AN: Here it is, the final chapter. Do I hear sobs?

Although this story hasn't received as much response as I would have hoped for, it's actually the one I have enjoyed writing the most…

Thanks so much to everyone who has read, reviewed and/or put this story on alert (this is a great time for everyone who hasn't to let me know you're out there!) Thanks again!

A Tussle in the Hay

What happens in Winton stays in Winton

Robin shifted from foot to foot, eyes closed. He was tired from lack of sleep and his brain was muddled with confusing thoughts that gave him a headache. Attending the Council of Nobles that morning had been about as fun as pulling teeth. It had not been a complete waste of time though. Nottingham had been buzzing about the arrival of Lady Marion.

Just then there was a rustle of skirts followed by muffled footsteps against the soft grass. A sudden movement caught his eye and brought his attention back to the present just in time to see a dark figure entering the park through the east gate.

"Here she comes," Much stated, tugging on his arm.

And indeed, there she was, in all her glory. The train of her dress floated behind her like a cloud, and her dark hair, held in a circlet of silver, rippled about her shoulders.

"So, Master, what's the plan?" Much whispered, as they ducked behind a waist high stone wall.

"Mm what?" Robin asked without tearing his eyes away from the girl.

"The plan, you got one right?!".

"There's no plan."

"No plan?"

"I'll improvise."

"Is that really wise? "

"Shh…"

"Master?!"

"Trust me Much, I know what I'm doing." Ignoring his servant's skeptical snort, he continued, "Now get lost! I can't concentrate with you looking over my shoulder. "

Robin waited until Marian was just a few feet away before he made his move. He stepped into her path, and she stopped just short of plowing into him.

"Excuse me," she murmured, trying to step out of his way. She was puzzled when he wouldn't budge. Then her eyes grew wide as she recognized him.

When he spoke his voice was dangerously calm but his eyes were stormy. "Well, hello there my lady… or should I call you by your real name?! Marion Fitzwalter of Knighton. "

"Robin of Locksley," she nodded courtly.

"Who would have guessed we'd meet again this soon, eh?!"Robin replied roughly, blocking her path when once again she tried to sidestep him."Oh, thats right, you actually DID know, didn't you?!"

"What is this? an ambush??," she stared at him unblinkingly.

"You played me for a fool! You knew all along who I was and you never had the decency to tell me!"

"Is that what you think?!" she snarled. "You introduced yourself as the earl of Huntingdon. I haven't seen you in years, how was I to know that you had inherited some silly title while I was gone."

"I talked about Locksley, I'm sure I mentioned Locksley more than once. Exactly how many Robin of Locksley do you know of?!

"Look, I really didn't know until I saw you at the council of nobles with your father this morning," she stated, hands on hips as she glared at him. "It was quite the shock actually!"

"Good!" he said with a scowl. "Then you know how I felt when I saw YOU with YOUR father when I arrived in Nottingham the other day. I don't like being lied to."

"There was no malice or trickery intended. I'm certainly no saint, bu-…"

"But what?! Marian, your father is the sheriff of Nottingham and now, thanks to you, I'm a dead man!"

"Leave my father out of this! He mustn't know," she said quickly with an almost panicked look on her face. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him. You said so yourself."

"Don't remind me. I'm afraid I said many stupid things that night."

"You and me both. It was the ale talking. I have never… I don't…"

Suddenly there was a sharp whistling sound coming from across the park. Probably a warning signal from Much, that someone was coming because the next thing they heard was the sound was hooves and feet stomping the ground.

"We've got company, we'll have to finish this some other time," Robin grunted, turning to leave.

They could see the incoming riders now, castle guards, making their rounds on the premises.

"Wait!," Marian wrapped a hand around his wrist and held on tight as a vise. "Do we have an agreement?!."

"An agreement?! " He stared at her blankly.

"About not telling anyone about… well, you know, about what happened. "

"I don't recall making such a promise… You made you bed now lay in it."

"What?! You just said..: You can't be seri-…" Marian swallowed the rest of the sentence when she caught the grin on his face "ROBIN!"

"Alright, alright… I'm only teasing you. Don't get your feathers ruffled," he smirked. "I won't tell a living soul. What happens in Winton stays in Winton!"

Before she had time to react he pulled his wrist out of her grasp and placed a quick peck on her cheek. "But if you ever feel lonely, you know where to find me" He blew her another kiss and was gone while she was still gawping

Believe it or not but that was the beginning of a long friendship, for they eventually became not only the closest of friends but also partners in the fight against tyranny and injustice. But that's a completely different story…