A/N I still don't own BBC Robin Hood, its characters, and plots. I only own my characters. I also want to give credit to HOODWINKED because I borrowed the fight scene form them with my alterations. I hope you enjoy this chapter and once I hit 1000 views, which is unbelievably soon, I will post a playlist for this fic that will be updated accordingly. Thanks to all my reviewers and especially knarl. (There's some more foreshadowing in the end if curious.) Follow, favorite, and review. Everything helps. Enjoy!

Chapter 10 Peace Off?! Part 2 or Jealousy

Allan, Alex, and Robin walked towards the north road to meet Marian. They both arrived at the same time. Marian dismounted her new, gifted horse.

"Oh! Nice legs!" Allan commented with a laugh. Marian glared at him and Alex glared at him in anger and Marian in jealousy. "I meant the horse." Allan explained, unconvincingly to the girls. Marian walked over to Robin, and Alex walked past Allan, bumping into him on purpose and walked over to Marian's horse, stroking it softly. "Sheesh." he mumbled. Though Alex wasn't too keen on riding horses, she liked to be near them as long as she was on her two feet.

Allan saw how Alex was snubbing him and didn't understand why she was upset with him. He was upset with her. She just had to keep impressing the Saracen fellow and ignore him because of his beliefs. She was just too happy to be a know-it-all in the group and be more worldly than Robin or Djaq. Malik was obviously taken with her, though Alex did not notice, and Allan was fuming with jealousy. In his mind, flirting a little with Marian would solve everything because pushing his feelings onto someone else was going to work. It wasn't and the two were even more angry with each other. Flirting with Marian, Alex's natural competitor was not the smartest move the Rooster had made.

Robin and Marian talked and walked along the road with Alex leading the horse behind them and Allan grumbling on the other side of the horse with his arms crossed.

"There's definitely something going on. Somebody is staying in the castle, but nobody's allowed near him." Marian said.

Robin replied scornfully jealous, like everyone on the road, "It's a good job Gisborne's got the gifts covered, then. You don't deserve anything from me."

Marian sighed, deciding to ignore Robin's outburst. "Guy is being unusually extravagant. It must be a business deal."

Robin shook his head. "It's not a business deal. It's a Saracen prince come to negotiate peace."

"With the Sheriff?" she questioned.

"And he's expecting Prince John."

"Well, no-one's preparing for a summit."

Robin laughed, "You do surprise me, Marian!"

Meanwhile the two upset friends were walking in silence and in anger. Alex focused her attention on the horse. She mumbled in a quiet voice, "Hey girl." and stroked the horse.

Allan looked up from the ground that he was staring at in order to properly brood. "What?" he asked in a more annoyed tone than he intended.

"I wasn't talking to you." Alex glared back at him.

"What's your problem." he asked, letting his hands fall to his side in exasperation.

"Nothing! What's your problem?" she replied bitterly.

"Nothing!" Allan responded loudly.

"Good." Alex rolled her eyes.

"Great." Allan crossed his arms again. Their attention was now focused on the also jealous couple in front of them.

"So how is Gisborne making money out of a Saracen ambassador? It doesn't make sense." Marian said.

"Well, unless it's a" Robin suddenly stopped at having realized the Sheriff's plan. He turned to Marian. "It's a ransom."

"What, he's being held hostage?"

"But he thinks he's a guest."

"The more fool him. I'll bet there's a fat ransom on its way even as we speak."

"Enjoy the horse while you can. I've got a feeling it might be repossessed!" Robin laughed and left, with the two angry friends following. Marian sighed, hurt and annoyed by Robin.

Shortly after Robin realized the Sheriff's sinister plan and talked with Marian, the gang had discovered something odd in the forest. They were perched on the top of a cliff and down below in a clearing was something that resembled a four post bed, but contained a chest instead and had pretty, blue cloths hanging around it. Alex had not seen fabric that pretty since she was back in her home and knew that the owner was very rich. Four woman was practicing what looked like a ritual dance with long, fluid motions. The woman were dressed in Saracen clothes in a similar opulent cloth. A Saracen general paced by the, watching their movements.

"Allan," Robin whispered, jerking his head towards the woman. Allan ignored him and focused staring at Alex, whose mind was intent on speaking with Djaq and Will. Robin pulled on his sleeve and finally got the outlaw's intention.

"That doesn't look like a ransom." Allan said with a false grin (he only had eyes fro Alex). All the men grinned at the decorated women, but Djaq look at them in fear and Alex looked at the men in disgust, mumbling about how they could be slaves and how the patriarchy was terrible.

"It is not a ransom." Djaq said, deadly serious.

"Of course it's a ransom. Look, flags of safe passage, women to show good faith…" Alex rolled here eyes. All the men were entranced by the woman, with Allan feigning it. The women continued their serene dance as the solider walked over to the decorated chest and pulled down a blue cloth, revealing wood with a solider painted in back with a white cross on it. The solider stepped to the side as if waiting for something.

"Robin, this is not right. Muslims are forbidden to worship human images." Djaq said.

"I'm not surprised. It's hardly a masterpiece is it?" Allan said.

"Ya know, this could be like some anger releasing thing based on that accurate drawing." Alex commented bitterly.

"I think it might be the al-Shuj'aan. Salah ad-Din's assassination squad." Djaq said. Robin, Allan, and Little John chuckled at the idea. Alex looked at her with full belief in what she was saying, and Will turned to her with a serious face.

"Only one of them is armed." Robin said. He looked over to the chest, his outlaw instincts taking over. "And that chest of money could feed a lot of mouths. Let's take it." Robin began to stand, but Alex pulled him back down.

"Robin, no!" Djaq protested. Right on time, the soldier clapped his hands. The women responded by cartwheeling and flipping away from the chest and reached into poses, then with outstretched arms, flung four pointed stars at the drawing with perfect accuracy. The stars hit the cross perfectly in a row. The outlaws looked shock and remained that way until Alex interrupted. "I want to be them."

"That's not worship. That's target practice." Will said, staring at the scene below.

"You're not listening to me because I'm a women. Don't make the same mistake with them." Djaq said.

"I'm all ears." Robin replied, wide-eyed.

The gang returned to the camp where Much and Harold were alone for a time. Robin leaned against and thought out loud about their situation. "The prince thinks he's here to negotiate peace… and the Sheriff thinks a ransom is on its way," Robin walked towards the fire. "… but neither of them know that Salah ad-Din has sent assassins. So…" Robin hated next to the fire, with his hand near his mouth in deep thought. Harold was leaning against a tree by his cage, Little John was sitting on the ground nearby, Djaq was sitting on a log near the fire, Will stood behind John, and Much walked over to Robin. Alex sat the farthest away from the hearth of the camp, poking the ground with a stick thinking about how despite Robin's earlier wise words, she still was an outsider. Allan walked towards her, putting on his cloak and stoping beside her in habit, even though the two were not getting along.

"So we stay here and do nothing. We let those al-Fajanis kill the Sheriff and rescue the prince." Much said.

"That sounds good to me." Allan said, fastening his cloak on.

"No! The al-Shuj'aan do not rescue. They're killers. That's what they do. Kill, or die in attempt." Djaq explained.

"Well if they're not going to rescue the Prince, then what are they doing here?" Much asked.

"They are here to kill Malik." Alex realized, looking up from her task. Allan looked at her, upset that she was using his first name. Allan would be happy if he died if Malik was going to take his girl.

"Why would Saladin want to kill his own nephew?" Much asked.

"A nephew that wants peace at any cost. Saladin wants a good deal." Alex reasoned with her signature smirk and eyebrow raise.

"So why send him over in the first place?" Will asked.

"But that's the thing. He didn't. Malik told me he came on his own before he left." Alex said. 'Yep. Definitely hope he dies.' Allan thought.

Robin stood up and turned to Djaq. "We have to rescue the prince." Allan mumbled under his breathe so no one could hear, "No, we don't."

"We tried that before. He doesn't want to know." Will said.

"I could try to talk some sense into him. He likes me." Alex replied.

Allan was visibly red now. "War in the Holy Land is 2000 miles away. It's not our problem!"

"No, Allan, you're wrong! War is here! It's right here in the forest!" Robin yelled. He stepped so he was facing Harold, who simply looked at the ground. The gang walked so that they formed a semi-circle around the sick solider. "He was an ordinary Englishman. He tilled the fields, he loved his wife, he cared for his children."

"He's not married!" Allan scoffed.

"It's an example. Come on. You're better than this, Rooster." Alex said standing up. She placed her hand on his arms, forgetting about her anger with him for that simple comment to Marian. Allan forgot about her friendliness with the prince by that simple touch. Allan nodded in agreement and Alex smiled back.

"Then he was forced to go to the Holy Land to fight. Look at him! A pitiful shadow of a man. Everyday good men like Harold are destroyed out there! Only peace can put a stop to this." Robin continued.

"Who are you calling pitiful?" Harold said suddenly. The gang turned at looked at him. "You ran from women."

"You know about them?" Robin asked.

"I know which part of hell the al-Shuj'aan come from" Harold pointed to this temple. "… in here."

"They're the ones who did this to you?" Much asked stepping forward.

Harold nodded once.

"Does anyone here know what these two are talking about?" Allan asked. Harold stood up, looking at Allan. Allan instinctively put himself in front of Alex, and she instinctively help onto his arm. Harold looked at Allan and looked at his bound hands in concentration. The ropes snapped and Allan pulled Alex back along with the other members of the gang insignificant retreat. Harold just calmly sat back down and said to Allan, "That's what we're talking about."

"Forget the ransom! You can have him for free!" the Sheriff screamed and pleaded to the Saracen guard. The guard just smiled that his plan had worked. The female assassins were as efficient as ever in the job in killing and the Sheriff and the English as a whole, had fallen for the prospect of money. Their greed was a key factor in this plan.

"You misunderstand, my friend." the Saracen said with air of superiority, "We're not here to rescue the prince. We come to bury him along with all talk of peace."The Saracen raise his sword high, prepared to give the lethal blow, but was interrupted by the swish of a arrow. He looked down and found an arrow in his chest, causing the Sheriff to scream more. The Saracen's curved sword fell from his hand and onto the Sheriff, who then clutched it in here. Robin then appeared, causing the Sheriff to whimper, along with Alex, Allan, Much, and Djaq holding their swords at the scared Sheriff. Little John held his staff and Will watched the scene, prepared to offer assistance if required.

"Where's the prince?" Robin asked sternly.

"Forget him. You stay here. Protect me." The gang replied by holding the pointed and lethal ends of their weapons closer to the man. "I'll give you your prince." He reasoned.

"Where?" Alex demanded.

"In the hall." The sheriff said, glancing in its direction.

Robin motioned for his gang to head over and try to protect the prince. "Will, get the horses to the East gate. We'll get Malik." he instructed. Will nodded and ran off to his task's demands.

The gang headed into the Grand Hall, with the noise of the desperate Sheriff and the primal war call of the female assassins. They bursted in the hall and found Malik kneeling on the ground, resigned to his fate of death. He was surrounded by four guards. They immediately yelled to get the outlaws.

"Forget us! Watch the entrance!" Robin ordered.

"You heard him! Guard the doors!" The Sheriff yelled, following behind and carrying the curved sword high.

"The Sheriff's with us?!" Much questioned. The gang ignored him and circled around the prince in a defensive position.

"Did no one ever tell you that fools do not deserve to be rescued?" Malik told Robin and Alex, who stood on either side of him.

"Ya know, we haven't rescued you yet." Alex said with a smirk and a swing of her sword.

"La di da di da. Will you just shut up?!" The Sheriff ordered nervously. They all waited and heard screams of the slain guards. Malik mouthed a silent prayer. The gang all got into defensive positions and Robin ordered Malik to stand behind him. The gang all prepared for what was in store. "Do you have any ideas?" the Sheriff continued.

"Much, Djaq, John, over there." Robin ordered, looking at the door. "Vaisey, Allan, Alex with me." Every dashed to their location and Alex and Allan stood beside each other, back to back since they both of their skills increased when fighting as a pair.

"Me?" Vaisey asked.

"Do it or we die." Robin responded.

The gang waited for a calm moment and then the doors bursted open, revealing the ruthless women. They calmly pulled of their veils and vest, revealing tattoos similar to Harold. They held up their swords and so did the outlaws. The women charged and ran down to Robin, he Sheriff, Allan, and Alex below, protecting their target.

"Oi!" Little John shouted. The woman looked behind them in response. "Come on then." The women spun their swords and formed a moving circle, pushing everyone back. They continued this for several minutes until they suddenly stopped.

"Ready" Robin said. "Now!" The outlaws and the Sheriff all attacked the women. The woman blocks Robins blow, causing him to step back. The Sheriff crossed in front of Robin, who pushed him out of the way and spun around to face the woman again as the Sheriff took a hack at her. The woman blocked both their swords and turned to face them. Little John swung his staff and the woman ducked. He turned around, using his momentum, and butted her with his staff, but she easily and with no work turned it aside. Robin and the Sheriff both attacked their foe, reuniting the enemies for awhile, but the women easily blocked them again, one with each hand. Allan swing and is blocked, then was kicked backwards, leaving Alex alone with the women. The women attacks her and Alex barely blocks and then attempts to kick the assassin in the fcae, but she quickly dodged out of the way. The woman spun round to face Little John, and his current opponent spun around to take on Djaq as Much was kicked backwards in the face. The Sheriff brought his sword down in front of the woman; Robin pushed the Sheriff out of the way and spun round to face her himself. The Sheriff swung again and is knocked down. Two women attack Allan and Alex, who are defending together and block them. The Sheriff and Robin each attack and are blocked by the woman, one with each hand. Little John swung his staff and the woman turns from Allan and blocks with both swords, then pushes his staff to the floor with one before spinning round to take on Alex and bringing the other sword up under the staff at the same time, pulling it up and forcing Little John to step backwards. Robin and the Sheriff knocked back the woman, but she jumped to sit on the table behind her and kicked out at Robin. Much and Djaq defended themselves again. Robin fell to the floor and the woman then spun off the table with her right leg flying at the Sheriff 's head, avoiding his overhand swing and landing deftly on her feet. Robin quickly stood, putting an arm around the Sheriff, and pushed him aside while spinning to face the woman. Much swung his sword and is blocked. The Sheriff attacks and is pushed back with a foot. Robin charged and is blocked low, then she brought her sword up in an arc and around, pushing Robin's out of the way. Spinning swords come at Little John, who defended himself by holding his staff over his head, but then is pushed back with a foot to his stomach. Alex attacks, but the woman defends, spins and kicks her, sending her sailing into the corner after her sword. Allan immediately came to her aid and fought off the women himself, but was also sent back. Robin blocked and was pushed back into the table. He grabbed the woman's right arm and twisted it behind her back. She immediately kicked him behind her back, knocking him into the Sheriff, who was already crouched on the floor. He yelled, "I hate this! This isn't much fun at all!" Robin fell behind the Sheriff. Much and Djaq were pressed back into the window by two women. Much had his sword arm round Djaq and held his shield up to protect them both as Djaq kicked out, forcing the women back. The Sheriff ducked under the table and covered his head with his hands. Suddenly there was a new person whooping a war call.

Everybody turned to face the upper doorway as Harold rushed in, bare chested, showing off all the tortured tattoos. He leapt up to stand on the railing in one easy, graceful move. The women regrouped, facing the balcony. Harold flipped so he landed swiftly on the floor below, two swords ready. He and the women stared at each other a moment, then Harold started spinning his swords and the women joined in. They formed a circle around him as the gang watched, ready to step in when necessary. The first woman attacked, but Harold blocked and spins round to face the one behind him. He blocked again. The women circle round, but Harold was ready to block any one of them with his swords spinning. He defended one in front, then turned and defended behind him. The Sheriff came out from under the table finally. Harold ducked just enough to dodge a blade, jumped up, then ducks another and leaned back to defend behind him. He and the latter woman both spun around and Robin finally stepped in to engage the first woman as the Sheriff ducked her sword.

"Get Malik out now!" Robin yelled while Harold advanced on two. Robin blocked, turned and blocked another. Little John went behind the table to get Malik. Allan engaged the fourth but was blocked and kicked backwards, forcing Alex to take on the woman alone. Much and Djaq stood ready to defend as Little John got Malik, who was sidling away from him along the wall. Harold jumped and spun around, forcefully knocking blades to push one to the floor. He immediately turned and blocked as the Sheriff swung and a woman ducks. Harold ducked as his opponent spun around. The Sheriff attacked again, but Robin grabbed the back of his coat, pulling him back out of the way and blocking at the same time, but is knocked down. Harold reached back as the woman reached out to defend and he quickly sliced across her belly with his other sword.

"One," Harold said as he turned and goes down to one knee, stabbing another as she raises an arm to attack and Little John, Djaq, Much and Malik made their way along the south wall behind her. Allan and Alex's opponent spun around, jabbing behind her, and Alex kicked her in the back with her foot as Harold pulled his sword out of the body. "Two," he continued. Allan's and Alex's opponent caught her balance near Harold. Much, Little John and Djaq still protected Malik as they make their way to the stairs. Harold ducked a swing. The remaining two women turned on him, leaving Robin and the Sheriff crouching in front of the table. Harold blocked a sword each, raising his arms over his head, and they both kicked him back as the gang, except Robin, watched from the stairs. Harold regained his balance as one female circled around behind him. Harold glanced back at her, then turned and raised one arm over his head to defend her from behind as the one in front spins her swords. Harold jabed his right sword behind him, stabbing her, then spun around and sliced across her belly with the other. "Three," he continued. The last one rushed him, leaping over her fallen comrade, and he blocked her perfectly. She tried to stab him, but he jumped aside and got his swords under hers and brought them across in an arc, knocking both swords from her hands in succession. He immediately brought both his swords to her neck and slices outward, severing her head. "Four," he concluded.

The gang, who were at the base of the stairs, protecting Malik, looked at Harold shocked at his deadly skill. They were interrupted by the words of the Sheriff. "Get him," Vaisey pointed at Malik, "Prince Bismallah … far away from here."

"The feeling is mutual." Malik replied.

Robin put his arm around Harold and began to lead him out of the Great Hall. "And Locksley, remember…" The Sheriff added as Robin turned to look at him, "business, as usual... tomorrow."

"I'll look forward to it." Robin replied as they all departed.

Back at the outlaws' forest, Malik removed a needle from the now cleaned mask, or Alex 2, that was on Harold's head. Malik held the blunt needle to his lips in thought, until his thoughts were interrupted by Robin.

"And you've never done this before." Robin said. The gang were all hurled around Malik and Harold.

"I've studied the theory." Malik replied.

"Will it work?" Much asked.

"Ask him yourself." Malik replied.

"How do you feel?" Much asked Harold.

"It doesn't feel bad. It's been a long time since I could say that." Harold said as Malik pulled out the rest of the needles.

"How long will the needles have to stay in?" Djaq asked curiously.

"Of that I am not certain." Malik removed Alex 2. "I will send more instructions once I have reached Jerusalem."

"No need. I'll come with you. See you safe." Harold replied, driven by his sense of gratitude and loyalty. Malik nodded in response.

"You're gonna go back there?" Much asked Harold in disbelief.

"There'll be no peace in here," he replied pointing to his temple. "…until there's peace out there."

"I'm afraid your hopes for peace may be in vain." Robin said.

Alex lightly slapped him for being rude, though she agreed. "Looks like you got yourself a partner in you noble quest. I hope you succeed." she said, smirking at Malik.

"I hope so. Think about it, my friends. Saladin sends his finest soldiers to kill me, yet I survive. It is the will of Allah. Allah wills peace. Saladin may be ruthless, but he is a good Muslim, and even he must follow the will of Allah." Malik replied, returning a smile. Allan coughed and glared out of jealousy.

"Well, I may not believe in the will of Allah, but I know a thing or two about fate and I think things will work out in the end. If you ever need help, send a letter addressed to Alex Hunter, Sherwood Forest."

Malike paused for a minute, thinking. "You could also come with us. You are so much smarter than these outlaws. You could be helpful in diplomatic matters and in a fight."

Alex stared at him, shock for a minute. The men of the gang stepped forward at the comment about them and Allan stepped forward to land a nice punch on the prince for trying to take his girl, but Alex holdout here arm, stopping them. "Ya know, that's not my fate, Malik. My home is here now. Whether I like it or no, but the thing is, I love it here. Sure, the people here aren't the most worldly and educated, but they are loyal and loving and I am loyal to them and love them. I belong here." Alex smiled at Robin and then Allan, knowing now that this is where she belonged and she was not an outsider anymore. Robin smiled back, proud at the once stranger, turned loyal member. Allan smiled back, knowing that there was a part of her, however small, that loved him back.

"I figured." Malik said, turning to look at Allan, knowing what was going on between the two. It was so obvious it pained him. He turned back to the bright eyed girl. "If you ever need help, write a letter to Prince Malik, Jerusalem."

Malik and Harold departed that night and Robin and Much had left to say goodbye and show them the way. Between that time, chores and odd tasks were done around the camp, leaving Allan and Alex separated for that time. It wasn't until their star time, they could talk. At dinner, Djaq had to steal Alex and gush about the prince's proposal.

Allan was already laying down in his makeshift sleeping area when Alex laid down after her conversation with Djaq.

"Hey Rooster." she said, laying down.

"Songbird." he replied.

"Today was weird."

"I agree."

"Allan, did you think I was a witch when you first met me?" Alex asked, leaving herself open to hurt.

"Odd, yes. Crazy, slightly. Evil and magical, no." he replied with a grin.

Alex smiled as well. "Ya know, I don't entirely belong, do I? I'm from so far away."

"But you are one of us now. I'm not being' funny, if you were from some village around here, you wouldn't be that much different."

"Oh. So what would I be like if I was from here?" Alex said with a hint of sarcasm.

"I s'ppose some richer type girl, maybe even a noble, with a knack for gettin' into trouble with a big mouth." Allan smirked at her.

"Oh thanks. That makes me sound like a risky idiot."

"That's 'retty accurate."

Alex sat up and lightly hit Allan.

"Oi!"

"You deserve it!"

"No I don't. Just being' honest! No crime against that, is there?"

"An A Dale being honest is a rarity, isn't it?"

"Ey! Don't bring me family name into this!"

Alex laughed and laid back down. "I won't. I'm sorry."

After a moment of silence, Allan began to speak. "What would I be like in you world?"

"Oh that's a tough one. Hmm." Alex paused for a minute, scrunching her face in thought. "Oh. I got it! Okay, so you would be a student like me and you would have a major in like something really cool and employable. You also would be the guy at parties that does those party tricks that are obvious crowd pleasers. Also could see you for some reason having like a hip, brown leather jacket."

"Why a brown leather jacket?"

"Black would not look good on you." Alex replied with a giggle, thinking of the unlikely scenario of Allan wearing Guyliner's clothes.

Another long moment of silence passed. "So why did you not go with the prince?" Allan asked.

"Because this is my home now. I wouldn't trade it for anything." Alex replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "It may have its faults, but I have never felt more alive and happier."

"What will you do when you have to go to your real home?" Allan said, spitting the word real out like a poison.

"We'll deal with that when we have to." Alex said, turning to face Allan, who also turned to face her. They feel asleep that night studying each other in the case that there would a reason Alex had to return home. They both knew that that scenario would destroy them both.