Thanks to everyone that's been reading A New Arrival. I know it still has some kinks. That I am going to work out. Thanks iheartlife89 for your review. Hopefully, the next chapters will come across as fitting in with the style of writing appropriate for Robin Hood.
"If she's not in the dungeon or the great hall where would they have put her?" Djaq asked as she changed out of her dress. It was difficult for her during the rescue of John and Robin because her dress was a bit too long. In the end she chopped off a foot of the material so she could run properly. She felt sorely for ruining the dress but it had to be done.
"I don't know Djaq. But we will find her. If her father is involved it cannot be good. She always said he never hurt her but that doesn't mean he won't start now." Robin was beside himself. He shouldn't have allowed them to take her.
"She must still be in the castle. We have to go back and get her." Allan grabbed his sword and made for the door. It killed him not to know if she was safe or not. John and Will stopped him as he reached for the lever to the camp.
"No Allan. We can't just storm the castle. She may not even be there."
"Well we have to do something. If anything happens to her." Allan shouted. And then followed with, "I love her," quietly. He sat down and put his hands in his head. He finally found the woman he loved and she was already taken out of his life. Robin walked over and put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay. At first light we will head to Nottingham. I'll get Marian to find out where she's been taken." The words were no comfort to Allan. He needed to know now if she was safe.
All night Allan paced the camp as the others tried to sleep. Finally he decided he would go to Guy in the morning and find out what had happened to her. But how would he get around the others. Luckily, when first light came he didn't have to think of a lie. Robin had come up with another plan.
"I will go to Nottingham and call on Marian. Much and John check through out Clun and see if anyone knows anything. The sheriff could have sent her through the town during the night back to her father. Will and Djaq check out Nettlestone. I think the sheriff has some allies that may be holding her for him. Allan check around Locksley, Gisborne may have her. We meet back here at mid day. If you find out where she is don't do anything rash. Charging in alone may only endanger her more." The last bit was pointed towards Allan but Robin did not look at him as he said it.
As soon as the camp door was open Allan hurried through the thick forest to the village. Locksley was not far from the camp so it did not take long for him to arrive. He knew he had to be careful with what he did. He had the arrangement with Gisborne and he was hoping that he could use that to his advantage. But he had to make sure no one else saw him talking to Gisborne. Upon reaching the village Allan spotted Guy in the stable preparing his coach. Allan snuck up making sure no one else was about. Then he had to calm down. He was smart enough to know that if he showed too much interest in Isabelle Guy could grasp the upper hand.
"Psst. Guy."
Guy's head turned to find the outlaw he had recently propositioned with money. "Oh its you. What do you want? Never mind. I assume it has to deal with your little friend."
"Yes. I know we have the agreement I bring you information for money but I need a favor. How about information for information."
"Like what?" Gisborne was intrigued enough to hear him out.
"Tell me where Isabelle is and the next time I have information you won't have to give me a cent."
"What? Give you the location of your friend so you and the rest of your pitiful friends can come and rescue her. I think not. Anyway she is to be my bride. Sheriff Roberts has promised her to me. He thinks I can tame her."
"But I thought you had your eye on Marian?"
"Marian does no feel the same for me. She proved that when she refused to marry me. But that doesn't matter now."
"Guy please. I need to be able to tell the others something."
"Fine. Tell them she is safe. Her father has ordered no harm should come to her. It appears no matter how much she acts against him, he still has a soft spot for her. Now if that's all you have leave. I must head to the castle."
Begrudgingly Allan stole away to the edge of the forest. He had no intentions of leaving quite yet. Gisborne was keeping something from him. Allan still had about an hour before he had to head back to the camp. From his position Allan was able to see everything. As he was about to take his leave he heard her. Gisborne had her by the upper arm and was leading her to the coach. She appeared okay though unhappy. Once he saw she was safe, Allan made his way through the forest to the camp. She was being held at Locksley manor. Robin would have no problem breaking in to there. It would be easy enough to rescue her and come up with a yarn to keep Guy from suspecting he was the one who knew where she was. He only wished Isabelle would behave enough so that they wouldn't do anything to her. He knew she could get herself into too much trouble.
While the others were trying to find Isabelle, she was looking for a way to get to them. By the first light Isabelle was up and ready. Footsteps could be heard above her. She wasn't the only on up. Eventually the footsteps worked their way down the stairs to her door. Keys jingled in the lock as the door opened. Guy stood in the doorway with a maid behind him. She was holding several pieces of clothing in her hand.
"These woman will help you dress. Unless you wish to stay in that lovely dress."
"I would like to change."
"Alright well change quickly we are leaving."
"Where are we going because I honestly would prefer to stay here."
"You are coming with me to the castle. I am not letting you out of my sight. Now get dressed." Gisborne turned his back and went to leave but Isabelle began to rattler her chains.
"Oh Guy. I won't be able to do much with my leash on."
Gisborne came back into the room and took the keys from his pocket. Isabelle saw this as the perfect time to make her escape. When Guy would lean down she planned on knocking him out and freeing herself. But he was too smart for that. Gisborne handed the keys to the maid then stood and watched as she was released.
Isabelle's spirits deflated. Guards were posted outside the window and door. 'So much for escaping this morning .' As she finished dressing Guy knocked then walked back into the room.
"Thank you." Isabelle said to the maid as she left.
"Time to go."
"But what about breakfast? Aren't we going to sit down and have a traditional meal. You are to become my husband. You should know what I enjoy in the morning." Isabelle was doing her best to channel Much as she ranted on.
"We leave now." Gisborne grabbed her by the upper arm and led her outside. "You misunderstand the reasons for our marriage. Your father wished me to train you. Soon enough you will be as obedient as the servants." Isabelle hopped into the coach followed by Gisborne. He slammed the door closed as Isabelle thought, 'I don't think so.'
The ride to the castle was silent and bumpy. Isabelle did her best not to look at the man sitting across from her. There was no way she was going to marry him. It would be the last thing she would do. It did not surprise her that her father wanted her to be trained. For years he had sent others to try and tame Isabelle. Even as a child she was rambunctious. On many occasions she would play with the village children or convince the guards they were to teach her archery and sword play. Since she was the daughter of the most powerful man in the shire, no one disputed her claims. Isabelle even found time to go to the dungeons. She thought it would be useful later in life if she knew how to escape a cell. If the guards questioned her presence she told them her father wanted her to know incase something were to happen to him. Just speaking her fathers name to anyone in Lilitz meant Isabelle had a free pass. But she only used her fathers name when it was most important. The other part of the time she tried to persuade others she had no relations to Sheriff Roberts.
As Isabelle pondered her thoughts, Guy was inside his own head. It was not his wish to marry her. She reminded him too much of Marian. She was outspoken and knew too much for her own good. But he saw more potential in changing Isabelle. She would eventually give in to him once they were married.
Finally the ride ended as the coach pulled into the courtyard of the castle. Guards rushed to help sir Guy and Isabelle out. As the two walked into the great hall they found the sheriff sitting in his chair nursing a black eye. Before Gisborne could ask the sheriff was yelling.
"Gisborne do you have any idea what happened after you left last night. A clue. NO! Robin Hood's merry band of misfits saw fit to sneak into the castle and break their leader and friend out. When I turned to yell for you do you know what happened. Hood gave me this lovely beauty mark." Isabelle stifled a giggle. "Do you find that funny missy? Well you won't for much longer. I have sent word to your father. It shouldn't be more than two weeks before he is back here and you two can get hitched."
"You may look at it that way sheriff but I see it as two weeks that I can escape."
"Well la-di-da-di-da. You can hope all you want but you are not going anywhere. Gisborne lock her in the store room. We have a Hood to catch."
A knock came to the door as Gisborne was about to lead Isabelle out. The door opened to reveal Marain. Isabelle quickly and silently signaled to Marian not to recognize her. She was still not sure if her father had revealed to the sheriff of their relatives. Sir Edward was her father's brother-in-law and since he was a do good, Isabelle's father did not speak of him.
"Sheriff. Sir Guy."
"What do you want leper?"
"My father he is ill. I need to take him out of the castle." Isabelle could tell Marian was lying. Robin must have sent her to find out where she was. Once Marian saw Isabelle, whatever cover story she had would be useless.
"No no no. You can not be trusted. Gisborne you may go. I will deal with this."
