THE OUTLAWS CAMP
"Ah Robin, you are back." Much was making dinner, Alan reclining on one of the bunks.
John was sat by the fire, stirring the embers as the sky was beginning to darken.
They still had a few hours until it was dark enough for them to be in Nottingham through.
Tuck and Djac were working with various books and herbs and leaves to form the correct potion for Marian to drink, which would bring out the blisters on her neck which would make her look like an inflicted Scrofula victim.
Will was stood watching. As fascinate and awed as he was by his wife's knowledge, he always loved watching her work, it was the same when she watched him.
She marvelled how his hands, so careful with the wood, could be so brave in combat and yet soft with her.
Robin walked back into camp with two rabbits for Much.
"Rabbit, magnificent!" Much lifted them and turned to show the man lying on the bunk.
"You see Alan, now you cannot say it is squirrel…"
"It is a squirrel in disguise." Alan cracked one eye open.
"What!" Much cried, "That is ridiculous, unbelievable… Robin?"
"Where is Marian?" Robin was looking around the camp for her.
They still had a lot they needed to talk about, and there was still a rift between them.
But her recent fainting spells and bouts of dizzy sickness had Robin anxious.
He did not want her walking around the forest on her own.
"She is in your cave." Tuck said, "Djac suggested that she lay down."
Robin turned to Marian's friend and she nodded, walking over as he put more arrows in his quiver.
He had the strongest urge to make sure that Marian was okay.
It was not a foreign feeling to him, but it felt strange in his body when coupled with the hurt and betrayal he felt every time he looked at her.
He knew he was being a form of hypocrite by feeling this way, for he had kissed Isabella…
But he had done that for the good of everyone.
And as he kept telling himself, he was able to justify it.
Marian could not.
"Robin…" Djac stood at his side.
He did not look up at her as she spoke.
"You and Marian… she truly is sorry, Robin…"
"Djac leave it." Robin almost snapped and grabbed his bow.
"Please."
Without another word he turned to walk away from the camp.
Djac sighed and shook her head as he walked away and out of sight.
ROBIN AND MARIAN'S CAVE
His head was churning over thoughts and feelings when he walked up to his and Marians cave.
For a moment he almost considered knocking, but then thought better of it.
What did he have to prove?
He took in a breath, and walked inside.
Marian was lying on her front, head facing towards him.
She was breathing regularly and deeply, her head on the pillow, arms hugging it.
He put his bow down and took in another breath, walking to sit on the edge facing her.
He couldn't help himself.
Almost hesitantly he reached out to run his fingers through her hair.
His touch was feather light, and he doubted she felt it at all.
She did not stir, even if she did.
Only the very tips of his fingers brushed through her hair.
He stared at her.
She was so beautiful.
It hurt in his chest to think of another man kissing her.
He swallowed and moved his hand from her hair, standing and walking back out of the cave.
NOTTINGHAM CASTLE
It had grown dark and cold outside.
Guisborne was sat before the alter in the chapel, his hand in his lap, fist already tight around the hilt of his sword.
He heard the footsteps behind him, and stared straight forwards as the sheriff crossed the room behind him.
"Guisborne." He was sneering and jeering.
"Gizzy Gizzy Guisborne…"
As Vaisey took a step around the alter to face him, Guisbornestood bolt upright, drawing his sword and swinging it across his body.
It sliced the alter candles in half sending them to the floor.
Vaisey sneered a laugh.
"I knew it."
Guisborne let out a roar and swung his sword downwards, butVaisey lifted the metal cross to shield himself.
He and Guisborne went tumbling through the horn covered windows that separated the chapel from the corridor at the force of the impact.
Vaisey rolled, screaming balefully, to stand upright.
Guy scrambled to his feet, sword outstretched, eyes dark.
Vaisey and he were circling one another around the pillars of the dark corridor.
"You represent everything that is loathsome in a man."Guisborne spat.
Vaisey mocked him by raising his hands, "I thought that that was why you liked me?"
Guy let out a roar of rage.
"I have always been overly fond of you Guisborne." Vaisey was mocking him now, "Not overly fond, but fond."
He spun around the pillar and let Guisborne's blade crash intothe stone.
Behind him Vaisey managed to grab the burning torch and fling it towards Guy.
It made the man in Black leather scream in rage at having been sent back a few paces, as Vaisey finally drew his sword, turning to run further down the steps towards the dungeons.
Half way down he spun to raise his sword to block Guys dangerous attack.
The lieutenant in leather let out a baleful shout and Vaisey shoved him backwards.
"Had Prince John put you up to this?" Vaisey spat as they circled once more, "I bet he has… can't you see Guisborne, he is playing with us…"
"I am not doing this for prince john!" Guy thundered, "I am doing this for me, to be rid of you."
"Oh come now Guisborne, you inly tuck around me because I am on the winning team, because I am your key to power…"
"NO!"
Guy's sword swept through the air close to Vaisey's neck. Vaisey managed to block his advancing blade, and glared at the man before him.
"Prince John, he asked me to kill you, like he did to you… don't you see Guisborne… I am not your enemy here…"
"You are everything evil, you destroy all goodness." Guy yelled.
"It is something I taught to you!" Vaisey snapped.
"Argh!" Guy swung his sword down to meet Vaisey's, but this time, the sheriff lifted his foot to kick him backwards, sending Guy's sword spinning from his hand.
He stared upwards as Vaisey glared down at him.
