"We'll have the advantage, Allan," Robin explained, trying to lend Allan confidence in his plan. "We'll be charging down the steps toward the soldiers, while they'll be running up. Everybody knows-"
"Not bein' funny," Allan countered, "but the way I see it, the bigger advantage is on their side. They got swords."
"We won't be weaponless for long," Robin told him. "I'll lead the way with Much, and every sword we take we'll toss back, until none of us is unarmed, unless of course Her Majesty."
"Much?" Marian cried. "Robin! You haven't listened to a word I said!"
"Marian, just for now-"
But Robin was interrupted by Allan. "You make it sound simple. What? You think Prince John's soldiers are just gonna give up their weapons? 'Oh, hello there. I'm Robin Hood. Give me your sword.' 'Sure, since you're Robin Hood, take it. Anything else you want? My horse? My pay? My wife?' Yeah, right."
"Trust me," Robin pleaded. "I've done this before."
"When?" Marian asked.
Much spoke up for Robin. "It was in the Holy Land, the first time we were there. The king sent Robin on a scouting mission, and we were ambushed and our swords were taken from us. We were bound together at the top of a mountain, like the way Carter did all of us, except you, Allan, since you'd turned traitor and weren't there. Where else do you think Carter learned it, but in the Holy Land? Hmm, I never realized that before."
"The story, Much?" Will asked, knowing how Much could veer away from the point he was trying to make clear.
"Yes!" Much continued. "Anyway, we managed to break our bonds, and Robin decided we should rush the Saracens...sorry, Djaq...since they surrounded the mountain, so down we went. That's how he got his Saracen sword, from their leader...the sword he used to treasure, until he threw it over the side of a ship when he thought Marian here was dead."
Robin looked at his gang. "Unless any one of you has a better suggestion, it's our only chance to get out of here. Who's with me?"
All except Allan and Marian readily agreed. After a moment, Allan decided, "I suppose I gotta be. You never steered us wrong before."
"Good," Robin said, looking gratefully into each face. But when he looked into Marian's, his gaze grew deeper, and spoke volumes.
"Alright," she said, unable to resist his loving, intense scrutiny. "I understand why you'll lead the way with Much. But where do I come in?"
"I can't believe you're jealous," Much told her. "I mean, I've been jealous of you...more times than I can count, if I could count. But you...jealous of me? The world has turned itself upside down."
"I'm not jealous," Marian insisted. "I only want to matter...not be dismissed only because I'm a woman."
She knew her objection wasn't quite accurate, that there was more than merely her sex. Robin, after all, had no qualms including Djaq in any of his most dangerous missions, though it had taken him awhile to include her after she'd first joined his gang.
For his part, Robin knew his wife would be furious with him, but he couldn't allow her to face a squadron of armed soldiers, unarmed herself, while pregnant. The situation reminded him too closely of the time she had raced in to stop Gisbourne from murdering the king, and had ended up with his sword in her belly and their first unborn child dead. No, he couldn't allow her life or the life of their baby to face such a risk. Little John didn't know it yet, but he would be carrying both Queen Eleanor and Marian over his shoulders. And so, all Robin said to Marian now was, "You'll be right along with John. Use your legs to kick any soldier who gets close to you." He had no doubt she would, knowing how angry she would be toward him.
Before he would tell Djaq to use her potion to burn through the lock and create a smokescreen, he needed to secure the queen's permission. "Your Majesty," he began, "do you agree to come with us? It is risky, but if we leave you here, Prince John will surely move you to another castle, and it may take us months to find you again."
Queen Eleanor's smile showed respect and maternal fondness toward Robin. "And miss the chance to take part in another Robin Hood rescue? Not to mention having Big Bear carry me over his shoulder! Believe me, Robin, I'm rather looking forward to this."
A boyish grin flashed across Robin's face, then he grew serious again. He lined his men up in the order he thought would prove most effective, with Little John in the middle. Pulling the big man aside, he quietly asked him, "Can you carry two?"
"Her, I expected," Little John answered, indicating the queen. Indicating Marian, he added, "Her, I expected more."
"Use her as a weapon," Robin told him. "She'll be kicking up a storm, all of it directed in her head at me. I pity the soldiers, John, who get in your way."
"Them, stand no chance," Little John agreed.
"Alright, Djaq," Robin ordered, rejoining the rest of his men. "Unleash your poison."