Chapter 2

Maeve had to give him his due he had survived the night. This young outlaw was doing battle with God and nature and thus far he was winning. Though he was rendered mad with fever.

He thrashed about in the straw whimpering to himself, sometimes begging, often cursing. Sometimes he'd call out for Robin, other times it was John. There was something mixed in about a mill, something else about his brother but mostly his ramblings were too incoherent to piece together. But she didn't care. Mathew brought this to their door. They have three hungry children and a goat that won't give milk and then they have this.

She frowned to herself, maybe her mother was right, she should have married the gamekeeper. What's a cuff to the head every now and then when you have money in your purse and plump well fed children.

She stalled her thoughts as she had ripped down the bandages too roughly and caused him pain.

"Shhhh..." She ran a hand through his damp curls. "Easy now, I'll be careful."

"What poor mother brought you into the world?" She said out loud as she began to sponge his wound with fresh water. It was angry as ever weeping clear fluid and puss and some mucky grey matter she hadn't seen before. He clung to the sides of the make shift bed, staring up at the ceiling as she cleaned it out. He had struggled and pulled against her as she tended to him that morning and she had told him off. That had obviously registered on some level because now he just took it, gripping the sides of the cot until his knuckles turned white. Once clean she bound it with rags she had washed that morning. Her mother always held great stock in keeping wounds clean. A clean wound is half the battle. Once it was wrapped she lifted his head to give water. He gulped it like a dog, his body shaking with the effort to raise himself. She laid him back on the straw and stroked his cheek. He was a creature lost in a world of pain, it was kindness she'd give any dog, she told herself.

~o~

Mathew returned in the evening with three fresh rabbits. As ever she breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't been caught. Their oldest boy, a fine sturdy lad of twelve years took the meat and sat on the front step to begin skinning.

Mathew ruffled his hair before following his wife inside.

"It's as we feared, there was trouble in Sherwood. Some skirmish with soldiers and outlaws."

"Was it...Robin Hood and his men?"

Mathew nodded grimly.

She put her head down and slapped the chair in front of her. Mathew went to her and took her in his arms.

"My love, I can't turn him out. If he were

older...,"

She looked up with a sad smile. "If he were older you'd do just the same thing Mathew of Sturry and don't you say no different."

"We'll get him well enough and then we'll send him on his way, no harm done," he told her.

She nodded with unshed tears of worry in her eyes. If the sheriff and his men were to find the young outlaw on their property there would be hell to pay... For everyone.

But she could not blame her husband. She would no more turn him out to fend for himself against the wild dogs of the forest than he would.

~o~

Despite his height Will put it up to the big man.

"I'll go in alone if I have to,"

John roared into his face. "You're a fool lad. The place is teaming with soldiers. You wouldn't get past the first clump of trees."

"Well I'm ain't gonna sit here waiting on them to kill Much. You stay here if you're scared of the sheriff's men. "

John took hold of his tunic a flash of temper glinting in his eyes. Will was up for this and glared back ready to take him on.

Despite himself Robin yelled over them both. He got between them despite the fact that either one of them could pummel him.

"Nobody is going anywhere," he yelled. "We wait for the cover of darkness. Nazir has gone to track their route. He'll be able to tell us if they captured Much. Until then, we wait. Deliberately then Robin turned his back on them and headed into the forest.

They both stared after him and then turned to each other.

"We wait," John repeated.

Will growled and put his hands up as if to choke John.

Marian followed him out to the lake. It wasn't hard to keep up, he was limping slightly on his left leg. He took a nasty rip from a sword as one of the sheriff's men attacked him. He had fought on regardless hardly mindful of the wound but now it was starting to really hurt.

"You should let me look at that," she told him.

He took her hand and she sat with him looking out at the glistening water.

"I'll live," he told her. "We have more pressing matters."

"I know you're blaming yourself for this Robin..." she began.

"There's no time for blame Marion, I have to pull it together. I lost our most vulnerable member." Robin's face wore a haunted expression as he internally relived the last twelve hours. The attack had come from no where. They had been celebrating Tuck's birthday with an abundance of game and venison. All were making merry with fine wine and riotous games when suddenly they were surrounded by armed guards and horses. They fought with all they had. Even on full bellies and tanked up with wine they bashed the soldiers into a retreat. They laughed then, slapping each other on the back. The wine still dulling their senses. It was some minutes later that they realised that Much wasn't with them. A search of the area brought up nothing.

Robin bitterly regretted their reckless behaviour. As their leader he should have known that they couldn't afford to so let their guard down. All he could hope was that Much wouldn't pay a high price for his stupidity.

As if Marion could sense his thinking she pulled him close.

"He shouldn't even be here Marion, he should be in a warm house somewhere wondering who he'll be taking to spring festival. He's too young for this life."

"Much has survived well enough so far," Marion's soft voice was like a soothing balm to his darkening thoughts.

"He has a good role model," she smiled.

"Your last leader would never have allowed..."

"Our last leader would be the first to admit that the very same thing happened on his watch, Much was taken by Templers no less."

Marion looked deep into his eyes. "Robin, you've got to stop comparing yourself to him. We had just as rough a road in his time as we do now. The difference being he had no great shoes to fill but his own."

Robin's dark eyes turned to her. "My life started the day I met you Marion, I know that is forward of me but..."

Leaning forward, her soft warm lips caressed his mouth stalling the words in his throat. He again felt that welcome jolt of heat rush through him making him insane with desire. He pulled her to him kissing her tenderly at first and then with passion. She parted her lips yielding completely to his sensual kiss allowing the kiss to deepen. He held her tighter as his mouth invaded hers. She could feel her heart rate quicken as his unique masculine scent invaded her senses.

He pulled away first knowing that if he didn't stop now he wouldn't be able to stop himself later. She was disappointed but knew they could not stay here like on other carefree evenings. They must find Much and soon.

Robin was about to speak but he grimaced as he got to his feet.

Marion looked at him. "Robin you need to rest that leg."

He smiled and pulling her to him he leaned a little on her as they walked back.

"You see, perfect solution," he grinned as she swatted him playfully.