Authors note: Yes, I'm terrible at updating... sorry guys! But I finally managed to produce this chapter...


Chapter 9

The Sherrif is cunning.

"... and that's what we're going to do." The brown haired man finished with a flourish, half expecting a round of applause. His plan (well, the half of it he had already figured out) was great, even if he did say so himself. No one responded, instead looked at Robin as though he had gone completely insane.

"Are you sure that's going to work?" Arthur questioned after a minute of contemplation. They hadn't any other plans, but he was sure that they could come up with something better than that. The slowly setting sun reminded him that they were on a deadline; it would be hard to find a better plan in such little time they had left. Still, Arthur didn't agree with 'The plan', but the determine look upon Robin's face told him that the man would not be easily dissuaded.

"Of course!" Robin replied, somewhat arrogantly. A seed of self doubt nestled in the pit of his stomach, but he refused to let it show.

"Are you sure?"

"Look, we don't really have much choice in the matter! We can't exactly return without Robin; that would result in a war. You said so yourself!" Merlin cut in. The quicker they returned the Camelot, the better. The quicker they returned, the less likely Robin would... say anything compromising. He shot the man a wary glare. He was walking a fine line caused by his lies.

"Well I for one, think it's a good idea!" Gwaine proudly agreed.

Marian frowned, "And I think it's a stupid idea." But, she still knew that they had no other option. The idiot wouldn't be easily swayed on the matter, there was no need to waste her breath.

"That's sorted then!" Robin announced, as though two agreements had much influence on whether 'The Plan' was going to go ahead or not.

It was heavy, bone crushing silence as the leader of the Outlaws and the King of Camelot exchanged a grim smile, the only indication of what either man was really feeling. Robin held his hands out, and took a deep breath when Arthur began to bind his wrists together with rope; there was no turning back now.

"You're under arrest."


"And these men, Gisborne, have managed to achieve more in several days than you could have in months!" Vaissey gestured to the red and gold caped group in front of him. The black haired man acknowledged them grudgingly, and opened his mouth to speak.

"Not now Gisborne, find something useful to do!" Vaissey interrupted before the man could get a word out. With a wave of dismissal, the Sherrif clasped his hands together and reclined in his chair, "tell me, sire... when are you to return to Camelot?"

"As soon as possible, my wife requests that I return hastily."

"Oh, I see. Women can be such nagging creatures, can't they?"

Arthur nodded, tight lipped in an attempt not to sound offended on his wife's behalf.

"Still, you better hurry. God knows a woman couldn't be in charge of a kingdom; it would be too overwhelming."

"Indeed." Arthur didn't dare let himself say another word for fear of snapping at the man. The quicker they got out, they better. He turned to leave, mentioning his men to do the same.

"Guards!" Vaissey called, "triple the amount of men on duty. The outlaws are sure to attempt a rescue. We can't let Locksley get away."

Arthur did not stop, he did not hesitate. He did not look behind him, but let fear and panic eclipse his face as he left the hall. It was almost certain now... He had sent Robin unwittingly to his fate.

There was no way the Outlaw could escape from this one.