A/N: Sorry it's been so long.
I don't own Robin Hood.
HERE'S THE THING: DOMESTIC BLISS…
Chapter Fourteen: In Which Much Is Infuriating And Ava
Experiences Some Foreboding Foreshadowing
"Ava!"
She turned her head and saw Much hurrying towards her. He arrived with a clatter and landed beside her heavily.
"Ava." He said again, fighting to regain his breath. "I've got to tell you something."
Even such a dramatic gesture failed to gain her attention. She was making arrows and all her concentration was on them. If anyone else had made such a declaration she might have felt the need to stop what she doing and listen more actively but she was quite often on the receiving end of Much's confidences and knew their general nature. Often nothing to worry about.
Much was now sending furtive glances around the empty camp before shifting closer and leaning forward to whisper in her ear.
"Ava."
He finally got a reaction, though not the one he wanted. She jumped and moved away from him, one hand held up to the ear he'd whispered in.
"Much! That tickles!"
"Sorry, but it's a secret."
"There's no one else here,"
He sent another look around the camp, suspicion clear on his face. He may well have refused to speak in so open a place but he'd lost Ava's attention again. She'd noticed that when she'd jumped the knife she'd been using must have nicked her skin and was now trying to stop her hand bleeding. Much tried to regain her interest.
"Tomorrow, is Robin's birthday." He said conspiratorially and importantly. She looked up, mildly surprised.
"I know, Will told me."
Seeing he looked a bit annoyed she returned her attention to her cut. He got up and retrieved a wooden spoon, pacing up and down and using it to gesticulate with.
"Ah! But what you don't know is that we are going to throw him a party – a surprise party!"
She looked up then, and smiled to see him looking so pleased with himself. Noticing he wanted more reaction she applauded him and exclaimed,
"That's a brilliant idea Much!" while he swept her a bow, still brandishing the spoon. "Where are we going to have it?"
"In Nettlestone. It's all organized and he'll never know."
"Is that a good idea?"
They both jumped as they heard the voice at the entrance of the camp and Much spun around, holding the spoon as a weapon now. But it was only Will, arms full of a stack of wood.
"Is what a good idea?" Much asked, trying to pretend he hadn't been startled, and Ava went back to her arrows.
"Well, wouldn't it be safer to have it in the forest?"
"But then it wouldn't be a surprise!" Much laughed and clapped Will on the shoulder before moving on to build up the fire ready for cooking, humming to himself. Will directed a questioning look at Ava but she merely shrugged her shoulders and smiled at Much's back, glad to see him looking so care free.
She had reason to regret her easy acceptance of Much's plan many times over the next twenty-four hours. It started with the fact that Much seemed to see her as his accomplice in the plan and spent a lot of time telling her his plans or sending her knowing looks when Robin was around. She very soon tired of this and retreated to her bunk to finish the arrows.
But even this didn't protect her as, as soon as everyone's backs were turned, Much hurried to her and began to whisper in her ear again. As he'd come up behind her she hadn't seen him and the first tickling caused her to hit him round the head, thinking it was something she could brush away.
"OW!" he shouted, still right by her ear.
"Much! I've told you about whispering!" she yelled back, further exasperated.
Their raised voices had gained the attention of the others and Ava turned from Much to see their amused faces.
"What?" she demanded, surprising them by her unusually argumentative mood. After a moment of silence she left the camp, mumbling something about needing more wood for the arrows.
The others were left rather startled and Djaq had to work hard to stop any of the four men following her: Robin concerned for her safety in the rapidly darkening forest, Much needing to apologize, John wanting to offer support and Will wanting to know what was wrong. Djaq, however, knew all Ava wanted was some time alone and that she was quite capable of looking after herself.
It was little more than an hour before she returned, seeming calmer. Apparently the others had decided not to mention it, only Much murmuring sorry as he passed her a bowl of food. She smiled slightly in return, clasping his arm lightly before going to sit beside Will. She contributed no conversation for the rest of the evening but was glad to be with the others as dark thoughts, or possible imaginings, crowded and threatened to overwhelm her mind.
A/N: Please review.
