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Part 20

Robin and Little John darted through the trees keeping the road within sight as they headed towards Knighton. At the sound of horses approaching they bent down to conceal themselves further and watched as the train of horses, guards and Gisborne passed by.

"Interesting," said Robin.

"Travelling north," added John.

"Humph and with an entourage like that, he has a purpose, a mission."

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The day was fine and the sun was at its hottest when Marian and Djaq walked into the camp. Alan, Much and Will sat about, Robin and John still not returned from Knighton.

"Where have you two been?" Much said in way of greeting. "We all have been worried about you…well most of us."

"There were people who needed help," answered Djaq as she put down the items she was carrying.

"See," said Will with a shrug at Much.

"And you," said Much pointing at Marian. "Never told me what Eve said, all you said was 'later' and later never came."

"It is later now, is it not?" she replied somewhat tired and sank into a bed on leaves.

"Yes," Much said.

"Well then I will tell you."

Robin and Little John approached the camp silently with the aim of Robin to pounce and scare Much for the fun of it. They stood concealed behind the camp when they both noticed the women were back and John discreetly walked off in the other direction. Marian didn't look her normal self and he wondered if anything had happened while she had been away, his head was still cross with her but his heart overruled his mind every time.

"What did she say?" Much asked eager to know and in his yearning not noticing she had turned a particular nasty shade of grey.

Swallowing to contain herself she replied. "You are often in her thoughts. But she has her mother to consider, it is a difficult position to be in. I know she would be with you if she could. She cares for you."

"She does?" he said sighing and blushing at the thought of Eve. "Thank you, maybe one day when this is over…."

"Perhaps," Marian replied with a smile, she patted him on the arm and stood and slowly walked away.

The remainder of the gang not noticing her withdrawal as they asked Djaq questions about their trip and teased Much about Eve.

Robin followed her watching, waiting. When she started retching he paused before walking to her side and handing her his water bottle, she took a few sips and handed it back to him with a smile.

"We need to talk," he said and she nodded. They walked a bit further and chose a tree onto which they rested their backs against. "Are you alright? You still look unwell."

"I am feeling better now," she assured him, his expression back was one of doubt but he didn't question it further and she shut her eyes laying her head against the tree.

"Marian. I know you went to Knighton."

"You are mad," she replied not opening her eyes and he thought perhaps she was still unwell.

"No, not now," he replied, suddenly realising he spoke the truth. "I was when I first knew. Is that why you left? You thought you had the flux?"

"I thought it was possible."

"And now?"

"Now I know it is not. It seems it would be something else," she told him going to move and instantly regretting it.

"You know," he said with half a smile. "My lap is far softer than the tree."

She settled her head in his lap and although questions had not been asked, nor answers given for that moment it was enough. He ran his fingers through her hair, feeling the soft strands brush his fingertips and when her breathing was steady he knew she was sleeping.

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"You two want food?" Alan asked some time later having been told to find them.

Robin nudged Marian and said. "Food?"

She lifted her head off his lap sniffing the air. "Food."

"Are you sure you want to eat?" Robin asked worriedly.

"I am hungry," she assured him with a smile.

He shrugged to himself but went along with her if she was feeling better then that was good news, she did have more colour to her cheeks which was a good sign.

After feasting on the delicious meal that Much had put together. Robin suggested to Marian that they go for a walk.

"Had you not better tell Much the news first," Little John said.

"Ah the news," Robin said with a smile.

"News what news?" he asked, excited like a little boy getting a puppy as a birthday present.

"Eve," Robin said slowly.

"There is news on Eve?"

"She is at Knighton, to replace Sarah, so you might see more of her than you first thought," he told Much with a grin.

"Oh," said Much smiling, "that is…I mean that is very good news. I am happy."

"If you are happy we are happy," said Alan, fed up to the teeth of Much's woeful songs of lost love, perhaps now he would sing something more cheery.

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"So tell me," Robin said when they had reached the blue pool, she stood almost shyly against a tree and he opposite her and close. "What is going on?"

"Nothing."

"Marian!" he replied his tone giving a hint of warning he was not past losing his patience with her.

"I left yes because I thought I had the flux, Djaq was not easily persuaded back to the camp and it seems it was good she was with me. I am sorry if I hurt you. I wanted to protect you."

"Well you do not have to. I can make my own choices," he said sounding a lot like she usually did. "If I had wanted to risk catching the flux it would have been my choice. Much on the other hand would perhaps not have stayed."

They laughed at his latter comment and then she took a deep breath.

"Robin."

"That is not all is it?" he asked.

"Remember we talked about this situation not being an ideal one in which to bring up a child, well it seems like we will have to anyway. I am not sick I am with child."

His facial expressions changed several times before he had the ability to speak. "When?"

"The spring perhaps."

"This is dangerous, far so than fighting Gisborne and the Sheriff."

"I know," she said, knowing that he wasn't thinking of her but of something in his past. "But it will be alright"

He looked at her. "We never know if having a child will be alright…but you are young and strong and brave and…"

She stopped his words with her index finger softly placed across his lips. "We will take each day as it comes, having a child if different from woman to woman, it will not be the same as you fear."

He kissed the digit tenderly then replied "I am sorry I am happy, I am pleased and you are right we must take each day as it comes and make it ours" he looked down and placed a hand over her stomach as if to protect the child within. "I love you."

"Forever," she whispered and he nodded and sealed the moment with a gentle kiss that fully encompassed them all.

The end

To be continued shortly.