A/N: Next chapter – with the outlaws arriving!

I don't own anything.

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Later that day Marian was walking in the market when she spotted Robin, hood and all. The same routine that had worked so well before was employed again, except it was Will and Allan who caused the diversion this time rather than Much and John. As the guard that was following her every move went to try and break up the fight Robin and Marian moved away, he looked worried.

"Have you heard?" Marian kept her gaze averted and watchful, speaking low.

"Yes. When do they plan to hang her?"

"Tomorrow, in the morning. Robin, please say you can help her; she cannot be left to die."

"I will try, I promise."

He kissed her quickly and left. Will and Allan had melted into the crowd and Marian had only to berate the guard for his incompetence to complete his confusion.

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Locked in the dungeons Ava knew of nothing that could be used to stave off her fear. Strangely though, she was more angry and frustrated than scared. She couldn't believe this was happening. She'd been stealing food from the Sheriff for years, but no more than anyone else. And the punishment for stealing was a spell in the stocks not being hung with no chance of appeal. And why were they so very annoyed with the Nightwatchman all of a sudden, why now? Something must have happened.

Her night was as sleepless as the one before. When morning came she was already deathly pale and she could no longer feel her hands, so tightly were they bound behind her back.

It was some hours after the first rays of sun had been seen in the sky when her cell door was opened and she was led out. After traversing winding staircases and long corridors they finally reached the door that led to the courtyard. As she was forced out she was temporarily blinded by the bright sunshine. She thought bitterly how typical it was that the day she was destined to die would be so beautiful.

She was forced down the stone steps and up onto the scaffold. As she was made to stand on the stool and the noose was placed around her neck she noticed how many people filled the courtyard. They looked sad, every one of them. they really though she was the Nightwatchman and as such had been helping them for years.

She was not given anything to cover her face; the Sheriff wanted the people to see her suffer. He read the accusations against her and pronounced her sentence – to be hung until dead.

The drums rolled and ceased.

She dropped and for a terrifying, heart stopping moment she couldn't breathe.

Then she dropped again and hit the scaffold hard. Cheers were heard and she could hear a voice yelling orders though a daze. Someone was helping her to her feet but she was shaking too much to stand. They grabbed her and threw her over their shoulder. Darkness seemed to be closing in until she was jerked back to consciousness as she fell to the ground. Her rescuer was trying to fight off three guards at once and there was another coming up behind. Ava summoned her last ounce of energy to kick the guard so he fell. Her reward was to be knocked out cold by yet another.

Will turned from the three guards to see the strange woman slumped unconscious with a small trickle of blood running from her temple. Belting the guard leaving over her across the head with his axe, he picked her up again and made for the gate. The others met him there and he handed the girl to John who tossed her easily over his shoulder as they fought their way to freedom.

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A/N: Huzzah! Plenty of swash and buckle.

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