Sorry for the wait again. I seem to say that a lot. I'll really have to do better, because I have such lovely reviewers that put up with me no matter how late my updates are. You are all wonderful and I love you!
Djaq was quietly grinding various dried herbs and putting them into small canisters for later. Not only would this replenish her medicinal stocks but many of the herbs could be used for seasoning meats and soups. It was a simple task that was easy to complete no matter what she had on her mind, and Allah did she have a lot on her mind. Since she had decided she wanted a child she had pulled Will out of the camp as often as she could. Logically she knew she would not get pregnant immediately, but another part of her was becoming exceedingly discouraged. Not that trying to conceive was not fun. In honesty she did not remember being in such a good mood in her whole life. She seemed to walk around with a permanent smile on her face, and giggled at everything. She knew that some of the men were giving her odd looks as she almost skipped around the camp, but it didn't seem to bother her. She was happy. Still there was something missing. She sighed as she tucked away all of her now full canisters.
She glanced over at her husband, and noticed that he was busy chiseling away on a small piece of wood. Every move was delicate and precise, and it made her heart race a little as she thought about redirecting that attention else where. She bit her lip as she imagined his hands working so magnificently over her. They had already gone out not two hours ago, but who was she to pass up an opportunity. They weren't needed for one of Robin's insane schemes. There was no one to rob. Why not try to make a baby, she smirked to herself?
He was focused entirely on his small project, and didn't notice her approach. She leaned over his shoulder, letting her hair tickle the side of his face. He shivered under her touch, "again? Already?"
Her only answer was a devilish smile as she led him out into the forest.
Much rolled his eyes. Did they think that no one noticed their behavior? "Really, they are out again," he said exasperatedly.
"Much leave them be," Luke laughed.
"I'm just saying," he threw his arms in the air, "Robin and Marian are married but you don't see them leaving the camp twice a day everyday. Now they are just showing off!" Everyone laughed at the high pitch of his voice.
"Do you guys really pay attention to how often we," Marian tried to hide her embarrassment, "go out on our own?"
"It's a lonely forest," Allan shrugged. "Hard not to notice, especially when you aren't exactly secretive or quiet."
A deep blush spread across Marian's face as Robin laughed hysterically, just like any typical guy he was taking it as a compliment. "I'm going to take Chloe for a walk," she said quickly as she gathered her child and fled the camp.
The whole camp seemed to buzz with happiness and energy apart from Marian who seemed increasingly distracted of late. Not only was there a wedding in their future, but it was Chloe's first birthday, and they had robbed yet another heavy tax cart. Everyone was excited about the celebrations. Though no one wanted to say it out loud, most babies that lived through pregnancy and childbirth died as an infant. The youngest Locksley seemed to defy all odds. She was happy, healthy, and strong. If that was not worth celebrating, what was?
Marian sat on her bunk absentmindedly stitching a tear in one of Robin's tunics while the rest of the gang bustled about.
Much was working on a cake for baby Chloe in an attempt to calm his own nervousness. He was not like Robin or Allan. He wasn't exactly confident in his… prowess. He knew that Will had been anxious before his wedding to Djaq, but he wasn't sure if he was comfortable going to the younger man. He knew that he could never talk to Robin about it. Robin would just laugh at him and cuff him in the back of the head. He looked cautiously over to his bride who was currently rocking little Jacob in the chair that Luke had made for her. She was beautiful; her long, golden hair framing her soft face before cascading down her shoulders and chest. He swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat. She was like the brightest star in the night sky; far out of his reach. Yet somehow, for some reason, she had said yes to him. Now he was just left hoping that he wouldn't disappoint her. He was startled from his thoughts as he heard Allan and Robin arguing.
"Allan, for the last time," Robin said sternly, "there will be absolutely no ale at my daughter's birthday! If I so much as think you have been drinking I will throw you in the sheriff's dungeons myself."
Allan frowned, "that hardly seems fair now. I was just wanting to liven up the party a bit. You know, truly celebrate Chloe. Oi, Marian," he turned to face the woman, "you don't mind, do you?"
Marian looked up blankly at the men. She hadn't heard a word either was saying. "Sure Allan, whatever."
"You heard her!" Allan jumped around happily, "the mum herself said it was okay."
Robin ignored his jubilations and walked over to his wife, "Marian, my love, are you alright?"
"What?" She tried to smile at him, "oh yes. I am fine." Her fingers were still stitching away.
Robin looked down at his tunic and grimaced. It had been one of his favorites, well at least one of his least ripped and stained. "Where am I supposed to pop my head through," he pointed at the piece of fabric.
Marian looked at him in confusion and then down to the shirt. Somehow she had not only sewn up the rip but the entire neck of the tunic. She threw the horrendous shirt to the floor with a huff and felt tears sting her eyes, "I can't get anything right."
Robin chuckled softly and pulled her into a hug, "it can be fixed my love."
She shrugged out of his embrace, wiping her falling tears, before running out of the camp.
"What was that," Allan asked. "I'm not being funny but I haven't seen her act like that in a long time."
Robin chewed his bottom lip, "I have no idea."
Marian ran until her sides hurt and then collapsed onto the forest floor, tears flowing freely from her face. What was wrong with her? So she messed up Robin's tunic. She could easily pull the stitches back out. She tried to understand her tumultuous emotions. It couldn't just be Robin's tunic. No, the problem was her baby was growing up. Everyday Chloe was becoming more and more independent. Now that she was toddling about she didn't want to be cradled as much. She knew that Robin felt the loss of closeness too, but what she could not share with him was the fact that Chloe no longer took breast milk, preferring solid foods instead. Robin just wouldn't understand the heart ache it caused her. She was only one! Sure, in the evenings when she was tired and fussy she would nurse, but that was it. Marian felt the loss far more sharply than she would have imagined. It was all Much's fault, she thought illogically. He was constantly making something soft just for her. She really hated Much right now. He took her baby away.
More tears fell and Marian felt herself grow furious. "This is ridiculous," she screamed at a tree. Why could she not stop crying? She knew that she wasn't really mad at Much, and that Robin's stupid tunic was no big deal, and Chloe not nursing wasn't really that bad, but she couldn't stop herself.
She had never been overly emotional. She seldom cried. She was a logical woman. This was not like her.
The streets of Nottingham felt strange and empty, as though she walked through a ghost town. It was the sheriff's idea. Clear the streets of everything ugly before Prince John arrives. She rolled her eyes. He was really just using it as an excuse to do exactly what he wanted all along. So now all of the homeless and crippled had been tossed out. Thank God for Marian, and of course Robin Hood. Because of their refugee camps and their relocation efforts the people were safe.
Lucky darted in and out of the few carts that were there for market day. Countess Adrianna had given her the day off. Lucky wasn't sure what was going on but the Countess was out of sorts lately. She seemed almost nervous about meeting Prince John, which did nothing to lessen Lucky's own fears and anxieties. As she looked over the few fruits and vegetables available she noticed a couple of soldiers talking near by.
"You hear the latest plan," the guard asked his companion. "I hear he's gonna use an idea straight from Robin himself, he is."
"Watcha mean?"
"Well, he's right miffed about Robin getting all the tax money, right? So the next cart that goes out is going to be spread with pitch."
"He's going to burn his own money?"
He slapped his companion on the back of the head, "no you fool. It'll be empty, but when Robin and his lads appear to steal it someone is going to shoot it. The whole flaming arrow trick and all." He smiled ruefully, "here's hoping one of 'em catches afire right with the chest."
Lucky held her breath as the two guards walked off. Men, she thought to herself, are idiots. It amazed her how much they were willing to disclose with her standing not ten feet away. She rolled her eyes before heading off to the forest. Her heart was racing, and she knew that it had more to do with seeing Luke again then running to deliver a message.
I hope you all liked it.
"Now they are just showing off!" Has to be one of my favorite lines. And of course Allan was way too much fun to write. I've already started working on the next chapter so the next update shouldn't take as long. Again, I'm sorry, and you guys are the best!!
