I was up most of last night and a little this morning getting this chapter finished before I go away lol

Two update in less than 24 hours, I should get a medal lol anyway

I hope you like it!!

This one's for you Ray :)

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Robin walked at an unhurried pace with Marian, Much and Eve, every one else around them were riding horses. His father Richard was riding a head of them all, he looked seriously pissed off, and Robin new he was going to get a right telling off later. Not like he could feel any worst than he already did though. He turned his sorrowful glaze to the beauty besides him. Tears no longer covered her flawless face, but her eyes had swollen slightly and become puffy from where she kept rubbing them so much. She wore a sad expression, which made him yearn to hold her close, and tell her how sorry he was. He could apologise to her a thousand times over and he still would feel like a complete and utter twat.

He sighed and stooped down a little as he walked, which didn't go unnoticed by Marian who knew he was feeling bad about what had happen today. But it wasn't his entire fault it was hers too. She knew the consequences of going to the Northern boarder, she could of stopped him but she didn't she was just as curious as he was. She took his hand in hers, which granted her his attention, she gave him a heart-warming smile, but he only looked away from her. He even tried to pull his hand out of her grasp but she wouldn't let him, in fact she moved closer to him and put her other hand on his arm while lightly resting her head on his shoulder.

Suddenly Richard came to a stop and turned around to his men. He looked straight at Tuck and then turned to Steven, one of his guards "I want you to make sure that when you get back to the castle that Tuck is well looked after, is that clear" Steven nodded "Yes sir"

"And bring Matilda to see him too, I know it's late but she won't mind"

"Yes sir"

"And you two" He pointed to two more of his men "I want you" He pointed to the tall one "To take Much home to his mother and father and tell them I shall be around tomorrow to explain this lateness"

"And you" He pointed to the larger man "I would like you to escort Lady Marian and Eve back home to Knighton Hall"

"Yes sir" They both said in unison "Good"

Marian then pulled Robin around to say goodbye to him but he refused to look her in the eye and by this point Marian was getting a little frustrated with him. She began to shake his shoulder a little to gain his attention but nothing seemed to be working, finally giving up she said "Fine don't say goodbye to your oldest friend" She let going of his shoulders in disappointment and then linked her arm with Eve's as they began to make there way home.

Once they had left Much leant forward and said his goodbyes to Robin and then strolled off with the other guard.

Richard then got down off his horse and told his men to go back to the castle, to which Robin's eyes widened in fear, it was just going to be him and his father.

"Are you sure sir" One of the guards asked Richard "I'm sure, could you please take my horse back with you as well please, thank you" He then turned his fearful glaze to Robin, who for once looked frightened of his father. Once they were alone Richard nodded his head in the direct of the castle as a sigh for his son to follow him. Robin lingered behind for a moment or two before catching up with is father, he then stooped back down in his previous position and sowed his hand deep into his pockets.

Then both came to a field that over looked Nottingham Castle his is where Richard stopped. Which made Robin come to a sudden halt too; he looked how he felt, nervous. But what surprised him the most was that Richard decided to sit down here of all places. Robin would of thought that he would of liked to have screamed at him in privatise of his own home. But Robin obeyed his father's silent command and sat down besides him.

Richard spoke quietly to him "Robin I could tell you how disappointed I am in you, I could say how angry I am at you for disobeying me… but I feel that just saying that wouldn't get my point across" Robin looked up at his father a little confused. Richard knew that the next few words could destroy his son but they had to be said otherwise he feared he might do something just as stupid again next time "I know that your feeling guilty about today and you should be…" He stopped for a moment to look at his son, he had lost his spirit and tears were beginning to form in his eyes "But you know you could have been killed today and what even worse is that you didn't just put yourself in danger, but you put Marian, Much and Eve in danger too"

Robin swallowed hard and spoke for the first time since his father appeared at there rescue "Dad I'm so sorry" His voice sounded dry and it began to crack, it was like every word he said was an effort.

"I know you are, it written all over your face" He paused for a second, he knew Robin was desperately trying to hold back the tears, and that it was getting harder with every second to hold them in, so he made it easier for him. Richard leant over and enveloped his son in a huge hug.

"Its ok son" He spoke calmly trying to make Robin feel less tense around him, but he kept on whispering, "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry it won't ever happen again" He then pulled away and wiped his hot tears away with his sleeve.

Trying to relieve some more of the tension Richard said in a half joking, half serious voice "How do I know that's a promise you're willing to stick to"

"Because" Robin started in a low voice "Now I have learnt the consequences to my actions" He stopped and stared at his feet for a minute before saying in a whisper "I could of lost her forever"

Sighing Richard tried to look on the bright side "Look there's not point dwelling over it-"

"Yes there is" Robin interrupted "You don't even know what happen!"

"Yes I do actually… I over heard Much and Eve talking to some of the guards…" He stopped almost prepping himself for the pain of the next few words to come "They…they were going to rape her, then kill her weren't they" It wasn't really a question but Robin answered it "Once they were done with her… and me powerless to stop it …" He said pitying himself "What hope has Nottingham got for there future King if I can't even save the women I love" Robin laid back on the grass holding his head.

"Nottingham will have a great future King, do you know why?" He asked

"No, why?" Robin said unenthusiastically.

"Because" Richard smiled "They will have a King who learns by their mistakes"

"But… but what about Marian… she's never going to want to talk to me ever again" He pouted while folding his arms across his chest. Richard just laughed at his son "What do you mean she'll never talk to you again, she tried talking to you earlier but you didn't want to know" He smiled broadly to his son.

"I don't deserve her" Robin stated bluntly. Richard had to check if he was joking or not, but the serious look on his face told him that his was no joke "Son what do you mean?"

"Tuck told me" He stared into the sky blankly.

"Told you what"

"That we are betrothed" There was nothing but silence for the next couple of minutes until Robin finally utter from his laying position "Were you ever going to tell me?"

Richard sighed sadly "Of course I was, I just didn't want to upset you anymore-"

"Upset me? How would that upset me?" He supported himself on his elbow.

"I know you Robin sometimes you over analyse things"

"Meaning?" He said a little annoyed.

"Well I didn't want you feeling uncomfortable around Marian knowing that one day you would be married" Richard said truthfully.

"But dad, other then being an amazing King that's all I've ever wanted" He replied.

"I know but was Marian there when Tuck told you?" He questioned.

Robin sighed sadly "Yeh she heard"

"And?"

Robin grumbled and reluctantly answered his question "She said yuck"

Richard just laughs lightly to himself, although Robin didn't see it like that "That's not funny" He scowled at his father.

"Of course it is… Robin I know for a fact Marian loves you to pieces" He said rubbing his shoulders to keep warm from the cold night air.

Robin chuckles heartlessly "Oh really then why haven't you said anything before?"

Richard sighs and lays down next to his son "Because I wanted you to find out for yourself, anyway people can't just tell you your in love, sometimes you just know it... anyway Marian's probably worried that your ruin your friendship"

"Yeh I know" He said while pushing some hair out of his eyes.

"Anyway what did you say when she said yuck?" Richard asked curiously "I agreed with her" Robin said in a matter of fact kind of way, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well there you go, here's your shovel" Richard smiled.

"Huh?"

"Because your digging yourself your own grave" Robin just pretended to fake laugh at his fathers poor joke.

"Well I'd look an idiot if I just said 'Marian I disagree I actually love you more then anything else in the world' yeh because that wouldn't have scared her off at all" Robin sung in a high pitch voice.

Then there was silence, a comfortable silence, but a silence none the less. They both just stared into the sky, looking at the bright shining stars and relaxing in the cool grass.

"Dad"

"Yeh"

"We'll cool right" Robin hoped.

Richard turned to him and gave him a stern look "Have you learnt your lesson?" Robin smiled and nodded to him genuinely.

"Ok" Robin beamed, his father never did stay mad at him for too long, it was probably because they had such a good relationship with each other. And even though Richard had a lot of duties to do as King, he always put time aside for his son.

"But I do still need to punish you" Robin rolled over on his stomach and whined "Dad!"

"So" Richard teased "I'm cancelling your party" Robin's head shot up "No dad come on not my birthday party, everybody will hate you if you cancel on them at the last minute come on please" Robin tried to reason with him, but saw the small smirk on his face, the same small smirk he used when he was joking around "Dad that's not even funny" Richard laughed.

Robin then rolled back over on his back and looked back up in to the sky "The stars look beautiful tonight"

"They sure do"

"Do you think Granddad can see us from up there" Robin asked

"Of course he can…" Richard stared into the sky. Richard father, Henry the last great King of Nottingham, past away when Robin was four and when he was little Richard used to tell him that as long as he loved him he would always be there to guide him, as one of the stars in the sky. Because that's where all the great Kings went when you died, you became an inspiration to the future Kings to come.

Snapping out of his dream like state Richard said "Come on we better get back before your mother worries herself to death" Chuckling both boys made there way back to the castle.

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"You know this is all your fault"

"My fault, how did you figure that one out?" Came the dark reply.

"Easy you let them get away!" The other bellowed.

"Oh yeh I'm being yelled at by the guy who just stood there doing nothing" Joseph quipped narrowing his eyes at their leader.

"Oh would the pair of you just please shut the hell up!" Davina finally piped in getting annoyed very quickly at her brother and Joseph's pointless squabbling.

"Well who died and made you Queen" Joseph snarled

"Shut up" Davina shouted getting angry.

"Alright, alright, that's enough this is pointless, just sit down and shut up the pair of you" They both did as they were told.

"Oh what is it Vasey having a hard time looking after the terrible twosome over there" Came the patronising voice of Prince John.

"Oh John is just you I was afraid it was someone… oh what's the word I'm looking for…erm oh yes important" He sniggered.

"Very funny Vasey, do you know you three are an embarrassment to me, I practically gift wrapped that boy for you, I even threw in two pretty young girls and a servant in for free because I'm so nice and you couldn't even dispose of them" He patronised in a disappointing tone.

"Oh well I do apologise, but it not like you have anything to offer us is it" Davina smiled "I mean we do all the hard work for you to just come tumbling in and take the glories that come with it"

"My sister is right John, if you want something done properly you need to be willing to pay for it"

"You three owed me a favour, I think your fine" John snapped impatiently.

"Fine tell us how to make it up to you" Davina stated unenthusiastically.

"Yeh" Joseph added "As long as it doesn't include and any danger what so ever but ends with us having a huge payment for our hard work"

"Alright if you three help me with my next plan I promise to pay you greatly"

"What kind of payment?" Vasey asked curiously.

"Anything you want"

"What would we have to do?" Davina asked.

"Simple you have to help me become King"

"And how do we do that"

"Yeh do we kill King Richard" Joseph joked laughing.

"Precisely" John smiled evilly at the trio; he slowly made his way towards them in a deliberately slow manner. While walking around them he says "I know that your powers of retention are as wet as a warthog's backside, but thick as you are, pay attention" He then swats Joseph on the back of the head who was staring into space "My words are a matter of pride"

He then patronisingly waves his hand in front of his face to make his next point clear "It's clear from your vacant expression, the lights are not all on upstairs. But we're talking kings and successions" Vasey and Davina laugh shamelessly behind Johns back, annoyed John leaps at them, causing them to jump "Even you can't be caught unawares" They both silently gulp.

And John carries on strutting almost theatrically "So prepare for a chance of a lifetime, be prepared for sensational news. A shining new era is tiptoeing nearer" He smiles.

"And where do we feature?" Davina asks

"Just listen to teacher" John says squeezing her cheek, when he walks away she frowns and rubs it.

"I know it sounds sordid but you'll be rewarded when at last I am given my dues. And injustice deliciously squared. Be prepared!" John laughs.

"Yeah, Be prepared... we'll be prepared, heh.... for what?" Vasey asked.

"For the death of the King" John tells him stupidly.

"Why? Is he sick?" Joseph asks confused.

"No, fool-- we're going to kill him" John slaps him on the back of the head "And Robin too"

"Great idea! Who needs a king?" Laughs Davina and her and Joseph sing out of tune "No king! No king! La--la-la--la-la-la!

"Idiots! There will be a king!" John stated angrily.

"Hey, but you said, uh..." Joseph looked confused again.

"I will be king! ...Stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again!" John points out.

"Yay! All right! Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king!" They three of them shouted, "It's great that we'll soon be connected. With a king who'll be all-time adored"

John smiled broadens when they shouted adored "Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected to take certain duties on board. The future is littered with prizes and though I'm the main addressee. The point that I must emphasize is" He gets right in their faces "You won't get a sniff without me!" The three of them jump back in fright.

So prepare for the coup of the century. Be prepared for the murkiest scam. Meticulous planning. Tenacity spanning. Decades of denial, is simply why I'll be King undisputed, respected, saluted and seen for the wonder I am!"

"Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared. Be prepared!"

Vasey, Davina and Joseph join in "Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared. Be prepared!" They stop and end up laughing evilly to themselves, and then Vasey suddenly stops.

"So what kind of payment are we looking at here?"

"When I am King you will have everything your hearts desirer" Vasey waved his hands for him to continue, sighing John said "You will no longer be outlawed, I will bring you back into society, I will grant you a fine place to live, food, money, what ever you want!"

"Good" Vasey stated simply.

Hearing something from behind her, Davina turned around sharply and shouted, "Who's there!" Her sword was pointed at the ready. Joseph and Vasey soon followed suit and the three of them were waiting for the intruder to enter "Show yourself" Vasey demanded losing his temper. And out came a curious look Guy.

John sighed at his son "What are you doing here"

"I followed you" He stated simply.

"And?" John questioned staring intensely at his son.

"I want in on your plan"

"What" John looked shocked "You heard" Guy crossed his arms over his chest, while John let a smile appear on his face "Ok"

"Ok!" Vasey, Davina and Joseph blasted.

"Yes, that's what I said are you three deaf!" John snarled, and then he turned back to his son "Why do you want to help to badly?"

Guy looked uneasy for a second, he glanced down to the floor then back up to his fathers eyes "I only want one thing in return for my help"

"Which is?" John said knowingly.

"I want Marian" Joseph scowled at Guy then said "No the blonde is mine!" The four of them turned to him and John said "Marian is an brunette"

"Oh" Joseph looked confused "Ok well I want the blonde one" His smile returned.

"Eve?" John pondered this thought "Ok she's yours" Josephs eyes widened and he licked his lips in triumph.

"Ok son I'll give you Marian as soon as Robin's dead" He reasoned, and then they all sat down to work out there plan.

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I hoped you liked it

Please REVIEW!!!

Robyn

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