Sorry you feel I update fast. This story and the sequels were written earlier this year and so are just sitting waiting to be posted. Thanks for all the feedback I appreciate it very much.

Part 25

By the time they reached their destination, Marian had located and surveyed the small shelter she and Robin had made many years ago, nestled between two trees within the circle of trees surrounding the blue pool, it was in bad shape and the roof of fir branches had long since caved in. She worked steadily to build it up the best she could and hoped that Robin had brought tools which could perhaps restore it further when he returned. She needn't have worried for he emerged a short while later with the children and John and Much. Much and John worked hard to fix the rustic dwelling.

"This is somewhat simplistic if I may say so myself," Much told Robin.

"It wasn't meant to shelter us from the harshness of winter; it was just a place to sit together if it rained," Marian said in its defence.

"That it will do," said John. "Shelter for long term, it will not."

"I do not plan to be here for a long time. Just until this situation is over."

"Will you be alright?" asked Robin.

Marian looked around her, she was surrounded by other people's children who since they had set eyes on her had clung to her as if she was going to vaporise out of their lives at any moment. Their provisions for a day or so were stored at the back of the basic shelter and Much reappeared with an armful of wood for a small fire.

"I know this is a fight I can not take part in."

"To actively take part would mar the plan," said Much.

"You are taking part, the children need someone they trust and right now that is you," Robin told her. "And Much for once is right, we have to let Anya and the Sheriff believe you have really left me….us"

"So," said Much, taking the edge off the awkward moment Robin had made. "We will be back soon and then we will decide where the children are to go, yes?"

"Yes," Robin agreed.

"With us, they can not live," added John.

"We want to stay with you, we like you," protested Naomi.

Robin knelt down to her level and replied. "We like you too and that is why you can not stay. It would not be safe for you, to continue to live with us in the forest."

She regarded him seriously her small face upturned and proud. "Marian promised Mother…we would have somewhere to go."

"And so you shall," he agreed suddenly emotionally thrown as she unexpectedly flung her arms around his neck and hugged him.

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"Here," said Djaq holding out a cup of liquid to Anya.

"What is it?" she asked, sniffing it warily she began to turn her nose up at the smell but the aroma was pleasing and she took a sip.

"Good. No?"

"Why are you sharing it with me?"

"We all have some," Alan told her raising a tankard and saluting her before taking a swig.

"If she believes that she will be gullible to anything," muttered Will from the other side of the camp to Robin.

"As long as she does believe it that is all that matters, when she is sleeping like a baby John, move her out of the way and we will get everything in place for the ambush."

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It was cold in the makeshift shelter but at least tonight Marian had company and food in her belly. Company which took her mind of Robin and what was happening with the gang. She just hoped and prayed Robin's plan would work, other wise perhaps she would be resigned to bring these three young children up herself, after all she knew what it was like to lose a mother at a young age herself. Not that Judith had lost a mother, but the elder two had and her heart ached for them and the pain within their hearts.