A/N Sorry for the really long update, I've been so busy and plus it took me awhile to come up with a plot for this episode (I was conflicted between two ideas and I didn't know which one to go with) Thank-you to everyone who has reviewed and to let everyone know about who is and isn't going to die; Marian will be dying, I'm not changing my mind on that (I'm sorry but I just don't see how Elaine being there will make any difference, and I'm hating myself for killing her off again – her death destroyed me and here I am doing it again) if you want to stop reading, that's fine, I understand why a lot of people wouldn't want to fanfiction where Marian dies (again :/) I would just appreciate it if you didn't tell me you are going to stop reading because it makes me feel like no one is reading my work. As for Robin's death I'm open to options, I have a plan for what will happen either way and I have a poll on my page asking whether or not you want him to die or not (or if you're a guest reader and can't answer the polls you can answer in the reviews. Thanks). Infact I'm rooting for the option of him living.
As for the rating's thank-you to a guest reviewer, for answering whether or not you would mind if the rating's would change, I'll be leaving it like it is for now but come season 3 (I have a lot of dark plots in mind) I'll probably need to change the rating's to M.
^ Sorry for the long author's note (I feel like it's a bit of a rant but I just wanted to clear the air about who will be dying and who won't be) Anyway… onwards with the story…
How to tame an Outlaw: Angel of death
Everything was fuzzy it was like I had been whacked over the head and fallen into an unconscious sleep that had lasted an eternity, maybe I had been in an unconscious sleep. My eyes blurred open and was met with teary bright green ones looming over me with a look on their face I couldn't quite place in my haziness and a heavy weight was on my stomach. Looking down I saw an unusual sight, a figure curling over me, crying. Allan.
I opened my mouth to speak but found it was too dry for any words to come out so where no sound escaped my lips I instead mouthed "What's going on?"
Robin, who was sitting on the bunk I was laying on, saw me try to speak and his eyes opened wide as he tapped Allan on the shoulder desperately "It worked! I thought you were really gone" Allan's head pricked up seeing me and a smile formed on his face.
"Elaine!" He cried before throwing his arms around me, still crying. His hands stroked at my hair. I was confused as hell, what was happening, why were they crying? I had only been sleeping… hadn't I? I was sure of it. I tried to fix my memory together, the last thing I could remember was going to Pitts street and –
"You were poisoned" Robin explained, he had stopped crying but the redness in his eyes were still evident "Someone was impersonating as the nightwatchman…"
"I remember" I weakly said though if they heard what I said I'd be surprised. Robin seemed to read my lips and nodded. Allan finally lifted his head from around him bearing a smile I hadn't seen in awhile.
"I can't believe you did that to me" He grinned "I thought you'd really died"
I smiled faintly "Sorry"
Robin got up from where he was sitting on the side of my bed and spoke to the rest of the gang "We need to get this cure to everyone, spread out we should be done before, well done John"
John nodded though shrugged it off.
Much grinned "How did you know it would work?"
"I know some things"
*~How to tame an Outlaw~*
The previous day
"I will not fall" I told Allan as he gave me a lift onto the tree before teasing not to hurt myself too much when I lost my footing. I kept a hand around the trunk of the tree to prevent exactly what he said would happen, to happen "Climbing trees is practically my life"
He grinned and said with an overdramatic voice "And you're mine" Blushing. I gave him an impressed face.
"Wow, you're getting smooth with this"
"I've been practising"
"I bet you have" I said, I looked down at myself covered in brown leaves making me blend in with the scene. My chocolate-coloured hair was tied up in a bun with leaves tucked under strands of hair. The camouflage was sure to trick any traveller "I think this is the first time I've ever been excited to ambush someone"
"Well don't fall and it'll go even smoother" Allan teased causing me to glare at me.
"I hate you"
I held onto the tree trunk whilst I kept my balance sturdy on a high branch. I was not going to slip if only two prove Allan wrong. Apparently the older you get the harder it is to climb trees, I used to climb them all the time as a child.
I looked up at the distant trees and saw two people were walking through the forest, they were dots from where they were standing so I couldn't get a clear face. They didn't have much luggage nor any form of transport just the two of them walking alone. They probably weren't the best targets but Will was desperate to try out his new trap to see if it worked well and to make it work the gang had to blend in and by blend in I mean to literally dress up as trees.
I was positioned up high in a tree with leaves covering my clothes from head to toe to give me camouflage; I look over at Allan with his arm painted green, he was already looking at me and our eyes caught. He sent me a wink and then pretended to fall down, I glared back at his handsome face that was almost unfair to look at. I looked away to stop myself from laughing, I couldn't show him that I found him funny. When I looked back up at him his head had already ducked behind the fallen tree again.
When the travellers got closer Allan picked up a stone and threw it behind them. Startled, they jumped around. Djaq who was perched on Little John's shoulders and covered in a brown cloak with a stag's antlers attached to the top of Djaq's head made them look massive and as our two victims turned they grew large above them. When they turned back around and saw the 'monster' in front of them they turned and ran, that was when I came in.
I jumped down from the tree, stopping them from coming any further and they instantly turned in the other direction straight to where our trap was. Robin fired his bow at the right time letting the trap loose as a large net fell above them. The travellers ran into it before attempting at clawing their way out.
"This is an ambush!" Much cried
"A little of what you have could be a lot for the poor of Nottingham"
"We are the poor" They cried back. That I didn't doubt, looking at them now I could see the tatted clothing from walking far with worn out shoes. I also swore I recognized them from somewhere.
My question was answered as soon as Will ran out of the trees.
"Dad? Dad!" Will cried and ran into his dad's and brother's arms.
"This is your dad?" I grinned at the smile planted on Will's face.
"and my little brother Lukey" He pulled his brother into a bone crushing hug through the hanging net as the rest of us laughed with happiness at the reunited family.
Back at camp an hour later I was still pulling out leaves from my hair.
"What's wrong?" I asked Will who was sulking whilst rubbing a cloth over his face and with it the brown paint coming off his face.
"Nothing" he shrugged but I could tell something was off.
"Will, come on, you can tell me"
He looked between telling me and again saying nothing was wrong but I nudged him with my shoulder and he sent me a weak smile.
"The reason my dad came back was because he wants me to go back to Scarborough with him" He confessed looking away.
I was brought back to when Will, Allan and I had planned on leaving to Scarborough back when we thought the king was coming home. It seemed so long ago, yes really it was only a few months and so much had changed. Even I am a little sceptical about leaving when Allan and I get married. The gang had become my home and leaving now would be hard. I could see the relationship forming between Will and Djaq and him going with his dad and brother now… well, I could understand why he didn't want to go because I didn't want to either.
"Stay then" I told him "If you want to stay then you should"
"But they're my family"
"So are we" I shrugged. Will paused before nodding. Whilst I knew he loved his family and always would, the gang had become something much more than that. I cast my eyes over at Will's dad; Dan and his brother who were marvelling at the camp.
"Sorry" He mumbled. My eyebrows knitted together as I wondered what he was on about.
"What about?"
"Well when you and Allan leave, where will you go now that I won't be coming with you?"
"We've discussed this" I explained "We're planning on going to Allan's parents" I didn't want to go into further detail about why we're going to go there, I didn't really feel the need to.
"His parents?" Will thought "Allan's never really spoke much about them"
"I know… I only just found out recently about them"
Dan walked over to me and Will seizing our conversation "This craftsmanship is good"
"See? I've got a life here"
"What that says to me is you could earn a decent living in Scarborough" Dan kept on pressing. Will through the cloth he was holding down his frustration over boiling.
"Dad, I'm an outlaw. I stand up for what I believe in"
"What and I don't"
"It doesn't matter" Will mumbled. I felt the tension rise as everyone's head picked up to look at the fight about to happen between Will and his father.
"Yes it does, tell me"
"You let the Sheriff cut off your hand!" Will cried.
I backed away from the argument. This was not something I wanted to get involved in and plus I needed to prepare to leave for Nottingham soon. It was my childhood best friends child's birthday today and I was invited to come to their dinner.
I took Allan's hand and pulled him away from the scene.
"Do you think Will'll be leaving us?" Allan turned his head back to the camp just as Robin began defending Will.
"No, I reckon he'll stay" I said when we were far enough away from camp I lent up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips against his. When we pulled apart I whispered "I have to go in a minute"
"Where you going?"
"To Nottingham" Allan pulled away further; confused "It's Jess's birthday"
"Your God-daughter?"
I nodded, Jess seemed to admire Allan whenever the two saw each other which was rare "I feel bad, I don't see her very often but when I do I make sure they have enough money to get by. I've been invited to her house but what do I get a ten year old for their birthday?"
"Money" Allan shrugged with a chuckle.
"I can't get her money! That's not very personal"
"Yes, but I'm sure she'll appreciate it more"
"I should have asked Djaq, or Will, those two would know what to get her" I said thinking where I was going to get a present at this hour. I hadn't even thought about presents until about two hours ago and the market would be closed now "I can't get her money… can I?"
"Yes you can"
"Not morally" I said "I'll be back late tonight
*~How to tame an Outlaw~*
I got her money.
I tucked it under my cloak feeling like a awful person for getting her such a rubbish present and knocked on the door in Pitts street. The door opened revealing Sarah who was smiling from ear to ear.
"Elaine" She cried before pulling me into the house with a hug "How have you been? I haven't seen you in ages and when I do it's only you handing me money"
"Sorry" I said "but I've been busy, I'm with Robin now"
"And I'm proud of you" She grinned she was holding on my hands as she gave it a small squeeze "a year ago I would never have imagined you'd have been so happy"
"Where's Jess?"
"She's upstairs playing with her dolls, as usual" She rolled her eyes but couldn't wipe the smile of her face "It's thanks to you I was able to buy them for her, that money you gave me the other day. Problem is I completely forgot about dinner tonight, I wanted something special for her"
"If you'd have told me that I'd have brought some food along with me!" I groaned but Sarah laughed it off.
"It's ok; we're used to going days without food"
"Sarah-"
"What! Don't be so shocked, it's like that for everyone but believe me if it wasn't for you and Robin lot we would have been dead a long time ago"
I didn't like it. Sarah looked thin and it wouldn't surprise me if she often gave up her own food for Jess's sake, something that didn't sit right with me but Sarah would never tell me that, she was right beside me when my parents died and knowing she was doing the same thing for her own children would cause me to just give them more money and I knew Sarah didn't like charity but for her daughters sake she'd take it.
Suddenly the floor boards creaked and a bouncing girl came down the stairs with a doll tucked under their arm. She smiled at the sight of me.
"happy birthday!"
"Hello Elaine! Where's Allan?" Jess's face fell when she realized Allan wasn't with me. I tried very hard not be insulted by that.
"He hasn't come" I frowned glancing over at Sarah who for some reason disapproved of Allan. She thought he was trouble and whilst I knew Sarah was just looking out for me (she never liked Tom either) it bugged me to no end. It was one of the reasons Allan wasn't with me now, whenever I was with Sarah and Allan was with me she tended to scowl a lot more often.
Jess sighed and walked over to the table that was slowly falling apart as half of one of its legs was taken away leaving it at a wonky angle. She rested her head on her hands and began to sulk.
"I know what'll cheer you up" I said plonking myself down on the chair opposite her and Sarah continued on with her chores.
"What is it?"
"Your birthday present" Her eyes lit up as I pulled out a purse of silver coins from my pocket, in a lower voice I continued "Now don't tell your mother what I got you, she'll probably give it back saying it's too much"
"I won't" Jess nodded and opened up the purse her eyes widening "Wow, I think this is the most amount of money I've ever seen!"
"Well as I said no telling your mother" I repeated just as Sarah came back down the stairs holding some dirty clothes under her arm. Jess tucked the purse behind her back, away from her mothers peering eyes.
"Jess, what did I tell you about throwing clothes on the floor?"
"Uh… sorry" Jess shrugged with a grin plastered onto her face.
"I've found some fish for tonight, we can eat that-"
Jess's face twisted "ugh"
"Well, it's either that or nothing"
Suddenly Sarah's head pricked up at the sounds of hooves beating against the ground "What's wrong?" I asked not thinking it was strange to have horses outside.
"There's a curfew" Sarah said going over to the window to check who it was "No one outside of their houses past- it's the nightwatchman!" Sarah squeaked the excited child part of her taking over. She and Jess dashed to the door as I went over to the window and sure enough there was Marian, clad in her nightwatchman attire riding a horse.
"Jess, it's the nightwatchman!" Sarah said again, I joined them at the door and smiled at Marian as she past Sarah and Jess a small bag of food. Marian didn't acknowledge my presents or even look up at me, I looked past it. She probably didn't want people thinking we knew each other "let's see, what did he bring?"
"Hopefully not fish" I said and Jess scrunched her nose up, when Sarah opened the bag the smell of pies filled our noses.
"God bless you, Nightwatchman" Sarah said before closing the door and rushing over to the table to set up dinner "I'll have the fish and you two can have the pies"
"Oh don't worry about me" I brushed my hand over it.
"Don't be stupid" Sarah replied giving me a look as she began unpacking the bag and setting it down on the table "Anyway there's too many pies in here for Jess to eat alone-"
"Try me" giggled Jess who was already sitting at the table waiting to be served.
I smiled at Jess and finally nodded, my stomach's grumble betraying me "Ok"
Sarah prepared the meal and we sat down and ate it all together. Jess scoffed the pies down within seconds whilst I took my time, it certainly was delicious. I'd have to remember to thank Marian next time I see her.
"Does the nightwatchman come here often?"
"Not really, even less recently" Sarah explained just finishing her fish "That's the first time I've seen him around here in months" It's because she's been locked up in a castle, it's been rather difficult for her to get out.
"I'm just glad he brought pie and not more fish" Jess grinned back to playing with her dolls.
"I think it's time for bed, Jess" Sarah said looking out of the window at the dark night "It's late"
"Fine" Jess mumbled picking herself up "Mum, I've got a stomach ache can I have some medicine"
"I don't want to waste it just on a small stomach ache you have" Sarah told her daughter who looked annoyed and walked up the stairs. Thinking about it my stomach didn't feel right, a dull wave was going through me but I did my best to ignore it.
Ten minutes later just as I was planning on leaving, after Jess had gone to bed and making light conversations with Sarah the pain was too much to ignore and when I stood to leave I had to grip the table for support.
"What's wrong?" Sarah asked who stood up to hold me.
"I don't know… I just don't feel well-"
The staircase suddenly creaked, Sarah and I turned around and saw Jess clutching the staircase banister with one hand and the other on her stomach "Mother I really don't feel well"
Sarah rushed over to her daughter who looked as though she was about to topple over.
I don't remember much from there on, my head started getting dizzy and my stomach was agonizing. Eventually everything clouded over and it went black.
*~How to tame an Outlaw~*
Everything was fine ten minutes ago (apart from Allan's fretting that Elaine hadn't returned from to the camp last night and Robin insisting she was fine) until Sarah came running up to the gang in the morning on their drop off rounds in Nottingham.
"Help me!" Sarah cried carrying Jess in her arms, she had left Elaine back at her house in a cot with one of her neighbours tending to her. She spotted Robin in the crowed and instantly sprinted towards him, Jess moaning quietly "Robin!" noticing her screaming his name, he turned around "Robin, help! It's Jess. She's got something! I think it's the pestilence!"
Robin took Jess in his arms to see what was wrong, Dan Scarlett picked up on what was happening and felt the girl's head "There's no swelling. How long has she been like this?"
"Since last night"
The trumpets played all of a sudden and the gang turned around to see the Sheriff along with Marian and Gisborne. Marian held out a declaration and read from it reading the pestilence had come to Nottingham, that they would be put in isolation and that no one is allowed to help them.
Soon after Robin told Sarah to take Jess back to her house, then everything really did turn south.
Dan Scarlett after looking at Jess and noticed it wasn't the pestilence, spoke up.
"SHERIFF! This is not right!" Dan yelled just as the Sheriff was turning around to go back to the castle and resume with business. He turned on the spot and glared hard at Dan "I've just had a look at a little lass and it's not the pestilence" The gang sprung into action, surrounding the area for a possible escape route "I've seen the pestilence before, in Scarborough. These people must have food and water and medicines"
"I said SHUT UP!"
"I've shut up for you once before, Sheriff. It's cost me my wife, my hand and the respect of my sons. So I'm not shutting up any more-" Screams echoed through the town as Dan Scarlett was stabbed by a guard. Will's cry was silenced by the uproar of the town, all who were too shocked to do anything.
Will tried to escape John's grip, who had clutched onto him as soon as it had happened.
"Will, you can't go up there!" Robin tried to reassure Will, calming him down but he was still shaking uncontrollably.
"I'm going to kill him"
Behind them they could heard guards beginning to set up the barricades.
"There's too many of them. It'd be suicide" Will began to cry and when Luke came along he pulled him into a hug and the two cried on one another's shoulders
"We need to go to Pitts Street" Robin told the gang who began to surround around him to form a plan.
"Pitts street, why?" Much asked.
"There are people there. Our people. They need us"
Allan came up behind Robin his worry over clouding him, especially since they had seen Sarah and there hadn't been enough time to ask her if she'd seen Elaine.
"Elaine might be there, Robin" He told them "She was visiting Sarah and Jess last night. What if she's got the pestilence?" Panic began to overwhelm him, what if she was dying somewhere?
"Calm down, Allan, we'll find her" Robin assured him though he wasn't so sure himself, if what Allan said was true, that she had been visiting Sarah last night then there was a great chance she could have what Jess has "I think Dan was right. There is no pestilence, that's why the Sheriff killed him"
In the background they could hear people crying for help as they were locked in their own homes "Help!"
"They're setting the barricades up now"
"Robin, listen, I'm going in. If there's a chance Elaine's in there…" Allan said desperate to get in there and find Elaine to see if she's alright. She had to be alright. She had to be. He was sure she was.
"Good" Robin nodded thankfully at Allan "the rest of you, I can't ask you to risk your life but if you do come with me, then do it for Dan" The gang nodded and departed, all trying to find a way in.
*~How to tame an Outlaw~*
They made it and Allan was straight set on finding Elaine. He didn't care that there may be some dieses spreading about, finding Elaine was all that mattered.
"I don't live here!" Robin and Allan heard a man say as he banged on the barricades "I was only walking this way, I'm from Leicester!" When the guards didn't let him out he pushed away from the fence and stopped off.
They saw Sarah "Don't do this! Don't do this! My Jess needs help!" She saw Robin and Allan approaching "Robin! Oh, no, you can't be here. You'll never get out"
"I said I'd come find you-"
"Where's Elaine?" Allan butted over Sarah who's face fell instantly
"Allan, I'm really sorry" She began "She's infected too. She's back at my house, she's exactly the same as Jess"
Allan's eyes widened as Sarah led them back to her house where sure enough Elaine was laying, groaning and moaning in an unconscious state, sweat covering her face "Elaine" He cried, running up to her and grabbing her hand but she barley registered his presents "What do we do?" Allan turned to Djaq who was checking Jess's temperature.
Djaq shook her head at Robin a worried look displayed clearly on her face. It only made Allan panic more.
"Allan, keep giving Elaine water" She instructed and Allan instantly picked up a cup and put it to her mouth, he was almost expecting her to wake up and get better as soon as the water touched her lips is desperation overwhelming him "Do the same with Jess, how many other people are affected?"
"Half the houses on the street"
Robin strode out at that point and Allan followed him not knowing what else to do and wanting to know what was going on.
"Right, I want beds and clean linens all in one place, and all medicines from every house brought here to Djaq" Robin said to John and Much who went off immediately.
Robin was about to turn when Allan caught his arm "Robin, what is going on?"
Robin frowned and sighed, deeply knowing he couldn't keep up the confident leader act much longer. Elaine was infected by whatever dieses this was and he had no idea how on earth to cure it or even how long she had left for them to find a cure. It wasn't looking good "I don't know…" Robin shook is head slowly.
"Come on Robin, you've got to think of something… you've always got something…" Allan trailed off feeling a lump form at the back of his throat. He didn't want to cry so he pushed it away. Robin hesitated, not sure what else to say "Well, what are we going to do about Elaine? We can't just let her di-"
"I'm well aware of that" he replied sharply suddenly becoming firmer in his manner "I don't know what to do, Allan, I've never seen anything like this before…"
"Well we 'ave to think of something, cause- cause I can't-"
Robin bent down and placed his hands on Allan's shoulders "I know" Robin walked off towards where Will and Luke were still crying over the loss of their father, leaving Allan wanting to do something to help Elaine but having no idea how. Instead, he walked back over to her, took her hand and for the first time in years, he prayed.
A/N Again so so so sorry about the long update :/ (please don't hate me)
Reviews:
Guest: I don't mind if you stop reading, I understand that some people don't want to read Marian's death. But Robin may not die, I've got a poll on my poll asking readers if they want him to die. I have a plan either way. Infact I'd much prefer him to survive.
Guest: ah, so so so so so so sorry for the long update, I'll try to update quicker, I'm so excited for the next episode because Allan's found to be a spy (which breaks my heart but it'll be fun to write, lol)
TurquoiseCobalt: Yeah, to say the least I haven't spent any less time away from the computer than I did before, but I stupidly slowed down on writing and now I'm ashamed because this chapter took so long to put up :/ Oo! You draw (I'm jealous, I wish I could) Do you have a tumblr? 2 ½ months now till the wedding, it's getting closer! (but is it…? eek) :P lol,
Guest: Thanks for answering, I think I'll leave the rating it is for now but might put it up towards the end of season 2/ beginning of season 3