Return of the king
It has been a month since the events that occurred in the Holy Land, and Robin has received news from Will and Djaq that the King is returning to England.
Robin sat by the fire starring into it like he had done so many times before since returning from the Holy Land. He wasn't the same now. He never laughed, never smiled. He no longer came out with his witty and cocky comments. Ever since Marian had died he had died also. Much had a fight with him just trying to get him to eat. He just wasn't Robin Hood no more and Alan had taken to calling him Robin Mood. But last week a carrier pigeon came, with a letter from Will saying that they were returning to Nottingham...with the King.
This has raised Robin's spirits a little and had him running around getting things ready for the King coming. It was a well hidden secret therefore, the Sheriff had no idea that the King was returning. Which left the Sheriff defenceless for when the King arrived. He was going to be disguised as a trader with some of his personal guards and Will and Djaq accompanying him, and he was due within the next day or two. Robin had split the gang up and sent them to different villages to hand out money. Robin and Much went into Nottingham for their daily visit, to check up on what the Sheriff was doing. There had been no new visitors and Gisbourne had been almost a ghost of recent. But this was probably more due to the fact that once returning from the Holy Land, Robin had beaten him to within an inch of his life, before being pulled off by the remainder of the gang. From that day on, Gisbourne had been more scared around Robin. Once they had agreed that they were going to find nothing more there today they left and went to join the others.
Will and Djaq smiled as they both stepped back onto English soil. He looked at his new wife and smiled as he wrapped an arm around her. The King looked at them and smiled as the rest of his guards followed him towards their horse's.
Gisbourne sat in his room in Locksley. He gazed out the window, thinking of the one woman he wanted to shre this estate with and now because of him he never would. He had loved Marian, he would always love her. Deep down he had always know that she still carried a torch for Robin, but he thought that perhaps in time she would come to love him. But that dreadful day in the Holy Lands when she had confessed her love for Robin and the fact that she planned to marry him, anger raged through him like never before. The one woman he loved more than life its self had betrayed him and turned to his enemy, for the love that he had wanted so badly to give her. But none of that mattered now. Marian was gone...dead. And now he would never see her again, and neither would Hood.
Robin was sitting in camp as the others ate their supper. Much had tried restlessly to get him to eat something, but Robin protested and the others told Much to leave him alone. It was then that the carrier pigeon returned with another message from Will. They had landed in the Holy Lands and would be in Nottingham the following morning, where they would march into Nottingham and over throw the Sheriff. Robin and the gang were to meet them in Nottingham at mid day the next morning.
The sun rose and brought on the last morning that Vaisey would be Sheriff. Robin had work to do and had the gang up early. Allan groaned as he had only gotten a few hours sleep.
'Right the King arrives today' Robin began as soon as everyone seemed to be half awake. 'But first we have to take money to the villages. If something goes wrong...and it might then the populace will be punished for it. So take food and money to the villages and then we will meet at the Castle gates, just before mid-day.' Robin finished and everyone began collecting what they needed and headed off towards what ever village they had picked. Robin waited until everyone was gone and then headed to Knighton Hall.
He walked over to the burnt down Manor, there was only half a wall that still stood and he often came here to be close to Marian. He sat and leaned his back against what was left of the wall.
'Well my love...it's finally here. The day the King returns. The day the Sheriff gets arrested and the day we move back into Locksley together.' He sighed as he felt the sadness wash over him. 'But you are not here my love. We were supposed to get married when the King returned, but the plans got changed. I wish with all my heart that you were here Marian. I need you here, now more than ever.' He finished as a tear fell down his cheek. 'I love you and I miss'. He sat for a few moments longer then wiped his tears and began heading towards Nottingham.
Will never thought that he would ever have a smile on his face at seeing Nottingham Castle. But the sight of the Castle finally made him realise that he was home. He looked at Djaq and winked before pulling his hood down further, so no one would realise him. He noticed Much, Allan and Little John, standing just a bit away from the Castle gates. He whistled and caught Allan's attention.
'Where's Robin?' He whispered. Much walked up to him with worry plainly shown across his face.
'He late' Much said in an annoyed high pitched voice.
'He'll be here don't worry' John sighed coming up to stand next to Much. Will nodded and he and the King rode into Nottingham.
Robin ran as fats as he could. He was going to be late and he knew that Much would be worried sick. He ran out of the forest in time just to see the King in disguise enter Nottingham. He ran up to the gang and saw the angry look on his face.
'I know I am sorry. I am here now.' Robin said holding up his hands in defence.
'Well come on don't want to miss the show' Alan said before walking into Nottingham, closely followed by the rest of the gang. Robin watched closely as 5 figures on horses trotted in closer to the castle doors. He knew the two in front were Will and Djaq, and then the King in the middle with what was probably two more disguised guards at the back. Robin looked around the surroundings making sure nothing seemed out of place. Just as the King got into the courtyard the Sheriff walked out, with his evil smile already on place. Robin smirked that would soon be wiped off.
'As none of you knew' The Sheriff called into the crowd. 'Today...there is to be an hanging!' He rubbed his hands together. 'So let's get on with the show' He laughed and turned towards the castle doors, where two guards dragged out none other than Sir Guy of Gisbourne. Robin's was shocked and happy. Two birds with one stone. He thought. Although, he had been looking forward to killing Gisbourne himself. There were a number of gasps and sighs from the populace.
'Guy has been of no use to me lately and I was feeling a bit down that I thought I would use him as entertainment.' The Sheriff laughed. 'So lets see little Guy, go for a fly. Hmm' The guards dragged Gisbourne up to the noose and put it round his head. The drums started and just as they were coming to the final beat, the Sheriff spoke again. 'Oh and before I forget this is a trap. GUARDS!' He bellowed and within seconds the courtyard was filled with many guards. 'Arrest those men' The Sheriff said pointing towards the horse riders. The outlaws looked on in shock as many guards surrounded the King, Will and Djaq, and the other two guards. There was no escape for them.
Robin pulled 3 arrows out of his quiver, and readied them on his bow.
'Master what are we going to do?' Much asked panicking as usual.
'We fight for the King' Robin said as he walked out into the courtyard with the others following.
A fight broke out, as Will and Djaq got of their horses and joined their old friends. One of the Kings guards joined the fight also, whilst the other stayed next to the King. The outlaws were far better fighters than any of the Sheriff's guards. Especially Little John who seemed to have gone on some anger rampage and was taking out at least three guards a turn. Much was just...well being Much and screaming and running but still fighting at the same time, especially when one of the guards knocked down a food stall. That let out the beast in Much. Allan, Will and Djaq were working together as they always did and the guards numbers were going down, some even began helping the outlaws when they realised that the King was back in Nottingham. Robin however, was concentrating more on Gisbourne than anything else. He watched as he jumped down from the gallows and unsheathed his sword and joined the battle. Robin threw his bow to the side and drew his sword. Robin only fought the guards that stood in the way of him and Gisbourne, the rest the others could deal with. Soon Robin was face to face with the man that had killed his wife, and the hatred and anger returned, this time Gisbourne would not leave with his life.
The others had taken down a large number in guards and their were only a few left. The Sheriff could easily see that he was loosing for the second time. He looked around frantically and saw Robins bow laying on the ground. He smirked and ran and picked it up and went back to his former place in front of the castle doors. He took an arrow from one of the archers that stood by his side. He readied the arrow and raised it to the King. The King and his guard were to busy watching the fight that they did not see the Sheriff take aim.
'Oh Robin Hood' The Sheriff called. Robin stopped fighting with Gisbourne and turned to the Sheriff, as did all the others. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the Sheriff standing with his bow, readied and aimed at the King.
'How ironic. The King of England, killed by the bow of Robin Hood' The Sheriff mock pouted. Robin's heart began to race as he watched the Sheriff pull back the string, he saw him struggle with the power that was needed, but he managed it, but Robin could clearly see that he would not be able to hold the bow aimed for long. Before he could think of a plan the Sheriff released that arrow, and it flew towards the King. Everyone turned to look at the King waiting on the deadly hit that no one could prevent. But then out of no where a dagger came flying through the air and hit the arrow away from the King.
Robin and the others turned quickly to where the dagger had come from. There stood a figure, dressed in black with a black hooded cloak covering their face. Robin frowned and looked at the others. Allan, Much and Little John stood with confused expressions on their faces. Whereas, Will and Djaq had sly smiles on their faces. Robin frowning turned back to the cloaked figure. It began to walk forward and slowly pulled its hood down.
Robin gasped...Marian.
Marian smiled. 'Hello Robin'
Well let me know what you think :).