A Hidden Hero

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Summary: Anne tries to explore.

Anne did not enjoy sleeping. Daytime was manageable. She would cope with the lack of freedom and the soldiers everywhere. She could even cope with the stench. But she couldn't cope with the screams. They woken her up every night until she was too tired to wake up, even though she still physically cringed as they went on. She would have gone to the dungeons if it hadn't been for him.

She minded him.

He seemed to be everywhere. She knew the Sheriff would want her watched in case she ran away before he could get her inheritance but did Guy have to follow everywhere? She couldn't leave her chamber without him outside her door. He was always in the courtyard, practicing his archery or sword work (which after having seen it first hand he really needed too) or threatening some poor peasant with eviction or just standing against a wall watching her window but he was always there. Did he not have his own estate.

Was that it? Was that why he had accompanied her here? To scare her into a marriage every noble in the country would know even her father would have forbidden.

Oh Vaisey would have to try harder.

Anyway, she had more pressing matters.

She found the way to the dungeons easily (follow the screams). Entering the dungeons was easy (wear a low cut gown). Identifying the outlaw was not.

"Help! Please!I don't want to die! I want to live! Let me live!"

Promblem solved. She strode down the steps to see him bathed in dirt and what had to be his own urine.

"Are the outlaw who ambushed myself and Guy of Gisborne?" holding her breathe as much as she could.

"Are you going to let me go?" his eyes lighting up.

"No," picking up a red hot iron poker, his eyes terrified instead, "but I will deposit this somewhere very painful if you don't answer me." Thank God for torture.

"How can I help? Anything I can do to make your stay here more pleasant?" His pitch of voice unaturally high.

"Why is Friar Tuck here?" her eyes darkening?

"How do you know Tuck?"

"Poker, in hand, now,"

"He just wants to help Robin stop Prince John. I don't know any more," Pause, "Honest. I don't. I don't think any of us do."

Now it was her turn to pause.

"Just that?"

"Yes I think so. Why?"

He didn't know.

She wondered if it would be more destructive for Tuck if she told this whimpering fool, but probably not. Tuck was better left holding his breathe.

{-}

Anne certainly was leading an interesting life. First the dungeons, now the market.

Guy could have found some guards to follow her but he preferred going himself. If you're going to do a job, do it well. You might as well enjoy yourself.

And he had. He had now watched her almost a week and her face was alreadly drained of the last remanants of colour that had made it past Lord Howards funeral. He movements were now quick, sharp, almost ratlike. He had made sure she had seen him watching her window. He made himself belive it wasn't Anne circling those chambers but her. He willed her to stand at that window and wave at him when Anne glarerd back at him. Her scent had alreadly left the chambers, he had snuck into them on the pretense of searching for Anne, only to be distraught when he could not reach out his hands to feel her prescence anymore.

He pushed that back. Vaisey wanted Anne followed and he was not one to argue, yet.

He watched stop someone, ask them something and then go off again. She seemed almost desperate. It was like she was scared for something.

Women always unpredictable when scared. He knew that. He turned his head to see a cart wheel fall out, a boy being hit round the head as he scuttled after it. Guy chuckled.

He turned back and ...

She was gone.

What?

She was just ...

Charging out the stables a cloaked rider rode out, a scarlet cloak flying on it.

It didn't matter if it wasn't her. He mounted the nearest horse, kicking the small boy protesting, and followed the cloak.

The rider was certainly in a hurry. It was hurtling across the country, jumping, ducking, twisting, turning, diving, trotting. It knew he was following; he saw her face turn to face the side as she stopped at the crossroads before deciding to head for Sherwood. Even the horse seemed tense as she pulled at the reins, steering it round so she faced the forrest side on, not quite sure whether to go.

Now the fun would begin.

He dismounted, he soft ground absorbing any sound as he kept his eye on her. She started to look around her, nervous of who was watching.

He unsheathed his sword, the metal welcoming his touch, her head twisting as she heard it. She turned the horse to face him, standing in front of his horse, her face devoid of emotion.

"What are you doing?" he bellowed.

"I was just ..."

"You do nothing but cause trouble and aggravate anyone near you. Follow me."

"I don't believe you have any power over me," Her chin sticking out in defiance. She didn't get it.

"Do you really want to test that?" toying with the sword, the metal singing as it ripped the air around it.

He smiled just to see if she had any idea.

She did.

Silently she started her horse towards Nottingham, Guy follwing close behind her, sword still in hand.

They hadn't noticed.

Eyes followed them.

Dark eyes.

Tuck's eyes.

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