The sequel to Return of the Legend, episode 2 is here! Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. Hope you enjoy!

Robin Hood

Series 4, episode 2

Here Comes the Sheriff

The band kicked back and was relaxing around the fire as Much made dinner. Only two were absent; Archer and Will had gone to Locksley to inquire about how the rebuilding of Nottingham was advancing.

Conversation and banter passed easily from person to person as Djaq recounted to Kate-- they had become fast friends-- adventures that had occurred before her inclusion in the gang.

"The queen even wanted John to join her! Huh, 'Big Bear'?" Djaq and all the others but John laughed. The big man's face was growing steadily redder.

Robin smiled at John and clapped him on the shoulder as he walked past and looked up at the sky. "I wonder where they are. It doesn't take that long to find out how much work has been done."

"They'll get here," declared Tuck confidently.

Just a few seconds later, Will and Archer jogged into the clearing. Tuck raised his shoulders in a playful shrug and Robin laughed.

The two new arrivals were breathing heavily as they seated themselves by the fire and put some food on the makeshift plates Much had created.

"So what's the news?" Asked Robin.

"Nottingham is well on its way to repair. The city, at least. They're still trying to clear rubble out of the castle." Offered Will around a bite of chicken.

"And a new sheriff is coming." Archer announced soberly. The rest of the group-- with the exceptions of Robin, who had already eaten, Will, who had already heard the news, and Archer, who was delivering it-- stopped mid-chew.

Archer continued, "He's staying at your home in Locksley, Robin, until Nottingham castle is rebuilt."

Robin sighed. "When does he arrive? Is he coming through Sherwood?"

Archer nodded and spoke around a mouthful. "He's coming today. Apparently Prince John didn't want to give you much advance notice."

"He's traveling through Sherwood with his wife and a new regiment of soldiers, seeing as most of the old ones are gone." Will interjected.

Archer looked Robin in the eye. "I would suggest we take out as many soldiers as we can before the sheriff even makes it to Locksley."

Robin stared back. "I don't think that's such a good idea. We should find out about this sheriff before we do anything to him. We might be able to use him."

"What if we can't? Then we're allowing the county to suffer again. And I think Nottingham's chance of getting evil sheriffs has proven higher than most." Said Kate passionately.

"But we don't kill for sport. That's what that would be. We don't know the man. He may even help us! I may be wrong, but we cannot kill because of a possibility." Robin replied.

"Robin's right," declared Much. "In this gang we do not kill without proof of reason."

Tuck jumped up. "It's not right for hundreds to suffer because we let someone pass unharmed."

"But Tuck, we don't know that he will cause suffering! Let's see how things turn out before we do anything." Robin's voice was growing heated.

Djaq's eyes sparked. "The king has been kidnapped-- do not argue about this! There are more important things to take care of than this sheriff."

"What if he finds out my mum is still in Locksley? What'll happen to her?" Kate burst out, eyes bright with anger.

After this outburst, Little John moved and stood next to Kate in a show of support.

Robin blew out a breath as though releasing anger. "We can't do anything divided like this. I'm going to go for a walk to calm down. I suggest the rest of you do the same." He picked up his bow and quiver and jogged off.

The rest of the band stayed where they were, either staring uncomfortably or glaring at the ground.

After a moment, Much stood. "I'm going to go talk to Robin."

He received little response.

The silence stretched out for a while until Will broke it.

"Robin's right. We need to present a united face. If someone learns we're divided, it becomes a weak spot." He stared into Archer's eyes.

"It's not right," Archer declared. "I'm going to go stop them. You can come if you like." He stood and belted on his sword, then headed in the direction of the road. Little John and Tuck glanced at each other, then followed him.

Kate ran her fingers through her hair in agitation, then began pacing. Djaq stared at her.

"I can't go!" Kate's every motion bespoke contained adrenaline and anger. "Whenever I've done things my own way over Robin's, bad things happened, and they were my fault!"

Djaq met eyes with Will. "Should we follow them?" She inclined her head in the direction Archer, Tuck, and John had gone.

"We need to. If something happens to them, Robin needs to know."

Djaq nodded in agreement. "Kate, do you want to come?"

Kate shook her head. "If I do, I'll probably join them. I'll stay and tell Robin where you went."