Chapter 1: I am free
It hurts. God, it hurts. As Vaisey pulls the blade from my chest, I sink to the ground. Archer kneels down beside me but I barely notice.
"What have you done?" I gasp at Isabella
"I used your poison on the blade". I feel a pain in my chest that had nothing to do with the wound.
"I'd say you'll be dead by sundown"
"Is this true?" Robin demands, seemingly unprepared to believe my sister. I nod, too afraid that if I try to speak, all that'll come out will be a scream. It's not fair. You can kill me Isabella; I deserve it, but not him. He's a good man. We've worked too hard to bring down Isabella and Vaisey. They can't win now. Wait, of course they can. This isn't some bloody fairy tale. Good people don't always win. I shake myself out of my musings in time to hear Vaisey's ecstatic voice.
"You've killed Robin Hood" . A few moments later, he and Isabella leave and I'm left alone with Robin and our brother. Robin kneels down on the other side of me and Archer takes me into his arms. I gasp in pain at the sudden movement. It's getting harder to think but I try to focus. I need to tell them.
"Get the people out through the cellar. Backs onto this tunnel. The sheriff will take the easy route through the great hall" I manage to say. The people are more important now. They don't deserve to die. Archer prepares to leave and follow my instructions but I grasp his arm before he can rise. "Brother?" I gasp. He nods, almost on the verge of tears, and leaves. The sudden loss of his hands supporting my body makes me moan in pain. I feel Robin taking his place, supporting my head. I meet his eyes through a haze of pain. Even focussing on his saddened face is becoming exhausting. I'm almost through.
"Is this the end?" I whisper. Though to myself or Robin, I'm not sure. It's only then that is seems to become real. I'm dying. Robin will be dead before the day is out. It's over
"For you and me both, my friend" I hear Robin say softly. Friend? Yes you are now, aren't you? After all we've been through with Vaisey and Isabella and our Brother. The rest of your little gang didn't trust me. They didn't even give me a chance. But you did.
"I'm sorry" I whisper, meaning so much more. I'm sorry I hunted you all those years. I'm sorry I never had the courage to go against Vaisey. I'm sorry I failed to save you from Isabella's blade. I'm sorry, so sorry I killed Marian
"Marian". Yes, she's waiting for you. When you die, she'll come to you and you'll be together for all eternity, as you were always meant to be. And I'll be left alone. I don't blame you, not anymore, or Marian. You were made for each other. I can see that now. I can still remember the anger I felt in the holy land when she said she loved you. Pure, blind anger. And I killed her. I didn't mean to. But it's done now. And, at least, you'll be together again soon.
"I lived in shame." It's getting harder to breath. My eyes are dimming. Even the pain has faded into nothing.
"But because of you, I die proud." I mean that more than you could know. You changed me. You made me a better man. I can't see anything anymore. I can't feel my body. But then, there is something. I can see figures bathed in light. At first, the light is so blinding that I can't make them out. But then I see them. Meg: dear, sweet Meg. She's smiling, holding out her hand to me. And my parents: standing arm in arm, their faces full of pride. And last, Marian. She came. She's as beautiful as I remember. Dark hair and a pale face and those kind, loving eyes. Eyes that are now full of forgiveness. I smile weakly and take in a last, shuddering breath.
"I am free"