Disclaimer: Sure, yeah, I own it, and I'm also married to Gerard Butler … (sigh) oops, sorry, I was dreaming again.

A/N: It is currently 3 in the morning, it's been a long week. After a few rewrites, this is as good as it gets for this chapter. Hope you enjoy :)

Chapter 4

Sitting on her bed, Marian winced as she unwound the bandage from her stomach. The pain was tolerable, but she'd be lying if she said it didn't hurt at all. Yesterday's events, especially the furious horse ride from Locksley to Nottingham, aggravated the wound. Though Djaq stitched her up well, there was blood on the bandage. It was nothing to be alarmed about, but enough that Marian realized she needed a clean dressing.

Luckily, she kept a fair stock of clean bandages. Maybe she burned the Nightwatchman's costume, but she had not destroyed all evidence of the Nightwatchman's existence at Knighton. Carelessly, Marian set aside the bloodied strip of fabric. After she was finished here, she reminded herself to burn it in the fireplace as she'd burned the Nightwatchman's garb.

As she secured the clean dressing about her, concealing the ugly wound that almost killed her, Marian closed her eyes, her mind inevitably drifting back to Robin. She had not slept, thoughts of Robin keeping her awake until dawn when she finally gave up any pretense of sleep.

Why was she still here? Was he right? Had she made the wrong choice? He'd left her once … how many times could she choose someone else over him before he stopped trying? Why did she always pick the path that led furthest away from him?

It wasn't a question of loving him because she did. More than anything, she loved Robin of Locksley. And it wasn't a question of blaming him anymore because she didn't. Maybe Marian wanted Robin to admit it wasn't just glory that sent him to the Holy Land. Maybe she wanted him to admit that a larger part of him simply panicked and told him to run from the pressure of responsibility. She wanted him to trust her with those doubts and insecurities – she wanted all of him, not just bits and pieces. Still, the anger, the sense of betrayal and rejection, was gone. So why did they always meet at the crossroads and travel in opposite directions?

Marian knew she had a responsibility, one she could not and would not abandon, but before her last stint as the Nightwatchman, Robin accused her of using her father as an excuse to keep from making a choice. Frustration and desperation made him say it, but what if he was right? What if her father suffered more because she stayed here after her actions against Gisborne? What if Robin suffered more because she stayed here? What if, what if, what if?

Marian sighed, her head aching. She'd been thinking herself in circles for hours now, going over everything that transpired since Robin's return. Not that any of it was helping.

To occupy herself, she dressed, telling herself she'd made her decision and she couldn't keep deliberating over her and Robin. She needed to think about the Sheriff and Gisborne. She needed to prepare herself.

Marian closed her eyes, drawing in a slow, steady breath just as she heard the sound of horses and the clattering of a carriage. Startled, Marian glanced out the window in time to see Guy of Gisborne dismount from his horse.

She hadn't expected them to wait long, but she hadn't expected them so soon.

She hurried downstairs. Her father, hearing the arrival as well, was standing, prepared to meet the Sheriff and Gisborne.

Common courtesies weren't apart of today's visit. The door flew open just as Marian noticed her father tuck a dagger into the belt around his waist. Gisborne entered, followed by the Sheriff and a group of armed guards. From her vantage point, Marian could see there were several more guards waiting outside Knighton Hall, probably in case Robin and his men happened to be in the area. She prayed they weren't. Skilled though Robin and the outlaws were, sometimes skill could not overcome the odds, and based on the men she could see, the odds were certainly in the Sheriff's favor.

Marian met the oddly surprised gaze of Gisborne. Strange, he looked as if he hadn't expected to find her here.

"You lose, Gisborne," the Sheriff announced. "She's exactly where I expected to find her, by her dear father's side." He motioned to the guards inside the manor. "You two, stay here. The rest of you search the house. If you find an outlaw, feel free to hurt him. But no killing, not yet. I want a very public hanging for Robin Hood and his men."

"My lord Sheriff, I do not understand …"

"Ah, ah, ah," the Sheriff interrupted. "No lies. Oh, wait, I did say I'd love to see you try. Well then, by all means, do try."

"I had hoped to speak with Sir Guy alone," Marian replied, wondering how she could remain so calm when she knew this would not end well. "Things happened yesterday, and my temper … there is no excuse for what I did to you, Sir Guy. I was angry, but that was no reason to treat you as I did."

"Yet you accuse me of lying," Gisborne said. "No reason? Hood wasn't your reason? Several people confess you rode off with him to Nottingham. I admit I'm surprised you didn't run straight to Sherwood."

"I do not know what you heard, but I can assure you, Sir Guy, you are mistaken. It is not my wish to run off with an outlaw."

"He left you for honor and glory, and you still love him. You would ruin yourself and your father for him." Gisborne spat the word with an ugly look on his face, one that made Marian cringe inwardly. He was obsessed.

"Ah, lover's quarrel," the Sheriff chimed in, apparently entertained by it all.

"Sir Guy, please." But Marian didn't know what to plead for. Understanding? No, she was every bit the fool to think she could soften Guy with apologies. They were past a time she could have swayed him with words.

"You lied to my daughter," Edward cut in suddenly. "She agreed to a marriage upon the King's return. And you lied, bringing an imposter to pose as King Richard for your schemes. How else do you expect a young woman to react when the man she believes in lies to her?"

The Sheriff chuckled. "Such acting. Do you know I could almost believe it? Poor Marian, simply devastated by her betrothed's deception."

Gisborne ignored the Sheriff's delight over the drama unfolding and stepped forward, seizing Marian by the arm and dragging her forward so that her face was inches from his. Edward made a move to intervene, but the Sheriff was on him before he had the chance, pushing him against the wall, the blade of a dagger at his throat. "Now, now, Edward, it's just getting good. Let's not spoil the show, hmm?"

"What difference does it make?" Gisborne demanded. "If you cared, even a little, it shouldn't matter whether the King was here yesterday or five years from now. If you cared … but that's the point, isn't it? You only ever said yes to save yourself and your father. I never meant a thing to you."

"Whatever gave you that idea, Gisborne?" the Sheriff drawled.

"And you only ever offered because of my status," Marian returned, unable to take this in meek silence any longer. How could she ever have told Robin that Gisborne had qualities? The thought sickened her now. "I never meant more to you than a way to guarantee your place amongst the nobility."

Gisborne looked as if she had slapped him. But the expression of hurt surprise faded before Marian could be certain it was ever really there. His grip tightened on her arm. "Why? Why is Hood so important to you?"

"Sir Guy, please, you're hurting me." Marian winced at the brutal hold he had on her arm.

"My lord, Hood and his gang are not here." One of the Sheriff's soldiers returned from the upstairs, interrupting the scene playing out on the first floor. Marian noticed the bundle of dirty bandages in his hand, and she realized with a start she hadn't discarded the bandages. She drew in a short, sharp breath, knowing she could do nothing but wait and see how clever Guy of Gisborne really was.

Both the Sheriff and Gisborne looked over at the guard. "But I did find this," he continued. "There's blood here, sir. Found it in the lady's chamber, on the bed."

The Sheriff appeared only mildly interested. "Hood or one of his men, do you think Gisborne?"

Absorbed, Gisborne released his hold on Marian and took the fabric from the guard. He ran his thumb over the dried blood. "You were ill," Gisborne murmured, almost to himself. "The morning after the Nightwatchman robbed me, you were unwell."

Gisborne's glare pinned Marian. She'd never seen a darker look in his eyes, not even when he looked at Robin. All of his hatred – everything that was black inside him – was now focused on her alone. She could've denied his logic. His conclusion wasn't based on much, just a bloodied strip of fabric. Except, without warning, Gisborne reached down, grasping her waist and jabbing his thumb into her stomach – into the same spot where he'd stabbed the Nightwatchman.

Unable to conceal the wave of agony that crashed through her, Marian doubled over on a choked gasp of pain, her eyes watering. She crumpled to her knees, the pain making her weak.

"What is this, Gisborne?" the Sheriff demanded, his interest suddenly piqued.

"I stabbed the Nightwatchman. Strangely enough, Lady Marian seems to be suffering from a similar injury."

"Well, well, now this is interesting," the Sheriff murmured. "Certainly more than I ever bargained for. Lady Marian is the infamous Nightwatchman. And Edward was aiding and harboring a criminal." The Sheriff stepped away from Edward and nudged Marian with his boot. "Nothing to say for yourself? No pretty appeals to Sir Guy?"

"Please," Marian gasped. "Please, my lord Sheriff, I swear my father is innocent. He knew nothing of this. I swear it."

The Sheriff raised an eyebrow, eyeing her with unconcealed skepticism. "Well come now, my dear, at this point I'd hardly believe you if God himself vouched for your sincerity. I mean, you did say you'd marry Gisborne, and you didn't. You said you hated outlaws, but you really love them. In fact, you are one. So really, you need to see things from my perspective."

As the Sheriff, Gisborne, and the guard were preoccupied with Marian, Edward reached for the dagger he'd tucked away minutes earlier. He pulled the weapon, ready to drive it into the back of the Sheriff when the Sheriff spun around, pinning Edward's hand to the wall and driving his own blade into Edward's shoulder.

"Oops, missed," the Sheriff said. "Next time, you won't be so lucky." The Sheriff motioned for the guards. "Take him."

Edward clutched his injured shoulder as the guard shoved him toward the front door. Marian's desperate gaze met her father's. Things were worse, much worse than they or Robin could've envisioned.

Abruptly, Gisborne hauled Marian to her feet. He was not kind as he tied the length of twine about her wrists, binding her hands behind her back. But Marian didn't notice. Aside from the throbbing in her stomach, her mind and body were numb.

She'd made everything worse. Her carelessness allowed Gisborne to finally put two and two together. Now there was no escaping the Sheriff's wrath for her father. There was no escaping for her, and Robin and the others would be caught right in the middle of it all.

Because of her.

"Well what a day, wouldn't you say, Gisborne? And it's not even noon." The Sheriff wiped Edward's blood from the blade of the dagger. "You," he said to Marian, pointing the tip of the dagger toward her nose, "have been a very naughty girl. But it's all for the best really - a happily ever after for everyone. I get to plan a trial for you and your father before the nobles. Hmm, and of course, the gallant Robin Hood will rush in to save the day. Then … we'll kill him." The Sheriff paused, his smile for Marian alone. "Oh, I'm sorry, I guess that won't make you too happy, now will it?"

Though anxious to alert Robin to the approaching danger at Knighton, Will wasn't foolish enough to shout his name through the forest as he ran. Quickly and quietly, he raced through Sherwood. Halfway back to the camp, his pace slowed.

Something wasn't right.

And someone was following him. Gripping the two battle-axes, his weapons of choice, Will spun around, using the axes to halt the downward swing of a quarterstaff. While the hooded figure was stunned, Will kicked the attacker in the stomach, sending the figure stumbling back but not down. The figure dove at Will again, wielding the quarterstaff nearly as well as Little John.

Will fought back, all the while trying to scan his surroundings, wondering if the others were all right and if this was a lone assailant or one of many. Though skilled, the attacker's endurance couldn't match Will's. Before long, Will's opponent pushed the aggressive too far, apparently desperate to disarm Will. Catching the quarterstaff at the right angle with one of his axes, Will disarmed his opponent, sending the quarterstaff sailing into the underbrush. Before the figure could quite register what had occurred, Will had his opponent against the base of an oak, blade of the axe at his throat.

"Please." The gasp was barely audible, but it was enough for Will to realize the voice belonged to a woman. Hands trembling, the figure pulled back the hood and then yanked down the strip of cloth covering the lower half of her face.

Deciding to get to the point, Will demanded, "Who are you? And what are you doing here?" Of course, this was a forest, and people were free to roam about it as they pleased, but Will had come to think of Sherwood as sort of belonging to Robin and the outlaws. It was their home, after all, even if it was an unconventional home.

"M-my name is Sarah FitzRoy, and I was … well, I was looking to rob you. Times are hard, you know."

"FitzRoy?" Will frowned. It was a surname reserved for the bastard children of the king. Surely this girl couldn't possibly … "You're the king's daughter?"

"One of Henry's bastards or so my mother claims. But as you can see, having a king for a father, even if he is a dead king, hasn't helped me in the least."

That was an understatement, Will figured. Living the life of an outlaw hadn't afforded much in the way of hygiene, but this girl looked worse than he, Allan, and John had the time they'd been forced to take an unconventional route out of Nottingham castle – the indoor privy. Granted, she didn't smell as bad, he'd give her that. Yet despite her appearance, Will didn't know whether to believe her. Was she just a lone, common outlaw? It wasn't unusual, but there was something about Sarah FitzRoy that didn't quite ring true.

Still, no one else attacked, which meant she was alone. By this point, any companions hiding in the shrubbery would've come to her rescue. Logically, that made sense, and Will didn't have time to waste. He had to get to Robin and the others. Not only were the Sheriff and Gisborne at Knighton, but Will also couldn't count on how long it would take before Allan got impatient and did something stupid.

Will lowered his weapons and reached into the tiny leather purse strapped to the belt around his waist. There were only two coins. "Here," he said placing them in her hand. "It isn't much, but …"

Sarah's hand closed around the coins, and Will thought she looked sad, almost guilty, for a moment before the fleeting expression faded. "Sorry," she whispered. With a sharp, quick movement, she kneed him in the groin. As he doubled over, her knee connected with his face.

Sarah thought she felt his nose crack. After she was sure he wasn't moving, she rolled him over. He groaned softly but otherwise made no movement. There was a good bit of blood on his face. His nose was definitely broken.

At the sound of rusting leaves, Sarah glanced over her shoulder. "Bloody hell, David," she cursed as one of her companions dropped from the branches of a nearby tree. "What were you waiting for?"

The man Sarah only knew as David of Doncaster laughed as he straightened to his full height, which may have been impressive if he carried more weight on his thin frame. "You were managing well enough on your own."

"Really?" Sarah asked. "Is that why he had an axe at my throat?"

"It's one of Robin's men, love. He wouldn't have hurt you. Look it, he could've slit your throat, but instead, he gives you a couple of coins. Now that is a noble outlaw." David paused, studying Sarah for a moment. "Here now, you feel bad about it?"

Sarah snorted. "No, of course not." David raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "All right, maybe a little. I mean, we are delivering them to the same fate we were all condemned to."

"Every man for himself, Sarah. That's what this world's taught me. And I want that full pardon. I want the gold we were offered. And I sure as hell don't want to go back to the Tower. Do you?"

Sarah sighed, shaking her head as she tucked a stray strand of hair back behind her ear. No, she didn't want to go back to the Tower. She wanted the pardon and the gold as much as David, as much as they all did. It meant a new life. "Well where's the other one?"

David shrugged. "This one was alone."

"What do you mean alone?"

"Ah, I mean alone, love. Didn't realize there's more than one meaning for the word."

"The deal was for all of them," Sarah pointed out. "We can't go back missing one."

"You worry too much," David replied. "We'll find him. He'll have to come back to camp eventually. Besides, we've got Locksley. He's the one Lackland really wants."

Tales of Robin Hood and his gang's daring exploits had reached London, and the common people took inspiration from him, rebelling against the injustice and corruption of Prince John's England. London had seen its share of people mimicking Robin Hood, robbing from the tax collectors, robbing from the nobles, robbing from the crooked merchants … robbing from the rich to give to the poor.

Furious with the Sheriff of Nottingham's inability to deal with Robin Hood, Prince John had taken matters into his own hands. Though Sarah was quite sure the Sheriff had no knowledge of Lackland's frothing discontent over the Sheriff's incompetence. But the politics of it made no difference to Sarah or any of her companions for that matter. Awaiting the executioner's blade in the Tower, Prince John had come to them, offering all of them full pardons and a ransom's worth of gold to hunt down Robin Hood and his men and return them alive to London.

Then, Prince John would prove just how mortal the beloved Robin Hood was when he organized the public beheading of the people's adored champion.

A/N: I originally wrote this chapter with the Sheriff and Gisborne actually finding the Nightwatchman's costume, but then I remembered Marian burned it. So I had to change it, figuring that Gisborne, if given some clue, would be clever enough to put two and two together. Also, I think this chapter kind of made the story bigger than I initially planned by adding Prince John, which I hadn't originally figured on ... which is why I should listen to the people who tell me I need to write outlines for my stories so I don't get ahead of myself. Ugh, okay, sorry, I talk too much … anyway, I hope you enjoyed and thanks so much for reading!

Many thanks to … Nicki1147(lol, I know, cliffhangers are evil. Thanks so much for the review. Allan's my favorite, so it does me good to hear I'm doing his character justice), GreggoAddict(First off, thank you much for the review, and … yes, they are pretty screwed at the moment), Capt. Cow(Lol, hyper reviews are just fine by me :) Will and Djaq are adorable, aren't they? Love Allan and all, but I just can't see him and Djaq together. As always, thanks bunches!), MontyPythonFan(So glad you're enjoying! I had a rough time with this chapter, so it's so nice to hear you enjoyed it. Thank you!), Raina-Bess(Thank you so much! Happy to see you enjoyed it!), Dr. Nat(Thank you so much, I truly appreciate your kind words. The biggest reason I love this show is the characters and their relationships, so it makes me happy to hear I'm doing that justice, especially Will and Allan. At first it seems like such an odd friendship, but yet they're so perfectly suited to being friends because their personalities balance each other out. And you're right; an angry Marian probably wouldn't be much fun.), hardyboyfansrock(Thank you much for the review … hopefully I won't crash into writer's block anywhere along the way and can keep this story moving), YouLuvMeCosImCrazy(Thank you so much! It makes me smile to hear you're enjoying it!), SeaStarr(Thank you, I greatly appreciate the review! It's always good to hear I'm keeping the characters true to form.)

Yes, I know, I'm repeating myself, but your reviews make me smile, so thank you again and I do appreciate the time you all take to read and review.