a/n: next chapter, please enjoy. I don't own Robin Hood.


HERE'S THE THING: DOMESTIC BLISS…

Chapter Eight: In Which The Walls Of Nottingham Castle Are

Breached By Cunning And Womanly Instinct

They retreated back to the camp, after John gave the two unconscious guards another good whack on the head, so Robin could explain to Anne the situation at the castle and how she would be able to pass on information and so Ava could prepare for her knew role. It took a couple of washes for the henna to take sufficiently and how accustomed she had become to wearing men's clothing became apparent as she struggled with the dress.

Eventually she was ready, wearing a plain, dark blue dress and plaited hair carrying a red shine. As she tried to fix a dagger into her boot, Will entered the camp where she stood alone, frowning. She smiled in greeting, but he fixed her with a look and she returned her attention to her boot.

"What about Allan?" he asked again, quietly.

"I'll ignore him," she still tried for the light and breezy tone.

"Ava." The word was low and implacable. She paused before sighing and letting her boot fall, where the dagger had been fixed for some time. She hesitated a moment more before looking up at him.

"He wouldn't betray me."

"Ava he's betrayed us all!" he was exasperated at what he saw as he willful disbelief of the truth and took a step forward in anger.

"He wouldn't tell Gisborne it was me, he wouldn't tell anyone. I know, he just – wouldn't." she'd moved towards him trying to explain, until she stood right before him, staring up into his eyes and willing him to believe her. He didn't move, just looked into her face as if reading paragraphs of explanation there, trying to decide if he trusted this instinct of hers.

Finally, he let out a long sigh, looked upwards and nodded slowly as if wishing he didn't believe her. She smiled slightly and lowered her gaze to the level of his chest, no longer quite able to look him in the eye, their close proximity suddenly forcing awareness on her. As he shifted still closer, so close they were almost touching, she was forced to look up and was caught in his steady gaze.

Whether it was because she looked so different from the Ava he knew and – well, whether it was because of that and it wouldn't really count or whether it was because she was heading into danger and he saw this as some sort of last chance he couldn't say. Suddenly he went from staring into her eyes to lowering his head towards her and brushing her lips with his.

Before she could do more than slightly return the pressure he broke the contact and turned to walk out of the camp, back to the others. She stayed for a moment to collect her thoughts and regain her composure, then followed him out.

Returning to the carriage, Anne surprised them by climbing up to take the reins. She was clearly in complete control of the situation as she ordered Ava up beside her and the others to place the unconscious guards inside.

This was swiftly done, John giving them each another quick hit to preserve their comatose state, and they were ready to be off. Rapid farewells were exchanged, good luck called and the carriage set in motion, before Ava took her courage in her hands and looked at Will. He was staring at her and offered her a rueful half smile as she moved away. She looked back until the trees hid him and the other outlaws from view, when she turned to face determinedly towards the future.

Her new mistress gave her a sideways glance before returning her attention to the road and observing,

"You seem very close,"

Ava jumped slightly, jerked from her reverie.

"What?"

"This gang, you are very close."

"Oh, yes, we are. Like a strange family – we've got our problems but we seem to manage." Ava's voice was distant and Anne saw she was far away, thinking of something else, so did not try to pursue the conversation.

They reached Nottingham by late afternoon and as the approached the gates, Anne became businesslike once more.

"Right, what shall I call you?"

Ava was casting wary looks around, counting the number of guards and checking that there was no one who would recognize her. This plan didn't seem as foolproof anymore.

"I don't mind. Beth?"

"Fine, Beth. Now, I may have to shout at you but don't mind that, and don't forget to call me milady."

Ava only had time to nod in agreement before they reached the gate. At first she was surprised by how quickly the guards fell back but stealing a look at Anne she saw she looked so haughty and powerful that their reaction was natural. They entered the courtyard and Anne swung the horses round so she would be able to alight by the steps. As they drew to a halt she climbed swiftly and elegantly down, followed by Ava with a more shambling step as she was hampered by her skirts.

The Sheriff and Gisborne emerged from the castle to form a welcoming committee, but before the Sheriff could do more than open his arms in an expansive gesture and open his mouth to begin his speech, Anne was up the stairs with cold words at the end of her ready tongue.

"Sheriff! Your guards are the most incompetent set of fools I have ever had the misfortune to lay eyes on! We were set upon by outlaws and they were shot or knocked unconscious within seconds. Are they not trained to fight? We were robbed by these rough scoundrels and I was forced to drive myself. Do you have any sort of explanation to offer?"

The Sheriff was speechless and Ava was glad she'd had the forethought to lower her head as her eyes were wide in admiration and would surely have given her away. The Sheriff continued gawping like a fish and Gisborne looked amused, Anne cast one contemptuous look around before striding between them.

"I assume someone will be able to show me to my rooms?" without waiting for an answer she was through the door, pausing only to call over her shoulder, "Come along, Beth!"

Ava bobbed a quick curtsey and hurried after her, just managing to catch the Sheriff whining,

"Again. Again, another leper of an interfering woman," as he balled a fist and pounded it into Gisborne's chest.

When they reached Anne's rooms and the last man who had carried in luggage had been dismissed, the look of frosty disdain melted completely from Anne's face and she broke into twinkling merriment.

"That was brilliant!" Ava enthused. "I've never seen the Sheriff so speechless!"

"It was fun. Anyway it might make him avoid me and be more willing to loose me when the time comes." She directed a penetrating look at Ava. "Did you see the man you need to avoid?"

Ava's smile quickly faded to be replaced by a frown.

"Allan? No," she sighed.

"Don't worry, I think you will be more than a match for him." Anne smiled again. "Now, let us unpack!"

The unpacking took sometime, Anne owning a huge amount of clothes. She seemed to enjoy herself though, picking out some of her plainer dresses and trinkets for Ava to wear. Though slightly bemused by the whole episode, Ava enjoyed this first real experiment of the feminine world. From being part of an all male family, to living by herself and having to provide her own protection, to living another bunch of men as an outlaw in the forest – girlish occupations were something she'd missed out on. Anne found this out quickly enough and when Ava went to bed that night she had had a long bath scented with rose petals, been taught how to walk in a way that caused her hips to swing and her hair was tied up in rags to give it a more even curl. She was exhausted.


a/n: there, I hope you liked it and will review! xx