'Robin we have to do something.' Djaq pleaded.
Robin looked to Will still in the hands of the guards on the steps, and then to Fred on the burning platform. 'Much, you and Djaq will get Will, while Allan and I fend off the guards, while you John will save Fred.'
'Right.' John agreed.
Robin looked to Allan, Allan's face said it all, he wanted to save Fred, he didn't want to stand by and watch everything fall apart, but he did as he was told and followed Robin. Much and Djaq disappeared into the crowd moving towards the stairs, while Little John wandered off towards the platform, and Robin pulled out his bow along with an arrow. He lifted the bow and arrow and aimed straight just past the Sheriff's head, Robin took a breath and released the arrow. The arrow flew through the crowd and past the Sheriff eyes hitting the door behind him.
'Hood!' Gisborne shouted pointing in the direction of Robin, leading the guards straight to them.
'I want him dead.' The Sheriff commanded.
Djaq and Much ran to the guards holding Will and knocked them out, untied Will and regrouped with Robin and Allan. The crowds ran riot and the guards fought the outlaws, Little John was determined to get to Fred, knocking out every guard who got in his way. He reached the burning steps of the platform and jumped over the flames, Ronan watched as Little John untied Fred, hoisted her into his arms and leapt off the platform, over the blaze and to the courtyard cobbled ground.
As the guards ran toward Robin and the gang, Robin ordered Much to get to the gate and help John with Fred. Much ran to the gate fighting off a few guards, John still holding Fred rushed for the gate, only to be stopped by a few guards, but John was unable to fight while holding Fred. He let her down and she tried to stand, with smoke intoxicating her lungs she cough as she stubbled to get away, she hid behind a cart, unable to view the fight.
Holding her hand to her throat, she coughed and spluttered, her face was darkened by the smoke and her wounds had become scabs, her body still shook with agony, and she could still feel the weakness inside her. As she leant her head back, footsteps turned the corner of the cart and Ronan appeared with a longsword in hand.
'Tell me girl, how did you open the Gateway?' Ronan grimly looked down upon her.
Fred shook her head, 'I don't know.'
He crouched down in front of Fred, 'Then you shall die.'
Fred felt an angered strength inside her and leant forward, 'Then you'll get nothing.' She ground her teeth.
Ronan rose to his feet, but as he did Marian came rushing in and knocked him over the back of the head with a shield. Once he fell to the ground, Marian pulled Fred to her feet and handed her a sword. Fred turned around as Ronan got back to his feet.
He ground his teeth and glared at the two girls, 'You'll pay for that.' He swung his sword and Fred blocked the attack, and kicked him back. Marian moved out of the way and Fred readied herself for the next swing. 'You can't fight. You'd be better off as a Witch. Girl.' He growled.
'I've had enough of being told what I can and can't do as I'm a girl.' She glared and swung her sword.
Metal clashed with metal, over and over again, as the courtyard filled with the battle. Allan had just knocked away a guard when he saw Ronan and Fred fighting, 'Will help Fred.' He shouted to Will. Will nodded and fought his way through.
Ronan swung his sword round once again and then kicked Fred in the stomach, as she ran at him, he dipped his hand into his pocket and threw a powder at her face to blind her. The cloud blocked her and she swung the sword wildly. She felt her sword penetrate something soft like flesh, but couldn't tell. As she came out of the cloud, she spun round to see Ronan mid swing, Fred tried to move as fast as she could, felt cold metal across her left side below the ribs, and she fell to the ground.
Ronan stepped forward and stood over her, 'Girl's don't fight for a reason.' He lifted his sword up showing the blood on the end, Fred pressed her left hand over the wound. 'No one will remember you. Walker.' Ronan lifted his sword and thrusted it towards her, she turned onto her left side, impaling her sword into his stomach.
His body suddenly froze and his sword dropped from his hands, his mouth hung open, jolting as his motor-skills began to fail. Fred removed her sword and he fell next to her, she sighed as Marian ran over and helped her up.
Fred held her sword to Ronan's throat. 'How did you know my name?' She asked as her jaw chattered with the agony and pain which grew through her shaking body.
Ronan chuckled spluttering as blood filled his mouth, 'We shall meet again, Walker.' He turned his eyes to the sky and the light vanished.
'Fred?' Marian softly said.
Fred's hands began to shake furiously, the weakness and loss of blood took over and she collapsed upon the cobble courtyard behind the cart. Marian held Fred's head in her lap, telling her that she would be alright.
Gisborne was running past the cart when he saw Fred upon the floor with Marian, he felt his body shut down, come to a stand still, the warm feeling now cold as her body would be soon. As Will came into view finally reaching Fred, he dropped down next to her and checked to see if she was alright. Gisborne could hear the shouts of the Sheriff, his stood watching unsure of what to do. Was it time to leave the Sheriff, should he help the second person he'd ever felt the warm things for? Little John ran into the picture and hoisted Fred into his arms, Marian stood in her spot as Will and the others ran out the gates with dying Fred.
Little John ran all the way to the spot where they had first met her, with her in his arms. Djaq insisted that they take her back to camp to help her, but Fred refused hoping to find a way home. They sat her up against tree on the edge of the spot where they first met.
'Fred you need help.' Djaq pointed out, Fred just shook her head.
'We need to get you to the camp, you could die.' Much panicked.
Fred tilted her head up and looked to Robin, 'They always like this?' She coughed.
Robin smiled and nodded, 'Pretty much.' He paused, 'Do you think it'll happen?'
Everyone turned from Robin to Fred, all confused about what they were talking about.
'I was injured last time.' She paused and swallowed the pain, then finished. 'So I hope so.'
'What?' Much wide-eyed asked, more confused then anyone, but the only person brave enough to ask. 'What happened?'
'Fred's going home.' Robin answered with a smile.
'What?' Will looked to Fred.
'Why?' Much asked as if he'd been offended.
Fred coughed and smiled, 'Because I have to.' She took a breath and continued. 'When I cam here, my injury vanished, hopefully when I go home, my injuries will do the same.'
'But what about us?' Little John bluntly asked.
'She has a family.' Allan answered his back turned to the group and standing away from them, not wanting to hear the conversation, but able to.
'But we're your family now.' Much pouted. Robin smiled and nudged Much.
'Today Fred was trialled as a Witch, she is different, strangely different, no Witch of cause, but she lives somewhere far, far away.' Robin explained. 'We have no right to keep her here against her will. This is her choice, not ours.' Robin finished.
Everyone but Allan looked to Fred who carefully and slowly rose to her feet, leaning against the tree.
A smile lit up across her face, 'I will miss all of you. I hope that I can come back, I want to come back. But for now, I have to go home.' She pressed her hand tighter to her wound holding in the pain and blood.
Much crossed his arms in a pout, Little John turned away a little, not wanting to see the goodbyes or even Fred. Will frowned in disappointment, while Djaq sadly smiled, knowing that she'd miss her new female friend, Robin just stood there smiling, while Allan still had his back to them all. Fred stumbled over to Djaq.
Djaq opened her arms and Fred held her with her free arm. 'I shall miss you, Fred. Please come back soon, these men are all I have.' She laughed.
Will wandered over, once Djaq's arms had come away Will took hold of Fred, as if she was like family. 'I'll look after Allan, don't worry. But come back soon.' He loyally stepped back.
Next was Robin who held out his arm, gave her a quick hug and then released her. 'Don't get into anymore trouble. And if you come back, try to look a little different, we don't want anymore Witches.' He laughed.
Much tried his best not to unfold his arms, but after staring at him for a long time, he unfolded them and wrapped them around Fred, as if they had been friends for years and he'd never see her again. 'You come back soon.' He tried his best not to cry. 'No more trouble?'
'I'll try. Thanks Much.' Fred smiled, wanting to tear up, but knowing she'd done enough crying for one day.
Fred next moved to Little John, who looked at her over his shoulder, like he would bite her if she tried to touch him. 'Little John?' She smiled, he gave her the look and then turned away. 'John?'
'Come John.' The others moaned.
John huffed, 'Alright.' He turned in a strop and wrapped his arms around her, like she belonged to him, like he was her father. 'Be good.' He said, not sure of what to say.
Fred frowned but also smiled at what he had said, 'I will.'
Everyone turned to Allan, who still had his back to them.
'Allan?' Robin asked. 'You gonna say goodbye?'
'Nah she better go,' he said, not even turning to look at them.
Robin looked to Fred with a frown which had 'sorry' written all over it. Fred nodded and half smiled back to him.
'I'm gonna miss all of you, every single one, but I think I'm going to miss Much most of all. Be seeing ya?' She smiled to them. They all nodded except for Allan. Fred looked to Allan one last time, his back still to them. 'Okay then, I'll be off.' She paused looking each individual over and remembering each one. 'Can someone help me.' She asked quickly.
Will nodded and took Fred's arm, they wandered down to the spot and stood there, waiting for a sign.
'You'll be okay, where your going?' Will asked holding her up.
'I'll be home. With my family, but I'll think of you guys often, everyday even. I hope I come back, even though I nearly died.' Fred smirked and turned her head to see the gang lined up and watching. 'I hope I return.' She whispered to herself.
