A/N: Next chapter – I don't own Robin Hood.
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When Ava woke the next day the sunlight streaming through the trees revealed it to be mid-morning. Only Much was in view, tending to the fire. After their slight altercation the night before, Ava was wary of approaching him but he looked up before she could decide what to do.
"Good morning,"
There was a careful restraint in his voice and a hint of disapproval.
"Morning,"
She came to sit by the fire, eyeing him to gage his mood. He didn't speak again, just handed her some bread and roasted meat. She accepted the offering gratefully, taking it as a sign of friendship, and began eating only then realising how hungry she was.
As she finished and accepted a flask of water to wash it down, Robin returned to the camp. He looked restless and annoyed; indeed he was frustrated that he'd been unable to sneak a few words conversation with Marian. There was no real need for them to talk as Marian had seen them escaped unharmed, relatively, and there was nothing further to report. Unfortunately this rational side of Robin's mind didn't seem to have much power.
He sat down, glared at the fire, stood up again and paced around the camp. Much knew the signs and made sure to keep himself inconspicuous. Ava, on the other hand, was new to Robin's mood swings and followed his agitated his footsteps with a curious eyes. On a hasty turn he caught her watching him and frowned.
"Can you fight?"
Ava shrugged warily, and watched him as he fetched two sword-sized pieces of wood from the wood pile. He held one out to her with one eyebrow raised in challenge and cocky smile in place. Ava accepted the branch and got to her feet but spotted a flaw in his plan.
"I can't fight in these clothes."
She was wearing a full length, heavy, blue dress with flowing sleeves. Robin gave her a quick look over, sighed 'women' in frustration and went to find some clothes she could borrow.
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Half an hour later Robin had taught her some basic techniques. They were stepping slowly back and forth, moving their 'swords' together in a steady rhythm. Ava's fingers were smarting from where she'd been caught when not paying attention or trying an unwise block.
Much was watching them through half closed eyes, wondering what it was Robin was trying to achieve and hoping it was only to take his mind off things.
Will, John, Allan and Djaq entered the clearing leading half a dozen horses – the result of a very successful raid on a passing group of guards. They were surprised, to say the least, to see Ava dressed as a man (wearing some of Robin's spare clothes) sparring with Robin. Ava was concentrating too hard to pay them much attention but Robin did and smiled. He was bored of his role as dummy and called on Allan and Will to take his place.
Ava faced the pair of them, deadly serious, carefully watching to see who would attack first. Robin moved to stand behind her and whispered,
"Stand your ground; let them make the first move, trust your instincts. They won't hurt you."
He smiled at her grim nod of agreement and went to sit with John and Djaq by the fire. As the three combatants began to circle, Much scrambled down the bank from where he'd been sitting watching and spoke low.
"Is this wise?"
Robin smiled more broadly; he was clearly enjoying himself with the new project.
"Much, if you'd been watching with your eyes open you would know she's much more capable that she seems. Hopefully she'll find that out."
He nodded towards the fight.
It was Allan who made the first move, only a tentative strike with the stick that Ava easily blocked. It seemed the outlaws had made a silent pact to go easy on the beginner and to by no means attack together.
As time passed the attacks became harder and Ava's defence grew stronger and quicker. But she still defended, building up her confidence. Will withdrew after a particularly punishing attack and Allan rushed in with a low swinging blow which caught the tips of her fingers as she gripped the wood. He immediately stepped back to allow her to recover but she followed, attacking for the first time, raining blows as Allan retreated before her, surprised, before she ended it with a hit that broke both her's and Allan's branches.
There was silence for a split second before Much burst into overenthusiastic applause. Ava smiled at Allan before dropping the end of her branch and throwing herself on the ground by the fire, elated but exhausted.
The others congratulated her, seeming to be impressed. Allan however looked disgruntled, a look Ava had seen on his face before, when he had nothing to distract him. It wasn't that he cared about losing, he had been fighting no where near his full ability, it was the others' easy acceptance of Ava and the fact they seemed happy to do nothing for the rest of the day. He looked away impatiently.
"I'm gonna have a go with one of the horses"
He spoke quietly, almost as if he wanted to be ignored but Ava, sitting nearest to him, heard and turned, ready for the next adventure.
"Can I come too? It's been ages since I've been on a horse."
Allan didn't want the company but she'd already stood and walked over to the bay mare and he didn't to attract too much attention. He nodded and Ava smiled before swinging herself easily into the saddle.
In the woods they couldn't go much above a walk but they soon came to a field where they could gallop. Ava was glad. She'd noticed Allan's mood though not its cause, and found it oppressive as they rode slowly in silence.
Some time later when they turned back into the forest, she saw him become gloomy once more. Looking around for inspiration she suddenly turned to him with a sparkling look,
"Race you,"
And she was off, riding hard through the trees, swerving left and right, jumping fallen branches. Allan followed not caring there were no rules or finish for this race or that it was foolish to ride fast through a wooded area, exhilarated by the speed.
He lost sight of Ava for a split second before hearing an exclamation of surprise and a loud thump. Rounding a slight corner he saw Ava sprawled on the ground.
He brought his horse to a stop and threw himself from its back. He reached Ava's side and dropped to his knees. Her eyes were closed and she looked pale. His hands hovered over her, unsure what to do before he loosened the scarf around her neck and inclined his head to listen for signs of her breathing. Thankfully he heard her take a deep breath and looked up to see her eyes opening and a guilty smile on her lips.
"Sorry,"
He smiled back and offered her his hands to help her up. She took a moment to regain her balance before looking around for the high spirited mount who had thrown her.
Seeing the bay not far away she walked to it holding out a calming hand. Soon the horse had quietened enough for her to remount and she trotted up to Allan's side showing no fear of riding again after a nasty fall.
They re-entered the camp ten minutes later better friends than they had been when they left. The others were sprawled around the camp with John and Will just returning after collecting wood for the fire.
As Ava dismounted and turned towards them they were granted a fine view of a large bruise forming above her eye.
"What happened?"
It was Will's voice, again raised in concern.
"Oh, I – I took a bit of a fall. I'm fine."
She reassured him with her eyes more than her words. Looking up, Robin was surprised to see how comfortable she was with the horse after what must have been a painful tumble. Ava went to sit by John who gave her a serious questioning look which she replied to with a smile. It seemed Robin Hood's motley gang of outlaws had adopted the unusual girl, who was he to argue.
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A/N: Hope you liked it, please review.