Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood or profit from this writing. OCs and plot post series 2 belong to me.

I couldn't wait to post this chapter :) and I can't wait to finisht the next chapter either

Chapter 60: The Way You Are
aka: Much and Gretchen get their act together...finally

Gretchen dressed and decided to go and check on the children. She was thrilled to see Eleanor so happy, but it wasn't enough to push back this fear of the future. Allan had yet to make any plans, at least none that she knew of, so she didn't know what Eleanor's future was. And what was she and Ygrainne going to do? They didn't have a home in Locksley, she couldn't work for Griswald again as long as she had Ygrainne, so just what was she going to do? How would they live?

Gretchen walked into the garden, just enjoying the sight. She had always loved the colors that popped with the various flowers. She heard the giggles of little girls before she saw them, and just the noise brought a smile to her face.

She peered around a hedge and watched as Ygrainne ran and played with several other girls of various ages. To think she was playing with royals! Gretchen would remember this to remind Ygrainne as she got older.

"Greta," Much's voice behind her made her jump and she turned to see him sitting on a stone bench.

"I thought you left with Robin and Guy." Gretchen went over to sit on the bench with him.

"I had something more important," Much said casually, peaking Gretchen's interest. She managed to bite her tongue before she could ask what was more important than Robin.

"She sounds so happy," Gretchen smiled as she heard Ygrainne laugh.

"I heard Archer was playing with them earlier," Much told her.

"Archer? Really?" Gretchen gushed. "He was so good with her after the attack. He reminds me of someone…" she just couldn't put her finger on who.

Before she knew what was happening, Much was cupping her face and kissing her hungrily. Before she could think, Gretchen's hands came up to hold him close as she kissed him back.

She heard someone calling her name and she realized what she was doing. "I… I have to go," Gretchen blurted out as she broke off the kiss. When she turned she saw Willa turning the corner and Gretchen jumped up and ran over to join her. She quickly grabbed Willa's arm and led her back out of the garden.

As soon as they turned the corner leaving the garden and entering the hallway, they ran into Eleanor. "Did she interrupt you?" Eleanor asked with a knowing grin.

"What are you doing here?" Gretchen snapped.

"I want to see the city, I didn't want to wake Allan, and I wanted to get away for awhile," Eleanor hedged. "But what is going on with you?"

"I wish I knew," Gretchen sighed. She saw Willa and Eleanor share a look. "Just stop that and just say what you want to say."

"I say we go exploring around London. Who knows when we will have an afternoon free without kids again," Eleanor decided. The three walked out of the castle thinking how bizarre it was to have doorman open the door for them.

They explored the city and discovered it was a lot dirtier and crowded than they had expected. "I hope I don't get stuck here," Eleanor decided.

"You, stuck here?" Willa repeated. "I can't imagine Allan letting that happen."

Hearing his name made Eleanor purse her lips. "Did something happen?" Gretchen asked.

"No, nothing like what you are thinking," Eleanor assured them. "Do you want to talk about Much?" she asked Gretchen who shook her head. "What happened to that girl who was willing to take on a mercenary with a shovel?" Eleanor teased.

Gretchen laughed at the memory. "I was furious, and it was a much simpler situation," Gretchen smiled as she and Willa went to peer into a shop's window further down the street.

Eleanor shook her head as she looked in a bakery. "Elle," Robin called out as he joined her.

"Did you find Marguerite?"

"She went on up to the castle with Prince John, and Guy too. What are you doing? Where's Allan?"

"Sleeping. I think I can walk around the city just fine." She didn't have any money for others to steal.

Robin grinned, and Eleanor couldn't help but return it. Robin's grin always had that affect on her. "You can't blame me for caring. Anything catch your eye?"

"The city is different than I expected," Eleanor admitted. Robin offered his arm and she looped her hand on his elbow.

"Do you want to vent about Allan? I can see you are thinking about something. The three of you all have this look," Robin admitted, looking ahead to where Willa and Gretchen were.

"Gretchen is confused, I think we all are," Eleanor sighed. "Allan muttered something right before he fell asleep. He probably won't even remember it, but it reminded me that I am very stupid where Allan is concerned," Eleanor explained.

"What did he say? If it makes you feel any better, he gets a little crazy where you're concerned, too," Robin smiled.

Eleanor shook her head. "What are you and Marion going to do now? Return to Locksley?"

"Richard invited all of us to dinner tonight," Robin told her, squeezing her hand affectionately seeing the idea was nerve wracking for her. "I'm hoping to have a moment to speak to him." He had a lot to speak to Richard about, about Much getting Bonchurch and the rest of his men. If he had to parcel off all of Huntington to reward his men, he would. Robin would make sure that one way or another all of his men were taken care of. Even though none of the girls said anything, he knew they were worried about it. "But when Marion and I return to Locksley I want the three of you to come if Allan and Much haven't gotten their acts together by then."

"I don't think Much is the one with the problem now," Eleanor sighed. "And Marguerite said she is taking Willa with her."

"You and Tom will be taken care of, Elle. I promise," Robin vowed.

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Allan woke up and was only slightly surprised to find Eleanor was gone. Did she sleep at all? He quickly dressed and was walking down the hall looking for anyone. Where the hell was everyone?

Guy and Tuck were the first people he found. "Look who's up at the crack of noon," Guy drawled from where he was talking with Tuck.

"Have you seen Eleanor?"

"Now who has lost their lady?" Guy teased.

"Ey, who would have thought brooding Guy would learn a sense of humor."

"I haven't seen Eleanor, I heard some are looking around London. Bit of advice, Allan? You should know how much servants gossip. Do you want it to get around you and Eleanor aren't wed?" Guy crossed his arms as he leaned casually against the wall.

"I'm not being funny, but you sound concerned, Guy."

Guy shrugged. "It would be one less thing for him to vent about," Guy nodded towards Tuck.

"As I recall, you are the one who vents," Tuck drawled. "You are not a silent brooder. Thank God Marguerite accepted your sorry ass or I would be listening to you about it for the rest of my life," Tuck laughed.

Guy smiled. "You still will hear a lot about her from me, I'm sure. But Allan, if it's about what happens now, I will need someone to manage my estates," he offered. He and Marguerite could hardly live at every single estate.

"You are certainly in a generous mood today," Allan commented.

"Not that the church sees a penny of it," Tuck commented.

"I'm not being funny, I figured after this you would go off and stay as far from anyone and anything reminding you of Robin and Sherwood as possible," Allan pointed out.

"I don't think that will be possible. Marguerite happens to like the lot of you, even Robin," Guy shrugged.

"And you'll suffer Robin's company for her," Tuck laughed. "Why are you looking for Eleanor?" he turned to Allan. "She left with Gretchen and Willa. I saw her looking for them, she seemed worried."

"Worried?" Allan asked concerned. "She wasn't worried about Marguerite," he recalled. "And judging by the fact Guys not on a rampage, again, I'm guessing Marguerite is fine." What could Nora be worried about then?

"So what happened after we all left to look for her? As I recall, you and Much stayed behind," Guy pointed out.

Allan had to think back. They had decided to sleep and explore London afterwards. What could have happened in that short period of time? He went back over everything in his head, and vaguely remembered what he said as he fell asleep.

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Gretchen went to her room thinking even if she had days to prepare she still wouldn't be presentable to the king. Whose insane idea was this? At least worrying about the dinner gave her something else to think about besides Much's confused face when she left.

Who are you kidding? You ran away.

With a sigh, she pushed open the door leading to her suite and walked in. She stopped midstride three feet inside, just staring as it seemed the garden had exploded inside her bedroom. There were bouquets of flowers on every surface and petals scattered across the bed and floor. There were so many colors she felt she could just look at it for hours.

She jumped as the door heavily closed behind her and she turned to see Much had closed the door. He had been hidden behind it when she first came in. She looked back and forth between him and the flowers. "Did you do this?" she asked perplexed, hopeful.

"I remember the way your eyes light up when Ygrainne gives you flowers, and I've heard you mention before how you wanted them, and…" he realized he was babbling and cut himself off. "Those are always wildflowers, weeds. I wanted to give you something more, something …better."

"Much…" Gretchen trailed off, biting on her tongue because she was afraid she would cry. "But I… before…" she gestured, trying to find the words but gave up. "They are beautiful, thank you," she said honestly, looking at all of them.

"Why?" she finally asked.

"Do you have to ask?" Much wondered, appearing at her side and grabbing her hand. "I know I have bumbled a lot in this, I tend to ramble on and not say what I really want to say. I tend to exasperate or annoy everyone, I expect it, I'm not surprised by it anymore. But you smile, Greta," he grinned. "You smile and accept it."

"I'm not the only one," Greta pointed out, trying to put some room between them. "Robin accepts who you are, we all do."

"See? I did it again, not saying it the way I mean to. When you smile, Greta? I just have to stop and stare. It's what caught my attention that first time in the kitchens, all the way across the hall. You were doing backbreaking work and smiling. I was captivated," he grinned as he squeezed her hand, keeping her close. "I know it couldn't have been easy helping Allan and Elle in the castle, then getting Ygrainne, and all the difficulties since then. You still have that smile, Greta," he traced a finger along her jaw tracing the light scar from the fire, sending shivers down her spine.

"Don't," Gretchen said stepping away from him. "How could you? I have… God, Much. Look at me. Every time, I run away. I tried to entice John, I pushed you away even before I had Ygrainne, but I most certainly tried to push you away after I got her. Even today! I ran, Much. But why are you standing there? Why would you do this?" Gretchen demanded. "Gods, I am awful for you, Much. Why can't you see that?"

"Hey," he said trying to get her to look at him. "I think I've figured it out," he said surprising Gretchen. "I know why you went after John. And, I hate to admit it, but I have to admit that I was floored to learn you had adopted Ygrainne. I mean, all I saw was Allan running away from Tom and it was his own son. I can't blame you for doing what you thought was best for her, Greta."

"That doesn't explain anything, Much. I was pushing you away before, when I worked in the castle. And now, when I hope things have changed, between us, between you and Ygrainne…" Lord, she had to bite her lip to keep it from trembling.

"I love you, Gretchen," he announced, surprising her. "You want to run again, I'm guessing," he grinned and she blushed because it was partly true. Her heart jumped and was thumping in her chest, yet at the same time it was too much. "You don't know what to do with someone else caring for you, do you?" he guessed. "It's easy for you to care for someone else. It's clear to a blind person you would do anything for Eleanor, Ygrainne, for anyone in the gang," he continued. "You love others unconditionally, but you are surprised when someone else feels the same way. I think it finally clicked when I heard you talk to Marguerite last night. Who did you have growing up, Greta, that cared for you?" he wondered. "You certainly didn't in the castle, not until Elle came. And you loved your brother but didn't know him, never grew up with him. You love people fiercely, but you're always disconnected someway," he tried to explain.

"I…" Gretchen stuttered. She had never thought of it before, had never had to. She never had to worry about someone else caring for her like this before. "You are still an idiot for picking me, Much."

Much kissed the top of her head as he pulled her close. "That's not going to scare me off," he grinned as he held her close to him. He couldn't help the grin that colored his face as she hugged him tight.

"Much, I am sorry, I make it difficult, I have Ygrainne…" she trailed off as he tipped her head up and kissed her.

"I already talked to Ygrainne," Much grinned.

"What?"

"I wanted to ask her if she would let me be her daddy," Much blushed. If any of the guys found out he would never live it down.

"You asked Ygrainne? Before talking to me?" This is what he had to do that was more important than following Robin? Her heart melted with that realization.

"I figured you would be more difficult to win over," Much grinned making Gretchen laugh.

He cupped her face, the smile still on her face, her eyes shining. "This is why. You are beautiful, perfect, Greta." She clearly didn't believe him. "Even with your stubbornness. I love you, Gretchen. Let me spend the rest of our lives proving it to you."

"I…" she grinned. "Did Ygrainne say yes?"

"On the condition she can call me dad," Much grinned.

"I have a very smart niece," Gretchen smiled, her hand trailing from Much's temple to jaw. "If you can forgive me for pushing you away, how can I say no? Somewhere along the line, even when I was hiding from you, I fell in love with you, too, Much."

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Eleanor walked into the room to find the clothes she was wearing to dinner were laid out for her. "Ey, there you are," Allan walked in behind her.

"Yes, here I am, but you are leaving," she shooed him out. "I have to get dressed."

"I'm not being funny, but I could help you undress," he grinned cheekily.

"Ah, how gallant of you," she teased. "But Marguerite is sending up people, so shoo," she pushed him out the door just as servants came in to help her dress.

Allan had changed by the time the servants left Eleanor's room and found her standing by the window looking out. Her gown was a rich brown color that contrasted well with her honey colored hair that was pulled back and twisted on the back of her head. He couldn't resist the urge to tug on the curls hanging down her back.

"You scared me," Eleanor jumped. Allan offered his arm and she laughed as she took it and they headed downstairs. "I think I'm dreaming," she admitted. "I never imagined I would wear anything so fine."

He stopped them before they reached the dining hall. "You are a vision, Nora," he promised before kissing her.

"I'm going to have to thank Marguerite," she grinned studying Allan in his black outfit. "Your outfit reminds me of when you were working for Guy. You look very dashing black, Allan-a-Dale," she smiled.

"Would it make it easier if I said it's all going to be okay?" he asked, rubbing the small of her back.

"Allan, I'm about to sit at the same table as the king. I don't even believe it is happening."

"Well, we did save his throne, so I don't think you have anything to worry about," Allan smirked.

Eleanor laughed as Allan led them into the dining hall. The Sherwood gang was there and waiting on the royal family. "Nervous?" Gretchen asked.

"Do you even have to ask? Aren't you?"

"I'm too surprised to be nervous," Gretchen grinned. Eleanor studied her friend and realized she was glowing. "Don't say anything yet, we will tomorrow, but Much asked me to marry him."

Eleanor had to fight back a squeal of excitement but she hugged her friend. Before they had the chance to talk, footmen opened the doors and everyone turned to see who was entering.

I wanted to show some of the other friendships I haven't shown a lot lately: Tuck and Guy, Guy and Allan, and Robin and Eleanor. Back to the royal family (and their dysfunction!) next chapter :) Huge thanks to Fireheart (I'm glad you liked Ygrainne :) capturing a four year old is difficult), and Aloha (I love John though :) and I love it when ALL the family gets together, lol)