Disclaimer: I do not own anything - Robin Hood is all property of the BBC

Chapter 2

After the girl ran away, Will and Robin looked at a very shocked Allan, in equally suprise.

' A daughter? ' Will asked, ' I guess by your reaction that you did not know? '

Allan shook his head, wiping his hand across his brow as he thought deeply.

' You're 31 and you have a 16 year old daughter? ' Robin commented, ' Started your ways with the women young did you? '

Allan sighed, ' There's only one woman it could have been. I thought she had miscarried. Her family told me she had miscarried.'

' Maybe you need to talk to whatshername... Ava,' Robin suggested.

Allan bit his lip, looking rather upset, ' Yeah, I should. She's my girl, I have to talk to her. But what if she runs off again and does not want to speak? '

Robin frowned, ' That girl came all the way from wherever she lives to find you, of course she wants to talk to you.'

' What if she runs away again? ' Allan persisted.

Robin considered this for a moment before answering, ' I suggest that you and Will go back to camp. I will speak to Ava and persuade her to come to camp so the two of you can talk things out and you can find out what she intends to do next - where she plans to go. What do you think? '

Allan locked eyes with the outlaw's leader, ' Do you suppose that you will be able to persuade her? '

Robin merely grinned, ' I have a certain amount of charm, which may come in helpful.'

' Well, you watch what you're doing around 'er. She's only 16! ' Allan cried instinctively.

Robin smirked, ' You see? You act like a Father already.'

' Get gone,' Allan replied.

' Oh - and take the horse with you won't you? It may come in useful during our raids on the castle.'

--

Robin did not have far to go before he found the teenage girl.

She was sat at the bottom of a large oak tree, on the roots. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and her head was resting on one of her kneecaps.

Robin approached her with stealth and kneeled cautiously in front of her.

' Miss A Dale? ' he said tentivaly.

She lifted her head up and found herself faced with the fairly handsome man.

' Why look so down hearted? ' Robin asked her, ' Are you not glad that you have found your Father? '

She pushed her dark hair out of her face and met the man's eyes.

' The look on his face made me think that he didn't want to know about me. I don't want to see him reject me - I don't need that.'

Robin stood up and offered Ava his hand and helped her up to her feet.

' Allan does not want rid of you, he was simply suprised at your showing up like this, since he knew nothing of you. You understand that it would be a shock to anyone? '

' I do not think he wants to get to know me. I suppose I would be too much trouble.'

Robin frowned at her, ' Of course you would not be too much trouble. Allan wants to talk to you.'

' I do not wish to go see him if all he want to do is send me away.' Ava said quietly.

' He wants to get to know you. Come back to camp won't you? '

' You want me to come to your camp? ' she asked in awe, ' Robin Hood wants me to come to his camp? '

Robin looked taken aback by this, ' What? ' he asked in confusion.

' Are you joking? ' she asked with a grin, ' You are stuff of legend Robin.'

' Well, that's always nice to hear,' he grinned, ' So, are you coming or what? '

Ava nodded, ' I'll see how it goes.'