Summary-Post s2- The outlaws face problems upon their return to England. marysue appears at the start but doesn't stay too long dont worry.
Characters- Allan, Robin, Gisbourne, Will, Djak, Much, John, a couple of O.Cs
Rating- PG some moderate violence and death.
SPOILERS FOR SEASON TWO FINALE

I've re-divided the story up so it's in smaller parts- enjoy!  anyone who read the first chapter before the divide should go to straight to chapter 4

Nottingham Town

It was a busy day in Nottingham as the guys moved through the streets handing out money to the families unable to provide for themselves. Even the smallest of children could tell that Robin of Locksley was grieving silently. His eyes, where once was a fiery defiance and passion, were dulled and grey. It was heartbreaking to see, and each family gave silent condolences, which Robin accepted each time with a sad smile. His faithful followers also handed out care packages. Much and John held light conversation with the people as they inquired after their families and friends, always casting a watchful eye to watch Robin and Allan, who was having a few troubles. The people of Nottingham were having a hard time accepting Allan a Dale again after his brief stint with the sheriff. Instead of being grateful for the help they received, they shunned him, paying favor to the other outlaws.

So far three people had spit in his face, one had slappe him, and a small boy, goaded on by his friends, had kicked him. He too watched Robin, seeing the love the people had for him, seeing the way he was accepted and the life he, Allan, would never have. When he heard the unmistakable voice of the sheriff ringing out from the castle gates he quickly tapped Robin's arm, indicating his worry. The outlaws ducked behind various stalls as the sheriff walked out into the courtyard with Gisbourne, like the lapdog he was, following closely behind. Much was glad to note that Gisbourne looked pale, and that his eyes were dark and bloodshot. Good! It's right that he should suffer for what he has done!

The sheriff looked as if he was going to drop another bombshell of a lie on Nottingham's back when Allan a Dale spotted a girl of no more than fifteen pulling a short sword from her belt and advancing slowly towards the sheriff, no doubt if he hadn't been warily looking around for anyone with a weapon capable of harming him, he likely would not have seen her in the shadows, but it was the partial second of glinting metal that drew his attention. He again tapped on Robin's shoulder.

"Robin," he tapped again, this time causing Robin to look at him.

"What is it, Allan?" He whispered.

"Girl, over there." Squinting Robin shook his head slightly. "In the shadows- we gotta stop her, she'll get herself killed, or she'll get all of Nottingham killed, either way it doesn't sound good." Catching sight of the girl Robin nodded and patted Allan's shoulder.

"Well spotted, Allan." Allan continued to keep a close eye on the girl as Robin got Much and jJohn. She moved with a strange gentleness and yet her stance suggested a fierce quality to her which had obviously provoked this attack. He felt Robin's voice in his ear and began to move slowly towards the front of the crowd, keeping to the edge. From here they saw the girl preparing to strike, and as she raised her weapon, ready to bring down upon the sheriff she was grabbed from behind, a hand covering her mouth and another arm pinning hers to her sides. Robin took her sword from her and they made a Hhasty escape, John carrying the girl still immobilized by his strength. Once out of Nottingham Robin took a sack and gave the girl a grin.

"Sorry about this, but we can't have you seeing the location of our camp." and with that the sack was placed over her head, provoking an outburst of what sounded like very rude muffles.

Sherwood Forest

"So then," the sack was pulled forcefully off my head and I could feels the relief of the itchy fibers leaving my skin.

"Care to explain why you were going to kill the sheriff?" I had to scoff.

"I need a reason? How about the fact that he bleeds everyone dry with taxes then subjects them to needless violence regardless of how young the child is, how about the fact that he uses slaves to work under dangerous conditions and-" The one who had spoken raised his hand to silence me.

"This seems far too reckless for it to be a general 'sheriff bad, must hurt', spur of the moment decision.No, you planned this out no doubt. It was too calculated, and you were too focused on your goal. No- this is a personal matter. Tell us, family, friend? Who is it you lost to the sheriff? We're all in the same boat, every one of us." I chose to remain silent. He spoke with a harsh voice, and I could feel my eyes getting hot, but I didn't let any tears fall. He was obviously grieving too, but that gave him no right to speak like that to me. And if he is who I think he is then surely he should have allowed me to murder the sheriff where he stood. "No words?"

I could see the rest of the outlaws watching me, although they seemed a little more understanding; I could tell from their eyes. The large one seemed like the type that would hit now, ask questions later. No doubt he was Little John. The one standing closest to who I took to be Robin was probably Much, completely loyal to his ex-master. Yes, I have heard the stories of these men, which led me to the last man standing in front of me. He was holding stuff in, anyone could see it. He had worked for Gisbourne. I remember, he let me escape from the dungeon once: I had made it as far as the stable when he caught my eye, but rather than call for the guards as I had expected, he merely nodded at me and turned away.

These men were known to hate the sheriff with a passion, and yet here I was, being judged for taking action. Robin, the fearless leader apparently had had enough of my not talking and scoffed at me, walking in another direction- at this the others looked apologetically at me and moved me to where it was more comfortable. They then introduced themselves properly and offered me food.

"My name is Mei-Yi."

"Well, nice to meet you May." I had a small laugh.

"No, not May, Mei-Yi- My father was…Well, he wasn't English."

"Which accounts for your darker skin?"

"Yes." I took a bite from the meat I had received. "Why does this taste like-"

"It's CHICKEN!" I raised my empty hand in surrender.

"Okay, okay, it's chicken! Don't kill me." The other two laughed at the exchange- apparently something of a running joke. After a few minutes of silence, I looked at Much from the corner of my eye and decided to look at my food, and study it with great detail. Much seeing this grew slightly agitated until he could no longer hold it in.

"What are you doing?"

"Well, it's chicken, and yet the body is tiny. There aren't any wings, and there appears to be grey fluff everywhere which suggests to me that this must've been a squirrel shaped chicken. Maybe you aren't sure what chickens look like. Let me tell you. They are fairly large I suppose, have a mass of feathers-"

"I know what chickens are!" Knowing it was working, I smirked at him.

"They lay eggs, too. This was only two times the size of an egg. How could it possibly-"

"Oh, shut up!" At this Much walked off, and the other two watched me with amused looks on their faces.

"So then, May" I rolled my eyes, but replied.

"Yes?"

"Why were you after the sheriff?"

"Why did you stop me?"

"You first."

"I... he... I had a family- a big one. My mother, my father, and eight brothers and sisters. My father was the first to go. When the sheriff learned of a foreigner living in Nottingham, he took him to find out what he could do. My brothers- Hon-to and Henry were next- being the eldest males they were probably the most use to him. My five sisters were taken in the night. The next and last time we saw them, they were shackled in a carriage on their way to another city with a greedy noble. Then it was me, my mother, and my final sibling, Min Sheng. He died trying to protect my mother and me. The sheriff's men came to rid the town of us for good. I can only assume that the only members of my family with any hope of still being alive are my sisters, but even then there are many things that may have led to their deaths. I have lost ten people to the sheriff, and for that he must pay. I have spent the past year and a half training myself to hone the abilities my father and my brothers taught to me. He must be eliminated! If this is what he has done to my family, imagine what he has done to others!"

"But we cannot let him be murdered."

"Why not?"

"If the sheriff dies an unnatural death, Prince John will raise Nottingham to the ground. It is for the people of Nottingham, and no other reason that we do not allow him to be murdered. We too have suffered hurt, where it isn't the same quantity as you, we do understand. My wife and son were nearly taken from this world. He was going to torture them in front of a room of people. As it is, they escaped and moved away. Allan lost his last remaining family at the hands of the sheriff."

"He hung Tom an hour earlier than planned."

"I remember that. I am sorry."

"Wasn't your fault. It was the sheriff; I know that. Believe me, there is no-one we'd rather kill than the sheriff, but at the moment we cannot do that. We must bide our time 'til King Richard returns."

"Nice chat?" Robin had returned.