A/N: The next installment, enjoy.
I don't own Robin Hood.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Returning to the camp and trying to conceal the fact they'd seen Allan seemed almost impossible. They were aided by the fact that by the time they made it back the others had fiven up trying to make conversation and had retreated to bed. Much's snores filled the silence but there was something in the tense lines of Robin's body that told Ava he'd been waiting up until they returned safely. She was grateful for this and even more grateful that he was now feigning sleep so all awkward conversation and explanation could be avoided.
Ava followed their example, murmuring a quiet goodnight to Will, and fell asleep more quickly than she thought possible.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
When she woke to streaming sunshine and birdsong the next morning it felt as though she had shut her eyes for only a few minutes. The morning was considerably advanced and the camp deserted. Finding an apple and some only slightly stale bread she wandered out to feel the dappled sunlight warm her skin and indulge in the silence of the forest. It didn't last long.
Will was the first to appear, in front of heated conversation. He gave her a shy half smile before moving past to leave the two dead rabbits he was carrying in the kitchen. John and Djaq round the hill together, John looking thunderous and Djaq amused. Finally came Much and Robin, arguing like an old married couple.
Actually, Robin appeared to have given up and was simply ignoring him but Much was still going on.
"You can't just not do it anymore! He is revolting and – "
Robin's policy of silence didn't appear to be having the desired effect and he changed tack abruptly and rounded on his old friend.
"Much! Shut up!"
Affronted, Much fell silent – but in a very obvious and loud way to indicate his disapproval. Ava walked to where Djaq was sitting, leaning against a tree, and dropped down beside her.
"What's going on?" there was no need to elaborate, Djaq knew exactly what she was talking about.
"Gisborne just saved Marian when Robin wanted to so now he's all jealous and has come up with some ridiculously chivalrous notion that it would be wrong for him to go after Gisborne now."
Ava sighed, exasperated but not overly worried. She knew this fit of honorable intentions would not last long it would merely be a pain while it did.
"What an idiot. They never understand, do they? Of course Marian didn't want to be rescued by Gisborne but that's what happened and she has to be grateful." Looking fondly from one outlaw to another she shook her head with a slight smile tugging at her lips. "These men are utterly ridiculous, aren't they?"
Turning to share her amusement with Djaq she surprised a very somber look on her face. All her humor vanished and Ava reached out a comforting hand, her voice low and compassionate.
"Djaq? What's wrong?" Djaq didn't turn to look at her and she risked probing a little further. "Is it Allan? Because – "
Djaq stood up abruptly and Ava was worried she was angry but when she turned to look down at her, her eyes were so helpless that Ava knew she was just unable to face what had happened yet.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Soon after, when Robin announced that someone needed to go to Nottingham to gather news, Much was steadfastly ignoring him, Djaq didn't appear to hear and John looked unusually weary. Ava stepped away from where she'd been trying to help Much prepare the rabbits, and being tutted at for her troubles.
"I'll go," she was already reaching for her sword, without waiting for Robin's acquiescence. It was a common patter and Ava had seen it play out many times before. Whenever Robin was annoyed or angry with Marian, and particularly when she didn't know about it, he would avoid her and Nottingham for a few days before forgetting the whole thing in the excitement of adventure when something else came up to distract him. So, she knew that he would be happier staying in the camp now, but Ava was keen to get away from the brooding atmosphere.
"I'll come with you," Will began donning his cloak and it was clear he'd also noticed the prevailing mood.
Riding their horses slowly through the forest, the idea that they had escaped the tension of the camp combined with the glittering sunshine gave a feeling of school holidays and freedom. By the time they reached Nottingham they were light hearted and their good mood continued as they split up to scout around.
Walking around Nottingham, handing out handfuls of coins and listening to snatches of conversation trying to glean news, Ava was content. Not happy – she hadn't felt really happy since Allan left them – but content. And for the moment, that felt enough.
Hearing the steady clop of hooves, she looked up and felt her inner peace drain away from her in a second to be replaced by a yawning pit of fear. She felt as though she stood there for hours, staring up into his face, though it was in fact only a moment before she ducked silently down an alley, pulling her hood over her head.
Hurrying away, she was looking behind her when she crashed into Will coming in the other direction and they had to grab onto each other to stay upright. Without preamble, they spoke simultaneously,
"Sir Edward's dead,"
"I've seen Allan,"
Then, their expressions changing from worry to shock,
"What?"
Ava held out a restraining hand to stop him from interrupting her, and said,
"We've got to tell the others,"
He nodded in agreement and they turned to go back the way he had come. They reached the mouth of the alley and were just checking to see that no guards were near by, when a horse stopped in front of them and they were looking up into the terribly familiar features of Allan A Dale.
"Allan!" There was such fury in Will's face and voice that Ava had to put herself between him and his erstwhile friend to prevent them creating a scene. It seemed the anger he'd managed to contain the previous night was all coming out now, and in the worst possible place.
"Will, no," she spoke low before turning to Allan with a stern look. "What are you doing her?"
"I'm Sir Guy's man now," the pride in his voice sat ill on the words.
"You're a traitor!" Will's voice filled with fury and he was a moment away from moving Ava from his path and attacking him.
It was then they realized that guards had appeared from nowhere and were advancing on them. Ava turned a shocked face towards Allan. It was one thing for him to tell secrets to Gisborne about situations they could get out of unscathed but to actively make an attempt on their lives and liberty was something completely different.
She was jerked away by Will pulling on her arm and they began to run towards the gate. Luckily there hadn't been time for the single pair of guards to be reinforced so they easily fought their way through to their horses. Mounting swiftly they were soon galloping towards Sherwood Forest.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
A/N: I swear I wrote about Edward dying before last Saturday – I'm sure everyone knew he was a goner, besides being rather annoying. I decided to leave it my way though so, sorry but there it is!
Please review.