Ok, this is definitely a happy ending. I have Mika's Happy Ending in my head now.

Epilogue

The tree's branches cast uneven shadows across his face; light illuminating his tired features. Lines that had formed over the years were clear to see, marks of his age. His body wasn't exactly in top physique, weakened with use. But still, the man did not care about any of things. He wasn't as young as he used to be but with age had come wisdom and experience; knowledge of all the wonderful things in life. He wouldn't go back.

Rustling in the leaves above his head alerted him to another presence in the forest clearing. He was fairly certain what or who it was but he didn't want to ruin the illusion. Ruin the illusion and you upset the child. Something he would never do if he could help it. Instead, he remained perfectly motionless, listening hard for any more sounds.

A giggle floated down from the canopy before it was abruptly stopped. No doubt the owner had realised it might give the game away. There was another scuffle with the plant's limbs before silence. He tensed, ready for the inevitable.

And he was not disappointed. Out of the branches plummeted a small blur, dropping like a stone onto his shoulders. The man felt his bones creak ominously.

"Rargh!"

"Ahh!"

"Rargh!"

"Ahh!"

"Ha! I scared you!"

"Yeah you did. You absolutely terrified me. I thought a monster had pounced on me!"

The child let out a delighted squeal, smiling widely.

"So, you fancy going back home now?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean, you don't know?" the adult laughed.

"Well, I like playing with you but I am getting hungry."

"All right then that decides it, your stomach always comes above everything else."

"Really?" The child looked confused, as if the information it had just been fed contradicted previous life lessons.

"Yup, let's go." Despite his age the man managed to bend down and scoop the child into his arms.

Smoke rose out of the chimney of a small cottage, vanishing into the atmosphere. It was the sign of something cooking inside. The man couldn't help but be pleased about that fact, his stomach was grumbling too.

The pair stepped through the door and into the dwelling. Immediately they were greeted by a barrage of dogs, two in fact, which had been desperate to get outside. The animals skidded past his legs, almost tripping him up, and dashed into the yard.

"Oh Much, you didn't let the dogs out, did you?" A voice called from the kitchen.

"Sorry. I sort of had my hands full."

"I only just got them in. They've been full of energy all afternoon. Mutt knocked over the milk pail earlier. I'd been milking for a good hour; all wasted."

"Sorry," Much repeated, walking into the kitchen. That was what he loved about his home; it had multiple rooms and a second floor!

Standing over the stove was a slim woman, dressed in a blue summer dress, her mahogany hair tumbling onto her shoulders. Her cheeks had been stained pink by the heat of the fire and there was a glisten of sweat on her forehead. Much didn't care though; she was absolutely gorgeous no matter what.

Her name was Rosaline and she was his wife and mother to his children. They had been married for at least twenty years now. Much sometimes lost track because it felt like they'd always been together.

"That's all right. How was your walk?"

"It was great, wasn't it, Daddy?" The child piped up as Much set it on the floor.

"Yes, we had a lot of fun."

"I'm hungry. Is supper done yet?"

"Ellie!" Much admonished his daughter, grabbing her round her skinny waist and tickling her. She laughed wildly, wriggling to get out of his grip but failing miserably.

"No, no! Gerroff!"

The little girl collapsed on the floor, her knees crumpling beneath her as she giggled hysterically. Much chuckled with her, smiling first at Ellie then at Rosaline who was shaking her head at their antics.

"Supper is stew."

"Eurgh, stew again?" Ellie moaned from her heap on the floor.

"Yes, and you'd do well to be thankful, little miss fussy," Much told her, "When I was a young man we had barely any food. It was eat what you were given whether it was venison stew or squirrel on a stick."

"What?! You can't eat squirrels!" The child gasped, brown eyes wide with shock.

"You can, now go feed the chickens before we lay the table."

"All right." The little girl skipped from the kitchen.

Ellie or Eleanor Ashdown was Much's youngest child, she was seven years old, and the only one that remained permanently at home. The rest came and went when it suited them. Much sometimes grew exasperated at their lack of communication. It was as if they just expected to be fed and sheltered every time they turned up out of the blue.

The next youngest after Ellie was Piper who had left home only last month to live with a relative of Rosaline's, she was eleven. It was supposed to be a learning curb for the mischievous child who was always up to her ears in trouble. She was due back home when she was thirteen but that was if she had not married first.

Before her were twin boys, Godwyn and Merlin, they had taken a joint apprenticeship with a blacksmith in Nettlestone so appeared home often, always clearing the larder each time they came. Both, although only fourteen were giants, tall and muscular. They had been terrors when they were little and Much had to say he wasn't too sorry that they'd moved on.

The last three of his children were probably his greatest achievements. You weren't supposed to value some children above others but when Much was a young man he never would've thought he could've produced such offspring. The others still had time to catch up but it would be a hard task to better their success.

Third oldest was Fliss, short for Felicia, who had married four years ago. The man she had married was heir to Locksley Manor, in other words he was Much's best friend's son. Edward was Robin's eldest son, he was the first child conceived by any of the outlaws. The young man was named after his mother's father and was just as kind and considerate. He cared deeply for all the people of Locksley even before he became their Lord.

The couple had recently had a babe; that made Much a grandfather. It was a very scary thought.

Conrad was the second oldest and he was the furthest away of all Much's children –at the moment in time - considering he was in London studying to become a doctor. He had always been a clever child. Even when he was just talking he would be asking questions about the world. Conrad really reminded Much of Eli both in appearance and intelligence. But Much had been determined from the very start that he would not follow the same path. So Conrad's gifts had been put to good use even as a kid, learning to read and write along with Robin's children.

Last, or first, whichever way you looked at it, but certainly not least was Arthur who was a soldier. He was in the King's personal guard, just like Robin and Much had been in their youth. In fact he had even advised King Richard on a number of occasions. That was what Arthur was good at – other than being a fantastic swordsman – making the right decisions; decisions that would benefit everyone and be entirely fair.

Usually he was very far away, a fact Much and Rosaline hated but could do nothing about – Rosaline often wondered whether she would get a message telling her that her eldest child had died – but he had a month's leave to recover from a wound he had sustained in battle so had returned to Locksley.

Much was exceedingly proud of this son in particular because in a way he was continuing what Much had done in his youth, fighting injustice and protecting the King but also because, although he would never admit it aloud, he couldn't help feel smug that his son was doing what Robin's had never been interested in. And he knew that irritated his friend no end. But it was nice to get one up on his best friend once in awhile.

"Do you suppose Arthur will be able to tear himself away from the Scarlett's to grace us with his presence for supper tonight?" Rosaline asked from where she was ladling the stew into large bowls. Much smiled as the wonderful meaty aroma wafted up his nose.

"I doubt it. He is completely smitten and I don't reckon anything will move him."

"It is sweet though, isn't it? That he's finally found someone to love. I always worried that he would never grow attached to anyone for fear of being hurt. Ever since…you know." Rosaline had been referring to how Arthur had been in love with a girl when he was fifteen but she had used him and then dumped him in seek of a 'better, more successful man'.

"I know, well obviously Miss Scarlett is a perfect choice. I have not one bad word to say about her."

"Ha, isn't that just because she is your greatest friends' child?"

"Possibly."

When Arthur had returned from his service he had met and fallen head over heels in love with Emma Scarlett. She was the village beauty it had to be said. With her mother's exotic skin colouring and her father's intense eyes she even surpassed the Lord and Lady's daughter, Lucinda.

Arthur wasn't lacking in the looks department either. Tall and broad, with bronze hair and brown eyes flecked with gold and green. Even Emma, the usually immovable rock of womanly independence from men, could not help but be wooed by such a fine specimen – especially as their first meeting involved him catching her as she fell off a rearing horse dressed in his shining suit of armour.

Much thought they were the perfect couple though he knew Will had reservations. The carpenter (for that was still his trade) did not like the idea of his daughter being married to a man that would be abroad a lot of the time. He did not want her heart broken and for good reason, Much would want the same for his girls.

Just at that moment the discussed man wandered idly through the door, his eyes lost in a daydream.

"Nice of you to join us, Arthur," Rosaline smiled, teasingly.

"Mother," Arthur nodded curtly in greeting before tossing away pretences and hugging her tightly.

"Boy, you've grown too big and strong, you are crushing me," the small woman gasped.

"Sorry," her son looked suitably abashed.

"Food!" Ellie re-entered the kitchen.

"Hello, baby sister."

"I'm not a baby!"

"You are to me, little one," Arthur grinned before scooping her feather light form into his arms and swinging her in a circle.

Much moved closer to his wife and placed a tender arm round her shoulders as the two of them watched their children, the youngest and the oldest, play. The once manservant couldn't help but think how well his life had turned out to have such beautiful children and a lovely wife. It was a huge leap from his own childhood and he wouldn't have it any other way.

That is finally the end. My story is finite! Sorry if the epilogue is a bit too soppy, I may have got slightly carried away with the kids but I always viewed Much as a family man so thought he would have a lot. xxxxxxxxxx