Disclaimer: I don't own BBC Robin Hood, only my original character Daisy

AN:

Thank you for bearing with me, I know it's been a while since I last posted. I have been suffering from serious writers block on this story and then my laptop died and I had to wait for a replacement to arrive.

DAISY

*Unrequited love* thought Daisy, was something she had hoped she would never know. She had thought that she would meet someone who she would fall in love with and spend the rest of her days together with. However, life had not happened that way. She wasn't particularly sure what it was that drew her so explicitly towards Robin. She just knew that it was an everlasting bond that she now shared with him. If he were to reject her advances (as she knew he would), she wouldn't die but she would be wounded. She was sure she would heal and be able to continue her life. If, however, he was to announce that he loved Marion, she wasn't sure if her heart could take the blow. She would try though just to be closer to Robin.

She'd never had a crush before or taken a fancy in any man. Her parent's hadn't kept her sheltered from life but they hadn't actively encouraged her to seek out love either. She figured she was too young for it. She was older now though and yet she still didn't think she was ready to open her heart. The only people she'd ever loved were her parents and they'd been cruelly taken from her. What if she were to open her heart again and have the same thing happen?

The days of recuperating had given her an unlimited time to think things through. She was a stubborn girl and didn't enjoy being helpless. She hadn't realised how bad her injuries had been till she woke for the first time. The pain and the throbbing in her head had been enough to ensure she rested.

Now she was almost fully healed she was bursting with energy and determined to do something worthwhile. Not even Djac, who had been taking care of her could convince Daisy to remain in bed. She simply couldn't take that level of boredom anymore.

So when it was announced that they would visit a couple of the closer villages and hand out some of the gold they had recently acquired, Daisy jumped at the chance to accompany them. At first all she got was a stubborn 'no' and several serious firm shakes of the head.

Daisy was very used to hearing the word 'no', unlike her cousin Marion who had been let loose with no boundaries. However, she didn't want to be left alone at the camp again. She really wanted to prove her place within Robin's gang. She didn't want to feel like the weak link or a freeloader.

She pouted, stomped her feet and even resorted to ignoring them in an effort to get them to let her join. In the end, she just asked.

"Please let me come Robin. Even Djac says I'm well enough. I won't get in the way; I'll do whatever you say. If you want me to leave I will. I just need to get out and do something. Please don't keep me cooped up in here."

In the end it had been the subdued voice that had won Robin over. She hadn't even been quiet in an attempt to get him to change his mind or anything. She just wanted to tell him honestly why she wanted to come. Little John still thought it was a bad idea but then he had taken a shine to Daisy and often stood as her silent guard, protecting her from harm.

Daisy didn't resent Little John for his behaviour, she welcomed it. It reminded her of what her Father was like. She liked having a strong man look out for her, it made the ache of missing her parents just a little bit smaller.

She was ecstatic when they arrived at a nearby village. Her arms swung about as she bounced on her toes. She hadn't been allowed to carry anything. She could have fought for her independence but thought better of it, she didn't want to lose her right to join them after she'd just gained it. They were waiting in the shadows while Robin and Will scouted the village for guards and secret spies.

Deciding that there was no threat, Robin and his men wandered into the village and began handing out pouches of money and wrapped gifts to the villagers. Daisy felt at a loss of what to do, she was with Robin Hood's men but yet had no job to do. She supposed she shouldn't be greedy about things. One step at a time after all.

A group of children caught Daisy's eye. They were playing as children ought to do. Sadly, she though these moments of childlike innocence were few and far between in the kingdom these days. One child caught her attention. A girl, no more than six or seven was trying to make a crown out of flowers but wasn't having much luck. Daisy saw no harm in going over and helping. She didn't want to scare the child – or the child's Mother – so approached cautiously.

"Would you like some help making that crown?"

The child looked startled, clutching the flowers tightly in her hands.

"Mother says I'm not allowed to talk to strangers."

"Do you know Robin Hood?"

The girl nodded and smiled. "Sometimes he comes to the village and hands out food."

"That's right. I'm one of Robin Hood's men. You can trust me, honest."

The little girl still looked a bit weary.

"If you're still scared I can go away?"

The girl thought about it and then shook her head.

"I really want to make a flower crown but I can't get it to work. The others won't help me either, they said it was a stupid thing to do."

"Well clearly they said that because they don't know how to make one either."

The child smiled at me.

"Shall I braid it into your hair?"

The girl nodded.

As she worked, she hummed a lullaby to soothe any fear she might have. Daisy was transported to memories of her own childhood where her Mother would brain flower crowns into her own hair.

"Are you really one of Robin Hood's men?"

"Of course but I'll let you into a secret. I'm only training right now."

"Like when I trained to be a dancer in the fair?"

"Exactly like that."

"My names Leanna."

The girl had whispered her name so quietly that Daisy almost hadn't heard her.

"What a wonderful name. My name is Daisy."

"Like the flower?"

"Yep."

The girl was silent for a while and Daisy continued with the flower crown. She'd successfully braided the hair in and was now adding flowers to make it fuller.

"Do you like Robin?"

"Of course," replied Daisy.

"Do you love him?"

Daisy was baffled by the question and didn't know how to answer it.

"I think you two would make a good couple. Do you think you'll have lots of babies? Can I be friends with them?"

Daisy had forgotten how innocent children could be.

"We'll see."

It was the only response Daisy could think of giving her. She stood up when she'd finished braiding the girl's hair and was rewarded with a squeal of delight and a quick hug.

"I made this for you."

Daisy was handed an odd looking flower crown. She placed it on her head knowing that it would mean a lot to the young girl. Leanna beamed at her.

Daisy felt a tug on her arm and turned to face Robin.

"We need to go now."

"Bye Leanna."

"Bye Daisy."

Daisy walked in silence next to Robin till they reached the safety of the forest.

"That was a kind thing you did there."

"I wasn't busy so."

"Tell me next time you wander off…I was worried."

"Sorry."

Daisy hadn't thought to tell Robin where she was going. She hadn't wandered out of sight, knowing that if something bad were to happen, she'd need to be near Robin to stay safe.

That night at camp, dinner was a happy affair. The gang were laughing and chatting among themselves and there wasn't a bad thought in the air.

*If only every day could be like this* thought Daisy. She knew however with the ruling of the Sheriff and with men like Prince John, the happiness wouldn't last forever. They just had to grab it when it came running.

"You should tell him you know."

Daisy jumped, not expecting someone to whisper in her ear. She turned to see Djac sitting beside her and crossed her arms in annoyance.

"You know that would only complicate things."

"I find that too much life is wasted without people saying what they should. Who knows what will happen in the future? I don't, you don't. Take a chance before it's too late."