Tracking through the castle. The sound of feminine voices led them to the castle great hall.

They crept closer to see Prince John lording it over a banqueting table. The Sheriff was sat on his left, while Maid Marion and her lady's maid Lady Kluck, were sat pensively on his right. They was a large rhino guard flanking their shoulders.

"Well we the element of surprise." whispered Little John, from their hiding place. "We could charge in, grab the girl, and charge out."

Hood nodded briefly in agreement

Robin looked from the fox to the bear.

"Seriously, that's the plan? There are more guards around."

Hood gave her a wink and a confident grin.

"We can handle it. Two Robin Hood's, they don't stand a chance."

He walked to a wall display holding a shield and crossed swords. He pulled the blades and handed one to Robin.

"Shall we?"

Robin held the sword gingerly.

"I'm not really a sword fighter." She admitted.

Alice reached over.

"Let me."

She gripped the sword and gave it a flourish.

"My Papa taught me a thing or two when I was little. It's not a cutlass but I should be able to handle it."

"And who was your father?" asked Little John.

"Oh, you wouldn't know him, but he was an infamous pirate."

Hood looked impressed and gave Robin a nod as if he now understood and approved.

"An outlaw and a pirate's daughter. That's quite a team."

Robin pulling an arrow from her quiver and notching her bow smiled back.

"You have no idea!"

Alice raised her hand.

"Um… And as great as the charging in plan is - I think I have another idea."

…

Hood, having shed his disguise strode into the centre of the room and gave a low bow.

"Your Highness I heard you were looking for me. Well here I am."

Prince John almost choked on his soup.

"Guards… GUARDS!" he called leaping to his feet.

On cue Little John, Robin and Alice, now wearing Hood's disguise, ran in weapons drawn.

"I've got him, Sire." snarled the sheriff pulling his sword and charging at Hood.

In that same moment the door behind then burst open and a panicked figure entered. They all froze at the surprise arrival of the snake who had led them to the strong room.

"Sire… Sire…" he hissed. "Intruders in the castle! I believe they are disguised as guards!"

The snake then stopped short at the sight of all the guards and Robin Hood lining up to fight the Sheriff.

The plan now ruined by the serpent's arrival. Little John barrelled into Marion's guard. Robin meanwhile grabbed Marion's arm hoping to take advantage of the sudden confusion.

"Please come with me m'lady."

"Now wait a second!" protested Lady Kluck, puffing up her feathers in defiance, clearly itching for a fight.

Marion put up a calming hand, she could see Robin past her cardboard snout and realised this was a rescue.

Alice led the way to the door through which snake had just entered. She then scurried back slamming the door behind her and shoving her sword through the handles.

"There's more troops coming!"

Prince John looked around in panic realising how few allies he had in the room. He was outnumbered.

"Sheriff… Sir Hiss… save your king!" he cried, before sinking under the table sucking on his thumb,

Hood was losing ground with the sheriff as the snake slithered forward to trip him. As Little John curled his fist to join the fray Robin looked around to find an escape. The only way out was a staircase to a balcony one storey up where a guard appeared drawing his bow. The arrow hit the ground at Hood's feet.

While Little John wrestled with the python. The sheriff took advantage of Hood's stumble, as he was now dodging arrows as well as swords. The wolf was an excellent fighter and could use his snapping teeth alongside his blade.

Deciding to help, as the sheriff knocked the sword from the fox's hand with a clatter, Robin leaped onto the banqueting table and grabbed at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. She used the momentum of her swing to launch off the opposing wall and collide boot the snout with the sheriff as he swung his sword.

The wolf was sent stumbling into the one other guard currently being forced back by a spear wielding Lady Kluck. Alice and Marion who were prepared to drop a tapestry on their guard released it in time to bury the sheriff too.

Robin then continued her swing to an opposing balcony where the weasel archer was once more taking aim. She pulled him off the balcony, grabbing his bow as he fell, before finding her feet on the balcony. She notched an arrow and took in the scene below.

Across the room she could see Prince John picking up Hood's dropped sword and approaching the prone fox. Meanwhile Little John had wrestled free from the python and was using him to tie the doors closed, preventing more guards from entering. Using her new vantage point she fired an arrow to pin the lion's sleeve to the wall.

The lion looked up at her in alarm.

The Fox got confidently to his feet,

"Shouldn't pick a fight with Robin Hood." he warned, "There are more of us than you think."

Hood plucked back his sword, holding the cowering Prince at the point of his blade.

Realising the fight was over Robin checked the door behind her, it seemed to lead to the battlements.

"There's a way out up here!" she called.

Hood looked up and gave her a nod while Little John, Maid Marion and Alice moved to the stairs. Lady Kluck waited a moment to smash jug after jug over the head-shaped bumps appearing from under the fallen tapestry.

"We are leaving now." said the fox turning his attention back to the cowering prince. "But don't worry we'll be back to finish this."

…

They left hurriedly, carefully skirting around the troops still searching through the forest. Hood led them to a river, but he hung back with Marion for a moment. Sensing they need some time alone Robin and Alice followed Little John as he leads then to a path through a waterfall.

That evening, with the townsfolk still hiding in the forest, there is a surprise party. A band strikes up a tune and Friar Tuck and Alan-a-Dale the Cockerel sing – in honour of Prince John's humiliation 'The Phoney King of England!'.

Robin was half-watching the dancing from she seat on a log as she repaired her torn cape. The Friar had returned to her from the remains of the archery contest.

Alice was sat beside her, leaning against her shoulder, clapping her hands and stomping her feet to the music.

Robin put a few more stitches into her cloak before looking up to Alice again.

"So I didn't think to ask before but how are we getting home, or do we keep looking for his Aslan?"

Alice nodded towards the family of young rabbits dancing in a group.

"Well there are plenty of rabbits to ask. I'm sure we can go wherever, whenever we're ready."

Robin laughed and nodded.

Alice, toe still tapping for a moment, suddenly got up and held out her hand to Robin.

"Let's dance."

Robin shook her head, but Alice held firm.

"Robin…" she insisted.

Reluctantly, but because she can never say no to Alice, Robin took her hand and rose to her feet.

Alice put one hand on Robin's shoulder and Robin's free hand rested on her waist.

Alice leaned in and kissed Robin briefly. She then grinned up at her, her eyes alight with a mischievous twinkle.

"And remember this is a proper dance so kick up your heels. None of the swaying, itchy-butt, dancing you do in your realm."

Robin laughed,

"Okay ma'am. Your wish is my command"

Quickly finding their rhythm and Alice taking the lead, they skip and twirl to the music, dizzy with laughter.

…

Mrs Rabbit was more them happy to lead them to the realm portal her family protected, in thanks for Alice saving her youngest daughter.

Robin Hood, Marion and Little John accompanied to the edge of the trees but out of sight of the glowing yellow circle burning the air.

"Here, you earned it." said Hood handing Robin the golden arrow she should have won at the archery contest. "Perhaps you could return, and we can have a rematch one day."

Robin looked at the prize for a long moment, but it didn't feel right to keep it.

"I'd like the rematch." said Robin with a grin, "But keep the arrow, give it to those that need it."

Hood nodded.

Alice hugged everyone.

And Marion giving Robin a shy smile said.

"Well there is one prize I can give you." And kissed Robin on the cheeks.

Their goodbye's said Robin and Alice left arm in arm.

"So did you enjoy your adventure?" Alice asked after a moment.

"We survived." said Robin. "So that was something."

"And you got to meet your Robin Hood counterpart."

"True… but we haven't found a way to help your Papa or your friend Rumple…I don't think that rabbit we followed was grey."

"Yeah... I know." admitted Alice suddenly quiet. "I guess this wasn't Narnia… but there is another realm out there with more talking animals who might be able to help my Papa. Do you want to keep looking?"

Robin looked at Alice and smiled.

"I'll go anywhere with you."

…