Hello, all! Here's the next installment, for your reading pleasure. *bows*

DoubleDaggered: Your review made me laugh, evil-villain-esque though as that may sound. This chapter might not be quiiite what you had in mind, but there is a great deal of glorious angst upcoming, either way! :D

SleepingwithinWater: I think Much is pluckier than he gets credit for in the series. I'm not sure even he realizes how tough he can be at need. ;)

My goal is to give this story the feel of an extra-long (extra-Muchy) episode, complete with scene changes, so for added fun, just imagine that little "arrow flying into target" sound effect at the beginning of each chapter. This chapter's from Robin's point of view (fear not - we'll return to Much soon!).

~ Si

When the outlaws reached the tree line outside Nottingham, Robin sensed more than saw the others split off, scattering to lose any remaining pursuit, but Will stayed at Robin's side. Perhaps Will was wiser than Robin gave him credit for, because every muscle in the archer's body screamed out to turn around and get Much out of Gisborne's hands now. Allan threw them a concerned look when Will didn't join him, per their usual partnering system, but darted off down the hill without comment.

Robin followed Will's golden tunic between the trees at a ground-eating lope and tried to settle his mind. Movement helped, gave him somewhere to put the furious, black anger that threatened to obscure his sight. They ran along the flat of the North Road, slithered down slopes of damp leaves, Robin working to keep pace with Will's long legs until they finally jogged to a breathless stop, wordlessly agreeing to continue at a weary walk. By then, his mind was clearer, his frustration blunted against the hard-packed earth, ground down between his boots and the forest floor. He let out a long breath between his teeth, feeling Will's careful eyes on him.

There had been the slightest narrowing of Much's gaze, the almost-wince that was equal parts apology and accepted rebuke, just before he broke out of Gisborne's hold. Yes, he had broken the stalemate, the unsteady standoff that had locked them in place, but Robin was ready to wring his neck when he saw the man next. For all it had worked, Much's bold move had cost him his freedom, and Robin could only guess what it would cost them all before it was finished.

Gisborne would undoubtedly question Much. With one of Robin Hood's men in his hands, a captive that could lead Gisborne straight to the stolen silver and the outlaw's camp together, he would be a fool if he didn't, and this knowledge beat against Robin's mind, threatened to cloud his sight again with anger and fear and the gnawing need to do something. Much was a reluctant soldier at best, content with his cooking and looking after Robin. Even in the Holy Land, he'd never faced anything like interrogation or, Heaven forbid, torture. And knowing Gisborne, knowing Much's luck, Heaven would not see fit to forbid it now.

Whether or not Much would break, would give information up didn't matter in the end. They were going to get him out as soon as possible, regardless. But it was something Robin, as their leader, had to consider, though he hated the very thought. The Sheriff would return in a mere day or two, and Gisborne would need the silver already in hand then, or risk Vasey's extreme displeasure. The delight on the lieutenant's face when he had Much pinned, thinking he'd snared the whole bunch of them, and then the rage when he realized he'd lost them…. All that rage was going to be channeled straight at his prisoner now. Everybody has a breaking point, Robin knew all too well, and a few words were all it would take to satisfy Much's tormentors. How long could Much bear up before pain and fear broke his loyal heart?

Robin was saved answering that question by their arrival at the craggy hill that marked the entrance to the cave they currently used as their main camp. The drizzle finally began to dim, becoming a fainter pattering across his hood and shoulders, whispering more quietly in the fallen leaves. Will slowed to match Robin's steady trudge up the slope, and Robin felt a surge of mingled gratitude and guilt toward the younger man. He knew Will had held his tongue, reined in his own questions and worry, to let Robin work things out on the way here. Flickering a wan smile in his companion's direction, Robin drew a breath and stretched out his stride, reaching the cavern's narrow mouth several steps ahead of Will and slipping down the rough-hewn corridor.

The others had already arrived, judging by the animated conversation emanating from the main chamber. Allan's voice was loudest, his habitual sardonic tone even sharper than usual as he said, "…and it's not like he's the best at keepin' his mouth shut, is he?" Robin caught himself mid-step, ears pricking up, and held to the shadows a few moments longer as Allan continued, "Gisborne probably already knows everything about us and what we ate for breakfast, right?" The harsh clack of flint on stone, repeated in angry staccato, chipped a raw edge on Robin's temper. Allan's muttering continued unintelligibly as he worked to start the fire, and Djaq interjected just as Robin considered stepping forward again.

"Your words are selfish, Allan. For all that we know, Much's life could be in danger right now! Gisborne could be-"

"Could be what? Torturin' him? Oh, that's great, then, 'cause it means we've got about five minutes before Gisborne and all his mates show up right here. Blimey, we might as well just-"

A blaze of blood thundering in Robin's ears deafened him to the rest of Allan's words. Two strides forward and the bend of rock revealed John's shaggy face looking up solemnly at Robin's elbow, firelight flaring bright on the taut curves of Djaq's face as she glared across the growing flames at Allan, who froze halfway to his feet, staring at Robin. Still poised there, the lanky man began to stammer something, but Robin couldn't handle hearing another word and snapped, "We might as well what, Allan? We might as well just pick up and leave him? Get out while we can? If Much does talk, if Gisborne tortures him and he breaks, what then? "

Robin registered dimly that he must look as furious as the fire in his chest felt, because Allan only gaped, eyes flickering over to Djaq and John for help, but Djaq's expression was dark and closed, and John remained silent. Hands coming up in a placating gesture, Allan tried, "Look, Rob…. I didn't mean-"

"No, Allan, just shut up. If there's anyone here who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut, it's you." He felt Will's quiet presence arrive behind him, a stray breeze brushing his sleeve, and suddenly Robin was stifling in the small cavern. Allan's expressive face was split between accepting and fighting the reprimand, mute for the moment, and without another word, Robin turned on his heel, nearly colliding with the slim carpenter as he strode out into the open air, specks of rain tapping his face, the scent of damp earth rising everywhere. He tipped his head toward the sky, fighting the urge to howl out his frustration until the forest rang with it.

He nearly rounded on the footsteps that approached behind him, but the voice accompanying the presence was Will's.

"He's just worried," Will murmured, hanging back behind Robin's left shoulder; his words reached Robin from a place on the slope almost exactly between the cave entrance and where Robin stood, bridging the space. "He talks like that 'cause he's scared. We all are. But we're gonna get Much out of there."

The young man shrugged his dripping cloak higher on his shoulders and peered out at the rain-soaked trees for several moments before realizing Robin had turned to face him. He blinked in surprise, but continued, "We're going to need information, first thing. Get somebody back into Nottingham, listen around the guards in case Gisborne put Much someplace different. Maybe even…" He looked down and away briefly. "Maybe the Lady Marian could even take a look or ask around. Just to give us an idea, you know, so we're not running in there blind."

Marian. He hadn't even considered… Though more than likely, by the time Robin could reach her, she would have already heard of the situation and have planned some elaborate and dangerous rescue as the Night Watchman. The idea of her running all over heaven and earth as a wanted criminal turned his blood to ice, as always, but in this situation, her investigative ability could be invaluable.

When Robin didn't reply right away, Will stammered quickly, "Sorry – I didn't mean to… That is, if she'd be in danger, of course, we-"

"No, it's all right, Will," Robin said, turning a thoughtful eye on the young man. "It's a good thought, and she may be able to help us. We do need someone on the inside." This gave him a place to start, at least, something to do. He shrugged off his damp cloak and gave Will an encouraging pat on the shoulder as he passed him, entering the cave again. Inside, Djaq, Allan, and Little John were sitting by the fire, Allan looking distinctly surly, and all eyes turned to Robin as he approached.

"I'm going to Knighton Hall," he announced, drawing a range of bewildered and questioning looks. Trading the beggar's cloak for his own dry one, and tossing his bag of silver to Little John, he continued, "Stay here and get some rest, but make sure our weapons are ready; we may have to move quickly to Nottingham when I return."

It hurt with surprising intensity to not hear Much's long-suffering sigh mixed in with Allan's "How's that?" and John's admonishing "Robin…" He jogged off into the trees against the backdrop of their voices, knowing Will would explain why he was running off, and John would get them organized. They would be ready when he returned. Robin prayed he would have good news to bring them.

Dear readers, I present a challenge: Find something wrong with each chapter.

Seriously - this is a chance for all my fellow nitpickers and grammar-lovers to whip out the red pens! Even if a word I used didn't sound quite right, or one of the gang's dialogue seemed off, let me know! I get a ridiculous English-major-style kick out of going back and fixing those things.

Telling me the bits you liked would be kind of wonderful too, though, if you're so inclined. :P