It was the following morning when Elizabeth awoke early, rushing down the stairs to help Sarah prepare breakfast for that day. She startled as soon as she took the last step, finally looking up from the wood beneath her as she noted the two men stood by the open window, looking at each other and conversing lowly.

"Hood is not to know that I have been paying someone to be him," the Sheriff of Nottingham hissed, his back to Elizabeth as Gisborne continued to stare out of the window, his hand holding his chin as he remained intrigued by what he was hearing.

"And how many more has he killed now?" Gisborne dared to ask and Elizabeth finally moved from the step, the floorboard creaking underneath her weight as she did so.

Gisborne's gaze found her form and the Sheriff soon whirled around to look at her, a toothy grin forming on his face as he rubbed his hands together.

"Up before the maid, Gisborne?" he joked. "Tire her out too much last night, did you? What would Marian say?"

Gisborne shook his head and sighed, peering through his lashes to look darkly at Elizabeth as she dipped into a curtsey, her skirts clenched in her sweaty palms as she did so. She knew what she had just heard. She knew now that she had to find Robin Hood and tell her what she'd heard. But she knew what would happen if Gisborne found out.

She was well aware that he would cast her out and see her suffer.

"Should you not be in the kitchen, Elizabeth?" he wondered.

"Yes, Sir Guy," she responded. "I was on my way now."

"Then don't let us hold you up," the Sheriff said, his fingers wriggling in the direction of the kitchen.

Elizabeth gritted her teeth and curtseyed again before rushing off to the safety of the kitchen. Sarah was already there, preparing breakfast before she arched a brow at the young girl.

"You look flustered, love," she spoke. "You seen a ghost or something?"

"Something like that," Elizabeth nodded at her and looked around the kitchen before sighing dramatically at the sight of the lack of bread on the table. "We need more bread...I'll go to the market and buy some. Is there anything else we need?"

"What's the rush?" Sarah laughed lightly, wondering what was wrong with the girl.

Elizabeth shook her head and grabbed the cloak she always left in the kitchen, pushing it around her body and tying it securely by her chest. She took the bag of coins Sarah usually left her by the sink and she took an apple for breakfast.

"Nothing whatsoever," Elizabeth responded. "I just need some air and I thought I would go before the...well...I just thought it would be best to go now."

"You're in a funny mood," Sarah shook her head but didn't contest the girl as she rushed out the Manor.

...

Elizabeth didn't know how long she had been wandering on horseback through the woods. She'd had the stable master ready her horse and she'd climbed up before taking off. She'd taught herself how to sit side saddle ever since Sir Guy had stopped taking her to Nottingham town. He'd told her to learn how to ride a horse, knowing full well that it was a useful skill.

"Do I just yell his name?" Elizabeth wandered aloud as the sun streamed through the gaps of the branches. "Does he magically appear?"

Elizabeth finally slid down from her horse, her back aching as she took the reins and led the creature through the forest, moving from the road and down the hill. She stumbled a couple of times, her cloak end dirtying in the mud and leaves.

"For the love of God!" she finally snapped. "Where is this godforsaken outlaw?"

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear."

Elizabeth looked up to where the voice had come from and she squinted in the light, doing her best to locate him. Fortunately she had no need to squint for long as she saw him drop down from a tree branch, landing right in front of her and causing her to startle.

"I thought you said you'd devise a system for me to speak to you?" she snarled at him and he gestured around the woods.

"Has this not worked? I followed you for a while. I needed to make sure you hadn't brought Gisborne along with you. I hear there's talk of him being besotted with a serving wench."

Elizabeth scoffed. "I doubt it," she responded. "Anyway, I'm here now."

"You are," Hood responded. "So I do hope you have some information about my recent murders."

"Oh, you mean that they're not your murders?"

"I knew that bit already."

Elizabeth smirked, folding her arms over her chest as she felt slightly impressed with herself. "The Sheriff is paying someone to commit the murders. I think he wants to tarnish your reputation."

Robin placed a hand to his chin and rubbed the small beard forming there. He looked around, contemplating what she had just said. He supposed it did make sense. He just had to prove it somehow. He needed a conversation with the Sheriff.

"I see," Robin said, "and how do you know this?"

"The Sheriff was speaking to Sir Guy this morning about it. I caught them whispering before I went to the kitchen."

"And do I have reason to doubt you?" he asked her and she arched a brow, pulling a hand through her blonde locks before she shrugged.

"I know that I have told the truth," she assured him. "I promised you that I would help. I don't make up promises, especially not when there are lives at risk."

Robin seemed content for a moment before he heard the distant sound of barking in the background. Elizabeth looked at him and her orbs widened. Robin hastily grabbed her by the waist, making her squeal as he hauled her onto her horse, settling her in the saddle as she looked down at him.

"Get out of here," he urged her. "Gisborne's men will be searching for me and I don't need you here."

"And what do I tell him?" Elizabeth worried. "If he sees me...what do I...he'll kill me if he knew..."

Robin looked at her for a brief moment. "Do you have any money on you? Say that a band of outlaws caught you on the way to Nottingham...do not mention my name."

"Will he believe it?"

"You know him better than me," Robin shrugged and Elizabeth threw the bag of coins down to him. He reached up for the hem of her skirt and quickly tore the material.

Elizabeth reached down to slap him across the shoulder and he chuckled at the sight of her, reaching to ruffle her hair as she bent down to him. She looked messier than she had done. Robin winked and began to scale a tree.

"I'll see you soon, Elizabeth," he called down and she huffed before pulling the reins of her horse and making it trot forwards. She continued to grumble under her breath before she came to the main road.

She could still hear the barking of dogs as she went until the sound finally grew louder. She held tightly onto her horse at the sight of them rushing towards her, jumping up and attempting to bite her. She did her best to kick them away before horse hooves approached her. She looked across, her hair a mess over her face as she did so. She gasped for breath, genuine fear from the dogs showing on her face.

It was then when Gisborne recognised who the girl was.

"Call the dogs off!" Gisborne yelled to his guards as Elizabeth's horse finally spooked and pushed her from it.

Gisborne climbed from his horse as his men grabbed the dogs, stopping them from attacking her as she lay on the floor, wincing in pain at the sudden drop which she had just made. Guy knelt by her side and helped her to sit up, yelling at his men to leave him be as the barking of dogs slowly drove him to annoyance.

They had been tracing Hood's scent, yet they had picked up Elizabeth. Guy remained quiet for a second, his hair falling into his face as he did so.

"Are you okay?" Guy wondered from her, wanting to know what had happened to her. "Your dress is ripped...you look a mess..." he confessed to her and she scoffed, rolling her eyes as she heard him.

He noted the rip in her dress and the dirt which now covered her face as he helped her to her feet, his arm hooking around her waist and keeping her close to him. She gasped for a moment at the sudden movement, her side in pain and she knew it would surely be bruised.

"I...I was on the way to the market...but someone attacked me...I don't know who it was," she said, doing her best to sound hysterical as she felt her eyes water. "They took my money...I couldn't see their faces. I was on my way back to Locksley, Sir Guy when your dogs found me..."

Gisborne watched her breast heave for a moment before he felt her hands come to rest on his chest, snapping him out of his daze as he looked back to her and she gulped, her orbs wide and wet. He narrowed his own eyes, doing his best to deduce the girl in front of him.

"The dogs were looking for Hood," he spoke gruffly. "Do you think it was him who attacked you?"

She shrugged and knew that she had to act better than she was doing. She looked around, trying to be confused as she moved her hands to rest on his shoulders and she felt him move his hand from her waist, dropping it to her hip as his other hand did the same.

"I don't know," she said. "I can't remember...I fell down and he had a hood up, yet if the dogs were searching for his scent then perhaps...it must have been him..."

Gisborne nodded. How could he doubt her? She was trembling in his arms as he finally moved to stroke her hair, his hands feeling the soft waves as she finally stifled a sob and fully gave herself to his embrace.

A small smirk played on Gisborne's face as he moved his lips to her ear, whispering hotly;

"I'll see Hood swing for this," he whispered to her, "and anyone involved with him...all of them...in the gallows."

Elizabeth took a second to look over Gisborne's shoulder, her hands holding his leather clad back as she took in his words. She knew that she had to be careful now. She couldn't afford to bump into Gisborne again. There would only be so many times he believed her story.

"Come on," Gisborne gruffly said. "I shall take you back to the Manor. You can spend the rest of the day resting."

"I am fine, Sir Guy-"

"-I insist." Gisborne told her, his hand on the small of her back as he led her back to her horse.

Elizabeth finally stood by the horse and kissed him on the cheek, knowing full well the effect it would have on him as his breathing quickened and he leaned closer to her. She had to play her part well. She had to keep Gisborne on side now. She'd gotten involved once with Hood and once was enough to condemn her.

"Thank you," she spoke, "for finding me."

He gave a gruff response as his thumb traced her lips and he felt her pulse as he held her wrist in his hand, his thumb on her pulse.

"You're not to venture out here again," Gisborne warned her.

"Yes, Sir Guy." Elizabeth smiled softly and he helped her onto her horse before fetching his own. She watched him with bated breath before nodding. She'd manage this. She had to.

...

A/N: So Lizzie is definitely in trouble if Guy catches her! Anyway, thanks to starrysky7, Mediatrix and contentiousprincess for reviewing the previous chapter! Do let me know what y'all think!