"I knew this day would come! I knew it!"

Much pulled his cap down over his ears and lifted a cry of frustration. "Why does he never, never listen to me?"

"Because he's a fool," Marian answered simply. "But I'll listen to you, Much. I rode all the way here to the forest precisely to do just that. So...talk." She leaned her back against a tree and waited for the servant to begin, hiding her tenseness under a cool elegant demeanor.

"It's a lovely day today, " Much began.

"Yes, it is. As lovely a day as the one Robin spent with that Melusine? Or did their liaison last longer than a day?"

"Oh, no, Marian...they didn't have any ...any...whatever you called it. They just met at a party once. In Cyprus."

Marian knew how that hussy Melusine behaved at parties! She had witnessed firsthand how she had disappeared on Gisbourne's arm from a party. Marian's face flushed with anger, picturing the strumpet on Robin's arm.

"So, I assume you attended this party as well."

"Oh, yes! I did! Interesting treats they served, as I recall! Some of the best cakes I've ever eaten, coated with honey and stuffed with raisens, as I recall. Ah, yes! They were tasty!"

"Never mind about the cakes, Much. I want to hear about Robin."

Much huffed. "You always want to hear about Robin, did you know that, Marian? Oh, yes! Don't try and deny it! Ever since you were old enough to speak, you followed him around like a love sick puppy!"

"I did not! You were the one who followed him everywhere! In fact, you're still doing it! And besides, as I seem to remember, once we reached a certain age, he was the one following me!"

"Well, be that as it may," Much conceded, "it wouldn't do you any harm to show some interest in other people now and again."

Marian smiled. "I have shown interest in other people, thank you very much! In fact, when we're finished discussing Melusine, I'd like you to go straight to Robin and tell him I was nearly betrothed to his friend Roger of Stoke. And tell him I found Roger's kisses simply heavenly!"

Much's wide blue eyes opened even wider. "I'm not going to tell him that!"

"Why not?"

"Well, well, well well well," Much sputtered, "for one thing, Roger's not here to bear the brunt of Robin's anger, so guess who will? Haven't you ever heard about someone shooting the messenger, Marian? Haven't you? And you know how well Robin can shoot!"

Marian smiled. She felt much better now. She was ready to hear whatever Much had to tell her. Well, nearly ready.

"So, Much, we were speaking of a party. In Cyprus."

"Yes," Much drawled the word out, stalling.

"And I assume Robin was introduced to that saucy tart, Melusine."

"Oh, Marian, come, come. 'Saucy tart?' Please! I hardly think that's an apt description!"

"Well, what would you call her?"

Much paused, deep in thought. "Let's just call her 'The Fish.' "

"Very well," Marian agreed. " 'The Fish' it is. So, they were introduced..."

"No, not introduced. Robin spotted her across the room and made his way towards her. You know the way he moves...like a cat. He introduced himself, or she introduced herself, and he began casting those smiles of his on her and saying all sorts of foolish nonsense-"

"It is nonsense, isn't it? Absolute drivel!" Marian cried. "Oh, Much, why don't other men share your good sense?"

Much looked surprised, and pleased. "Thank you very much, Marian! I never knew you respected my good solid sense the way you do! And I must say, I am glad! And surprised! Surprised and glad! Other people, who shall remain nameless, never seem to-"

"Yes, Much. May we talk about the party again, please?"

"Oh. Very well. Where was I? Oh, yes. Well, Robin was smiling at her, in that way he has, and she was smiling back, and they spoke a few words I couldn't hear, not that I was listening or anything, and he kissed her hand, and the next thing you know, he had passed out on the floor, and everyone was cheering Melusine for slaying the Hero of Acre with a single kiss!"

"They kissed?"

Much huffed. "You're as bad as Robin, did you know that? If you were listening, I think you'll find I said nothing about them kissing! I said that Robin kissed her on her hand."

"And he swooned? Why?"

"Because, Marian, he was still recovering from a fever! We were travelling home from the Holy Land, and the fever had left him, but it made several reappearances before it disappeared entirely. There! That's the entire story. I hope you're satisfied."

Marian smiled. She did indeed look very, very satisfied.

"That's the entire story?" she asked, delight dancing in her sparkling eyes.

"That's all there is to their history. Of course, Robin had much better success with other women once the fever had passed for good."

Marian lifted her eyebrows inquiringly at Much.

"Oh, no!" Much cried. "I'm not saying anything! I'm not saying anything!"