A/N: Sorry for the wait everyone! I'd like to say that there'll be an update soon for the other two, but, by now I think you all know exactly what I'm like. But still, it's my birthday on Saturday - don't be mad D:

Morning's First Light

You be the Princess, I'll be the Dragon

I wanna take you to the ball in a Pumpkin Carriage,

You be Alice, I'll be the Mad Hatter,

You make a shit tea,

But it don't matter.

You be Humpty, I'll be the wall,

I'll pick up the pieces though I told you, you'd fall.

Untouchable – James Elmer

Their relief was quickly shot down, as they heard the Sheriff and his men approaching. Quietly, they made their way towards the steps, hoping to escape the castle before they were noticed. Too late. "Guards! Get them!" echoed the cry, as they all drew their swords, Swallow bouncing on the balls of her feet in anticipation for the coming fight. Allan clapped his hand on her shoulder, smiling fondly at her, before moving into a fighting stance. Robin vaulted over the wall, to head off the Sheriff and his guards, kicking the first man back down the steps and tripping up a few more. Will ran to meet two other guards head on, Much in tow. The blond haired man kicked a guard viciously in the stomach as he stumbled back to his feet. Swallow turned in the opposite direction, to face the guards rapidly approaching her. Allan had disappeared from her side, and she had to face them alone. Bending her knees and putting all her feet into her feet, she leapt up high, her hands nimbly grabbing hold of the wooden beam above her head. Her feet continued moving, carried by the momentum, and smashed right into his head. He dropped to the floor, his helmet causing a sickening clang as it clattered on the stone.

She risked a glance at the others, and almost dropped her sword in shock. The Sheriff had entered the fray unbeknownst to the others. The others were otherwise occupied keeping back several guards of their own, so it was up to her. With a loud battle cry, she leapt over the wall at a much higher point than Robin had jumped from, and landed nimbly, like a cat. Crouching low, she batted his sword away from him and pushed him back down the steps. Robin backed up against her, flourishing his sword, before battering away at another soldier. Will slid past them, using the stone banister as a slide, before landing in front of Swallow and engaging in a furious battle with two guards at once. Once the others had caught up with them, Robin knocked away the last guard and grabbed a hold of the Sheriff, putting his sword to the snivelling old man's throat. Swallow twitched in shock, and, placing her hand on his arm, murmured, "Robin, what are you doing?" in a warning tone. He shook her off and turned, addressing the remaining conscious guards "Get back! No one needs die today." The guards milled around anxiously, unsure.

Their momentary pause seemed to give him more heart and he continued, an air of arrogance coating his voice and a cheeky grin directed towards the others "I think you know how this goes…" he half chuckled, glancing from side to side at the guards, still dithering about uselessly, "How much did you have to pay him?" He demanded as the outlaws made their way towards the castle gates. The sheriff sighed, clearly used to being treated that way and replied almost conversationally, "Well, you know, surprisingly little… Did you really think he was a Tax Inspector?" he jeered, laughing mirthlessly at the much younger man. "Was it enough to sacrifice his boy's life?" The Sheriff began to struggle slightly, obviously tiring of Robin's plans. "You can kill 'im if you like, noone'll miss him, least of all me!" He began struggling more, as the group of outlaws began to near the gate and he realised they would get away. "You are revolting," muttered Much in disgust.

The Sheriff looked about to snap; Gisbourne conveniently interrupted the group with, "You can forget the others, Hood, just me and you." Robin laughed mirthlessly, and shook his head at the man. "Sorry Gisbourne, but trial by combat ain't big and it ain't clever!" Gisbourne shook his head in mock disgust, his lip curling up into a slight sneer "And neither is robbing defenceless pilgrims-" Robin looked from Swallow to Allan, to Much and back at Will, confusion clouding his face "What pilgrims?" The outlaws shrugged in confusion, understanding even less than their leader. Gisbourne continued gloating, "Women in Holy Orders!" Robin growled in answer, the rest of the group melding closer together as the guards returning with Gisbourne made as if to engage with them. "Step aside! Now!" demanded Robin as they walked under the portcullis. With a reluctant expression, Gisbourne made the signal for his guards to move, jerking his arm towards the castle with an expression of loathing directed at Robin. "Anyone know anything about these Pilgrims?" She asked casually as she waved her sword threateningly at one guard who had gotten too close. "I haven't touched no Pilgrims!" protested Allan, Swallow sniggered slightly before replying in a jesting tone "You know Allan, I really wouldn't have put it past you!" Robin cut off Allan's shout of protest, with "Taxmen who aren't taxmen; Pilgrims nobody has ever heard of; I think we've both been had!" The portcullis snapped shut and the band of outlaws ran off towards the horses, leaving behind the Sheriff screaming furiously at his guards.

Some distance away from the place they had left John guarding the boy, they halted amongst the trees. Robin quickly attracting the older man's attention with the gangs agreed signal, a whistle imitating birdsong, which Swallow had not yet mastered fully. John struggled to his feet and wandered over to them.

"We've been tricked." Will said

"How?" John muttered gruffly, gripping his staff tightly between his huge hands.

"He's not really a taxman," shrugged Allan, leaning nonchalantly against a thick tree trunk.

"Shh!" Robin hissed, looking back at the group and pressing a finger to his lips.

Will continued in an urgent whisper, "It's not just us though, the Sheriff's been tricked too!"

"Yeah…" Allan agreed, before trailing off slightly and asking "Wait, how do we know that again?"

Swallow and Robin glanced at him at spoke at the same time "The inch of truth!"

Much wrinkled his nose in confusion, "What?" Robin sighed, before gesturing at Swallow to explain as he turned his back to the men and continued watching the still tied up boy.

"The money." She said, addressing each of the men in turn "The bit about the tax money was true."

"So?"

"So, anyone as sneaky as that tax inspector wouldn't just settle for a few coppers, not when he could take every single gold coin in the north of the country."

This time Allan spoke uncomprehendingly, "So?"

Robin took over "So, you-" He pointed at John "Go back, untie him-" he jerked over his shoulder at the lone lad "And with any luck, he'll run all the way back to his little friends-"

"Leading us to them in the process," She grinned, finally cottoning on to his plan.

Robin nodded in agreement, smiling slightly at her enthusiasm, before Much interrupted, a slight frown gracing his face. "There's no need," he said "Look-"

The boy, Cedric, was straining against his bonds, grunting and groaning as he popped his shoulder out of joint. The others clustered around them, Allan pressing up behind Swallow as he leaned in to get a closer look, "Cheeky beggar-" he chuckled appreciatively as they all watched the boy escape. Their faces all matched the same expression, a mixture of disgust and curiosity; not one of them could look away.

Much spoke wonderingly "That is weird… It's like a circus act!" He claimed finally, before adding "That is disgusting."

"Three groups." Robin said, seriously "Switch pursuit. Silent running. Go."