The news spread like wildfire around England. The news of Gisbourne's possible resignation.
Naturally Robin was over the moon. The chance to never see his arch enemy again seemed to good to be true and I once heard him go to the lengths of singing songs about it with Michael.
Everyone else was looking forward to the end of the fighting. There had been plenty of this lately. Now that Gisbourne had returned, no one could concentrate. We all innocently went about trying to do our jobs but if Robin and Gisbourne ever met, there was drama. The new members quickly realised how repetitive the fighting was and it quickly lost its excitement. Both would quickly leap into an elaborate fight where both would always come close to finally defeating the other but never quite making it. All the while, the rest of the gang grew bored as they calmly waited around the edges, yearning for the end.
It seemed that to wait around was yet a mistake. With the amount of work we had to do, it could easily prove disastrous. Gisbourne was always left angry and shamed at the end of each unsuccessful battle and took it out on the Saxons. Houses were burnt, taxes snatched, livelihoods shut down and any other horrible thing Gisbourne felt like doing. Meanwhile Robin was too busy attacking Gisbourne to be of any real use to the cause.
So needless to say, the news was met with much excitement. Official announcements made by the Sheriff were normally largely important matter and everyone gathered anxiously to hear the result. In this case, it was obvious that the whole thing bored the Sheriff as he rushed through his speech in the most bored tone he could muster. "It is with deep sadness that we farewell Sir Guy of Gisbourne as he leaves us for greener pastures or something like that."
Everyone cheered with great enthusiasm. The merry men were prime examples of this. John was the loudest as he practically roared in delight as he lifted Much on his shoulders and practically danced. Roger and Will, who were normally void of emotion, were hugging anyone in range and holding back tears of joy. Robin tried to act mature in light of the people but the smug was back. That smug always came at moments of true victory with Robin.
The Sheriff observed the scene with slight amusement before speaking out again. "I do not know why you are all so excited. Gisbourne was the only thing holding back utter hell for the lot of you." That stopped the cheers as everyone looked around, wondering what he was talking about. "He is always the one begging that I stop burning down your pathetic villages and ruining your lives and so on. The little coward is always whining like a woman about your needs. But you can rest well, knowing that I will be taking on all of his responsibilities, along with my own. And just a warning, all this extra work, will not put me in the best mood."
Needless to say, all of the celebrating was gone. Thomas and Mark wordlessly slumped their shoulders and slunk off to drown their sorrows in drink. John dropped Much, who didn't even it in him to moan at the pain.
Thinking back, the Sheriff's words made a lot of sense. Gisbourne could have easily been simply ordered to commit these actions and the disgruntled look on his face reflected this.
Could he truly be our savior?
I headed to the Church as I knew Tuck would be the only one with answers. He instantly knew why I was there as he sighed, "I've lost count of the people who have come in to ask me of these rumors. I'm afraid they are true. We may hate Gisbourne but his resignation means the end of what shall be known as the 'peaceful' times. Allow the full reign of the Sheriff to begin."
"Well why would he quit? If he loved helping out so much"
"Would you really want to stay in a place that was a constant reminder of the woman you lost as you were constantly tormented by the man who stole her away?" I was ready to jump to my friend's defense but knew that he was right.
"Well maybe the Sheriff will not be as be as we predict?" I asked, knowing the answer. The Sheriff made Gisbourne look like a Saint. He did everything with a smile but this simply disguised his pure evil. Gisbourne seemed worse to us after the Marian drama but during that whole time, the Sheriff had been plotting and laughing his head off the whole ceremony as he saw Gisbourne's downfall.
Tuck considered my question. "Frankly I was amazed that he managed to enter this church with bursting into flames."
"I can't believe that I'm saying this but we have to make Gisbourne stay."
Tuck nodded and said, "well you best hurry. Gisbourne left earlier. He will be a good way into Sherwood by now. So may I suggest you run."
Before he had finished talking , I was running. Suddenly I turned and headed back to Tuck. "I think it's best that Robin doesn't know about this."
"That goes without saying," Tuck said, looking around to ensure that Robin wasn't eavesdropping. He did a habit of this after all.
So I ran, all the while contemplating the absurdity of the situation. I was officially running to stop Gisbourne from leaving Nottingham.
When I say that I have known Gisbourne for almost two years, the really means that I have known 'of' him. This minor adventure is the first time we have actually interacted. It was odd to say the least. Neither of us knew what to do upon laying eyes upon one another. A long moment of contemplation followed as we stared. Eventually he decided on drawing his sword. After all, I was still a Merry Man. But I was obviously no threat.
"I'm not here to hurt you," I said in a steady voice.
He made an odd snickering noise at the idea of me being able to hurt the likes of him and all high self opinions were instantly gone.
"Fine, but I think you should stay in England."
He laughed silently at the absurdity of my words and began to remount his horse. It was rather insulting. "Are you not even going to listen to me?"
It was about then he realised I was serious. "You," he said slowly, "want me, to stay? Are you mad or have you been drinking?"
"Believe it or not, you are still our best option for Nottingham."
Not a word reached his ears. It was a natural reaction of his to blot out any noise from anyone related to Robin.
"And I need your help with the clue!" I called after him. It got his attention to say the least.
"Why would I help you?"
"Because you have one half and I have the other."
It was unclear; the idea of who was bluffing. I had no clue if he knew anything and only had a rough idea. But he needn't know that. His pause informed me that I had gained his interest. But was he bluffing in return?
"So who shares first?" he asked and the banter began.
"Let's be honest, I am the good person here."
"You are an outlaw. This means you are known for dishonesty."
"I have spent almost three years helping people. You have done no such thing."
"Well that shows how much you know, did the Sheriff not mention all the danger I have nulled if not stopped?"
"Yes but you do tend to do things for personal gain. Remember Simon?"
"If you studied a little deeper into the background of that man, you would know that Simon was a convicted murderer. Yes I used this for slight personal gain but my personal gain is not in question here. The point being made is of my ability to help others which by the way is pointless as I can clearly see that you know nothing."
I sputtered in a desperate attempt to find a lie. It was too late. He had seen right through me. "So I was right. But on the other hand, you are a vital part of one section I have not figured out yet. So I suppose you are right. We need to work together. But no word of this can reach Hood." Once again I shook my head in disgust that so many people think me that foolish.
And then that moment ended and I was anxiously awaited part of the impossible solution.
He paused, unbelieving of the information he was about to give me. "For the answer is deep, but search for your prize. Your deep thirst for knowledge could drown your demise. Think about it."
"What do you think I have been doing for these past few weeks?" I said, trying desperately to hold back frustration. He just shook his head at me with a trace of amusement. "Fine," I huffed and let thought once again take over. "I still have nothing."
He sighed. "Focus on one section. Think of the last line."
"This is stupid! Why can't you just tell me what you know?"
"It is so much more fun to see you struggle. So come on, back to the line."
I was beginning to dread such thought sessions. "Ok well, it mentions water elements twice. I suppose that makes it important?" Gisbourne nodded slowly and I continued. So water. A river? A lake? A crook? A pond? But drowning? What does that mean?"
He shook his head. "Water is enough. Move on. Look at that section together."
"Deep is mentioned twice? So deep?"
He was clearly growing bored and rushed me along. "Think harder. Water. That is deep."
Snapping my fingers, I said, "It is hidden in the bottom of the ocean!"
For the first time in my life, I received that look. The one we normally give to Much. I am not going to lie, it hurt a lot. "How is that logical? Deep water for goodness sake."
"Can I do the next section?" I begged.
"We will digress backward. So wish if you will. Alright? So you need to wish. Got it? But just as you do this there will be no need."
"I wish all the time," I groaned, "and the need is still there.
He paused and gave the ultimate clue. "Well maybe you are wishing in the wrong place. The clue wants you to go somewhere that will help you wish. But as the clue is hidden in that place, it would be a wasted wish."
"Well where do people wish? Church? No that is praying. And we have already looked in a Church. And Tuck would slap my wrist for comparing prayer to wishing. So where do people wish?"
And then there was the pause. The pause of realisation.
"Water that is deep. Deep like in a well. But not just any well. A wishing well."
The slow sarcastic clap showed that I had finally done it.
No feeling shall ever come close to defeating such a victory.
Until he ruined the whole thing. "Now what do you know of the first half?"
Sinking down, defeat once again took its toll.
"What on earth do you and your sister know that no one else does?"
"Absolutely nothing."
Deep sighs were the only response.
"And the first section is obvious."
I shook my head slowly, hoping for a prompt.
"Something that holds animals but is not a stable. It must be a barn."
I was lost but desperately needed a minor victory to regain pride. "But that is only half of the answer. So barn in half is ba!" I should have stopped. I had no idea. But I continued to embarrass myself. "So baa is the sound that a sheep makes! So it must be hidden in a wishing well that has sheep near it!"
The look returned. It still hurt. All of the information circulated about in an endless void. A barn, something I did not know and a wishing well. Focusing on the wishing well was easiest. But how would I know which wishing well? Few wells were used solely for the purpose of wishing nowadays. Few had the resources to waste money in such a fashion of throwing them down a well. Not in Nottingham at least. I suppose that there were a few towns that were known for wasting their money. The folk of Kent were all too happy to throw money about. Norwich had a similar reputation. Barnsdale was probably worse than these two combined.
"Wait!" I called to Gisbourne who practically fell over with the sudden shock. "Do you know my name?"
Such an odd question threw him. "It starts with an A," he said after deep thought.
"My name is Allen A Dale."
"Congratulations."
"And who else shares at least part of this name? My sister, Annie A Dale. My Father inherited the lands of Airedale but Annie and I could never say this when we were young so we just called our lands Dale."
"So you're saying that the next clue is in Airedale?"
"No, because it is only half of the clue. Barn being the first half."
He paused as he too realised. It was only fair to give him the stupid look.
"The clue is in the Barnsdale wishing well."
For that small moment, victory bonded us.
"This does not make us friends," he said in disgust.
"Not in the slightest," I agreed.
"So what now?"
"I recall that you were leaving Nottingham."
"But now I have information to put myself ahead in the King's favour."
"Not if I tell Robin first."
"It has been, odd, working with you. Not good. But odd none the less."
And then we ran.
Back to our respective lives.
But the clue had been solved.
On to the next step.
.
.
.
.
.
.
25th November 1191
We ran faster then we ever had before. Everyone was reaching that exhausted tired stage but we all refused to slow down.
I suppose that you need a slightly higher amount of explanation.
This all began a few days ago when Richard's childhood friend had gone missing.
Before then, I could write countless pages of how everyone worshiped my brilliance after I cracked the impossible. Naturally, Gisbourne received no credit.
But I shall hold back. Just know that I am brilliant.
And what did we have to show for our effort?
Another bloody riddle.
I was so close to stabbing myself.
'High prison
Lead to childhood games
Only two Lards can answer
But I shall name no names'
"Well at least we know that that there is no chance of figuring this one out," Much said with the slightest hint of optimism. "None of us are Lords."
Prince John thought the same thing
"Prince John is clearly getting desperate," I announced as I came into camp, announcing my findings. "Another Lord has gone missing."
"That is the fifth one," Will exclaimed.
"At least it shows that he found nothing," John said.
"Well neither have we," added Thomas.
"This one is different," I continued, annoyed at everyone interrupting me. "This is Sir Godfrey. He was King Richard's best friend from childhood. If the King was going tell any of the Lords where he would hide the document it would be Godfrey."
We all raced into action. After each Lord went missing we searched for them and never found where Prince John was hiding them. We had eliminated most of the castle but there was still a lot of ground to cover and we couldn't let Prince John get that information before us.
"I think we have to go see Luke," Ben said.
Will obviously did not like this, "that git will not help us. He betrayed us."
Ben continued "Well I remember him from the old days. If we play on his conscience maybe he'll tell us. He does owe us this much. Or we could just set John on him."
John grabbed his quarterstaff "I like that plan best."
I shrugged at Robin "it is the best plan we've got."
So we went to see Luke. It was strange seeing him now. He had a cold look in his eyes, similar to one constantly in the eyes of the Sheriff. The fine clothes he wore didn't look right on him as we were all so used to seeing him in the same filthy outfit.
He knew why we came and was amused by it. "It astounds me that you only come when you need me. Go on; tell me how much you miss me. Grovel at my feet."
Roger and Will refused and turned to leave. Bryce and Greg grabbed them and whispered, "ignore you bloody pride. This is bigger then us."
"You owe us this much" Robin told him but he disagreed.
"I owe you nothing," he said angrily. "You threw me out with no where to go. I had made a mistake and regretted it. I do not regret it now."
"Fine" I said. "John, make him tell us."
John smiled, finally being allowed to do what he had wanted to do for some time. Luke was scared now. "Ok I'll tell you," he said quickly. "Do you remember that special dudgeon where the Sheriff hid Amelia and Lilly when they were sentenced to die?"
We practically kicked ourselves for forgetting about that. "I can't let you go-" Luke began to say but Robin punched him and fell to the floor. He would not awaken for a while.
"What is the plan?" Much asked as we ran.
"We don't have time," I said. "He could break at any second and find the document before us."
"Well this is going to go well" Much doubtfully said as we ran.
We were forced to stop when we saw the large group of guards. Before they saw us, we quickly dodged back behind the wall, praying that we hadn't been too loud. There could easily have been fifty bloodthirsty guards, ready to attack.
"Do we need a plan now?" Much asked a little too loudly. One of them heard and yelled to alert the others.
"Well not now," I said through clenched teeth as everyone glared at Much.
"Thirteen versus fifty?" Michael asked, doing a quick head count.
"Well it's never fun to have things easy," Robin said.
So we fought. Robin led the charge and found that he was rather excited to have a challenging fight for a change. They may be able to beat us in numbers but not in skill. It was clear that the Sheriff had just used run of the mill guards who were simply meant to scare us off by their numbers. I think he was hoping we would be too scared to fight them. He was wrong and we were doing well. It took longer than normal but we did get past them. I quickly scanned for injuries. Everyone seemed accounted for. Until I saw Greg running. Keighley was falling. Greg caught her and slowly lowered her to the ground. I knelt down and checked her wound. She had a deep cut on her lower stomach and the amount of blood she was losing concerned me. "You are going to be fine," I tried to reassure her "it is just a scratch. A rather large scratch." Robin was beside us in a second with the same worried expression
He pulled Greg and I aside. "We have to get her to Pete's," he said. "I don't like the amount of blood she's losing we have to help her now." He was getting worried
"Well how? And what about Godfrey?" Benny said worriedly. I really didn't know.
Greg continued "I can plead with Annie and see if we can hide Keighley there. Then we plead with Luke and see if he'll help. Or threaten him with John again." Robin agreed, mainly because he had no other plan.
She was calling Robin's name. He dropped to his knees to answer her. She was mumbling and it was hard to make out but I heard the main words "If I die."
"Don't talk like that," he told her. "You are going to be fine."
Greg picked her up and ran in the direction of Annie. We carried on into the dudgeons.
There were no screams but I did not know if this was a good or bad thing. He could already be broken. There was only one man in the cells.
"Godfrey?" Robin asked as we cautiously approached. He raised his head. He looked in pain but not defeated. He nodded and we helped him up and supported him.
"Can you walk?" I asked him and after a few feeble steps he nodded and we let him walk by himself.
"Ok" Roger said "We've mastered the walk. Now can you run?" We found that he could and we escaped the castle and ran back to camp.
"Keighley was wounded," Bryce told Amelia and Lilly.
"I'm not surprised in the slightest" Lilly replied. "What?" she said at the look Amelia gave her, "she enjoys attention."
"So are you suggesting that she paraded up to the guards and asked to be stabbed because she wanted the attention?" Amelia asked.
"No I'm suggesting that she wasn't so upset after it happened because she figured out that she was going to get attention."
"Not the time," I whispered to them as we all remembered Godfrey.
He eyed us all up. "You expect me to tell a bunch of outlaws one of the best kept secrets in England?"
"Uh" said Ben, "we are the good ones."
"You plan on doing the exact same thing with the document as Prince John."
"Using it rule England?" Ben asked.
Godfrey gave Benny a look that showed he thought we were idiots. "No but you both want to use to control who gets the throne. What are you going to do if it does name Prince John as the next ruler?"
There was silence. We didn't know.
"Exactly" Godfrey continued, "so I am not telling you anything." He turned to leave but John punched him hard.
"What?" he said in response to our disapproving looks. "We have to find out where it is." Unfortunately John forgot his own strength and Godfrey had been knocked out. We were going to have to wait a while for him to wake up.
Greg came back and told us "Luke treated Keighley but she shouldn't be moved right now. Annie agreed for her to stay the night."
I was shocked "Annie agreed to help someone?"
"She wasn't happy about it but she still did it. Whatever the reason I'm glad."
"Anyway we need a plan for Godfrey" Roger said and everyone began buzzing about possibilities.
Greg did not like this. "Can you all wait for a second!" he yelled. This shocked everyone, he never yelled. He instantly went back to his normal tone but we were all still shocked. "I know Keighley has had some differences with you all but I cannot believe how selfish you're all being. No one even asked if she was alright. For all you know she could die tonight."
"Will she?" Thomas asked.
Greg stopped "Well no. But none of you even asked. And it's not just that. You all just ignore her and if you do take notice of her it is only to say something cruel. She made some mistakes and she has paid for them. Why can't you all just give her a break?"
We were all silent, heads down in shame, mainly Robin.
"Well we really do not have time to work on that now," I said. Godfrey was beginning to stir.
"He recovers fast" John said. "Should I punch him again until we have a plan?"
"No" Robin said. "Let me talk to him. Everyone clear out."
They obeyed but they didn't look happy about it.
"Being knocked out did not change my mind," he said angrily. "Give me your best torture."
"Do you think because I'm an outlaw I am automatically going to torture you. Because I won't. That's what Prince John did and that's the kind of man who could end up ruling. You've seen what he does so why aren't you doing everything you can to stop him? I know you made a promise to King Richard but think of all the people who will die if John rules."
He was silent. Robin was growing angry and said, "how can you just sit there when you know Prince John is getting closer to finding it. You know that if he does he will stop at nothing to get rid of anyone's names that are on it. I swear to respect the document. If it is someone else then we will protect them. If it is Prince John then we can start working on a plan to stop him. He plans on killing the King so if you want to protect your friend you have to trust me."
He broke his silence and scoffed. "What is England coming too? Trusting outlaws."
"Does that mean you'll do it?" Robin asked hopefully. He mumbled something inaudible that Robin assumed meant yes. "So what do you know?" he asked. "I don't know where it is exactly but I do now where you can find a clue. You grew up in the castle, have you ever noticed the rooms in the top of the castle look like a lot like cells. That's because King Henry preferred his prisoners being at the top rather then at the bottom. Do not ask me why, he was a strange man. Anyway when Richard and I were kids we would always go up there and play games and make up stories about the people who used to be in there. It was kind of our favourite childhood place. We called it our Tower of Power, again, do not ask me why, we weren't very good at naming things. Before Richard left for the Holy Land he told me if anyone worthy ever comes looking for the document send them to the tower of power. I went there myself just to make sure he hadn't left it in some really obvious place for anyone I searched it thoroughly and its not in there. Maybe you can decipher it"
"Well how do I know which is the right room?"
"I'll take you. But then I am not going to help you anymore. You are still an horrible outlaw." He was smiling as he said this.
Robin went off to tell the rest of us. "There is something else you should know" Godfrey called after him. "You may have rescued me but what you didn't know is that another Lord went missing as well. Sir Ralph, he was the other friend who was there when we founded the Tower of Power. He also knew about Richards clue. They were torturing him when you came and saved me."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner" I said as I started to panic.
"I was still deciding if I could trust you. I didn't want you kidnapping him as well. He is a strong man but he will break."
"I know," Robin said as he hurriedly tried to think.
"May I make a suggestion?" he asked.
"Feel free" Robin responded.
"Run."
So we did. Again. There was far too much running going recently. Godfrey in his own words 'was not as young as he once was and couldn't keep up so he gave us directions that I was constantly repeating them back so as not to forget but I think I is already getting a few lines confused.
Speed is not so great for subtly and Robin became tired of peering around corners. "I'm considering just running for it," he whispered to me. "But then they'll follow and get the clue too."
"Hood, I was wondering when you'd make an appearance!"
We were caught. Prince John stepped into the archway and guards followed. Gisbourne and Luke were there as well just to make this worse. "So what have you found?"
Robin glared at him and stayed silent. He glared straight back. Tension was high as we waited for someone else to say something.
A messenger ran in "In the top tower, Richard called it the tower of power."
There was a pause as everyone considered their next move.
"So," the Sheriff said. "We now know."
"You sure do," Robin agreed.
"And now you know."
"We knew long before you knew. What do you think we're doing here?"
"So what do you propose we do now."
"It would be logical if we all calmly walked up with no violence needed.
"Makes sense."
Everyone paused again.
Then we all ran.
It was complete and utter chaos.
Everyone was doing there best to trip and push people on the opposite sides. If it hadn't been so serious it would have been rather funny. That is how Robin ended up in front with Gisbourne. He couldn't look back to see what was happening behind him. He heard many people crash and fall but he hoped that none were from our side. Thomas was surprisingly our top member of the day as he threw anything he could reach behind him to trip guards. Suits of armor, wall painting, even fellow guards became tripping devises. He didn't think through the fellow outlaws however and Bryce ended up rolling back down the stairs, entangled in a few guards. At least it was a small staircase and they seemed to break each other's fall. Thomas's tactics may have been great for stopping guards but not the best for speed as he found himself as the back. He shrugged and took pride in the long line of guards behind us who were nursing quickly forming bruises and obvious broken bones.
"I'll be back here," he called after the crowd. To tired to follow, he instead hung back up one of the paintings he had dropped and took a few moments to ensure that it was perfectly straight
The sound of armor clanking mixed with every ones panting became deafening. Much tried to follow the example of Thomas and reached for the nearest wall painting. Unfortunately someone had dropped a sword and he slipped on it. His head hit the wall hard but at least his falling body tripped two more guards. The sheriff had never been the fittest of men and saw this as an opportunity to remove one of Robin Hood's men. Ben too, followed Thomas's example of the wall hanging but for a different purpose. Using a large shield he proceeded to hit is as hard as he could into the Sheriff's head. The sheriff was flung backwards and I had never wished more that there was no stair railing as it prevented him from falling right back to where we started.
"Only we get to pick on Much," Ben said to the Sheriff, despite his obvious factor of being unconscious and therefore unable to hear.
I was close behind Robin and saw how both Robin and Gisbourne run that extra bit harder to outrun the other. Once again, it would have been funny if the situation were not so serious.
We finally got to the tower but did not the amount of rooms that would be there. No one could remember the right one. So everyone was running around looking for any kind of clue.
"Ok this is pointless!" Prince John finally yelled. "Everybody stop!" If we all go about this in an orderly fashion and work together we can finally know the truth. Isn't it better us all knowing then none of us?"
No one knew what to do. Robin gave us a nod and we all calmly began searching.
It was very peculiar sight, guards and outlaws united. The smarter ones were in heated discussions about whose theory was right, myself included. Others such as Mark and the majority of the guards, just pretended to be doing something. I am still unsure over whether this was because they were too lazy or too stupid. Probably a mixture of the two. It was all for nothing though. We did not find anything. There was carvings all over the walls from the young boys who had once played here but none of them made any sense to anyone.
We worked the whole night. Another waste.
"Hood" the Prince finally yelled. "Can I have a word?" Robin reluctantly walked over to him. "Obviously we are not getting anywhere right now. I cannot believe that I am doing this but I am granting you free access to this area until we figure this out. But only this area, keep out of my treasuries and other important places."
We gathered our men and told them it was time for a break and all trailed out looking defeated.
"Are you coming?" Thomas asked Robin, as it seemed he was heading in another direction.
"Actually I thought that I'd go see Keighley," he told him.
Thomas shrugged "rather you than me" and left.
I attempted to sneak out amongst the men but I was no sneaky enough. "Allen," Robin called after me. "It could be a good idea if you came."
This obviously was not because he simply wanted to spend time with me. He was scared of going to Annie's room alone and there was still this odd illusion that Annie tolerated me, just because I was her brother. "You are aware that she hates me right?" I said, trying anything to get out of it.
"She hates me more."
"I am not sure."
But I went. Lets just say I was not happy about it. It has been said that I complained the whole way but Robin exaggerates.
Annie was not happy to see us. "No" she said. "You are definitely not coming in."
"And here I was thinking we were so close," Robin said with mock pain.
She just rolled her eyes at him. "Actually this last year has been the best of my life and you know why? Because of how I barley have had to see you."
He held his hand to my chest. "Why must you hurt me in this way?" He dropped the mock pain "I'll only stop if you let me in."
Begrudgingly she stepped aside. Keighley was awake and looking fine, other then being very bored.
"How are you?" he asked awkwardly.
"Fine" she said "except for her." She whispered, "I think she's trying to kill me."
Robin whispered back "I wouldn't be surprised."
They both laughed but then it was awkward again.
All the while, Annie and I stood on the side, glaring them down.
"Look," Robin continued "I'm sorry about how I've acted these past few months. Just because things ended between us that doesn't make up for the fact that we've hardly spoken. I generally avoid conflict and I guess I thought it would be easier to avoid you and once again I'm sorry. I would really like to start spending time with you again."
She smiled warmly. "Thank you" she said "I've been waiting for that."
Annie couldn't put up with this a second longer. She angrily yelled at Robin. "You arrogant git. After all that nonsense with Marian. Imagine if she knew. After almost giving up her entire future for you. Imagine if she knew how easily and fast you moved on."
Annie looked like she was holding in the urge to be sick and couldn't take watching anymore. I took her storming off to the balcony as an opportunity to get away myself under the cover of pretending to go and see what was wrong.
"Could you kindly make her leave? I don't want to see that despicable display."
"Normally I would jump to my friends defense," I said "but in this case I agree."
Annie wasn't acting normal. She couldn't stay still and was almost pacing all over the balcony.
"Something worrying you sis?"
She didn't hear me, thanks to be so deep in thought. She avoided the question and said, "we should get back. Before they do something stupid like become betrothed.
I scoffed, but after careful consideration, raced in after her.
"So are you feeling up to leaving?" Robin was saying. "I don't want to rush you but I'm worried she might try and eat us."
Everything seemed to be going great. Keighley had recovered well and it seemed easy for her to run. The exit was in sight until Gisbourne stepped in front of it.
"We have unfinished business" he said as he drew his sword. Robin was happy to draw his as well.
Then they fought, again. Fascinating, I know.
Robin was starting to learn exactly the moves he used and the order. The problem was Gisbourne was doing the same for him. Just because they had done this a lot, it didn't mean they fought any easier. They still wanted to kill each other.
"Right where I left you" came a voice from the stairs.
We knew that voice.
We just could not believe it.
For the first time in almost a year we turned and saw Marian.
