Chapter 4

Guy

Why was she here? He had left her 3 years ago married to some earl or other and not heard a word and now suddenly she was in the forest? And he was paying ransom money for her? To LOXLEY? She had some explaining to do when he got his hands on her, that was for sure.

Moodily Guy swept the money he'd been counting into a pouch and slipped on his black jacket, stomping through the room he caught sight of himself in the mirror – unshaven and angry looking. She would see a difference, he knew, in the man that he was today. Thinking of his little sister, (he'd taken her to every Fayre that came within walking distance and given her piggybacks when she was tired, told her stories about everything and anything as she snuggled up to him to distract her from the fact that their mother was not there...) Guy combed his hair with his fingers and tried to compose himself. He picked up the pouch and walked purposefully out of the door of the castle and, jumping on his horse, rode through the gates and towards the forest.

Robin

She was still asleep. How was she still asleep? The gang had been up for hours and the rest were gone to scout for food and imposters while he crouched on a pile of dead leaves and waited for a girl to wake up. Ridiculous. Why was he even waiting, he was Robin Hood, he could wake some girl up...squaring his shoulders he crawled forwards and extended a hand with which to shake her shoulder but (as he had every other time he'd tried) he couldn't do it. She looked so peaceful lying there, every so often she would draw the blankets in and nestle her cheek into the 'pillow' in a gesture so endearing that Robin had to smile. So, having concluded that it wouldn't hurt to let her sleep a while – she'd just be less crotchety – Robin sat back and waited for her to wake up.

Lizzie

As I gradually opened my heavy eyes I became aware that I was not in my normal bed and the normal person was not next to me, in fact no-one was. Realizing my bed was one of blankets I momentarily panicked – had I given in and slept with that pushy stable boy? Robert would kill me! I must go, gathering the blankets round myself I stood up, swaying slightly and realized I was definitely not in the stables.

Slowly as I gazed around the clearing yesterday's events rushed over me. I ran away! I did it! And the man, the annoying one, found me and – Guy! - He was handing me over to Guy today at noon. Dropping the blankets I pressed a hand to my spinning head and looked around properly. Blankets and weapons were strewn around everywhere and last nights fire was threatening to relight in a not so controlled manner. Glad to be back in familiar territory I crouched and swept earth over the embers, pushing them into a pile and patting them down, then I cleared a space round the fire and folded some blankets to pass the time. If you're wondering why I didn't run for it don't think the thought didn't cross my mind! But where would I have run to? I was in the heart of a massive, unfamiliar forest where the only landmarks were trees.

After a while I heard footsteps and stopped my work, squinting into the trees. Robin emerged carrying a tankard and some bread,

"Here, water and bread's all that's on the menu I'm afraid milady," He said indulging in a mocking bow.

"That will be more than sufficient good sir." I replied with a slow nod of my head. Robin straightened up, laughing and looked around in confusion

"Have you...tidied up?" He said incredulously as he took in his new and improved camp.

"It was dangerous and disgusting. Besides I just folded a few blankets." I said narrowing my eyes at him and daring him to make any women-orientated jokes. But he just grinned and sat down next to me on the newly cleared floor.

"It's nearly noon." I observed, pointing towards the sun and then our shadows.

"True." He nodded, shifting his position on the ground to look at me. "You know I might even miss you a tiny little bit!" I blushed, "But then again...I don't think my poor face will ever be the same again." I drew in a sharp breath

"You deserved it!" I said drawing myself up as he denied it vehemently, I laughed and raised my hand and he proffered his cheek jokingly, I put my hand on the side of his face and stared

"Robin, did you...shave?" He caught my hand in his considerably larger one and grinned

"Only for you. Come on it's time to go." He pulled me to my feet and we walked through the forest in what I can only call a charged silence, he had let go of my hand but every so often (by accident I'm sure) his hand would brush mine and we would lock eyes for a second and then look away.

Walking.

After a while Robin cleared his throat and stole a glance at me,

"So...are you going to tell me what Gisbourne did wrong? To make you hate him?" He said,

"I never said I hated him. He did me a severe wrong a few years ago and it is that wrong which has put me in my current position and could very easily be the end of me still. However it would definitely have killed me had I stayed. Guy is all I have and the only one I could run to but I have not forgiven him, nor am I likely to."

"So -"

"No, Robin. It is not for me to tell you now."

"Tell him what?" Guy said emerging from the shadows once again (He'd always beat me at hide and seek as children) "You two seem on awfully good terms – first name terms in fact. I've got your money Loxley, now hand her over." The last part was directed at Robin and said with such venom in his eyes as I had never seen before. He'd changed. I realized I didn't know him anymore and that I was a bit frightened of the man he'd become.

Guy threw a pouch of money at Robin's feet and I rolled my eyes, this situation was all too familiar – was I destined to be bought and sold? Robin pocketed the money and grinned at me

"See you around, Lizzie," He said, deliberately using my nickname to provoke my brother. Guy ground his teeth

"Over my dead body, Loxley."
"Fine by me!"

Shaking my head I curtsied to Robin and walked towards Guy who grabbed my arm in a gloved hand and pulled me away to where his horse was waiting, he lifted me onto the horse and set off without a word. I only looked back once and Robin was still standing there, arms folded and leaning against a tree watching me go.