Chapter 1

"Sophia, I am worried." Adam said pacing back and forth across the room, Sophia was sat in the chair. "It's been months and nobody has seen, Gisborne or the sheriff and even worse nobody has seen Robin or Marian or any of the gang."

"Adam, I'm sure they are fine." Sophia reassured although she was concerned for Robin and Marian also.

"Something isn't right Sophia." Adam paced. "I'm going to see Brother William." Adam stormed from the house into Knighton, he grabbed a horse from the barn and headed in the direction of Locksley.

Locksley

Adam tied his horse outside the church and headed inside. "Brother William." He called. "Brother William."

"Adam, my child how are you?" Bother William asked.

"I'm well thank you."

"Good, what can I do for you?"

"Brother William, I am concerned." Adam said.

"What about?"

"Robin and his gang and Marian. Nobody has seen them for months."

"Yes I have noticed myself. Marian and Robin were supposed to come to me the day after Robin's birthday and be married in the forest. But they never showed. I even went into the forest to look for them but it was dead."

"The people of Nettlestone said they had been trapped in a barn but they had escaped, that was the last they saw them." Adam said. "Robin and Marian would never miss their own wedding unless something was extremely wrong. Im going to see Thornton." Adam left the church and headed across Locksley to the manor house, Gisborne's guards had been staying in Nottingham since he had left.

"Good morning Adam." Thornton greeted him at the door.

"Good morning Thornton. How are you?"

"I'm very well thank you? How can I help?"

"Thornton I am worried." Adam pressed. "Marian and Robin haven't been seen in months, winter is nearly over, spring is fast approaching and they have disappeared. Along with Gisborne and the Sheriff."

"When Gisborne left he said he would be away on business for some time. But that was it. He said nothing of what his business was or where it was."

"I don't like this, something isn't right."

The sound of horse's hooves fast approaching made Adam and Thornton jump.

"Looks like one of the puzzles has been solved, its Gisborne." Thornton said peering out of the window. "Quickly go outside, before he catches you." Adam dashed out of the house and into Locksley, just in time for Gisborne to ride passed him and into the stables. Adam gasped, Gisborne looked different, darker. He was untidy and dirty, he also looked tired and angry. It made Adam feel on edge, he went back to the church to collect his horse and headed back to Knighton.

Portsmouth

Robin moved quickly through the town, he needed to get from here to Nottingham, he needed to finish Gisborne for what he had done to her. Marian. Her name and the image of her lying in the sand with a sword through her stomach burned in his mind, adding fuel to his vengeance.

"Robin, slow down." Much shouted after him.

"I need to get home." Robin said angrily. He approached a horse dealer. "I need four horses." His voice was so dark it was not to be argued with. "Here." Robin through a sack of money at the man's feet and then took the horses. "Let's go." He said to his men, mounted his horse and then took of galloping towards the north.

"Robin, we need to stop and think. We need to rest." John pleaded climbing on his horse.

"We don' have time, I need to get home." Robin growled.

The Holy Land

"How are you feeling?" Lachlan asked as he entered Marian's tent. Marian rolled over on her bunk that they had made for her.

"Much better, thank you Lachlan." She smiled to him, she would be forever grateful to this man who had saved her life.

"May I take a look?"

"Of course." Marian pulled back her blankets and lifted the shirt she wore. Abdul and Carter had brought her new clothes when they had been to market.

"I cannot believe how fast this is heeling." Lachlan shook his head in disbelief. "Your god is obviously not finished with you yet."

"Or yours." Marian added. Lachlan smiled to the young women, he was fond of her, and it would be a sad day when she would leave.

"Would you like to get to get up today?"

"Yes please." Marian nodded eagerly. Lachlan held out his hand which she took gladly and lifted herself from the bed. She didn't like the heat in Acre but she had to make do. Marian still felt sore and she knew that she had lost the child she had been carrying. Lachlan had told her, that hers and Robin's child had helped save her life.

Marian walked into the main room where Carter and Abdul were sat.

"Marian." Carter smiled. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better thank you, yourself?"

"Better."

"I think a few more days rest and you will both be able to return to your king." Lachlan said handing Marian a bowl of food.

"That would be fantastic." Carter beamed.

"Lachlan." Marian said looking to the old man. Lachlan looked back to her. "Does my husband know I'm alive?" Lachlan swallowed and shook his head.

"No my lady. He does not. He was long gone by the time I got you stable and your king will not allow us into his camp and you were too fragile to transport." He said. Marian nodded and ate her food. Poor Robin she thought, she had been consumed by grief when she thought he was dead and for Robin to have witnessed her 'die'. He must be distraught.

"Carter, we need to get to England." Marian said looking to him. He nodded and finished his food.