Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I've been back at work since last week and I had an assignment to hand in (which I only just managed thanks to an acute case of Robin Hood obsession), so I haven't really been able to do much recreational writing. The break has been good for inspiration, though. I had a bit of writer's block with this one, because I read another fic which did almost the exact same thing I was going to do and I decided to change my story and I've come up with a new idea:)

THREE MONTHS EARLIER

Will wrapped the loose end of his turban around the lower half of his face and put his head down. He hurried through the market place, trying not to attract attention. The same day Robin and the gang had left, Bassam had procured a talisman for him to carry around to prove he belonged in Acre in case he was stopped by Saracen soldiers. However, no talisman would protect him from certain civilians, who resented the death and destruction the pale ones had brought on them and would take any opportunity to wreak some revenge.

He had learnt to cover his face the first time he had visited the market place, running errands for Bassam.

On his way to the market, he had been stopped by soldiers, who finally let him go after examining the talisman for a good five minutes and pushing him around a bit. As he had made his way through the market, he had received the stares of just about everyone present. An unusual quiet descended upon the market place, which only lifted when he reached his destination and entered into the house of a friend of Bassam's. When he had re-emerged, he'd received the same stares, but this time the hubbub of general chatter and bartering continued.

As he had neared Bassam's house, he was stopped in the street by a man who seemed to think that he was responsible for the death of his son. The man had called out something that Will couldn't understand and within a few seconds a group of three men had exited a house nearby and were making their way over, looking menacing. Before he knew what was happening, the men had grabbed him and were shouting at him. He still couldn't understand what they were saying and tried to tell them that he was not an English soldier, that he had not killed this man's son. He tried to show submission with his body language, but it was not enough. The men had only managed a few punches when one of Bassam's servants, who had heard the commotion, stopped the men with a few sharp words.

Djaq had clucked over his bruises and cut lip, applying a salve with loving gentleness, but when he looked in her eyes he could see the fury burning there. He knew that she was longing to find the men that had done this to him, but he also knew that she could not. Her position in this life was different from that in the forest.

He had been certain that his and Djaq's life would be so much easier here. No running from the Sheriff, no death waiting around every corner. The only thing waiting for him was his very own Djaq and her pigeons. It frustrated him, however, that he found himself more imprisoned and endangered than ever before. He longed for the freedom of their forest home. It might not have been luxury, but this life here was just a gilded cage. He could not leave without Djaq, though. It would tear his soul in two.

As he crossed the market, he risked a glance up to make sure his way was clear. It was just a glimpse, but it was enough to raise a suspicion in his mind. He looked up again in the direction he had seen her, but she was gone. The heat must have been playing tricks with his homesick mind.

He reached the other side of the market place, then turned into the maze of small roads and alleys that made up the residential districts. In a few minutes he had reached Bassam's house and he breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't been stopped by anyone this time. He walked into the aviary where Djaq was inspecting a pigeon's infected eye. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her – it did so every time he looked at her and realised that she was his. She heard his entrance looked up from the bird, a grin spreading across her face.

"Are you hiding your face from me too?" She teased. Will suddenly realised he hadn't unwrapped the end of the turban from his face. He pulled it down as he walked over to her and gave her a quick kiss. She had instructed him not to touch her when other people were around, as it was against custom, but he liked to sneak little touches or kisses when those people were looking the other way or when the two of them were rarely alone in a room.

"Was Fawad in to receive the message?" Djaq asked. Will simply nodded in reply as he watched her return to inspecting the bird. She looked up at him again, concerned. She always knew when something was not right with him. "What's wrong?"

"I thought... I thought I saw Marian in the market place... Just my imagination playing tricks. I had been thinking about the forest." Will looked into Djaq's shocked eyes and frowned. "What?"

"I thought I saw her yesterday when I was in the market!" She returned the bird to its cage and washed her hands in the basin nearby. "I too was thinking about the forest."

There was a short silence, which Will broke. "What do you think it means?"

Djaq finished washing and drying her hands and turned back to Will. She cast a quick look around to make sure they were alone, then wrapped her arms around him. Will smiled brightly at this change in behaviour and wrapped his arms around her waist gleefully. She looked deep into his eyes, making him lose his smile again, wondering what she saw.

"I think it means that we are homesick."

"Home–? But this is your home, Djaq."

"I thought it was too. I thought I could still have my childhood wish, but things change. Life takes a different course than you expected and you can never turn back. I should have known that my life could never be the same."

"So, you want to – "

"Go home." Will stared at her for a moment after she uttered this, then slowly leant down and kissed her deeply.

"Bassam-ammo?" Bassam looked up from the message he had just removed from a pigeon's leg. He smiled fondly at Djaq, who was peering at him from an archway, looking every bit like the young girl she had once been.

"Saffiya. How was your day?"

"Darshan's eye is getting better, that made my day good."

"Excellent." He narrowed his eyes at Djaq, sensing that there was something she wanted to say. Just then, Will appeared at her side and Bassam switched to English. "Good evening, Will. I trust your errands today went without incident?"

"Yes, Bassam-ammo." Bassam's heart warmed whenever Will addressed him as uncle. He was very fond of the boy, even if he was an Englishman. "Fawad said he will have a reply to send tomorrow."

"Good. I can see you both have something you want to discuss with me. Let's sit." He lead them into the next room, where they settled onto the cushions that surrounded the table they usually ate at.

Djaq took a deep breath and said, "Bassam, we have decided that we must return to England."

"Ah, yes. I thought you would decide that eventually. I see much change in you, Saffiya. You are not the same girl who dreamed of looking after birds. I can see that your heart now lies in England. When do you want to go?"

"There is a ship leaving for England in a week. The English King has asked the captain to take us on board." Djaq replied.

"Very well. We can take that time to prepare for your journey."

"We were wondering if we could get married before we leave." Will said with a hopeful tone to his voice. Bassam's face became sad, even though he smiled.

"I am afraid that it cannot be. I have already pleaded with the elders on your behalf, but they have refused to perform the ceremony. I am sorry."

Will was very disappointed. He had suspected that they would not be allowed to marry here, but he had still held hope that he could do this one thing for Djaq before they left. Give her the occasion that he was sure she had also dreamed about as a girl. Djaq looked at his crestfallen face and touched his hand under the table.

"Do not despair. Robin will marry us."

The next day, Will and Djaq made a trip to the market to buy some supplies for their journey. They hadn't been out of the house together since Robin and the others had left for England. As they left Bassam's house, Will automatically wrapped the tail of his turban around his face and put his head down. Djaq glanced behind her to check where he was and saw what he was doing. She stopped walking and Will almost tripped over her. He peered at her curiously through the gap he had left for his eyes. Djaq gently reached up and unwrapped the tail of the turban from his face. Her eyes locked with his in the special connection that they had.

"I want you to hold your head high, Will. I am proud of you and you should be proud of me." He continued to stare at her for a few moments, then a small smile appeared on his face and he nodded. Satisfied, Djaq turned and set off in the direction of the market. Will took a moment to smirk at her confident walk before hurrying to catch up with her. He kept a step behind her, his head held high and a menacing look on his face, warning off anyone who might think of interfering with her. He figured he would be more acceptable as her bodyguard rather than her fiancé and he was right.

After the initial shock of seeing an Englishman in their midst, most people averted their eyes upon seeing the expression on Will's face. This lady must be important to come to market with a bodyguard! After the third person averted their eyes and hurried past them, Djaq glanced behind her again and spotted what Will was doing. She smiled to herself and kept walking.

They went about their business in the market, ordering specially preserved food for travelling and clothes to be ready for collection just before their departure. As Djaq was bargaining with one of the merchants, Will was casting his eye across the market and that was when he saw her again. This time he knew that she was not an apparition. She was sitting in the shade of one of the stalls, mending a piece of clothing, while the merchant was busy plying his trade.

Will kept his eyes on her and put his hand out behind him to get Djaq's attention. He touched her elbow. "Djaq!" He said quietly. She turned and looked at him curiously.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Marian!" He rasped. Djaq's head shot around to look in the direction Will was staring. She let out a gasp as she too spotted the woman.

"How is that possible?" Djaq whispered. Will just shook his head in response. Djaq turned back to the merchant with whom she had been bargaining and bid him goodbye. She pulled briefly on Will's arm to make him follow her as she walked straight towards Marian. She was also unwilling to take her eyes off this woman. She had thought that it was her mind playing tricks on her before. They approached the stall and stood staring at the woman as she sewed. The merchant was busy bargaining with a customer. Djaq shook herself and spoke up.

"Marian?" The woman didn't seem to hear them and continued sewing. Djaq was struck with an idea and switched to her own language. "Sister?"

This time, the woman looked up, recognising that someone was trying to get her attention. "Can I help you?" She asked in the same language Djaq had used. Djaq's heart clenched. The woman smiled at her pleasantly. Just then the merchant completed his sale and noticed the two strange visitors staring intently at his daughter. "Saira? Do you know these people?"

Intrigued?