"Not bein' funny or anything," Allan told the gang, as Robin and Marian rejoined them, "but Cupid's back!"

"Robin is not stupid!" Much objected indignantly, not having heard correctly.

"I said Cupid," Allan informed him. "You're the one who's stupid!"

"Stupid? Well, you're...you're...you are revolting! And Cupid? I don't understand!"

Robin laid a restraining hand on Much's arm. "It's alright, Much," he soothed, somewhat cockily. "It's a joke, because I'm an archer, and because I'm so good at making women fall in love with me."

"Excuse me?" Marian asked, lifting her eyebrows at him, and receiving a snicker in return.

"Naw, it's not that," Allan grinned. "It's because of your birthday."

"My birthday?"

"Yeah. October 14th, right?"

Robin nodded his head, wondering what Allan was up to. He didn't have long to wait, because Allan was itching to tell his joke.

"Yeah. Go back from that nine months, exactly, and what do you get?"

"Allan..." Robin warned, not liking the direction this was heading.

"February 14th," Will was quick to calculate.

"Yeah! That's right! The Feast of Saint Valentine! Otherwise known as Love Day," Allan grinned. "Which means, Cupid, your mum and da musta had one helluva Valentine's Day, the year you were born!"

Robin had never thought to calculate his conception, and he didn't appreciate Allan doing it either. "Right, Lads," he began, dismissing the topic. "Work to do! The king's about to discover he needs my protection, with our help! John, with your twisted ankle, I need you to stay here, and protect my family. If anyone shows up to attack-"

"Sorry they will be!" Little John promised, brandishing his staff.

"Good," Robin approved, seriously. He had the utmost faith in John to keep Ellen and Marian safe, while the rest of the gang played their parts at the castle. It was better this way, since John's size and distinctive appearance would give him away, were he to play the role of king's assassin. Better for him to guard the cave, so that Robin wouldn't need to worry about his family.

"Is that alright with you, my love?" Robin asked his wife, courteously including her, though expecting some resistance.

"Of course."

Robin studied Marian, surprised at her compliance. His heart went out to her, when he saw how uncomfortable and tired she looked.

He knew Marian craved adventure as much as he did, but her aching back and swollen feet made her long for the comforts of Locksley Manor. Guessing this, Robin ached for her, and wanted nothing so much as to surround her with luxury, so she could rest comfortably. The fact that she was content to stay away from his mission spoke volumes about her aching body, which only made his heart swell with love and appreciation for her.

His heart also went out to their daughter, peacefully sleeping like the angel he thought her to be, stretched out on his cloak, clutching her lumpy toy horse in her tiny, dimpled hands.

"We'll be home soon, I promise," he spoke to Marian, looking back and forth between her and Ellie.

"Robin, what do I do?" Much asked, nervously, bringing Robin back to his plan.

Seriously, with underlying excitement, Robin spelled out his plan to his gang. The others caught his excitement, and willingly agreed to play their parts to deceive the king.

...

(NOTE: Watching the series, I wondered how the writers came up with October 14 as Robin Hood's birthday, until the other day it struck me that day falls exactly nine months after Valentine's Day, which is kind of cute, if you think about it. Couldn't let that tidbit go unmentioned. Did anybody else figure out that must have been the reason the writers selected October 14 as his birthday?)