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

Chapter 27

Much strode through the forest following the advice of Will, looking left and right through the trees for the woman he seeked.

He finally saw her from a distance, by the stream.

She had her arms around a man wearing leather and kissed his cheek softly, as he watched.

If that man had been any one else, Much would have been very very tempted to go and punch him - but as it was, he simply stood and watched in suprise.

Ava and her father exchanged a few words that Much could not hear, before Allan left and Ava turned around.

On seeing much, Ava looked at his him suprise, ' Oh.' she said simply, glancing over her shoulder in the direction that her father had just gone.

Much cleared his throat and nodded in that direction, ' So you've...you and Allan have...' he said, strugginling to find the right words.

Ava nodded, ' We've talked...he explained...I forgave...yeah. '

' Robin won't be happy about that, you know, ' Much warned her, with voice dejected and flat.

Ava shrugged as if she didn't care, ' Who says Robin's going to find out? ' she replied rhetorically.

Much continued to bore his gaze in to her as he took a few steps forward so that there were only a few feet off, ' He's a traitor, Ava. That man betrayed us all for a bit of silver! '

Ava put her hands on her hips and glared at him rather angrily, ' He did not! He had good reason and I believe him! '

Much breathed deeply through his nose, ' Robin - ' he began, only to be cut off.

Ava cut him off, ' You didn't come here to talk about Robin, did you? '

' No, I didn't. I came here to talk about us,' he replied, his voice growing more gentle, as he took her left hand from her hip and rubbed it softly with his fingers.

' I'm sorry,' he said, ' sorry that I accused you of being unfaithful and hurt your feelings.'

' As well you should be,' she replied, although with a slight smile,' I would never do such a thing - how could you even think that I would? '

Much sighed, ' I suppose - and this is going to sound all stupid now - but I...I get insecure sometimes.'

' Insecure? ' she echoed.

' Yes,' he nodded, ' I get insecure because I can't believe that such a beautiful, enchanting, charming youg lady as your self, can be truly happy with plain old me. And then I see you talking to Robin or Will - both of whom seem to be more good looking and more charming than I. I worry that you'll end up leaving me for someone better. '

Ava shook her head vigorously and held up her hand in front of his face, forcing him to look at it, 'This ring...the ring that I accepted from you...is a symbol of how much I love you. We've been together for months now, and I love you more than I can describe. I don't want anyone else - I already have the best.'

Much sniffed and cursed him self inwardly for being so stupid about everything,

Ava clung on to his hand tighter, her finernails gently biting in to the skin of his palm as she spoke to him, ' Listen, about the wedding - it wasn't about you...it was...'

' I know, my love, I know,' he repiled softly, ' Will told me it was because you've been spending so much time worrying over Allan...and that you wanted him to be there.'

' I do want him to be there...but I suppose he can't because you're not friendly with him, and the rest of the gang - perhaps barring Will - would end up killing him. If you want, I'll get married without him.' she offered.

Much shook his head, ' No. No. ' he said firmly,' I know how much you love Allan, and you really ought to have him there. If it means so much to you, then we shall wait to be married...we'll wait until we have saved the king and everything is back to normal, just like we planned.'

Ava grinnned, through the tears that were beginning to form in her eyes, ' Really? '

' Really,' he confirmed, matching her smile, ' I love you Ava Mara A Dale - I don't care how long I have to wait to marry you because I will wait. All I want is you. '

Ava threw her arms around Much's neck, and he gladly returned her embrace, breathing in the natural sweet scent of her soft dark hair.

They made up with a kiss...or two, or three...before heading back to camp.

As they walked Much was made to promise that he wouldn't tell Robin or the others of Ava's encounter with her father.

Much eagerly promised, willing to do anything to please his sweetheart.

Ava smiled to her self contently as the pair of them walked - she thought to herself about all the times they had spent together, just laughing and joking.

It made her feel lucky.

Lucky to have found someone who loved her as much as she loved him.