Chapter Ten-

Carter smiled. For the first time in three months he could sit up without pain, or so he hoped. The deep, bloody gash on his abdomen was finally starting to heal. "Don't mess it up now." Michael punched his shoulder jokingly. "I'm sick of seeing you."

"Same here." Carter propped himself up on his elbows. He felt the burning hot pain go through him again. "Damn." He laid back down and shut his eyes.

"You alright?" The physician tried to see if he could do anything.

Carter nodded in response. He waved away his friend.

"You can't get me to go away that easily. What did you do? It doesn't look as if you tore the stitching." Michael examined him again. "Meh, you're fine."

He regained composure and opened his green eyes. "Why did it hurt then?"

"I don't know. Stay still."

Carter drowsily prodded Michael. "What a big help you are." He felt the wound sting with whatever Michael had put on it. He managed to stifle a scream and then groaned. Carter tried to lift his head to look his friend in the eye.

"You'll be alright. Just another infection." Michael pitied his poor friend.

"Not again. Please tell me you're joking." Carter forced himself to grin.

"I'm not. Try to stay lying down. After this, I know there will be no more complications. Unless you tear the stitches."

"Look, I didn't mean to the first time." Carter laughed. "It wasn't really my fault."

Laphelia sat next to Guy in Guildford. She was uncomfortable since they had to share a room in the inn, with one bed. She caught his eye. "I know what you're thinking." Guy looked at her guiltily. "Stop it right now. We're not really married." She winked at him. "I'm too tired tonight anyway."

Gisbourne smiled and took off his boots. He finally had a wife in his bed, except she wasn't his wife and he knew better than to try anything with her. She was Carter's and he had to tell himself that. Carter didn't know it yet but he was getting married soon. Guy could not stress the fact more that he had better be.

He looked out the window from the bed. Thank God that Vaysey is one room over. Guy would have been pushed over the edge if they had to spend any more time together.



Vaysey scowled in his room. Why did Gisbourne get to share the same bed as Laphelia Harridan? He was the superior. He should get the women not Guy. It wasn't fair. Why did he have to play the father-in-law? He should be the husband.

At least they were leaving soon. Maybe he and Laphelia could share a cabin on the boat. Vaysey could picture his priestly father whisper in his ear. "Tentatio-onis. Temptation." He hated his father, temptation wanted to be fulfilled, wanted you to take it. The sheriff smirked, how could any foolish woman resist him?

"Is it just me, or does that man look familiar?" Much stared as the gang entered Merton.

"Don't scare 'im, Much. We plan to stay 'ere tonight. And I will blame you for scaring the locals." Allan was ready for an argument. He was tired and cranky and had a hatred for anyone who got in his way of sleep.

Robin spied the man his servant was talking about. "You're right, Much. It's Lucky George."

The recognition surprised the rogue. "What's he doing 'ere?"

"He lives here, Allan." Robin steered his horse in the direction of his old acquaintance. "Good day, my friend."

"Robin of Locksley?" George strained his eyes. "Whatever can I attribute the pleasure of your visit to?"

"Well, we are looking for the former Sheriff of Nottingham and his henchman, Sir Guy of Gisbourne. Have you seen them?"

Of all people to come to his village. And he was a terrible liar. "Um no…I haven't. They wouldn't come through Merton in the first place."

Sarah came down the stairs and looked out the door. "George? Who are you talking to? I have nothing to do since Laphelia is gone."

The former outlaws' mouths dropped. Laphelia Harridan was Lucky George's daughter?

The middle aged man turned to his wife and then back to Robin. "This is Robin Hood."

Much was slightly dumfounded. "Laphelia Harridan is your daughter?"

"She is. What concern is it to you?" George looked him up and down.

"Laphelia Harridan, the widow of Matis Harridan?" Lucky George nodded. "Her husband was planning ,with the Sheriff of Nottingham, to kill King Richard." He scowled at the man, how could he not know that?

"Lies. Matis would never do such a thing, bless his soul."



Much's eyes widened. If Laphelia was missing, and the sheriff and Gisbourne had come this way? If Laphelia was acquainted with Gisbourne? "She's gone to Portsmouth with Gisbourne and Vaysey," Much cried out.

Robin lowered his head in thought. "She did, didn't she. George, listen to me. Have the sheriff and Gisbourne been through here?" His blue eyes were threatening to turn green.

"I prefer not to answer." George's face reddened. "You can't do anything about it, there's no proof."

"In the name of the king, I swear I will kill you."

"Master!"

"Why would I tell my daughter's enemy where she was?"

"She will not be harmed if you tell me right now." Robin threw his head back in anger. "Tell me!"

"They have gone to Portsmouth."

The sun had risen and the gang was ready to set off. They had to catch Gisbourne and Vasey before it was too late. Robin had to make sure they did not reach the Holy Land. He knew they would never be found there. "Let's go, Much."

His manservant, who was reluctant to step out of the stable into the cold spring morning, didn't bother putting up a fight. With Robin in this mood, it would be of no use. "I'm coming." He mounted his horse and rode over to his comrades. Much pouted. This ride would be far from enjoyable. It was such a long way to Portsmouth. Maybe they could stop off in Guildford. He heard there was a nice inn there.

Meanwhile, in Guildford, the "family" of three was departing. Hood was coming for them, and they knew it. If they stopped now, the former outlaw leader would capture them and they'd be as good as dead. "Guy, should we think of new first names as well? I don't know if there are many Guys and Laphelias out there."

"I think you are correct, my love. Hmm. James and Rachel?" Guy smiled after Laphelia punched his arm. "I'm just testing my acting skill, love. Ow!"

"Don't call me that!"

"Moving on," Guy continued, "What would my lord, sheriff, like to be called?"

Vaysey pondered the question for a second before giving an answer. "My lord, sheriff. No difference in name, Gisbourne."



"Yes, my lord." He could feel Laphelia shake behind him in laughter. Guy shifted his weight on the horse so that she almost fell off. He smiled to himself as the giggles stopped, he had shown her.

Just as night fell, the group reached Portsmouth. "Can we still catch a boat at this hour?" Laphelia took Gisbourne's hand as he helped her off his horse.

"Yes, Navigator Gizzy, can we?"

"We can." Gisbourne was doing all that he could not to scream at Vaysey. He hated his nicknames more than anything.

"Let's get going then." The sheriff started to walk down towards the docks. He breathed in the salty sea air. "Ugh. Gisbourne, this is what it will be like for month."

"Yes, my lord."

Laphelia opened the door of her cabin on the "Saffron Traveler." She looked around the musty, dust-covered, room and frowned. The bed was small, she would have to be close to Guy. There was no light in the cabin aside from the torch she held in her hand. The walls were plain oak, and barren of any decoration. "Is it suitable?" Gisbourne came from behind her and peered into the room. He smirked, "The bed is rather small."

"I know, James." Laphelia glared at him. The young woman couldn't use the names the sheriff called him, and he hated, in public. It was too risky. "Whatever will we do?" she asked with innocence.

A less than innocent grin appeared on his face. "We will have to deal with this situation in a way we see fit." Gisbourne put a strong hand on her waist and pulled her inside, closing the door behind him.

"Guy!" Laphelia said loudly, it was not in protest though.

"Damn!" Robin kicked the ground. "Two weeks?"

"Master! Calm down, a fortnight is not that long." Much set his eyes on the menacingly large waves, barely visible in the darkness of night. "It will pass before you kno-"

"Enough, Much." He stormed off to the inn. His manservant followed close behind.

"Their ship will probably run into a storm. It will be delayed, and we will find them."

"Ya, Robs. You really need to calm down. You're scaring us."



"Gisbourne is out there! I need to find him. I need to kill him." Robin bit his lip, trying to hold back the insults his mind was screaming.

"We do not kill, Robin." John scowled.

"Just because Gisbourne killed Marian, it doesn't mean you can kill him. Master, you can't go down to his level," Much pleaded.

"I can do whatever I want to do. I'm Robin Hood. The people will support me no matter what. There are men in England that would kill to be part of my gang. I don't need you!" He screamed at his friends, who stood openmouthed at his words.

Much was hurt the most. After all they had been through, Robin still did not appreciate him. "Go and find those men, because if you don't need me, I'm leaving."

John and Allan felt scorned by their leader as well. "We're going too." They mounted their horses and rode off. "Good luck."