Chapter 13
Before the outlaws left, Robin barked out orders that Kate was to be brought along too, but with a constant guard. Robin did not know her full involvement in whatever Isabella's scheme, but he knew deep down that she played a large part. They hurried through the woods, for once no one commenting on the brisk pace their leader set, as everyone was deep in their own thoughts, worrying over the safety of the noblewoman who meant so much to them all.
Much stayed close behind Robin, all at once fearing for Marian's safety, and fearing for Robin's sanity if they were not able to get to her in time. He remained silent behind his master, his mind filled with the memories of his and Robin's time in the Holy Land and how his master would call out for Marian when he was sick with fever. He alone was able to see their love blossom from a love between children to a true love that would rival all others.
The outlaws followed closely behind Robin and Much. John and Tuck pulled the struggling Isabella along between them, while just behind, Will and Alan dragged the silent Kate along. Kate remained silent as she hurried through the forest, her face held immobile by fear of what Robin would do to her if they got to the castle too late to save Marian from the sheriff and Gisborne.
They rushed through the forest, everyone running different strategies through their heads, as they frantically checked their persons to make sure they had grabbed the correct weapons as they bolted from the camp.
Robin ran along, his mind running a mile a minute as he spoke low under his breath. It took some time before he realized what he was doing, praying. He, who so rarely uttered a word to any higher being, was praying with every extra breath he had for Marian's safety. He bargained with God, begging that he protect Marian until he, Robin could get to her.
Marian wasn't aware how much time passed before the sheriff and Gisborne once again graced her with their presence. The sheriff leered into her cell, causing Marian to take a step back further into the darkness behind her. The sheriff laughed evilly and then turned to the jailor.
"Well hurry up! Release her!" He demanded.
"Release her my lord?" The jailor asked nervously, unwilling to move his set of rings any closer to the noblewoman's cell, for fear that she would somehow get herself loose and he would be held responsible.
"I said release her!" The sheriff yelled, smirking as his jailor hurried to unlock Marian's cell. "Guards!" He called out behind him a moment before a large group of guards filled the dungeon.
"I don't think she'll be getting away." The sheriff said lowly, watching the jailor fiddle with the lock on Marian's cell. The lock clicked loose and the cell door swung open.
"Good." The sheriff said with a smile, as the jailor reached in to pull Marian out. Marian struggles against his grimy hands, preferring the devil she knew to the one she didn't.
As she was hustled to stand in front of the sheriff, Marian froze at the calculating gleam in his eyes.
"What is your game?" She asked haughtily with every bit of courage left in her body.
"Well." The sheriff said, leaning closer to speak low in her ear as if he was imparting some great secret. "Guy and I have decided that you would be of more use to us with a noose around your neck."
Marian flinched at the reminder of the dreary outlook for the rest of her life, but tried to contain it to as small of a movement as possible. The sheriff's beady eyes noticed the small movement and his smile grew wider. He rubbed his hands together as he once again leaned in.
"Oh I won't hand you. Yet." He said. "If you were already dead, then Hood wouldn't care if he lived or died. But he would take out as many as my men as possible in his quest to avenge your death." He stepped backed and strolled around the room. Guards stepped up behind Marian, one taking each of her arms to hold her in place. "Yes. He would be a menace. But." He paused to add dramatic effect. "If you were still alive, he would be too busy worrying about your safety to cause as much damage. He would be weaker, and less able to elude capture."
"So if you're going to use me as bait, then why release me?"
"Well I wouldn't want Robin Hood running rampant around my castle now would I?" The sheriff asked in a sing song voice. "It's much more jarring to walk up to the castle and seeing your beloved standing there with a noose around her neck, don't you think?" The sheriff continued, quirking his head at Marian in question.
Marian turned imploring eyes on Guy, knowing he was her only chance of getting out of this mess. She hated herself for having to resort to this, but it was the only way she knew how to protect Robin.
"Don't start making those eyes at Guy." The sheriff interrupted, grabbing her chin and pulling her to face him. "He doesn't love you anymore. I'm surprised you don't remember. Did that hot metal in your belly take away some memories?" He asked.
Marian flinched at the reminder of her near death experience in the Holy Land. And brought a reminder that she was still healing from the damage that fateful sword inflicted.
"Bored now." The sheriff said drolly, releasing Marian's chin harshly, as he turned and led the way out of the dungeon.
"Guy!" Marian hissed as she was pulled past the sheriff's lieutenant. "I stayed here because you asked me. Remember that, remember what you owe me." She continued in a low tone, as she passed.
When the high walls of Nottingham came into view, Robin finally slowed the grueling pace and came to a stop at the edge of the trees.
Much stopped right beside him, his hands dropping to his thighs as he sucked in deep breaths. Robin heard the others come up behind them, and ignored Isabella's struggles.
"Make sure that gag is good and tight." He said grimly, studying the walls of Nottingham before him.
Alan handed Kate off to Will and Djaq, and came to stand on Robin's other side.
"Any ideas?" Robin asked.
"The sheriff could do one of two things. Neither of which you're going to like." Alan started cautiously.
Robin shot him a hard look for stalling and motioned for him to continue.
"Well, he'll either leave her in the dungeon and lay a trap for you somewhere in the castle." Alan started slowly, his voice betraying his uncertainty of this idea.
"And the second?" John prompted from behind them.
"They'll already have her on the scaffold." He said, his eyes darting over to Robin to gauge the other man's reaction. He noticed the grim look on Robin's face as he pondered these two options.
"He'll already have her in place." Robin said quietly. "He wouldn't want me in the castle, we've managed to escape too many times and he knows we have Alan with us. He'll assume we'll know more ways in and out." Robin paused and paced in front of the others, his face darkening as he pictured what scene awaited them.
"He'll have her on the scaffold. She'll be out in the open. More vulnerable to attack." Robin continued. "He'll do it for the theatrics. The shock of seeing Lady Marian at the hangman's noose." Robin continued darkly.
Behind him Isabella struggled more violently, shouting from behind her gag. John and Tuck had trouble keeping her still. Until Robin yelled for silence and held up a hand.
He slowly turned to face the traitorous woman and glared.
"Your words mean nothing. The sheriff will not kill Marian until I get there. She is too valuable."
He stepped closer and grabbed Isabella by the front of her dress. "You better start praying Isabella, because if anything happens to Marian, you better pray that I am no where nearby, or you'll be finding hell a whole lot sooner than expected." He said in a low, dark voice.
Isabella stilled at his words. Her eyes going wide at the hatred she heard in them. Isabella flinched back from the man in front of her. Kate watched from her place between Will and Djaq, petrified of the thought of Robin turning those words on her. Robin turned away in disgust and looked back out towards Nottingham.
"Master." Much said quietly, returning to his side. "What is the plan."
"We go to Nottingham." Robin replied quietly.
Marian moved awkwardly through the castle as she was dragged along behind the sheriff. Once they reached the main doors, the sheriff stepped through and threw his arms out wide. Marian was pulled closely behind, and came to a stop at the sight before her.
The scaffold had been moved into the center of the square, right before the castle steps. The executioner already stood in place, and a stool sat in the middle of the scaffold. But what brought Marian to a halt, what brought an icy chill to her heart, was the sight of the noose swinging softly in the breeze. She dug in her heels as the guards pulled her forward, fighting her natural instinct to cry out, to fight for life. When she saw the crowd beginning to gather in front of the scaffold, she straightened her back, her eyes searching hopefully through the crowd for a familiar face. As she saw none, the light in her eyes dimmed a little and she straightened her back and moved silently forward, her head held high and proudly. None of the people in the crowd before her may know the truth, but she did. She knew that if she died, she died for helping others, and that was something to be proud of, not something to fear.
She ignored the murmurs of the people before her, as the guards pushed her up the stairs onto the scaffold. She flinched as one guard used this as an opportunity to run a hand along the sides of her breasts and cup her buttocks. She gasped and flushed with embarrassment, but could do no more than hiss at the offending hand, as the other guard held her too tightly.
As she was led onto the scaffold, Marian kept her eyes open and fixed above the heads of the people before her, refusing to meet their eyes. She stepped unsteadily onto the stool, keeping her back rigid to keep the stool as still as possible. She flinched as she felt the noose lowered around her neck. And grimaced when she smelled the executioner as he moved close to tighten it. The rope burned against the soft skin of her neck as it was pulled tight against her.
Behind her, Marian could hear the sheriff's glee as he extolled to Gisborne of her capture. She kept her eyes open, refusing to show any weakness to those before her. She pulled in all her strength, the strength that allowed her to get out of bed in the mornings after Robin left for the Holy Land, the strength that when she realized how much help the people needed, allowed her to create the Nightwatchman, the strength that helped her battle her way back from a mortal wound and fever. She called on every ounce of that strength now, hoping that it can allow her, if it comes to that, to meet her death with dignity.
The outlaws held silent as they followed Robin down the main road into Nottingham. They felt uneasy at being so out in the open, but as Robin said, the sheriff would be expecting them; there would be no need to hide.
Robin moved in front of his men, passing easily through the gates that guarded Nottingham from the rest of the shire. Even though Alan had prepared him for this possibility, even though he himself pictured the situation, the sight of Marian standing atop a scaffold with a noose about her neck was enough to bring him to his knees.
Robin's eyes met Marian's from across the square. Only one word could be brought to his lips. A word so quiet and pained it could barely be called a whisper.
"Marian."
Author's Note: Thank you guys again for all of the reviews! I know I've been bad with this late update, I do apologize. I don't have the next chapter written yet, but I'll try to get it out to you as soon as possible.