"Well," Sheriff Vaisey said eagerly to Gisbourne and Allan from their official position near the top of the castle steps, "let's get our little party started, shall we?" Turning to his heralds, he impatiently prompted, "Toot toot toot toot!"

Obediantly, the heralds blew their trumpets, signalling the beginning of Will Scarlet's execution. "Bring forth the prisoner!" Vaisey cried, in a loud, sarcastic voice, excited by the prospect of death, the crowd's attention, and, most of all, the delightful anticipation of capturing Robin Hood at last.

Hidden amongst the guards and spectators, Robin and his gang watched Will being pushed and shoved down one flight of stairs and up another, to take his place on the platform of the gallows.

They could tell Will was weak from pain, but they couldn't guess the extent of his injuries. His face was clearly bruised, but his clothing hid the bruises marking his back, chest, arms, and shoulders. They didn't know Gisbourne had broken several of his ribs, nor bruised his lungs. Nonetheless, Robin had prepared for the possibility that Will might be unable to run.

Robin had placed Little John, disguised as a beggar, near the gallows, in case Will needed to be carried away. Djaq stood nearer the outskirts of the crowd, hiding a perfume bottle while waiting for Robin's signal. Much, also armed with perfume, was placed above the crowd, but not so high as Robin, who needed a vantage point from which to shoot. And as for Marian, she was sitting in a cart below, disguised as a beekeeper, ready to open the hive and release their secret weapon. With any luck, they could rescue Will and be back in the forest within the hour, all without shedding a drop of blood.

Robin felt smitten with Will's pain himself. Knowing what needed to be done, he tried to stop blaming himself for not better protecting his young friend. Pushing aside his guilt and compassion, he forced himself to concentrate on the task ahead.

Allan, too, was struggling within himself. He couldn't meet Will's eyes. Nor could he look at any of the gang, in case his stare drew Vaisey's sharp gaze to pick them out in the crowd. Instead, he focused his eyes vacantly on the crowd and thought about his money. His palms were sweating as he listened to Crazy Vaisey begin his speech.

"People," Vaisey was calling. "My dear, dear people! Do not be deceived by the wholesome appearance of the young man before you. This youth is no innocent, law abiding citizen! No! This youth is one of Robin Hood's infamous outlaws! By aiding his master Hood in his despicable crimes against you, the good people of Nottingham, this callow youth has stolen from the wealthy among you, thereby hurting us all! For when the wealthy suffer, so does England, my friends! By stealing from the rich, he robs us all, stealing the very bread from your children's mouths! And so-"

Just at that moment, a striped fletched arrow whizzed by the sheriff's ear, soared straight between Allan and Gisbourne, and slammed into a wooden beam embedded in the castle's stone walls.

"He is here," the sheriff said with quiet satisfaction, his eyes darting all about, trying to locate Robin.

That arrow was Much's signal. Nervously, he removed the stoppers from the perfume bottles, and dropped their contents onto the heads of as many guards as he could, liberally sprinkling perfume.

"Guards!" the sheriff shouted. "Find Robin Hood! He's here! After him! After him!"

Now, it was Djaq's turn. Conscientiously, she pulled forth a bottle of Lady Aylesbury's perfume and tossed it high into the air above the heads of the sheriff and Gisbourne. Another arrow sailed through the air, seemed to lock on the now descending perfume bottle, finally striking it, removing its stopper in a single, perfect motion.

The arrow caused Gisbourne, the sheriff, and Allan a Dale to look upwards, and suddenly, all three were drenched with perfume pouring down upon their heads.

"Gisbourne!" the sheriff screamed. "What is the meaning of this? I smell like a damn leper!"

Marian had already released the bees. They took flight and broke into groups, one swarm seeking out the sheriff, Gisbourne, and Allan, while another swarm sought the sweet smelling guards.

Amidst the confusion, Little John grabbed Will, and was carrying him off through the crowd. Marian followed closely at John's heels, with Djaq right behind her. They were soon joined by Much, who came running down a flight of stairs, pushing his way past anyone who stood in his way.

"Where's Robin?" Marian asked breathlessly.

"There!" Much cried, pointing to his master, who was swinging down from a rope to drop right in amongst them.

The sheriff, Gisbourne, and most of their guards were too busy trying to escape the stinging bees to pay Robin any heed. And thanks to Allan, who was also plagued by beestings, their way of escape was obvious. They believed it was only good luck, not suspecting their friend turned traitor to do them any favors.

"Come on! Go! Go!" Robin urged his men, as they gathered happily around him. "Time to disappear!" he grinned, thrilled his plan was so successful, but even more glad to have Will back.

...

Once they were back home in Sherwood, Robin hoped he could finally get some sleep, after being assured by Djaq that Will, although injured, would mend. It had been a long, eventful night.

His mind flashed back, recounting the entire night, from Gisbourne's humiliation and defeat, all the way through to Will's rescue. His memories of the night reminded him there was one thing more he wanted to do before lying down in his bunk at last.

He really thought he'd like to touch Marian again, and kiss her good morning.

...

(I actually did not steal the perfume / bee idea from series 3 of the television show. My 1906 book Robin Hood by Charles Vivian has a chapter where Will Scarlet is caught by the sheriff, and Robin rescues him by releasing bees from hives).