The woman gave her a cup of water, which she also gulped down hurriedly, and then the tray was whisked away, leaving Marian alone to think.

She thought of the fact that Lord Blackstock and Gisborne were scheming to use her and her father to sway the sentiments of the other Lords. What were they planning? She knew it must be something nefarious if Lord Blackstock was so willing to bend to the advice of his lackey. She had to find out. Whatever they were planning, she knew they needed to be stopped. If only she could get word to Robin.

It was useless. There was no one she could trust to get a message to him, and it would be far too dangerous for Robin to visit her at the castle. No, shed have to wait until she was better to see him. She only hoped it wouldnt be too late to stop whenever Blackstock and Gisborne were planning.

She shuddered, and her stomach grumbled as she thought of lying there in Gisbornes bed. He made her sick. The way hed belittled her home, the way he was using her for his twisted little plot... it disgusted her. Shed never hated anyone so much. Her head began to throb violently, and she snuggled down under the covers. At least he rarely slept in this bed, she thought.

She was sick of being weak and powerless. Sick of being afraid to do anything to help her neighbors. It was time to stand up to Blackstock and Gisborne.

It was time to join Robin.

CHAPTER FIVE.

The following days were long and dull. One day melted into another until Marian lost track of time. With nothing to do but lie in bed in a nearly dark room, she had plenty of time to plan and scheme.

The physician came to see her one morning and p.r.o.nounced her healthy enough to leave the castle, and in her delight she could have kissed him. She and her father were loaded into a carriage and driven home.

You are to return to work tomorrow morning, the driver told her.

Thank you, she said, bowing politely.

She watched the cloud of dust rising behind the wheels of the carriage as it disappeared in the distance, and her eyes narrowed.

Father, will you be all right here for a while? I have to go into town.

Oh, sure, Ill be fine. But what do you have to go to town for?

I... have to see someone.

Robin?

Yes, Robin.

Be careful, her father growled. Dont you let anyone see you talking to him.

Dont worry, Father. No one will see me where Im going.

She kissed her father gently on the forehead and tossed a handful of bug-infested grain to the chickens on her way out. Rather than heading to town, Marian trudged up the hill past Lake Heron toward Sherwood Forest.

Even in the daytime, Sherwood Forest was as dark as the twilight hours. The trees were thick, and their canopy lush, blocking out so much light one could scarcely see to walk. Here and there the vegetation was spa.r.s.e enough to allow a little sunlight to penetrate, but most of the forest was frighteningly dark. Fortunately, Marian knew these woods well.

There were rumors that the forest was haunted"by evil spirits, or even by monsters. Eerie noises that could not be explained terrified anyone who entered the forest, thus it remained almost entirely deserted.

For nearly an hour she wound her way through the trees, crossing the creek, climbing the hill on the other side. Finally, she reached her destination. She stuck her fingers in her mouth and whistled shrilly -- once, twice, three times.

The response came. A whistle. Once, twice... pause for three seconds, and a third whistle. A moment later, she heard the snapping of twigs, and Robin popped out from behind a tree.

Marian! he shouted, grabbing her into his arms and swinging her around like a doll.

Marian chuckled. Its good to see you, too, Robin.

I heard you were injured badly. Im so sorry, Marian. Please forgive me. I never meant to...

Please, Robin, dont apologize, she interrupted him. Its not your fault. Its my fault you got captured in the first place, and my fault for telling you to hit me.

I shouldnt have hit you so hard.

You had to. It had to be believable. As it is, they think you tried to kill me, so thats great!

Great? I did nearly kill you! Robin shouted. Marian, if youd died, I...

Stop it, Marian insisted. Im okay. You dont have to keep beating yourself up over this. Besides, you owed me one.

Robin hugged her close, his nose nuzzling gently into her hair.

So what brings you out here? he asked.

Ive come to join you, she said.

Robin froze. Then he snorted and burst into laughter.

Funny! he chuckled. No, really.

Really. Robin, I cant live like this anymore. Besides, Blackstock and Gisborne are planning something big. We have to stop it.

Robins smile was quickly washed away.

Planning what?

I dont know, but all those Lords that Blackstock invited in are here to hear about it, and he and Gisborne are trying to sway them onto Blackstocks side for some reason. I overheard them talking, and Gisborne was convincing him to bring my father to the castle while I was sick because it might cause the other Lords to see Blackstock as a good guy.

So they were using you and your father after all they think youve done for them?

Blackstock doesnt care. He said I was only protecting the gold that was his. He didnt want to do anything for me, but Gisborne convinced him it would benefit him to take care of us so the other Lords would see him as a good man.

What a pig, Robin spat. That Gisbornes a monster.

I know. Robin, whatever this is, its big. We have to stop it.

Alright, can you find out whats going on? Robin asked.

I think so. I have access to most of the castle, so if I can spy on the banquet, maybe I can find out whats going on.

You do that, and when you find out whats happening, send word immediately. Well handle the rest.

Wait... what? No! Were doing this together!

Marian, you have no combat training. How can you possibly help?

Need I remind you that my punch managed to knock you flat on your a.r.s.e the other day? she asked, brandishing her fist in his face.

All right, fair point. But still, you have no training. I was an unsuspecting target. I wasnt moving. I wasnt fighting back.

So train me.

What?

Train me!

Marian, I...

Go on, then, Robin, John interrupted from behind a tree.

His hulking frame stepped out from behind the trunk and he crossed his arms in front of him. He winked at Marian.

John, stay out of this, Robin warned.

Whats the matter, Robin? You think she cant handle herself?

No, its not that. I just...

Just what? Marian demanded. You know I can throw a punch. And you taught me to use a bow when I was... what... five?

Four, Robin said.

Teach me, Robin. Please.

Robins head hung limply and he sighed resignedly.

Fine. Be here after dusk tomorrow.

Marian squealed excitedly and threw her arms around Robins neck. He chuckled and hugged her close.

Dont make me regret this, he said.

You wont, I promise! she said.

Come have dinner? I have something to show you.

Okay, she agreed, and she followed him through the trees.

Shed never seen their camp before. It was nestled in a little hollow by the creek and surrounded on three sides by very steep cliffs. No one could manage an attack from either of the cliff faces, thus an ambush could only come across the creek, and that was well guarded.

Their tents were cleverly camouflaged, hidden well by a blanket of leaves on the roof and surrounded by trees and bushes. One would hardly notice them unless they were deliberately looking"not that too many people would dare venture into Sherwood Forest, anyway.

The rest of their camp was hidden within the rocky face of one of the cliffs. Theyd hollowed out a deep cave, which was hidden by a stunning feat of engineering -- a ma.s.sive stone doorway set on wooden hinges that would swing shut and disappear into the rocky cliff face. It was ingenious. Inside this cave, they did most of their cooking, keeping their campfire hidden from view.

Robin, this place is incredible, Marian gushed.

You should see it at night, Robin said. When the lanterns are on inside the tents, they glow this bright orange, but you cant see it from up above, only when youre in the camp. Its beautiful.

Marian had never noticed how intensely green his eyes were. They were rich like emeralds with streaks of blue around the perimeters and flecks of gold scattered across them. For a moment she swayed, mesmerized.

Marian? Robin asked, catching her by the elbow and steadying her.

Sorry, just got a little dizzy, she said.

Do you remember this place? Robin asked her.

This place? No.

What? We came here once when we were kids, remember?

Marian thought back. She remembered spending hours in these woods with him, playing, hunting... hed taught her to hunt with a bow in this very forest. But she couldnt remember this place.

I dont remember.

We were about... oh, six or seven, I believe. You nearly fell off that cliff up there because it kind of snuck up on you and you didnt see it. But I grabbed you just before you fell.

Oh... I remember! I was following a bird, I think.

Mm-hmm. And remember we managed to get in here by wading through the creek, and we played here all day. But when we tried to find it the next day, we couldnt. It was like it just...

Disappeared, Marian murmured, finishing his sentence.

Robin smiled down at her, his green eyes twinkling merrily. His cheeks were flushed rosy pink from the chilly air, and his sandy hair rippled in the slight breeze. Shed never noticed it before, but he was really quite handsome.

We never did find it again, Robin reminisced. But I did. A couple of months ago I stumbled across it. It was like it showed up again just for me... for us. It remained hidden until we needed it.

Robins eyes traveled over to his companions. They were all sitting on logs and stumps eating and laughing. They were his family... the only family he had left.

I think it did show up just for you, Marian said, smiling up at Robin.

He grinned, and said, Lets eat!

Marian sat down on a damp, moss-covered log and John pa.s.sed her a thick branch. On the end was skewered a fat chunk of roasted meat. Her mouth began to salivate as she smelled the smoky richness. She bit into it, and juice dribbled down her chin. It didnt take her long to finish the ma.s.sive hunk of meat.

Whered you get this? she asked Robin curiously.

Where do you think? Its wild venison from right here in our own Sherwood Forest. He spread his arms wide and twirled in a circle, marveling in the abundance that was there for the taking.