A little reluctantly, the gang returned the children to their homes in Nettlestone before going into town to complete their mission.
One of the pudgier little ones gave Much a big hug. Much was startled at first, but then exclaimed triumphantly, "See! He likes me!"
They laughed and waved goodbye to the children.
"All right, Master," Much whispered as they entered the castle.
"Meet you outside the portcullis," Robin said as he dashed in the direction of the Sheriff's chamber while the others headed down to the dungeon.
The Sheriff was eating figs contentedly.
"Enjoying the fruits of the crusade?" Robin said, stepping out from the shadows.
"How did you—Guards!!" the Sheriff shouted.
"I wouldn't bother, they're not there."
"You just stay where you are, Hood. You're not getting away."
Robin smiles, knowing he will.
"I have a theory," Robin said, holding an arrow taut in his bow.
"And what's that?" the Sheriff asked, trying not to appear nervous.
"You're lonely. And you're old. And you have no one to look after you. You hate women and children because they don't like you. And you don't like that."
The Sheriff's face fell into a scowl.
Robin went on, "You don't like that the only person who cares if you're alive is an outlaw who, let's face it, is going to kill you without a thought the minute King Richard sets foot on English soil."
Robin paused.
"Nobody likes you, nobody loves you, nobody wants you," he said. "You have a cold black blank heart and I swear if you ever do anything to hurt the children of Nottingham again, I will send an arrow straight into that empty space in your chest."
"Ah, but I won't even feel it, now will I?" the Sheriff responded. "Of course, you've already said you can't kill me so what good is that threat, eh? No, Hood. I think I'll keep doing exactly what I please, regardless of your theories or your philanthropic philosophies."
"You don't sound as sure as you used to," Robin taunted. "The end is close," he whispered as he shot the arrow, seamlessly reached into his quiver, and shot another pinning the Sheriff's sleeves to the back of his chair. Robin ran out of the room laughing.
He met the others outside. They had about twenty children with them.
"Do we have them all?" he asked.
John nodded.
"And they're from different villages?"
John nodded again.
"Let's split up and get these kids home, right lads?" Robin said, hurrying them out of the town with his usual exhilaration after a standoff with the Sheriff.