When the church-bell rang the hour of nine, Robin donned his charcoal grey cloak and stepped outside to meet the new day. Despite the hangover and the sleep deprivation he was in an exceptionally good mood. Wildflower in hand and servant in tow, he practically skipped down the road to hunt down his newfound friend

He didn't even know her last name, one of many details skipped on the night they became acquainted, but at least he knew where she was living. Only she didn't know that he knew… Thinking he was asleep, she had left on her tippy toes. Robin had indeed been dozing, or as his grandmother liked to say, resting his eyes for a bit, when he had heard her climb down the ladder and sneak off into the wee hours of the morning. Sleeping had been impossible after that, so he had gotten up and gone after her. He had followed her home, like any gentleman would; only he had done it from a distance and without making his presence known.

Now, five hours later, Robin was standing in her backyard again, grinning like a fool. He counted the windows and stopped underneath the third one. This was it, this was the one. He used his long-bow to tap on the shutter. The reaction was immediate, within seconds the dark shielding parted and a figure appeared in the opening.

"Can I help you, young man?"

Robin blinked in surprise when he realized that the figure was a woman that could only be described as a very traditional looking nun.

"Oh, I'm sorry ma'am. I'm looking for someone who I thought was to be found in this room. Clearly I was wrong, but, thank you." Robin grinned apologetically and scratched his head in confusion. He was pretty sure this was the right room; he had been standing outside of it just a few hours ago! He could hear Much sniggering in the background; his servant apparently, found the situation hilarious.

The nun pursed her lips and shook her head. "Youngins today, I tell ya... no manners and no respect for the elderly!" Her voice was stern, but her broad smile and the twinkle in her eye gave away her true thoughts on the subject. "Those are some pretty flowers you got there. It would be a shame to let them go to waste. Who is this young lady you are looking for. Maybe I can help you, I never forget a face. "

Robin looked at her dubiously. "She is about this high," he said, holding his hand at chin level. "Her hair is kind of chestnut brown. I'm pretty sure it's curly when it's not braided. Blue eyes, pale complexion… Oh and her name is Benedicta."

"Ah, we have a Benedicta in our Order, the Sisters of St. Claire's," as the nun spoke about her order, she absentmindedly fingered the silver cross she wore around her neck.

"With all due respect, Ma'am, the girl I'm looking for is not a nun."

"Not a nun, she's a novice, our Benedicta… such a lovely girl, soft spoken and well mannered. But you're right, my dear, it can not possibly be her you're looking for." The nun shook her head, as if bemused or perplexed.

After giving it some thought, she added, "I'm afraid I do not know the girl you are speaking of, but you should try the house across the street, the bakery. I have heard the baker has seven daughters." Her necklace glimmered in the light as she moved to point out a building near the end of the road.

That's when it hit him. That's when realization struck him like a bolt of lightening. "That cross you are wearing, I've seen it before."

"Oh my, you certainly are observant, young man. It's the Holy Cross of the Sisters of St. Claire's."

Ice flooded Robin's veins, and it had nothing to do with the chilly morning breeze; the girl from last night was a freaking novice, a nun-in-training! No wonder she had seemed so clueless initially not to mention uneasy afterwards…. Thinking about it made him feel ill to his stomach. He was going straight to hell for this, that much was sure!