"Take her back to the castle." Gisbourne said lowly. "There she will be tortured, questioned for Hood's plans."

"And." the sheriff interjected. "If she refuses, she'll simply hang. Go." He waved a hand at the guards and they turned, the struggling and tied Merry on the horse. The gang watched in horror as they disappeared into the trees.

"We will get her back." said Djaq, determined.

"Not while Robin's still in 'a tree, we won't." said Will, taking careful aim between Robin and Marian.

Harley lay, tangled in her chains, in not a cell but a bedroom on the floor by a chair. The door opened with a scrape, and Allan was tossed in with a repugnant "Oi!" Harley gritted her teeth.

"Sherrif's orders. Says he knows what she is to you." said a gruff-voiced guard before he closed the door on them with a harsh bang. The lock clicked, and Allan remained where he stood.

"You don't deserve that kind of treatment." Merry spat at him.

"They threw me in here!" cried Allan.

"That's what I mean."

" Harley…"

"No!" she cried harshly. "You don't get to say anything to me! You are working for the man that killed my brother, killed Will's father, killed your family!" Allan made a few steps forward.

"You stay back!" she cried again.

Allan stayed silent. Merry was weeping silently now. Allan rushed forward before she could stop him, and she struggled but he wiped her tears with his thumb.

"What makes you think." she said, low and deadly "that I still love you. What makes you think you still have a right to anyone in our gang?" She kicked at him and he toppled backwards.

"I don't! I don't!" Allan held up his hands. Merry kicked until she was upright, and she took his collar in her chained hands. Her red hair fell over her eyes, casting them in a golden glow. "What are you thinking?" She shook him. "I know of the money that tempted you, but what's with this continuity?"

"Robin wouldn't take me back." Allan said. "I had to find something to do, I couldn't stay in the forest. Robin would kill me." She shook him again. "Not the killing kind." she quoted. "He would not kill someone who was once his own."

Allan thought he sensed a softness in her. He reached for her cheek with his hands but she pushed him and he fell.

"Make no mistake." She shot at him. "You are not our own anymore." There was a strained silence, broken by her grimacing admittance. "But. You have not betrayed Marian nor our camp site. You can start your journey back to light if you really want to." Allan shook his head. "Robin wouldn't let me back."

"You don't listen." Merry said.

"No I do!" He interrupted. "I do, but I'm not stupid, Merry, I know I wouldn't be let back and even if I was, you wouldn't take me back, so what's the point?"

"To help the poor!" She burst. "To save lives, to take revenge on the sheriff and his knights, to avenge Will and yourself and Robin and me! And." She lowered her voice with resign. "You aren't completely out of the question." Allan's eyes brightened. "You're a traitor." She said quickly, flaring up again. "And a liar, and no better than the sheriff." She sighed, immediately sorrowed again. "But like I said, you can be redeemed, though only just."

"How?" he sighed. She smiled in spite of everything. And seeing her smile made him smile."

"You can let me go. I'll go to Robin again and keep fighting. And the rest is on you. You're on the inside you could really help us now." Allan looked at her before he looked at the floor.

"Merry!" Djaq jumped from the top of the camp and ran toward her friend. "She is back! She is back!"

Merry grabbed her hand and they ran back to the camp. She embraced Robin, Will, John and Much in turn.

"How did you escape?" Will asked. It was silent for a moment as everyone looked at her with question in their eyes. More silent than the camp of outlaws had ever been. Once again, Merry was the one to break it.

"Allan…let me out."

"Allan?" Robin snapped. Much pulled himself up to his full height and said "Well." John and Will looked at the floor. Djaq lay a hand on Will's shoulder.

"Why?" asked Robin.

"I talked him round."

"Round like, back onto our side?" Will asked, barely too quickly.

"No. I only told him there was possible redemption." She said, eyes on Robin. He held her gaze too long, and then turned away.

"Well." he said. "I suppose Merry back is all we've got to be happy about today."

"Where's Marian?"