Thanks to Neaptidea for the beta

Chapter Four

She needed to know.

He said this to himself over and over again. He had to warn her. He had to tell her. No doubt the sheriff and Gisborne would be there, knocking at her door. She could not keep a lie forever. Then after they would drag her to the gallows. Publicly humiliated, hanged until dead.

Subconsciously he reached up with a hand, caressing his own neck. He had already felt the noose once. The tight fibers digging into his skin, his heart racing as his lungs fought for air. The experience had been terrifying. It was Robin's arrow that had saved him. Yet he feared that it would now be the death of him.

Allan tried to shake the feeling off. Escaping from the sheriff's clutches had not been an easy thing to do. With words that were normally smooth he had stuttered and tripped more than once trying to disentangle himself from the blasted mess he had landed in. Part of him wanted to believe he had been convincing in dispelling the belief that Marian was the Nightwatchman. Yet he knew that it had not been so.

He was normally good with his tongue. His quick wit, his charm, and occasional blundering gave him advantages over the normal man. To swipe a purse in a simple drunken swagger, or confuse the already muddled mind in allowing one too many coins to slip free. To foist off blame from one person to the other. His entire life, more or less, had been lived as such. Old habits were hard to break. Old habits were what landed him here.

Another drink was placed before him, and Allan wasted little time in consuming it. He had hoped coming here would help. Hoped that it would make him forget. Things would pass, they had to. Gisborne would not let the woman he adored fall into any harm. Not only that, but Robin was around often enough that he would leap and bound to the woman's side if anything happened to her. Yes…things would be fine. Why did he feel so bad then?

Perhaps it was not too late. He wouldn't have to pack much; just enough to get from one town to the other. Climbing ranks had been easy. It would be easy to do so in another shire. Steal enough purses to make a living, swindle his way into league with someone of power. Prove that he was useful. He could buy his way into life, into position, and live a far grander, not to mention safer, life than he was living now. There would be no threat of Robin, or Marian, and he would not have to play these meager games with the sheriff or Gisborne any longer. He needed no one but himself.

But he could not just leave. The thought came back to him, as though being slammed against a brick wall. No doubt once discovered, the sheriff would take immediate action. Against Marian, that was. Robin would not risk venturing back into Nottingham for several days. Not after being there that morning. Who knew what would happen within that time? No…he had to warn her. She deserved to know. He owed that much to her seeing that it was his fault she was even in danger.

They could go together. He would see her to the forest, they would part ways. She knew where the camp was, and Robin would not hesitate to take her back in. Allan, however, knew that he would be a dead man if the archer ever laid sight on him. That was why he needed to leave. He would head south. Towards Portsmouth. The town was a large one, or so he had heard, always brimming with activity. Maybe he could he even catch a ride on a ship. He was never much a sailor, but he was a quick learner. And the further away from England he went, the better off he would be.

It was rare for her to have any visitors at this time. Gisborne would force his company upon her when he felt the need, but that was not often. She would listen to his words for a time, before shooing him off with a request of sleep and he would listen, disappearing and letting her be for the next handful of nights before trying again. If he sought her out on purpose, or merely wished for someone to speak to she could never know. So it was no real surprise when she heard the knock at her door. What did surprise her, was who it was.

The first thought she had when she saw him was that something had happened to Robin. She wasn't sure why she believed Allan to have any knowledge about the man that had expelled him from the gang, but she guessed that he would know if he had been captured. And it looked that serious, the distress reading clear and loud on his face.

"What happened?" she whispered, as he closed the door behind him.

"You've got to leave the castle."

A shiver went over her and she knew that the moment had come. She knew that it would eventually slip one day, had always feared it. But never like this… The way he said it left only one explanation...

"Why?" she asked anyway, as if to deny the fact of what he had said.

"The sheriff...he knows, about you. I mean, he might know, or he will soon…he's good at guessing."

She could see the guilt written in his face. "You told him?"

"No! I swear…I…" he shook his head. "I swear I didn't tell them. But... something slipped from me and I think they've been guessing it's you."

"They?"

"Sheriff and Guy," Allan said, glancing at the door nervously.

Marian nodded, a lump in her throat, as she thought of the consequences of these men finding out about her.

"We've got to leave now," Allan urged her. "We go to the forest, and you can go to Robin. I'll go my own way, and we can all be out of this..."

To the forest…a mixture of relief and joy. Something much of what Robin would feel as well when she strode into camp during the midst of the night. He would be angry, yet grateful, and worried all of the same. She believed that Gisborne and the sheriff were far too busy to meddle with men and their unlawful ways, but somehow she felt that Guy would never stop when it concerned her. Even more so when the man knew of her devious deeds. And then there was her father…what would happen with him?

"Well, are you coming or not?" Allan hissed at her.

"My father, I can't leave him here," she started.

"They won't take long when they figure out it's you," Allan cut her off. "I dun' plan on being around when they do. It's my neck if you get caught."

"Is that all you're concerned about? Your neck?" She wondered, angry now. It was his fault they were now in this predicament. He had openly admitted to letting loose with his words. And now he was trying to foist blame off onto her.

"Well, yours too," he breathed hurriedly, trying to correct himself. "I could have easily left without warning you. I could have been well out of Nottingham, and you wouldn't have known a thing."

It was irritating, but true. What was done was done, and that could not be changed. If they had any hopes they had to flee, and the sooner the better. She moved quickly, pulling free a cloak from her bed, throwing the garment on. Part of her wanted to pack some belongings, to take what minor possessions she had with her to the forest. But there was no time. Robin would take care of both her and her father if only they could make it to the forest. Even now she wasn't sure how they would get the man out of the dungeons, but there had to be a way, and if Allan was willing to help…

She nodded to Allan then, signaling that she was ready, and the pair turned to the door. Having opened it, Allan moved out, only to come to a stop and back up quickly, running into her. Marian stumbled out of the way, cursing him under her breath, coming to a stop only when seeing why he had done so.

Gisborne moved into the room then, the hood falling from his face to reveal dark eyes that were grimly set. It was a difficult feat to tell if the man was angry, or disturbed. The room was silent, no one daring to even breathe as the Master-at-Arms scoured the room with his gaze, his expression hardening to one that was more of anger than that of disbelief.

"Going somewhere? A nightly stroll, perhaps? Or fleeing before you face the ultimatum of the hangman's noose?"

"I can explain," Allan answered quickly. "The Nightwatchman…it's me. Funny, I know, right? But it's true. I've been doing all the robbin' and stealing from you and the sheriff. I mean, it's easy, right? Being here, in the castle, no one suspects me, no one asks where I'm going or why. And like you said, how would I know unless I knew the Nightwatchman? I certainly know myself, if you get what I'm saying."

"It's me," Marian breathed quietly. She knew the lie would not hold up, and neither would she allow someone else to risk themselves for a deed that was rightly hers. She had always known that one day this would happen. Always knew she would have to face up to the consequences of her actions, however right or wrong they had been.

"Funny there…what she means is…," Allan pressed on with a breath. "She found out it was me, you see. I made her swear not to tell anyone. I…threatened her…I…uh…told her I'd get rid of her. And now, I couldn't just leave her here to rat me out, not with you and sheriff guessing my secret."

He had spilled it in nearly one breath, his words muddling together so that hardly made any sense. If was meant to try and cover the truth of the situation, or merely stall for time, Marian could not be certain. If it was for the latter, then it certainly worked. Gisborne could only stare at the man, the strangest of expressions coming over his face. Marian felt her heart skip a beat. Maybe Allan had really weaseled his way out of this one.

"GUARDS!"

Or maybe not.

As soon as the man had yelled they sprung into action. She was well trained and had no doubts about Allan's fighting ability. Though they had never truly fought side by side it didn't feel so odd. A kick landed square in Gisborne's face, knocking him flat against the door. Allan was quick in grasping him by the shoulders, pushing him to the side. Running through the door, and out into the corridor was only a given.

Allan ran into her as she came to a stop, his gaze following hers as they saw guards fill in from both sides. It seemed an impossible feat, and the feeling of dread had quickly returned. They would die tonight, or if any luck remained with them, the morning would greet them one last time as they were marched out to the gallows.

"One of us needs to get out of here," she breathed, turning to him. "One of us must get to the forest. Robin can help us."

"Not being funny, but Robin wouldn't help me. I can't even get near the camp without him aiming an arrow at my head."

"Well, maybe you should have thought about that before you went off and betrayed him," she muttered quietly, raising her voice as the guards approached. "Don't argue with me; if we both want to live then one of us needs to escape. And right now…they're interested in the Nightwatchman. And that's exactly who they'll get."

She didn't wait for a response, turning then and charging ahead at the guards. She struck out, catching the first unawares, knocking him down before moving onto the other. It was simple at first. None of the men there suspected a woman to be much of a threat, but their opinions on that matter changed rapidly in a matter of seconds.

Weaponless she was only able to strike a few before they took her down. Most likely they were far too kind simply because of who she was, still not following quite what was happening. She put up a struggle, causing as much of a distraction as she could, hoping that Allan had listened to her words of advice. Her gaze flicked that way, a smile crossing her face as she saw his retreating form dart around a corner. There were maybe half a dozen guards following his wake, but she knew the man would find a way to slip free. That meant there was still hope for her.

Her thoughts shifted then as Gisborne moved into the corridor, wiping blood free of his face where he had been struck. The anger was clear in his eyes, and it turned her insides to jelly. She had seen his anger before, but it had never been quite directed at her before.

"Orders, Sir Guy?"

It was folly on her part to wish that he would pardon her. That he would take into consideration all that they had shared. Still the thought was there, fleeting as it was. The man sneered in her direction, shaking his gloved hand free of the blood he had wiped from his face.

"Get her out of my sight," he whispered. "I do not deal with traitors and outlaws."

"Guy…" she tried to plead, tried to get him to change his mind, but he was quick in cutting her off.

"That is Sir Guy to you. And you do not speak to me unless I address you first. Take her away."

The last part was said quieter, as if regretting what he had to do. The sudden transformation of the man she thought him to be, to the man he was, was frightening. And it did nothing to calm her nerves as she was dragged away, her future from this point on uncertain. No doubt the sheriff would order her to hang, and would have the same done to her father. The fear she felt was due mostly because she felt that Robin would not come in time. Her fate, her father's fate…rested in the hands of a traitor.

It was not a comforting thought.

The goblets were filled full to the brim, a few precious drops missing and landing on the table. Normally it would entice a barrage of yells, on meager insults and petty threats. But the jovial mood was obvious, and could not be dampened by such trivial insight. Not even when half the wine was spilt as it was brought to his lips. The sheriff took a sip, enjoying the moment before he put it down, looking at the man who stood beside the table.

"Happy day, Gisborne. Today, is a happy day. I was right, was I not? All we had to do was wait for our little friend to run and warn the leper. Proof, Gisborne. Nothing more solid than that!"

Gisborne didn't answer, enticing Vaysey to pick up the other goblet, dangling it in front of the other man.

"Now come on, Gisborne, don't be sad! There'll be plenty of other girls who can stab a knife into your heart and twist it around!"

There was still nothing said, a smirk creasing the sheriff's face. How could he stand there and brood over a woman? A traitor, none the less. He couldn't help but smile some more. For so long he had searched for a way to get rid of that little distraction Gisborne liked to call a woman, and she had practically fallen into their laps. Or he supposed he should be thanking the other one, Hood's former man. He grinned.

"So what are we going to do with her now, hmm?" he asked. He already knew that he wouldn't let the leper live very much longer, but he enjoyed the prospect of Gisborne battling his conflicted emotions. The man was pathetic, and it had been so long since Vaysey had proper entertainment.

"She is none of my concern. The decision is yours, milord," the man finally answered in a hard voice.

"You know that all traitors have to die, don't you?" The sheriff smiled at Gisborne. The man lifted his gaze ever so slightly.

"Yes, milord."

"What shall it be? The rack…a few days in the stocks…or perhaps we'll go easy on your missy and have her hanged?"

"She is not my..." Gisborne paused. "Whatever you chose; perhaps since she is a lady, the sheriff will show mercy and simply have her hanged."

He was so weak, but he couldn't help smile at the fact. To watch him battle hidden emotions, to want to protect the foul creature and steal her away for himself and yet want to follow and obey the law. To have power. The man could simply not decide which he wanted. "I told you long ago that you can't trust the leper."

Gisborne remained silent on that and the sheriff enjoyed the moment, waiting for the man to speak again.

"What about Allan, milord?"

The sheriff scowled. "He ran, didn't he? And you and your guards failed to catch him!" He was annoyed about the renewed show of incompetence of the guards, but then another thought dawned on him. He'd never trusted the traitor – as little as he had trusted Marian – and he could imagine the man was running back to warn Hood now. "But perhaps he's not as useless as he seems…"

"Pardon?"

"The Nightwatchman…woman, the leper, whatever, is obviously in league with Hood. Where do you think your little pest of a problem is headed at this very moment? To warn Hood, obviously. No doubt he'll come and whisk her away to safety. He's done so once before," the sheriff mused on this with a slight grin. "Now, when did he last do that? Ah yes, on your wedding…to bad it happened before the vows had time to take place and lock you in Holy Matrimony. It would have been rather enjoyable to watch you wither and squirm at the idea of your wife meddling with Hood's affairs…"

Once again nothing was said, though it was not surprising. Gisborne's lack of backbone was one of the few things the sheriff enjoyed about the man. He let out a laugh, entwining his fingers behind his head as he leaned back in the chair.

"Oh yes Gisborne. Your little man has gone to fetch daddy to save the poor little maiden. And we'll be waiting for him…for all of them. Robin Hood and his men, and the Nightwatch-woman, together in life…and in death. Come Gisborne…we have much to do."

TBC