Robin Hood [Spin Off]

[lost_in_fiction]

Title: Robin Hood [Spin Off] (yeah, again with the un-originality)
Chapter: One - Daine
Author: Me, lost_in_fiction
Rating: PG
Characters: Robin & the gang, the Sheriff & Guy, Marian & Sir Edward, Daine Merton and Lord Merton (his son, not the dead guy)
Pairings: Robin/Marian, Guy/Marian. There are more to come.
Spoilers/Timeline: Spoilers for S1, completely AU after 1x13
Warnings: I wrote this almost a year ago, so the writing isn't as good as it gets later. (Not saying I'm big headed, but there is a major difference in levels. And they get longer too...)
A/N: Daine and her brother are my own characters, they are the offspring of that guy who died at the end of the first series with the weird moustache. Hopes you like it, just let me know if you want to read more. There are 13 chapters in all and a half written second series! lol

Chapter One - Daine

"I can't believe you!" Daine looked at the new Lord Merton with horror. Since her father, the old Lord Merton, was killed her life had been getting worse and worse. "Outlawed?"

"Yes, because you, like your father, are against the Sheriff. Therefore, you are outlawed. I'm being kind to you; I'm letting you go now, before the Sheriff finds out. You can start a new life away from here; I'm giving you a chance."

Daine looked at her belongings in her hand that had been packed by her nurse, then to the new Lord Merton who was gesturing towards the door; and then to the cart waiting for her outside. This isn't what her father would have wanted for her. They were against the Sheriff, they all were. She had to do something.

"Fine. I'm leaving." Lord Merton looked relieved at this, he did care about her, he wanted what was best for her. "I'm leaving home, but not Nottinghamshire." Before the Lord could argue, Daine had raced out the door, past the cart and away from her home.

Daine had planned for this. Daine had known that something would happen to her eventually, that's why she learned how to fight with the help of her nurse. A pang of sadness hit Daine, she would miss her nurse. Her nurse had done so much to help her, getting her husband to teach Daine to fight, teaching Daine to read and write herself and much more. Tears fell from Daine's eyes as she continued to run.

***

The outlaws sat around a fire in their latest camp. Allan was telling them stories of him and his brother's drunken antics. It may have still hurt him to talk about his brother, but he felt reliving their times would help heal the wound.

"And then, this huge guy came up to us and tried to start a fight! He was saying that my brother had stolen from him his livestock and his daughter! Turns out that he had. Didn't find that out until after I got the living daylights beaten out of me!" Most of the outlaws were unsure if they should laugh or remain silent. Allan noticed their discomfort and laughed. "Sorry fellas, keep forgetting most of the stories about my brother end like that."

Much was the first to answer back. "Well don't tell them to start with, and then you won't have to remember!" Allan was about to rise up to Much's comment when Will came rushing into the camp. He'd been put on "spy duty" in the forest that afternoon, like most afternoons.

"Robin!" The outlaws stood up, sensing the seriousness of the situation. Will continued to speak in between gasps for air. "There's a bunch of guards. Just north of here. They have an outlaw. And it doesn't look good." At this Robin grabbed his bow and ran to where Will was pointing. The other outlaws followed suit, Will coming up behind, still catching his breath.

***

"What do you want? I have nothing." Daine was bored now. The guards had caught her running from a village and jumped to conclusions. They believed she was running away from a theft. "I have nothing to hide!"

"I don't believe you. You're an outlaw." She'd been an outlaw for 5 minutes and she was already caught. Admittedly she did look suspicious. She'd pulled her scarf over her face at the last minute, to protect her identity. Her father's name was already tarnished, and even though he was now gone, she would do anything to save what little dignity he had.

Daine rolled her eyes, and sighed. "Please, just let me go. I haven't stolen a thing. You can check my bag if you must, but all you'll find is clothing." She immediately kicked herself for this. Daine had something of great value to her in that bag. If the guards caught her with it, they would assume she stole it and she would surely hang.

***

Robin and the group arrived at the scene Will had told them about. Surely enough, there were a group of guards harassing an outlaw.

"Why haven't they arrested him already?" Allan asked.

"I don't know." Robin pondered on this for a while. "Maybe he's stalling for time, waiting for something?"

"Well, whatever he's doing shouldn't we be helping?" Much was the one to suggest this. Robin looked to Much. Much was right, they had to help.

"Look!" Djaq pointed at one of the guards. He'd gone into the outlaw's bag and pulled out something shinny. "That must be what they are after!"

"Well, there's no helping him now. He's guilty." Allan was about to turn away when Will pulled him back.

Down below, the outlaw was grabbed by a guard and his hands were tied. The main guard yelled for the outlaw to be taken to the Sheriff, and then started to walk away. The outlaw turned around and looked right at Robin and his men. His eyes caught Allan's.

"I'm not being funny but..."

***

Daine saw Robin Hood. She had hope. But she was still being taken away, wasn't he going to help? More tears fell, just like the ones that had fallen many times in the last few days.

***

"Seriously?" Just like Much, to question Allan. “She’s a girl?"

"Yeah, I mean just look!" They looked at the outlaw in the guard’s custody.

"All the more reason to go then," said Robin, smiling the way he always did before they were about to go into "battle".

***

"OUTLAWS!" Daine and her captor turned around quickly to see Robin and his men running down the hill. The smile returned to her face. They worked their way through the guards; many had run before they got there. Cowards she thought, and took this opportunity to hit the guard behind her in the chin.

He promptly let go of Daine, who moved away from his clutches. Her hands still behind her back, she stood in an attacking stance, just like she had been taught. "Why you little...." The guard advanced on her. She lunged forwards, throwing her weight at the guard. He fell down.

"And I was just about to do that for you." Daine turned to see one of Robin's men, the one who she had looked in the eye. He walked behind her and untied her hands. He took her hand and pulled her towards the hill. She tugged away.

"No! They still have something that belongs to me."

Allan stopped running and came back to her. "Which one?"

"Not sure, they all look the same to me! The one with my bag?"

"Good enough for me!" They both ran to the guard that had taken Daine's bag. He was holding onto it still. Must be for evidence Daine thought.

Allan ran and punched him. Daine went for the gut and then snatched her bag from him. She quickly checked for it. A wave of relief washed over her when she found it buried in her cloak. But her weapons? She looked round for them.

Allan was getting a bit anxious. "What now?"

Daine rolled her eyes, Typical, always wanting to leave without thinking. "My weapons. There they are!" Daine ducked under flying guards, and grabbed her bow, quiver and twin daggers. Allan pulled her back and retreated her to safety.

Once over the hill, they ran the long way round to the camp. They didn't stop until they got there. First ones back. Allan stood there panting, and Daine lay on the floor gulping in air. Allan laughed at the lack of stamina the girl had, but Daine failed to see what was so funny.

"Well I'm sorry. I haven't been living in the woods for who knows how long. I was in my home, my house, with my..." Daine stopped talking, and slowly broke into tears. Allan, feeling very awkward in this situation, was very grateful for the next two outlaws returning.

Will and Djaq noticed the crying girl on the floor. Djaq went to comfort her, and Will spoke to Allan. "What you done now?"

Allan, feeling cheeked by this comment, just said, "I haven't a clue!"

Eventually, Robin, Much and Little John arrived back at camp. Daine had stopped crying at this point and told Djaq that she was just scared and it had caught up with her. It wasn't the whole truth, but it would do for now. Each of the late arriving outlaws took a look at Daine. She still had her scarf over her face, but she knew that they knew she was a girl. The outlaw who had rescued her had told her.

She felt nervous under their eyes, and like she was being judged. She willed Robin to remember her from the good old days when Edward was Sheriff, but she had changed a lot since then. It was five years ago.

Robin finally took his eyes off her, and went to her bag. He found her chain and said, "This what you stole?"

Daine can be very easily annoyed, and this annoyed her a lot! "I didn't steal it! It was given to me years ago by my parents." She glared at Robin. He just sat there smirking. He turned his attention to her chain in his hands. Daine noticed that Robin recognised it. She snatched it out of his hands and looked defensively. Robin decided not to press the matter there and then; he thought she'd just snap at him.

"So what are we going to do with you? It's obvious you've been outlawed. But why? What's your name?"

Daine thought for a moment. Should she go for a guys name like the female who calls herself 'Jack', or not? "I'm Daine. I've been outlawed for living in the wrong place, wrong time. Like most outlaws." She pulled her scarf down revealing her face for the first time.

Something about this girl triggered memories for Robin, he felt he knew her from somewhere. And the chain she claimed to own didn't help matters.

***

The Sheriff was annoyed. His guards were in the Great Hall, moaning about outlaws. Like every other stupid day.

"La de dah de dah. Do you really think I care about the outlaws? A clue, no." The Sheriff sighed. Robin Hood had somehow managed to find his way into his castle without being there.

"But sir, the outlaw they rescued had the late Lord Merton's heir loom." The Sheriff let what the chief guard had told him sink in.

"The late Lord Merton's heir loom?" The guard nodded. "Well, that was passed on to his daughter, who was recently outlawed." The Sheriff thought a moment. "Does that mean that, a. She had been robbed or b. She was the outlaw? Do you know?" The guard shook his head. The Sheriff hissed in a low whisper. "I do."

"She was robbed?"

The Sheriff stood up in anger. "No you idiot! She was the outlaw! And you let her get away!"

"How do you know sir?"

"Because." The Sheriff showed the guard his evil smirk. "She was as against us as her late father." The Sheriff returned to his seat, then yelled, "GISBOURNE!"

***

"Well, Daine, you can either move on through this forest or stay here and risk getting caught again."

"I'm staying here." Daine gave the outlaws a serious look that none of them could protest against. She realised that she was being rude and continued to speak in a less harsh tone. "I can help. I know how to fight." This didn't stir much of a reaction. She sighed. "I cook."

Much grinned, knowing that he wouldn't always have to cook with Daine here. Robin looked around the group.

"Anyone have a problem with Daine joining?"

"None what so ever!" Much walked over to the girl and offered his hand. She gingerly took it and he shook it with much enthusiasm. "I'm Much, that's Little John, Allan, Will, Djaq and well that's Robin."

Daine smiled, a little overwhelmed. The outlaws laughed, and Daine felt herself blushing.

***

That night, Robin visited Marian in Knighton. She smiled as her knight stood on her windowsill.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Robin chuckled, "Just thought I'd come and see you." Robin and Marian shared a moment looking lovingly into each others eyes. Then Robin adopted a serious look on his face.

"What is it?" Marian knew this look all too well, and had seen it a few too many times.

"Nothing, I was just wondering if anything had been said to your father."

"My father? Why?"

Robin sighed. "It's just, today in the forest we saved someone from the Sheriff’s guards. She’s been outlawed. "

"And what's this got to do with my father."

"This girl has hold of the late Lord Merton's family heir loom."

"Which he gave to his daughter. Robin you need to be more clear, I still fail to see what this has to do with my father." Marian suddenly stopped talking, and realised what Robin was thinking. "You think that she is Lord Merton's daughter, and that the Sheriff has outlawed her because her father was against him."

"Possibly. Just be careful. You should be all right, if Gisbourne is still stirred by you. He might see your actions at the wedding as lashing out for being lied to."

"So you're encouraging me to sweet talk your enemy, for my own protection from becoming outlawed?"

Robin thought a moment, then nodded. "As wrong as it seems, but yes. I just don't want to see you in the same position as me. Especially when you are a crucial part of our success, spying for us and everything." Robin smirked, and Marian playfully hit him.

"I'll be careful, I promise." They smiled again and then she kissed Robin.

***

The next day Daine awoke very confused. She'd been dreaming she was at home, with her father, mother and her... she couldn't bring herself to think about him. It startled her to look up at trees, and hear snoring men. Slowly the previous day's events filled into her head.

She remembered leaving home, her almost arrest, her first fight and meeting the outlaws. They were all so welcoming. Especially Allan. He seemed more than willing to fill in all the details about being one of Robin Hood's men or women. Will was the one who handed her the tag, he had to make one for her and gave it to her once he'd finished. Much showed her how his 'kitchen' worked, which sparked Allan off to make some remarks. Djaq warned her they never agreed and were always like this. It was only Little John that said very little to her. Djaq said this was normal too, and that he never said much.

"It'll be good to have another girl around. We have Marian, but she stays with the nobles." Djaq had told her.

After breakfast, the outlaws set out to find a little more about Daine. They sat round, all eyes on Daine. She hated being looked at, especially when people where trying to read her. It reminded her of those many awkward parties she'd been to.

"How old are you?" Allan was doing most of the asking. The others were just laughing at him.

"Why are you asking me these questions?" Daine didn't like telling people things about herself.

"Because, as your new buddies, I think we should know!"

Much chipped in at this point, "Allan, go easy on her, she's been through a lot. I reckon the last thing she wants is you in her face, poking around her business like that."

Daine smiled. She liked Much, he was very blunt, said what he thought. "I'm 18, but you're not going to get any more out of me. Much is right; I don't like people nosing into my world at the best of times."

"What? Not even anything about your family?"

Instantly Daine went into defence mode. "You will most certainly not know anything about my family!" Allan was taken aback by this. Daine stopped herself from talking and returned to her usual tone. "I, unlike yourself, do not like to divulge information about my family."

"Not even to those you trust?" A certain curious look played across Allan's face.

"I find it hurts more when those you trust use what you have told them against them." Daine turned her head away, fighting back the tears burning her eyes. No one quite knew what to say after that, so they all turned to someone and had their own conversations. Daine was fine with that, she needed a few moments to gather her thoughts and get over herself.

Allan came and sat by her, "Sorry, didn't mean to offend or nothing."

"It's all right. I need to stop dwelling in the past, and live now." She gave Allan a half-smile, who took the liberty of flashing her one of his cheesy grins, making her laugh.

***

Gisbourne was storming down the corridor. Revenge came sooner than he expected. And it waited for him in the next room. Marian's father...

***

Marian raced into the camp, "Robin! ROBIN!" Everyone got up, Robin raced towards her. Marian was distressed, anyone could see that. Daine hung back behind Allan. She knew Marian, and she would be the last person she would want to see, because it meant bad news for her father. "Robin, you were right."

"Right about wha... Oh no." Marian nodded, close to tears. "Not Edward. Who else?"

"I don't know, Robin they have my father!" Everyone's heart sank.

"We go, to Nottingham."

~

Feedback is shiny! ^-^ Just let me know if you want more/no more!

[lilyroseblack]

Yay!! I love this docsmile

We want more! We want more! :P

[mrsjackharkness]

WOW!

Thats amazing! :rolleyes:

[lost_in_fiction]

*very big grin indeed*

Thank you! ^-^ Glad you liked it. Next chapter shall be up in a min.

docsmile

[lost_in_fiction]

Chapter: Two - The Rescue
AuthorMe, lost_in_fiction
Rating: PG
Characters: Robin & the gang, the Sheriff & Guy, Marian & Sir Edward, Daine Merton and Lord Merton (his son, not the dead guy)
Pairings: Robin/Marian, Guy/Marian. Beginnings of Will/Djaq & Allan/Daine (I think.. it's been a while!)
Spoilers/Timeline: Spoilers for S1, completely AU after 1x13
Summary: (sorry forgot last time...) Just after Daine's arrival, the outlaws need to rescue Marian's father. Can they do it?
Warnings: I wrote this almost a year ago, so the writing isn't as good as it gets later. (Not saying I'm big headed, but there is a major difference in levels. And they get longer too...)
A/N: Urm, enjoy! ^-^

Chapter Two - The Rescue

"We go, to Nottingham."

Everyone rushed into action, grabbing weapons and reigns. There were only enough horses for the outlaws and Marian, so Allan pulled Daine up onto his. She held on tight as they sped towards Nottingham.

"What's the plan?" Marian called over to Robin.

"Working on it!" This worried Marian, if they weren't careful they would all be arrested and then no one could save her father.

***

Edward waited patiently for someone to arrive. He'd been told that he was needed in a very important meeting and had to be at the castle as quick as possible. He'd met a guard on arrival and been told to wait in the Great Hall for the Sheriff and Gisbourne. Edward was wary about the whole situation, and had left a letter for Marian on the table.

Outside, Edward could hear the distinct sound of Gisbourne's spurs against the stone floor. They stopped outside the door. Edward listened intently for the sound of the Sheriff’s flip flops slapping the floor. They never came. The door opened slowly, and in entered Gisbourne.

***

They finally arrived at Nottingham’s gates after what seemed like a year. Marian had dismounted and ran through the gates. Robin told her to go in and stall the Sheriff and Gisbourne.

"Djaq, take Daine and wait for us at the east gate. Allan, Will you clear the way to the east gate. John, Much you're with me, we are going to visit the Sheriff." Robin had a dangerous look in is eye as he ran towards the castle with Much and John.

Djaq and Daine led the horses to the east gate, accompanied by Allan and Will. All hoods were raised, apart from Daine who had pulled her scarf over her face again. She didn't have a cloak, not yet.

They came up to the gate. Two guards. This was Allan and Will's cue. They flicked back their cloaks, freeing their arms so they could fight. They each turned to a guard.

"Morning fellas." Allan grinned at the guard then, he and Will knocked them out. The guards fell back against the stone wall. They opened the gate so Daine and Djaq could wait outside the castle. Will turned to go make sure the others escape route was clear. Allan joined him, winking at Daine before he left. An involuntary smile spread across her face beneath the scarf.

***

Marian burst into the great hall. It surprised her to only see Gisbourne looking menacingly at her father. "Sir Guy!"

"Marian." Marian's presence didn't shock Gisbourne, what shocked him was that she wasn't with Robin. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I woke up late to find an empty house. I wanted to find my father; it worried me that he wasn't home." Guy swaggered over to Marian; she stood there feeling very uncomfortable. Guy was getting too close. "Guy. Do you really think this is appropriate, my father is in the room."

Guy looked Marian in the eye. He had a dangerous sparkle in his eyes which worried Marian. Unlike Robin's dangerous edge, Guy's meant bad news. It was the same dangerous sparkle that had been in his eyes when he came to arrest her for betrayal. Determined yet showing signs of pain.

"Maybe you would like a seat Marian, while we wait for the Sheriff." Guy gestured to one of the Council of Nobles seats. Marian took the seat warily. Something about Guy was worrying her. He was being too polite for someone who had been punched at the alter. The room was thick with tension. She needed Robin.

***

Robin, Much and Little John silently ventured through the castle. It was quiet, which was good because they could get to the Great Hall without any trouble. But it was unnerving. Where all the guards outside? Expecting them there? If so, Will and Allan had a heck of a job to do!

Much was about to comment on how quiet the castle was when they heard the unmistakable sound of the Sheriff walking down the corridor. The outlaws hurriedly slipped into the shadows. The Sheriff walked past humming, oblivious to the presence of the outlaws, or just pretending to be anyway.

He stopped outside the Great Hall doors and took a deep breath.

***

The door creaked open again, and in entered the Sheriff.

"Let’s get this over with. I have things to do, people to tax. You told our dear friend Edward what's happening?" The Sheriff noticed Marian for the first time. "Marian! So we have the whole family!" The Sheriff turned his back to Edward and Marian and muttered under his breath, "Well this makes things easier."

"Sheriff, I was just telling these two about the importance of loyalty."

"Were you Gisbourne?" The Sheriff was playing along pretending to be surprised, but Marian could see right through his facade. Where was Robin? "Well, everyone should know the importance of loyalty, without loyalty there wouldn't be friendship or reliable taxes. Therefore, the loyal are rewarded, but the un-loyal? Do you know what happens to the un-loyal?" The Sheriff showed them a menacing smile, revealing a missing tooth that he lost in the forest a few days back. "Because I do. Gisbourne."

Sir Guy drew his sword and strode towards Edward. Marian couldn't control herself and shouted, "Sir Guy! No!" He stopped walking, and hung his head down. He just knew the Sheriff was tutting behind him thinking Lepers Gisbourne, Lepers. Marian quickly spoke to justify her words. "I mean, you have no evidence that we have been un-loyal. We cannot pay for a crime we do not know we have committed."

"Ah but, we are fully aware of the alliance you had when you thought the King was returning. You got Hood's help; therefore you were planning to give evidence against me! Ha! Didn't think of that one did you! No need to pretend to be innocent now." The Sheriff was thoroughly enjoying this and he had no intention of hiding that fact. "Continue Gisbourne."

Gisbourne was going to make this as painful as he could for Marian, so he dragged out the punishment. He kept her in suspense. He was about to push the blade through Edward, when the door flew open, and three outlaws piled into the room.

"We missing anything?" Robin asked with his usual light manner, smiling at the Sheriff who went purple in the face.

"GET HIM GISBOURNE!" Robin, Much and John jumped down from the higher level in the hall. Gisbourne ran to Robin, only to meet Little John's staff first. He hit the floor, unconscious before he got there. The Sheriff looked from Gisbourne to Robin. Robin drew back his bow, Much had his sword drawn and Little John looked down at him. "All right Hood, you win! They are innocent, just don't shoot!" The Sheriff cowered behind his hands. Robin chuckled and took Marian's hand. John led the bewildered Edward out and Much came up behind, defending them as they left.

Once out of the hall, they broke into a run. Their exit to the east gate was clear; Allan and Will had done their job. They met the two of them, along with the girls outside the castle walls. Allan and Will helped Edward onto a horse, then they were pulled onto the backs of Daine and Djaq's horses. The group didn't stop until they got back to Knighton.

Daine and Djaq escorted Edward into his home. Marian hung behind to ask Robin something.

"Do you think the Sheriff will try that again?"

Robin shook his head. "No, I know the Sheriff is petty, but he'll try to think of something new."

"And why doesn't that make me feel any better?" Marian asked sarcastically. Robin laughed and planted a kiss on her forehead. He signalled for the outlaws to take their leave. Daine hopped back onto Allan's horse and they all rode into the forest.

***

The Sheriff was angry and his shouting wasn't helping Gisbourne's killer headache. It was always like this. Every time they lost to Hood the Sheriff would throw a hissy fit and blame it on him. Gisbourne found it was best to just be quiet, because everything he said was wrong and stupid to the Sheriff.

"You are pathetic Gisbourne! You let them get away again!" The Sheriff continued to grumble and pace about the hall. Gisbourne wondered that if he left the room would the Sheriff notice.

***

Much wondered round the camp happily. It was the first night in a long time that he wasn't cooking. He'd left Daine to it because she was competent enough. He finally stopped at his makeshift bed and said, "I think I'm going to take a pre-meal nap!" And with that he sat down and climbed into his bed.

Allan laughed and said back, "Aren't they just the best!" For once Much didn't disagree with Allan. Everyone settled down to do something. Robin and John were hunting, Will was carving something and Djaq was cutting herbs for Daine while talking animatedly to the other female. Allan's eyes fell on the new outlaw. Something about her kept Allan looking. She had brown hair pulled back into a messy bun, although most of it had fallen out due to the events of the day. She had brown eyes that hid as much of her soul as her attitude did. She was quite a petite girl, but still taller than Djaq who was the shortest outlaw. At the moment she wore a big grin on her face and was laughing heartily with Djaq.

Daine felt someone's eyes on her; she turned to see Allan looking at her. She smiled at him then returned to her cooking and chatting. Djaq was sat there grinning at Daine.

"What?!" Daine looked questioningly at Djaq then the two burst into fits of laughter again. They were becoming good friends, and were both enjoying the girly talks and weird looks off the guys when they had no idea what they were talking about. When they had finally regained their breath, Daine again asked, "What?"

"Oh nothing." Djaq pulled a knowing smile and Daine sighed, shaking her head.

"I do not get you at all Djaq."

"You're not supposed to; you've known me two days."

"Then why do I get the impression you are assuming things about me?" Daine raised her eyebrows at Djaq.

Djaq merely laughed again and said, "I am assuming things about you that is why." Djaq placed the chopped herbs into the pan of boiling water over the fire.

Daine sighed again, and decided not to find out what Djaq was assuming; she guessed she wouldn't want to know. "Well, just don't assume things about me, because you'll probably be wrong and I don't like it!" A stubborn look crossed Daine's face, and the sharp edge to her voice returned. Djaq just laughed, making Daine's face break into laughter again.

At this point, Will and Allan were rescued from the girls chatter by Robin and John returning with rabbits. Little John dropped them on the 'chopping board' in front of Daine. Daine put the carrots she was chopping into the same pan as Djaq put the herbs, then she set about preparing the rabbits for the stew she was making.

***

After the filling stew, many of the outlaws went to sleep. It was only really Will and Djaq that remained awake. Occasionally they would look up from whatever it was they were doing and smile each at each other. Every time they did, Will's stomach flipped intensely. He liked the feeling and hope it would never fade.

***

The next morning started like the last, slow and lazy. The outlaws ate left over bread from the stew last night. No one was up to much talking, too tired from the rescue. Much still snored slightly. It was only really at mid-day when the outlaws really woke up.

Marian came to visit them in the forest. At first Robin whisked her away for a "private chat". No one bought that, but they humoured him. As they left hand in hand, Allan chuckled and showed the group his cheeky grin. Little John chose to ignore him, Much scowled at his for disrespecting his master. Will rolled his eyes and the girls suppressed a giggle.

When they returned, Marian thanked them for their help. She looked round the group, finally seeing the new outlaw without a scarf on her face. "Daine?"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I promise they get more substancial (I spell that right?) soon.

[lilyroseblack]

docwhat?

Sorry. Had to use that. I love this - you know I do :P

I can't wait for more Allan/Daine action :P

More!! :lol:

[lost_in_fiction]

Thank you! I might post the next one after dinner. But I'm making my sis an icon and sig for this forum and another so, yeah!

G;lad you like it! ^-^

[lost_in_fiction]

Sorry I haven't updated, a million things decided to happen today. I canna garuantee I'll update tomorrow either, because of work. But I shall try.

[mrsjackharkness]

Wow!
How did you think of that?
My one is soooo rubbish compared to that!
SERIOUSLY WOW!
love it,Love it :) :P :lol:

[lost_in_fiction]

Thank you! ^-^

And your one wasn't rubbish! It was a funky lil' story! :P

[lost_in_fiction]

Chapter: Three - The Truth
Author: Me, lost_in_fiction
Rating: PG
Characters: Robin & the gang, the Sheriff & Guy, Marian & Sir Edward, Daine Merton, Lord Merton (his son, not the dead guy) and their nurse is mentioned for the first time. (She comes back, quite a bit.)
Pairings: Robin/Marian, Guy/Marian, hints of Will/Djaq and Allan/Daine (there could be more, but I don't remember)
Spoilers/Timeline: Spoilers for S1, completely AU after 1x13
Warnings: Again with the "year old" and "it gets better later in the series"ness.
Summary: With Marian's discovery of the new outlaw, Daine finds herself having to explain who she is while Marian discovers all is not well at the Council of Nobles, or has the Sheriff just found a new pawn in his elborate game of chess?
A/N: Sorry I took so long to update, I've not been very well these last couple days and I've been at work as well... *grumbles* But yeah, new chapter! Hope you like it! Feedback is made of shiny things. ^-^

Chapter Three - The Truth

Daine?

***

Gisbourne was in his room alone. He'd spent a lot of his time there like that since he was jilted at the alter. The only time he left was yesterday, thinking he'd get revenge on Marian. Now he realised that revenge wasn't what he wanted on Marian. He still wanted Marian. Her rejecting him made her more desirable to him, just like every other time she'd rejected him.

Guy kept telling himself that Marian only did what she did at the wedding because she thought the King was returning and couldn't get married to someone she cared about on a lie. Guy wished that was the truth, he willed it to be the truth.

He paced about his room thinking of what he should do next. Should he tell Marian that he has forgiven her or should he take the Sheriff's path and hate all women forever?

***

All eyes fell on the new outlaw, many faces wearing a look of confusion. Robin, however, was just smiling. He raised his eyebrows at her, and she turned a shade that rivalled Will's name.

"I think you've got some explaining to do Daine," Robin said in a calm tone, before chuckling at the other outlaw's faces. Marian threw Robin a look that said Don't be so childish.

"Urm...." Daine was lost for words. This never happened. She always had a way to bend the truth, but she guessed that was it. She had to tell the truth, no little white lies and half truths now. The group were in silence while Daine desperately tried to find some words to say. Eventually she said, "What do you want to know?"

"The truth maybe?" Allan replied. Much, as usual, had something to say about this.

"That's rich coming from you. You lie to your family, to everyone!" A brief flicker of pain spread across Allan's face as he remembered his family, and more importantly his brother Tom.

Daine decided to talk now, to avoid Much saying anything else. Her harsh defensive tone once again returned to her voice. "I never lied! I just didn't tell the truth." Her eyes fell to the floor, she couldn't look anyone in the eye, she couldn't even look at them.

It was Will that spoke next, "How do you know Marian?" Djaq smiled to herself, trust Will to voice sense.

"I know Marian, because," Daine took a deep breath, "because I am a noble too."

Robin smiled, thinking I knew it. Everyone else, except Marian, had their mouths open in shock.

Much was the first to speak, "I thought I recognised you from somewhere!" Then his face clouded over with confusion again. "Who are you?"

Daine sighed, laughing on the inside at Much's... Much-ness for lacking of a better word! "I am Daine Merton, daughter of the late Lord Merton." Much nodded, finally figuring out where he knew Daine from. They'd met over five years ago, at a party hosted by her mother. Robin had been invited, and as Robin's manservant, he went too. Daine looked very different now, but she looked so much like her mother. They had the same intense eyes.

"How's your mother?" Much asked. He'd liked her mother; she treated Much as a guest instead of a servant.

Daine blinked back tears, and slowly said, "She died." Daine bit her lower lip, forcing the tears not to fall. She'd said her goodbyes, that wound had healed. "She fell ill a year after you and Robin left for the Holy Land. She was too ill to recover, and she died." A wave of sadness washed over the group. It was Little John that put the comforting hand on her shoulder. He knew what it was like to loose a loved one, as did many of them.

"Why are you here?" Little John asked quietly, not wanting to upset the girl more.

Daine put on her brave face and continued to give her answers. "I'm here because The Sheriff put an order in for our family to be outlawed because of the 'French evidence' given against him by my father."

This made sense to the group; it was very like the Sheriff to punish the whole family. It'd happened to Little John's family and it happened to Marian yesterday.

Then, a thought struck Marian. "What about your brother?"

***

The nurse walked back into the kitchen, carrying an empty tray. Now the Lord had eaten, she had to collect his robes for the Council of Nobles. It was this afternoon, and the household was in chaos. This was the normal state of the house. The Lord wasn't very organised and had been very distracted for the last few days. As had she.

Life wasn't the same anymore, not since she'd left. Life had changed before that, but it was more noticeable now her charge was gone. Instead of following her around, helping her and teaching her, she was now doing tedious housework. The days were different before but now? Even if it had only been a few days, they were blurring into one and the nurse could no longer tell which events belonged to which days.

***

Everyone looked from Daine to Marian. Robin and Much both shared a look that said Oh yeah! All eyes eventually fell back onto Daine, expecting an answer.

Daine had a stubborn but hurt look on her face. "Go to the Council of Nobles and you'll see him there." Emotion crackled through Daine's voice. "He turned his back on me, to save his own." Daine turned and walked away from where the group were gathered. Allan went to follow but Djaq stopped him.

"Don't. She needs time." Allan understood. She had practically lost her brother, and he knew what that felt like.

An awkward silence fell over the group. Marian broke it by asking, "Should I attend the Council of Nobles?" She turned to Robin, hoping he'd know the answer.

He looked down at the ground, thinking for a moment.

Allan chipped in saying, "I'm not being funny, but won't the Sheriff just try to arrest you?"

"That's what I'm worried about. Do I go and risk getting arrested, or do I stay at home, not knowing what is going on in Nottingham?" Again, Marian looked at Robin, willing him to have the answer.

"Go to Nottingham. The Sheriff told me you were innocent. Find out what is happening in Nottingham." Marian smiled at Robin, he always seemed so sure. It comforted her. Marian mounted her horse, smiling one last time at the group then rode out of the forest.

No one voiced their doubts about the situation.

***

Marian arrived at Nottingham just in time for the Council of Nobles. Her father wasn't there, which she had expected, he was still a bit shocked from the day before. The Sheriff hadn't arrived yet, and Marian looked round the room, trying to find Daine's brother. He wouldn't have been hard to find. He was young with messy hair similar to Daine's. He was nowhere to be seen. Had he had second thoughts about being the new Lord Merton?

Before she could ask around, The Sheriff waltzed in, followed closely by Gisbourne who was sporting a large bump on his head from where Little John had got him with his staff. The Sheriff's eyes fell on Marian. The moment of truth. The Sheriff looked away and started to address the Nobles.

"Welcome my well-fed-sirs. Marian where is your father? He's making a habit out of not attending these meetings."

Marian shifted in her seat, and quickly lied, "He isn't feeling too well. He ate some bad meat last night."

Either the Sheriff accepted the lie, or he chose to ignore it, but he continued with the Council. "Well, anyway. To business." At this point, somebody walked into the Great Hall. "Sorry but this is an important meeting, we cannot be disturbed." The Sheriff looked up at the new arrival to find a Noble. "Ah, the new Lord Merton."

"Sorry I'm late, left late, horse wasn't co-operating…"

The Sheriff cut in, he didn't care about his excuses. "La de dah de dah. Do you think I care? A clue, no. Arrest him." A murmur of shock spread though the Nobles as two guards advanced on the Lord.

"What? No! Sheriff, you've made a mistake. I am loyal to you; I have never wronged your authority."

Gisbourne stood arms crossed, glaring at the young man in the clutches of the guards. "Take him away."

"Hold on." The Sheriff raised a hand to signal the guards to stop. He had a look on his face which showed he was thinking, assessing how to get the most out of the situation. "You say you are loyal?"

"Yes Sheriff."

"Well, how do I know that you're not going to stab my back with the help of your sister and her new outlaw friends?"

"I'm sorry Sheriff; I do not know what you mean. I don't know where my sister is. She ran out of the house a few days ago."

"Oh well, this makes things interesting. Let him go. Welcome to the Council of Nobles, Lord Merton." An evil grin spread across the Sheriff's face, sending shivers down the decent Nobles spines.

***

Sometime had passed since Marian had left, and Daine hadn't returned to the group. Allan had volunteered to find her. He didn't have to go far; she was in a clearing near by. There was a fallen cart with a large section missing from one of the sides.

Daine noticed Allan walk into the clearing, and spoke, "If you think that because I'm upset I'm going to talk you're wrong." Daine had a stubborn edge to her voice, which matched her face. Allan chuckled to himself. The smile was quickly wiped off his face when Daine threw a dagger at a tree. It wedged itself into a plank of wood hung onto to the tree. Daine continued to look forward at her makeshift target. Allan raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"I just came to see how you were doing..." Allan trailed off as Daine threw her second dagger. "What are you doing?"

The girl walked over to the tree and removed the two daggers. "Target practice, anger relief, whatever." Allan could see the hurt in her face; she looked on the brink of tears.

"Where's the target from?" Daine waved over in the direction of the cart. "Figures. How'd you get that bit out?" The girl kicked Will's axe over to where Allan was standing. He raised his eyebrows, he was impressed. No one had seen her take it. "So our new resident Noble is a bit of a thief?"

"Only sometimes. I used to sneak food from the kitchens for my nurse's family." Daine's expression didn't change, still focused on the wood she was aiming at. She threw a knife again, trying to control the anger burning in her veins. Allan sat down beside where she was stood and he watched her throw another knife. She had pretty good aim, not as good as Robin's, but it was consistent.

Daine felt comforted by the other outlaw's presence. It forced her to get out of her anger, and to come to terms with the knife in her back left by her brother. She collected the daggers from the wood, and instead of continuing to throw them she sat by Allan. She put her daggers by her feet, then brought her knees close and sat hugging them.

Allan reached for one of her daggers and inspected it. "Where'd you get this then?"

Daine answered, still not looking at him. "They were a present, from the person who taught me to fight. He knew someone who made them and got me those." Allan turned the blade over in his hands. It had a brown hilt with a leafy design and a plain blade. The other matched it identically.

"They are pretty." He handed it back to Daine, who took it and held it for a moment. She looked at it fondly, as if she as watching her fighting lessons take place on the reflective blade. A brief smile played across her face before she looked up and threw it into the target once more.

The two sat in silence a little while longer before Allan asked, "Are you ok?"

***

Marian was relieved that the Sheriff had kept to his word and not tried to arrest her there and then. Although the relief was shorted lived after the scene between the Sheriff and Lord Merton. Throughout the entire meeting, Sir Guy had never taken his eyes off her. It made her uncomfortable, and she couldn't concentrate on the meeting.

But now it was finally over and she could go home.

Just as she got her horse, which a stable boy had brought her, Gisbourne came up to her. Marian's heart sank. She had a bad feeling he would do something sly and kill her there and then.

"Marian."

"Sir Guy. What brings you to the stables?"

"I wanted to see you. Is that a crime?"

Marian was getting worried, but she tried to hide her worry with her normal manner she adopted around Guy. "Well, I would have thought after what happened that wouldn't be so."

Guy smirked and looked Marian in the eyes. "You do not know me then Marian." He continued to look in her eyes until she got so uncomfortable that she had to break away.

"I'm sorry Sir Guy; you are not making yourself clear."

Sir Guy laughed to himself, those words brought about memories of times they'd spent together. He stepped back, and gestured a hand towards the horse. "Well, I mustn't keep Sir Edward waiting. I look forward to seeing you again Marian."

Marian mounted her horse and bade Gisbourne goodbye. She left Nottingham utterly confused.

***

The camp was quiet. Past memories had been woken up and had come back to haunt all of them.

Will's mind as cast back to when his mother died, how horrible it felt to see her there but not alive. He could still remember his father's face when he broke the news to him and his brother. Red, puffy and tear stained.

Djaq was thinking about her brother, who she lost in the Crusades and then became. She hoped she would be doing his name proud, fighting for the greater good, doing her part. She would only allow herself to remember the good times with her brother, too many nights had been plagued with the feeling of despair.

Much and Robin both thought of their parents. Much hadn't seen his since he was about 12, which was when he first started working for Robin, to earn a bit more money for the family. He'd heard about their deaths a few years later, he'd only coped because he had Robin to depend on. Robin had coped with his parents deaths by going to war, he ran away from the pain.

Little John thought of Alice. Dear Alice, and of course Little Little John. John thought of how things could have been. Happy family, away from Nottingham, because she would have followed him to the end of the world. If only he'd known. That was all John was left with now, the ‘what if’s and ‘if only’s. He sighed, causing a small break in the silence.

***

"Am I ok? To be honest, no." Allan looked at her caringly. He'd expected her to kick up and become defensive, but she seemed too distant to really care. "I'm not all right at all. I mean, I don't even care that my hair is down, and I hate having my hair down." Daine flicked her hair when she said this, then held her head in her hands. "I just... I just don't know..." Daine struggled to find anything to say and eventually a single tear fell, landing on the ground.

The girl was distraught, obviously torn between hating her brother and trying to find anything good about him. Allan placed his arm around Daine and pulled her into a hug. She didn't protest, and buried her head in his shoulder.

~

[mrsjackharkness]

Did you write this???? :rolleyes: docsmile

[lost_in_fiction]

Yep. This and the DW one.