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

Recap: Ygrainne had an accident, wandering too far after overhearing a conversation between Marion and Djaq. Gretchen took her, with Eleanor joining them, to live in Locksley for a time, taking up Marguerite's offer. Willa has also reappeared, after running away from her village.

Don't forget, too, that Eleanor has told Marguerite that they can save Richard if she marries the Holy Roman Emperor's brother.

Chapter 49: Change in the Tide

Ygrainne was playing with her doll where Gretchen could see as she took to beating out the rug. The servants asked, begged, for her to let them do it—how would it look if a guest was doing their work, even if she was a former servant?—but Gretchen simply glared at them till they faded away.

She didn't know what Willa's family looked like so instead she pictured Eleanor's father. She remembered that day clearly, remembered what he looked like.

Much walked up on the other side of the carpet hanging on the clothes line. Judging by Gretchen's continual beating of the rug, she hadn't seen him—nor had her anger abated.

"Mum's mad," Ygrainne whispered conspiringly. The first time she had called Gretchen mother at breakfast had several people surprised but no one commented on it; it seemed a natural progression, especially after the events of the day before.

Much nodded at the little girl's observation thinking it was the understatement of the day. Marguerite was too quiet in all of their opinions, leading Guy and Robin to decide she was plotting something. Allan looked shaken, Much guessed it was because Willa reminded him too much of his Eleanor. John's reaction perplexed Much; John had simply stilled at seeing the fragile, broken young woman, his eyes silently watching as the two women carried her upstairs. His eyes continued to trail up, as if trying to see through the floor and walls if she was still alive or not. Much chalked it up to John's protective instincts.

Much winked at Ygrainne, stooping down to whisper something in her ear. Ygrainne nodded eagerly and went off to play with Jess while Much walked around the carpet, purposely coming on the side where Gretchen could see him coming. The last thing he needed was to sneak up on Gretchen and startle her, leading her to attack him. He liked his head where it was, thank you very much.

"I think you have all of the servants worried they are out of a job," Much teased. Instead of a grin she frowned at him.

"Where's Ygrainne?" Gretchen panicked.

"She's with Jess," Much said quickly. "She's fine, promise."

"It isn't fair," Gretchen spat out as she took her frustration out on the rug. Her arms were exhausted but her rage and anger refused to be abated. "She's so fragile, and small, and just beaten down …" Gretchen sobbed, something breaking inside now that it was only Much. She tried to keep a strong front up, especially in front of Ygrainne, but with her little girl now out of sight Gretchen's defenses crumbled.

"Greta?" Much worried, reaching out.

"Sorry," Gretchen muttered, wiping away her tears, trying to step away but Much was already there, reaching out to her. She was so tired of fighting her attraction to him, of keeping her distance. She was so angry at the world. "What did she ever do to deserve that?" Gretchen demanded. "What did Willa, or Elle, ever do to be beaten within an inch of their lives? I know what it's like to be punished, Griswald wasn't stingy on the physical punishments in the castle, but this was their family," Gretchen spat out.

Much didn't know how it happened but Gretchen stopped struggling against him and rested her head against his shoulder.

They jumped apart hearing voices, recognizing Guy's and Robin's voices. It was still surreal to hear the two of them talk, not argue, yell, or taunt. Well, they still argued, yelled, and taunted, Much amended, but the whole context was changed now that they were allies and Guy was chasing after Marguerite.

"Marguerite insists she is fine on her own, but I want to station one of my men here," Robin spoke softly, neither noticing the couple behind the carpet.

"I would feel better if someone was here, too, Hood, but as it is, if I stay, Vaysey will come here to check on things. And you have your men stationed around for tax collection. Who are you going to spare?" Guy sighed.

"Any of my men will do it, especially with your added houseguest. I'm surprised at you, Guy, acting all hospitable," Robin quibbled.

"Even us sodding bastards have a heart occasionally, Hood," Guy drawled.

"Well, with so many of the women here, I'll leave some of my men," Robin decided.

Gretchen peaked around the carpet, startling the two men. "Elle and I are here with Marguerite, between the three of us we'll be fine," Gretchen announced.

"What are the two of you doing behind there?" Guy teased, smirking when he saw them both blush.

"You, Eleanor, Marguerite… that is why we are going to leave someone here with you," Robin insisted.

Gretchen was seeing red. "Are we or are we not part of your men, Robin?" she asked, wanting an answer. "Are we to help with your fighting and the cause, or just a burden that has to constantly be watched?" she demanded, striding past all of the men, her anger carrying her straight inside the house.

Everyone watched, surprised, as Gretchen strode past them. "Which do you think insulted her?" Marion asked casually to the gang sprawled around the house.

"Much?" John offered, grinning. Allan quickly sided with John.

"Nah, my money's on Guy," Djaq teased, Will nodded in agreement.

"Everyone expects him to be brooding and disagreeable," Marguerite pointed out. "So therefore she would expect Guy to be upsetting. My money's on Robin."

"I think I have to agree with Marguerite," Marion decided. "Fine, winning pair gets off kitchen duty for a week," she decided.

"Hey, I'm not part of your kitchen, so I say the loosing pairs have to groom my horse," Marguerite spoke up.

"So sure you are going to win, eh?" Allan grinned.

Much, Guy, and Robin came tromping in. "Alright, whose big mouth insulted Gretchen?" Marion demanded of the men.

"That would be him," Much pointed to Robin.

"Ey! I was just looking out for all of you…" Robin began, earning a glare. "I see I am not helping my cause," he sighed. "Why are the two of you so happy?" He asked Marion and Marguerite, unnerved by the happy smiles they were sharing.

"I just got 4 stable hands for a week! Arkvoir is going to be ecstatic!" Marguerite laughed.

"And I don't have to do any kitchen duties," Marion nodded, happy. "Thank you, husband," she teased Robin.

"Glad I could help?" Robin wondered.

"So why did you upset Greta?" Allan asked.

"We were discussing protection detail…" Robin hedged. "I asked Guy if Marion could join Marguerite here today… and, well, she overheard us discussing which of you would stay with them."

Marion and Marguerite, teaming up again, glared at Robin. Dealing with one of them was a force to be reckoned with, Robin doubted very much he could deal with both of them. Especially as Guy and Much hedged away from him. Traitors.

"You want to drop me off?" Marion demanded as Marguerite frowned up at him demanding, "You are going to babysit me?"

Robin held up his hands. "With Vaysey's increase paranoia, and now Willa…" Yeah, he wasn't going to win this argument.

"Mon archer, you had best get to your original plans. I assure you that I am quite capable of dealing with any problems that arise and can protect even your precious Marion if she should chose to stay," Marguerite frowned at him.

Before anyone knew what happened, Marguerite had shooed Robin, Guy, and most of the gang out of the house. "Ey!" Allan complained. "I didn't get to say 'bye to Nora," he frowned at Robin. Great, Robin thought, now he was getting his gang in trouble with Marguerite.

Much saw Ygrainne playing with Jess and jogged over to the two girls. "Keep an eye on your mum," Much told the girl, kissing the top of her head. Ygrainne nodded, waving at the gang as they left.

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"How do you feel?" Eleanor asked as Willa woke up. She had slept fitfully for almost two hours. Eleanor knew she needed more and was preparing a concoction of herbs to help her with just that.

"I forgot where I was for a moment," Willa sighed.

"That happens. Just don't forget you are safe here, and you are not going back," Eleanor promised her.

"But…"

"Believe me, once Marguerite gets something into her head, I doubt anyone can change her mind," Eleanor grinned. "And she has vowed to protect you from the devil himself."

"More like several devils," Willa muttered.

"How many brothers do you have?" Eleanor asked.

"Two," Willa sighed.

"I had four," Eleanor shuddered.

"How did you learn to trust your Allan?" Willa asked.

"It wasn't easy…" Eleanor's voice trailed off. "I just, I mean… you have to meet Allan to understand," Eleanor grinned. "A lot of it has to do with Gretchen, too. I never trusted anyone until her. Never had anyone I could call friend before. Then Allan was placed in my life." She thought back to their first meeting in the dungeons. "Honestly, I don't think he would have looked at me twice in different circumstances," Eleanor admitted. "But somehow we met. He just persisted. Before I knew it, I couldn't let him go."

"You said your father found you?" Willa whispered, the thought frightening.

Eleanor nodded. She hated that memory, Allan seeing her at her lowest. "You're safe here," Eleanor promised.

"Did you love him before then?" Willa wondered. She had never imagined love, didn't know what it felt like. Didn't even know what this trust was that Eleanor spoke of, but she wanted it; the look on Eleanor's face when she talked of her friends, of Allan, made Willa's heart crave to have something good of her own.

"Hmm…if I did, I didn't know it," Eleanor decided. "I don't know when I knew for sure."

"But he broke your heart, he left," Willa wondered. "Did you go back to him because of your boy?"

Eleanor laughed, making Willa even more puzzled. "I tried to stay away from him because of my son," she laughed. Willa thought she was crazy. "I know. I just… he broke my heart, like you said. I just couldn't risk it again. But… I couldn't not be with him, either."

As Gretchen reentered it was evident that Willa couldn't understand that, and Eleanor prayed one day she would.

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Marguerite smirked at her horse. "Hey there, boy," she cooed. "Can you believe those men? Thinking I need protection," she giggled. "Missing Alsvidhr?"she wondered as she stroked Arkvoir's mane. Arkvoir and Alsvidhr were a matching pair given to Michel and Marguerite years ago, now both solely in her care. As children, they had named them after horses that pulled the sun in Viking mythology; they had thrived on all the mythologies of their heritage and the Greco-Roman myths.

Marguerite stiffened when she heard someone whisper, "You have let your guard down, my lady."

Marguerite spun around, relief flooding her to see a familiar face, a Saracen, standing there next to her. "Kazim!" He bowed before her. "Why are you in Locksley?" Marguerite frowned.

"I came under the pretense of bringing you reports of your estates," Kazim spoke quietly. So far they were alone in the stables, he had ensured that before he revealed himself.

Marguerite knew it had to be important. Kazim was her most trusted knight. He had served with Christophe in dozens of campaigns despite them being from two extremely different backgrounds, and when Christophe was killed he had brought his body back home to the family. For that alone he had earned the respect of Marguerite's entire family.

He had then pledged himself to Marguerite's service and had been her right hand man for years. Sometimes she wasn't sure if he had adopted her as a baby sister, or if she turned to him as a stand-in big brother. "So what are your real motives then for the journey? Am I bankrupt?"

Kazim snorted. "I wish those were the concerns that brought me here. No, all of the estates are fine. I'm here for you."

"I'm not leaving," Marguerite firmly stated.

Kazim sighed. "I was afraid you would be difficult." He looked around, leading Marguerite outside.

"Who else have you brought with you?" Marguerite wondered.

"I have a small contingent with me, my lady."

"What has you so worried for my safety?"

"Maybe the fact you are tangoing with the Black Knights, the fact that the sheriff has already nearly killed you once, or that you are refusing to see reason and return home," Kazim listed.

"Are you truly that surprised?" Marguerite drawled as another of her knights appeared. "Randall!" he was always a happy, handsome lad. Yet behind his happy, beautiful exterior was a knight who had been with her on some of her more vengeful acts. "The biggest threat to my life at the moment is my cousin Eleanor."

"We know, my lady," Randall nodded.

"What? How?" Marguerite asked perplexed. She had told no one about the conversation between her and her cousin. Not that Marguerite's refusal would stop the Queen Mother. "Not even John knows. I forbid you to tell anyone."

"We don't know the nature of it. Eleanor tried to flip Randall, and has paid him to send her information on your whereabouts," Kazim informed her.

Eleanor studied Randall. "My lady, I am yours. I have never broken a vow and I don't intend to start now. Your cousin simply believes that all men have their price."

"Well, Ellie never had a good opinion of men," was all Marguerite said. "Keep tabs on my cousin. She is the greatest threat to me now."

"Yes, m'lady," Randall and Kazim said. Kazim sent Randall off.

"Can we trust him?" Marguerite wondered. None of her men had betrayed her, ever, and the thought that Eleanor had flipped one of them infuriated her.

"She has leverage over him, but I believe he poses no threat to you."

"Ensure it," Marguerite ordered. "Get Eleanor's leverage."

Kazim nodded. "We'll be nearby. I'll send my own cover on Eleanor. She won't move against you without us knowing it."

Marguerite studied her Saracen. "Go ahead, just spit it out."

"You still surprise me, even after all these years, my lady," Kazim grinned. "This is a motely crew you have found yourself with."

"But you aren't throwing me in a carriage and hauling me back to Kent because…?"

"This is the happiest you have been in years," Kazim shrugged. "I pledged to protect your health and happiness."

Marguerite smiled at Kazim and he knew it was the right decision, it was the brightest smile he had seen from her in so long, he feared he would never see it again. "I may not be able to keep it…" Marguerite said sorrowfully, "I'll let you know if I need a quick escape. But for now, I'm holding tight to what I have."

"We'll be nearby," he promised.

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The three girls were chatting softly upstairs when suddenly yells and curses were heard coming from the front yard. Willa whimpered as she shuffled away, trying to melt into the floor.

Gretchen jumped to peer out the window as Eleanor tried to assure the woman. "No, no, I'm bringing trouble, I should…"

"If you even think of getting up," Gretchen muttered, "so help me…" she took a deep breath as the front door to the manor house was thrown open, Marguerite striding forward, unsheathing her sword. Gretchen studied the noblewoman; she rarely saw Marguerite with any weapons, she normally talked her way out of situations, but she seemed calm and confident in her grip leaving no doubts in Gretchen's mind she knew how to wield the saber.

"We've come for our Willa, you have no right to our property…"

They paused seeing Marguerite's weapon and the fierce determination in her eyes. "You will stop right there. I am Lady Marguerite Capet-Laurent Owens, you will show me the proper respect due to me," she said coolly.

"Some haughty airs don't a noblewoman make," one of the brutes, a dark blond, spat out.

"Standing on two legs and owning a dick does not a man make," Marguerite grinned. "As far as I can tell, I smell pig dung, I see only animals before me."

One man held the first back as he seemed to be going to smack Marguerite for her tongue. "Probably the smartest decision you have made in your miserable, pathetic existence. State your name and your purpose for daring to interrupt my day with your filthy presence."

"Our names are our own, just as Willa is ours. You have no right to hold her or keep her from us," the oldest, most likely her father, spat out. "We are here to take her back."

"Willa is under my royal protection. You take one more step closer and it will be the last step you ever take," Marguerite promised, her voice cold, emotionless. "I've seen how you treat your daughter, sister, and wife. I have half a mind to tie you to a post and show you how displeased I am."

"Why how dare you…" the blond, the one with trouble controlling his temper before, lounged forward, clearly thinking he could overpower Marguerite.

Marguerite darted away from his outstretched hand and before anyone knew what had happened she had thrust and sliced his throat open. Two arrows out of nowhere, from separate directions, pierced the father's chest the same time Marguerite charged the other young man, thrusting her sword through his ribcage. "Brother or husband?" Marguerite demanded, ignoring the blood from his chest wound spurting onto her expensive gown.

"Brother," he gasped out.

Marguerite's head jerked to the blond she had killed a moment before. "Tell me that was her husband." The man nodded. "You know, I am sorry, this has been a waste. You deserved a much longer, painful death," Marguerite spat as she pushed him off her sword.

Kazim appeared out of nowhere. "Good, I need help with the bodies."

"I'll dispose of them, my lady."

"I know where, help me get them into a cart," Marguerite said dashing inside. Gretchen had rushed down as Anne ran in through the back. "How is Willa?" Marguerite inquired.

"Terrified," Gretchen admitted.

"She needn't be, no one will be harming her ever again," Marguerite said darkly.

"She has another brother," Gretchen sighed.

"No, she has a new family," Marguerite sneered. "Anne, make sure Luke stays nearby. I'll return as soon as I can," she announced as she walked out to the wagon waiting for her, Kazim on the driver's seat, the bodies in back. She didn't doubt her friends' safety—one of those arrows had come from inside the manor, they were clearly able to defend themselves.

"And no one," Marguerite addressed Locksley, the entire village that had witnessed everything and who were now peering out from their cottages, "no one has seen this man with me. Understand?"

"What man, my lady?" one of the villagers smirked.

The drive was silent but comfortable. "Thank you for not shooting the husband."

"I couldn't hit him without hurting you. Besides, I knew you could handle all three of them on your own, I just wanted in on the fun," Kazim grinned. Marguerite returned the smile; Kazim knew better than anyone what she was capable off, he had helped her on all of her acts of vengeance throughout the years.

It took a little time to make it to Willa's village where the bodies were unceremoniously dumped in the center of the village. "Oh my God…" Willa's remaining brother rushed out. "What have you done, you whoresome…" words failed him when the Saracen had a blade at his throat.

"I dare you to finish that sentence," Kazim said eerily calm, nicking his neck just slightly so a trail of blood covered his dagger.

"Let it be known that Willa is protected," Marguerite announced. "You are lucky I don't cut off Robin's support for all of your silent support of these men's hideous crimes. All evil that befalls you is at the hands of this family," she pointed to the corpses and the sole living brother. "If I hear of even a whisper of dissent, or attempts to contact Willa, this fate will befall the entire village," Marguerite warned. "One village means little to me, even less to my cousin the king."

She climbed back up into the wagon, returning to Locksley. "You shouldn't have announced who you were," Kazim scolded.

Marguerite frowned at him. "I didn't come out and say exactly who I am…oh, alright," she sighed seeing his look. "They are too terrified to go to Vaysey. He has never shown any compassion to them, he won't start now. They are too afraid of loosing Robin's support."

"Ah, your archer," Kazim nodded. "He is an interesting character. They all are." There was a pause and then he handed the reigns to Marguerite. "I best get out here, they are coming," he announced when they were close to Locksley again. Kazim was suddenly gone from sight, all she heard was a small whistle with a response some distance off.

Knowing her men were near was a small measure of comfort. Unfortunately, her safety was never what she was worried about, only what Guy was feeling.

"What the bloody hell happened?" Guy demanded as a stable boy grasped the horse to keep the wagon still. Guy reached up to lift her down, eyes narrowing as he saw the blood soaked gown.

"Tell me there is someone left to kill," he whispered darkly.

"Ah, ma coeir, I'm afraid I had all the fun while you boys were out," Marguerite grinned impishly. (a/n: My heart)

"See!" Robin decided this proved his point. Marion raised an eyebrow, obviously confused. "This proves I should have left someone here." Marion, Djaq, and Marguerite ogled Robin. "Why do I have the feeling no one still agrees with me."

"If anything, this proves Marguerite's claim she is capable of protecting herself," Djaq pointed out.

"I'm still not going to win this argument, am I?" Robin sighed, arms stretching over his bow as he rested it against the back of his shoulders.

"I'm on Robin's side," Guy nodded, still taking in the sight of Marguerite covered in blood.

"Oh, por l'amour de Die!" Marguerite huffed. (a/n: For the love of God!) "None of this is my own; it is hardly the first blood I have spilt, I only wish I had planned this, I would have worn a different gown. Do you know how difficult it is to get blood and gore out of this material! What a waste!"

"I'll buy you a new gown, Marguerite," Robin grinned. Marguerite returned the smile with her own as she patted his cheek, walking inside the manor.

Guy glared at Robin. "You'll do no such thing," he warned darkly. "I'll buy things for Marguerite."

"Not to interrupt the pissing contest," Marion sighed, "but can I point something here?" Both glared at her. What was with these men? "Marguerite is right, the two of you are more alike than you know! I was simply going to say, Guy, that you need tell her how you feel. And soon. What if she decides she gets bored of us country bumpkins and returns to her own estate? Or her estates in France?" Marion pointed out.

"She won't leave," Robin decided, Guy happy for the support. "Even if she doesn't have feelings for Guy, Marguerite will stay to see this through. It's for her cousin."

"Men!" Marion gave a frustrated cry and marched inside.

Djaq studied Robin and Guy. "Why did you want Marion and Marguerite gone?" she deduced.

That caught the rest of the gang's attention. "Why would he want them gone?" Much wondered.

"That's what I just asked!" Djaq pointed out.

"I doubt they will like the plan, I want everyone's support on it first," Robin sighed. "And I want to know what Guy is up to," Robin turned to Guy. "I want you to say here, aloud, what your intentions are."

"As if they aren't clear," Guy drawled.

"Not being funny, Guy, but you don't exactly upon up to anyone and we can't read your mind," Allan pointed out.

"Maybe to you, the rest of us are sometimes left in the dark," Robin argued.

Guy crossed his arms across his chest, relaxing his stance. "I've already dispatched Luke with a message to John, outlining my intentions for Marguerite."

"Which are?" Robin insisted. He wanted Guy to speak openly about it.

"What are you looking for, Hood? You want me to admit that I plan on marrying her? Fine, I admit it."

"Good, now admit it to her and tell her why," Robin insisted.

"Dinner," Anne's voice announced from inside. Everyone filed inside, Eleanor, Gretchen and Ygrainne, Marion, and Anne already sitting with Marguerite at the head of the table. John seemed to look around as he sat, as if looking for something.

"Well, can I say that I am always surprised when we fit so many of you into one room without bloodshed," Marguerite drawled as everyone took seats. She loved the times people gathered to eat, so much could be studied about your companions during those times. Such as Much stealing the seat on the other side of Ygrainne who enthusiastically greeted him, recapping her day with Jess, while Gretchen watched on in wonder and hope. She didn't hide the yearning nearly as well after her encounter with Much this morning.

Allan leaned down to kiss Nora as he pulled out his seat. Marguerite watched as he joked with Will, sitting on his other side, while quietly rubbing the small of Eleanor's back with no one else noticing.

Marion and Robin were flirtatiously arguing as they sat, a small flame of jealousy rising in Marguerite. Not over Robin—Marion could keep him—but over their openly affectionate relationship. Marguerite was open and affectionate with everyone, but she wanted someone to look at her the way Robin looked at Marion, like he was beholding an angel. She wanted that someone to be Guy. Was her fate to be a political alliance with the one nation she called enemy?

Poor John, Marguerite thought studying the man. "Well, how is Willa?" Marguerite pondered. It was on all of their minds but especially John's. "I'm sorry she isn't here."

"She is finally sleeping peacefully," Eleanor sighed. It had taken a lot after her family had arrived, but Eleanor finally got her calmed down and sleeping. She honestly thought this large group would be too much for the young woman. It certainly was for Eleanor once upon a time.

"I'm happy to know she is doing better," Marguerite admitted as a servant placed the pheasant on her plate.

Supper was a loud, familial affair—something that was rare with this crowd, something Marguerite had missed for years— and Marguerite wouldn't have changed a thing about it.

Sorry for the delay; my computer decided to die on my (again) and I decided a new one was just a better choice than constantly having the old one fixed. Happily, this chapter was saved! We'll see how much of the rest is saved…

HUGE thanks, as always, to my lovely readers & reviewers! I love writing Marguerite ^_^ especially in this chapter.