A/N: The last chapter, 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

By the time they reached the camp Ava was heartily sick of the clothes she'd borrowed, particularly the corset, and would only be happy when she was back in trousers again. On the ride she'd been jostled about, leaving a large amount of bruises, despite the arm Will used to try and brace her, and the intermittent rain had left her decidedly damp. Given half a chance she would sink into a foul temper but the sight that met her gaze was much too good for that to happen.

Djaq, sitting by the fire, was merely an amused observer and John was trying to make himself as small as possible so he wouldn't be targeted next. Much, having arrived before them, was standing as tall as he could with one sleeve of a top of Robin's in his hand and Marian was facing him, holding the other. She tugged it towards her.

"I don't mind doing it, Much, I don't. I almost want to," It was clear that this was how she had been working on keeping her mind from worrying about them.

"You can't and won't do his washing! It's not right, my lady!" he tugged it towards him and there was an ominous ripping noise. Robin jumped from his horse and strode towards them.

"Hey, you're going to tear it! Neither of you need to wash it, I'll do it myself when I need to."

He grabbed the top and the pair looked at each other in shared exasperation.

"It's never going to be washed now," Much sighed and they both turned to bend accusing stares on Robin. Who ignored them with practiced ease and entered the camp to get rid of the cloak and hat of his disguise.

Looking down on Will, who was waiting to help her from the horse, Ava smiled.

"Domestic bliss," she teased, but before he could react she had slid from the horse's back and into his arms and they were suddenly too close to share a joke like that. Looking slightly startled and then making mumbled comments about getting changed and taking the horse away, they moved off in opposite directions.

Having got so used to wearing men's clothing Ava had forgotten how limiting it was to wear a skirt, and a long, full one made of stiff fabric at that. Walking up to the camp she was annoyed as the swishing skirts and floating veil still attached to her curls managed to gather up large amounts of dead leaves and bring them in with her.

As she went about trying to find some clothes to wear, Ava realized Marian had drifted into the camp behind her and Djaq. It was obvious she wanted to ask something as she seemed unable to stop fidgeting, even after Robin had left to go back outside again. After a while it became clear she was completely incapable of finding the words so Ava began the conversation, keeping her eyes on the complicated lacing of her corset so Marian wouldn't feel under pressure.

"You must have done something pretty drastic to Gisborne, you know."

Marian was startled.

"To Guy?"

"Mmm, I think he recognized me," the other two were shocked but Ava was thinking. "Or at least, he realized it wasn't you. He came up to me in the street, wanting to help, but something made him see that I wasn't you and he was just about to expose me when some guards turned up," Ava looked up. "He let me go, knowing I was helping you - I thought you should know that." She looked down at her corset again. "We don't need to tell anyone else though, they'll never let me do anything again," she was scowling by this point but Marian and Djaq met each other's eyes, smiling slightly, knowing exactly which outlaw she was talking about. Ava tried to overcome the seriousness of the conversation by adding lightly, "I like Gisborne a lot better I can tell you – or perhaps it's just because he's so tall up close."

"Tall is good," Djaq nodded wisely, fighting to keep a straight face.

Marian caught the atmosphere and said,

"Are you sure it's not all that black leather?"

They burst out laughing, which grew louder when they spotted Robin standing at the entrance of the camp with a completely bemused expression on his face. As they were unable to draw breath to explain, he gave up making any sense of it after a moment and turned to the comfort of the all male company outside.

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

The sleeplessness of the night before had left Ava pale and the somber hue of the borrowed clothes had only served to enhance this, leaving her looking her so unlike her normal self that she wasn't the only one who was glad when she had changed. She was still tired however, and was quite happy to let Much take over the fuss of preparing the evening meal, settling herself to peeling potatoes and curbing him when his enthusiasm led him to unwise experiments. It was obvious to anyone watching, to Ava anyway, that Much saw this as the first proper meal he made for his new mistress and was determined to make it as good as possible.

By the time night had fallen and the food was ready, there was an atmosphere of celebration about the camp. Blatant to all was the fact Robin was happy and proud to have Marian with them and she was obviously pleased to be with Robin, despite the miserable circumstances under which it finally occurred.

They had all pulled through the trials of recent times. The balmy fire light played on their faces as they sat, warm, full and contented. Though their were shadows of deep grief barely hidden in Marian's eyes, and Djaq looked perhaps a little more strained than she had before Allan left. Though Will would sometimes turn to share a joke with someone who wasn't there, and Robin had more burdens and responsibilities than before. Though Ava's face was more stern in repose than it had been before. Events had left marks on them all but they'd managed to make it through, together, a family still.

THE END

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

Coming Soon….

"A high pitched scream sounded – which was all the more unnerving as Djaq, Marian and Ava were still in the camp…"

"Beautiful, refined and ladylike – and she'd just kneed a guard in a most vital area…."

"Whatever anyone says about Prince John it cannot be that he has a good sense of humor!"

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 hope you liked the story and will read the sequel! Please review to let me know you're final thoughts.

I will be beginning to upload the sequel as soon as I can think of a good title…