I realise there has been a large gap between updates, and i apologise. I've been extremly busy , but finding a few rare moments of spare time I've written this chpater. Possibly my favourite so far, now the plot wagon has really started to roll along. I know i say this often but i really do want to get this moving faster and longer and more frequent updates posted.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and please do review, especially if you haven't done so before.

Chapter 12

"Even for a girl that's a ridiculous thing to say" Allan was rewarded with three murderous glares from the women in the room.

"Oi, I'm sorry but Lillian come on, when has Vaysey ever listened to a polite request?"

"There's a first for everything" she countered

"Not here"

"And you have a better plan Allan A Dale?"

"Yes, thank you for asking" he grinned, clearing enjoying the limelight.

"Allan, you talked us through a plan last time and we all agreed that dressing up as women wasn't the best idea" Will said

The gang sat in Locksley Manor, around the large dining table, relaxing after the feast Marian had cooked up and discussing the best course of action to rescue the Locksley villagers from hanging the next day. The hanging had been ordered to be this day but the Sheriff had sent guards around to tell "His dear Friend Robin" that it had been pushed back till the following day due to shortage of rope. Robin had seen it as a sick joke but it had given them more time to come up with a plan of action.

"And you have a better plan Will Scarlett?" Allan said, mimicking Lillian's previous question at him.

"Well I was thinking we should go back to basics" Will looked at Robin "Like our very first plans, simple but effective; worked every time"

Djaq smiled at her fiancé, he was so quiet yet held so many good thoughts in his head. She wondered how many times he had let others take centre stage when he knew he had a better suggestion, how many times had he let Allan unveil his eccentric plan when he knew he had a better, simpler idea. She loved him for this reason, because he was a good man who would happily put others before himself. She could imagine him as a father, teaching their children to walk and talk, showing them how to use a bow or make a fire. She could see them old and grey and still together and still he would put her needs before his, and she would put his before hers. A perfect match.

Robin liked Will's ideas; back to the good old days; he almost laughed. He could trust Will to come up with a sensible, effective plan. It would be a doddle and they knew that it worked from past experience. A few guards knocked unconscious for a while wouldn't hurt anyone and he knew how much Allan liked 'dress-up'. The only thing he feared was Lillian's involvement, she was just recovering from her injury from Guy, and Robin couldn't – and wouldn't – let her get hurt again. But she was determined – too much like him for her own good – to stand by and let them save the day alone. Besides, she'd already missed one trip to Nottingham under the assumption she'd actually be saving the Locksley villagers when it came round to it.

And so, with a small ounce of reluctance, when the outlaws raised their glasses to the village of Locksley and their hopeful survival tomorrow Robin allowed Lillian to join in with the toast for she would be joining in tomorrow.

Under his façade Allan was as nervous as hell when the sun rose and he knew that, once again, he would be putting his life on the line to save Nottinghamshire's people. He sat on the log and watched as the sunlight began to trickle through the leaves, marking patches on the forest floor with its light. And once again he was left in the shade.

Guy walked briskly along one of the many castle corridors and looked out onto the courtyard to see men tying a number of nooses for this morning's execution. His stomach turned and suddenly the thought of the morning's breakfast wasn't as appetizing. Even though he had no intention of eating Guy continued on his way to the Great Hall.

John hummed a simple tune to himself, whilst eating the morning's breakfast. He missed Alice. He missed his son. It seemed everyone had found their someone apart from him; or rather he had found his but lost her.

He chuckled to himself remembering the numerous times Robin would come searching into camp with his 6 year-old daughter announcing that they had lost something and thought it may be here. More often than not they had found what they came looking for, Robin would grin as his daughter would giggle with glee, her cheeks turning rosy and her soft, brown curls bobbing up and down.

But John had not simply misplaced a precious item; he had let his wife leave with his son, though it broke his heart he had believed it to be for the best. But watching his friends have a child, and soon, he supposed Will and Djaq too, was not easy.

He would not let another father be torn away from his child, today he would help save the village of Locksley and help keep families tied together.

Marian peeked through the crack in the door. A small length of vision, she couldn't see the whole picture but it was enough. Lillian was in front of the looking glass, holding up her top and slowly stroking the scar that ran along her lower abdomen. Almost subconsciously Marian's hand fell to her stomach and rested where she knew her scar was. An unwanted shared experience. Something she had wanted to protect her daughter from, a pain she hadn't wanted her child to feel.

And now as she stood there she was risking her all over again in an attempt to save Locksley. It would not be the first time Lillian had been part of a rescue mission, or a gang 'outing' but nonetheless Marian's stomach churned and her heart felt as if it was beating at twice the speed it should be.

Tapping his wooden spoon against the side of the pot Much was fairly content. Putting the day's events at the back of his mind he merely concentrated on what was before him, cooking breakfast for his fellow outlaws. Taking things once step at a time seemed like a wise idea, now he had to cook eggs, let what had to happen later happen then.

Djaq wasn't scared. Anxious perhaps but not scared. True, this was a mission bigger than their usual 'ambush' but it wasn't too big, besides the gang usually always defied the rules of numbers.

Today they would save the people of Locksley, tomorrow she would make deliveries and help sick villagers and somewhere in the future she would get married to her beloved Will. Perhaps that was what she was anxious about; she turned this thought over as she checked her medical chest – preparing for the worst outcome – anxious that today she might lose her future, now she had one to look forward to.

Lillian knew her parents were scared. She also knew that she was capable of doing this and wasn't alone. While Guy thought she was still injured and lying in bed she would be fighting against him in a bid to save her people. She smiled at the thought as she tightened the belt around her middle and slotted her sword into its place; she placed arrows in her quiver and tested the string of her longbow.

She turned once more to her looking glass and saw what others saw; a warrior.

The Nightwatchman.

Will smiled at his fiancé as each outlaw grabbed their sword and weapons. He didn't want to take his eyes off her for a moment, scared about what may happen the moment he turned his back, but the plan needed him to remain head-strong and confident and he needed to behave rationally and focus on the task before him.

Saving an entire village was no easy task but Will also wanted to protect his fiancé at all times. Mounting their horses the couple looked at each other intently and rode side by side as they set off to Locksley Manor.

Robin heard the knock on the door as his daughter came down the stairs, taking them two at a time. She could have been Marian, but his wife was standing next to him, gripping his hand tightly and he knew that she was as scared as him, if not more so at the thought of Lillian going off to fight.

He was no happier with the thought of Lillian going of to fight as he was when he had uncovered Marian as the Nightwatchman all those years ago. It seemed that there was never a time when somebody he loved wasn't at risk.

Robin let go of Marian's hand and opened the door to see Allan grinning.

They both knew how this was going to go. Lillian pulled her hood over her head and smiled at her parents as she left the house.

No one spoke but the silence spoke volumes.

Now Lillian had been taken care of Robin and Marian had to prepare for their role of the day, which in comparison to others was easier. Though some may say watching those closest to you risk their lives while you stand still is harder.

"Ah Guy, come to have breakfast before the big day?" Vaysey laughed as his lieutenant entered the hall.

"No, I've already eaten" The lie rolled easily off of Guy's tongue and the sheriff thought nothing of it.

"You know, I'm rather tired of the usual hangings, you need to think of something more exciting for next time" Vaysey said, mindlessly chewing a chicken bone.

Guy almost retched. A guard entered and Vaysey spat out the bone.

"My lord the execution is ready"

"Ah, nice. Ropes tied tightly I do hope" he cackled away to himself as spectators began to fill in the courtyard and in the dungeons the villagers readied themselves for death.

The guard fell to the floor and Allan laughed.

Lillian had left Locksley Manor with him, the others had split up. John and Djaq had headed to the castle via the Main entrance and Much and Will had taken the East and West gates respectively.

Riding on the back of Allan's horse wasn't exactly Lillian's idea of fun, but it was for a good cause, and they needed to use as few a horses as possible to remain inconspicuous. Getting through the gate had been a doddle. The Guards were pre-occupied, and some looked a little drunk despite the fact it was only midday. Silently Lillian had clambered down from the stallion and Allan had tied it up by an ally's shop. Lillian had made her way through a back alley to get up to the castle that way while Allan had walked in the opposite direction.

It was while walking along a back castle corridor he had bumped into the guard and knocked him out. Allan hurriedly dragged him to the side and patted his head as he walked off wearing his uniform.

John stood outside the portcullis, being a noticeable figure he needed to remain out of view and so he stood 'browsing' the small number of market stalls, while keeping an eye on the courtyard happenings.

After Will had paid another ally for their part in the rescue mission he had headed into the castle to secure his place in the day's events. He entered the castle through a different route and took his place along his allocated corridor over looking the courtyard.

He felt sick looking at the nooses swinging slightly in the breeze, trying to distract himself he looked across the courtyard to the corridor opposite him and saw a guard marching up and down the space. He squinted trying to focus on the guards face and smiled when the guard turned to face him and gave him a thumbs up. Allan was clearly enjoying himself. But if Allan could see and recognise him from over there he needed to hide himself better so Will stepped back, hiding in the shadows.

Djaq kept her eyes on the door, waiting for the Sheriff to come out. She was stood at the back of the courtyard, at the back of the ever growing crowd, her eyes flickered up to the two corridors that lined either side of the courtyard and recognised Allan on her right dressed up as a guard. She could not see Will but after catching a thumbs up from Allan she presumed Will was on the receiving end of the signal and was therefore safe on her left.

She saw the crowd separate and realised that Robin and Marian must have entered; she moved along the back wall and saw the familiar couple walk further up towards the stairs. If timing was going accordingly to plan then Lillian should have made her way down the turret and should be along the same corridor as Will now. She looked up for any sign of movement.

Lillian cursed as she lent against the corridor wall. She'd made it down the turret and just needed to take a left onto the corridor Will was patrolling but a couple of Guards had seen her. She heard the guards feet pick up pace and she counted their steps waiting for the right moment to strike. As the echoes got louder and louder she took a deep breath and stepped forward landing a punch on the side of an unfortunate guard's head. His mate turned round and she carefully kicked his feet from under him, he landed on his back with a cry, Lillian lent down and punched him squarely across the face silencing him.

She dragged them as quickly as possible down the rarely-used corridor and then walked out onto the main one over looking the courtyard. She began to walk briskly; she needed to reach the end of the walkway by the time the Sheriff walked out and began his taunting. She kept one eye looking out at the crowd, searching it to look for Much who was supposed to be 'mingling' in, her vision was repeatedly severed by the columns that ran along the side of the corridor but she spotted his hat and then saw her parents stood side by side at the bottom of the steps. The door swung open and Vaysey strode out followed closely behind Guy.

"Good day my good people of Nottingham" he cackled to himself as the whole crowd turned to face him.

It was at this point Lillian fell into a certain Will Scarlett.

"Sorry" she murmured, and he chuckled slightly.

"Always keep one eye on what's before you" he whispered. Now Lillian had this space under control Will could make his way further down the corridor so he was nearer the steps at the end and therefore – conveniently – Djaq.

"Today marks a special occasion. The largest hanging to date! Let this be an example to you all – no one can get away with not paying their taxes or consorting with their Lord to get charity. Taxes are in place for a purpose, you have to pay them or you'll end up like this lot" Vaysey waved theatrically to his right and a set of Guards brought out the whole of Locksley village.

Marian held Robin's hand tight. She knew it was killing him watching his people being paraded around and not actually fighting to save them. But for Will's plan to work they needed to keep up the appearance of being 'noble' and therefore couldn't join the rest of the gang in the fight.

Robin felt the look of his people. They had expected him to save them, not stand and watch their execution. With their hands tied before them they looked at the Lord of their Manor with disgust. However some looked at him with pity and forgiveness; a few looked at Robin like they knew he had a plan. One even winked at him and it took a lot of strength to not wink back.

Allan used the distraction of the villager's entrance to make his way down from the corridor and onto the steps. Being in uniform made the whole process easier, Guy turned to see where the movement came from but being greeted with a sea of black meant he thought nothing of it.

"Unfortunately" Vaysey continued "We don't have space to hang you all at once, so some of you will get to watch the show before taking part in it"

Robin glared at Vaysey and squeezed Marian's hand relieving some of his tension.

"Ow" she whispered and the hint of a smile played on his lips.

"Sorry"

"Bring forth the first set" Vaysey grinned as two guards led two villagers each towards the gallows.

"Oh and did I forget to mention, Robin, now you're village is extinct and you a Lord of nothing I can claim it! Ha!" he laughed as if he had cracked the funniest joke and the waved at the guards to push the villagers onto the appropriate stools.

Guy watched on as the villagers stepped up onto the awaiting stools. Lillian reached behind her to her quiver slowly, ensuring she didn't move to quickly and catch someone's eye. She loaded the longbow and drew back the string.

And released.

Everything sprung into action. Allan took the flying arrow as his signal and marched across the stairs in two quick strides and held the Sheriff at knife point. Much, who had moved closer to the front as Vaysey had been speaking, knocked out a number of guards in quick succession and pointed the villagers in the direction of Will.

Will ran down the stairs from the corridor and took the villagers showing them to John, on the other side of the portcullis. Djaq had run up to the gallows and had easily taken out the two helpless guards standing there, the four villagers followed her down and out to John.

Robin and Marian stayed completely still. They had to keep up the appearance of being noble and completely unknowing about the attack.

Guy also stayed still but for a different reason. The arrow had pinned the shoulder of his jacket to the large oak door, and he was completely stuck. To many this seemed like a missed shot, for Lillian it was completely on target.

As soon as she had released the arrow she had run, keeping to the shadows and left from the way she came.

She needed to retrieve Allan's horse from the ally's shop he had left it by and then get one of the carts, providing the Locksley's villagers escape route.

Much followed the last of the villagers out from the portcullis. There were three carts dotted around the castle grounds and the horses that they had ridden on to get here needed to be harnessed up and attached to the cart.

Much ran to the front of the last group of villagers and led them over to the East gate where he had entered from, sure enough he found Jenny, a young ally of the outlaws holding the reins to his horse attached to a cart they had salvaged.

"All aboard!" he yelled.

The villagers were all too happy to oblige. Jumping onto the cart they set off and Much threw a number of silver coins to Jenny before he rode off.

Similar events were happening at the West gate and the main entrance.

Will and John were at the West gate loading up another cart and at the main entrance Lillian and Djaq.

Realising that everyone else had gone Allan let go off Vaysey and ran as quickly as he could, the remains of the crowd parted, allowing him to leave easily. As he left he threw his knife, which had previously been at Vaysey's throat at the portcullis's rope and jumped under as it descended. Robin smiled gently at his friend mimicking his previous trick, perhaps not as gracefully but in typical Allan style.

Vaysey was not happy. Not happy at all. His show had been left in tatters, and though there was no doubt at all that it was all the work of the outlaws, with Robin and Marian stood before him and in the view of nobles and villagers, he had no way of placing the blame on them.

With little more to do he flashed a devilish grin and stormed off into his quarters.

Realising that the 'show' was over the crowd dispersed and left the courtyard, a guard released Guy from the oak door and guards began to awaken from their unconsciousness. Robin and Marian stood together in front of the gallows and Robin looked up at the unused nooses.

Though they had saved their village today there was no guarantee that they were going to be safe. For as long as Vaysey was in power the whole of Nottingham was in danger, but there were a number of people who would risk their lives for the lives of others. Robin was glad to call these people his friends.

Marian piled the dishes up, and carried them out towards the kitchen. After visiting each of the cottages in Locksley and providing the families with food for an evening meal, the gang had dined at Locksley Manor, happy with their day's work.

Once the outlaws had left, not after eating every crumb on their plates, the task of washing-up had fallen into Marian's hands. Not that she minded at all. Robin carried a number of goblets in his hands and followed after her. It was at this point the door knocked. Robin half grunted, it couldn't be any villagers, they were all satisfied and happy in their homes once more. If the outlaws wanted to come in then they would have come through the back entrance.

Which left Vaysey or Guy.

Robin retraced his steps and put the goblets back down on the table and strolled over to the door making sure his sword was not too far from him.

And then he opened the door.

"Alice?"

She was a very beautiful silhouette. Standing right in front of the light it was impossible to see any of her features, but as she moved around the room he saw more of her face and her figure. Her curls swung ever so slightly as she walked and her hips swayed gently from side to side. A smile played on her rosy lips and her skin looked flawless.

Lillian turned back to her parents bed and lifted the last pile of clean washing and walked back over to the chest underneath the window, bending down she placed the shirts carefully on the top and closed the lid slowly, ensuring it didn't make too greater sound. She stood straight and for the first time gazed out of the window. It was now she noticed him. She thought she saw him wink but could have been mistaken, she smiled and then walked across to her mother's beside table and blew out the candle.

The room turned black but he still grinned away.

It was the first time the couple's eyes met but it certainly wouldn't be the last.