Previously on 'Of Sheriffs and Sisters':
"Outlaws!" He yelled before rushing out of the sheriff's office, clutching his sword. By the time he reached the courtyard, the outlaws were riding away on their stolen horses, making towards the forest.
"Gisbourne!" the sheriff's yelling could be heard from the castle. Guy ran his hand over his face and sighed.
"Great." He muttered before turning to go inside.
Back at the tree Robin is tied to…
"Where are they?" Robin suddenly asked, looking solemn.
Marian sighed. "Don't worry so much. For the hundredth time, they will be fine." She told him calmly, hoping her mood would help change his.
"Well pardon me for worrying about my gang while they're in Nottingham trying to save my little sister and fight off the sheriff," He ranted quickly, rolling his eyes at her.
"What are you talking about 'trying' Robin? It's us; we always succeed." Came a voice from behind the tree.
"Allan." Robin exclaimed, trying to get out of the ropes still binding him to the large oak.
"Calm yourself, Robin." Djaq soothed. Marian kneeled over her husband and quickly untied the ropes. He pushed himself up and ran towards Allan, who was carrying a very dazed looking Lizzy in his arms.
"We need to get her inside," Will instructed and began leading them all inside the camp, Allan still carrying Lizzy while Robin watched over closely. She was laid down on the closest bunk before Djaq returned to fuss over her.
"I'm fine." Lizzy muttered weakly, swiping at the hand that reached to feel her forehead.
"She has a fever still. I need to break it before it gets too strong." The healer told them. "Find me some cool water and clean wash rags, Will. Marian," the lady rushed to her side. "I need a clean knife, a needle and some paste from my cabinet." They both rushed off quickly to do their tasks.
"Really, I'm fine. I just want to sleep." Lizzy said, her eyes drifting shut. She gasped when Djaq smacked her cheeks gently.
"No, you must not sleep; not yet. Let me get your fever down," Djaq begged and ordered at the same time. She began to untie Lizzy's tunic when she noticed the four men still just standing in the doorway. "Marian and Will will stay to help. Everyone else, out!" She spoke clearly to be sure everyone heard her. Robin, Much, Allan and John nodded and began to walk out, Robin stealing one last glance at his sister lying ill on the bed.
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"Do you think she's going to be okay?" Much asked for what seemed like the millionth time. Robin, Allan and Little John all sent him a glare.
"Will you shut it?" Allan finally snapped.
"I was just wondering. Pardon me. And if my concern annoys you, then you can just….jigger-off!" Much retorted. He laughed triumphantly to himself at the end.
"Jigger? That is the second time you have said that to me since Lizzy arrived and I still have no idea what you're talking about." Allan complained, still glaring furiously at the silly man.
"Well, that's your problem, not mine." Much declared as he stirred the 'chicken' soup he had decided to make in his anxious state.
"Will you both just be quiet?"Little John demanded, banging his staff into the ground. Much and Allan both shot him glares before sitting back more.
"It's just like with Marian. When she was stabbed…" Robin suddenly digressed. "I haven't seen Lizzy for years and I'm putting her in so much danger by letting her be here, with us." He continued. By then, the three other men were watching him intently.
"She'll be fine," Allan cut in.
"But it's my fault." Robin spoke quietly. "I shouldn't have let her join the gang. I should have sent her off to Germany to stay with the count or something." He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face and hair.
"She wouldn't have left and you know it," Much said with a smile. "And you definitely couldn't have made her."
"I am her brother," Robin countered.
"So?" Allan asked. "Marian is your wife and she never listens to anything you tell her." Robin looked up at him coldly; Little John chuckled in the background.
"She is hurt and it's my fault. After she gets better, I am sending a letter to the count and she will be on her way to Germany." Robin said, showing he would take no more argument.
"She'll never go," Much softly called in a sing-song voice.
"She will!" Robin snapped, daring anyone to challenge him. The group fell silent again as they waited for news of the young girl they had just been discussing.
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"Your fever is going down. Wait a little before you decide to sleep." Djaq advised the young girl, finally taking the wet and now warm rag off of her forehead.
"Hmm…where's Robin?" Lizzy mumbled as Marian checked her wrist bandages one last time before deciding they were alright.
"Outside with the others." Will answered, washing off Djaq's knife.
"Do you want me to bring him in?" Marian asked Lizzy, noticing how her eyelids were drooping. She received a sleepy nod in return and she got up, cleaning around her area.
"We will be out momentarily," Djaq told Marian as she walked past. Marian simply nodded and began the short trek to the kitchen.
She sighed sadly when she saw the sight before her in the small kitchen. Robin had his head in his hands, elbows resting on his knees as he stared worriedly at the floor. Much and Allan were glaring at each other every once in a while, muttering insults under their breath. Little John was the only one who looked remotely calm.
"Robin," Marian called softly upon entering the kitchen. He looked up, standing stiffly. He looked like he was waiting to be shot, the equivalent to being told his little baby sister was gone forever. "She wants to talk to you." She finished calmly, smiling warmly at him.
Robin nodded, letting out a shuddering breath. He brushed past her, giving her hand a hard squeeze, which she returned wholeheartedly. Marian sat down wearily in the spot he had just vacated, eyeing the so called soup Much was making.
"How is she?" Allan wondering, his eyes pleading with hers.
"Her fever is going down and she didn't have too many wounds, thank goodness. Hopefully with rest, she will be fine." She answered him, giving him a smile like she had given Robin.
"I'll kill Guy for this," Allan declared under his breath, grinding his teeth together in frustration. Marian looked up at him, finally noticing the fury in his face.
I hope Robin doesn't figure out how they feel, she thought wearily. She looked over at Little John and met his eyes, nodding when they held the same conclusion as hers.
"Much, when will the food be done?" Djaq asked as she came into the kitchen.
"In a little while," was the glum reply. Djaq just rolled her eyes and sat down next to Marian.
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Robin counted each step as he walked, his thoughts trying to keep his feet pinned in one place.
What if it happens again and I lose her? Could I bear parting with my sister again? He mind kept questioning over and over.
"Robin." He looked up at the call of his voice.
"Yes, Will," He answered, relieved to see the carpenter. He needed a friend right now.
"How are you doing? How is everyone doing?" Will asked trying to be gentle with his leader, knowing anything could set him off.
"I'll be fine as soon as I see my sister," Robin replied. Will nodded and shifted slightly. "Is there anything else?" Robin asked, noticing the shifting right away.
Will looked up and sighed. "I don't want to upset you, especially at a time such as this one, but I think you need to understand…" he trailed off, taking in his leader's confused face.
"What do I need to understand, Will?" Robin narrowed his eyes.
"Well, I think Lizzy might be taking a liking to…Allan." Will said, looking for a reaction in Robin.
His leader didn't move, was frozen in time with a scowl on his face. Will watched him silently, curiosity displayed on his face.
"Robin," the young carpenter called, waving his hand in front of Robin's face. Robin snapped out of is stupor and waved Will off before continuing on his way towards the bunks.
Will stood there for a moment before shaking his head and starting towards the kitchen to join the others for dinner.
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Lizzy was waiting somewhat impatiently for her brother. She was trying hard to fend off the sleep that threatened to take her over. She just needed to speak with Robin, just for a moment. Her thoughts drifted off to another member of the gang and she smiled as she pictured his twinkling hazel eyes staring back at her.
"Lizzy," her name was called, forcing her to open her eyes and slowly look over at the caller. She smiled as she watched her brother pull a stool towards the bed.
"Robin," She answered, sleepily noting the frown lines that creased his normally happy face. He leaned down after he had sat and gently brushed the hair from her eyes.
"How are you, little sister?" He asked, taking her small hand in his, noting how it felt calloused and worked from her years training and in the Holy Land.
"Oh, trust me. I'll live." She joked; happy he was taking her illness so well. "Do you know what this reminds me of?" She suddenly asked.
He shook his head, standing from the stool to gently sit on the side of the bunk. "No. What?"
She smiled again and closed her eyes as if trying to drag the memory from the depths in her mind.
"The winter that Aunt Meredith came to visit. I remember what a little she thought I was. And I was only ten." Lizzy recalled, picturing the white blanket of snow common in Locksley in winter.
"Oh yes," Robin chuckled, squeezing her hand in his. "She thought you were quite the little beastly child in your trousers, always playing in the mud and snow with us boys. I can still remember what she told mother and father. 'That girl will never get a husband. No man would want to marry such a woman that can hunt and fight with the men.' She knew you so well." He mused over the memory, noting how much had changed.
"Yes, of course. She didn't understand me what-so-ever. And then I decided to show her how little I cared what she thought and how truly barbaric I could be." She paused, opening her eyes and smiling at her brother again.
"You fell in the river from the oak we always used to climb." He finished. He could still see the look on his father's face as the old man cared the drenched and small body into the house.
"You sat by my bed for so long, just holding my hand like you are now. I remember the few times I woke. You looked so much older than you were. At fourteen you looked much like an old man, carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders." Lizzy sighed and gave his hand another squeeze.
"Yes, well you are my baby sister," Robin told her with a wide grin, watching her eyelids fall, ruining the glare she had attempted to give him. Her breathing began to even out, feeling her hand relax in his as she let the darkness take her.
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Allan's POV:
I could hear Robin's footsteps coming closer as Much handed me my soup. We all looked up as he entered and took his seat next to Marian.
"How is she?" Djaq wondered, looking prepared to go to Lizzy's side immediately. I watched carefully as Robin shrugged.
"She'll be fine after she gets some well deserved rest," he answered. I hadn't taken a bite of my food, choosing to watch Robin as more questions about his sister came up.
He seemed to be aware of my staring, throwing glances at me. I looked away, feeling like I had betrayed them again.
It wasn't like I was betraying them all now. No; the only people was betraying was myself and Robin. This time, however, it was for something for powerful and more important than all the money in the world.
Love.
The word hung in my mind, causing me to look down and frown into the fire. Love? Me, Allan A Dale, in love? It was something I had never experienced before, something I had never pictured myself experiencing. And it hurt. So bad.
The next time I looked up, I caught Robin staring at me, looking as if he could read every thought in my head at that moment.
It was then that I realized that I, Allan A Dale, outlaw and lady's man, was in love. And that thought scared me more than anything else, more than death itself, shaking me to the bone.
What was I going to do?
Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry it took me so long to post. School and life and stuff. I've been meaning to post, but then every day I kept falling asleep (something very strange for me after school) so my mom decided to figure out what's up and it turns out I'm lacking iron or something like that so I'm anemic and I got to take vitamins so I've been trying to get back into the groove of things. I hope everything is going well for all of you.
About this chapter: I know it was kind of a slow chapter because there was no adventure, but this was a development chapter. Mostly I wrote this to help progress Allan and Lizzy's relationship. I hope it's not too boring or anything.
About reviews: Ok, I love all of you so much and I'm happy you're reading so I please, please, please, practically begging you to leave a review and tell me what you think. It's important for an author to know what all of his or her readers think. So just click the little button, anonymous or whatever. Thanks.
Now on to thanking those that do review:
X-uRbAn PiXiE-X--Yes…Yay for Lizzy/Allan. And Robin is crazy to argue with that crazy woman. To be honest, she scares me a bit. I know everyone seems to hate Guy, but I think there really is a good side to him and I really want to bring it out a bit more in this story. Thanks for the review and keep them coming!
Knight Vampire--Yeah, school sucks sometimes. Yeah I felt that if Robin tried to order Marian to do something, you guys would find it funny because, I mean seriously, it's Marian. Again, I really want to give Guy that side of him that we never really see because I do think, however mean he is, he deserves the chance to be seen as a somewhat good guy. Thank you for the review and keep it up because it makes crazy, emotional days brighter.
Thanks again guys and please hit the little review button down there. It isn't that hard.
Much loves and good lucks for those starting school or jobs.
IS15