AN: Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed. I will start to post the sequel in week or so.

Part 23

Two weeks later, the air was crisp, and frost littered every branch, building and blade of grass. The outlaws stood within the shelter of the forest and looked on to what had once been a thriving town. The land was cleared and looked barren in the winters light. On what had been the hill to Locksley was now a well established encampment, of Cornelius and his men. Areas had been set aside and building materials were beginning to be brought in to rebuild the town and castle.

Marian sighed deeply and Robin sensing her inner turmoil wrapped his arm about her shoulders and drew her close to his side. They had all seen the devastation before apart from her and while it affected Marian in ways the others did not comprehend, it distressed them all in some degree.

"What are we going to do now?" Asked Will softly and smiled a little when he felt Djaq curl her fingers around his, needing something or someone to hold on to and he was pleased she had chosen him.

"Right now?" enquired Robin softly.

"No in general. We can't stop this." He said with a wave of his arm at the building site.

"No. Nottingham should be rebuilt by those who destroyed it in the first place." Robin replied.

"And it will be," Marian said quietly, regretting still to some extent the day she rode out of the city gate, leaving everything behind.

"You said in Buckinghamshire that we were going to help those left behind." Said Allan thoughtfully, adding. "And there isn't any people here, but there are plenty in the villages. Do you think we can still waylay travellers in the forest?"

Robin gave a dry laugh. "I do not think the demise of Nottingham will stop travellers through the forest. "

"What are we waiting for then?" asked Little John. "We could be busy."

"Go on then Marian and I will follow." Robin told them, they gave the couple a knowing look before walking deep into the forest and soon were out of sight.

"It is far from over," she whispered still staring at what had been Nottingham. "Gisborne….."

"Is more dangerous now than when he was in possession of the Pact." Finished Robin wondering where he had fled to, there had been no evidence that Guy had been to Locksley when they passed by there earlier that day.

"Our plan has changed course a little," she added with a reflective smile.

"Yes. And as the months tick by Much will be on at me to find a Priest."

"We know in our hearts we belong together. We promised in front of witnesses and that is good enough for me forever." She told him shifting so that she was encompassed in his arms.

"Even so…." He answered. "When I have my lands back again, it would be right…."

"The only thing that is right is being here with you. I know that now." She told him, love shining in her eyes, with a little flicker of emotion that they had wasted so much time in the past.

Robin echoed her smile and said. "We can still defeat Prince John, Gisborne, Jasper and their men. Bring the King home and restore England, together."

She answered him by holding his face in the palms of her hands and bringing his head down to meet hers with a kiss. They forgot about the gang and the mission to rob the rich to feed the poor as they stood locked in a passionate embrace together enjoying the feelings the kiss, the moment created.

"My love," he murmured to her in-between kisses.

"My beautiful hero." She replied before they lost themselves in each other.

0o0

It was along time later when they retuned to camp the gang already there and supper simmering in the pot. Much was going to ask where they had been but received a warning glance from Djaq and chose to remain silent. Robin looked over the booty the gang had seized, impressed with their afternoon's achievements.

"Well?" asked Allan. "Is the old gang back together again or what?"

Robin nodded, followed by the rest of the gang.

"We are Robin Hood." Declared Little John and echoed by the others.

"Ready to fight another day." Marian added, and they were.

The End