Part 11
"Sir Guy," she uttered softly.
He let his gaze roam over her appreciatively and she squirmed not only as she felt uncomfortable but because he was now married and to someone she knew and liked. His eyes lingered on the swell of her stomach and she wished she had acquired a looser dress; this one had become a little tight fitting.
"You and Hood have been busy," was his only comment.
Marian licked her lips nervously wondering what his next move would be. She certainly could not demonstrate gymnastics in her present condition and felt caged and knew that he would not let her slip away from him this time. He barked out and order and one of his men came scurrying, and before she knew what was happening she found herself, bound at the wrists and forced to walk alongside the horses. She was careful to keep her footing, the ground underfoot was squishy in places and the last thing she wanted right now was to be dragged along by Gisborne's horse. Instead of walking through the forest to meet his guests and ensure them safe passage through Sherwood, the party of Gisborne and his men turned round and headed back to Nottingham from where they had come.
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Will had reached the stream and found no sign of Marian except her cloak, he thought that odd that she would have walked off without it and began to see what he could discover. He soon picked up tracks in the ground and trailed them to the road; he chose to keep out of sight and ran through the trees keeping some cover. When Will rounded a bend he saw the end of Gisborne and his men and they were not alone.
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Robin unable to wait for the return of Will and Marian headed off further into the forest to intercept Gisborne's guests with the remaining members of the gang figuring that wherever they were, Will and Marian were more than likely together and if not he would worry about that later.
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Will climbed the bank at a pace he didn't know existed within him. He bent over panting at the top pausing for a moment to catch his breath and then took stock of the situation; if he crossed atop of the ridge he would overtake Gisborne and then be able to confront him just before the clearing to Nottingham.
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Robin and the gang apprehended the nobles and the whole thing went like clockwork as they sent the nobles on their way.
"We ought to look for Will and Marian," Much stated, watching as Djaq tried on some of the jewellery.
Robin nodded, "I can not think what has kept them. Much, John come with me. Djaq, Allan distribute the wealth for Christmas amongst the people."
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Will finally stood in the road his arms stretched wide as Gisborne and his men came to a halt. Marian, he noticed looked okay despite her ordeal.
Gisborne laughed and shook his head. "You are alone, you can not expect me to hand her over to you."
Will stared darkly at Guy and wielded his axes. Guy leant back a little at this but was not deterred. He gave a signal with his right hand to his sergeant who moved forward as Will went to defend himself the sergeant knocked him flying. Gisborne exited the forest and continued on the road to Nottingham, while Will lay out cold. There was a gash on his head, the blood trickling down onto the road soon mixing in with the mud so that it was impossible to tell which was which.