Gisborne didn't particularly know what to do now that Robin Hood had made his return. It was true that Hood was Nottingham's new saviour. He was the one who stole from the rich to give to the poor. It infuriated Gisborne beyond belief. He was the one with Locksley. He was a Lord. He was tired of being the one who was looked down upon. He refused to stand for it for much longer.

The night was dark as he wandered through Nottingham. He assumed his men would be in a tavern, drinking themselves into oblivion. It would hardly shock him. He didn't know why he found himself away from his estate. He could have gone home hours ago, but he found himself needing air and time to think.

His life seemed to grow even more complicated now that the Sheriff seemed more intent on having Hood killed.

"I've told you no."

Guy snapped out of the daze he found himself in and turned his eyes to the side. It was there where he looked into the darkness, narrowing his gaze to peer further down the alley. He could make out the shape of two figures, one pressed against the wall and the other towering above. His arms rested either side of the figure as he spoke to her; his voice anything but quiet.

"I saw the way you looked at me...I know that you want this...who wouldn't? I assume you don't get too many men giving you attention. I did offer to pay you too."

"I don't want your money!" she snapped back, pushing at his chest but hardly moving him. "I am not a whore."

"No," he shook his head in agreement. "You're a common tavern wench."

Guy cocked a brow and shook his head. He could sense that the girl was in trouble. He didn't care. What happened was no concern of his. She was no concern of his. It wasn't until the man looked to the side and noted him stood there did he make movement.

"Sir Guy," the man spoke and Gisborne could see that it was one of his men harassing the woman. He stood tall and Guy slowly walked forwards, his hand on the hilt of his sword as he did so. The girl looked across to Guy as his narrowed eyes glanced between the two of them.

"And what was happening here?" he wondered aloud, his voice gruff.

"Nothing," the guard responded. "She was intent on defying me."

The girl scoffed and Gisborne looked at her, his hands resting on his hips as the girl moved forwards, pushing past the guard. Her shoulder hit against Gisborne's leather clad one and he instantly moved his hand to grab her wrist. He pulled her back to him, his leather glove cold on her pale bare skin.

"Do you know who I am?" Guy hissed at her. "You insolent girl."

"Insolent?" she repeated the word, her green eyes widening as she glowered at Gisborn. "Did you intend to help me a moment ago or would you have let him have me?"

Gisborne had no response to her and his lips held in a tight line. He didn't particularly know what to say in response to her. A small smirk of disbelief formed on her lips as she pulled her wrist out of Gisborne's gloved hand and drew it back to her own body. She looked between the men and almost felt herself grow ill. She had suspected that chivalry had died a while ago.

She began to walk away, her simple blue dress trailing on the floor behind her as she went. Gisborne noted she had no cloak in the cold night air, her hands ran up and down her arms as Gisborne turned to look back at his guard.

"I trust you know now is the time to go home," Gisborne said, his tone harsh and commanding. "Drunken behaviour isn't tolerated."

"The whore wanted me." The guard slurred his words before Guy grabbed hold of him by the collar of his uniform, pushing himself against the wall. The wall made impact with his head imminently and Guy kept his arm across the man's throat.

"Whether she wanted you or not is irrelevant," Guy snarled. "You are a member of my guard. You do not act like that. Do you understand me?"

The man gulped; his eyes wide and full of fear. Everyone knew Guy of Gisborne was not someone to be trifled with.

Guy released him and looked down at him in disgust before turning on his heel and continuing his wander through the quiet streets. The noise of singing and laughter died down as he left the tavern behind. He walked quickly, his hand still on the hilt of his sword in case any danger presented itself. He couldn't be dealing with drunkards when there were more serious matters at hand.

It wasn't long before he found himself noticing a familiar figure from moments ago. He noted her wandering aimlessly, her hands holding up the skirts of her dress. She tripped often, looking down at the floor as if it was its fault for her clumsiness. Turning her head over her shoulder, her eyes widened as she noted Sir Guy a few metres behind her.

Gisborne continued walking, his head held high and his black hair dangling in front of his face. He caught up with her stride, his gaze glancing down at her as she continued to move by his side.

"Should you be out here alone?" he wondered from her. "Or are you simply stupid?"

"Are you always so rude?" she snarled back.

Guy felt the need to yell at her for her insolence, but his need to cause a scene in the middle of the night stopped him.

"Do you know that I could have you hung for speaking out of turn?"

She scoffed and rolled her eyes, standing still in the cold night air for a moment. Guy instantly stopped too, looking down at her as she jutted her chin out.

"And would you?" she wondered back. "What gain would that hold for you? None so far as I can see. Besides, shouldn't you be holed up in your grand manor with your fine foods and wines? You are the new Lord of Locksley, aren't you? That's the rumour going round."

Guy's nose wrinkled and he looked down to the floor, his hair falling in front of his eyes as he made the motion. She watched him back with intent, wondering whether she had pushed him too far. The men in the tavern spoke of Guy of Gisborne. They spoke of his evil ways, his willingness to be the Sheriff's lap dog, and his unreciprocated love.

"And do you always listen to rumours?" he wondered back from her.

"It depends if the rumour is true," she replied after a moment's thought.

"And who is to say that the rumour is true?" he asked from her. "It seems to me that you know nothing of life at Locksley Manor. It would be wise of you to keep your mouth shut and remain seen but not heard."

Guy couldn't deny that the girl had spirit. If anything she had too much spirit. He watched as she pulled her blonde hair over one shoulder, her fingers shaking in the cold and her face paling.

"Perhaps that would be for the best," she replied. "I'm just not that wise."

Guy snorted at hearing that and he kept his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Apparently not. Try not to get yourself into any more trouble."

"I can't promise," she spoke back.

"You really don't value your life, do you?" Guy replied, shifting from one foot to another.

"My life is my own," she responded. "I find that it can become quite tedious after spending years of working in a tavern serving drinks to men like your guards."

Gisborne confessed himself intrigued; something which rarely happened to him. He didn't know what it was about her. "And how often do men like my guards come along?"

"Frequently nowadays," she replied. "All of them recounting tales of some kind, doing their best to impress any woman who will listen to them."

"And do you listen?" he dared to wonder.

"You grow immune to talk," she shook her head. "Besides, if I believe their stories then I wouldn't be stood here with you."

"Where would you be?"

"Running as far away as possible. They tell me that you're an expert with a sword...not scared to kill anyone who stands in your path."

Gisborne couldn't help the smile. He couldn't resist the thought that people feared him. He had finally proven himself and he would carry on doing so. He couldn't help the glee on his face.

"Maybe you should run along then?" he suggested back to her. "You would hate to see the stories come true, wouldn't you?"

She chuckled darkly and kept her hands laced together in front of her as she back away, intent on making her way back to the tavern. She needed to get back to warmth, her skin was prickling with the cold and Gisborne's menacing stare.

"Perhaps so," she said and backed away from him.

Gisborne watched her walk backwards, the smirk still on her face as she wandered away.

"And can you tell me your name?" Gisborne asked. "You have insulted me and walked away with no punishment. The least you can do is inform me who has that honour?"

She laughed again and turned around, walking normally before calling back to him;

"Elizabeth. Elizabeth Burrow."

...

A/N: Recently just rediscovered Robin Hood and this idea came to my head. I hope that you enjoyed it and let me know what you think. It would mean a lot to me!