CHAPTER 11

Will was in his bunk at the camp. It was late at night and a warm body was sleeping next to him warming them both in the chill night air. Djaq as usual had curled up into his chest during the night and was murmuring contentedly. He kissed her forehead gently and hugged her tightly. He loved moments like this with her next to him where she belonged. She stirred and he could just make out a smile in the moonlight. It was a beautiful night and the stars were twinkling through the canopy of leaves but all Will could look at was the beautiful woman in his arms. Why hadn't they admitted their feelings to each other sooner? Now he was never happier than to have her close to him. "Shhhhhh…go back to sleep Djaq, its still dark." He whispered to her. His voice sounded strange and slurred to his ears.

He heard his name being called. It was Djaq's voice but when he looked down at her face her lips weren't moving. His name was called again. Muffled as though a long way away, "Will…Will…"

Suddenly Will was somewhere else, somewhere cold and damp that had an overpowering smell of must. As he became aware of his surroundings Will also felt an excruciating pain in his left temple that seemed to intensify with every heartbeat. He lifted his arm to his head and felt a reassuring hand on his chest. "Don't move Will, just take it easy and rest. You have been out cold for a long time. You are going to have a handsome bruise and bump on your temple." It was Djaq sounding small and scared. He was alarmed himself now and opened his eyes alarmed. Will regretted it instantly as red hot daggers of pain sliced into his head. He felt an urge to vomit and it was a few minutes before felt he could move and speak without being sick. What had happened? Where was he with Djaq?

Slowly his surroundings became clearer and he looked around. He was lying on the cold floor in a small dark cell with the only light coming from a burning torch in the passage beyond the door. He recognised Nottingham castle dungeons immediately having spent far too much time there previously. Djaq was kneeling besides him now cupping his right hand with both of hers. She had an anxious look on her face. They were alone in the cell. "How do you feel?" she said.

He looked up at her still with slightly unfocussed eyes and tried to smile to reassure her. "Like I have been run over by a speeding hay cart." He said. She laughed lightly at his reply. "You were talking quietly when you began to awake, I couldn't work out what you were saying. You called my name. What were you trying to say?" she said looking into his hazel eyes. Will flushed red and was wondering what to say when he suddenly remembered what had happened! One of the last things he had seen was Djaq and Much crumpling to the floor at the soldiers onslaught. That thought alarmed him and a wave of shame ran through his body as he remembered it was his entire fault that the Sheriff was taking this action. Wait, where was Much? Much was not in the cell with them! "Where's Much?" he said with anxiety in his voice. "Have you seen him at all since we were brought here?"

Djaq shook her head. "No…when I came to myself we were both tied up and flung over the back of horses entering the castle walls. I would have tried to escape but you were still out cold and I couldn't…I didn't want to leave you." It was her turn to flush red with embarrassment now and she looked down at her hands still holding his as if they were suddenly very interesting. He gripped those warm and gentle hands and fixed her dark eyes with his. "Thank you." was all he said but it meant so much more that he couldn't say right now. He would give anything to have Djaq safe and back at the camp right now instead of being kept prisoner for his actions. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Will began to shiver partly from lying on the cold floor and partly from worry about what he had caused. Did Nettlestone and Locksley look the same as Clun? Had more people been innocently slaughtered?

"Let me help you up" said Djaq putting one of her arms around his shoulders and easing him into a sitting position against the cell wall. She grimaced in pain and Will was reminded that she too had received a blow to the head. "Are you ok Djaq?" he said in a low worried voice. She smiled and nodded. "I have a headache but I will be fine. I wasn't unconscious for that long." She leaned and rested her head on his shoulder and he leaned into her. His head still throbbed and felt like a herd of cattle were stampeding around in there. They would have to come up with some sort of plan soon to find Much, the other prisoners and escape but a little while resting and regaining some strength seemed like a good idea now.

Suddenly there was the sound of multiple boots walking along the corridor. Djaq and Will both opened their eyes and stood shakily preparing to face whatever awaited them. The footsteps stopped outside the cell door and a set of keys jangled and echoed as they turned in the lock. The door was flung open revealing Guy of Gisborne flanked by six guards. He smiled malevolently looking at them. "Sheriff wants me to loosen your tongues before he speaks to you. There is no way you or your Saracen lady are getting away this time young Mr Scarlet." Gisbourne's words were amplified around them in the damp stone chamber.

The six guards advanced slowly on the cell holding manacles in their hands. In their weakened state Djaq and Will were no match for them but they would now be taken easily. They backed into the corner of the cell both still shaky on their feet still holding hands tightly for support. Guy laughed and the sound sent a shiver down Djaq's spine.