Author's notes:
Yes, that was a bit of a cliff-y. Thanks for bearing with me. I had to finish this in the morning, which is why the update is late. I'm aiming for 2000 words a day. Not easy.
Thanks to those who r'n'r'd. You know I love it!
KatGirlMeow - yusyus, legend. I thought it most likely to come from Robin's mouth!
xxCCxx - This is what happened next...
The usual disclaimers apply. I want Richard Armitage. (I've been Armitaged!)
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Part Three: An Unenviable Decision
The rest of the gang crowded around Robin, weapons at the ready. Guy's hand flew to his sword hilt and drew his own weapon swiftly.
'I do believe you didn't receive an invitation, Hood,' he said dangerously, moving to protect Eloise by pushing her behind him. Robin advanced, bowstring drawn tight.
'Oh, I do believe I did, Gisborne. Ah, Lady Eloise, I presume?'
Eloise frowned at him. Marian grinned faintly. Guy gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.
'Stay behind me, Lady Eloise. This outlaw is well-known as being dangerous,' he said as the gang began fleecing the gathered nobles of their valuables. From behind him, she gave him an incredulous look.
'You're just going to stand there?' Eloise asked. Guy straightened in surprise and loosed his grip on his sword. In one fluid motion, she wrested the heavy weapon from his hands and rushed forward. Will noticed the sudden movement and parried a half-hearted blow. She's not trying, he thought, remembering the fight in the woods. Eloise looked straight at him and winked. Then he understood.
This wasn't defence. It was a diversion.
Both Will and Little John attacked with enthusiasm but Eloise only defended, never attacked. She's capable of taking us out but she's holding back well, thought Will as they danced around the room. Gisborne shielded Marian bodily as he watched the fight ensue. He stared incredulously at the Sheriff, who was watching with interest. No woman Guy had ever met had fought with such skill and enthusiasm. Especially in a dress.
'Alright, lads, time to go, the party's over!' Robin yelled. Will and Little John retreated, but Eloise advanced, sword raised. As the rest of the gang fled into the night and the clutches of the forest, Robin aimed his bow at her. Eloise frowned.
'Those gifts were not yours to take. Give them back or I shall pursue you through the forest to my last breath,' she said, determination like steel in her voice. With Guy at her back, she winked at Robin. She's egging me on, Robin realised. She wants me to take her with me!
'Well, my lady, you will simply have to pursue me, then,' Robin said cheekily. Eloise wielded the sword expertly.
'Hmm, you'd like that, Hood? Will you not engage me here?'
'If you insist,' he replied, casting aside his bow and drawing his saracen blade. Guy, desperate, threw himself between the two.
'Take the trinkets, Locksley, but spare the girl,' he shouted. The room went quiet. Robin lowered the sword. But Eloise moved, gently pushing Gisborne aside.
'If you will do nothing about this outlaw, then I will,' she said quietly. Robin smiled warmly.
'This woman has more courage than you do, Gisborne. I'd be ashamed, me.'
With a furious cry, Eloise leapt at Robin. Steel on steel rang as the pair clashed, spun and clashed again. The fight moved out into the night, the progress followed by the gathered nobles. Just a little further, Eloise thought, noticing Will's axe glinting in the firelight amongst the trees.
She backed Robin against a tree and held the blade at his throat. He smirked at her. Eloise pressed the cold steel against his burning skin.
'So you are the great and noble Robin Hood? I expected more from such an illustrious leader...' she began, but her words were cut short by the feeling of both her arms being jerked roughly behind her back and Gisborne's sword being tossed aside. Little John lifted her, struggling slightly, from the ground and charged into the darkness of the trees. Robin stepped forward and bowed graciously in the face of Guy's horror.
'We thank you, kind ladies and gents, for your contribution this evening. Be sure that every donation will find it's way back those in more dire need than yourselves!' Robin yelled, then sprinted into the woods. Guy was livid.
'All of you! After them! Do not return without the Lady Eloise!' Gisborne thundered at the guards. The terrified garrison present shot off into the darkness. Guy strode purposefully back to where Marian stood, hands clasped under her chin, in the doorway.
'We'll get her back, Marian, I assure you,' Gisborne said evenly. Marian looked at him.
'She defended you. You had better get her back,' she replied with as much effort as she could muster. Deep down, she knew Robin would never hurt Eloise. But even she had noticed the spark between Guy and Eloise. If Robin ever discovered that she had feelings for Gisborne, or even if it was mutual...
Guy sniffed and walked away in the direction of the stables to get his horse. He wasn't sure what had made him more angry; the fact that Lady Eloise had defended him as well as accusing him for not doing anything about the outlaws, or that the outlaws had then taken off into Sherwood Forest with her while he stood back and watched like an idiot. I'll get her back, he thought hotly as he swung into the saddle. He clicked his tongue and urged his horse into the darkness.
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Meanwhile, Eloise was starting to wish she hadn't put up such a display back at the party. They were now well away from Knighton Hall and Little John did not seem willing to put her down. She twisted her head to look at Robin, who was lolloping alongside her captor.
'I assure you, I pose no threat to you. Will you kindly instruct this man to put me down, please?'
Robin looked at her.
'Indeed, what threat could a woman who took on a band of the most infamous outlaws in Nottingham alone and almost win pose? Not to mention the fact that she orchestrated her own kidnapping from her own banquet?'
Eloise sighed and shook her head.
'Agreed, it was probably not the most ingenious plan I have conjured, especially since it required me to part company with the handsome man in black, but I assure you it was the only way I could be able to speak with you plainly.'
A nod from Robin and Little John dumped Lady Eloise unceremoniously on the ground. The gang crowded around, curious about their hostage. Eloise dusted herself off and stared defiantly upwards.
'Well, for a start, I can tell you that Sir Guy has probably sent troops out to look for my safe return.'
'What's new. That oaf is always looking for us. Never actually found us, though,' Will muttered, watching the trees intently. Eloise nodded.
'I know. News of your plight reached Chicester. This isn't some trip to enjoy Marian's company. This is relief.'
There was a disbelieving silence. Robin leant in.
'Are you telling me that you travelled half-way across the country just to help a band of outlaws out?'
Eloise climbed to her feet unsteadily and brushed off the now-slightly tattered dress. She beamed at them.
'Like I said, word's spread as far as Chicester. Who knows what tales are being told up and down the country?'
'What can you offer us that we cannot take or know already?'
'I'm a fair fighter. I have access to my estate at Chicester, which is outside the Sheriff's jurisdiction. With careful organisation, I can arrange for a steady stream of supplies to keep us healthy, fed and most importantly, alive.'
'Wait a minute, us? When did she become a member of the gang?' Much asked, shocked. Robin drew his inner circle of friends away and huddled them in a circle.
'So what do we think?'
'I don't trust her. She's been infected by that slime Gisborne,' Much grumbled.
'She's jepoardising her own life and estate to help us. We were no match for just her!' Will hissed. Little John nodded.
'Her, I like,' he said simply. Robin looked at Much, who backed away slightly.
'It's down to you, my friend.'
'Robin, by all that is good...'
'Much, if it troubles you so, you can keep watch over the Lady.'
'ME?!?'
'You're the one with the severe grudge.'
Much turned his head to look at Lady Eloise, who was prodding the ground with the toe of her shoe. He sighed and looked back at Robin.
'I'm going to say "I told you so" if this doesn't work out, you know that? I'm going to harp on about it for weeks...'
Robin grinned and looked over at Djaq, who nodded.
'It's alright with me. It will be nice to have company.'
Will reached into his pocket and pulled out a carved dogtag. He handed it over to Robin, who strode back over to the patiently wating noble. Eloise looked up. Robin showed her the tag.
'This is earned, not given. You're on probation, understand?'
Eloise nodded mutely.
'I'm going to have to explain to Marian. You know that.'
'I know. Is there anything I can do to help?'
'You can help by getting the idiot in leather off our trails.'
'But surely he can't still be looking for me?'
Robin drew close until he was almost nose-to-nose with Eloise. She blinked.
'You're Marian's cousin. Did Marian not tell you what kind of monster you have out looking for you?'
With that, he lifted his shirt to reveal the horrendous scar that etched it's way down his side. Eloise sucked in a sharp breath.
'It... cannot be. I... dared not believe it true... that a nobleman would dare attack the king!'
Robin lowered his shirt and took her hand in his.
'It's just us, against them, now. England has become rotten from the inside. It's people like Vaysey and Gisborne that cause the existence of people like me. Now you have to make a decision. If you want to, you can leave now. You can go back to Knighton Hall, take up with the ignorant, be with Gisborne... and you'll never have to see us again. Or you can stay here, fight for me and King Richard and pray to the good Lord that things get better.'
'Sacrificing any friendly contact with Sir Guy?' Lady Eloise whispered. Robin nodded.
'He's our sworn enemy. I can't let you risk the safety of my men.'
Eloise fell silent. In truth, she hadn't thought it through carefully enough. True, she had set out to do some good, but she hadn't factored for these unhelpful feelings towards a man widely considered as a monster.
But she was an englishwoman. Regardless of her own emotions, she had a duty to king and country...
Eloise looked up at Robin, who awaited her answer.
'My name is Lady Eloise of Chicester. I fight for Robin Hood and King Richard,' she said. The gang cheered as Robin led her over.
'Lads, I'd like to introduce Eloise, master swordswoman and sworn defender of Nottingham and England,' he announced.
'How heart-warming,' came an icy voice behind them. Robin whirled around to see Gisborne seated on his black stallion, sword drawn. Guy narrowed his eyes at Eloise.
'I knew better than to trust you. You were clearly capable of resisting abduction, yet you did not. I was so stupid...'
'Sir Guy, no! I swear, this is not what you think!' Eloise cried, rushing forward. The stallion reared in surprise, almost throwing Guy clear.
'STOP!' Gisborne roared. Eloise dropped to her knees, head bowed. Guy cantered the horse in a circle around her as Robin and his gang backed away slowly, preparing to run. He reached down and gripped Eloise with one leather-clad hand.
'You have a choice, my lady. I do not want it to end this way between us.'
Eloise looked up and was surprised to see genuine hurt in Gisborne's eyes.
'I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...' she whispered.
