Some Things Are Worth More Than Gold
Please note that I do not own any of the characters in this story, they belong to the BBC…this is a non-for-profit, just for fun piece of fan writing. Enjoy x
Chapter Thirteen – The Exchange
The day dawned bright and clear, refreshed after the storm. Robin and the gang prepared themselves to go to Nottingham with the money. They were five days early for the hanging, but that was all part of the plan. They did not want to give the Sheriff any opportunity to take Marian to the scaffold, regardless of whether the hanging was going to happen or not.
In the castle Marian was awoken as had become routine by the guards and was escorted to the tall room. Trying as best she could to prepare her stiff aching muscles for the day ahead, she walked into the room with her head held high. She saw a sympathetic glance or two from some guards as they closed the door on her.
Sneaking swiftly and silently into the castle, Robin and the gang gathered just around the corner from the Sheriff's main rooms.
"Right, here's the plan." Robin whispered, "Will, Allan, you take the guards on the door, then stand watch. Djaq, you bring the chest. Much with me on the Sheriff and Gisborne. John, the door."
The gang nodded their assent.
"Let's go."
Will and Allan sprinted round the corner, and sprung on the unsuspecting guards. The rest of the gang heard soft clangs as the guards were lowered to the floor. John, Djaq, Robin and Much ran around to join them. Taking John's staff in his hand, Robin stood aside as the large man rammed the door causing it to spring apart, startling those inside the room.
"Have you missed me Vaisey?" Robin strode into the room with his usual cocky walk. Much held his sword to Gisborne's neck preventing him from reacting. Djaq thumped the chest of money onto the table in front of the Sheriff.
"Recognise this?" Robin waved his hand towards the chest and threw the parchment onto the table as well.
"That's my money!" The Sheriff spluttered, "Have you come to return it?"
"No." Robin said simply, "I have come to offer an exchange."
"Let me guess…." Said the Sheriff sarcastically, "You give me the money, I let the poor peasants advocate Marian go."
"Yes."
"And why should I do that?" the Sheriff pouted, eyeing Much who was pressing the knife to Gisborne's throat.
"Because if you do not, we will kill Gisborne." Robin said the first thing that came into his head, the gang had somewhat naively thought that the Sheriff would be so eager for his money back that he would not hesitate to agree to the trade.
Robin could see the Sheriff stiffen slightly, he had not expected that.
There was silence in the room whilst the gang waited for the Sheriff's answer.
"Fine." The Sheriff waved his hand dismissively. "But haven't you forgotten Robin, Marian is still under house arrest. She goes nowhere!"
"I know that. But, in return for us giving you the money you stop the tort…punishment," Robin nearly stumbled over the word, not being able to think of his beloved being tortured, "and return her to her rooms, and make sure her father is adequately cared for."
"Yes. Yes. Whatever you say." The Sheriff waved off Robin's speech, "Now if you let my Master-at-arms go he can go down to the dungeon and let her go."
They were interrupted at this point by three knocks on the door, followed by a hurried whisper,
"Robin! There is a man demanding to see the Sheriff, he is coming this way fast" Will's voice came through the door.
The gang inside prepared to leave, grabbing the chest and the parchment they made for the door;
"This will be continued Vaisey." Robin shouted as the gang left the room, just as Lord Dainton came striding around the corner.
"Vaisey! I have had a visitor; one Robin Hood." He said
"And?" the Sheriff grimaced
"He has my money!"
"Yes and I am currently in the process of getting it back. What of it?" the Sheriff shouted
"That is beside the point. It should never have got into his hands anyway! You promised all of the Lords safe passage for their funds!"
Outside Robin motioned for his gang to follow him down to the dungeons.
Marian stood with her eyes shut, trying hard to take her mind off of the pain in her muscles. Her eyes sprang open when she heard the clang of metal on metal. Peering through the cracks in the door didn't help.
Suddenly light flooded the tall room. Blinking as her eyes adjusted Marian found herself staring at Robin.
"Marian! Are you ok?"
Relief flooded Marian's body, she wasn't free exactly, but at least she did not have to stand in this wretched place anymore. She fainted. Robin's strong arms quickly encircled her preventing her from hitting the stone floor.
"Much! Take my sword! Quickly."
Much wrenched the sword from Robin's grasp and Robin scooped Marian up in his arms. The gang formed a protective circle round Robin and together they all left the dungeons.
Back in the Sheriff's room Lord Dainton, the Sheriff and Gisborne were interrupted again.
"My Lord! Robin Hood and his men have raided the dungeons and taken the Lady Marian!"
"Gisborne! Outside now! Guards!"
Out in the courtyard Robin and his men found several guards, the Sheriff, Gisborne and Lord Dainton blocking the way.
"Ok then Hood! You have your little Lady-friend, now give me the money! Oh wait…and give me your Lady-friend too, she is staying in the castle! Ha!"
Robin whispered to the gang;
"Cause as much of a distraction as you can. I will take Marian back to her room, she needs rest. I will be back."
The gang obeyed, in the heat of the commotion Robin ran back into the castle, Marian still unconscious in his arms.
"I will see Lady Marian back to her room. Then you can have your money Sheriff!" Robin shouted a parting comment
Pushing the door to Marian's usual room in the castle open, Robin carried his lady to her bed. Gently laying her down on it he set about wrapping the bedclothes around her, making sure that she was warm. She stirred.
"Robin?"
"Sssh. You are safe now. I have to go, but I will return later." He kissed her on the forehead and left the room to rejoin his gang.
END OF CHAPTER