Halloween in Sherwood 5: Robin the Monster

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Much woke early to find the camp fast asleep. Pushing back his blankets while stifling a yawn, he climbed from his bed and immediately glanced towards Robin's. Much's heart sank. Robin's bed was empty - he had vanished. And he was on his own, for the other outlaws were still snoring in their beds! Much had to find him - but wherever could he have gone?

Much sighed. It was obvious where Robin would be. He'd be in Knighton, sniffing around Marian. He couldn't keep away from her. He was in love. Revoltingly so, Much thought, and tutted to himself. He'd have to go and find him, and make sure all was well. But Much wasn't keen on travelling through Sherwood on his own, especially at the moment. There had been some very strange activity in the forest just lately, which made it all the more important to check that Robin was unscathed. But who could Much wake and take with him?

Well, I'd better go and find Robin, then, Much thought. It isn't safe out there right now, especially while he's on his own. He may be Robin Hood but he isn't invincible.
Mind made up, Much turned to grab his boots and pull his sword and shield from beneath his bed. He tried to move as quietly as he could so he didn't wake the rest of the gang. As much as he liked them, it was about time he and Robin had some time alone, like in the old days. Sometimes, Much missed the old days, when it was just the two of them. There were occasions when the other gang members got in the way of the friendship he and Robin had always had, and it made Much feel sad. Must he feel guilty for wanting Robin to himself, if only for a short while?
Lacing his boots with a flourish, feeling inordinately cheerful, Much stood and reached under his bed. However, in his rush to get on, he misjudged his balance and wavered. All it took was for his shield to catch on the edge of the bed and suddenly he was falling, sending his sword, a bowl, and a mug flying. They clattered heavily against a nearby bucket, and the noise rang out in the previously silent camp.
"Much!" a groggy-sounding Little John roared from his bed.
"What are you doing?!" Djaq whined, raising a tousled head from her blankets.
"There had better be food," Allan grouched from the bed beside Much's, his voice muffled as he pulled his own blanket over his head. "If you're waking me this early, it had better be for food."
"Sorry, sorry!" Much cried out. "Don't mind me. I'm about to leave. Go back to sleep."
"About to leave?" Will said curiously, and rolled out of his hammock, looking surprisingly sprightly. "Where are you going?"
Much's heart sank as heads began to emerge from bedclothes. "It's fine," he said. "Nothing to worry about. You can stay in bed, all of you. Nothing to see here."
"Now I'm suspicious." Allan pushed his blanket back very deliberately and climbed out of bed. His hair was in a disarray and there were creases in his cheek from his crumpled blanket. "I don't think you have ever encouraged us to stay in bed. More like, "get out of your pit, there is cleaning to be done"."
He effected a whining tone to mimic Much, and the others laughed.
Much scowled. "Oh, shut up, Allan. I thought you of all people would appreciate a lie in. Go on, go back to sleep. I don't need you."
"For what?" John asked, glancing around the camp. "And where's Robin?"
Much sighed. "I don't know," he replied reluctantly. "He wasn't here when I woke.."
"He's not here?" Will said, suddenly alert. "Has something happened?"
They began to gather around Much, wanting answers, and he shrugged expansively.
"How should I know where he is? I mean, I thought we were best friends, but he sneaks off in the early hours without a thought for me. He could be killed out there, and nobody would know, least of all me.."
"So," Djaq interrupted. "We look for him?"
"Well," Much said, any hope of a morning with Robin, just the two of them, quickly fading, "that's what I was going to do."
"We'll come," Will said decisively, and there was a flurry of activity as they hurried around, gathering boots, weapons, and cloaks. Once done, they gathered once more around Much.
"Where to?" Allan said.
"Knighton," Much replied wearily. "I think he's with Marian."
He stopped suddenly as there came the oddest of sounds from the forest around them.