Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, nor do I profit from this writing.

Chapter 9: Risky Confrontations

"At least it was only a few knocks to the chin and such," Gretchen decided as they finally were able to retire to their room. She and Eleanor were bedmates and shared their room with two other girls. Luckily, it was just the two of them for the moment. "He was probably just speaking from pride; heaven knows my brother has enough pride for three men."

"Male pride is one thing I know well," Eleanor sighed as she stretched out, looking out the window at the evening stars.

"Well… what now?" Gretchen asked.

Eleanor rolled over and grinned. "Well, you could start by telling me what you think about Much," she teased.

"Now you are being absurd, and avoiding the question."

"Pot calling the kettle black," Eleanor pointed out. She sighed as she rolled back onto her back. "I don't know. Things were awkward enough before."

"I have the feeling the two of you will always argue," Gretchen laughed. "It is nice to see you yell at someone. I'm sorry I missed it."

Eleanor gave a 'hmph' as she rolled over, away from Gretchen, to face the window.

She had fallen asleep only to wake up a short while later. She gingerly got out of bed and headed to the window. She looked down at her socks, feeling how threadbare they were. She made a mental note to patch them, again.

She sat on the sill as she looked out. A noise outside startled her and she peered into the night only to find Allan. "What are you doing?" Eleanor whispered.

"I couldn't sleep, and I ended up here," he said. "What about you?"

"This is my room," she pointed out. "I still don't know why you are here."

"I just wanted to see you."

"You could have fetched a guard to send for me," she pointed out.

"I didn't want to wake you up." Silence fell before them as she wondered what Allan was up to now. "I just wanted to know if things were alright between us."

"Everything is as it should be, Master Allan."

He frowned at that. "Don't get me wrong, I like it and all. It just doesn't sound right coming from you."

"You are Guy's man now, what did you expect?"

"I am just trying to save my neck, Eleanor."

"I know."

"Are we alright?"

"We are how we have always been," she smiled.

"Which is what?" he asked.

She grinned as she closed the shutter on him. "Heaven if I know," she whispered to herself.

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She was carrying out the leftovers to the hounds when she saw Marion confront Allan. She had watched Allan all morning as he led the Sheriff around the Castle. Suddenly it became all to real the situation Allan was in. He had to ensure his safety with the Sheriff but she knew that in his heart Allan didn't want to betray his friends.

She caught his attention as he walked inside with Guy and he nodded. She hoped he would find her soon.

She was hanging up the wash when Allan found her. "Guy and the sheriff are about to debut the birdcage," he said.

"It was ingenious of you, Allan."

"I'm not being funny, but that sounded like a compliment," he grinned.

She hit him with a wet sock. "You have been busy all morning."

"Now you sound like Marion."

"What does Marion have to do with any of this?" She saw the way he avoided talking about Marion when he started to go on about just meeting with her this morning. "Don't tell me, I have my own theories. I didn't want to talk about Marion anyways."

"You wanted to talk to me?" he asked surprised. "Usually you avoid me."

"Do I have to hit you with another sock?" Obviously it wasn't a very threatening threat as he simply ginned. "Have you told him all of the secrets?"

"What?" she gave him a look. "No, alright. I haven't."

"Good," she nodded. "Leave a few to yourself, Allan."

"Why?"

"Only tell him 8 out of 10 secrets. It will certainly impress him enough to save your neck," she said. "But don't burn all of your bridges with Robin."

"They are already burned."

She looked over at him from where she was pinning the shirt on the line. She wiped her wet hands on her apron before grabbing his hand. "I have seen you through all of this Allan. I don't want you to tell all the secrets because I know at the heart of it all, you are still Robin's man. It is just going to take time for him to realize that."

"I told him to clear the strong room and some of Robin's passages into the castle."

"Did you give him ones that were Robin's favorite?" she asked and laughed when he nodded. She would have just to spite Robin. "Just remember not to give him all of his secrets."

"I told Guy I couldn't show him the camp."

"Did you refuse, or did you say it was because you can't? If you refuse they have no reason to keep you. Just … persuade them Robin has a mobile camp, like gypsies or something."

"You are quite the little strategist aren't you?"

"Is that another compliment?" she asked surprised. "That is the second one from you, Allan. Best be careful, I might loose my head."

He laughed. "You are too practical to loose your head."

"And you are a good man, Allan a Dale. Don't let Robin make you question that."

A trumpet blast from the square drew their attention. "I have to go to the unveiling."

"I'll see it after supper I 'spose," she said as she went back to her laundry, neither saw Marion and Guy spying on them from various parts of the castle.

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She was fetching things to make a new batch of soap when Guy came around the corner. "My lord," she said dropping into a curtsy.

"It is clear you have remained on good terms with Allan since the dungeon," Guy said.

"He has insisted on antagonizing me, yes, my lord," she said quickly. She couldn't lie that they had never seen each other—it was clear Guy already knew better. But she didn't want him to think they were friends. She didn't understand this protectionist urge.

"Good. Allow him to continue in his pursuits, however unfruitful they may be," Guy added. Did Guy know she avoided the male servants? "I want you to find out from Allan how Robin learned of our plans."

"I don't think he trusts me with that information, my lord."

"Then you will have to get him to trust you," Guy said ending the conversation. She finally raised her head after he left, one hand placed on her stomach as she took a deep breath.

"Just be careful, Eleanor," Allan called out behind her. He rushed up the steps quickly to place himself between her and the door. "I mean it; Guy might suspect something…"

The memory floated back clear as a bell. Did Guy still suspect her? Or was he simply using her?

"Eleanor? Lady Marion is looking for you," a maid called out. Eleanor went to find what Marion needed as she thought over what Guy had said.

"Eleanor," Marion said as Eleanor dropped into another curtsy. "I have appreciated all your work, and I wanted to warn you. Be careful of Allan."

Eleanor ogled Marion but Marion misinterpreted her confusion. "I know this must be a difficult thing to comprehend. Do you know what kind of man he is?"

Eleanor glared at Marion. "Yes. Do you?" she asked haughtily.

Marion frowned. "I know you don't understand…"

Eleanor ogled Marion but Marion misinterpreted her confusion. "I know this must be a difficult thing to comprehend. Do you know what kind of man he is?"

Eleanor wanted to glare at Marion so lowered her eyes instead. "Yes. Do you?" she asked, afraid she might have sound a little haughty.

Marion frowned. "I know you don't understand…"

She should be used to people thinking her dumb as an ox by now, but she couldn't understand this urge to stand up for Allan. If half of her suspicions about Marion were true, than she should know what a good man Allan is. "Forgive me, my lady, but was there something I could do for you?" she asked trying to change the subject.

"I wanted to tell you what kind of man Allan is. You know he was part of Robin Hood's gang, surely," Marion said. It wasn't a question, but Eleanor nodded. "He betrayed his friends and is now selling his secrets to the enemy!"

"Forgive me, my lady, but perhaps they betrayed him first," Eleanor suggested, looking at the floor.

"That's absurd," Marion said. "Is that what he has told you? He is a compulsive liar, Eleanor…"

"I am well versed in what kind of man Allan is, and perhaps I know…" what are you doing, Eleanor?!

"Go on," Marion encouraged.

"My lady, most say you are a lady of integrity, that if you give your word you will hold to it," Eleanor said looking up. "May I speak freely without loosing my place here in the castle?"

Marion nodded, surprised. "Of course."

"Allan made a mistake, heaven knows that. He knows that. Have you even talked to Allan to learn what happened to him that would make him work for such people? Robin wouldn't listen, either."

"There are no excuses for betrayal," Marion stated.

"When I first arrived in Nottingham and all anyone would talk about was Robin Hood, I thought how wonderful such a noble must be to give up his life of luxury for his pursuits against the sheriff. I know men the devil himself would call brother and welcome with open arms but now I find that Robin and all the others who doubt Allan's loyalty are the most uncaring souls I have ever had the misfortune to meet and my estimation of Hood has diminished," Eleanor said, her hands pressed on her stomach that was tensed with fear and trepidation. What the bloody hell is making me stand up for Allan like this? she wondered.

"This is outrageous. Allan betrayed his friends and he has obviously turned you to his side."

Eleanor laughed. "My lady, Allan is just as confused by me as you are at this moment. I am confused about him, but I know better than you what he has gone through. I would never tell him this himself but I think of him as..." what? What is this feeling? "a friend. But as for a man who calls himself Allan's friend who first abandons him and then refuses to listen before banishment? That I can not comprehend."

"He offered the traitor, Allan, a chance to come forward. Robin doesn't abandon his men."

"I beg to differ, my lady. I witnessed it with my own eyes."

"You must be mistaken. Allan lied to his friends and betrayed Robin, he would have no problems lying to you. Harmless lies, innocent betrayals—such things do not exist."

"Neither do good outlaws, my lady," she curtsied. Silence fell between them for a moment.

"If I may, I have chores to attend to."

"Why do you believe in him if you don't let him know you have faith in him?" Marion asked puzzled.

"Since when are things ever straightforward? You play Guy to your own advantage, faking sentiment you do not quite feel. I hide what I may feel because…"

"Because?"

"I do not understand it, or trust this feeling," Eleanor admitted.

What could make her distrust her feelings for Allan? Marion wondered. "Go," she said puzzled. She didn't understand this maid, but she was certainly intrigued by the woman who trusted a traitor enough to risk her life like this.

I shouldn't have updated, school work is crazy, but I couldn't help myself ^_^ Where have all my reviewers gone?

HUGE thanks to Sharnay (This is partly my anger at Robin coming out of Eleanor, I think. I wanted to complicate Robin's perception by others, and to defend Allan) and Katiee (I don't think we'll see jealousy, but there are other emotional issues they will have to get through, I promise!).