Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, it is property of the BBC.

Thankyou to TitivateBestower and Mara Scarlett for your support to my story.

Obviously this isn't exactly cannon. I'll say this is set sometime in series 1.

Chapter 5

Ava had been with the outlaws a week but had not yet had the delight of meetin the sheriff or Gisourne. So far, she had helped ambush a few travellers - though due to her lack of fighting skills, she always took on a lesser role - and had helped distribute money and food to the surrounding villages.

This changed one Saturday when Robin informed his gang that he had information from Lady Marian - the woman he loved, who was currently engaged to marry Guy of Gisbourne, but still gave Robin inside information.

' According to Marian,' he told his gang at dusk, ' our good friend, the Sheriff, has raised taxes - yet again. Anyone who can't pay them is in jail. So we're going to go to the castle and free the few innocent people whom the Sheriff has imprisoned before he has chance to hang them and make him lower taxes.'

' Do you have a plan? ' Much asked.

' Yes,' Robin replied, then after seeing the disbelieving looks on all of their faces - except Ava as she was still new to everything - added, ' well, half a plan.'

' And what is this half a plan? ' Much pressed, ' How do you suppose we shall get into the castle?'

' We go at nightfall, in a few hours so that we will not attract attention. I suggest that three of us knock out the guards at the front of the castle to take their clothes. That way we can get to the Sheriff undetected and make him take back his tax raise. The rest of you will go to the dungeons and free the prisoners after distracting the guards.'

' Not bein' funny,' Allan started, causing the others to smirk at the look on Robin's face when he saw that his plan was about to be picked apart, ' But how are the few of us that don't hijack the guards and steal their armour, goin' to get into the castle? '

' I shall figure something out, now come along Ava, it is time for your lesson.' he said dismissively.

Robin had been teaching Ava how to fight, as it was a skill she was going to need if she wanted to survive as an outlaw. Ava's weapon of choice was a sword, and though this would be a brilliant choice once mastered, it was difficult to learn with.

It wasn't even as if the sword was Robin's strongest weapon - he was best with a bow and arrow, everyone knew that! Yet he had to use one to teach his follower how to use one. A better teacher might have been Much or Djaq, but both were too busy cooking and making new medicines, and colletcing new herbs respectively to teach her. Robin did use a sword sometimes, but not as a permanent useage like Much and Djaq. besides, it suited Robin to be Ava's teacher becuase he could show off to someone who would not tell him off, like the others would undoubtedly do when he showed off to them.

Ava already idolised Robin, so for her, it was an honour to be taught by Robin. She still had not gotten over the fact that the famous Robin Hood was her leader.

After two hours, during which Ava finally perfected the footwork that had been holding her back, Robin sheathed his sword.

' Very good Ava,' he grinned, ' You're getting it now - a few more sessions and you'll be perfect at this.'

' Thanks,' she beamed.

' Now,' he said walking over to her and draping an arm across her shoulders, ' We are needed at Nottingham.'