I do not own Robin Hood, the characters minus the life I have given the maid who was tied up are the BBC's ideas and credit is theirs.

Rachael didn't want to be in Nottingham Castle, own room, a normal room, with a posh bed, yes she didn't mind that part, she regretted to admit to herself, but her loyalties were not to Mistress Isabella or Prince John who was under the influence that she loved him more than a subject to a Prince. Isabella noticed how Prince John looked at her and acted around her compared to how he tolerated her own advances. There was nothing Isabella could do as Rachael did not respond the same to the Prince and therefore she did not appear to go against her intentionally.

"Take the Manor in Locksley." Ordered Isabella.

"The staff would hate it." Explained Rachael.

"I don't care it's yours not here. Go back there and stay there. Unless you want to find the Prince in your bed one morning." She added.

The idea revolted Rachael to the pit of her stomach. The staff of Locksley took to her kindly and well, more than she thought as there were some things she preferred to do herself. She assumed herself safe in a chamber at Locksley Manor until she woke up one evening to find a hand over her mouth and Sir Guy towering above her. He pressed a finger to his lips and removed his hand.

"Sir Guy." Muttered Rachael.

"Whose side are you on?" He asked angrily.

"My Lord..." She began.

"Be careful. I killed the last woman who lied to me." He warned.

"Isabella is giving me no choice. I don't want to be her second in command. I don't know what to do. I don't have the brains to thrawt her." She said.

"You know were Shrewsberry is?" Asked Guy.

"Yes." Replied Rachael.

"Good. That is where Squire Thornton lives. My brother in law." He added.

"Isabella is married?" She asked.

"Yes. I think she just needs reminding of the idea." He replied.

"Will he speak to me?" Asked Rachael.

"A cleaner no, a Lady of Locksley, perhaps." Replied Guy.

"If I use such a title..." She began.

"Everyone knows I'm in disgrace. You know what to do and I need you to do it." He said.

Rachael nodded and agreed with him. She had been given a chance to better herself, at the expense of her previous master's own title and respect. It started to rain outside and heavily. Guy rolled his eyes and put a hood over his head and made ready to leave by the window.

"Wait. You should stay. You'll catch your death." She said.

"Do you know the trouble you'll be in if I'm found?" He asked.

"Who would expect you to hide here? It's the last place you're expected to be." She replied.

"How do I know you won't hand me to Isabella?" Asked Guy.

"I've helped you escape twice. What more do you want from me?" Asked Rachael.

"Something to eat and drink would be nice." Replied Guy.

Rachael found herself in the kitchen and then back to her room with some bread and meat along with some water. Eventually she realized that she didn't have to wait on him anymore. She returned and slammed the food down.

"What am I doing? You should have got it yourself!" She snapped.

Guy laughed and began to eat what he was given. Rachael wasn't really angry with him, more herself for forgetting who she was.

"Old habit. You know full well I always had you doing more than cleaning. So many staff claiming illness." He added.

"You can't wrong someone who hasn't got any family I suppose." Said Rachael.

"Did I not tax you enough?" Asked Guy.

"Oh yes, but rules are rules. I just gave it without question. You couldn't repossess my house, or threaten to take my family away. You did me no wrong. Minus the odd temper but that was to be expected." She replied.

"I managed to do right by someone, somehow." He said.

"You kept a roof over my head for many years. It's time to pay my dues." She said.

"You've done enough. I know I shouldn't ask you for, any of this, but I can't do this alone. I can't survive alone." He said.

"You're not alone sir." She said.

"You wouldn't call me that if you knew the truth." He said.

When Guy took a deep breath, about to confess all of his sins, Rachael shook her head because she didn't want to know.

"No. Stop. Don't torture yourself. I'm not worth it. Some bread and your own home isn't worth it." She said.

He looked around and the black and yellow Shields still hung around the walls. He remembered taking Robin Hood's colours down the second he moved in. Rachael had not. Yet if she still saw herself as his servant, he would treat her so.

"Robin Hood didn't kill the last Sheriff. I did." He said.

"I know." She said.

"In the Holy Land, I killed Lady Marian." He added.

That time there was a pause. Rachael appeared to think for a few moments, servants spoke to each other. She knew the stories well. They had been topic of conversation for months. Guy assumed that he would receive a good slap in the face and ordered into the rain to be left to the elements.

"She hurt you. You found out. I've never felt love to anyone. I couldn't say how I would react to being betrayed so. I can't judge you." Said Rachael.

"I killed a woman. The circumstances are irrelevant." Said Guy.

"Are they? If Marian would have married you when she had the chance would you have killed her or cherished her?" Asked Rachael.

Guy got angry and pushed his food away. Rachael backed away in fear but she refused to take back her opinion of him. He looked at her quite angrily but he had no real reason to be that way.

"How dare you take the blame from me? You defend me?" He asked.

"Somebody has to!" She replied.

"A maid?" He asked.

"A lady of Locksley!" Corrected Rachael.

Guy smirked. She had finally accepted her place, in his place, in his old position. Rachael knew she had spoken loudly out of turn, but as he wasn't angry with her she did not see the need to apologize. He moved away from her, knowing he had been intimidating.

"Very well. I'll show you the way tomorrow. You'll tell Thornton that you have news of his wife. You tell him where she's been and what she's been up to. I'm hoping he'll take my side." He said.

So did Rachael. She didn't really think she could help Guy on her own. She had just been raised into power for what seemed like no apparent reason. Politics wasn't for her and she hoped dearly that Thornton would be the one to help her to help him.