Most of Robin's gang slept much of the day, with the exception of Djaq, who quietly kept vigil by Will's bunk, tending his wounds and doing all in her power to make him comfortable. Much, too, was up before the others, preparing food for them to eat once they awakened.

After their meal, sitting around the campfire, sipping rather than chugging down ale tonight, Robin tried to steal a few moments alone with Marian. "So," he said, his voice intimate and inviting, "it seems I owe you an apology."

"Only one? I can think of a dozen things you should be sorry for."

"Can you now? So, Marian, what have I done? Tell me my wrongdoings, so I can begin to make amends."

"You're not sorry. You only want to be charming and talk softly and get cozy."

She was smiling brightly, teasing him and anticipating the kisses his voice and eyes were promising her.

He snickered happily. "And what's wrong with that? 'Cozy' can be fun, Marian. Do I need to convince you how much fun it can be?"

He reached behind her head and wove his fingers through her hair, slowly drawing her face to his. She stopped him just as their lips were about to brush.

"Tell me why you're sorry first," she whispered.

They were leaning so close, there was barely a breath of space between them. They couldn't stop smiling at one another. And Robin, lost in the beauty of her smile, couldn't for the life of him remember what he had been planning to say.

"I can't remember," he laughed, his heart light and full all at the same time.

"Then I can't forgive you, but I will anyway."

Their lips met at last, fused and clung together in a thoroughly satisfying kiss.

Robin was eagerly moving in for seconds, when Much came along and plopped down beside him on the bench, dampening the sweethearts' intimacy for the moment.

"Dinner good?" Much asked.

"It was wonderful," Marian sighed, still gazing into Robin's eyes.

"Perfect," Robin agreed, smiling at Marian.

Much was delighted. "I thought you'd be pleased! It's been such a long time since we've enjoyed rabbit! I do love a rabbit, roasted over a fire, don't you, Master? Master, are you listening to me?"

"What, Much?"

"Please! I might as well be talking to a deaf man, for all the attention you pay me! You never listen!"

"I do!"

"Then what did I say, oi?"

"You asked whether I enjoyed my dinner."

"After that. What did I say to you after that, oi?"

Robin stumbled over his next words, trying to ignore his friend's immense unblinking eyes, staring so accusingly at him. "Well, you said rabbit is difficult to trap, and we need to take care and not deplete their numbers, but other more plentiful animals make good enough fare, most of the time. Such as chicken," he added, for good measure.

"Aha! You weren't listening! I knew it! You never, never listen to me! A smaller man would be wounded! A smaller man would be offended!"

Robin laughed and gave Much an affectionate shove, nearly knocking him off the bench. Much, looking pleased and proud of himself, settled himself comfortably on the bench. Marian sighed, resigning herself to his presence.

"Master," Much continued, changing the subject, "what are you planning to do with all those weapons we stole from Gisbourne and his men? You're not thinking of arming your villagers? Surely not!"

Robin picked up a hazel twig and gnawed it thoughtfully. "You're right, Much, I'm not. But, I have been thinking about those swords! If there's one you'd like to have, it's yours for the taking. Anything else, we sell."

"Sell?" Marian asked. "You're not going to try and sell those weapons back to their owners, Robin! They'd use them against you! Have you thought of that?"

Robin tossed Marian a wink. "I may be a 'varlet,' but I'm not stupid. I am NOT Gisbourne," he couldn't resist adding. "No, Marian. I was thinking," he continued, his voice shifting into his most coaxing tone, "the three of us could take a journey, disguised as merchants, and get a good price for those swords. Just think how far that money would go, feeding and clothing every family in Locksley!"

Marian's eyes lit up with excitement, and Much asked, "A journey? Us? Where, Robin? Where? But what about the others? What will they do?"

"I was thinking," he said slowly, drawing out the excitement, "we could travel to York. We are not known there, and I'm sure the Sheriff of York would pay us well for such outstanding weaponry. Will could stay here and recover, Djaq can tend to him, and John can lead, and continue our work while we're away on our mission."

"York!" Marian cried, thinking it sounded more like a holiday than a mission. "I would dearly love to go!"

"But, Master," Much objected, "us? Merchants? Really, Robin!"

"We can do it. All we need is a cart; that's easily secured...a horse, some gaudy clothing, flaunting our wealth...and identities. Much, you and I will be business partners, and Marian, you can be my..." He hesitated, longing to say, "wife," but just couldn't mouth the word. "You can be my little sister," he said, unknowingly disappointing her.

"Alright," Marian agreed. "Now, where am I supposed to get a dress, so I look like a wealthy merchant's sister?"

"I know just the place," Robin grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now, think, Marian, whom do we know who dresses like a wealthy merchant's wife?"

When she couldn't answer, surprised he had unwittingly said "wife" instead of "sister," he prompted her. "What lady wastes all her money on overly flamboyant gowns and hats? Who wears the gaudiest gowns in Nottingham?"

When Marian realized whom he meant, her jaw dropped. "Robin, no! You are not going back to try to steal a gown from that woman! Besides, she's fat! Her dresses would never fit me!"

Robin grinned, delighted by Marian's startled reaction. "It's very true your lovely figure would be lost in her opulent gowns' folds, but I'll just lace you up tight and wrap you up like a Christmas present! Now, it's getting late, and if we want to secure a gown for my 'little sister' to wear to York, we three had better be off!"

Robin stood, ready to go, and Much stopped him. "Master, where are we going?" he asked, completely confused.

"To get Marian a gown, Much."

"But, Robin...where?"

"Now, Much, didn't you hear Lady Aylesbury ask me to 'return anon?' Well, who am I to deny a lady's request?"

"Lady Aylesbury?" Much cried. "Again? Oh, Master, surely not!"

"Come on," Robin said. "It'll be easy. Trust me!"

"Easy!" Much huffed to a frowning Marian. "Easy for him! He doesn't have to watch and listen to himself!"