The heavy rain in Leicester showed no sign of letting up. Soaked to their skins beneath their hooded capes, Robin, Marian, Much, and Little John climbed down from their horses and took shelter under the cover of trees. Robin did his best to keep Marian shielded, surrounding her by horses, himself and his men to block the rain and the wind from hitting her.

He was concerned about her. Although she'd seemed very healthy and playful last night, she had not been entirely well lately. At breakfast this morning in the castle she had not eaten, and had even excused herself briefly from the table, appearing ill, when steaming cod was served. Although still beautiful, she had lost weight recently and complained of being moody and cross. He would insist Djaq speak to her when they reached home.

"When is it ever going to stop?" Much complained. "I hate rain!"

"I hate royalty," Marian added, under her breath.

"Her, I do not like," was Little John's only comment.

"You might have to like her, Big Bear," Much joked. "Princess Johanna might become your step daughter one day!"

"Then I hope the fairy tales are wrong, having only evil step mothers," Marian said crisply. "An evil step father would be a good change, I think." Looking lovingly at Robin's strained expression, she added softly, "You're very quiet. I didn't mean that about all royalty, you know. I hope the king is worthy of all the loyalty you give him."

"He is, Marian."

"I believe you, Robin."

"He will come home soon. Trust me."

"He's certainly brave," Much commented. "There's a reason he's called Lion Heart, you know. When we were in the Holy Land-"

"I don't understand why Johanna treated us so poorly," Robin interrupted, unable to face listening to Much's reminders of war. "Does she think I'm a coward, for not rejoining her brother's crusade?"

"I think it was more personal than that," Marian told him. "She doesn't want me to have you."

Robin exploded in bitter laughter. "She's years too late for that! And I swear, Marian, I never gave her any reason to hope there could ever be anything between myself and-"

"I'm sure. I know you love me, and that you respect her mother, and the king."

"I used to respect her, too. I really did count her my friend."

"You lost two friends today," Marian reminded him gently. "The Earl of Leicester was nearly as bad. I think they deserve each other."

Robin looked fondly at the group around him. "At least I know I can always count on my true friends."

"We are Robin Hood!" Little John proclaimed.

"More like wet chickens," Much complained, then sneezed.

"Chickens?" Robin asked, cheering up. "Why not squirrel? They both taste the same, according to you."

"Very funny. A lesser man would be wounded. You should thank me, you know, for mending your cape when I did."

"I was supposed to mend that," Marian realized.

"Yes, well, but did you? You forgot! I sewed up the hole, and the tears. Otherwise, Master, you'd be wetter than you are!"

"I don't think that's possible, Much."

"Is that a break in the clouds?" Marian asked, hopefully.

"You always bring out the sun, my love," Robin answered, his smile turning radiant.

...

The thick mud lengthened their journey home, but they reached Nottingham at last, just south of Sherwood Forest.

Robin and Marian climbed down from their horses to say goodbye.

"I'm sorry the trip was wasted," he told her sadly.

"It wasn't. We were together, weren't we?"

He smiled at her tenderly, remembering especially their night of love. "We certainly were." He wanted to kiss her but couldn't, with Much looking on. "Marian, do something for me?"

"Hmm?"

"Get warm and dry, and...look after yourself. And next Thursday, when my lads and I are here doing drop offs, speak to Djaq. I'm worried about you."

"You don't need to be. I'm fine, really."

"You're growing thin. I'm not complaining, it's just-"

"I don't think you need to worry about that. I won't stay thin for long."

"What do you mean?"

She had not meant to tell him this way, but the words were just slipping out. "Robin, I-"

"Master! Gisbourne!"

"Go!" Marian ordered Robin.

"Come with me!" he pleaded.

"Soon, I promise. Go, now!"

Robin pushed a small purse of coins into her hand. "In case you need anything," he told her, looking as if he couldn't tear his eyes away. But Much, as usual, pulled him off.

The three outlaws darted away on foot, concealing themselves by weaving in and out through the crowd.

"Marian!" Gisbourne was surprised to see her so wet and mud splattered. "What is this?" he asked, his voice low and threatening, seeing her in her cape beside a horse. "The Night Watchman hasn't been-"

"No, Guy! See? I'm wearing my riding clothes." She pulled back her cape to let him see the bright red top with the gold pin shaped like an arrow. "I like riding in the rain."

He seemed to believe her. "You've been avoiding me, Marian. I did not see you all of yesterday and today until now. I hope you are not still angry at me, for my indiscretion."

"Is that what you call it? I would tend toward a stronger word."

"An ugly word, unworthy of your lips."

"Surely actions are stronger than words, Sir Guy. If the word is ugly, what do you call your attempt upon me?"

"My passion for you."

Despite her show of bravery, she shivered.

"You see," Guy whispered, his face next to hers, "you tremble. You cannot deny what is between us, Marian."

"We are friends, only. I have told you, Guy."

"And I tell you, we are more than friends. Be with me, Marian."

"I am wet, and cold. I need to change. Goodbye."

She turned to go, but he seized her arm in a viselike grip.

"Get off me," she snarled, between clenched teeth. "If you want any regard from me at all, you will unhand me."

As Marian expected, her words had effect. Gisbourne released her.

If he were to change, she reminded herself, resisting the urge to rub her soon to be bruised arm, she would need to show him kindness. He had, after all, grown up without love of any kind. And their friendship would certainly help again with her spying efforts.

His attempt upon her was unforgivable, but so were dozens of other things he had done. Besides, she knew how to manage him.

She turned kinder eyes on him. "I do truly wish to be your friend, Guy. Please, may we end our dispute? You can be a good man, I believe. I don't want my anger to come between us, or to stop you from being the man you can be."

Gisbourne had no desire to be a "good man," but he craved her more than ever. "Friends, then, for now, with the hope for more later," he reluctantly agreed, back again to that maddening place with her he knew so well.

"Excuse me, I really must get dry."

He let her go, watching her intensely as she entered the castle. With her back to him, he could not see how unhappy her face looked, missing Robin already, knowing she must wait until Thursday to see him again, and then only briefly. Yet it was a determined face as well, determined to do everything she could to save England.