Meanwhile Roy was on his way back to camp, also occupied by his thoughts.

I never understood before just how much Robin should, and probably does, hate the Sheriff, Roy thought, as he slowly trudged along, having left the horse, just in case it had been marked. I mean, we all have our reasons for being outlaws, many of them Sheriff-based, but Robin. He went to protect our King and country, and what does he get in return? His home taken away. His village and lands given to someone else. His woman, although Marian wouldn't allow herself to be called anyone's woman. Technically no one's taken her. Yet. But you can see it's going to be quite some time before Marian's going to forgive him, no matter how much they love each other. Poor guy! He's got it pretty bad! Roy chuckled to himself.

A sudden noise made Roy stop short. He pulled his sword out and spun round slowly, trying to find the source of the disturbance.

'RAH!' Allan shouted, as he and Will jumped out of a tree, landing either side of Roy.

'You little …' Roy began, while hitting both of them.

'Now, now Roy! There's no need for language like that just because we caught you off guard!' Will spluttered in between fits of laughter. 'What would John say?!'

'Oh shut up!' was Roy's reply as he continued to hit Allan, who was creased up, just managing to say 'Your face! Your face!' 'What are you doing out here anyway?' Roy demanded, pushing Allan over, into a pile of leaves on the floor.

'Could ask you the same question,' Allan replied, spitting out leaves. He threw Will a dark look. Will had shifted his laughter from Roy's shocked face, to Allan's even more dishevelled appearance. 'Thought you were meant to be taking Robin and the baby to its village?'

'I was. I'll tell you everything when we get back to the others,' came Roy's reply as he picked up his sword, replacing it back into its makeshift holder. 'Best get going huh?' he added as he saw Will and Allan fighting on the ground, where leaves were now being shoved down Will's top, and mud being mixed into Allan's unkempt hair. He just chuckled and pulled them apart.

Once they had all recovered from their 'mad moment', as Much liked to call them, Will spoke up, 'I think the sooner we get back to camp, and you tell us what's going on, the better! Much was already fretting about where 'Master Robin' was when we left!'

All three started in the direction of camp, laughing at Will's accurate impression of Much.

'So what you're telling me is that Robin got shot, chased by guards, and then you let him go off with Marian? ON HIS OWN?!' Much shouted. 'I knew I should have come with you. No one else knows what he's like, or can control him!'

Roy and the others were slightly taken aback by Much's reaction. The others had been concerned, but Much's response was bordering on over-protective parent, rather than loyal manservant or friend.

Roy nodded weakly, 'Marian was going to stitch him up. And he wasn't alone. He had Charlie or Dom, or whatever they decided to call the baby.'

Instantly they all realised that he had said exactly the wrong thing.

'CHARLIE?! They're calling him Charlie?!' Much exploded. When Roy nodded meekly again, he screeched. 'How stupid are you Roy?! In the Holy Lands, in his dreams, Robin would call out Mar …' Much suddenly stopped as he realised what he was saying. One look at Allan's smirk and he quickly adjusted what he was saying. 'I mean, I need to get to him right now.' He added more calmly.

So shocked were they all by Much's outburst that they packed in double-quick time. As they set off, following Roy, Much added quietly, hoping no one could hear, 'Before it's too late.'

John stared after Much's retreating back. 'Before it's too late?' What does that mean? What significance does the name 'Charlie' have? I know Robin is obsessed and in love with Marian, but the way Much is carrying on. There's got to be something more, something bigger, and by the way Much is acting, I'm guessing something not so good! Mind you, Much does seem to be a bit over protective of Robin. Even more so when Marian is around. All I know is the sooner we get to Robin, Marian and the baby, the better. For all of us.

All five outlaws set out to find their friend, hurried along by an anxious Much.