Hi Guys! I am so so sorry that I've been AWOL for a while! I've had so many things going on at the moment! (Excuses, excuses I know!) Well I've finally finished University and now I have a degree, so I actually feel accomplished. Strangely not as much as I did when I finally finished this chapter! I really hope you guys like it, any thoughts or ideas please feel free to message me or leave it in the reviews! I hope people are actually enjoying this Fic, and I know everyone begs for reviews but they are like little rays of sunshine to me, especially hearing if you like the story and characters! Anyway, enough of me babbling, enjoy! :)
Marian left shortly after eating with us, being escorted back by Robin. I watch as they both go, helping Much with the bowls as Will sits beside the fire, occasionally poking it.
'Those two are so right for each other.' I say out loud, as I stare at the closed door to the camp. Much looks up at me and watches me for moment as he cleans the bowls.
'Yes, they are.' He says, but there is a tone within his voice that I just can't understand. I see Djaq moving across the camp getting ready to go to bed, then turns and comes over near the fire, sitting beside Will. I notice that he starts to blush as he looks at Djaq, he looks up and notices me and I can't help but smile at his shyness around her. It is at that point that I think Will realizes that I know how he feels about Djaq, and looks away towards the others in the camp. Much let's out a small chuckle next to me.
'I don't know how the two of them don't notice.' I say in a whisper, and Much just shakes his head.
'I think that it is not that they don't notice, but that they don't think that anything could happen.' He puts the last of the bowls away and the big empty pot to one side, then stands up. I get up as well and as tempted as I am to sit beside Will and Djaq at the fire, I can feel myself beginning to fall asleep, the days events of practicing with wooden swords suddenly hitting me. I walk over to where the Outlaws had made room for my own makeshift bed, and burrow myself under the covers. And it is not long before I begin to drift off as my body slowly starts to ache, but I realize that it is a good ache to feel.
The next morning Djaq informs me that we are going into the Nottingham market, outside of the castle. Robin is already getting everyone else prepared and wrapping up warmly. He smiles at me as I walk over, starting to feel a bit nervous about heading back towards Nottingham Castle, about being recognized and dragging the other Outlaws into more trouble. He sees the nervous expression on my face and as he places a heavy green cloak around my shoulders and he gently rubs my shoulders in a soothing manner.
'Do not be nervous, we will not be there for long and we only need to get a few pieces of material.' Djaq gives me a reassuring smile and nod as she fastens her own cloak around herself.
'We should also get a few pieces of food for the camp, seeing as Gwen gave us her money.' Much states as we head to the door, and Allan let's out a laugh.
'I'm sure Gwen would rather keep that money for something else Much.' I see Much's face fall and I shake my head at Allan.
'I don't want any of that money! I gave it to you guys as a thank you for everything you have done for me. Use it for whatever you want Much.' And I see him smile broadly at me.
We walk up towards the village of Locksley, hearing the familiar noises of villagers bustling around farming. I can hear people shouting at each other, sounds of animals and birds and horses whinnying somewhere in the distance. I feel happier upon hearing these familiar sounds, remembering living in the village with mother and struggling to keep ourselves going. I follow the others as we stay within the shelter of the forest but head towards the bustling marketplace. It didn't take long to get there, by the time we arrived it was almost midday and there were already a few crowds between the stalls and shacks. It suddenly feels so strange to be among these crowds, especially as we are so close to the castle. I feel myself tense as we near the market, the small crowds of people talking, haggling with the sellers and that's when I notice a few of the Sheriff's soldiers stood around the walls and gate of Nottingham Castle.
As we are still concealed within the forest behind several of the marketplace stalls, Robin turns to face all of us.
'Okay everyone, we should be extra careful as we have our new recruit still being wanted by the Sheriff and his men. Take precautions with the villagers and keep low, we don't want to draw any attention. At least, not today.' He smiles a boyish grin at the rest of us.
'We should split in to smaller groups so that we don't stand out. Little John and Allan, Djaq and Will, then Much, Gwen and myself.' Everyone nods at Robin and the group disperses quickly, and I notice Robin wink at me as Will and Djaq walk off together towards the stall selling materials and clothing, an air of awkwardness and friction between the two.
'Are you ready for this Gwen?' He asks me, and I'm sure that Robin and Much can hear my nervous heart beating.
'As ready as I'll ever be.' I tell him, feeling the start of adrenaline beginning to settle in my stomach as we all pull up the hoods on our cloaks. The three of us emerge beside one of the market stalls, and I can hear the heavy thumping of my heart over the everyday bustle of the market. The smells that waft throughout the market make my mouth water, as I follow Much through the path, Robin behind me. I notice Allan stood beside a tavern, his gaze roaming across the sea of faces before him, and he gives me a smirk as he sees us cut through. He then tries his luck at the barmaid of the tavern, giving her a few lines which I notice make her laugh as she picks up empty glasses.
Much leads us to a rather big vegetable stall, manned by a plump and hairy merchant and a younger one who has short blonde hair and tired eyes. The older man gives us a sweeping glance before settling on Much, who is looking over all the produce,.
'This is all good and fresh, this is!' He states to Much, who is still looking over the vegetables, picking up a few potatoes and apples. I see that Robin stands with his back to the stall, swiftly looking around the marketplace, his eyes reminding me for a brief second of a hawk. Not so much as dangerous, but scouting and knowledgeable. He turns to us and gruffly says that he will return shortly, that he has some business to attend to. He gives me a wary look before heading off towards the thicker part of the market, near the proper stores. I wonder how he manages to stroll through here without anyone pointing him out, or even rousing suspicion from the Guards.
As I am watching the people all around me, I spot Djaqs's short crop of hair as she has pulled her hood off. I also see Will stood beside her, as the two leave another material store, and I hope she isn't going through the trouble to find me clothing as I feel perfectly comfortable in the ones that I am currently dressed in. Somebody knocks into Djaq and she is taken aback by them but I see Will shoot a hand around her to steady her on her feet. A blush spreads across her small face as she thanks him. I can't help but smile at the interaction between the two as I turn back towards the fresh produce stall. Much has now moved onto the large light brown eggs, asking the man on the stall to carefully wrap 10 of them, as well as strips of bacon and cheese. As the younger man carefully wraps all the produce, the older one looks back towards me and he sniffs as he jerks his head upwards at me.
'See here, that's a pretty girly you got there.' He says to Much, who glances at me and smiles warily at the man. I see that the younger blonde one is watching us, as his Master peers over at me from his stall.
'I don't think I've seen you round these parts, little lady. Where abouts are you from?' He asks me, his eyes twinkling curiously.
'I'm just a servant girl from Locksley.' I tell him, trying not to sound too suspicious. Much smiles towards the older merchant and his apprentice as they hand him over the food and take the payment. But the merchant keeps smiling eerily at me, his crooked teeth showing and nudges the young man beside him.
'That's where most of the good-looking ones come from boy, you ought to go and claim one for yourself.' The apprentice smiles at the man as he looks back to Much and myself. The conversation is starting to make me feel a little uneasy and I can feel more people bustling behind me as the crowds start to get larger, and someone tugs at my cloak, making me stagger backwards and the hood of my cloak slips off and I take a sharp breath inwards, suddenly feeling bare. Much reaches for me and asks if I am okay and I just nod at him, not wanting to speak in case my voice shook. But it seems that the merchant in front of us is taking no notice, instead he is trying to entice other customers from the busy crowds. I steady my breathing as I fidget with my cloak, not wanting to pull the hood back up in case I looked suspicious. And it seems like no one even recognized me, which was surprising, although I did have dirt across my face and flyaway hair. Much is smiling at me as he carries the large package of food, watching me as I get over the false panic of nearly being discovered and we begin to merge into the crowd when I hear a small gasp behind me. I turn and see the young man at the stall staring intently at me as if he recognised me and I feel my stomach drop and the air around me turn cold. Much sees him too and before the young man opens his mouth, he pushes us into the crowds and we are surrounded by people.
The noise and the people bustling around make me feel disoriented, and the cold clammy feeling sticks to my skin as I find my heart is beating rapidly. I am vaguely aware of Much's hand on my arm, leading me through the steady stream of people and he stops us outside one of the taverns, his back to the crowds.
'Listen to me Gwen, don't panic.' I can just make out his whispered tone as he leans closer but my heavy breathing just won't steady.
'H-he recognized me! He's going to tell the guards and then I'm going to be captured and the Sheriff, h-he'll...' A short sharp slap across my face stops me suddenly. And strangely I feel a little calmer. Much is looking at me with his worried eyes and I can feel my cheek sting, but it's a good pain as I can feel my breathing return to normal and the cold clammy air has gone.
'Better?' He finally asks me, and I nod as I let out a small laugh over my panic. He still has a worried expression on his face but he stands upright and looks around the marketplace. I see many faces pass by me, none of them noticing me at all, even though my hood was still down.
'Well look who we have here.' A male voice titters to the side of us and I feel the bubble of panic begin to rise, but I see Allan walking towards us. Much tuts at him, and I notice that he had tensed up as much as I had, thinking it had been the guards. Allan smiles at us but it's wiped off his face when I punch him in the arm.
'What's that for?' He whines, rubbing where I hit him.
'Someone noticed Gwen, we're laying low here until I can find Robin or Little John so they can take her back.' He sounds as annoyed with Allan as I am, and I notice that Much is scanning the crowds intently. The serious expression on his face making me feel bad for being discovered and that I have let them down. Allan looks between me and Much and then to the crowds.
'I can take her back.' He tells Much, concern on his face. But Much just shakes his head at him, and I smile at Allan for being concerned about me. I also notice Little John within the crowd, watching us intently as he stands beneath a shelter, and although he looks so out of place and noticeable, he seems to blend in to his surroundings as no one around him gives him a second glance.
'It would be best if we find the others and head back, this place is getting too busy. I do not think this was such a good idea.' Much says as he turns to head back the way we come but Allan stops him.
'There's no better time for her to be here, than in this crowd. We don't need to panic over every little thing. She can take care of herself as well, remember?' Allan explains to Much, who reluctantly nods. As they are talking I spot Djaq and Will walk quickly past and I slip past Much and Allan in time to tug at Will's cloak. He stops and looks around to see me, an expression of confusion wipes off his face.
'There you are! Me and Djaq were starting to look for you. The crowds are getting a bit worrying, and then we heard something from people in the crowd about you being captured by the Sheriff's men in the market!' I was taken aback by what he had told me, perhaps the young apprentice at the Merchant stall had notified the Sheriff's guards after all? But then, why would they be saying that they had found me?
'We must find Robin and get back to the camp. Where did he go, we thought he would be with you?' Djaq asks us as she casually looks around at the people in the crowd, keeping a watchful eye on passers by.
'He left saying that he had some business to attend to, you know how he is.' Much tells her, and I get the feeling that he does this a lot: leaves the Outlaws to go and pursue others.
Somewhere in the crowd, shouting began. It was slow and distant at first but soon others were shouting in the crowds as well. The villagers within the marketplace began turning their attention to the Castle, somewhere in the square. I could also see that most of the guards that were stood around the market had begun to move towards the commotion as well. I caught Will's gaze as he was trying to see what was happening, the expression one of concern and confusion. He tugged at a villager who was walking past, in the direction towards Nottingham Castle and asked her what was happening.
'One of the guards caught that Outlaw girl and now the Sheriff has ordered her to hang...Gwen, I think her name is.' The middle-aged woman looked a bit frantic, but I could not tell if it was out of worry or something else. In a state of confusion, I look around at the other Outlaws and see the same expression on their faces.
'But...how could they have captured you, if you're here with us?' Will asks, looking around at the crowds that are heading towards the castle.
'This is bad, very bad. We should go back to the camp.' Much says, still carrying the bag of food that he had bought at the stall, both Allan and Will nod, agreeing with him. But Djaq and I look to each other, both having a dreadful sense about what is happening, and that an innocent person is being put in a noose.
'We have to help her.' I say, trying to hide the quiver in my voice. To be honest I still feel a little shaken and shocked at hearing that I have supposedly been caught by one of the Sheriff' s guards in the marketplace. There are knots in my stomach and I realize that I have clenched my hands into fists for a while.
'Who?' Much asks as he starts trying to walk away from the shelter that we are currently all hid under. As both me and Djaq are about to answer, a deep male voice replies.
'An innocent girl, who just happens to look like Gwen.' We all turn to see Little John stood beside Will, a look of anger on his face. Hearing those words from somebody else makes me feel instantly cold and I clench my fists harder. I notice the others look at each other and at me, but I try to keep my gaze on the Castle grounds that are 200 meters away but unfortunately I cannot see anything apart from a small crowd gathering in the grounds.
'If someone takes Gwen back to the camp then we can find Robin and save the girl, but we don't have much time-' Much starts to say but he is cut off by Djaq.
'There isn't enough time! We need to go and save her, and it might be better to have more numbers.' I see Allan and Will nodding at what Djaq has stated, but Much still looks concerned.
'If we take Gwen with us, we can help the girl and try to find Robin. We know he's going to be in the center of some kind of danger.' Little John's gruff voice speaks up again and I notice that he's a voice of reason at certain points within the group. I'm still a bit apprehensive about going near Nottingham castle but I want to try and help this innocent girl who has been captured by the guards and believed to be me. Much looked at me, still seeming anxious but I could see it on his face that he already knew what we had to do.
'Are you sure about this Gwen?' He asked me. I knew that in this moment, I had to stop feeling so afraid, I was an Outlaw now and I have to start acting like one. An innocent girl has been falsely presumed to be me, been captured and has now been sentenced to hang. She needs our help, I have to go and save her with the Outlaws.
We begin making our way through the crowds heading in the direction of Nottingham Castle, I can hear the people around us as they bustle along, can hear them talking about the poor Outlaw girl who doesn't deserve to be hanged. I try to block out the voices and chattering and cling beside Allan and Much, Little John sticks behind us, walking cautiously with that stick of his and Will and Djaq are in front, scouting ahead food sight of Robin or the girl. The crowds grow thicker the nearer we get, I can feel the adrenaline running through my body and I try to keep my focus on the wooden platform in front of me just out of reach in the distance. I notice that Will and Djaq give the rest of us a sign that they will circle around the courtyard.
'We should hide you by the side, next to a shelter so that the guards don't recognize you.' Much tells me as we get to within several feet of the platform. I barely hear him over the hum and chatter of the crowd, but my focus is drawn on the large hangman's noose on the wooden platform. I feel myself take a sharp intake of breath upon seeing the thick rope for the noose, as it suddenly starts to feel incredibly real.
'We'll try and find Robin, leave everything to us.' Allan says to me, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. But before any of them can turn away and leave me here, a familiar booming voice rings over the crowd, which makes my stomach drop.
'People of Nottingham, the Outlaw girl named Gwen has been captured by the Sheriff's guards. Since she had been helped out of her punishment last time by her fellow Outlaws, the Sheriff has decided to not go easy on her this time. She will hang for her crimes against Nottingham and the King.' The voice belonged to none other than Guy of Gisbourne, his face a cruel sneer as he addresses the crowd that has gathered in front of Nottingham Castle. In reply, the crowd gets louder as some shout abuse at the Guards who are holding them back, whilst others stand a bit back, tearful and cautious. I notice Guy give a nod to some guards to the side, which signals them to bring out a girl in a tattered peasant dress, her face hidden beneath a sack over her head. But even though I cannot see her expression, I can tell that the girl is terrified. Guy watches the crowds reaction for second, before he motions to the guards to bring her closer to the noose. I begin to wonder why he does not take the sack off from her head, but Djaq hisses in disbelief.
'He knows that it is not Gwen.' She states as she watches the guards place the noose around the young girls throat. Everyone turned to look at her, then back towards the hangman's noose.
I spot Will and Allan disappearing into the crowds, lost in the sea of angry faces. I hear women crying and men shouting in outrage, at the unfair and poor treatment of the peasants. Little John shifts as well, closer to where some of the Sheriff's guards stand.
'This is what happens when you commit a crime against the Sheriff of Nottingham, you pay for your sins!' Sir Guy of Gisbourne's thundering voice booms across the courtyard and I see that the guards are having to push the crowds back away from the area surrounding the hangman's noose. The two guards stand back from the young peasant girls side, one stands close to the lever. I feel myself freeze, not sure of what to do, my heart beating erratically in my chest in fear for the young girls life.
'Sir Guy, I thought you were better than this.' A familiar voice shouts over the crowd, and I notice Djaq and Much smile as they realize that it is Robin. People instantly look to where he is as he continues. 'To let an innocent girl hang, have you no shame?' Sir Guy of Gisbourne's face turns from a sneer to a scowl, he looks around the courtyard for where Robin's voice is coming from but cannot see. Guy gives a menacing nod to the guard stood by the lever as he scans the crowd, and as the guard goes to pull the lever and make the girl in the noose hang, an arrow shoots across the yard and lands perhaps a millimeter from the guards foot. The surprise catches him as he steps back cautiously, away from the lever as he looks to Guy for orders. I can see the irritation in his face as he scowls deeply and with a swish of his black cloak, he turns to the lever and pulls it.
Several things happened at once; another arrow was released from somewhere above the crowd, which lands with a thud in the platform, hooking Guy's cloak to the wooden platform, the floor beneath the young girl sprang open but she didn't fall through or even move and Will appearing from nowhere on the platform and cut the rope to the noose around the girls head. When it was cut, only then did the girl fall through the wooden platform's floor and and the crowd jeered for Will. He only had a second to enjoy it before two of the Sheriff's guards were coming towards him, but swift as ever, he attacked towards them, hitting one of the guards under the chin with the hilt of his sword then elbowing him in the side of the head and kicking the other one off of the platform and into the crowd below. Sir Guy was really annoyed by now, he growled as he tried to attack Will but his cloak was still caught between the arrow and the wooden floor of the platform. Will smirked at him as he jumped off the platform and as he emerged out of the crowd with Allan, who had his arm around the girl with the sack still on her head.
'Get them, kill them all!' Guy shouted across the courtyard, venom dripping in his tone. As the guards within the courtyard turned towards the two young men, Little John knocked a few of the closest out with his stick. Djaq looked to me, concern in her eyes as well as something else, which looked like excitement.
'We need to get the girl out of here, I hope you are ready to put your sword practicing to the test?' She tells me as she reaches beneath her cloak and hands me a sword. It was about the size of my forearm and easy to hold with a lightweight hilt. I stare at Djaq, amazed at how she has been carrying it around this entire time. She then proceeds to pull out a small dagger from the belt around her waist and looks cautiously around the courtyard.
'Let's get out of here.' Little John shouts to us as he hits another guard under his chin, hitting the floor with a loud thud. I can feel the bubble of adrenaline rising in my body as the three of us start to run after Will and Allan, who still has a comforting arm around the young girl. I spot Much in the corner of my eye, running just behind Will and Allan, but he is looking towards the roofs of the stalls and taverns. I follow his gaze as we are running from the guards in the courtyard of Nottingham Castle, and I see a figure running lightly across the roof and tops of the shelters, a cloak billowing slightly in the breeze. I feel the adrenaline running through my veins heighten as we ran through the stalls that led up to the Castle, and I suddenly felt a sense of clarity in that moment.
It felt serene, dangerous and exciting all at the same time, as I ran beside Djaq, with the other Outlaws around us and the blur of villagers faces as we sprint past them. I can hear the crunch of gravel and dirt beneath my peasant soles and I am finding the rush of air calming on my bare legs as I run. The breeze whips my hair behind me and I can hear my pulse in my ears, and I realize that I'm excited from the situation; the Outlaws, the escaping, the shocked and surprised looks on faces as we run past and even the fact that I can hear the shouts from the guards behind us. I can see a village coming up quickly and I can see that Allan and Will want to lead the girl to safety, perhaps to the Outlaw camp, but not with so many of the Sheriff's guards on our tail. I look to Djaq as we continue running and I see her smile at me, her adrenaline must be going as well.
It is as we reach the outskirts of the village that I can hear the guards behind us getting closer, the heavy fall of running footsteps making a small pit of fear appear in my stomach. I notice Djaq and Little John look behind to see them gaining up on us as well, their faces starting to show a bit of concern. Up ahead Allan and Will are trying to find a safe spot for the girl, but notice the Sheriff's guards catching up on us. I can see them talking to each other and they both nod, and I'm curious to know what they are saying. Then suddenly Will slows his pace and starts to turn around and face us as Allan guides the girl off to the side, behind a small house. I could tell from the expression on his face that he was going to attack the Guards so that Will and the girl have a chance of getting somewhere safe. For a split second, all I wanted to do was to run after Allan and the girl, so get to a safe place or back to the Outlaws camp. But I pushed the thought away, not wanting to be the burden for the group anymore. I wanted to stand beside them, to help defend the defenseless and innocent villagers. When I noticed that the others had slowed down as well and turned to face the quickly approaching guards, I did the same. As everyone else was preparing themselves by drawing their weapons, I drew my short sword out from underneath my cloak and took in a few deep breaths of the crisp, cool air to steady myself. I could see from the corner of my eye that the others were not so sure about me standing beside them, but I felt determined.
The guards ran towards us, their shouting aimed at us as they drew their own swords. I quickly counted 7 guards altogether, all in their protective armor and chain mail. I barely had time to take another breath before they were upon us. As one of the guards ran straight towards me, I took a defensive stance and deflected his attack, which would have knocked me sideways. A look of surprise passed on his face, I could see it underneath the helmet that they wore, which quickly vanished when the guard lunged forwards at me again, attempting to knock me back. All of the adrenaline that had been coursing through my body suddenly rose up and I could feel the strength in my sword hand as I gripped it tighter. I suddenly swung at the guard from the left, striking him in the ribs, forcing him to grunt in pain as he lost his footing and fell down. For a moment I felt embarrassed for myself and I wanted to make sure that he was alright. When I briefly looked around to see how the others were fairing, I saw that Little John had three of the guards attacking him, but he was using his size to his advantage as he hit one of the guards with his stick and slammed into the other two with his body, causing them both to hit the ground hard. Will was standing off with two of the guards, but he already had one on the floor in pain and the other looked dazed and clumsily lunged at Will, who defensively swiped at the guard.
As for Djaq and Much, who were each dealing with one of the guards, they both looked tired from dodging all of the attacks but Djaq was faring much better as she knocked one of the guards out with a swipe to the side of the head with the hilt of her dagger. She was also defending Much, who held a small sword in his hand but was dealing with an aggressive attack from the guard. I heard movement to my side and I swirled around, I see the guard up on his feet and in an attacking position. A second passes and he lunges to my right, swiping at my shoulder with a narrow miss. I feel the rush of air from the sword passing me and I take a sharp intake of breath, the close call making me feel dazed as I realise with a sickening dread that these guards are not to go easy on us. They want to harm us and bring us back to Nottingham; their orders from the Sheriff and Guy of Gisborne. This isn't a practise session in the Outlaws camp, I can and probably will get injured from their attacking blows.
As I sidestep the guard and defend another strike, I spot one of the guards that Djaq had attacked earlier, silently creeping up behind her. She turned around a second too late and was hit on the side of the head as she went to attack. I gasp, wanting to cry out her name and rush over, but in a flash I see that Will is beside her, striking the guard so hard that he falls backwards, slamming against the hard earth. I spot Will making sure that Djaq is okay, and the other Outlaws beating the last few of the guards, I also see Allan rejoining the group from the side of a building, helping Little John with a difficult and persistent guard. That's when I feel something hard and heavy hit me in the ribs, and the air is knocked out of me as I hit the ground. I'm greeted with a view of the sky, currently an overcast dark blue with the threat of rain on the way. Then the view is obscured by the guard above me, his grinning face a cruel sight as he leers down at me.
'So you're the little Outlaw brat that attacked me and my friend.' He spits down at me, and I'm confused as to what he means. But then it dawns on me and I remember the second guard that had been there when they tried to take all of my life savings, the one that I had kicked in the groin. Strangely enough, all of that seems so long ago now. But boy, was he annoyed about it. I felt the cold metal from his sword as he placed it against my cheek, the sharp edge of the steel making me shiver as I lay flat on my back and I felt pinned to the floor in a moment of panic. Before I could open my mouth, whether to respond to him or to call for help I was not sure, I was cut off by a familiar thud. The sound surprised myself, but more so the guard, who leaps back but swiped the blade as he did so, cutting a small line on my cheek. The pain was instant and I hissed out a breath as I tried to sit up. Beside me was an arrow, which had been perhaps a centimeter away from the guards foot. I looked around to see that Robin stood a few feet away, a deep scowl on his face as he watched the guard overcome the shock and surprise.
'I believe this is the part where you run away.' Robin told him, his voice calm and steady. I look over to the rest of the Outlaws and see that Will is tenderly looking at the side of Djaq's face, where there is blood stemming down from where she was hit. Little John kicks ones of the guards that had been crawling towards his sword, making him groan in pain. Allan is helping Much, who has hurt his wrist from a clumsy attack and looks over to where I am sat on the ground. The guard in front of my gives me one last cruel sneer, his eyes looking menacingly at me, then to Robin. Reluctantly he turns away and runs in the direction of Nottingham Castle, holding his sore ribs as he does so. I watch his back as he disappears into the distance, the adrenaline from the fight now washed over my body and I feel the ache and hurt. My own ribs throb painfully every time I take a breath and I can feel the slow drips of blood from my cheek to my chest. Then Robin is standing in front of me, offering his hand to me to get up off the ground.
My mind has a flashback to the time when I had first met him and the Outlaws in the Nottingham Forest, when I was being chased by one of the other Sheriff's guards. I take his hand for the second time, feeling him pull me up from the ground and steady me as I stand. I can't help but hiss in pain as I stand beside him and he looks at my worryingly, as he scans me over. He looks at the cut on my cheek, tilting my head by putting his fingers under my chin. Strangely though, I start to get nervous with him belong so close, and I try to look away from his face. But when he speaks, I look straight at him and smile weakly.
'Let's go home.'
