A/N: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I am so very sorry! Before you go on the attack with pitchforks and torches (sorry, we read Frankenstein in class) please accept my dearest apology and forgive me. I do love you all so much, I promise you were not forgotten. Severe case of writer's block coupled with the inability to take the time to sit and write brought about a terrible break from a new chapter. Sadly, this one is not long, but as yulecogs so kindly reminded me: any chapter, not matter how long, is greatly appreciated.
As usual, lots of love to my dedicated reviewers: yulecogs, soulprovider and anonymous. yYou guys are the best, I hope any other readers follow your lead!
Also a shout out to LoVeBuB for adding Simply Addicted to your favorites list, welcome to the Allan/Djaq family!
Now enough of me blabbering on, read and review :)
Chapter 12: Rude Awakening
It was not the bright sunlight which streamed in through the window which awoke the couple, who still lay in a deep slumber.
Nor was it the sound of Nottingham life which wound its way below on the moist and frosted ground.
No, what woke Djaq and Allan from their well-earned sleep was the resounding bang of a door flung open into the wall.
Allan jumped up immediately from the bed, ignoring the fact that he was completely naked and the floor of the room felt like ice on the pads of his feet. His eyes darted to the small table near the bed, quickly drawing his long blade from its scabbard before he turned to face the intruder.
Startled from her lover's sudden rise, Djaq wrapped herself in the sheets and rose to the far side of the bed, picking up a candlestick and holding it threateningly above her head.
She dropped the brass object as soon as she saw who was standing in the doorway.
Silver haired and not a blush on her cheeks, Caera leveled her eyes at Allan's naked form and spoke squarely, "You best be putting down that toy of yours down before you're in big trouble. Get dressed, now! I can only cover you for so long."
Allan lowered the tip of his blade and finally realized his indecent clothing, or rather the lack thereof. Grabbing a pillow from the bed, Allan attempted to cover his manhood and juggle his sword at the same time.
"Christ above woman! I'm not bein' funny but I don't think that invading guests' rooms is the way an innkeeper runs her place!" Allan's angry words were softened by the intense blush which covered his cheeks and neck, giving away his obvious embarrassment.
"Save it boy, I've seen enough man to know that you're nothing special. Not for me anyway. I'm sure this lass here would beg to differ," Caera's demeanor suddenly changed as she rested her eyes on Djaq.
"Mornin' Djaq dear, I'm sorry for waking you so rudely. But it is rather important that you two get dressed, and quickly! The Sherriff's men are downstairs and they can't find one of Robin's men here."
Djaq's jaw dropped in astonishment.
How did she know I was one of Robin's?
"Yes, yes I knew just who you were. That's of no importance at the moment. Come back for a pint another night and I'll be tellin' you all about it. But get dressed, now. Then I'll meet you and help you out undetected," Caera's skirts swirled as she shut the door behind her and strode down the hallway.
Allan looked over at Djaq as fear crawled in his belly. Jesus Christ they know. They know where she is. They can't take her away from me.
Springing into action Allan darted around the room, discarding the pillow unceremoniously on the floor and picking up bits of clothing that had been strewn around the room. Finally coming to her senses Djaq began to help, ignoring her breast band and underclothes for the sake of time.
Once they were fully dressed they began to strap on their weapons, moving onwards to tying cloaks up and flipping hoods above their heads. Once the mad rush was done, they stopped and stared at each other.
Allan's eyes ran over every curve and line of Djaq's gentle face. The sweet curve of her lips and the softness of her cheeks contrasted sharply with the fierceness of her eyes. Before he could utter a word Djaq barreled into his chest, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist as she inhaled his musky scent.
"Don't let them find you my love," she warned.
Always one to ignore her own safety. Honestly, women.
"Don't worry about me Djaq. I'll be fine, it's you I worry about," Allan leaned back to look down at the mussed black hair that snuggled into his broad chest, "But really Djaq, there's something important I have to tell you before you go."
Djaq lifted her cheek off of Allan's chest to meet Allan's gaze with curious eyes. "What is it Allan?" She nibbled on her bottom lip, her edge of nerves peeking through, and Allan's mind was filled only with the thought that he had to kiss her, then and now.
Forgetting their situation, Allan swept in and covered her mouth with his own, throwing his emotions into their passion-filled lock of lips. He ran his tongue over the curve of her bottom lip, mimicking the way her pearly teeth lightly nibbled at the sensitive pink skin.
A muffled cough from the doorway broke the two apart.
Caera stood in the doorway, hands fisted onto her wide hips and a grin cracking across her face.
"Oh aye, a couple in love if I've ever seen one. But if you ever hope to be kissing in the near future you best follow me so I can get you out of the Boar without those bastards downstairs finding you," she winked one of her bright eyes and turned around, silver braid swinging as she went. She turned left and motioned the two hooded figures to follow her.
Moving swiftly and silently, Djaq went first sticking closely to Caera's heels with Allan bringing up the rear. Moving quickly despite her age, Caera led the two through the hallways, eventually coming to a stop before a painting of a smiling, white-haired gentleman wearing a thick green sweater and a plaid kilt. His blue eyes seemed to even sparkle within the canvas, as if they held some old secret.
Caera stroked the frame of the painting affectionately, a faraway look in her eyes. Djaq looked carefully at her expression, finally realizing who the old man was.
Declan. Caera's husband.
She still loves him, even now.
"I'm not bein' funny, but is there a reason we're standing here staring at some old bloke's picture with the Sherriff's men having a grand old time downstairs?" Djaq could have slapped him.
Always a way with words that man of mine. Honestly Allan…
Instead of firing words back at the cheeky trickster, Caera simply chuckled and shook her head.
"Yes lad, there's a reason we're standing here. Where better to put something precious than with someone you trust and love?" Hooking her fingers behind the frame, Caera pulled sharply and swung the painting outwards, revealing a dark tunnel that sloped downwards.
Allan's mouth dropped with shock.
Cheeky woman, I think I'm starting to like her.
"This is brilliant! But, how did you work out the dimensions? And how—" Djaq's flood of questions were halted when Caera raised her hand asking for a pause.
"Like I said love, all in good time. We can talk about that over a pint as well, eh? Now, why doesn't this strapping young man work his way out first. Then you head off, no sticking around and giving the Sherriff's men a chance to find you. Clear out and I'll send Djaq out on her way. Understand me? Lovely."
Allan looked down at Djaq once more, soaking in every bit that was simply her. An ache began beating in his chest, calling out desperately for attention. He willed his legs to move but his mind seemed frozen. He couldn't leave her. He never told her.
"It's okay Allan, don't worry. I'll see you soon," Djaq said softly, giving Allan a gentle push towards the secret tunnel. With a dramatic sigh and a tilt of the head towards Caera, Allan climbed into the tunnel and began crawling towards the exit, trying to ignore the fact that his sore back muscles from last night's late night work out screamed at the cramped position they were now in.
This ending better be bloody close. This damn tunnel wasn't designed for a body like mine.
Allan smirked at himself, his ego boosting as he thought of his own strength. Before he realized it he came to the end of the slope, reaching what seemed to be a small trapdoor exit. Angling his body so his elbow and shoulder leaned against the wooden door, Allan slammed his right arm into the stuck wood with a grunt. Three tries later the wood gave a great crack, the bottom finally unsealing from where it was stuck in the ground and the door swinging out where it hinged from the top.
Tumbling ungracefully out on the ground, Allan landed face first into Nottingham's muddy ground.
Bloody woman. Of course she sends me down first, making me reopen the damn door. I bet it hasn't been used in ages.
"Fucking hell," Allan cursed as he stood, wiping the frozen mud off from his cheek and flinging it back onto the ground. He heard sniggering to his right and he glared at two young street urchins who couldn't help but mock Allan and his 'nimble' ways.
"Bugger off you wankers before I come over there and knock you around!" Allan flashed his sword at them and watched as they scampered away, suddenly seeming not so tough.
With one last brush of his cloak, Allan set off in the direction of the castle, heeding Caera's warning and distancing himself from the chance of getting Djaq caught by the Sherriff's guards.
Just let her be safe, God that's all I ask.
Before he knew it, The Blue Boar Inn was out of sight. But Allan couldn't shake the feeling of dread that lingered with him.
Several minutes late, Djaq popped out of the wooden door, avoiding getting caked in mud like Allan previously had. Remaining swift and inconspicuous she swept into the crowd, weaving her way towards the exit nearest to the forest.
She was nearly there, close enough to see the green tufts of trees lined in the distance when she felt a strong hand latch around her wrist and pull her swiftly to the side, out of eyesight from any wanderers.
The other massive hand muffled any possibility of speaking, and Djaq struggled to wedge her knee between the man's thighs.
"Oh no you don't, none of that. Let's be a good little Saracen bitch now, wont we?" Before she could get a good look at his face, Djaq felt a fist collide against her skull.
Before the haze took her over completely, Djaq could register that her attacker was tall, much taller than Allan. His light golden hair contrasted sharply with his coal black eyes, deep and soulless.
Djaq could feel herself falling into those eyes, swimming in the terrifying black pools. The darkness grew from them, seeping further outwards until it enveloped her.
And then, she felt nothing.
A/N: Oh dear, oh dear, I've made quite a mess of things now haven't I? I'm just tricky like that ;) And I do love a good cliffhanger. And to those who thought Caera was a spy, I couldn't have really made such a cutie evil, could I? Regardless, I hope you enjoyed this quickie, since I DO know where I want to go next, the next chapter should be coming a lot more quickly! I promise to not abandon you like I did before. Forgive me? Review for me? Love you all!