His body sagged under the weight of their reality. He could not help her before, and he still could not help her. His life was threatened. He might free them from service, but he there was no safe place to take them. They could not live at the garrison. and Greenwood was not fit for the rats living within its crumbling walls.

Even should he wish it, he could not leave his service to make it livable again. He was dually bound by his oath, sworn first to Hugh the Great upon his deathbed, and later in his oath of fealty sworn after Hugh the Younger was crowned.

He might recall some of his former men in need of occupation since their release from service, but even if he could restore Greenwood and even if he had enough men to fill the garrison there...there was still the threat to his life.

He knew the source to be Hugh the Younger, but he knew not the time or the means. And he harbored no doubts that those seeking to spill his lifeblood would not cease until either he or they breathed no more. Claiming Gwyndolyn and Robin for his own put them in danger, for his enemy would not scruple to use them to get to him...

He pulled at his hair as he growled his frustrations.

He could not have her, neither could he save her! —or could he?

Another thought tickled the edge of his mind, but he could not grab hold to make sense of it.

Getting to his feet he was out the door in a heartbeat and nearly trampled a servant in the hall. She bounced off from him, and the load of cloths in her arms flew every which way as she tumbled. He grabbed at her, catching her by her belt and lifted her to her feet.

Frightened, she scrambled away and cowered against the wall.

"Forgive me." He nodded, and took a step to move away. The girl flinched.

He knew his size alone intimidated most people who did not know him, but he could not imagine what would have her quivering from fright. Mayhap the punishment for displeasing the master's favored guest was harsh? He wanted to make it right, but when he turned toward her, she pressed herself into the wall. This would not do at all.

Not knowing how else to proceed, he treated her like a frightened mare. He stepped back, but held his hand out, palm up and spoke low and gentle as he could manage and still be heard. "I meant not to harm you. I was too hasty in my steps and I saw you not until we collided. I meant only to spare you from injury. Please, do say that you will forgive me?"

Her chin jerked up and he saw her surprise and fear battling within her large round eyes.

"You wish my forgiveness, milord?" she squeaked. Had he not been listening carefully, he would have missed it.

"Yes, my good woman. I do." He smiled and dipped his chin before adding: "I have wronged you and I ask your forgiveness."

He knew the moment that she had forgiven him, for she stood a little straighter and lifted her chin with a smile.

"Of course, milord. Twas an accident and I am unharmed." Her confidence returned and he inwardly sighed in relief as she went on, speaking as though they were friends. "Think nothing more of it. I thank you milord, for your attentions and for keeping me from a bad fall."

"Thank you, good woman. Now, if you please, where might I find a boy to fetch my lieutenant, Sir Drew to me?"

"I shall be happy to see to it for you. Where shall I say he is to meet you?"

"In my chambers, just there." He pointed, though he knew it was unnecessary. According to Gwyndolyn, all the servants knew which room he was given. "If you please, tell him that it is very important and for him to make haste."

"Right away, milord." She dipped her knees and turned to go but stopped again. "Milord?"

"Yes?"

"Have you need of anything further? Have you need of writing materials, or mayhap some wine?"

"No wine." Erec groaned but resisted the urge to touch his temple where the blacksmith's hammer still pounded, "But do please have young Robin, the healer's son, bring a tray in case my lieutenant has need."

"Yes, milord."

This time she turned and scurried off. As he turned toward his room; and he looked to see what his foot caught on. The servant left the cloths that she was carrying when they collided. Kneeling, he quickly plucked up the scattered cloths. He carried them to his door and set them in a neat pile beside the door, knowing well that someone would be back to fetch them.

---

Drew arrived before Erec paced the long length of his room a dozen times and back.

"What has happened?"

"Sit. Sit." Erec pointed to the stool and sat upon the bed. He had just started to tell Drew about finding Gwyndolyn again when there was a soft knock. "That will be her son, Robin."

"Her son?!"

"Robin, my boy." Erec smiled as he opened the door. "Do come in. You remember my lieutenant, Sir Drew?"

"Aye, milord." Robin nodded and then dipped his chin toward Drew. "Sir Drew."

"Robin, I was just telling Drew about your adventures after we left."

Robin's face lit up, and Erec could tell he was itching to say something, but was refraining because at the moment he was holding a tray and attempting to behave as a proper servant should. Taking the tray, he carried it over to the little table and set it down. "Stay with us, and you can fill in the bits that I forget."

Robin grinned as his knees folded and he dropped to the floor cross legged where he stood. Erec chuckled, wishing he were half as flexible again.

Erec paced as he told the tale, and Robin filled in bits here and there. It gave a perspective that Gwyndolyn might have overlooked or kept to herself out of modesty. Robin had no such qualms, and Erec was glad for the unrestrained narrative.

"Wait. Go back. You said they were talking about your mum but just now you said they were talking about a treasure."

"They said she was a key to the treasure." Robin scrunched his nose. "Mama did not know what they meant either. She does not have any keys at all. Well, now she does because she is the healer and keeps the healer room locked when she is not there. She says that if someone were to take the wrong herbs, they could get very sick. But before, when they were chasing us, she did not have a key."

Erec grinned at Robin's exuberance. He spoke at length, and added such interesting details, never stopping for a breath until he finished, rather abruptly and sat quietly. Once more he wished all of his scouts would be so thorough in their reports.

"What do you suppose they meant by that?" Erec looked to Drew. "I thought earlier that I could not make my affections known, for I was loathe to put her in harm's way but he says..."

"Aye. She is already there. These men, Jackson, Oliver, and the other, they know you have an attachment to her. I thought when they headed back to the farm, it was merely on their way back to the king, but...this..."

"They would both be dead, as the farmer is, save by the grace of God they were hidden at the time the men came. She was clever and they made it here to safety, but I cannot trust that she will remain safe. She is but a servant here, and would be little missed..."

"Mama is the healer. Lots of people would notice if she was gone."

"Aye, but..." Erec frowned, "Now that I know of the danger, I cannot leave her safety to chance."

Drew and Robin remained silent. Erec's frown deepened.

"I could free her from service easy enough, but I have no place safe to take her. While we have an assassin's mark upon us, she is not safe near us, but neither can she stay at the king's garrison. And Greenwood is hardly fit for the rats..."

"Our brothers in arms, the ones who served before Hugh dismissed them...they would go to Greenwood. You would have your garrison there. So many hands would make light the work."

"Nay. It is too near Garret's Keep. We just chased the King's enemies there and they will be desperate men by winter's end, as we left them in a bad way. I would not put her in such a place, so far removed from the King's Garrison where I could not guarantee her safe."

"I had not thought of that." Drew nodded. "Then there is but one way I can think of. But I do not suppose that you should like it very much."

Erec raised his brow in question.

"You could pledge her your troth and leave her in the Baron's keeping. She would have the protection of your name and reputation. There are not many that would be willing to incur the wrath of the Captain. You had a reputation as Sir Erec and it has only grown since you became Lord Erec."

"This is true. It would take a desperate man to attempt to harm my betrothed, and I shall make it know that to do so will be a death sentence. If I put her into the Baron's keeping, I can ask him to move her inside the castle. There will be more guards and greater visibility. She would be harder to get to."

"What does troth mean?" Robin asked. "He said you would not like it. Does it hurt?"

Erec turned, having forgotten the boy was there. "Come." He said as he took as seat on the bed.

Robin unfolded in one smooth motion and was at Erec's side. Erec put an arm around him and looked Robin in the eyes.

"Troth is a promise. If I pledge my troth to your mum, it means that I promise I will take her to wife."

"Oh." Robin nodded, accepting the answer easily, then suddenly frowned. "Will you be my brother or my father?"

Erec could see Drew over Robin's shoulder and gave him a look, warning him to keep silent.

"Since she is your mum, that would make me your father, if you would like it to be so."

"Can I call you Da? Father never liked for me to call him that."

"You may call me whatever you like." Erec chuckled. "Does that mean I have your blessing?"

"What does that mean?"

"If you give me your blessing, it means that you approve of me and your mum getting married."

"Oh." Robin nodded again. "Then I give my blessing. I help mum as much as I can, but she is alone and sometimes I hear her crying at night but I pretend not to hear her because she does not like me to know when she is sad. I think she is sad because Father is dead, and her brothers are all taken away.... OH!"

"what is it, Robin?" Erec felt a knot in his stomach at the boy's obvious fear.

"What about Sofi?"

"Who?"

"Sofi is the orphan girl that was given as servant to the healer."

"Ah. Orphan." Erec smiled, proud that Robin had such compassion as to worry for an orphan. "Are you friends with Sofi?"

"She is okay...for a girl."

Erec raised a brow and looked hard at Robin. It took the boy a moment, but then he remembered.

"Sorry. She is just okay. Not okay for a girl."

"Would you like her for a sister then?"

"A sister?!" Robin wrinkled his nose and frowned.

"We shall set that aside for another time then." Erec laughed and patted Robin on the back. "Now run along back to your chores. You can tell whoever asks that I kept you and that is what took you so long."

"Yes, milor—Da." Robin beamed as he turned and skipped toward the door.

Erec caught Drew's eye, and his slight shake of the head.

"Son!"

Robin froze and turned, tipping his head and studying Erec, as though he were trying to figure out whether or not Erec was displeased for some reason.

"I am not supposed to skip inside of doors. Mama says it is not proper." He frowned and scuffed his feet remorsefully.

"She is correct. It is not proper to skip inside of doors. But that is not why I stopped you just now. Do you remember when I told you that you would make a good soldier?"

Robin nodded.

"I need you to make a soldier's promise to me that you shall not speak of anything you heard in here. You are not to tell anyone of anything that Sir Drew and I discussed."

"Not even Mama?"

"Especially not her. You see, in order to pledge my troth, I must speak to her myself."

Robin frowned. Drew coughed to cover a laugh, then added in a voice heavy with mirth. "He should like for it to be a surprise."

"Oh." Robin smiled. "Mama likes surprises."

Robin stood there a moment longer, scuffing his feet on the floor and Drew cleared his throat again.

"Right." Erec cleared his throat and spoke in his authoritative voice, "You are dismissed, soldier."

"Aye, milord." Robin stood tall and bowed a very impressive and courtly bow before he turned and walked, with a stiff spine and deliberate steps, from the room.

When he had gone, Erec and Drew shared a look and broke into laughter.

"He is going to be a handful." Drew noted.

"Aye. Thankfully, I remember being a lad, so he shall not be able to pull the wool over my eyes so easily" He shrugged sheepishly, "...at least not overly much."

Drew grinned, and then he chuckled...and when he got that knowing look in his eye, Erec got nervous.

"So, you are to take a wife. And her son..."

"Aye. A real family..."

"And there is to be a sister as well. I understand from Gil she is not much younger than Robin."

"And there is to be a sister." Erec had forgotten, but he was determined. He would not leave her behind. If he were ever free to claim Gwyndolyn for wife, Robin and Sofi would both come away with her.