Chapter 34

The Things We Leave Unsaid

Just before lunch, the men returned in high spirits. Guy of Gisbourne had roused easily to the mixture Noor had given them to revive him and had not been buried alive. Sir Edward had retrieved Marion's body and they had helped to bury it quietly in the small cemetery behind Knighton Hall, laying her to rest next to her mother. Somehow, knowing that Marion was with her mother made Robin feel better about losing her. It would never leave him that the one person he couldn't save had been Marion but somehow he thought it was possible that he would be able to go on. Cocking his head at Much, Robin made a face at him.

Much knew the face his Master was making. Taking his hint Much walked over to Noor and the thumb sucking shadow next to her. "Is it chocolate this morning or is this thumb something different?" The wide eyed boy shook his head 'no' and curled up in Much's lap. Offering Much his other thumb the boy drifted off into sleep with his thumb in his mouth.

Meanwhile Allan had found a spot to sit near Djaq as Will collected wood. John stood looking into the forest trying not to pay attention to the scene around him. The wee lad made him miss his son. As everyone made themselves conspicuously busy; Robin and Noor headed back into the woods to continue their earlier discussion.

Once they were away from the campsite Robin leaned against a tree and Noor sat on a rock. "Tell me the truth, Noor. Does Salahadin know?"

"That is your first question, Robin? Of all the things you could ask me, you're first question is does Salahadin know?" Noor asked. "Do you think he's stupid? Of course he knows."

"How are you still alive then Noor? The punishment for your crime is the beheading of both you and Abdullah isn't it?" Robin looked at her incredulously. Salahadin had known Abdullah was not his and still recognized him? Impossible.

"Ah, Robin, you are naïve to the behaviors of men and their wives aren't you? Sometimes I forget just how young you are. Salahadin knows Abdullah cannot be his son, but admit to his court that one of his wives has been unfaithful and then killing her and the child is not something he is prepared to do. Salahadin is a merciful man after all."

"How Noor? People must have made the connection by now," Robin asked her. He was somehow still dumbfounded by the whole situation.

"That's easy Robin. Salahadin has turned it to his advantage. He has told the court that Abdullah's eyes are a trait from my blood. That the Ptolemy blood in me is what has caused Abdullah's eyes to be blue; much like it's given me green eyes. He paid the imam's to say that Abdullah's eyes were a mark of blessing and second sight from Allah and should be celebrated. Rather than hide us, Salahadin has brought us into the open as an advantage. Then at the first possible chance he sent us away."

"And King Richard went along with sending you here? Why Noor?" Robin asked her suspiciously. The ways of King Richard were not foreign to him but Robin still could not fathom why his king would allow Salahadin to hide them in England without something in return. Noor cocked her eyebrows at him with a knowing smile. "Oh Jesus, Noor!" Robin stepped away from her in horror. "Noor, is it King Richard's child? That's how they're securing peace? The talks are a decoy. Salahadin gave you to King Richard? What's supposed to happen – you're supposed to 'die' somehow before leaving England? Then James is supposed to kill Prince John and the Sheriff and clear the way for King Richard's return unopposed." Robin's voice trailed off into stunned silence as he finished connecting the dots of King Richard and Salahadin's plan. It was brilliant, brutal but brilliant.

"Well you appear to have gotten the gist of it, Robin. Some of your details are sketchy but for the most part you've got the idea." Noor sat quietly on the rock as Robin stared at her like a gutted fish. He seemed shocked that King Richard and Salahadin had come up with such a clever plan.

"What happens to you?" Robin was still wrapping his mind around the details between each of the dots. A glaring omission in his mind was what happened to Noor after she 'died'. Noor dropped her head quietly and refused to look him in the eye. "Noor, what happens to you? What is Richard to do with you and Abdullah once Prince John and the Sheriff are dead?" Robin's voice took on a distinct note of panic.

Noor rose to her feet. "That I do not know Robin. I have been given to your King and it's his decision what to do with me once peace has been established. I assume that Abdullah and I will be moved to a castle in the countryside where we can be kept hidden; but for certain I cannot say."

"Was that why I was sent home Noor? So that only one rumor could go around?" Robin looked at her with a sick feeling. King Richard hadn't sent him home for his bravery; he'd sent him home so that people would assume that Abdullah was the King's son without wondering about other alternatives.

"You were sent home because you were ill, Robin. King Richard knew no different until after you had recovered and left the holy lands. The King loves and respects you as his friend, Robin."

Robin was angrier than he had ever been in his life. The past two days were finally beginning to wear upon him and he was sick of the feeling that his life was some twisted Greek tragedy somehow being controlled by the woman in front of him. Running his fingers through his hair and then rubbing his face with his hands, Robin attempted to straighten out his thoughts. Treason was not something to be contemplated with mixed emotions. "Alright Noor, I need to think. We're not going to do anything until I've gotten my head completely around this. All I know is that I'm not going to allow anyone to turn a woman and child into property; regardless of whose child it is. I don't dare assume that you would tell me anyway, would you Noor?"

"Would it matter?"

"I'm not going to get into that with you now Noor. All that is important is that you and Abdullah are not property to be traded. Once I've decided how to handle that issue we'll start thinking about moving onto other things. Deal?"

"Whatever you wish, Master Robin. If you have forgotten I still remain your prisoner." Noor said with a condescending smile. Salahadin and King Richards plan; he would determine what to do? Men, she thought, are truly oblivious to how the world actually works and who actually runs it.

"Noor, I would prefer to think of you as a surprise long term guest." Robin said with equal parts humor and shame. He couldn't believe he had actually taken a woman and small child hostage, much less Noor and her child.

"So if I would wish to take Abdullah and leave you would allow it?" Noor asked teasingly.

"Of course, my dear Princess, if you wish to take your child and leave please feel free. I will arrange for men to escort you back to Nottingham. I would humbly ask that you please remain my guest for a while longer; especially since I am not overly fond of this plan of King Richard and Salahadin's." Leave it to Noor to be sure of her footing in any situation.

"Since you've asked so nicely of course I will stay. I have only one request before I do."

"Name it," what on earth was Noor playing at, Robin thought.

"Saphia, she is fond of one of your men."

"Saphia, who's Saphia?" Now Robin was really confused. "Wait! Do you mean Djaq?"

"Yes, find out who she is fond of and find out if he feels the same. If he does request that he makes his feelings known to her. If he doesn't feel the same ask him to tell her as much. She deserves to know where her life is going, Robin."

"Wait a second, Noor. You want me to play matchmaker? Do you really think this is a good idea? Even in your country this is something handled among the women."

"Yes, and whoever this gentleman is he obviously does not have a mother or wife to determine whether or not he should take Djaq as a wife. Plus, you're their leader if there is no one else it becomes your job."

"Ok, Noor. You asked for a request. I'm giving it to you. I will find out who Djaq is in love with and take care of everything." Turning away from Noor he walked back toward camp. A few steps away he turned back toward her. "Noor?"

"Yes, Robin?"

"I never thought I would say this but I actually miss being in the war. Somehow taking orders was a whole lot easier." Shaking his head Robin walked back toward camp. How did he get himself into these things? Now he was playing matchmaker.

"Following is always easier than leading, Crusader. Somehow I never managed to teach you that." Noor whispered.