Author's Note: After a request for episode 1x07 (The one with Allan's brother, Tom) I am doing this chapter here. I couldn't work it into series 2 because of Allan being on the other side, so I've put it in as a flashback dream.

Sorry if it doesn't make much sense to you, but basically it starts with Ava falling asleep, and then the rest - the main part in italics - is what happened on the day Tom came.

Don't forget whilst you're reading the flashback that Much and Ava aren't together at that point, since I got them together in episode 1x13.

Chapter 26

It was all dark in the forest on Monday evening as Ava returned from her weekly meeting with her father, and when she re-entered the camp, she found that only Much was sat by the now barely glowing fire.

She unfastened her cloak - or rather, Allan's cloak that she still wore instead of her own - with the fastenings under her neck and tossed it in the case with the rest of their cloaks.

' Everything all right? ' Much asked her, standing up to survey her from head to toe, as if looking for any little sign that something was amiss.

' I tell you time and time again that you don't need to wait up for me,' she told him.

' I know you do,' he replied, beginning to walk towards their bed,' but I want to wait for you. I want to know you're safe.'

' Of course I'm safe. I can look after myself,' she told him.

' But I can look after you better,' he grinned, taking her face in his hands and kissing her lips swiftly and tenderly.

She giggled and clambered in to bed after him, pulling the blanket over them both.

It wasn't long before Ava had fallen asleep in her usual way, with Much's hearbeat lulling her to sleep and his body heat keeping her warm.

She had a dream that night. Well, a dream but more like a memory.

It was a few months after Ava had joined the gang, when they all went to North Road, planning to ambush a cart that was slowly making its way down the dusty track.

This cart belonged to Lucky George, a man who was going around the local villages and paying the villagers a few mere pennies in exchange for their valuables, telling them it was only worth a few pennies. The peasants needed any money, so they took it. Robin suspected that the Sheriff was somehow involved. Marian had told them about Lucky George for which they were grateful.

The cart, drawn by two horses, was made to stop when Allan ran into the road in front of it and held out a hand, saying,' This, is an ambush.'

The rest of them then went for it, with John disarming the carriage driving, Robin diving into the cart to pay a visit to the man inside, whilst Djaq and Will fought one of the horses rider, and Much and Ava fought the other, with Allan helping out wherever he could.

Robin emerged from the cart, having being puled through the top by Little John a few minutes later, and engaged in a sword fight with Lucky George who was nowhere near as skilled as the Prince of Thieves, so suprised the others when he appeared to stick a sword in Robin's side, pinning him to the back door of the carriage.

They looked on in horror, until Robin - who had thus far been doing a good impression of someone who had been stabbed - pulled the sword form under his arm and punched Lucky George in the face, knocking him straight to the ground.

' Lets see if he's lucky enough to find his own way home,' Robin quipped before motioning to the cart, which was full of jewellrey and other things he had conned out of people,' take everything. We are putting this parasite out of business.'

John then got back into the seat of the carriage and drove it on, whilst Much, Robin, Will and Ava walked in front of it and Djaq and Allan sat in back of the cart.

They were making their way down the road back towards their camp, when they saw a woman holding a whip in her hands, whilst two men held another man by the back on his shirt, forcing him to kneel on the ground. Another worried two looking men stood behind the first man, as if they were his comrades. A small crowd of villagers looked on, as if they had come to see the show.

' Hey! Stop! ' Robin called,' what are you doing? '

' We're going to give these men a good horse whipping,' replied the woman, looking at the three men, and speaking as if it were a perfectly reasonable thing to do to someone.

' Why? ' asked Robin incredulously.

' They're thatchers,' said the woman,' they said they'd fix the hole in my roof, and then they stole this.'

She handed Robin a nice looking golden necklace and explained,' My mother gave it to me on my wedding day. It's the only thing of value that I own. Lucky George offered me thrupence, but I'd never sell.'

The man who was kneeling glared at the woman who wanted to whip him and the crowd of random villagers,' If you touch us you'll be in big trouble, we are Robin Hood's men.'

Here Robin looked around at his gang, who looked back in confusion.

' Robin Hood could swin' out of these trees at any time and bash your brains out,' the man continued. Ava took a few steps closer to see who was making these wild accusastions - he was a man in his mid twenties - 25, or 26 maybe. He had dark hair and blue eyes.

Much smirked,' Surely Robin Hood couldn't take on all of us? ' he asked, willing to humour the man.

' He wouldn't be scared of you,' the man said, throwing the two who held him off of himself and standing up,' you're a bunch of little girls compared to 'im and 'is men.'

Another voice spoke up - Allan and Djaq had left the back of the cart to see what was going on. ' Tom? ' Allan asked, walking towards the man - the one who was doing all of the talking.

' Allan,' the man who was apparantly called Tom said, sounded rather pleased to see him.

' You know him? ' asked Ava as her father passed her.

' Know him? My girl, this is your Uncle Tom ' Allan replied, striding forward and rather than embracing the man as they all expected, he punched him square in the face.

The other looked on in suprise. No one had known he had a brother, except Ava. Allan had told his daughter she had an uncle, but she had been told little more.

Allan grabbed his brother by the front of his shirt and pulled him upright,' My purse, my sword, my horse? ' he asked angrily.

' I can explain,' said Tom, looking up to his older brother and raiseing a hand to his face,' my nose! What kind of thing is that to do to your brother? Is this broken? ' he added, looking back at one of his friends.

Allan turned back to the woman whose jewellery Tom and his friends had stolen and said,' I say whip him to within an inch of his life.'

Tom glared as he spoke to Allan,' If you touch me again, Robin Hood will string you up from the tallest tree in Sherwood.'

The others exchanged smug grins, as did the villagers.

' This is Robin Hood, you idiot,' Allan cried, clipping Tom on the back of his head.

Tom stumbled over to Robin and placed his hands on the outlaw leaders shoulders,' I beg your frogiveness Robin of Locksley. Times are 'ard. We 'ad to thieve or else face starvation. My friends 'ere, I have to look after them.'

' Don't believe a word,' Allan said dismissively shaking his head as he came to stand next to his daughter. Ava decided that she already like her uncle - he may be a compulsive liar, but welcome to the family. He seemed likeable enough.

' Please, have a heart,' Tom pleaded, looked at Robin directly,' help us out here, we'll work for you. We could join your band of worthy outlaws.'

Robin's head swiveled to Tom's two friends,' What do you two have to say? ' he asked.

' Oh no,' Tom said,' they don't speak. They 'ad their tounges cut out.'

' Why? ' Robin asked with a frown.

' For praising your work,' replied Tom, and although this sounded convincing, they were doubtful of his words,' they were overheard.'

Robin shook his head and spoke as if he could not be bothered with his any more,' Let them go,' he said before handing the necklace back to the woman,' you can have your necklace. We are not the Sheriff, we do not horse whip thieves. '

Robin then walked back to Tom,' Are you really thatchers? ' he asked.

' 'Course,' replied Tom,' the finest in all England.'

' You shall have a new roof,' Robin then told the woman whose necklace had been taken,' free of charge. And by the way, I found some lost property in the forest, any one lost any valuables recently?! ' he called to the villagers, who all gathered around closer at Will and Djaq carried out a large case filled with Lucky George's haul,' courtesy of Lucky George! '

They watched as the woman whose roof needed thatching tied her necklace around the neck of her daughter, who was named Anna.

John, Much, Djaq and Will went off to the side to supervise the returning and sorting through of Lucky George's haul, whilst the three A Dale's and Robin stood together. Tom found himself sort of wondering who Ava actually was - was she one of the gang? He'd have to find out once he was done with Robin.

' We could be useful to you,' Tom told Robin holding up a small knife that he had taken from Robin's person,' Did you notice? he asked.

Robin swiped the knife back and retied it to the under side of his arm as Allan sighed and shook his head at his brother and Ava watched with interest, wondering what was going to happen to Tom now.

Tom grinned,' If I can steal somethin' from under the nose of the great Robin Hood, think what I can achieve with mere mortals, eh? ' he asked of Robin before appealing to his brother,' Allan? '

Ava also looked to Allan - she wanted Tom to stay so she could get to know more of her family.

Allan smiled a little as he adressed Robin,' Well he's an excellent pick pocket, and he's got a big mouth, I know, but his heart's in the right place. '

' And he's your brother,' added Robin.

' Look, if you had a brother who'd done something wrong, you'd give him a chance to make it up, wouldn't you? '

Robin fished in his pockets and pulled out three tags, swinging them like a pendulum in front of Tom.

' Thank you,' breathed the newest member.

' You will earn these tags,' Robin warned him,' you are on probabtion. Why are you still standing here? This woman's roof - get to it! ' he laughed.

Tom thanked Robin again and went off.

' I'll keep an eye on him,' Allan vowed to Robin.

As they walked back to camp, Ava walked alongside her father,' Isn't this great? ' she asked him gleefully,' your brother's here, father. Isn't it? '

Allan sighed,' As much as I love Tom, I ought to warn you to be careful,' he told her,' don't let him drag you in to any of his hair brained schemes.'

' I'm not an idiot, father,' she told him.

'I know, I know,' he said hastily,' just be careful.'

Later on, Tom and his two friends - whose names were Stuart and Paul - returned to camp.

Stuart and Paul went to talk - well, in the sign language they had devised after losing their tounges - in one corner of the camp. Allan, Ava and Much were sat by the fire side, whilst Tom stopped to admire the pile of things they had taken from Lucky George, which Robin, Djaq, Will and John were sifting through, examining properly.

As he spoke to Djaq, John, Will and Robin, his eyes flashed around the camp and came to settle on Ava.

' You know,' he said with a smirk on his face,' that girl over there was giving me the eye earlier.'

The others decided not to correct him, for it would be more funny this way.

Tom elaborated,' Seriously mates, I think I'm in there - I mean, she's a pretty girl, isn't she? What d'you reckon? '

' Go for it,' Robin smirked.

Filled with false confidence, Tom approached his brother, Ava and Much - the last of whom was cooking whilst the other two spoke. Much was sat by a big pot, Ava on a log opposite him, and Allan stood up leaning against a tree.

Tom sat himself down next to Ava and smiled at her.

' Hi,' he said,' the name's Tom,'

' Ava,' she replied, locking her eyes on his.

Here, Tom grinned,' Wow, you have the most beautiful eyes, you know that? Was your Father a thief or something, because he's stolen some real sparkling diamonds and put them in your eyes? '

Ava raised her eyebrows in suprise, realising that her uncle was trying to flirt with her. She looked up to her father in wide eyed alarm and saw that his face was masked with annoyance - no one flirted with his daughter ... especially not her uncle. Much, meanwhile, couldn't help but think that Yes, Ava's father was a thief.

Tom seemed unaware of everyone's suprise as he continued,' Seriously, I mean -'

Allan cut him off not wanting to have to hear any more of this,' Woah, woah, stop. Tom, this is your niece, Ava.'

Tom's mouth fell open,' My - my niece? ' he spluttered, looking from Ava to Allan as though it were a practical joke.

' Yes,' confirmed Allan,' This is my daughter - so she's your niece.'

Tom had blushed crimson by now, realising his mistake,' Oh God, I'm so sorry Allan. I didn't know - Oh God I'm such an idiot.'

' Yeah, you are,' agreed Allan.

' So ... um ... how old are you? ' Tom asked Ava.

' 16. And do you really think I've got beautiful eyes?' she asked, a coy smile playing at her lips.

' 'Course I do. They're A Dale eyes ain't they? ' he replied, looking at her bright blue orbs closer,' you're gorgeous. You get those good looks from me, mind. '

Ava grinned and threw her arms around his neck,' Oh Uncle Tom! ' she cried hugging him tightly,' It's so good to finally meet you! '

' I think I like her already,' Tom told Allan over his new found niece's shoulder.

' You should. She's brilliant,' Allan beamed proudly.

' When - when did this happen? ' asked Tom gesturing between father and daughter.

' You remember Annabelle Klien, right? ' Allan asked his brother.

' Annabelle? The girl you liked when we were kids? ' Tom checked,' the one you got pregnant? '

' Turns out she didn't miscarry that baby after all,' Allan sighed, geturing to his daughter.

' But - but that's great. You have a daughter! ' Tom cried,' where's Annabelle now? '

' My mother died several months ago,' replied Ava stiffly,'and that's when I came looking for my father. Found him in Robin Hood's gang, they let me join and that's that.'

Allan cleared his throat,' And while we're on the subject of explanations, what happened to you? You just left! '

Tom had the decency to look sheepish,' It was the dead of the night, right? I woke up and went downstairs for a quick snack when I found that our house was being robbed. So rather than wake you, I went off to catch the thieves myself. Chased them for days.'

' He couldn't tell the truth if his life depended on it,' Allan told Much, shaking his head.

' Runs in the family then,' Much said with a shrug.

Ava leaned across and slapped Much's arm, though not too har, but hard enough to make him rub his arm afterwards and mouth "Ow".

' Don't make us gang up on you,' Allan warned.

' Is he disrespecting our family? ' asked Tom.

' You rob each other in your family,' scoffed Much.

' I don't,' Ava pointed out.

' My flask,' Much said, suddenly looking around,' I put it right there, where is it? '

Allan gave his younger sibling a stern look to which Tom relented and handed the flask back to Much.

' Old habits,' he said without a care, whilst Much looked very annoyed, and stalked off.

Allan nodded towards Stuart and Paul,' How did they lose their tounges? No lies.'

' Spitting on some guards,' smirked Tom.

Both Allan and Ava laughed at this, and Tom smiled too - it felt good to have his family again, even if he had only just met one of them.

' It'll be different this time,' Tom told Allan, standing up and nodded at him sincerely,' I won't let you down.'

Allan nodded gratefully in acceptance and gave his brother a sort of manly hug, before Tom broke apart and added to Allan,' And I've got to set a good example to my darling niece now, haven't I?'

' Don't you go teaching my girl how to be a thief like you,' warned Allan to his brother.

' Allan,' Tom scoffed,' with a knock out daughter like yours, the last of your worries is when she starts stealing a few pennies.'

Allan glared,' Ava knows that she's not allowed to court any one. Ever. I won't have any one near my girl. '

Ava rolled her eyes- she'd heard this many times before and it had never bothered her, but recently it had started to.

What none of the three A Dale's saw was a certain blonde man watching their conversation, his eyes locked on the youngest.

Later on in the day, Robin sent John, Djaq and Will to the villages to find out about Lucky George, whilst he went to meet with Maran, and the others stayed in the camp.

When he returned, Robin told them of how Marian had been wearing the necklace which Anna from Locksley had inherited from her mother that same day - Marian said Gisbourne had given it to her as a present. Robin had told Marian who it originally belonged to, so Marian gave it back.

Robin then went to the town to ask Anna why she had given it to Gisbourne. When he returned to the camp, he told them of how Anna had seeked Gisbourne's permission to marry, and had had to give him the necklace as payment. Robin returned the necklace to her.

When Djaq, Will and John came back to the camp, they took Robin aside to tell him where they had seen Lucky George, and what he was doing now.

Ava was sat around the fire with Much, while Allan lay on the ground nearby being lazy. They thought Tom, Stuart and Paul were nearby.

' Gosh, it's getting dark,' Ava muttered, looking up at the sky and wrapping her arms around herself.

' Are you cold? ' Much asked, looking up from his broth quickly.

She was starting to get cold, but she didn't want to admit this,' I'm - I'm Ok,' she shrugged.

But Much was already setting aside his bowl and unfastening his cloak.

' No really,' she protested feebly,' I don't want you to be cold.'

He swung his cloak around her shoulders, and started to fasten it closed under her chin,' Nonesense, I'll be fine. And besides - what are friends for? '

Before Ava could reply - not that she could think of a reply anyway through her blushing - Allan opened his eyes and looked over to his daughter, asking her, ' Ask your Uncle Tom where he plans to make his bed tonight because he ain't nickin' mine.'

Ava looked over to the part of the camp where he thought her uncle was with his two friends, only to see that he wasn't there. Wide eyed in alarm, she looked from one side of the camp to the other, before clearing her throat,' Um ... Father? I think Uncle Tom's gone.'

' What? ' asked Allan in shock, clambering to his feet like a shot,' what do you mean you think he's gone.'

Ava rolled her eyes,' I mean - Tom isn't in the camp and neither are his friends.'

' Oh bugger,' Allan muttered.

Much set his hands on his hips and glared at Allan,' You were supposed to be keeping an eye on him! '

' I was! '

' Well, you did a good job, didn't you? ' scoffed Much.

Ava laid her hand on Much's arm gently,' Much, Much, cool it - he's probably just gone for a walk, we'll find him.'

' A walk? He'll be off robbing people and stuff,' Much replied sharply, his voice tainted with suspicion.

' Robin! ' bellowed Allan,' Robin! '

Robin came jogging over, followed by John, Djaq and Will.

' What is it? ' he asked, raising his eyebrows and looking between the three.

' I've lost my brother,' Allan replied dull-ly.

Robin sighed,' It's a big forest, Allan. '

' He's probably gone east,' Ava decided.

' He didn't tell me he was going,' Allan told them, ' I've got a bad feeling about this. '

'Fetch the horses,' Robin commanded,' east is towards Knighton.'

They still had horses from when they had raided Lucky George's carriage - four to be exact. It was decided that they would all go except John, Will and Djaq who would stay and guard the camp.

The other four chose a horse and got going.

They rode down the road to Knighton, growing increasingly more worried as they didn't see Tom, Paul and Stuart.

When they came to the outskirts of Knighton village, the first thing they saw was Knighton Hall, where Marian and her father, Sir Edward lived.

They heard noises of a struggle and saw Marian - dressed as the Nightwatchman - fighting with three men, two of whom she threw to the ground in one movement with a large stick, and the third she was fighting with as they approached on their horses.

The one she was fighting - Tom - stopped when he saw them approching, as did Marian/the Nightwatchman.

Robin dismounted his horse and stormed up to Tom angrily,' What is going on? ' he demanded.

Tom glared at Marian,' See? This is Robin Hood, and you're in big trouble, mate! '

Marian shook her head and went to stand at her father's side.

Allan dismouted the horse too, striding up to his foolish brother,' What are you doing?' he growled, slapping Tom on the back of his head and turning to the 2 nobles,' I am so sorry,' he said in embarrassment.

' These men were robbing my house,' Sir Edward told them.

' Of course we were robbin' his house,' Tom replied sounding rather pleased,' that's what he do! We're tryin' to show the boss what we can do.'

' These people are our friends! ' Allan snarled.

' Now you tell me,' sighed Tom,' I thought they -'

' You don't think,' Allan continued, his voice gruff,' you can't think.'

' Are you hurt? ' Robin asked Sir Edward.

' Only my pride,' replied the elderly man,' these are your men? '

' Not for much longer, I can assure you,' Robin vowed before turning back to Tom,' apologise. Apologise for the disturbance NOW! '

' Do as you're told,' agreed Allan, hitting his brother again.

Tom reluctantly approached Marian and Edward and uttered a single,' Sorry.'

' Louder,' demanded Robin.

' Sorry! ' snapped Tom.

' I knew nothing about this,' Robin was quick to say,' they will be punished, you have my word.'

' Robin ... I'm so sorry,' Allan said weakly.

'Just get them on your horses and get them back,' ordered Robin.

Tom made to get on the horse behind Allan, but Allan shoved him down,' I can't even look at you right now. Get on Ava's horse, and don't you dare do anything else wrong.'

They awaited instructions from Robin, who had gone aside to speak with Marian.

He came back and mounted his horse,' Much, you and I are going to North Road. Allan, Ava, take these imbeciles back to camp.'

The ride back to camp was silent - Tom tried to speak to his niece as they rode, but Allan - aways protective - ordered Ava to concentrate on her riding.

Much and Robin arrived back at camp a half hour after they did. John and Djaq had gone to bed already, whilst Will and Ava sat by the fireside. Much came to join them whilst Robin took Allan aside.

Ava couldn't resist listening in to the conversation, and although Will and Much disapproved, they were just as curious and knew better than to try and stop her. If they listened carefully, they could hear.

' You know I agreed that you should make up with your brother? ' Robin began,' well, I've changed my mind.'

' He was tryin' to impress you!' protested Allan,' and he didn't realise who he was robbin', it's just a big house - he doesn't think. But anyway, you don't have to trust them, you have to trust me. I should have kept an eye on him.'

' Yes you should,' Robin was quick to say.

Allan frowned,' Look - when have I ever asked you for anything? '

Robin gave him a reproachful look.

Allan relented,' Alright - apart from saving my life. And taking my girl in. He has made a lot of mistakes, I know, but I'm gonna help him.'

They both looked over to Tom, Stuart and Paul, who had come from their corner of the camp to sit not far off and observe the conversation.

Allan sighed,' Look - I was like him once. Out of control. But I've changed. Because of you ... because of being here.'

Ava cleared her throat a little, causing the men to smile.

Allan nodded at her affectionately, ' And because of my amazing, beautiful, charming, delightful daughter, of course. But seriously, if you could give him a second chance...'

' He's had a second chance,' Robin pointed out.

' Once he was with us, with decent men, he could change,' Allan put forward,' if I take control properly you won't have to worry about him.'

Robin sighed,' But you already have a daughter to look out for, do you really want to have to be watching two? '

' I can take care of myself,' Ava protested,' and Will'll be there for me too.'

' I'm here for you,' Much added quickly.

' See? She's fine. Please Robin,' pleaded Allan,' one more chance.'

' He stole from you,' frowned Robin,' and you still defend him? '

' He's my brother,' shrugged Allan simply.

' One more chance,' Robin finally agreed,' but this had better be the last of the A Dale clan that I have to put up with,' he added as a joke.

Allan beamed a true smile, ' Thank you, Robin,' he grinned before going over to his brother, saying as he passed him,' Last chance.'

' Alright,' Tom accepted.

Ava smiled to herself, it was nice to know that she had more family and she wanted to get to know him more. Although he seemed like he was wild and out of control, she had had good conversations with him and liked him already.

Soon everyone started going off to bed, or at least to their corners to settle down for the night. The only people left around the fire were Much and Ava who were up talking and had promised Robin that one of them would put they fire out before bed.

Much ended up having to put out the fire because Ava had fallen asleep on the ground, from where she had been talking to him. He smiled when he saw she had taken to sleep and covered her with a thick cloak before going to sleep in his cot.

The next morning, Ava was awoken by loud voices, seemingly angrily arguing.

Groaning as she sat up and rubbed her eyes, she asked,' What's going on? '

' Tom's gone,' snapped Robin.

' Along with our horses, and all our haul,' Will added in annoyance.

Ava gasped as she thought of the betrayal of trust, and barely noticed when Much reached out a hand, and she willingly took it to pull herself to her feet.

It was mere seconds before they all proceeded to tell Allan, furious that they had been tricked.

' Get up,' Much demanded, kicking him,' Get up! ' with an another quick.

Allan moaned and rolled over to face them, looking up with raised eyebrows.

' They've gone,' Ava announced.

' Gone? ' asked Allan groggily.

' And they've taken everything,' Will added.

' How much of everything? ' Allan asked fearfully, knowing they were referring to his younger brother and two idiotic friends.

' Clothes, money, horses - everything,' Robin told him.

' I will kill him,' Allan vowed,' I'm gonna kill him, bury him, dig him up and kill him again.'

' We have to go and look for them,' Robin declared,' before they do something stupid ... rob someone else ... and we can get our belongings back. '

' They could be anywhere,' pointed out John.

' But they can't have been gone long,' Djaq countered,' we can find them if we try.'

So that was how soon after, they gang were wandering through the forest looking for Stuart, Paul and Tom. They sent Will and Djaq to the village of Locksley to see if they could find out anything.

When Will returned to the field that overlooked Locksley, where the others were waiting for him, both he and Djaq looked rather downhearted and somber.

' They're to hang,' the young carpenter said simply, with an apologetic look at Allan.

Allan's face fell, as did his daughters. Though Ava hardly knew him, it was like she was finally getting a big family she'd always dreamed of. When she was growing up, it was just she, her mother, and grandfather. Her grandfather hadn't cared about either of them and them her other died. Then it was Allan and Ava - although the gang felt like family.

Growing up, Ava A Dale wished she had more siblings, so she wasn't lonely. It was for that reason she vowed that her own children - whenever she found the man she loved - would not be as lonely as she had been and would have brothers and sisters to play with.

Much sighed,' They have lied to us, stolen from us ... they're nothing but trouble.'

' Let them hang,' John declared.

The others were suprised to hear this order - they knew the three men wee trouble ... but let them hang?

' I agree,' Allan spoke up, nodding his head.

' You do? ' Ava asked in a suprise that they all felt.

' My brother had more chances than he deserves.' Allan admitted, although the others watching knew how hard it must be for him to say that. Ava didn't believe that her father would send his own brother to his death without trying to save him.

' Does he deserve to die? ' asked Robin of the other man.

' Do we? ' shrugged Allan, pointing out the dangers of saving a man from hanging, if it were to go wrong,' If we go to Nottingham, we'll end up joining them on the scaffold.'

Will cleared his throat,' They took some of our tags. The Sheriff's crowing - thinks he's got Robin Hood's men.Now it's like he's daring us to rescue him.'

They all knew - as much as Ava hated to admit it - that it was probably a lost cause, that tey stood little chance of rescuing him, and even if they did, would they really trust him to come back to the gang?

' My brother was never part of this gang, was he? ' Allan asked,' we trusted them and they let us down, so that's it. We'll be forced to walk into a trap. '

' What do you think, Ava? ' Robin asked.

Ava looked up quickly from the spot she had been studying on the ground and looked around at them all,' Yeah, what Father said.' she muttered reluctantly.

' Does anyone disagree with me? ' Allan asked.

No one did.

The others went back to camp whilst Robin went to see if Marian had any idea about this .. what she thought about it ... and also because he was utterly in love with her and would use any excuse to be able to see her.

When the leader returned, Much was the first to ask,' Well? Is it safe to go and rescue them? '

' I don't know,' admitted Robin.

' Yes, but did Marian say it was a trap? ' pressed Much.

' She didn't know,' Robin sighed.

' Well then we cannot go,' Much dismissed, earning himself scowls from both Allan and Ava,' we cannot risk our own lives for three worthless rascals! '

' We're going to Nottingham,' Robin ordered,' I'll meet you three there,' he added to Djaq, John and Will, leaving himself with the doubting Much, Ava and Allan.

' Master,' Much began,' surely ... why are we - '

' For family! ' Robin cut him off,' For Allan's brother.'

As Much didn't seem to accept that as a reason - not being on good terms with Allan as such - Robin tried to employ a technique he knew would work. He knew of Much's feelings and knew he could get Much to do anything if he played on the affection - though his manservant denied any affection for the person Robin knew he loved.

Robin smirked as he added,' For Ava's uncle. We do not let the Sheriff hang our family. For Allan ... and for Ava.'

Much gave the young woman a sideways glance and nodded mutely.

' Robin, God bless you, my friend,' Allan breathed.

Ava had no words for her leader, but a kiss to place upon his cheek - a kiss which someone else .. deep down ... wished was for them.

Once in Nottingham, the plan was for Robin and Much to seperate from the others, knock out two guards to take their uniforms, and free the prisoners from the dungeons, whilst the others waited in the castle courtyard (hidden in the crowd by their cloaks) to run away.

Robin also had found out that Gisbourne knew Marian had given away the necklace, and would have it return it to her so she could show it to Gisbourne and make him think she had had it all along.

The gang - minus Robin and Much who were waiting nearby to spring into action - stood looking at the empty scaffold along with the rest of the crowd when the doors of the castle opened and the Sheriff entered the courtyard accompanied by a fanfare.

' Ah look at all these eager faces,' he grinned,' you're all expecting Robin Hood to turn up aren't you, hmmn? Do a few tricks ... bow and arrow, haha. Well this is no time for school boy tricks - this is justice. We have laws and Robin Hood had no respect for the law. Robin Hood flounts the law - he would have us all be criminals. Murdering people, stealing, and yet still you wait here to watch him come and save one of his own? '

Out of the corner of here eye, Ava spotted Robin and Much in a tower, loading their cross bows.

The Sheriff chuckled,' Yes, of course you do, which is why, I have brought the hanging forward by one hour! Look up there! '

They followed the direction of the Sheriff's pointed finger and saw three guards pull pieces of cloth draping to reveal three bodies hanging from the top of the walkway.

There were horrified gasps from the crowd, and dismayed faces from the gang who felt they had failed Allan and Ava. Allan himself was in shock, his blue eyes brimming with tears that refused to fall, whilst one hand found its way to his daughter and drew her to him tightly.

' You're too late, Robin Hood,' bellowed the Sheriff,' your men are already dead. Oh I wish you could have seen the looks on their faces just before they realised that you weren't coming to rescue them.'

The words rang through Ava's ears painfully, and she was overcome by a coldness and deeper hatred for the Sheriff than she had ever thought possible. Her head rested on her father's shoulder whilst one arm curled tightly around his middle, clinging to him for a sense of security, whilst he buried his face in her hair.

His horrid taunting continued,' First - there was disappointment, tinged with confusion soon to be replaced with anger! And then tears ... just before they realised that no one cared about them ... their own gang, their friends, willingly saw them die. '

Ava didn't know how long the Sheriff's little cruel speech lasted because her shock and grief overcame her and her body went limp as her eyes closed and her mind went blank.

As her eyes opened slowly and reluctantly god knows how long later, Ava saw that Robin, Djaq and Much were stood by her side, whilst Allan was a short way off, staring into the distance as if he had no idea of what was going on around him. John and Will, she noted, were sat down by the fire.

' Oh god,' she muttered, sitting up,' what happened? '

' You fainted,' Djaq explained,' it is a mixture of shock and grief but you shall be fine so long as you do not try to do too much right away.'

' How did I get back 'ere, then? ' she asked, seeing that she was at camp.

' I carried you,' replied Much,' your father was otherwise ... well, you know ... too upset.'

Groaning she nodded,' Oh no. Tom ... he's really ... and he .. he's gone.'

Here a few single tears ran down her cheeks, which she brushed away quickly with an apologetic smile,' I'm sorry,' she muttered,' I barely knew him, right? Not like my father did ... what must he be going through? '

Djaq covered the younger woman's hand with her own,' My brother,' she said,' died in the Holy Land. His name was Djaq. It hurt so much, but I took his name and moved on, and he is still alive, in me.'

' So you're saying I should pretend to be a boy and call myself Tom? ' Ava smiled feebly.

Djaq shook her head in exasperation,' I am saying you should try not to be hung up on what could have been and look to the future. The best thing you can do right now is be there for your father.'

Ava merely nodded in agreement and stood up to go and comfort her father.

It was in that moment that her vows to be sure her children would never be lonely were enforced, as she decided she wanted to eventually have the big family she had never had as a child.

Her eyes opened to the morning sunlight the next morning, and she looked up to see her loving fiance gazing at her. His actions in her dream floated into her head, and she found herself wondering why she hadn't seen his love for her weeks befire he admitted it.

' Good morning, my love,' he said quietly, kissing her cheeks once each,' sweet dreams, I trust? '

' I did have a dream actually,' she replied.

' Was it about me? ' Much asked, raising his eyebrows hopefully.

She laughed before sobering up and replying,' You were there, but it was about my Uncle Tom. The day he came .. and he .. was, you know.'

' I'm sorry,' Much muttered, feeling that it was the right thing to say.

She shook her head, propping herself up on one elbow and turning on her side to face him,' No. I mean, I know it was a sad day and what have you, but it made me think of something else actually.'

' Oh yeah? '

' Well, do you ever think about the future ... a family? ' she asked, hoping that the topic would not scare him. She hoped it was far enough into their relationship that they could at least discuss children, although they wouldn't yet have any.

To her relief, he didn't look put off by the subject, but smiled slightly,' Yes, I have. '

' And what's it like? ' she asked, probing for further information.

' It's fantastic of course, because you're there,' he said thoughtfully before adding,' when all this is over we're living in the manor at Bonchurch, Robin and Marian have Locksley, Will, Djaq - of course Will and Djaq will have gotten together by then - and John are living in one of the villages, and your father is living near us, for you. We all still see each other often, when I'm not busy with earl things. You throw the most wonderful dinner parties and balls for our select friends.'

' And is it just the two of us? ' she giggled.

He smirked, knowing what she was getting at, but also glad she accepted his ideas,' No, there's the children too.'

' How many do we have? ' she grinned.

' Well, there's a son, first, because we need an heir to the estate. He's a clever, and strong, and fair - he's perfect. He's got those twinkling A Dale eyes. We named him Allan.'

' We named him Allan? But you hate my father!' protested Ava.

Much shrugged,' But it made you happy. Then there's our daughter, Annabelle. She's beautiful, but she's quiet and reserved until she really gets to know someone. And she's intelligent and hardworking - we have her tapestries all over the house - and a good cook like her father. She's the perfect noblelady. '

' Allan and Annabelle - after my parents,' she smiled.

' And then there's Katherine, after my own mother. Katherine is much more loud and outgoing than her sister. She's her mother in every way - beautiful, all of the young noblemen are after her. She's nothing like a lady ... too much outlaw blood, and it shows more in her than in the other two.'

' 3. We have three children? ' she asked,' I like the sound of that.'

Much shook his head,' No wait, I missed one out. Katherine has a twin.'

' Named for your father? ' Ava guessed.

'No, named after the man who has been there for me whenever I needed him. Our youngest is called Robin and he's a little devil. He and his sister are as thick as thieves, and they're too much like their mother and their grandfather Allan. I suppose their god father's influence hasn't helped matters either. But we love them all and they're perfect.'

' Oh and I love them too. ' Ava grinned,' you've really thought about this! '

' Yep,'

Ava sighed contentedly and nestled back into Much's side and chest,' Some day,' she vowed,' when the King is home we shall have our wedding, and our Bonchurch. Our perfect gentleman son Allan, our quiet ladylike Annabelle, and our rebellious outlaw-like twins, Katherine and Robin. '