A/N:

Hello my lovely little darlings! I'm sorry for such a break in the updating. I've been working like crazy and trying to get my AP Summer homework done (kill me) and on top of that, it turns out i need foot surgery on an old softball injury from the beginning of the season. Surgery is on Monday the 25th so if you want to make me feel so miuch better, shoot me a review! After Monday I'll be lazing around the house for a week, so more updates for my lovely readers!

Shout out but the way to my reviewers of the last chapter: yulecogs, anonymous, and soulprovider, I loved reading what you had to say! Write again soon! Okay, chapter seven here we go...

Chapter 7: The Plan

Dinner at the camp was always an ordeal. Robin would always tease Much, resulting in one of Much's angry outbursts and the claims that no one would be getting any dinner that night. After Robin's attempts at apologizing, John would intervene and with his few words of "food, now" dinner always followed.

The current argument between Much and his former Master concerned who exactly had the pleasure of dish duty that evening.

"Much. I just washed the dishes the other day! Besides, I never get the pots clean right. Do you really want me to be washing them?" Robin crossed his arms and grinned at Much. The whole gang knew how awful Robin was at cleaning in general; while the man could take down every one of the Sherriff's guards, pots crusted with food were his downfall.

Much huffed angrily, stabbing his stew with his spoon and swirling the contents so vigorously that broth spilled from the sides. "Fine! Fine Master, no dishes for you yet again. But I will NOT be cleaning them. I cooked…again. I always cook! I'm not washing the dishes too!"

Much looked at the remaining members of the gang. One glance at John told him there would be little help from the strongman, so his desperate gaze settled on Djaq.

Call it woman's tenderness, but she couldn't help but feel sorry for the man. With a great sigh, she muttered with a sense of defeat, "I'll do the dishes."

Djaq looked up at the voice who spoke with her, shock covering her features.

Will, rubbing the back of his neck once again mumbled quietly, "Well Djaq if you want to do them maybe we could do them together? Two people are better than one; we could get the job done much faster."

Djaq felt her heart sink. The last thing she wanted right now was to spend time alone with the sweet carpenter. She didn't want his kind and curious words; Will was far too perceptive for her to keep any secrets. She was about to rescind her statement to volunteer but was interrupted by an excited Much.

"Wonderful! Very good Will, that's a great idea. The dishes will be done in half the time, I'm sure! And then it can be Robin's turn to wash the dishes next!" Robin, who was quietly balancing on two legs the wooden chair sitting in the kitchen, slammed himself back down to the ground and looked at his friend with bewilderment, "Not this again Much!"

John sighed and moved forward to break the two apart once more, and Djaq took the time to look at Will. He was staring at the tussle, smiling slightly and shaking his head at the antics. He didn't laugh much; Will was always the quietest member of the gang. Perhaps that was what made Djaq and Will grow so close when she first joined the men. When she was homesick or felt like she had trouble adjusting to her new life, Djaq would sit with Will and vent while he worked on building one of his many wooden creations. And even when she didn't want to speak, Will seemed to have a sense of serenity that would spread over her and surround her with peace.

Djaq gasped as Will turned his head and met her gaze. His emerald eyes smoldered with heat and she couldn't help but berate herself for being so stupid. Of course he loves you, you stupid, stupid girl! How could you not have seen? His smile spread even farther, showing his straight white teeth and making Djaq's heart stutter. Wait, no, what was that? Will is a friend and nothing more. It is Allan you love. You just miss him is all.

Djaq dropped her eyes to her hands, her callused palms and scarred fingers trembled slightly and she squeezed them into tight fists to stop their movements. With a hard swallow Djaq prayed that dinner would last a lifetime.

Against her wishes, fate seemed to shorten the meal exponentially. The dishes argument between Much and Robin had silenced them both completely, each being too stubborn to admit defeat, and John never really spoke, unless the group was discussing plans to help the poor. Normally Djaq would speak with Will while they ate, but her nerves and need to feel distanced from the young man held her back. Of course, that didn't mean he would stop talking to her.

Djaq almost dropped her bowl of stew when she heard his soft voice speak to her, "So Djaq, are you going to be wandering off any time soon?"

She knew he meant it playfully, but she couldn't help the warm feeling of annoyance spread across her middle. She placed her empty clay bowl on the ground by her feet and crossed her arms across her chest. "As I said before Will, my personal life is none of your business. I don't believe I need to give you an answer, now or in the future."

Will's look of shock and hurt sent a pang of guilt through Djaq's heart. She didn't want to damage their friendship, but Djaq never had the problem of warding off unwanted suitors. Back in the Holy Land when she was known as Safiyah, Djaq was so different from other women. She was never the perfect Saracen wife and was therefore never courted in anyway.

Then I move to England, the rainiest, coldest place I could think of, and I'm being sought after left and right! Allah, if only I knew what you had in store for me…

Then she thought of Allan. Meeting the trickster had changed her life, for the better she was certain. The first time she met him she was transfixed by his ability to make others laugh, even Little John would let out a chuckle. Where Will was always one to calm her feelings, Allan would replace them with warmth and happiness; he was the first person in this camp to make her feel like she was home again.

She could even remember the first moment she knew she loved him. It was the day his brother Tom was hung by the Sherriff. It was true that Tom caused nothing but trouble and angered the gang to no end, but Allan continued to risk his own standing with the gang to find a place for his brother.

The look of pain in Allan's eyes at seeing his brother dangle from the end of the noose had twisted Djaq's insides until it was painful. She wanted to caress his scruffy cheeks until the lines of anguish were smoothed from them. She wanted his gift of humor, if only for a minute, just to bring the crinkle of laughter back to the corners of his eyes. For a while, Djaq was truly scared, horrified that her Allan would never be the same man again. When she sat with him, attempting to comfort him in any way, she knew that she would love him always.

Even just thinking about him now brought a soft smile to the Saracen woman's lips and made her heart stutter with love. I love him, I miss him, I want to see him now.

With the cover up of visiting a wise-woman, all Djaq had to do was keep her secret from the all-knowing carpenter and she and Allan would be safe.

"Djaq", Will's tender voice called out from her right and she looked up to see him holding some of the heavier metal cooking objects, leaving her some of the small wooden serving dishes, bowls, and utensils.

"I think maybe we should go now, while it's still a bit light out", Will stared at Djaq, curiosity burning in his leaf-green eyes. Djaq slowly stood, her joints popping and cracking as she unfolded from her stuck sitting position, and walked over to retrieve what was left of the dishes. He would leave me all of the lighter things to carry, Will is far too nice for his own good.

With nerves and rabbit stew tossing uncomfortably in her stomach; Djaq began her journey with Will to the stream, praying that the man wouldn't ask the questions she could see formulating behind his eyes. Oh Allah, give me strength. The door of the camp shut quietly behind them, leaving them to the silence of the forest and each other for company.

Allan walked quickly through the castle, the heels of his leather boots making the only noise heard at the late time of night. Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the Saints, it's not even close to dawn yet Allan thought as he meandered towards the Sherriff's private chambers The torches, hanging from their hooks on the walls cast an eerie glow around the halls, and the remaining darkness of shadows waltzed in every corner.

Guy better have a good reason for waking me up at this godforsaken hour, I happened to be having an excellent dream.

Allan's mind faded back into his mind's nighttime imagination, and he couldn't help the spread of warmth that flowed from his head to below his belt. He could picture his love, dark skin highlighted by the shining glow of the full moon above them and a smile gracing her rosebud lips. They lay in the middle of the forest, the stream nearby providing a soft musical babble and the leaves above a whispering conversation. The ground beneath them was soft, new grass peeking up from brown earth and tickling their naked bodies.

All Allan could feel was bliss and he heard Djaq's adoring voice whisper his name, Allan. He could almost feel the gentle tips of her callused fingers caressing his chest and down his sides. She repeated his name again and again, growing more intense and louder until Allan woke with a start, Guy of Gisbourne standing over him and yelling for him to get up.

"Allan? Allan! Jesus, you're harder to wake than the dead. Hurry up and get out of bed immediately, Sherriff wants to see us, now!" Was the man's early morning greeting, and his voice certainly did not make him feel the way Djaq's did. Bastard waking me up like that, just a few more moments was all I needed.

Dreams of his Saracen warrior were becoming more frequent and Allan knew he was missing her painfully. He would have to get a message to her quickly; the need to see her was beginning to overwhelm his other senses and his mind could barely think of anything else, day or night.

Every time it gets shorter. I need to see her sooner. I could hold out for a month, then a week, and now barely a full day. I wonder if she feels the same…

While his mind wandered, Allan's feet had successfully carried him to the door of the Sherriff's private quarters. The room was rather out of the way from everywhere else in the castle, and only found by the people who knew the area well. The Sherriff had the room designed separately from his bedchambers, hoping to dissuade any outlaws from sneaking into his private business. Allan snorted at Vaisey's foolishness, like that would really stop Robin. Running his fingers roughly through his hair, Allan sighed and rapped solidly on the door three rimes.

A few seconds later, the door was flung open from the inside and Allan was pulled by the front of his shirt into the darkness. The stranger released his shirt and Allan stumbled about until he could get his bearings.

Dimly lit candles were the only source of light and Allan blinked rapidly until his eyesight adjusted. He could make out three figures in the room. The first was cloaked completely in black and almost went unseen in his position by the door. Must've been the bloke that manhandled me, what a lovely welcome I get. The next was a man, standing by the desk and more in the light. Although his face lay just outside the glow of the candles, the crossed arms and rigid stance helped Allan know exactly who the man was. Ah, Gisbourne. Lovely. The last man sat behind the wooden desk and was examining a human skull.

"Well Gisbourne I'll give you this much. At least your little friend here knows how to be on time. A clue...no," the Sherriff reached into the mouth of the skull and yanked out one of the front teeth, shoving it into the hole in his gums. Placing down the skull, the Sherriff fixed Allan with a bored look and began drumming his fingers against the table.

"Regardless boy, at least you arrived for the meeting this time. We have some important business to attend to! And as I would like to get back to my beauty rest let us get started," the Sherriff's sudden excitement couldn't help but worry Allan. When the Sherriff is happy, it means that others won't be.

"First off, let me introduce my new friend. Dear man, please step forward." With a gesture to the hidden man by the door, the figure stepped forward into the light and threw back his dark hood. Allan took in the man's appearance, making sure to remember every detail knowing that this person would become important, and most likely dangerous.

He was tall, incredibly so. At least two heads taller than both Allan and Guy. His hair was an angelic shade of blonde and fell in waves to the lobes of his ears. His jaw was strong and finished with a cleft chin. A straight nose and shapely mouth gave the overall look of a peaceful man, perhaps handsome to some women, but looking into his eyes Allan saw the menacing look of someone with a dark mind. His eyes were coal black and deep, like a soulless man's. The deep abyss of his gaze turned to Allan, and the trickster couldn't help but shiver.

"This, Allan my boy, is Sir Lucian Greydan. Sir Greydan is a dear friend of Prince John and was sent here to be the new Head of the Guards and," the Sherriff was leaning out of his chair, positively quivering with excitement, "the new leader on our campaign again Robin Hood and his gang of outlaws!"

Allan suddenly didn't feel well. He may not know much of this Sir Greydan, but he knew that he did not want him anywhere near Djaq or the gang. As much as the men may think of him as a traitor, he would never want serious harm to come to them. In fact, he spent most of his time keeping the Sherriff and Gisbourne from succeeding in their more violent schemes.

Breaking into Allan's worries was Gisbourne's deep voice, tinged with a sense of jealousy. "My lord, do we need Sir Greydan's expertise. I do believe that Robin Hood—"

"Has succeeded in everything he's every tried! Thanks to you and your idiotic plans! Or perhaps it's because you're too busy pining over dear Lady Marian. Regardless Gisbourne you've failed me too many times in this matter to be in control of it anymore. Just go back to your unrequited love affair!" In his rant the Sherriff swiped at the nearest candlestick and sent it splattering to the floor, leaving a puddle of hot wax decorating the floor. The bald man was seething with anger, his face a boiling red as his small eyes burned into Guy.

Guy looked down with embarrassment and anger, and responded with a simple, "Yes, Sherriff."

Allan swallowed tightly, feeling his throat constrict with nerves. Whatever plans this Greydan had in mind, the Sherriff was fully on board and happily awaiting the outcome. And Allan could already tell that this man was one who always succeeded in what he wanted.

"Well Greydan, why don't you enlighten these two buffoons of mine with your glorious, ingenious plan." The Sherriff looked back at the newcomer, and Allan couldn't help but compare him to an adoring lap dog, begging for his master to throw him a bone.

With a deep clearing of his throat, Sir Lucian began cracking his knuckles beneath his black leather gloves. "Well you see, it all focuses on weakness. After all, the chain is only as strong as its weakest link and every chain has one. In Robin Hood's gang there are two possibilities for the easy target. First, there is the laughable servant to Robin Hood himself, Much is his name," Greydan glanced at Guy's face, noticing the look of astonishment he found there, "Oh yes Sir Guy, I may have just arrived but trust me when I say I research my jobs fully. I know more about Robin Hood and his gang than that deserter over there."

Allan jumped when he realized the man knew about him. This stranger knew he was a part of Robin's gang, knew he left them for a purse or two of coin.

"Allan A'Dale, yes I know about you too. A lowlife trickster and pick-pocket, once a beloved friend of Robin himself who betrayed the group by providing information to Gisbourne in exchange for money. Tsk, tsk my dear boy. And what a shame, you could have done so well for them." Allan broke the gaze to look down at his trembling hands. He knows so much. God, he knows everything. And the gang knows nothing.

The lord's voice snapped Allan back to attention, and the once outlaw listened with rapt attention. "As I was saying before, Much would be safe to assume as the weakest link. He is closest with the group's leader, is certainly not the most intelligent of the group, and can be fooled rather easily."

Allan couldn't help but feel some relief. Sure, he didn't want Much to be hurt by this man, but at least it wasn't Djaq they were after. The Sherriff spoke next, glee and eagerness lay open across his features. "Come now Lucian, tell them the best part!"

Greydan continued, "However, choosing Much as the target would be a mistake. While Robin is closest with him, he is not as close with the others. To carry out this plan successfully, we need to find the member of the gang that will emotionally cripple all of the others. Someone who would cause an uproar amongst them all."

Allan felt his heart pick up a new rhythm, no, no NO, it can't be.

"You see," Greydan came to his conclusion, showing the final part of his plan, "the perfect target would in fact be the Saracen girl. The one they call Djaq. She is loved by all members of the gang, especially the carpenter boy Will. She is the weakest link of them all, damage her, and you have broken down Robin Hood's gang."

The world had gone mute. After hearing Djaq's name uttered by the dark man as the center of the plot, Allan couldn't hear anything else.

He could see Gisbourne's sly grin an nod in agreement with Greydan's idea. He could see the Sherriff jump from his seat, chair thrown back against the wall, clapping his hands together with childish happiness. And he could see the calm collectiveness of the man who plotted the death of his beloved. But he could hear none of it.

All he could hear was the blood rushing in his ears, his heart crumbling to pieces, and his mind repeating her name over and over again, praying that she could hear him.

Djaq. Run. Now.

A/N: Well? Cliffhanger much? ;) Like a said, make my foot feel so much better by reviewing! I promise a shoutout next chapter to anyone who does.