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Resigned to involving Marian for the greater good, Robin went to Nottingham Castle, taking Ava as a look out. She had not returned to the place since she had narrowly avoided execution and was slightly apprehensive, but it was like getting back on a horse after a fall – it had to be done.
So, wearing men's clothing and with her hood drawn down low, she kept a wary eye on the market place as Robin talked with Marian.
It was a rushed conversation and when he rejoined Ava he was annoyed. He explained Marian's plan as they walked back to their horses and she could clearly see that it was his worry for Marian's safety that was making him so very irritable.
In the twilight of that evening they tried to come up with a back up plan. Given past experience this was a necessity rather than precaution, nothing ever ran smoothly.
"We need something that burns quickly," said Djaq, displaying her knowledge of the rocks.
"Pitch."
The quiet voice was Mark, speaking between bites of meat. Ava turned her head to look at him, curious.
"Straw?" Allan's suggestion.
"Straw's fast but it's not hot enough," Robin spurned the idea.
"Pitch."
Mark again, Ava was smiling now.
"Wood?" John tired, but again Robin found fault.
"Wood's hot but not quick enough,"
"Pitch." Mark spoke louder this time and the others finally noticed. "Fast burning and hot."
Everyone was looking at him now and he looked slightly unnerved by the sudden attention of his heroes.
"Pitch!" Robin raised his voice in excitement. "Good thinking, Mark."
The boy smiled as John ruffled his hair and Will expanded on the idea.
"I could make it in a box. Choose the right wood, something thin, and you could line it with pitch. Carry the black diamonds in that to the Sheriff and, well, you can shoot it, Robin, with a flaming arrow."
"And the rocks will explode," Djaq finished the thought.
"Good idea, Will, we'll test it in the morning."
Mark's thoughts had already moved on.
"Much?"
"Mmm?" Much was half asleep.
"Is this rat?"
Mark gestured to the meat he was eating. There was stifled laughter from the others.
"It's chicken!" Children always managed the best insults.
"But – I can't see any feathers,"
"Yeah, and we haven't seen any squirrels," Will's voice was low and teasing as he ruffled Mark's hair before setting off to see if there was any suitable wood around.
"Right!" Much had reached the end of his patience and forbearance. "I don't suppose anyone around here has actually noticed but I have to do everything you all have to do round here and keep this larder stocked. So if anyone else would like to run themselves ragged in the forest trying to catch some massive animal then you can be the servant!"
They laughed out loud now but as soon as she got her breath back Ava said,
"Oh, Much, I'll help you,"
He nodded with what dignity he could muster but the others still laughed. She smiled at him indulgently and went to help Will find the wood. He looked at her curiously,
"Can you actually cook?"
She looked slightly guilty; her compassion had obviously got her into tricky situations before.
"I can have a go. Anyway at least them we'll know what we're actually eating – I'll tell you if it's squirrel!"
They were still laughing when Robin brought Marian into the camp. Everyone was a bit surprised to see her. They knew how difficult she found it to get out of the castle at all and it was night now. They greeted her warmly, knowing how often she had risked herself for them but she didn't have time to idle. She came bearing news of her plan, she and Robin obviously having discussed it as he escorted her to the camp, and she outlined it briefly.
It sounded desperate but as if it could actually work. It was when Allan volunteered to take the role of the castle guard that Ava felt any misgivings. The others were surprised and Marian went as far as to ask if he knew how dangerous it was – his blasé attitude, while typical to him, wasn't exactly reassuring. Marian however seemed assured of his bravery at least and, wishing him luck, left them for Locksley and Gisborne.
Robin managed about two minutes pacing before he flung himself away from the camp and after her, too anxious for her safety to stay away.
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When Robin returned with Allan an hour later he was in a foul mood, muttering about women. He was soon distracted by the need to relate Allan's failed mission. Allan was sporting a couple of painful looking bruises to the face, that Djaq gave him something for, but there was something in his demeanor that wasn't quite right. Perhaps it was the way he apologized so easily, when normally he would be explaining how it wasn't really his fault. Ava couldn't put her finger on it, there was something not quite right, but she was soon immersed in planning the exchange for the next day and forgot about her worries for a time.
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A/N: Short I know and apologize for but I will update soon! Please review.