Chapter 11

Robin

She was staying! Once she'd left to return to the castle I capered round like a madman, so relieved that she was alright and that I wasn't going to lose her just yet. When the rest of the gang returned I told them the news and they pretty much capered round with me...well...Much did anyway, the rest looked at us like we were crazy. Ah well.

I ran to Little John, gripping his broad shoulders,

"Did you see how well she looked? Even the scars fading!" He nodded in a bemused way and I swung Will round

"And her dress – isn't she beautiful? The most beautiful girl in the world!" Will laughed and ruffled my hair,

"Robin's in love!" I took no notice of the laughter and kissing noises from the others and lay down on the ground, my arms behind my head.

"Yep." I replied, closing my eyes and laughing as they pelted me with scraps of bread. Gathering them up I began to throw them back and soon a massive bread fight ensued, we were all laughing uproariously and behaving generally like children and my smile didn't leave my face for the rest of the day.

She was staying!

Lizzie

As I made my way back to the castle I felt light as a feather, the necklace warm and comforting against my skin. I was staying! That thought bore me to the castle gate in next to no time and I was met by my annoyed looking brother.

"What took you so long?" He demanded and I huffed under my breath,

"Huh, the whole treating-me-nicely-because-I've-had-a-hard-time thing didn't last very long did it?" Ignoring me Guy started walking towards the castle, speaking over his shoulder to me as I hurried to catch up with him.

"The sheriff wants to see you. Well he wanted to see you a few hours ago but -ah" he said as I finally caught up with him and he noticed the necklace.

"So that's where you've been!" He said as I blushed. "You know I absolutely do not approve, don't you?" He said as he continued through the door of the castle.

"I know," I replied "but you can't stop me." Guy sighed,

"I know."

We had reached a large door by this time and Guy now gestured for me to go through it. I looked at him quizzically and he shook his head, I was going in alone?

"No!" I whispered, clutching on to Guys sleeve. He rolled his eyes

"For God's sake Lizzie you just killed a man, you can go and see the Sheriff by yourself." He hissed, prizing my fingers away and folding his arms. I blinked at the casual mention of what I'd done but...he was kind of right. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

I couldn't see the Sheriff anywhere but I went in anyway, my steps echoing in the large room and bouncing off the stone floor. I stopped in the center of the room and looked round – it was very ornate, with a huge fireplace and a long table running the length of the room, I guessed it was the hall they used to entertain as it was very similar to Roberts.

I stopped myself from thinking about him and wrapped my arms around myself as there was a chill in the air and it was at that point the door swung open and the Sheriff stepped into the room.

He was shorter than I would have expected but still taller than me and there was a hard quality to his face and manner that suggested he was not to be messed with. I curtsied in greeting and he bowed but did not offer me a seat so we remained standing, to my distaste – did he not practice common courtesy?

Apparently not as he scrutinized me for a much longer period of time than was socially acceptable. Growing uncomfortable I made a brave attempt at small talk,

"My brother has told me a lot about you."

"Hah. I wouldn't believe anything your dear brother says." He made the words 'dear brother' sound like an insult, which it probably was. I regarded him stonily,

"I deem my brother trustworthy." I replied in as off-putting a manner as I could but he merely uttered a vulgar snort.

"Do you now? That's interesting..." He continued to stare at me until I snapped

"Was there a purpose to this meeting or was it just to get acquainted because if so it has been distinctly lacking." The Sheriff raised an eyebrow and slowly looked me up and down, making me tense and clench my fists. He seemed amused by my defensive stance and I had had enough.

"What is it that you want from me?" I asked, wanting nothing more than to be out of there – after the freedom of the forest this cold and hollow room seemed stifling. He clasped his hands behind his back.

"You killed a man." My eyes snapped up to meet his, "This indicates that you are not to be trusted. Your brother is lying to me about his involvement – whether direct or not – in this murder which indicates that he is not to be trusted." He paused. "And as for me, well I am definitely not to be trusted. So I have reached the conclusion that we three untrustworthy people should stick together. Do you understand me?" Confused I shook my head,

"Not in the slightest." He rolled his eyes and put out his hands, using them to emphasize his words when he spoke next,

"I need people who cannot be trusted at my side – they are the best people. No qualms – love that. In short, I can protect you very easily but I have people who I need things from who are wary of me. I need a middle man -" He squinted and flapped his hands " - middle woman. People would trust you – wrongly as we have established – and you would be working for me. Now do I make myself clear?" Uninvited I pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing my legs and clasping my hands round my knee.

"So you want me to work for you but pretend I'm not working for you so I can find things out for you because, as you've said far more times than necessary, I am not to be trusted?" The Sheriff beamed at m.

"Exactly!" I smiled and stood up, walking over to him. After a few seconds of silence I let out the laugh I'd been holding in and slapped him sharply across the face, letting my laughter peal out unheeded as I crossed the floor and let myself out, leaving him standing dumbfounded in my wake.