So this has been a passion project of mine for many years on and off and finally I'm putting it up. It's set after 2x11 and the rest of show will be encoporated as it goes along. Please spread it around and let me know what you think. If there's other forums I can post it to that you'd recommend let me know :) Also if there's an critiques or requests go ahead with those too.
Chapter One: Consolation
She strode from the church right out into the rain. Her best red dress, soon sullied, her perfect blonde hair clinging to her skin within moments yet her eyes were unwavering, fixed on her horse: her escape.
The pain shifted to the back of her mind as quickly made plans consumed the foreground. These plans of course were not perfect in design, they never were, but with her life now upturned she could afford to think one day at a time.
Swinging up onto her chestnut her fingers quickly brushed over her portmanteau running through the list in her mind: she had little but enough. Enough to leave at last. Enough to go home. Finally.
Not back to her once husband's estate, who would be married to his mistress in mere moments, nor to her uncle's to be ward and whored for the next greatest offer, not even to that soft private corner of the stables where the sun warmed the hay and where you could just glimpse that line where the trees met the sky through the window. That small spot of sanctuary had offered everything from heartbreak to solace in her formative years and yet now it too had faded to nothing but a distant memory.
No she had to reach further back into the dark recesses of her mind for her next venture. Back to a little girl scraping and clawing at a carriage door that had taken her away. To the tears that had lasted for days as the reason for her leaving had become blurred in blame and unreliable memories. Reaching all the way back to that face which she couldn't quite forget nor perfect through the haze of time. She was going home. Truly home. After nearly ten long years she was, at last, free to do so.
SHERWOOD FOREST
Robin simply knew by the shift in the air the Sheriff had something new in the works and yet for the life on him he could not pinpoint a viable theory. The gang too were stumped for ideas and it sent their little camp into a tense uncomfortable silence of frustration as thoughts swirled around their heads.
Finally, finally!, someone spoke. Will shrugged stammering a little at the mention of their traitor "Djaq overheard Allan talking to a blacksmith in Clun today? Maybe that could tell us something? The floppy haired boy turned to the dark beauty for support who nodded softly chipping in, feeling his tension.
'Well…Allan purchased some oils, flint, wood...no real connection…but they were all for the castle not Locksley or the guards' chambers. The main entrance….Although…."Much seemed hooked on Djaq's every syllable, his cooking quite forgotten, anxious as to the next horrid adventure he was about to be dragged on.
"Although what?"
"When he reached the carpenters, he asked for a structure to be constructed. No details but simply for the man to be prepared to build when he came to deliver the supplies"
"What if he's trying to quarantine an area again? Fake an outbreak… John?" Robin turned to the elder man who up till now had sat silently with an aura of worry. "What do you think?"
"I'm not sure but if you're right, I'm worried for those people"
"So am I…"
NOTTINGHAM CASTLE
"Prepared?" Guy asked Allan
"I guess" Allan shrugged half asleep as per usual. His chambers were far too close to the kitchen he should really mention it Guy and actually get some rest for once in his damn life. Then again all those months at the camp should have been training enough
"Allan, you have to be completely on board or else you'll be no use to us?" Guy's head cocked in his usual judgy and impatient tilt that made Allan try his best to straighten up
"Yeah! Course, how hard can it be?"
"Right prepare the horses, I'll inform the Sheriff we're leaving."
"The… Hoods go marching two by two. Hurrah Hurrah!' The Sheriff sang to himself in a surprisingly chipper mood for so early in the morning. In fact, in stark contrast Guy and Allan were both in solemn female induced pity parties given current events. Usually Vasey had no qualms in pouncing on the delicate subject and tormenting them a little with it at the mere sight of their sullen faces but today he was quite distracted. "The Hoods go marching two by two Hurrah Hurrah!. Then Gisborne hits one over the head and I shoot one with and arrow straight dead, And there's no more Robin Hood's cause they're all dead!" He chuckled happily brushing his fingers over his average but obvious sketching.
"There's no way you're getting out of this one, pretty boy….Ah! Gisborne have you convinced our little ex-spy to play his part in our plan"
"Yes"
"And does he know anything about Robin Hood's little role?
Guy smirked enjoying his superiority over the boy that had been faltering at late given Vasey's poor treatment of them both in equal measure. "All he knows are the materials he was sent to collect and that we're headed off today. He knows nothing, my lord. "
"Good"
"So why don't you tell me what YOU know of my little plan?"
The Sheriff said gesturing to the map of Nottinghamshire laid out on the table as Guy circled it with measured steps and a thoughtful gaze.
"Well" He began " In three days' time My men will stage a raid. The rising smoke will alert Hood to the people's distress and he will have no choice but to come and face us head-on in order to put out the flames and save the peoples' precious belongings that we steal...but we won't be there."
"And, just for memory's sake…remind me of my favourite part again…just once…just a teensy little reminder of my genius?" As always Vasey made it a point to infiltrate Gisborne's personal space causing a soft sigh to pass from his lips in defeat.
"Today Allan will build the jail cell. Then tomorrow I will arrest half the village for that cell. Then we arm Clun to kill Hood's men for their people's freedom"
"And if they don't?"
"I'm not sure…We'll see what motivates them more swiftly…the fire may even take the prisoner's out before can do a thing"
"Yes…." Sheriff said "Well hop to it then"
"Marian?!" The Sheriff called catching sight of her just so coincidentally passing the door as Gisborne passed out of it to get on with his day. Slipping inside the young spy attempted to appear delayed from important engagements despite her lingering outside for some time. "Yes Sheriff?"
"Sir Guy, Allan and I will be away today so I will be assigning…. Gerald" He chose a guard at random despite that not even being the guard's name. "To be your guard for the day"
"Can't I come with you?... I should like to help" she recovered her sentence.
"No" Vaysey cut her off then smiled on his way passed ' Big boys' games"
When the Sherriff released Marian made quick work of catching up to Guy in the corridor, demanding his attention
"Guy. What's going on? What's with all this secrecy? Are you closing in on the outlaws?"
He could never un-see that mask around her eyes and it now tainted the hints of blue in her grey eyes and coloured every mention of the outlaws she would make from this day forward, firmly placing every protection he had ever had against her back in its rightful place.
"The Sheriff seems to thinks so, but that's all I can say. Now, if you don't mind I have work to do" and he left before Marian could get another word in
Distracting Gerald with little Mary took no time at all and Marian was soon off in hunt of Allan hoping he would squeal more easily than Gisborne.
CLUN VILLAGE
The gang were making their usual check of Clun when they saw one of the Sheriff's carts coming loaded to the brim with supplies
They quickly ducked behind a wall as the carriage drew closer.
Soft brown eyes narrowed with remnants of pain she could never quite shake as Djaq's eyes fell on Allan instructing the other passengers.
"That's the carpenter from Nottingham" Djaq said
"And the blacksmith" Will noted
"Come on" Robin said gesturing for them to quietly follow the carriage.
They followed the cart several miles out of Clun until the guards began to unload the gear as Allan and the two workers looked over sheets of parchment.
"Someone needs to go find out what's going on" Robin said
"Who would Allan even talk to after everything?" Will questioned
They all thought for a second...before, unsurprisingly turning to a baffled and irritated Djaq.
"What?" she glared at their presumptuousness.
"Well at least it's not me for once" Much said relieved causing an untimely chuckle to bubble through the group despite all that stood ahead of them
"Come on Djaq he doesn't hate you as much as the rest of us" Robin looked at her
"Because I'm a woman?' she defended sarcastically
"Because you're his friend. But you know… you could try and charm him?" He joked than laughed embarrassed." That is…If that's the tactic you prefer… It works wonders for me"
"Oh I know it does…you use it far too readily for a betrothed man…" Djaq held her own with him with a soft smile that slowly faded to a serious nod. " I will go" she rose "But" she turned back, and only John noticed the quick glance between the woman and Will. "I will not be charming Allan, or anyone"
"Hey, Thanks mate. This helps a lot"
Allan patted the blacksmith on the back before noticing the gesture was unwelcome to the burly bloke and let him get to work
Sure Guy was his boss and he had to do what he was told but something didn't feel right about this. A jail cell? In the middle of nowhere? And out in the open no less…Madness!
The trickster took a second to breathe the weight of the decision he made all those months ago returning to his shoulders once more for the first time this week. It had been a while.
He'd almost forgotten what he'd done. And as if on cue, there to dredge up all those dead thoughts once more and remind him of all that he'd loss, Djaq came wandering, rather conspicuously, towards him. Yet, he couldn't help but grin.
"What's a lovely lady like you doing all the way out here?" he felt the old banter return.
"Oh, the boys are off on some 'secret' mission" she joked feeling a pang at his laugh.
"Yeah, well they can be like that"
"So" Djaq asked her eyes darting around for anyone watching them and thankfully finding no one of importance. "What are all these men doing?'
"Another one of the Sheriff's errands' He explained as they stood and watched "He wants me to build a cell as an example"
"And where's the Sheriff?"
Allan flicked her a questioning brow.
"Well, if the Sheriff's up to something Robin needs to be prepared!' she defended
"Yeah, I know. I know…Look, I'm just as outa the loop as everyone else. I'm just a lackey …I know as much as you, maybe less"
"But?"
"But…something does feel weird"
"And that's the truth? I mean no harm, but you know how slippery your tongue can be"
"Yeah course I'm not lying" A soft now foreign smile warmed his lips before the blacksmith interrupted them.
"Well gotta go. you should probably change direction too"
"True" they went to leave
"I believe you're a good man Allan-A-Dale" her own old words stopped her tracks
She turned back "Allan?"
"Yeah"
"We miss you, well some of the time"
He simply let his lip quirk into that old sheepish smirk and Djaq nodded softly feeling the separation begin to seep in between them once more…Duty calls.
SHERWOOD FOREST
"He said the cell is a warning but that even he was suspicious" Djaq reported as they headed back to camp
"And that's all he told you?' Robin asked
"Yes. It seems to be quite the secret"
"That's what I'm worried about" Much muttered with a soft groan causing Will's head to snap in his direction.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, usually when no one knows what's going on that's when something awful happens"
"Not good…" John's eyes fell away distressed finally sinking down into his bunk.
"Well if there is something big coming than we could use all the rest we can get before that cell is finished. In the meantime, I'll see what Marian can find out" The soft sunset shifting in through the trees and bathing the camp in warm shafts of amber and rose and the thought of Robin's ever so innocent excuse to see Marian managed to lifted the gang's spirits just a little.
NOTTINGHAM CASTLE
"Allan!" Marian whispered from behind a pillar the instant she caught sight of him. "Look, I just got back can you not blast me with questions" Allan whined
"But that's all I want to ask you about: Where you've been. Come, it won't take long, walk with me"
Allan moaned but obliged
"At your service, milady" He scoffed under the heavy haze of exhaustion
" Gisborne mentioned being close to capturing Robin." Marian's worry was almost tangible but Allan still had to question.
"Look, I'm not bein' funny but can you really trust what Guy says? He's a good guy and all but…he knows now. Do you really think he's going to tell you anything?"
Marian's eye fell to her feet as the past few months since her exposure as the Nightwatchman repeated behind her eyes.
"Well, that's why I've come to ask you what you know." she asked stopping around the corner to turn to him.
"Not much, really. I was just sent me to build a jail cell in the middle of the countryside hardly riveting stuff?"
"Well what's your theory?"
'I don't really know…." He trailed off backing away as her usual intensity made him uncomfortable.
"Allan!" Marian said staring him down. "What do you know?"
"Well, I can't really tell you can I? I was spying, and we could get in trouble for that"
"Allan!" she repeated pushing him up against the wall
"I need to know! Robin could be in danger!"
"Alright, alright" He took a breath. "The other day I came into the hall after Guy and the Sheriff had met, right?"
Marian nodded
" I saw a map and overheard them talkin' "
"And?!" Marian forced
"O-K!. I think they're doing something to Clun to trap Robin"
"We have to get word to him! Quickly!" She was almost off like a startled rabbit instantly but he had to grab her and haul her back. She really was the most insufferable woman, impulsive…passionate…Alright he had known a few women like that but her impulses always lead to trouble.
"Shouldn't we wait till we know more" He was now the one that had her between himself and the wall and his voice dropped to a tone of intimacy and secrecy as distant boots were heard.
"No Robin-" She tried to flee again but she stepped in front of her reaching out a cautious comforting hand to her shoulder and trying his best to steady her wild gaze with his own.
"Hey…Easy…It'll be fine…" He managed to coax her into a contemplative silence for a moment as finally the tension lifted and she calmed down.
"Alright, see what else we can do"
KIRKLEES INN
The traveller sat on the edge of her bed slipping on her shoes in a small weathered inn room. It was far from the luxuries she was used but those riches came with constant attention and pressure. This small life, these months travelling had given her a peace and a privacy she had not felt in years. A freedom she had sacrificed much to gain. She smoothed her golden curls and wiped sleep from her eyes as the candlelight flickered in their shades of green. While others loathed such early departures, she enjoyed the peace that came with the darkness. There was a safety to it, an emptiness and privacy. So, she collected her belongings and pressed on with her journey despite the rumours circling and the fear a woman was probably supposed to feel alone at night. She was armed after all. What was the worst that could happen? A lone drunken depraved man? She had had her fair share and knew how to ward them off. No…the worst that could happen was well…outlaws.
There was something so soothing in a cool night wind. The way it soothed her tear stained cheeks and awakened her weary eyes. The closer she got to Nottingham the more she regretted coming. Chatter was heard in tavern corners and whispered in market stalls. How Nottingham had fallen into decay and ruin corrupted by a wicked Sheriff and manned by a vicious henchman who had plundered villages claiming their wealth as his own. Good men sent fleeing into hiding and deception whilst good women were trapped in stifling inability to help, to change this world that the saw crumbling around them. Her home. Her very life's blood was being torn apart and yet all England could do was mutter and gossip as this was simply the way of the world. The way of Prince John's reign. And at the centre of all this, the thought that haunted her the most, was Hood. A myth. A nameless nobleman who had fallen so low. No not fallen…He had been tossed from parapet flailing and burning his good name down with him. While there was a good few that honoured his work most nobles scoffed at his name whilst clutching their purses close to their chest. What had the world come to?
As she entered those infamous woods in the dead of night, against all warnings, the noblewoman wasn't sure if she should fear or welcome an encounter with the outlaw? Was he a vicious barbarian that stripped young woman of all valuables and abandoned them to the wolves or was his hatred of the Sherriff born out of a sense of a kind-heartedness that would spare her? And what was Robin's role in all this? Was he still in the Holy Land without a care for his home or had he returned only to let this treachery continue? How could he simply stand by? How could he do such a thing? What kind of Locksley would she be returning to?
THE OUTLAW'S CAMP
Robin had been kept awake half the night with the thought of Clun. Hadn't that poor village suffered enough at the hands of Gisborne? Why now was it being made an example of? And was that simply in the name of fear and order was something bigger at play? A message meant for him? A small victory to hold over him? A gesture to make him feel helpless? What?
His circling thoughts were thankfully relieved by the distressed cry of a horse and a yelp of what he assumed was a thrown rider. Had his worries truly consumed him so deeply he had not heard them approaching till now? Apparently. But now…no now he was going to have a little fun with this one.
Only Marian would come this late in the night, having memorised their watch system line by line and knowing it was the rare night he would be free all evening…then again if it was not Marian that too could be doubly interesting. Someone ambitious enough to enter his territory as this hour must be a person of a value. An arrogant noble who refused to live in fear. That was just the kind he liked.
"Robin?" Will, this evening's watchman, was by his side in an instant, a clear distress in his tired eyes, but the outlaw gestured him down.
"Return to your post. I will go"
