Time continued to pass by, but Edyn still couldn't get comfortable in her surroundings. Though she did not fight the men off when they approached her she did not willing move towards them as she was constantly instructed to do so. It felt sinful just to allow them to touch her. Joe became irritated by her reserved disposition and felt it was his duty to make sure all the hard tasks were to be done by her until she gave in.

"Oi, girl!" he barked at her one morning. "You like walking?"

Edyn looked up at him. "Will my answer matter?"

"Not at all. I need you to go and pick up a, err, delivery," he said.

"A delivery?"

"Yeah I know a fella who's got some cheap ale for me. Bargain price it is. There's a mule out the front with a small cart. Take that and meet him on the North road through Sherwood," he explained.

"Hmm, cheap alcohol being trading in a dark scary forest; sounds stolen to me," Edyn replied.

Without any warning Joe suddenly grabbed the front of her dress pulling her so close to his face she could smell the stench of his breath. She gasped in shock. "You say anything to anyone, or if I don't get my products you will pay for it! You get me?"

"Yes, sir," she replied timidly.

"Anymore cheek like that and I'll beat you so hard you won't even know your name." He threw her a small sack of coins. "Pay him with this and don't get any ideas about keeping anything for yourself. Now get going!"

She quickly leapt to her feet and disappeared outside before the other girls could see her fear. He had terrified her, more than she had been before.

The trip into Sherwood Forest was long and tiring. The mule she led was slow and lazy dragging its feet and holding its head low making Edyn's job so much harder. Her heart beat wildly when she finally spotted a man approaching her on a large carriage pulled by two bulky draft horses. What if he harmed her? He did steal after all. But he gave her no grief. Obviously not wanting to hang around he quickly took the money and helped her load the barrels onto the small cart. He gladly left her the moment the job was done.

The way back was much worse. Now with the heavily weighed down cart the mule walked even slower to the point where Edyn thought they would never make it back.

"Come on!" she whined. "We'll be walking in the dark at this rate." But the mule continued on at it's slow pace. "You know I envy you. Hardly any work at all yet you still get fresh food and water everyday. I bet your food is even better than mine. Then again anything is better than what I eat." She laughed to herself. The food that was divided up amongst the girls was rancid and tiny in proportion, but Edyn had never been so hungry and scoffed it down, as did the others sharing her hunger. "God, I am so hungry!"

"You know that is the first sign of madness," she heard a voice say.

She stopped and looked around in all directions. She couldn't see a single soul.

"Who's there?" She got no response. "Hello?"

"Hello." The voice came from behind her. This time when she spun around they were still there and they were very familiar. "You know you shouldn't talk to yourself like that, never know who may be around," Robin said grinning widely at her. He slowly began walking towards her with something strapped to the front of his chest though she couldn't figure out what it could be.

"Yes, and who may be eavesdropping," she replied. "Not that I was talking to myself," she added quickly.

"Oh? And who were you talking to then?" he questioned.

"The mule," she admitted sheepishly.

"I wouldn't have thought he was the conversational type."

"Well he's not, but he's a great listener. Doesn't have much of an opinion so I can talk until I'm blue and he won't interrupt."

"I see," he said approaching her still.

She then became a little uneasy. "What do you want with me?"

"Well, this is an ambush." As he spoke several more men appeared from behind the nearby trees, she noticed Will amongst them at the back.

Edyn backed up slightly. "I have nothing here but ale, I doubt that'll help the poor much," she said desperately hoping to get out of the situation. Joe surely would not believe that outlaws stole from her and she didn't want to find out if he really was as violent as he seemed.

"And what, because they're poor that means they don't enjoy a drink like everyone else? We will only take a small amount and then you can be on your way. I told you before I want to help people."

"No! You can't!" Robin stared at her questioning. "If I do not return with every barrel of ale full to the top then he will punish me." Robin's face softened remembering her situation.

"I thought you lived with your brother," Will spoke up moving closer.

She stared at him astonished. He would rarely speak unless she didn't want him to. "Not anymore. After everything that's been happening we decided it would be best if I moved to Nottingham." Again, she was too ashamed to explain her situation.

"When you say punish…?" Robin asked.

Edyn shook her head. "I don't know what he's capable of, and I'm not sure I want to find out."

"I see. Well, it just so happens we were not after your products but in fact your cart," Robin said.

"Huh?"

"It seems we have a bit to discuss." He shifted the strange object attached to his front and to Edyn's surprise it moved. She stared at it wide eyed.

"Is that a baby?"

"Yes it is," Robin replied casually. "Will," he called handing the baby over. It moaned slightly at the movement before calming down.

"I know you like to help the poor but I didn't realise that baby sitting was part of the package," Edyn said noticing how gentle Will was with the child.

"We found him in the forest and intend to reunite him with his mother. And this is where you come into it."

She turned back to Robin. "Me? What do I have to do with it?"

"Well, I need to get some of my men into the castle, and looking at that cart of yours I'm guessing I could fit two of them in there," Robin said while inspecting the cart.

"I'm hoping your not meaning him being one of them," Edyn said looking over at the largest of Robin's men. He grunted at her irritably.

Robin laughed. "No not Little John, but possibly Allan and Will." He pointed to where Will and Allan were standing. "You see, I was thinking that maybe you could say you were delivering supplies to the castle. When you have got the cart in safely my men can get out, let the rest of us in and you can go back to your master, we can save that baby's mother and everyone is happy."

"That simple, huh?"

"Well, for you, yes."

Again Edyn looked around uneasily. "I dunno… I want to help, but…" She glanced over at the tiny baby in Will's arms as it began to cry. She had never been the maternal type. Children had never been something she desperately craved for. They were loud and messy. Besides, there always seemed to be far more important things to worry about.

While she watched the baby she had not noticed Robin studying her. Now he stood closer to her he could see how skinny she was. The dress she wore was tight around the waist showing how lean she was, all he could see on her chest, which she was clearly supposed to be displaying were her prominent collarbones. "How much does your master give you to eat?"

She turned to stare back at him wide eyed. It seemed such an odd question. "Enough."

"Are you sure? If you are hungry we can give you some extra food."

"I'm fine. There are many people worse of than me. I won't except any help while they all still suffer." Robin raised his eyebrows at her statement.

"What is your name?"

She stared at him for a moment. It only just occurred to her that he had never asked her before. "Edyn."

"Well, Edyn, I'm glad that there are still some people out there that also care about others, but please don't let yourself suffer purely for pride. If you are hungry or need help then please ask."

"Thank you, but like I said before, I don't need help. If I do then I will let you know." Robin nodded but she got the feeling he didn't believe her.

The baby's cries still echoed around the forest. "Can't you stop it, Will?" one of the men complained.

Will continued to sway backwards and forwards with the small bundle in his arms but it still did not stop. "I'm trying."

"Oi, why don't you give it to the girl," Allan called. Edyn stared at him. "Well you're a woman, isn't it instinct or something?"

Edyn scoffed. "It is instinct when it is your own child, not when you come across six useless men with a baby in the middle of a forest."

"Aw, come on. Have a go," Allan pushed Will and the baby in her direction.

"No!" Edyn backed away.

Robin then took the baby from Will and it gradually calmed down. "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid; I just don't want to hold it." Truth be told, she had never held a baby before and the thought of it did frighten her a bit. They were so small and fragile.

"Of course you do. All women love babies," Robin persisted.

"Well I don't. Besides, you've already got it to quieten down. You just want me to feel sorry for it so I will help you."

"Not at all, just hold out your arms."

"Robin, I don't want to–!" But before she could finish, Robin was already placing the baby in her arms. She held it awkwardly for a moment. "Okay, I've held it, would you please take it?" Robin simply laughed at her.

"Just relax," he coaxed. "His name is Seth."

"I don't care what his name is!"

"Master, I need a word," another one of his men called.

Edyn tried calling out but he was already moving towards his men discussing something quietly. "Typical," she muttered to herself. She had no option but to nurse the baby while Robin spoke amongst his men. When she looked down at him she couldn't help but smile a little as he twitched during his slumber. She gently stroked one of his soft round cheeks. "Well at leased you've got the right sense to be cute," she muttered. As she stroked his face he slowly turned his head towards her finger while opening and closing his mouth, his tongue rolling in and out. "You're hungry. I know that feeling well." It choked back a cry as she removed her hand away. Not a moment later his cries were echoing around the forest once more. "Damn it!" she cursed trying to calm him. She heard Allan sniggering somewhere behind her. She tried her best to ignore him while bringing the baby closer to her chest and bouncing him gently. His screaming stopped but he still groaned in hunger.

"Robin," she called out. He looked up at her. "You have got to get this baby back to his mother, and if you need my help then… I guess I better help you," she reluctantly agreed.

"I'm glad you agreed," Robin said while taking the baby from her. "Now, this is what we will do..."

The next morning Edyn snuck out of the Trip Inn before the sun had even begun to rise. As quietly as she could she crept into the stables and hurriedly began putting the harness on the old mule. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She gasped and spun around to find Allan grinning at her with Will standing behind him.

"Glad to see you didn't chicken out," he laughed.

"When I say I'll do something I mean it," she answered.

When they got the cart on Edyn shuddered as Will ripped the side off so he and Allan could squeeze in. "I'll repair it before your master will ever know," he promised her. Edyn just nodded. Her nerves were beginning to build up and she wasn't sure if she could speak. "Robin gave us these for you to put on so you won't be recognised," he handed her an old cloak and scarf.

She put them on as Will climbed in. Allan looked in after him. "Look I'm not being funny but this is gonna be a tight fit."

"Just get in!" she heard Will say from inside. Once Allan was in and still complaining she shoved the sidepiece back in place and began leading the mule outside. As she walked she could see a pair of eyes peering at her from behind a house. Robin motioned for her to pull up her hood. She did as she was instructed, plus pulling the scarf up over her mouth and nose seemed like a good idea.

She took a deep and shaky breath before knocking on the castle gates. The seconds it took for the guards to open the gate felt like hours and the temptation to run was building. Finally one of the gates creaked open and a tall guard stood before her.

"Got deliveries 'ere for t'castle," she said trying to make her voice sound as common as she could.

The guard stared down at her. "We were not expecting any today."

"Well I was instructed to deliver 'em by order of t'Sheriff." He simply stared at her. "Go ask 'im if ya like," she bluffed.

It seemed to work as he reluctantly opened the gates for her. Her heart was beating so fast as she led the mule and cart into the castle grounds. Another guard was standing by the gates. "Store room's that way," he pointed around to the side of the castle. "Unload it yourself."

"Right ya are," Edyn replied.

Once out of the guard's sight she let out the breath she had been holding before ducking to the side of the cart and knocked on the wood twice. The sidepiece was pushed out and Allan silently hopped out soon to be followed by Will.

"Once we've got the gate open head straight back to the stable," Will reminded her. He and Allan quickly disappeared back towards the gate. Edyn hid behind the wall and cautiously peeked at the gate. Both Allan and Will snuck up behind the guards closing the gate then suddenly they both struck them on the back of the head. The sound they made as they clattered to the ground made Edyn freeze. Surely someone would have heard that? But no one came. The gates were opened and Edyn forced the mule to move as fast as it would go out of there.

Outside she passed Robin and the rest of his men heading in. He had the baby in his arms and quickly handed him to her. "Take him!"

"What?" He hadn't mentioned anything about caring for the baby while they were in there. What if they were still in there when Joe woke up? How would she explain it? But she had no choice but to take him and continue to the stables where they would hopefully meet her with the child's mother as well as the blonde mans mother. Roy, she thought his name was.

While she waited she busied herself with unharnessing the mule and giving him a good brush. She had wrapped the baby and placed him in the cart and was sleeping peacefully without a care in the world. Edyn wished she were that carefree. Every little sound made her jump or spin around. Each minute that went passed made her more edgy. She constantly checked the door to see if they were out yet or not but every time there was no difference, with the exception of the sun getting higher and brighter. Soon the town would begin to wake up and her master would be among the first.

"Come on, come on!" she muttered aloud while pacing back and forth.

After what seemed like hours she could hear the clattering of swords and yelling faintly coming from the castle. She quickly scooped the baby into her arms and peeked around the door. The castle gates were open but no one was leaving. There was several people standing at the opening but they were too far away to see whom they were. The yelling and crying continued and finally the gates opened fully allowing Robin's men to escape. Edyn stayed hidden in case the guards followed but they didn't go much further than a few steps from the gates.

They ducked into a back street and came up the side of the stables. "Keep going back to the forest," Robin called to his men. She noticed the larger man helping an older woman along who was weeping hysterically. They all passed the stables with grim expressions on their faces. Something was wrong. But Edyn didn't have time to wonder as Allan snuck inside pulling a young woman along with him.

"Oh, my baby!" she cried when she spotted Edyn carrying her child. She gladly passed the baby over to the woman who gave her a tearful smile. "Thank you! Thank you so very much!"

"Annie, we need to go," Robin called through the window from outside. She thanked Edyn once more before disappearing outside clutching Allan's hand. Robin glanced in and nodded his thanks to Edyn.

"Wait!" she tried to stop him. "What happened?"

Robin looked at the ground before mumbling, "Roy was killed. And I should have prevented it." Edyn was silent. How were you supposed to respond to something like that? "I'll send Will to repair your cart later," he said when she didn't reply. "Thank you," he said giving her the slightest smile. And then he was gone, running after where his men had disappeared only a few moments earlier.

Once they were gone Edyn ran back to the tavern and silently crept back through the window she had snuck out of. She nearly had nearly made it in when she heard Joe's voice yelling. "Oi! What do you think you're doing?"

She timidly looked up at him. He suddenly looked so much larger than what he normally did. "Umm… I was… err…" Why could she never think of a lie quickly? "I was at the stables, umm, checking the mule."

"What? Why would you do that? Did you do something to it yesterday?" His voice was menacing.

"N-no! Well, he was a bit stiff yesterday after the long walk. I thought I'd check on him before you got up." The minutes ticked by as he simply glared at her before he finally grunted at her in disgust and skulked away. Phew, that had been close. Yet somehow she had found it so uplifting, the adrenalin rushing through her, the fear, the appreciation she had received. How she had loved it, and how much she craved to do it again.

A:N/ I hope this chapter wasn't too cheesy, I loved writing it! Please don't think she's a Kate wannabe, she's not going to become a member of the gang. I absolutely hate Kate. And Tuck. And the third season, although I thought the last two episodes were amazing *sniff!*

Again, a big thankyou to everyone who has added this story to their favourites and/or alert list, and to Iloveskitteryandmush for your lovely reviews.