A/N: To one and all I apologize for not updating sooner. Many things have come in the way of the completion of the tenth chapter. One being my new job as a photographer. With Christmas season coming fast upon us, portraits of ones family becomes needed in great demand. Plus, one of my coworkers is ill so they need me to come in more often. Another is that I have been in a production at the local college. Over the past two weeks we've been in performance and tonight was the final night. I'm sad that it is all over for many of the people that partook in the creation are not ones I see most often. I will miss them all greatly for they are a fabulous cast and crew. Now, onto the story.

Chapter Ten

Over the course of the rest of the ride, Will and I didn't say much of anything to one another. I know I slightly dozed off at one point, due to listening to him breathe and the sounds of the birds around us. Food stalls and merchant sites were the first sounds I heard as I awoke. As my eyes scanned around, I could tell we were in some kind of market place.

"Where exactly are we going?"

"Do you see that large castle up on the hill?"

I nodded my head and he went on to say that it was the castle of Nottingham. Both Robin and Marian stayed there whenever they needed to tend to village matters or it was winter. He also mentioned that due to Locksley castle being in ruins, they were staying in Marian's ancestral home until things were fixed.

"I see."

Was all I could say as the aroma of food and the colourful sights took hold of me. Seeing that my hands were still holding on around his waist, I pulled them back and held onto the back of the saddle. The clip clop of the hoofs on the drawbridge made my eyes focus on the inside of the gates, everything looking slightly similar to the movie but also very different. We rode straight up to the stables and as soon as the horse had stopped, I slipped down from the saddle, wiping the dust from my pant legs.

The look on Will's face as I looked up and he climbed down was priceless. There were hints of red beneath the vest collar, which caused my eyes to scan down over his chest briefly before I looked right back up into his eyes.

"You're never going to let me help you with anything are you? First the horse and then this."

"What the heck are you talking about?"

"I was going to get down to help you down off of Fire but instead you just slide off like a man."

"Well why should I get help for something that I obviously don't need any help with?"

A voice coming from behind me startled us both from the looks of ice we were giving one another.

"Aww, a lovers quarrel. Look how they're standing toe to toe about to kiss."

Turning on my heel, I looked and saw that Jade, Leighanne and Sarah were all standing back a bit with soft smirks on their faces. I rolled my eyes and ran a hand through my hair.

"Stuff it."

"Will you be quiet?"

Will and I said at the same time which only made the girls start to laugh and make kissy noises. My fist started to tighten as Marian walked over to us from her horse.

"Richard's inside……what happened here?"

"Nothing." (Will and I)

"Quarrel of Lovers." (Jade, Leighanne, Sarah)

"Ah would you three just shut up." That time it was solely me who spoke since Marian and Will were both starting to laugh as the other three got startled looks.

"You four fight as if you're friends and have been for a long time."

I walked from my place by Will to where Marian stood.

"Believe me; I've dealt with friends like this before. All in good fun but fun is over… Shall we head on in? I want to meet this infamous Richard the Lionheart."

A spark came to Marian's eyes as she took my arm and led me away from the other four towards the castle doors.

"I can't wait to tell him of you. You deserve to meet him after today's events."

The two of us disappeared from the courtyard into the main hall. As we walked, I caught Marian taking several glances my way. It wasn't like I wasn't used to it. But since I arrived…no one had done that.

"What?"

"I was just wondering if we should change before seeing Richard. For women to come before a kin with trousers, ever riding ones on can be highly unorthodox… Yes, I think we'll change before saying hello."

My jaw dropped at how fast she made up her mind. For one, I didn't really like the way her mind was working and another thing was that I had nothing even if I did want to change. For some reason, she seemed to read my mind.

"I can probably lend you a dress. We're about the same size."

A dress? No frickin way. The last time I wore one it was not a pretty experience.

"I think maybe I'll stick with my pa… trousers. I'd be more comfortable in them. Plus they are who I am. A dress really isn't."

From the look on Marian's face, it seemed as though she was going to oppose to my decision, but she surprised me.

"All right, it may be better idea to have you as you are rather than someone you're not. This way, you get to show him that you are different. Of course seeing you and Will side by side in trousers will likely put Richard into shock…but he should be used to it by now."

I let out a sigh of relief as we turned down the hallway to her and Robin's chamber. The stone walls were warm browns and reds, not the dreary grays that you would see in movies. Once we arrived, we saw that there was already a dress laid out on the bed with accessories on the dresser. The dress was similar to the color of her trousers. A deep blue was the base color with strips of pale blue material outlining the hem of the skirt. Light in weight while material made up the sleeps that were attached to thick shoulder straps.

While I waited in the main room and Marian changed quickly, a servant took my trench coat from me, saying that she would put it in my chambers for me. When Marian had finished and came back out, she braided her hair and would a pale blue ribbon in with her hair. To straighten up my appearance, I ran my hand through my hair, retied the belt about my waist and straightened the top underneath the leather. When I was sure that I was presentable, I looked to Marian and saw that she had slightly wide eyes.

"What?"

"Oh, it's just that I've never seen someone work so quickly into making their appearance presentable for Richard." I shrugged.

"I don't put a full emphasis on my looks."

"You should. With my experience of looks, being that I'm older than you, guys like it."

With that last comment, Marian winked with a sly grin across her face. I rolled my eyes and groaned. Seeing the disgruntled look on my face, Marian laughed and led me out the door.

"Lets go."

Heading down the hallway, we were soon joined by Jade, Leighanne and Sarah whom all walked behind us. We stopped in front of a set of large doors and Sarah moved by us and into the room to announce the rest of us. She would leave my name out so that Marian would introduce me to her cousin. Several minutes later, Sarah came back to lead us in. One by one we filled into the room going Marian, Jade, Sarah, Leighanne and finally me.

Jade's dress was an emerald green while Leighanne's was that of pale rose. Those two were familiar in so many ways, but also so very different. As we entered, my eyes looked around and saw that the windows had dusty red curtains draping over the sides and the floor a little. A grand desk stood against the wall across from the doors. From what I could see behind the others, there was a man standing with his back to us. The shirt he wore showed the broadness of his shoulders, the leanness since the edges of the shirt slightly billowed over the waistline of his pants.

"Ah, Marian, it's good to see you cousin. Jade, Leighanne I see that you both are well."

I watched as the person who spoke stood from the desk and walked around to meet his cousins. It then hit me that this was Richard the Lionheart. When I caught a full glance of the man, I was shocked. I shouldn't have been seeing as everyone else had taken on the looks of people from Sherwood. Richard looked like both Mr. Kloppman from English and Sean Connery who played Richard in the movie.

"I take it this is the person whom Will was referring to. He didn't do her justice. Come forward child."

I snapped out of my trance on Richard to notice that the well groomed man happened to be Will. He had cleaned up very nicely. Heeding him, I walked towards Richard past his cousins.

"Neither my cousins, Will nor Sarah have said what your name is. Pray tell, what is it?"

Bowing slightly I said,

"The name is Dodger."

""Dodger…hmmm… Not a bad name. I take it you live up to your name? (I nodded) Yes. Will told me of how you came upon them in the forest and also of today's little adventure. I would like to give you my thanks."

I gave a weak smile.

"Your, uh, welcome."

"Well now, let's go down to the dining hall and have a bite to eat. I'm sure you are all famished from the ride and are hungry for a good meal."

Taking the lead with Marian on his arm, Richard led the small party out the doors we had come in to the dining hall. Jade and Leighanne followed behind with Sarah right behind them. Will stayed back and offered his arm to me as Richard had with Marian. I stared from his arm to his face and started to walk out of the room to follow the others. I heard a grunt of disapproval behind me and heard the footsteps catch up with me.

"You know you need to change your attitude, especially if you're around here. The forest is alright, but you're in front of royalty… show some respect."

I stopped suddenly and watched as the others moved into the dining room, closing the door behind them briefly forgetting about us. Remembering where the door was, I turned on my foot and stared up at Will. His arms were loose at his sides, something I had learned always meant the person didn't find me a threat.

"What do you mean change my attitude? I know I'm around royalty but this way has suited me fine for nearly nineteen years… okay, maybe ten."

Will's features tightened and I caught sight of his arms tensing slightly. I kept my stance firm but loose.

"One point you're a brick wall while the next you're like an ajar door. You hear a little and see a little into the room that is you. Then when something bothers you, you slam the door shut again."

"Listen bud, it's who I am. If you don't like it then fine. But I'm not changing just because someone I met a day ago told me to." Will looked at me.

"From the way you act, it's like you don't want to let the world in. You're just happy with what you've got."

"I am happy. No parents ordering to be like them, an Aunt who thinks I should go for my dreams and four friends who care for me on the inside. I act as I do and that's fine with me."

I hadn't realized that my voice had gotten increasingly louder until the hall was filled with a soft echo. Those who had gone in before us were now standing at the door, complete unnoticed by Will and I. We were two volcanoes ready to blow.

"Well more people could be added to that list if you'd just open up. People do want to get to know you. You're spirit intrigues them. Most women don't have strong right hooks unless you've been taught by an expert."

"Please tell me you're going somewhere with all this because you're wasting a lot of hot air."

Once again, a discouraging scowl came across his face.

"Right there… You say snide remarks that keep all others away. What I'm trying to say is that let up on the remarks and the attitude. It doesn't flatter you at all."

With that final remark, Will stepped close to me and pressed his lips to mine. I stood there in shock and watched as he pulled away. A smug look was in place of the frustration. The bruise I had given him just the day before was bringing up nice colors to his face. His eyes danced a little, looking as though he believed that with the no words or screaming from me, I had liked it. He had another thing coming. Once must ask before taking. Bringing my arm back I swung out with my right fist again and hit him over his jaw. This would add to the already lovely colors later on.

"Actions speak louder than words."

Was all I said as I walked away towards the dining hall. Marian, Fade, Leighanne and Sarah rushed passed me to aid Will, making sure that he was okay. I continued on my way inside and started pacing back and forth fuming.

"That was a nice swing you did back there. I must say Will deserved that. No one deserves that if they've only been known for one day."

My heartbeat started to return to normal and I turned to look at Richard. I had only met this man ten minutes ago and he'd known Will longer, but here he was praising my hitting the idiot.

"Don't worry about him. He's been through worse and has the help from my cousins. Knowing them, they'll baby him until he kicks them out. Now, let's sit and eat and you can tell me your side of all the events so far."

Richard led the way over to the table and I followed, reminding myself that I'd have to watch the way I said certain things. Sitting down, we talked of different things as the food was set out in front of us by servants. When he would ask something I felt uncomfortable about, he wouldn't pressure me to answer but changed the subject. We'd been sitting there for awhile before the ladies joined us. Will was no where to be found. Marian explained to us as she and the others sat.

"You hit him pretty hard that the bruise that came up darkened the one you'd already left him. He was also embarrassed by your reaction to the kiss. He's been trying to figure out how to express his feelings towards you and the kiss sprang to his mind. He decided to go back to his room to avoid any more humiliation."

A feeling slowly came over me and took over my train of thought briefly. The feeling of humiliating a guy was very familiar. Who knows how many times I had actually done that. As for hearing that Will had feelings for me? That was definitely new. I pushed it aside though, thinking that it must have been some kind of joke.

We ate our dinner, my thoughts concentrating on the food and conversations around me rather than on what Marian had said before. As we finished, I asked if I could take a plate back with me in case I got hungry during the night. I also mentioned how I didn't want to get lost during the night trying to find the kitchens. Everyone laughed and Richard had someone make a plate up for me. One by one, we each left the table and with the help from a servant, I made my way to what was to be my room.

Walking down the hallway, I noticed several pictures and statures. There was one picture of Robin and Marian. The caption read, "One year of Bliss." Their faces were turned towards one another and I shook my head, catching up with the young lady. As the end of the hall came closer, it hit me that no one else was coming this way.

"Are the others staying nearby?"

"Oh no, Lady Marian is staying in her and Master Robin's room in the north hall. Maids Jade, Leighanne and Sarah stay in the south hall."

"Where am I staying then?"

"Master Richard recommended that you stay in the West hall since you love to be inspired."

I hadn't realized that we'd gotten to my room and ended up bumping into the servant.

"Oops, sorry."

"It's all right miss, no harm done. Here are your quarters. If you need anything just pull the rope by the bed."

I thanked her and watched her move down the hallway and finally out of sight. Entering my room, the first sight of it took my breath away. A tall closet took up most of the far wall while a bed took up the other. A fire place shared the wall with the closet and hand incredible carvings on the stone and wood. Focusing on the wall with the window, I saw that there was a candle sitting on a desk to the right of it. A quill took its rightful place in an ink pot and there were several sheets of paper laid out beside it.

"Wow…"

A table was off to the right side of the grand bed and so I walked over, placing the plate of food onto it. Deciding to see how comfortable the bed was, I jumped up and landed on the plush material. Everything was so plush and comfortable that I laid my head back and closed my eyes.

"Writing first…then sleep."

I pushed myself up off the bed and took my trench coat from its place at the foot of the bed where the servant had placed it. Pulling from the pocket I brought out my writing book and laid back on the bed again, writing in on the new pages the events of the past two days.

As I got to the point about fighting against the men who were after Marian, my stomach started to grumble. Laughing to myself, I tucked the book under one of the pillows slightly and pulled the food plate onto my lap. Picking up the bread, a knock interrupted my eating. I sat the bread back down and moved from my place on the bed. Setting the plate back on the end table, I walked to the door and opened the wood to see Will standing there looking like Patches from 101 Dalmatians. I started to laugh a bit, but caught myself in time.

"Oh… hey Will."

"Hey. Mind if I come in for a bit."

"Sure."

As he walked in, I bit my lower lip to hold in any of the laugh and closed the door behind him. When I turned around, I saw that Will was sitting on the bed with my book in his hands. Watching him start to open it, my reflexes kicked into gear and I moved forward.

"Uh… can I have that back please?"

I reached forward and tried to grab the book from him but Will noticed my movement quickly. He stood up and held it just out of my reach. With him being taller than me, he was able to hold it just so. Each time I tried to jump for my book he'd just move it to his other hand.

"Why don't you want me to read this?"

"It's private. You do know what that means right?"

"Oh, I know what it means; I just want to know why you're so worked up about me reading it. You're red in the face already. There must be something important in here."

With a sly look, he turned his eyes down to the book and I noticed his shoulders relax a little more. I smirked a bit, seeing that his guard was down. I made a quick movement, grabbing the book and started moving over the bed to get away. Before I could get very far, Will grabbed onto my foot making me fall forward onto my stomach. With a quick flip, I moved onto my back hoping to get off the bed before he could take the book.

I was about to get up from the plush bed, but Will pinned me down and looked at me with his chocolate brown eyes. An embarrassed look came over his face and a hint of red came up through the shiner.

"Uh, are you g…" before I could finish the sentence, Will moved down for another kiss. I didn't know why, but this time I didn't go for the anger bit. I felt his lips press against mine. Soft, caressing mine gently before moving to my cheek, jaw and soon my neck. I realized that things were going too far too fast and now was a time to stop. What Marian had said was now proven true…or at least this gave some proof. I took my hands and pushed against his chest. My gaze was met by a questioning one from Will.

"What?"

"This is going a bit far, I mean, I just met you yesterday."

I watched as the questioning look turned to one of hurt. Seeing the look of hurt on his face made me feel guilty. As he moved from on top of me, I sat up and moved myself and my book from the bed to the closet space. I slipped the papers into the trench coat that had fallen to the floor in my hope of escape and hanged it up. I turned back to him and my eyes spotted the plate of food.

"Are you hungry? You didn't eat with us and I ended up getting an extra plate of food from the cook."

Will looked from me to the food and on cue his stomach started to grumble. Laughing I moved to the side table and took the plate. Breaking the bread, I passed him a piece before chomping down on the other. After he finished with everything else, Will started to pick at the piece of bread.

"So, uh, how do you like your room?"

"It's kind of like my old room. Great view and everything."

"Ya, I've got the same view from my window. Wait till you see the sunrise; it's beautiful."

"Where is your room?"

"Next door. I heard you and the servant coming down the hallway. I 8didn't want to come here right away in fear that you'd a) hurt me again and b) I was still embarrassed about earlier."

"Well you had caught me off guard and tried to silence my anger with a kiss. My only thought at the time was revenge. Normally my way of revenge is that by a fist."

"Did Marian tell you about me?"

I nodded. An uncomfortable silence came over the two of us. I needed to get some well deserved sleep but wanted to write in the book first. I looked out the window and saw that the sun had started to set.

"Will? Do you think you could leave? I don't mean to be rude, but I'm exhausted."

"Oh, I understand. I think I'll get some as well."

I could hear a hint of hurt and humiliation in his voice and guilt racked over me yet again. I watched as he stood from his place and moved to the doorway. He took the handle in hand and pulled, open the door. He turned back to me.

"Good nigh m'lady. I hope you have pleasant dreams."

With those parting words he turned and walked out of the room closing the door behind him. I took a deep breath, feeling my heart thunder against my chest. Rather than doing the writing as I though I would do, the plush bed looked all to welcoming. Walking over, I crawled up under the covers and once the goose feather pillows touched my head I fell asleep.

A/N: Once again I thank those of you who have been very patient for this chapter to come. Times have been very stressful for me as of late and typing this out has helped a little. Shout out to those who have reviewed and thanks to my boyfriend for giving me some inspiration. Disclaimer for any of the characters that are from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Newsies or to friends of mine who have lent me their names.