Disclaimer to all things RH...obviously

So here's Chapter 8. Thanks again to everyone for their reviews and support. Enjoy!

"Master, is this really nessecary?" Much whispered to Robin as the gang approached the old mine. His voice was saturated with worry and fear, but it did little to sway Robin's mind. "Surely-" Much tried to continue, but Robin cut him off.

"Much, we have to get that tax money. I mean, who knows how much money is in there. And look," he gestured towards the entrance and smirked, "No guards."

But Much was still uneasy. "That just makes it worse. It means that what's inside is even more dangerous."

"Aw, come on, Much. You frightened of a little kitty?" Allan taunted in a baby voice. The other outlaws shot him a warning glare.

"No." replied a wounded Much, "I'm just trying to be the voice of reason here." he pouted.

"Robin rolled his eyes, "Come on lads, let's go."

So, the outlaws snuck quietly among the leaves to the stone side of the mine. Up close they could see that an iron gate was blocking the entrance. Only Much looked relieved.

"Oh well, Guess we can't get in. Let's come back tomorrow, shall we?" the ex-servant turned to leave.

"Much!" the outlaws all whispered forcefully in unison

Robin spoke to Much calmly, "I need to talk to you." then he looked a John, "Can you do it?" he asked, nodding at the gate. The giant nodded without a word and began to stretch and examine the gate with Will and Djaq. Meanwhile, Robin led Much away from the entrance.

"Much, I need you to guard the entrance while we go inside." he was looking very serious while Much looked offended.

"Master, if this is because of my slight uneasiness about going in, then I beg you, don't do any favours for me.

Robin shook his head, "Much, that's not it, I-"

"Yes, it is." Much cried, "You think I won't be able to handle it. But, you know what? I was frightened when we went on adventures as boys, terrified of the Holy Land, and yet I followed you there. Do not think that this will hold me back from following you into that cave." There were signs of tears reaching his eyes.

Robin put his hand on Much's shoulder and looked directly into his eyes, "Much, that has nothing to do with it. The fact is that I need someone to be here in case-" he hesitated but found his words quickly, "-in case we don't make it out. It is because you are loyal and because you truly believe in our cause that I ask you to stay behind. I have every faith that no matter what happens, you will do what is right. Is that alright?" Much looked at him, not knowing what to say, so he only nodded, feeling a twinge of regret for saying what he had said to Robin beforehand. Robin, then removed his hand from Much's soldier and began to walk towards the entrance. After a few steps, however, he stopped.

"Much, if, anything goes wrong, could you tell Marian-"

"I know master." Much cut him off with a knowing nod, "Don't worry." he tried to give him a cheerful smile, but failed miserably causing Robin to laugh a little himself. As he continued to walk to where John was heaving to lift the iron grate. "Come on John" the outlaw chanted as the giant turned red using all of his strength to accomplish his task. Finally, he managed to get the gate high enough to get the other four outlaws underneath and into the darkness of the cave. However, ge couldn't let go to get underneath himself. Trembling from fatigue, Robin thought fast as to what to do to hold the gate.

"Allan," he nearly shouted, "Give me your sword."

"What?" Allan asked giving him a quizzical look.

"Just give it to me!" Robin yelled louder. Immediately Allan handed over his sword. Quickly, Robin thrust the blade into the spokes of the wheel holding the gate. It held it in its place. With a great sigh John let go of the gate and walked slowly into the cave. Taking one last look at the forest, they all walked into the cave carrying their torches that they had made and lit earlier.

They had walked for barely a minute, when deep growls could be heard from deep in the mine.

"That had better be your stomach John." Allan said giving a cheeky smile to try and cover up his uneasiness. One look from John was enough to convince the pathological liar to back off.

"Whose frightened now Allan?" Robin countered

"Look, I'm not being funny, but you would be worried too if you didn't have a sword." he shrugged.

Robin rolled his eyes. "Right." he thought for a moment, "Here, take mine." he handed him the curved Saracen sword. Allan could hardly keep his eyeballs from popping out of his head.

"Are you sure?" Allan asked incredulously.

Robin shrugged, "Yeah, I'm sure. Besides I've got my bow anyhow, and you need to be able to defensd your self against the frightening little kitty." He grinned as did the rest of the gang, minus Allan of course who gave a sulky look at having his words used against him.

They walked a little further and found that the path that they had been taking split off into three directions. Everyone looked at Robin.

"Well, I guess we split up. Will and Djaq to the left, Allan and John down the centre and I'll take the right. If anyone finds something, send one person back to this spot. That person will yell down the other two tunnels. Everything should echo here, so we should be alright." They all nodded and went their separate ways into the darkness.

WILL AND DJAQ

Will and Djaq spent most of their time walking in silence as they made their way through the cave. The growling sounds were becoming more muffled the farther they went. They were beginning to think that the way they were going was not where the Sheriff had hidden the tax money. They had been moving silently until Will stepped on a rock the wrong way and toppled over. The noise echoed through the cave disturbing a group of bats. They shrieked and flew frantically towards the carpenter and the Saracen. Djaq clamped her mouth shut, for fear of letting out a tiny scream and covered her head with her hands. When everything became quiet again Will sat up.

"Djaq, are you alright?" Will asked, concerned for his friend. Slowly Djaq unknoted her hands ontop of her head and sat up.

"What were those?" she asked, still trembling slightly.

"Have you never seen bats before?" he asked

"No, it's not like I was allowed to go exploring in caves at any time." she told him

"Oh" Will felt like he should have known that, "They are quite harmless really." he said casually. Then he saw the embarrassed look on Djaq'a face. Why do I always say the wrong thing? He wondered.

"Well forgive me for being startled." she snapped, feeling ashamed for being frightened.

"Djaq, you don't have to pretend around me, you know." Will said quietly looking down and not meeting her gaze.

"What do you mean?" she asked him

"I mean," he said slowly, " that you don't have to pretend to not be afraid of anything around me. You don't have anything to prove."

She looked at him, slightly confused that he didn't understand, "If I show any weakness, you will not see me as an equal, only a woman." she sighed

"You will never just be 'only a woman,' Djaq" he looked at her seriously. She smiled at him a little. It made Will's day. Then she began to laugh. He looked at her quizzically. Seeing his face, she responded.

"Did you just trip over a rock?" she asked between laughs. Will lived up to his name, turned scarlet and tried to turned his face away. He muttered something about it being very dark, but Djaq stopped laughed and put her hand on his cheek.

"It's all right." she said warmly, "You have nothing to prove to me." then she turned to inspect his ankle.

TBC

There you go! R/M next chapter I promise...I just wanted a little W/D for fun. Please review and tell me what you think!