Episode 3
Family
Robin and his gang were in Locksley, delivering food parcels to the hungry and the poor. Robin was wearing a huge smile on his face as he watched the families exclaim with joy. Much tapped him on the shoulder.
"Not now Much," Robin hissed. Much prodded him harder.
"Master, it's the Midnight Highwayman!" He whispered. Robin looked up. There, contrasting against the sunset was a tall, cloaked figure. He was going from door to door, giving each family a small sack of what Robin believed was coins. Robin jumped to his feet but was bought back down to his knees when Little John and Much grabbed him.
"What are you doing?" Much hissed.
"I have to get him! I have to make sure he does not hurt Marian again!"
"If we're going to talk to him, we'll do it after he finishes handing out the money!" Little John told him forcefully. Robin stopped struggling in their grip and waited with the rest of the gang.
Night had fallen when the Midnight Highwayman reached the last of the houses in Locksley.
"Okay let's go!" Robin whispered. The five outlaws crept along the fence and waited at the gate. The Midnight Highwayman turned around to walk back up the path but stopped when he saw them.
"Hello Highwayman," Robin greeted with a mischievous grin on his face.
"Good Evening Robin of Locksley, to what do I owe this pleasure?" The Midnight Highwayman's voice was deep and oddly gravely.
"Oh nothing, just a few words." The Midnight Highwayman was silent as he waited for Robin to speak again. "I want you to promise me never to return to Knighton Hall." Robin said forcefully.
"I do not plan to attack Sir Edward and Lady Marian again. They treat their people with respect, something I did not see the first time. I will not harm them."
"Good," There was a small pause as Robin and the Midnight Highwayman sized each other up.
"Is there anything else you need from me Robin Hood?"
"No,"
"Then I take my leave." Before Robin or any of the others could register what was happening, the Midnight Highwayman had ran to the side of the house, vaulted the fence and ran to his waiting horse. Robin made to go after him.
"It's no use Robin," Will told him. Robin sighed and began walking back toward Sherwood Forest. From behind him he heard Much whisper triumphantly,
"Ha! I told you he was a man!" Djaq scowled.
The next morning everyone was lounging in the camp. There was nothing to do. No food parcels to deliver, no money to give out, no taxes to steal and no rich people to rob.
"I'm bored," Much said for the seventh time.
"We know!" Little John growled. Everything went silent again. Quite suddenly, a loud whistle rent the air and echoed through the trees. The whistler made the sound again.
"That'll be Marian," Robin said and raced from the camp. There was silence once more.
"I'm bored," Much repeated. Little John, who was shaking with anger, walloped Much over the head with his staff. Much fell sideways onto the ground, unconscious. Annabelle cackled with laughter.
Robin ran through the forest, hoping Marian wasn't too far away. He desperately wanted to see her. Marian was sitting on a fallen log, waiting for him. Robin grinned widely when he saw her. They ran into each other's arms and embraced.
"I missed you," Robin whispered. Marian laughed softly.
"You saw me only two days ago," She told him.
"That's two days I wanted to spend with you." Marian smiled lovingly up at him. "Why have you come? Has anything happened?" Marian removed her face from the crook of Robin's neck where it was resting. She nodded.
"The Midnight Highwayman stole a necklace Gisborne gave to me. I need it back if Gisborne calls and wants to see it."
"I'll get it, don't worry." Robin told her. Marian smiled at him and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I should go," But Marian made no attempt to withdraw from Robin's embrace. "I should really go." Still she did not move. Robin chuckled and grudgingly stepped away from Marian's warm body. They kissed again and Marian mounted her house and rode off. Robin sighed and made his way back to camp. When he arrived he saw everyone sitting in the same positions as he left them except Much who was picking himself up off the ground and rubbing his head.
"Right lads – and women-" He added, nodding in Djaq and Annabelle's direction. "We have a job to do." Everyone jumped to their feet, excited. "We have to capture the Midnight Highwayman." Their faces fell.
It was a few days after Robin and Marian had met in the forest and it was nearing midday. Annabelle had left a few hours previous but still had not returned. Robin had begun to worry. He was pacing up and down the camp, wringing his hands and muttering.
"What if she's gone off and done something rash? She could be passed out on a barstool or be locked up for being a pest! It does sound like her to do something like that." He rambled to himself. Little John growled and stood up but Much pulled him back down.
"Please just let me hit him so I don't have to listen to it anymore!"
"No, you will not hurt my master!" Much told him. Little John glared at him and Much glared back. Suddenly everyone looked around as hurried footsteps approached the camp. Will stumbled into the camp, sweating and out of breath.
"Robin," He panted, clutching at a stitch in his side. "Rich cart...passing on – high road..." Everyone turned to Robin for what to do. There was a pause.
"Let's go," Robin told them. Everyone jumped into action. Will grabbed his axes, Djaq her sword, Much tied his shield onto his back and sheathed his sword, Little John picked up his staff and Robin slung his quiver over his shoulder and picked up his bow. The five outlaws ran from the camp and through the forest.
"Just along here!" Will called from the front of the line. They ran for a little longer before Will held up a hand and they all slowed down. There, trundling along the road was an exquisitely built carriage with intricate detail. Fine gossamer curtains fluttered from the windows in which thick, pompous voices could be heard. Robin smirked as they followed the cart, slowly advancing toward it.
"Pull back," Robin whispered, jumping back into the bushes. Everyone followed his lead just as the carriage stopped in the middle of the road. The door was pushed open and a slippered foot was placed on the step.
"Please my Lady, may I ride in your cart? My husband, Sir Elric of Locksley has been slain by outlaws in the forest!" Robin moved slightly to the right to see the speaker. It was a woman, covered in a thick black travelling cloak, crouched on the ground at the Lady's feet.
"And why can you not walk?" Asked the Lady coldly.
"Please my Lady I am weak with hunger and I believe outlaws are trying to kill me like they killed my husband, Sir Elric. I fear for my baby's life." Robin squinted as the crouching woman moved her cloak aside to reveal a bundle of blankets wrapped in her arms.
"Oh very well but sit on the other side of the carriage, just in case you have some deadly disease." The Lady stepped back inside the carriage and the widowed woman scrambled in after her. "Keep moving Barnaby!" Shouted the rich lady from inside the carriage. It began to move again. Robin and the rest of the gang slunk along behind it. Muffled conversation wafted back to the outlaws who were skulking along behind the carriage. Just as Robin motioned for everyone to get into position to attack there was a high pitched scream from inside the carriage and two thumps could be heard as bodies fell to the ground. Robin held up his hand for everyone to stop. The carriage halted as the driver jumped down from his seat. The handle of a dagger was thrust from the wooden confines of the carriage and knocked the driver on the head. He crumpled to the ground. Robin began to run toward the carriage, an arrow notched in his bow. The cloaked woman jumped from the carriage, a brown canvas bag in hand. She threw the bundle of blankets behind a bush and began to walk off. Robin sprung into action.
"Much get the baby! Djaq check the carriage! Everyone else with me!" He shouted and began to run after the cloaked figure. The woman spun around and when she saw the outlaws in pursuit of her she began to run herself. Robin, Will and Little John ran after her.
"We mean you no harm!" Robin called to the running woman. "We just want to talk!"
"I do not talk with Robin Hood!" Yelled the woman, running faster.
"How did she know it was us?" Will panted. Robin shook his head.
"C'mon," He puffed, trying to catch up with the still hooded woman but she had disappeared through the trees. When they finally stopped running the three outlaws were standing on the edge of a clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a tall silky oak.
"I swear she disappeared around here," Will said, gulping down lungfuls of air.
"It looks like she has vanished," Little John said, leaning against his staff.
"She has not vanished, simply hiding." Robin said, pointing to the tallest branches of the tree. There sat the cloaked woman, her legs hanging over the side of the branch. From underneath her hood a strip of black material covered her eyes. She looked out through two holes cut into it. The bag, which was filled with richly coloured clothes and jewellery, hung from the branch as well.
"Why did you run from us?" Robin called.
"You have weapons," Said the girl simply, her legs swaying underneath her. There was a short pause as Djaq and Much ran into the clearing.
"Where's the baby?" Robin asked. The woman, far up in the tree, snickered.
"There was no baby Master," Much panted. "Simply a bundle of cloth. A trap I say."
"No one's dead," Djaq told him. "I moved the carriage and horses further into the forest."
"Good," Robin said, turning back to the tree.
"Just one more thing Robin," Djaq said tentatively. Robin spun around, an annoyed look on his face. "She ah, she stole everything they owned. Jewellery, money, clothes. All their clothes." She added. Robin nodded again.
"Why did you steal all of their possessions?" He asked, looking up at the girl.
"Why were you going to steal all of their possessions?"
"This is no time to play games!" Robin roared.
"Master," Much began, slightly scared. "She has caused us no harm, why all this anger?"
"You seem a bit touchy Robin Hood," Stated the woman with a small snicker.
"How do you know my name?" Robin asked, his voice echoing around the clearing.
"Who does not know your name," She said casually.
"May I know your name?" Robin walked further into the clearing so as to see the girl better. The girl considered him for a long while.
"I am someone you have chased for quite a while. We have met before as I am as famous as you are in these parts." She paused for dramatic effect. "I am the Midnight Highwayman." There were a few gasps from behind Robin and Djaq said,
"Ha! I told you she was a woman,"
"You are the Midnight Highwayman?" Robin asked her sceptically.
"Yes," Was the reply.
"And that is why you stole from the rich men in the carriage?" Robin was expecting another plain and unhelpful answer but instead he received,
"By God you are dim Robin Hood!" She exclaimed. Will, Djaq and Little John snickered as Robin reached for his bow, furious. Much pushed his arm down.
"We are not going to hurt you!" Called Much. "Come down…please." He added.
"Why should I do that?" This time Robin answered,
"We are on the same side; we do not need to fear each other."
"If that is the case why do you not come up here Robin Hood?" Robin considered her. "Come on Robin, climb up, come meet me." She leered. Robin clenched and unclenched his fists.
"Master you mustn't, she's a woman!" Much exclaimed, astounded of Robin for thinking to hurt a girl. "She has nothing of ours-"
"Oh on the contrary," Came the Midnight Highwayman's voice. She took something from her pocket and dangled it in front of herself so Robin could see it.
"What is it?" Will asked.
"It looks like a necklace," Much said, squinting upward. Robin gasped.
"That's Marian's necklace!" He said angrily and ran toward the tree. Little John ran after him and dragged him back to the rest of the gang.
"No Robin!" Little John growled. "Let some of us go after her." After struggling for a minute Robin fell limp in John's grasp. "Good. Djaq, Will, throw a rope up there and climb up and for God's sake get Marian's necklace so Robin doesn't kill the poor girl."
"I have rope," Called the Midnight Highwayman. She tied one end to the branch she was sitting on and threw it down. Will, with his axe tied to his back, began to climb first and then Djaq. After five minutes both Will and Djaq were standing on the same thick branch as the Midnight Highwayman. She pulled at her hood so it covered her face more.
"May we have the necklace?" Djaq asked, holding out her hand. Her other hand was against the trunk of the tree, keeping her balanced. The Midnight Highwayman threw the necklace at Djaq who hastily made a grab for it but had to take her hand away from the tree. She fell sideways off the branch. She managed to grab hold of a thinner and more brittle branch below, preventing herself from falling to her death.
"Djaq!" Will shouted in terror, climbing onto the branch below and trying to help her to safety. While all this was going on the Midnight Highwayman had grabbed her filled bag of treasures and had slid down the rope. A loud crack rent the air. The branch that both Djaq and Will were on was breaking. The Midnight Highwayman's knees buckled as she hit the ground. After stumbling slightly she began running into the trees.
"Little John try and help Djaq and Will! Much, with me!" Robin commanded as he ran off after the escaping Highwayman. Robin and Much sprinted after the girl who now only looked like a flying cloak. Much began to fall behind but Robin ran faster, determined to catch her. It seemed that the Midnight Highwayman was slowing down, her heavy sack a burden. Robin was also beginning to feel tired from running too fast over uneven ground. Slowly, Robin began to catch up. Her head whipped around and Robin saw her mouth drop in surprise and fear. Drawing in short, rasping breaths, Robin tried to lengthen his stride but found his lack of energy barely permit it. Nevertheless he managed to catch up to her. He was in arms length of her when he tripped over a protruding root and fell. Robin flung out his arm and managed to grab the hem of her cloak. She fell. With a triumphant yell Robin grabbed her ankle and dragged her toward him. The Midnight Highwayman twisted in his grip but couldn't get away.
"Now to unmask you," Robin said, breathless. He held her shoulder down so she would not escape and with his other hand pushed her hood off. With trembling fingers he ripped off the mask. "No!" Robin exclaimed, his voice coming out in a hoarse whisper. From underneath him olive coloured eyes glared up at him.
"I may not be helping the people like you do Robin but I am taking this seriously." Annabelle told him. Robin's grip loosened in shock and she scrambled out from underneath him. Robin, who was numb with disbelief, watched his sister pick up the bag of stolen goods and run deeper into the forest and out of sight.
"Master," Panted Much, finally catching up. "Did you catch him – I mean…uh…her?"
"No," Robin said, still staring at the spot where Annabelle had disappeared. Much helped Robin to his feet and they both walked back to the clearing, Robin still in shock. When they reached the clearing Will was standing on the ground, helping Djaq climb down the rope.
"Did you get her?" Little John asked. He was standing at the base of the tree, Will's axe, coat and boots along with Djaq's medicine bag and coat in his arms. Will and Djaq had obviously thrown them down to lighten the weight on the fragile branch. Robin shook his head, finally shaking himself from his shocked state. Will hurried over to Little John and took Djaq's coat from him. He threw it around her small shoulders and engulfed her in a hug.
"I'm fine Will," Djaq told him and Will let her go. Djaq walked over to Robin and dropped something in his hand. She then walked away without saying a word. Robin looked down. There, contrasting against his palm was Marian's necklace. When he looked up Will had disappeared with his belongings and Djaq's medicine bag. Little John was stumping away.
"Come on Master, we'll get her another time." Much said and began steering Robin back toward the camp.
Annabelle was sitting quietly in the camp when the rest of the gang returned. Robin glanced quickly at his sister who hastily averted her eyes.
"Annabelle you will never guess what just happened!" Much said excitedly. Annabelle sighed in annoyance.
"No I guess I won't." She said with a hint of sarcasm.
"We almost caught the Midnight Highwayman!"
"Almost?" She asked with a little laugh. "Is he too good for Robin Hood and his band of merry men?"
"It's a she," Said Much sourly, depositing his weapons in his kitchen.
"Is she now? That's interesting," Said Annabelle though her tone of voice told otherwise. Robin stood up suddenly.
"Annabelle," He began. "We need to talk," He and Annabelle stared at each other for a long while before Annabelle slowly rose to her feet. She followed her brother out the camp and into the heart of Sherwood Forest.
"Why did you not tell me?" Robin asked softly once they were well out of the camp.
"It is none of your business. And before you start Robin I will tell you now, nothing you say or do will ever stop me from being the Midnight Highwayman." Robin was silent.
"I know I cannot stop you Annabelle," He said after a long while. "But please, I beg you, do not do anything foolish. As your brother and someone who loves you I do not want to see you hurt, least of all dead."
"I have been the Midnight Highwayman for three years now Robin and I have only been wounded once." Annabelle's voice was cold and icy.
"I do not want to fight with you Annabelle; I just want you to promise me that you will not purposely pursue pain." They both stopped walking to look at each other. "Please Annabelle," Robin begged as he took her small hands in his.
"I promise," Annabelle whispered. Robin smiled, though it was somewhat sadly. He hugged his sister.
"One thing Annabelle," Robin said once they pulled away. "Why?" Annabelle shrugged.
"I felt so alone in Scarborough. Cousin Jane was sweet but she was no companion. I began to leave the manor and wander through the town. It was then that I realised people were suffering. One family I met had a sick child and they were all dying of hunger. I brought them food and medicine during the night. It made me happy, something I hadn't been in a long time. So I began to give money and food to others in the village that were in need. But I was running out of money so I robbed a rich cart that I knew was coming into town which was where I received the name 'The Midnight Highwayman'. I travelled to other towns, robbing from carriages on the way. But still it was not enough. So I stole from the Lords themselves. It gave me a purpose in my life. I could not help our family so I helped others. I was happy." Robin nodded in understanding.
"Have you ever killed?" He asked. By Robin's tone of voice Annabelle could tell he was dreading the answer.
"Yes," Annabelle said. "That was why I fled when I recognised Marian." Robin nodded again but remained silent. Now only the echo of the leaves that crunched underneath their boots could he heard.
"And you're leaving, after you've finished helping the people of Nottingham?"
"Maybe, maybe not." Annabelle said. It was not a definite answer but Robin's heart sank all the same. He was getting used to his younger sister being around and did not want her to leave. He didn't want to lose her again. But Robin could not stop her, a fact he knew very well. They both returned to camp in silence.
Later that night the outlaws were all sitting around the fire, discussing the escape of the Midnight Highwayman. Both Robin and Annabelle were staying out of the conversation. Robin wanted the discussion to end. He was feeling hot and uncomfortable, especially with Annabelle sitting directly across from him. Quite suddenly the group fell silent. Robin looked up. Annabelle was securing her sword and dagger to her belt.
"On eno slevart ta thgin," Robin blurted out. Everyone looked at him, confused. Everyone that was except Annabelle whose mouth had dropped open in surprise and her eyes were wide with shock.
"I…um…eh lilts sah yenom, stol fo ti." Robin nodded in understanding.
"Eb luferac," Annabelle smiled.
"Always," She said and swept from the camp, leaving a ringing silence behind her. Robin stood up and left the fire, showing he did not want to be questioned about the scene the other outlaws had just witnessed. Once Robin had disappeared everyone turned to Much with questioning faces. Much shrugged and said,
"It's their secret language. I have never understood it."
Annabelle returned hours later. The fire had been extinguished and all the outlaws were sleeping. All except Robin who was sitting on the edge of his bed, waiting. Annabelle nodded to him to show she knew he was there and that she was okay. She deposited the money bags under her mattress.
"Goodnight Robin," She said, climbing underneath her covers.
"Goodnight Belle," He whispered, lying back on his bed and promptly falling into a peaceful, undisturbed sleep.
~.~
It was a few weeks after Robin had revealed Annabelle to be the Midnight Highwayman. Once more Annabelle was missing from the camp. She had been absent for longer than Robin had expected and he was now becoming nervous as the early morning sun peeked through the trees. Every sound of a twig crunching or the wind whistling through the trees Robin looked around, hoping Annabelle would be standing there.
"I'm going to look for her," Robin said standing up suddenly.
"She's fine Robin," Djaq told him but Robin was not listening. By the time anyone could even try to reason with him he had grabbed his bow and quiver and had run from the camp. Djaq sighed and went back to concocting a new potion. It all spilled down her front however when her name echoed through the forest.
"DJAQ!" Robin's voice called out. Djaq hastily got to her feet and was about to run into the forest when Robin appeared. In his arms was a large tangle of cloth. His face was white with fear as he cautiously walked over to his bed and placed the bundle on the mattress.
"It's Annabelle," Robin said and removed her hood from her face. Djaq gasped. Annabelle's face was whiter than that of Robin's. She pulled the cloak off the rest of her body and Djaq saw that her white blouse was soaked in blood.
"Robin what happened?" Djaq asked as the rest of the gang crowded around the bed.
"I do not know," Robin replied as he knelt down by the bedside and began stroking his sister's hair with trembling fingers.
"Right, John I need fresh water. Much, I need rags. Will, go get me my blood replenishing potion, two of those in the blue bottles and one in the red. Go!" She said in a strained voice. The men scattered. Djaq removed Annabelle's corset and ripped open the shoulder of her blouse. There, contrasting against her pale skin was a large, very deep gash.
"Robin. Robin!" Djaq yelled, trying to get his attention. Robin looked up at her through a haze of tears. "We need to roll her onto her side." Robin helped Djaq turn Annabelle over so the rest of the wound was revealed. "Oh dear she's lost so much blood already. MUCH!" Djaq called. Much hurried back to the bed, his arms laden with strips of cloth. They tumbled from his arms onto the bed. "Go help John with the water." Djaq ordered. Much ran off. Djaq picked up the cloth and began to dab at the wound. Much and John came back into the camp with two buckets filled with water. Djaq dunked the rag into the water and began to clean the cut. Once all the dried blood was removed the severity of the wound was revealed. Djaq gasped in horror. It was so deep the bone was showing.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Much said and hurried off. Robin's eyes filled with more tears as he gazed upon his pale, unconscious sister. Will rushed to Djaq's side and held the potions out for her. Djaq took the yellow bottle and handed it to Robin. "Pour it in her mouth," She commanded. With shaking fingers Robin took the bottle and lifted it to Annabelle's lips. Djaq turned back to Will and took two of the blue-bottled potions. Djaq poured them onto the wound. Annabelle whimpered but remained unconscious. Djaq began to dab at the wound again with a dry cloth.
"John go get my needle and thread please." Djaq said as she bent over the gash. Little John hurried away and came back with a small bag. Djaq opened it and took out both needle and thread.
"It won't hurt her will it?" Robin asked in a scared whisper as he looked upon his sister.
"No. She will not feel and think until she wakes." Djaq told him, beginning to stitch up the wound. Djaq worked in silence for the next fifteen minutes. "It's done," Djaq told them and took the last potion from Will. She lifted it to Annabelle's lips and made her drink it.
"Boys, leave us." Djaq said. Both Will and John retreated to the other side of the camp with the very green-looking Much. "You too Robin,"
"What? Why? What are you going to do to her?"
"I need to wrap the wound and I value her privacy, as should you." Robin left Annabelle's side, closing the curtains around his bed as he went. Djaq removed Annabelle's blouse and took the longest strip of cloth from the pile Much had delivered. She began to wrap it around Annabelle's torso. When she was finished it looked as though Annabelle was wearing a sash. Djaq threw Annabelle's cloak over her exposed body and left her side to find her a new blouse.
"Robin, where does Annabelle keep her spare shirts?"
"In her bag I think." Robin said. As soon as the words were out of his mouth his eyes widened with fear. "I'll get it," He said hurriedly.
"No Robin I can," She said. Robin rushed toward Annabelle's bag just as Djaq picked it up. He froze as the Sacrean opened it. There, lying on top of the Annabelle's spare cloak was her dagger, a mask and three bags of coins.
"Oh Robin!" Djaq exclaimed as she took out the mask to examine it more closely. "Annabelle isn't…?" Robin remained silent but his grave face gave him away. The camp was silent. Much, Will and Little John were all looking at the mask with surprise and shock. Djaq silently handed Robin Annabelle's bag after she had extracted a fresh blouse. She disappeared behind the curtains. Robin sighed and placed Annabelle's bag on her bed.
"Annabelle is the Midnight Highwayman?" Much asked in disbelief. Robin nodded. "Why did you not tell us?"
"It was Annabelle's wish to keep it a secret. She did not willingly tell me."
"That day, when we chased the Midnight Highwayman into the clearing, you caught her, didn't you?" Will asked him. Robin nodded again. Djaq pulled the curtains back to reveal a still unconscious Annabelle. She was wearing a new blouse. Robin rushed to her side, leaving the rest of the outlaws to quietly converse over the news that Annabelle was the Midnight Highwayman.
"It's obvious now I think about it." Much said. "The late night disappearances, the reason she fled from Knighton Hall."
"And she knew Will would catch me if she threw the necklace." Djaq said. From the corner of the camp Annabelle whimpered.
"Belle?" Robin's voice was soft and scared. Annabelle's eyes fluttered open and she smiled weakly at Robin. "Oh thank god you're alive!" Robin exclaimed. Annabelle winced from the loudness of his voice.
"Alive, but barely." She said, her voice very faint.
"You can't die Belle, you're the stronger fighter of the family, remember?" Annabelle laughed softly. "Shh, save your energy." He said, stroking her hair.
"It was Gisborne; he came at me from behind. They have changed the location of the money so it took me longer to find it but I…I got it all." Annabelle trailed off, her eyes closing.
"Belle? Annabelle?" Robin's terrified voice asked.
"Yes Robin?" Robin smiled in relief just as Djaq came over to them.
"She needs rest Robin," Djaq told him. He nodded but did not leave Annabelle's bed side as she fell into a deep sleep.
Annabelle stayed bedridden for the next two days. She took the news well when Robin told her that the rest of the gang knew about her secret identity. She even let Robin tell Marian when she came to visit Annabelle and give her Edwards good wishes of health.
"I am sorry for the pain I caused you and Edward." Annabelle told Marian when she sat by her bedside.
"It's okay Annabelle," Marian told her.
"I did not know it was you who I was robbing from. If there is anything you want back…" Annabelle's weak voice trailed off.
"It's okay Annabelle," Marian repeated with a small laugh.
In the corner of the camp Robin had approached Djaq with a worried expression.
"Why is she not getting better? It has been two days," Robin asked.
"She has lost a lot of blood but already she is improving. Be patient Robin." Djaq patted him sympathetically on the shoulder and walked over to sit with Will. Robin returned to Annabelle's bedside.
"You need to stop worrying about me Robin," Annabelle told him when he had sat down.
"I am not worrying Belle, I just want my bed back." She laughed but it was very weak and she fell silent for a long time.
"I need to go back to Knighton Hall, I hope you get better soon Annabelle." Marian said. After kissing Robin's cheek she left the camp. Robin dropped to his knees so his face was level with his sisters.
"I am fine Robin." Annabelle told him.
"I will make that decision when you are fine." Annabelle smiled weakly and shifted on the bed so Robin could lie down. He did so and for the rest of the day they reminisced about their childhood, happily laughing and talking together like brother and sister should.