Chapter 9

So, asks Robin, after meeting me in the forest, how is marriage to Gisborne?

Calmly he walks me to his camp. It takes me a moment to find the words. A part from escaping a wedding fire and meeting his pernicious sister, things are going...rather well. He's gone to the castle to inform the Sheriff of our marriage. He wanted me to stay at Locksley, but I had to come here.

What for? There is still sadness in Robin's eyes that I can't seem to make go away.

There is a woman called Isabella who passed your way last night. Did you see her?

Yes, replies Robin, perplexed by my question. She stayed with us last night; she told us about her abusive husband and controlling brother that she was running away from.

My heart sinks; I'm too late. Did she mention any names?

No.

I heave a sigh of relief. As we reach camp, Kate smiles at the sight of me. She looks me over after our embrace. I am glad to see you are alive and well…but something's troubling you. You're happy with Guy, aren't you?

I nod. We've just been quarreling lately, that's all. Your father was very kind to take me in until I was married. By the way, how did you perceive your visitor, Isabella?

Kate pulls me aside in private. There's something about her I don't like. Robin was very taken with her, but she didn't seem as sincere with him. I think she reminded him of you.

This is exactly as I'd feared: Isabella has sought Robin's pity and affections as a means of defense against her brother. I had to know where she'd gone, what her plans were. I confront Robin about it.

Where did she go? I have to know.

To Nottingham for shelter, why?

No, what if she finds Guy? I can't imagine who is more dangerous right now, the Sheriff, or Isabella?

Marian, how do you even know her?

I was hoping I didn't have to say why. She's Guy's sister. There's bad blood between them.

Robin's eye widen in shock. He sold her to her husband and didn't care that he was abusive? How can you tolerate this from him, Marian?

His words cut me down like ferocious arrows. It was long ago, Robin. Guy regrets it now.

Really? Then why was she running from him? She said he had threatened to send her back.

I shake my head, persisting, She isn't to be trusted. Isabella tried to use me to get to Guy. She almost killed me.

I can tell Robin wants to believe me, but a part of him is holding back. Marian, you don't know how frightened she was when she stumbled upon our camp. All she has known is ill treatment by men. If I can't trust her, then how can I possibly trust her brother? You're already under his control anyway, with him telling you not to come here.

That's not true!, I plead, following Robin outside of his camp. I need your help. We must keep Isabella away from Guy.

Gisborne's made his own choices. I'm not here to solve them for him; I promised Isabella I would protect her if she needed me.

I stare at him in horror. What has she done to you? What poison has she instilled in you against Guy and me?

This has nothing to do with you, Marian!

I lose myself in my frustration, unable to keep my tongue in check. Yes it does. You despise Guy because…because you still love me!

Robin's gaze pierces mine. You don't think I can move on, or make a life for myself without you?

I thought I could too, Robin, but my feelings for you haven't faded. I hated to give false hopes at what could exist between us again; nevertheless, it feel it's right to be honest with him. They're still there. That's why I am asking you to help me. You know I would do the same for you.

Robin remains silent, weighing my words. Slowly he turns back to his camp without another word. Kate emerges from their shelter quickly surveying the tense energy between us.

Robin, are you alright?

Kate, I need your help, Robin tells her, We only need the three of us to warn Gisborne of the danger he's in.


Kate, Robin, and I enter Nottingham shielded by the disguise of our hooded cloaks. We sneak into the castle by a secret entrance Robin has used in the past.

If the Sheriff finds you with us, you'll be in danger, Robin warns me. We should all split up and return to this corridor as soon as possible once we've found Gisborne.

Kate and I nod in agreement. A sense of dread begins to creep over me. What will Guy think if he finds me here, disobeying his request? If only I had my night watchman disguise to protect me from the eyes of the Sheriff too. At least I had remembered to grab a spare sword hidden at the bottom of Guy's clothing chest. Racing down the long, dark hall, there are too many doors to choose from! Finally I come across Vaisey's study, hoping he can inform me of Guy's whereabouts. Somehow I'll have to think of an excuse for my presence here. Quickly after I open the door, I stop short. There sitting in the Sheriff's chair is Isabella, a grimace on her face. Her eyes narrow at the sight of me as she slumps back in the chair, sharpening her dagger. All the color drains from my face.

Ah, Lady Gisborne, how cordial of you to pay a visit to me.

I am speechless. How did she get into the castle?

Where…where is the Sheriff? I ask, trying to steady myself. How did you slip past the guards?

I have my ways. You may call me the new Sheriff of Nottingham.

What is she thinking? What have you done to Vaisey?

You're a fool; he is dead and so is your husband!

I feel as if Isabella has just punched me in the stomach. No…Guy can't be dead! How could she kill her own brother? Does she have any idea what Prince John's men will do to Nottingham with Vaisey dead? A fury I can't comprehend seeps through my body, shaking me to the core. It's as if my house and everything I hold dear, is beginning to burn again to the ground.

No! I cry, unleashing my sword and toppling over the Sheriff's old desk. Isabella ducks just in time before the tip of my sword swipes the tip of the chair. She doesn't hesitate for a moment, throwing her dagger at me. It misses my body by a hair. Immediately she resorts to grabbing one of Vaisey's swords, the side of her blade meeting mine.

I watched Guy call out your name as he was dying, she mocks me. How pathetic he looked begging for mercy.

My inner strength unleashes, forcing Isabella's sword out of her hand. Every wrong Guy had ever done to me, doesn't compare now to the sins of his sister. She had ripped all the love I had from my hands. I too, am a force to be reckoned with, the tip of my sword brushing against her neck.

If I don't kill you, Prince John's men will and with you, all of Nottingham! That is the price of power, Isabella. And to think that I had felt a shred of sympathy for you!

Isabella smirks at my words. I told you: all men are evil and you didn't listen to me! I warned you at what Guy was capable of, but he already had you wrapped around his fingers.

I push Isabella's body against the wall as if there was no end to my anger. I had restrained all this pain for so long towards the Sheriff, Guy's betrayals, and the grief of my father's death. Now it was all unleashing itself like a raging fire.

I made my choice! Of course I knew what your brother was capable of! That wasn't going to stop me, not even you, Isabella!

Marian!

It's Kate; I breathe a sigh of relief. She gazes at me in horror.

I reassure her of my actions. You were right not to trust her, Kate. Guy's dead because of her!

Leave her, Marian, Kate pleads. We have to find Robin; she's not worth it. Enough blood has been spilled already.

You expect me to spare her? I snap.

Kate approaches me, laying her hand on my mine. What would Robin do in your place? If you love him like I know you still do, don't do this.

At the sound of Robin's name, the tears cascade in a flood from my eyes. Slowly I withdraw my sword away from Isabella's neck. Kate is quick to grab Isabella's dagger and her sword. Before Isabella can make another move, Kate knocks her out with the blunt end of her sword. In shock, I feel Kate grab my arm, steadying me, before hurriedly leading me away from my enemy.