Bleh. Sorry, I know that was unprofessional but that's how I feel after spending HOURS writing and re-writing this chapter. The dialogue had me stumped at some points. This is the end of Episode 6, so I was trying to find a concise way to wrap it up, but I don't know if I really succeeded because this has already had multiple endings. Thank you for the feedback though-I appreciate it and try to learn from it. And thanks to those of you who have actually stuck with this seemingly never-ending story. You're all the best. =) And please, if you notice a mistake in grammar, sentence structure, etc, please let me know. I've already gone over it several times, but it's late and my brain is NOT functioning the way it should.


"Gisborne's the new Sheriff?" Will asked incredulously as Carter once again recounted the episode in the castle to the gang.

"He was when Robin and I left…but considering John's fickleness, that could change."

"Hang on, so what's going to happen with the Sheriff…the old one?" Allan asked.

Carter shrugged. "John didn't go into details."

"So we have a plan for helping the villagers in Locksley, right?" Will glanced over at Robin.

Robin bowed his head and dug his boot into the dirt. He hated it when innocent people suffered because of him. "No, I don't have a plan…yet. We have no idea what John has in store for them, but we'll make sure we're ready."

"I'd like to meet this Prince John, and tell him exactly what I think of him!" Much said vehemently. "Tyrant… if the King knew he would be appalled. Appalled."

"Not bein' funny, but Richard doesn't know the truth when it's right in front of him," Allan sarcastically remarked.

"Watch it," Robin said in a warning tone.

Allan bit his lip. Robin was always extremely defensive of King Richard, even when they had been sentenced to death by the man. Robin glanced around, hoping to see Marian. He was tempted to ask after her, but his pride wouldn't let him. He was sure she was resting at this late hour, as she should be doing. Once everyone had returned to camp, Robin looked hesitantly toward his own. He wasn't up to facing Marian's wrath after their argument. Sighing, he grabbed a blanket and returned to the same tree he had slept under. An hour passed…then two…then three. Robin tossed back and forth as the branches poked at him. The sudden snap of a twig put him on alert as he reached for his bow. The snapping grew louder, but Robin forced himself to relax…maybe it was Marian.

"Master? Is that you?"

Robin grimaced. Maybe not.

"Yes, Much. It's me."

"What are you…doing?"

"I could ask you the same question. Skulking around at night—what were you thinking? I could have shot you. You nearly scared me out of my wits!"

"You…scared? Since when?" Much plopped down besides Robin. "If you have to know, I needed to…uh…relieve myself. So, what are you doing sleeping out here? Why aren't you at your camp…with Marian?"

"Maybe because I like sleeping outside."

Much stood up. "Alright, fine. You know, you're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Shutting me out! It was getting better, but then…then you started ignoring me after you married Marian and…oh, I don't know! Why do you always have to do this? And now you're running off with Carter everywhere."

"Shhh. Keep your voice down!" Robin hissed. "What's Carter got to do with this?"

"Oh, never mind."

"No, tell me!"

"Not until you tell me what's wrong. We're supposed to be working together as a team…we did back in the Holy Land."

"Alright, sit down. And lower your voice!"

"Fine." Much sat down with a thud and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Marian and I had an argument last night, so I came out here. And that's all there is to it."

"That's all?"

Robin hesitated before answering. "No, it's not."

"What is it then?"

"I don't know how to help her. Maybe it's the baby, but she's so…angry with me. She's says she's not, but she is. I have never felt so helpless before in my life."

"Come on, it can't be that bad," Much said, hoping to lighten his mood.

"It is. She feels trapped here. She always hated the woods, and now she's stuck."

"It's me, isn't it? She can't stand being around me. I knew it." Much pulled his cap off and fingered it nervously.

Robin chuckled. "No, Much. You're the last person who's bothering her right now."

"Well, I hope that's true."

"Now what's this about Carter?"

"Oh…nothing. I was angry—sorry."

"Much, I know you. You'll need to get it off your chest at some point, so you may as well tell me now."

Much squirmed uncomfortably. "You'll get mad."

Robin rolled his eyes. "I promise I won't get mad."

"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you! Why did just Carter and you go sauntering off to Nottingham today, hmm? We should have all gone."

"Much, we went through this already. Everyone agreed that just the two of us would go to Nottingham…the supplies for the poor still had to be delivered into the villages. So it was best we split up."

"See, you're mad. I knew it."

"I'm not mad!" Robin covered his eyes in frustration as he tried to think of a way to appease his friend. "I'm sorry. I thought you were fine with the arrangement. I didn't know you'd be offended, alright?"

"Why couldn't it have been you and me instead of Carter?"

"Because Carter offered to go first…you didn't say anything."

"You didn't ask. We don't…talk at all, and I know I've said all this before, but I thought it was going to change. But I'm still in the background, and that's the truth!"

Robin pondered his words before responding. "You're right. I've been so busy worrying about my own problems that I've forgotten how to be a friend. I'm sorry."

Much seemed satisfied with Robin's apology. "Oh, it's alright. I'm not the greatest friend either…always babbling on. I know you get tired of me."

"Well, that is true…" Robin smirked and playfully jabbed Much in the side.

"Excuse me? You're not the easiest person to live with either, you know," Much said laughingly. He suddenly sobered and looked sheepishly at Robin. "Oh, it's not important," he mumbled.

"What's not?"

"Nothing."

"Not this again…what is it?"

"It's something I saw…with Carter. It's nothing…"

"Much, just tell me!"

"Alright! Just…don't get mad. Remember, it's nothing. Promise?"

"YES!"

Much exhaled before continuing. "When you got back and everyone went to bed, I saw Carter walk to your camp. I thought he was going to see you, but…well…I guess you weren't there…if you were here…"

Robin's brow furrowed as he dwelt on the implication of Much's words.

Much laughed nervously. "Robin? Please don't tell me you're mad…"

"How long was he there?"

"A minute or two…he came right back to our camp. I knew I shouldn't have said anything…it was stupid."

"No, I'm glad you said something," Robin commented nonchalantly, trying to mask his emotions. He wanted to convince himself that it was nothing, as Much had said. There must be a reasonable explanation…maybe Carter needed to discuss something with him and naturally expected to find him there. Surely he wouldn't go purposely to talk to Marian, knowing he wasn't there.

Surely not.


Marian had been slightly startled when she heard the light rap on her door. For a moment she had thought…no, hoped…that it was Robin. Carter's voice was the last she expected to hear.

"Marian? Are you in there?"

"Y-yes. Hold on a minute." Marian pulled a shawl around her shoulders and opened the camp door halfway.

"I just wanted you to know that Robin and I made it back safely, in case you were wondering. I saw he didn't come here yet, so I thought you should know."

"Thank you. Was your mission…successful?"

"We found out quite a bit. You'll never believe it...Gisborne's the new Sheriff."

"Guy? The new Sheriff?"

"Appears to be…but I should let Robin tell you the rest." Carter seemed slightly nervous as he glanced around him, as if someone was watching. He nodded toward Marian and turned to go back.

As Marian laid back down, a wave of sadness hit her. Robin wasn't coming in for the night. But after their rather terse arguments earlier that day and last night, she couldn't blame him for staying away. She drifted fitfully in and out of sleep for the next few hours until the sudden sound of voices startled her out of sleep. Grabbing her shawl once again, she followed the whispered tones, which were growing louder with every step. She couldn't make out the words, but she knew those voices anywhere. Robin and Much.

Part of her wanted to run back to her bed and forget the whole thing. But what was the point? She couldn't sleep anyway, and being at odds with Robin was driving her mad. She cleared her throat. "Robin?"

Robin and Much turned, shock registering on both of their faces when they saw Marian. Much stood up awkwardly.

"Err, I should be going. 'Night."

Robin pushed his covers off and stared straight ahead. "Marian…why are you up?"

"I heard voices...and I saw you weren't at our camp."

"You should be in bed," Robin said rather stiffly.

"So should you."

"If I recall, I take up too much room, remember?"

"That was a cruel thing for me to say. Are you sleeping out here?"

When Robin didn't respond, Marian kneeled down. "Did you…sleep out here last night too?"

Sighing, Robin brought the covers into sight. "Wasn't so bad…really."

"I'm sorry…truly. And what I said earlier…I was feeling…overwhelmed. Please come back."

Robin felt his pride chipping away as Marian gazed intently at him. "I'm not exactly guilt-free though, am I? I'm sorry, Marian. Forgive my childishness last night."

"Only if you'll forgive mine."

"Granted."

"Now, will you come back with me?"

"Well, a warm bed sounds much more inviting than this pile of sticks I've been lying on for the past few hours." He slowly pushed himself up and reached for Marian's hand. She took it without hesitating and they made their way back. Breathing an inward sigh of relief, Marian was grateful that Robin and she had temporarily resolved their issues. She was uncertain on so many things in their future, but one thing she was sure of, and that was the love she felt for the man standing next to her.

***END of Episode 6***