Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Robin Hood, just my character Daisy

ROBIN HOOD

Life was never dull, staying alive, fighting for the poor, fighting for King Richard and fighting for Marion. Robin couldn't imagine a time when his life had been better, his experiences in life had helped shape him as a man and he wouldn't take anything back, regardless of how gruesome it had been. Life had got better since he'd found others like him, his group of men and women were what family should be. With them he had successfully accomplished many a thing that he hadn't thought possible.

Still life kept turning and the Sheriff kept scheming and there was always work to be done. Robin had snuck away from the rest of them so that he could visit Marion. She'd been disappointed in him when he'd given up his previous life for a life in the forest but she had soon come round to why he'd done it and had become an important helper in his schemes since. Robin and Marion were like a fairy-tale set in stone, except that the stone seemed to be crumbling.

Before he'd set off to the Holy Land, his relationship with Marion and the future that would come seemed all well and certain, yet since his return it would have been foolish to not recognise that changes had taken place. Marion was more secretive, more distant and seemed content with having a friendship with Guy of Gisbourne. No matter how much Robin tried to dissuade her of her connections with the Sheriff, she was adamant that she needed them that they would help in the future.

Robin was unsure if he loved Marion or not, he knew it was destined for them to be together but he was uncertain if that was what he wanted now. He knew he felt very deeply for Marion but was unsure as to how deep the feeling ran. If Marion were to offer him some clue, to voice that his feelings were returned, he would have some proof but she remained as aloof and secretive as ever. Perhaps that was why he chased her.

The carriage was absent when he arrived but he could hear someone shuffling about in the house so assumed that Marion's Father, Edward was out and that Marion was in. He gracefully lifted himself to the second floor window and jumped inside. The house was silent, it was worrying as Marion usually came running when she heard someone attempting to enter the house.

He jumped startled when he heard someone call out: "Are you here to rob us?"

He turned, it was not Marion's voice he had heard but another completely unfamiliar voice. She was fragile looking but he knew from first-hand experience that looking fragile didn't mean she couldn't hold her own. She had long curly blonde hair, so blonde it looked like it had been kissed by the sun. Her eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness and understanding in them, yet Robin could only admire the deep greenness of them. She was probably just an inch or so shorter than Marion and she had a small genuine smile upon her face.

"Who are you?" asked Robin.

"Says the intruder in the house."

Robin smiled, she was quick, and he'd give her that, "I am sorry but I have never seen you here before, who is to say that you aren't the intruder?"

"You wouldn't have had a chance to see me, unless you frequently visit the house when it's seemingly empty…My Uncle has forbidden me from wandering further than the wall that surrounds the garden." She said bitterly.

Robin was unnerved by her change in attitude, what had started off as witty conversation had turned bitter. The look in her eyes of longing and despair. Robin felt that she looked a little like a caged animal and wonder what Edward had been thinking when he forbade her from leaving the house and garden and who exactly she was.

"Edward is your Uncle? That would make…"

"Marion my cousin, yes."

Robin frowned, how long had she been living here? Robin had seen Marion not a couple of days ago and she had mentioned nothing on the subject of a cousin living with her. It was yet another black mark on Marion's character, making Robin wonder just what else she was hiding from him.

"How long have you been here?"

"Three months."

Robin's frown increased, how could Marion have avoided telling him this particular piece of information for three months?

"What's your name?" he asked.

"What's yours?" she countered.

"I am Robin Hood."

"Really?" she asked hopefully.

Her hopefulness confused him.

"Really," he replied. "Now will you tell me your name?"

"Daisy."

"Beautiful," he murmured, hoping she wouldn't hear. "Tell me, why does your Uncle forbid you from leaving the premises?"

Robin thought he saw her blush slightly and wondered if she'd heard him call her beautiful. Her body squared at his question and she raised her chin to look him directly in the eye.

"He believes my opinions unwise, that my talent for following what I believe in regardless of the consequences is something to be frowned upon." She said.

"You know that's what got me into trouble the first time." Said Robin.

Inside he was smiling, amused that Edward had chosen to hide her from the world because she wanted to fight for what was wrong. She was a woman who shared the same views as he did and for a moment he wondered what it would be like to have her in his group…before he quickly dismissed the idea of course.

Daisy had giggled at his words, inflating Robin's ego. Then he heard the sign of a carriage approaching and knew it was time to go, he did not want to meet with Marion now.

"I must go."

"Will you come back and visit?" she asked.

Robin thought of saying no but the look of hope on her face was too much to ignore, that and the words which followed had him nodding before he jumped from the window.

Robin tried very hard that night when he was back at camp to forget all about Daisy, but she seemed determined to remain stuck in his head. He'd meant it when he'd said she was beautiful, it wasn't just her name that had made him think that. He supposed that standing next to Marion – whose personality seemed as big as her ego – Daisy would hardly be noticed but standing alone she was a force all of her own. Now he had seen her he didn't think he could forget her any time soon. She was simply beautiful.

As night drew into morning, Robin and his men made plans for the day. Robin was pleased that the mornings heist had gone well, the villagers of Locksley now had a little more to call their own and the Sheriff had lost out again. With their luck they'd have to be careful the next couple of days as the Sheriff's men were sure to be scouting the forest for them, but as usual Robin knew that they would beat them hands down.

He'd been returning from one of the outlying villages when he overheard his men bring someone into the cave. They often met up in the cave before returning to camp in case they were being followed by anyone. He was alarmed as it was almost an unspoken rule that no one be bought into the cave unless it was an emergency. He was about to unleash his temper when he realised the person was injured and still giving his men witty remarks. The voice sounded vaguely familiar.

He turned to look at who had arrived, a mask of horror and outrage appearing on his face as he took in their appearance. His anger at his men was quickly replaced with his anger towards whoever was responsible for the injuries on this person's face.

"Daisy?"