The sun was pouring in through the castle windows, I had spent the previous night sleeping in the guest chambers at Nottingham castle, and My Mother Marian had planned a party at the manor house to celebrate me becoming an adult. I'm turning 16 today so for the past few days I've been confined to living in the castle under the guardianship of the Sherriff, Mother doesn't trust him but my father Sir Guy of Gisbourn does and that what really counts.

"Annabelle, you have to wake up, your father requests your presence at a meeting in that grand hall" Rosie said she was my nanny and like a second mother, not to say that my real mother doesn't look after me its more for when I was younger it took more than the one set of eyes to keep me out of trouble. That morning I put on a simple light blue dress with my brown hair loosely curled falling just below my shoulder blades. I thanked Rosie as I exited the chambers.

Not much had changed in the castle in 16 years it was still a cold place to be, but since I was born the sheriff has been more loving towards people, well by that I mean he would look after me on occasion when I was younger if my mother was ill and father was away on business, in some times I thought of him as a grandfather and in other ways, I just don't know what to think.

The grand hall was still where we celebrated most occasions, but my mother thought my sixteenth would be best to be celebrated by just close family and invited. Father was waiting for me sitting in his chair next to the sheriffs "throne". As it was courtesy I said hello to my father and to the sheriff before asking what he wanted to talk to me about.

"Your mother has arranged your birthday party and I have arranged your presents" with that my eyes lit up normally I would get two dresses, but presents means father had something more planned for my birthday, he swiftly left the grand hall heading to the courtyard outside, the scaffolding had been permanently in place since before my 6th birthday the sheriff said that it was easier than having to keep re-building it once a month, many people who were hanged were outlaws, but never the one who Father wanted dead the most, Robin Hood.