Episode 4

Crimes of the Heart

Beth's eyes flew open as a hand clasped firmly over her mouth.

"Shhh, don't make a sound." It was Gisborne's voice she heard, but the sound of dogs barking in the distance also rang in her ears.

"Promise to be quiet?" Guy looked down warily at her.

Beth nodded, too scared to agree to anything else. What was going on? Guy released his hand and drew his sword as he motioned her to stay back. She waited as he disappeared over the hill—was it the Sheriff's men coming to look for them? Well, they would be looking for Guy, not knowing she was with them. But Guy didn't seem too keen on going back. Would he put up a fight?

She watched as Guy came running back, a look of fear in his eyes. "It's the Sheriff's men. I knew it. We have to move—NOW!"

"I don't understand—you're helping me now?"

Guy grabbed her arm and led her away, running faster than Beth could ever remember running.

"Helping you? I think not," Guy said between breaths.

"Then why didn't you just leave me there to be found by the guards. It would have been easier for you to run away without worrying about—OUCH!"

Beth fell and tripped over a tree branch that was lying on the ground.

Guy yanked at her arm. "Come on, we have to go!"

"It wasn't my fault! And my dress is torn now, thanks to your lovely Sherwood." Beth attempted to stand up, but fell back, unable to support her left foot.

"What is wrong with you-get UP!"

"I can't—my ankle, I think it's twisted. Just leave me here. You don't need me!"

Guy's eyes held a panicked look as the dogs' barks got closer. Without thinking, Guy lifted Beth in his arms and continued to run.

"You'll never get far—they'll overtake us. Guy, you have to stop," Beth said as she looked behind them, the sounds continuing to get louder.

"I—will—never—stop." Guy, out of breath already, was beginning to slow his pace.

A form suddenly jumped out in front of them. Beth screamed.

"Well, well, well. Look at you, Sir Guy. What are you running from now?" It was Carter.

"Move out of the way!" Guy barked.

"Not until you give us back what we've been lookin' for." Allan came up behind Carter.

"Allan, you're alright!" Beth said, relieved.

Guy gently placed Beth on the ground and drew his sword. "The Sheriff's men are right behind us, so I would suggest that you step aside."

"And why would you be running from them? Thought you would be thrilled to see your fellow comrades," said Carter, sarcastically.

"Shut-up." Guy glared.

"C'mon, Guy. Just give her back."

"I will NOT be told what to do, least of all by you, Allan."

Carter shrugged. "Alright then." He raised his sword and brought it down on Guy's blade as Guy retaliated.

Beth, frustrated as she felt helpless without the use of her leg, was annoyed as she watched them fight yet again. Honestly, when would it ever stop? But wait, where had Allan gone?

"Shhh." Beth heard from behind her as she turned around. It was Allan-he had sneaked around as Guy was distracted. "C'mon, put your arm around my shoulder and I'll carry you-you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine-I—I fell when I was running," Beth said, bewildered as everything was happening so quickly. Allan lifted her and began to head back toward the camp.

"And where might you be going?" Allan froze as he felt a pointed sword against his back.

"Allan…" Beth said weakly. She could see behind her.

They didn't even realize how close the guards were getting until it was too late. There they all were, dogs included. "Turn around slowly—NOW!" The guard commanded. Reluctantly, Allan did as he was told.

"Hand the girl over."

Allan looked down frantically at Beth—he couldn't do it. Not after all they had been through to find her.

"Allan, it's alright. Just do it." Beth eyes were wide as she started back, hoping—pleading—that Allan would listen.

Allan slowly let Beth down as the guard reached out and roughly yanked her back.

"Oi, be careful with her! She's hurt her ankle!" Allan's eyes held concern.

The guards began to surround him. What happened in the next few seconds surprised not only Allan, but Beth herself. Grabbing a dagger from the belt of the guard who was holding her, Beth quickly held it to his throat.

"What's this?" he barked angrily. "How dare you!"

"You tell your men to back off Allan—you hear? Or I will use this, I swear."

The guard laughed, obviously in disbelief over her knifing skills. But Beth pressed it harder against the skin of his throat, making him have a change of heart.

"Alright, alright—ouch!" he yelped. "Guards, release that man—now!"

Beth continued to keep the dagger on the guard until the men had completely stepped aside from Allan. "Run, Allan. Don't worry about me-I'll be f-fine." Beth stuttered, trying to fight back the tears that were coming." Allan was staring back at her in disbelief as she held the knife to the guard's throat. She had more nerve than he credited her for.

"Just go, Allan, before it's too late, please!" Beth pleaded with him.

Allan nodded, realizing how much she was doing for him. He ran hurriedly back into Sherwood, away from the guards, and away from Beth. His thoughts were scattered in a million different directions as he stopped for breath. Where was Carter…and Guy? And Beth—dear Beth. She had risked so much just so he could get away. Concern for her filled him as he glanced back at the voices that were still echoing from that direction.

"Allan!"

He jumped as he heard his name whispered. "Carter?" Looking back, he was shocked to see Carter heading right toward him.

"You alright?" Allan asked him.

"Yeah, but where's Beth?" Carter looked alarmed when he saw no sight of her.

"Guards got her." Allan ran a hand through his hair, frustrated at himself.

"What? But I saw you carrying her out! That's why I backed away from Gisborne when the guards came."

"Guards surrounded me—I had no choice but to give her up, alright? And she…she…"

"She what?" Carter asked moodily, as he glanced back at the ground.

"She saved my life. Guards were all around me, and she held a dagger to the guard's throat…made 'im release me."

"She's quite a girl." Carter remarked as he looked up, surprised.

"Yeah. Yeah she is." Allan said, throwing a challenging look in Carter's direction. "By the way, what happened to Guy?"

"I don't know. When I backed off, he just stood there looking at the guards. I ran back to the forest to meet you so I don't know where he went. He didn't seem too pleased to see them though. But we know for sure now that they're taking Beth to the castle, so we have to tell Robin. Come on." Carter walked briskly back to the camp as Allan followed, hoping and praying that Beth wouldn't be harmed.