Sorry about the late update everyone, I had LOTR Extended Edition marathon with my friend today... ^_^

Chapter 26

I woke the next morning alone and groggy. My body was sore from the stiff bed. The morning sun had brightened the room considerably. Making seem larger than it really was. Realizing that my head was peeking out of the window I ducked and moved off the bed.

The door was slightly ajar and a few leaves had blown into the small room. My bag was still there and my belt had been laid on the tiny table, my daggers tucked safely inside. I poked my head out of the door and looked around. The village people had gotten a move on their chores already. I looked to the manor, seeing it's empty look. Seemed safe…

Strapping my belt on I grabbed my bag and walked out slowly. No one was watching, so it seemed safe. I hustled on over to the back door of the manor and stood in the kitchens. It was awfully quiet. I winced as my foot triggered a loud creak from the floorboards. Nothing.

"Okay…."

I stepped through to the entryway of the manor and looked around. The whole place looked vacant. I scoured the house, making sure my suspicions were correct. Huffing I set my bag on the table and leaned against it. Where was Guy? And more, where were Isabella and her guards?

A creak of the floorboards scared me and forced me up, ready to fight. My daggers in my hands I faced the source of the sound. Completely surprised at the guest.

Robin Hood stood at the threshold of the room, glancing around. Unsure what to do, I sheathed my blades and crossed my arms. I wouldn't win a fight with him… I would have no chance. And I didn't want to push my luck.

"What are you doing here Robin?"

"Only reliving some memories. What are you doing here?"

I was pretty sure I had no choice but to trust him, so I did.

"Guy and I are enemies of Prince John now… we fled here, only to have Isabella come here as well. Guy's missing and Isabella is gone, as you can tell… I was just deciding what to do."

He slowly lifted his head in an 'Ah' moment. Nodding he resumed looking around the room.

"It seems you're in need of some companions. You're welcome to join us, but I doubt you'll be trusted. I've never had any problems with you before, but you did serve Guy… so there is really an incentive there to not trust you. What do you think?"

I contemplated my options. If I didn't join them I'd have to get Guy out of there by myself and then possibly get captured by Prince John. If I joined them, I would have a more likely chance of getting Guy out, but a 100% chance of becoming an enemy and an outlaw. They'd provide me safety… And probably food. My decision seems to have been made.

"I'll go with you, and I won't be hurt if you guys don't trust me. I've done nothing against you or for you. And it would be good of you to remember that I don't trust you either."

He nodded and turned out the door. Grabbing my bag I followed him. We began our long walk out of Locksley before I remembered Jacques… and Monty.

"Wait, I've forgotten something. Something important. I'll be right back."

Groaning he perched against a tree. Running I went into the stables to see Jacques and Monty… the only horses there. Bringing them both out I saddled them up and mounted. Robin was shocked, but didn't say anything. I offered Monty to him and off we went.

His camp wasn't that far from Locksley either. Which was surprising. As we rode up his men walked up to us. And a woman. I'd seen her before, but it'd been a while.

"What's she doin' here, Robin?"

She had a bit of venom in her voice. Oh well, he did say I wouldn't be trusted… I guess a rude greeting shouldn't surprise me either.

"She's with us now. Her and Guy are now enemies of Prince John. Guy's been taken by Isabella, we suspect. And she had no where to go."

"So we're taking in friends of Gibourne now? She could be lying… what if they aren't enemies of John and are here to capture all of us?"

Robin hesitated, seeing his point. I decided to make my point and side known.

"Listen well, I am no friend of Prince John. He's malicious and doesn't have my respect or friendship. I would gladly dethrone him if I was guaranteed my life. The only reason I am here is to get Guy out of the clutches of the snake of a woman. You don't have to trust me, because frankly, I don't trust you. I will help you in any way that I can, that is it; after Guy gets out, I'm gone."

The dark skinned man nodded and turned his attention to Robin.

"I say we let her join us, if she does betray us, we'll know better in the future…"

"'Know better in the future'? Are you serious Tuck? We could die, then we'd have no chance of knowing better in the future."

This man had a whitish cap on his head. It looked like a beanie that all the "cool" kids at school wore.

"Much, we'll let her help us and we'll help her. That's all I've got to say on the matter. Now, we need to go to Nottingham for some supplies. We also need to find out what Isabella is up to. Kate, show her to where she'll be sleeping. Now."

The woman named Kate rolled her eyes and huffed. She turned, not giving me enough time to get off Jacques and follow. I slung my bag over my shoulder, holding out Jacques' reigns.

"He's a very good friend of mine, please take care of him."

A large man with a beard grunted and took the reigns. I jogged in the direction Kate went, seeing the elaborate maze of beds they had. Well, not elaborate, but it offered privacy. She stood next to a cot, her arms crossed.

"You'll sleep there, I'm right above you, so if you do anything I'll know. Hurry, we've got to get going."

I tossed my bag onto the cot and ran out to where everyone else was standing. They all had these dark, thick cloaks on and their weapons hidden underneath them. I ran to Jacques untying my cloak from his saddle. I slung it over my shoulders, feeling its warmth. It was considerably shorter than the others', but they had long swords that needed to be covered.

We followed Robin on foot all the way to Nottingham. It wasn't the longest walk I'd ever been on, but I had been used to making this journey on horseback. The streets of Nottingham were filled with people, some shouting and crying. I was shorter than everyone else, so it was difficult for me to get a good view of what everyone was seeing.

I found a set of stone and stood upon them, reaching the height of Robin. There, in the center of the square, sat a coffin with the flag of the Templars. Prince john was kneeling against it, mourning. Anyone could tell it was fake, me most of all. I knew what total agony sounded like; I'd lived through it many times. He just sounded like he was a bad actor… putting on a show for all who believed he was a good one. He was glad the King was dead; now the throne was his.

A large man beside the Prince Spoke. Robin had said that he was someone who took care of the Crown. Which sounded like such an important job… Not.

"The King is dead… Long Live the King. King John."

My stomach dropped. Great, this buffoon is King? This country was already suffering, and now he would make it permanent. I sighed and turned to follow the others. If the moods were down in the dumps before, they were now in the deepest trench in the world, plus 100 feet. Sadness and uncertainty radiated off everyone. Especially Robin. He didn't believe them… and he wanted to see for himself that the King was actually dead. I nodded in agreement, not that my opinion mattered. Our job was set, we'd wait until the cover of darkness to see for ourselves.

Thanks for all the reviews so far, I love 'em! Keep them coming! Things are getting exciting too... I've been looking forward to writing theses next few chapters. XD