A/N: After seeing the finale I'm finding it incredibly difficult to write my version of events but I'm soldiering on and I have plans on how to make less awful and depressing, well maybe not depressing, but less awful in my world.

Anyway, I don't own Robin Hood, please enjoy.


HERE'S THE THING: DOMESTIC BLISS…

Chapter Nine: In Which Boredom And Peril Are Both Encountered

It seemed that Anne's ploy to annoy the Sheriff enough so he avoided her had worked. In fact no one came near them all day. There was little charm in pacing up and down the dark corridors and the courtyard held no relief. Both were soon heartily bored, Ava more so as she was sued to living in the forest where one was at liberty to do whatever one pleased, and there was always chores for one to do.

Anne composed herself to write a letter to a cousin who had married a man in the North and who she hoped would be able to take her in when she left Nottingham. Ava paced. She gave up the feminine walk Anne had taught her and relaxed into her normal stride, covering the room in seconds before starting again.

Fortunately for Ava's frustration and Anne's patience an arrow whistled through the window and landed with a thud in one of the posts of the bed. It was Robin's signal, the one they had agreed upon before leaving the camp and the one that meant there would be someone waiting to meet Ava in the market place.

She grinned and went to remove the arrow, while Anne rolled her eyes slightly and murmured "subtle". Pausing only to swing a cloak round her shoulders she hurried from the room.

As she entered the courtyard she forced herself to moderate her step, though she couldn't resist a little skip down the last few steps. Approaching a group of guards, she adopted Anne's walk to give her the confidence to walk past them with her head held high, as if she really was just a maid.

Carried away slightly by her success, she risked sending a flirtatious look at one of the guards. Horror quickly filled her as she spotted the familiar form of Allan over his shoulder. Lowering her head and cursing herself for her stupidity, she quickened her pace, hoping to reach the gate before he recognized her.

He already had though. She may have had red curls bouncing at her shoulders and be wearing a figure hugging dress but she was still Ava. He moved after her and grabbing her arm just as she thought she'd escaped, pulled her into a corner.

"What are you doing here?" he was sending fearful glances around to check no one was watching them particularly.

"Why would I tell you?" she was upset but chose to channel this into anger as she wrenched her arm from his grasp. He looked slightly surprised as he turned to look down on her before remembering they were no longer friends and she would not trust him.

"Right," he bit his lip and cast another look around. "Listen, Ava – " he broke off, as they both heard footsteps and shouting approaching. The Sheriff. He shifted a little bit closer, trying to block her from view. "I won't give you away. I promise. If you need help, come to me."

And he was gone. Dashing up the steps to distract the Sheriff. Ava turned back to the gate, slightly red in the face from unspent emotion, and caught the Sheriff remarking that he was glad that at least one of his men had the sense to content themselves with a simple maid rather than making fools of themselves over noblewomen.

Entering the market place it was easy to spot the gang, who weren't as well hidden as usual and appeared to be rather anxious. Ava caught Robin's eye and winked before ducking into an empty building.

They soon joined her and all, apart from Djaq and Marian who were reasonable people, looking thunderous.

"Where have you been?" Much demanded before she had a chance to utter any greetings. She stole a quick, worried look at Will before sighing and confessing,

"I've seen Allan."

The effect was electric, Djaq looking eager, Robin despairing as if all his fears had been confirmed and Much outraged. Will had let out a low growl of anger and was staring at the ceiling, his lips tightly compressed. Ava's eyes were fixed on him, worried he would blame her, until John exclaimed "I'll kill him!" in an angry snarl.

"No, John," Ava paused and looked at them all, willing them to believe her. "He's promised he won't betray me and I don't think he will. But this isn't what's important. What have you found out?"

The others took a moment to digest her words and calm down, accepting that what she said was true, they had to concentrate on the big picture. All except for Will who stalked away from them to keep a watch by the door. Robin took a deep breath.

"There's been a messenger from the Holy Land. Anne's father isn't dead. They want to use her as bait and force him to persuade the King to do as they want, or kill him. You're not going to be able to stay in the castle much longer, but we need to find out more."

Ava nodded and was about to enquire further when there was a low voiced warning of "guards" from Will and she realized she'd probably been away from the castle for too long. She exchanged smiles with the others and walked to the door, standing there for a moment to check that no guards were near. After a moment she decided she could risk it and, brushing her hand lightly against Will's, left, quickly disappearing into the crowd.


A/N: There you are, quite short I'm afraid but I'll update soon! Please review x