The morning dawned mild and pleasant, promising to be a beautiful day. After a convent breakfast, Robin saddled his horse before bidding his family goodbye, with Queen Eleanor's message to the king safe in his keeping.

The two little Locksley girls capered happily about in the yard after Robin lifted each and kissed them goodbye, telling them he'd be back in time for supper. It would do them good, he thought, to spend a day out of the coach. It would do Marian good, too. Marian, Robin thought, looked pale...tired and unhappy. "Are you alright?" he asked her with concern.

"I'm fine."

Her manner was more curt than she meant it to be, but she couldn't relax and be happy, not when she feared she might lose him again to battle. It felt as if she were being hurled backward in time, having to relive the nightmare of him deserting her to become a crusader.

Robin knew Marian too well to accept what she said and waited, scrutinizing her face with his beautiful, intense gaze.

"It's nothing," Marian said, trying to give him her little half smile that had always slain Gisbourne. But she couldn't be so dishonest, not to Robin. Instead, found herself blinking back tears.

Instantly, she was in his arms.

She clung to him now, the way she'd wanted to last night in bed. All her defenses were down, and she could no longer hide her need for him.

"It's alright," Robin assured her, lovingly. "I'm not off to battle, Marian, only to deliver a message. Like I promised the girls, I'll be back before you have time to miss me."

"Who says I'd miss you?" She felt better already, and foolish for her misgivings. "I doubt, Locksley, I'll even notice you're gone."

Robin was happy he'd guessed the cause of her grief, and smiled down at her. Wiping away the last of her tears, he gazed into her eyes, saying without words all he felt toward her.

His kiss was a promise, a yearning, a song. Marian was assured, and happy at last. "Don't forget," she told him, watching him spring into the saddle, gaze longingly at her again, then gallop away.

She followed him with her eyes until he was outside the convent gates, then turned and joined her daughters who were playing that game invented during the pestilence, "Ring Around the Rosie." Marian dismissed the game's meaning and simply enjoyed her children's singing and laughter as they "all fell down," over and over again.

...

As Robin approached King Richard's army camp, he recognized how much the same, and yet how different the camp was to the ones where he and Much had lived in the Holy Land.

Richard was a good commander who kept his camps clean and free from most diseases that usually threatened armies, often destroying more soldiers than actual battle. Fires were burning garbage in regular spots, as well as heating water for boiling clothing and bathing men. Latrines had been dug well away from food and water sources, and tents were set up with enough space between them to give plenty of room. Additionally, "camp followers," women who earned their living as prostitutes, were forbidden within the camp.

After providing his name, his purpose for arriving, and showing Queen Eleanor's seal, Robin was admitted into the camp without having to surrender his weapons. The king's tent, Robin knew, would be in the center of camp, unlike the tents of other commanders who pitched theirs away from their soldiers.

There it was, a banner fluttering above the camp displaying three golden leopards passant on a red background, Richard's arms and now the symbol for England. Repeating his name and purpose, Robin passed another sentry and entered King Richard's tent, his heart quickening at knowing he was about to see his king, the man who, in Robin's heart and mind, symbolized England, the country he loved, as well as embodying all manly virtues Robin most admired and strove to hold himself.

Robin's idealism caused his hero worship of Richard not to lessen over the years, but only to grow stronger. "Your Majesty," he said, bowing his head and dropping on one knee.

Richard, in conference with the Earl of Leicester among other English and Angevin nobles, was surprised and pleased. "Robin of Locksley," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. "Arise, Friend. I knew it would be only a matter of time before you joined my fight."

"I bring a message from Queen Eleanor," Robin announced, sorry to disappoint his king.

King Richard studied Robin, then took the written message from him. As he read of Prince John's crimes and atrocities, Leicester took Robin aside. "You travelled through Leicester?" he asked.

Robin nodded. "All's well at your home."

"You saw Joan?"

"I did. Your wife's as beautiful as ever."

Leicester smiled, then asked, "You have a message for me, as well as for His Majesty?"

Robin drew in his breath, embarrassed for the earl. Wanting to be kind, he hid his feelings under a lie. "There wasn't time," he said, "but she sends you her love."

Leicester appeared satisfied, and Robin thought of Marian, thankful for her true love and affection.

The king crumpled the written missive in one fist. "Once again, Robin," he said, "I owe you my thanks, this time for saving my mother. She writes I mustn't try to recruit you, but now that you're here, will you not reconsider, and join me?"

Robin, honored by his king's praise, could only bow his head again in refusal. "Your Majesty, I regret, I cannot."

"You are far from Locksley," the king pressed. "You cannot make the excuse, your people need you."

"My people are fine, now that Queen Eleanor is once again regent. But this is not my fight, Your Majesty."

"I would argue it is yours, since it is mine," the king pursued. "Or have you lost your allegiance to your king?" King Richard grew angry in his frustration. "What have I done, Robin, for you, my most loyal servant, to turn against me?"

"I have lost none of my allegiance," Robin argued, equally frustrated.

"Then why won't you fight alongside me?"

How, Robin wondered, could he make the king understand? Richard loved war more than anything, war with a cause he considered just and honorable. Robin understood its thrill, but he more than hated its aftermath of dead and mutilated bodies. He tried all in his power not to kill, but he knew Richard would never understand that. Nor would he understand Robin putting his family first, unless England itself needed defending.

But they had already discussed this before.

"Your Majesty," Robin said unhappily, "may I have your permission to go?"

Just at that moment, a battle cry rent the air. "King Philip's attacking! Soldiers, battle!"

"To arms!" King Richard cried, racing from his tent to lead the charge.

Without stopping to think, Robin ran after him. Pulling a fistful of arrows from his quiver, he scanned the army camp and began firing arrow after arrow at the French invaders until he ran out. Then, he unsheathed his sword and fought in hand to hand combat, and was soon spattered with blood.

...

(Note: Many of you might know the origin of "Ring Around the Rosie," but if you don't, it was invented during the plagues that devastated Europe during the Middle Ages. The words, "Ring around the rosie," referred to the early sign of the disease, red marks on the skin. "A pocketful of posies," referred to small bouquets of flowers people carried with them, thought to prevent the disease and to cover up the nasty smells of sickness. "Ashes, ashes," might refer to the sneezing, "Achoo, achoo," or else to the fires that burned, again because smoke was thought to carry away the disease and cover up odor. And of course, "We all fall down," refers to death. The game might have been invented after Robin Hood's time, but close enough for me to use in the story, since it is fiction, after all!)