Thanks for your reviews :)

I love how you're all suspicious of Henry – You'll find out more about him soon ;)

htbookreader1: lol this arrangement is for the best I'm afraid.

Magpie287: Well who can resist Robin? Lol. Glad I gave you a pleasant surprise. And look another update :)

temporaryinsanity91: Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Here's the next chapter (another longish one lol)

Enjoy,

xxx

Chapter 52

It had been almost 4 days since Robin had surprisingly left and Marian was still just as irritable as ever. She had taken over Robin's role in the camp temporarily, giving orders to the gang and taking charge. However, the gang knew that they had to stand their ground slightly as they had promised Robin not to let anything happen to her. But Marian being Marian refused to let that stop her, making her even more difficult to be around, resulting in the gang spending as little time in the camp as possible.

The gang were now wondering through the forest, ready to begin their rounds in the villages. Marian had, on this occasion, remained behind as Matilda insisted that she take today to rest. The gang were happy to be away from her as she was far from pleased to be staying behind. They knew also that this situation must be hard for her which is why no one really wanted to say anything; it wasn't their place.

John was leading the way through the forest, followed by Allan with a moaning Much. Will and Djaq trailed along together behind, much slower at a "leisurely pace" as Much whined. They all looked up when they heard John make a grunting sound and halted them all with his arm and stick. Much was about to open his mouth to speak when he was shushed by Djaq who joined John at the front, listening for any sounds.

"Something's not right," John informed them.

They all stood grouped together, a united front, searching around them for any signs of movement or voices.

"Er…guys," Djaq swallowed, indicating with her head the group of guards who had appeared from the trees.

"Just what we needed," Allan sighed sarcastically.

"What exactly are we supposed to do now?" Will asked slowly, as the guards began approaching them on their horses.

"We fight," John told them all firmly.

"Easier said than done," Much squeaked.

"If Robin was here that's what he would get us to do," Djaq nodded, encouraging them all.

"Let's do it," Will agreed, and with that they took out their weapons and armed themselves, standing confidently in front of the guards.

The guards merely laughed at them as they made their way to circle them.

"Erm, what now?" Much whispered panicky, as he saw that they were being surrounded.

"I think we should run now," Allan advised as they all searched for a means to escape.

"After you," Will offered hesitantly.

"To the left," Djaq whispered, seeing a gap.

"Go!" John yelled and immediately followed the others as they ran.

The guards, anticipating their move, made their way to trap the exit before they all could get through.

"Get them!" A guard ordered as Will and Allan managed to get through.

"Djaq!" Will called, stopping in his tracks and turning around.

"We haven't got time, come on!" Allan yelled, pulling Will's arm and dragging him along with him.

"We have to get help," Will told him as they ran as fast as they could.

They both quickly turned the corner and hid behind a small hilly area, ducking for cover. The guards on their horses galloped over their heads and continued on their search, looking frantically for them before continuing onwards.

"Let's get back to the camp," Will told Allan as they ran towards the camp.

They arrived at the camp panting for breath, causing Marian to stand up and join them in concern.

"They've taken them," Will told her and Matilda.

"What?" She asked taken aback. "What happened?"

"While we were walking in the forest, guards came out of no where and surrounded us," Allan explained. "There were so many and they took us all by surprise. They were a lot more organised than they normally are."

"We have to get them back," Will repeated urgently.

"Alright we have to come up with a plan," Marian nodded.

"No, Marian it's not safe for you, you need to stay here," Allan objected. "What would Robin say?"

"Robin is not here," Marian groaned impatiently. "And besides, even if he was he would not tell me what to do."

"Marian please think about this," Matilda advised. "You are in a dangerous situation as it is."

"There are more important things to worry about," Marian clarified. "We need to come up with a plan."

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Marian, Will and Allan all walked cautiously into Nottingham but paused outside the gate.

"Keep a low profile," Marian reminded them as they pulled their hoods over their heads and followed local villagers who were entering past the guards.

Once inside, they tried to keep close to crowds as they spied around for signs of guards or suspicious behaviour.

"How are you going to get in?" Allan whispered to Marian, who herself was contemplating the castle entrance.

"There is a wagon over there filled with sacks that will be brought into the castle at any moment now and dispatched in the stock room," Marian informed them confidently. "When I am inside I will get out and create a distraction so that you and Will can get in."

"But what if you get found out?" Will frowned.

"I won't," Marian insisted. "I will keep very well hidden. I will be careful I promise you, but I know the castle very well…"

"So do I," Allan interrupted defiantly.

"But you will be better suited helping Will find the others in the dungeons," Marian explained, frowning at him.

They looked up when they heard the sound of wheels and saw that one of the wagons was being taken inside the castle.

"I have to go now," Marian informed them. "We will meet here where I will join you. Good luck" She added with a small smile and walked cautiously over to the wagon.

She checked for any signs of people watching before hiding herself under the pile of large sacks. Will and Allan smiled disbelievingly at her actions but kept themselves composed, waiting for her signal for them to carry out their part of the plan.

Marian remained very quiet and still as she felt the wagon move. She heard the sound of metal moving, which must have come from where the guards allowed them through. She could hear the wheels clashing with the stone floor and kept an ear open for any sounds of people talking around her. It was not too long before the wagon came to a stop, but Marian remained still as she heard footsteps around her.

"What should I do with this?" The voice of a man asked.

"Just leave it there. We'll pick it up afterwards," Another replied.

She then heard the door bang shut and heard the sound of the voices drifting further away. Taking this as her cue, she removed the heavy sack from her head, and lifted herself awkwardly from the wagon and onto the floor. She took a moment to take in her surroundings before taking a large intake of breath and heading for the door. She was thankful that the door had been left unlocked and quietly crept round the corridors so that she could see the front courtyard of the castle, where she would hopefully spot Will and Allan.

She paused when she heard the sound of guards coming her way and hid behind one of the corner walls. However, to her benefit, behind her was one of the large openings which led to the courtyard. She kept an eye on the guards on the corridor whilst trying to scan for Will and Allan. She spotted them by a small gathering of people in the far corner, but they could not see her. She tried waving as discreetly as she could, to not attract too many guards around her.

She began to get impatient when they could not see her and accidently let out a rather loud groan. This attracted the attention of the front guards who then saw her in the opening. They immediately alerted one another and moved to chase after her.

"Oh dear," Marian gasped, frantically running down the corridor to avoid them.

Will and Allan heard the guards rush away from their posts and looked up.

"That's Marian's signal, let's go," Will told Allan as they ran inside the castle and headed straight for the dungeons.

Marian prayed that Will and Allan had noticed the guards leave and ran inside. But now it was her turn to panic as she ran through these all too familiar corridors. She paused behind another corner and watched as the guards passed her. When they were out of sight she panted for breath, both from the exertion and from the fear of the moment.

She made her way back the way she came when she heard footsteps. She immediately froze in panic and looked ahead of her, afraid to turn around.

"Well, well, well," She heard a confident voice say in a menacingly pleased way.

She knew that voice; she had heard it before. She slowly turned around to be met with the arrogant smirk of Lord Wilfred, who leaned casually against the stone wall. Marian could feel an anxious dread in the pit of her stomach but refused to let him see her fear.

He slowly walked closer to her, the same sinister grin still plastered on his face. She backed away slowly but stopped as she realised that she had hit the wall. She was now trapped as he walked even closer to her, preventing her from walking away.

"You are Lady Marian, I presume?" He asked, bringing a hand to her hair and playing with a few strands.

When Marian didn't answer he added in mock hurt, "You do not wish to speak to me? Shame really, I would really love to hear the sound of your voice. Still nothing? Well, maybe later," he laughed stroking her cheek.

"Do not touch me," Marian warned pushing him away as hard as she could.

"Now there is the Lady Marian I have heard a lot about," he smiled, watching her futile attempt to free herself from his grasp.

"I do not think so, My Lady," he told her, pushing her up against the wall with her hands up beside her head. "You cannot escape me."

He then leaned his face closer to hers so that he breathed softly into her ear, "But I can help you."

She cringed when she felt his breath on her ear but stopped when she heard what he said. She heard things like that said to her many times before. These offers always had a catch; a catch that was not normally in her favour.

He smiled when he saw that she was listening and moved so that he was pressed up against her and facing her, admiring her beauty.

"Be with me," he told her simply.

Marian looked at him outraged. How dare he request such a thing from her?

"Never," She shook her head boldly.

"Is that so?" He queried. "Maybe I can persuade you," he smiled as he kissed down her neck.

"Leave me alone!" Marian ordered, trying to push him off her. "Get off of me!"

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Robin walked casually into the camp, exhausted and completely oblivious as to what was happening. When he walked inside he was greeted by the friendly face of Matilda who was busy with her ingredients making concoctions. She embraced Robin when she saw him.

"Good to have you back," She smiled.

"Good to be back," he smiled in return. Then, looking around the camp, he frowned, "Where is everyone?"

Then when Matilda's happy face turned into a serious one, he prepared himself.

"John, Much and the other girl were taken by guards early this afternoon. Will and Allan managed to escape and together with Marian they came up with a plan to free them."

"Marian went along?" Robin asked outraged.

"She insisted," Matilda explained frantically as Robin gathered more of his weapons together as well as more arrows. "You know what she's like."

"I have to go there now," he told her walking over to the camp entrance. "What are you making?"

"Something for Marian. Lately I've been making drinks for her to sooth her. She has been rather tense and irritated recently."

Robin nodded in understanding before saying, "Stay here, I'm going to Nottingham."

He then ran as fast as he could through the forest. He had been exhausted on his journey home, but now all that was running through him was adrenaline. He had to save his gang. He had to save Marian before she did something to hurt herself. He prayed he was not too late.

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Let me know what you think :)

xxx