Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood or BBC, this is just for fun not profit.

Chapter 55: Falling into Place

Marguerite pulled Ygrainne unto her lap. "Mama is alright?" she asked the moment she saw Marguerite arrive.

"Your momma is perfectly fine," Marguerite assured her, just as she had the evening before. "And I have a surprise, I think you'll like it. How about we surprise your momma tomorrow? She misses you an awful lot."

Ygrainne perked up. "Tom too! We can go and help!"

Marguerite grinned. "I don't think there is a lot for little girls, but just giving your momma a hug will help ever so much."

"I want to see momma now!" Ygrainne demanded.

Marguerite could see a temper tantrum coming on. "First, we have to make something pretty for the outlaws. When you are hurt, what makes you feel better?" that occupied the girl for the rest of the evening. They gave Tom a bath together so he would, as Ygrainne continually insisted, 'smell nice for his momma and daddy.'

Marguerite had just tucked her into bed and hummed a little song when she scooped Tom up. He had been just as fussy as Ygrainne without his mum. Guy arrived to find her rocking the boy in her arms, and he took a moment to study her. She had been distant lately; he wanted to believe it was because of the events of the last few days and the pressure of the upcoming attack. It would make a person of weaker character collapse, he was sure. His Marguerite, though, charged through anything life threw at her.

She had come out of so much tragedy and here she was, cuddling the toddler. For the briefest of moments, Guy indulged himself to imagine that it was their son she was cuddling. That it was a son with his dark hair and her ice blue eyes.

Or a daughter that looked just like her mother. He would have to fight suitors off left and right if their daughter was half as beautiful as Marguerite.

She caught him staring. "He's almost asleep."

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The gang heard horses approaching the cave a moment before Marguerite, Anne, and Luke walked in. "We thought we would bring a surprise," Marguerite grinned, stepping aside.

Ygrainne was holding Tom's hand, who was taking choppy steps but walking on his own. Eleanor jumped up in shock. Tom started to stumble but at seeing his mother his face broke into a wide, chubby grin and he broke into double time trying to get to her.

He made a few more steps before falling on his bottom. Eleanor laughed as Tom cooed and reached up with his arms, a sign they all knew meant 'pick me up.' "Look at my big boy!" Eleanor gushed as she scooped him up. She rapidly placed kisses around his face making Tom burst into giggles.

Ygrainne ran right to Gretchen. "Aunt Marguerite helped me with a surprise," she said proudly as Luke carried in the baskets of flowers.

Ygrainne whispered seeing Much was napping, her bottom lip trembling seeing how hurt he was. "He's going to be okay," Gretchen promised. "Aunt Elle made him better."

"It was the bad men, like who hurt my daddy?" Ygrainne knew. "Much can't leave!" Gretchen carried the terrified girl out to assure her where her cries wouldn't wake Much up.

Willa watched it all quietly. Everyone was well on the mend, even Much seemed to be doing better. Gretchen and Eleanor looked worse than some of the outlaws now. "How is your shoulder?" Willa asked John as she untied the sling from behind his shoulder.

"Good."

Simple words. Always simple words. Sometimes it was like pulling teeth to have a conversation with John, she wondered why she bothered.

Then they actually talked, and she remembered why. Despite his size, he was the kindest person she had ever met. She heard him talk about his wife, Alice, once and she knew without a doubt that John would hurt himself before he hurt a woman. She had never met a man like that, with such a depth of feeling and kindness.

John wondered what that look on her face meant as she watched Eleanor with Tom. For a brief moment, something flashed in her eyes. He found himself studying her eyes more than anything else; she was quiet as a church mouse but her eyes expressed so much. "I finished that carving," John spoke up.

"Finally?" Willa chuckled. "You never told me what you decided to make."

"It took time to form," John said simply.

"Stubborn was it?" Willa wanted to keep the conversation going.

"No."

"No," Willa repeated, pouring him tea. "Alright, well, will you be mad if I admit to being curious?"

"No." Mad? Certainly not. He was only mad that she was even afraid of angering him. Mad at those who had hurt her.

"Fine, I'll confess that I am very curious what has occupied you so long."

"I'll show you when we get back to camp," John promised.

Willa laughed, a soft sound that tickled John. It was so rare to get real laughter out of her, like she didn't even know how to laugh. He applauded himself every time he drew a smile or laughter from her. "You made it sound like you had it with you this whole time."

"I didn't exactly take it with me into Nottingham," John pointed out.

"Silly me," Willa frowned. "Of course not."

Great, now he had her berating himself. "I finished it right before we left, and wanted it to stay safe. It is a beautiful piece now that it is done."

"I've seen what you made for Ygrainne, the dolls and that toy. They are beautiful," Willa praised. Here he was trying to praise her and she ended up complimenting him. He was itching to get back to camp and show her.

Marguerite and Marion dished up the stew Willa had made as Eleanor played with Tom, sitting beside Allan. "Let me see him," Allan said reaching out. Eleanor was slightly surprised, she always seemed to be surprised when Allan was bonding with Tom. "Come to your da, Tom."

Tom reached out happily as Allan carefully took him, careful not to jostle any of his injuries. He winced when Tom excitedly hit him on one of his deeper cuts but didn't hand him back to Eleanor.

Gretchen and Ygrainne returned. Ygrainne scarfed down her food and took a vigil over Much, much like Gretchen had. "I told her she could help me keep an eye on Much, telling me when he wakes up," Gretchen explained. Ygrainne was taking to her job so seriously that if it wasn't such a serious situation it would have made them laugh.

Much woke and as things came into focus he saw Ygrainne peering down at him, her face directly above his with her reddish blonde hair cascading around her face. She broke into a wide grin seeing him wake up. "Mum!" Ygrainne called out. "Much is awake!"

"You were so still, Much. You have to get better," her bottom lip trembled.

"Don't be scared," Much told the little girl. "We are all getting better."

"Promise?" Ygrainne whispered, hugging her knees since she was told not to touch Much. She didn't know why hugging him would hurt him. She wanted to hug him and make him all better.

Much reached out to squeeze Ygrainne's hand, determined to get better faster so he could reassure her properly that he was alright. "Tell me what you have been doing with Lady Marguerite."

Ygrainne nodded and chatted on about her days and nights in Locksley, helping to take care of Tom and keeping Anne company. To everyone's surprise, Anne discovered she and Luke were going to have their own baby. "Anne is going to be a good mum, like mine," Ygrainne declared.

"It will be nice to have something so nice after so much war and strife," Gretchen congratulated Anne who glowed with all the attention.

"My baby brother is going to be a dad before me," Will hugged Luke. "Scared?"

"To death," Luke admitted with a grin.

The talk of babies kept the conversation light; Gretchen caught Eleanor's eye and they took a moment to themselves and took Willa with them as they stretched their legs.

"Allan was so adorable with Tom," Willa smiled.

"I could get use to it," Eleanor returned her smile. "But what has you so out of sorts? Was seeing so much… was it too much for you? You don't have to stay, you can return to Locksley with Marguerite if that is easier for you," Eleanor assured her. "We've been rotten for not asking you if you were alright after all this."

"No, that isn't it… the whole situation has me sad and worried, but I can handle that," Willa assured them, surprised. "I seem to surprise myself every day with what I find myself capable of doing," she admitted.

Gretchen grinned, placing her arm around Willa's shoulders. "Not me."

"So what has you upset?" Eleanor wondered. "John is fine."

Willa blushed; was it so bad she seemed to favor one outlaw over the others? John had taken the time to ensure she felt safe and comfortable. He wasn't talkative, but he did talk with her.

"Don't mind Elle, she is just happy to tease someone else after all the teasing she's gotten over Allan," Gretchen snorted.

"Yes, I am! I think it only fair I get to tease you all mercilessly now," Eleanor nodded in agreement making everyone giggle.

"But seriously, Willa, what has you worried?"

"It's just, with all this talk about the future, about defeating the sheriff… no one has talked about what happens after. What is going to happen after the sheriff is defeated?" Willa wondered. "I have nowhere to go. Half the time I'm marveled that I am here with all of you, then I wonder what happens when it's gone."

"I think no one talks about it because no one knows," Eleanor said thoughtfully.

"Robin and Marion will take Locksley, I can't see them not taking it back," Gretchen pondered. "Guy and Marguerite will move on to her estates. I always assumed Much would get Bonchurch or stay in Locksley close to Robin," Gretchen admitted. "Will and Djaq are going to the Holy Lands with Anne and Luke. I have no clue about John or Allan."

"Funny, that is exactly what I was thinking," Eleanor admitted.

"But what about us?" Willa asked. "I refuse to go back to my brother. That would be certain death. And after helping and watching all of you, especially you with Allan and Tom, I want that for myself."

"A complicated mess?" Eleanor teased.

Willa laughed. "If it came with a man that adored me like Allan looks at you, I'd take the complications too."

"Amen to that!" Gretchen laughed.

Eleanor snorted. "Sometimes I wonder… the one thing I do know is that the future is frightening all of us right about now," she admitted. "I say, worst case scenario, we just go back to some village, claim a cottage, and grow old as spinsters together," she threatened. "You would have to adopt a child to fit in with us, Willa: Three spinsters with three babes. So unless that sounds appealing, we all start working on alternate plans." The thought of it made them all laugh.

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By the end of the week, everyone was showing excellent signs of mending. John was back to his physical prime, Will and Djaq quickly following. Robin was able to move around but was under strict orders to keep it easy until they knew he wouldn't reopen his wounds. If he wanted in on the fight, he couldn't use his bow until the actual fight, not a moment earlier. Marion even threatened to burn the bow just to keep it from him.

Allan and Much were slower to heal. Allan had to move slowly since he had been cut up a lot more than anyone else. Much was finally able to lift himself to a sitting position on his own and was showing signs of being able to walk on his own soon.

"Well, lads and ladies, everything is all moving perfectly into place," Marguerite grinned as she rode into the makeshift camp. "My men are in position, I have no fear everyone else's are, too. Vaysey's men are to strike tomorrow evening. The letters will arrive for Vaysey in 3 days. Who feels like defeating the sheriff?" she grinned.

"I can't believe it is all finally going to end in 3 days," Marion grinned. "I have been waiting on this day for years."

"What has Guy learned?"

"Vaysey is eagerly waiting for those letters. He isn't pacified with the dog tags Guy 'found' while looking for your bodies, but he doesn't think you are in any shape to actually attack him," Marguerite informed him. "He knew in what kind of shape you were. Guy is convincing him someone just wanted to steal your bodies."

Robin snorted. "He would rather use my corpse to send a message, and is upset someone gave me a proper funeral. We'll be ready in 3 days," Robin grinned. He would have come back from the beyond to finish this fight.

"Well, when this is all over, I trust Locksley will be in good hands," Marguerite grinned. "I have whipped it back into shape for you. Your first harvest as Lord and Lady of Locksley promises to be a good one."

She left Robin and Marion to think about that. In just a week they would be back to being the lords of Locksley. Guy would have his Gisborne estate and whatever else John had given him.

And Marguerite would be on her way to her coronation as Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. Well, Princess of the German state of Prussia and wife to the heir apparent of the Emperorship, but it would only be a matter of a few short years before she became Empress.

Marguerite motioned for Willa and they exited to Marguerite's horse. "I don't know what everyone has planned, I believe Anne and Luke are going to return to Acre with Djaq and Will. I will find myself in need a new companion. I don't know what you want, Willa, but if you are looking for a place, remember that you always have one with me."

"That is extremely kind…and I may take you up on your offer, my lady."

"Marguerite," Marguerite insisted. "Think on it. You would be leaving England, I hope you have a desire to see the world."

"Your French estates?" Willa asked, surprised.

"And beyond. Actually, much further," Marguerite hinted. "Don't tell anyone I said that, though." She tipped Willa's chin up, catching her surprised look. "You are under my protection, Willa. Unless you have other plans, plan on accompanying me when I leave. Just do not tell anyone of my plans," she ordered. Willa nodded, overwhelmed. She had never had anyone look out for her welfare before.

Marguerite went for a long ride before returning so she could clear her head. Three days and they would attack Nottingham itself. They would defeat the sheriff, she would personally kill Granger, and then Robin would get the money. They would send the money on to John, but Marguerite would travel ahead and meet Otto in Paris.

She pulled out the second letter she had received from him. Maybe she was reading too much into it, an honesty that wasn't there. The fact he didn't hide the fact he distrusted and loathed Eleanor made her smile. She couldn't think of more than 4 people who got along with the Queen Mother.

Otto's letters made him come across as a gentle man, honest and patient. She wanted honesty after finding Guy's letter. She had kept the letter from John giving him the land. Something made her tuck it into the pocket of her dress and she kept it with her still. A reminder that she was nothing more than access to titles and land. Guy befriended her to get lands so he wouldn't be a landless title anymore. He was losing Locksley and wanted something to replace it with.

Fine, he got it. He deserved it. He was helping, and Marguerite had come to love him, she couldn't take it away from him. If she loved him less she would have gone on a rampage and taken every inch of land John had given him.

But she wanted him to be happy and if owning land would make him happy then so be it.

So she sent a prayer upwards that Otto was honest. She could handle bald, ugly, and twice her age. She just wanted an ounce of honesty after an entire life of intrigue, court politics, and coups.

"If you are listening, Henri, forgive me for this. Prussia was not directly involved in your death, but does it really matter to you?" Marguerite talked to the wind. "I'll name my first son after you," she promised. "And use Prussia's army to take over the Austrian kingdom," she promised. She would raise it to the ground and impose herself as queen over it.

But first things first: murder Granger and get out of the country before her father caught wind of her plan. He was the only person left, it seemed, that mattered in the world.

Huge thanks to Fireheart and I Can Spell Confusion with a K for the wonderful reviews!