Alone At Last IX

[Allan A Dale]

(OOC - OMICARP how do you follow that?!)

Oh, crap.

Allan was pretty bad with upset women. He could deal with flirty women, enraged women, even women during their periods, but he couldn’t ever find the words for a crying woman, and Kate looked like she was about to start bawling.

She’d found her parents missing. Her childhood friend was being tortured, possibly dead no don’t think like that he can’t be dead. Another familiar figure from her childhood was headed into potentially lethal circumstances. He could understand that, today had been a bloody awful day and tomorrow didn’t look particularly pleasant either. She began shaking her head, much as he did when he was upset…

Oh, no. No no no no no… he mentally pleaded to whichever God was listening, and used a few choice profanities when Kate let loose a stream of tears, marring her pretty pale features and staining her cheeks. He stood for a moment, unsure of what to do, and, unbidden, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on hers. He pulled her close, feeling her rest her hand on his chest, wrap one round his waist as if she were trying to make sure he couldn’t leave, so she wouldn’t lose someone else. He’d known her less than a day! He muttered reassurances, knowing it was in vain, but trying to calm her down. His chest began to feel wet as her tears seeped through his clothes, her mumbled apology meaning nothing - because it wasn’t stupid, it was natural, and he realised he was being a hypocrite right now; he’d yelled at Luke for doing this but it was different, it was a girl - and he went to start stroking her hair, when the door burst open and he barely held on to her.

He found himself face to face with the folks.

Oh, crap, he thought again. This wasn’t good. He found, before him, an irate older woman (who was also quite good looking- and that train of thought was stopping right there…) and an extremely angry looking bloke whom he assumed was Daddy Miller. Bloody big bloke, too - tall, strong, just the sort of person he really didn’t need to be possibly fending off right now.

Maybe I should let go of her now… he realised, feeling her pull away as the shock registered. He took a couple of steps back and tried to smile politely.

”Good evening, sir, madam,” he gave a small bow with his greeting, unaware of the girls behind them. ”Fine day, is it not?”

(OOC - heh started the new page~)

[Kate Miller]

Kate’s head whipped round, BUGGER!. She jumped away from him rather quickly. Trying not to push him too hard due to his ankle. As Allan joked she looked back at him and refrained from pelting his around the side of the head. Now was not the time of being funny. Her father had a temper at the best of times, she’d plenty of evidence to prove likewise.

”I don’t care how fine the day is, who in god’s name are you?” her father yelled approaching them. A stern look in her direction. She visibly gulped. This wasn’t good. ”And what the hell are you doing with my daughter!” Kate turned fully. She had to handle this Not only was Allan deem helpless by his ankle. He stood no chance against her father. Outlaw or not.

”Father!” she shouted before he had the chance to move towards them much further. ”Allan is here merely for the clothing he is wearing!” her cheeks still glistened in the flickering of the torchlight that lit the room, her voice caching in her throat. ”I was worried about you, that is all. He was merely consoling me. It is not his fault!” She spoke sternly and confidently, which was always a mistake.

”Excuse me,” he turned towards he, a ferociousness in his eyes, ”How dare you speak to me like that! I’m your father!” He approached her, slowly raising his hand. Kate didn’t care. She could take the bruises. She had done in the past. She would do again.

”Peter! his wife snapped as the two girl behind her winced. She widened her eyes and shook her head. ”And what would this young man be paying with?” she asked. Good question. Kate thought. But shortly after, the thought hit her. He still had the purse of money.

She looked over her shoulder at him to urge him to get it out. ”As the night has come, I suggested he stay here. The forest is no place for a man after dark.” she muttered hoping her father’s temper would simmer out to nothing and rather quickly. And rather hoping that he wouldn’t turn his anger on the man that stood behind her.

[Allan A Dale]

Allan watched the proceedings silently, and quickly deduced that he really didn’t like Kate’s dad. He was loud mouthed, rude, and didn’t even give him a chance to respond (to defend himself or otherwise).
He listened to Kate’s protests of his innocence, and though the tone was strong, the words were weak, feeble. Like she’d been through this too many times before. He didn’t like hearing that. It made his honourable side flare up, and he tended to do stupid things when that happened (like pretend to be the Nightwatchman).
When the man swung round on Kate, raising his hand, Allan’s instincts flared up. He took a step forward; you didn’t hit a girl! It was the one thing his mother had managed to ingrain into him!
Fortunately, before anyone noticed, the missus calmed her husband down. Allan was thankful, but made a mental note to ask Will if he knew about this. He was also quick to respond to the woman’s question.
”I didn’t come empty handed, ma’am,” he replied, raising the purse. ”I had been about to pay her when she began getting distressed. She was worried you were part of the group who had been carted off to Nottingham,” he added, hoping it would help.
”I can leave, if it’s any help,” Allan spoke again after a moment, edging towards the door ever so slightly. He didn’t want to get caught up in this. He didn’t want to cause trouble. He’d just wanted some new clothes! He was almost willing to risk running into half a dozen traps on the way back to camp… ”Even outlaws need to sleep, after all…”

[Kate Miller]

Kate cringed slightly at his mention of outlaws. Her father was a suspicious man at the best of times. He’d happily hit her, and wouldn’t stop short of hitting Allan.

”You can stay here, sir. We wouldn’t wish that on anybody. You have paid more than you ought too. We can shelter you for the night.” her words were final. Allan didn’t even have his other boot on anyway. And she wasn’t about to let him hop out of here. Whether her father liked it or not, he was staying.

The man was red in the face and fuming. She simply glared at him. She was old enough to leave the house hold. But she bought money to the household, so he did not let him. On the sight of a bulging money pouch he settled a little. Muttering angry words and departing into the mill.

Her mother scowled at her. ”I shall gather you some blankets. You can stay in the changing area. It will be more spacious for you.” she too was fuming. She was for it in the morning. She knew that. But her mother was too reserved to be rude in front of visitors.

”Katey ar-“ her youngest sister started.

”I’m fine, run along to bed, it’s getting late.” she managed. Both Sarah and Rachel ran through to the other small room in which the children slept. Including Kate. On any normal night.

”Sorry.”

[Allan A Dale]

Allan shuffled into the corner as Kate outglared her family and watched them off to their own rooms for the evening. He nodded at Kate's mother, assuming she was addressing him but aware that she was glaring at Kate. Hoo... She was in troublein the morning. You could tell just from the tension.

He was startled to see two younger girls pop out from behind their parents, before being sent off to bed by their older sister. They looked similar - if Kate looked just a little younger, they could probably pass for twins or triplets. Of course they look similar, they're related! he kicked himself mentally.

"Sorry."

Allan looked up, confused.

"What you sorry for?" he asked, assuming she was talking to him as he was the only one currently present. "It's me who ought to be sorry. If we hadn't come here, you wouldn't be having this problem, eh? And... thanks..."

He wouldn't admit that, upon thinking about it, he probably couldn't navigate his way through the dark forest back to camp anyway. He hadn't done it in so long, he was fairly sure he'd get lost, even if he did manage to avoid the numerous pitfalls and other traps.

He felt bad. Partly for getting her in trouble, and partly for owing her one. He did so hate to be in debt.

"Sorry about paying you with your own money," he added with a cheesy grin. That part kind of amused him.

[Kate Miller]

(OOC - 7:06... a time in the morning I will never see XD)

Kate shuffled slightly. Her parents would be back in soon and if she wasn’t out of there way, or if she was on her own, who knows what might happen. To be honest, she didn’t really want to spend the night with her sister’s. She didn’t feel safe as it was. But she couldn’t stay with her parents, and it would be too forward to stay, or even contemplate staying, in the same room as Allan. No matter how much safer it would make her feel.

”Mother won’t be back, by saying she’ll gather you blankets, she mean I will.” she said making her was to the material cupboard, pulling out a wooden crate and standing on it, gathering some blankets from the top of it. She had a fair few in her hands; the changing room floor was exactly the nicest place in the world to sleep. He’d need the extra.

"It's me who ought to be sorry. If we hadn't come here, you wouldn't be having this problem, eh? And... thanks..." [/i]

”And if you hadn’t, we’d never have met. Will wouldn’t know Luke was here. And All of you would still be in need of clothing. You gave us enough money to last the month. If not two. Trust me,” she turned around from her place on the crate and smiled at him weakly, “It’s a good thing you came.”

She jumped back down off of the crate kicking back into the cupboard, and flicking the door shut with her foot. Her look at him only dared him to make a comment about the added height. She headed into the changing room, and dumped the pile in the middle of the floor. Before quickly turning, forgetting the reason she had originally been upsetting herself, then had needed light.

She came quickly out of the room again, grabbing the extra torch, lighting it and taken the few steps it took to get to Allan. "Sorry about paying you with your own money,"[/i] he’d smiled at that. It was infectious she swore. Cause it made her smile too. ”Lady Marian paid more than enough, and for your clothing too, so it was what you paid. You just haven’t for the night. But they needn’t know that.”
She offered out her free arm and helped him through into where he’d be sleeping.

”Besides, it stopped the bastard from doing what he does. For me, your presence is very much welcome.”

[Allan A Dale]

Allan smiled and shrugged. Parents. What could you do, eh?

"Ay, why'd you keep 'em up there if you can't reach?" he asked, laughing slightly as she had to stand on a box to get some blankets. He oughtn't be laughing at her, but it was too much fun to tease her. Besides, if she'd asked, he'd've reached them down for her. He was tall enough. Besides, she needed distracting again. Dark thoughts were not good, especially in the evening when all else was dark too.

He stayed silent for a moment, while Kate fetched another torch, and was pleased with the extra light. He could see properly now. He disliked being in unfamiliar places at night; couldn't tell where anything was.

Mentally, he promised he'd be getting her some money. She was right, he hadn't paid for the night but she deserved to be. He appreciated the help, a lot, considering everything that had happened in the space of a few hours.

Has it really only been a few hours?

He gratefully accepted the arm and hobbled on through to the changing room in which he'd be sleeping. "Cosy," he said, looking around as if judging the decor. "Very soft floors, too," he added, tapping the floor with his toes. He flashed yet another grin at Kate. "But you'd know all about that already, m'lady."

He paused. What now? "So... are you goin' to bed now? Busy day tomorrow?"

[Jacob Payne]

Jacob Payne gave a final, frustrated grunt and managed to break free of the rope binding his wrists together. He had managed to fray the cord down through sheer relentless determination and a seeming disregard for the skin of his wrists. He'd woken about an hour ago to find himself trussed up in the stables off to one side of Knighton with about four other guards. They were still unconscious even now that Jacob was free and he shot the motionless bodies a cold glare wondering what had possessed the Sheriff to hire the useless lads in the first place.

He stood and wiped viciously at the blood that had clotted around his nose and upper lip. Jacob remembered now, that runt of a boy had been trying to steal his helmet, but when he'd been caught he wouldn't stop struggling and somehow in the resulting chaos the boy had caught Jacob in the face with his elbow. His frown deepened, creasing his brow, how had he ended up in the stables after that? And in his underclothes of all things. He knew that the little, thieving peasants would steal anything if they thought they could sell it.

Jacob didn't think any of the poor would be daring enough to steal his whole uniform, that was a hanging offence after all. (Then again, what wasn't these days?) Besides the boy had looked barely strong enough to life the helmet, let alone drag his unconscious body all the way to the stable and tie it up. He must have had help and that could only mean one thing... Outlaws. They were notorious for stealing guard's uniforms and using them to sneak into the castle, Jacob had just never experienced it first hand before. He couldn't say he was enjoying it, England was cold at night, especially in only undergarments.

Now that he had more of an idea what he was up against Jacob formed a rough plan. He wasn't usually one for making plans, unless they involved maiming people, he usually just followed orders, but under the circumstances he would just have to do with what he could think up. He stooped to untie the other guards, but didn't try to wake them, he didn't want to spend time dealing with them getting reorientated, it was so tedious and he already had a headache.

Instead, after they were freed, he headed out into the evening. There would be hardly anybody about in the darkened square so he didn't have to worry about his state of undress. Not that Jacob would have cared if it had been bright outside and on market day when the square was bustling with activity. He wasn't a modest man and none of the guards would dare to arrest him. Short of the Sheriff and Gisborne he was the law.

He didn't have time to find any clothes anyway. If the outlaws were planning to rescue their little friend, and he had so enjoyed Guy taunting the axe wielding nuisance, then he needed to get to the castle and warn them about what was coming. If he was quick he could get there before them, because Robin Hood never went anywhere without at least a partially formed and several back-ups, and perhaps then they could set up a trap and catch all the outlaws. Jacob gave a crude grin at the thought. Even if he got there after they arrived he would still be able to raise the alarm and if he was really lucky he could join the resulting fight and get his revenge.

[Kate Miller]

She’d dared him, and he did. He poked fun at her height. She glared at him through her laugh, ”I don’t, my mother does. And she can reach.” she mumbled. Stopping near the pile of blankets. It wasn’t her house, she couldn’t move thing about. She did what she was told, and nothing else. Apart from today that is. "Very soft floors, too. But you'd know all about that already, m'lady.” she turned on him, and hit on the side of his muscular arm. ‘Katherine Mary Miller behave yourself.’ she chastised herself before giving him a small smile.

”If a certain outlaw hadn’t pulled me to the floor I wouldn’t.” she said keeping her voice low in case her father was listening. She didn’t want to give him reason to lash out at her. So she wouldn’t. She smiled at the memory of the afternoon, but that was all it had been, an afternoon. And after tonight, she probably wouldn’t see him again.

"So... are you goin' to bed now? Busy day tomorrow?" She thought about it. What else could she do now? And tomorrow? Tomorrow would normal. Apart from the worrying about Will, and Luke. Hoping that they were okay. She supposed she’d look after Allan until such times as they came for him. She hoped that they brought good news when they did come. And she’d send him on his way. Spending the rest of the day doing nothing. She had to fit his trousers, but she would do that before he left.

”Apart from tapering your trousers, and babysitting you until such times as they come and get you. Not a whole lot.” it was the truth, what else was there to say? Apart from if they didn’t get him quickly, her parent’s would freak out at her more than they already would. But she couldn’t tell him that. She’d scared him enough for one evening. ”I’ll go make sure Sarah and Rachel are in bed and asleep. But I guess... well, that is if you want me too... I could come back and keep you company for a while?” it was more of a question that a statement. She didn’t want to impose herself where she wasn’t wanted. But she didn’t particularly want to be on her own. Not with her father in the mood he was in. She’d feel safer with a man present. Especially if said man was a ‘roofless’ outlaw.

(OOC - Okay, Need an Alsa post then I'll goo notice you Ann, promise!)

[Allan A Dale]

Allan laughed. It had been worth it. He'd enjoyed messing with her.

Although, she might require more messing with. "Babysitting?" he asked, mock-offended. "I feel like you think I'm a five year old. You've wounded me, m'lady, you've struck my heart!"

He put a hand to his head, as if distressed, closing his eyes to try and look dismayed. He held the pose for a moment before opening one eye, to see if Kate was irritated or not (which ruined the look). He gave up and shrugged. Worth a try, anyway.

"I could come back and keep you company for a while?"

Jesus Christ...

On the one hand, yes, he did want her to come back. He was in a house with a man who looked like he'd been ready to murder him; she was a pretty lass whom he really wouldn't mind spending the evening with (although, the aforementioned father could put a dampner on that idea); he was beginning to feel ever so slightly overprotective of her (she gave off that air, that need to protect... Allan wondered if this is what Robin felt about England all the time)... And he really needed distracting from the thoughts of Will being tortured, returning with a vengeance. Guy's favourite time to play was at night nothing meant to be implied there zomg XD oops? and he was praying that Vaysey hadn't tried to kill him already. Or had been anywhere near there.

Guy was bad enough.

On the other hand, he didn't really want her to see him if he started brooding (as he already had done) and he was shattered. All he really wanted to do was sleep. But then, only back at the camp with his friends around him, laughing over another quick escape from the clutches of the nobles.

"If you don't need to get to sleep any time soon, then yeah, we could talk?" he asked. He hadn't really properly talked in a while.

[Kate Miller]

Kate’s smile was small but present all the same. She was unsure if he really wanted her there. Or whether he’d just prefer to sleep. But she nodded, and muttered an; ”Okay.” before turning, walking into the main room of the house and quickly through in case her parent’s came back in. Into her, and her sister’s, bedroom.

Sarah was already asleep. Far from being woken. Rachel was drifting still. She’d spent years watching them dose off at night. Kate approached her youngest sisters bedside, pulling the blanket up and tucking her in. She leant down and pressed a short kiss to her head. Running her fingers over her forehead, resting the palm of her hand on her cheek, before standing up and leaving the room. Closing the door firmly behind her. She sighed and listened out for movement in the Mill. Her father had started messing with the grinder again. He’d be out there a while. Her mother would probably be talking at his back and lecturing him about something.

She walked past the window, shutters still open and saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. She took a few steps back, stopping in the centre of the opening in the wall, and leaning over. She looked. Squinting through the darkness. It was a guard. Or she was pretty sur it was, he’d come from the barn, where Robin and the others had dumped those they’d robbed of their uniform. And he was in nothing but undergarments. Definitely a guard.

”Allan!” she hissed urgently so not to alert her father, mother or sleeping sisters. ”Allan!” she repeated a little bit more desperately this time. If the guard got back to the castle, the others were dead. Forget Will. Forget Luke. Robin Hood would be no more. They’d all suffer. ”ALLAN!” she tried her hardest not to raised her voice to much, but she was getting desperate.

[Allan A Dale]

Allan heard some hissing from the other room, and vaugely thought he heard his name. He'd been about to sit down, but thankfully was still able to limp back in to see Kate standing at the window, squinting outside with a worried look on her face.

He sped up.

"What?" he asked, standing beside her and peering out the window. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust, but he could make out the figure of a man storming past in his... undergarments?

He blinked. Why was there a bloke walking round, at night, in the freezing cold, in his underwear? A big, burly, angry looking bloke like him, wandering round outside...

Oh, crap.

He turned to Kate, grabbed her shoulders and shook her, hissing back. "This is important. You stay here, you pretend you've never met me, you've never met any outlaw. Who is Will? You've never left Knighton, if anyone asks. Go see your sisters or something."

He started marching towards the door, adrenaline helping him to ignore his ankle just a little bit. He needed to be able to walk properly; he needed to be able to sneak up on this guy. And what about the other guards? Where there more leaving the village as he tarried?

He paused with his hand on the door, turned to Kate once more and gave her a smile. "Thanks again for the clothes." With that, he left, shutting the door as quickly and quietly as he could, so as not to arouse suspicion.

He oughtn't come back, if the guards were waking up. He'd have to stay in the barn and make sure they stayed there as well. As soon, that was, as he'd finished getting this idiot back where he belonged. When had he gotten out? How had he undone the ropes? Maybe Luke had tied them - so far, his opinion of the boy was decreasing and he was certain no one would have gotten out one of Djaq's or Robin's knots.

Then again, maybe it was Marian. Fair fighter though she was, she still wasn't really outlaw material. Yet.

He shook his head. Don't get distracted, he thought, that's not going to help you.

He grabbed a rock, lying on the grass next to a house he passed as he approached his target. He was walking way too fast on his ankle, almost a run, and he knew Djaq would probably kill him later, but it was worth it, right? He shifted his way round the back of one cottage, dashing forward and creeping round the edge as he shifted in position. All he had to do was wait. It would be easier to jump the guy after he'd walked past, could drag him round the back of the house and through the woods, tie him to a tree or something, perhaps. See him get out of that one...

He heard the soft crunching of grass underfoot, raised his hand, waited a moment...

There!

He ran forward, arm coming down with some force to smash the stone on the guard's head. Allan was fully aware that this could, potentially, kill the guard, and felt no remorse. He had friends to save, this time.

Unfortunately his ankle, protesting against the exercise Djaq had warned him against, gave on him, and with a slight cry he tripped, dropping the stone and instead collapsing on top of the guard.

Whom, from the close up view of the back of his head, which was a familiar head... Where'd he seen that stubble before?

Oh yeah.

Jacob.

Well, this didn't bode well.

"Bugger."

[Jacob Payne]

Jacob was striding purposefully across the square, not bothering with modesty. The damn outlaws had even stolen his boots and he ignored the unpleasant feeling of slightly damp earth under his feet. He passed one building, then another, most of the torches inside the homes had already been extinguished as the folk of Knighton weren't exactly night owls.

He almost paused when he heard a noise off to one side and slightly behind him, but he decided to ignore it, it was probably just a fox scavenging for scraps or some other animal. There was a yelp behind him and Jacob was sure he recognised that whining voice. Then a body collided with his and he was knocked forward a pace. Jacob growled, he was not going to be attacked an lose twice in one day. Especially when they first assault had been by some pathetic peasant boy.

"Bugger." Jacob definitely recognised this voice. He twisted while his attacker was still leaning on him and with one arm pushed the body away so the man could not regain his balance. It was best to keep the sneaky thief off kilter, he knew how conniving he could be in a fight.

"Allan A Dale." Jacob leered at the man and brought his other hand out to catch Allan by the wrist. He was pleased, he'd been hoping to get his hands on the newly turned outlaw ever since he'd betrayed them. To convey this he squeezed hard on Allan's arm, crunching the bones of his wrist together under the pressure in a way he knew to be immensely painful.

[Kate Miller]

This was important? He’d just hobbled rather quickly out of her front door to face a man who would wipe the floor with him in seconds. It was confirmed, the guy was an idiot. He’d been hit around so many times it seemed his remaining brain cells were not working properly. She groaned. She wasn’t just going to stay here and watch him get hurt. She wasn’t that much of a fool. Besides she’d already had the outlaws in her home for the majority of the day. Would most probably be housing a relative of an outlaw for a while, and was near falling for one. So either way, she was screwed.

He was practically telling her she didn’t know him. She didn’t know Will and that today had never happened. She could go along with that, and she could pretend. But what was the use of the conditional tense if she didn’t go against it. Yeah, she could, but that didn’t mean she would. She watched from the edge of the window for a little while. Watching the guard head towards the Thatcher’s. She couldn’t see much else. She heard muffles as she heard speech. That sounded roughly like Allan and the guard. Then heard the connection of flesh.

She cringed.

She looked in the door; both her sisters were still asleep, and by the sounds of it her parents were arguing in the next room. So she made her leave. She slipped out of the front door, and went the other way round the houses. She went past three or four of the houses, before looking round and on seeing Jacob with Allan in his hands, she kept back. This wasn’t her fight.

At least, not yet.

She looked behind her. Propped against the back of the Thatcher’s were there tools. Amongst them blocks of wood, hammers, axes. Anything that took her fancy. She smiled at herself, grabbing out for a hefty looking chuck of wood.

[Allan A Dale]

"Allan A Dale."

Allan stumbled back a step, only saved from falling over by an immense pressure on his wrist as Jacob grabbed it, squeezing it. Did he intend to break it, or just bruise it a lot? Suddenly, Allan realised his plan was actually really bad. Rather than save the gang from being caught, it was quite likey this fight would result in his being knocked out (or worse) and the gang would still be caught up at the castle.

Allan smirked. He could still do his best.

He raised his spare hand in greeting, giving a little wave at the growling man. "Hey there, Jack! How's it going?"

He shoved his fingers forward, hoping to poke the man in his eyes, but Jacob was a little faster and grabbed his other wrist, pulling them across each other and effectively immobilising his arms, keeping up the pressure on both his wrists. Allan winced a little. Yep, going really badly...

Realisng the man was not only immobilising him, but also holding his weight, Allan raised his good leg and kicked at Jacob, satisfied when his foot connected with his stomach and caused the brute to let him go, giving him a moment to adjust himself and prepare for the next round. Unfortunately Jacob seemed to recover quickly - was the man made of that armour Gisborne made, or something?

Allan was fully aware he was going to get his arse handed to him. All he really needed to do was buy some time for the others.

He prayed he lasted that long.

"Niiiice. Latest fashion from Paris?" he mocked, nodding at the underwear the guard was wearing.