Not In Nottingham (Robin!)

[Aurelia]

Aurelia had decided to go along with the men to deliver food to the outlaws families. With the men not able to care for their families, and the high taxes in the land, Robin and the men made it a point to make sure they were well fed. And still cared for. Not feeling abandoned because one of their loved ones was a fugitive. Thanks to Robin, Aurelia had found the more compassionate part of her that made her rather enjoy these kinds of good deeds. Even if she didn't express it as much. She was still not the most sentimental person, but she didn't need to be. For Robert knew her better then anyone else had ever known her in all her life. And she was so very grateful. She was carrying a basket of bread, walking with a scarf over her head to better help her blend in.When they arrived the village was quiet... too quiet. There was hardly anyone around and it made Aurelia on edge.

Something wasn't right. Something was off. Something was..... that was when she heard the yells. A group of armed men, soldiers, came charging at them! Aurelia dropped the basket of bread as the other men did the same, dropping whatever content burdened their hand. They then drew weapons and the fighting began. Aurelia was still learning how to use a blade, and the weight of it often restrained her... she was better suited with a bow and arrow. But even then, it was not good enough against their opponents, who outnumbered them. If Robert was here, the odds would be more even! Aurelia looked around, not having brought a weapon with her. She would have to improvise. But before she had time to think, one of the men grabbed her. She struggled against their stronger hold as one of their hands wrapped around her throat.

Her mind desperately searched through the lessons that Robert had given her in combat... and she decided to take a more practical defense, especially against a man. Putting her hands on the man's one hand for balance, she raised her leg and kneed him in the groin, as hard as she could. Hitting the sensitive area was enough for the man to cringe in pain, hunch over, and loosen his grip. Aurelia took several steps back, looking around and seeing that there was no winning. There was one hope and one hope only: Robin. With that thought in mind, she stalled for only a few more moments, hating to leave the other men behind but no good would come of this if they were all kidnapped. She spun around and as fast as her legs could carry her, ran into the woods. Thankfully, she could hear no one behind her, occasionally looking behind her to see if anyone was there.

She only assumed that most held back because what threat was a woman. Little did they know where she was going, because once they found Robert... all would be well! She didn't stop running until she was near their most recent camp. She kept her head turned behind her, wanting to be certain that she was not followed and thus exposing the camp and Robin's whereabouts. But apparently, the Sheriff's men were not that clever. With her head turned behind her, she suddenly collided into something that was the equivalent of a stone wall! She would have fallen back from the force of the collision, had two strong arms not caught her before she could lose her balance. She gasped loudly and turned her head, to see Robin standing there. "Robert!" She exclaimed, out of breath and worry thick in her voice. Though it was a relief to see him, she turned her head behind her, still so very afraid that one of the men had followed her. For if she led the authorities to Robin's whereabouts... she would never forgive herself.

[Robin Of The Woods]

"Robert!" Only a few would call him such; for he had learned to embrace the name of Robin; rather then his noble name. He stood slowly and watched as she ran to him; his eyes watching the area behind her more then her. Was she being chanced? Where the hell were the men with her? "What happened?" He demanded knowing where they had been going and why. She would not be so panicked if everything had gone to plan. No one panicked when things went with the plan.

Robert wasn't a detailed man; and he acted more on impulse rather then plans. When he did think up a plot it was basic and simple. It was his not-wife Aurelia that had taken his men and their mis-deeds to a new level. It was her and Allan's plans that created the most chaos and kept the Sheriff guessing. If something went wrong; then he knew it had to be great; "Are you hurt? Did they harm you?" He asked when they were close enough to touch; his hand going from her cheek down over her arms to make sure nothing seemed out of place or discolored. She wasn't his wife; but the sheriff believed other wise and she was the sister of his heart. While he would never think of her like a man though of a woman he wanted; he did hold her in his heart. if she was harmed; Nottingham would burn.

[Aurelia]

Though Aurelia felt that instant comfort in his presence, she was terrified that she had led him to a trap! What if someone had chased her? She knew that Robert was easily a match for any one, or two, or ten men! But still. It was the mere thought that she had been stupid enough to lead other men here that scared her. Deciding that she best focus on Robert's words, she looked at him, eyes still wide as she attempted to catch her breath. First he asked what happened, and while she tried to formulate the words, his next question... was a far easier one to answer. "I'm not hurt," she assured him, her breathing slowly calming down if only to reassure him that she was unscathed. The comfort he gave only grew when she felt his hand upon his skin. It was never in a romantic way, but the kind of incomparable comfort that a woman gained from having a brother near to protect her. It was a kind of relationship that Aurelia had never had with anyone... and one she valued more than any other. "When... we get there... men.... waiting." In her hasty attempt to reveal what happened, her English was more broken.

While it was getting better and more fluent, it was still imperfect. Especially now when she was so distressed and didn't have the time, nor wanted to waste the time and energy, by thinking of the proper grammatical way to speak. "There were so many!" She added, trying to explain why they had been so vastly outnumbered. Oh! Perhaps it would be best to mention that the others were not dead...yet. She knew that if the men had specific orders to kill them, then she would have seen them perish. But they were only captured. Which gave her hope! "They have everyone!" She added, knowing that was important for Robert to know. So that they could devise a plan to free them... wherever they may be. Aurelia was still unfamiliar with these lands, but luckily, Robert was very familiar with them. Which was why it was so easy for them to stay hidden. "I come to get you," she added, not wanting him to believe that she ran because she was a coward. She just knew they stood a better chance now, because Robert could find them!