The next morning, the clearing was full of the moans and groans of those who had indulged in too much ale and celebration the night before, and Marian wasn’t the only one to rise from her pallet when the sun was already high above the trees.

Yawning and bleary eyed, she stumbled across the clearing, avoiding the sleeping outlaws, many of whom seemed to have collapsed where they were sitting or standing, too drunk to pull themselves into a pallet, or anywhere more comfortable. Stepping over the debris of the party, she reached the small trickling stream that ran past one corner of the clearing and cupped her hands to splash her face.

She had been enjoying the freshness of the water for only a few seconds when a great shaggy creature threw himself down beside her, and stuck his whole head beneath the bubbling water.

Shrieking as the splash hit her, she struggled back from the water’s edge, wondering who on earth it was. It was only when the stranger had emerged again, she recognised the lad as the newcomer, Little John of Hathersage.

With a laugh she remembered their conversation from last night.

‘How do you feel this morning?’ she asked as John shook his head, scattering droplets of water everywhere.

He looked round and smiled at her.

‘It’s been better, I have to say!’ he said with a grin. ‘ Though I am not as afflicted as some of these poor fellows,’ he turned and gestured at those still sleeping where they had fallen. ‘I can handle my ale better than that!’

‘And do you remember what you swore to do last night?’ she asked, as smile on her face.

‘Oh goodness, it was probably a whole host of things!’ he laughed. ‘Go on, enlighten me!’

‘You declared that you were jealous of all the tales that Robin and his men spun about their deeds,’ she told him. ‘And you declared that then and there you would go out and have your own adventure, but upon the discovery that it was in face night time, you put it off until the morn.’

John chuckled.

‘Aye, now you say, I do remember that!’ he laughed at the memory.

‘Do you still wish to have your adventure?’ Marian asked.

‘I am up for anything, so aye, I am still, as always, up for an adventure! Though maybe not this side of noon,’ he winked at Marian and rubbed his head slightly. ‘Prey, where is your lover this morn?’

Marian felt herself blush at his words, but felt a warm, odd, tingling sensation around her midriff.

‘He is in his pallet still,’ she told him. ‘Obviously, he is not as good as you when it comes to handling his drink!’

He laughed at that.

‘Who says I cannot handle my drink?’ a voice boomed from above them, and both John and Marian jumped and turned to see who had spoken. It was Robin.

‘Morning!’ he greeted, swooping down and planting a kiss on Marian’s cheek.

‘Seeing as we both rose before you,’ Marian said teasingly, ‘I think we both can!’

‘Nonsense,’ Robin brushed her comment away with a cheeky grin. ‘Anyway, John, you were asking after me?’

‘Aye,’ John said. ‘Merely wondering where you were, that is all. Don’t want to miss out on any adventures now, do I?’

Robin laughed.

‘You remember our conversation then?’

‘Aye, I do, and fully intend on embarking on one. Just as soon as I have filled my belly!’

There was a little smoked venison and bread left over from the feast last night, so while Robin and John and a few of the other outlaws broke their nightly fast, Marian preceded to tidy up the mess.

‘So, what adventure were you thinking of having today then, John?’ Robin asked as he chewed on a sliver of venison.

‘Any that stakes my hand,’ John replied. ‘I left my home in Hathersage to seek my fortune and find adventure, so I shall not be content merely sitting in this clearing and listening wistfully to the great deeds of others.’

‘No,’ Robin admitted. ‘That does not sound appealing. I’ll tell you what, why do we not both set out on the road today? I fancy a walk, and you an adventure, we may meet something on our road.’

‘Aye,’ John agreed with a smile. ‘Sounds alright to me.’

It was half an hour later when Robin and the newest member of the band of outlaws set out on their way.

‘You be careful!’ Marian warned Robin as he kissed her goodbye. ‘Make sure you come back.’

‘Don’t worry, lass, I shall. Don’t you worry,’ he smiled as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and kissed her on the nose. ‘Goodbye.’

Robin led John through the confusing network of paths and small clearings that surrounded the main camp and prevented anyone who did not know the paths well enough from penetrating. Soon, they emerged onto the leafy forest road where the trees were tall and more scattered, their canopies high above, leaves swaying lightly in the breeze that played at their heights causing the patches of dappled sunlight that reached the ground to ripple and move, making the detritus of years of leaves seem like sun-kissed water.

‘It is indeed a beautiful day,’ John said, peering up at the treetops.

‘It is, my friend,’ Robin agreed, following his gaze, but with slight more caution, always his eyes were darting from tree to tree, and onto the road. ‘Though I urge you caution. You are with enjoying the company of a hunted man, you could be in danger if any happed this way.’

But John merely shrugged off Robin’s words.

‘I shall deal with any of them,’ he said in a slightly smug voice.

‘Be that as it may,’ Robin told him with a small smile. ‘But I doubt you’ll be as confident faced with the entire of the Sheriff’s guard!’

John made a non committal noise in the back of his throat.

‘I’d give it a damn good try,’ he said with a wicked glint in his eye.

Suddenly, as they rounded the brow of a hill, Robin threw out his arm to stop Little John in his tracks. With a smile, he pointed down into the dell below them.

‘I think you may have found your adventure,’ he grinned wolfishly at his companion.