

When she refused, Robin threw himself on her and wrested the sword from her hand, then tossed it back to Much. "Are you alright?" he asked Marian.

"Get off me!" she shouted, her pride wounded.

He loved her so much, including her stubborn pride and impulsive bravery, and it tore him apart that they were fighting.

"It's late," he said, as if there was nothing else wrong. "We all need some sleep."

"Sleep?" Much sputtered.

"Go home, my friend," Robin told him. "And thank you."

Much couldn't understand, especially when he saw Robin lift a struggling Marian into his arms and carry her out of Annora's bedchamber.

"Where are you going?" Much demanded.

"Marian and I need to sleep," Robin told him. "I think your old room's still empty," he said to her, "though it might just break my back, carrying you up all those stairs."

"Put me down!" she cried, but he didn't obey her any better than she did him.