As Louise rode into Nottingham many people bowed or nodded their heads in respect to the youngest of the Locksley children all of whom were deeply respected by most people in Nottingham. Louise loved Nottingham, its busy towns were always too full of life, there was always someone who was drunk and someone who was trying to sell the strangest things. As a child growing up when herself, Robin or Marian were not in either Locksley, Knighton or Sherwood then they could be found in Nottingham, that is if you could find them. Between them Robin and Louise had the whole town mapped out in their head knowing every way in and every way out along with all of the secret and winding back streets that they could use should they need to disappear, it was also the same for Marian and Nottingham Castle. Being the now ex-sheriff's daughter she more or less grew up in the castle and enjoyed finding old secret passageways that may have been lost years ago. Of course Marian knew her way round the town just as Louise and Robin knew their way around the castle but they each had their own speciality.

Louise rode over to the stables and upon dismounting and handing the reins over to one of the squires, she walked over to the front of Nottingham castle where the guards standing in front of the huge wooden doors bowed their heads, recognising Louise and let her threw. Louise walked down twisting corridors and winding passageways that were easy to get lost in until she found the entrance to the main hall. two guards were standing guard,
well Louise thought to herself I think that its alright to assume that he's in a meeting. now judging by the fact that its a Tuesday and around midday I would suggest a council meeting. but if that was the case why was that Sir Guy out in Locksley collecting money? He obviously wasn't lying. after a few seconds it came to her and she grinned he's the new Sheriffs dog lovely.

"You there!" one of the Guards called out "what is your purpose here?" At Least they're one the ball she thought

"I wish to seek an audience with the Sheriff"

"He's in the meeting of the Lords, you will have to wait" came the reply

"I am Louise of Locksley" Louise said with a small grin, the guards bowed their heads

"Milady." they muttered, stunned but Louise continued

"I wish to see the Sheriff" the guards nodded and pushed open the door. The first guard was about to announce their presence when a voice shouted out.

"I don't care what you think Lord Matthew. I am the Sheriff of Nottingham and what I say GOES! What do you want?" all but shrieked the man. As she was introduced to the room and the new Sheriff screamed obscenities at the guards Louise took the short time to look at Sir Edwards replacement. It was not unfair to say that she was disappointed. The man was short, very short with balding grey hair and yellowing teeth. He stood at the head of the room behind a long table which was not much lower than his waist.

"Well then missy." he sneered "what do you want? Hm? Run out of pretty little dresses? Want safe quarters from an abusive husband? Hm? Hm?" Whilst this little speech was going on the Lords at the meeting tensed knowing full well that Louise did not take kindly to someone using her gender as a way to insult her, as there had been many a black eyes and broken noses for young cocky Lords who believed they knew it all. Louise smiled at the Sheriff, the sort of smile Marian thought that a cat might give a mouse before it gets eaten.

"I am Louise of Locksley" Louise told the rambling Sheriff, which seemed to shut him up "And I was wondering why one of your goons was under the impression that he was acting Lord of Locksley in my brothers absence?" To say the Sheriff was stunned was an understatement. He had no clue that Locksley had a sister let alone that she may of been capable to run Locksley.
This isn't acceptable he thought to himself the only way to get that lumbering oaf Gisborne onside was to give him Locksley and some little leper isn't going to get in my way.

"Listen to me missy" The Sheriff sneered "Gisborne is the new acting Lord of Nottingham so you can run along and go do some embroidery ok?" She hated being treated like a week child and so the last comment really didn't go down well.

"I do believe my Lord" She sneered back "It is the law, as decreed by King Richard, that if replacement Lord or Lady is required a replacement cannot be placed by the Sheriff of the shire if the Lord has left specific instructions on his temporary replacement. Me" She raised an eyebrow at the Sheriff in challenge. The Lords at the meeting were watching, some in fear and some in amusement although none of them showed it. Marian on the other hand couldn't believe that Louise could be so stupid as to almost insult the Sheriff in front of the most powerful people in the Shire, but then she remembered that she was Robin's sister and that stupidity ran in the family.

"Very good" the Sheriff cooed pleased that she knew what she was talking about "But the Lord's instructions can be overruled by the royal family should they so wish to. So by the decree of Prince John, Gisborne stays until your brother returns" Sir Edward and Marian could see the fury lying behind her eyes at the Sheriff's statement.

"Even so" Louise continued an edge now evident in her voice "The law states that if the supposed replacement Lord or Lady is suddenly kicked off of the estate, he or she is looking after, then they have the right to collect everything that belongs personally to them before being forced off." The Sheriff looked stunned, not many people knew that side of the law. "So my Lord may I go to Locksley in order to collect my belongings before you kick me off, as the people will not be impressed should the new Sheriff start flouting the laws for his own gain."

"Very well" the Sheriff all but growled knowing very well that this girl had not only approached him in front of the Lords so he had to act within the law but that she knew her way around the law to be honest after hearing about Locksley's talent for getting out of trouble he should of expected that his sister could talk her way out of things. "You may collect your things missy but don't think that you've won this Gisborne is still the temporarily Lord at Locksley and unfortunately you can no longer stay there." he wasn't actually sorry about he now homelessness.

"Don't worry about it. Thank you my Lord." With that Louise turned to leave but before she got halfway to the door a voice called out.
"My Lord" the voice that called out belonged to Marian "May I be excused"

"What for missy?" came the mocking reply

"I wish to help Lady Louise collect her stuff from Locksley Manor." Louise turned back round to look at Marian and the Sheriff the latter only waved his hand in a dismissive wave.

"Very well, off you go." Seeing that the Sheriff was becoming impatience Marian nodded her head in thanks before joining Louise as they walked out of the main hall. As they walked through the winding corridors Louise turned to Marian but before she could say anything Marian interrupted her.

"Does stupidity run in your family or is it just you and your brother."

"Hey-" Louise tried to put her point across

"No." Marian snapped stopping and turning to her friend "you went in there and publicly pressured and insulted the Sheriff! tell me what were you thinking?" At this point Louise decided that it was her turn to get her point across

"I was thinking that some oaf was harassing my people and that the new Sheriff was responsible. So you expect me to be polite?" they both looked at each other. A grin spread out across Marian's face and almost instantly Louise copied with a grin of her own. they both spluttered with laughter which they tried to submerge.

"Did you see his face?" Marian asked through suppressed laughter all Louise could do is nod.

"It was so worth it" Louise chuckled. Eventually their laughter subsided and still grinning they walked out into the courtyard towards the stables were they given their horses before riding out of Nottingham Town.

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what do you people think? Have i got the characters right and how can I improve?

Rawr I'm a Cat