Elaine's morning sickness hadn't eased one bit. Although she had to admit the name 'morning sickness' was a compete lie, as it happened at the most randomness of times. So far, Robin had yet to find out about her pregnancy, but that was probably only Marian's doing as she would distract him whenever Elaine needed to go off, feeling her breakfast in her throat.

Either that or Robin was just oblivious.

But she knew she would have to tell him soon. Her belly had definitely got bigger, she now had a small bump that when she was alone she would graze a hand over with a fond smile. She would also find Allan too, in the middle of the night, bringing a hand over her stomach, still asleep with a grin plastered onto his face.

She knew she was being reckless too. She went out everyday with the gang, got into many fights with guards, received many bruises still. Marian had warned her against going, she told her that her and Allan should think about leaving soon, or at least tell Robin about the pregnancy so she wouldn't have to go on missions.

But it was hard, Elaine didn't want to let go of this life. It was all she had known for two years. The best years of her life. Her and Allan hadn't even mentioned leaving since she had told him she was pregnant. Neither of them wanted to go, but both knew they had too.

The boys had gone off to steal a food cart from Nottingham but as Elaine had been sick – once again – Robin insisted she stay behind. Marian opted to stay with her. Neither of them wanted to feel useless, sitting at camp all day whilst the men did all the work so they decided to head to Locksley where they would at least be a little use, handing out food.

Elaine was glad for the company although wished she would ask less questions.

"Why haven't you told the gang yet?" Was one of her questions as they walked down the hill leading to Locksley, food baskets firmly tucked under their arms "They need to know, you're starting to show"

"And you're starting to get really annoying" Elaine muttered, rubbing her temple with her free hand "I don't know, Marian, I know how they'll act if I do"

"It's not like you've got many people to tell, just Robin and John. You said Tuck knew already"

"It's Robin I'm most worried about telling" and it was true. She was probably more nervous about telling Robin than she had been with telling Allan.

"Why?"

"I know he'll try and persuade me and Allan to leave the gang because it's not the right place for a pregnant woman to be – and he's right, but I'm not ready to leave" Elaine finalized. She was getting tired of pregnancy talk, that was all she and Marian ever spoke about now and it had been weeks since she had found out she was pregnant. She wanted to change the topic quickly "When do you think the boys will get back?"

Marian seemed to sense Elaine's tension and answered smoothly "I'm not sure, it depends how quickly they formulate a plan together" She added as an after thought "Robin only had half a plan when he left this morning"

"Typical"

They continued the path down to Locksley in silence, Elaine glancing up at Marian every so often to see if she was feeling awkward too, but saw Marian's head held high in it's usual fashion.

The villagers came to greet them as they stepped foot in Locksley boundaries, but it was George who reached them first. His nieces and nephews clutching his hand.

"Elaine!" He grinned "We were hoping to see you, got us anything good"

"Always" She smiled back, removing the cover over the basket as the smell of baked goods swept up into her nose. Her hand went for the biggest loaf of bread she could find before leaning down to one of his nieces, as George's hands were full "Here you go"

"Thanks!" The girl squeaked, letting go of her uncles hand and running back to her house with her brothers and sisters in tow.

George watched them go before turning back to Elaine who already had a purse of coins in her hand, ready to pass it to him "Best not give this to the kids" She joked as George reluctantly took it.

He weighed the money up in his hands "I shouldn't take this, you've been too good to us"

"It's no trouble, we're always here if you need anything"

"And us for you"

"That's kind of you, George" Elaine looked down at her basket, seeing a heavy load still in there. A crowd had begun to form around her "I better get on with this then" She nodded at the basket that was weighing her arm down "I'll speak to you soon"

George nodded at her, before retreating back to his home. Elaine turned around to try and find Marian and saw her trying to form a queue of eager villagers.

"You'll all get something" Marian assured as none of the villagers listened to her, still trying to get to their hands on some coins. Elaine came to her aid and began dishing out money and food whilst Marian started a queue.

They were there for half an hour and the chest of money was almost empty. There was only three more families left to help when suddenly dirt was being kicked up and the village drowned in dust, the Sheriff and his men riding in on horseback.

Marian reacted first y grabbing Elaine's arm and dragging her to the far side of the village, hidden behind a few villager houses. The Sheriff, along side a man Elaine didn't recognize, dismounted his horse.

"All right, everybody! Listen up! And listen well" The stranger who stood beside the Sheriff addressed the village, his voice deep and demanding. Elaine looked up at Marian and saw her frowning.

"Who is he?" She mouthed.

The villagers formed a circle around him. Despite only just meeting him it was apparent they were already scared to the bone in his presents.

"You don't know me, you don't know what I'm like, so I'm going to give you a little example of the kind of tax collector I am" He continued.

"Tax collector?" Elaine mumbled "What's the Sheriff up to now. Why does he need a new tax collector?"

"If he needs a new tax collector it means Guy is no longer around" Her eyes lit up "Do you think he grew a back bone and finally left the Sheriff"

Elaine doubted so. If he was no longer there it probably meant the Sheriff had sent him away to do something or he was dead. She didn't think Guy could possibly ever grow a 'back bone' and Marian put it.

She didn't want to upset Marian so rather agreed "Perhaps"

The Tax collector was still addressing the villagers, until one of the peasants spoke up.

"We pay our taxes, we don't need his example" a fierce voice uttered

With a jolt of fear Elaine realized it had been George's sister who had spoke up. George had jumped forward and grabbed his sister's hand to tug her back. The new tax collector's eyes keenly snapped up around to face her.

"I think I'm gonna be the one who decides that" He prowled towards her, his eyes flickering from her to the small hut stood behind them "Is this yours?"

George had managed to pull his sister back from the tax collector's gaze and stood firmly against him "It is, It's our home"

"Remember it fondly" The tax collector grinned wickedly "Edmund!"

A boy, no older than twenty walked around George and grabbed his sister's arm, pulling her back. A few guards pulled their swords out, placing them around the neck of George's nieces and nephews.

Alarmed, Marian jumped up. Elaine just about managed to seize her arm "We can't, we'll just get caught up with them" as much as Elaine wanted to help George, they couldn't, her and Marian were no match for the number of the Sheriff guards.

"We can't just let the Sheriff hurt more innocent lives" Marian gritted her teeth pulling against Elaine's arm.

When she thought that she had calmed, Elaine slowly let go, letting Marian breath heavily releasing her anger. She looked through the fence they were hiding behind and saw the tax collector smashing at the house, the door had already come off it's hinges leaving an empty gap. He ordered guards to smash out the window panels. He picked up valuables within side and inspected some, if he thought they were good enough he pocketed them. Everything else he let drop to the floor.

When he exited the house he surveyed the village to see who he could torment next and saw the almost empty chest of coins that Marian and Elaine had left so openly in their flee to escape the Sheriff's men.

"Now now, what do we have here" The tax collector inspected the box, drawing the Sheriff's attention to it "Who's is this!?" he raised the chest into the air. No one answered. No one even dared breath "WHO'S IS IT I ASKED"

"It's not theirs, it's Hood's" The Sheriff realized, his eyes widening.

"Oh, god, we're idiots" Elaine said feeling Marian tense beside her "We left the chest out there!"

"They're going to know we're here. Will you help me now in taking the Sheriff down" She went to stand again but Elaine only pulled her down.

"What is it with you and running into villagers where there are guards on every post. We can't just run in their with no back up. It's suicide"

Marian nodded "you're right. You can't go in there, not in your condition"

"That's not the point Marian, I can still fight. I might be pregnant but I'm barley showing, I can still raise a damn sword, but running in there when the Sheriff-"

"I'll go" Marian said with a determined nod "You go back and get the gang, get back-up"

"Marian" Elaine hissed warningly "You can't be serious"

Meanwhile in front of them, the Sheriff took a step forward looking suspiciously at the box.

"If this is here…" The Sheriff eyes snapped up to the village "Then Hood must be close"

Despite being several metres away from the sheriff and his guards, Elaine froze in her place not daring to breath incase the Sheriff would be able to sense her out. Marian however was fidgeting, preparing herself to get up "Come out, come out Hoody" He gestured to his guards to spread out, to look for him. Not that he knew that Robin wasn't here "If you're going to hide, Hood, at least cover the evidence. Clumsy really"

"What do we do?" Elaine quickly whispered to Marian.

"I don't know"

Elaine looked behind her and saw the hill leading up to the forest. If they were quick and left now, they could run before the guards caught them.

"We could run"

"We can't leave the villagers" Marian said annoyed.

"And if the guards catch us what use are we anyway. If we leave now then we can go get the others and come back, we can deal with this new tax collector together-"

"There isn't enough time"

Elaine turned back to the scene. The guards, thankfully, had spread out on the other side of the village but it would only be a matter of time before they searched over here. The new tax collector turned back to the Sheriff.

"Hood?" He asked.

"A bothersome little pest" The Sheriff brushed it off "I'd watch out for him, he has a habit of finding tax money and giving it back to the poor"

If the tax collector was bothered by Robin he didn't show it as he turned back to the village "You say he gives it back to the poor?"

"Hmm" The Sheriff nodded bored.

"Well, let's see if he'll hand himself over for the poor" He withdrew his sword and pointed it at a village girl, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her towards him. She let out a deafening shriek, yelling for help. The other peasants gasp, clasping hands to their mouthes, crying out in desperation for the girl. The tax collector held the sword so tight to her neck that blood was drew "HOOD!" He roared "is that your name?" silence overcome everyone and Elaine held her breath "I'll give you ten seconds to hand yourself over or this pretty sword goes in this pretty girls neck. ARE WE CLEAR!"

Marian groaned "We have to save her" She got up.

"Marian, wait-"

"one" he began counting down.

"We have to think of a plan first"

"We don't have time for a plan, Elaine!"

"two" Elaine's heart quickened in pace.

"You can't just give yourself up"

"four" Elaine must have missed three, too preoccupied in keeping Marian from running in without planning. She was going to get herself killed if she carried on this way.

"I'm not saying we both should. I will and you go and get the gang"

"The Sheriff will kill you. You know that right"

"Five"

They were already half way through their time limit, and the girls time was running out. They had to decide now. Despite knowing it would be best if they ran away and got the gang, Elaine knew Marian was right. They couldn't let the girl die, but Elaine also couldn't let Marian hand herself over like that.

Marian went to stand but once again Elaine grabbed her "Stop"

"I have to go, Elaine"

"SIX"

"Robin will kill me if I let you do this alone"

"And Allan will kill me if he finds I let you come with me. Go. Back. To. The. Gang" She said clearly, gritting her teeth together "I can handle myself"

"Seven"

"We're running out of time!"

The amount of racket they were making just arguing, Elaine was surprised they hadn't been caught already

"eight"

"I'm going!" Marian stood before Elaine could stop her and stormed towards where the Sheriff, the tax collector and the girl was stood. She withdrew her sword and held it out in front of her, surrendering.

"Sheriff" Marian hissed with as much hate as she could muster.

The Sheriff surveyed her "My old leper friend" he gestured towards his new tax collector "Rufus, meet Marian. Marian, Rufus" Marian frowned at the greeting, surprised she hadn't been stabbed yet.

"Where's little Robin red chest then?"

"He's not here"

"Where is he then?"

"Not here" Marian repeated more firmly.

"Oh" The Sheriff raised his eyebrows "But you can't be alone, can you? Hmm?" Marian tried keeping her face steady but the Sheriff looked closer and saw how tense her jaw was, how no answer came to her lips when usually she was so quick at firing something at him. She was hiding something "Oh, there is, is there? Where are they then? Another one of Hood's gang members?"

Elaine was still hidden in the shadows, debating what to do. She could run and find the gang or help Marian now. Neither seemed appealing but as the Sheriff gestured his guards, once again, to search she had no choice but to make a decision and her choice was to go get the gang, just as Marian had told her. There was no point the both of them getting captured.

She ran as fast as her legs would carry her. The wind hit her full in the face and already she was feeling sick. It had been awhile since she had run this far up such a steep hill. She could hear the Sheriff's roar to go catch her. She hadn't been very subtle with her escape, but knew she was far enough away to get to the trees for cover.

With more of a pull she made it to the top and found shelter in the trees, heading the way back to camp where she knew the gang would be.

Back in the village, the guards came back heavy of breath telling the Sheriff the girl had escaped their clutches.

"Tell me, how many are there of you?" The Sheriff growled at his guards.

"eleven" The guard whimpered away from the Sheriff's spit.

"AND YOU COULDN'T CATCH ONE SIMPLE GIRL!"

The Sheriff paced back and fourth.

"She's a very pretty thing" Rufus noted as he looked Marian up and down.

"Yes, my last second in command thought so too. Gisborne, I doubt you two would get on very well, he's a bit too soft for my liking" The Sheriff scowled but then shook his head "This one's taken though, Hood's claimed her. Aren't the two of you married now? How's married life suiting you?"

Marian didn't answer. She kept her head straight looking past the Sheriff's head, refusing to make eye contact.

"hm, silence, that's a new one for you" The Sheriff chuckled "shame Gisborne's not here, he'd like to see you, although from what I gathered the last time you saw each other in the holy land things didn't go well, did they?"

She didn't tell them that they had seen each other again, that one time when Guy was about to throw Robin off the cliff, but she didn't tell him that.

"Still nothing" The Sheriff said, sounding almost concerned "No matter. Guards!"

The guards walked forward with shackles at the ready but Rufus stopped them. He still had the village girl around his arm, perhaps having forgotten she was there.

"Sheriff, I don't suppose that I can take her"

"Take her?" The Sheriff frowned "Where too?"

"Back to Locksley manor with me" he nodded his head at Locksley house that stood over the lake, Robin's true and rightful home that over the years had been sheltering other devils.

The Sheriff thought about it before nodding "Yes, I don't know why not. It would be good punishment for her, perhaps that'll break you" He grinned wickedly at Marian, sending shivers down her back. She almost wished she was going back to the castle to be tortured, anywhere but back with the tax collector "Call it a reward for all your good work, Rufus"

Rufus nodded in thanks and snatched the shackles from the guards. He let the village girl go. She fell forward and ran back to her parents who embraced her, eyes full of tears. Marian didn't know what was in store for her from here on out, although had a pretty good idea. Rufus took her hand and placed the shackles over her hand, drawing a hand up her arm as he did so, giving her a spike of fear tingle down her back.

"Let's go shall we" His lips tilted up "My lady"

Marian gulped, half wishing she had Elaine with her for company. She had overestimated herself here, she wasn't expecting this to happen.

"EDMUND!" Rufus cried for his son who came over, giving Marian a pitiful stare.

Marian just hoped that Elaine would get to the boys in time. But they had no idea she was going to Locksley manor instead of the castle, that was unless they asked the villagers first. She surveyed the village and caught eyes with George, Elaine's friends. He would help her, wouldn't he?

Elaine raced back through the forest to the place she knew the rest of the gang would be.

They were collecting the food they had stolen today from Nottingham. Elaine ran in as fast as she could and almost slipped down the slope leading to them. She let out a yelp trying to steady herself, catching their attention.

"Elaine?" Robin frowned, dropping a basket down on the pile as the others ran up to reach her. All noticing Elaine's breathless state and the lack of Marian beside her "What's wrong?" Robin surveyed the forest "Where's Marian?"

Elaine didn't miss the skip of worry in his voice.

"The new Tax collector in Locksley" Elaine managed to say as Allan rubbed her back reassuringly.

"Tax collector?" John said "Where's Gisborne?"

"That doesn't matter "Elaine shook her head, she hadn't even reached the important bit yet "Marian…" She let her eyes slide to Robin to carefully look at him. His eyes were wide and she could already tell her was furious and he didn't even know what had happened yet "Well, he was harassing the villagers and you know what she's like, she had to get involved"

"Elaine" Robin warned, signalling for her to hurry up with her story.

"The tax collector wanted her or something and with Gisborne gone or something the Sheriff didn't seem to mind him taking her"

"Taking her where!" Robin fumed. Before she could even open her mouth to respond Robin pressed further and grabbed her shoulders and shaking "Elaine, where did he take her!"

"Locksley manor I presume… I don't-" a wave of dizziness came over her "Robin… let go" She mumbled feeling as if she was suddenly floating on a cloud rather than on forest ground.

"Robin" Allan pushed Robin off of her "Let go"

Robin did but the angry look in his eyes still remained "We're going to Locksley, now" he said adopting John's usual sentence.

They all nodded not daring to argue and went to grab their weapons. Elaine already had her sword and daggers on her and Robin had his bow wrapped around his torso, so the two waited for the others in uncomftable silence as Robin paced furiously.

"Robin, I am so sorry. I should have protected her" she should have. What kind of friend was she that she ran off and ditched her to deal with the new tax collector. But Elaine thought of her unborn child and decided it was for the best, she couldn't be reckless anymore.

"You should be"

Elaine nodded accepting his harsh tone, she knew if it had been Allan she'd have felt the same way.

The gang returned quickly, not wanting to keep Robin waiting anymore before he had a nervous breakdown. The five of them ran the way Elaine just came, using the fastest and quickest routes, although some a lot more dangerous than others. More than once Elaine almost fell down a ditch and one time Tuck got tangled in a bush of thorns. Allan and John stayed behind to help him out whilst Elaine ran off after Robin who didn't even blink and eyelash for his fallen friend.

*~How to tame and outlaw~*

Marian stood routed on the spot in the middle of the familiar room. Everything was still the same, Gisborne's symbol was still hung up above the grand fireplace, the chairs were even at the same angle. She stared at the very spot where she had been stabbed

Locksley manor was a cold place now, the fire was out despite the chilly interior and everything seemed more distant now. This was the place Marian had once called a home, a place where she had planned to live with Robin. She wasn't even sure, after the King's return, if she would be able to have a future here now. The house was tainted with memories she'd rather forget.

"Nervous?" The tax collector grinned like a savage dog. His eyes skimming her entire body. She didn't know how to stand, her hands were clasped in front of her and her body was hunched forward, trying to hide any showing skin.

He stalked forward and Marian tried hard not to show fear. She knew Elaine would get to the gang in time and if worse comes to worse she had a hidden knife under her sleeve, but she'd rather not use it.

"You make me sick" Marian dared "Those villagers out there have done nothing to you and yet you treat them like they've committed the worst crime possible"

"Well haven't they?" The tax collector loomed close to her, she could feel his breath tickling her ear making every part of her stand on edge anticipating his next movement "I feel like some entertainment. Can you dance?"

Marian ignored his comment "Their biggest crime is being poor, how is that a sin worth a crime-"

"Quite" He growled. He glared at the space in the corner of the room where Marian only just noticed another figure standing. He was younger. She noted how his eyes travelled to anywhere but the place where Marian and the tax collector were stood "You talk too much for a woman. Now, I asked you if you can dance?"

Marian was not to be played with, she had been a dancing monkey before and she wouldn't be it again. She cocked her head slightly "I can. but I won't"

A harsh pain collided with her cheek as she was sent to the floor with a powerful force. Marian clutched her cheek and glared up at the tax collector who's hand was raised.

"Don't dare challenge me, my lady" He sharply span around to face the other man in the room "Edmund? Sit, watch the girl dance for our entertainment"

Marian felt her legs behind carried as she realized the tax collector had grabbed her shoulders and forced her onto her feet.

"Get your hands off me" She hissed, shoving herself away from him to back herself up against the all. The tax collector only smirked at her.

"Edmund?" He asked the boy again who Marian assumed was his son.

"I have to tend to the horses" The boy called Edmund gave his father a pointed look and quickly sped out of the room, paying no heed to the helpless state Marian was in.

"Dance" Rufus whispered. Before Marian could object, however, he added "Or I'll make sure each of your precious peasants are flogged by tonight"

She began dancing before thinking. She couldn't have the poor be punished because of her pride. Rufus began clapping as she danced, with each clap Marian becoming more and more ashamed.

"Chin up" Rufus beamed "No need to hide your beautiful face behind that hair of yours"

Marian stopped on the spot "Am I done humouring you?"

"We haven't even begun yet, my lady"

Marian forced herself to move and managed to get herself away as Rufus suddenly lunged himself at her. her instincts began working as she kicked her leg out in her usual nightwatchman style and hit him in the ankle. He doubled over clutching it but before Marian could escape had a knife in his hand pointed at her.

"Don't cross me" He warned "That was a bad mistake, pretty lady"

Marian bit her lip, not taking her eyes off of the dagger, preparing herself to dart out of the way if he lunged forward with it. Although she wasn't sure where she could go. She was trapped in the corner of the room, her back pressed firmly against the wall.

"Alright, I surrender" Marian held her hands up, pretending to play along with his game.

"Finally some common sense" He brushed a strand of hair that had fallen from her bun. His fingers tingling her skin unpleasantly. With her other hand Marian moved to retrieve the dagger from under her sleeve just as Rufus leaned down to kiss her.

Before his lips connected with her there was a bang, followed by a clutter. Marian jumped aside and saw the window had been broken into, Robin's figure standing there with his bow already at the ready.

"Robin Hood, I assume Rufus pulled away from Marian"

Robin scowled, as he took one hand off his bow to grab Marian and pull her towards him "We meet again" Marian, despite not liking this protective side to Robin followed his actions, not wanting to be under Rufus's gaze any longer.

"Again?" Marian frowned, looking between them suddenly looking at Rufus as if trying to recognize him from somewhere but couldn't place it "When did you meet before?"

"The gang and I met him this morning in Nottingham" Robin turned to look at Marian and said in a much softer tone "Are you alright?"

She smiled "I'm fine"

A second later, Elaine peered through the window, moving through it a lot less gracefully than Robin's heroic kick through. She clambered in awkwardly, drawing her sword as soon as she was inside and pointed it at Rufus.

"Elaine!" Marian cried for her friend and went over to hug her "Where's the others?"

"Tuck fell into a thorn bush, they'll probably be here in a moment" She then added as a whisper to Marian "Robin ran off and I felt, after leaving you, I owe you"

"You didn't leave me" Marian scowled "I told you to go, you got the gang in time, didn't you?"

Elaine didn't reply, she knew no matter what Marian said she'd still feel guilty. Instead she took a glance over at Robin who held his bow in place. Steady as ever but his face held uncontrolled rage.

"Robin, let's just go now. We have Marian back.

Marian understood the hint of fear in Elaine's voice. Robin was in a vulnerable state at the moment, and Marian feared that if they stayed in this house any longer Rufus would end up with an arrow though his eye.

"You're wives quite pretty, isn't she?" Rufus edged on.

Robin's eyes flashed red and Marian turned to Rufus, firing at him "Do you want to die, shut up"

Rufus only grinned and then proceeded to step forward, not caring that an arrow was pointed at him "Why do you help the weak, Robin?" He asked as if it was casual conversation "Haven't you worked it out yet? Charity is pointless"

"Helping the innocent is never pointless"

Elaine saw Edmund approaching Robin from behind with a large stick in his hand, preparing to strike Robin with it. Robin and Marian were too engaged with Rufus to notice so Elaine span around and elbowed the man in the stomach. He doubled over and Elaine took this opportunity to pick him up by the scruff of his neck and throw him forward, onto the floor by Rufus's feet.

Rufus snatched his son from the ground "Hurt my son again and you'll suffer, young lady" He preyed her up and down, his eyes dissolving into a satisfied smirk "And suffer you will"

She felt sick to her mouth at the thought not bother to point out that she was thirty now and was definitely past the point of being a young lady.

"I don't think you're in a position to make threats" Robin growled pulling back the bow further until the quiver began to shake from the pressure.

"Robin-" Marian tried but Robin spoke over her.

"A man who takes woman into their homes for entertainment" He spat, his face twisting menacingly "Ask me nicely and I'll think about not putting an arrow through your skull"

Rufus looked as though he was thinking about it but decided to say "you see, my father was the kind of man who asked nicely and I watched him get kicked around for it. So I don't ask nicely, and I don't get kicked around. Kill me if you want, but I don't beg"

It wasn't the reaction Robin wanted, it only made him angrier. How dare he take Marian and try to destroy her pride like that or even speak to Elaine like that. Although he was angry at Elaine as well for leaving, although he was sure there was more to the story, it was unlike Elaine to leave her friend when they were in need. He would ask about that later, he had to deal with Rufus for now.

Robin let go of the quiver and watched the arrow zoom past, catching Rufus on the cheek. He felt that was honourable to do that considering what Rufus was thinking about doing to his wife.

"They're coming with me" Robin pointed at both Elaine and Marian.

"Take them" Rufus shrugged, clutching his cheek as he winced with the pain "Their sweet faces aren't worth this much trouble anyway"

Robin took Marians hand and Elaine's arm, dragging the two out of the manor, when they were at a far enough distance away from the house Robin finally let go of their arms.

"Are you sure you're alright, he didn't do anything?" He asked pushing away the fear from her answer.

"Robin, honestly, I'm fine. You got there just in time"

"Marian I am so so sorry" Elaine stressed but Marian shook her head.

"I told you to run, it was the clever thing to do. I would have been more angry at you if you had stayed"

Elaine nodded and looked up to find the rest of the gang joining them. She ran past Robin and hugged Allan who wrapped his arms around her.

"You guys just ran off"

"Marian was in danger, Allan" Robin scolded and Allan looked as if he wished he hadn't said anything.

Tuck was limping behind and having to catch Little john's shoulder every now and then to stop himself from falling.

"Sorry" Allan mumbled "You alright, Maz?"

Marian nodded.

"Let's head back to the forest before Rufus get's the Sheriff men on us and then we'll figure out what to do with this new tax collector"

Tuck sighed realizing he'd have to walk the way they had just come. Elaine swooped in to help him walk.

"You alright?"

"Yes, it's just my leg"

"Sorry I didn't wait behind, but you know what Robin's like" Elaine said "I didn't want him going in there on his own and do something he regrets to Rufus"

"I understand"

This was probably the longest Elaine had spoken to him civilly. She supposed that he hadn't spilled her secret yet about being pregnant so she could at least trust him in that aspect.

"How's the…" Tuck coughed awkwardly and Elaine understood he was talking about the pregnancy.

"I'm a few months now" She smiled fondly at her stomach "Still to tell the rest of the gang yet"

"I figured. Have you and Allan decided what you're going to do yet?"

They hadn't. Elaine still wanted to visit Allan's parents but he was adamant the two weren't going "No we're still not decided"

Tuck nodded understandingly and the two walked in a comfortable silence all the way back to camp.

*~How to tame an Outlaw~*

When they got back to camp Robin was fuming. Elaine hadn't realised just how angry he was. He had stayed silent most of the way back to the camp and wouldn't look anyone but she had just thought he was still getting over Marian being taken but even still, after getting her back, he continued to pace.

Marian was tense too, waiting for the explosion Robin was going to give any second now. She knew he was going to suggest revenge of some sort. He wasn't exactly stable at the moment. He hadn't been since Much's death.

Elaine got out of the two's way, staying with Allan. Tuck had reminded her to bring up the subject of where they were going to go after the baby came. They still had months but it was nice to prepare.

In a low whisper, so the other's wouldn't hear, she said "What are we going to do?"

"What'd you mean?"

"With the baby. Where are we going to go?" She sighed, not wanting to bring this up but having no choice "I understand why you don't want to but I think we really need to discuss going to your parents"

It was odd for Allan to shut Elaine down on something but Elaine was unsurprised when he shook his head and gave her a short "no" for an answer.

"then where are we going to go, Allan!"

"I was thinkin' about this" Allan began "If we told Robin, I'm sure he'd be able to set up enough money for us to buy some land. Then we can go from there"

"We can't ask that of Robin!"

"Why not? I'm sure he would"

"I'm sure he would too but that doesn't mean it's right" Elaine scolded "It'd be selfish of us, that money's for the poor. It's their taxes"

"So, if we leave the gang then we are the poor"

"Allan"

"I'm bein' serious"

"When are you never not" she added sarcastically

Allan sent her a glare which she responded too by laughing. Allan grinned too causing wrinkles to appear around his eyes. She always loved his smile. It lit up his entire face, and his eyes sparkled. She often found herself in a trance staring at it and all she could think about was how lucky she was.

"You're a right pain in the arse you know that. Why can't you just agree with me for once and be selfish with me"

She shrugged "Alright, as long as you're asking"

Allan's smile dropped "He'll say no to me, he hates me"

"Don't be stupid. He doesn't hate you" She then added just to be cheeky "And you're not going to guilt trip me into asking him for you. If you want us to buy some land then you're going to ask Robin for the money"

"Yeah, but you wan the land too… don't deny it"

She shrugged "Maybe"

They were then pulled out of it but Robin's heavy puff as he landed near the centre of the camp.

"Robin" Marian warned "I'm fine"

"That's not the point" He turned on the rest of the gang "I think it's time we brought this new tax collector into our camp and had a little discussion"

No one objected the idea. Except Marian.

"And what exactly are you going to discuss with him?" Marian snapped, standing up where she sat and strided over to Robin.

"Why he thinks it's acceptable to play with my wife the way he did"

"I think there are bigger matters at hand than some dirty tax collector thinking he can get his way with me" John choked on his drink as Marian said this but she continued on as if she hadn't been disrupted "Like if there is a new tax collector living in Locksley, where is Gisborne? What if the Sheriff has killed him, we know the two haven't exactly been loyal to one another since the Holy Land"

"That's what you care about" Robin spat out, hate blazing on his face. Not at Marian, but at the idea of Guy of Gisborne still plaguing Marian thoughts "That man tried to kill you and failed by killing my best friend. How can you still be thinking of him"

Marian gulped, realizing she had made a mistake in telling Robin her thoughts "I didn't mean it like that Robin"

"Good, because it doesn't matter anyway whether Gisborne is dead or not. If he is then the world is a better place already"

"How can you say that" Marian whispered hurt by his words "He's still a human being as much as me or you"

"Even if he is alive, he's dead to us" It was John who spoke up this time. Everyone was surprised by him speaking up but no one disagreed with him, apart from Marian who was on the verge of tears.

"I understand your feeling's of hatred for him" Marian said "I feel them too but we need to find out where he is, this new tax collector seems so much more ruthless than Guy ever was"

"Guy is off no importance" Robin ended the conversation, giving a nod of thanks to John for sticking up for him. He had a feeling that most of the gang felt the same way about Gisborne after killing Much. Their loyal friend. Robin chocked back a tear. Yes, he would be glad if Gisborne was dead. In hell where he deserved.

"We go to Nottingham and sort this, now"

*~How to tame an Outlaw~*

A/N long time no see, huh? I'm so sorry for taking what… four months to update, I just haven't had a lot of inspiration but I've been writing this very slowly over the months. I haven't proof read it or even read it back, I just wanted to get it up and out of the way because I haven't had much time and I fear if I spend any longer on this I'll be here for years writing. I can't make any promises about when the next chapter comes out but I can say it'll hopefully be before the new year :D Thank you to everyone who has messaged me asking to see more, you're one of the reasons I have continued writing it.