Disclaimer - I do not own Robin Hood or any recognisable characters
When morning broke Avalon stirred in her bed, stretching out before she eased herself off it. Her side felt much better but was causing uncomfortable stiffness through her body. Slowly but able, she made her way to the area where the fire had been the previous night. She greeted John, Allan and Djaq, the only 3 seemingly awake at the time. Happily accepting some bread from John, she then allowed Djaq to check her side and be sure there was no infection. She lifted the tunic top the other woman had lent her – along with a pair of brown slim fit trousers – after she had been forced to cut the young girls dress to help her.
"Are we the only ones awake?" She wondered out loud. It seemed odd for them to all be asleep still. Allan shook his head.
"Nah, Will's checking the traps and Robin's gone to see Marian. Much is still asleep, but he does that every morning." That seems more like it. Avalon thought. She ate slowly, savouring the taste when the crunch of footprints could be heard from the front of the camp.
"Hey guys, look what I – Oh sorry!" Will stumbled towards them but quickly turned away when he noticed Djaq checking on Avalon. She laughed at his gentleman nature, telling him he could look and it wasn't like she was naked. Will turned back around but avoided looking towards the royal until her shirt was down.
"You were saying Will.." John motioned for the young lad to continue what he had been ready to say upon his return. Will's face lit up and jumped from his seat, urging the others to follow him.
"I found this while checking the traps, it's not one of the Sheriff's, I checked the hooves!" He exclaimed. The black haired girl squealed happily and ran to the midnight black horse tied to a tree a few feet away.
"Of course she's not the Sheriff's! She's mine!" She grinned to the others who shook their heads at her joy over a horse.
"Thanks for finding her Will." She smiled her thanks to the carpenter before turning back towards the other young man in the gang.
"So, Allan, you thinking what I'm thinking?" Allan's face split into a competitive grin and he opened his mouth to accept the challenge only to be cut off by another voice.
"Where the hell did this horse come from?"
Much stood looking quite confused at the 5 outlaws stood around the horse. His hair was dishevelled from sleep and a loaf of bread was clasped in his hand.
"She's mine, Will found her in the forest." Avalon explained. Much nodded but was soon distracted looking over her shoulder into the distance.
"Will found what in the forest?" They all span around to the sound of their leaders voice as he trotted over the them on a chestnut horse. Avalon raised her eyebrows and pointed to her mare obviously.
"My horse? The one stood here? Did you think it appeared before us or something?" She stated sarcastically, ignoring the shocked looks from the others as she blatantly disrespected Robin to his face. Much sighed mumbling under his breath.
"Here we go again."
Avalon glared at him, smacking his arm in the process before turning to Robin again. He stared at her, a smirk clearly visible and formed from her sarcastic questioning . He slid of the horse and stalked towards her, his grin widening each second.
"Oh I'm so sorry your Majesty for my lack of logic and know how." Much quickly intercepted the retort the girl had opened her mouth to say.
"Can we not repeat the Holy Land here, please? You both did my head in last time." She humphed in anger and crossed her arms, pouting.
"Don't sulk Ava, it's not becoming of you." Robin spoke tapping her lightly on the nose, then laughing at her outraged expression.
"Marian! They're all awake and dressed, you can come forward!" He turned and walked back over to his horse, calling for the maiden as he did, and began to tie it up. Avalon grinned triumphantly.
"This will be fun." She whispered over to Much who shook his head in disbelief at her. Avalon then skipped over to her ex guard speaking loudly as she did so.
"Oh, so I finally get to meet the Marian. How exciting!" Robin rolled his eyes at her childish version of revenge.
"Don't start. I'm not your protector anymore, I am your leader so you will obey me."
"Ha! Like you ever let me disobey me anyway!" Marian came into view, her hair pinned back behind her head. She held a smile on her face as she greeted the others before coming to a stop in front of the newest member.
"Hello, you must be Avalon. Robin told me everything, I hope you don't mind."
"I am, it's a pleasure to meet you Marian, and thank god he told you! I was afraid he was too dense to think he had to and I would." She grinned at the Lady and winked as the ex lord groaned as he realised what he had done.
"Avalon, I must say I think I'm going to enjoy having you around." Marian spoke as the two quickly began to embarrass the leader.
"Okay, okay, stop! I see it was a mistake introducing you two." He pointed at them jokingly as they glared at him.
"Robin, why have you only just introduced me to my long lost sister?" Avalon stuck her tongue out at him childishly. She heard Allan laugh at her question.
"Come on, Avalon, let's leave the fool to himself. I have news for you all." She turned to acknowledge the others. They seated themselves around the camp and Marian told them of what she had heard.
"Apparently Prince John has informed the Sheriff about you, Avalon. However, he does not know what you look like so we could use that to our advantage." The girl nodded her agreement. "Also a new shipment of weapons will be travelling through on the south road."
"That is very interesting news. I do need a small sword and bow and arrow." The new girl shrugged. Allan and John looked at her impressed.
"You shoot?" Allan asked inquisitively. She nodded before jerking her head in Robin's direction, he was stood a few feet away speaking softly to Marian.
"He taught me."
The blonde looked impressed for a moment prior to Marian coming to bid them goodbye. The Lady pulled the unknown monarch into a hug, whispering softly into her ear as she did so.
"Robin's asked me to listen out for any news about you. I promise I'll help keep you safe." Avalon smiled at her gratefully as they parted, waving shortly as she climbed onto her horse and left them in the trees.
"So, how do we get these weapons, I do really need some if I am to help you sorry lot out."
Robin watched her, she was still making jerky movements due to the injury to her side. He frowned at her remark, she would not be in a stable condition to help, she will stay put and recover.
"You will not be getting the weapons." She opened her mouth to argue but he continued. "A, because you are injured and B because you are currently unarmed, making you – no offence – useless in a fight for the time being."
She glared darkly at him. "Now just wait a second, do not make me bring up the time with the Turk attack when they had the food!"
The gang sat back to watch a very entertaining fight between man and girl, occasionally putting a comment or two forth. They figured if Avalon was to stay, they might need to get used to this.
Avalon continued to argue against Robin, John and Djaq. All 3 wished for her to remain in the camp as they went to raid the weapon carriage. The youngest of the group on the other hand, did not want to wait to prove herself to the others. She would not feel properly accepted until she had been able to help them and show her worth.
"Okay! Fine, but you will stay next to me at all times and you will not fight until I have got a sword to you. And then you must stay by some ones side in case you need help. I will not have you even more injured than you are now." Robin exclaimed wearily, setting himself down to devise a well thought out plan to retrieve the goods. Avalon clapped excitedly, grinning with happiness at the prospect of some fighting action. Something she had been forbidden from practising since being with her uncle for the past year. She just hoped she wouldn't be too rusty.