The three girls stood upon the barrels, the hems of their dresses dragging against the rough wood, each girls neck surrounded by rope, each girls face covered by a sack. A bell was struck, one, two, three times, each time one of the barrels being removed while the body of the girls hung limply.
As the sheriff stood and cheered, an arrow was shot from the crowd and the audience seperated revealling Robin hood and the outlaws. As robin stood forwards his gang disappeared into the growing throng.
"Here we are again! hey, sheriff? well looks like im going to have to crash this little party of yours, because im sorry, but i think locksleys villagers deserve their daughters back."
"How...but...the security?"
"Ah, Yeah sorry about that but im sure the guards families wont mind when they realise that there relatives died protecting a man who was about to kill three innocent girls"
Robin swivelled on his heel and placed his fingers to his mouth, releasing a long, sharp whistle. The outlaws now rejoined the villagers, yet they were now each upon their own stead, Much dragging along a spare horse ready for Robin.
"Much" Robin noted,as he straddled the large chestnut horse Much had handed him.Robin, Will and Allan galloped forwards, Robin sending another Arrow towards the girls, this time searing one of the ropes, he gallantly collected the falling women, checked that Will and Allan had also collected their precious cargos and sped off into the crowd, Muck and Djaq galloping after them.
"Guards, Follow them, Make sure They dont leanve Nottingham alive!" The sheriff sreamed at his officals,"Well, what are you waiting for? Go!" He screamed at Gisbourne who had been stood, frozen next to him.
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Robin gently slid from the horse and viewed the clearing he had stopped in. All seemed well for him, but the girl was begining to awaken and was moaning quietly. He took her gently in his arms and removed her from the Mare.
"Ger' off me!!!" she screamed lamley,pounding her fists against his chest. For the first time since entering the clearing Robin realised how alone they were, since the group had split once leaving Nottingham in an attempt to confuse the guards.
"Ok, Ok." Robin gently placed her to stand and pulled at the cloth sacking covering her face.
Looking up at him, were Allan A' Dales perfectly round eyes...
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Will continued his journey the, now conscience, girl jabbering in his ear.
"Do you always jabber so much?"Will muttered to himself. "Look im going to stop now, and i want you to get off the horse and follow me, but you must promise me one thing?"
"What" The voice asked from behing him.
"You must promise to never tell where we are, OK?"
"Sure, you saved my life remember." She said. Will smiled his cheeky little grin, though nobody could see the light and happiness it gave off as the girls head was still covered and otherwise they were completly alone in the camp.
"Ok,Ready?" Will gently pulled back the covering and froze at the girls beauty.
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Allan being the ever gentleman, released the girl and kissed her on the forehead.
"Feel any better?" He asked sheepishly.
"Never better" She breathed, looking up at him.
After leaving Nottingham, Allan had Rode to the nearest stable, released the girls face from its covering and had asked her, her name. Jeri. The name felt good on his tongue, and he had immediatley started kissing her, after being given permission. Now he lay, the girl sprawled across him, relieved this stranger had saved her from the noose that had hung so tightly aroung her skinny neck.
"Search the Barn" Allan heard Guy of Gisbournes familiar voice giving orders to his men...