The Shadow rode into Treeton and Marian was waiting in the treeline incase it was a trap. Louise rode over to where the man was being buried, whispers and murmuring went through the crowd because none of the people had seen the Shadow in daylight before. Louise threw the sack with the remains of Locksley's food at the boy's feet.
"Food parcels?" The boy asked "You cannot give to us Gisborne's forbidden it." Louise was generally worried about the boy's mental health as it was common knowledge that the Shadow and the Nightwatchman helped Robin Hood, which was also forbidden. "He has spies everywhere" The boy called out after her as she left Treeton. Marian disappeared back into the woods, planning on meeting Louise round the other side of the village.
As Louise galloped out of the woods Guy jumped out, slashing his sword and causing Jack to rear up, this time Louise did fall off with a grunt
"Nothing like a tragedy to bring out the do gooders." He sneered pointing at Louise as she scampered round from the back of her horse, to hold the reins. "Where is your leader? Where is Robin Hood?" Robin's not my leader Louise sneered in her head
"Or are you alone?" Guy continued stepping forward "Does Robin Hood deem himself too important to do his own business now?" Louise said nothing and Guy tilted his head, his hand up to his ear, mocking her. "A man of few words no matter I'm sure I will hear you voice when you plead for your life" Guy lunged forward and sliced across the top of Louise's forearm, just above the arm guard. The Shadow bit her tongue in order to stop herself from crying out, placing her hand over the wound
"Not even an ouch," Guy mocked "An ouch costs nothing surely you could utter an ouch!" Marian appeared behind him and Guy swung his sword on instinct catching the Nightwatchman on the arm as well.
"Two of you." He growled out, "Not saying anything either?" Louise tapped Guy on the shoulder and he turned round, only to be backhanded across the face. Guy shouted and both disguised women ran to their horses and rode away, back to Knighton.
Guy growled under his breath as he watched them leave the village and his mind returned to Louise and he made his way back to his horse, planning on going to Knighton.
Back in the forest Robin was in that mood, the one where things only entertained him or kept him busy for an hour at the most before he got bored. Much sighed as he imagined what is was going to be like, knowing that his friend and master was going to be climbing the walls, figuratively speaking as there are no walls in the forest.
Robin laughed in pride as he fired two arrows in quick succession, both hitting a metal bell that Robin had placed up. Allan groaned shoving the blanket over his head, having not yet gone back to sleep because of Robin's antics. John and Much just sighed at their leader.
"The trap worked." Will called out, running down the hill, "We caught one...A cart. Lets go!..Lets go!" The gang got to their feet and ran ater Will, Allan complaining about it being his day off as he ran.
The gang seemed to materialize out of the woods, suddenly surrounding the man who had been caught in the trap. The man sighed and threw a money purse on the floor.
"Here." He said "It's all I have of value...Check it!" Robin nodded at Much who picked the purse up, inside there was a weird piece of glass. Much just raised an eyebrow at Robin who shrugged suddenly there was a groan from under the cloth of the man's cart.
"Livestock?" Robin asked, although he already knew the answer
"Take one." The man insisted "And let me on my way. They'll work for ya" Robin jumped down and walked over to the cart, drawing back the sheet to reveal...Saracen slaves. "They understand simple English" The man continued. "They're for the Sheriff's mine."
"Slaves." Much gasped
"You were right Will." Robin said, "But for once I wish you weren't."
Meanwhile in Knighton Louise and Marian were at the wash station at the top of the stairs and were cleaning and dressing their wounds. Louise hissed as Marian cleaned her wound as it was at an awkward angle and she couldn't reach. Marian's arm was already bandaged and both women were dressed except for the fact that they had to remove their over shirts to get at the wounds.
"AH!" Louise hissed at Marian who gave her an incredulous look.
"You are worse than your brother" Marian scolded and she began to bandage it up "Stop complaining." There was a knock on the door and Louise could see Sir Edward opening it from where she was standing.
"Sir Guy." Sir Edward greeted and Louise stepped back, out of the view of the door, shooting Marian a look.
"Is she home?" Guy growled out, there was no question as to who he was talking about.
"Now is not the best time Sir Guy" Sir Edward tried but the Lord pressed on.
"Is. She. Home?" He growled out his very words sounding like a threat.
"Yes come in." Edward said and walked up the stairs just as Marian secured the bandage.
"Father." Marian said.
"Sir Edward." Louise greeted.
"You're hurt." Edward said looking at Marian before noticing Louise's wound as well "Both of you."
"Yes" Louise said "I caught it on a splitter on the door."
"I slipped whilst doing my embroidery" Marian explained and Sir Edward seemed to believe their excuses
"Let me see." Edward insisted moving towards Marian.
"No." Marian said turning away to put on her shirt as Louise rinsed her hands in the bowl. "Its nothing." Louise then turned to thread her arms through her shirt, wincing as she did so.
"What does Gisborne want?" Louise asked
"I don't know." Sir Edward sighed "I tried to keep him out, I'm sorry."
"Do not worry." Louise sighed as she walked pass him "You tried to. I am thankful for it and I'm sorry I brought this to your home."
"No apology is needed" Sir Edward assured her "You are family if not by blood but by heart." Louise smiled at the Lord's words and walked down the stairs, the smile leaving her face as she was Guy.
"Louise" Guy greeted
"To what do we owe the honour Sir Guy?" Louise asked, her voice dripping in sarcasm
"Today I am attending as I am sure you would expect and you yourself may also have the intention but even so it would not necessarily make my question redundant" Guy said, pacing.
"Attending?" Louise asked, although she knew why Guy was here and what he was indicating at.
"The Sheriffs fair." Guy said
"Oh." Louise breathed and Marian who was listening from the top of the stairs grinned, realising that Louise was trying to wind the Lord up.
"So what your answer?" Guy asked and it took all of Louise's political training and lying skills to keep a straight face
"Sir Guy I don't not yet understand the question" She told him
"I am asking you to the fair as my personal guest" Guy growled obviously restraining from rolling his eyes. He swore to himself that Louise wasn't like this went he was courting her, before she found out about the baby.
"I do not think that is a good idea"
"Are you declined my invitation?" Guy growled "That wouldn't be a wise move..."
"No I didn't sleep well that is all" Louise said, holding her ground.
"Louise is tired" Sir Edward said interrupting "And she is wounded."
"Wounded?" Guy growled and Marian froze at the top of the stairs.
"Wounded pride." Louise out in quickly and Guy looked down as he realised what she was talking about. "I do not wish to go to the fair." he voice went hard but Guy had had enough.
"It is not an invitation you can decline." He snarled and Louise seriously wondered how far she could push him but she heard that annoying voice in her head again, the one that sounded a lot like Marian, warning her that it would be a bad idea.
"Fine" She snapped
"Good" Guy growled "It should be an interesting day. The Sheriff is convinced that he will deal with Robin Hood he put up a silver arrow as a prize."
"Silver?" Sir Edward asked, glancing at Louise
"Yeah it won't work but he's delegating his tasked to lackeys now I met two this morning" Guy told him and Louise winced slightly.
"An outlaw?" Louise asked
"No the Shadow and the Nightwatchman I will find them," Guy assured them "They are marked. I wounded both of their arms I was being kind I should've killed him. Well I'll send a coach for you then." Guy finished and Louise nodded as Sir Edward looked at her in shock and Marian walked down the stairs.
"Good day My Lady" Guy said, smirking softly. I'm gonna hit him. Louise thought I'm gonna hit him. Marian as if sensing her thoughts shook her head behind Guy's back as Edward opened the door as a clear invitation to leave.
"Sir Guy." He said and Guy turned to look over his shoulder as he left just before Edward shut the door and turned to the two women who felt like they were five again and had 'accidently' ripped their dresses whilst playing in the woods. They tried to make a hasty retreat up the stairs
"I think you two owe me an explanation" Sir Edward snapped stopping them in their tracks."It was you two wasn't it."
"People are starving" Louise argued "People whose menfolk have died at the mines, should we do nothing."
"What you think you are Robin Hood now?" Edward asked and Louise winced at his words knowing the effect it would have on Marian. "Is that it? You are in competition with Robin?"
"This has nothing to do with competition" Marian argued back facing her father and Louise went to leave but Sir Edward stopped her.
"I'm not done with you" He growled before turning back to his daughter as Louise groaned and rested her head on the wall. "If it's not competition what is it?"
"I have been helping people far much longer than him" Marian argued.
"How much longer?"
"Four years!" Marian shouted
"I do not know you at all do I?" Edward asked stunned and Marian looked down as her father retreated down the stairs.
Yay another chapter I dont know whats wrong with me today but I dont seem to be able to stop writing!
REVIEW PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE *Puppy Dog Eyes*
Rwar I'm a Cat