Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood or profit from this writing. Plot and OCs belongs to me.

Chapter 22: Enter Tuck
aka Eleanor's Confession

The doors burst open as servants scattered trying to get ahead of the guest to announce his presence. He strode past them easily with his long, purposeful strides. "What is going on?" the sheriff demanded.

They watched the man stride in. He was nearly as tall as Gisborne with reddish brown hair that looked odd against his brown monk's robes. "I come on behalf of one of your prisoners," the man's voice thundered in the hall.

"Ah, I'm sure you don't need to worry about their souls, they are past your help," the sheriff said.

"There are few souls past my help. But I come over the body of a young woman you have callously thrown into your prisons. I do not expect compassion in Nottingham. I do expect to see the girl and her child," his deep voice commanded.

"Ah, we may have a bit of a trouble there," the sheriff started.

"If you have harmed either of them," the monk warned.

"I think we have gotten off to a bad start. See, I give orders, I don't take orders, especially from monks who burst in without even a simple introduction," the sheriff clucked.

"Father Tuck, and that girl is under my protection," Tuck's strong voice said, leaving no room for questions or comments.

"Your protection must be faulty," Guy drawled.

"Gisborne, show him to the wench and the child. If nothing else it will keep me from getting a headache," the sheriff wove his hand. He obviously didn't think he had anything to worry about.

"This way," Gisborne sighed.

She heard footsteps stop in front of her cell. She looked up, surprised by who she saw. "Father Tuck?" Eleanor said surprised, rising to her feet. "Thank God."

"Are you alright lass?" Tuck asked quickly, the verbose of his tenor gone. He always used a gently tone around Eleanor.

"As well as can be expected." She saw Guy looking over them. "Please, take Tom. Will the sisters look after him?"

"Of course. He will be safe, I assure you, until I can get you out of here."

"That isn't happening," Guy said.

"Please my lord, just the child," Eleanor said. "I don't know why you think I can be of any use to you, but I will do as you wish, please just let my son leave. He won't survive long down here," she cried, her eyes pooling with tears.

Guy took a key and unlocked the door. It was, unknowingly to Eleanor, the second act of kindness he had given her since her imprisonment after sending her the blanket the night before. Eleanor kissed Tom's forehead and gently handed him to Tuck. "He will be safe, I vow it. I will get you out of here, somehow," Tuck promised.

She stroked Tom through the bars, choking back a sob. She didn't know how Tuck could get her out. "Be safe, little one."

"Come on," Guy said leading Tuck away with the child. She gripped the bars until they were out of sight.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Allan was moody sitting around the fire as Robin and Much went to check the trap on the north road. "We will find her. She couldn't have gotten far," Djaq said.

"I'm not being funny, but she left. She obviously doesn't want to see me," Allan quipped.

Marion sat beside him. "We will find her. And you will win her back. I like Eleanor. I'll help you woo her back," Marion promised. "The first thing we need to do—"

"Is break her out of the dungeons," a booming voice rang out, startling them. They jumped up raising weapons and saw Robin and Much returning with a monk.

"The dungeons?" Allan repeated. "Eleanor? What? When? How?"

"Which of you is Allan a Dale?" the monk asked. Everyone pointed to Allan. "Ah," he said eyeing Allan.

"And who are you?" John asked.

"Father Tuck. I am from the monastery over the ridge," he pointed. "The brother organization to Ripley Convent."

"How do you know Eleanor? And how did she get in the dungeons?" Allan asked.

"I know her because I took her confession as she stayed with the sisters. We became friends, well, as close as any man can be friends with Eleanor," he qualified giving Allan a knowing look. "She was to meet me at the monastery today. I went to meet her on the road, but learned from another traveler she was taken by guards. I journeyed to Nottingham and spoke with the sheriff. He refuses to give her up."

"But why Eleanor?" Marion asked.

"Because he knows she is close to Allan," Robin explained. "He figures it is only a matter of time before we return, and he is using her to draw us into the castle."

"We have to go to the Castle, Robin," Allan said, ready to leave that instant.

"We'll get her, Allan, I promise you," Robin said. "We need to be smart about this. He obviously wants us to go there. He has a trap laid."

"It's the sheriff. When doesn't he?" Allan argued. "Eleanor is in the dungeons, Robin. Something was off before, she can't stay there," he worried.

Tuck observed Allan the whole time. If he liked what he saw, he didn't let it show. "I believe I may be able to help you get into the castle. At least a few of you," he said. "I will return to Nottingham. The Sheriff knows I mean to get her out, and I will return to try to persuade him."

"He won't let her go," Robin argued.

"No, but I can get in the caste," Father Tuck pointed out. "I can take a few of you disguised as brothers. It will give you the chance to see where these traps are perhaps laid."

"Brilliant," Marion smiled. "Once we see where the traps are we can get her out, Allan."

He nodded. Not happy, but he knew they would have to wait. "We'll go in the morning," Robin said.

They arose early and Robin and Allan cloaked themselves to pass as novice monks. They flanked Father Tuck as they entered the castle. "Another dawn has arrived Sheriff," Father Tuck's deep voice rang out, reverberating in the rafters.

"Not you again," the sheriff drawled from his chair. "I have the impression you are good with the Fire and Brimstone material."

"I will call the holy fire of heaven down with Michael leading the angelic forces from heaven now if it will help release the poor girl you are holding," Tuck argued.

"Hardly. I don't see what your interest is in her. She is my bait," the sheriff said. "That is all she is good for besides cleaning and a brood mare," the sheriff observed. Allan steeled himself, fighting the urge to go up and attack the sheriff.

"Bait? An innocent woman as bait?"

"They make the best kind when your target is Robin Hood. Is this the part you offer to pray for my soul in exchange for the girl?" the sheriff asked. "We can skip that part."

"Robin Hood is back in the countryside. Surely if this girl was bait she would be rescued by now," Tuck argued.

"It hasn't even been 2 days! No, all good things come to those who wait," the sheriff argued. "So wait we shall till she expires if we have to."

"And how will he know she is in the dungeons? Eventually you will be doing nothing but holding an innocent woman hostage who holds no worth to you."

"Well, we don't keep anything that is of no value, I assure you of that."

"Release her," Tuck commanded.

"I believe this is a stalemate," the sheriff clucked. "You keep on your tirade of 'release her! Release the girl!' while I steadfastly refuse."

"Let me see her and assure myself she is fine."

"It has only been one night," the sheriff clucked.

"I remember the way," Tuck said turning, the others following.

"And who are they?" Guy asked, pointing to Robin and Allan.

"Novices in the order. They are under a vow of silence for a further 2 months before they take their final vows," tuck said.

"Two less to listen too, then," the sheriff said waving them out. "This girl is becoming more of a nuisance than bait," he said as the door was shut on them. They followed Guy to the dungeons. "A bit of privacy, now, in case she wishes to offer a confession," Tuck told Guy.

Clearly not caring, Guy let them finish walking to the cell on their own. Allan saw Eleanor sitting against the wall, her knees drawn up and her head resting on top of them, facing away from them.

"Lass," Tuck whispered softly, her head jerking up and towards them. She stumbled in her haste to reach the bars.

"Tuck!" she said in shock. "Tom? What about Tom?"

"He is fine, Lass," Tuck assured her and she sank to her knees in relief. "Thank you," she whispered. "the worst part of this punishment has been not knowing, fearing the worse."

"Why do you say punishment? You are innocent."

"My whole life has been hell, this is simply another stage. This must be punishment for how I treated Allan, and Tom," she whispered. "I just don't see how I can be of any use to them as bait. They all assume too much," she argued. "I can't make them see that, though. Please, try to make them see this is all fruitless," she pleaded. "no one is coming for me."

"I am trying to get you out of here," he assured her. "It may take another day," he said.

"Has it really only been a day?" she asked. "All I can think about is Tom. Holding him, singing to him."

"He's perfectly fine," Tuck said again. Allan stirred behind him. Who the hell is Tom? Why didn't he protect her? Why did he allow her to get captured? Allan thought, thinking murderous thoughts against this faceless competition for Eleanor's affections.

"They think you can lure Robin and his gang here, because of Allan," Tuck explained. He was silently enjoying this predicament Allan was in.

"That's rubbish," Eleanor said quickly. "Everyone knows I spoke out against Robin many times because of his treatment of Allan. I am certainly the last person he would help—well, perhaps I am above the Sheriff and Guy," she drawled. "But not by much, I assure you. And Allan…"

"What about Allan?" Tuck asked.

She sighed warily. "I never know what to think. He left, and I tried to make a life for me and Tom. I was even leaving before Allan could find us. Why did this all have to happen?" Eleanor asked.

"I am going to try to convince Guy to relocate you to work in the manor house in Locksley," Tuck told her. "he will see you are not bait."

"Thank God," Eleanor muttered. "I told him it was no use to keep me here," she tried to explain. "Sadly, I am right, as demonstrated by the fact I am still here."

"I will bring Tom to you when you are safe in Locksley," Tuck promised squeezing her hand.

"Thank you."

When she leaned forward her necklace slipped out of her dress. "What is this?" Tuck asked.

Eleanor clutched it, as if afraid he was going to take it. She looked down at it and rubbed her thumb over it softly. "Allan gave it to me," she admitted. "long ago. It was the only thing he knowingly left me."

"It looks like…"

Eleanor nodded knowing what he was going to say but couldn't, afraid Gisborne would overhear. "Yes," she said. "He said that Robin might not come for him, which I told him was absurd. If Robin was half as great as we all think he is, then he would be the type of man to give his friend a second chance."

Tuck grinned. "You look as if you want to tell Robin that yourself."

Eleanor grinned. "The thought had passed through my mind," she admitted. "I saw how it hurt Allan to not be with his friends. They were his family. I know he made a mistake, but … I mean, what kind of friend doesn't listen? From everything I have heard, Robin lost touch with his men. They all did something to disobey him—they even led the sheriff to their camp, for the love of…" she trailed off, taking a deep breath. "If Robin knew the circumstance he might have been more forgiving. I am relieved to hear Allan is with them again," she said. "But when he gave this to me, he told me that while Robin wouldn't come to help him, he assured me Robin would come to my aid if I should ever need it. It is what Robin does," she shrugged.

"Do you wish you had sent to Robin for aid?" Tuck asked curiously. He had felt Allan tense up the moment they had entered and seen Eleanor and was glad that he hadn't tried to reach out to Eleanor. But he found it vastly amusing when he sensed Robin tense up as they listened to Eleanor talk about him.

"No," Eleanor said surprising all three of the men. Allan told her Marion was alive but no one else knew it, she wouldn't break that trust now. "I heard about Marion, even a hero needs time to grieve," she said. "I wouldn't, nor do I expect Robin's aid." She leaned her head against the bars. "Perhaps it is because I have no faith in men in general, father, it is easy for me to see how human Robin Hood is. I mean, why would Allan work for the man that killed his brother? And it wasn't just his treatment of Allan but of Much. Servants gossip, and the thought Robin freed his man servant made him a hero to us. But hearing from Allan how he is treated," she shrugged.

She smiled and chuckled. "I blame Allan for the fact I learned pride and stubbornness. I never had any with my father."

Tuck placed a hand on top of her head. "Be strong, lass. You said once you trusted Allan. You believed in Robin Hood even if you didn't approve of his treatment of Allan. Hold to both of those, and to God, and soon you will be with Tom again." Eleanor nodded, tears in her eyes.

"Wait," she said quickly and handed a pouch to Tuck. "If you have an opportunity to return this to Allan, please tell him it is all there except for a few pounds I gave Gretchen. I am worried for her, father. She has had so many problems in Locksley."

Tuck handed the pouch to Allan. "Do not worry, lass. First, I will get you out of here, then we can worry about the rest."

She slipped the necklace off her neck and placed it in Tuck's palm, who then passed it back to Robin. "And this. It isn't mine, and if anyone sees it I don't want to give them a false impression by just adding to their assumptions about me and Hood."

Tuck led the other two out of the cell. Allan clutched the money purse tightly in his anger. "Not being funny, but who the bloody hell is Tom and how could he not have protected her? It is obvious how she feels about him."

"When you meet Tom you will understand," Tuck chuckled as they walked out of Nottingham. "Does this change how you feel for her?" Tuck asked.

"We are still going to get her out," Robin said before Allan could speak. "But, well, Allan?"

Both men studied Allan. "Are you going to fight for her?" Tuck asked curiously.

Allan nodded. "I didn't come all this way to loose her to some fool who can't even protect her," he argued.

Tuck grinned. "This has proved a most enjoyable morning," he grinned. He saw Guy walking in the village and went after him.

Guy seemed impassive to Tuck, but Tuck seemed happy when he returned. "Guy seems to be partial to taking her to Locksley if Hood doesn't show up. I confirmed what Eleanor told him, that Robin Hood has been seen and has returned. If Hood doesn't rescue her, she will have no value to the sheriff. Guy seems reluctant to have her blood on his hands."

"He thinks he already has blood on his hands, Marion's," Robin explained as they walked out of Nottingham to find the others who were waiting on the road to Sherwood. They told them what happened, which earned Allan several looks of sympathy.

"We need to make it known to the sheriff we have returned," Robin decided. "If he thinks we have no interest then Guy—hopefully—will release her to Locksley Manor to work."

"Can we get help from this Tom?" Marion asked.

"Uh," Tuck choked. "No, we can't."

"What if the sheriff won't let her go to Locksley?"

"We'll figure something," Robin promised.

"And in the meantime, she is to sit in that dank cell, waiting?" Allan challenged.

"What else can we do, Allan? We can't get in to get her out," Robin pointed out. "You saw the number of guards and mercenaries he still has. They are all laid out in front of her cell. We wouldn't be able to get back out."

"I will return to Guy tomorrow," Tuck said, "and pressure him on the move."

"Perhaps we can pressure him, too," Marion thought.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"This is insane. No," Robin changed his mind. "I won't let you do this."

"And I won't let Eleanor sit in that cell," Marion argued. "You'll be there with me, he won't think it is anything other than a delusion."

"Isn't that cruel? YOU said you saw a good side to him," Robin reminded her.

"Am I doing this with or without your help?" she asked.

Robin sighed. "Fine, we'll wait for dark."

They watched from the woods as Guy went up to his room. They had to wait much longer to ensure he was asleep before Robin, Much, John, and Marion stealthy entered Locksley. Much, Robin, and Marion climbed to the roof over Guy's bedroom as John held lookout below. A rope was tied around Marion's waist and she gently lowered herself down far enough she could peer into Guy's room.

"Guy," Marion whispered.

She saw him stir at her voice. "Guy, Guy."

"Marion?"

"Kill Eleanor, Guy. Kill her, as you killed me."

"No!" Guy yelled, jumping awake. They had dropped the rope so she fell into John's waiting arms as Guy jumped out of bed, as if expecting to see Marion's ghost. They waited till he returned to bed before Much and Robin crept across the roof to the other side of the building to get down.

Okay, this last part is a bit out there, but it was fun to write (it is, after all, Fanfiction), and fun to have Marion doing something to help Eleanor since Robin is keeping her restricted.

Special thanks to House of Nickel, PetiteDiable, 111, dfriendly, and Katieee for the reviews! So many reviews! Its nice to see everyone again ^_^

Since a lot of the commons were about the same things, some general comments: Yes, Allan will find out who Tom is, soon and yes, the name was diliberate. They did talk about his brother (I remember in the chapter they slept together for sure). I'm having a lot of fun playing with Allan being unaware at the moment, though. Season 3 is definitely AU, so no, Kate won't be in this story. I don't plan on using anything from season 3 (I've only seen a few episodes). Allan and Eleanor have some issues to work through, Gretchen and Much even more so... and Guy definitely needs someone to love and who loves him. I first mentioned Marguerite at the end of chapter 8, and we'll see her in about.. 3 chapters-ish.