Part 1

It was a scorching day, not only in Nottingham but in the forest too. Shade could be sought under the sanctuary of the trees and on the whole the outlaws did just that, lazing about scattered around the camp.

"This isn't getting any work done," Alan commented, opening one eye to see Much sitting up preparing dinner. Djac sharpening her knife and Will lying supine with his eyes shut.

"Off you go and do some then," Much suggested. "Robin will be back later."

"You hope," muttered Will who was awake despite the impression he was giving.

"He has been gone two days; he will not stay away longer," Much insisted.

"They might," Alan put in.

"They will not. What exactly have been doing anyway?" he looked round the camp to see the remainder of the outlaws were sniggering. "Well...I suppose there is that. Do you think they have been doing that? For two days? I mean they got married in April, it is now August."

"I don't think they do you know when they are here with us, well I have never thought they had, unless they wait until we are sleeping. And you think they waited until April?" Djac shrugged.

"It is not my business to think about," Much told them.

"It was very cold before April, maybe they didn't," added Will.

"Can you not talk about anything else?" Much said with a shake of his head clearly uncomfortable on the topic of discussion.

"We could, but this is quite entertaining," Alan replied looking up as Little John walked into the camp and sat down under a tree, taking refreshment from his flask.

"No Marian and Robin?" he asked.

"Not yet they will be here," Much said completely convinced they would.

John looked at the others who shrugged and he replied, "We will see."

"Not you too," muttered Much busying himself with food.

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The blue pool was the perfect place to be, there was sun, there was shade, there was water and there was Robin. The sun burned on their bare backs as Marian dragged her hand through the water, cupping her hand and then trickling it slowly across Robin's back as they lay side by side on the grassy bank.

He didn't move and Marian wondered if perhaps he was indeed sleeping. As she reached across to repeat the action, he lunged at her sending them both tumbling into the shallow water, water which was warm and did nothing to cool the heat which was flaring between them again. He pinned her down, her hair swirling in the water about her head as she looked up at him, waiting for and trying to anticipate his next move.

Although he was smiling at her he kept his intentions unreadable as he loosened one hand flicked water on her and proceeded to tickle her until she begged for mercy. Still leaning over her and blocking out the sun, he ceased and sunk down onto his elbows half laying across her.

Brushing his hair from his eyes tenderly, she said. "You promised Much we would be back by now."

"I did," he whispered suddenly serious.

"We ought to go," she breathed her fingers now rasping across his beard.

"We ought," he agreed but delayed the decision by lowering his mouth to hers and taking her breath away as he kissed her, his hands caressing her skin until they both forgot about returning to camp for another few hours at least.