Disclaimer: I do not Robin Hood or BBC, only OCs and plot post-season 3 are mine. This is just for fun, no profit was made.

Something about this chapter just seems like A Midsummer Night's Dream... (that could just be me). Chapter 50 got the most reviews of a single chapter in a long time so HUGE thanks to everyone!

FAMILY RECAP: Queen Mother Eleanor, King Richard, Prince John, Prince Geoffrey (and later we'll see Princess Joan) are all cousin to Marguerite. Collin is her brother-in-law (was married to her sister Jacqueline), and William is Marguerite's father.

Chapter 51: Secrets, Shakespearean Style

"I have a letter from the team," Marguerite announced as Guy walked in, waving the letter Luke had brought from Prince John.

"I hope they got Tuck's message," Guy said, sitting down heavily.

Marguerite ran her fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp. Guy looked like he had an extremely long day, and she simply enjoyed any excuse to touch him. "They did. Vaysey is moving in 20 days, his Black Knights are situated around the country, but heavily in London. We are mobilizing men to counter them, take them out before they can mobilize their own men."

"What do you need to do?" Guy asked concerned.

"I am not going to ride into battle like Boudicca," Marguerite grinned. "Although I would absolutely love it and I am more than capable of doing so. I am having my own troops mobilize to take out Vaysey's allies in the south. My father and I are exterminating the Black Knights around London. Colin and Eleanor, even Geoffrey, have forces around the rest of the kingdom. We'll make sure the leaders live long enough to pen a letter to Vaysey in their own hands so Vaysey is assured of his victory." (A/N: Geoffrey is another of Eleanor's sons, brother to John and RIchard)

"Which is when Hood and I announce our new found team up," Guy said, relaxing into Marguerite. The plan was taking a long time to coordinate since they had to move swiftly over the entire country to counter Vaysey's own plan.

Marguerite's hands fell to wrap around his shoulders as she rested her head atop of his. "Cunning and handsome. You make quite a catch, Sir Guy," she teased. "Yes. John has special plans for Vaysey. A guest of Honor, of sorts, in the dungeons. I didn't ask for details but they may interest you," she nodded to the letter John had written.

Guy still wasn't use to be in correspondence with Prince John, and felt only slightly guilty for his secrete correspondences that Marguerite didn't know of.

He sometimes worried the two separate lines of communication would cross paths. John wrote to Marguerite as they coordinated their strike against Vaysey. Marguerite would send Luke with their messages to a station where John had his royal messenger waiting.

For several weeks, unbeknownst to Marguerite, Guy had been sending his own messages to John, William, even Collin, via Father Tuck, arguing his case for Marguerite's hand. It seemed as if finally, after several months, they were making progress on both ends: they knew when Vaysey was going to move, thanks to Guy, and John finally seemed to be warming up to the idea of Guy wedding his favorite cousin.

Guy had the feeling he was going to need all of their support once Richard was released.

"You seem distracted," Marguerite wondered as she took her seat.

"Just thinking. Robin is getting antsy," Guy hedged.

Marguerite sighed. "I know. He is going to do something to jeopardize this, I can just feel it. We have only 20 days, surely he can wait that long," Marguerite tried to sound optimistic.

Instead, both she and Guy laughed. "It is Robin. He has his own plans," Guy sighed. He just hoped whatever Robin had planned wouldn't jeopardize the one Marguerite had spent so much time and effort perfecting.

"Guy?" Marguerite decided to man up and try to figure out Guy. Her feeling hadn't changed, but she still had no clue what he wanted. "What are you going to do when this is over?"

Guy looked up, surprised. "Do you even have to ask?"

"I am hardly a mind reader," Marguerite drawled. "For all I know, in 20 days you plan on instilling yourself as the new sheriff of Nottingham."

Guy smirked. "I thought you knew I was more ambitious than that."

"I know what I think, I want to know what you think, what you want," Marguerite whispered. Terror licked through her belly. What if he didn't want her? What if, after all this time together, he decided she was too boring, or not enough like Marion, or he just didn't find her attractive?

Or what if he just wanted her for her lands and titles?

Guy's dark eyes captured hers as he stood and moved to stand before her. "Marguerite," he knelt so they were eye level. "You have to know how I feel about you." One hand came up to caress her face.

"And how would I know, Guy?" Marguerite challenged.

"Everything I'm doing is for you," Guy pointed out as his thumb caressed her pale cheek. "I haven't suddenly grown to care for your cousin, or decided to be patriotic for my country. For so long I felt as if I had no king or country. But I have you," Guy confessed.

Marguerite linked her fingers through Guy's hair as he leant up to kiss her. As his tongue mated with hers, Marguerite felt euphoric. All concerns for her cousin, for the plan, for her new friends, evaporated. All that mattered was Guy was here, stealing her breath and her heart.

Marguerite felt elated as she changed into her sleeping gown that night. She decided to deal with her aunt Eleanor while she felt so happy, nothing her aunt said or did could bring her down from this euphoria.

Marguerite took out the letter Kazim had delivered to her that afternoon. Marguerite felt a little guilty for keeping secrets from Guy, but he would be furious if he found out Marguerite was also considered ransom for her cousin. Since Marguerite would never consider accepting it—especially after her snogging session with Guy moments ago—she decided not to tell him, or anyone else, about Queen Eleanor's scheme. With that though, she opened Eleanor's letter.

Marguerite,
I anticipated your request, to keep Genevieve in your household. I have always wondered at the bond you have with the petite Genevieve. Your sister will be happy as she looks down and knows you are caring for her young like your own. Otto assured me that this does not hinder his affections for you. Quite the contrary, I think he is extremely pleased by your demonstration to your family.

Time is going by quickly. I have no doubt Otto wishes for this match, even if my beloved Richard was not being held for ransom. His brother, Henry, will not be so kind to the match, though, after the money is raised.

Eleanor.

Marguerite shook her head. She shouldn't be surprised Eleanor thought of everything and knew that a condition Marguerite would put on this marriage proposal was taking Genevieve with her. Eleanor didn't understand the attachment Marguerite had with Genevieve, but she wasn't surprised Eleanor was already working around that obstacle. Well, Eleanor's planning would be in vain, Marguerite thought. They would have the ransom money in a little over a fortnight, and then there would be no need for her to marry Otto.

She would pen a response to Eleanor in the morning.

xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx

Marguerite was so busy finalizing plans she didn't pen her response to Eleanor for several days. What was surprising was when Kazim handed her another message, this one sealed with the German prince's crest. "A messenger from the Holy Roman Empire arrived in Paris, and has since snuck his way into the country," he informed her.

"How do we know Eleanor hasn't smuggled the messenger in?" What was her aunt planning?

"Philip has had his own men following this messenger. No one has seen him have any contact with any of your family. Not Eleanor, nor John, or even your father. He is coming directly from Prussia, sent by Prince Otto, and seems intent on getting this straight to you."

That piqued her curiosity. Marguerite wasn't surprised Eleanor had already been discussing Genevieve with Otto. What was surprising was receiving a letter from Otto himself. It was so much easier to think of him simply as a foreign obstacle, a faceless one. She eyed his handwriting with her long name, all of her titles, sprawled in his handwriting. He addressed her properly, every title she could ever claim, was written there. Her curiosity soaring on this new angle had her opening the letter hastily.

Lady Marguerite,
I pray this letter reaches you in good health without having been subjected to the censure of someone else's eyes. Your aunt has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, and I wouldn't put it past her to censure my correspondences.

I first wish to express my sorrow for these events. Ransom is certainly not how I entertained acquiring my bride, even if she be worth a king's ransom. Our past encounters, although we have never met, have not been advantageous in portraying myself, nor my country, in a favorable light. I know nothing I can do will replace the brother lost to you because of our rebels.

I wish to express myself and my intentions as clearly as I can, and I dare admit that I hope to persuade you to give me an audience to attempt to persuade you in person to accept my proposal. I have heard only the best of your character for years, from Count Friedrich, His Holiness Pope Pius, and others lucky enough to have conversed with you in person, and I have no doubt that our match will be agreeable on both sides.

Your niece, Genevieve, will be welcomed whole heartedly into our family and court. Anyone you call family I will happily call family as well (although I confess that I am not eager to host your Aunt, Eleanor, as a frequent houseguest). I vow she will be raised as our daughter in all ways, and the very best medical treatment in our country and the papal states are available for her treatment.

I hope this letter can persuade you to consider a face to face meeting where I may plead myself to you personally. I fear Eleanor may dissuade you with her eagerness over her son.

With my sincerest affection,
Otto

Marguerite simply stared at the letter. Had Eleanor planned this somehow knowing it was the last thing Marguerite would expect? Could there even be a grain of truth? If he had a messenger go to all the trouble of ensuring its secrecy, though, than he was either as adept at this game of politics and writing letters filled with double meaning…

Or it really was a love letter. Had this foreign prince actually written to her a love letter? A part of her was extremely tempted to meet with him face to face to see if he was sincere in his writing…to see if he was sincere in welcoming Genevieve. That more than anything would win him affection from Marguerite. It was the one topic she hadn't broached with Guy. She was afraid that now she had won Guy's affection she would lose it just as quickly by talking about her niece.

Marguerite folded Otto's letter, placing it in her pocket. She would have to think how to respond. She didn't want to offend him lest they decided to raise the ransom demand at the last minute. Perhaps she could delay writing long enough that they would have the money collected and on its way.

But the letter to her aunt had to be written. The plan was set to go into action in just two weeks.

"It is odd to not have anyone around," Kazim mentioned. "What about the newest addition? The girl under your protection?"

"I think Willa has also fallen under John's protection. And Ygrainne's," Marguerite grinned. "She left this morning with the others to go to Sherwood. I was waiting for word from you so I made sure to be home alone."

Kazim nodded. "I have to confess Sherwood was ingeniously built. I expected you to have a response to Eleanor today," Kazim admitted.

Marguerite wasn't surprised he had discovered the camp's location. Her knights were the best for a reason. "I'll go pen it now," Marguerite decided. She pulled out a piece of parchment, pen and ink, and wrote a quick response telling her aunt, in no uncertain terms, she was touched by her thoughtfulness for Genevieve, but that she was still not going to give in and marry the people who murdered her eldest brother. Even if the Emperor and his family had not been in on it, it was his countrymen who had done the deed. They would get Richard back soon, the money was almost theirs.

Most importantly, she had one final act of vengeance before she could leave and nothing would dissuade her from it. If nothing else, surely Eleanor could understand she was going to attack Granger.

Marguerite realized she needed sealing wax, and rummaged in the desk. Not finding any, she quickly made her way to Guy's study to borrow his.

Marguerite was pressing her signet ring into the warm wax when a paper caught her eye. It was John's handwriting, but how had it gotten in Guy's desk? Maybe she had forgotten to take back the letter a few nights ago.

No, Marguerite thought curiously as she handed the letter to Kazim. Marguerite always took the letters back. It was a habit, she felt safer knowing she knew where all her correspondences were at all time.

Marguerite went back to Guy's desk and pulled the paper out. It was buried, obviously hidden. Was it hidden from her or just from anyone snooping? Why would a correspondence between her cousin and Guy be hidden from her?

She couldn't believe her eyes, she had to reread it three times. Each read through was like a knife wound in her heart; she was completely bewildered how both the man that had made her feel alive for the first time since her twin's death, and her favorite cousin, could both betray her.

Marguerite rummaged through the desk, finding a dozen letters from John to Guy. This had been going on for months, since after the meeting in Bluewater Bend. She couldn't bring herself to read any of them. The first one she had found, the most recent from John dated only 4 days ago, was enough to break her heart; she couldn't cope if she read anymore.

Guy,
Looking back over these past 2 months of our persistent letter campaign, I can honestly say I am surprised to be writing this. I never thought I would agree to this bargain. I have the titles and deeds to the land already signed over to you, and I will personally deliver them when next I see you. For services rendered to king and country, as you requested. I even threw in a little area renamed Gisborne, a personal token I took upon myself, renaming your family's old estate back to its hereditary name. I know you did not ask for your family's old estate, consider it a gift from a friend. I must say, I am surprised, but hopeful, with this turn of events.

John.

xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx

"Can I say this plan is absurd?" Allan spoke up, listening to Robin.

"We need the gossip, Allan," Robin sighed.

"I think this whole plan is inane," Much agreed.

"Because he is asking me?" Gretchen demanded. Knowing his answer would only upset Gretchen further, Much kept his mouth shut.

"She won't go alone," Eleanor spoke up.

"No. No bloody way," Allan frowned at Nora.

"Your vote of confidence and support is staggering, Allan," Eleanor drawled sarcastically. "You wouldn't know I have survived on my own before you came along."

"You want to waltz right back into the castle, to the people who nearly stoned you and Tom," Allan pointed out.

"They have moved on. Each week the sheriff rolls out some new person for the village to despise, they have forgotten about me. And they will be so relieved to have more hands for the Sheriff's party no one will question us."

Willa sat on the sidelines, wondering if all their meetings were so volatile. The news of the Sheriff throwing a party was spreading throughout the country. He was calling it a means to raise money for Richard's return, but Hood's gang knew it was a cover for the Black Knights to gather and plot. Robin's plan, from what Willa understood, was to get someone inside the castle that could soak up the gossip. And since Gretchen and Eleanor had both worked in the castle for years, he thought they could get in and get the information the easiest.

Willa thought the plan sounded like a good one even if she was worried about her new friends. Willa could see, though, how excited and happy Gretchen was when Robin asked her to do something for the group, and Willa was actually upset that people were taking that away from her. She kept her opinions to herself, though.

After a lot of debate that resulted in Eleanor and Gretchen getting their way, and Allan and Much mad at them and Robin, they started on planning the placements. The outlaws would make a nuisance in the courtyard in the afternoon, giving Robin the chance to jump in and talk to Vaysey. Willa assumed 'talk' was code for antagonize.

Guy arrived on his way back to Locksley for the evening and they filled him in on the plan. He didn't seem surprised by the fact Eleanor and Gretchen were going in, nor did he seem surprised by the fact Allan gave some dire threats to Guy if something happened to them.

Eleanor and Gretchen went with Guy back to Locksley and Willa joined them. "Is Allan really that upset with you?" Willa wondered. "You don't seem…" petrified, terrified, frightened out of her wits. All the reactions Willa would have had if that anger had been directed at her.

"I'm bloody angry and annoyed," Eleanor huffed. "Which is why he won't be coming with us tonight."

"Allan?!" Gretchen huffed "I lend Much an ear so he can sob out his story and now he gets territorial, like he has control over my life."

They arrived and if Eleanor wasn't so distracted she may have noticed Marguerite's façade, but was too angry at Allan and anxious over her assignment to notice.

"Of course I'll watch les petite chous," Marguerite grinned, tweaking one of Ygrainne's curls. "We'll have fun, don't worry about us."

"Can we make those cakes please, tante Marguerite?" Ygrainne implored, drawing a genuine smile from Marguerite.

"All day if you like," Marguerite laugh as she scooped up the girl. "But I don't think you can eat so many! Do you know how much sugar that will be? Your mum will never forgive me when she comes home to find you running around like a little hellion."

"I'll share!" the girl promised, squealing in delight. They would make the dough and role them into miniature cakes, dressing them in layers of sugar. They were so sweet, but also just the right size for a girl her size.

Eleanor and Gretchen were dressed and walking to Nottingham long before sunrise a few short hours later when they heard someone running to catch up. "Willa?" Gretchen asked surprised.

"I want to help," Willa admitted. "Can I? I understand if you say no, I don't want to burden you."

"You haven't met Griswald, if you did, you wouldn't be so eager to help," Gretchen deadpanned.

"I can be just another country girl looking for work," Willa said. She had been thinking of nothing else all night. These women and men had saved her life, she wanted to help them in any way she could. "And since no one in the castle knows me, the sheriff won't suspect me."

Eleanor and Gretchen looped their arms through Willa's as they crossed the bridge into the city. "This is its own kind of hell," Eleanor warned. "Griswald will own you, have the right to do as she sees fit for as long as you work in the kitchen. Grant it, it will only be today, but you should be warned."

Willa nodded. She would handle whatever happened. It was only for a day.

One long, exhausting, straight-from-hell day.

"What do you girls want?" Griswald spat. "I remember quite clearly the two of you walking out."

"We hoped you may have need of us for the day, ma'am," Gretchen spoke up, eyes downcast. She stroked Griswald's vanity by not looking her directly in the eyes; Griswald believed servants all had their place, including her, but as head housekeeper she was above all the others.

"Only because the party has led to extra work and several of my girls are sick. Plus, the 2 of you don't need any training. What about you?" she demanded Willa, her hard eyes daring the girl to faint.

Willa looked down at Griswald's shoes. "I'm a hard worker. I'll listen and keep quiet."

"Good enough. Just for today. You want more you'll have to tell me the babes are no longer a problem 'fore I'll take you on long term. Sarah has already left me because of that girl of hers," Griswald spat out as they scampered into the kitchen.

It felt as if they had never left, Gretchen and Eleanor thought. The sun hadn't risen yet, and the kitchen was already busy with life. Breakfast was nearly prepared as servants scurried about. "You," Griswald ordered, pointing to several including Eleanor. "Take these up."

Willa was assigned to Eleanor and grabbed the bucket of hot water, soap, and towels. Eleanor hefted the platter laden with food, centered her balance, and the two headed upstairs. "Which room?" Willa wondered.

"Fourth on the left," Eleanor whispered. "Knock, wait for permission to enter, then quickly enter, find where the man is located and curtsey, keeping your eyes downcast. Then you may move and place your things down on the bureau."

"Do they expect me to wash them?" Willa wondered.

"Depends," Eleanor admitted. "I'll help. Just follow my lead."

Willa managed to knock since there was no chance Eleanor could with the large platter. Hearing the response, Willa opened the door and did as Eleanor had told her. When she placed the things for the man to wash up, she turned and stepped aside, trying to blend into the wall. She knew that servants were meant to stay out of sight.

"Three lumps in the tea, butter the biscuits, and drizzle honey over them," the man ordered and Eleanor quickly went to prepare his food for him. Thankfully, he washed himself, tossing the towel to Willa after drying his face. "Go."

The two girls curtseyed again before shutting the door. "It is going to get more difficult from here on, isn't it?" Willa guessed.

"The sun has only just risen," Eleanor grinned.

They scurried back to the kitchen and given places in the assembly line to make the large meal and dessert for the party. A cake in the shape of a crown was to be made, bigger than any of them had ever seen. It had to be at least four feet long and three feet wide.

Griswald was as the girls remembered: the kitchen tyrant was using all the tools of fear and physical punishment at her disposal. When one of the kitchen boys loaded too much fuel in the stove and it exploded around him she didn't even bat an eyelash as they dragged the poor boy's body out of the kitchen, only ordered for someone to get the stove back under control.

Gretchen wiped the sweat off her brow. She had already hefted three platters to the dining hall to decorate. At this rate, they had only heard servants gossip: the sheriff had the tax money buried under the chapel's floor, right under the altar; others claimed he slept with it under his bed and Robin would have to sneak in and slip the bags out from under the sheriff.

Willa was thankful she had only agreed to this for a day; she had no idea how anyone could live like this every day for their entire life. Thankfully she had not displeased Griswald and had not been punished. When someone called for a servant to assist them getting dressed, Willa grasped at the chance. Willa was helping the woman dress, buttoning the dozens of buttons up the back, as the woman talked with her sister-in-law. Willa pretended not to pay attention—most of it was gossip about the affairs of the other nobles—when suddenly Hood's name came up.

"Vaysey will certainly get promoted once he finally eliminates Hood. Can you imagine how infamous the sheriff who takes out the most infamous outlaw will be? You should set your cap for him," the woman Willa was dressing told her in-law. "I dare say he will be the most powerful man this half of England. Second only to the king." All Willa could think was Ew, someone wants to marry him? The sheriff actually made her own husband look like a saint…almost.

"He has to successfully get rid of Hood first."

"He cannot fail this time," the woman smirked. "With so much money, Hood is sure to attack. You may go," the woman dismissed Willa. Willa curtseyed and rushed back to the kitchen, whispering to her friends what she had learned before they were given more assignments.

With so many in attendance, everyone was called in to serve. Loaded with heavy platters, the girls carried the food in and set them on the banquet table. The guests all congratulated the sheriff on what an excellent table he presented while the servants watched on, the sheriff praised for their hard work.

Eleanor and Gretchen did everything they could to stay as far away from Vaysey as they possibly could since they couldn't get out of service detail. Guy did everything he could to keep Vaysey preoccupied as well.

Gretchen saw Willa's disgusted face as they were cleaning. "What happened?"

"Two gentlemen told me to come to their rooms this evening," Willa frowned.

"We'll be gone before then," Gretchen promised. "Or at least stuck with work until they have long passed out."

"Have you…"

"Been propositioned? A dozen times a week it seems. Three times so far today, although one was a servant so he doesn't count."

"But…" Willa stammered.

"There are ways out of it if you don't want to." Gretchen felt bad for lying, it was actually very hard to get out of it, but they would make sure Willa never returned to the castle.

"Why would anyone want to?" Willa wondered, glad it was only the two of them.

"For some girls, it is an escape out. Or so they hope. I've only seen it happen once, a girl who agreed to be a mistress just to get out of the kitchens," Gretchen shrugged.

While Eleanor was slated to dungeon duty, Willa and Gretchen were selected as part of the group to serve the nobles at the party and spent time refilling cups. This was when Robin was planned to cause ruckus; hopefully everything was going according to plan outside, Gretchen thought.

Sure enough, yells and the call to arms was heard throughout the castle as Guy rushed out to lead the guards against Robin Hood. For a moment, it felt like old times to Gretchen and she would never have guessed Guy had switched sides. Maybe he still enjoyed trying to maim Robin. The women in court were shrieking as guards fled the room to protect Vaysey. Servants were called for, more wine ordered, when it was clear Robin was no longer in the castle several women were assisted back to their room and required the servants to tend to them there.

Willa was forced to go with one of them while Gretchen remained. Despite blending into the wall, Gretchen was still receiving demeaning looks from several of the gentlemen present. She couldn't understand, although she was used to it now, how some men clearly just wanted anything in a skirt.

They had just finished cleaning up spilled wine and refilling glasses when Vaysey ordered all the servants out. Griswald grabbed those who were not scurrying fast enough wherever she could and shoved them out of the room, closing the door behind her. Gretchen had forgotten how vice-like her grip was and just knew she was going to have a bruise on her upper arm.

"If Robin Hood has damaged that cake I will personally make a new one out of all of your hides!" Griswald barked. Everyone gave a mental prayer of thanks that the cake was untouched. It seemed everything else, though, was destroyed in Hood's latest escapade.

"Remember how we had to clean up after them at least once a week?" Gretchen sighed as they hefted more armor from the torn suits of armor littered around the hall. Each piece had to weigh at least ten pounds and the chainmail was even heavier, and there were dozens of pieces across the hall. It was going to take them forever to put the 10 suits back together again.

"All I can think of is that nursery rhyme: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, three score men and three score more, couldn't put Humpty as he was before," Willa sang out making them all laugh.

"Yes, well, there is only the three of us and 10 suits. If only we had 120 men," Eleanor laughed as she polished the helmet she was currently holding. Since they had to be pieced together, they were ordered to polish them all till they shone. Unfortunately, they hadn't been polished in years so it took so much elbow grease all three girls thought for sure their arms were going to fall off.

It wasn't until long after supper and the nobles had retired to their rooms for the evening that the three ladies were allowed to leave. "And we still have to walk," Gretchen sighed, stretching out her back. "Lord, I forgot how much I hate that woman. Some days I think I would rather kiss the Sheriff than listen to Griswald."

"We had 2 slop meals and earned a penny a piece," Eleanor sarcastically pointed out.

"I think I would gladly have given her back the penny for a bed for the night," Willa sighed. "I have no idea how you did it day after day."

"They are the alternative," Gretchen pointed to the beggars sleeping under the bridge. It was so crowded that the body heat alone would keep all the beggars warm during the night.

They walked till they crossed into the forest and were greeted by the gang waiting on them with horses. "You really are a hero, Robin Hood," Gretchen teased, so relieved they wouldn't have to make the long walk back to the camp.

"Did you learn anything?" Robin asked as Much reached down to help Gretchen up behind him. Much saw how she winced when he clasped her arm, pulling herself up.

"You alright?" Much worried.

"Fine," Gretchen frowned. "What did we learn, girls?" Gretchen turned to Eleanor, who was climbing on behind Allan, and Willa who was surprised to find John lifting her up behind him.

"Besides the fact that Gretchen still gets propositioned by at least a dozen men when Vaysey has a party? I think it is the same men every time," Eleanor teased. "That one man has a very distinct mustache, can't mistake him."

Gretchen made a face. "It looks like a rat's tail," Gretchen laughed.

"What? He..." Much fumed, unable to finish the sentence.

"But besides the dirty minds of the men of Nottinghamshire, we learned some juicy gossip," Eleanor changed the subject when she felt Allan tense in front of her. She had wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his shoulders, and had felt him go tense mentioning the male guests. "Vaysey isn't making a big show of where he is keeping the money, which we knew already from Guy, but Vaysey is encouraging rumors as to where it is hidden. He wants you to come looking for it," Eleanor told Robin. "He is trying to draw you in."

Allan lifted her down when they reached the camp. The door opened to reveal Marguerite there, watching a sleeping Tom and Ygrainne. "They will be happy to see you," Marguerite grinned. "What did you learn?"

"That Gretchen is popular amongst the men of Nottingham," Djaq teased.

"Only the dirty, disgusting, wretched ones it seems," Gretchen sighed, slumping in a seat, rubbing her arm absently.

"That describes most of the men in Nottingham," Marion pointed out, making Gretchen and Eleanor laugh.

"They just think servants are easy and that they are entitled," Eleanor sighed, lying down on her bed after checking that Tom was sleeping comfortably.

"We did learn that Vaysey is trying to draw Robin into a trap," Willa spoke up. "I heard him personally start two more rumors today alone about where the gold is hidden. And how some women are setting their cap for him."

Everyone looked at Willa as if she had gone mad. "Seriously? Ew!" Marion nearly gagged.

"I think I'm going to have nightmares now," Gretchen shuddered.

Marguerite wrinkled her nose. "Well, I can actually think of worst husbands. But what else did you learn?"

"He wants Robin to attack. The guards are waiting for Robin to make a move on the tax money. Vaysey is sure it is safe," Eleanor spoke up sleepily. Allan sat beside her and she moaned in delight as he began to knead her sore shoulders and back.

"Well, I will be returning to Locksley," Marguerite stood.

"It's late, Marguerite. Stay the night," Marion offered.

Marguerite seemed to debate for a minute, but gave in. "Do you even have room for me?" she teased. It took some work, but space was found for all of them. Somehow. Willa always marveled at how no one managed to kill anyone yet in such closed quarters.

She looked amongst the group, thinking how the day had been so exhausting but so rewarding. She had worked for Robin Hood, and even the penny wage she had earned from Griswald was a source of pride. She had never earned anything for her labor before except undeserved beatings. She felt a surge of pride knowing that she had earned something for herself, and was even prouder knowing that it would go to help someone else.

Huge thanks to all the reviews! The most for a single chapter in a long time. I can Spell Confusion with A K (Angst is so much fun to write, especially with these characters :) Purplesunsets (Thanks!!!!) WastingYourGum (I'm glad you liked my John chapter! He needs some love, in my opinion. And WIlla needs someone to show her, too. And I have plans for Eleanor's family *evil cackle* but I wanted to show that Robin cares for all of them, partly why he devises this plan so Gretchen has something to do. And I think you are the first person to comment on Ygrainne. Thanks!) Fireheart (Your review made my week! I had just reread my story, too, and was happy I kept everyone in Character--this is a personal best for me--and the fact you reread it amazes me. I'm happy when people read it the first time! Thank you!) Allan Sympathiza (Yes, I am a huge Allan fan, and plan on one day writing a season 3 story. Masquerading in Sherwood isn't as good as this one, in my opinion, but I'm happy you found it!)

next chapter we see how badly Robin can mess up the plans ^_^