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

Chapter 37

It was a week or so after the visit of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, when the gang were running through Nettlstone village away from some guards they had upset.

Little did Robin know, as Much insisted they seek refuge in a barn, that those two particularly guards had been roped in to a plan because they were some of the few guards who were only with the Sheriff because they needed to feed their families.

' What are we doing in here? ' Robin asked, looking around the plain barn, his eye falling in a pig roasting on a spit over a small fire, whilst George - a man whom they had gotten to know through their visits to hand out moneyand food - was turning it.

' What is all this? ' he asked, raising his eyebrows.

' The pig is your present, this is a party, ' Much declared, ' Happy Birthday! '

The others cheered as Robin laughed,' I thought you'd all forgotten. '

Ava smirked,' How could we have forgotten with you hinting - not too subtly, I might add - all the time? '

Robin laughed sweeping her inot his arms for a hug before hugging each of them individually.

' Why here? ' he asked,' why not in the forest? '

' Oh there's a good attitude for you,' Much scoffed,' because it's a suprise! And besides, this way the people of Nettlestone can join us and, you know, say thank you,' he went on to explain.

' Speaking of which,' Ava cut in,' where is everyone? '

George cleared his throat,' They couldn't make it,' he said, sounding rather uncomfortable,' and neither can I,' he added, heading for the door.

Much frowned,' What do you mean, "They couldn't make it"? This is Robin Hood's birthday! Where are they? George! '

' Sorry,' George whined as he shut the barn door behind him.

' Sorry? ' Much echoed,' what for? '

Much's question was answered when Robin looked out to the land surrounding the barn and breathed,' Oh Much! '

The other turned around to see what was going on and saw through the cracks in the wood of the barn. Men in armour rode horses nearby, coming closer to the barn - they were being surrounded. Guards with bows and arrows stood pointing them at the doors of the barn. A men who looked to be in charge dismounted a horse and stood a short distance away.

' Happy Birthday, Robin Hood! ' he called out.

' Who's that? ' whispered Ava, unsure why she was whispering.

' Ellingham,' replied Robin.

' Sheriff sends his best! ' 'Ellingham' sneered.

' Leader of the Sheriff's mercenaries,' Robin told them all, with a glare at Much.

' Not to mention,' continued Ellingham,' his best men. ' After this statement, the guards and mercenaries outside cheered and jeered.

Each of the gang turned around to look at Much - their faces tainted with annoyance and frustration mingled with panic and worry.

' SORRY! ' he exclaimed, throwing his arms out and holding his head high.

There was a pause in which everyone sighed and made movements of irritation, with Ava kicking the wooden wall of the barn hard - which of course, achieved nothing and made her toes hurt.

Robin ran his hand through his hair before settling it beneath his chin as he thought ,' Will, Djaq,' he said calmly,' I need numbers,'

They both nodded and began to clmp the rafters of the barn to see through the planks of wood and in to the surrounding area.

' Oh, Lord, I'm going die, I'm going to die,' Much ranted,' not because of them, but because of shame. '

' Much! ' Robin snapped,' No one's going to die.'

Much, in his own typical fashion, continued,' Why didn't I have it in the forest? In the forest. Not in the village, in the forest. Not in the village where we can be betrayed and surrounded! Nettlestone os getting nothing this winter! '

' Much! ' John bellowed,' Shut up! '

' Do you have a plan? ' the former manservant asked his former master.

' No,' replied the latter.

' Half a plan? ' ventured the blonde.

' I don't have a half a plan!' Robin said tartly.

Djaq jumped back down from the rafters.

' How many? ' Robin asked with a sigh.

' 30 or 40,' Djaq replied uneasily.

' 40? ' Much repeated,' we're dead. '

Ava clasped the hand of her future husband and told him to calm down.

' Wait! ' Will called, turning around from his position at the other end to where Djaq had been,' there's more in this side. 100. '

The face of each outlaw went white with shock and horror.

There was then a fan fare from outside and the noise of the gathered men roaring and jeering.

'They're coming,' Ava muttered, drawing her sword quicky.

' Barricade the door!' demanded Robin.

No sooner had it been said than Much, Will and John raced to the door.

' Wait! ' Djaq cried, working fast as the footsteps of the approaching men grew louder and louder, as did their jeering and calling.

They all watched as she took the head from the pig and began to tamper with it,' I'm sorry, Robin,' she said, 'this was meant to be for your birthday. Open the doors! '

Will and John opened the doors as directed, allowing Djaq to throw the pig's head out.

They then swung the doors shut, barricaded them and waited.

The noise of the men stopped as they seemed ot watch the pig's head.

' A pig? ' asked Ellingham with a sneer.

There was another silence before a loud bang, in which the piug's head blew up and erupted in fire.

' Brilliant! ' Much cried as they watched through the slits in the wooden walls of the barn.

' Black powder? ' Robin asked,' have you got any more of it? '

' No,' Djaq sighed.

Robin grinned none the less and pressed his face up against the door of the barn, shouting out loudly,' There's more where that came from Ellingham! ' so that the man would hear him,' we've got enough black powder here to blow up the whole army.'

The men outside were retreating.

' You're bluffing! ' came the reply, though the man didn't sound so sure.

Robin turned around to face them,' That should buy us some time. We need to think.'

Ava scoffed,' There are 5 of us and 100 of them. '

Robin paced up and down,' Once, as few determined Spartans held a pass against the Persian army. '

' Really? ' quizzed Will.

' Strategy,' Robin nodded.

' And they lived? ' Will asked with a smile now on his face.

' No,' Robin said, causing them all to have sinking heart, ' but ... they did well. ' Robin seemed to know that this wasn't going to give out much hope though, because it showed in his face.

Much sighed,' I hate that story too,' he said, punching Robin lightly in his arm.

There was then a great roar from outside. Ellingham was leading the men in a chant.

' Are we going to kill them? ' he bellowed.

There was a great cheer of ,' Yeah! '

' Are we going to like it? '

Another cheer of ' Yeah. '

The cheer was repeated three or four times before Much huffed loudly and indignantly.

' Don't take any notice,' Robin commanded,' all they're trying to do is mess with our heads. It shows they're playing for time. Will you check there's any water in the barrels - if there is, fill up buckets. '

' Why? ' John asked.

' In case they try to burn us out,' Robin said, as if it were obvious.

As they all pitched in filling up buckets of water, Ava thought to her self.

She wondered what was going to happen? Were they getting out? Were they getting out alive? What if she never got the chance to see her father again ... for him to be reconciled with thegang and for them to be a proper family? What if she never got the chance to marry Much? To become his wife, and to be happy with him for years to come? What if they never got to have their Allan, and their Annabelle, their Katherine and their Robin. She supposed if she were being honest with her self ... she was bloody terrified.

Her musings were interrupted by the object of her affections.

He struggled out of his coat, finally threw it on the ground and said, ' Right. Right - John, Will, Djaq, Robin, Ava ... everyone ... get ready to run. '

' Much, what are you doing? ' Ava asked exasperatedly.

' I'm the one that got us into this mess and I'm the one who'll get us out,' he declared,' I'll go to the front, I'll try to negotiate, I'll distract them, and you lot make it your escape. '

He took off his dog tag and handed it to Robin,' If I die, remember me fondly. '

He turned ot the door, before turning back, crossing to room, kissing Ava slowly and delibareately, making sure to taste every inch of her mouth.

He tucked a curl of her hair behind her ear, ' If I die, remember that fondly. '

As he moved back towards the door, she yelled,' Don't you dare, Much! '

He shrugged and threw the barricade in to her hands, hurrying outside.

' Don't shoot!' they heard him say,' I am here to negotiate. '

There was a bang as a single arrow hit the wooden barn, and the men outside roared with laughter at the single man.

Much re-entered the barn very quickly, slamming the door behind him, skipping quicly past them all, collecting the dog tag which Robin held out readily with a ' thank you.'

' Horrible people,' he said breathessly as he slung the tag around his neck,' revolting. '

The others exchanged looks of what-the-hell and sat down.

Ava slapped Much across the back of the head as she sat down next to him.

There was then a mocking voice from outside,' Oh, we've got time, Hood,' Ellingham called.

' Doesn't this guy ever shut up? ' Djaq moaned, rolling her eyes.

' Us too!' Robin caleld back,' Don't worry about us! Would you like some more roast hog while you're waiting? '

' I don' understand,' Ava said, eyes wide with confusion,' what kind of soldiers are these? They're not doing anything! '

' Mercenaries,' Robin replied for her,' they fight for money, not passion. '

' They do not want to fight and die,' John added.

' So,' Will said,' you think they're just going to wait? '

' Yep,' Robin nodded,' looks like it. And we can't escape from here. They're just going to wait until we come out. '

' And then kill us,' Much said bitterly,' not even a conversation. '

Time passed by so slowly .... so very, very slowly.

One minutes felt like 10, 10 felt like an hour, and an hour felt like several.

After a couple of hours of extreme boredom and worrying, there was the sound of drums and bagpipes playing outside - a ploy to drive them all crazy, no doubt.

It might work.

' This is driving me mad,' Much insisted,' why don't they just come in here and kill us all? '

' Because there's no incentive,' Robin replied,' every hour that passes by, we become more fearful, more tired, more likely to take foolish action. '

' Foolish action was bringing us here in the first place,' Will muttered, none too quietly.

' Uncle Will, please don't,' Ava sighed.

' I said I'm sorry! ' Much reminded them.

' Yeah? Well, that's not good enough,' John shrugged.

Much scoffed,' Oh, you've never made a mistake, I'm not saying anything. '

' What? ' John asked, narrowing his eyes as he stopped pacing the room to head towards Much.

' I'm not saying anything! ' repeated Much, though he jumped up and said it anyway,' You brought the Sheriff to our camp! You showed him where we live! '

John glared,' I was trying to help the poor! That's what we used to do. What's this all about - feeding your fat face! '

' Fat? ' echoed Much indignantly,' Look who's talking! '

John took a step closer to Much to try and intimidate him - they were almost nose to nose, using the subject he knew would most anger Much,' All you care about is your precious bimbo, worthless, daughter-of-a-worthless-traitor. '

At this point Ava stood up to shout at John, as did Will- although he was annoyed with Much, Ava was still his to watch over - and Much drew back his fist.

Luckily, Robin stepped in to the middle of it all,' Shut up, all of you! This is exactly what they want us to do - fighting amongst ourselves and saving them the trouble! Don't give them the satisfaction! '

There was a pause before Robin continued.

' In fact, I think we need to relax ... I don't why I didn't think of this before, it's my birthday. Let's celebrate, let's eat. '

When Robin had moved out of earshot, Much hissed,' I haven't got a fat face.'

John retorted,' Fat face.'

' Badger beard,' Much retaliated.

As they ate, they ate in silence, the atmosphere tense from the arguments, and no one really knowing what to say.

It was broken by Ellingham.

' Are you listening Robin Hood? ' he called out to them.

They all rushed to the barn doors doors at once, pulling out their weapons and spying through to see what was going on.

Robin opened the door a crack, only for an apple on an arrow to be shot at it.

' Thought you might like some apple with your pork! ' laughed Ellingham.

Just before Robin closed the door and blocked it all out, Ellingham continued,' Oh, and just to let you know, we won't be troubling you tonight. Or tomorrow. We're going to starve you out of here. '

Robin laughed,' Well, you'd better come back next tuesday, then,' he retorted,' we've got enoug food and water to last a week here. '

' A week? ' quizzed the other man,' is that all you can last? What a shame. Sheriff's paying us by the day. '

Robin scoffed and jeered,' You're a funny man. Do us a favour - next time ... bring some mustard as well, will you? '

He yanked the apple from the barn and took it back inside, slamming the door with him.

' We don't have water for a week,' Much told Robin as he came back in.

' I know that,' Robin agreed.

' Well what are we going to do?' Much asked in rather a panic.

' D'you think they're bluffing? ' Ava chipped in.

' Doesn't matter,' Robin dismissed,' either way, we're beaten. '

The faces of the other 5 fell with Robin's, as he said this - they realised that they were most likely going to die here.

' Well,' Much said, pacing up and down,' one thing's for certain, we can't just sit around and eat pork. '

' Lads,' Robin said gravely,' Ava ... I've got a proposal. If they don't come to us , we go to them. '

' When? ' John asked.

' First light,' Robin replied readily.

' There's too many,' Will pointed out.

' We'll die,' Ava added.

' Suicide,' Much simply said.

Robin nodded slightly, and sadly.

' A good day to die,' John shrugged.

' Will you just shut up! ' Much yelled to the elder man,' why does he always say that? ' he asked, looking around,' don't even know what it means. '

' We'll almost certainly die,' Robin sighed, leaning up against the wall of the barn,' but at least we'll die fighting. '

' Yeah, I'm in,' Will said.

' Me too,' Djaq agreed, eyes focused on Will's profile.

' And me,' John added.

' Yep,' Ava nodded.

' Alright,' Much finally agreed.

' Good,' Robin nodded,' good. '

There was a silence before Djaq spoke cheerily.

' Then tonight is a Kalila and dimna night,' she announced.

' What? ' asked John.

' You don't have Kalila and Dimna? ' the saracen asked.

' Suprisingly not,' Much said drily.

Djaq sat down, and the others followed suit.

' Kalila and Dimna night you remember for your whole life,' she declared,' you must speak only the truth. You must ask all your questions, share all your dreams, confess all your secrets ... '

' It's just talking? ' Much scoffed.

' Yes, but it's really talking,' Djaq nodded,' and if you're too boring, someone shouts, Kalila, and you lose your turn. '

' I'm in,' Ava nodded.

Much rolled his eyes,' You would be ... oooh, let's all have a girly gossip,' he said sarcastically.

Djaq grinned,' You start,' she told Much.

'Oh no,' Much attemoted to back out.

' Just talk, you like talking,' coaxed his future wife.

' Well, I know I do, but not like this,' he insisted.

' Fine,' Djaq cut in,' then I'll start ... is everybody sitting comfortably? '

They formed a circle. Djaq sat cross legged on the ground, Much beside her, with Ava laying on her side, her head in his lap, Will sat directly opposite from Djaq, John stood beside him and Robin leant up against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.

Djaq began to speak of how she had grown up in a place full of busy people with no time for her ... how she had felt alone when she came to the country ... how she missed her brother ... ... how she was shocked by the levels of barbaricness some people would show when she was thrown in to slavery ... how it felt to be accepted in to the gang ... and finally what she thought of them all.

' So,' she said,' I admire you ... all of you. You are good people. Brave, generous, kind, decent people. And I love you. All of you. And I am proud to be amongst you. '

' Is this what this is? ' Much asked,' just everyone saying that they love each other? '

' Wait!,' Djaq commanded,' and you all stink, and you're filthy, and you have no souls. '

' We do live in a forest,' John pointed out.

' I have to be honest,' Djaq laughed as they all smiled and laughed along with her. When she calmed down she repeated,' I have to be honest.' she sounded as though something had only just occured to her, and her eyes settled on someone in particular.

Robin and Ava exchanged a look of knowing when they noticed this.

Djaq continued,' And if I am being honest, I have to say that I do not love all of you in the same way. '

Much tutted,' It's me, isn't is? You love everyone, but you don't love me. Brilliant.'

' I love you,' Ava pointed out.

' There is one,' Djaq admitted,' I do love more than the others.'

Her gaze was no focused fully upon Will, who was well aware of the looks he was recieving and slowly, and bashfully looked up at her, as the other looked on.

She continued,' The way a bird would fly 2000 miles and through storms just to be with the one she loves ... that is the love I feel. And I am a fool, because it is only now when we are about to die that I have the courage to admit it even to myself. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have said earlier. You, Will Scarlett, are strong, and true, and you fight for what you believe in, and that's why I love you. ' she finally admitted.

Will's smile was almost indescribable, as he looked so relieved and so pleased ... thrilled.

' And I love you,' he said right away, causing her to grin too,' I love the way you say what you mean, I love your silly voice. '

' Silly voice? ' Djaq asked indignantly.

The other laughed as she told him,' That's it, I take it back, all of it ... I hate you. '

He laughed,' And I love the way you fight like a man ... and the way you'll always, always be a woman. '

Ava sniffed, and Much looked at her in alarm,' There's no need to get all weepy,' he told her,' it's not as he doesn't love her back. '

She sniffed again,' I know,' she said,' It's just so happy. '

Much rolled his eyes and stood up stalking away from her as he tried to hide his laugh. When she too stood up, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and held her tightly, pressing his lips against her cheek.

John huffed.

' John? ' Djaq smiled.

' No,' he refused,' I won't go.'

' Come on,' coaxed Will.

' Who do you love? ' Djaq pressed.

John set his jaw as if he did not want to talk about it, but when he noticed everyone was watching him, gave in, ' You,' he said, though his voice didn't sound genuine,' all of you, even him,' he added, jerking his thumb towards Much,' I love you all, alright? '

He stood up and walked to the corner, stopping for a moment before turning back to face them and throwing his arms out,' And Alice. '

Their faces all drooped in sadness for his situation, and in sympathy.

' I shouldn't have let her go,' Little John told himself,' and my boy? Little Little John? I should have had them with me.'

' John,' Robin cut in,' you didn't have the choice. '

' Let me speak,' pleaded John,' Leaving Alice, running to the forest ... was wrong. Wrong. That's why, I am a huge, stupid, useless, ugly coward. '

' John!' Will warned him.

' That's why I'm always saying, Much,' John told him, as Much watched him warily,' "Today is a good day to die" because for me, it is good day! I deserve to die! '

He moved closer to Much, who still held his fiance close. Ava leaned back into Much, trying to keep her distance from John's anger.

' I left the people that loved me ... the two people that should have depended up on me... my wife and my own child! What was I thinking?! '

' John,' Robin tried again,' I'll not let you talk like this. '

' I'm going now,' John announced.,' I can't go on, I need to die. '

When he baged on the door demanded that his friends let him go, and ultimately collapsed in tears, it was all of his friends who were there to look after him .. to comfort him and to show him the love he needed in this time.

When John was recovered, Much told Djaq,' Look, I'm not going this.'

' Fine,' shrugged Djaq.

' Because I don't hate myself and I'm not in need of declaring secret love for someone ... I did that the last time we were trapped in a god fore saken place with matters of life and death above us. '

' Fine,' repeated Djaq.

' Well, there's nothing to say then,' Much said.

Robin was laughing quietly to himself as Much walked back past him.

Much stopped,' What? '

' What? ' Robin asked innocently.

' You're laughing,' Much told him accusingly.

' I'm laughing because we usually struggle to shut you up,' Robin explained.

' You think that I talk too much? ' Much demanded,' well, I know that's what you think ... I talk too much, I eat too much, I worry too much, but I suppose that's easy for you to say, because if I don't do it then who does? It's alright for you because you can just breeze through life and be everyone's best friend and not have to worry about the simple things like the fire, or the food, or the hole in your cloak, or your birthday. Because good old, dependable old Much'll take care of that. Well, I'll tell you something for nothing, you take me for granted. '

There was an uncomfortable silence as Robin shook his head, and even Ava stuggled from something to say - deciding that she should just let him talk and get it all out of his system.

' You see? ' Much demanded,' and you shouldn't! And I'm angry! '

As Much paced the room, the others watched him awkwardly ... he was breathing deeply and almost breaking down. When Ava moved towards him and tried to lay her hand on his arm to calm hom down and offer comfort, he shook her off quite abruptly.

He finally stopped and glared at Robin,' Just because I love you doesn't mean that I can't hate you, too,' he said,' and I hate you. Because in the Holy Land there was two of us, and we were a team, and the things we went through, and the horrors that we saw ... we went through them together, and when we came home we were like brothers. Brothers in arms. And where is that now, eh? It's gone, that's where it is. You never talk ... you just don't. You made me a free man. We were meant ot be equals. We're not equals. The only things that's changed around here is you still trwat me like a servant, but you don't treat me like a friend.'

When he finished, he was out of breath and looked very sorrowful.

Robin's eyes were dark and hollow, and his face a mask of blankness,' That's not true.'

There was a silence.

Robin looked distraught and uncomfortable,' Is it true? ' he asked.

The others nodded sadly.

Robin lowered his chin to his chest, looking deeply ashamed of him self.

Much sighed,' Kalila.'

' Well, they're not coming tonight, that's for sure' Robin said slowly, eyes filled with tears,' we'll make a plan for the morning.'

' Wait - Ava has not said anything,' Djaq pointed out.

Ava shook her head furiously as everyone focused on her,' I've nothing to say. Much knows how I feel about him - there's no point repeating all that. '

' There must be something,' said Djaq.

Ava shook her head again,' But you already know everything about me, there's nothing to tell you. ' Her face fell as her voice unconsiously slipped into a more pronounced accent, ' Grew up not knowing me dad. My mam was nice enough but she was distant .. always ill, not much there for me. Her father was a controlling old codger who didn't give a toss about us - didn't love us, wouldn't let me out much to make any friends. I was a lonely kid.'

Without even realising it, she was spilling her whole feelings.

' When me mam died, I knew I 'ad to go for it. Me dad was someone I'd always wanted to find ... to see what 'e was like, so I went for it. You know what 'appened there, and for the first time, I 'ad friends, an' there was someone who really cared about me, an' loved me. He was my dad an' he loved me. And that was the best feelin' in the world. That's why it killed me so much when 'e betrayed us all ... and that's why even though I was so mad 'at him, I forgave him, an' I wanted to keep on seeing him. '

The others were listening intently, finally understanding that her attatchment to her father came because she had always been so lonely.

She continued,' Because that man .... I know 'e's not perfect - far from it - but 'e was the first person who ever really loved me ... well, I know me mam did, but she was so down trodden that she couldn show it, and 'e was the first person who showed me 'e loved me, and cared for me, and loked after me - I'd always 'ad to look ater myself. He was everything I'd imagined and so, so, so much more. I don't care what 'e did, what he ever does, because that man will always be my dad, and I'll always know that he was ... is ... the person who loved me most. And I just want him back,' she finished, breaking down in to sobs.

The others looked at each other, silently debating who would make the move ... Much seemed too distraced by his thoughts from his own confessions. It was Will who engulfed her in a warm hug and let her cry in to his shoulder, tears for her father, her dad. He, because he had sworn to look after her. He, because he was the uncle she never had, and really needed.

Later on, Robin was drawing diagrams of his plans in the dirty sand floor of the barn,' We stay tight until this point, and then we split out ... is everyone clear? '

' Show me,' he said.

' I go here,' John said, sticking his staff in the sand.

' And I here,' Ava added, pointing vaguely.

' Will and I here,' Djaq said, pointing too.

Robin nodded,' And then round here and to the back,' he added.

' And after that? ' Much asked.

' Much,' Ava said gently,' I don't think there's going to be an after that. '

' Yeah, I know,' Much sighed.

' First light, nearly dawn,' Djaq said, looking outside.

' This is it,' Much said in disbelief, breathing deeply,' this is really it. Robin, forget what I said earlier - I don't want you to die remembering me that way. '

' Hey,' Robin butted in,' I'll remember you as my loyal friend. We should get the weapons ready ... as soon as there's light with which to see, we go. '

' No,' John demanded,' No! '

' John, we agreed this! ' Robin told him.

' You have not spoken yet, Robin, it's your turn,' John told him.

' We have but a few moment left on this earth,' Robin reminded him,' let me have my thoughts to my self. I'll share them with you all in the next life.'

' Robin,' Djaq said softly,' is there is a heaven, yours is different from mine.'

' What if there isn't a heaven? 'Much quizzed.

' It's almost light,' Robin told them.

' Robin,' probed Ava.

'You know my thoughts,' he said,' they are for you, they are for the poor, and they are for Marian ... the woman I love. The woman who recently, I gave a ring to.'

' You're engaged? ' Djaq asked with a smile.

' The woman who makes me believe that my a twist of fate, we might just make this through, if that makes any sense,'

Much nodded,' I know - I've got one of those too,' he smiled, looking over at Ava.

Robin continued,' And Much? I have betrayed your friendship, but I think you know why. You see, I can't face the terrors we saw ... I can't. Because I'm not as strong as you are. I have to put them out of my mind because if I don't, I won't be able to lead. I mean, I wouldn't even be able to ... to...'

' What?' asked Much.

' Shoot,' John said.

' Shoot? ' echoed Much,' of course he can shoot.'

Robin continued,' In the Holy Land, the men we saw, in bits, screaming, every time I raise my bow, I see them. I hear them. And I know now whether it was right or wrong. What we did in the Holy Land ... it makes no difference, so I have to try not to kill. I have to. Have to avoid killing. I mean, god gae me a gift with the bow, I can kill with me eyes close, I can kill a man from 1000 years, and I have ot try everything in my power not to, So that's why I wasn't there for you in your hour of need, my friend, because I have to let those memories go ... I just have to, to be free.

Much sighed,' Why didn't you say? '

Robin shrugged,' It doesn't matter now, anyway, does it? In a few moments, we'll be free forever.'

There was a brief pause before the two friends embraced like true brothers ... brothers in arms .. a moment which was touching and moving and all so emotional.

' Well,' said much, once Robin and he released each other,' here's to freedom.'

' Here's to the poor,' Will added.

' Here's to the good people we leave behind,' agreed Ava.

' We,' John said,' are Robin Hood.'

' We are Robin Hood,' they repeated in whispers, each of their faces stained with tears.

' Thank you, my friends ... my good, close, friends,' Robin said quietly.

John removed the barricade form the door.

' What do you think John? ' Ava asked,' good day? '

' Yes,' nodded John, tossing aside the barricade.

They all drew their weapons and looked around at one and other sadly, savouring the last looks at each others faces.

In the stillness, Ava muttered,' Sod it,' and threw herself at Much, kissing him silently, passionately and finally - their last ever kiss, she thought.

When she released him and took a step away, drawing her weapon again, Will and Djaq were sharing a kiss.

Finally, they all stood, the girls with tears threatening to spill, the others with tears hidden beneath their masks of sadness.

' Godspeed until we meet again,' Ava sighed.

' See you in heaven, my friends,' Robin nodded.

Robin began to cont,' 1 ... 2 ...'

' Allan! ' cried Djaq.

' What? ' frowned Robin.

' Look .. it's Allan. ' she said.

Sure enough, when they moved forward to look through the small gaps, Allan was walking towards them in his full uniform. Walking towards the barn, whilst the soldiers backed off slightly and allowed him to do so.

He banged on the door of the barn,' Open up! ' he called loudly,' I'm 'ere on behalf of the Sheriff.'

' Let him in,' Robin commanded.

' You can't! ' John hissed.

' He must be here to hep,' Ava grinned.

The others were doubtful, but followed their leader's orders, allowing him in.

' Thank God,' he muttered, having thought that they would keep him out - or that only Ava would want him in, and she would be overruled.

' What d'you want?' demanded John, grabbing him by his collar,' what do you want? '

' Listen,' Allan said in rather a panic,' we haven't got much time, OK? I've spun them a yarn, but we don't have much time to get out of here. We have to leave before they're onto me.'

' We? We? ' Much asked, raising his eyebrows.

' I'm with you,' Allan promised,' Trust me,' he pleaded.

Ava took his hand and nodded at Robin, daring him to question her.

He merely raised his eyebrows at Allan.

Allan continued,' I've been an idiot and I'm sorry - so sorry. We can talk about that later, but right now we have got work to do. The Sheriff an' Gisbourne have gone to the Holy Land. '

' The Holy Land? ' echoed Robin in shock.

' They're on a boat from Portsmouth and they're going to kill the King. '

The statement was met with stunned silence, and identical expressions of horror.

' Allan,' Robin said,' we need to get out of here. Now. '

Ava sighed,' Dad,' she said, causing him to look down at her in question - she had never called him dad ... always father. Somehow, he preferred Dad. Anyone could be a father, but a dad ... well, she really cared. ' Thanks. '

' For what? ' he asked.

' Being here,' she replied, and they all knew that she really meant it, from her previous confessions during the kalila and dimna.

A plan was quickly thought up and put in to action.

A few minutes later, the barn door was pushed open by Allan, who announced loudly and clearly to the surrounding men, ' It's alright, s'alright, they're coming quietly. The show's over. '

He led the outlaws out of the barn all tied to a long rope by their hands - albiet tied loosely, so that they could escape easily if need be.

Ellingham cleared his throat,' Sheriff wants to talk to the outlaws in the castle, does he, now? '

' Yeah,' Allan confirmed.

' Well that's strange, that,' frowned Ellingham,' because a little birdie told me that she Sgeriff left the castle yesterday.'

Sure enough, the Sheriff's personal messnger was stood beside Ellingham.

Allan raised his eyebrows,' Oh. Did he? '

' Get them! ' cried Ellingham.

And they were off - fighing in full swing, doing what they did best.

Knocking guards out with the hilts of swords, tripping them up, weaving and ducking between them.

They fought fiercly for several minutes.

There was a great moment of reconciliation between two of the men when Allan and Much both knocked out the same guy and at same time.

' Good to have you back,' Much nodded.

' Good to be back,' Allan grinned wildly.

There was a roar as a wave of more men appeared over the tops of the hills, causing their hearts to sink as they realised that they might not be getting away as easily as they had originally thought.

However, Robin chose that moment to appear, along with several large, strong brown horses.

' Come on you lot! ' he belllowed, as they all ran for a horse and jumped on.

Once they were down the road a fair way and in the safety of the forest, where they would not be easily found, they all stopped to look at each other and to check on what they were going to do.

' To the camp? ' asked Much.

' There's no time,' Allan disagreed,' Listen, there's something I haven't told you - the Sheriff and Gisbourne have got Marian. '

' What?! ' barked Robin ferociously.

' She wanted to save the King,' Allan elaborated hurridly,' she couldn't find you, she tried to kill the Sheriff.'

' What do we do?' John asked.

' Allan's right,' Robin admitted,' we havem't got time. We go to the coast. Now! We have a King to save! '