The gang became a tad crowded after that. And we came to learn that large crowds tend to force their anger upon odd person.

As was to be expected, Much received the brunt of the annoyance apparently. He complained to me "I'm always the one who's in the way or taking up or the space. It doesn't help that my brother is there to tell everyone embarrassing childhood stories. It is as I feared. Everyone likes Bryce. Everyone respects Bryce which was what I had strived for these past two years to no avail."

Greg quickly gained the role of entertainer and became the storyteller for the gang. We would never admit to it, but it seemed apparent that he had taken the place of Matthew ever so slightly. This was simply to due to the fact that everyone unconditionally liked him. He had that gift. The one that made it impossible not to smile after having a conversation with him. This was all to the annoyance of Luke who hated him for the qualities that he shared with his brother. And any reminder of his brother was sorely looked upon.

Having Mark around was like having another Thomas. Both enjoyed getting constantly drunk and not caring about the consequences.

So basically all of the men were easily fitting into outlaw life.

Keighley was a different story.

She was a woman. We were not used to living with a young and whats more, available women. Amelia was married and Lilly was off limits thanks to Will and everyone considered her to be like a sister regardless.

But Keighley was a different story. She was not off limits as far as I knew and she was rather pretty. There were plenty of other qualities, don't get me wrong. But I can assure you that none of these other qualities were what granted her such rapturous attention.

I remember Michael telling me "It's only a matter of time you know."

"Until what?" I asked, rather curious at this interaction. It wasn't often that we two conversed.

He answered, "Until she starts causing drama around. Men cannot function properly with a pretty woman around. Until there is a ring on her finger, it wont be safe around here. Prepare for the war."

I scoffed at that but began to look at those so-called 'free' men scattered around camp.

"Mark will be the first," Michael informed me. "You know how he has that odd condition where he believes women are drawn to him. He has already been dropping not so subtle hints and she already told him where to go. Women like smart men, namely you, but your cockiness will be your downfall. Luke doesn't count, he hates people now. Much is a complete idiot. Roger is all silent and moody but women seem to like that. They like a sense of mystery and he is very mysterious. Greg is her brother, gross. Robin is all scarred, you know what I mean. Will is the same problem as Roger. My bet is on Bryce."

"Typical" Much said as he glared at his brother. "He always gets everything."

Michael and I looked at him with an all-knowing look. "Oh Much," I said sympathetically.

"What?" he asked, already defensive.

"You like her, don't you?" Michael added, also sympathetic.

He choked on the water he had been drinking and tried sputtering out his denial to no avail.

"You know this is what she wants right? She wants everyone in love with her to use it to her advantage" Michael said.

"Are you serious? Why do you hate her so much? Unless-" I gasped as it became obvious "You like her, don't you?"

He scoffed at that. I was impressed at how he didn't choke like Much did. But there was still a connection between the two. "There is no way I will ever fall for her false little act."

Thomas and Mark ran into us, clearly in hurry they obviously didn't want to be disturbed. So naturally we followed.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Why are you going?" Michael added.

"I am going to confront that horrible harlot and tell her exactly how she ruined my life." Thomas told me. We could only assume he meant Martha. And it seemed to be an appropriate guess.

"I want to see him crash and fail," Mark told us, a little too happily. And onward they ran.

"Clearly this is a sensitive moment of which it would be very rude to go and watch," I told the others whose faces fell. Everyone oh so enjoyed watching other Merry Men embarrass themselves. It was what we considered sport around Sherwood. So we hesitated for a second. But then darted after them.

The entire trip was spent the trip ridiculing Thomas and telling him all the horrible things that could happen but he never responded. He kept that determined look on his face as he marched up to the tavern.

"Wait here" he barked at us. We waited for a brief moment and then barged in and found an empty booth.

"I think he's actually going to do it" Mark said, astonished. "He hasn't made it up to the bar before. He normally chickens out half way up there."

We waited with held breaths.

He chickened out and turned back towards us.

We were about to given him the ridiculing of the century when Keighley burst through the door. Everyone in the tavern was shocked. Short of Martha, women were never seen in such an establishment. She quickly scanned the room, ignoring all the comments and whistles from the men around and quickly cam over to us.

"We've got to go," she told us in a hushed but frantic tone. "The sheriff has been taking slaves from Nottingham. Robin needs you now."

It was strange how relieved Thomas looked at the mention of slaves. True image of bravery on that man.

And then once again we were forced to run. Again.

"What's the plan?" Michael asked Robin as the rest of us were too puffed to talk.

Robin didn't take his eyes off the people being rounded up as he told us, "We haven't got one."

"Comforting," Michael said sarcastically.

"Yes we do" Will cut in.

"I'll rephrase" Robin said, not looking happy at the interruption. "We don't have a decent one."

"All I propose" Will continued, getting angry "is that one of us gets arrested."

We all scoffed at that one. "Great plan" Mark told him "I forgot that I have a death wish. Thanks for the reminder."

"Actually" Roger told us "it makes sense. That way we have a man on the inside." He turned red as he realised that he was finally siding with a friend, something he had always loathed.

"We won't know anything more than we know now and will be in a lot of danger," said Robin. He always grew frustrated and angry at the prospect of putting one of his men in danger.

"Well are we going to stand by and do nothing?" John asked, getting angry. "We should attack." Quarterstaff in hand, the man had the crazed look once again. Having the kindest heart had its disadvantages. John always took pain on others the hardest. It made it all the easier to take the pain out on those who deserved it.

"Sure, if we weren't severely outnumbered which would result in our arrest anyway. We have to do Will's plan" I finally concluded. It was a dark day when Will and I agreed on something.

"The question is," Keighley asked "who is brave enough to go?"

I don't know what was going through his head. I suppose he figured that women like brave men. "Ill do it" Much finally said.

Everyone paused. Then they all laughed. And not just laughed. Hysterically roared. This stopped when they saw he was serious.

"It's fine Much, I'll go" Robin told him.

"Because you'll blend in so well?" Keighley asked, dripping in sarcasm, "No one is bound to recognise you."

"It's genius actually," Mark decided. "No one will suspect Much because he looks like a wimp." Much nodded in agreement before realising what he was agreeing to.

I must have been the only seeing the problem. But the plan was set. Much was placed amongst the group being taken to the palace. It wasn't only men. It consisted of the strongest looking men and the most beautiful of the women. Robin still didn't like the plan and Much felt rather pleased at how much Robin didn't want to put him in danger.

The plan changed rather quickly, the second Martha was brought out. All of our eyes went to Thomas as he was already half way to the guards who were restraining her. All attempts at stopping him had failed. Keighley on the other hand wasn't letting him go. Briefly forgetting about the guards, she ran out to stop him. The guards had her instantly. John and Robin were restraining the remaining men to ensure they didn't join them. I could tell things were only going to get worse and Keighley joined Much and whispered "the man in front of us is Martha's husband."

We could see that Thomas knew this. His face said it all.

"You don't need to be scared" Much told Keighley as they were herded in carts.

"I'm not," she told him. He wasn't convinced but the look she gave him made him stop pushing the subject. She didn't like to be considered weak.

Martha tried to say something to Thomas but he ignored her and came to stand by the other gang members.

"So the plan didn't go as planned" he tried to say with false cheer but stopped at the sight of Keighley's glare. "Sorry."

"I strongly suggest that you say nothing else if you want to reach the dudgeons in one piece," Keighley told him. The look in her eyes told him that she was not bluffing.

"Can I talk then?" Much asked.

"No," she simply. Her facial expression remained staunch throughout the entire journey and while they were being dragged through the castle corridors.

They were placed in a giant room. Strangely the dudgeons were preferable. At least Robin would know to look for them there. The first task was to inspect the room. There were no windows in sight and the door was the only form of escape. Unfortunately this was locked and severely guarded. It appeared that they could be there for a while. There was little else to report. It was nothing more than a dingy room.

"We're all going to be fine" Much told everyone "Robin Hood is on the way."

One could see that many a face lit up at these words.

The three quickly retreated to a corner in the hopes of discussing plans and tactics. If only they had any.

"I don't think any of these people could fight if need it" Keighley said. "The men may be strong but it's from working in the fields. I doubt any of them have ever even held a sword. And as for the women-" She cut off as it was apparent she was too disgusted to continue. She hated women being weak and most were either crying or hiding behind the men.

"They're just scared" Much told her "it's ok to admit you're scared at times."

"Not when there is nothing to gain from it. I assume this is where you break down and tell me how scared you are and cry like a little girl?"

"No this is the part where we think of a plan to save these people."

"Thomas, are you even with us?" Keighley asked but it was apparent he wasn't. He was too focused on Martha sitting with her husband on the other side of the room.

Needless to say, all attempts at a plan were futile. "Useless!" Keighley yelled to herself and sank to the floor in the corner, head between her knees.

"Maybe we should comfort her?" Much said to Thomas but he was already walking over to Martha. Much was torn, comfort Keighley or watch Thomas humiliate himself.

"Be right back" he said to Keighley as he followed Thomas. It was a foolish choice. Thomas changed his mind again and came and sank by Keighley. It could have been Much's imagination but he could swear that Martha looked disappointed.

Much also noticed that everyone else around the room looked disappointed at the lack of effort on their part. "Ok enough of this" Much whispered to them. "These people are relying on our for leadership and you are showing them that there is no hope. Thomas, these people need bravery and you're too afraid to confront Martha. You face death almost everyday and I have never seen you scared of that? You are one of the bravest men I know and now I need you to show these people. And Keighley, you are not hopeless. You are smart, brave, practical, beautiful-" he couldn't believe that he just said that "and you can think of a plan."

"What about you?" Thomas asked.

"Haven't you been paying attention?" he asked matter of factly, "I'm pathetic and needy and no one likes me."

They were rudely interrupted by Martha's husband Rowan who had been rudely eavesdropping. I guess it wasn't too hard in a silent room. "That's all well and great but how do we get out of here?"

They hesitated while hurriedly trying to think of a plan. But all of the speeches in the world could not help them.

"So all those inspirational words," he continued, "were just another waste of time. You're all pathetic."

Martha leapt up trying to stop him but he swung around and hit her hard on the jaw. Thomas was across the room in a second and knocked Rowan to the floor who was up again in a second. Both men were blind with rage as their fists flew. Keighley found a loose stone in the wall and with amazing accuracy threw it at Rowan's head. It stunned him for a second which allowed Much to hit as him hard as he could right on the head. Everyone was pleased as he fell to the floor.

"Anyone else doubt us or enjoy hitting their wives?" Much yelled, really getting into the drama. No one did. "Good, because I'm tired," and he slumped back down.

We heard footsteps and the door opened to reveal the sheriff. "Right my pretties. Time to go."

…

Esteemed words of the Sheriff of Nottingham

Our little spy came through. For once. A nice change.

This man, Luke I think his name was, didn't cower before him like so many others. For this, the Prince respected him. But only slightly. I had seen this before. Bravery had little to do with anything. This was the look of a man who had already lost everything and therefore had nothing to fear.

"Robin has some of his men in your slaves" he told me. "Three to be exact. Except one is a woman, one is an idiot and one is love struck. It wasn't planned that they were all there. Robin is using this to his advantage though. He knows where your guests will be staying and how to easily take their place. He can get in with weapons. The act that there is already men in there means he has to sneak less in which is a lot easier."

"This is a pretty basic plan for Hood" the Sheriff commented.

"He doesn't know what he is planning for," Luke said, angrily defended his master. "He has no idea why you have slaves or what he is up against"

"Bla bla bla" Prince John cut him off. "You may go now."

The man hesitated. "You promised that if I told you this you wouldn't kill any of us."

The Prince ignored him. "Pay the man and make him leave." I happily shoved him out the door and threw the money after him.

"Time to change our plan slightly."

….

"Are you alright?" Greg asked Bryce.

The trouble was that Bryce was become rather tired of the question. "You know you must be the fourth person to ask me that today? People don't seem to understand that Much has been doing stupid things his whole life. I'm used to it by now. He always manages to get out of it."

Bryce didn't mean to lose his temper. Greg was one of his closet friends in the gang and one of the few who was actually concerned with his wellbeing. The others would ask the same question but for different reasons. Mainly they were searching for any additional information.

"Sorry" he told Greg. "I'm just worried about him." It was strange to admit this, even to himself. It seemed that his little brother was more important to him than he realised.

Greg nodded and Bryce realised what a selfish git he was being. "Are you ok? Keighley is there too. You're in the same boat as me."

"Oh I don't worry about Keighley," he said proudly. "She has a way of getting out of any situation without so much as grazing a knee. It's been that way since we were kids."

And then it was back to worrying in silent. The elite of the Merry Men were in a small group on the other side of camp, speaking in hushed voices about plans. "So what do you think they're discussing?" Greg asked as he gestured to us in our heated conversation.

"Whether or not to bring us," Bryce said. "Think about it. They can only take a few men or it'll be suspicious when no one heard of any of the men in there. They are going to be in capes but if someone checks under the hoods and sees how many unknown people there are it could ruin the whole thing. It's a tough decision. People who care about the victims will fight harder but if they care too much then their emotions will get in the way and they could do something stupid."

What we weren't aware of was that Bryce had excellent hearing and eavesdropping skills. He edged closer to hear what they were saying.

"Why can't I go?" John was asking.

"Your size will give you away in an instant" I told him. A true enough fact. But he never took kindly to it.

"And I suppose you get to go?" John asked angrily.

Robin cut in, "enough John, you will lead the men in the courtyard. You know the plan. We will lead the guards that way and you help us take care of them. Will, I want you to come with me and yes John, Allen comes too because he is sneaky and not as good as you at fighting."

John scoffed happily at the insult about me. Anything for his ridiculous pride. "What about Luke?" he asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind. No one ever knew what to do about him lately.

"I don't even know where he is," Robin said, slightly ashamed at the fact. He always strove to be the best possible leader and losing track of one his men was highly against him values. "If he shows up he'll go with you."

"What about me?" Michael asked.

"Go with John" Robin told him as Michaels face dropped in disappointment. He had been trying so hard lately to prove himself worthy in all areas. But despite his best efforts, improvement was far off.

Then they mumbled boring other plans and Bryce went back to Greg.

"I couldn't hear where they're sending us" he told him, "but do you know how Michael joined the gang? It just occurred to me now that he doesn't really have many skills in swordplay or archery. Was music once an entrance option?"

Greg shrugged as them rest of the men joined us. Finally Robin announced the plans. "Greg you go with John, Luke, Roger, Thomas and Mark. Bryce you're coming with me, Allen and Roger."

Bryce gave an apologetic look to Greg as he ran off, savoring his victory. He used the long walk to the castle to enquire about Michael.

"He joined the same way Much did" Roger told him. "A strange act of courage that we haven't seen since."

"Actually we can't say that anymore," I said. "Much may have actually done something brave today."

"How blind are you?" Roger asked. "He did that to impress Keighley and nothing more."

Bryce couldn't believe how he hadn't noticed that Much adored Keighley. He swore then and there to take more notice of his idiotic brother in the future. In the meantime, he had to hide the look of surprise from his face and pretend that he had noted the obvious long ago.

Robin had been very silent throughout this.

"Have I hit a nerve?" Bryce asked him. "Did he embarrass you like Much did?"

"Much did not embarrass me," Robin laughed. "No there's just not much to tell with Michael. He helped save me from some guards and I favoured his music. I normally think street musicians are crazy but in his case, it was peculiar how I actually liked him."

Then there was no more discussion. It was odd to Bryce. He had no idea. "So that's it?" Bryce asked. "Come on Allen you love telling embarrassing stories of when people first join the gang."

"Well I guess nothing embarrassing happened when Michael joined" I responded and again there was no more discussion.

There were far more pressing things to worry about.

It was easy enough to remove four of the Lords and 'borrow' their cloaks and seals. They were all too happy to help. Being knocked out helped a little.

"Right," Robin said. "It's time to go in. We don't know what's going to happen in there. We just have to get the slaves out safely. Has everyone got their seals?"

The other two murmured their "yes" as I rummaged around my cloak.

"I may have left it in his room." Roger rolled his eyes at me and Bryce sighed in annoyance.

"We'll met you in there" Robin told me as I raced back to get it. No time could be wasted on foolish outlaws who forgot their seals. Not when there was a plan in motion.

I returned in time to see the others getting captured. Bloody typical.

Tensions were high as the threesome approached the chamber. Every footstep echoed of the cold stone walls as they travelled deeper and deeper within the castle. Every spare moment was spent with eyes flickering to and fro in the hopes of remembering the path. Hope was slowly lost with each turn. But finally a set of large dark doors came into view. The final obstacles were a small group of guards. Small, but still higher in numbers. A pair of hooded figures were in the process of being admitted. With one word from the guards, both spontaneously pulled back their hoods. Each face was studied intently and then they were allowed entry.

"Robin what do we do?" Bryce whispered, trying to hide the panic.

"Let me think," Robin whispered back.

"We have no other choice," Roger decided. "We came all this way. We have to try."

So try they did. But it took only moments for the guards to recognise Robin. Thankfully it only took moments to escape the imbocieles but in that same moment, the plan had failed, leaving innocents in danger.

I saw them race past. Despite the impending danger, Robin took the time to give me one of those devilish winks. This was obviously assign to carry on. I don't think I've ever been more scared as I walked up there alone, knowing that they were onto the plan. They examined my seal and nodded as I was granted access. I was about to cheer in triumph before I realised what I was about to do and stopped myself.

The scene that met my eyes took the cheer right out of me. The slaves were hard to miss as they were chained along the wall. I found Much and Thomas quickly and Keighley and Martha were also side by side. All of them were anxiously looking around the room in the hopes of catching a glimpse of one of the gang. I could not afford to give them one. I was being ushered to a seat by more hooded figures.

The figure on the highest seat stood and silence swept the room. Removing his hood we could see it was Prince John.

"My friends" he began "tonight you have the privilege of being the first to give praise to your new King. Plans are in place and soon King Richard will be dead and the crown will come to me. I have secured Saracen allies in the Holy Land who will help sleigh my brother and ensure our places in history."

People were mumbling in anger. "Why would you trust Saracen scum?" One of them yelled. "They are the very ones we are fighting against."

"But why?" John continued. "The war there has nothing to do with England. It is not our war. It is another example of Richard and his bad leadership. He abandoned his own country to fight a war for what? Some land that means nothing to us. So I say, give them the land and they will give us what we want. The means to remove King Richard from power and have strong allies." His words seemed well selected. Obviously the type of men needed little persuasion to betray their King. "You may be wondering why you should give me your support. The answer is because I care about each and everyone of you."

All the while I was trying so hard not to laugh. Prince John? Care about someone? He continued "Under your seats you will find a considerable sum and that is only the beginning of much more money to come. And as a bonus I have selected only the finest of slaves for your own personal delight. These are not slaves for your normal day to day jobs. What goes on in these halls, stays in these halls. I selected you men because of your reputations. Do with your slaves what you wish and remember, these walls let little sound out and even if they did, no one is around to hear it."

The men all laughed and began eagerly eyeing up their possibilities. I could see the way most of their minds were working and was disgusted. Panic was daring to take control, I needed a plan but had nothing. I could save one person but I couldn't leave the others. And time was not on my side.

"Whose first?" John asked as they all excitedly waited. The women were the ones who were picked first. I could see that Prince John was gesturing to other rooms where I caught brief glimpses of horrible looking equipment. But then some favoured the strongest of the men. Obviously the challenge came from breaking one so strong.

It came to my turn. I got up as if to eye up the possibilities but I was just trying to buy time. I was shaking so hard that I lost my balance and accidentally knocked over one of the larger candlesticks. This hit one of the curtains which quickly lit up in smoke and flames. I was amazed and quite delighted at my handy work, already calculating how I would pretend it was my plan all along. Everyone was quickly racing from the room and no one gave a second thought to the slaves. I did. Luckily the chains were easy to break and I had them free in seconds. I had two extra swords which I gave to Thomas and Keighley. Much was clearly insulted but he made do with the weapon of a fallen soldier.. The abandoned chambers were quickly alive with an enormous group of bumbling slaves as they wandered around like lost sheep, needing leadership. Still happy from my last victory, I happily took charge and yelled for everyone to follow me. We didn't meet guards until we were half way out of those chambers and they were clearly unprepared. Proving that slaves were smarter than anticipated, they all faked bravery and wore the most dangerous expression possible. So few guards against so few apparent warriors was deemed suicide and they pretended to have a task at some far away location. We made it the courtyard easily where they others could hardly believe that I had single-handedly saved all of them.

The joy changed when I told them of Prince John's plan.

"That's a problem for another day," Robin decided, observing his exhausted men. "Lets get back to camp."

About half way back we realised. "Thomas is missing," Will said.

"I'll get him," I quickly said, wanting to witness whatever he did.

I saw him walk into the Tavern, without a disguise, walked straight up to the bar and waited for her. She left the people she was serving instantly and came over to him. He had been practicing good lines the whole journey over and once again they all raced from his mind when I saw her.

She was the one to break the silence. "Let's go talk outside."

So he followed her. Neither of them knew what to say.

"Alright," he began "I used to think I came here because of the ale and most of the time it was the ale but it was also for you. You are always here to listen to any mundane problem I have and tell me exactly what I have to do whether I like it or not. You always happy and it makes me happy when you're happy. So what I'm trying to say is that I love you. Those feelings aren't going to go away because I finally found out about your husband or your son and-"

She cut me off "Who said Rowan was my husband?"

"John told me."

"John doesn't know everything. We never got married. He didn't want to. Probably because he couldn't be bothered but we never made it public that we didn't get married. I didn't want them judging me. I would have done anything for him. But now I'm finally beginning to see what a horrible man he is. I saw it because I finally began to see the way a true gentlemen treats a lady, like how you treat me."

Take that Rowan. She continued "I left him. Oliver and I are staying here, upstairs."

He stopped her there. He had heard all that he needed to hear. He kissed her and finally realised all that time he had wasted. All the while I silently cheered him on.

"Now fetch me some ale women."