Disclaimer to all things Robin Hood...la di da di da...
A/N: Everyone I am so dreadfully sorry about the long wait...I was on holiday with no internet connection. So, here is chapter 4. Enjoy!
"I'm not being funny, but what does a feather have to do with anything? There are lots of birds in Nottingham and no one pays any attention to them unless they sh-"
"Allan!" John interrupted with warning in his voice. He already had to spend the day with his stupid talking and he now realized that it was foolish to think that it would have stopped once they met the others back at the camp.
"I don't think that's what Marian meant, Allan." Djaq reasoned, trying to calm the situation. "She said that Robin would understand, I don't think it's literal. What do you think Will?"
Will looked up from is work. He started making toys for the children of Knighton as soon as they got back and already he had finished three. The young carpenter was shocked to hear Djaq ask for his opinion. No one ever asked him what he thought. Usually when he had an idea, everyone was surprised and unless he spoke, no one thought he had anything to say. So, fighting to keep the red blush out of his face, he answered softly,
"Well, I think it is meant to be a symbol. I mean, Marian and Robin have known each other for a while...it might be someone that they both know." He immediately went back to his work in fear of seeing critical looks on their faces. However after a second he did manage to sneak a look back up at them. Allan and John seemed to look convinced in their own quiet way but Djaq's look made his heart soar.
She was smiling.
"So, lads, how'd the deliveries go?" Robin's voice cut into the temporary silence of the camp. He eventually strolled his way to the centre of the camp with Much walking behind him. Gone, was the broken man of the night before. Here he was striding in with his usual confidence and a mischievious smile on this face. They knew that meant trouble.
"Everything is fine in Lockesly Rob." Allan spoke first
"As fine as they could be." put in Little John. They both looked at Will and Djaq with expectant looks on their faces.
Robin caught onto this fairly quickly, "Well?" he looked at the Saracen and the carpenter.
Will looked at Djaq to speak. "Everything's fine in Knighton Robin. The children missed you so Will is making them some toys."
Robin nodded with apporval. "Good idea. Anything else?"
"Erm...yeah." Will said, "We saw Marian." he watched Robin's face turn from sadness to concern in a split second. "She's alright and everything," he added quickly, "But, she asked us to give you that." he pointed at Djaq who was holding up the feather.
"She said that this was coming to Nottingham and that you would understand." added Djaq handing Robin the feather. Expecting Robin's look of concern to continue, Djaq as well of the rest of the gang, were surprised to see him smile. He did not speak but held up the feather to ponder it more closely.
"Interesting." he murmured, still incapable of taking that insufferable grin off of his face.
"Oi Rob, you gonna tell us what the feather means or what?" Allan asked, tired of the suspense. Each member of the gang was torn between wanting to punch him or hug him. But, that was Allan for you.
"This feather belongs to a bird that i have only seen in the presence of one man" Robin told them, twirling it around and around. "When Marian and I were little, her father had this man come from Sussex. He used to have all kinds of animals, lions, tigers, bears, you name it."
"Oh my" said Much A/N sorry I couldn 't resist.
" Oh wow is more like it, if you are nine years old that is. Anyways, he had this beautiful bird. No one knows where he got it, but it was huge. It's wingspan was two of Little John, and I'm not being funny either Allan." Robin smiled
"Haha, very funny." said Allan sarcastically, "But, so what? The Sheriff has a monkey trainer in his castle. What does that mean for us?" The gang all nodded except for Much, who looked at his master with worry.
"But, Master surely..." the ex-servant shook his head in disbelief.
Robin nodded, "You see, Allan, I would be wondering the same thing, had I not heard some very interesting news in Nettlestone today. It seems, there are animals in the forest." Everyone's eyes widened. "My sources tell me," he continued, "That the noises are heard only at night and just outside the village, which is near a series of caves. It was an old mine I think, but it shut down when their was nothing left."
"So," Djaq prodded him, "There are strange animals in an old cave. What does that tell us?"
"Well, if my guess is right, I would say that the Sheriff is up to something and-"
"Ah, mate, he usually is." said Allan with a short laugh.
Robin chuckled himself, "True. True, but this is different than what we are used to. It makes sense that the animals might me guarding something, but with the Sheriff, I can never guess." Then a silence fell upon the outlaws, each deep in thought.
Then, breaking the quiet Robin put the feather in his pocket and began leaving the camp.
"Master, where are you going?" Much asked, partially dreading the answer.
"I have to get more information." Robin said, still walking east towards Knighton, "Rest up for the day, lads. Tomorrow, we go to Nottingham to do some sleuthing." He flashed a quick grin, broke into a run and was gone.
Much sat down, "He's gone to see Marian hasn't he?" it was more of a statement than a question.
Allan rolled his eyes, "Very good Much. Would you like a treat?"
"Yes in fact I would like something to eat, as I am very hungry, while you will get nothing." he walked to the fire and began to build it up, nose in the air.
Will, Djaq and John passed each other looks, it was going to be a long day.
Please Review! Lots of R/M in the next chapter I promise