Well, here it is! Episode 5! Enjoy :)
Robin Hood
Series 4, episode 5
Only a Moment
The sheriff of Nottingham stared out of the window in his new room at the castle, looking out into the small town just beyond the stone walls. Scarlett was sitting in a chair, happily embroidering with a needle and thread.
Alfred sighed, remembering when he had told Prince John about Hood's trick with the Archbishop a week ago.
"Do you not love me, sheriff?" Prince John had asked, sounding hurt.
"Of course I do, your highness--"
"Then why is Robin Hood not dead?" His voice sharpened.
"I--he had--I would have--"
Prince John held up a hand, silencing the sheriff. "I will return to London at the end of the week, and I will be leaving very disappointed. Disappointed in you. You told me that you could catch that filthy outlaw, but where is he now? Out running around in the forest with all his little friends, playing the part of the hero while filling the heads of those he passes with the idea that I am bad one. It hurts, my dear sheriff, when I hear them cheering for my brother instead of me. They do not love me. They will be punished. Only those who love me will do what I ask of them. Do you love me, sheriff?"
Shortly after, as he had said he would, Prince John had left. Though today it was the Archbishop's carriage that was rumbling out of Nottingham's gates, the sheriff saw it as a replay of Prince John's leave the previous day.
Scarlett looked up from her embroidery and glanced at him. "He'll forgive you, I know he will."
Alfred shook his head. "Royalty does not forget."
"So you must capture Hood. It cannot be so difficult a feat." Her eyes returned to the cloth on her lap.
Alfred rocked back in his chair, putting his feet up on a nearby table. "It is not the capturing of Hood that worries me; that has been done many times. It is holding on to him that everyone seems to have trouble with."
Scarlett pricked her finger slightly with the needle and winced. "So get something to insure he will not attempt to escape."
Alfred froze. "Darling, that might actually work."
"I know. Surprising, is it not?" She smiled slightly, then put her embroidery down, stooping to kiss him on the way out of the room.
The sheriff stood also, assuming that his wife's departure meant the midday meal would be soon.
As he walked to the door, he pondered his wife's words. What was something Hood treasured enough that it would make him stay where he was imprisoned? An idea reached his mind as a frosty smile touched his lips. Not what. Who.