Hello lovely readers. Ok, this chapter was done hours ago, but I kept staring at it and re-reading what I wrote. For some reason this chapter was really hard for me to write and I felt like giving up during the middle of it. And I wanted to write a flashback scene for Robin and Marian but it just didn't fit into this chapter-hopefully it will work in the next one though. I am getting so discouraged about this story even though I have a ton of ideas...I just hope I can make them come to life the way I want them to. Hopefully you enjoy this chapter. And by the way, a big thank you to catherinedoncaster1995 for giving me some ideas with the character of Beth! She helped encourage me with the idea as far as Beth becoming an informant to the Sheriff. Also, sorry this chapter is shorter than what I usually write.


"Master, you're sure this will work? Hmph, I hate this outfit!"

Much scratched his arm as he straightened the sleeve of his elaborate looking costume. He was dressed head-to-toe in an outfit that looked vaguely familiar to Count Friedrich's. "I can't believe Djaq dug this old costume up—I look ridiculous!" Much whined.

"Hush…you look perfect! Besides, while you're distracting the guards, we'll be able to slip inside the castle."

The gang had agreed they would all go together—Marian included, although Robin had reluctantly agreed to that. She wasn't to go inside the castle though…she would only keep watch. Robin had come up with the idea of Much posing as a nobleman and attracting the guards' attention. And Much could make his entrance on one of the horses they had taken from the stable at Nottingham.

"Still, I don't like it! What if the guards recognize me?"

"Recognize you, ha! You're always running around in rags—won't even recognize you in that get-up. And look—you finally took that towel off your head. Does wonders for you, really." Allan ruffled Much's hair.

"Don't DO that!" Much pushed aside his hand and attempted to flatten his stray locks. "And it's NOT a towel—it's a scarf meant to keep the hair back, and I like it!"

Allan made a face, only irritating Much even more. "And I don't dress in rags either—just because you used to wear leather doesn't mean you're superior to me."

"Really boys, are you reversing back to your childhood? You always seem to be having the same conversation." Marian remarked as she passed by.

"He started it." Much pointed at Allan, who playfully shrugged.

"Quiet, you two!" said John, annoyed at their bickering.

As the gang inched closer to the edge of Sherwood, a sudden noise startled them—it sounded like a twig snapping on the ground.

"Shhh!" Robin stopped them. "Did you hear that?"

Marian was already heading in the direction of the sound as Robin followed behind. "Stay there." Robin ordered the gang. Stealthily, Marian drew her bow as Robin did the same. Both hid behind a tree as they heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching. As the footsteps grew louder, Robin signaled to Marian to jump out. At once, the two barricaded the path and held their bows at the intruder, only the intruder wasn't who they expected.

"Beth?" Marian exclaimed, shocked at the turn of events.

"Beth…how did you escape?" Robin chimed in.

Beth had screamed when Robin and Marian jumped in front of her, but now she just stood there, her eyes wide with fear and swollen from crying. "Robin…Marian? Oh, thank God!" Beth ran up to Marian and hugged her tightly. The rest of the gang, despite Robin's command, came to the scene when they heard voices.

"Liz….you're alright!" Allan exclaimed in relief.

Beth released Marian from her embrace and briefly glanced at Allan. "Yes…yes…I'm alright."

"But how did you escape? Did you walk here?" asked Marian, puzzled.

Beth attempted a weak smile. "I rode as far as the border of Nottingham woods, and then I walked the rest on foot. Can we talk this over in private…at the camp?"

Robin agreed and began leading everyone back into the forest.

"Well, that figures! After I get all dressed in this fancy get-up I don't even get to go through with the plan," grumbled Much. "Doesn't matter—didn't want to make a fool of myself anyway."

Inwardly, Allan had an uneasy feeling about finding Beth so easily. And something was wrong—the whole way back to the camp she wouldn't look at him once, but kept her eyes downcast. How did she escape, and so easily? It didn't seem likely that the Sheriff would just let her go.

Robin was uneasy as well…the whole situation didn't sit well with him. The mood was tense as the gang kept their thoughts to themselves until they finally reached the camp.

Marian pulled Robin aside. "Robin, let me speak with her. Something's not right."

"I agree with you on that—see what you can find out."

Marian nodded and walked toward Beth. "Elizabeth…Beth…can I speak to you alone?"

Beth, surprised at the request, nodded and followed Marian to a more discreet area of the woods. She tried to avoid Marian's piercing gaze.

"Beth, what happened at the castle? You seem upset."

Beth turned away, struggling with controlling her tears. "The Sheriff let me go…he said he had no more use for me and he just wanted Gisborne back." She closed her eyes—the words sounded false even to her own ears.

Seeing her struggle, Marian placed her hands on Beth's shoulders. "Is that really true?"

"Yes…NO." Placing both her hands over her eyes, Beth burst into tears. Marian stepped away, unsure of how to respond.

"The Sheriff…he threatened me, Marian. He wants me to be his spy…he wants me to betray you all. If I don't, he said he would harm my uncle. Oh Marian, I didn't know what to do! My uncle has been so kind to me after my adoptive parents' deaths, and he has a young family of his own. The Sheriff said he would tell Prince John that my uncle was plotting against him…said that the Prince was fool enough to believe it. So he sent me here—he finally settled on me returning back to you all and feeding Gisborne information at night or during my trips to town with you all. I had no choice but to accept his terms. But I can't do it…I could never betray you."

Marian was taken aback, but not utterly shocked. It was typical of the Sheriff to devise a scheme as cruel as this one. "Beth…I am so sorry for what you had to go through. But you were wise in telling me. Come, Robin will know what to do."

Marian led Beth back to the gang, and Beth relayed everything to them. Allan was the first to comment.

"What? Not this again. Take it from me, if there's anyone you don't want to get involved with, it's the Sheriff. Can't trust 'im."

Robin was contemplative for a few minutes until he finally spoke. "You did the right thing, Beth. Thank you for bringing this to us. I promise…we can work this out and keep your uncle safe."

"Thank you," Beth said, relieved.

Robin suddenly grinned impishly, "Besides, I have a better plan anyway."