AN: Everyone who has reviewed- ya'll rule. If I was Empress of the World ya'll would so get your own countries.

Smooth Moves

Flames from dozens of torches illuminated the scene before him. The feast seemed to be at its height, wine was flowing freely and the intoxicating scent of the most delectable dishes was in the air. Women in long dresses and men in elaborately brocaded garments milled about in a state of organized chaos.

Robin headed up to the archway entrance and strolled nonchalantly towards the inner courtyard, for acting like he belonged had proven to be a good disguise in the past.

A maid with a tray of half-emptied dishes brushed passed him and cast an irritated glance indicating he hadn't moved out of her way fast enough. He looked after her as she scurried off and disappeared inside a nearby tent, a tent that seemed to hold all sorts of delicious goodies by the look of things. A steady stream of servants were moving in and out through the canvas opening, balancing goblets, pitchers, plates and silverware filled with refreshments of various kinds.

His stomach rumbled eagerly at the prospect of a good meal as he ducked under the tent's opening flap and stepped inside. Stunned momentarily, Robin looked around in what clearly served as a makeshift kitchen. There were people everywhere, maids, servants, and cooking staff, and they all busied themselves almost frantically in their duties.

Robin's presence didn't seem to faze anyone; in fact he barely made it inside the tent before someone mistook him for hired help and placed a basket of fruit in his hands.

If you act like you belong, people will assume you do... and if you're hungry you don't turn down food that is practically being thrown at you… Various eatable items disappeared into the fruit basket as he made his way through the tent. Pork ribs for Much, half a roasted chicken for himself, some pie for desert and some ale to wash it all down with. He did not take more than they could reasonably eat, or more than he could carry with him without raising suspicion. He intended to leave the same way he had entered; in a peaceful stroll in plain view, without a care in the world.

It didn't go exactly according to plans though…On his way out he tossed a glance over his shoulder to make sure the coast was clear, and that's when he first saw her; a young girl crunching down behind a stack of barrels in the adjacent corner of the tent.

She wasn't very noticeable; in fact he probably must have walked right passed her hiding spot just a few moments ago without knowing it. Nothing about her was extraordinary. Nothing about her made her stand out in a crowd. She wore a plain dress of some thick cotton-white material. Her long dark hair hung down her back in a simple braid and her feet were as bare as those of any common child or kitchen maid. Yet he was fairly certain this girl was not a commoner.

He could not pinpoint what it was; it was more a feeling than anything else. He was going out on a limb, but his instincts had served him well in the past. Robin was surprised to find that the situation intrigued him. The girl was clearly up to something, but what?

"It would have been interesting to stay and watch this one unfold", he thought to himself as he left the kitchen tent behind and stepped back into chilly night air.

Interesting or not, he simply didn't want to risk getting caught. Much was waiting for him and besides, there was no point in interfering with something he knew absolutely nothing about… no point what so ever… Then again, the bigger the risk, the greater the reward… He grinned, a cunning idea taking shape in his mind.

The food would have to wait, Much would have to wait, he decided as he quickly made his way through the sea of guests occupying the courtyard. He moved seemingly aimlessly but of course there was nothing aimless about it. His mind was made up and he didn't stop until a certain tent and a certain canvas wall reappeared before him. This particular wall didn't have an opening, in fact if his calculations were correct this portion of the tent was as far away from the opening as possible.

For a moment, he feared that his dagger was too blunt, that the blade didn't have enough 'tooth' to rip through the thick fabric. He tried again, applying a little more pressure this time. Big mistake! When the fabric gave in, it gave in with a ripping sound that seemed to drown out everything else.

"Shit, " he swore inwardly at his own clumsiness. Someone was bound to have heard that….

He waited, listening intently. Nothing. When what felt like two years had passed in unbroken stillness, he poked his head through the slit.

The first thing Robin noticed was that the tent was if possible even more crowded then before. The girl was still hiding in the same spot as the last time he had seen her only this time she had her back turned against him.

Kneeling swiftly, and picked up a handful of pebbles from the ground. His first throw missed her, but only because one of the kitchen maids picked that exact moment to fetch something dangerously close to the stack of barrels behind which the girl was hiding. His second throw hit the bull's eye, or in this case the young girl's shoulder. She jumped, startled and hastily looked around, frowning.

Her facial features were prominent, though not overly large: big blue eyes, dark eyebrows, a full mouth. All taken together, the girl was pretty, a fact that didn't go unnoticed by Robin.

He could tell the precise moment she saw him by the way her eyebrows shot skyward.

Robin made the universal sign for "be quiet" by putting a finger to his lips. When he was sure he had her full attention he began crawling backwards, through the rip in the canvas wall, hoping the girl would get the drift and follow his lead. He hid in the shadows on the outside, waiting, keeping watch. One minute passed and then another. He was beginning to think… well he wasn't sure what to think really… Okay, so he was a "stranger" and he could see how some people would feel a bit iffy about accepting help from a stranger but still… why wasn't she jumping at the chance?!

He had almost given up hope when he finally detected some movements from the other side of the canvas wall. Her backside appeared first. He could not make out her features, but she had a small, petit frame with just a hint of feminine curves. Her silhouette had a cautious stance, although her movements were swift and efficient. She was carrying something, or mostly dragging it. It looked like a bag or a sack of some sort.

Once again Robin found himself wondering, "Who was this girl and what was she up to?!"