'Martha?'

'Yes M'dear?' The grey haired woman stood at the doorway of Elodies' house, watching her pull ruthlessly at some buried carrots, her long blonde hair falling in her eyes every so often.

'Do you think it will get better?'

'The harvest?'

'No! This, everything, the taxes i mean.' She turned to face her friend.

'I don't know love, i mean even if king Richard returns ther still has to be taxes.'

She nodded solemnly. 'I suppose your right.'

'COURSE' i'm right!'

'Right, Right, Martha's always right.'

'Shut it you! Shouldn't you be going back to Locksley Manor?'

'I don't see the point, Sir Guy Won't leave his chamber. For anything.'

'Honey?'

'Yes?'

'He's over there tacking his horse.'

She spun her head round, quickly enough to catch a glimpse of Sir Guy, surrounded by a squadron of soldiers, tacking his horse. His face creased in what looked like anger and frustration

She smiled at Martha and ran to greet her master.

'My Lord Guy, You look well.' He smiled in acknowledgement at her, not a smirk or a cold smile. But a genuine smile. He studied her face for a while and contemplated how she had changed.

The once youthful plumpness of her cheeks, were placed with beautifully structured cheekbones, and wide blue eyes. Her once golden blonde hair, had darkened into a dark honey colour. Moving down her body, her frame, although very slender had formed some slight curves and she had gotten allot taller.

'Where are you going Milord?'

'Nottingham, the sheriff has summoned me.'

She nodded in understanding and turned to leave

'Elodie, how are you today?'

She turned back round to be greeted my the smug face of Cedric Arnolde, his face half covered by his helmet, but his smirk obviously there.

'May i have a world Ellie?'

She nodded and led him away from the other soldiers, to the back of an abandoned house. He leant to kiss her but she flinched and turned her head. He sighed in frustration and placed his hands on either side of her, against the wall. Pinning her in place.

'You look beautiful.'

'What may i ask, do you want?'

'Is a man not allowed a quiet moment with his betrothed?'

'I have not agreed to anything yet, and i am busy so?'

He sighed. 'I came to give you this – '

He held out a gold necklace, with an inscription in latin written on the back. Elodie squinted to read it.

'Omnia possunt audaces'

She looked up at him, puzzled.

'It means to the valiant heart nothing is impossible. I thought it was fitting.'

'Cedric, it's beautiful. Thank-you.'

'But?'

'But, it might look strange to accept gifts from a strange man.'

'Strange man? I have known you for over a year now, and i am still a stranger to you. In time i was hoping. I was hoping you might come to think of me as more than a stranger.'

'Cedric,' She moved and placed her and on his arm. 'Love is not a victory march. You have to earn it. Not take it. Thank-you for the gift, it's beautiful, but I should get back.'

'Wait.' He reached out and took hold of her wrist. She winced slightly and he immediately let go 'I'm sorry but i will always love you Ellie.' He bid her farewell and left for Nottingham with Guy.

She sighed, letting her head hit the wall of the house behind her.

It was later that day when Elodie saw him for the first time in nearly two years. He hadn't changed much. He was slightly taller and more muscular, but he still had that perfect face and kind eyes. He didn't recognize her at first. Well why would he? The last time he saw her she was a naive 13 year old girl. And now she was just sixteen. When she approached him, he smiled and gave her a package of food and blankets. Only when her brother Luc ran up to him, and hugged him did he truly see her.

His eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped about an inch.

'Ellie?'

'Will.'

He walked up to her and kissed her lightly on the cheek, the feeling making her blush slightly, so he pulled back.

'Walk with me?'

She smiled and began to walk slowly to a secluded spot near the edge of the wood. After a few moments of brief awkwardness, she pulled him into a warm embrace.

'Ellie, you look...'

'Older?'

He nodded, not taking his eyes of off her body.

'Elodie, you look stunning.'