Same Life, Old Friends

One month after that night of past revelations

Sherwood Forest

Robin's eyes were fixed on the crate with the money. "It doesn't feel right," he finally said.

"It's taxes. 'Course it doesn't feel right." Allan replied and added one more sack of coins to the growing pile. It was a hard work, theirs, but someone had to do it.

Due to heavy labor, sweat was dripping off Allan's forehead and he wiped it with his dirty sleeve. Every bit of him was dirty. For as long as his employment under Gisborne lasted, he had enjoyed the benefits of a nice hot bath; the memory was now taunting him. If nothing else, he missed being clean. "Oi, John! How many left?"

"Ten," Little John grunted and unloaded another sack on Allan's waiting arms a bit more forcefully than before. It was an occasional source of joy for the big man to give Allan a hard time.

"The problem it's not the money, but the men guarding it," Robin went on. "Did you see the size of them? The guards in Nottingham are changing rapidly from little boys to seasoned men. There's a reason for that. Probably not a good one."

"And how do you propose to shed some light?" Kate asked and stepped closer to Robin.

Kate had recently thought it was time to make an official declaration of her love. Robin would have welcomed some tenderness and comfort, but he had no intention to start something serious that would only lead to Kate's heartbreak. Especially after the disappointing attempt with Isabella. So he rejected her advances and now he wanted to interact with her as little as possible. It was pathetic for a grown man to act like a little boy, but Allan knew that Robin lately had little patience for such matters. Kate, though, didn't seem dissuaded by his behavior. That was more pathetic, Allan believed. He couldn't help but wonder what she hoped to achieve with a man who had buried his one true love's ring to leave the past behind, only to keep visiting that spot every other day.

On reflection, she might not know this bit of detail, Allan thought.

"Well," Robin smiled awkwardly and moved backwards, stepping on Little John's toes, who suffered the pain bravely. "A visit to the castle cannot harm."

"Yes. What harm can a possible arrest do?" Allan mocked. "Some sense, please."

"Why afraid, Allan?" Kate laughed. "Feeling old for some excitement?"

"No, my dear Kate. Just a bit more experienced when it comes to torture. That's all."

Kate looked ashamed, Alan unapologetic, John indifferent and it fell upon Robin to prevent an ugly scene from getting worse. "Whereas Allan has a point about the chances of an arrest, there's no need to fail if I am careful enough." At which point he clarified that he was going alone.

"Won't you be better if there's someone with you?" Kate's natural color returned as did her insistence.

"No, no," Robin said quickly. "No need to endanger any of you. It's easier to move in and out when I don't have to wait for others to keep up with me."

Robin said others, but Allan knew that only Kate would slow him down. It wasn't her fault. She had other merits, just none of them really helped getting in and out of the castle.

Any other member of the gang would be perfectly able to keep up with Robin because what he knew about the castle, they knew it too. Some of the entrances were discovered by Will and Djaq (Allan really missed those two. The gang wasn't the same without them), while John was quick to follow. Tuck had a marvelous talent for remembering everything without effort and Much was naturally and literally one step behind Robin, because where else would he be? As for Allan, having spent days and nights memorizing every bit of the castle layout he wouldn't be called a liability even if he'd walk in there blindfolded.

He remembered fondly that one time, during his first days as Gisborne's man, when he was trying to estimate how safe it was to jump from a low window on the pile of hay beneath it. It was strangely convenient. The instant he came to that conclusion he heard a swishing behind him. Marian. She was fully dressed as the Nightwatchman, about to embark on some mission. He smiled cautiously and moved away from the window. "I'll keep him busy but don't be long," he had told her. She didn't reply, but the next day she covered for him after a stupid mistake he had made. He guessed this was a thank you.

Yes. He missed Marian too.

"Well, any time you need..." Kate smiled kindly.

Robin nodded uncomfortably. "I appreciate it, Kate," he said. It was impossible to act natural around her. Well, pathetic.

Allan had just finished his work and felt his patience wearing thin. "You go," he told Robin, "and we agree on the usual; back before sunrise or we come for you, alright? Alright."

"Let's get up to the road and I'll leave you there."

Just before their paths took different turns Tuck arrived with a horse. "Just the gang of dangerous outlaws I wanted to see!" He had been at Knighton these past few days, helping a mother with her sick children.

"Tuck!" Their happy voices filled the forest. Tuck hadn't been gone for that long, but friendly faces were rare in Nottingham those days.

"How we managed to stay alive for so long when we're so easily discovered, I'll never understand." Allan commented, looking over his shoulder for any other visitors.

"Good to have you back." Robin said, "How is Margaret? The boys?"

"All better, God bless them. How are you doing?"

"Devoted to hard work and no fun." Allan answered.

"On that note, I must leave you," said Robin.

"May God be with you." Tuck said, without asking for the specifics, trusting that Robin was doing what he usually did; the right thing.

Robin went on with his instructions. "Much must have returned from hunting, so tell him not to worry. If it's possible."

"Gisborne?" Little John asked, hating the taste of that name in his mouth.

"If he survived the day," Robin advised, "make sure he doesn't become trouble." Caring for Gisborne was a duty which Robin would gladly give up, but as a member of his gang, his former enemy was now his responsibility. "I'll see everyone later."

He was already on the path to the town of Nottingham while Kate was staring at him until he was very small, probably waiting for him to turn around and look at her.

"Right! Off we go!" Allan felt sympathy for the girl. It wasn't her fault that she fell in love with a man who didn't reciprocate her feelings. But she should have known by now.

Count Friedrich's Castle, Bavaria

"How is this a good idea? Walking to a stranger's house in a foreign land?" Carter expressed his doubt for the tenth time and for the ninth time he was ignored.

"Make yourself presentable," Djaq gave the order so naturally, that Carter tried to salvage his appearance, but to no avail. Djaq smiled to herself. She had regained her vigor and was enjoying every minute of action.

"I, for one, like our chances with the Count," Will spoke then. "He did give us his money for Marian's sake." He winked, quite out of character, at Marian. It was something Allan would have done and with this, Will felt closer to home and his good friend.

Marian did remember Friedrich's eyes on her. It was unsettling at first, but when they came to an understanding she could easily set the boundaries.

Now she wondered what impression she'd make. Nothing like the first one, surely. Her most recent reflection wasn't very promising; tired, malnourished, worn out and without a proper cleansing her beautiful features looked rather aged and faded. The last time that Friedrich had seen her she was in a flattering black dress and now the only flattering thing on her was a green ribbon that kept her sleeve attached to the rest of her shirt.

Before she had the chance to act on getting a dress, she remembered how insulted she felt when the Sheriff and Gisborne insinuated that a gown was all that would make her likeable and she discarded the idea altogether.

Thankfully, Friedrich, aside from her looks, admired her spirit and wit and on that front she had no reason to worry.

At the gate they came across a surprise. The guards were speaking English and communication was easy, but before they'd get to any details, a smiling man, don in his finest sporting robes, was approaching with his company.

"That's him!" Djaq exclaimed, as if not believing that the man they were visiting would exit his own castle.

"Do we make ourselves known? Do we wait for a more private moment?"

"No time like the present," Carter's impatience could not be tamed any longer. "Marian, if you please?" he motioned for her to step forward.

"My oh my," Friedrich's accented English brought joy to the four companions. "Some of my most favorite Englishmen." He dismounted his horse and pretended to be aiming Marian's lips only to kiss her cheek.

She laughed and hugged him. "You haven't changed!"

"Don't worry, I do remember the skittles! This one, I don't know!" he pointed at Carter. "Count Friedrich of Bavaria. At your service!"

"Carter," the blonde man introduced himself. "Your hospitality," he went on, "it comes with a bath, no?"

"And wine."

"Splendid."

The Count explained the situation to his other guests who seemed to welcome the newcomers and offered his arms to Marian and Djaq. "Tonight we'll have a feast. Hans, prepare!"

His servant nodded and showed Will the way to the stables. Will was the only one to keep their horses calm, since the day they first had them.

Friedrich left them to rest only after he extracted the promise of a fully detailed telling of their adventures.

"What troubles you?" Djaq asked Marian in the privacy of their chamber.

"Do you think he'll give us what we ask?"

"A few beds, some food and fresh horses, it's not too much to ask! Not from a Count."

Returning home was the reason Marian woke up every day, but she wanted to do more. She wanted to return with proper help for their cause.

"An army is too much to ask, though, isn't it?"

Author's Note. The events in the first two chapters happened the same day/night, near the end of season three. Marian's injuries at the end of season two have healed and Djaq's injury was just an incident during a very dangerous journey across Europe. I hope this clears up any confusion. :)