Part 5

Robin, Marian and the gang were halfway to the next destination when Robin who was at the head stopped, signalled for the others to continue and walked back to Marian who was bringing up the rear.

"I know, I know," she said, not waiting for him to utter the words she was expecting. "I am slowing you down, you need to speak to Tuck with great urgency and you would like me to return to the cave."

"Not bad," he returned with a grin, his mood lighter than it had been but he still held a foreboding darkness in his eyes. "And you are not going to argue?"

"No, we seem to have been running through the forest all day, sitting hunched up is uncomfortable at the best of times, more so now," and she absentmindedly caressed her belly.

She looked up at him and saw a flicker of uncertainty which had become almost normal for him when they talked or mentioned the pregnancy.

"I can send Much or Allan with you," he said, knowing how tetchy she was on doing things alone.

"No I will go alone, see about supper. Go. I can take care of myself," She leant up and kissed his cheek as a way of dismissing him and glanced ahead, the gang were out of sight, with a final sigh, he left running fast to catch them up.

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It was getting cold, the late afternoon was damp and all were feeling the chill seep into their bones.

"I'm not being funny but don't you think you should have insisted that one of us went back with Marian," Allan said and they waited for a sight of the man of the cloth.

"Marian," said Djaq. "Can take care of herself."

"I know but…things have changed now."

Djaq looked disapprovingly at him and he shook his head.

"I am not worried about Marian she had proven time and time again she can take care of herself," Robin assured then and ignoring the doubt he felt in his heart. "Right now we need to see Tuck."

"It's getting cold, dark and late shouldn't we head back?" Will suggested.

"If there is no sign soon, I will go in to the house I will need you all to watch for me."

Much raised his eyes heavenward to the rest of the gang behind Robin's back, they all knew he wouldn't give up on this until he had spoken to whom he had come to see.

An hour later and Robin was creeping into the house, the torches were on and entering the home via Marian's old room was not ideal as it now housed Eli and Anya's bedroom. Instead he chose to enter through the children's room, it was vacant. He opened the door but voices could be heard clearly and he nipped behind the door just in time for a bad-tempered Eli to deposit Simon into the room.

Robin and Simon let out a sigh when the door shut, the boy jumped startled when he noticed Robin. Robin put his finger to his lips to signify quiet was essential.

"Where is Tuck?" he asked, his tone low.

"He is not here," the boy replied and Robin frame sagged, picking up on this Simon added. "He is in Bonchurch, Eve's mother was unwell, he accompanied her there, they might not return until tomorrow."

"Thank you," Robin said moving back to the window his descent wasn't to be as gradual as it had been to get down from outside Marian's old window. He turned as he squeezed himself through the bars at the window. "What did you do, to make your Father angered with you?"

"I did not show respect to my step mother. I hate her, she is unkind when no one can see and I hate her," he told Robin with vehemence that young children do not often have the ability to possess.

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"Oh no Master, surely we are not going somewhere else," Much complained when Robin said that there was one further place they had to head to that night.

"You may return to Marian at the camp, I am sure she will welcome some company…but we are heading to the village of Bonchurch where Tuck has accompanied Eve."

"Eve?" Much asked "My Eve?"

"Yes your Eve, so….."

"Then I am coming with you," he replied, his face lighting up and his whole face displaying a joy he could not conceal.

"I thought you might say that" Robin told him with a smile. "Allan, Will go back to the camp. I fear otherwise Marian might think I have gone to see Gisborne, to kill him and much as I would like to….now is not the time."

"Eve," said Much to himself with a hapless grin.

"Come on, stop daydreaming let's go," Djaq said and pulled him to the present where Little John and Robin had already started off in the direction of Bonchurch.