Part 55

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The party was in full swing, in retrospect Much knew that it had been better to keep it small, simple with just the six of them. It was a success with a small deer roasting over the fire. They were so deep within the confines of the forest it would be unlikely that anyone would discover them there. Much watched from the fire, Robin and Marian shared a brief hug and then parted, Robin laughed at something Little John said. Much sighed deeply Marian had been right it was better this way without the entire village of Nettlestone being invited. What she had said was true, if they invited Nettlestone what of the other villages?

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Allan grunted with frustration, where was Robin when you wanted him? The camp was closed up; it looked as if they were out for the day. But where on earth would they go? He had entered the camp and noted that some of Much's cooking implements were missing as were some weapons. It did not make sense. Think Allan think he thought shaking his head. What was today? His mind decided, the fourteenth of October. Was that significant to Robin and the gang? He had an inkling it was, but could not quite put his finger on it. Now should he wait for Robin or go back to Gisborne who would be wondering where his lackey was.

On a whim Allan thought about a place that they had all been to one day when hiding some people from the Sheriff. With one last attempt to find Robin, before the Sheriff and Gisborne left to kill the King, he headed there. He heard then before he saw them. The sounds of a party, a feast were evident with the sweet smell of food. Allan's stomach grumbled in respond to the aromas which filtered into his nostrils.

What he saw brought a smile to his face. Will was playing some kind of flute and the others except Much were dancing to the merry tune. As he looked fondly upon the gang it was like seeing his family after a long absence. His heart constricted a little in a pain he could not identify, having not experienced much of love and family commitment over the years. His relations had been out for themselves, and what they could gain to make their lives easier and he was no exception.

With a shake of his head he admitted to himself that even he could be wrong about life, his choices. He had thought the money from Guy would end all his problems, only they just made everything worse. He still believed he could not help the situation Gisborne forced him in but now he wished he had owned up, confessed to Robin when he had the chance.

He did not realise he had moved until Much spotted him lurking in the trees and shot him a distasteful glare.

"Come to spy on us have you?" Much asked nastily.

"No. I am looking for Robin." He replied, nervously as the merriment had stopped suddenly and they were all staring at him for gate crashing.

"Well you have found me," Robin replied. "Hungry?"

Allan eyed the meat and then Robin nodding as he did so. Robin indicated to Much that he share the meat with Allan. Much handed Allan a plate roughly shoving it in his general direction and Allan took a large bite, grateful when the food began to ease the emptiness of his stomach.

"Well?" Little John asked.

"I do not suppose you have come here to wish Robin a happy birthday." Much offered.

Allan inwardly sighed, that was it. The fourteenth of October was Robin's birthday. How could he have forgotten that?

"Happy birthday," Allan said, through a mouthful of food. Robin smiled knowingly and wondered what the true reason for Allan's visit was. Finally swallowing Allan added. "I have news."

"Important news?" asked Djaq.

"Of course important otherwise he would not have ventured here," Much snapped, wanting Allan as far away from them and as quickly as possible.

"The Sheriff and Gisborne are leaving at dawn I am to accompany them, also some guards, not sure how many though."

"Where are you going?" asked Will.

"The coast," Allan informed, tucking in to the succulent meal.

"The coast," repeated John. "Which coast?"

"Well you see that's the thing. I do not know which coast. Which is why you need to know now, so that you can follow us in the morning."

"Right," said Will unconvinced.

"Look they are going to kill the King. They know where he is landing. Vasey's is hardly going to tell me where he is, is he? Guy either for that matter. I am telling you what I know. If you want the King to live you will have to trail us."

"Great," said Little John not really looking forward to an adventure which would lead them away from Nottingham.

"Well?" Allan said, using his tongue to clear a piece of meat that was stuck between his teeth.

"Thank you my friend," Robin said.

"My friend? What did you say that for? He is nobody's friend. Not even Gisborne's even though he likes to think he is," muttered Much.

"Shut up Much," Djaq said. "Robin?"

Robin nodded and then said his expression serious and grim. "We can not take the chance that this is anything other than the truth."

"It is the truth I swear," Allan said.

"But Allan, Vasey might be feeding you false information," Marian interjected.

"Oh yeah hadn't thought of that." He admitted.

"So," Robin finished. "We will leave first light and see where the Sheriff's plans take us all this time."

"Sudden death if you ask me," Much said.

"We are not asking you," Will replied.

"No well I don't like it. I hate this and I hate the Sheriff and I….alright, alright," he paused and looked at the gang including Allan. "I'll shut up."

"You do that, we have work to do," Robin answered, with a nod at each person.

Allan left them to it and headed back to Nottingham while the gang cleared the area so it appeared that the feast and celebration of Robin's birthday had never happened in the first place.