Much? [[Much/outlaws]]

[Eve Lovet]

Early morning light filled the lodge as Eve threw open all the windows. Standing at one, she soaked up the warmth and admired the clouds overhead. Grey ones were coming in, bringing the threat of rain with them and even now she could feel the heaviness of a storm coming. But Eve loved the rain, it seemed cleansing in a way. The beauty of rain had always captured her interest.
With a happy sigh, she got her basket and money and set off for the Market. Even though no one owned the Lodge, it had to kept up since one of the Sheriff's men would come up every month. The staff had to be prepared for a new master at any moment. And Eve's job was to get the food while the others tended to the garden and horses. And always preferred to be out of the lodge when the inspectors came, least the recognize her. She didn't know if there was a price on her head, but she wasn't going to take any chances when it came to her life.
She hummed as she approached the already busy market. And as always, she headed straight for the fruit vendor. Standing a few meters away, she waved at the familiar man.
"I need eight this time," she told him, then put the basket down and held her hands open. He threw three her way and laughed as she juggled them. This was their tradition, just as her mother had done before. One by one Eve tossed them into the basket just as the vendor threw another one her way. When all eight were safely there, she gave a short bow to the small audience that had gathered.
"Same time next week," she told them with a smile. "What else do you have?" she asked the vendor, curiosity getting the better of her. A strange fruit caught her eyes, one she'd never seen before. "What's this?" she asked, holding the fruit up. It was bumpy and a shocking yellow colour. Barely the size of her palm, her eyes widened at the cost.
"Thirty marks for this lemon?" The name felt weird on her tongue, but once again, curiosity got the better of her. Putting back half the apples, she purchased the lemon. She'd show the others later, then decided how to use it. Grinning, she turned away to get some bread when something caught her eye. A beautiful horse stood tethered to a post not far from the market. It was strange to see such a wondrous animal abandoned in Bonchruch. She approached it slowly, leaving her hands open for it. She rubbed the soft nose and smiled at it.
"Who would leave you here?" she asked it quietly. Blonde hair fell against its brown mane as she leaned against it. A soft tune filled the air as she sang to it.
"I see their knavery, this is to make a fool of me, to fright me, if they could. But I will not stir from this place, do what they can. I will work up and down here. And I will sing that they shall hear. That I am not, I am mot afraid. I am not afraid." Her voice was clear but soft. It seemed to be lifted by the breeze and carried over the market and filling the brush behind her.

[Much]

It was pretty busy in the market, and Much strolled through it was his head down, his eyes darting backwards and forewards. He folded his arms protectively, and continued forewards, his cloak blowing aggressively in the wind. He lifted one hand up, and pulled at the hood covering his face, so that it shielded his brow even further. He cleared his throat and searched for the rest of the gang.

They had managed to get themselves split up. As usual. And Much had managed to be the one on his own. Again. He was starting to get the impression that none of the outlaws actually liked him.

As he shuffled forewards, his attention was caught by a woman juggling. A crowd seemed to have been forming, so Much didn't see anymore, but he saw the back of her blond haired head. He blinked and stood on the spot for a moment, a strange sense of nausea taking over him. But it disappeared in a flash, and he began to walk again. What came over me?

Finally, Much found the stall that Robin had told everyone to meet. There was some sort of plan in action, but at this moment, Much had no idea what. To be honest, most of the time he didn't. He wrapped his cloak tighter around his body and waited. There was a handsome looking horse a meter or so away, so Much decided to turn his attention towards it. It sneezed on him, and Much made a repulsed face, before shuffling slightly to the right.

Suddenly, a woman walked forewards. Her blond hair was brushed in a clumsy yet sophisticated bun, and a few stray strands tumbled down, complimenting the beauty of her face. She walked towards the horse, and started to sing. It wasn't the best singing, but the sound made Much tingle all over, and he gulped. Of course he recognized her. His throat constricted, and his heart accelerated to around one thousand beats per second. "Eve?" he whispered, slowly pulling his hood from his face.

[Eve Lovet]

Eve stood, rooted to the spot as she looked at him. At first her brows had drawn together, but a smile slowly came to her face. It was him. Part of her wanted to throw her arms around him, but instead she grasped her basket tighter.

"Much," she sighed happily. How long had it been since she last saw him? A year and a half? Maybe less? She was bursting with questions for him. Was it true that he had gone to the Holy Land with Robin? What had happened to Lady Marian? Why was he here? Did he remember any thing else about her other than her name? Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she tried to get her questions straight. But she was unable to sort anything out in her mind, so she settled for an easier one.

"How are you?" She was careful not to sound too eager, afraid she might scare him off, but she wanted so desperately to know. She fiddled with the fruit in the basket, moving them around to distract her from to silence that had fallen.

She'd wait until he spoke, then ask him the questions that were burning in her like a fire.

[Much]

Oh my god. Much stood rooted to the spot, gaping at the woman before him. When was the last time they had seen each other? It was very long ago. Too long ago. Much's head span as he took a few steps forewards. "I'm...I'm fine..." he stuttered, "how are you?"

He gulped when he realised that he was standing only a few feet away from her. He stopped walking and smiled meekly. He had no idea what to do with himself. He didn't even know where her alleigences lay. Although he hoped with all his heart and every bone in his body that she was not sided with the Sheriff. He stared down at her, with a strange sense of wonder and hope.

Much was not normally one to remember things, but he remembered Eve as clearly as a fresh pool of water. She was one of the best things that had ever happened to him. Maybe even the best thing. It was true, he was heartbroken when she had to leave him, but he knew it was for the right reasons. He swore an oath to himself, that as soon as the war in Nottingham was over, he would try and find her. Maybe even before. But the fact he had run into her completely by accident was like a complete dream. He swayed from side to side slightly.

And then it came to him. At this certain moment in time (but in truth, every moment in time) Much looked completely revolting. He couldn't even remember the last time he had washed, and being an outlaw, clothes were very rarely changed. His hair was a complete and utter mess, part of the reason why he used a dirty bandana to cover it up. Oh no, she's going to think I'm disgusting! Much thought to himself in despair. Just like how Kate had.

[Eve Lovet]

Eve couldn't stop grinning as Much spoke; he was still the confused, adorable Much he'd been before. It seemed that he was struggling with something to say as well. As he stepped closer, Eve giggled and threw her arms around him.

Suddenly, before she could stop them, all the questions rushed out of her mouth. "What happened? Did you actually go to the Holy Land? What of the Sheriff? Lady Marian? Robin?" They all came out in a rush, words jumbling together as they spilled from her lips. She drew a quick breath then hugged him once more.
"I've missed you," she said quietly, more to herself than him.