FOUR

Robin did as Sofia asked and his men and he delivered her gifts of food and money to the villagers of Locksley. It was a different experience for Robin – who was so used to having people praise him and look up to him as a hero. Of course he was still the one handing out the gifts but it was very obvious that he wasn't the one being praised: Lady Sofia was.

Robin couldn't help the cheeky smile that slid onto his face at the thought of Sofia. This past year and a half had been terrible for him and just when he'd given up, she'd appeared. She was such a mystery and it simply made him more curious about her. He was sure she was hiding something important.

'Robin, we have a problem' called Djac.

'What?' he replied.

'Saw a man running through the forest, looks in bad shape. Gisbourne's on his tale' said Will.

'Come on then'.

They didn't have time to save the man and watched in despair as the man was carted off by Gisbourne and his guards. Robin sent Little John and Tuck to the village to see if they could find out who he was.

Meanwhile

'Sir Guy, where have you been this morning?' asked Sofia.

'Sorry My Lady, I had business to attend to' he replied.

At that moment the guards rounded the corner with their prisoner. Sofia's face paled to an ashen white as she tried not to rise to the temptation of lashing out.

'My Lady are you alright?' asked Gisbourne concerned.

'Sorry Sir Guy, I'm afraid I had a moment. Now the forest is free from danger I shall go for a ride' she said, then added 'with my guard of course'.

Gisbourne nodded in response, 'as you wish'.

Sofia wasted no time charging through the forest, she'd left her guard far behind and he had the sense not to approach her while she was in this mood. Her face had taken on a sickened colour and she was trying desperately hard not to cry hysterically. She'd only known Hood a mere few days but if he didn't help, well she wouldn't know what to do.

She leapt of her horse, 'Hood!' she shouted – nothing.

She tried again, 'Hood!' – still nothing.

She was losing her cool as the tears began to fall, 'Robin!' she cried out.

She felt hands on her shoulders and jumped. The hands turned her around and she looked upon the face of Robin Hood.

'What's wrong?' he asked, daringly stepping up to brush her tears away with his fingers.

'G-Gisbourne bought in a prisoner this morning' she stuttered.

'He's my best friend Robin' – he blinked when she called him Robin and not Hood.

'He's my best friend and I don't know what he was arrested for. I can't help him myself or I risk exposing where my true allegiances lie' she sobbed.

'I suppose you want us to save him' said Kate bitterly.

'I know it's a lot to ask and you have no reason to help me but I do not think I shall survive if he does not' she whispered.

'I bet they aren't even friends, this is probably a trap' sneered Kate.

Sofia starred into Robin's eyes, 'he is as important to me as Much is to you'.

'Robin, I think I should like to talk to Sofia while you decide on a course of action' said Djac.

'Where will you take her?' he asked.

'The cave' she replied.

Robin looked at her sternly.

'Trust me' said Djac.

He nodded, 'take Will with you'.

Djac sighed in a resigned sort of way.

Djac lead Sofia's horse away and Sofia and Will followed. It wasn't a long way to the cave, it wasn't their base but a place to go when things got tough. Once they arrived and Djac had worked her magic on assuring Will wouldn't repeat anything that was said, she turned to Sofia.

'Quentin never thought he'd see you again' she said.

'I know, I sent him away to avoid this exact danger. I couldn't bear the thought of him dying' replied Sofia.

'I thought you were dead' said Djac.

'For a long time I thought so too but I couldn't' be contained for long' said Sofia.

'You've grown up so much' said Djac.

'As have you' replied Sofia.

'Wait, you two know each other?' asked Will confused.

'Yes' they both replied.

'How?'

'She visited the Holy Land. We met there' said Djac.

'And then?' pressed Will.

'And then I disappeared' replied Sofia.

'Kidnapped more like' murmured Djac.

'By who?' asked Will.

'Prince John' said Sofia bitterly.

Will looked at her shocked, 'Well you don't look like you've had any lasting damage' he said, 'how long were you captive for?'

Sofia glared at him, 'looks can be deceiving, and clothes are a great help, they cover up that which I want no one to see' she said, 'and I was kept in that prison for nine years, anyone who thinks I remained undamaged is a fool'.

'Who are you?' whispered Will.

Djac leaned over and whispered something in his ear, his eyes widened and he stared at Sofia with new found respect. Before he could respond to what she'd said or what Djac had told him, Hood arrived with the rest of his men and a very angry woman.

'Do you know where they are keeping him or what their plan is?' asked Hood.

'Morning execution, the Sheriff's way of welcoming me to Nottingham' she said angrily.

'What about guards?' he asked.

'Five are loyal to me, you can identify them by the marking on the back of their helmets and the small insignia they wear on their chests. They'll help as much as they can' she replied.

'So it's straight in straight out' replied Tuck.

'Yes' said Sofia.

'You know…' began Djac.

'What?' said Robin.

'We're going to have to kidnap her at some point'.

'Why?' asked Much.

'Well she's taken over from Prince John who was evil but both the Sheriff and Gisbourne were on the side of the Prince. Both wanted King Richard dead so Sofia has to appear indifferent to either cause, or at least appear as ruthless as Prince John was. Plus she's a woman, if we kidnap her it would put the Sheriff and Gisbourne in a right pickle' said Djac.

'Interesting theory' said Tuck, 'but one to work on later don't you think?'

Robin turned to Sofia, 'you should get back to the castle My Lady' he said winking.

She made a small whining noise but agreed that returning would be best.

'I'll see you tomorrow Sofia' whispered Robin, his words carried by the wind to reach her ears.

The Following Morning

'I just love a morning hanging, don't you Gisbourne. Really makes the day exciting' said the Sheriff. He was sitting atop his throne like chair in front of a crowd of people. The hanging structure looked tall and imposing on an otherwise sunny day.

'Lady Sofia, good morning' said Gisbourne rising from his chair to greet her.

'Sir Guy, it is a lovely morning is it not. The sun is out and the birds were happily chirping outside my window this morning' she replied.

'Are you ready for your first Nottingham hanging?' asked the Sheriff.

'Quite' she replied, 'nothing is quite as enjoyable as a simple hanging' she said smiling though inside she felt sick to her stomach.

The crowds were already anticipating what was to come, although they hated hangings, if it wasn't their neck on the line, it wasn't that fearful. When she calmed her nerves, Sofia could see the familiar forest green clothing and knew Robin and his friends were here.

'Bring out the accused' said the Sheriff and Quentin was bought out in shackles. Sofia could no longer concentrate on hearing the crimes the Sheriff read out as her face was locked on the face of her best friend.

She couldn't help by think this was the exact danger she'd sent Quentin away from before. She watched, her heart thumping as he was led to the platform, the noose put of his head, time stopped.

Then quick as lightning an arrow shot through the air just as the stool was taken from under Quentin's feet. The moment Quentin landed safely on the floor all hell broke loose. Sofia could hear the Sheriff shout 'Guards! Guards!' repeatedly but he was too late. It was obvious that Robin Hood, his men and Quentin already had a head start. Sofia did her best to look shocked and disappointed, Gisbourne was guarding her well, as though she was under attack, and it was quite pathetic.

'Pity I had been looking forward to that hanging. I thought you said the outlaw problem was under control Sheriff. You have been lying to me it seems, shame I was beginning to like you' she sighed, 'I think I shall retire to my room, goodbye' she added walking away before they had a chance to retaliate.

Sofia couldn't stop herself from worrying so she idly tried to focus on the practices a young girl should, yet it could not sway the panic in her heart. In the end, after a well eaten meal she decided on a nap to ease her worries. It did not ease her mind and her nightmares only fuelled her worries further.

'Why so concerned My Lady' Sofia jumped at the sound, quickly locating Robin perched on her window sill.

'What are you doing here?' she asked.

'Putting your worries to rest' he replied.

'He is safe?' she asked.

'Yes' replied Robin.

'Please look after him' whispered Sofia.

'I will' replied Robin seriously.

'Thank you' she replied her eyes alight with emotion.

'So o I get a reward for saving him?' he asked, returning back to his cheeky attitude.

'Oh I have your reward but you aren't ready for it' she replied.

'Try me' he said.

She leant forward, her intent to kiss his lips but at the last moment he turned away.

'I told you, you aren't ready' she said.

'I'm sorry' he replied.

'Some day you'll have to let her go' replied Sofia sadly.