Disclaimer: I don't own BBC Robin Hood, just my original character Daisy & anything else you don't recognise.
AN: Ok so it's been a while since I posted - please don't maim me! I always take on more than I can manage and then fall behind. Anyhow, I'm going to try and upload 3 chapters today. They'll be posted as fast as I can write them, so just keep calm :)
Book Two: Outlaws
There are 8 chapters in Book Two. Chapters as follows
ROBIN HOOD | SHERIFF | DAISY | SIR GUY | MARION | ROBIN HOOD | MUCH | DAISY
ROBIN HOOD
The feeling of having one's heart in their throat was a feeling Robin had been experiencing more and more in recent times. It was bad enough to come across an injured woman in the woods but to discover that woman to be Daisy was a rocking of the boat he hadn't been prepared for. When they had got her back to camp, Djac had been quick to tend to her. Robin had been shocked to discover the extent of her injuries. She had been whipped, quite extensively across her back, the wounds were wide and open and infection had already set in. That was why she had the fever but Djac was certain she'd pull through. She also had bruising across her left eye, like someone had punched her with brutal strength and her left wrist was fractured and swollen. She'd been asleep for days but as Djac had just informed him, she was in the clear now, she'd simply wake up when she was ready.
He had so many questions, this wisp of a girl had infiltrated his world with nothing more than a smile and a nod of the head. There was something about her that set her apart from others. She didn't swoon over him nor did she chase after him. She was simply herself.
She said he bought her hope.
He'd always thought Marion was the one for him but she'd been behaving strangely of late. She was always hard to get, referring to let Robin dance to her whim rather than show her heart but he had always thought it meant something to her. Now he was not so sure. He'd seen it in her eyes when he'd first returned from the Holy Land, she hadn't expected him to return. He wondered if he'd complicated things by returning. Perhaps she thought she owed it to him to be his woman now he'd returned. Love didn't work like that and he didn't think Marion truly loved him. Not in the way he wanted to be loved at least.
Robin was also concerned about Nottingham, not just his usual worries about the people of Nottingham and the rules the Sheriff had in place but now he worried about Nottingham and Daisy. It was clear to Robin that the Sheriff had had plans for Daisy, he'd surely whipped her to insure her cooperation – not that it had worked. Robin worried about what action would be taken when the Sheriff realised his latest toy had disappeared.
Robin had never felt so conflicted with emotions before. He was always so calm and collected about things and never thought of himself as out of control. Now though he was definitely out of control. He needed to work on that, the last thing he needed was to let his emotions get the better of him while they were on a mission or something. He chastised his men enough about keeping their heads in the game, he didn't need to become the weak link now.
"She'll be alright lad."
John had come to stand next to him. If anyone knew how to control emotions, it was John. Even John though, was known for letting his anger get the best of him from time to time.
"So what is our next port of call? We've been a little quiet lately."
"I heard from Much that the taxes are being moved soon. The Sheriff has been moving them in quarters to avoid attention but I think our silence had awarded him confidence. The carriage will be travelling through the north east side of the forest and you can bet they'll be a ton of men guarding it. I was thinking we set up a series of trip wires to get the best of them and also set up a diversion. Perhaps an injured woman?"
"You're thinking of using Daisy?"
"Do, she's not well enough and even if I did want to use her, I wouldn't do so until I had her permission."
"She's a strong lass she is."
Robin nodded.
"You care for her…"
Robin looked shocked as John starred at him. Did he care for her? Sure but to what extent.
"She's different."
"She's not afraid to fight, that's for sure. We'll look after her Robin."
He nodded. They returned to camp and Robin began handing out orders to his men. He wanted to get the trip wires set up as soon as possible. By Much's estimation, the carriage would be arriving sometime today. They couldn't afford to miss this opportunity. Just thinking of what the money could do to the villagers made Robin's heart swell. Any chance he had at making the lives of the poor better, he was going to take in a heartbeat.
He stayed by Daisy's side as the others got on with what had to be done. Even though Djac had said she'd be fine, it gave him comfort to sit by her side. She looked peaceful as she slept, not a wrinkle in her forehead. He brushed the hair away from her face and remarked on the softness of it. She looked like a dream waiting to wake.
How was it possible for this woman to make him realise what he'd been missing? How had she wormed her way into his life in such a short while? Why did it make him happier to have her by his side?
As these questions swirled around his mind, he realised that all thought of Marion had left him. He thought he should felt sadness or anxious for the lack of thought but he actually felt relieved.
He reached forward to softly hold her hand and she began squirming under his touch. He was ready to withdraw his hand but her grip was becoming stronger. He wondered if he should get Djac but found that he didn't want to leave her.
She opened her eyes, the fluttered briefly before closing again. He sighed in disappointment but then, almost as if she were reacting to his mood, she opened her eyes again and they remained open. He realised she was probably very confused, looking above her at the dark canopy of leaves. He moved so that he was in her line of vision but never did he let go of her hand.
"Robin," her voice was whispered from lack of use.
"How are you feeling Daisy?" he asked.
He felt her move and roll her muscles.
"Sore."
Robin was about to reply when John came back.
"Everything is set up Robin. We should go if we want to catch them in time."
Daisy looked worried, Robin could sense her worry before he even saw it on her face.
"Don't go."
He smiled, not a smirk but a true smile.
"Duty calls. I'll be back, promise. Nothing keeps me down, I'm Robin Hood after all."
He'd tried to be upbeat and sarcastic with his words. Yet she still looked worried.
"Don't worry Daisy, I promise I'll come back. Just concentrate on getting better. Go back to sleep and when you wake, we'll all have returned."
Robin felt like she was looking into his soul with that penetrating stare but he knew that was impossible. He also knew she was still tired, though she hid it well through her insistent glaring at him, he finally saw her eyes droop and close, her breathing became steady and he knew she was asleep. Tucking the blanket firmly around her, he leaned in to kiss her forehead before he left.
As the group hid between the forest foliage, Robin couldn't help but wish the action would hurry up. He hated all this waiting around but it was a good time to plan how things would go down. He knew they'd have a battle on their hands but if they played it right they could be very successful. Djac was the furthest away from the group, she was to scream as loud and high as she could and make the Sheriff's men believe a woman was in trouble. They hoped that would draw some away. Once the soldiers were divided, Robin and his men would split into two groups and attack. The trip wires were to help convince the Sheriff's men that there were more men hiding than there actually were and the wire along the road was to slow the carriage down. It wouldn't maim the horses in any way, just give them a little sting.
Right as he heard the thundering of hooves approaching, Robin knew they'd be successful in their mission and with a smirk he got ready for action.