"Alright, lads," Robin told the group of wide-eyed orphan boys, forcing joy into his voice, "this is the very same cave where my men and I escaped the rain, our first year living in the forest."
Noticing Allan leaning against a cave wall, nonchalantly using a twig to scrape dirt from under his fingernails, Robin asked, "Where's Sister Beatrice?"
"Nothing to worry about!" Allan sang out. "I brought her here, just like you told me."
"Where is she, Allan?" Robin asked again, more pointedly.
"Not bein' funny, but I think I left her on the back of my horse!"
Robin and Will took one quick look at one another, then rushed outside the cave, only to see poor, decrepit Sister Beatrice slung belly down over the saddle of Allan's horse.
"Help me!" the poor, frail, ancient nun cried, weakly kicking her spindly legs.
"Apologies, Sister," Robin said urgently, easing the terrified woman down to the ground. "Here, take a strengthening sip of wine."
"If that fast talker's not going to hell, I don't know who is!" Sister Beatrice croaked, pointing somewhere in Allan's vicinity.
"Oi! What did I do?" Allan asked, throwing up his hands. "I saved your wrinkled old chicken neck, bringing you here, didn't I?"
"Shh!" Robin warned him. "Let's not let the lads know this is anything but a game."
" 'Cuse me, milord," the chubby cheeked, red-headed Walt asked. "How long are we going to stay here, playing Robin Hood?"
"No more than a few days and nights, I hope," Robin kindly told him, crouching down to meet the boy's gaze at eye level. "But don't worry. We'll bring you pallets and blankets, so you'll sleep comfortably. And Will here, has made something special for each and every one of you."
Grinning, Robin held up enough strung outlaw tags for each boy to have his own. The boys gasped in awe as Robin handed them out.
"Little John," Robin continued, "has agreed to stay with you on your adventure the next couple of days, since he misses being an outlaw, don't you, John? Always let him know if you venture outside the cave, and never, never go anywhere alone. In fact, I think it would be best if you never let John out of your sight. Alright, lads? Give me your word."
"Yes, Master Robin," the boys agreed, ready to do anything to please their hero.
"Good!" Robin stated, smiling. "Now, who's hungry?"
Every child's hand shot into the air, as well as the hands of several nuns. "Looks like I'm catching dinner," Robin grinned. "But who's up for cooking it?"
Sister Agatha timidly volunteered. "Alright, then," Robin grinned. "Will, show them the stream where they can wash. Tuck, be ready to lead them in thanks. I'll be back before you can miss me."
"This is going to be fun!" Walt and the other boys decided, not noticing the worried glances passing between the holy sisters.
...
King John kept his word, ordering the orphanage burned to the ground, even if it was a hollow victory for him, since no nuns nor orphans perished in the flames.
Later that evening at the supper table at Locksley, with Ellen on his lap, Robin told Marian all that had transpired.
"Robin, I want to help," Marian insisted. "The orphanage was their home. I think I know exactly how they'll feel, when they learn their home was burned to the ground."
Touched, Robin leaned toward his wife and gently kissed her lips. "I hadn't thought of that," he realized. "Of course you may help, if Matilda lets you-"
"What? Get out of bed? She didn't give you permission, and you-"
"Alright! What, exactly, my love, are you planning?"
"I was thinking I could contact friends outside the shire, who might take in the boys. Provide them with positions in their households, so that they'll always have a safe place to live, and means to support themselves. Just as we've done for Daniel," Marian added.
"Seems a shame they have to grow up, and work, when they're only lads," Robin mused.
"Would you rather have them never get the chance to grow up?"
"What I'd like to is watch the king leave the shire, so I can rebuild the orphanage, and watch the lads live as the children they are, the way God intended."
"I'd like that too," Marian confirmed, "but first things first. Let me find them safe homes for now, Robin, and after the king grows bored and leaves Nottingham, we can rebuild, and give the boys a choice if they want to return. Some of them might prefer to stay in service, having their futures secure for them."
"I want them to dream, Marian, not just step into a position or a trade, because it's all they know. Ideally, I'd like that for every child in Locksley."
She smiled warmly at him. "And you're doing all you can to help every child under our protection to hope and dream, girls as well as boys. I love you for it, Robin."
"Only for it?" he asked, winking at her.
"There may be one or two other lovable traits clinging to you," she teased. "Thankfully, the smell of the moat is gone from your skin."
"You smell good, too. So good, in fact-"
"Ellie, would you like more bread?" Marian asked, reminding her husband of their child's presence.
...
Just past midnight, Marian awoke to the sound of Robin crying out her name in his sleep.
"Marian!" he sobbed, tears coursing down his cheeks. "I love you! Why did I never say it? I love you! I love you!"
"Robin! Shh! Wake up, my darling. Wake up! You're dreaming again."
Robin awoke, his entire body shuddering. Sitting bolt upright, he stared for a moment at Marian, his mind somewhere between wakefulness and his nightmare. Then, realizing the truth, he reached for her and clasped her tightly in his arms.
"You have said it, darling," Marian comforted him. "I know you love me. And I love you. I have, ever since I can remember."
"I thought you were dead," he told her desperately, brushing his lips again and again in her hair.
That dream again, she thought. Would he never be free from the image of Gisbourne stabbing her on the sands of Acre?
"It was being there again today," Robin told her, panting. "It brought everything back."
"The cave, you mean? I thought you were dreaming about being in Acre."
"Not this time. I was reliving the first time Gisbourne almost killed you."
Marian didn't speak, not wanting to break the spell. It was a rarity that Robin would open up and confess the nightmares he suffered, preferring to ignore them by putting them out of his mind.
Instead of talking, Marian caressed her husband, lightly running her fingertips through his hair, over his lips and throat, across his back and shoulders, and up and down his strong arms. She knew his body so well now, but it never failed to thrill her. She wasn't feeling amorous, only loving, and Robin felt far too sad from his dream to want anything more than to hold her.
Gradually, his breathing and heartbeats slowed to normal, and Marian began to feel drowsy again.
"Listen," Robin whispered in her ear. "Do you hear it? It's just begun to rain."
"I love to hear the rain on the roof," Marian sighed. "I love falling asleep in your arms. I love how you spoil Ellie, and tease me. I love being married to you, Robin." After a pause, she asked, "Do you think the boys are asleep, in the cave?"
"Only if they can sleep through John's snoring," he chuckled, basking in her loving words.
Marian cracked a smile. "I'll never forget my first night in your gang, and how loud his snoring was."
"You get used to it," Robin snickered. "Sometimes, I even miss it. Though you've just begun snoring again, my love."
"What? No! I don't snore, Robin!"
"Not unless you're expecting! You did it with Ellie, and you've just started again."
"No!"
"Shh! It's alright! It's not loud. I like it. It's so unlike you."
"Swear to me it's only when I'm expecting."
"I swear it."
After another pause, while they listened to the gentle sound of rain, Marian asked, "How loudly do I snore?"
Before he could answer, he sat up in bed, hearing the sound of horses galloping toward Locksley Manor.
"Robin!" Much's voice was crying out, full of terror. "Help me!"