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Chapter 10

Robin looked at Genevieve with a humoring incredulousness. "Right, are you sure you didn't just knock your head about a little just then, Miss?"

"Genevieve Rending. Or Lady Genevieve of Rending in this time. No, I am absolutely certain. I shouldn't be so surprised that you don't believe me. Let me show you this." Gene took out her Baer Stinger semi-automatic pistol with the silencer already locked on. She aimed her Stinger at a buck 40 yards away and fell him with one shot. "That's one thing I have to give to the Americans – they can make a damn fine pistol."

Suddenly Much appeared from above, "Master, you won't believe it, but a deer just fell as if shot by an arrow, but there was no arrow."

"Ok, Much, just hold on." Robin turned to Gene, "You just killed the King's deer."

"That's one way to look at it. Another way to look at it is that your King, King Richard the Lionhearted of England, is just protecting the deer for the future Queen of England, Her Majesty, Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith." Genevieve pulled out a twenty pound note and held it in front of Robin's face. "I know you are loyal to your King. But you need to know that I am just as loyal to my Queen which means our loyalties are the same – to England. Now I need your help. You can either sit down and listen to me or I'll go on in this alone and do this without England's legend as my ally."

Robin considered Genevieve for a moment. "Start talking."

"First of all, I need your word as an Englishman, a loyal subject of King Richard, and the husband of Marian of Knighton that you will not harm John, the brother of King Richard."

Robin was stung by the last name given to him and looked away, "Why do you mention Marian? If you know that much about me, you should know not to mention her name without cause."

"I do have cause – a very good one in fact. But, right now there's either 'Yes' or 'No'. Do you have an answer for me? If you can't give me the answer I need to hear, then I have to walk away."

Robin stood in front of Genevieve with his arms crossed and a grimace on his face. Gene gave him a look of disappointment before turning on her heel and walking away.

"Ok, Ok. You have my word."

Genevieve halfway turned and eyed Robin questioningly.

"You have my word as an Englishman, as a loyal subject of King Richard, and as the husband of Marian of Knighton that I will not harm John, brother to the King."

Gene completed her turn to fully face Robin now. "Thank you. First of all, it is my tremendously sad duty to inform you that His Majesty King Richard the Lionhearted is dead. The King is dead. Long live the King."

Robin sank to the floor and let out a cry of hurt and anger. Much came down to comfort him but Will stopped him knowing that Robin had to deal with this on his own.

"I am sorry for your loss, but you must mourn later. Now we have to act. I know you despise King John for the way he has ruled England in King Richard's absence, for the way he has let the Sheriff have free range over Nottingham, and for his cruelty to the people of England. He comes here at the end of the week, and I need your word that you will not harm him."

"You have my word that none of my men or I will harm King John."

"Thank you. I must make one more request of you but I will understand if you decline. I need you to help me protect King John."

At this Robin went into a rage, "Protect him? When he tried time after time to kill King Richard? Agreeing not to harm him is one thing, but to protect him? Why is it so important that he must live?"

"I can't explain everything now. Only to say that sometimes good things come from bad situations. I know it's hard to deal with that on a daily basis but it is true. If I've learned nothing else from this job, it's how to be patient. I can't meet you that often to update what I need. Let's just say that I'll find you when I need you."

"And, you just think things will fall into place?"

"Well, it worked today didn't it?"

"Shouldn't we have some sort of routine or set method of communication?"

"No. If there's a pattern, then someone's bound to figure it out. Safety lies in the random. Speaking of bound, we need to get a move on. The Sheriff will wake up any time now and I can't have him suspecting me of anything. In fact, it would be better if you dropped him off somewhere closer to the castle."

"All right. What about you?"

"Well, what would you normally do to a noble woman who had no jewels or money on her?"

"We'd leave her in peace."

"Yes, but you'd have to make sure that she didn't follow you."

"We're not going to knock you out. You are a woman after all."

"Thanks for noticing. You'd at least tie her up so that she would stay put while you scarper back to your little hidey-hole. Just make sure that Gisborne knows what has happened."

"Hey, Lady. We DON'T scarper," chimed in Little John.

Robin suddenly turned cold. "What if he hurts you? That man cannot be trusted."

"Listen, Robin, I know you two have unfinished business, but for right now, I need him alive. Besides, I'll be fine with Gisborne, I've got him wrapped around my little finger."

Grimacing, Robin accepted Genevieve's statement and tossed a rope to Little John. "All right John, tie the Lady to a tree."

"Robin, are you sure this is right? It's getting colder and I feel a snow in the air?" said Will for the first time finally speaking up.

"I know it's risky, gentlemen, but I know what I'm doing. I don't even want you posting one of your men to watch over me. I'll be fine," said Gene becoming a little annoyed with the gallant outlaw routine.

"You heard the Lady, Will. Tie her up."

* * *

Several hours later, the Sheriff staggered into the courtyard of the castle ragged and agitated. "Guards! Guards! Quickly! Go out to the forest and look for Lady Rending. We were attacked by Robin Hood! I was injured and when I woke up I was lost in the woods. Now it's getting dark and starting to snow again. You must find her! And I want him dead!"

Gisborne came running when heard the call to arms. He was still seething at Genevieve's betrayal and wanted a quiet 'word' alone with her when he heard the first call to arms go up. But Guy's anger evaporated at the news that they were attacked and Genevieve was missing. He knew she could take care of herself in one on one situations, but the thought of Gene facing Robin Hood's entire mob of outlaws left him cold. Without waiting for instructions, Guy jumped on his horse and sped out of the courtyard. The only thought in his mind now was Genevieve's safety.

He followed the line the two took out from the castle and then looked to the tracks left by the horses. Guy retraced Gene and Vasey's progress through the woods to where they had both laid on the ground. Guy was worried now not just about the outlaws but about the cold temperatures, the fresh snow that was falling, and the growing darkness. If Hood still had Genevieve and fresh snow covered their tracks it would be virtually impossible to trace them.

He stopped himself in the midst of his worry and rage and berated himself for his actions. If anything had happened to Genevieve, it would be his fault. He could have easily defied the Sheriff's orders to stay at the castle to prepare for the King's visit. But he stayed and obeyed his orders because he was a good soldier and because he was mad at Genevieve for agreeing to marry Vasey who was such a bore. If his ego and pride had caused Gene to wind up injured or dead, he would never forgive himself. Especially after all that he realized now about her.

He stopped again and listened to the sound of the forest. The wildlife was unusually quiet and then he heard a weak moan and then his name. He followed the sound till he came to a large tree becoming whiter and whiter in the new snowfall. And there she was – Genevieve bound against the large oak tree. Guy's heart leapt up into his throat as he fumbled for his dagger to cut Gene's bonds. She fell forward as Gisborne caught her before she contacted with the ground. Gene was agitated and started fighting off invisible attackers, but Guy calmed her and held her close. When the recognition came to her eyes that Guy was with her, Genevieve collapsed in his arms. Gene's teeth were chattering from the frost of the air and her skin and lips were blue with cold. He knew she needed warmth and so he quickly carried her to where his horse waited. She felt so light and fragile that it scared him. He hoisted her up in front of the saddle before settling in behind her.

By now darkness was over the countryside, but the full moon would have helped to light Gisborne's way if the snow clouds weren't obscuring it. Genevieve's responses were weakening, and Guy had to decide what to do. Nottingham Castle was miles away through rough roads. She'd never make it if he took that way. So instead turning north, Guy headed east and within five minutes he was at the door to a big house in a medium sized village. He slid off the horse before gathering Genevieve in his arms and banging on the door. An aging serving woman answered the door, "Who are you? The master's not at home tonight. Be off with you!"

"Sally? This is your master, now open the bloody door!"