Chapter 4

Marian?

I sit up quickly in my cell, startled by the sound of that voice. Allan, is that you?

Yeah, it's me. I suppose you'd be expecting Giz. I couldn't have been happier to see Allan. Amazingly, he had somehow got access into the prison.

Where is he, Allan? Is he safe?

Well he's been worried sick about you. When he couldn't find you back at Locksley, he sent me here straight away.

My hands clench the bars tight, anxious for more answers. So the Sheriff has told him nothing about what's happened to me?

No, but when he couldn't find you, he suspected it was the Sheriff's doing.

I nodded, carefully weighing Allan's answers. I think Vaisey fears how close I am to Guy. The closer I am to Guy, the more I'm a threat to him. I should have taken that more into account.

Allan brings his voice down to a whisper. I can get you out of here tonight and take you to Giz. He'd come here, but he needs to appear loyal to the Sheriff for your safety.

I know, but I'm not leaving here without Kate. I turn to meet her eyes. She remains silent, listening in closely on our conversation.

Allan sighs at my stubborn answer. You know he's going to be ticked with me for this, right?

I send a weary smile to Allan, trying to stay brave. Well, he'll just have to wait for me until I find some other way out of here. Can you get word to Robin about our situation?

Yes I can.

And Allan, I say, touching his arm, tell him to help us for Kate, not for me.

You got that.

Suddenly I remembered another important detail−my satchel! Allan, do you know what they've done with my satchel?

Allan refuses to meet my eyes. I burned it. I'm sorry, Marian. It was the only way to keep the Sheriff from finding out.

I feel a weariness come over me. I wished he hadn't burned it, but what other choice did he have? He had been helping ensure my safety. I had lost a part of me, the night watchman. Would I ever retrieve that secret position again? I understand. Thank you, Allan.

Oh, almost forgot something, says Allan, withdrawing Gisborne's former engagement ring to me from his pocket. Guy wanted me to give this to you. Don't really know why considering you're the one who punched him in the face with it.

I smile, slipping the ring onto my left hand where it truly belonged. Leave it to Allan to cheer me up.

He wants you to know he didn't betray you. He only told the Sheriff what you wanted him to say, that's all.

I understand, Allan. Tell Guy I am grateful for his message.

So, Allan smiles in amazement at me, you're really going to marry him this time? It would sure make my job easier. No tricks, no leaving him at the altar?

Shut up, Allan, I say, pushing him in my own teasing way. Allan leaves me with a smile and a huge sense of relief.

What was that all about? Kate breaks the silence. Wait, you're marrying Gisborne?!

I nod, turning to her. It's for the right reasons. I know he's done horrible things, Kate, unforgivable things. That doesn't stop me from wanting to be with him. I've seen the good in him.

And so has the rest of Nottingham, Kate snaps.

I can't condone his actions, but I know I can help change them for the better.

Shame, 'cause we'll likely be stuck here for a while.

I ignored her words, slowly admiring my engagement ring. I had to admit, the future title of Lady Gisborne was beginning to grow on me.