None of the former outlaws accepted Allan's suggestion they wager, but every one of them made a guess as to how long it would take before Robin held Marian in his arms and they made up their quarrel. Much came the closest, guessing, "Just about now."
"How did you know?" Djaq asked him, as Marian allowed herself to be held and comforted.
Much, so seldom the one who was correct, accepted his victory with a matter-of-fact attitude. "I've watched them argue and make up for years, long before any of you knew us. The only time she held out, or maybe I should say times, was after we returned from war. And even then, even then she couldn't help herself from helping us...helping him. It wasn't until...when was it exactly she actually forgave him?"
None of them really knew, but Will suggested, "I think she was close, until she believed the baby we found in the forest was his."
"Yeah, Seth," Allan mentioned, enjoying thinking about Annie. "Looks a bit like Giz now. Apple of his mother's eye, but needs a firm hand, if you ask me."
"You've seen him?" Djaq asked, then guessed Allan's secret and was glad. Turning to Queen Eleanor, she asked, "If Your Majesty does not mind, whatever happened to your two daughters?"
"I lost them in the divorce," the queen responded. "They were Daughters of France, and so remained in the French Court. Louis of course remarried, and his next wife also gave him two daughters, then died. It wasn't until he married a third time that he finally got the son he felt he needed. I, of course, wasted no time after my divorce, marrying Henry Plantagenet, Duke of Anjou. In no time, it seemed, I produced two sons, became Queen of England, then three more sons and three daughters. Richard was my third son, the first to be born on English soil, as is proper for Her King. Revenge, as they say, is sweet."
Robin and Marian, happy and holding one another's hand, left the window and joined the group.
Robin had a plan of escape, but he wasn't yet satisfied with it, regarding it as only half a plan. But his heart was light, with Marian no longer angry.
Queen Eleanor continued her story. "And now my son Richard is in France, fighting Louis's son King Philip. Let's hope he wins back his lands, lost through Prince's John's incompetence." She thought a moment, remembering her two firstborn children. "I think it was because I missed my daughters, I urged Henry to bring Louis' daughter Alys to be raised in our English Court, after he betrothed her to Richard. That, in turn, became Louis' revenge upon me."
"Yeah?" Allan asked. "What happened? Richard didn't marry any Alys!"
Queen Eleanor sighed. "I loved that girl like my own children, half sister of my own French daughters," she explained. "Unfortunately, my husband King Henry loved her differently, once she grew to womanhood. It wasn't that she had irresistible charms, understand. He only felt threatened by Richard's growing prowess and abilities, and had to prove himself a so-called bigger and better man than his son."
Marian was the first to notice the shadow fall across Little John's face. She gently squeezed Robin's hand, who in turn signaled Queen Eleanor with a look.
"What is it, Big Bear?" the queen asked kindly. "Why so sad?"
"Alice...was my wife," Little John admitted.
"The love of your life," Queen Eleanor realized. "As Henry was mine, though it ended horribly." She sighed. "No one can replace one's true love, but it eases the loss, don't you agree, consoling oneself in the arms of another?"
Marian felt Robin stiffen, and she knew he was remembering her supposed death and his attempt to forget losing her in Isabella's arms. She forced herself not to stiffen as well, but gently sqeezed his hand again and whispered, "I'm here, Robin."
Robin looked gratefully into her eyes, and felt himself fall even more deeply in love.
He needed to save her...save all of them. "We need to get out of here," Robin said, "and the only way I can see is through that door." The rope they had used to climb the tower through the window had been taken, and the heavy locked door to the circular staircase was all that remained.
"I once staged a fire to help me escape," Marian offered, wanting to help.
Allan remembered, all too clearly. "Yeah, I can still feel the smoke in my eyes. It might of worked, too, but I was too quick for you."
Robin looked questioningly at his wife, wondering what other dangers she had faced without telling him. Then, returning to the rescue at hand, he said, "Smoke is part of today's plan. Djaq, do you still have the liquid that burns through metal?"
"Here," she answered, indicating the vial she wore around her neck.
"Good. Lads, here's what I suggest." He paused, wishing his plan was better. Queen Eleanor depended on them, and he and his men had been robbed of their weapons. "Djaq will use her potion to burn through the lock, creating a smokescreen, then we run."
"That all you got?" Allan asked in disbelief. "Come on, Robin!"
"Running," Much said dryly. "Down the stairs, filled with guards, without weapons. So, nothing risky. Nothing that can get us killed."
"Does anyone have a better idea?" Robin asked.
"I'm in, Robin," Will said.
"And me," Djaq agreed.
Little John nodded his head in agreement, but Queen Eleanor told them, "I cannot run. The rest of you escape, and get word to the king. I am a prisoner, but I'm treated well."
"We cannot leave Your Majesty," Robin told her.
"I command it," the queen ordered.
"Then I fear I must disobey. I cannot risk what Prince John will do, when he hears I have found you."
Little John rose to his feet and bent down. "Get up," he told the queen. "I will carry you."
"How can I refuse such a chivalrous invitation?" the queen asked. "I'll make a gentleman out of you yet, Big Bear, but not too much of one."
Robin arranged his men in the order he thought would prove most successful and protective of the queen. He himself would do all he could to protect the others, especially Marian. "Ready, lads?" he asked. "Djaq, work your magic."