Okay, Chapter II now. This is written instantly, carrying on, after Chapter I.

Hope you enjoy (:

A big thank you to xxCee-Gisborne-Cullenxx for beta-ing this, by the way. She was a real help plus she write's brilliant stories. Check them out :-D

Chapter II

"Yes. I know who she is!"

Adelaide's voice rose slightly, making sure her Mistress was known for all three men to clearly hear, although even with small, quiet voice she would of been heard in the echoing silence. Only a few odd early morning people had risen from their houses, seeing what all the commotion of a carriage riding down the cobbled streets of Nottingham was about

"Yes. I know who she is. The whole of the England know who on God's earth she is, woman!" The Sheriff kept his voice neutral, having to grit his teeth to stop himself from shouting at the woman for stating the obvious.

"I expect you to treat my servant with just as much respect as you do myself, Sheriff Vaisey. She is my friend, and a very loyal one at that. Now, may I be shown to my room's before I end up freezing to the spot in such horrid weather?" Joanna sighed deeply, white mist exhaling from her mouth in the harsh coldness of the air.

"Right! Yes, of course. Can't have the niece of King Richard himself dieing on my doorstep now can we? No, right, Gisborne show the lovely woman to her room. Chop chop now." A grin was constantly plastered across his face as Joanna studied it, making her grimace inside. 'Greedy, self obsessed, sarcastic, sadistic sod!' She thought silently, such words being sounded aloud by a woman of such noble birth would of brought sudden shock to the people about her.

"So...?" Guy's shoulder's were trying their best to sag down with the exhaustion, his stubbornness preventing them from doing so. He looked to his right hand side, observing Allan holding a large basket filled full of fresh fruit and bread rolls and let a gentle smirk quickly crease into the corner of his mouth.

"So wha'?" He asked, catching his master's smirk as said man looked away instantly from Allan. "Oh, I'm glad you're gettin' some pleasure out of this. How far up does she want to stay in this castle? 'Tis not like it's her own!" He grumbled, suddenly frowning at the exasperated groan he received in reply. "How come you're so worn out!? 'aven't done nothing but walk around, you haven't!"

"I've had to listen to your constant whining Allan A Dale now can you please, for the love of God, shut up!" His awfully calm tone sent shivers to run down Allan's spine, his mouth about to open to retort but shut it again, taking the warning he had just been given. "I meant, what do you think of Princess Joanna so far?" He got to the point straight away, curious as to the what his man was thinking of her.

"Don't know her yet do I?" He answered simply, causing a low rumble from Guy. He had at least expected more from the man whom he thought could have talked for the whole of England most of the time.

Climbing up the last couple of steps to the top level of the castle, both master and servant let out a long, relieved sigh as they reached the top.

"Which one she in then?" Allan asked slowly, taking in a couple of deep breaths before looking to his left. "Eh wait up!" He exclaimed, watching the leather clad form walk away from him, obviously in the direction of Her Highness' room.

Joanna sat at the oak vanity, just next to the medium sized, arched window. She had asked for it to be moved from directly underneath the window, wanting to be able to stand in front and look out of the window for any much needed fresh air.

She enjoyed to travel to the more country parts of England. London was always constantly busy, no one ever stopping to take a breath for they had too much work to get done within the day. No, Nottingham was not as bad as London: much more peaceful, almost tranquil. The one thing that bothered her were the peasants though. She had taken a very sly moment to take a look at the retreating forms of the villagers when she had arrived an hour or so ago. They looked... wary of her. She didn't want that. Wherever she went, she wanted to be able to be liked, loved even.

'I'm starting to sound like Uncle John..' She scoffed at the thought, her head looking into the mirror to watch Adelaide behind her, trying to brush the many knots from her hair that she had carried on the journey to Nottingham.

"What do you think of Nottingham so far then Adelaide?" Joanna asked carefully. She knew she wouldn't get much of a reply, Adelaide wasn't a person to engage in conversation unlike Joanna herself, but she had learned that if she started with simple question's, she could work her way along in a reasonable conversation with her, and get out the much needed information she wanted to hear.

"It is nice, your Highness. Very nice. And I think the villagers will be quite up to your expectations, my Lady." Adelaide kept her small, hazel eyes cast upon the brunette locks of her Mistress' hair.

"And... what do you think the villager's will be like then?" Joanna sat up a little straighter on the wooden stool, feeling the last bit of hair fall gracefully onto her shoulder's and the wooden hairbrush placed silently onto the vanity.

"Kind. Generous. I think they will like you a lot, your Highness." She quickly set to work on flattening down the small, unnoticeable creases on the dark, navy blue dress she had changed into on her arrival and after the bath she had ordered instantly on getting into the room.

"Really?" Joanna suddenly blurted out quizzically, raising one eyebrow at the same time. She had her doubts. Doubts she really did hope were wrong and misplaced.

"Well of course, your Highness!" Adelaide replied, her exaggerated and over-excited tone making her shake her head apologetically. "Forgive me, my Lady. But once they meet you, you will have no fear or any of them not liking you. You will be loved greatly by the villager's. You shall see, Your Highness." Adelaide's smile returned softly, Joanna's reflection mirroring the smile before her head turned swiftly in the direction of the knock at the door.

"I'll get it, Your Highness." Adelaide scurried quickly towards the door, opening it slowly to see two young men she recognised from her arrival. She quickly bowed at her recognition, a soft smile gracing her lips once again. "Sir Guy."

"We have brought supplement's for her Highness." Sir Guy gestured towards Allan on his left side, still heavily struggling with the large basket in his arms. Adelaide stifled a laugh as Joanna reached the door to witness the scene.

"Your Highness..." Sir Guy bowed neatly, shooting a look towards Allan who was deciding between being respectful and bowing before his Princess, risking dropping the basket in the process, or being disrespectful and just giving a bow of the head and keeping a tight hold of the basket, yet risking a very large thwack around the head by Guy once out of sight of her Highness later on.

Picking up on the uneasiness of the servant, Joanna gave out a short chuckle, Allan's eyes locking onto the culprit of the sudden expression.

"Please, come in quickly and place the basket down on the bedside table for I fear you will collapse with exhaustion otherwise." Joanna's mouth had now created a broad, yet attractive, grin as she gestured for Allan to walk over towards the table.

The clear sigh of relief from the servant was unmistakable as he rushed to put the basket down, turning to bow in front of Joanna without a second's thought.

"Sorry 'bout that." He managed to mumble through both relief and
embarrassment. The sound of a very gruff yet mainly irritated grumble from the doorway caught everyone off-guard.

"Yes, please forgive his rudeness, Your Highness." He announced through gritted teeth.

"Oh do not go about yourself to apologise, Sir Guy. I think maybe he was worked a little too hard that is all. I probably should have thought about the many servants who needed to walk to and from their stations to myself before choosing the highest room in the castle. Forgive me." Joanna looked to Allan the whole time while speaking, even when addressing Sir Guy, witnessing the look of pure distress on the younger man, causing a small frown to crease Joanna's perfect brow.

"Well, do enjoy the remainder of the morning. Breakfast will be served shortly. I shall send a different someone to come and escort you to the dining hall then. Good day, your Highness." And with a careless bow to Joanna and a light huff of frustration Sir Guy, followed quickly by Allan A Dale, they left the room.

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