Chapter 5

So This is Love

"Master you are humming again." Much sighed exasperated. It was always like this after they returned from Salahadin's palace. Robin would hum and moon about in a daze. If he was lucky and actually managed to catch a glimpse of her, that was. If he had been unlucky and had not seen her, he moped.

"Hmm? Oh sorry, Much. I guess I just was lost inside my own mind. I didn't mean to disturb you old friend." Robin smiled to himself. He had seen her last night, had actually talked to her. She had touched his face and smiled at him. Robin believed he could die happy now, she had touched him.

"Have you read the note she slipped you yet, Master?"

"No, I haven't Much. I'm actually afraid it says something like quit pestering me you stupid crusader, you stink and I'm just being nice for good manners."

"Give it here Master. I'll read it." Much took the note from Robin. Stupid lovesick man; a really stupid lovesick man if you took into account that she was married to Salahadin. Much unfolded the note with disgust. "Robin, I can't stop thinking about you. Meet me in the rose garden tonight at 1."

Robin stared at Much in surprise. "You're joking right? It doesn't really say that."

"Yes Master it really says that. Please tell me you're not actually considering this. It's a bad idea. A very bad idea." Much pleaded with Robin. Flirting with the woman could get him killed. If he was caught alone with her at night – well Much knew for sure that the Saracens had worse punishments than death.

"Why, Much? She wants to see me! She loves me!" Robin hugged the note to his chest. It was impossible to believe that she actually wanted to see him.

"Well several reasons, Master. Here are the first few. One, it's forbidden and if you're caught they will torture and then kill you. Two, it would undermine King Richard's peace negotiations if you're trying to seduce the enemy Sultan's wife. Three, if you care nothing for yourself or your King, care for Noor. If you are caught Salahadin will behead her in the market before everyone; and I can only guess that he'll make you watch. Four, he'll kill anyone he thinks helped her and that could be a lot of people. Five and I hate to use this one but Master what about Marion? You are an honorable man and you are promised to Marion. What would she say if she knew you were untrue to her with any woman, much less a wife of Salahadin?" Much sighed again in frustration; leave it to his master not to think anything through to the consequences.

"Oh, Much, you worry too much. Noor has probably thought this out. I can't imagine she would be so reckless as to allow for any of us to get caught. As far as Marion, you know that she ended our engagement when I announced I was going to the Holy Lands. You, yourself told me that she would probably be married by the time we returned and I should not live my life pining for her. Remember it was something along the lines of not fair to her or me?"

"Fine Master, excluding the reason of Marion, Noor is young. She is only 16 and does not fully understand what she is doing. She may be able to protect us but in the end is this really right master?"

Robin smiled at Much. "I'm going Much; you can stay here if you want. I am not going to pass this chance up. I love her and if I have the slightest chance of being with her, even if only for one brief moment in time, I am going to take it."

"Master, there is no way I am allowing you to go alone." With that Much sighed and shook his head. Why did he even argue? Robin never listened to him anyway.