A/N Blame my beta for the sporadic updating. I have had words (moaned at her when we were at the cinema)… The rest of the story might not be beta'd. I will leave a note if it isn't though.
I managed to reach the 1000 word mark with this chapter! I shall try to beat that with my next chapter. Sorry for the chapters being so short - I have an inability to write lots of words apparently! And short chapters are sooooooo annoying when they aren't updated regularly. scolds self.
Chapter 7
Some twenty minutes later, Teal'c was still trailing the man through the dense forest, and even his jaffa training was no match for the thick plant growth – he had virtually no idea where he was.
His guide had remained silent jogging to his destination, and Teal'c had thought it prudent to do the same. He had seen none of the other green warriors, but as he entered into a small clearing, he suddenly found himself amidst some thirty of them, wearing different shades of brown and green clothing. The sun was low in the sky, surrounding the clearing in darkness, and Teal'c could see two young boys setting up a fire in the centre of the clearing.
Glancing round, he noticed that at various vantage points there were armed men sitting in the trees. 'These warriors are well prepared' he acknowledged. 'And appear to be expecting battle'.
His guide turned to face him. "Will is going to want to see you. Seems Robin's been captured. Come on," He started to cross the clearing, heading to a small group of men on the other side of the fire; now burning gently and casting an orange glow around the clearing. Teal'c followed, aware that many men paid him no attention as he passed.
The speaker from earlier leapt up as he and his guide neared the group. "John! Where've you come from? People said you'd left with Robin!"
Teal'c looked at the man named Will, puzzled. "I am Teal'c. Who is this John you speak of?"
Will glanced uneasily at the guide, who shrugged. "Riiiight. Did you come back with Robin? People say he has been caught." At the blank look Teal'c gave him Will sat down and gestured for him to do the same. "Studious guy, wears wire frames, generous, friendly, blue eyes?"
Teal'c inclined his head slightly. "You mean Daniel Jackson. Yes, I came with him. He has indeed been caught. He is in the settlement not far from here."
"Nott'am. Yep, he would be... Did something happen to you as well? You don't seem yourself." Will eyed him carefully. "The Friar pretends to know medicine; I could get him to make you something. If you dare drink it!" He sniggered lightly, casting a glance over to a short, bald man on the other side of the fire.
Teal'c pondered the question carefully. Was he himself? "I am myself… Will. I must, however, rescue my friends."
Will nodded. "Were you there when they got caught? Do you know who the second man was? And why was Lady Marian with them?"
"I was. I am afraid I did them a disservice by leaving their side. I should have remained." Teal'c bowed his head, ashamed of his behaviour.
"Rubbish!" Declared Will loudly, causing several men to look curiously in their direction. "You're much more useful to us free than you are in the Sheriff's dungeons! We'll free them, don't worry."
"We?" Teal'c raised his head.
"Of course! We weren't going to leave them there to die! We need a plan. What happened?"
Teal'c retold what happened in his usual steady voice. "Major Carter and Daniel Jackson were checking the MALP while Colonel O'Neill and I checked the area. I heard a noise and we split up to search for the source. I heard shouting and when I returned the three of them were surrounded by armoured soldiers. I followed them to the settlement before coming back here to fetch help. I must go to the stargate."
The men in the circle studied him, apparently not understanding anything he had just said.
"The chapp'ai?" More blank looks. "The stone circle?"
Will cleared his throat. "Not a chance of that John. The sheriff's men will be crawling all over the area, trying to find their comrades." He smiled. "Or at least pretending to. Most of 'em are scared of Lerwood Forest, making them not very productive in forest based tasks." Some of the men in the circle sniggered at this but Will carried on. "So you're saying Robin, Lady Marian and… O'Neill? Were captured by a group of soldiers and taken to Nott'am?" Will didn't wait for an answer. "Where we know, they will be hung tomorrow morning. We will have to get them out. And Marian of course."
A loud roar from the other side of the clearing suggested that the evening meal was ready. Will got to his feet and the others followed.
"Come on John, you must be hungry. The Friar's been pretty handy with the meats and beer."
The men walked around the fire to the short, bald man Will had gestured to earlier. He stood grinning insanely and handing out food and drink. Teal'c followed, puzzling over who John was.
The short man handed him a flat piece of wood laden with food and a beaker full of beer.
"Little John! Will told me you'd returned!"
"I am not little." Teal'c declared, looking down at the strange man.
"Yes. Well. Whatever. Get that down you, and praise the Maker for his BEER!"
"I do not drink" came the reply.
Friar Tuck looked at Teal'c, momentarily stunned. He recovered quickly though. "Ok, I'll drink, you can praise. Must get our Dutch Courage up for Robin tomorrow!"
Teal'c raised his eyebrow. This man appeared to have raised his 'Dutch courage' more than enough already. He returned to the other side of the fire and settled down to hear what Will was saying.
'These rebels are strange' he thought to himself. 'But they will aid me in my rescue with their 'Dutch courage', and there are many more than General Hammond would have provided. Though more warriors does not ensure a victory' he added.
xx x x x
Night descended over the forest and in three different places, escape plans were being devised.
The Sheriff's men roamed the countryside, but none were willing to enter Lerwood Forest in darkness, and so none saw a rowdy group of men laughing at a large Jaffa's reference to the platonic relationship between 'Marian' and 'Robin'.