(A/N Okay, so I made a really big mistake at the end of the last chapter, and I apologise. Of course Will's father is a carpenter. It was late at night, and I was tired… that's my only excuse. I did, however, re-upload the chapter.

Emoras: Hehe, I know. Cyber-cookies are amazing. All the great taste and none goes to your hips. It's great… Here's the next chapter, in fairly close succession. Yay for updates!

Soulprovider: Jealous Djaq, Jealous Will… I've got it all. Should be amazing. Thanks for your review )

RocMySox: Glad I cheered you up…lol. And thank you.

Suzanne-rh: lol… Thanks. I think… Here's the next update.

DeanParker: I know! Poor Djaq, indeed. Sorry for the typo, my only excuse is that it was late at night… Here's the update.

Chapter 6

The Outlaws arrived, a few hours later, in Nottingham. Fortunately, they had a disguise already, one developed by Will Scarlett himself. They were disguised as different tradesmen and servants; all of whom were working on a new room in the castle for the Sheriff. It got them past the guards without any bother, and into the castle courtyard. To their surprise, a crowd was already gathered in the courtyard, and the sheriff, who was grinning nastily, as always, stood up on the gallows, his lieutenant next to him. His figure was distinct, nothing more than a darkened silhouette against the sunlight. The crowd shrank away, terrified of the man. Lady Marian and another woman stood behind him. Both looked pale, despite the winter sunlight, and the second, younger woman looked nervous and upset. Marian had comforting hand on her arm, and she looked resolute.

As they watched, a man, unrecognisably broken and bloody, was half-dragged out by four guards, who threw him unceremoniously on the wooden platform. The gang could see that he wore rusty, dirty chains that tore at his inflamed skin. His dark hair obscured his face, but Djaq, disguised as a kitchen maid, knew, "Robin… Robin, that's Will…"

XxXxX

He was numb. He had seemingly grown immune to the constant beating his body took. He was covered in bruises, open wounds and burns that had gone septic. He should have been in agony, but he wasn't. The bright sunlight, after so many days in the dark, cold dungeon, burned his retinas. He vaguely heard talking, but he couldn't understand the words. His chains clanked around him, rubbing against the red, raw skin on his broken wrists. He was hauled to his feet b two guards, but he had to be held upright. He had lost the will to live; he knew that he didn't have long, and he was too weak to fight any more.

Fighting was what he had been doing all week, fighting his horrific injuries and the constant torture. The Sheriff said something else… but it just all melted together, a blur of noise that he could not focus on. He didn't have long for this life. In fact, he had been having delirious dreams. He had even dreamed that his long-forgotten first love had come to see him. That had been a nice dream; a reprieve from the cold, harsh reality. He was going to be hung.

Gisborne had informed him that he was to be hung that morning, not without a sense of morbid glee. He had not been surprised, and had even accepted the fact. He was going to die. The thought brought a strange comfort. Death would be a release, and he would see his parents again…

XxXxX

Elizabeth Persons grasped the thick roll of parchment desperately, her breathing shallow and irregular. Even Lad Marian's comforting hand on her arm did not calm her, because she was about to do the unimaginable.

She was about to condemn William Dan Scarlett, the man she loved, to a death that he had done nothing to deserve. She longed to run to his side, squeeze his hand and hold him to her, like she had held him when his mother had died. Like he had held her countless times; a comforting balm to her tortured soul. They had been going to run away together and marry. He had promised her. But his mother's tragic, untimely death had changed everything. Will had been burdened with a great sorrow. His father had withdrawn for months, leaving Will to care and provide for his brother and sister. It had been tough, she knew. His calm, accepting mask that he put up for his siblings' sake came down for her, revealing the chaotic torrent of conflicting emotions within. His weakness, his pain and his great suffering came pouring out.

Marian, beside her, squeezed her arm gently, jerking her from the whirlpool of her memories. Sheriff Vasey stood, staring at her expectantly, and with trembling hands, Elizabeth unfurled the scroll. The words, written in black ink, seemed to swim across the page as she fought to stop the tears pooling in her startlingly blue eyes. Her voice faltered as she began to read to the silent courtyard.

"William Dan Scarlett, Son of Dan and Jane Scarlett, has been found guilty for crimes against the Sheriff, and ultimately His Majesty, King Richard. He has been sentenced to death by hanging, and he shall h…hang by the neck until d…dead.

Let this be a lesson to you all. This is what awaits those who work for Robin Hood…"

XxXxX

Djaq was frozen. She couldn't move. Images of a dead and dying Will filled her head. She had to do something… but what?

XxXxX

The Sheriff's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as the noose was placed around the man's neck. Everything according to plan…

XxXxX

Marian bit her lip desperately as she scanned the crowd, searching for the familiar faces of the Outlaws. They had to be here…

XxXxX

Robin strung an arrow on to his string, pulling it back, testing its strength. He was not about to let Will die…

XxXxX

Elizabeth was white, terrified. Her trembling hands dropped the roll of parchment on the ground, where it lay forgotten. If he died…

XxXxX

The hangman allowed himself a grin as he pulled the noose tight, and then pulled the lever…

XxXxX

The floor dropped beneath him, and then he could feel the rope around his neck, choking him. But he embraced it.

A scream.

And then silence and blackness. An eternity of nothing…

(A/N –evil laugh- Well, that was fun. What a nice cliffhanger… Oh, I'm not altogether convinced that the many POVs was quite right for the Hanging scene… please tell me what you thought. Thank you! Ooh, more cyber-cookies for reviews. All the taste of normal cookies, but none goes to your waist! Great, huh?!)