Whew! It's been quite a week over here... Thank goodness for weekends, those marvelous things. *collapse*
Samu: Thanks so much for your review! I've always felt Much was made of sterner stuff than we got to see in the series; it's like the camera has a grudge against him or something, though, and we only get to see him when he's flustered or making a fool of himself. We just get these little hints instead... gah.
DoubleDaggered: I'm glad you liked that little moment with Guy - you can see that switch happen in a few episodes, this little hesitation when he turns toward Marian, changing gears from merciless Master-at-Arms to just Guy.
LadyKate1: Thank you for the lovely review and PM! I've unfortunately put Guy in a position where we won't be seeing much of his better side this time around - he's under a lot of pressure just now. ;) I might do something about him in the future, though, since I'm endlessly fascinated by his psychology and motivations - he's a complicated man, despite what Marian said/thought in the last chapter.
SleepingwithinWater: We get back to the rest of the gang in this chapter, per your earlier request! :)
Djaq wrapped her fingers firmly around the branch above her and cautiously stood to her full height, mindful of the movement the wind coaxed from the larger limb under her boots. Little John stood at the base of a tree nearby, also watching the North Road for Marian's arrival, but his dark eyes strayed up to her perch frequently. The road was still clear in both directions, so she sank into a crouch against the wide trunk again and felt the man's gaze ease, focused once more on the road. According to the others, John had been the original leader of this group, surrendering the role without ill will when Robin arrived. It was clear, however, that John had retained a leader's protective nature, and Djaq had to smile at the thought of the cagey expression on the huge man's face when she told Robin she would watch from the highest position this time. She had finally begun to feel a sense of belonging with this "gang", as Robin called their group. Now if only she could get these incorrigible Englishmen to stop worrying over her safety, as if she were a helpless kitten.
Across the road, a dark flicker in the underbrush told her Will Scarlett was alert and scanning the forest as well. Robin had stationed them as if preparing an ambush, two to a side, Robin making a third on Will and Allan's side of the road. Even with this Lady Marian of his, Robin was taking no chances, and had given them their orders an hour earlier without smile or jest. The past twenty-four hours had drawn them all tight as bowstrings, each member weathering the worry and stress in their own way. Robin had poured the dark hurting anger in his eyes into restless activity, pacing around the camp until he finally picked up his bow and stalked out. When he'd returned hours later with a young buck, Will had volunteered for the time-consuming chore of cleaning and dressing the meat, which had puzzled Djaq until she saw his nimble fingers set to work, the familiar actions smoothing a few of the deeper lines from his young face. He'd called Allan over to help, which the other man had done with ill grace, trailing complaints. His knife had gone dull, it would be hours yet before they could eat, you didn't see anybody else coming to help… Djaq had rolled her eyes at the litany of petulant, irritating comments, pushed them to the background of her mind, until she saw Will's keen eyes flick up to Allan's face just once, the brief flicker of sympathy there surprising her. She had realized the lanky man's ill humor, his childish annoyance at such tiny things were a way to keep out the much greater complaints echoed in her own heart: Our friend has been taken from us. We don't know if he is all right. We don't know how to free him. We don't know what Lady Marian will tell us. We don't know, we don't know…
As she watched the two men at their grisly work, Little John had roused from his brooding and called over for Allan to keep to his work with less noise, a jab the younger man had lifted his head to almost eagerly, retorting that the bigger man could come and take his place if he felt like giving orders. The banter had continued from there, all the men keeping their words just this side of outright argument, until Robin had finally stood and said, "Let's go". And Djaq herself watched her companions, forcing her thoughts outward instead of inward, where her concern and imagination could take hold.
The staccato beat of a rider on horseback broke the forest's silence, and she threw a quick look through the interlaced branches across the road. Allan, only visible over the slope thanks to her lofty position, stood with an arrow fit to his bow, ready to be drawn. Below, John's shaggy head tipped up at her, a nod informing her that he was ready as well. If his men were ready, Robin certainly was, so Djaq scrambled down the tree, dropping lightly to the leaves just as the rider came into view.
A dark-haired woman in a dress the color of roses slowed her mare at the sound of a sharp whistle, and Robin strode out of hiding to meet her on the road, a new ease in his posture stating plainly that this was his Lady Marian. John was already paces ahead, and Djaq jogged to catch up, arriving on the level surface of the road at the same time as Will and Allan. The lanky thief took the mare's reins at once, a courtesy Djaq hadn't expected from the often-coarse outlaw, leaving Robin free to offer his hand to the young woman astride the grey mare.
The welcoming smile on Robin's face dimmed slightly as Marian accepted his hand and dismounted. Her brows were furrowed, and her lips pressed tightly together as she took several long seconds to brush invisible dust from her skirts. This hesitation was not good. It meant something the dark-haired noblewoman did not want to say, or thought they would not wish to hear, and Djaq's heart clenched with worry even as she schooled her features into peace.
To her surprise, soft-spoken Will Scarlett spoke out first.
"Have you seen Much?" When the others glanced his way, he simply kept his attention on Marian, who replied carefully, "I have seen him. Guy is keeping him in the dungeons until he decides how best to turn this situation to his advantage."
"How is he?" Djaq piped up beside Will.
"Gisborne say anything, what he's planning?" Allan asked at the same time. Robin, who had just opened his mouth himself, stilled them all with a raised hand. Allan, holding the mare's bridle behind Marian and Robin, winced ever so slightly as Robin turned an intense gaze upon Marian, his expression asking all the gang's questions and more. Djaq supposed the other man had been on the receiving end of that look often enough to sympathize: Robin appeared to be trying to siphon all the information from the woman through sheer willpower. Marian drew a breath and looked across to meet Djaq's eyes first, her gaze refreshingly free of the typical English wariness at speaking to a Saracen.
"I know little enough of medicine and healing, but… Much was not well, when I saw him. I met Guy in the dungeons, as he was questioning Much-" Flickers of dismay ran through the small ring of faces and Robin shut his eyes for a brief moment. "His methods are familiar to you all, and his cruelty. I hope, though, that Much gained some respite, since I convinced Guy that I was in need of an escort to my rooms." Her faint smile twisted wryly, her blue eyes tight. "He is confident that his men will foil any attempt at rescue. I saw only the regular complement of guards, and none inside the dungeons."
Much was still alive, then – an enormous relief from a fear Djaq had barely let herself acknowledge. He was hurt, though, injured badly enough that pain still echoed from Marian's eyes. While Djaq did not doubt that they would manage to free Much, armed with whatever information Marian could supply, he would only worsen under the attentions of the Sheriff's lieutenant in the meantime. Robin was clever and innovative, and Djaq had witnessed his improbable plans succeed often enough to trust that he would see Much free of the dungeons at the least. But that would be the simple part, in comparison. The difficulty would lie in how badly wounded Much was when they reached him, and how quickly they could return to Sherwood, where she could see to his injuries properly. As a healer, she had to consider the chance, looming and foreboding, that Much would not be fit to travel. To stay would mean death at Gisborne's hand, but to flee for the safety of the forest could mean the same fate, brought on by efforts too demanding for his condition.
She returned from her dark musings to hear Marian continue, "I may have an opening for you, but how to use it is up to you." She took the solemn faces in with a look as she spoke, encompassing them all in her words. "As I said, Guy is desperate, and I believe he will make you an offer, Robin: the Sheriff's silver in exchange for your man. He will say that is the bargain, of course, but-"
"But he's not going to hold up his end," Robin finished, smirking mirthlessly.
"I am sure he hopes to present the Sheriff with the silver and all of Robin Hood's men in chains. Such a coup would secure his position in Nottingham forever. It would also require him to leave the city to make the exchange, which is your window of opportunity," Marian said. Robin nodded slowly, turning to face his men thoughtfully.
A quarter of an hour later, they'd put together half a plan while Marian listened intently. One group – Little John, Allan, and Djaq –would meet Gisborne for the exchange and stall the negotiations as long as possible, giving the second, smaller group – Robin and Will – time to find a way into the dungeons and get Much out. They spent long minutes debating the wisdom of Robin going to Nottingham, Allan pointing out reasonably that Gisborne would expect to see Robin Hood at the exchange. Their leader would hear no argument, however, his features closing off like shut gates at the suggestion, and Djaq would have called his behavior childish but for the hard spark glinting in his eyes like fire on glass. Just as John shifted his stance, about to intervene, Allan threw up his hands in defeat, snapping, "Fine! All right. Just don't blame us if Gisborne comes charging back into Nottingham before it suits you!"
On that unsettled note, the discussion ended, and they bade the Lady Marian goodbye. Her cheeks reddened prettily when they all thanked her earnestly, and the gang lingered in the path a few minutes longer than usual as she rode off, each member lost in thought. If Robin was right, Gisborne would announce the exchange in the morning, setting the time for that same afternoon or evening, enough time for him to get his men and plans in order. That meant they, too, had less than a day to prepare, with only a guess at what they were preparing for.
See that little box down there? Every time you leave a note for me in there, I lapse into uncontrollable grinning and bounciness. My mood is changed for the rest of the day. It's the closest thing to mind-control you're gonna find (this week, at least). :P