I should probably say before I start this chapter, that:

1) I do not own Robin Hood =(

And 2) I have used a certain amount of artistic license with the history, so don't be fooled into thinking its accurate!

Love y'all and enjoy!

***

Guy looked out over the water towards the castle as their horses slowed, stopping at the lake's edge.

'Kernhalam?' He asked, turning in the saddle to look at Rupert.

'Yes, great hulking monster that it is.' Rupert sniffed and glanced round at the darkening woods behind them.

A wry smile turned up Guy's mouth, and Robin caught it. 'Like it do you Guy?' He said quickly, watching Guy carefully.

'What-' Guy frowned.

'Makes you feel powerful does it?' Robin glanced back at the great castle clinging to the dip in the low fell, its turrets reaching skywards, dark and obtrusive against the wild nature of the landscape.

Guy shook his head angrily. He was growing tired of Robin's snide comments. And no, it didn't make him feel powerful, it made him feel weak, and insufficient. How were they going to retrieve Alice and Marian from in there? What if they weren't there? And what if… his mouth went dry. What if they were already dead?

He forced himself not to panic. 'Come on.' He said, turning his horse roughly about and kicking his heels in, leading them round the arc of the lake, towards the castle.

They rode on in silence, the gentle clop of horses hooves of the wet grass, and the occasional call of a bird the only sounds above the persistent drip, drip of rain on the canopy above.

The castle gates soon came into view, and Guy turned his horse, looking to Robin and Rupert. 'Any ideas on how we get in?' He raised on eyebrow.

***

'My good sirs!' Robin shouted, one hand over his eyes, squinting up through the rain. 'I don't suppose you could indulge an unlearned man like myself?'

One of the guards stopped and looked over the edge of the parapet. 'For a man of little knowledge you speak very artfully.'

Robin gave a gracious bow. 'I confess, I retain what I learn from quick witted men such as yourself.'

'Quick witted eh?' The man looked wryly amused. 'You're a flatterer for sure.' He gave a bark of laughter. 'Save your fine words for the ladies, less I've a mind to deal with you harsh like, and send you on your way.'

By now the second guard had approached, and the two of them stared down at Robin, similar quizzical expressions on their faces. Robin glanced quickly down the road, and then turned his face back into the rain.

'Can you tell me who owns this castle?'

The guards looked at each other. 'Prince John himself,' answered the second one. 'You're not from round these parts are you?'

Robin shook his head, and spread his hands wide. 'I'm eager to learn though.' His eyes darted to the dark parapet beside the two guards. Where were they?

'Aye, too eager. Folk like you cause naught but trouble.' The second guard was leaning further over the edge, as if to get a good look of this newcomer. Robin ducked his head and pulled his hood further up about his head.

'And is the Prince in?' He asked loudly, not looking up. He had spotted two dark figures moving stealthily along the rampart, towards the two guards. They'd scaled the wall alright then-

'Aye, he's in-' One guard turned slightly, and the two dark figures froze. 'The flags up and flying.' He indicated the flapping crest.

'And has he anyone in the dungeons, or any guests?' Robin asked quickly, trying to the regain their attention.

'I don't believe thats any business of yours.' The older guard said gruffly, staring suspiciously down at Robin. 'Be on your way sir, before we're compelled to move you forcibly.'

Robin gave a little bow. 'Very well, thank you for your brief company.' He smiled widely. 'I'll be on my way.' He turned back to the road, and pulled his cloak tightly about him.

Ten steps later, and he turned.

'All done?'

'Yep, they're out like lights.' Came Guy's rough voice from high above the gate.

'Right then-'

It took Robin only a minute to scale the wall the same way Rupert and Guy had, and soon he was standing up on the top of the wall, watching as they finished tying up the two guards.

Rupert was the first to voice the fear all three were thinking. 'This place is large, riddled with tunnels and corridors. We're going to have be careful, and we're going to have to be scrupulous. We might only have one attempt at this. We have to find both Alice and Marian and the documents in this one night.'

'We'll have to split up.' Guy drew his sword silently, and looked down at the dark courtyard below.

'If Gisborne takes the north wing, and I take the south, that leaves you to try and find the documents.' Robin looked at Rupert.

'Very well.' Rupert nodded, and drew his own sword. 'Meet outside the gates by dawn, any later and we'll not make it out. And be cautious, the Prince will have taken no risks when it comes to his personal safety. There'll be guards crawling all over the place.'

Guy's face seemed to darken slightly, and his hand gripped tighter round the hilt of his sword. 'Lets go.'

***

Guy ducked into an alcove and tried desperately to slow his ragged breathing right down, as two more guards walked past, talking loudly. He had been searching the north wing of the castle for the past half hour, and already he had had two near run-ins with the Prince's guard. He pressed his eyes closed and forced himself to concentrate. The only image he could see was Mordred's sneering face, leering at him the way it had in Amil's torture chambers, the whites of his eyes stained yellow.

He glanced round the wall and down the long corridor. No-one there- it was probably safe to move on-

He stepped cautiously out of his hiding place, and then padded softly down the long corridor lined with torches, towards the door at the end. Glancing quickly behind him, Guy pressed an ear to the wood. He could hear the whistle of wind and nothing else. Maybe it led to outside-

Throat constricting slightly at the thought it could be a trap, Guy shoved gently at the door, and pushed through sword first.

He swore silently and backed up quickly, heart pounding against his ribs.

There was a guard standing down the other end of the long open walkway, rain splattered across the paving stones and he could hear the lap of water close by. Guy softened his harsh breathing and glanced back round the door.

The man was standing by a door, far down the other end and Guy could see him shifting awkwardly. He watched as the guard glanced cautiously around, and looked once at the door behind him, before grabbing up his helmet and hurrying down the corridor towards Guy.

Heart thudding, Guy backed into a doorway just to the right of the entrance, pressing himself against the hard wood and holding his breath.

The man hurried past, slamming the outside door behind him, and Guy stepped out to watch as he disappeared down the corridor. Then, silent as a shadow, Guy slipped out through the door, and into the wet. He walked, stealthy and agile as a cat down towards the door the guard had been outside, his feet sure on the slippery stones.

There were no torches or braziers in the whole of the long walkway, and Guy could barely make out the handle of the door at first, as he stopped before it.

Here goes nothing… Guy took a deep breath.

'Alice?' He whispered.

There was a moment of deafening silence, when Guy forgot to breathe. And then-

'Guy?'

A small, pale hand reached through the barred opening at the top of the door and Guy grasped it unthinkingly. 'Alice-' He felt weak with relief, the part of him that had driven him this far collapsing the instant he felt her cold fingers wrap round his. 'Merciful father. Deo Gracias-' He murmured softly, pressing his lips softly to the back of her hand, and feeling hot angry tears forming in his eyes.

'Guy?' The hand strained to reach further out, and her fingers traced his cheek making him lean in to her touch.

A bang as the door down the other end slammed violently with the wind brought Guy back to his senses.

He peered in through the little window, and saw Alice's pale face looking back at him, Marian just behind. 'How are you?' He whispered hoarsely. 'Have they hurt you?'

'No.' Alice wrapped her fingers round one of the bars. 'They've got us here because Prince John wants you and Robin and Rupert out the way when he announces-' She paused. 'Well, we haven't got that far yet. But we do know he wants rid of you.'

Guy's brows drew together. 'How do you know this much?'

'By asking.' Guy thought he caught a smile, but then her face was serious once more. 'You have to be careful Guy- if they catch you, Prince John will not be lenient.' He saw her strain to look behind him. 'Where's Robin?'

Guy smirked. 'The other end of the castle.'

Marian shifted forwards. 'He's here?'

Guy gazed at her cooly. 'Yes, we split up, that way we could find you quicker.' He returned his gaze through the bars to Alice. 'How has he treated you?'

Alice's eyes flickered downwards. 'He treats us as his guests.'

'Then would you like to explain to me the guard on the door?' Guy growled.

Alice would not meet his gaze. 'Where is he now?'

'Gone for a piss I think.' Said Guy crudely.

Alice's grip tightened on the bar and he saw her knuckles go white. 'How will you get us out?'

Guy was silent for a moment, letting her gentle breathing and his own merge, it was so still he could almost hear her heart beating out the self same rhythm as his. He couldn't leave her now…

'I need to find the keys.' He said finally. 'I'll come back and get you out. I promise. Tonight.' He lowered his head.

'Guy!' Her hand gripped his wrist. 'I can't lose you.'

I can't lose you either! He shouted silently, but his voice came out short tempered and sharp. 'Don't be a fool Alice. Be brave.' He saw her wince.

'I try.' She whispered softly.

I'm sorry- Guy shut his eyes tight. 'I'll be back soon.' He said, turning away. It felt like another betrayal.

***

Robin cursed as he hit another dead end corridor, and backtracked quickly. He felt as if he had been running round in circles for the past hour, every turn led to another disappointment. Yet he could not give up. Would not.

He notched an arrow to his bow and crept back down the dimly lit corridor, back towards the pool of light cast by a flickering torch high on the wall. There was no sound except his own irregular breathing, and the scrunch of grit beneath his shoes. He felt a trickle of cold sweat trail down his back and shifted his shoulders, nudging away the urge to shiver violently.

Then he froze.

Two men had appeared in the pool of liquid light, the flame glinting off their helmets. They stilled for a second, neither looking toward Robin, and then moved on. Their quiet voices too faint for Robin to overhear.

Robin let out the breath he had been holding, and swallowed hard. That had been far too close. Why hadn't he heard them?

'You're getting careless in your old age.' He whispered to himself.

He had taken one step out into the corridor, when he felt the cold press of steel against his neck, a broad arm slipping firmly round him, pinning his arms to his sides.

'Well, well, well. What have we got here?'

Robin let his bow and the arrow fall to the ground with a clatter, and allowed his arms to hang loose by his sides, something heavy pressing on his chest.

He had failed Marian. Both of them. You idiot Robin.

'Take him straight to the Prince. He'll know what he wants done with intruders.'

Robin was dragged forcibly along reams of corridors, loosing count of the number of times he had passed a strangely familiar door or alcove. Eventually, they reached two large doors, through which Robin was thrown, his two captors following close behind.

It was a long broad hall, furnished in deep reds and golds, the walls plastered with tapestries, and a single carved chair down the far end.

Two men turned as Robin stumbled upright, their eyes sharp and inquiring. Robin recognised Prince John in an instant and quickly lowered his gaze. If he had any chance of survival-

'What is the meaning of this?' The other man was first to speak, his piercing gaze scoring Robin's soul. He took three long strides down the hall, moving like a great predator, deliberate and calculating, then cast a long look over his shoulder at the Prince. 'Has no-one taught you to knock before entering?' He shot poisonous glances at the two guards.

'Mordred-' The Prince held out a hand, and Robin looked once more at the menacing man standing but two paces from where he crouched. So this was Mordred-

'We found him sneaking round the far South corridors of the castle. Armed he was, and shifting about in the shadows like some ghost. We nearly missed him.'

Prince John fixed his gaze on Robin, dark eyes staring straight at him, unblinking. Then, as if silently coming to some conclusion, he looked away, a smirk curling his lip. 'You may leave us, I will deal with him.'

The men backed out, bowing, and the door thudded heavily behind them. Robin sucked in a dry breath.

'Robin of Locksley?' John was staring shrewdly at him. 'Not quite the legend I imagined.'

Robin allowed himself a sneer. 'And you, sire, are everything I expected you to be and more.'

John smiled indulgently. 'You put yourself in a difficult position Locksley, I'd try charm rather than insults, or you may find your neck on the line sooner than you'd like.' His eyes flashed, and Robin saw Mordred's hand flicker to his sword. 'I'll wager you didn't find them?'

Robin looked quickly up. Alice and Marian. If he hadn't, and they weren't in the South Wing. Then had Gisborne?

He shook his head grudgingly.

'Some hero you are.' The Prince walked a lazy circle round Robin.

He suddenly crouched down and gripped Robin's chin with his thumb and forefinger. 'Where are the others?' He whispered silkily. 'Tell me now, and I will not hurt your fiancée.'

Robin was silent for a moment, whilst his eyes filled with hate. 'What others?' He spat into the Prince's face.

John stepped upright quickly, looking down on Robin with darkness swirling in his eyes. 'Such insolence in one so young, cannot be good. Mordred?' He turned to the other man, the mocking tone in his voice cutting sharp through the richness of the hall.

'No indeed, sire.' Mordred licked his lips quickly. 'I believe-'

The door at the back of the hall, behind the Prince's dais cracked open, and all three heads in the hall whipped round.

Guy froze.

Mordred's gaze flared and Prince John's black eyes glinted dangerously as he saw a flash of recognition cross Guy's face.

Then Guy bowed. Low.

The Prince's eyebrows rose.

'Sire.' Said Guy, straightening. 'Guy of Gisborne at your service. I see you've caught Locksley. It's a good thing he's not as bright as he's made out to be.'

The Prince seemed momentarily stunned, but Guy continued.

'It's all about trust ,see. Someone wants you to trust them, it's always so much easier.' And he smirked. 'Gain their trust, and get into their souls, and you don't let go. Locksley was easy, once you got past his initial distrust. He wanted to trust me. He needed to trust me. Your brother was the same. A little loyalty and you've got them on a string.' He raised one dark eyebrow. 'You understand me, sire.'

***

Ooh! What is Guy doing!? Will Rupert get to the documents in time? And what do PJ and Mordred have in store for Robin? I promise the next update will be up soon! I'm on holidays now, so plenty of time =)

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