Jacks POV

Being dangled three feet above the ground by my shirt collar with a knife pressed to my throat while some rugged bandit pointed an arrow at my girlfriend was not how I had pictured the first ten minutes of our mission going. Any sudden moves, especially in the neck area, would result in my own decapitation, and Rapunzel being shot. So I just dangled there, listening to the blood roaring violently in my ears.

"We don't want any trouble ya know" I croaked. Talking with a blade to your throat makes your voice a little hoarse. Add that to the list of things I had never hoped to find out, but did.

The archer, who was very obviously the leader, said "For god's sake Little John, let the boy down." Suddenly I found myself in the dirt, violently coughing. "Jack!" I heard Rapunzel exclaim. She appeared at my side and helped me to a sitting position. She fussed over the cut across my throat. It stung pretty badly, but it wasn't fatal. "Punz, I'm fine." I wheezed.

She quickly examined my face before turning on the archer with such vile tenacity in her eyes, I could feel it radiating off of her. "Who are you?" she spat.

The archer laughed. "Perhaps I should ask you. I'm not sure about where you're from, but here, people don't typically fall out the sky, but if you must know we are the Merry Men, Protectors of the Oppress. I am Robin Hood." He said with an overdramatic bow.

Rapunzel glanced at me for a moment, a silent understanding passing between us. She stood up slowly. "We're just humble travelers"

"Of course you are." The big man said. He stepped forward and scooped Rapunzel's up, tossing over his shoulder like a sack of flour. She kicked and punched at him, but he barely noticed, as though she was just a slightly annoying fly.

I bolted up. Spots danced the tango in front of my eyes but I managed to stay upright and hold my ground.

I knew I couldn't take on all these men on my own without risking Rapunzel and I could barely stand, let alone fight; so I took the only other course of action available to me. Holding up my palms, I stepped forward only to find a sword point at my gut. "Like I said. We don't want any trouble."

Robin lowered his bow, a strange expression plastered across his face. For a moment, I thought it was working, until fast as lightning, he grabbed my palm and pulled it to him. He examined it closely.

His eyes grew wide when they fell on the silvery crescent arching across my palm. That's when I started to really worry. Any mortal wouldn't be able to see The Mark at all, but he obviously could.

Only one thought filled my mind. "Not good."

Before I could come with a plan, he raised his own hand. At first I thought he was going to hit me, so I braced myself for the impact. Then I saw the glittering bronze bow and arrow on his palm.

"Are you-"I tried to ask?

He laughed "No, not quite. I'm an honorary guardian. Guardian of Honor." He shook my hand firmly.

"Whoa." Was all I could muster, partially from surprise and partially nausea.

"Excuse me." Rapunzel called. "I hate to interrupt a blossoming bromance, but I would love to have my feet back on the ground and he won't listen to me."

"Of course." Robin chuckled. "Little John, let the lady down."

I snickered under my breath "Little John?" the man was over twice my size. The glare he gave me sent the snicker crawling back down my throat. "Lovely name." I coughed.

"Thank you." Rapunzel said when she came over and extended her hand to Robin. "Rapunzel Wind. Guardian of Creativity and Daughter of the Sun."

He bowed to her with earnest this time. "Quite the title." He then stood, stepped close and whispered "Blondie." I felt a rogue surge of jealous eat at my chest.

She gasped grabbing at her hair. "How-?" her question never finished.

"I can see through most enchantments, though you might want to take your next dose." Our faces must have been pretty bad. If Rapunzel's hair was turning back, it had been at least ten hours since we left the workshop. "The men can't see it, yet" he added.

Rapunzel nodded shyly, trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. I felt that jealousy coming back. Her hand wrapped around the vial hanging from her waist.

Little John called to Robin "Robin, if we aren't going to kill these two, Loxley is waiting."

At the mention of 'Loxley' Robin's mood visibly improved. His shoulders seemed to be relieved of an extreme burden and his eyes began to twinkle.

"Who's Loxley?" Rapunzel asked innocently.

"Loxley is not a who, as much as a where. It is the town I was born in, and I own. It is my home and my men and I protect it."

One of the other men, a very slender brunette man draped an arm over Robin's shoulders. "It's not so much the town as who is waiting in it that's got him all giddy." He said with a wink and a suggestive eyebrow wiggle for good measure. It's a good thing he was quick on his feet or his jaw would have had a very intimate moment with Robins fist.

"Who's the lucky somebody?" I asked, taking a step backward and out of his reach.

The brunette answered for Robin "The Lady Marian. Robins got quite the thing for her."

"Shut it Will." Robin growled playfully, all the while fighting the smile threatening to break out across his face at the mention of this 'Marian'

"Well, you shouldn't keep her waiting." Rapunzel said, instantly defusing the building awkward tension.

"You should join us. " Little John offered. "We could use all the help we can get passing out all this food." He gestured to the enormous packs all the men were carrying.

"Well, we really should be-"I started, but was cut off by Rapunzel's excited squeal.

"We'd love too!" she grabbed my arm and tugged me along after the other men.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, the forest opened up to reveal a valley. Nestled in the valley was a quaint little town. Small houses and farms dotted the landscape.

Robin turned his back on the town to face us a present the town with a grand flourish. "I present Loxley. My Loxley." The fondness in his voice was unmistakable. He really cared about this little village.

The only problem, his Loxley was on fire.

Hey guys. So sorry for not updating for so long. I kind of lost inspiration, but now I have it back! Reading all my lovely reviews really helped get me back into the flow of this story. I really do read every single one of them. They mean the world to me. thanks guys.