Matilda began examining Marian while Djaq bandaged the worst of her wounds. She first checked the mother's pulse and was happy to find, that although she appeared to be on her death bead her heart was beating strongly. The bruises that covered Marian's body were not a good indication for the health of the baby. Marian had several purple and blue marks across her stomach and back. Matilda checked carefully for blood in between Marian's legs and felt a great deal of relief when she could not find any. Leaning over the small battered body, she pressed her ear against soft skin, and listened intently for any sign of life within. Djaq was watching nervously as Matilda checked for a heart beat. The older woman bit her lip and wrinkled her forehead in thought, "Djaq," she motioned for the Saracen to step forward, "your ears are much younger. Come here and have a listen."
Nodding, she tucked her loose hair behind her ear, and held her breath as she tried to hear the steady, strong beat that she had been monitoring for almost two weeks now. The sound of silence had never disturbed her so much in her entire life. She was accustomed to the quiet, but the lack of noise coming from Marian's womb brought tears to Djaq's eyes. She glanced at Matilda, and shook her head no.
Everyone took a step closer to Robin as he grabbed his bow, quiver, and sword. His eyes seemed glazed over. Much wasn't sure if he saw the gang or not. "Robin, maybe you should stay here, in case they need you." Much stepped in front of his friend placing his hands on his shoulder to slow him down, and in an instant he found himself sailing through the air and landing on a rather hard rock. Will and Alan came at him from behind while John faced him head on. Robin's elbow connected with Alan's nose before he had time to duck, and Will was flipped over Robin's back and right into John which was an amazing feat when you consider how much taller Will is than Robin. All four men scrambled to their feet to try to stop their determined leader.
"Bloody hell. I'm not being funny, but maybe we should just let him go," Alan said as he landed on the ground for a second time.
Much looked like a child getting a piggy back ride as he jumped on Robin's back and wrapped his arms and legs around him. "We can't allow him to go like this," Much whimpered as Robin backed him into a tree, "he isn't thinking straight. Ow! And will get himself killed." John used this advantage to have another go at the leader. He brought his arm back and threw all of his weight into his punch which ended up missing Robin entirely and instead hitting Much square in the face. The poor man fell off of Robin and crumbled into a heap on the ground.
Through the scuffle, the sounds of flesh hitting flesh and branches snapping under the weight of the five men the softest little sound could be heard. "Robin." It was like a distant whisper on the wind, but it was enough to break through to Robin. His head snapped in the direction of the camp and he quickly ran inside leaving the four men panting on the ground.