Disclaimer: I don't own Robin Hood…DAMNIT! (Co-written with Kalli J. Wolfram)
I've lost her. That single thought echoes through my mind as I lie awake, listening to the chirping of the crickets and light rustlings of the trees branches from the wind. How could I have allowed this? How could I not have protected her better? I sighed, knowing that Marian wouldn't have allowed me to protect her anymore than I already had. But the fact remains that I have let her down…just as I let down Allan's brother.
I look over to Allan's spot and find that he isn't there. Glancing around the camp, I see his figure in the darkness; he's sitting on the rock staring out into the forest. I can't blame him. The ache I felt in my heart seems to be twice as strong as it was when I realized leaving England for glory in the Holy Land hadn't been the best idea, when I finally allowed myself to admit that leaving Marian was the worst idea I had had in all my years.
"Master?" Much whispers. "Are you asleep?"
Sighing, I look to my friend. "What is it?"
"It is not your fault, Master."
I turn my gaze downward as I sit up. "Which? Losing Marian? Or not being able to save Allan's brother?"
"Both," Much says and soon he comes to sit beside me. "Gisbourne put her into that situation."
"Because she gave me the necklace to give back to the girl. Because I agreed to let her give it to me. Had I just allowed her to keep it she wouldn't be enga…" I can't even finish the sentence, the very thought causing my stomach to tighten.
"You did your best. And she is smart. Marian said she would not marry Gisbourne until King Richard returned. You should be glad that she was so smart, Master."
"And what am I to do on that day, Much? How am I to prove that Gisbourne is guilty now that the Sheriff has destroyed the evidence?"
Much places a hand on my shoulder. "You are clever. You will figure something out."
Looking to my friend I find his confidence in me more than surprising. He is a good man. He's followed me into battle, followed me into poverty, and knowing Much he'd follow me into death.
"Oi, I don't mean to be funny, but perhaps we should get to doing something useful if we're all up," Allan says from his perch on the rock, causing the first real smile to form on my face since allowing Gisbourne to go free.
"We're not all up," Much replies.
"We are now," Will chimes, sitting up and I look over to see the rest of my friends rise.
Djaq moves over to the fire and starts gets it going once more. "You were never asleep."
"How would you know?" Allan asked.
"Because I was not asleep," she replies simply.
"So you watch 'im in 'is sleep do ya?"
Will smiled and looked over to Allan. "Problem with that?"
Their exchange causes Much to laugh lightly. We had all been shocked when Allan and Will had admitted to having feelings for Djaq. And thinking about that brought me back to Marian.
"Master?"
"Stay here, Much. I'm going to Knighton Hall."
"What?" the others ask in unison.
"It's too dangerous," Will says. "Gisbourne could be there."
"I must talk to her."
"After the way you acted I doubt she would be willing to talk with you," Djaq says and I don't doubt her words. My body still ached from the beating it had taken. "Wait, Robin. Give her time." The others sound their agreement.
Time. It always seems to be against us.