The following morning, Much was just finishing preparing breakfast while Will and Djaq completed filling the money pouches for today's drop-offs in Nottingham. Everyone was awake and busy except for Marian, who still slept.

"Master," Much asked, "what do we do with Marian?"

"Let her sleep," Robin answered.

"Not that! I mean, do we leave for Nottingham now, before she wakes up? And shouldn't one of us stay here, to make sure she doesn't follow us? Not me! I'm not volunteering! I know I've known her longest, but she's...she's not herself."

"We're all going to Nottingham, Much. Marian, too."

The entire gang voiced objections.

"Robin," Little John began, " I do not think-"

"Like Much said," Will added, "she isn't herself."

"I will stay here with her," Djaq volunteered.

"No," Robin insisted. "She needs to go. Don't worry. I'll keep her close to me."

"Of course you will," Much complained. "I'm not saying anything!"

Robin waited for the outburst, which immediately followed.

"You're not completely yourself, either, where she's concerned!"

"Just leave it, Much, alright? Marian's coming with us, and that's final."

Seeing Much throw the cooking spoon into the pot, Robin tried to explain. "Marian met with me all over Nottingham before she joined our gang. We were never caught together. She'll be safe. Why should today be any different?"

"She wasn't beserk then!" Much exploded.

Robin let it go, knowing Much was right. "You just take care of the western streets," he told Much. "Let me take care of Marian."

"That's what you like, isn't it? I mean, how much time have we spent together, since she joined our gang?"

Marian's eyelids fluttered open, and she sat up, blinking at all the activity around her.

"Good morning, Beautiful," Robin said warmly.

"Good morning, Handsome."

Much groaned loudly, but Robin was oblivious to everyone but his love.

"If you'd like to come with us to Nottingham-" he invited.

"I would!"

"Then I suggest you shake yourself awake and get up."

It wasn't long before all the outlaws had reached Nottingham and entered the town, blending in with a large group of outlying villagers arriving to market.

Splitting up into twos, they began distributing "a bit of happiness," as Robin liked to call it.

Robin had taken Marian to Pitt Street, knowing she would enjoy seeing Sarah, her former maid, and little Jess.

"Don't go near the castle," Sarah warned. "There's a body hanging from the gallows."

"Who is it?" Robin asked, saddened and angry that he hadn't known to attempt a rescue.

"A tavern girl."

"No," Marian said.

They both guessed it was Hannah, executed for helping Robin escape the sheriff's birdcage.

Holding hands, Robin and Marian raced toward the castle, darting between throngs of people in the streets.

They stopped at a distance from the gallows just outside the castle, far enough not to be seen, but close enough to recognize the corpse.

Hannah's lifeless body swung from a rope. The sheriff had either allowed no hood over her face, or else had removed it. One cheek was branded with a black scorch that matched the color of her swollen tongue, hanging from her gaping mouth. Her eyes had been picked clean by feasting birds, and her body was bloated almost beyond recognition.

Shaking, Marian turned away her face.

"Come on," Robin said, guiding her through some hanging laundry to hide her. "Let me take you home."

She nodded her head.

"Good. I need to find the gang, and tell them we've gone. Please, Marian, stay here."

"I promise," she said in a small voice.

Robin darted away. He'd only need to find one member, who would inform the rest of the gang. Racing east, he sought out Will or Djaq.

While he was gone, Marian peeked unhappily through the large hanging wash hung out to dry. Spying Allan, she hissed his name.

He looked almost as stricken as she felt. But he had heard her, and joined her behind the hanging cloths.

"You shouldn't be here," he warned. "Not unless you want to dangle from a rope yourself. I tried it once, against my will."

"And Robin saved you. Why aren't you grateful? Why do you work for the sheriff?"

"I don't. I'm Gisbourne's man."

"Who in turn is the sheriff's."

"Look, Marian, I had nothing to do with this. I liked Hannah. Robin's gonna go mad when he sees this. Not to upset you any more than you already are, but she was his little bit on the side."

"She wasn't!"

"Time to disappear," Allan told her, spying Robin rushing toward them. "And if you're smart, you'll go, too." He hastened away, just before the outlaw saw him.

Pushing aside the laundry, Robin held Marian in a quick embrace. "I found Will," he told her. "He'll inform the others." Stepping back, he looked deeply into her eyes. "Are you ready? Come on then, let's go home."

Safely reaching the forest, they slowed their steps. Holding her soft, warm hand in his, Robin decided he would willingly risk her anger before he'd ever risk her life again. Even if she grew to hate him, he vowed never to let her be seen alongside his gang.

THE END

(I hate to end this story since it was so much fun to write. Thanks to everyone who read and/or reviewed. I hope inspiration might strike me soon, so I can write another story. God bless).