Ok, I know it's been ages since I last updated this story. Hope you are all still slightly interested in it, lol. I've been focused on my other Merlin story, so unfortunately this one got pushed in the corner. And I seemed to be experiencing writer's block which didn't help. Anyway, hope you enjoy. =) And please, no bashing on any of the characters. I get it that certain characters might not be your favorite, but I can't just forget about them. Thanks!
Carter ducked down in a far corner of the room. He pulled a nearby table slightly closer and hid behind it, hoping it would be enough to conceal his whereabouts. The lighting was so poor inside he doubted that Vaisey and John would even be able to make out each other's expressions, let alone him hiding in the corner. Was John hoping to reunite the former members so they could sign another pact? Maybe they had already signed a document back in London, under John's watchful eye.
The sudden murmur of voices immediately put Carter on his guard. He crouched down even lower. He was shocked Robin had agreed to let him go in on his own. Normally he was the one who wanted to be in charge of these matters.
But Carter knew he couldn't go back on his word to Marian.
She had approached him quietly as he was preparing for his trip to Nottingham. Her eyes were swollen and red, as if she had been crying. He couldn't help but think how unlike her that was, to be crying. But emotionally she was fragile. He knew her tough exterior couldn't last forever.
"Carter, I need you to…do something for me." She averted her eyes. Carter assumed she was slightly uneasy asking a favor of him, considering their history.
"Of course…how may I help you?"
"I need you to look after Robin…make sure no harm comes to him." Marian inadvertently rubbed her stomach as she thoughtfully pondered her next words. "I can't do this…alone."
"I'll look after him, don't worry. You have my word."
"Thank you."
A she walked away, Carter watched as her form slowly retreated back to her camp. How different this side of Marian was compared to the feisty girl who had hit him rather hard not so long ago. But he could relate to her then, in a strange way. She was grieving the death of her father and taking it out on him, just as he was taking his revenge on Robin for the death of his brother.
Carter stiffened as the voices grew increasingly louder out in the hall. In a matter of minutes, the entire council of Black Knights, including Beth's uncle, Gisborne, the Sheriff, and John, were assembled in the room. Carter ducked down even lower, his heart pounding. John prattled on about the inadequate leadership of the Black Knights and botched first attempt to kill Richard. His words were clearly aimed at Vaisey, who was squirming uncomfortably in his seat.
"Well, as you know Sire, Hood got in the way several times."
"Yes, our dear friend Hood." John strode over to Vaisey and circled around his chair. "And why is Hood still allowed to remain at large? He's been running free for how many years now? Two…three?"
"I can assure you, Sire, we've taken all measures possible to capture Hood," Gisborne interjected. "We have a large ransom on his head at present, but seeing that he portrays himself as a friend of the peasants it's been a little difficult getting anyone to hand him over."
"Is that your idea of FORCE?" shouted John. He flung himself back down in his seat. "My subjects should love no one but me, and they love Hood, you say?"
"Hood is very convincing. He provides them with food…clothing….gold even."
"Then we must STOP him. And punish them…the peasants. Make them remember where their loyalties lie. We'll start tomorrow…in Locksley. Now, on to more serious business." John rose again and paced around the room. Carter held his breath as he came dangerously close to his hiding spot. John remained unaware of his presence as he drummed his fingers together and walked back to the center of the room.
"Gisborne! I have a surprise for you."
Guy eyed John warily as his right hand slowly made its way toward his sword sheath.
"How would you like to be in charge of the Black Knights? In fact, how would you like to be…Sheriff?"
Guy blinked rapidly in response as Vaisey chuckled nervously but attempted to remain calm. "My Lord, you always were one for comedic timing. What a funny thought…Gisborne as Sheriff." Vaisey continued laughing, prompting a few others in the council to do the same.
"Oh, you think I'm being trite? I assure you, Vaisey, I'm quite serious."
Vaisey's puzzled expression mirrored Gisborne's. "Sire, I've done nothing but serve you faithfully over these last years."
"It's because of YOU the operation of the Black Knights failed so miserably. Hood still runs around and makes me look like a fool because of YOU." John kicked over a vase, breaking it into tiny shards.
Gisborne seemed to finally come to his senses as he eyed Vaisey intently. "I think you've been sacked."
"Shut-up, Gisborne!"
"That's 'my Lord' to you…Vaisey."
Vaisey scowled and a panic-stricken look crossed his face. His next course of action caught everyone by surprise as he lunged at Guy, taking his sword in the process. Holding it to Guy's throat, he sneered. "Over my dead body will you be Sheriff."
What followed in the next few minutes was pure chaos. Gisborne kicked Vaisey in the groin and regained control of his sword. Members of the Black Knights unsheathed their daggers and swords, but seemed unsure of how to approach the situation, while John merely hid behind them. Vaisey ran from Guy as he swung his sword ferociously at him. As the former Sheriff sought refuge under a table in the corner, a surprise awaited him. Unable to avoid the confrontation now, Carter grinned at a very confused Vaisey and darted out from underneath, weapon in hand.
"What are you doing here?" Gisborne asked in disbelief as he took a step back.
"Just stopping by for a visit. Seems like this meeting of yours is going splendidly."
"Where's Hood?" Gisborne asked as he glanced furtively around the room, still keeping an eye on Vaisey, who remained cowering underneath the table.
"Oh, he couldn't make it, sorry about that."
"Who are you?" John asked petulantly.
"Carter. Served under his Majesty, King Richard in the Holy Land. Thought you might be interested to know that your brother was in the best of health the last I saw him. Long live the King, right gentlemen?"
John's contorted face was answer enough to Carter that his words had had the desired effect.
"Oh, I forgot. You two aren't on the best terms, are you? Although I can assure you that King Richard means you no harm."
"Seize him!" John yelled, pushing two of the Black Knights in front of him.
"Sure you wouldn't rather have me?"
He wheeled around as Robin appeared in the doorway with his bow drawn. "And who are you?" a perplexed John asked.
"The name…is Robin Hood."
"Ahhhh!" John ran to the opposite side of the room. "Seize HIM!" John pointed frantically in Robin's direction. Guy scowled at Robin, but his attention was still focused on the Sheriff, who was slowly making his way out from under the table and toward the door.
"No, you don't!" Gisborne attempted to grab hold of Vaisey's shirt sleeve but lost him. With the whole room in pandemonium, Robin and Carter were able to slip out fairly easily as they fought off a few Black Knights and guards. As they ran down the corridor, they could still hear John's angered cries.
"Well, that was a close one." Carter breathed a sigh of relief when they made it outside the castle.
"Pfft, that was nothing," Robin chuckled. An angry guard charged at them from the gates, but the two easily took him out.
"What happened in there?" Robin asked breathlessly as they kept up a steady pace once they were outside of Nottingham. "When I heard the swordfighting I thought it was time for me to get involved. And was that the Sheriff under the table?"
"The former Sheriff."
"What?"
"Just wait, it gets even better," Carter responded. "Seems like Vaisey won't be our problem anymore."
"So John's replacing him? With who?"
"Gisborne."
