A/N: Next chapter, I still don't own Robin Hood, enjoy!
HERE'S THE THING: DOMESTIC BLISS…
Chapter Seven: Mistress Anne Stuns The Legendary Robin Hood
They were waiting on the North Road again. Taking similar positions to before, though Marian was now in Allan's. This time they did not wait in vain, not twenty minutes after they took up position a carriage, with sundry outriders, was sighted. As the travelers approached the outlaws' hiding places the cavalcade was effectively halted by arrows raining from both sides and above. The only two guards that were not taken down by this attack were rendered unconscious by a heavy blow to the head, one from the side of an axe and another from a quarterstaff.
Before the outlaws could implement their plan further, the occupant of the carriage made themselves known.
The curtain protecting alabaster pale skin from the garish sun, was impatiently thrust back and a dark head appeared, searching for the cause of the hold up. Being unable to see the guards from this vantage point, the traveler descended, exclaiming,
"Oh for heaven's sake!"
She was not granted the opportunity to search around for the cause of the delay as when she was standing on the dead leaves of the forest floor, the outlaws revealed themselves. Appearing swiftly from where they had been hiding in the undergrowth (Ava dropping from the branches above) and brandishing weapons, they were a fairly formidable sight. The lady, however, remained unimpressed. She looked about her and seeing the dead and insensate guards merely rolled her eyes, muttering something unintelligible under her breath.
She was wearing the dress of a noble woman, all jewel colors and flowing sleeves, and it did not appear that she was armed, but being accosted by outlaws seemed not to faze her. Indeed she was looking them all up and down, as if measuring their strength and ability with their weapons. Finally her eyes came back to Robin and one mobile eyebrow was raised in question.
For him, she had come as something of a surprise. Her long, poker straight, black hair, stubborn mouth and fly away brows made her beautiful but it was her eyes that held the attention. They were gray, and held mystifying expressions in their changeable depths – when bored they would turn so light to be almost colorless, if angry they darkened near to black and sparkled with fire but most often they twinkled with a secret, teasing light. For some men this robbed her of any beauty, while others thought they increased it tenfold.
For Robin though, it was the striking resemblance to her father that held the most charm, particularly as those fine eyes were now cold and hard, as of a noblewoman looking down on a rowdy peasant. Robin crossed his arms and smiled winningly at her,
"Anne of Hardinge, I presume. Welcome to Sherwood!" he spoke smoothly and seemed to expect a girlish, fluttering reaction, definitely not the one he received.
"Really? And what do you propose to do with this presumption?"
Robin grinned more broadly and with genuine feeling as he began to appreciate her resemblance to her father was more than skin deep. There had been many, many times when the old Lord of Hardinge had given him a dressing down for being too cocky or arrogant.
"I have an offer for you,"
"How delightful for you," she murmured dryly, but still seemed curious to know what it was.
"I hear you have been sent to the castle and are to be held there against your wishes. I would like to help you to avoid this."
That she was surprised was revealed only in the slight raising of her brows and she fixed the outlaw with a shrewd look.
"Why?" she asked simply.
"I knew your father, he was a good man. I would like to help his daughter." replied Robin, meeting her look for look.
"And no one should be forced to live in the castle," said Marian quietly, almost as if she was unaware of speaking. Anne's eyes, which had darkened at the mention of her father, became curious once more as she turned towards Marian. It seemed she would ask what was meant by these words but Robin cut her off with questions of his own.
"So, what do you think? Will you let us help you?"
Anne frowned slightly, considering her options. She sent each outlaw a critical glance and asked,
"Who are you?"
"My name is Robin Hood and this is my gang – Much, Marian, John, Djaq, Will and Ava."
The noblewoman nodded slowly.
"I accept. What do you wish for me to do in return?"
Robin adopted his smooth manner again,
"You do not believe I would do this just for the pleasure of helping a beautiful woman?"
Any effect this compliment might have had ruined by Much and Ava snorting in disbelief. Anne, however, seemed disinclined to believe him in any case.
"No," she replied shortly and Robin's loyal gang broke out into appreciative grins as his superficial charm was knocked back. Their leader was also grinning as if the question had been a test and he now thought more of the woman before him.
"No," he agreed. "Well, we could always use a woman on the inside. Any information you can gather would help,"
"And you can get me away from here?"
"Yes, I can." Robin spoke with cocky assurance but it was hard not to believe him. Anne nodded.
"So I can proceed to the castle now?" there was a mocking note in her voice, as if she thought they were keeping her in the forest longer than necessary.
"No, we need someone to go with you, in case of problems." Robin looked about for inspiration and for his gang's opinion. "How about a guard?"
It was Anne's opinion he received.
"I don't think so. I wish to talk to this Sheriff about the competence of his guards." She ran one more of her considering looks over the motley band. "What about a maid? You seem to have a fair number of women with you."
Robin nodded in agreement; it made sense and was less obvious than having someone dress as a guard. He turned to the gang to decide who to send, Marian was clearly out of the question so that left a choice between Djaq and Ava.
"Ava should go, she's less memorable," Much voiced his opinion and was met by an affronted look from Ava. "You know what I mean, who was the last Saracen maid you saw?"
He shrugged and moved slightly away from her. She still looked a little haughty but was quickly distracted by Will opening his mouth to protest against the plan. She sent him a quick look but he ignored her and said,
"Gisborne's already caught her once though," he'd just managed to stop himself from saying it was too dangerous but it was clear he thought so and Ava was thankful that she hadn't told him about the second time Gisborne had discovered her.
Frowning slightly she sent a questioning look towards Robin, but he remained silent, knowing this was something the pair must sort out between themselves. Thinking, Ava's gaze happened to light on Djaq and her eyes took on a wondering expression.
"Djaq, what's that stuff you were telling me about? Changes the color of your hair?"
"Henna," Djaq replied, beginning to see Ava's plan.
"Right, I can use this henna and make my hair go a bit red, wear a dress and avoid Gisborne," she finished with a triumphant flourish, as if she'd solved all problems,
"What about Allan?" concern was heavy in Will's voice.
"I'll avoid him too, or threaten him," she replied flippantly but not quite able to meet his eyes.
"Ok," Robin spread his arms, smiling again. "Anne of Hardinge, you have yourself a maid."
A/N: This is one of my favorite chapters – I love a good strong female character and when Robin is all charming and then gets shot down but is able to laugh at himself is one of my favorite bits about him!
Hope you liked – please review.
