Much was anxious, and not a little put out. "Perturbed" was the word he thought best described him, once Djaq had been helpful enough to supply it. Deeply perturbed.
Much liked Marian. How could he not? He'd known her since they were children. He admired her, for her kindness and her courage. She made his master happy. She managed Robin, in those rare moments when Much could not.
And yet, having her back in the forest again, living with the lads, upset Much's apple cart, or it would if he had an apple cart. Much never could quite understand that saying. Why an apple cart? Why not a turnip cart, or better still, an ale cart? That really would make a mess, if it were upset! A mess that he, Much, would no doubt be obligated to clean up! After all, Robin wouldn't think to let Marian clean it up...Marian with her lovely white fingers, fingers that flashed her brilliant emerald ring, the same ring she'd pried out of Allan's unconscious hand, just before they fled to the forest.
Well, not all of her fingers flashed it...only one...the ring finger on her left hand.
Her engagement ring!
Much alone shared Robin and Marian's secret concerning that ring, and all that it represented...their upcoming marriage when the King returned, and Robin and Marian living together in his Locksley mansion. And where would Much live then, and what would he do when Robin no longer needed him? Would he live all alone in Sherwood, as the Sherwood Avenger? Or at Bonchurch, as Robin had promised?
Bonchurch! Bonchurch had been Much's dream, ever since Robin had generously promised it to him one rainy winter's day in the Holy Land. Bonchurch spelled heaven...a heaven where Much could finally relax, and live in peace and comfort, giving to others, just the way Robin did at Locksley!
But of course, Bonchurch wouldn't be heaven if Eve wasn't there.
One day, when all this was over, Much would keep his promise and find her. And they, too, would marry, and live together in their...well, not exactly a mansion, but a big enough house. Just like Robin...just like Marian...only without the dangerous adventures.
Suddenly, Much threw down his cooking spoon into his large pot of simmering stew and demanded out loud, "Master, what were you and Marian saying earlier today about Bonchurch?"
Robin, seated beside Marian on a fallen log, didn't appear to hear his servant's question.
"As lovely as you look in that gown," he told Marian softly, "we're going to have to find you something else to wear. Why have I never seen that dress before? It's very pretty."
"It's cheap," Marian answered, unable to tear her eyes away from his warm, loving gaze. "The sheriff had me wear it, to attract Count Friedrich."
"You could have attracted the count, wearing a horse blanket. And not just him. You're gorgeous."
"Master!" Much called out loudly, interrupting the intimate conversation. "You never listen to me!"
"I listen!"
"Please! What did I just say?"
"You said, I never listen."
"Unbelievable!"
"Well, then, what did you say?"
"I asked you about Bonchurch!"
Much grew confused, annoyed and confused, witnessing the long, warm, loving looks that passed between his master and Marian.
"You two were talking about Bonchurch, when we were in the castle!" Much insisted. "You said something about the sheriff suspecting! What does he suspect?"
"Is dinner ready?" Robin asked.
"No, it's not ready!" Much responded.
"Then I suggest you hurry up and finish cooking it."
"Finish...? Unbelievable! Why won't you answer me? Tell me, Master, what were you two saying about Bonchurch?"
A slow grin spread across Robin's handsome features. At last, when Much could stand it no longer, Robin coolly answered, "I'm not saying anything."
"Very funny!" Much stormed, while Will and Little John laughed.
"Talk of Bonchurch puts me in the mood for a bath," Marian told Robin coyly, in a voice so low no one else could hear. "I hope the stream's not too cold."
"We'll warm it up, soon enough," Robin answered back, grinning passionately.
"I wasn't inviting you," Marian told him, smiling proudly back at him. "Djaq's there. I need a word with her. Does that concern you?"
"Djaq?" Robin repeated, completely confused. "No. Why should it?"
"I don't know. I doubt it should. I only want to make sure."
She was incredible, Robin was thinking, as he watched her saunter away.
Life was full of promise, with Marian by his side. Anything, and everything would now be possible.