[Outlaws; Roe] Guess Who's Back?

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan didn't know why, but when Carter made the quip about Kate being Djaq's replacement, it got on his nerves. Who did he think he was? Sure, he gave Kate a gentle ribbing every now and again, but his hackles were raised in her defence and he stepped slightly between her and Carter.

"She ain't no one's replacement, you cheeky sod! And you should count yourself lucky I only called you 'the blonde'. Trust me, there's a lot worse I coulda said."

[Carter]

Carter raised his eyebrows at Allans snappy response. He couldn't help but feel a little bit targetted, but of course he would never have let this show. He simply stared at Allan for a while longer, and then looked away. "I believe you." he said, in a monotonous, perhaps even sarcastic tone. Obviously, Allan was protective over this new arrival. Carter chose to dismiss the matter. It was clearly a touchy subject.

Carter smirked to himself as he recalled the day's events in his mind.

[Kate]

A message from the king! This must be some one important, thought Kate. She stayed beside the water bucket sipping slowly at the ice cold water. It seemed that this Robert guy knew only the out spoken blond man yet he seemed instantly accepted in to the conversation where as she was ignored. It was partly her own fault for not stepping forward and joining in her self but Kate would not admit it to her self she was quite happy to believe it was all them.

Kate was genuinely please when she saw Allan approaching and smiled thankful at him as he filled her in on what was going on. Carters name suddenly made sense when Allan mentioned the incident in the holly land. So this was Carter the guy who had saved all of there lives and had helped save the king. No wander he was so readily invited in to the group. Kate almost felt bad about hanging back until she was compared to Djaq something that was becoming increasingly annoying. Djaq was a physician and Kate was not. Djaq could speak two languages and Kate could barely read in one. Djaq had been there during all the memorable moments and could join in with the animated retellings where as Kate had been in Sherwood for only a week or two and only new a small selection of there stories.

“I am no ones replacement” she began a split second after Allan. What was he doing? She was perfectly able to stand up for her self she didn’t need Allan stepping in like that. Kate thought glaring at both Allan and Carter, her colourless cheeks flushed a pale pink. “Are you going to read the letter?” She asked irritably and crossed her arms impatiently.

[Much]

Much seemed to have faded away into the background. Things seemed to be getting a little heated in camp. Hot comments were being thrown backwards and forewards. Much could hardly keep up. After Kate's comment there was a long and painful silence. Much hated silences, so decided to fill it. "It's a nice day isn't it?" said Much, looking around at each everyone in the camp. His comment was followed by another awkward silence. Much sighed. Clearly no-one wanted to be involved in his conversation.

"I think I'll fix everyone something to eat." he said grumpily. He figured he'd just leave them to it. "But if anyone decides to say anyting, I'll be listening!" he called, with his back turned.

[Roe]

While the attention and potential conflict had shifted to Allan, Carter, and Kate, Roe decided to take the opportunity, and inspect the kitchen, and maybe even talk to the cook a bit. It bothered him that there was something familiar about him that he couldn't quite put his finger on. As he got over to where the cook was busying himself he noted that he was quite a bit taller than him, but he found himself to be taller than most in the camp.

"And what kind of food will you be preparing? I know that Carter, for example, will probably be hungry since he hasn't had any more than a biscuit since morning .... um .... I don't believe I even know your name ...," he said casually, while he still looked down at the piece of wood he was whittling on.

[Much]

Much was glad someone had had the kindness to actually acknoledge him. But as he turned around and realised it was the stranger, he frowned and carried on with his cooking. He wasn't really doing anything of much use. At the moment he was just grinding herbs together. He was slamming the stone he used for grinding loudly against the herbs, flattening them rather than grinding them. "I'm Much." he said through gritted teeth as he carried on flattening. "But why should you care? No-one cares. Not even Robin cares. He's gone off...galaphanting around on his own!" Much grumbled. He was in a bad mood. He stopped his work and narrowed his eyes at the flattened mess he had created.

[Roe]

Roe saw that, by his expression, that he wasn't the person that the self-proclaimed cook had been wanting to see. It was obvious that he wanted to see Robin .... he might even be worried about him. "Much?!" Why of course it all made sense now. "Still following Robs, eh Much, just as you used to, even as an outlaw now."

"I see things haven't changed too much. I guess the old saying about the more the more things change the more they stay the same is true, eh. I'm sure he cares, just I'm sure your mates care as well. Its just not as apparent as you would like it to be," Roe smiled as he turn back to his wooden project and started to walk back out of the kitchen area.

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan rolled his eyes. "Muuuuuuuuuch," he drawled, "don't get hurt feelings. There's a lot going on now, yeah?"

He knew that Much often felt ignored and hard done by, but couldn't help thinking that he picked the worst times to get in a mood sometimes.

[Much]

"I don't have hurt feelings!" Much snapped. He glared at Allan, trying to look as intimidating as he could, and failing.

He had decided to abandon his cooking, and stamped back over to a log stool in a strop. He sat down violently, and almost fell off the stool. He pulled himself back up clumsily, and sat in silence, his elbows resting against his legs, and his head resting on his hands. He let out a loud sigh, and then stared into the distance. Carter couldn't read the note until Robin returned. So all that was left was to sit and wait.

[Robin Hood]

"Much might say that, but he doesn't mean it. Right now, I reckon his feelings are more than a bit dented." Robin interrupted as he walked into camp. Placing his bow by one of the logs, he reached up his hands and pulled down his hood. "You know we love you really, Much. What would we do without you? You're like an old mother hen fussing around and looking after us." A flicker of a grin crossed Rob's face then he turned to their guests. "Carter!" Robin exclaimed, moving forwards to grasp the Knight's forearms in greeting. "What're you doing back from the Holy Land? I never thought I'd see you back in England." He released his hands then turned to their other guest. "Now you look familiar," Robin screwed up his eyes as he wracked his mind. "But I just can't place you but you seem to know me and Much." He inclined his head towards his faithful friend.

"Robert, did you say? Roe." Robin's voice trailed off as his eyes widened in recognition. "I know you! What's it been? More than a few years, thats for sure." Laughing, he gave Roe a manly hug, then turned to Much. "Don't you recognise him? Roe, he used to live in my grandfather's household. You were like a big brother to me. Its good to see you again but as much as I'd like to reminisce, right now I want to know what this urgent message is that Carter brings from the King?" Robin turned to Carter, his head tilted slightly towards his shoulder. "So lets see it then." He added, holding out his hand for the parchment.

[Much]

Much eyed Robin as he entered the camp. He felt a little perked up by his comments, but still sat in a sulk. He watched Robin great Carter and Roe. Much didn't remember Roe. There were so many people he had met over the years, especially as an outlaws, that he couldn't remember anyone. The last time Roe had seen him, he probably would have known Much as a manservant, which in those days he was to Robin. That would explain what Roe had said to Much ealier. Much sighed and stared at the ground.

But then he remembered what Carter and Roe were actually there for. The Kings letter. Much looked back up at Carter, all sulkiness forgotten. His stared, his mouth open slightly, as Carter passed Robin the parchment.

[Carter]

Carter grinned as Robin entered the camp. It was good to see him again. It was Robin, after all, who had turned Carter around, and made him see right when things where tough. He was the outlaw Carter remembered most fondly. He clasped Robins forearm in return. "Well, it's a long story. But if you read this from the King, I wouldn't have to do any explaining." he said. He solemnly took the parchment out his bag, and handed it to Robin, his face emotionless. He stood with one hand on his hip as he waited for Robin to read the note.

[Roe]

Roe watched the man of medium height greet Much and various others as he entered the camp. By the way they all deferred to him it was obvious that he was their leader or one of their leaders. However, the way that he addressed Much indicated that this Robin and the Robin of his youth had to be the same. He saw how he warmly greeted Carter, and then their eyes, at long last made contact. There was a hint of recognition in Robin's eyes, and then a bit more. "Now you look familiar, but I just can't place you but you seem to know me and Much .... Robert, did you say? Roe." Roe could see his old pupil's eyes suddenly jerk in recognition. "I know you! What's it been? More than a few years, thats for sure."

"Its been more like 15 years, my Earl, Robs," he said with slightest of smiles and a deferential nod of his head. "You are quite right, though, you have more important business with Carter than you have with me," he said turning to Carter. "But it is nice to see that someone remembers me, a little," he smiled, and then backed away so that Carter could have Robin's full attention.

[Kate]

Kate was a little disgruntled when not greeted like the others but she kept quite. If she was to go in a huff like much it would just make things worse and would not give off a good first impression to Carter and Roe. Kate walked over to Much and placed a comforting had on his shoulder. She was short with and did may ignore him at times but she didn’t like to see him unhappy.

Kate’s mood dropped even further when she heard that even Roe had history with the others. Well that was just great!

[Roe]

Roe had taken several steps back, taking the opportunity to lean back against a post for balance, while he continued to whittle away. It was beginning to look a bit like an elephant that he had seen in a painting many years before. He knew he was not the focus now, and glad for it. The reappearance of Robin, and his reading of the King's letter took center stage. In fact, he had just come along with Carter for the ride, not necessarily expecting to be invited in to the camp. Roe had always been adept at fading into a crowd. It had been a good skill to have in the Earl's household, where non-family wre best seen and not heard. So, he had learned, even with his propensity to talk upon occasion, when to be completely silent.

The girl, though .... Kate, wasn't it .... didn't look all that comfortable with the turn of events. He sensed that she considered herself to be an outsider, perhaps not out of choice. Suddenly her eyes met his, so he gave her a friendly smile, and a nod of the head, before he went back to his whittling, and before he got himself into trouble, unintentionally, he thought to himself.